Virtual retreat invites Catholics to place trust in the Lord, open themselves to the Holy Spirit

METUCHEN – While the universal Church prepares to celebrate Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is already moving for Catholics in the Diocese of Metuchen, even in the midst of a global pandemic.
 
In a recent message to faithful in the diocese, Bishop James F. Checchio noted that the Apostles were fearfully gathered in the Upper Room after Jesus’ death, but “they become fearless followers of Jesus after they receive the Holy Spirit.”
 
“They come out of hiding and go out and evangelize the whole world,” Bishop Checchio wrote in the message to Catholics, originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen. “Now, you and I are called by our Lord to do the same even amidst the challenge of this worldwide pandemic; to remember that God will never, ever forget us.”
 
So that today’s Catholics might experience those same effects of the Holy Spirit, the Diocese of Metuchen will hold its first-ever virtual Pentecost retreat, “A Church of Mission and Purpose: A Virtual Pentecost Retreat,” beginning May 29 at 7 p.m. and concluding on May 30 at 5 p.m. with a livestreamed Vigil Mass of Pentecost celebrated by Bishop Checchio.
 
Participants who register for the virtual retreat will have the opportunity to listen to live presentations, witness talks and take part in small breakout sessions. To see the full schedule and to register, visit: www.LightingHeartsOnFire.org. There is no cost to attend. No registration is required to participate in the livestreamed Vigil Mass.
 
“Our Gospel reminds us to place our trust and faith in the Lord, to truly open ourselves up anew to the Holy Spirit; holding nothing back, but rather completely listening to Him, trusting in Him, who is always for us and with us,” wrote Bishop Checchio. 
 
A team of priests, brothers and sisters and lay people will give witness to and encouragement for living fully in the new life that Jesus promises to those who will live by the Holy Spirit.
 
Bishop Checchio acknowledged that living by the Spirit is no small task, yet, he wrote, “Jesus is realistic about the cost of discipleship. Mercifully, He is also clear about its rewards.” 
 
“God wants to change us, just as He did the Apostles, to make us fearless followers and His witness in our world.  Our world needs this witness especially now,” wrote Bishop Checchio. “So many are feeling lost, aimlessly making their way through each day. Jesus wants to fill us and our lives with His direction and guidance, giving us His peace, love and mercy; giving our lives true meaning.”
 
The Lord promised he would send His Holy Spirit “to pray within us, to lead us and guide us, to make His home in us; so we, too, would have absolutely nothing to fear, so we, too, would truly know why we are here and how we should live as His disciples,” he wrote.
 
“I thank you today for your continued witness even during this pandemic: it’s inspiring to me as your Bishop,” he wrote. “You are keeping the faith, continuing to trust that God and His Blessed Mother are with us and guiding us. The only way the Church is going to be renewed in our day, is by our witness, by others seeing us living with such faith, on fire with the confidence of the Holy Spirit, that they want to join us.”