THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We have a unique episode in the Acts of the Apostles today. A whole roomful of people are baptized with the Holy Spirit before they are baptized with water! The verb used—“the Holy Spirit ‘fell’ on them” (Acts 10:44)—is characteristic of the way the Spirit works throughout the book of Acts: powerful and surprising. Though this “baptism” is not the normative way the New Testament describes baptism, it is still a good reminder today that the Holy Spirit is not controlled by whether or not we pour water, but rather that our sacramental signs reveal the presence of the Spirit at work among us. And we have a double reinforcement of how this work is accomplished from a Letter and a Gospel bearing John’s name. It is love, self-sacrificing and self-giving love, that manifests the Spirit of Jesus in our midst. It is love that is the greatest of commandments. The Spirit is manifested equally through those who live in that love.

 

NEW LIFE BEGINNINGS
NLB is looking for items to be donated for a silent and live auction for their May 24th fundraiser at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach. Call Lucy Favro (562) 754-1722 to donate items. Tickets for the dinner are $75.00 each

75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Sunday, June 3rd; 1:00pm Mass
Celebrant: Archbishop Jose H. Gomez
Reception following Mass in the Social Hall

VIRTUS TRAINING
Saturday, May 26, 9-12 noon at our Youth Center, 4545 E. Fourth Street. If you have not already taken this training, and you deal directly with children of our parish, you must take this class. Register by calling the Rectory or e-mailing us : StBarts@sblb.org

 

YOUTH MINISTRY WORKSHOP
For all who are interested in working with young people and seeing our parish’s youth ministry program grow, please attend this workshop Sunday, May 20th, 10am-12noon, St. Bartholomew Youth Center, 4545 E. 4th Street (between Park and Ximeno). This event is free and includes a continental breakfast and coffee. Brother Al Vu, director of youth ministry for the Salesians of Don Bosco will share with us a vision of what a thriving youth ministry program can mean not only to our youth but to our entire parish. He will offer practical skills on how to successfully work with yourand enjoy it. This workshop is open to anyone between the ages of 15 and 100! All are welcome and wanted!! Remember, it takes a village and that couldn’t be truer for St. Bartholomew’s Youth Ministry Program!

DID YOU KNOW?
Text Messaging: Know the Warning Signs—we must remember that monitoring a child’s Internet browsing and cell phone use are important and challenging aspects of being a parent. In keeping track of your child’s text messaging, with its dizzying array of coded abbreviations and symbols, there are some codes that every parent should keep is/her eyes open for. A helpful tutorial for parents is located at http://knol.google.com—type “How to understand your kids’ text messages” in the search box. For particular help, call Assistance Ministry (213)637-7650.

 

MEALS ON WHEELS is seeking new volunteers here in Long Beach. For information or to volunteer, please call: Julie Weber @ (562)433-0232

 

CENTERING PRAYER
Come and spend an hour in a lovely, peaceful setting, to listen, reflect, respond and rest in God. Join us in Centering Prayer every 2nd and 4th Monday in the Church at 7:00pm. For information: Pat (562) 243-8460; or, Melissa (562)434-1998.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults):  How Does a Person Become a Catholic?
Thinking about becoming a Catholic? Have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic, or completing your Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation? Have you felt something inside calling you to look a little deeper? Are you curious about Catholicism? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, we invite you to “Come & See!” Inquiry sessions about the Catholic faith are every Wednesday from 7:00-8:30pm in the Jubilee Room. Inquiry is the first step in the four-step process of faith formation known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). For more information, please call Ted or Kathleen Flood (562)434-3163.

PARISH COMMUNITY GROUP: - SHARING OURSELVES
Our parishioner outreach service has been a longstanding mission of the Community Group and is still available to our parishioners. It is our mission to try to help home-bound or other parishioners who need assistance. Volunteers who want to assist and visit parishioners who require help are very much needed. If you would like to help or if you know of someone who needs assistance, contact: Deacon Carl Gibboney 400-4099

LEGION OF MARY
Meets every Wednesday, 8:45am, in the Jubilee Room. Everyone is welcome.