2017 Pentecost message to Canadian Catholic movements and associations
Wednesday, May 31 2017Dear members of Movements and Associations,
In his homily during the Pentecost Eucharistic celebration of 2015, Pope Francis said this:
The world needs men and women who are not closed in on themselves, but filled with the Holy Spirit. […] The world needs the courage, hope, faith and perseverance of Christ’s followers. The world needs the fruits of the Holy Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22). The gift of the Holy Spirit has been bestowed upon the Church and upon each one of us, so that we may live lives of genuine faith and active charity, that we may sow the seeds of reconciliation and peace.
Our Holy Father is reminding us that the Holy Spirit is the great “Motivator” who not only confirms and strengthens us in our mission as disciples of Jesus, but empowers us to live that mission courageously and enthusiastically. Our world, our communities, our neighbours, our co workers, our families and our friends all need to come face to face with the Good News that Jesus is risen and remains with us. A personal encounter with this life-giving Good News has the power to raise people from despair to hope, from sorrow to joy, from anger to forgiveness, and from emptiness to overflowing love.
Each of you, by your engagement with the Movements and the Associations ministering in our Church, is invited to be renewed in the Holy Spirit – to have a fresh Pentecost moment – so that the grace which motivated the first disciples of Jesus to leave the Upper Room and boldly announce the Good News will also motivate us to make the Risen Christ visible in our words and our deeds.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Standing Committee for Relations with Movements and Associations
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
Pentecost 2017