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May 29, 2023

Pope Francis on Pentecost: Synod is journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament'

Pope Francis delivers his homily during his Pentecost Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 28, 2023. Pope Francis called on Catholics to invoke daily the Spirit who gives "harmony to the world" and "directs the course of time and renews the face of the earth."

The Catholic Church's current Synod of Bishops should not be a "parliament for demanding rights," but a "journey in accordance with the Spirit," Pope Francis said.

Published in Reflections
May 23, 2021

Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Pentecost renews heart of our community

On Pentecost, we celebrate the birth of the Church but also the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to be servants to others.

Since last Pentecost Sunday, how would you describe your gift of service to your community? It is an appropriate question for all of us this weekend (May 22-23) as we celebrate the popular feast of Pentecost Sunday, a feast we usually associate with the call to serve as people baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Published in Guest Faith Columns
June 1, 2020

Church united by Spirit, not personal beliefs, Pope Francis says on Pentecost

Pope Francis raises the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Pentecost Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 31, 2020.

VATICAN CITY -- Just as the apostles were united once they received the Holy Spirit, the church is united by that same spirit and not by keeping company just with those who agree on a certain interpretation of Christian teaching, Pope Francis said on Pentecost.

Published in Reflections
June 7, 2019

Celebrate Pentecost by rejecting racism, Italian bishops say

Bishop Salvatore Muratore of Nicosia, Italy, arrives for the opening of the annual spring meeting of the Italian bishops' conference at the Vatican May 20, 2019.

ROME -- Disciples of Jesus must reject any attitude or language that could increase intolerance or racism, especially in current social and political discussions about welcoming and integrating migrants, said the bishops of Italy's Lazio region.

Published in International
May 16, 2016

Gift of the Spirit renews our relationship with God (Pentecost Sunday)

Gift of the Spirit renews our relationship with God (Pentecost Sunday)

“I will not leave you orphans” (Jn 14:18).

The central purpose of Jesus' mission, which culminated in the gift of the Holy Spirit, was to renew our relationship with the Father, a relationship severed by sin, to take us from our state of being orphaned children and to restore us as his sons and daughters.

Published in Reflections