Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It’s the birthday of the Church – Happy Pentecost!
The First Reading (Acts 2:1-11) brings us back to that Upper Room where we hear about a driving wind, tongues of fire, frightened disciples suddenly transformed into fearless witnesses. That was not a one-time event. The Holy Spirit is alive, active, and moving right now, in our time, in our Diocese.
A Historic Day for Our Diocese
Most Reverend Robert Gruss, our Bishop, officially proclaims the Year of the Holy Spirit for the Diocese of Saginaw beginning today, Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026, and concluding on Pentecost Sunday 2027. This is Bishop Gruss’ invitation to every Catholic in our Diocese to do one thing above all else this year: deepen our personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, the Third Divine Person of the Most Holy Trinity. This is not a program. This is a call. And the timing could not be more perfect.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Across America, something extraordinary is unfolding. The New York Times (March 26, 2026) reported “Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts.” Catholic Answers (April 2, 2026) declared “Catholic Conversions Hit Decade Highs.” Aleteia (April 3, 2026) highlighted “College Teens Choosing to Become Catholic.”
Data compiled by ‘Hallow’ from more than 140 U.S. Catholic Dioceses indicates that over 80% reported increases in Easter OCIA participation in 2026, with Dioceses averaging a 38% rise in people entering the Church compared with 2025. Catholic Herald (April 12, 2026) reported that Los Angeles welcomed over 8,500 new Catholics – a 139% surge. Detroit received 1,428 – its highest number in 21 years.
It looks like something is happening, isn’t it? And it’s the Holy Spirit.
Young adults, college students especially, are leading this journey. Tired of the emptiness that culture promises and never delivers, they are walking through Church doors hungry for truth, beauty, and something real. Bishop Dewane from the Diocese of Venice stated: “Our modern culture has not borne good fruits, and I think people see that. They recognize that. They know that.” Source: National Catholic Register / EWTN News, March 30, 2026.
In the Gospel (John 20:19-23), Jesus appears to frightened disciples behind locked doors and says: “Peace be with you… Receive the Holy Spirit.” He has never stopped saying those words to us.
St. Paul reminds us (1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13) that each of us has received a gift of the Spirit, not for ourselves, but for the common good. We are one Body. Every one of us has a role in this moment of renewal.
The Spirit did not fill the Upper Room so the disciples could stay inside. He sent them out. He is sending us out, too.
As we enter this Year of the Holy Spirit together, let us:
· Pray daily and ask the Holy Spirit by name to lead and transform you
· Live the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness – visibly and boldly\
· Invite someone – the wind is blowing right here in Saginaw. Don’t let someone you love miss it
Veni, Sancte Spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit — come again.
Three Questions for Reflection:
1. Where are the locked doors in my own heart, the fears, and doubts, where am I still waiting for the Holy Spirit to break in? (Acts 2:1)
2. What gift of the Spirit has been placed in me and how will I use it to build up this parish during the Year of the Holy Spirit? (1 Cor 12:7)
3. Who in my life, may be a child, a grandchild, a coworker might the Spirit already be drawing toward the Church? What is one step I will take this week to open that door?
“Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.” Psalm 104:30