I wish you peace and all good things. May you be filled with the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit as we approach the great solemnity of Pentecost. Let us keep at the work of building a world ready to receive its creator and redeemer—and surrender joyfully to the rule of God.
 
Please save the dates of 
 
Sunday, May 20, when we take part in the parish ministry fair.
 
Thursday, May 24, when we hold a Taizé service with prayer intentions for immigrants.
 
Monday, June 4, when we hold our next monthly meeting.
 
Sunday, July 15, when we hold our first-ever picnic.
 
Here is an update on activities and projects. 
 
Care for Creation
 
Our study group is having great conversations about ecology. Our discussions have generated a few ideas for personal ecological conversion, parish action, and policy advocacy. We will continue meeting every other Thursday until May 31. Then we will make the transition from a study group to a working group this summer. The working group meetings will be open to all.
 
Homelessness and Housing
 
Our street outreach has emerged. On Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m., we walked through Inwood and Washington Heights and gave out 20 bags containing sandwiches, clothing, and other basic necessities. We thank the Allen Hospital for donating amenity kits with hygiene and first aid items, and C-Town Supermarkets for donating food. Coming up this summer: more days of outreach, a film about homelessness, and a trip to a homeless drop-in center. The next working group meeting is Wednesday, May 30, 6:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Contact Alba Fresco, amfresco@gmail.com.
 
Immigration
 
Our next Taizé prayer service on May 24 will offer intentions for the needs of undocumented immigrants. All are welcome at this bilingual, contemplative prayer service in the tradition of the ecumenical monastic community of Taizé, France. We will gather in the chapel of San Damiano Retreat Center from 7 to 8 p.m. There will be hymns in English and Spanish, Scripture readings, and veneration of the Cross.
 
We are still looking for volunteers to start a working group. Let us support the New Sanctuary Coalition. Let us visit Aura Hernandez and her infant child who have taken sanctuary at Fourth Universalist Society on the Upper West Side, and Amanda Morales and her three children at Holyrood Episcopal Church. Please contact Brother Anthony to arrange a group visit.
 
Rezoning and Library
 
Community Board 12 and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer have heard our voices on the rezoning plan. They would like to see changes to the city’s proposal. But the struggle continues. The City Planning Commission held a hearing on May 9. The City Council will hold a hearing in late June. The decision to approve a rezoning plan rests with these municipal bodies. It will take all of us in the community to push our city leaders to make necessary changes to the current rezoning proposal if we want to preserve affordable housing in Inwood. The JPIC rezoning working group will continue to educate and mobilize the parish at key moments of the rezoning review process. Please join! Contact Graham Ciraulo, gciraulo86@gmail.com.
 
Day of Recollection
 
On April 28, I gave a day of recollection on social justice and discipleship at Holy Cross-Saint John the Baptist, the Capuchin parish in Midtown. A few Good Shepherd members joined me. In the near future, I would like to offer a similar day of recollection at Good Shepherd on the charisms, or gifts, God gives us to work for justice.
 
Ministry Fair
 
JPIC will be a part of the parish ministry fair on Pentecost Sunday, May 20. All the groups, ministries, and societies of the parish will participate. This was our idea. Let’s show up and make our ministry visible to others! We hope that this exhibit of the good works of Good Shepherd will help bring our community together in ways that make us a stronger witness to the Gospel of liberation and life.
 
Finally, save the date of July 15 for our first picnic! Let us rejoice in God and in one another as we seek the reign of God in our world.