Hey Father Gary!

Today we celebrate the birth of the Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is Greek for fiftieth. It is now fifty days since the Easter season began. For the Jewish people this feast celebrates the closing of the harvest festival and the giving of the Law (Ten Commandments) to Moses on Mount Sinai. Christ has given us a new commandment, to love one another as he loves us. Not simply to love one another but to love as HE loves us. We celebrate today the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self control, chastity, wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe. We will reap a new harvest in the world if we live these gifts each day of our lives. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to fall afresh upon us and to renew the face of the earth!

In the preface of the second Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation we pray: “In the midst of conflict and division, we know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Your Spirit changes our hearts: enemies begin to speak to one another, those who were estranged join hands in friendship, and nations seek the way of peace together. Your Spirit is at work when understanding puts an end to strife, when hatred is quenched by mercy, and vengeance gives way to forgiveness.”

In this column over the last few weeks I have referred to the speeches and homilies Pope Benedict gave while he was in the Holy Land. They are inspiring and fulfill the above words from the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation, they witness to the presence and action of the Spirit of God in our midst. At a recent General Audience in Rome he continued to reflect on his recent pilgrimage: “In this Land blessed by God, sometimes it seems impossible to get out of the spiral of violence. But nothing is impossible for God and for those who trust in him! Because of this, faith in the one God, just and merciful should pour forth its treasure of respect, reconciliation and collaboration. Jerusalem is the crossroads for the three great monotheistic religions (Jew, Muslim and Christian) and its very name - ‘city of peace’- expresses the design of God for humanity: to make of it a great family. This design, announced to Abraham, was entirely fulfilled in Jesus Christ. All believers, therefore, should leave behind prejudices and a will to dominate and practice in harmony the fundamental commandment: to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves.”

When he stood a couple of weeks ago at Christ’s empty tomb he proclaimed with great hope: “History need not be repeated, memories can be healed, the bitter fruits of recrimination and hostility can be overcome, a future of justice, peace, prosperity and cooperation can arise for every man and woman, for the whole human family, and in a special way for the people who dwell in this land so dear to the heart of the Savior. May we grow in the life of the Spirit through conversion, penance and prayer. By the power of that same Spirit may we overcome every conflict and tension born of the flesh, and remove every obstacle, both within and without, standing in the way of our common witness to Christ and the reconciling power of his love.”

Through the grace and power of the Spirit may these words be fulfilled not only in the Land that first experienced the power and presence of the Holy Spirit but in each of our own hearts and lives.

- Fr. Gary Dowsey

Last Saturday a new priest was ordained for the Diocese of St.Petersburg, Father Carl “Buster” Melchior. It was a beautiful celebration. Father Carl has been assigned to St. Catherine’s on Belcher Road. Please continue to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Every Wednesday we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from after the 9 o’clock Mass until 7pm. One of our prayer intentions is vocations. This is an opportunity to spend some quiet time in the presence of the risen Christ, to deepen our commitment and discipleship with him (our baptismal vocation) to strengthen our marriage, family life and friendships. To surround who we are and what we do in prayer. If you are able to spend some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament please sign the list in the Narthex. I also encourage you to sign up for the travelling chalice. We are invited to take the chalice home as a visible reminder to prayer for vocations. A family that prays together stays together!

While the Holy Father, Pope Benedict, was in Nazareth, during his recent visit to the Holy Land, he spoke about the special role that children have in leading their parents to holiness: “Children have a special role to play in the growth of their parents in holiness. I urge you to reflect on this, and to let the example of Jesus guide you, not only in showing respect for your parents, but also helping them to discover more fully the love which gives our lives the deepest meaning. In the Holy Family of Nazareth, it was Jesus who taught Mary and Joseph something of the greatness of the love of God his heavenly Father, the ultimate source of all love, the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. (cf. Eph 3:14 – 15).” Our first communion Masses displayed the great love and reverence children have for Jesus. Their faith strengthened mine. Thank you children! May we continue to strengthen family life through the gifts of prayer, understanding and compassion.

A number of our young people are ending and beginning a new chapter in their lives with the graduating ceremonies that have and are taking place. We pray for all the young people who are graduating from Elementary School, High School and College. I was impressed with what President Obama said to the Graduating Class of 2009 at Arizona State University: “As you think about life after graduation, as you look in the mirror tonight, you may see somebody with no idea what to do with their life. But a troubled child might look at you and see a mentor. A homebound senior citizen might see a lifeline. The folks at your homeless shelter might see a friend. None of them care how much money is in your bank account, or whether you are important at work, or famous around town – they just know that you’re someone who cares, someone who makes a difference in their lives.”

Our parish school eighth grade students graduate on Tuesday, May 26th at 7pm. The ceremony begins with Mass, you are invited to attend. Please come and support our young people, the Church of today and the hope of tomorrow.

Monday is Memorial Day. I encourage you to come to Mass and to pray for all who have given their lives in service of their country, to secure our peace and freedom. We pray for those who serve in the military today, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war torn areas of our world. May they return safely to their families. May the peace of the Risen and Ascended Christ fill our hearts and homes, alleluia!

- Fr. Gary Dowsey

As I write this, Pope Benedict is concluding his visit to Jordan and the Holy Land. He has gone out of his way to proclaim a message of peace and reconciliation. By doing so he has been a true ambassador of Jesus Christ. Through his words and actions he has tried to heal the divisions that exist between Muslim, Jew and Christian and the Palestinian and Israeli people. He did not go to the Middle East with a blue print for peace but with the voice of reason and hope, the voice and message of Jesus.

I was very impressed by his words when he gathered with Muslim Religious Leaders in Jordan last Saturday. He acknowledged the tensions and divisions religion can cause when it is manipulated to suit the political agenda of its followers:

“We cannot fail to be concerned today, with increasing insistency by some, that religion fails in its claim to be, by nature a builder of unity and harmony, an expression of communion between persons and with God. Indeed some assert that religion is necessarily a cause of division in our world; and so they argue that the less attention given to religion in the public sphere the better. Certainly, the contradiction of tensions and divisions between the followers of different religious traditions, sadly, cannot be denied. However, is it not also the case that often it is the ideological manipulation of religion, sometimes for political ends, that is the real catalyst for tension and division, and at times even violence in society? In the face of this situation, where the opponents of religion seek not simply to silence its voice but to replace it with their own, the need for believers to be true to their principles and beliefs is felt all the more keenly. Muslims and Christians, precisely because of the burden of our common history so often marked by misunderstanding, must today strive to be known and recognized as worshippers of God faithful to prayer, eager to uphold and live by the Almighty’s decrees, merciful and compassionate, consistent in bearing witness to all that is true and good, and ever mindful of the common origin and dignity of all human persons, who remain at the apex of God’s creative design for the world and for history.”

If you wish to read the speeches the Holy Father gave during his pastoral visit to the Middle East please go to the Vatican website, you can access it through our own website: www.ourladydunedin.org. As I have mentioned before, you can also listen to a podcast of our Sunday Masses through our website. Through these podcasts we are able to share our first holy communion Masses with family and friends both near and far. Our first communion Masses are now complete and once again I would like to congratulate the children and their families. I encourage you to remain faithful to Christ in the Eucharist every Sunday. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

Today we have our first ‘Newcomers Welcome Brunch’ in the Conmy Center after the 930 Mass. This is an opportunity to welcome all those who have moved into the parish during the last two years. In future all new parishioners will be officially welcomed and encouraged to register in the parish at a ‘Newcomer’s Breakfast.’ This new ministry will officially begin in September. If you are new to the area and have not yet registered please call the parish office: 733 3606.

Finally, welcome to our founding pastor, Monsignor DuBois, who will be speaking at all the Sunday Masses on the importance of the Annual Pastoral Appeal.

- Fr. Gary Dowsey

Today we celebrate Mother’s Day. We ask a blessing upon all those who bear the beautiful title of ‘Mother’. Thank you for your vocation of unconditional love, understanding and compassion. There will be a special blessing at all Masses.

We also pray for the children who will receive Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion today.

Next Saturday, May 16th, at the 5pm Mass we will give thanks to God for the forty four years the Sisters of Notre Dame have graced this parish by their presence and service to Christ. Monsignor DuBois, who invited the Sisters to Dunedin in 1965, will preach at the Mass. Everyone is invited to this Mass and the reception which follows. If you wish to attend the reception please contact the parish office by tomorrow (Monday, May 11th): 733 3606.

Please visit our parish website: www.ourladydunedin.org. You can listen to a podcast of the Sunday Mass, view the parish history, find out important information on the sacraments, discover upcoming events, fill out your census form or join automated offertory giving. You can also read Bishop Lynch’s blog: ‘For His Friends’. It is well worth reading. He reflects on all the important issues facing our Church and world. It is informative, reflective, honest, practical and wise. You can also leave comments! This is a great way for the Bishop to keep in touch with us, helping us to reflect in a ‘spirit filled’ way upon the issues of the day.

We continue to celebrate the Easter Season with great joy and enthusiasm. The Liturgical Sourcebook reminds us that during the latter weeks of the Easter season, the readings at Mass focus less on the accounts of the Resurrection, and more on our participation in the risen life of Jesus. In today’s first reading we have a glimpse of how the early Church handled a difficult challenge. Saul of Tarsus, one of their persecutors, has become a believer. When he tries to join them, he meets with a very human reaction: fear and disbelief. But then Barnabus befriends him, brings him to the apostles and tells them about his miraculous conversion. The apostles welcome him. They have great faith in the Holy Spirit, who can turn enemies into friends. No wonder the Church is united and at peace.

Today’s’ Gospel is drawn from the Last Supper discourse from St. John. It follows the account of the washing of the feet. What does it mean to “remain” in Jesus (John 15:4)? The metaphor of the vine and branches helps us to understand. The branches are absolutely dependent on the vine: if they are cut away, they wither at once. But the vine needs the branches as well, for the branches can bear fruit. The imagery of today’s Gospel speaks of a great intimacy. We are like branches on the vine, intimately connected with our source of life, sharing one existence. The vine, of course, is Jesus!

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Once while preaching in a parish, I suddenly caught sight of a young mother with her child and you could see the love between them. I was terribly tempted to say to the congregation: ‘Forget what I am saying and look over there, and you will see what we mean to God!’

Cardinal Basil Hume
‘In My Own Words’

- Fr. Gary Dowsey

This weekend we begin our first Holy Communion celebrations. We pray for the children and their families. May this day remain with them for the rest of their lives. Do you remember your own first communion? I was excited and anxious at the same time. The Sisters who taught us instilled a great love and reverence for Jesus in the Eucharist. I believe this love and reverence has remained with me. Of course receiving Jesus in communion has huge implications. It means that along with the bread and wine I too must be transformed and changed into the presence of Jesus. The transformation of bread and wine is the beginning of a process of change. Jesus did not give us this sacred meal as ‘comfort food’! I am called to literally be the presence of Jesus in today’s world. The values of Christ’s Kingdom must shine through our words and actions. Because we have received Jesus people have the right to encounter his presence through us. May we live who we receive.

Today is the 46th World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. There are vocations to the priesthood and religious life in this community of faith. We must pray for and encourage vocations from this parish family. Would you like your son or daughter to be a priest or religious sister? If so why, if not why not? Vocations come from the home. Each Wednesday in this diocese we pray for vocations. This is one of the reasons why we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church and Chapel on this day. Please come and pray to the “Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38).

Pope Benedict in his message for this special day of prayer says: “While it is undoubtedly true that a worrisome shortage of priests is evident in some regions of the world, and that the Church encounters difficulties and obstacles along the way, we are sustained by the unshakeable certitude that the one who firmly guides her in the pathways of time towards the definitive fulfillment of the Kingdom is he, the Lord, who freely chooses persons of every culture and of every age and invites them to follow him according to the mysterious plans of his merciful love. We must pray that the whole Christian people grows in its trust in God, convinced that the ‘Lord of the harvest’ does not cease to ask some to place their entire existence freely at his service so as to work with him more closely in the mission of salvation. Dear friends, do not become discouraged in the face of difficulties and doubts; trust in God and follow Jesus faithfully and you will be witnesses of the joy that flows from intimate union with him.”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who worked so hard to make the Parish Picnic last Sunday a great success. A good time was had by all! We are blessed to have so many people who are prepared to go above and beyond in service to this community. May we continue to use all our gifts and talents to give glory to God and in service of others. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

Our Faith Formation Programs for young people on Sundays and Wednesdays have completed the academic year and will resume in September. Americo Menendez (Director of Evangelization, Life Long Faith Formation and Youth Ministry), along with his secretary Mary Ann Dolsak, catechists and a host of volunteers have done an outstanding job in presenting the gift of faith to all ages. Thank you and we look forward to resuming our programs in the fall.

- Fr. Gary Dowsey