Fr Dan Serratore’s experience of Awaken Pentecost
The gathering was immensely fruitful as hundreds of people accepted the invitation for others to pray over them for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the end of the day. Our team has received many touching stories from this experience of people praying for each other and as a group. We also received positive feedback about the workshops and presentations. There was a strong sense of community as Catholics from different parishes gathered over a cuppa during the break times.
Awaken Pentecost Event 2024
Joint initiative Led by
MGL Melbourne Mission
Pentecost was a truly powerful time for our Melbourne Mission. On Saturday several parishes, including the MGL parishes of St Benedict’s and St Scholastica’s, came together for the Awaken Pentecost event. Several hundred Catholics gathered to hear powerful preaching, partake in workshops and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, just like at the first Pentecost.
Ecumenical Prayer Night
St Benedict’s also hosted an ecumenical prayer night the previous Friday which was attended by Christians from different denominations from around our council area. The night included an abbreviated form of evening prayer, or vespers, and a time of fellowship. This was a powerful night of prayer and unity.
Holy Spirit Parish Feast Day
Pentecost is the parish feast day for the Holy Spirit Parish in Darwin. They celebrated with a retreat day on the Saturday before with about 50 participants (below) growing in their understanding of the Holy Spirit and praying to receive the spirit in a deeper way in their lives. The parish held a Feast Day dinner on Pentecost Sunday with over 300 parishioners attending (above). The night was filled with music, dancing, activities for kids and lots of fun.
Young Adults Weekend
I recently led a DOJ young adults weekend down near Wilsons Prom in southern Victoria. There were several young adults, MGL brothers and Fr Steve Tynan in attendance (above). The theme we mediated on was the Holy Name of Jesus. The weekend had a great balance of recreation and play combined with prayer and sharing and there was a beautiful community atmosphere with everyone pitching in to help. Particular highlights were mass ad orientem on Tidal River Beach (below), followed by a bushwalk with breathtaking views out to Fairy Cove and the Saturday praise with prayer ministry and fireside confessions, followed by an all-night vigil. A very enjoyable weekend from all reports.
Br James Price MGL