7 day novena in preparation for Pentecost Sunday

A week from today, Christians observe the close of the 50-day Easter season on Pentecost Sunday, the last Sunday of this month, the day before Memorial Day.

"Come Holy Sprit, renew the face of the earth," is sung with gusto as parishioners wear red, the color of passion for the powerful Holy Spirit who rests within at baptism.

Worshippers prayer this day we recall the Ascension of the Lord:

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devoit thanksgiving, for the Ascension of CHrist your Son is our exaltation, and where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope, we pray for ever and ever.

At Mass today at Saint Thecla Catholic Church, and Saint Claude Chapel in Clinton Township, I will ask those believers who were received into the Church through formation in the rite of Christian initiaiton of (RCIA) to join me for breakfast.  This period of reflection allows them to ponder and pause what their baptism, reception and experience of the Church has been so far.

Seven days are filled with prayers for the powerful coming of the Holy Spirit in our hears and living each day.  It is called Novena to make all things new and fresh like the Spirit's dwelling and taking residence within believers.

Come, Holy Spirit!

For seven days I will say those words slowly and reflectively.

I will urge the coming of the Spirit to morph and mend minds and hearts of the church community.

In a particular way, I will ask the Holy Spirit to assist leaders in strenthening the fragile and financially-struggling Detroit.  Motown, as Detroit is called, is my birthplace.

It is my hope to rebuild and morph Motown with other clergy, civic and citizenry.

US Congressman Hansen Clark (D-13) will join a group of these leaders June 4, with a meal at 6, followed by a panel presentation on ways to strengthen Detroit.

Concrete actions will be given, and proposals are marked with a timeline to see each one through with accountability.

The novena will build confidence in me to make all things new!