Dear Friends,

	With each passing day, there are more and more signs that we are coming to the end of another school year.  First Communions and Confirmations are over.  Next weekend we celebrate both Pentecost Sunday and Memorial Day weekend.  Our Youth Group has had its final gathering of the season.  I am grateful to all of the adult leaders of the Youth Program for their dedication to the young people of our community.
	This past week, it was announced that Holy Spirit School will close this June.  I am sure that many of the parents and students are concerned about placement in a Catholic School for next year.  Of course, Immaculate Heart of Mary School is eager to welcome any prospective families to take a tour and consider enrolling their children in our school.  I am very proud of the faculty and staff of our school, and the excellent program that we provide to our students.  If you know any families in Holy Spirit Parish, please encourage them to take a look at our school.
	I am sure that you know how important it is to pray for vocations in the Church.  About once a month I try to celebrate a weekday Mass using the prayers for religious and priestly vocations.  Well, it seems that the Lord is answering our prayers.  I am happy to announce that our parishioner, Donna Spoto, is entering formation to become a member of a Secular Institute known as the Apostolic Oblates.  Donna is not entering religious life or becoming a “nun”; she is entering formation for consecrated life.  After a period of three years of formation, she will take temporary vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and apostolate, which are renewed until she makes final vows.  The apostolate of the Apostolic Oblates is to promote the universal call to holiness and the interior life.  Donna will be moving to the Apostolic Oblate residence in Canarsie in June, and in the middle of the summer, she will move to Omaha, Nebraska.  Before she goes, we will have an opportunity to send her forth and wish her well.  Anyone interested in helping can call Mary Bellettierre (718-853-5853).

									With love and prayers,
									Fr. John J. Costello