Hello Friends,

I wonder what came to your mind when you heard the readings this weekend, especially the Gospel.  One of the things that we are aware of is that suffering and turmoil have been a part of everyday life, especially for the Middle East people.

The first reading takes us back 600 years before Christ when the land we now know of as Iraq had the name of Babylon and at a time when Babylonians were trying to take Jerusalem. The Babylonians were in power at the time and the Kings Army's goal was to conquer all the nations around them. Jeremiah, God's prophet, told the Jews it was useless for them to fight or try to defend themselves; they should  just go ahead and surrender or Jerusalem would be destroyed. Such talk was viewed as unpatriotic and Jeremiah was considered a traitor. Many of the Jewish leaders decided to kill Jeremiah and they persuaded their King, Zedikiah, to give in to their wishes. He allowed Jeremiah to be thrown into a cistern to die. Later, Ebed-Melech, a Cushite (which means Ethiopian), ne of Jeremiah's friends, persuaded the king to change his mind.

Estados Amigos,

Este fin de semana escuchamos unas lecturas bastante duras y dificiles de entender, especialmente el evangelio. Primeramente, todos sabemos que el sufrimiento y confusion han sido parte de la vida diaria yo cotidiana. Este fue y es el caso de la gente en el Medio Oriente. La primera lectura nos lleva 600 anos antes de Cristo cuando los Babilonios querian gobernar todas las naciones a sue alrededor. Asi que los Babilonicos planearon en conquistar la gran ciudad de Jersusalem. El profeta de Dios, Jeremiah les dijo a los judios que lo lucharon contra los Babilonicos, que era inutil resistirse, por lo que lo miraron como un tradior y trataron de matarlo. Es intersante como Dios nos habla a todos en diferentes manera, aun en medio de desastres.

Fr. Alex Urena

Dear Friends,

The tragic shootings in El Paso, Tx and Dayton, OH have devastated the lives of many people. Many have lost their lives, families and members of these communities are suffering, and the nation suffers with them. We prayed at our Vigil Mass this past Saturday and Sunday Masses for victims, first responders and all who have been in service to helping in these tragic events. Let us all be in solidarity with all of them during this time of mourning and prayer remembering "God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57b)

Fr. Gino
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Estimados Amigos ,

El pasado fin de semana las tragicos tiroteos en El Paso y Dayton han devastado la vida de tantos personas. Muchos han peridido, las familias y los miembros de estas comunidades estan sufriendo, y la nacion sufre con ellos. Oramos en nuestra misa de Vigilia el pasado Sabado y en las Misas dominicales por las victimas, las familias y los soccoristas y todos  los que han estado al servico de ayudar en estos tragicos acontecimentios. Sigamos siendo solidarios con todos ellos durante este tiempo de luto y oracion recordando a "Dios que nos da la victoria y traves de nuestro Senor Jesucriston" (1 Cor 15:57b)

Padre Gino

Hello Friends,

This past Saturday, I celebrated my first nuptial Mass as a Priest. The couple has chosen I Corinthians 12-31-13:8 as their second  reading. This reading is familiar to many people since it is Saint Paul's "way of love." Reading these verses is a reminder to us what love is truly about. Love is not a matter of convenience or solely an emotion. Love is about fidelity, commitment, and sacrifice. When husband and wife express their love in their daily lives, they communicate to each other and the world the fidelity of  our God. They renew their willingness to be committed to one another time after time over the course of the decades to come. Jesus teaches us everything we need to know about love from the cross, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." Love is sacrificial. The couple give themselves fully to each other without counting the cost so that the other can be a saint. The love shared between a woman and a man in Holy Matrimony witnesses to each other and witnesses to the world the love of Jesus Christ. We are all called to love with fidelity, commitment, and sacrifice according to our own vocations. Let's hear these three world today and let them guide us on the way to love.

Estimados Amigos,

El pasado sabado celebre mi primera misa nuppcial como sacerdote. La pareja habia elegido I Corintios 12:31-13:8 como su segunda lectura. Esta lectura es familiar para muchas personas, ya que es el "camino de amor" de San Pablo. Leer estos versiculos es un recordatorio para nosotros de los que realmente se trata el amor. El amor no es una cuestions de conveniencia o solo de emocion. El amor tiene que veer con la fidelidad, el compromiso y el sacrificio. Cuando el esposa expresan su amor en su vida diaria, se comunican el uno al otro y al mundo la fidelidad de nuestro Dios. Renuevan su voluntad de comprometerse unos con otros una ya otra  vez en las proximas decadas. Jesus no ensena todo lo que necesitamos sabor sobre el amor de la cruz; "Nadie tiene mas amore que este, para dar la vida a los amigos". El amor es sacrificio. La pareja se entrega nacadas completemente el uno al otro sin contar el costo para que el otro pueda ser un santo. El amore compartido entre una mujer y un hombre en el Sagrado Matrimonio se testimonia el uno al otro y es testigo del mundo el amore de Jesuscristo. Todos estamos llamados a amar con fedelidad, compromiso y sacrficio segun nuestras propias vocaciones. Escuchemos estas tres papabras hoy y dejemos que nos guien por el camino del amor.

Padre Gino Wilcox

Hello Friends,

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to accompany our youth group to Tucson, Arizona to attend a Steubenville West retreat at the University of Arizona. There were twenty nine of us from our parish who attended. It was an awesome weekend where hundreds of young men and women came together from different states to learn about God and to worship our God. The theme was "Belong" This shows that we belong to God, that we belong to a community of faith, that we belong to each other since we are all parts of one Body of Christ.

It was my first experience and I really enjoyed being able to be apart of this weekend with our youth. I think that it is very important, as a priest, to journey with the youth in their discovery of the goodness of the good Lord. Throughout the weekend, I had the opportunity to come back to the Lord to receive the mercy and love from God. I was deeply moved to see the hunger and thirst there is for God. Let us continue praying of our youth, the future of our church.

Estimados Amigos,

El fin de semana pasado estuve fuera. Tal Vez algunas de ustedes se preguntaran si estuve de vacaciones, pero la respuesta es no. Ese fin de semana lleve a un grupo de jovenes a un retiro a Tucson, Arizona. Eramos 29 de nosotros representando a nuestra parroquia. El retiro se llama Steubenville Weest al cual asistieron cientos de juenos de diferentes estados. Fue un fin de semana lleno de alabanza, platicas, confesiones, mases, y muchas cosas mas.

Esta fue mi primera experiencia en este tipo de retiros. Verdaderamente lo disfrute. Durante el retiro me pidieron que ayudara con confesiones y hacer la exposicion del Santimsimo para la adoracion. Creo que fue una experiencia inolvidable para nuestros juvenes. Pude mirar el hambre y la sed que hay de Dios. Y que bueno que esta comuniddad puede ofrecer estasoportunidades para ellos de ir y paricipar de estos eventos para aumentar su fe en nuestro Senor. Yo creo que el futuro de nuestra comunidad y  de nuestra iglesia en general es bueno. Veo el entusiasmo de estos jovenes y me alegra mirar que aun hay hambre y sed de Dios. Continuemos orando por nuestros jovenes.

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 Dear Friends,

Martha versus Mary? The idea of Martha versus Mary turns this Gospel story into an either/or situation. We can be either  or contemplative, but not both. But, in reality seeking to be both increases our spiritual life and does not detract from it. Here is what a few spiritual masters have said.
Aelred of Rievaulx a Cisterian Father in one of his sermons said: "By no means should you neglect Mary for the sake of Martha, nor again Martha for the sake of Mary. For, if you neglect Martha, who will feed Jesus? If you neglect Mary, what benefit will it be to you that Jesus entered our house since you will have tasted nothing of his sweetness? Realize, sisters and brothers, that never in this life should these two women be separated." (The Liturgical Seasons").

Teresa of Avila says something similar in her spiritual masterpiece, The Interior Castle: "Both Martha and Mary must entertain our Lord and keep Him as their Guest, nor must they be so inhospitable as to offer Him no food. How can Mary do this while she sits at His feet, if her sister does not help her?" Service and prayer go together. Not only do they go together, but they are reciprocal feeding one another. 

Saint Ignatius of Loyola,the founder of the Society of Jesus is referred to as being a "contemplative in action," and this was his vision for who the Jesuits are to be. (Ignatius of Loyola: The Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works)

Not either/or, but both/and, Let's hear the words of these spiritual masters and take them to heart. Instead of having a dichotomy that leaves us interiorly separated, we can be both active and contemplative if we let these both flow into one another.

Dear friends,

The lawyer in today's Gospel story raises a good question, one that is worthy of more than usual consideration on the part of each one of us. He says to Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Notice the answer to this question features the notion of neighbor- who is your neighbor? How do you treat your neighbor? You might be familiar with the document: The Rule of Saint Benedict that appeared in the early part of the sixth century. One important feature is talk about the unique and stunning vision of hospitality. The treatment of the guest is so important that anyone, no matter who that person may be, is to be treated as Christ himself. 
The question "Who is my neighbor?" invites us to ponder just how far the limits of hospitality really extend. Relatives? Even the ones we have quarreled with? Friends? Those who have hurt us? Neighbors? Even those who disagree with us? The men who passed the beaten Samaritan on the road had already made their decision about the limits of love. The have chosen to live in a tiny world. Perhaps, it was because they were too "religious" to get their hands dirty. We all have our reasons for not welcoming others, and the best ones often come wrapped with righteousness. Patriotism can be an excuse for whatever aggression we please. A popular saying in the 1960's during the Vietnam War was "My country right or wrong." It helps if we think God is on our side of the road. One thing to remember is that Christ passes no on on the roadside

.Hello Friends,

May 24th, I was ordained to the priesthood at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral. Many of you were in attendance. The six year priestly formation program has been a transformative experience in my life. Although, I am a "baby" priest, just one month old, I already experience the joy and fruits of my vocation. My first month as a priest has mainly involved celebrating the Sacraments. I celebrated masses of Thanksgiving at St. Anthony in Artesia where I am from originally and St. Elenor in Ruidoso where I lived as an adult. The past two weekends I celebrated all the Masses at St. Elenor and their missions St. Jude while the pastor was on retreat. I have had the opportunities to celebrate the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance too. I began at St. Albert the Great Newman Parish on June 17th as the Associate Pastor, and I am enjoying ministering here and meeting all of you. I am excited about serving this parish community. Thank you for your prayers and support while I was a seminarian and Deacon and I ask for your continued prayers. Know that you are in my prayers too.

Estimados Amigos,

El 24 de mayo fui ordenado sacerdote en la Catedral del Corazon Immaculado de Maria. Muchos de ustedes asisteron. El programa de formacion sacerdotal de seis anos ha sido una experiencia transformadora en mi vida. Aunque soy un sacerdote "bebe", de apenas un mes de edad, ya experimento la alergria y los frutos de mi vocacion. Mi primer mes como sacerdote ha consisido principalamente en celebrar los Sacramentos. Celebre Misas de Accion de Gracias en San Antonio en Artesia, donde soy originalmente y Santa Leonor en Ruidoso, dondde vivi de adulto. Yo tambien celebre y concelebre misas de unes a viernes en esas parroquias.  Los ultimos do fines de semana celebre todos las misas en Santa Leonor y su mision  San Judas mientras el pastor  estaba de retro espirititual. He tenido oportunidades de celebrar tambian  la Uncion de los enfermos y el sacramento de la penitencia. Comence en el Centro San Alberto Gran Newman el 17 de Junio como Pastor Asociado,y estoy disfrutando ministrando aqui y reuniendome con todos ustedes. Estoy emociaonadod por servir a esta comunidad parroquial. Gracias por sus oraciones y apoyo mientras you era seminarista y diacono y sus oraciones continuas. Esta en mis oraciones.


Fr. Gino Wilcox

Hello friends,

Today we celebrate our faith in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As we were met with a great mystery last week in the  Feast of the Holy Trinity, Today we celebrate another great mystery: the real presence of Jesus under the form of bread and wine in the Eucharist. I honestly think this mystery is more difficult for many people to accept than the mystery of the Trinity. Yet it is clearly expressed in all four gospels and in St. Paul's letters to the Corinthians.Although the Last Supper account in John's gospel does not include the institiution of the Eucharist, Josh's gospel gives us much epxanded teaching on the Eucharist

Hello friends,

This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. It has been 50 days since Easter, hence the name Pentecost. It is a day to think of the fire of God's Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

In today's first reading, a selection from the Acts of the Apostle's, you heard the words: "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..." the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity, is like a wind, like a flame. The Spirit can present itself to you like a strong wind or gentle breeze. Like fire, the Spirit can bring you light and warmth. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love." Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the Earth". Each one of you today, all of us together, can be filled with the Holy Spirit. We can be fired up and ready to renew the face of the Earth. At least we can be fired up to renew our small portion of the earth with love.

Hola amigos,

Este fin de semana celebramos el domingo de Pentecostes. Le llamamos Pentecostes porque han pasado ya cincuenta dias desde el domingo de Resurreccion. Asi que este dia es sobre el Espiritu Santo que viene a hacer su morada en nosotros mismos.

En la primera lectura de los Hechos de los Apostoles, escuchamos las palabras: "El dia de Pentecostes, todos  repente se oyo un gran ruido que venia del cielo, como cuando sopla un viento fuerte, que resono por toda la casa donde se encontraban. Entonces aparecieron lenguas de fuego, que se distribuyeron y se posaron sobre ellos; se llenaron todos del Espiritu Santo..." El Espiritu Santos, la tercera Persona de la Santisima Trinidad es como un viento, como una llama. Ya sea como viento o como una brisa suave, el Espiritu Santo se hace presente. Como fuego, el Espiritu puede traer luz y calor. "Ven, Espiritu Santo, Llena los corazones de tus fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor. Envia, Senor, tu Espiritu. Que renueve la faz de la Tierra

Fr. Alex Urena

Dear friends,

I want to share some notes from our Apostloc administrator, Bishop Gerald Kicanas' weekly memo: On Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Pope Francis announced that Bishop Peter Baldacchino, formerly the Auxiliary Bishop of Miami, will be the third Bishop of the Diocese of Las Cruces. Bishop was born in Malta and his family still resides there. He has two brothers and one sister. His mother has passed and still enjoys time with his father. He was ordained a priest  on May 25, 1996 for the Archdiocese of Newark. Bishop spent many years as a missionary in Turks and Caicos which is a very poor area where he rolled up his sleeves and pitched in doing whatever was necessary. His missionary experiences will serve well in our sprawling, rural and resource-limited area of New Mexico. Bishop is affable, warm and accessible and enjoys a hearty laugh. He will become our bishop on Tuesday, July 23 when he presents his appointment letter from Pope Francis to the Consultors at the Installation Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Las Cruces.

Estimados amigos,

Quiero tomar esta oportunidad para compartir con ustedes la alegria de que el Papa Francisco ya nos ha asignado un obispo para nuestra dicesis. El miercoes 15 de Mayo, el Papa anuncio que el obisp auxiliar de Miami, el obispo Peter Baldacchino sera el tercer obispo de nuestra diocesis. El obispo Peter nacio en Malta (el cual es una isla al sur de Italia) en la cual aun tiene familia ahi. El tiene dos hermanos y una hermana. Su madre ya fallecio pero su papa aun esta con vida. El fue ordenado sacerdote el 25 de Mayo de 1996 para la Arquidiocesis de Newark. Paso varios anos como misionero en unas areas bien pobres de Turks y Caicos. El sera instalado como obispo de esta diocesis el 23 de Julio de presente ano en la Catedral de Immaculado corazon de Maria.

Fr. Alex Urena