Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
In my humble estimation, it is built into our nature to cling to someone we love and depend on. We cannot bear the thought of that person leaving us. When Jesus told the apostles that he was leaving them, they were plunged into gloom. But he said to them, “It is for your own good that I go away, because unless I go, the spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
It must have been very hard for them to see how his going away could be for their good. Had Jesus always remained with them in his physical presence, they would never have come of age themselves.
In that context, we must remember that no one ever showed more confidence in, or more respect for, people than Jesus. He did not dominate them. He gave them a chance to shine. He handed over his entire work to them. But he knew that they still needed help. That was why he sent them the Spirit.
What the Spirit did was bring out what was already inside them. His love awakened energies in them that they did not know were there, so they were able to do things they did not think they were capable of. After Pentecost their hearts were on fire and there was wind at their backs.
As we enter a transition period in our awesome parish of Saint Josephine Bakhita we too need the Holy Spirit. We need the Spirit to help us to realize the power and the gifts we have within us. We need the Spirit to harness that power and release those gifts so that we too can become fearless witnesses for Christ.
Peace and Blessings!
Fr. George Couturier
On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Staff, thank you to all who have joined in celebrating Fr. George as he prepares to retire at the end of June!
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