​​​​​Holy Infant Catholic Church

Father Michaels Weekly Thoughts

WEEKLY THOUGHTS ASCENSION OF THE LORD MAY 17th 2026

            Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord instead of the 7th Sunday of Easter as it is the policy in our Ecclesiastical Province. The Church celebrated Easter – the coming back to life of Jesus after enduring suffering and death that earned mankind salvation from sin and death.

            Jesus had spent three years of public ministry with his disciples announcing to them the kingdom or reign of God – of love, faith, hope, and justice. Jesus before his death, had realized that the disciples did not understand the kingdom he came to establish- they confused it with the earthly one where they would assume ministerial positions of honor instead of service. This confusion can be felt in the question; “Lord, are you this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?”

            Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit with the role of a teacher and reminder of what Jesus had taught them. The same Spirit will help the disciples to bear witness to Jesus as Truth, way, and life.

            The Ascension of Jesus to heaven is one of our tenets of faith we profess in the Creed- “Jesus ascended to heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father waiting to judge the living the dead.” This is a reminder of our purpose and destiny – eternity.

            In the Gospel Matthew 28: 16-20 Jesus commissions and mandates his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, remembering that I am with you till the end of the age.”

            Let us pray and feel the presence of Jesus in our struggles as we fight against sin and life difficulties. Let us take effort to share the Gospel of faith, love, and hope.

            Sincere congratulations to the newly confirmed members of Holy Infant and Shepherd of the Hills. Let us be ready to serve at the Body of Christ when called upon to serve as lector and at a prayer session. Pentecost will be celebrated next Sunday.

            There will be a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in our Diocese at St. Thomas Aquinas Charlottesville on June 3rd, 2026, at 2.00 pm as a stopping center. Please, let us plan to be there. You can get full details from the bulletin and the flyers in the foyer.

            Have a great week and God bless.