Celebrating Pentecost

By Hamish Sutherland | Posted: Tuesday May 23, 2023

This Sunday, 28th May, is the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is often seen as the birthday of our Church. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We teach the students that 'church' is not a building but a community. When we gather together Jesus tells us that he is always in our midst.

Pentecost literally means '50'. Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday. For Jesus' apostles and his disciples, the 50 days after Easter would have been a time of learning, reflection, prayer and community building. Navigating a way forward for their community without Jesus' physical presence. It also would have been a time of fear and anxiety. Jesus commanded his followers to 'go out and make disciples of all nations'. However, in the world at this time this would have been a task that was extremely daunting.

Enter the Holy Spirit.

The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We see the Holy Spirit appearing as 'tongues of fire'. We also witness the disciples being filled with courage to go out into the world and being able to 'speak many languages'. This gift was vital as it enabled the disciples to begin their mission in the world. To build our Church. To go out to all nations and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Hence the birth of the Catholic Church. Catholic literally translates to 'Universal'. A Church for all. Race, creed, gender, social standing and all of the differences we have which make us unique. All are called to be in communion with Christ and each other.

Pentecost is a time when we reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community of our church and especially Trinity Catholic College. All of the cultures and diverse people who all add to our amazing community. We ask for the Holy Spirit to 'speak' to us and allow us to be Christ to others in our lives. In 2023, being Christ to all we meet is both a challenge and a blessing.

Happy Birthday to you all this Sunday 28th of May. The feast of Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit helps us to view others with fresh eyes, seeing them always as brothersand sisters in Jesus, to be respected and loved - Pope Francis