Whenever we interact with our priests, do we see them as human and frail like the rest of humanity? Or on the other hand, do we see them as supermen, able to withstand all the stresses and strains of being human?

I hope you see your priest as very human. Quite possibly, even more human than most of us. Why? Because they not only have their own struggles being human, but they accompany us in our humanness too.

Therefore, this Priesthood Sunday, turn the tables. Attempt to be the listener to the human side of your priest. Do not automatically tell him your troubles; begin by asking him what is going on in his life. Thank him warmly for
giving up so much to spend his life in service to others. Try it. You might be surprised to find out your priest is just like you!

Please remember to keep Fr. Socorro and Fr. Henry in your prayers, as well as all priests. God bless them all for saying yes, to God.

31^st Sunday in Ordinary time, Year C

 The gospel passage (Lk 19:1-10) this weekend, is not just entertainment about a short bald man climbing a tree and later trying to “buy” his salvation. Rather, it is about the radical changes that everyone must make when Jesus issues an invitation. Zacchaeus was also a very rich man and a hated tax collector, a collaborator with the occupying Roman empire. And yet, this is the man that Jesus said he was going to dine with. Even more surprising, it was Jesus who initiated the contact. We know that such an action would have been unthinkable for a Pharisee, and indeed they all “grumbled.”

Jesus called Zacchaeus a “descendant of Abraham” (19:9), which both restored the dignity of true community identity for this tax collector, and which indicated that all were sinners, not just Zacchaeus. So that there is no mistake, Jesus concludes “the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost” (19:10). In Luke’s gospel, Jesus is constantly breaking down barriers which prevent the exchange of love and compassion. All Jesus asks of us is that we allow Him to come into our homes and hearts, and spend some time with Him. Are we, like Zacchaeus, open enough to want to “see” Jesus, and to “do” something to facilitate that encounter?

Last Dates to Visit Holy Doors

  If you missed going to visit the Holy Doors last week with your fellow parishioners  there are still a couple dates left:

 Sunday , October 30th – 1pm to 3pm

 Friday November 4th – 9am to 2pm

**November 6, 2016 – The closing liturgy will take place 11 AM at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.