Dear Friends,
Blessed Pentecost!
While the Reopening Team at Saint Andrew has been working to open up the parish for private prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Saint Andrew will not be able to offer those services this weekend. Please visit our website, www.standrew.org of updates and announcements about reopening. The team is working hard toward fulfilling the requirements set by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Meanwhile, you are urged to join us virtually on Sunday morning, May 31, 2020 at 11:00am for Your Sunday Connection… Live! We will hold a Zoom call for all parishioners to watch the pre-recorded homily for Sunday, have a chance to share and connect with one another, and even have virtual time for “coffee and donuts.” Register to join the call by clicking here.
The remainder of this note is the “Your Sunday Connection” webpage. As you scroll through, read and pray along. A homily message from Fr. Sergio is included.
Opening Prayer
O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the Gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Readings
Reading 1 ACTS 2:1-11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
Reading 2 1 COR 12:3B-7, 12-13
Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Gospel JN 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
The Homily
Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.
The Prayers of the Faithful
That Church leaders, filled with the Holy Spirit, may bring justice to the oppressed, food to the hungry, plenty to the poor, and compassion to the suffering. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For elected officials, that they may act in accordance with God’s will in their commitment to justice and mercy, especially for those on the margins of society. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For those who were baptized or confirmed during this Easter season, that they may learn to recognize the Spirit’s movement in their live. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
That we may continue to break down walls that divide members of the human race. In particular, may justice come to heal the deep wounds reopened in our society by the death of George Floyd. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For all of us, that we may use the spiritual gifts we have been given by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For those who are affected by COVID19, that God will help them through this terrible time and for the entire world as we face this pandemic and trust in God’s will. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for Richard Duda, Patrick Walsh, Jr. and James Donoghue. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Sunday Offertory
Stewardship of Saint Andrew Parish is the responsibility of us all. Consistently throughout the year, we remind parishioners about stewarding the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure to support the mission of Saint Andrew Parish.
During this pandemic, there are many urgent needs, among those needs are caring for the financial obligations of Saint Andrew Parish. If you do not regularly contribute electronically ether weekly or monthly, please consider making a Sunday Offering online through Give Central through the link below.
Spiritual Communion
In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:
“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”
You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart…
“My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”
Closing Prayer
O God, who bestow heavenly gifts upon your Church, safeguard, we pray, the grace you have given, that the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out upon her may retain all its force and that this spiritual food may gain her abundance of eternal redemption. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN
Announcements
Volunteer for Church Reopening
The team that is helping to roll out the gradual reopening of Saint Andrew parish for public worship is in need of additional volunteers to help with clean up, set up, and greeting. To find out more about the team’s needs and to sign up, please read more…
Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.