05/24/2026
Pentecost
May 24th, 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today, we celebrate Pentecost, which derives its name from the Greek word meaning “50th day”. It occurs fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection. Because Easter is a movable feast without a fixed date, Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13.
The tongues of fire evoke John the Baptist’s proclamation of the one who would baptize not with water but with fire.
The Holy Spirit, who descended upon the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem and upon us during our Confirmation, continually encourages us daily to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us with others.
Do you remember the gifts of the Holy Spirit? They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord.
By embracing these gifts, we can serve God, strengthen our vibrant parish community, and support the Church as a whole. Each gift empowers us to uplift, support, and joyfully celebrate the beautiful unity found in diversity.
The Holy Spirit is the Giver of Life, the Unction who anoints and heals us.
The Holy Spirit is the Love that unites the Father and the Son, and the Love that unites us to the Father, the Son, and one another.
The Holy Spirit helps us break down barriers in our relationships with others and between nations. Pope Leo XIV emphasizes, “Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones that separate us from our neighbors, or for the exclusionary mindset that we see emerging in political nationalism.” With the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious world together.
We all need to work together to maintain unity. The diversity of people from various cultures, experiences, and languages enriches our understanding of one another and our shared identity as one family of God. In essence, this diversity helps us understand who God is and who we are as God’s family.
Being open to the Holy Spirit and His gifts enables us to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness, and more, enriching our lives and those around us in wonderful ways.
…..

May is such a beautiful month to celebrate our Blessed Mother. The Ladies Guild came together in joyful prayer, crowning her statue with a lovely floral crown. A huge thank you to all the incredible women for your dedication to our parish and our Blessed Mother. Your contributions truly make a difference. I am looking forward to the Mass and the installation of your new officers next month.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Knights of Columbus. A heartfelt thank you Brothers, for your incredible contributions to our parish. Join me in warmly welcoming Miguel “Mikael” McCarthy, our newest member.
Thanks to the wonderful collaboration between the Diocese of Rome, Sapienza University, and the Community of Saint’Egidio, 72 young people from Gaza will resume their studies, which were cut short by the war. Pope Leo XIV, in his address to students at La Sapienza University, warned: “What is happening in Ukraine, in Gaza and the Palestinian Territories, in Lebanon, and in Iran illustrates the inhumane evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies, in a spiral of annihilation.” Let’s continue to pray for peace and strive to be peacemakers.
We must protect the human person in the age of artificial intelligence! Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On the Protection of Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” will be published tomorrow, May 25th. He stated last week: “In this era of artificial intelligence, I encourage everyone to commit themselves to promoting forms of communication that always respect the truth of the human person, which should be the focus of every technological innovation.” His words urge us to prioritize human dignity in our technological advancements.
Thank you so much, Lisa and Jeff, for such a vibrant dinner. It was a joy to reconnect and hear about your family- congratulations on your granddaughter graduating from UNC; what an incredible milestone. That alligator lounging on the golf course was a sight to behold.
Also, a big thank you to Brenda and Kevin for the delightful dinner invitation. I’m thrilled to hear your family is doing well, and I hope you have an unforgettable time in Malta this August.
Emily Sciortino, who is working towards earning her Eagle Scout commendation, led fellow Scouts and adults from Troop 247 in creating boxed pollinator gardens outside our Parish Hall. She designed the gardens, organized fundraising efforts, and collected donations. In addition to the gardens, she donated $550 from her fundraising activities to the church, which was used to purchase a garden hydration system and support children’s faith formation. A heartfelt thank you, Emily, for your dedication and leadership.
The AV-88 Harrier jets soared over the Crystal Coast. I had the opportunity to witness one of their final flyovers during my walk before their retirement.
I enjoyed watching the crows. They are very clever and mate for life. Recently, seeing the egrets, blue herons, swallows, and a deer also filled me with joy.
Kami Rita Sherpa has successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest (known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet) for the 32nd time, holding the record for the most summits by a man.
Lhakpa Sherpa has scaled Mount Everest 11 times and holds the record for the most summits by a woman.
Kristin Harila made history in 2023 by climbing all 14 of the world’s tallest mountains in just 92 days, setting a new world speed record. She just successfully reached the summit of Nuptse without using supplemental oxygen. Now, she is on her way to the summits of Lhotse and Everest, also without supplemental oxygen. If she achieves this, she will become the first person ever to complete the Triple Crown: summiting Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse without supplemental oxygen.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.” (Prayer to the Holy Spirit).
Wishing you a Very Happy and Blessed Pentecost,
Fr Ryszard
