We have finally reached the end of the 50 days of the EASTER SEASON, PENTECOST, the fulfillment of Jesus' PROMISE that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US ALONE. HE WILL SEND US THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH. Like the Apostles, we can all be FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. We may not see "tongues of fire", we may not be able to speak in tongues, but like the Apostles, we can be TOTALLY TRANSFORMED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. We just have to OPEN OUR HEARTS TO RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and pray those three most powerful words: COME HOLY SPIRIT!

In the last few weeks, more and more people have returned to celebrate with us the EUCHARIST at OLHOC. Many have shared their JOY: "I AM GLAD TO BE BACK. This is my church. This is my home. This is my community. Here I can feel the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. What a JOY to be back and to be able TO RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST!" Praise the Lord! 
Let us sing together the beautiful Sequence of Pentecost:

COME, HOLY SPIRIT, COME!
Holy Spirit, God of LIGHT,
FILL US with your radiance bright;
Gentle father of the poor,
Make us by your help, secure;
COME! Your boundless GRACE impart,
BRING YOUR LOVE TO EVERY HEART!
LORD OF CONSOLATION, COME,
Warm us when our hearts are numb,
Great consoler, COME and HEAL,
To our souls your strength reveal;
Cool, refreshing, comfort pour,
And OUR PEACE OF MIND RESTORE...
GIVE US JOYS THAT NEVER END. AMEN.
ALLELUIA!!!

LOVE, JOY, and PEACE: these are the first three FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, the three most important ones. As many of us have prayed a NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT since last Friday, may our Heavenly Father grant us our petitions as we celebrate the SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST. May we receive the Holy Spirit and be transformed! May not only Love, Joy, and Peace fill our hearts, but also the other six FRUITS of the Holy Spirit: PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL as listed by St Paul in his letter to the Galatians (5:22-23). All nine Fruits proceed from the Holy Spirit and should not be confused with the seven GIFTS of the Holy Spirit, which we have received at our Confirmation: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and piety. In some ways, we could say that the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit are the result of our putting to good use one or several of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Whether you have been confirmed 70 years ago (like me) or last month (like our latest 34 Confirmandi at OLHOC) we all have direct access to each of the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT. Are we making use of those gifts? Or are they staying unused?

Let us pray together:

Come Holy Spirit Beloved of my soul
I adore You.
Enlighten me, guide me,
Strengthen me and console me.
Tell me what I must do.
Inspire me with what I must say,
Give me your orders.
I promise to submit myself to You
In all that You ask of me
And to accept all
That You permit
To happen to me.
Let me only
Know your will,
And do your will.
Amen

May you and your entire families have a most blessed PENTECOST FILLED WITH THE LOVE, JOY AND PEACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

One in Christ,

Fr. Alain