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

Dear friends,

On Wednesday, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Peter Baldacchino to our diocese. With great joy we welcome him to our diocese and to our community.
I had to opportunity to travel thru parts of Mexico last weekend. I visited three states and several beautiful and magic towns. Jalisco, Guanajuato, and Queretaro are some town that are distinguished as "magical towns"  because of their particular characteristics. All of these are beautiful places that I recommend you visit one day.

Estimados Amigos,
Con alegria quiero darle la bienvenida a nuestro obispo Peter Baldaccino. El miercoloes, el Papa Francisco anuncio quien seria  el Pastor que seguiria guiando nuestra iglesia en la diocesis de Las Cruces. Como se han de haber dado cuenta, el domingo pasado no esutuve en la parraoquia y parte de esta semana estuve visitando algunos lugares en Mexico. Me ome algun tiempo libre para despejar mi mente despues de haber terminado con confirmaciones, primeras comuniones, y con mis clases. Asi que decidii visitar algunos estados en Mexico (Queretaro, Guanajuato Y Jalisco). En estos estados hay pueblos que son llamados "Pueblos Magicos" por sus caracteristicas unicas que tuenen. Son muy pintorescos, relajantes y llenos de historia. Ojala y algin dia puedan visitar nuestro pais.

Fr. Alex Urena

​

​Dear friends,
On Monday, April 29th, we heard Bishop Kicanas say "N. be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit". We were blessed to have 74
(53 youth and 21 adults) members of our community receive the sacrament of Confirmation. During the celebration, we all prayed that God send his Holy Spirit upon all the candidates and be their protector and guide. We asked God to give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, to fill them with spirit and wonder of awe in God's presence.
I am grateful to Sharon Kolosseus and Patti Carrasco for their guidance, love, and support they showed their confirmation students. We are blessed to have them on our team. As they continue to plant seeds of holiness in our youth, young adults  or adults in our community, may the Lord continue to bless them and bless us through him.

This weekend, our St.Albert Newman Parish community was blessed to witness the First Communions of 58 of our youth. What a special day for out little ones to receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the first time. This is a moment for us all to rejoice with them and encourage them to continue pursuing their dreams and to include God in their lives. I am thankful for Dr. Enedina Vazquez's leadership as well as all the catechist's who helped  grow our children's faith this past year. May God continue to bless you all.

Estimados Amigos,

El Lunes, 29 de Abril, 74 personas de nuestra cominundad fueron confirmados por el obispo Gerald Kicanas. Fue un dia en alegria per ellos, sus familias, y para todas nosotros como iglesia. 53 jovenes, 21 adultos que estan comprometidos con su fe para seguir la direccion del Espiritu Santo. Todas oramos por ellos para que Dios mandara su Santo Espirtu sobre ellos para ser sus ayudantes y guias. Pedimos por el Espirtu de sabiduria y entiendiemiento, y el espiritu de consejo y fortaleza, el espiritu de cienca y piedad, que los llenara de temor de Dios en su presencia.
Este fin de semana tabienn es un fin the semana lleno con gozo para nuestra cominudad ya que 58 ninos and ninas estan reciebiendo su Primera Comuninon. Nos alegramos con ellos, y que han estado aprendiendo sobre la fe, y la importancia de tener a Dios en sus vidas. Que dios los siga bendieciendo para que  perserveren en la vida y son hombres y mujeres de bien un dia.

Fr. Alex Urena

Hello friends,

Peace be with you! First of all I want to  give thanks to God for another year of life. On Wednesday, April 24th I had a birthday and I am so grateful to all of you for showing your care and love to me. Thank you to all of you  that were able to attend the tardeada. Saturday evening. What a beautiful evening we had to celebrate as a community of faith and enjoy fellowship.

"Peace be with you", Jesus says to his post-resurrection disciples. "Peace be with you." he says to each one of us today. Peace is his gift to you and me. Peace is the legacy he leaves with us now that he is risen, now that he is victorious, now that he reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit in eternal glory, as we remain on earth following in faith your Risen Lord, "Peace be with you."

Are you at peace today? This is not to ask, "Are you complacent, are you numb, are you turned out, sleepwalking, disengaged? It is rather to ask, "Are you at peace, in balance, in touch with your Risen Lord?  His victory is our victory. It is not so much that we have picked a winner, but that  a winner- an eternal winner, the Jesus of glory - has picked us. Therefore, BE AT PEACE. Let nothing disturb you. "Peace be with you." Peace was defined by St. Thomas Aquinas as  "the tranquility of right order."  Are you tranquil today?

Estimados amigos,

"La paz este con ustedes." Quiero tomarme este tiempo para agradeceerle primeramente a Dios por un ano mas de vida. Este sabado me toco festejarlo con algunos de ustedes aqui en la parroquia. Gracias por acompanarme a celebrar el don de la vida. 

"La paz este con ustedes." Este es el saludo que les da Jesus resucitado a sus discipulos. Y este el el sadudo que nos da a cada uno de nosotros. Su paz es el regalo que not ofrece. Su pa es el legado que el nos deja ahora que esta resucitado, ahora que esta victorioso, ahora que reina en la unidad y gloria del Padre y del Espiritu Santo. Que esa paz que el Senor nos ofrece permanezca siempre con todos nosotros.

​Fr. Alex Urena

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