Over 20 years ago I was at a meeting in Seattle, WA and attended Mass for Pentecost Sunday in downtown Seattle. About 10 minutes before Mass started as I was sitting in the pew praying, a voice over the sound system started speaking softly in French, then another voice started speaking in German, then one in Spanish and it continued until about 10 languages were being spoken at the same time, none of which I could understand. Then a voice began speaking in English and I realized they were reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2: 1-11. I remember hearing “we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”
I have reflected often on the experience of that Pentecost in Seattle. God’s mighty acts are not just for the people of St. Lambert, or the Diocese of Sioux Falls, or the United States of America. They are and have been for people in all parts of the world. God speaks to the hearts and souls in languages we understand and in languages we don’t understand. Clearly saying to each of us “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” John 20. On this Pentecost Sunday, pray for those who have yet to hear the Word of God in their language and for ourselves that the Holy Spirit will give us the courage to respond to God’s sending us into the world to be bearers of the Good News.
Deacon Roger R Heidt
A HUGE thank you to Delores Schwan for volunteering as our ministry scheduler for the past several years. Delores will continue in this ministry so please contact her (listed on the right under Staff) if you have any changes or exceptions. I also want to welcome Michele (Mick) Hoffer as our PT Office Support person. Mick is a member of St Therese Parish.
Father Mason