Sunday, June 24, 2018

St. John the Baptist Birthday


A nice feature of smartphones – calendar with alarms – remember to send that birthday card.

Church calendar celebrates 3 birthdays.
Jesus - Christmas Dec 25  - preceded by Annunciation  March 25
Mary - September 8   - preceded by Immaculate Conception  Dec 8
John the Baptist - June 24  -  6 months before birth of Jesus
See how important this Solemnity is - even replaces Sunday.

Baptist  - last of great line of OT prophets – Isaiah, Jer, Ez
Son of Eliz and Zech  - temple priest – why is he in the desert?  now a new temple.

-  Points the way to Christ  - Remember story of David when ark brought to Jerusalem – leapt for joy   - leaps for joy inside his mother Elizabeth when Mary approaches carrying Jesus  -   behold the Lamb of God -    how can we point the way  - actions, not words -  easy here, what about outside here?

- Humble person -  I am not worthy to untie his sandals     -   he must increase - I must decrease    Timing – after longest day – days getting shorter.  It is not about me - it is about him!!!  Major mistake to compare to others instead to God -  Sometimes – say - I have everything together, my life in perfect order, need to improve nothing about myself.       In my humility - I admit my need for God, I need a Savior, I am a sinner - repent.

- Committed to the truth - not afraid to lay down his life for the truth  To tell King Herod the truth     A Long line: 
June 22  -   St. John Fisher & St. Thomas More
June 29 - St. Peter & St. Paul
June 30 - First Martyrs of the Church in Rome
July 3 - Thomas the Apostle


To point the way   -   to be humble -  to be committed to the truth
So we say – St. John the Baptist – pray for us!

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Father's Day


Yard was a wreck tried to grow grass - could not - always playing ball
Killebrew - I’m not raising grass - I’m trying to raise children

Bonheoffer - True test of society is how it cares for its children

Some argue - don’t need fathers any more
20 Million children in America live without dads, and millions more have dads who are not emotionally present.

Children without dads
71% of HS dropouts
85% of behavioral disorders
85% of youth in prison
90% of homeless children
4X more likely to be poor and at dramatic risk for alcohol & drug abuse.
boys & girls need fathers!
Any man can have a child - it takes a special man to be a father.

Encourage – take St. Joseph as a role model – loved and cared for his family.
1)    Keep holy the Lord’s Day
2)    Get caught praying
3)    Teach the faith – words and deeds.
4)    Ask forgiveness when wrong
5)    Be generous
6)    Play
7)    Integrity


Nephew Kevin -.
When he was little we were at the beach - I was walking along the beach - there was Kevin, following me - but not just following - actually walking in my footprints.   Real wake up for me

Not all biological -  but all can be spiritual fathers
Teach rel ed, coach, scouts - every man can make difference

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Funeral Mass - Alma Martinez

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Alma Martinez on Friday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Funeral Mass - Ralph Cilento

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Ralph Cilento on Thursday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. Please pray for him and for his family.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Funeral Mass - Angelina Vetrano

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of the soul of Angelina Vetrano on Monday, June 4, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. Please pray for her and for her family.

Corpus Christi


My parents had different names. They were called Michael and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. McLoughlin. Mom & Dad. Aunt Mary and Uncle Michael. Nana and Pop-Pop.
Names can tell something about ourselves.

So too – the Body of Christ has many different names –

It all began at the Last Supper – night before Jesus died.
Benedict thinks it was not the Passover – but the night before the Passover as John describes.
Jesus is the New Passover – the Passover from Death to Life.

He said: This is My Body - This is My Blood.
Power of words:
Umpire says – you are out – can argue all I want.
Police officer – under arrest – no I’m not -     power of words
Jesus: little girl, get up  -  Lazarus, come forth     This is my Body: and it becomes His Presence

Eucharist -   thanksgiving for this gift – why we try to dress appropriately, come to Mass on time, try not leave before the final blessing.

Holy Sacrifice – makes present what Jesus did on the cross  -  the ONE sacrifice – why we fast 1 hour before receiving.

Most Blessed Sacrament – Sacrament of Sacraments – why we receive properly with two clean hands (make a Throne for God) or on the tongue.

Viaticum – food for the journey – the last Communion – try not to wait for last minute so Communion can be received.

Holy Communion – unites us to Jesus – challenge to stay in Communion – not receive when I am not in Communion  -   Confession helps!

Holy Mass (Misa) -  Missio – sending forth  -   like living Tabernacles we bring Jesus to a waiting world.

Many names –
This is my Body
This is my Blood
Do this in Memory of Me!!