Dear beloved parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and visitors,

After the Easter Season, which culminates in the Feast of Pentecost, the liturgy presents us with three additional Solemnities of the Lord: today is Trinity Sunday, followed by Corpus Christi next Thursday (though it will be celebrated on the following Sunday) and, finally, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, commemorated the following Friday.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

FORTY DAYS after Easter, the Church celebrates the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. As the Preface of the Mass says, "the Lord Jesus, the King of glory, conqueror of sin and death, ascended (today) to the highest heavens, as the Angels gazed in wonder. Mediator between God and man, judge of the world and Lord of hosts."

Saint Matthew narrates that, before going to heaven, Jesus ratified the apostolic mission of his disciples: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Mt 28:18-20).

Dear Parishioners of Blessed Sacrament and Visitors,

In the next two weeks, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of Pentecost, a day when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' disciples. In preparation for this solemnity, today's gospel presents Jesus speaking to His disciples-and to us -about the Holy Spirit and how we should prepare to receive Him. Jesus says, "And I will ask the Father, and Hе will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of Truth” (John 14:16).