By Matt Greeley Diocesan Associate Director of Communications and Lois Rogers Correspondent

Coming from parishes all over the Diocese of Trenton, hundreds of people gathered in St. Mary Parish, Middletown, May 15, commemorating the events of the first Pentecost and sharing a common faith and love of God. Together, they heard the Word, prayed together and recognized the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

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Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish and diocesan liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, called to mind the passage in Acts 2:1 – “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place,” as he looked around at the diverse people who had come together from the four counties of the Diocese and beyond.

Father Kegley and Ericka Rodríguez, coordinator of religious education in St. Joseph Parish, Trenton, and co-host of the Diocese’s Spanish-language television program, Cristo Para Todos, emceed the event and oriented everyone for the day’s first round of presentations, offered in English and Spanish.

The crowds gathered in the church to praise and worship music with St. Joseph Parish’s music ministry from Toms River teaming with the music ministry of Getsemaní.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. celebrated Mass at the mid-point of the day, using his homily to connect the Sacrament of Confirmation with the first Pentecost, when the apostles were commissioned to go out into the world and tell the Good News of Jesus to all.

At Confirmation, “We inquire, ‘do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life,’ the same Holy Spirit who descended on the Apostles that first Pentecost.  And they respond ‘I do.’  It is an important and powerful question and an even more important and powerful answer."

The Bishop explained that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts that bear fruit.

“What is that fruit?  It is a loving marriage, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, where you lay down your life for one another.  It is a loving family where you lay down your life for one another.  It is a loving neighborhood, workplace, community, parish, diocese, Church where you lay down your life for one another… you lay down your life for one another not necessarily by dying but, rather by living for one another.”

Both the English- and Spanish-speaking attendees were able to fully participate in the Bishop’s homily thanks to simultaneous translation provided by Josue Arriola, diocesan director for youth, marriage and family life, and sent to Spanish-speakers through special headsets.

The ‘Goliaths’ We Face

Before and after the Mass, attendees broke off into language-specific sessions. In a presentation rich in practical insight and sprinkled with humor, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, an author and radio host known as the “Dynamic Deacon,” urged his listeners to immerse themselves personally in evangelism in ways that would help family, friends and co-workers enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Deacon Burke-Sivers shared one of his personal favorite stories of faith – that of King David. Citing his abiding affection for David, he called the king “my favorite of all people in the Old Testament because David [stayed] out there with the sheep.”

He spoke of how David slew Goliath armed with faith and five smooth stones from the nearby riverbed which he likened as precursors of the Rosary.

Using that image to link the promises of the Old Testament to fulfillment in the New, he spoke of the “Goliaths we face today” including abortion, the assault on traditional marriage and transgender issues. “We need to stand up to our Goliaths and live the faith.”

“We are dismayed and afraid…[but] we're not fighting with the right weapons,” he said, holding his rosary aloft. “The weapon is right here… God is above presidents, above the Supreme Court, above all of the other rulers of the world. How are people supposed to know there is a God if we don't show them.”

“How Catholic you are doesn't mean anything if you don't live the faith,” he said, and sharing stories is a good way to do that. He led by example, sharing the story of his own deepening commitment to faith which began in New Jersey, in the city of Newark where the self-described cradle Catholic studied at St. Benedict Preparatory School.

He became the first person in his family to attend and graduate college after a career in law enforcement, he felt the call to evangelism stirring.

It was a call, he candidly said, which unsettled his wife, Colleen. But after a year of discernment during which his “secret weapon” was Eucharistic Adoration, the path became clear. “You have to take your hands off the steering wheel and let God drive,” he recalled.

He reflected that “if someone had told me 10 years ago I would be doing this, I would have laughed in their face. (But) I just stopped being afraid of the Holy Spirit. If we let in the Holy Spirit and heed the word of God, we will be transformed.”

In an interview, Deacon Burke-Sivers encouraged everyone to model the behavior of the Apostles who “went out to talk to people. You don't want to lose that connection. It is how people hear the Word.”

A Call to Active Faith

Father Javier Díaz, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Long Branch, led a Spanish-language session during which he broke open the richness of the Spirit with Scripture, song, images, and even by getting everyone to focus on their breath. He had the congregation sing a hymn that focused on the sweet Spirit that helped them to discover God’s greatness with so much as a “gentle breeze.”

Father Díaz challenged the participants to not only be people who are open to the Spirit, but people who live the Spirit. “The Spirit in us can be measured by seeing how we treat the poor, show mercy, serve others.”

“Be pray-ers and prayers,” said Father Diaz, “to truly experience intimacy with God. Words are for us, but God communicates with us in so many ways. May God be on our lips and may we allow the Lord to work through us.”

Many members of St. Mary Parish attended the rally including Bernadette Dean, Bill Giese the Lauricella and San Filippo families. They enjoyed the outdoor lunch break under sunny skies and eagerly shared their impressions of the morning.

Bernadette Dean, a St. Mary parishioner, said she was moved by Deacon Burke-Sivers keynote and Bishop O'Connell's homily and what she called “the full circle” of joy she felt at being there.

“I just can't get enough of Jesus,” said the school nurse. “And this has been very enlightening and empowering. The biggest thing I got out of it is that God will provide. You just have to turn to him. … You try to discern which way to go, but it's always about Jesus.”

“Fantastic” was the word Robert Lauricella, another member in St. Mary’s, had for the day. “When Deacon Burke-Sivers spoke about the Rosary and getting families to pray together, I was so moved.

Mimi Pekarksy, also of St. Mary’s, echoed the sentiment. “The Holy Spirit renews our lives. I certainly pray for a sign with so much happening around the world.” The celebration reenergized Pekarsky in her own faith journey.

This 10th annual rally was co-sponsored by the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, Hispanic Ministry Initiatives and the diocesan Anglo, Hispanic, Filipino and Haitian Catholic Charismatic communities.

Participants left St. Mary with energy and excitement, seemingly much like the Apostles in that upper room 2,000 years ago. They were sent forth with the tools and gifts to proclaim the Good News, and as Bishop O’Connell urged in his homily, to “[Lay] down your life and live your Pentecost!”