Vigil of Pentecost - 2010

Boston area Prayer Groups gathered at St. Mary’s in Waltham to celebrate the vigil of Pentecost on Saturday, May 22, 2010.

As we gathered there was a joyful spirit of welcoming as we greeted each other.

Groups from the many ethnic expressions of the Holy Spirit’s awakening in Boston led a powerful time of praise, worship, and song.

Vin Cerasuolo, Director of Charismatic Renewal Services of the Boston Archdiocese and George Willett, coordinator of our celebration led the entrance procession to the liturgy.

Father Paco, the presider was joined by deacons and priests from Boston and the international Church.

The Mass readings focused us on God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.

Father Paco’s homily started with a history question: When was the first Pentecost. He explained that was many hundreds of years before the Pentecost we read about in the New Testament. I was long observed by the Jewish people as a celebration where they would bring their best gifts to the temple to share with God. But Jesus turned this celebration around. It is now a time when God gives his best gift, his Holy Spirit, to people who live him.

Since the Holy Spirit is the agent of God’s action among us, Father Paco led us in a time of prayer for each other. We prayed that God’s Holy Spirit would open in each of us the gift that we need.

Our prayer led us into the intercession of the Mass and the welcoming of Jesus’ presence, body, blood, soul, and divinity.

We feasted on the Lords presence.

The Hispanic music ministry did a great job maintaining our worship during communion. The inclusion of bi-lingual songs and simple repeated refrains encouraged everyone to join worshiping Jesus.

After Mass Vin Cerasuolo introduced members of the CRS Boston service committee. These people from all communities bring unity and growth to our prayer groups the programs like the Vigal of Pentecost, Leadership training days and retreats, and enjoyable gatherings such as our summer Fiesta and Christmas celebration.