Hello, hope all is well.

For us who are old enough to remember, today we honor St. Pope Paul VI, who was elected pope after John XXIII. It was to Paul to close the Second Vatican Councle which John had opened.

Paul was faced with a great deal of work in pulling together all that had taken place during the years of this Councle which changed the face of the Church in so many ways. This is seen in the following passage by St. Paul VI. “The world calls for and expects from us simplicity of life, the spirit of prayer, charity towards all, especially towards the lowly and the poor, obedience and humility. Without this mark of holiness, our world will have difficulty in touching the heart of modern man. It risks being vain and sterile.”

Remember, the Second Vatican Councle took the work of the Church out of the hands of the priests and religious and placed it in the hands of all who call themselves members of the Church. We are the ones who are called to live out what the Church preaches, teaches and stands for. We are the ones who now are called to bring Christ to a bruised and wounded world.

As we have just celebrated Pentecost, it is the Holy Spirit that calls us forth to proclaim the Good News. We are called to unlock the doors we hide behind, go into the streets and like those disciples on the first Pentecost, and proudly proclaim, “Jesus has risen. Let us rejoice and be glade.” Remember, it is the Holy Spirit who inspirers us, motivates us, and speaks through us.

Peace and All Good,

Fr. Vinnie, fcm and the

Bros and Srs of the

Franciscan House of Prayer.