Pentecost brings full circle the Scripture stories we hear around the Easter Fire of Creation, and the story of Abraham and Isaac. During this Pentecost experience, we will hear about another story from the early writings of Genesis – the building of the Tower of Babel – why was it called Babel – because there, the human race tried to equate itself with God – and God confounded people’s language thus allowing the diversification of the nations, tribes and peoples to war against one another based on difference – the first difference, was the difference of language.

On Pentecost, we have the re-integration of the human family, thus, when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples and Mary in the upper room, they were suddenly able to speak with courage, and be understood be people of every race and tongue present in Jerusalem. Integration. Wholeness. Peace. Discipleship. Mission. – these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit which gave birth to the Church. In these short daily prayer moments (or spiritual snacks!), we’ll follow the trajectory from Babel to Jerusalem and Pentecost and hear how God, through Jesus, sent the Holy Spirit to be among us for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the whole world. We are the beneficiaries of that gift of the Spirit, and as we are in a time of great need now, we ask God to send the Holy spirit upon us anew as we re-imagine the face of St. Monica Catholic Community and how we are going to “BE CHURCH” Amen!

PENTECOST

Copyright 2013 by John August Swanson

Giclee, 26” x 21”

www.JohnAugustSwanson.com 

Dear Brothers and sisters, we have now begun our journey into the Pentecost Vigil, after the example of the Apostles and disciples, who with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, awaiting the Spirit promised by the Lord; like them, let us too listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. Let us meditate on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people and let us pray that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world.

Suzette Sornborger, Director of Faith Formation

Dale Sieverding, Director of Worship

Pentecost brings full circle the Scripture stories we hear around the Easter Fire of Creation, and the story of Abraham and Isaac. During this Pentecost experience, we will hear about another story from the early writings of Genesis – the building of the Tower of Babel – why was it called Babel – because there, the human race tried to equate itself with God – and God confounded people’s language thus allowing the diversification of the nations, tribes and peoples to war against one another based on difference – the first difference, was the difference of language.

 

 

 

 

On Pentecost, we have the re-integration of the human family, thus, when the Holy Spirit comes upon the disciples and Mary in the upper room, they were suddenly able to speak with courage, and be understood be people of every race and tongue present in Jerusalem. Integration. Wholeness. Peace. Discipleship. Mission. – these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit which gave birth to the Church. In these short daily prayer moments (or spiritual snacks!), we’ll follow the trajectory from Babel to Jerusalem and Pentecost and hear how God, through Jesus, sent the Holy Spirit to be among us for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the whole world. We are the beneficiaries of that gift of the Spirit, and as we are in a time of great need now, we ask God to send the Holy spirit upon us anew as we re-imagine the face of St. Monica Catholic Community and how we are going to “BE CHURCH” Amen!

 

PENTECOST

Copyright 2013 by John August Swanson

Giclee, 26” x 21”

www.JohnAugustSwanson.com 

 

 

Dear Brothers and sisters, we have now begun our journey into the Pentecost Vigil, after the example of the Apostles and disciples, who with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, awaiting the Spirit promised by the Lord; like them, let us too listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. Let us meditate on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people and let us pray that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world.

 

Suzette Sornborger, Director of Faith Formation

Dale Sieverding, Director of Worship

 

 

Monday, May 25

Reading: 

Genesis 11:1-9

The Tower of Babel

 

Activity 1: 

Everyone talk at once and see if you can hear what each other is saying? Discussion:   Why can chaos can lead to misunderstanding?

 

Activity 2: 

Play Jenga or build a tower with blocks or dominos or plastic cups or build a House with a deck of cards. The first time you build everyone gets to in charge and direct all at the same time!  The second only 1 person gets to be in charge.

 

Discussion:  

Why are these buildings unstable?

 

Pray or listen:

Psalm 33

 

Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

 

Closing prayer:

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that your Church may always remain that holy people, formed as one by the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which manifests to the world the Sacrament of your holiness and unity and leads it to the perfection of your charity.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Tuesday, May 26

Reading:

Exodus 19, 3-7, 16-20b

God’s Descent on Mount Sinai

 

Families/children can watch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogfVBP35U-U

 

Activities: 

1. Draw a picture of God's cloud on the mountain.
2. Play Simon Says with the family.

Discussion:  

• What is a mediator? How did Moses act as a mediator?
• How did the Israelites feel when God's cloud appeared on the mountain?
• Were the Israelites willing or unwilling to obey God?
• If meeting God was important to the Israelites, is it important to us? How should we act when we are meeting with God in worship or prayer?

Pray or listen:

Psalm 19

 

Give thank to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

 

Closing Prayer:

O God, who in fire and lightning gave the ancient Law to Moses on Mount Sinai

and on this day manifested the new covenant in the fire of the Spirit;

grant, we pray, that we may always be aflame with that same Spirit whom you wondrously

poured out on your Apostles,

and that the new Israel, gathered from every people,

may receive with rejoicing the eternal commandment of your love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Wednesday, May 27

Reading:

Ezekiel 37, 1-14

The dry bones and God’s Spirit

 

Families/children can watch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8yN8kEyNwE

 

Activity 1:

Take a DRY sponge and wet it.  See how it gains new life and shape? Activity 2: Take DRY spaghetti noodles and notice how easily they can break.  What happens after you cook them? 

 

Discussion:

How does the Spirit of God bring us life every day?

 

Pray or listen:

Psalm 107

 

Give thank to the Lord; his love is everlasting.

 

Closing Prayer:

Lord, God of power, who restore what has fallen and preserve what you have restored;

increase, we pray, the peoples to be renewed by the sanctification of your name,

that all who are washed clean by holy Baptism, may always be directed by your prompting.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Thursday, May 28

Reading

Joel 3:1-5 

On the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

 

Families/children can watch:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQLazbgz90c 

 

Discussion: 

What is God’s desire for me? How is God calling me to be a better follower?

 

Pray or listen:

Psalm 104

 

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

 

Closing Prayer:

Fulfill for us your gracious promise,

O Lord, we pray, so that by his coming the Holy Spirit may make us witnesses

before the world to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

 

Friday, May 29

Today we reflect on the readings from the week and talk about or journal on how these readings offer us hope in preparation for gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Did you know that that the Church’s birthday is on Pentecost?  

So, let us not only prepare our hearts and minds for the Holy Spirit to come, but let us prepare our houses in celebration of the birthday of the Church, your Church at Home, which is on Sunday of Pentecost. 

 

Prepare to bake a cake, put up birthday ribbons, and pull out fun and playful napkins. 

Make this day a celebration for all!

Think of it as a ritual celebration you might have for First Eucharist, Graduation, Confirmation, etc.!

 

Saturday, May 30

Opening Prayer:

Almighty ever-living God, who willed the paschal mystery

to be encompassed as a sign in fifty days;

grant that from out of the scattered nations,

the confusion of many tongues may be gathered by heavenly grace

into one great confession of your name.

Through our Lord. Amen.

 

Reading:

Romans 8:22-27

The Flesh and Spirit

 

Families/children can watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1XHhwuxOU 

 

Alleluia

Sing your favorite version!

 

Gospel:

John 7:37-39

 

Sunday, May 31

Happy Birthday Church!  Have some cake and ice cream and celebrate!

 

 Join us for our Sunday Livestream at 9:30am or 5:30pm!