A Message from the Pastor
Today we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Easter. Far from being an attractive epilogue to the death and resurrection of Jesus or a lovely supplement to the Paschal mystery, Pentecost is its very completion and goal. During His last hours with His apostles, Jesus’ thoughts turned again and again to a converging event for the Last Supper, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension: the day of Pentecost.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, becomes the chief actor in all subsequent events in the New Testament and right up to the present time. The mortal Christ is no longer at the center of divine activity, but it is now the Spirit, sent at the Father’s request, who is the source of all the vital activities in the Church.
Pentecost is the climax of God’s pursuit of us. It is appropriate that it should end in a tumult of exultant sound and the flashing of fire. Instead of just leaving us a moral code and a collection of miracle stories, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell with us so that it can truly be said that God lives in us, and we live in Him. In John 20:22, the Spirit is beautifully depicted as the breath of the risen Christ. Just as God breathed into the nostrils of the first man the new breath of life (Genesis 2:7), the Lord now breathes into our souls the new breath of His divine life, His most intimate essence.
St. Symeon the New Theologian, an Eastern bishop and mystic who died in 1022 AD, called the Holy Spirit “the naked fire of the Godhead.” This is the fire of which Jesus said, “I am come to cast fire upon the earth” (Luke 12:49). Another way to think of the Holy Spirit is found in Jesus’ words in John 20:22, described as the breath of the Risen Christ. The Lord breathes into our souls the new breath of divine life, the Holy Spirit, his most intimate essence.
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Fr. Tom McDermott, OP
Mass Resources:
Dispensation to be lifted June 12
The Bishops across all five Indiana dioceses announced today (Friday, May 21) that the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will be lifted the weekend of June 11. Given decreased COVID cases, the widespread availability of vaccines and guidance from public health officials, more parishioners can be safely accommodated for Mass.
Note: Dispensation from attending Mass still applies to the following situations:
Anyone seriously ill, exhibiting flu-like symptoms and/or having a contagious disease (including quarantine due to exposure).
Those who are unable to attend Mass through no fault of their own (e.g. transportation issue).
Homebound or incapacitated Individuals due to age, infirmity and/or medical restrictions.
Those with compromised health conditions and/or at high risk of contracting the virus.
Caretakers of a person who is sick or of persons at high-risk of serious illness if they contract Covid virus.
If you have specific questions, concerns or needs before Fr. Tom returns from retreat on May 28, contact Fr Brent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
"Pivotal Players" program offered Mondays in June
Discover how two influential Catholic figures helped form souls and fight against injustice by joining us for Bishop Robert Barron's “Pivotal Players: St. Ignatius of Loyola and Bartolome de las Casas,” The sessions meet on Mondays in June from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Siena Rooms. To register for this free program, email john@boilercatholics.org.
Malcolm Dotson Joins St. Tom's Staff
Through the generosity of several donors, a part-time “associate campus minister for outreach and evangelization” position has been created and will be filled by Malcolm Dotson in August. Malcolm graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School in Indianapolis, and Purdue University in 2020. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public health at Purdue.
During his undergraduate studies, Malcolm was a small group leader for St. Tom’s Boiler Awakening (BA) program. He also was a student-athlete playing wide receiver and on special teams for the Purdue football team. In his first year of graduate studies, Malcolm joined the Boilermaker track team.
Ever since his experience with BA, Malcolm has hoped for an opportunity to give back to St. Tom's. In his new role here, he will support our first- and second-year students, helping them to connect and be welcomed as the COVID restrictions lift and life moves on to a "new normal” ” under the direction of Dee Bernhardt, director of campus ministry.
Join Book of Genesis Bible study on Wednesdays
Learn more about the Book of Genesis through a free summer bible study being led by parishioner Alice Hession. Participants will meet from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from May 26 to June 30 in the Siena Rooms. To join, email mary@boilercatholics.org.
Help Needed at St. Tom's
With our student parishioners departing for the summer, St. Tom’s is in need of ushers, liturgical ministers, and volunteers to staff the office reception desk. If you can help, please contact
Nick Baietto (nbaiettto@purdue.edu) to assist as an usher
The liturgy interns (liturgy@boilercatholics.org) to serve as a liturgical minister
Mary Riehle (mary@boilercatholics.org) to serve as an office reception volunteer.
"Ignite" offered this summer
Are you staying here and seeking social connections? Consider joining Ignite, a small group faith-sharing ministry, during the summer semester. It’s a great opportunity to join an Ignite for the first time or to mix things up with a new group. To sign up, scan the QR code on the bulletin board flyer as you leave the church or register online.
For more information on St. Tom’s many other activities and events, including log-in details for virtual events, consult the Announcements section and calendar on www.boilercatholics.org and today’s bulletin.
To provide a one-time or recurring gift to St. Tom's, visit our FaithDirect giving page. We are grateful for your generosity to our mission and ministries.
