SAVE THE DATE
St. John the Evangelist's 100th Anniversary
June 7th at 11:00 am
Mass will be held in Hanover with Bishop Malloy
Daily Readings
Weekly reading
Readings for the week of May 24, 2026
- :
- Sunday: Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5 / Ps 104:1-2, 24 and 35, 27-28, 29b-30 / Rom 8:22-27 / Jn 7:37-39 or, for the Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 / Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b / Ez 37:1-14 / Jl 3:1-5 / Rom 8:22-27 / Jn 7:37-39 (see Lectionary for Mass Supplement, 62) Day: Acts 2:1-11 / Ps 104:1 and 24, 29-30, 31 and 34 / 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 / Jn 20:19-23
- Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14 / Ps 87:1-2, 3 and 5, 6-7 / Jn 19:25-34
- Tuesday: 1 Pt 1:10-16 / Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 / Mk 10:28-31
- Wednesday: 1 Pt 1:18-25 / Ps 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 / Mk 10:32-45
- Thursday: 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12 / Ps 100:2, 3, 4, 5 / Mk 10:46-52
- Friday: 1 Pt 4:7-13 / Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13 / Mk 11:11-26
- Saturday: Jude 17, 20b-25 / Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6 / Mk 11:27-33
Pastor Message and Prayer
5/24
Pentecost Sunday
"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:4
Read Acts, chapter 2
The Messiah has completed his mission. The community of his followers, gathered around the Twelve, are the first fruits of his work. As they wait and pray in a ahouse in Jerusalem, everything is in place for the next stage of God's action to begin. The tinder is set. On Pentecost, it bursts into flame.
The Spirit's first action is to open the hearts and mouths of the community's members with praise to God for waht he has done through Jesus the Messiah (verse 1-13). Ages ago, at Babel, people ceased to understand one another because of differences of language; now the Spirit enables the Jews of different languages to understand the disciples' praises. One scholar remarks that at Babel people were confused because they could not understand each other; at Pentecost, they are confused because they can (verse 12)! In this way, the Spirit points to the goal of God's action through Jesus: the restoration of understanding amoung all people.
Next the Spirit empowers the Twelve to explain what God has done through Jesus and to extend his offer of the Spirit to all (verses 14-411). Peter assures even those who had called for Jesus' crucifixition that God will forgive them. Peter's experience makes him a credible witness to divine forgiveness. He himself abandoned Jesus and even denied that he knew him, yet Jesus has forgiven him.
Finally, the Spirit draws those who respond to Jesus into a commnuity marked by whole-hearted joy and mutual love (verses 42-47).
For Reflection:
Praise, evangelism, building up the community of the Church-how and where does the Spirit seek to empower me to play my part in these aspects of Christian life?
Prayer starter:
Add your voice to Pentecost. Express to God (aloud if you like) your thanks for his acts oflove large or small (see verses 4, 11).
Fr. Joachim
St. Mary Mass Times
Saturday 6:00pm
Sunday 8:30am
Daily Mass Times
Wednesday 8:30am
Wednesday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9am-9:30am
Friday 8:30am
First Friday 8:30am Healing Mass and Adoration
Confession Times
Saturday from 5:30-5:50 or
by appointment by calling the Rectory at 815-858-3422
St. Mary Office Hours
Wednesday 8:30 am- 3:30 p.m.. by appointment
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
