By: Fr. Peter Keller
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the movement of the Holy Spirit at work in our Church.  At Easter, we experienced both the death of our pontiff, Pope Francis and the joy of the many newly baptized and initiated in our parish.  This contrast pointed to the one movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church, which drives us forward to the kingdom.

This week we were also gifted with a new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV.  It was surprising that the Cardinals so quickly chose this dignified moderate whose first priority is to “communicate the beauty of the faith, the beauty and joy of knowing Jesus.” 

These next months are full of events that are fruits of the Holy Spirit and communicate the beauty of the faith.  This weekend we celebrate, on Saturday, the Festival of Our Lady of Fatima and, on Sunday, the 50th Anniversary of Fr. Clare Coleman at St. Mary’s West Lorne. On May 24th there is the Women’s Retreat at Our Lady of Sorrows, Aylmer.

The Called and Gifted Program completed its first round of personal discernment; while Holy Angels celebrates eliminating their debt and beginning to build for the future; and St. Anne’s prepares to reboot the Festival as a parish-based event.  All these happening are a gift of the Spirit.

I invite you to prayerfully discern how you are called to share your gifts.  May we continue to grow together in faith as Pilgrims of Hope.