Happy Feast Day of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. With the feast we culminate the Ordinary Time and get ready for Advent. We will switch out old missalettes, worship aids and liturgical calendars. We will replace the green color with violet bunting Advent wreaths. This last week of Ordinary Time we honor Christ the King by acknowledging that he is in the other and within us. Now we prepare ourselves for this time of “waiting” and “staying awake.” This time of Advent invites us to “watch,” to pay attention to the signs of God's unmistakable presence in our lives, to live life expectantly, not as a death sentence but as a gift from God. Our lives are an Advent to the life of God to come. WE are on a journey, on a pilgrimage to the dwelling place of God where God is both, the road we travel and the destination of our pilgrimage. Pope Francis invites us to “Share the Journey” with others, especially with those in most need. In an effort to share this journey, we are hosting the first “Posada” on December 1 after the 5:30pm mass. This will be the first one leading us to the Grand Posada on December 10th hosted by the diocese. I hope you all can join us for this beautiful tradition where we meditate on the journey of St. Joseph and Mary throughout Egypt in order to protect baby Jesus in the womb of Mary.


Fr. Alex Ureña

ello Friends,

Last week was full of events and surprises, starting with the Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference in town. I was able to attend the concert last weekend and to conclude the Conference with the Mariachi Mass on Sunday at Las Cruces downtown. It was a privilege for me to represent not only the Newman Center community, but the entire Diocese. All of these events remind me of the parables about Kingdom of God that we heard last weekend; that we need to be prepared all the time because we do not know when is the day or the time for the Son of God to call us into His presence. I feel the same way, that I need to be prepared every day for whatever the day brings to me. On Monday I also had the opportunity to do something different, something I don't get to do all the time. On Monday, some friends from Tularosa took me deer hunting in Cloudcroft. It was a beautiful day and great weather. We spent the whole day driving on the mountains and walking up and down the hills. We saw doe all over the mountains but not a single buck. Even though I was not able to shoot a buck, I enjoyed the time on the mountains. It was so peaceful. Now I imagine why Jesus would go to the mountain to pray. With that been said and since Thanksgiving is coming up this week, I want to thank the Lord for many things, but especially for allowing me to serve this community of St. Albert Newman Parish. Thank you for all you do to start creating the Kingdom of God here on earth. Happy Thanksgiving!

​Fr. Alex Ureña​