Scholars tell us that the first Pentecost took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks where the first fruits of the harvest were offered to God in thanksgiving. But on this particular day, instead of giving our first fruits to God, He gave his first fruit—the Holy Spirit—to us.
 
And what an amazing gift the Holy Spirit has been! It is His power that has kept the Church on track, despite human sinfulness and brokenness, for two millennia. It is His grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve, and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that Almighty God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into extraordinary saints.
 
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles, breath­ed on them, said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Just as he did at that first Pentecost over 2000 years ago, Jesus wants to breathe God’s energy into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, mov­ing people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church, is still at work today.
 
How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for God to build the kingdom here on earth, relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and more patient...relying on the Spirit for strength when we think we don't have any more left to give.
 
So right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and exciting. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that includes you!

by Deborah Gretzinger (no RE-Gretz)

Our last RE/YM Intergenerational night for the 2016-17 school year was Wednesday, April 19th.  Our theme for the night was Finding God -- Following the "Signs." 

​​​We shared build your own sub sandwiches, watched a power point video of our year in review (put together by Mrs. Gretzinger aka R.E.-Gretz) and shared some experiences that could be nothing other than what some people call God Winks.  These are REAL encounters with the life beyond. We see/hear/feel/touch/sense and receive glimpses that are almost like a secret code between you and someone special!  It's a different way of communicating, yet  we are being COMMUNICATED TO...By God, and/or sometimes our loved ones who have passed on.  We "know without knowing"  that things will be alright.  We "know without knowing" that we are receiving a message or receiving some sort of guidance.

​That "knowing without knowing" has slowly and gently been happening to me over the past year.  God has been whispering and telling me (in a variety of signs and ways) that "there is another place I want you to go now."  And so, it is official that I will be leaving my position here at St. Agnes Parish as your Youth Minister.  I WILL be accompanying all of you to Camp Tekakwitha (Extreme Faith Camp)  and to Columbus, Ohio for the S.H.I.N.E. mission trips this summer.  I pray for all of you and thank you from the depths of my heart for the experiences in faith that we have shared these past 4 years.  I hope by sharing some of my own stories,  you will become more open to God's continuous dancing in your life!

​And so....this wonderful Month of May -- SO MANY THNGS TO CELEBRATE...the month of Mary, First Eucharist  & May Crowning PLUS all the small moments in~between. -- all invitations to DANCE! 

​Thank you for this dance! 

​​DeWan De"Signs"
​(aka Christine)

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