A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
Recently, I read a story about Giacomo Puccini, who scored the famous Italian Opera named Turandot but he left it unfinished in 1924 by due to his death. When his health worsened, he asked his students if he was not able to finish his work before his death, if they could complete it for him. His disciples gathered all that was written of Turandot, studied it in great detail and then proceeded to write the remainder of the opera. The world premier was performed in La Scala Opera House in Milan in 1926, and Toscanini, Puccini’s favorite student, conducted it. The opera went beautifully, until Toscanini came to the end of the part written by Puccini. He stopped the music, put down the baton, turned to the audience, and announced, “Thus far the master wrote, but he died.” …….There was a long pause; no one moved. Then Toscanini turned, picked up the baton, turned to the audience and, with tears in his eyes, announced, “But his disciples finished his work.” The opera closed to a thunderous applause and found a permanent place in the annals of great works. Turandot was a masterpiece created by the master and his disciples.
The one and only masterpiece called ‘The Good News’, is created by Jesus and His disciples. The celebration of the Ascension of Jesus is only a chapter in the masterpiece of the Gospel, to be remembered and yet it is celebrated to remember the disciples who dedicated their total life to continue the good works of their Master: Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? We are called to continue the Gospel scores with our life and mission.
Next Sunday, June 8, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The 11:15am Mass will be celebrated as a Multi-Cultural Mass with the participation and celebration of different linguistic communities of our parish such as, Spanish, Vietnamese and Tagalog (Filipino). All are welcome to come and enjoy worshiping our Lord as one community!
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
Reading 1: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
Reading 2: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Luke 24:46-53
