November 26th, 2023 – The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
We are reaching the end – the end of the year of grace 2023. Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the liturgical year, and the year of grace 2024 begins next weekend. It is a chance to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. The last year has brought a lot of change to our family of parishes.
We added the Cathedral to an already large family of parishes. With the new parish came a second associate pastor, me. Working as a newly formed family of five parishes has certainly taught us a lot!
The new year will bring new adventures and many opportunities to grow in faith. There is an invitation in the new year to grow in love for the Blessed Sacrament. The National Eucharistic Congress will happen in July, and in preparation for it, there will be a large procession of the Eucharist along four different routes heading to it.
As we approach the new year, may I recommend committing to grow in the love of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament every day throughout the new year. What a blessing to our community it will be if we all commit to this!
God Bless,
Fr. Joseph
P.S. I recommend having a New Liturgical Year celebration for those who love to celebrate. The new year begins on Saturday, December 2 at 4:00 pm (when the church prays the first prayers of Advent).
November 19th, 2023 – Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends,
Thanksgiving is this week, and our hearts are filled with the warmth of the holidays as we prepare to gather with family and loved ones these days.
At every Mass, after the bread and the wine have been placed on the altar, the priest says, “it is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, through Christ our Lord.”
As Catholics, we give thanks “always and everywhere;” such is “our duty and our salvation.” In other words, giving thanks and having a grateful heart saves us!
These holidays, we also keep in mind those who are sick, lonely, and sad. Hopefully we will be able to help them, so that they too may have another reason to give thanks to God these days.
Your priests, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Tim, and I, together with our wonderful staff and parish volunteers, wish you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving in union with your families and loved ones!
With love,
Fr. Carlos
November 12th, 2023 – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
(Albert Einstein)
Dear Friends,
Dear Friends, Our first reading this Sunday, from the Book of Wisdom, sets forth the beauty of wisdom, and our Gospel points out that it is something we need to work at.
Needless to say, we live in the information age but sadly lack wisdom in so many ways. We all have experienced folks who are really “smart,” but are lacking common sense and have the personality which rubs the wrong way as a know-it-all. Wisdom has much more to do with who we are than what we know.
The preaching of Jesus always seems to hit home because he knows us so well. Our relationship with him will provide everything we need to be truly wise, but only if we follow his example in all things. I find myself saying over and over again, “What would Jesus do in this situation? How would Jesus deal with people who present challenges?” He always says just the right things, and I pray daily for his help in my limited way of doing things.
There is a great quote from the Dalai Lama: “A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether to say it or not.” Good advice!
Have a blessed peaceful week, as the world continues to struggle with so much! Pray, pray, pray for peace!
Sincerely,
Fr. Tim
We remember in a special way our Veterans, and all who are on Active Duty. Their sacrifices and commitment are never forgotten, respected, appreciated.
November 5th, 2023 – Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
We are now in November, which is the month dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory. This past Thursday, on November 2, we celebrated All Souls Day – a day devoted to praying and offering Masses for the dead. The rest of the month is a continuation of the prayer.
We are at the end of the liturgical year (the new year starts with the first Sunday of Advent). As the year comes to an end, we pray especially for our loved ones who died in the last year.
How can we pray for the dead? There are several ways:
- First, have Masses offered for them, or you can offer their name at Mass in your private prayers.
- Second, visit a cemetery and pray, especially for those who have no one to pray for them.
- Finally, pray a rosary for a family member or friend.
All these prayers help fulfill the Spiritual Work of Mercy of praying for the living and the dead.
Please know of my prayers this month for all the deceased members of the Family of Five parishes.
Have a great week, and God Bless,
Fr. Joseph
