For Pentecost, I attended the 10:30 am Mass at Holy Spirit in Maryland Heights. Holy Spirit was founded in 2004 with the merger of St. Blaise and St. Lawrence the Martyr.
The current building was built in 2007. It's in the classic cross shape, but the pews are fanned around the altar. I really liked the set-up. I just wish there were stained glass windows or at least colored glass, as the windows were all clear, making the Church very bright (which is okay) and very hot. I also would have liked to have seen more decorations and perhaps more of the Holy Spirit.
This is the first Mass in a while where there was no choir. The music was accompanied by a piano.
Music:
Opening: Come Holy Spirit Come by David Kauffman
Gloria: Sing Glory to God
Offertory: piano piece
Memorial Acclamation: We Remember How You Loved Us
Communion: Send Us Your Spirit
Closing: One Spirit, One Church (The verses were Come Holy Ghost with the refrain about being a pilgrim Church)
Father blessed the water, using the long blessing from the Rite of Baptism, before using it to bless everyone. The Pentecost Sequence was omitted.
Father started the homily by connecting to last week's Gospel and how Jesus said "Let's have a meeting" (will there be powerpoint? what about doughnuts?) and to wait for the Spirit. We have our own upper room where we go to be reminded of and in the presence of God. The Church is our upper room. There are many things/powers that tug and pull us away from the Lord. Then Father brought up an article from the Washington Post's religion section about Lost. I got lost right about here and thought about how a mural of the Holy Spirit or maybe the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Meetings are opportunities for the Spirit to work in us (I've been in some of those meetings....) Jesus offers us peace, peace is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The intentions were broken into groups of 4 with a sung response. There was piano playing in the background.
Father used Eucharistic Prayer III and there were no bells at the Consecration. Lots of hand raising at the Our Father.
After Communion Father had the women leading the ACTS Retreat come forth and receive their commission (Are we in the military?) and Father invited us to salute raise our hands and bless them.
Holy Spirit seems like a very active, suburban parish.
Pictures:
Parish Logo outside in the entry way.
Banner found in the Nave
View From the Back Pew
Shrine of St. Fern
St. Mary and St. Joseph
The Eighth Station: Jesus Meets the Women
Tongue of Fire Window
Lilies
Shell
The Holy Spoon?
I have no idea
Holy Spirit Quilt
From what used to St. Blaise:
Lamp
I liked the colors on the side.
He was a bishop, that's why there is a miter.
Two candles are used to bless throats on his feast day.
Links:
Holy Spirit Website
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