PONDERING

Pentecost, the birth of the church, is packed with many powerful images. There is the room of fear, the mighty wind, the tongues of fire and lastly the transformation of the apostles from fearful to fearless.

Today’s gospel has this wonderful quote, “There is much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” This quote reminds us that the church is all about growth. Growing to be able to accept what God teaches through the Spirit; growing to find new and better ways to communicate God’s word and love to the baptized.

The truth is that the church has had many Pentecost’s because the church has had to be renewed over and over again through out her history. As with all organizations and institutions inertia creeps into the church. Throughout her long history the Church has found herself locked in the room of fear. Each and every time this happens Jesus enters that room, offers peace, breaths his Spirit back into the Church and the Church rediscovers her mission and the People of God move forward in faith.

I clearly remember in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council how often the phrase “the new Pentecost” was used to express what was going on in the Church. Some forth-five years later I wonder what happened to that “New Pentecost”. Has the Spirit abandoned the Church or has the Church abandoned the Spirit? The first is impossible so it must be the second explanation.

Has the Vatican, the chancery, the rectory or the living room of the domestic Church become the new room of fear? Too often that seems to be the case. Perhaps the Spirit is not being sent to the leaders of the Church. What if the Spirit is being sent to the Baptized, the order of the Faithful, the whole membership of the Church.

I have no idea what the Spirit will say this Pentecost but I have a pretty good idea what the Spirit will not say. The Spirit cannot say, “embrace the status quo”. Nor can the Spirit say, “become more passive”. The Spirit will never say, “Build the walls higher”; she will say, “Build the bridges longer.” The Spirit will never say, “the best has already come, relax and enjoy the truth”.

In the Old Testament, Joseph was a dreamer; in the New Testament, God speaks to Joseph in his dreams. Maybe that is why I dream of a healthier, stronger, more vibrant Church. I look forward to what the Spirit will say to our faith community this year. I look forward to where the Spirit will lead our local Church, our diocesan Church and indeed the universal Church.

“Come of Spirit of the Lord and renew the face of the world!”

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, May 30

5:00 p.m. Michael Duran

Catherine Leavene

Sunday, May 31

8:00 a.m. Daniel Pinch, Jr.

9:15 a.m. Betty Kane

11:00 a.m. Robert Baldwin

Tuesday, June 2

12:00 p.m. Miguel Talamantes

Lionel Bernier

Saturday, June 6

5:00 p.m. Irma McNally

Sunday, June 7

8:00 a.m. Rev. John O’Brien

BANNS OF MARRIAGE

Nicolette Daniels and Matthew Andolfo

Claire Steggall and Eavan Murphy

YOUR STEWARDSHIP – YOUR LOVE – OUR THANKS

Dear faith community of Christ the King,

It is with great fullness that we thank you for supporting us so lovingly in honoring the life of Richard Keogh. Christ the King was truly a place where Dick felt at home. For over twenty years, Dick shared his time, talent, and treasure with this faith-filled community, which has come back to us one-hundredfold in the stories that so many of you shared with us, your generous donations to the Church’s works of mercy, and your continued prayers and support.

You led us by the hands and held us up when we needed to be guided the most. For all who participated in any way in making Dick’s wake and funeral so inspirational, we thank you. We think that Dick, along with Jesus, would say, “Well done, oh good and faithful friends.”

In peace,

The Keogh Family

STEPHEN MINISTRY MESSAGE

The summer is a busy time and while we welcome the opportunity to enjoy the good weather after a long winter, sometimes the unstructured nature of summer can be hard to adjust to. Speaking with a Stephen Minister may ease the stress of the season. Contact Carol Hartley at 783-4036 (carolhartley@cox.net), Larry Bartley at 965-7276

(LJBJR@cox.net), or call the rectory.

RELIGIOUS FORMATION

This weekend is the final weekend for our celebrations of First Communion. We warmly congratulate all the children who have participated this spring! Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

CONFIRMATION NOTES

Congratulations to the 82 young women and men that were confirmed by Bishop Roque on Friday evening. These newly confirmed have promised to become active members of our parish community. Let us welcome them and support them as they make use of their special talents and gifts and challenge them to continue their growth as faith-full persons.

REMINDER TO PHASE I STUDENTS:

All outstanding paperwork is due in the office by June 1. This includes sponsor forms, service logs and homework assignments. This paperwork must be in before progressing to Phase II.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School is June 29 – July 3 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon for children in grades K – 5. The theme is “We are God’s People.” We still need a guitar player! Call Arlene Reynolds at 789-5116 for more information and registration. Forms are also on the bulletin board.

PEACE AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Do you know someone who needs a little help buying food? We don’t need to tell you that times are tough, but it may be difficult for some people to reach out when they are in need. You can help. The SNAP Outreach Project sponsored by the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America wants to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by spreading the word in our community that SNAP benefits are available to help low-income persons or families that apply and qualify to buy the food they need to stay healthy. Call 1-866-306-0270 for more information or visit www.eatbettertoday.com.

ASSUMPTION PARISH - FOOD DELIVERY STEWARDS NEEDED

A new list for drivers to Assumption has been posted on the door next to the loft stairs. If you can take the food collected at CTK to Assumption parish, please register your name and phone number for the week(s) you will deliver.

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The Social Action Committee needs used furniture, bureaus, mattresses, a kitchen table and chairs, and a bunk bed. We also need the necessary items for a first apartment. If you have something, call Lynda at 284-0231. 

ADOPTION BY CHOICE

Adoption by Choice, a program of Catholic Social Services of Fall River, Inc. will hold an information session for individuals and families interested in adoption. The session is Sunday, June 7 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. For more information or to register call 508-674-4681.

GCC’S ROCK ’N RUN 5K ROAD RACE

Grace’s Courage Crusade will sponsor a Rock ‘N Run 5K Road Race and Family Festival on Sunday, June 28 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Ninigret Park. Proceeds will benefit Charcot-Marie Tooth Research. For more information contact Tonia Hassell at 782-3574 or ltarc@cox.net.

MONSIGNOR CLARKE GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Monsignor Clarke Open is Monday, July 13 at Quidnessett Country Club. Breakfast is at 7 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Call 789-0860 or visit www.MonsignorClarkeSchool.org for more information.

WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

“…if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.” Learn to love each other more, so that God will remain in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends in New England are June 19 – 21, July 17 – 19 and September 25 – 27.  For more information call Ralph & Jane Becker at 1-800-710-WWME or visit our webpage at www.wwmeMA.org.

CALENDAR FOR MAY 30 – JUNE 7

Saturday/Sunday, May 30/31

Feast of Pentecost/Receptions

Monday, June 1

9:00 a.m. Staff Planning Day/Catholic Center

7:00 p.m. Religious Formation/Library

Tuesday, June 2

7:30 p.m. Choir

Wednesday, June 3

6:00 p.m. Stephen Minister Potluck/Hall

7:00 p.m. Stephen Minister Training/Library

Saturday, June 6

4:00 p.m. Confession