“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Today is the Feast of Pentecost, many times referred to as the Birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles and it was the first time the Apostles went out and preached the Word of God without Jesus at their side. On this birthday, let us celebrate that same gift of the Holy Spirit. It was at Baptism that we received the Holy Spirit and at Confirmation, the gifts and fruits of the Spirit were given us in their fulness. This is our receiving the breath of Christ. But have we experienced our own Pentecost? Have we allowed these supernatural gifts to rise to the surface of our lives? Or do they lay dormant in our souls? Do we say: I would like to …. and then back away out of fear and do nothing? On this anniversary of the Holy Spirit’s arrival, let us follow St. Paul’s advice and “stir into flame the gift of God that you have”.