Pentecost, 23 May 2010,

The month of May is a full and wonderful month here at St Joseph’s. It is a month dedicated to Mary by prayer and devotion. Children have been baptised, forgiveness of sins has been celebrated, the Eucharist celebrated at least once each day, prayers have been offered during visits to the Blessed Sacrament throughout each day, people have received spiritual direction and so many other graces and blessings known only to the recipient and to God.

May is also the time of the children and young people to come to their Father’s House at St Joseph’s. Two weeks ago the students of Marymount School, Paris, received Jesus for the first time. The joy of this for them and their parents was to be seen on radiant faces and proud families.

This weekend is another time when we are truly blessed. On Saturday afternoon we celebrated First Communions for our CCD students. Again, what joy and happiness as the Lord Jesus quietly and beautifully entered into the hearts and souls of these wonderful young people and brought such thanksgiving to their families, teachers, parishioners and clergy.

Today, Monsignor François Fleischmann will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation for CCD and Marymount School candidates. We will see the externals but we can only trust in faith at the wonder of the Holy Spirit coming to these young people as into a temple.

Many parishes around the world will also celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this Pentecost Sunday. I doubt if there are many as fortunate as we are in having the privilege to witness the Holy Spirit create out of the many cultures and languages the one profession of Faith. We don’t have to work hard at imagining what the first Pentecost was like as we have it here among us. For Saint Luke, Pentecost means the start of a mission to the entire world that obliterates all human divisions and has the Holy Spirit as its driving force. No longer are we at the Tower of Babel where confusion of languages ensues but are united in the language of love given by the Spirit. The breath of the Spirit can be almost felt as we share in the happiness and joy of this great moment of grace.

In this sense, it is not an exaggeration to say that St Joseph’s in its diversity is a 21 st Century Pentecost. English is our official language, but the message of Pentecost is received in many languages. We are truly blessed in having such a wonderful variety of nations represented and to know that this does not damage but enriches our unity. We are a Pentecost parish every day of the year.

On this weekend of sheer joy we thank God for our young people. They are the models of the Kingdom of God held before by Christ. That is why the damage done to a child is such a sin and a crime.

The Sacraments celebrated this month could not happen if God had not called us from the ends of the earth to this community in Paris. They could not have happened without the example of faith of families and friends. They could not have happened without the witness of teachers who gave so much during the time of preparation and instruction. They could not have happened without the constant worship and prayer of this community of St Joseph’s. Today’s Confirmations in their celebration and preparation owe a lot to Monsignor Fleischmann who attended two retreats with the candidates.

My conclusion is that it doesn’t get much better that what has happened this month of May. It is privilege to be part of all that is happening. All I can say is a huge thanks to you and to God for bringing us together in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Deo Gratias

Aidan Troy, C.P. [Aodhn Troighthigh, C.P.]