Reflection : living in the awareness of the presence of the Triune God within us: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Today’s feast invites us to live in the awareness of the presence of the Triune God within us: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The mystery of the Holy Trinity, a doctrine enunciated by the ecumenical councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, is one of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity and the greatest mystery of our Faith, namely, that there are Three Divine Persons, sharing the same Divine nature in one God.

“There is one God, who has three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each Person is God, yet there is still only one God” (CCC #234, #253-256). We have the Father Who is the Creator, the Son the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit the Sanctifier and the Counselor. The doctrine of Three Persons in one God, co-equal and co-eternal in Divinity yet distinct in Person, is not explicitly spelt out in the Bible.

Even the very word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible. But the doctrine of the Trinity underlies all major Christian feasts, including Christmas, the Epiphany, Good Friday, Easter, the Ascension and Pentecost. All the official prayers of the Church, including the Holy Mass and the Sacraments, begin with an address to the Holy Trinity: “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

We are baptized, absolved of our sins and anointed in the name of the Blessed Trinity. Throughout the world, church bells can ring three times a day inviting Christians to pray to God the Father (the Provider); God the Son (the Savior); and God the Holy Spirit (the Sanctifier), giving glory to the Triune God for the Incarnation of the Son and our Redemption. We bless ourselves with the Sign of the Cross, invoking the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and we conclude our prayers glorifying the Holy Trinity, saying “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.”

Today’s readings convey the fundamental mystery that the Triune God reaches out to people with love, seeking the deepest communion with them. Importance in Christian life: 1) All prayers in the Church begin in the  Name of the Holy Trinity and end glorifying the Trinity. 2) All Sacraments are
administered (we are baptized, confirmed, anointed, our sins are forgiven, our marriage blessed, and our Bishops, priests and deacons ordained) in the name of the Holy Trinity.3) Church bells ring thrice daily, reminding us to give glory to the Holy Trinity for the Incarnation of Jesus and His Redemption of all of us.4)

We bless ourselves, and the priest blesses us, in the Name of the Holy Trinity.God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal. They form a community. By this, the Blessed Trinity is teaching us to live in love and in communion with one another. Please remember in your prayers: those who are sick, troubled, homeless, refugees and those with different forms of life challenges especially back in Africa.

Announcements and information: Care and development of our Chaplaincy.

• From now own we will Have masses for Africans celebrated here in saint Mary’s Church every Sunday at 11.30am till Sunday 6th of August. The masses will continue after that and the place will be announced before August 6th.
• We are a welcoming community, please let us know if you are new and contact us for more assistance. After Mass today 11th June we will all join the Diocesan welcoming theme in Saint Henry for Picnic. Our choir will be performing.
• Please contact the chaplain for all sick calls, if you will like a visit or Holy communion at home or in the case of emergency ring chaplains number(+358408497079) or one of our parishes, home visits and different forms of blessings; Houses, shops, offices, etc.
• Our Chaplaincy is new and needs lots of assistance to set up working structures so as to reach every African in need of our services. For this reasons please contact the Chaplain if you have suggestions and if you are willing to render services in any domain or area of the chaplaincy.
• Chaplaincy news letter: could you please send in any item, announcements or information for the chaplaincy newsletter to the chaplain by Wednesday @12.00 noon . Thank you.
• Those who are willing to receive sacraments please contact the Chaplain. (Infant Baptism, Adult baptism, First Holy Communion, Penance/confession Holy Matrimony
  confirmation. etc)
• The Chaplain is available Monday to Saturday in Saint Henry’s cathedral from 9am to 5pm. Call (+358408497079) to make appointments if you wish to meet him.
• Christians who live in the same area or individual families/friends can arrange for a mass and request the chaplain to celebrate it for them. Remember mass is the highest prayer of the church. The sacrifice of the cross and our salvation.

Chaplaincy Prayer

We pray and ask you O God to grant all our chaplaincy endeavors. Lift up our hearts to be more welcoming to each other. Unite us in our identity as Africans and above all as catholic Christians of your body the universal church. Help our Chaplaincy to flourish and grow healthy, as we try to make God’s teachings relevant and meaningful to all ages; especially the young and old. Provide us with good
health, work, strength and persistence to always do our very best in promoting God’s will, in communion with our diocese and the whole church. Amen Sacred heart of Jesus, have mercy us.