ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

REFLECTION ON PENTECOST WITH A 2007 "THE TABLET" ARTICLE AND A 2005 REFLECTION
As mentioned last week, we are quite literally the hands that do Christ’s work, the feet that serve his purposes, the voice that speaks his words, and the heart that lives, gives, forgives as he loves, gives, forgives. We are called to do this and can do this because Christ shares the power of his Spirit with his Church. This is the feast of Pentecost!

Yet, while the description that St Luke gives of the Church in Jerusalem after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost tells of the whole group of believers being of one heart and soul, with no one claiming private ownership of any possessions, but holding everything in common, and not a needy person among them (Acts 4:32-35), still, no sooner has Luke given this "summary" than he appears to contradict it, at every point (see Acts 4: 33, 5: 1-11, 6:1-6,15:1-31, 1 Corinthians 10:10); enough to make us wonder what Luke was about when he described the early Church in such idealistic terms.

But we along with Luke do not regard being filled with the Holy Spirit as a permanent condition. Rather we see it as a journey of our creation in the image and likeness of God moving forward by fits and starts; for our humanity must grow accustomed to having the Spirit joined so intimately to it, and the Spirit must grow accustomed to dwelling in us too!

Just like the first Christian community we too experience division, bitterness, muddle-headedness and bewilderment in our communities. Luke would not have us suppose that any of this is not real, but encourages us to see the Spirit action joining us as that which can only occur in fits and starts.

The Scriptures convey God’s summons to let ourselves be more and more overcome and energized by the Spirit, precisely to be the body of Christ who ushers in the new Kingdom. This is the feast of Pentecost; the birthday of the Church.

The Spirit blows over the disciples; fire descends on them; they get the Spirit in noise, light, smoke, silence, and in different gifts: in the gift of peace-making, forgiving, healing, in the gift of dancing, singing and praising the Lord, in the gift of protesting, and working for justice. Hands, feet, voice, heart of Christ.

The Spirit is always about new life, about courage, about hope. This truly is Good News! Come Holy Spirit Come! Enflame our hearts! Renew the face of the earth!

FATHER GYAN
- will be at the rectory at OLV on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You may contact him at 986-3763. In case of emergency you may contact him at St. Aloysius Parish at 663-5244.

BLESSING OF YOUR HOMES
As is the tradition in India, the water that is blessed at Easter, is taken by their parish priest to bless the homes of his parishioners during the Easter Season. For any families that are interested in having their homes blessed, please call the office at 819-986-3763, and leave your name, address and phone number and we will be in contact with you as to the day that Fr. Gyan will be in your area.

SICK & SHUT-INS
If you have family members, friends or know of someone who is sick in hospital or at home, please call the office and father Gyan would be pleased to visit them. The number is 819-986-3763.

FUND-RAISER - OLV PARISH SUPPER MAY 30TH
OLV will be holding a Ham & Beans Supper with salads and desserts, There will also be a silent auction. There will be Cocktails starting at 4:30 p.m. and Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Admission is Adults $12:00, Children 6-12: $6:00 and children under 6: free. Tickets are now on sale before and after Mass and at the rectory (819) 986-3763) There are a limited number of tickets available. You may wish to get yours early.

PRAYERS & SYMPATHY
- to the family of Joe Allen, whose funeral was held on Saturday May 10th. Please remember Joe and his family in your prayers and may he rest in the peace of Christ.

GARAGE SALE - SATURDAY MAY 17TH
At the Centre d’Aceuil (Seniors Home) 111 Gerard Gauthier Street. Sale starts at 8:00 a.m. Donated items gratefully accepted. Proceeds go to Center. Activities for the residents. For info, please call Jean Lavell at 819-986-3564.

USED STAMPS
One cancelled stamp can help feed a child for a day. If you would like to Support the Redemptorist Mission Stamp Collection, there will be a box at the entrance of the church to collect your stamps, and they will be forwarded to the Missions.

REMINDER, GRADUATES FOR A REUNION
Did you go to the Ecole Normale Chapeau aka St. Mary’s Teachers College between the years 1940 to 1969? We are having a Reunion on May 17 in Chapeau. For more information you may call Loma Venasse-Roel at 819-689-2129 or email Iorna.roel@yahoo.com or Bernadette Matte-Hendry at 819-689-5223.

As Sr. Mary Edwin said to the graduates in 1969, “I honestly feel that St. Mary’s Teachers College will not “cease to exist” in June 1969, but rather that it will live on in loving memory and in effective influence in the lives of its graduates and of all those whose dedication and sacrifice over the years have made possible its fine contribution to teacher-education in the province.” Hope to see you at the Reunion.