June 8, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters, We come this weekend to the Feast of Pentecost, the conclusion of the Easter season. Or maybe to put it a bit better, the fulfillment of the Easter season, when the mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection changed the lives and hearts of the disciples. With their experience of the sacraments of the first Easter, they received the Holy Spirit, and they began to preach Christ to the world. I think we’re at a similar point of transition here at St. Thomas in 2024. We’ve been celebrating the new presence of Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection to so many people in so many ways for the past couple months. Thinking about it sacramentally: 12 adults and many children baptized this Easter season; about 125 disciples have recently received Confirmation, the gift of the Spirit promised by the Lord; about 120 young people receiving First Holy Communion, plus the People of God gathering each week around the Eucharistic table. We have celebrated and blessed many marriages; many people have returned to God through Reconciliation; and many others have been strengthened by Christ’s Passion in the Anointing of the Sick. There’s only one sacrament that hasn’t been celebrated at St Thomas: the sacrament of Holy Orders. This Pentecost weekend, although we won’t host an ordination, we have the gift of welcoming back one of our previous summer seminarians who has maintained many relationships in our community. Following his ordination this Saturday (June the 7th), we will now call him Deacon John Paul Stepnowski, and we look forward to calling him Father in another year’s time. For those who are at the 8am Mass this weekend or the reception that follows, we will have the chance to celebrate the new way that he is now configured to Christ. And through his brief ministry here (just one homily before he heads up to the Huntsville area for his assignment!), we will have experienced all seven sacraments: the visible outpouring of the Spirit, bringing the power of the Paschal Mystery, that constantly renews the Church and sustains us on our journey to the Father. Before we head out into the long, green season—Ordinary Time, the time of the Church and the time of our mission—let’s be intentional about seeking the renewal of the Holy Spirit, not just in our community at large but in each of our hearts. I’d ask you to join me in praying for his power and guidance for our parish and the entire Church over the coming months: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Amen! God bless,

Father Jantz