Northeast

New York priest says Pentecost is a reminder the Holy Spirit is 'alive and at work'

Published

2 years ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

New York priest says Pentecost is a reminder the Holy Spirit is 'alive and at work'

Join Fox News for access to this content

Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account – free of charge.

Please enter a valid email address.

Pentecost, said Fr. Louis Cona of New York, is the “preeminent celebration of the Holy Spirit” — and is celebrated on Sunday, May 19, seven weeks after Easter.

Cona is a priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre and currently serves as associate pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Smithtown, New York.

Verses in the Acts of the Apostles (2:1-4) tell the story of Pentecost, Cona said.

ILLINOIS PASTOR AND AUTHOR URGES OTHERS AMID TODAY’S EVIL, ‘MAKE AMERICA LOVE AGAIN’

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim” (Acts 2:1-4).

The Acts of the Apostles is traditionally attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist, according to the website BibleGateway.

Fr. Louis Cona of the Diocese of Rockville Center in New York, shown at left, reflected on Pentecost Sunday and what this “preeminent celebration of the Holy Spirit” means for Christians today. (Courtesy Fr. Cona/Getty Images)

“In telling this story, Luke describes the emergence of Christianity from its origins in Judaism to its position as a religion of worldwide status and appeal,” the site added.

Pentecost, said Cona, which is celebrated 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, is the “fulfillment of Jesus’ earthly mission,” as told in Luke 12:49, to “set the earth on fire.”

REV. BILLY GRAHAM HONORED WITH STATUE UNVEILED AT US CAPITOL: ‘ONE OF AMERICA’S GREATEST CITIZENS’

“We see his desire fulfilled as tongues of fire descend upon his disciples,” said Cona. “The tongues of fire as recounted by St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles remind us that God is alive, his Spirit is not stagnant, but dynamic, constantly reinvigorating and igniting the Church and her faithful.”

“Pentecost is not the feast of the Holy Spirit, but rather, the feast of the sending of the Holy Spirit.”

Advertisement

When he was in seminary studying ahead of his ordination to the priesthood, Cona said one of his professors “would often remind us that Pentecost is not the feast of the Holy Spirit, but rather, the feast of the sending of the Holy Spirit.”

ON MOTHER’S DAY, THE BIBLE’S INSPIRING WOMEN OFFER FAITH, HOPE AND STRENGTH

This, he said, “is an important distinction because it reminds us that the descent of the Holy Spirit is Christ’s greatest gift to his Church, a gift brought about through his Incarnation, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven.”

The Holy Spirit, said Cona, “gives the Church life, constantly renews her from within, and animates all of her members.”

The Bible describes how “tongues of fire” came to rest on the apostles, who were then “filled with the Holy Spirit.” (iStock)

As a parish priest, Cona told Fox News Digital that he sees the “fire” of the Holy Spirit “alive and at work in the Church’s sacraments.”

He noted, “Quite often I am astonished by the movement of the Holy Spirit in the healing of the sick through prayer and anointing.”

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION A CHANCE TO REFLECT ON ‘LETTING GO’ TO GROW IN FAITH, SAYS MAINE PRIEST

Cona continued, “I also see the fire of the Spirit alive in young people whose thirst for truth, goodness and authentic friendship can only be quenched when grounded in the truth of the Gospel.”

He added, “Where did their desire for deeper meaning and purpose to life arise but from the Spirit at work within their hearts leading them to all truth” — referring to John 16:13.

The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove or flame. Pentecost Sunday, observed 50 days after Easter Sunday, is a celebration of the Holy Spirit’s descent upon the apostles. (iStock)

On Pentecost, Catholic Mass has a special sequence called “Veni Sancte Spiritus,” or “Come Holy Spirit,” said Cona.

A sequence is a chant or hymn sung during a certain part of the Mass.

“This marvelous hymn teaches us about the remarkable actions of the Holy Spirit within our hearts,” said Cona.

In it, “we learn that the Holy Spirit ‘melts’ our hardened hearts and ‘warms the chill’ of ego, sin and loneliness. In this way, by overcoming pride, fear and isolation, the Holy Spirit unites us, makes us one of heart and mind,” he said.

“On this Pentecost Sunday, we pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our world to ‘melt’ the hardened hearts of sin and violence, so that we too can experience peace, unity, and ‘joys that never end,’ said Cona.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.

Read the full article from Here

Massachusetts

Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks

Published

12 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Massachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks – CBS Boston

Watch CBS News

Poya Sohrabi hasn’t heard from his family since they took shelter from attacks in Tehran. WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reports.

Source link

New Hampshire

Bedford man barred from conducting any securities business in New Hampshire

Published

54 minutes ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Bedford man barred from conducting any securities business in New Hampshire

State

Zip Code

Country

Source link

New Jersey

Newark-bound United flight returns to LA airport for evacuation after reported fire

Published

1 hour ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Newark-bound United flight returns to LA airport for evacuation after reported fire

NEWARK, New Jersey — A United Airlines flight headed to Newark, New Jersey returned to the Los Angeles airport Monday about 40 minutes after taking off for an emergency evacuation after a reported fire, authorities said.

All flights at the LAX International Airport were ordered to remain on the ground for about half an hour during the flight’s return and evacuation, according to advisories from the Federal Aviation Administration. No injuries were reported.

The flight, which was en route to Newark Liberty International Airport returned to LAX to address an issue with one of the engines, the airline said in a statement. There was no mention of a fire, but the LA Fire Department said it responded and there was a fire that was contained as of an hour after the plane’s landing.

The flight took off at 10:43 a.m., began to turn around at about 11 a.m. and landed again at 11:19 a.m., according to flight tracker FlightAware.

The LA Fire Department said they assisted with the evacuation of more than 250 passengers and crew. Passengers exited the plane on the taxiway using slides and stairs and were taken to the terminal, the airline said.

The airplane was a Boeing 787-9, a variant of the popular line of 787 Dreamliner long-haul aircraft.

———-

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More New Jersey news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Source link