Gifts of the Spirit

The Holy Spirit helped us to meet many good people as we celebrated the Vigil and the Feast of Pentecost this past weekend. We witnessed people "alive in the Spirit" as we presented God's Word through the media at the Trenton Charismatic Rally on Saturday and with a display at all the Masses at St. Rose Parish in Belmar, New Jersey. In Belmar we made use of our tent which is 10' x 10'. It is really a sort of dome-top with metal supports. It served us well as a portable Pauline Book & Media Center. The tent preserved our books from the gentle rain which fell at intervals in the morning. We recalled that we are Daughtes of St. Paul who is "The" Apostle, and a tent maker as well! St. Paul took care that none of our editions were wet nor were we.

 Memorial day was spent with friends near the ocean. It was a day of real rest and relaxation. Whenever I see the ocean I think of St. Catherine of Sienna's words: "Jesus is our Sea of Peace."

Tomorrow May 31st the Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth. Mary had Jesus within her as she greeted Elizabeth. For us Daughters of St. Paul this is a day of celebration for us as we are reminded that we too bring Jesus with us to all we visit. He is in the disguise of his Word. and various forms of today's media: books, DVD's, CD's and many other forms of media.

Plan to Join Us at these Events:

On Thursday evening, tomorrow night, Father Dennis Gill will give his final presentation on Participation in the Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 222 N. 17th Street in downtown Philadelphia. We will have a focused display featuring the Daily and Sunday St. Paul Missals in the Center Auditorium. We highly recommend Father Gill's teachings on the Liturgy. Each session has been very enlightening. The talks are free and free parking is available in the lot next to the building.

On Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday we will serve as "The Book Store" for the National Catholic Charismatic Conference to be held at the Philadelphia Conference Center in downtown Philadelphia. You don't have to be a "Charismatic" to attend. The genuine enthusiasm and devotion of the Catholic Charismatic Movement is a gift to all of us from the Holy Spirit. The speakers on their program are always upbeat and dynamic as well as faith-filled. Come and let your faith be rejuvenated! Check out the Conference's website:
 http://www.nsc-chariscenter.org/NSCconferences.asp

Tuesday of Opportunity

Even though we are experiencing a "soft day" (of rain) as the Irish call it, the Lord has good things in store for us. Of course the rain makes the grass and the flowers grow. The rain is a symbol too of the goodness and grace of God which falls on us abundantly in many forms. The chance to be indoors while it pours outside can give us the opportunities to grow in our faith

. This evening is one of those "golden moments" when Father Dennis Gill will share with anyone who comes his wealth of knowledge on the sacred Liturgy. The class begins promptly at 7:00 PM and ends at 8:30. The focus will be especially on the Mass. For those who are looking for the daily or Sunday Missals, there will be a selection available at the talk tonight in the auditorium of the Pastoral Center, 222 North 17th Street. Free parking is available in the lot next to the building.

Time for the Spirit

Creating a culture of Pentecost is the theme for the Trenton Diocese's Charismatic Conference. The Conference will take place from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM this coming Saturday, May 26th at St. Raphael-Holy Angels Parish, 3500 South Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ 08610. Sister Cynthia and Sister Mary Peter will represent Pauline Books & Media with a book and media display at the Conference. Of course, their display will feature resources on the Holy Spirit. One of the featured titles is "The Sanctifier" by Archbishop Luis Martinez. Another, more compact book, also by Archbishop Martinez is "Secrets of the Spirit."

Folks in the Trenton area and north of Philadelphia may want to attend to enliven their faith and to take advantage of the Pauline Media display. On Saturday evening, May 26th, and on Sunday May 27th, the Sisters will hold a book and media display at St. Rose Church in Belmar, New Jersey.

An Enrichment Opportunity

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is offering two more classes this month of May on the Liturgy. Father Dennis Gill who heads the Office for Worship has so far given two in depth classes on what happens at Mass, the place of the Trinity in our Liturgy, and lots more. You are invited to attend the next two sessions which are held in the Auditorium of the Pastoral Center at 222 North Seventeenth Street in downtown Philadelphia. Free parking is available in the lot next to the building. There is no cost involved. Father's approach is that of an indepth meditation on what God is doing for us and with us, rather than an academic exercise. You will go away from these classes enriched and better equipped for Mass and whatever your role in the Liturgy may be. The next class is Tuesday evening May 22nd from 7:00 -- 8:30 PM; the last class for the season is Thursday evening, May 31st from 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM.

A Marian Parish in Mary's Month

This coming weekend we Daughters of St. Paul will have a Pauline Books & Media display at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Secane, PA. In the month of May which is dedicated to Our Lady, it is a privilege for us to be present at a parish dedicated to Our Lady as is the parish we will visit in Secane. You are invited to see what we have this weekend by attending Mass at Our Lady of Fatima. The schedule is as follows: On Saturday evening Mass is at: 4:30 PM. On Sunday the Masses are as follows: 6:30 AM; 8:00 AM; 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon. The Church address is 1 Fatima Drive, Secane, PA 19018. We look forward to seeing you at Our Lady of Fatima, http://olfsecane.org/

Mary's Month

Our last weekend in April was spent at Holy Name Parish in Harrisburg, PA. Holy Name has a beautiful new church which blends the modern and the traditional. Holy Name parish is home to Sister Jennifer, a Daughter of St. Paul, missioned in California. Many parishioners remember Sister who was active in the folk choir and other parish groups. Our Pauline book & Media display was well received. In fact, the display at Holy Name Church in Harrisburg will remain open for this coming weekend May 5th and 6th. Thanks to many generous people who helped us Sisters after all the Masses this past weekend.

On Mother's Day weekend we will be closer to home at St. Albert Church on Welsh Road in Huntingdon VAlley, PA. During the month of May we honor our own mothers as well and in a special way we honor Mary, Mother of God, and our spiritual mother. During these post-Easter weeks we witness many youngsters receiving First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Pauline Books & Media offer many titles to use for appropriate gifts for your favorite young people. Of course for Mother's Day there are many titles for moms young and more mature. Visit us at our displays or order from our email at philadelphia@paulinemedia.com. Or, you may call us at 215-676-9494. May you enjoy a lovely month of May filled with joy and many graces. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is offering a wonderful opportunity to grow in our faith and in a deeper understanding of worship: our Mass and liturgy. Father Dennis Gill who heads the Office for Divine Worship is presenting three talks in the forthcoming weeks of May. Father's presentations are more of a retreat than a class. We invite you to join us as we participate in this wonderful opportunity to deepen our knowledge and love of our Lord expressed in our Catholic way of praying. The talks take place from 7:00 -- 8:30 PM in the auditorium (first floor) of the Pastoral Center, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday evening, May 16; the third lecture is Tuesday evening, May 22nd; and the final presentation is Thursday, May 31st. For more information contact by email worship@archphila.org, or call 215-587-3537.