Fifty days after the Easter Sunday, the Church celebrates Pentecost, the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the first community of those who believed Jesus was the Lord and Christ. Pentecost is often referred to as the birth of the Church, or the birth of the Church’s mission. In John’s Gospel we hear the words of Jesus: “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, even so I am sending you” (Jn. 20:21).
Mass on Pentecost Sunday – 24 May – will be celebrated in the Abbey church at 10.00am, rather than the usual time of 9.30am. and it will replace Sunday Masses in the parishes served from the Abbey: St John’s, Easingwold; Our Lady & St Chad, Kirkbymoorside; St Mary’s, Helmsley; and Our Lady & St Benedict’s, Ampleforth.
In his letter inviting the people of those communities to Mass in the Abbey church, the Abbot said: “This is the birthday of the Church, so this is an appropriate day to be together and demonstrate our unity in faith. Like the apostles we will gather, praying for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our parishes and monastic community. Praying that we might bring good news to those who are in search of meaning and purpose in their lives”.
The monastic community also welcomes to the Pentecost Sunday Mass the Chamber Choir of St George’s School, Windsor Castle. Their visit to Ampleforth Abbey is part of the choir’s Yorkshire tour, during which they are performing concerts and participating in services at York Minster, Ripon Cathedral, Beverley Minster, and Leeds Cathedral.
Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter season.
“Brothers and sisters, let us sit at the school of the Holy Spirit, so that he can teach us all things. Let us invoke him each day, so that he can remind us to make God’s gaze upon us out starting point, to make decisions by listening to his voice, and to journey together as Church, docile to him and open to the world. Amen” (Pope Francis)
