In today's gospel Jesus promised the disciples that he would ask the Father to send another Advocate.  In the world of Jesus' time an advocate was an expert, called in during a crisis.  He might give witness in a serious court case or might come in to build morale or discipline in a military unit. 

            The Advocate of whom Jesus speaks is the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was reminding his disciples and us that he would give us this powerful helper.  However the Spirit does not come to us against our will.  He must be invited to assist us.

Since Easter we have been listening to passages from the Acts of the Apostles.  Luke might have called the second part of his gospel the Acts of the Holy Spirit.   It was really more about the acts of the Holy Spirit at work in and through the Apostles.  Many Christians consider those infant days of the Church to be a Golden period.  What made the early Church so powerful was its openness to the Spirit.  Even the apostolic Church experienced disagreements among people of good will.  What prevented these from tearing the early Church apart was that its members turned to the Holy Spirit.

            The Church must submit to the Holy Spirit even as she searches for new paradigms to bring the Gospel into this third millennium.  As a nation, we must quiet down the rhetoric and ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand those with whom we disagree.  We need the Holy Spirit to help us communicate in our parish, our school, and in our community.  In our personal lives we need the Spirit's help to make the right decisions for ourselves and for our families.

            We have a great Advocate, who comes to us from Jesus and the Father.  But this Comforter will only come to humble and open hearts. 

Thank you, St. Hilary Mothers’ Club!

As the academic year winds down there are many people and organizations to thank.  At their last meeting the Mothers' Club announced that they will be donating flat screen monitors for all classroom desktop computers, the Math Facts component for the Accelerated Math program, a viable sound system for the gym, and $1,300 for tuition assistance.  Altogether these projects amount to a gift in excess of $8,000.  But wait there’s more!  The Mother's Club also made a $1,000 donation to the parish. 

            All this is in addition to the many programs and events the Mothers' Club sponsors throughout the year.  There is an adage, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person."  The Mothers' Club proves this saying year after year.  We are so blessed to have such dedicated people working for the betterment of our school.