ST. FAUSTINA FAITH FORMATION

The weekend of June 5, 2022, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.  

Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and ten days after his ascension into heaven. The name of the day itself is derived from the Greek word "pentecoste," meaning 50th.
The timing of these feasts is also where Catholics get the concept of the Novena - nine days of prayer - because in Acts 1, Mary and the Apostles prayed together "continuously" for nine days after the Ascension leading up to Pentecost.

SEND US YOUR SPIRIT!                                                                                       Acts 1, 1-11
After Jesus was taken up to heaven the Apostles, Mary and other women and men gathered to pray together.  They knew that they needed the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, to begin the difficult task of giving witness to the Reign of God.  Today, we continue to pray:
            Jesus send us your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.  You know our strengths and weaknesses.  Transform us into messengers of your Gospel for those who yearn for you. 
            Jesus, send us your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.  You know our history, with it’s beautiful and painful experiences.  Help us to be untiring promoters of a society based on love, justice, and peace.
            Jesus, send us your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.  You know our longing for love and community.  Make us instruments of unity and service, especially for those who are weak and those who are lonely.  Amen

A "strong, driving" wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so that they could understand each other - but Peter pointed out that it was only the morning, and said the phenomenon was caused by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission - to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be "clothed with power" before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.

He also told the people that the Jesus they crucified is the Lord and was raised from the dead, which "cut them to the heart." When they asked what they should do, Peter exhorted them to repent of their sins and to be baptized. According to the account in Acts, about 3,000 people were baptized following Peter's sermon.

For this reason, Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church - The apostles and believers, for the first time, were united by a common language, and a common zeal and purpose to go and preach the Gospel.

Let the Holy Spirit guide us to go out and share the Faith with our friends and family. 

May Holy Spirit guide us,
Lynn McKnight, DRE St. Faustina


TWO NEW ALTER SERVERS
We would like to share exciting news!  Two of our Religious Education students Sofia and Grace Cracchiolo are training to be Alter Servers.  If you were at 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 8^th you could feel the excitement radiating from the girls.  Their mother is also a teacher in our Religious Education Program for 3 years now.  The girls had support from their family Mom, dad, and grandparents.  Sofia and Grace’s grandfather is going to join our Religious Education department next year.     
Sofia and Grace have been part of St. Faustina Religious Education program since first grade.  They attended Westwood Elementary School which is part of Warren Woods Public Schools.  They moved a year ago to Macomb, MI and attend Fox Elementary School.  Sofia and Grace will go to Iroquois Middle School in September.  They will continue their Religious Education here at St. Faustina.

We are very proud of Sofia and Grace!

                                             

 

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