My dear friends,

What wonderful news: Jesus is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” Easter is the great celebration of victory of life over death. The practical conclusion to be drawn from our collective reflections on the Paschal Mystery
the mystery of Christ’s death and Resurrection, the mystery of the Christian passage to life through death is this: “Death’s not what we’re moving toward; it is what we’re coming from!” Those are the words of Fr. Clarence Rivers, a priest composer of liturgical music and a pioneer many years ago in bringing African American Catholic culture to bear on contemporary liturgical celebration. “Death’s not what we’re moving toward; it is what we’re coming from!” The death and Resurrection of Jesus once and forever freed the entire human race from the grip of death. Death can never hold you because you have died with Christ who has been raised from the dead. This is what we celebrate in the sacrament of baptism when you are plunged into the death of Jesus so that, with Jesus you can rise and walk in newness of life. Once you are baptized, you’ve been raised with Him. Easter celebrates his Resurrection and yours. His has happened. Yours will come. Both are intertwined in the sacrament of baptism. St. Paul put it this way in his letter to the Romans (6:34): “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.” We too might live a new life. “Death’s not what we’re moving toward; it is what we’re coming from.”


Estimados amigos,

esús a Resucitado, Aleluya, Aleluya! Quiero desearles unas felices Pascuas a todos ustedes. Esta es la celebración en donde conmemoramos la victoria triunfante de Jesús sobre la muerte. La muerte ya no tiene la ultima palabra, ahora somas parte de esta victoria de Jesús. Recordemos que cuando fuimos bautizados, también fuimos bautizados en la muerte y Resurrección de Jesucristo. Con el morimos al pecado y resucitamos a una vida nueva de gracias. Esa es nuestra fe: esperamos gozar de la vida eterna que Jesús nos ha ofrecido con él. Así que alegrémonos como dice el salmo de este domingo: “E ste es el dı́a del triunfo del Señ or. Aleluya.” Que esta alegrı́a de celebrar el triunfo de Jesú s sobre la muerte nos ayude a acercarnos y a con&iar mas plenamente en él. Hagamos de esta Pascua un tiempo de gozo y paz interior donde dejemos que la presencia de Dios reine.


Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

One afternoon the parish priest (maybe Fr. Alex) was getting ready to hear confessions. As he entered the confessional room, which had a divider in it, he found a man already in the room waiting for him. The man told the parish priest, “It’s been 45 years since I’ve been to confession. I am impressed how things have changed. The room is well lit, it’s nice easy chair to sit in, a bottle of scotch, some nice cigars. It wasn’t that way the last time I went.” The parish priest said, “yes, it is rather comfortable, but where you are sitting is my side of the confessional room.” I thought I might say something about confession today. The sacrament referred to as “confession” is also called the sacrament of penance or reconciliation. I thought the topic might be appropriate because of today’s gospel where Jesus, as he had done many times in the gospels, demonstrates God’s merciful love. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. And that’s the purpose of confession or reconciliation. In the old days, which some of you remember, the priest often thought his job was to scold the penitent. Many people never came back because of that. If you -ind this in your life, I tell you, get up and leave. Go to someone else who sees their role as that of Christ who offers freedom from guilt and shame and a sense of God’s peace. Imagine how this woman in the gospel was changed by her encounter with Christ.

Estimados amigos,

El evangelio de hoy nos habla sobre el sacramento de la confesió n o reconciliació n. Este es uno de los siete sacramentos que tenemos en la Iglesia. A través de este sacramento, uno experimenta el amor de Dios y su misericordia. Jesú s, el Hijo de Dios, no vino a condenar sino a salvarnos. Y este es el propó sito del sacramento de la confesió n. Tal vez algunos de ustedes se acuerden que en tiempo pasado, algunos curas aprovechaban este sacramento para regañ ar a la gente. Me imagino que mucha gente nunca mas volvió a recibir este sacramento porque la triste experiencia que tuvieron con ciertos curas. La verdad es que hay veces que es necesario que alguien nos haga ver nuestros errores, pero esto tiene que ser de una manera en la que se exprese la ternura y el amor de Dios. En el evangelio de hoy no escuchamos a Jesú s reganando a la mujer pecadora, sino mas bien extendiéndole el perdó n y el amor de Dios. 

​ Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

I am writing to you from Costa Rica.  I chose a beautiful place to refresh and re energize and I continue to think and pray for you.The people of Costa Rica have a logo that says: "Pura Vida". 

There are two abiding and important religious questions, both significant but one more important than the other, that we tend to confuse in their order of importance. The first on e is "What is God like?" This is a theological question of enormous importance, and exploration into God, and important question to be investigated reverently in prayer and systematically in study and reflection. The second important question is "What must I do?" "How should behave?" This is a question of moral theology, of religious ethics, a question of moral right and wrong.

Most of us tend to put the second question first, and to leave the explanation into God for others who are more powerful, more intellectual and more faithful. We want to make sure we live within our moral boundaries which are to do the right thing, do good and avoid evil. 

Today's Gospel story of the Prodigal Son tells us a lot about what God is like. Some would call it the story of the Prodigal Father because it presents for our consideration a wonderfully generous, warm, forgiving, understanding father who runs out and literally trips over himself in his hurry to gather up an errant son in a forgiving embrace. Jesus is painting a portrait in his story, a portrait of his Father. Jesus is telling us here what God is really like.

Estimados amigos,

Saludos desde Costa Rica. Me tome la libertad de descansar unos cuantos dias y visitar el mundo. Este es un pais muy hermoso y su gente muy amigable. Aqui tienen un dicho que todo mundo usa: "Pura Vida" y "mae" Pura vida ese un dicho para referise a que todo esta bien o correcto. El otro "mae" es un seudonimon que quiere decir: "hombre" "tu", etc. En general ha sido una bonita experienca.

Ahora permitanme escribirles un poco sobre la historia del Hijo Prodigo. Algunos se refieren a esta historia como las histroia del Padre amoraso, del Padre que perdona. En realidad hay muchas maneras de como analizar esta historia. Pero no cabe duda de que una de esas interepretaciones es el amor de Padre hacia su hijo se ha descarriado de camino. El Padre no lo duda en salir a recibirlo con los brazos abiertos y abrazarlo como lo que es, su hijo. Esta es una manera de explicar el amor tan grande que tiene Dios por nosotros. Ojala sepamos regresar a retomar ese amor que Dios tiene por ti y por mi cada vez que le fallemos.

​Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

Las week I had the opportunity to visit one of our seminarians, Patrick Montgomery. He is finishing his third year of Theology at St. Mary's Seminary in Houston, Texas. Patrick passed the seminary evaluation and is looking forward to be ordained a transitional deacon on June 7,2019 at Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was a short but fruitful visit. In the next few weeks, I will be visiting Dcn. Gino in Chicago as he prepares to be ordained a priest in our diocese. We have another three seminarians at Assumption Seminary in San Antonio: Franky Rios, Alfredo Jaras and William Contreras. Franky and Alfredo are finishing their philosophical studies. Bishop Gerald would like them to apply to Mundelein seminary in Chicago.

On a different note, I want to thank Fr. Tom McCarthy for his time, talent and teaching. Thank you to all of you for attending our Lenten mission. I hope we all have a better understanding of "What does it mean to be Catholic today?"

Estimados amigos,

La semana pasada estuve visitando uno de nuestros seminaristas, Patrick Montgomery. El esta cursando el tercer ano de Teologia en el seminario de Santa Maria en Houton, Texas. Estuve con el por dos dias y atendi su evaluacion final de este ano. Le fue muy bien. Ahora estamos ahciendo panes para su ordenacion a la ordern del diaconado transitorio que esta pllaneada para Junio 7, 2019. Tenemos otro diacono transitiorio, Gino Wilcox que sera ordernado sacerdote en Mayon 24, 2019. Tenemos tres seminaristas en San Antonio: Franky, Alfredo, Y William. Los primeros dos estan por graduarse de la filosofia. El obispo Gerald quiere que ellos continuen sus estudios en el seminario de Mundelein en Chicago. Asi que sigamos orando por mas vacaciones.

Fr. Alex Urena

Dear Friends,

A man named Paddy (which is short for Patrick) came from Ireland to Boston. In a very short time, he began the practice of going to the local bar after work and ordering three beers. He wanted them served to him all at once. After a few weeks the bartender asked Paddy "Why do you insist on having all three beers served at the same time?" Paddy explained that when he lived in Ireland, he and his brothers always got togehter after work for a beer. He wanted to keep the spirit of getting together even though they still lived across the sea. A few months went by and one day Paddy came in and ordered just two beers. The bartender was concerned and asked if something happened to one of his brothers. Paddy said "No, it's nothing like that. You see it's Lent now and I've given up beer for Lent."

Every year on the first Sunday of Lent, we hear about Jesus going into the wildness for 40 days to fast and pray. This gospel is meant to inspire us to make these next 40 days a spiritual preparation for Easter through prayer and sacrifice. Paddy had the idea that this is  time of sacrifice, but he wasn't going to overdo it! 

There are an infinite number of things we can do to make these days special. Our goal can be to give up something such as actions or habits or attitudes that get in our way as we try to love God and others. Our goal can be positive as we try to do things that can help us grow in our love for God and others.

Estimados amigos,

Con las celebracion del miercoles de cenia comenzamos la cuaresma. Aunque este dia no es dia de obligacion, vemos como tanta gente particia de la misa y de la imposicion de la ceniza. Esto nos esta indicando que este dia es un dia especial porque nos conecta a algo mas profundo. Este tiempo de cuarsema, nosostros intencionalmente entramos en las practicas de ayunar, orar y hacer caridiad. El miercolos se nos recordo la importancia de estas intenciones. Hay que ver que es lo que nos motiva a hacer estas practicas. Ojala y nos sea para que otros miren lo que hacemos y nos echen porras, pero ojala sea para nuestra propia transfromcion. Jesus nos invita a entrar a esta cuaresma en lo que hacemos y nos echen porras, pero ojala sea para neustra propia transformacion. Jesus nos invita a entra a esta cuaresma en lo mas secreto de nuestro corazon. Ahi es donde la verdadera transformacion ocurre, esa transformacion que nos llevara a la Pascua.

Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

Just imagine what the world would be tomorrow if all the Christians who heard this Gospel that is being proclaimed today in every corner of the world, were to listen intently, heed the message, and put it into practice. Hear once again the words Luke has Jesus saying to his disciples: "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and the gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you." There you have the makings of a personal transformation and a social revolution. Just imagine what the world would be like on Monday morning if all the Sunday churchgoers throughout the world who heard those words translated them into action?

Hola amigos,

Imaginense como seria el mundo manana si todos los cristianos que eschuaron este evangelio que se esta proclamando hoy en cada rincon del mundo, escucharan atentamente, prestaran atencion al mensaje  y lo pusieran en practica. Escuchen una vez mas las palabras que Lucas tiene Jesus diciendo a sus discipulos (un mensaje que Jesus seguramente nos repetiria hoy a todos nosotros): "No juzguen y no seran juzgados, no condenen y no seran condenandos, perdonen y seran perdonados. Den y se les dara: recibiran una medida buena, bien sacudida, apretada y rebosante  en los pliegues de su tunica. Porque con la misma medida con que median, seran medidios." Ahi teneis los ingredientes de una transformacion personal y una revolucion social. Imaginese como seria el mundo el lunes por la manana si todos los que van a misa el domingo en todo el mundo escucharan esas palabras y las pusieran en accions!

Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

Last weekend I presented to the parish our new goal for United in Ministry 2019. Our goal for this year is $85,850.94. If we come together as a parish, this goal should not be a burden. I encourage you to pray about how you can help contribute to this worthy cause.

In this weekends Gospel, the God-man Jesus is  pictured in a natural and familiar setting, alongside a lake, mixing with fishermen who were repairing thier nets. He steps  into the boat belonging to Simon, and pushes off a bit from shore. From the boat, he taught the crowds gathered along the shoreline. When he finished teaching, he apparently decided to display his supernatural power, to establish, if you will, his credentials with these good but ordinary fishermen. Jesus sets them up for a miraculous catch of fish, a great haul, so great that their nets snapped under the weight. "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, " Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." From that moment, Simon became a fisher of men. I wonder if any of that applies to us now?

Hola amigos,

La semana pasada les presente nuestra la nueva meta que tenemos para este 2019 en Unidos en Ministerio. Nuestra meta es juntar $85,850.94. Ojala y todos podamos contribuir con lo que puedan para esta cuase. Dice el dicho que de grano en grano, la gallina llena el buche. Con el dinero que cada parraquia aporta en Unidos en Ministerio, la diocesis provee diferentes ministerios a traves de la diocesis. Esto ayda con la educacion de los diaconos permanentes, con la formacion de neuestros seminarists (futuros lideres en la Iglesia), para la educacion Catholica, y  muchas cosas mas. Asi que les pido por favor que consideren ayudarnos en esta cuasa. Recuerden que si juntamos mas de la meta, ese dinero se no regresa a la parroquia para hacer trabajos en los ministerios y para la manutencion de la iglesia.

​Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

This weekend we heard one of the best known and best loved passages in Scripture. St. Paul's' description of love. What is so beautiful about this passage is it deals with the ordinary, everyday kind of love that ordinary living requires. Paul describes this kind of love by telling us what love is not rather than what love is. It is not jealous, pompous, rude or selfish., it is not short-tempered nor does it hold grudges. It is patient and kind and trusting and willing to put up with all kinds of little annoyances. This is not about falling in love. Paul is talking about our ordinary day-today- contact with other people, some of whom we may not care for, but whom we learn how to be kind to. Practicing this ordinary kind of love doesn't always sweep us off our feet, but it does bring a kind of joy, because our vocation and our fulfillment in life is to learn how to love one another.

Hola amigos,

En este cuarto domingo del tiempo ordinario, escuchamos sobre la vida ordinaria de Jesus. Tambien escucuhamos a San Pablo hablarnos de algo ordinario que deberia de existir entre todaos nosotros: el amor. La segunda lectura de la primera carta de San Pablo a los Corintios es muy popular en las bodas. Es como si furea un poema que describe el amor de la pareja. En realidad, es un pasaje que habla sobre el amor que se tenian los premeros cristianos y el amor que todos deberiamos de compartir unos con otros. Habla sobre lo ordinario. Ojala y estas palabras de San Pablo nos hagan refeccionar sobre como estamos manejando ese tipo de amor con los demas. Al fin de cuentas, el amarnos unos a otros es el primer mandamiento.

Fr. Alex Urena