Hello Friends,

God's forgiveness is this weekend's theme. Our first reading (Exodus 32, 7-11.13-14) takes us back to Moses, about 1300 years before Christ. The  people of Israel had just escaped from Egypt and were going through the desert of Sinai on their way to the  Promised Land. They had already made a covenant with God at Mt. Sinai, and they had  promised they would worship only the God of Israel as their God. When God called Moses back to the  top of Mt. Sinai to speak with him again, the people got into trouble. They fashioned for themselves a  golden calf and worshiped it as their god. This is where our first reading begins. God is angry with his people. Notice, in speaking to Moses, he calls them "your people". Moses intercedes for the people and "convinces God to forgiving. His prayer displays total unselfishness. God, of course, forgives them. In the second reading, we hear St. Paul describe what a sinful person he once was and how God was merciful to him (1 Tim, 1,, 12-17). In today's gospel, which is the entire fifteen chapter of St. Luke, we hear three beautiful parables of God's forgiveness.

Estimados parroquianos,

Las lecturas de este fin de semana nos hablan sobre el perdon, algo tan necesitado en nuestra  sociedad en estos tiempos. La primera lectura que esta en estos tiempos. La primera lectura que esta tomada del libro del Exodo nos lleva alrededor de 1300 anos antes de Cristo. Recordemos que, en ese pasaje, los israelitas acababan de escapar de Egipto y se encontraban en el desierto rumbo a la Tierra Prometida. Este pueblo ya habia hecho una alianza con Dios, pero cuando Dios llama a su lider a que suba la montana para conversar con el, los Israelitas se les olvido esa alianza con Dios. Hicieron una estatua a la cual comenzaron a adorar y reconocer como su dios. Dios se moleso mucho con ellos por este acto de desobediencia hacia el. Pero al final, por intercesion de  Moises, Dios los perdono. Tenemos un Dios de amor, de perdon que nos perdona cuantas veces vengamos arrepentidos a el.

Fr. Alex Urena

In the Gospel, Jesus informs us of the cost of discipleship. Jesus lists some of the costs.Overall, what He asks us to do is put God and the priorities of God's reign about everything. We are to put our priorities in order with our focus on God as being first in our lives and to let God inform all aspects of our lives such as how we relate to family members.
When Jesus uses the term "hate" regarding how we are to relate to family members, he is stressing the importance of putting God first in our lives. He is not instigation hatred. Letting God inform our understanding of our priorities guides how we relate to God and and to our family members. To better understand this relationship, bring together what we believe and understand about the two commandments " I am the Lord yoru God; have no stange gods before me" and "Honor your father and your mother" The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 2083-2141 and 2196-2257 go deep into explaining these commandments.

Estimados Amigos,
 
En el Evangelio, Jesus no informa del costo del discipulado. Jesus enumera algunos de los costos. En general, lo que nos pide que hagamos es poner a Dios y las prioridades del reinado de Dios por encima de todo. Debemos ordernar nuestras priordades con nuestra comprension de  nuestras prioridades guia como nos relacionamos con Dios y con los miembros de nuestra familia. Para comprender mejor esta relacion, reuna lo que cremos y comporendemos acerca de los dos mandamientos: "Yo soy el Senor vuestro Dios; no tienen dioses extranos delante de mi" y " Honra a tu padre y a tu madre. El Catecismo de las Iglesia Catolica, los parrafos 2083-2141 y 2196-2257 profundiza en la explicacion de estos madamientos.

​Padre Gino

Hello Friends,

As we welcome the month of September, the Sacred Scriptures give us beautiful readings for us to think about humility. As Sirach speaks to in the first reading. This book offers us wonderful exposure to Israelite wisdom literature. As the first reading mentions "My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts." Now there's a congenial quid pro-quo. Be humble and you will be loved, not only show yourself to be lovable, but be, in fact, loved.
"Humble  yourself the more, the greater you are," says Sirach," and you will find mercy in the sight of God." Are you familiar with the saying "The bigger they are, the harder they fall," but not all "big" shots pay much attention to this saying. The wisdom we heard proclaimed this weekend says, in effect, the bigger you are the more attentive you should be to humility. "The mind of the wise," says Sirach, "appreciates proverbs and the ear that listens to wisdom rejoices." Are we wise enough to listen or, in your case, are the ears largely ornamental?

Estados Amigos,

Como veran, este domingo le damos la bienvenida al mes del Septiembre. Dicen que el tiempo vuela. Donde quedo el mes de agosto? Asi que hay seguir sacandole proveche a la vida. De hecho, las lecturas de este fin de semana nos hablan sobre la sabiduria de la literatura israelita. Es una sabiduria que se puede aplicar a nuestra vida cotidiana. El libro del Eclesiastico o Siracides nos dice, "Hijo mio, en tus asuntos procede con humildad y te amaroan mas que el hombre dadivoso." Jesus mismo nos recuerda de ser humidles cuando nos dice en el evangelio: "el que se engrandece a si mismo, sera humilado; y el que se humilla, sera engrandecidio."

​Fr. Alex Urena

Dear Friends,

This past Thursday, August 22nd, the Roman Catholic Church celebrated a memorial in honor of the Queenship of Mary. This memorial is an Octave, that is, eight days after celebrating Mary's Assumption into Heaven. We can consider the memorial as a prolonging of the celebration of the Assumption.

Lumen Gentium of Vatican II reaffirms authoriatatively the doctrice of Mary's queenship, " When her earthly life was over," she was "exalted by the Lord of Queen over all things, that she might be more fully conformed to her Son". (LG 59)
When Mary's life journey ended, she was assumed body and soul into heaven and received for her faithfulness the "The crown of life" (RV 2:10b). Her queenship has universal signifcance because she has attained full communion with Christ and is a majestic icon of the Church as we move forward toward the Kingdom of God that is already here and is to be fully realized becoming " a new heaven and a new earth," God's dwelling, the state of being known as heaven, in which "there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain." (RV 21:1; RV 21:4) Mary Queen of Heaven- pray for us!

Fr. Gino

Estados Amigos,

El pasado jueves, 22 de agosto, la Iglesia Catolica Romana celebro un memorial en honor a la Reina de Maria. Este monumento es una octava, es decir, ocho dias despues de celebrar la Asunicion de Maria en el Cielo. Podemos considerar el monumento como una prolongacion de la celebracion de la Asuncion.
Lumen Gentium de Vaticano II reafirma con autoridad la doctrina de la reina de Maria: Cuando su vida terrenal habia terminado", fue :exaltada por el Senor como Reina sobre todas las cosas, para que pudiera estar mas plenamente conformada a su Hijo".( LG59). Cuando el viaje de la vida de Maria termino, fue asumida en cuerpo y alma al cielo y recibio por su fidelidad "la corona de la vida." (RV 2:10b). Su reina tiene un significasdo univerasal porque ha alcanzado la plena comunion con Cristo y es el icono majestuoso de la Iglesia a medida que avazamos hacia el Reino de Dios que ya esta aqui y debe ser plenamente realizado convirtiendose en "un cielo nuevo y un a nueva tierra," la morada de Dios, el estado de ser concodico como cielo, en el que "no habra mas muerte ni luto, lamento o dolor." (Rv 21:1; Rv 21:4) Maria reina del cielo ora por nosotros!

​Padre Gino

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
​
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.

​

 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