Dear families and friends of St Brigid's,

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.

This Sunday, we remember and celebrate the feast of Pentecost, the moment when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to send a helper for the great mission that lay ahead. That Spirit brought gifts of knowledge, wisdom and strength, empowering them to go out and proclaim the Good News.

In his recent inauguration speech, Pope Leo invited all Christians to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit “so that we might build a Church founded on God’s love, a sign of unity, a missionary Church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word…” Just as the disciples were filled with courage and clarity, so too are we called to open our hearts to these same gifts, received in our own Baptism and Confirmation.

The world today yearns for leadership and witness grounded in love, peace and unity. Compassion, one of the fruits of the Spirit, is more vital than ever. It is also a core value at St Brigid’s, guiding us to show empathy and kindness to others, just as Jesus did.

The Pentecost story also inspires us to live out the values we cherish in our school community:

• Compassion, in reaching out with understanding and mercy to those in need;

• Courage, in standing for what is right and proclaiming our faith with strength, even when it is challenging;

• Service, in using our gifts to uplift others and contribute to the good of all;

• Stewardship, in caring for the world God has entrusted to us, recognising that the Spirit renews the face of the earth through our hands and hearts.

As we reflect on that first Pentecost, let us ask the Holy Spirit to renew within us a deeper commitment to these values. May we be bold in love, generous in service, and faithful in stewardship, trusting always in the Spirit who leads, empowers, and renews.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.