Pentecost Sunday
May 23, 2026 Bulletin Column Father De Celles
PENTECOST! Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, remembering the day, fifty days after Easter, when God the Father and God the Son, Jesus, sent their Holy Spirit to the first Christians—the apostles, Mary and other disciples totaling “in all about a hundred and twenty.” As the Acts of the Apostles records (Ch. 2):
“And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…”
No longer did the disciples hide behind the closed doors, or go to the temple to pray quietly. Suddenly, filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, the disciples threw open the doors and began to preach to passersby. And as a great crowd gathered Peter, the first Pope, “lifted up his voice and addressed them …” telling them all about Jesus and His salvific death, resurrection and ascension. So powerful were his words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, that: “those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
What an amazing day—what an amazing gift! The Holy Spirit of God dwelling inside the Church and individual Christians, manifesting in such powerful ways, most especially in the bold preaching that “cut to the heart.”
That same Holy Spirit lives and acts in all the Baptized, and in even more powerful way in all the confirmed. And he lives and acts in the whole Church, guiding her in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ for these 2000 years.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, Who instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Congratulations to the Newly Confirmed. Sincere congratulations to all our teens who received the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation last Tuesday evening. Let’s keep them in our prayers as they go forward with these graces and become the good men and women God created them to be. Thanks to Bishop Burbidge for visiting and conferring the sacrament, and thanks also to parents, sponsors, and catechists for helping the kids prepare for the sacrament and for life as true followers of Jesus. Thanks especially to Virginia Osella for all her good work as our Religious Education Director, and to Mary Hansen as her indefatigable assistant.
Priest Assignments. The annual priest (re)assignments have been announced and, Praised be Jesus Christ, they do not affect St. Raymond’s at all. Please pray, however, for the parishes and priests who are affected by the changes. And please pray that your parish priests will successfully strive to make the coming year the holiest year ever in our parish.
Memorial Day. This Monday America celebrates Memorial Day, a day of honoring those in our military who have given their lives not merely for our nation, but for the life, liberty and happiness of each and every individual American. We owe them an incredible debt, one we must try to repay by living lives worthy of the sacrifice they’ve made for us, lives built on the idea of freedom to become the best we can be, not freedom to do as we please. And we can pray for them, that they might receive the heavenly reward.
Ordination Anniversary. Last Monday, May 18, I celebrated the 30th anniversary of my ordination to the Holy Priesthood, the best day of my life. It was a memorable day not only for me and my classmates, but for the Diocese of Arlington as well, as the 13 men ordained that day is still the largest ordination class in the history of our Diocese (and that year it was the largest in the whole country). Of the 13, 9 are still serving in the Diocese, 2 have preceded us to judgment, 1 has retired and 1, sadly, left the priesthood.
I thank God every day for the gift of the priesthood he has given me, because although it is a gift of service to you, it is a gift of joy to me.
I want to share a little something I remember every May 18. That date is the Feast of Pope St. John I and the birthday of Pope St. John Paul II (who was pope in 1996, and, along with Pope Benedict XVI, my theological and priestly exemplar). On that day, I was ordained by Bishop John Keating, whom I deeply respected. Laugh if you like, but I’ve always thought all these “Johns” coming together on this date to be a little miracle of Jesus, and my patron saints in heaven, to encourage me in my priestly perseverance, confidence and zeal. (I once asked my Mom, which “St. John” I was named after; she replied “all of them,” so I claim all the of the 120-plus canonized “St. Johns,” as well as all the “St. Joans,” “St. Jeans,” and “St. Janes” derived from the name “John,” as my patrons).
Then, 20 years later my devout Catholic father, Dan De Celles died on May 18. Now some might think that would cast a shadow of grief on my anniversary day, but quite the contrary. My father was so proud to have a priest for a son I went from being the “youngest child” to being the “favorite child” overnight. Moreover, my priesthood has to be in large part rooted in the heroic example of Catholic fatherhood he gave me: although he often struggles with his weaknesses he always strove for perfection in Christ, always with incredible faith and zeal (especially for the Eucharist). So remembering his death on my anniversary is another gift to remind me of the ineffable gift I have received.
I love being priest. I don’t always enjoy all the responsibilities or the nonsense one encounters being inside the hierarchy of the Church, but I love my priesthood. And I give thanks to the Most Blessed and Divine Trinity for their munificent gift. And to the Blessed Mother, my patron saints (including St. Mary Magdalene) for their unfailing help.
Vacation. I was away on vacation during the week of May 10 to 17, playing golf in Williamsburg. Unlike my last golfing vacation in Florida in January, I managed not to get sick! Instead I enjoyed playing 4 days of golf, including 3 of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the state, and managed not to embarrass myself in the process. Plus, the weather was great every day. It was a very needed rest and refreshment. Thanks be to Jesus.
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles