Pentecost Sunday

Come, Holy Spirit

31 May 2020.

(The following are the texts used by Fr Tshepo in today’s Children’s Liturgy.)

Introductory Rites

Greeting

Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Preist: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: Welcome to this celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. Today, we celebrate the Pentecost Sunday. We remember the day when the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples in the form of tongues of fire. It was the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised would come down when he ascended to his Father in heaven. We too received this gift of the Holy Spirit when we were baptised. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us on our Christian journey, throughout our lives. And so, today we give thanks to God for the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives.

Penitential Rite

Priest: Sometimes we forget that we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

So, lets pause for a moment now. In your heart, I want you now to think of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. Thank God for this great gift.

Now let us ask Jesus to forgive us for those times when we have forgotten this gift that He and the Father have given to us.

Priest: Lord Jesus, you promised us the coming of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Lord Jesus, you want us to be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Christ, have mercy.

All: Christ, have mercy.

Priest: Lord Jesus, you have given us the Holy Spirit to help us get to heaven. Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Jesus loves you. Jesus forgives you. And we promise Him now to always be aware of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Amen.

Opening Prayer

Priest: Let us pray:

Lord God, by the mystery of today’s great feast make us holy. Pour out in our hearts and our lives the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our Helper, who helps us live good lives. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise came from heaven. It sounded like a strong wind blowing. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something that looked like flames of fire. The flames were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit was giving them the power to speak these languages.

(International Children’s Bible, Acts 2:1-4)

Reader: The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

Pentecost Sequence

Priest: On Pentecost Sunday, we usually recite a Sequence, a poetic text on the Holy Spirit. I found a beautiful poem on the Holy Spirit by Paul Berchtold. It is called Around the Clock. Let us listen to it now.

Good morning, Holy Spirit Friend!
You truly love me without end,
Bless every step I take today,
All that I think and do and say.

Good afternoon, my Spirit Guide!
Ever walking close by my side.
Thanks for your cool refreshment sweet,
When I’m working in sun and heat.

Good evening Holy Spirit Calm,
In peace I praise you, sing a psalm,
Thank you for your abundant love,
Fill my heart with blessings above.

Good Night my Holy Spirit God,
You’ve counted every step I trod,
Thanks for watching me through each night,
Bring me closer to heaven’s delight.

Thank you, Holy Spirit Power,
You make fruitful every hour,
You are the Gift from Heaven real,
To Father, Son, and You I kneel. Amen.

Gospel Acclamation

Let us now sing together the Gospel Acclamation: Sing Alleluia to the Lord.

Gospel

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

It was the first day of the week. That evening Jesus’ followers were together. The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. His followers were very happy when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I now send you.” After he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

(International Children’s Bible, John 20:19-22)

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily

Profession of Faith

It is Sunday, and every Sunday we remind ourselves of what we believe in as Christians.

So, I will ask you some questions, and you will respond by saying “I do.”

Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, who created the world and created you?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord, who died and rose from the dead to save all people?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who enables us to love God and to love one another?

All: I do.

Priest: Do you believe in what the Catholic Church teaches about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ?

All: I do.

Priest: May we grow in our faith, and appreciate it more and more.

All: Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful

Priest: Let us now present our prayers to the Lord, trusting that he will hear them and grant us all our needs.

Reader: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. Thank you for making me your beloved child. Lord, hear us.