St. Mary of Perpetual Help - Villa Ridge

Happy Pentecost!  I hope you had a Spirit Filled Day!

This morning I attended 8 am Mass at St. Mary of Perpetual Help in Villa Ridge.  This was a lovely little rural Church.  Before Mass a rosary was recited.

The music was sung a capella without a cantor.
Opening:  Come Holy Ghost
Offertory:  Lord, Who At Thy First Eucharist
Communion:  Silent
Closing:  Mary Full of Grace
The Sanctus was in Latin, but the rest was in English.

And it will come as no surprise to anyone, the Pentecost Sequence was skipped.  In the Liturgical Year, there are 5 sequences.  So far, I'm 0 for 2.  Here's the Pentecost Sequence.  I don't have any hope of hearing the Dies Irae in a normal parish...

Father's homily started off a story about how he went to the Grand Canyon.  It was winter and the Canyon was fog-covered.  Every moment as the fog lifted, more was revealed.  The Bible is the same.  God reveals more every generation.  He protected His people with prophets and those responsible for protecting them.  Everything He has given us comes directly from the Father.  Jesus has guaranteed us an Advocate, who will guide us.  The truth has been revealed.  You were given the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation (How about a refresher for those of us who's Confirmation is a dim memory...).  He gives us all access to the Father.  (It's like a special backstage pass.  ROCK ON!)  Today is the birthday of the Church (Thank God no one got the idea to sing Happy Birthday Dear Catholic Church...)  It's 50 days after Easter.  He has given us access.  St. Ba (I don't know...Father talked really fast), a Church Father, in place of the Accuser, God has given us the Advocate.  Once we are redeemed, God gives us full access.  God has not abandoned us.  He has given us the tools to get home.  (A GPS??)  We just need to ask.  We have great hope.  Ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  God will give us fullness.

Father used Eucharistic Prayer II and there were bells.  The Prayer of St. Michael was recited.

There were a host of announcements, most notably is that the pastor is now the pastor of St. Mary, St. James and St. Bridget.  Wow.  (Hey where can I find out who's getting moved and where?)


Pictures:

Link:
Website of St. Mary of Perpetual Help