All Diocesan Articles

God is with Us in the Wind

Posted on June 12, 2023 in: News, Eucharistic Revival

God is with Us in the Wind

Feast of Corpus Christi at Good Shepherd Catholic Community Columbia/Hebron

“I am with you until the end of the age,” our Lord promised. On Saturday, June 10, at the Eucharistic Procession honoring the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the wind kicked up just as the faithful approached the Blessed Sacrament, which was exposed for adoration outdoors at the Church of the Holy Family after the 5 pm Mass. 

Located at Hebron, CT, the Eucharistic procession was part of the celebration of the vigil of the Feast of Corpus Christi and was mirrored the next day on Sunday, June 11, at the 11 o’clock am Mass at St. Columba Church in Columbia.

All day the weather had been changeable, with clouds and sun, brief showers and sun showers, leading one to wonder if the rain would dampen the procession at the 5:00 pm Mass.

Father Michael Phillippino and Deacon Benedict LoCasto led the procession after Saturday Mass. They were accompanied by members of the Knights Templar and Knights of Columbus Council #11835 in their full-dress uniforms, as well as altar servers.  With the Eucharist held high, members of the church community followed singing hymns of praise. 

As the parishioners rounded the corner to the area where the Blessed Sacrament was carried to and exposed (outdoors at the lower level of the Church,) puffy grey and blue clouds scurried off. The sun brightened and the wind became so strong that the gusts whipped hair into people’s eyes and rustled the programs held as hymn books.

At that moment, it was possible to overlook the weather “miracles” that were taking place.  Yet, the sun came out more brightly.  The wind was a wild rush of air as if God was breathing fresh life into the parishioners after a week of haze and unhealthy weather conditions due to Canadian wildfires. For days all local people had seen was a hazy, blurred landscape, causing many to retreat indoors to avoid the irritating smoke. Now, all was clear, and many sang freely after hearing the Gospel.

It was reminiscent of the description of the wind at Pentecost, with the rushing sound of the Holy Spirit, breathing life into tired souls and reminding them, and now the current worshippers, of the sacrifice of Jesus out of His love for mankind. The significance of that uncommon wind struck a chord and raised questions.

In the moment, why is one slow to believe? Why doesn’t an unusual wind register as something spiritual right away? The rush of wind was a tangible reminder of His love and presence in our daily lives.  The winds subsided as everyone returned to the church for the final hymns of praise.  Peace came upon the gathered communicants.

But there is a stirring breeze in this Catholic Community. There is a charismatic tone to the monthly Mass of Healing held on the third Sunday of the month at 2 pm at the Church of the Holy Family held by Father Ray Introvigne and blessed by Father Michael. There is an uptick in the sense of community with a recent women’s gathering held for the first time on Saturday, June 3rd.  A survey distributed there asked about the types of charitable works in which each woman prefers to engage. Delicious, generally homemade appetizers and desserts gave everyone a chance to share and mingle, and form connections.

Special events led by Deacon Ben Locasto, celebrating God’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, with displays of Eucharistic miracles worldwide, have been part of the ongoing spiritual education at Good Shepherd parish.

The well-attended Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession was the latest in the series of ongoing faith-filled activities emphasizing Christ’s Real Presence in the host. Father Michael had announced prior to the Mass that there was an added length of time required for this special Mass, and his earnest invitation was honored by many. Perhaps the winds of change are good winds, and we know that God is with us in the Eucharist, always.

By Maureen Murphy, a parishioner of Good Shepherd Parish


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

The Diocese of Norwich Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with Confirmation of Reorganization Plan
Hartford, CT—On Wednesday, the United States Bankruptcy Court in Hartford confirmed the Diocese of Norwich’s Joint Plan of Reorganization, marking the official emergence of The Norwich Roman Catholic Diocesan Corporation from chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Honorable Judge James J. Tancredi presided over the confirmation hearing, held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., and approved the plan on the record at the hearing, subject to entry of an order confirming the plan to be submitted by the parties. The confirmed Joint Plan was proposed by the Norwich Roma...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Thanks the Faithful and Invites All to Pray a Pentecost Novena
My dear friends in Christ, Thank you all very much for your very warm welcome of me as your new Bishop.  As I meet with priests, deacons, and parishioners and make my way around the Diocese to parish Masses, Confirmations, school visits, Holy Hours, and dinner events, I am reminded how fortunate I am to be with you in our diocese.  Thank you for all you do. I am also acutely aware that all the good I hope to do together with you for God and His people depends utterly on God's grace. To that end, I am endeavoring to keep in mind the necessity of prayer...

Read More

Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of June
Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica, May 31, 2025. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA   In his first prayer intention video of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has asked the faithful to pray that the world might grow in compassion during the month of June. “Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his heart, learn to have compassion on the world,” the pope said in a video released June 3. The video also includes an original prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to which the m...

Read More

Bishop Reidy Shares a Significant Moment in the Diocese
May 22, 2025 Letter from the Most Reverend Richard F. Reidy, Bishop of Norwich to Parishioners, Survivors, Families, and Friends of the Diocese of Norwich My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today marks a solemn and significant moment in the history of the Diocese of Norwich. After nearly four years of prayer, perseverance, and painstaking effort, the United States Bankruptcy Court in Hartford has approved the Diocese’s Joint Plan of Reorganization—subject to entry of an order confirming the plan to be submitted by the parties, bringing our chapt...

Read More

Knights of Columbus Council 6107 Supports Local Special Needs Programs with $2,000 Donation
Deputy Grand Knight Brian Dec (left) presents a check to Tim Wrinn (right) for the Colchester Special Olympics.   The Knights of Columbus Francis Cardinal Spellman Council No. 6107 has completed their Tootsie Roll fund drive for this fraternal year. 100% of the proceeds are donated to the CT State Special Olympics and local organizations ministering to people with intellectual disabilities. The funds were collected from the generous donations made by residents of Colchester and the surrounding area. This year, the council has contributed $400 to the CT State Spec...

Read More

Parish Bulletins Remain Relevant in the Digital Age
  Kristyn Figbie, communications coordinator for St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New Britain, designs a Sunday bulletin that takes a more graphic approach to information with browsable tables and photos that capture the vitality of the parish community. Photo by Shelley Wolf   Parishes within the archdiocese are always looking for better ways to engage parishioners. To meet parishioners’ information needs and grab their attention, two parishes recently overhauled their Sunday bulletins with fresh new designs, more graphics and photos, and enhanc...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Bishop Reidy's Pastoral on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
“Witnesses to Hope” is the Theme of Religious Freedom Week 2025, June 22-29
Academy of the Holy Family Graduation 2025
Full Text of Pope Leo XIV’s Address to Catholics in Chicago
Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Calendar of Events

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294