Pentecost Homily 2025

Come, Holy Spirit!  Yes, indeed we need the Holy Spirit, perhaps now more than ever!  Pentecost celebrates the birthday of the Church, the unofficial end of Christ's work on earth and the simultaneous beginning of people's work on earth.  The Archdiocese of Dubuque is also undergoing long-term pastoral planning, considering how to best be the Church in northeast Iowa in this modern era.  As we do so, it's important to remember what the Church is and what it's not.  It's more than a building.  It's really the people that gather there.  But it's also the people who gather in other churches too!  In this homily this weekend, Fr. John uses the hymn Sing a New Church to describe what the Church should be.  We include the full set of lyrics here for your reflection: 

 

Sing a New Church

NETTLETON/Delores Dufner, OSB

 

1. Summoned by the God who made us Rich in our diversity,

Gathered in the name of Jesus, Richer still in unity:

 

Refrain: Let us bring the gifts that differ And, in splendid, varied ways,

Sing a new church into being, One in faith and love and praise.

 

2. Radiant risen from the water, Robed in holiness and light,

Male and female in God’s image, Male and female, God’s delight: (refrain)

 

3. Trust the goodness of creation; Trust the Spirit strong within.

Dare to dream the vision promised, Sprung from seed of what has been. (refrain)

 

4. Bring the hopes of ev’ry nation; Bring the art of ev’ry race.

Weave a song of peace and justice; Let it sound through time and space. (refrain)

 

5. Draw together at one table All the human family;

Shape a circle ever wider And a people ever free. (refrain)

 

Text: 87 87 with refrain; Delores Dufner, OSB, © 1991, The Sisters of St. Benedict. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. Music: J. Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813.  Permission to reprint and stream under ONE LICENSE #A-629030.