Holy Spirit Parish

 We are Disciples

      Called to Worship

and Sent to Serve

Dear Holy Spirit Parish:                          Sept. 20, 2020
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who
                      went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.”
                                                  (Matthew 20:1) 
It is here!  The week we sign up laborers for the Lord’s vineyard… is here!  God has kindly sent one of his best foreman to free us from waiting around anxiously in the market place: Jesse Manibusan!
 
Jesse himself will be working hard in the Lord’s Vineyard with us.  He arrives today (Sunday).  Not long after dawn on Monday he will extend his Master’s invitation to the Pacelli High School student body.  He will go out again after noon and send our parish musicians.  Going out late in the day, 6:30 p.m. Monday evening, he will send all of us.  Here is a summary of his description of our time together:
 
“Fear and Division aren’t the enemies, they are the symptom of a deep hunger in the human heart for a return to oneness, to communion in the heart of God.  Only God’s love and mercy can quench fear and division. The Good News is that God pours out that healing love and mercy to all who open their heart to him.  Come!  Here at Holy Spirit let us begin the healing, let us together open our hearts to him.”
 
It is not too late to sign up to come in person!  Call the office or go to the parish website.  If you want to watch from home just go to the parish website as you do for Sunday morning Mass.  Jesse’s presentations will appear there.
 
Tuesday morning and afternoon Jesse will lead a retreat for Holy Spirit and St. Bron’s parish staffs.  The evening session will follow again at 6:30 p.m.  On Wednesday, Jesse will focus on our Campus Ministry, meeting with our student staff, then speaking at the Student Supper.  With moments to catch his breath he will then lead his final session with all of us.
 
With fear and division overcome Jesse will free us from anxiously waiting in the human market place and send us to the vineyard.  You will receive a map of the vineyard in the mail this week.  In place of a regular bulletin, it will be our Annual Report of all the work being done in the vineyard and all the places help is needed.
 
Next week we will send out our annual Respond to the Spirit Packets.  In the packet will be Census and Stewardship forms.  Your returned Census Form will let us know how big a work crew we will have this year.  Your returned Time & Talent form will let us know which of the ministries you read about in the Annual Report you would like to serve in. Your returned Pledge of Treasure form will give us a sense of how many seeds we can plant. 
 
First in line behind foreman Jesse are our Faith Formation Catechists.  At the 8 a.m. Mass this morning we honor them—and all of you—as we invite you to renew the commitment to cultivate the minds and hearts of our children and youth.  Then, all will be blessed and sent into the vineyard.  With you, I am filled with gratitude for all of the shared love, learning and service in Jesus’ name.
 
One of the richest experiences of my year was the first Listening Session sponsored by our task force on Racism. So, I am very much looking forward to the second Listening Session this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.  The link to join in is available on our parish website.  Seven African Americans who live or have lived in Stevens Point, and who shared their stories at the first Listening Session, will be answering our questions this time.
 
How will we keep this healing love and mercy growing after Jesse leaves?  Alpha!  Either in person or online people will be gathering in small groups to continue to drink in the love of Christ and grow the bonds of friendship each Tuesday evening beginning September 29^th.  It is not too late.  You too can come!
 
Fr Steve

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