A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are all close to my heart
Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.
Pentecost —
The birth of the church
— the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus.
This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost which is one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church. Pentecost, which we celebrate this Sunday, is the liturgical season after Easter. It celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church.
50 Days after the resurrection
Pentecost begins the eighth Sunday, or 50 days after Easter Sunday. The descent of the Holy Spirit ushered in a new era for the people of God. “Pentecost” is from Greek meaning “fiftieth”. The day’s name is derived from the Greek word “pentecost”, meaning 50th . Pentecost always occurs 50 days after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the days after His ascension into heaven.
In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room. A “strong driving” wind filled the room where they were gathered, and tongues of fire came to rest on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so they could understand each other.
The Fruits of the Spirit
It was such a strange phenomenon that some people thought the Christians were just drunk – but Peter pointed out that it was early in the morning, and said the phenomenon was caused by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission – to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.
It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be “clothed with power” before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel.
The “Birthday” of the church
For this reason, Pentecost is considered the birthday of The Church – Happy Birthday to the Church: to Peter the first Pope as he preaches for the first time and converts thousands of new believers. The apostles and believers, now – for the first time, were united by a common language, and a common zeal and purpose to go and preach the Gospel.
He also told the people that the Jesus they crucified is the Lord and was raised from the dead, which “cut them to the heart”. When they asked what they should do, Peter exhorted them to repent of their sins and to be baptized. According to the account in Acts, about 3,000 people were baptized following Peter’s sermon.
Happy Birthday, Holy Mother Church!
God bless you all.
With lots of love and blessings,
Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,
— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan
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Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 28, 2021
Holy Week is also called “Passion Week” begins on Palm Sunday and continues to Easter Sunday. Holy Week provided an opportunity for all the faithful to reflect on their personal sinfulness and their need for Christ and His sacrifice on our behalf.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 21, 2021
This is the year of Saint Joseph December 8, 2020, is the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter entitled Patris corde (“With a Father’s Heart”).
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 14, 2021
What is Holy Mass?
What we do and why do we do this?
Vatican II, bulletin 1324 said the following: – The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” 136 ‘the other sacraments and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented towards it.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | March 7, 2021
What is the Sacrament of Confession? Why do we need confession? What are the benefits of going to confession? The Sacrament of Confession is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God, our neighbors, and the Church.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 28, 2021
The Mysteries of our Faith. As the Lenten Season has started please make all the efforts possible to participate in the liturgy and other pious activities of the church. These are the ways and means we are able to understand the mystery of Christ…
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | February 21, 2021
We have just started the Lenten season. It’s one of the most precious and holiest seasons of the year… Let us try to know Christ and let us try to understand him. Please, make an effort to talk to Him and with Him through the readings of the scripture, praying the rosary as a family,