Weekly message

First Sunday of Advent

Kathy Uncategorized, Weekly message

A quiz for you. You are sleeping. You are dreaming. A big lion is chasing you. You try to run away and you see a tiger coming in front of you. You turn sideways, but every side you turn to, you find a ferocious animal coming after you. How can you escape? The answer is: Wake up. By waking up one enters a whole new world of reality, different from that of the dream world. What was a huge problem in the dream state becomes a non-issue in the waking state.

Today is the First Sunday of Advent. The word advent is coming from the Latin word, “Adventum”, meaning, “coming”, but who will come? Many of us would answer that it is the coming of the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. But Jesus had already been born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. This advent is not only the coming of Jesus during Christmas day but also his coming at the last day, we call it Parousia or His second coming by which He will no longer save us but judge us.

When we are expecting a very important person to come, a particular reality called waiting is very imminent. When we wait, we feel anxious, uneasy, impatient and unsure if that person will come. Waiting is one of the large realities of life. And there are so many waiting in life. 

The gospel of the day says, “Stay awake….You do not know when the appointed time will come.” In other words, be prepared always and to stay awake while waiting for His coming at an unknown time.

So, while waiting, let us prepare ourselves for His coming. How?

First, let us renew the way we speak, by using our God given tongue to uplift those people in distress.

Second, let us renew the way we act. A saying goes: “Action speaks louder than words”. Actions are very much important. Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical letter, said that “today we don’t need good teachers, what we need are witnessing teachers.”

Third, let us renew our attitude. We have so many attitudes that need to be renewed.

Lastly, let us renew our deeds.

 

Immaculate Conception

 

December 8th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a Holy Day of Obligation and Masses will take place at 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the church.

Stewardship Thoughts

Today’s Scripture readings express the Advent themes of hope, vigilance, and repentance. The Prophet Isaiah desires his people to atone for their sinful ways and turn their hardened hearts back to the Lord, who has done great deeds for them. In St. Mark’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to be watchful and alert, for we do not know when He will return. St. Paul reminds the Corinthian community, and us, that fellowship with our Lord strengthens us with many spiritual gifts — a timely reminder as we begin our journey into this Advent season. May we, as faithful stewards, put our hope in the Lord, acknowledge our sins, and seek with contrite hearts, His mercy and forgiveness. Advent is an excellent time to confess our sins by participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Priesthood Sunday

Kathy Weekly message

Last Sunday we celebrated Priesthood Sunday and this weekend we celebrate National Vocation Awareness Week. I think the write up below will give some information to those wondering what it means to be a Religious or a Diocesan priest. I also take this opportunity to THANK each one of you for your prayers for us, your priests, every day and especially on Priesthood Sunday. Thanks also for the kindness you show towards us through your words and good deeds. May God Bless you all.

Fr. Socorro

 

In honor of Priesthood Sunday, the Faith Formation children honored both priests with a poster sending their thankfulness in messages written on their personalized lambs.

 

What are the differences between religious order priests and diocesan priests?

Religious Order Priests – Priests who are members of a religious order are community men. They choose to live out their lives within the structure of the vows and community life, while pursuing a ministry of loving service which flows out of the particular charism of their community (care for the poor, healing, education, media, foreign missions, etc.). As community members, they elect their superiors who then send them to missions where they are best suited and most needed. Many religious communities have an option for missions worldwide. Religious priests celebrate the Mass and administer the sacraments. Their daily Mass and prayer in community support their call to religious life and their total commitment to the service of the gospel.

 

Diocesan Priests – Diocesan priests are ordained for ministry in a particular diocese, with accountability to the Bishop of that diocese. They are men of prayer and are to be obedient to their bishop. Their ministries are dictated by the call of their bishop and the needs of their diocese. The vast majority of diocesan priests serve as parish priests, which encompasses hospital visitation, family counselling, youth activities, and parish organization. At the heart of their commitment to Christ is the celebration of daily Mass and administration of the sacraments. Diocesan priests do not ordinarily live in community situations and must be capable of living on their own. This vocation is demanding since there is no community with which to pray, outside the celebration of Mass and sacraments, unless the priests form one for this purpose. Often a priest will say, “My parish is my community.” Diocesan priests are encouraged by their bishops to form strong relationships with their brother priests for prayer, sharing, support, and relaxation.

 

Prayer for Vocations

Lord Jesus, grant our young people generosity to follow your call and courage to overcome all obstacles to their vocation. Give their parents the faith, love, and spirit of sacrifice to offer their children to God’s service and to rejoice when one of them is called to priesthood or religious life. Let the example of our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph encourage young people and parents, and let your grace sustain them. Amen.

 

Thank You!

Kathy Parish Activities, Weekly message

 As a Parish we owe our thanks to the AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians) for naming St. Valentine School and the Parish as the beneficiaries of the 54th Annual Charity Ball, held on October 14, 2017. After Mike and Maureen Kelly were awarded the 2017 Hibernians of the Year award the organizers called Fr. Henry and myself up and handed us the check in the amount of $6500.00. It was a pleasant surprise for all of us and we are so grateful to the organizers for their donations towards St. Valentine.

A number of St. Valentine parishioners, teachers and parents from the school were in attendance besides many others showing their support through advertisements and patrons. Thank you to all.

May God bless all their efforts and the charitable works the AOH does for the surrounding communities.

 

Rite of Candidacy

As it was mentioned in last weeks bulletin – Robert Calleja from St. Valentine and Joseph Colleran from St. Kenneth will be installed as Lector on Sunday, October 29th at the Noon Mass – the Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Bishop Gerard Battersby. Everyone is welcomed to be part of this celebration. We congratulate Bob and Joe in advance and pray that they may continue to journey with the Lord and serve Him in His vineyard.

 

Today Is Mission Sunday

Last weekend we heard the gospel account of Jesus speaking the parable of the king who invited his guests to the banquet. “Go out, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.” That mandate parallels Jesus’ command to his disciples, “Go to the ends of the earth and preach the gospel message to all peoples.” Mark 16:15.

That is what the Lord is asking us today as we reach out to those servant-missionaries who are giving their lives for the spread of the gospel and the support of the “Young Churches” they have established. They have truly gone to the main roads of the world and have invited so many to the Lord’s banquet.

We observe the annual day of prayer and sacrifice for the missions today. We unite ourselves also with our fellow Christians all over the world who with us attempt to share our faith with others, especially those who have not yet heard the name of Jesus. Today offers us the opportunity to join our missionaries in the “holiest and greatest work of the Church.”