Pastor's Note from Fr. Szparagowski 📝 - [May 25th Bulletin]

We give praise and thanks to God for the graces and blessings He has given us. The Gospel of John brings us deep into the heart of Jesus' farewell discourse. As he prepares to leave His Apostles through His Passion and Resurrection, He makes a promise that would have filled their fearful hearts with hope;

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

And then He says;

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you."

Jesus promises His peace – not a temporary peace, not a fragile truce, but a peace that no suffering, no confusion, no loss can destroy. It is the peace that comes from knowing that even when life feels uncertain, even when the path ahead is unclear, God is faithful to us. He is with us. He has given us His Spirit to guide, teach, and strengthen us.

The Holy Spirit is the living presence of God within us. It is the Spirit who reminds us of the truth when we are tempted to forget. It is the Spirit who brings us courage when fear paralyzes us. It is the Spirit who makes Christ alive in His Church and alive in our hearts.

Today, we also remember St. Philip Neri, often called the

"Apostle of Rome."

St. Philip lived in the 1500's, a time when Rome was suffering from spiritual darkness and corruption. Yet he responded not with anger or despair, but with charity, joy, simplicity, and contagious love. Guided by the Holy Spirit, St. Philip rebuilt the Church not by grand political moves, but by winning souls one by one – with kindness, charity, mercy, laughter, humor, prayer, and deep holiness.

He once said,

"Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore, the servant of God should always be in good spirits."

St. Philip understood that Christian joy – real joy – is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not based on having a perfect life, but on trusting that God holds us in His hands no matter what. He taught that holiness and happiness are not opposites. In fact, the saints are the happiest people, because they are the freest people – free from fear, form the chains of sin, and from the world's empty promises.

What does this mean for us today? It means that Jesus' promise in the Gospel is still real. The Holy Spirit is still at work – in the Church, and in our own lives. If we stay close to Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and acts of charity, the Spirit will continue to teach us, guide us, and give us a peace that cannot be taken away.

And like St. Philip Neri, we are called to share that peace and joy with a weary world. There are so many people today longing for peace – real peace, not the shallow version the world offers. There are so many who have never experiences the joy that comes from knowing they are deeply loved by God. We are called to be instruments of that peace and witnesses of that joy.

So today. Let us pray; Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts. Remind us of Christ's love. Make us instruments of His peace and His joy in the world. Through the example of St. Philip Neri, may we live our faith not with heavy burdens, but with hearts on fire with charity, love, laughter, and holiness.

Please invite someone to Mass today.

St, Philip Neri, pray for us.

Fr. Szparagowski