Pentecost Sunday – A Parish Renewed in Spirit

“Come, Holy Spirit – A Parish United in Prayer and Mission”

Happy Pentecost! As we celebrate the birth of the Church through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we give thanks for the unity and life of our parish community.

This Sunday, we invite everyone to:

• Join us for the 10:30 am Pentecost Mass, followed by tea and coffee in the parish garden. Children are welcome to play and connect in our Kids’ Corner.
• Children’s Gardening Day #3 takes place immediately after Mass – encouraging young hearts to nurture creation and community.

Upcoming Events at St Ann’s

🟢 Parish Synodal Team Meeting – Sunday, 8 June at 3:00 pm
A vital meeting for all team members to review Lent and Easter, reflect on the Sacramental programmes, and plan for youth and parish engagement.

🟠 Father’s Day Mass & Summer Garden Barbecue – Sunday, 15 June
We begin with a Family Mass at 10:30 am, followed by a joyful garden party with:

• BBQ, music, international dishes, games, and face painting.
• All are welcome to bring a dish from your country or culture.
  Please speak to Anne King, Julissa, or Carman, or sign up at the back of the church to volunteer or contribute food.

🟣 Children’s Pizza & Campfire Evening – Saturday, 5 July (5:30 – 8:30 pm)
A fun evening of food, music, and community spirit for all kids.
Parents, please confirm attendance by emailing: kingstonhill@rcaos.org.uk

Gratitude & Highlights

• Thank you to the Ferncombe family for sponsoring this week’s altar flowers in memory of Thomas Ferncombe RIP on his Month’s Mind.
• Our thanks to the McCormack family, Lucas, and Liam for their generous support with outdoor furniture and electrical works.
• Welcome to Year One pupils from Holy Cross School, who visited our parish and spent time in prayer and exploration around the church and gardens.

Parish Projects & Maintenance

Our Church Maintenance Team is prioritising the installation of double glazing for the presbytery, scheduled for autumn. This will reduce winter heating costs and improve energy efficiency. Thank you for your continued support.

Offering Details

To contribute to the parish:
Account Name: RCAS Kingston Hill
Sort Code: 60-50-01
Account Number: 79124429
Bank: NatWest

Homily – Pentecost Sunday: “From Closed Doors to Open Hearts”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Happy Pentecost! Or as a child once said, “It’s the Church’s birthday—no cake, but lots of fire!” Today, we don’t celebrate fireworks or party poppers, but something far more powerful: fire from heaven, the breath of God, shaking open locked hearts and awakening faith.

Two things stand out on Pentecost:
The birth of the Church, and the descent of the Holy Spirit—a gift Jesus had promised, saying, “I will not leave you as orphans.”

Before the Spirit Came: Confusion, Fear, and Uncertainty

Let’s look at the disciples before the Holy Spirit came.
They were good people. Faithful people. They had followed Jesus through highs and lows. They had seen miracles, shared meals, and made promises. But when the cross came, they scattered. They were afraid. Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” In other words: “I’m going back to my old life.”

Even after the Resurrection, their hearts were fragile. Jesus walked among them for 40 days—not with big speeches, but with presence, with love. He knew they needed strength not just from truth, but from tenderness. They still felt uncertain—until they did one thing that changed everything:

They came together and prayed.
With Our Lady, in the Upper Room, in unity and silence—they waited. That simple, powerful act of coming together in prayer opened the heavens.

After the Spirit Came: Clarity, Courage, and Mission

Then came the fire. Not to burn them, but to ignite them.
The same disciples who were fearful now became bold. They spoke in new tongues—not for confusion like at Babel, but for unity.
Different languages became instruments of communion, not division.
And their mission began.

So what changed?
They didn’t suddenly become smarter. They didn’t get new strategies. What they received was the Holy Spirit—the strength of God within them.

Their fear didn’t disappear, but it no longer defined them.
They still had questions, but now they had courage.
That’s the difference the Spirit makes: not a change in circumstances, but a change in character.

What About Us?

Many of us are living “pre-Pentecost lives.” We pray, we hope, but deep down, we hesitate.
We struggle with our fears, our limitations, our “I’m not enough.”
But Pentecost reminds us: you are not alone. When we come together and pray, the Spirit still descends.

Today, our children will be planting in our parish garden—an act of love, growth, and community. That’s Pentecost.
Next week, we gather for a parish celebration and barbecue—that’s Pentecost too: sharing life with joy and unity.
Whenever we forgive, speak kindly, serve quietly, pray deeply—that’s the Spirit at work.

Life Lesson: Come Together and Wait with Faith

In life, there will be moments when something dear feels far away. Loss, disappointment, or silence from heaven. But if you come together, pray sincerely, and wait in hope—the Spirit will come.
He may not come as fire, but He will come as clarity.
He may not arrive with noise, but He will fill your silence.
The Spirit does not always change our lives—but He changes us for our lives.

So let us not live closed-door faith. Let’s live open-heart Pentecost.

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Amen.

Important Dates for the Diary