Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
May 31, 2014 Column Father De Celles
The Ascension of the Lord. Today we celebrate the day Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended, body and soul, into heaven. Although we sometimes treat this as a sort of secondary feast, it is one of the most important days in history and of the liturgical year. It is also one of the central tenets of our faith, as every Sunday we profess our faith that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Christ is alive in heaven, in His living and glorified Body.
This is important to us for many reasons. Consider first that he reigns forever, interceding with His Father for us, showering us with His grace and Holy Spirit. He has not abandoned us, but having sent us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, remains united to us always, even as he waits to come again to earth on the last day.
Moreover, consider that He reigns as God in His human body and soul. He does not shed his humanity but embraces it forever as part of Himself. And so at every moment throughout eternity He keeps all mankind close to His heart. His humanity in heaven is a pledge of love for us in our weaknesses, a communication of his promise that we may also share in his heavenly glory. And what great dignity this also bestows on our human life, on us. In particular, what light it sheds on the nature of the human body: it was created for and is destined for heaven, not meant to be discarded at death, or manipulated or merely used during life on earth. If we would only remember this when we face the choice to sin or to love as we should—especially sins that more obviously affect the body. For example, when we leave the poor to be hungry or exposed to the weather; when we see skin color as a reason to demean other human beings; when we physically injure others or ourselves; when we abuse drugs or alcohol; when we view or treat bodies as the object of lust, to use for mere passing gratification.
Let this Solemnity of the Ascension remind us of the Lord Jesus’ abiding love and presence in our lives, of the great things he has in store for us in heaven, and of the great dignity of human life and the human body.
Novena to the Holy Spirit. 2000 years ago the Lord ascended into heaven on a Thursday, so that immediately after that first Ascension Thursday the apostles and the other disciples, with the Blessed Mother, began to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. For nine days they prayed, and on the tenth day, Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit descend on them in a dramatic display of divine power. Those nine days of prayer are the origin of the pious Catholic custom praying of novenas (from “novem,” Latin for “nine”) for particular intentions, in particularly the Novena to the Holy Spirit, or the Pentecost Novena.
The celebration of Ascension on Sunday, sort of complicates the idea of a “Pentecost Novena.” Even so, I invite you to join me in praying a novena to the Holy Spirit, beginning today and closing on the Monday after Pentecost—a little different timing, but it works.
There are many different forms of praying Pentecost novenas, so to keep it simple, I propose the following. First, form a particular intention for each day:
Day 1: That the Holy Spirit may continue to pour out His gifts on the Church, especially Pope Francis.
Day 2: That St. Raymond parishioners, especially the parish priests and I, may more actively exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit we have received.
Day 3: That the Holy Spirit may grant me an increase in His gift of wisdom.
Day 4: …His gift of understanding.
Day 5: …His gift of counsel.
Day 6: …His gift of fortitude.
Day 7: …His gift of knowledge.
Day 8: …His gift of piety.
Day 9: …His gift of reverence, or fear of the Lord.
And then, in union with the Blessed Mother say this prayer each day:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Thanks to the Knights of Columbus. I’m sure all of you bought tickets from the Knights for the multi-parish car raffle sponsored by All Saints Parish. Sadly, none of the winners were from St. Raymond’s; looks like I have to wait another year for my new car. But I’m happy to report that the Knights’ share of the raffle proceeds came to a total of $16,618.00, half of this ($8,309.00) going to the parish to reduce the debt. Since we began participating in the raffle in 2007 more than $64,000.00 has been raised toward debt relief.
The raffle sales are only one of the many activities sponsored by the Knights in our parish—it seems like nothing big happens at St. Raymond’s without the Knights’ sponsorship or active assistance, and individual Knights are key volunteers in the parish. I encourage all men in the parish to join the Knights (“Saint John Bosco” Council) as great way of becoming more active in the life of the parish and the Church. For information, go to the Council’s website (stjohnboscokofc.org) or contact the parish office. Thanks again to our Knights!
Extraordinary Form and the Sacrament of Confirmation. I’m happy to announce that Bishop Loverde has decided to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the Extraordinary Form (i.e. according to the rite in use prior to 1971) at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More on October 21, 2014. Although children (and adults) are normally confirmed in their own parish, this second option is available to all who have completed the proper formation/preparation in the parish. If you are interested, please contact me or the parish office of Religious Education no later than September 16, 2014.
Personal Note. A few Sundays back the petitions at Mass prayed for the soul “Larry De Celles.” Many of you have since approached me, concerned for my loss, some thinking this referred to my father. I deeply thank you all for your concern and prayers. Larry was my uncle who died recently, at the age of 92. May he rest in the eternal peace of Christ. (Happily, my Dad, Daniel, is still with us, at age 89).
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles
The Ascension of the Lord. Today we celebrate the day Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended, body and soul, into heaven. Although we sometimes treat this as a sort of secondary feast, it is one of the most important days in history and of the liturgical year. It is also one of the central tenets of our faith, as every Sunday we profess our faith that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Christ is alive in heaven, in His living and glorified Body.
This is important to us for many reasons. Consider first that he reigns forever, interceding with His Father for us, showering us with His grace and Holy Spirit. He has not abandoned us, but having sent us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, remains united to us always, even as he waits to come again to earth on the last day.
Moreover, consider that He reigns as God in His human body and soul. He does not shed his humanity but embraces it forever as part of Himself. And so at every moment throughout eternity He keeps all mankind close to His heart. His humanity in heaven is a pledge of love for us in our weaknesses, a communication of His promise that we may also share in his heavenly glory. And what great dignity this also bestows on our human life, on us. In particular, what light it sheds on the nature of the human body: it was created for and is destined for heaven, not meant to be discarded at death, or manipulated or merely used during life on earth. If we would only remember this when we face the choice to sin or to love as we should—especially sins that more obviously affect the body. For example, when we leave the poor to be hungry or exposed to the weather; when we see skin color as a reason to demean other human beings; when we physically injure others or ourselves; when we abuse drugs or alcohol; when we view or treat bodies as the object of lust, to use for mere passing gratification.
Let this Solemnity of the Ascension remind us of the Lord Jesus’ abiding love and presence in our lives, of the great things He has in store for us in heaven, and of the great dignity of human life and the human body.
Novena to the Holy Spirit. 2000 years ago the Lord ascended into heaven on a Thursday, so that immediately after that first Ascension Thursday the apostles and the other disciples, with the Blessed Mother, began to pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised. For nine days they prayed, and on the tenth day, Pentecost Sunday, the Holy Spirit descend on them in a dramatic display of divine power. Those nine days of prayer are the origin of the pious Catholic custom praying of novenas (from “novem,” Latin for “nine”) for particular intentions, in particularly the Novena to the Holy Spirit, or the Pentecost Novena.
The celebration of Ascension on Sunday, sort of complicates the idea of a “Pentecost Novena.” Even so, I invite you to join me in praying a novena to the Holy Spirit, beginning today and closing on the Monday after Pentecost—a little different timing, but it works.
There are many different forms of praying Pentecost novenas, so to keep it simple, I propose the following. First, form a particular intention for each day:
Day 1: That the Holy Spirit may continue to pour out His gifts on the Church, especially Pope Francis.
Day 2: That St. Raymond parishioners, especially the parish priests and I, may more actively exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit we have received.
Day 3: That the Holy Spirit may grant me an increase in His gift of wisdom.
Day 4: …His gift of understanding.
Day 5: …His gift of counsel.
Day 6: …His gift of fortitude.
Day 7: …His gift of knowledge.
Day 8: …His gift of piety.
Day 9: …His gift of reverence, or fear of the Lord.
And then, in union with the Blessed Mother say this prayer each day:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Thanks to the Knights of Columbus. I’m sure all of you bought tickets from the Knights for the multi-parish car raffle sponsored by All Saints Parish. Sadly, none of the winners were from St. Raymond’s; looks like I have to wait another year for my new car. But I’m happy to report that the Knights’ share of the raffle proceeds came to a total of $16,618.00, half of this ($8,309.00) going to the parish to reduce the debt. Since we began participating in the raffle in 2007 more than $64,000.00 has been raised toward debt relief.
The raffle sales are only one of the many activities sponsored by the Knights in our parish—it seems like nothing big happens at St. Raymond’s without the Knights’ sponsorship or active assistance, and individual Knights are key volunteers in the parish. I encourage all men in the parish to join the Knights (“Saint John Bosco” Council) as a great way of becoming more active in the life of the parish and the Church. For information, go to the Council’s website (stjohnboscokofc.org) or contact the parish office. Thanks again to our Knights!
Extraordinary Form and the Sacrament of Confirmation. I’m happy to announce that Bishop Loverde has decided to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation according to the Extraordinary Form (i.e. according to the rite in use prior to 1971) at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More on October 21, 2014. Although children (and adults) are normally confirmed in their own parish, this second option is available to all who have completed the proper formation/preparation in the parish. If you are interested, please contact me or the parish office of Religious Education no later than September 16, 2014.
Personal Note. A few Sundays back the petitions at Mass prayed for the soul of “Larry De Celles.” Many of you have since approached me, concerned for my loss, some thinking this referred to my father. I deeply thank you all for your concern and prayers. Larry was my uncle who died recently, at the age of 92. May he rest in the eternal peace of Christ. (Happily, my Dad, Daniel, is still with us, at age 89).
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles