Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Ordinarily during the Easter Season, I offer reflections on the Gospel first since the other two readings present the early Church after the Resurrection. This week, however, I would like to begin with some reflections on the first reading since it includes an important Old Testament reference to Jesus and his mission among us. Acts 4:8 - 12 This Sunday, we hear another portion of Peter’s speeches after curing the crippled man. Last week, we heard a section of his speech to the Jewish people who had gathered [...]
St. Martin de Porres Parish Visit
We’re happy to have Fr. Addisalem Mekonnen, the pastor of our sister parish, St. Martin de Porres, join us at all of our Masses next weekend and present the homily as we continue our 42-year tradition of sharing our faith with our sister parish. And, as they have done for many years, members of St. Martin de Porres parish will lead us in song at the 5:00pm Vigil Mass. This year, their men’s choir, God’s Men, will be here to lead us in lively song! We will then host them [...]
The Sacrament of Confirmation
“Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, I confirmed three new adult parishioners with the imposition of hands and the anointing of the forehead. Last Saturday, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez confirmed 77 of our young parishioners who attend our school or PREP. And, that same evening, I confirmed another new adult parishioner who was unable to join us at the Easter Vigil. This completed the initiation of all of these parishioners into the Church, which began at Baptism and was nurtured [...]
EASTER GREETINGS
Alleluia! This Easter proclamation that we repeat over and over again during the joyful Easter Season has a powerful meaning, one that we should all know and embrace. It is a combination of two Hebrew words: “hallelu” (the plural imperative of “hallel”) which means “praise” and “jah,” the first half of the Hebrew word for God, Yahweh. So, it literally means “everyone praise God!” We should praise God always because of all the good he does for us every moment of our lives. But Easter is the time for us [...]
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and Holy Week
“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest.” (Mk 11:9-10). On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we are called to join with our Lord, Jesus Christ, as he makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and then suffers derision and mockery, scourging and finally crucifixion because he claims to be who he truly is – the Son of God – and comes to offer a new way of life. This [...]
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
“God has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Last week, 78 of our parishioners received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. On Wednesday of this week, everyone in the parish is encouraged to attend our Lenten Penance Service, which begins at 7:00pm; several priests will be available to hear your confession. During this Season of Lent, when we are all invited to recognize our sinfulness that put Jesus on the cross, we are also encouraged by Jesus’ clear [...]