May 24, 2021

Catholic Latino Ministry sponsors four-day Pentecost celebration

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

WESTFIELD – Many from the area Latino population gathered at the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish gymnasium, here, to celebrate the May 23 feast of Pentecost and share their joy at being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Nearly 85 people attended the 4 p.m. program sponsored by the Office of Catholic Latino Ministry for the Springfield Diocese. It included testimonies, preaching, music, and praise with the main theme of “Jesus, heal us!”

Carmen Lugo, a parishioner at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, said the theme was especially meaningful to her because Jesus helped heal her marriage and her husband, who had colon cancer.

“I know Jesus is there with us no matter what problem we have or go through, no matter what we have done he is there to forgive us and heal us and to do anything that we ask of him if it is according to his will,” said Lugo.

Lugo, who has been a part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for over 40 years, also attended vigils taking place the three previous nights at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield, St. Jerome Parish in Holyoke, and St. Mary Parish in Westfield.

Deacon Pedro J. Rivera Moran, the deacon at St. Mary’s and also the director of the Office of  Catholic Latino Ministry, said for years they have had three nights of Masses and adoration in preparation for Pentecost. On the last night the adoration takes place for three to four hours. On the feast day itself, he said, they “share their love for God and love for one another to experience it together as one.”

Deacon Rivera Moran said that it is important for them to grow beyond the Latino community and be one with people that live in the United States, but come from different heritages.

“On that first Pentecost, the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, which was the first time they preached to the rest of the world and shared the good news, they all were understood regardless of the language or culture. There was unity, that is what God wants,” he said. “We can be who we are, but share with one another, regardless of our background, we can live together and share the word of God together and that is the beauty of what Pentecost does.”

Deacon Rivera Moran said the music also is an important aspect of the Pentecost celebration because it is part of the Latino culture, adding that the lively songs express their deep devotion to their religious faith. Many people at the celebration were wearing red, which is the color of Pentecost and shows the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon Rivera Moran said another aspect of Pentecost Sunday is that the clergy and lay people talk about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

“The Holy Spirit gives us the gifts so we can manage the reality that we face here and now. The fruit of the Spirit determines what and who we are,” he said. “We talk about mercy, self-control, love, unity: the characteristics that distinguish us and we should continue to try to grow as Christians.

“Today let us be guided by the Holy Spirit, one of the three of the Holy Trinity, in our open and honest expression of love to God and to one another,” Deacon Rivera Moran said.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.