September 14, 2025
This week the Church invites us to reflect on two profound feasts: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) and Our Lady of Sorrows (September 15). Together, these celebrations remind us that the Cross and Mary stand side-by-side in the mystery of our redemption.
A question sometimes arises: Why do we call Mary “Our Lady of Sorrows” and not “Our Lady of Sadness”? The distinction is important. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, sadness is primarily a reaction to personal loss or sin – something that weighs us down and turns us inward. But sorrow, on the other hand, is born of love. It is the pain we feel for the suffering of another, especially one whom we love deeply.
Mary’s sorrow at the foot of the Cross was not a self-centered grief, but a selfless participation in the suffering of her Son. Her heart was pierced, not because of her own sin – for she was without sin – but because she loved Jesus perfectly and entered into His sacrifice for our salvation. She is, in a real way, the model of Christian compassion: suffering with the other out of love. In this way, Mary also shows us the path to perfect contrition. Contrition is sorrow for sin, but it can be imperfect (when we repent mainly out of fear of punishment) or perfect (when we repent out of love for God above all else). Mary’s sorrow was entirely directed outward in love – she grieved not for herself but for her Son and for us. Her example teaches us to seek forgiveness not merely because we fear God’s justice, but because we love Him and are sorrowful for having offended Him.
As we honor the Cross and the Sorrowful Mother, let us remember that their witness teaches us not to run from suffering but to unite it with Christ for the sake of love. May Mary’s example guides us in our journey toward true contrition and a deeper love of God.
Note: While I am away, please remember that the Mass intentions for our parish will still be honored on the days when there is a Communion Service. The intentions are united to the Church’s prayer, even when the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is not offered here.
September 07, 2025
This past weekend, our parish joined many others from across the Diocese of Charlotte for the annual Eucharistic Congress. Since 2003, when Pope St. John Paul II inaugurated the Year of the Eucharist, our diocese has kept this beautiful tradition alive. What a blessing it was to take a bus of our own parishioners to Charlotte to join in prayer, listen to inspiring homilies and talks, and encounter the Lord in the sacraments of Confession and the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharistic Congress continues to be a powerful reminder that the Eucharist is truly the heart of our Catholic faith.
I would also like to share with you that I will be away from September 15th to September 26th visiting my grandparents in Mexico, who are of advanced age. During the weekdays of my absence, there will be no daily Mass or confessions. In lieu of Mass, there will be Communion Services, and on the two Thursdays of my absence there will still be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Please note that the weekend Mass schedule of September 20th and 21st remains unchanged.
As we begin our Faith Formation year, I encourage parents to get back into the habit of signing in for Sunday Mass with your children. The best formation we can give them is the consistent witness of participating in the Eucharist as a family. Without Sunday Mass, classroom faith formation loses its very foundation. Let us continue to keep the Eucharist at the center of our lives.
August 31, 2025
Upcoming Courtyard & Memorial Fountain for Fr. Matthew Leonard
We are blessed to announce that our parish will soon begin construction of a new courtyard on our church property, which will include a beautiful memorial fountain in honor of our beloved former pastor, Fr. Matthew Leonard, who passed away suddenly in 2020.
Fr. Leonard faithfully shepherded our parish for several years, and this memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to his ministry, love, and dedication to our community. A memorial plaque will be placed on the fountain to honor his memory, reminding us of the joy and faith he shared with us.
In the narthex, you will find a display on the bulletin board with renderings of the courtyard and fountain, along with information on how you can contribute towards the expenses of this project. Your support will help us create a prayerful and welcoming space for generations to come.
Eucharistic Congress – Important Updates
Next weekend is the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress! Our parish has reserved a bus that will leave at approximately 7:00am on Saturday to take parishioners there and back.
Because of the Eucharistic Congress, there will be no Vigil Masses or confessions on Saturday, September 6th. To accommodate, there will be an additional evening Mass at 4:30pm on Sunday, September 7th.
August 24, 2025
A Heartfelt Thank You for a Wonderful Parish Festival!
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who made our Parish Festival such a great success! This event simply could not have happened without the countless hours of planning, organizing, and hard work from so many generous volunteers. Your dedication is a true sign of the vibrant and faith-filled community we share here at St. Francis.
A special word of thanks goes to Hugo Aguilar, Maria Hurtado, Daniel Arroyo, and Felipe Oreales, the committee in charge of organizing the event. Their leadership and commitment were instrumental in making sure everything came together so beautifully.
The Parish Festival is more than just a day of fun and Fellowship – it helps subsidize many of our diocesan assessments, allowing us to use more of our parish funds directly for our ministries here while also supporting the broader apostolic mission of our Diocese.
In addition, before the new floor was installed in our church, Bill and +Patty Faber generously donated a beautiful image of the Infant of Prague to our parish. You will notice the Infant now placed above the main entrance, at the baptismal font. I made a personal promise to the Infant that if all went well with our renovation, I would place Him in a place of great honor and devotion. Promises made, promises kept.
The devotion to the Infant of Prague is a beloved Catholic tradition that began in the 17th century in a worn-down Carmelite church in Prague. The small statue of the Child Jesus, dressed in royal robes, was given to the friars with the prophetic words: “The more you honor Me, the more I will bless you.” The church was poor, yet the friars placed their trust in the Infant, and through His intercession, they received everything they needed – both materially and spiritually. This devotion reminds us that Christ, even in His littleness, is the King of Heaven and Earth, and that when we entrust ourselves to Him, He provides for all our needs.
May this new image be a constant reminder that our trust in Jesus – especially in His humble and tender presence – will always bring blessings upon our parish and our families.
August 17, 2025
Parish Festival – Saturday, August 23rd
Get ready for a wonderful day of faith, fun, and fellowship! Our Parish Festival will take place on Saturday, August 23rd, from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Join us for delicious food, games, music, cultural celebrations, and activities for all ages.
Please Note: Due to the parking situation, there will be no Vigil Masses on Saturday, August 23rd. We encourage you to join us for Sunday Mass that weekend. For the safety and organization of the event, the only entrance available will be from Blowing Rock Blvd; the
Woodsway Lane entrance will be closed for the day. All proceeds from the festival will go toward meeting the general operating needs of our parish. Your support makes it possible for us to continue our mission and ministry. Come and celebrate with us — we can’t wait to see you there!
On Saturday, August 23rd, the Church celebrates St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the Americas and the patroness of Peru, Latin America, and the Philippines. Known for her radiant beauty, Rose dedicated her life to Christ at an early age, embracing prayer, penance, and works of charity. She resisted the many marriage proposals that came her way, choosing instead to live a life of purity and service to the poor.
St. Rose is remembered for transforming a small hut in her family’s garden into a place of prayer and solitude. There, she deepened her union with God, offering her life as a sacrifice for the conversion of souls. Despite her hidden life, her holiness shone brightly, drawing many to seek her counsel and prayers.
Her example reminds us that holiness is not reserved for those in monasteries or pulpits – it is possible for all of us, right where we are, when we put God first and love our neighbor generously. May St. Rose inspire us to live with the same purity of heart and burning love for Christ.
August 10, 2025
Why Does the Priest Elevate the Host and the Chalice?
And Why Do We Ring the Tower Bell at Mass?
At every Mass, after the words of consecration are spoken “This is My Body… This is the chalice of My Blood…” – the priest lifts high both the consecrated Host and then the Chalice. These elevations are not just ceremonial actions. They are sacred signs filled with deep meaning, grounded in centuries of tradition and theology.
A Moment of Adoration and Faith
When the priest elevates the Host and then the Chalice, the faithful are invited into a moment of profound adoration. We look upon the Eucharistic Lord, now truly present on the altar, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. This is a moment to awaken our faith and draw our hearts into prayer. It is a time to silently echo the words of Saint Thomas the Apostle, “My Lord and my God.”
A Response to an Old Controversy
This practice also has roots in a theological controversy from the Middle Ages. In 12th and 13th-century Paris, some theologians mistakenly taught that Christ did not become truly present in the Eucharist until both the bread and wine had been consecrated together. According to their view, the Real Presence did not begin with the consecration of the Host alone.
The Church, however, clarified and affirmed that Christ becomes truly present under each species at the moment the priest speaks the words of institution over it. The Host becomes the Body of Christ when the priest says, “This is my Body,” and the wine becomes the Blood of Christ when he says, “This is the chalice of my Blood.”
For this reason, each element is elevated separately, right after its consecration. This is not only a moment of worship but also a clear theological statement. Jesus is truly present under each form as soon as the words of consecration are spoken.
A Bell for the Whole City
You may also hear the tower bell ring during this sacred part of the Mass. This is more than just a signal to those outside. It is a reminder to the entire city of Lenoir that something holy is happening within these walls. When we celebrate Mass, we do so not only for those present, but for the spiritual good of our entire city.
The ringing of the bell announces that Christ has come to our altar, and that His sacrifice is being offered to the Father on behalf of the whole world. Our worship is not private or limited. It is public and powerful. It is meant to bring grace, healing, and holiness to every corner of our community.
Let us adore Christ in the Eucharist with reverence, pray for our city with love, and live our Catholic faith in such a way that others may come to know the One who is lifted up for the salvation of the world.
August 3, 2025
At the beginning of Mass, the chalice is often seen veiled in a beautiful cloth that matches the liturgical color of the day. This is not just a decorative touch, but an ancient and meaningful tradition that draws us deeper into the mystery of the Eucharist.
In Scripture, veils are used to signify the presence of the holy. The Ark of the Covenant was hidden behind the veil in the Temple. Moses veiled his face after encountering the glory of God. Christ’s divinity was veiled in His humanity, and in the Eucharist, His Body and Blood are veiled under the appearance of bread and wine.
The veiled chalice, which will soon hold the Precious Blood of Christ, prepares us to enter the sacred. It is a silent invitation to awe and reverence. Its removal, just before the offertory, is also deeply symbolic – it recalls how Christ was stripped of His garments before His Passion. As the veil is lifted, we move more deeply into the mystery: from preparation to sacrifice, from symbol to reality, from earth to Calvary.
The Mass is not merely a gathering – it is Calvary made present. In every Mass, we are drawn into the one eternal sacrifice of Christ. The veiled chalice marks the beginning of this sacred journey, and its unveiling signals our entry into the holiest part of the liturgy.
In a world that exposes everything, the Church dares to veil what is most holy – not to hide it, but to honor it. The chalice veil reminds us that in the Mass, we walk on sacred ground. Let us approach with faith, reverence, and wonder.
I am so happy that we are finally back in the church after our renovation. It brings me great joy to see our sacred space renewed and filled with life once again. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all who helped prepare for the floor installation and clean and assist with the reinstallation process. Thank you to those who donated generously, organized fundraisers, and gave your time and effort as volunteers. Your love for the Church and for the Eucharist shines through in all you have done. May God bless you abundantly! (P.S. Stay tuned for more projects coming up this year to make our campus even more beautiful…as the Russian writer once wrote “beauty will save the world”.)
July 27, 2025
Beauty Set Apart: The Flower Ministry and the Sacredness of the Ambo
Each week, as we gather for Mass, we are greeted by an atmosphere of reverence and beauty. And one of the quiet yet powerful contributors to this is our Flower Ministry, led by Auris Mejías, with support from our business manager Jessica Cruz. These custom floral arrangements are not simply decorations, they are offerings.
The theology of cut flowers speaks volumes about how we worship. A cut flower, unlike a potted plant, is sacrificed for a single purpose: to glorify God. It cannot be repurposed or returned to the soil. Its beauty is fleeting and fully given—set apart, like the sacred vessels on the altar. Just as the oil used for anointing or the bread and wine for the Eucharist are not to be reused for common things, so too are these flowers entirely devoted to the worship of God. This is a powerful sign of how we are to live our own lives—offered fully to the Lord, not half-kept for ourselves.
Yet just as we carefully protect the beauty and integrity of our liturgy, we must also protect the sacred purpose of the ambo. Recently, the IRS issued a statement allowing churches to formally endorse political candidates during services and from the pulpit. While this might be welcomed in some circles, the Catholic Church in the United States has decisively rejected this permission.
The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) has made it clear that this will not be allowed in our Masses, liturgies, or parish publications. Why? Because the ambo is not a platform for politics—it is a place consecrated for the Word of God. As Catholics, we are called to be citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our participation in public life must be shaped by the Gospel, not party platforms.
Canon Law (can. 767 §1) tells us that the homily, the only speech allowed during the Liturgy of the Word, must be a reflection on the sacred readings or the liturgy itself. To use this sacred space for political endorsement would be to confuse the purpose of our worship and divide what should unite us: the Eucharist and the Word.
Let us continue to be a parish where every part of our worship—from the flowers on the altar to the words from the ambo—is fully and beautifully set apart for God alone.
July 20, 2025
In the Gospel this Sunday, we encounter the story of Martha and Mary. While Martha is busy with many tasks, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words. Jesus gently tells Martha that Mary has chosen the better part. This is not a rejection of Martha’s service, but a call to remember what matters most; being present to the Lord.
The Philosopher Josef Pieper, in his work Leisure: The Basis of Culture, explains that leisure is not laziness or mere free time, but a posture of the soul – an openness to truth, beauty, and God. Leisure is the foundation of worship and culture. It allows us to step away from the
demands of constant activity and encounter the deeper meaning of our lives.
The commandment to “keep holy the Sabbath” is not only about attending Mass, but also about resting from labor so that we may be renewed in body and spirit. It is a divine instruction to stop, reflect, and receive. We are not defined by our output or productivity, but by our relationship with the Lord who made us.
Hobbies, time with family, prayer, reading, music, creating, and even silence are not wastes of time. They are ways we are re-created as we re-create. In these moments of leisure, we recover our humanity and make space for grace.
In a culture that glorifies busyness, we are reminded through Mary’s example that to sit in stillness before God is not inactivity, but the highest activity. May we all learn to embrace holy leisure – not just as rest, but as a way of life that draws us closer to Christ. So, I encourage you to be like Mary, waste time in holy ways and with healthy hobbies.
July 13, 2025
The San Damiano cross is the large cross that hung in the abandoned chapel near Assisi. While still in his early 20’s and seeking his place in the world, Francis of Assisi was praying before this cross when he heard the voice of God commanding him to “rebuild my church.”
It is because of this event in Francis’ life that the cross takes on such importance in the Franciscan tradition. All Franciscans cherish this cross as the symbol of their mission from God to commit their lives and resources to renew and rebuild the Church through the power of Christ.
- The largest figure is Jesus Christ, represented both as wounded and strong, standing upright and resolute.
- The next largest figures are the five witnesses of the crucifixion and witnesses of Jesus as Lord. On the left side are the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist. On the right side are
Mary Magdalene; Mary, Mother of James; and the centurion who in Matthew’s Gospel account asks Christ to heal his son. - The three smaller figures are represented as witnessing the crucifixion. On the lower left is the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a lance. In the lower right is the soldier who offered Jesus the sponge soaked in vinegar wine.
- At both ends of the crossbar are six angels are represented as marveling over the event of the crucifixion.
- At the foot of the cross there is a damaged picture of six figures, two of whom have halos. These six are the patrons of the region surrounding Assisi: St. John, St. Michael, St. Rufino, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter, and St. Paul.
- On the top of the cross, one sees Jesus now fully clothed in his regal garments and carrying the cross as a triumphant scepter.
- At the very top of the cross is the Hand of God with two fingers extended.
June 29, 2025
Citizens of the True Eternal City
According to ancient legend, two brothers, Romulus and Remus, were raised by a wild beast and destined to found a city that would endure forever. That myth, full of violence and ambition, reflected the longing of humanity for permanence, greatness, and meaning. It dreamed of an eternal city, but one built on human strength and conquest.
But God, in His providence, fulfilled that desire in a very different way, through two very different brothers: Peter and Paul. One was a simple fisherman, the other a scholar and former persecutor. Neither came with armies or power. They arrived not to build monuments of stone, but to proclaim a Kingdom not of this world. They offered not domination, but the Gospel. And instead of founding a city by shedding others’ blood, they laid foundations by pouring out their own.
In Peter and Paul, we see the myth transformed into truth. The deep human longing for an everlasting home is answered not by the rise of nations or empires, but by the Church, built on faith, repentance, and grace. Their lives remind us of a profound truth: we are not citizens of any earthly kingdom. Our true homeland is above. The Kingdom to which we belong does not pass away, and its King is not subject to time or decay. As Saint Paul proclaims, “our citizenship is in heaven.” As we honor these holy apostles, may their witness draw us away from the illusions of earthly glory, and anchor our hearts in the only city that truly lasts, the one whose foundation is Christ Himself.
June 22, 2025
The Eucharist and the Immaculate Heart of Mary On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, we celebrate the Real Presence of Jesus Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in the Most Holy Eucharist. This great gift is the center of our faith and the source of life for the Church. Yet Our Lady of Fatima reminded us that the Eucharist is too often treated with indifference, ingratitude, and even desecrated. These offenses deeply wound the Heart of Jesus.
At Fatima, Our Lady revealed her desire for reparation to be made to her Immaculate Heart—especially for sins against the Blessed Sacrament. In loving response to her request, beginning the weekend of June 29th, our parish will begin a new Family Reparation Devotion. Each week, one family will take home a statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and commit to praying together each evening for the intention of making reparation. This is a powerful way to unite our homes in love for Jesus in the Eucharist and console the Heart of His Mother.
Families who would like to participate can sign up in the book located at the entrance of the parish hall.
Please note: during this first week of renovation, there will be no Masses, Adoration, or Confessions from Tuesday to Thursday, as construction begins on our temporary worship space in the parish hall. Friday Masses, Adoration, and Confessions will resume in the parish hall. During this transition, the main church will have limited access outside of scheduled Masses and liturgies, and our 24/7 prayer availability will be temporarily reduced.
Let us take this opportunity to renew our love for the Eucharist, offer reparation through Mary’s Immaculate Heart, and remain united as a parish family during this time of change and grace.
June 15, 2025
This weekend, as we celebrate Holy Trinity Sunday, we are reminded that our God is a communion of love— Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who invites us into that same communion through the Church. This mystery of divine love and unity becomes especially visible in the gift of the priesthood. On Saturday, June 14th, the Church in our diocese rejoiced as new priests were ordained to serve God’s people. Their “yes” is a living witness to the power of God’s grace and the ongoing work of the Trinity in the life of the Church.
Here at our parish, we too are entering a time of renewal—not just spiritually, but physically—as we prepare for the renovation of our church floor.
Next weekend will be our last Mass in the Main Church before renovations begin. Starting the weekend of June 28–29, all Masses, liturgies, and sacramental celebrations will take place in the Parish Hall until the work is complete.
To help reduce costs, our contractor has invited us to take on the demo and haul-away of the old carpet ourselves. For this, we need volunteers! If you’re willing to help, please text the word “floor” to 84576, and we’ll contact you with details.
If all goes smoothly, we hope to return to the Main Church by the end of July or early August. Thank you for your patience, your generosity, and your prayers as we care for our sacred space—so that it may continue to be a place where God’s love, like the Holy Trinity itself, is made present and shared.
June 8, 2025
Come, Holy Spirit: The Love Between the Father and the Son
As we continue our journey in faith, it’s important to remember that the Holy Spirit is not just a vague force or a symbol of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit is a divine person—the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity—and He is the one who makes it possible for us to truly love Jesus and the Father. Without the Spirit, our faith becomes dry and mechanical. But when we open our hearts to the Spirit, He breathes divine love into us and draws us deeper into communion with God. As St. Paul tells us, “The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
Let us invite the Holy Spirit into our daily lives. Ask Him to help you love Jesus more dearly and to recognize the Father’s hand in your life. The Holy Spirit is the living bond of love between the Father and the Son, and He wants to dwell in your soul.
Be Watchful: AI is Spreading False Messages Attributed to Pope Leo XIV
In today’s digital age, we must be extremely vigilant. Artificial Intelligence has reached a point where it can produce highly convincing audio and video content. There are now AI-generated homilies, messages, and videos circulating online that falsely claim to be from our current Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. To the average viewer, these forgeries appear very real—but they are not. They can contain distorted or entirely false teachings, leading to confusion and misinformation among the faithful. There is even a YouTube channel dedicated to spreading these fake homilies, and many cannot tell the difference. This makes it all the more dangerous.
As your pastor, I strongly urge you to rely only on trustworthy and official Catholic sources, such as:
- Catholic News Agency (CNA)
- Vatican News
- EWTN
Let us remain anchored in the truth, guided by the Holy Spirit, and united to the living Magisterium of the Church.
June 1, 2025
“Behold this Heart which has so loved men.”
Every June, the Church draws our attention in a special way to the Sacred Heart of Jesus—the human, beating Heart of God made flesh. It is a devotion not merely of sentiment, but one deeply rooted in the mystery of the Incarnation: that in Jesus Christ, God took on a real
human body, a real human soul, and yes, a real human heart.
The month of June is chosen for this devotion because the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart falls each year on the Friday after Corpus Christi. These two feasts are intimately connected: the Heart that was pierced for our sins is the same Heart that gives us His very Body and Blood on the altar. In every Mass, the love of Jesus is not only remembered—it is made present. We receive into ourselves the living Heart of Christ, offered in love for the life of the world.
Let this month be a time to draw near to His Heart—to rest in it, to trust in it, and to imitate it. May our prayer be that of Saint John, who rested his head on the Lord’s chest at the Last Supper. And may we hear, in the silence of adoration and in the stillness of our hearts, the echo of His love:
“Come to me… and you will find rest for your souls. For I am meek and humble of heart.” (Matthew 11:28–29)
This weekend, I will be away to attend the ordination of a good friend of mine, who is being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. In my absence, we welcome Fr. Carlos Cardona Turcios, who is visiting us from Honduras to make a missionary appeal. Please be generous in supporting the Church’s mission there.
May 25, 2025
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord commemorates the moment when Jesus, forty days after His Resurrection, ascended into heaven in the sight of His disciples (cf. Acts 1:3–11). This event is not just a Farewell – it’s a promise. Jesus goes to prepare a place for us and to send the Holy Spirit, empowering the Church to continue His mission.
Traditionally, the Church celebrates the Ascension exactly 40 days after Easter Sunday, which always places it on a Thursday – known as Ascension Thursday. In many countries around the world, it remains a holy day of obligation on that Thursday.
However, in the United States, the celebration is often transferred to the following Sunday. Why?
The transfer is a decision made by the bishops’ conferences, with permission from the Vatican. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops allows each ecclesiastical province (a group of dioceses under a metropolitan archbishop) to decide whether to observe the Ascension on Thursday or move it to Sunday. Most provinces in the U.S. have chosen to transfer the feast to Sunday, primarily so more Catholics can participate in this important solemnity, since Thursday is a regular workday for many.
Only a few dioceses – including those in the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and Omaha – still observe it on Thursday.
So while the date may vary, the mystery we celebrate remains the same: Christ ascends in glory, not to leave us behind, but to lead us to where He has gone. As the angels told the disciples, “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way” (Acts 1:11). Until then, we live our mission on earth, looking to the heavens with hope.
May 18, 2025
Each May, the Church turns with special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition, rooted in centuries of Christian practice, invites us to honor Mary not only as the Mother of Jesus but as our spiritual Mother and Queen. Why May? As spring bursts into bloom, the beauty and fruitfulness of nature reflect the virtues of Mary, the one who bore the Author of Life. Just as flowers flourish in May, so too should our love for the Mother of God.
Mary’s queenship is not a poetic title—it is firmly grounded in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the mother of the king— not his wife—was honored as queen, or Gebirah (“Great Lady”). She held a special role as an intercessor in the royal court. In 1 Kings 2:19, Solomon bows before his mother Bathsheba and says, “Make your request, my mother, for I will not refuse you.” Mary, the Mother of Christ the King, is the true Queen Mother of the New Covenant. Crowned with stars in the Book of Revelation (12:1), she reigns in Heaven not with worldly power, but with maternal love and powerful intercession.
This is why we celebrate the May Crowning—a simple yet profound act of devotion. By crowning a statue of Mary with flowers, we honor her as Queen of Heaven and Earth and entrust ourselves to her care. It is a gesture of both reverence and love, reminding us that she leads us always to her Son. This May, let us renew our devotion to Mary, imitate her virtues, and entrust our lives more fully to her motherly heart.
Hail, Holy Queen!
May 11, 2025
The Easter season is a time of joy, renewal, and new life—and in the life of the Church, this renewal comes to us in a special way through the sacraments. As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, we also enter into what is often called “sacrament season” in our parish. It is a kind of spiritual springtime, as grace blossoms in the lives of our young people and families. This weekend, on the 4th Sunday of Easter, we hear Jesus say in the Gospel, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Through the sacraments, especially First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony, we are given the grace to hear and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd. The sacraments are not just rituals—they are living encounters with the Risen Christ, who knows us, speaks to us, and strengthens us to follow Him.
In the coming weeks, many of our children will receive their First Holy Communion, students will be sealed with the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, and couples will begin their married life together. These are powerful moments of encounter with Christ, and signs of His continued presence and work in His Church. Please keep all those preparing for the sacraments in your prayers during this special time.
Upcoming Celebrations:
Confirmation Mass – Friday, May 16 at 6:30 PM, followed by a small reception in the parish hall.
First Communion Mass – Saturday, May 17 at 11:00 AM, with a light reception afterwards in the parish hall.
Let us rejoice with them and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to stir their hearts with faith, hope, and love.
May 4, 2025
As the Church prepares for the election of a new pope, the eyes of the world turn once again to the Sistine Chapel, where the College of Cardinals will gather in conclave under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This sacred process is steeped in centuries of tradition and charged with deep spiritual significance for every Catholic.
The word conclave comes from the Latin cum clave, meaning “with a key,” referring to the cardinals being locked in seclusion until a new pope is elected. There are currently 135 cardinal electors under the age of 80 eligible to vote. They come from every corner of the world, reflecting the universality of the Church. Their duty is solemn: to discern and elect the next successor of St. Peter.
Each day during the conclave, the cardinals will celebrate Mass and pray together before casting ballots. A two-thirds majority is required for a pope to be elected. After each vote, if no one is elected, the ballots are burned with a chemical to produce black smoke; white smoke will rise when a new pope has been chosen.
The Church does not enter into this process lightly, nor should we. The election of a pope is not simply an administrative task, but a moment of profound importance for the Body of Christ. It is a time for every Catholic to turn to prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to guide the cardinals and the entire Church.
Let us pray:
+For the new pope, whoever he may be, that he may be a holy shepherd for our times.
+For the cardinals, that they may be led by wisdom and humility.
+For the Church, that she may be renewed in faith and unity.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
April 27, 2025
Divine Mercy Sunday: The Triumph of Christ’s Merciful Love
This Second Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast rich in grace and hope, given to us through St. Faustina Kowalska, a humble Polish nun of the 20th century. Through her, Jesus revealed His desire that this Sunday – eight days after Easter – be dedicated to proclaiming and receiving His mercy: the radiant love that pours forth from His Sacred Heart.
In her diary, St. Faustina recorded Jesus’ words: “The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter.” He showed her the now-famous image of Divine Mercy – Christ with rays of red and white light flowing from His Heart, representing the blood and water that gushed forth on the Cross – symbols of the Eucharist and Baptism, the very lifeblood of the Church.
Divine Mercy is not just a beautiful devotion; it is the very heart of the Gospel. But we must remember that true mercy is not indulgence or the denial of sin. True mercy does not excuse what is harmful or destructive. Rather, it confronts sin with truth and love, offering healing, forgiveness, and transformation. False mercy tells us we’re fine as we are. True mercy says, “You are loved too much to be left there.”
This year, we rejoice as the Church prepares to canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis, a modern teenager who deeply understood the heart of Christ. Carlo, who died in 2006 at age 15, had a profound devotion to the Eucharist, which he called his “highway to heaven.” His life was rooted in trust in God’s mercy and the power of the sacraments. Like St. Faustina, he used the tools of his time – especially the internet – to share Christ’s message of love and truth with the world.
His upcoming canonization is a sign that holiness is possible in our time, and that the message of Divine Mercy is not confined to a convent in the 1930s, but is alive in the hearts of the young and the faithful today. It’s a call to all of us to live with trust in Jesus and to be witnesses of mercy in a world that so desperately needs it. This Divine Mercy Sunday, let us echo the cry of the Church and of so many saints: Jesus, I trust in You.
April 20, 2025
Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
The Resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our Christian faith. It is the ultimate victory of life over death, of hope over despair. From the earliest days of the Church, Christians have gathered each year to celebrate the Paschal Mystery – Christ’s Passion, Death, and
Resurrection – which gives meaning and hope to every aspect of our lives. Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date each year? Easter is determined by the lunar calendar, not the solar one we use for most of our liturgical year. Specifically, the Church celebrates Easter on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This tradition, passed down from the early Church, ties Easter closely to the Jewish feast of Passover, which follows the same lunar rhythm. Jesus’ Death and Resurrection occurred during Passover, the celebration of Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt. In Christ, we see this fulfilled – He is the true Paschal Lamb who frees us from sin and death and leads us into new and eternal life.
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to all those who were baptized, confirmed, and received into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil! Your faith inspires us, and we welcome you with great joy into our parish family. May the Risen Lord continue to
strengthen and guide you in your journey of faith. As we continue this joyful season of Easter, I want to inform you that I will be away from Monday, April 21 through Friday, April 25. During this time:
- All scheduled Mass intentions will be celebrated privately.
- Communion Services will be held in place of daily Masses.
- There will be no 7:30 PM Spanish Mass or confessions on Wednesday of this week.
- Adoration and Holy Hour schedules will remain unchanged.
Thank you for your prayers and understanding. May the joy of the Resurrection fill your hearts and homes this Easter season!
— Fr. Alfonso Gamez
April 13, 2025
As we enter Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday, we are invited to walk with our Lord through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. This week is the heart of our faith, and I encourage you to set aside time to participate fully in the sacred liturgies of the Triduum.
On Tuesday of Holy Week, I will be away at the Chrism Mass, where all the priests of our diocese gather with our bishop to renew our priestly promises. At this Mass, the holy oils – the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Sacred Chrism – are blessed and consecrated for use in the sacraments throughout the coming year. These sacred oils are signs of God’s grace at work in our parish, anointing the sick, strengthening the newly baptized, and sealing the faithful in Confirmation.
Because I will be away on Tuesday, there will be no Mass; however, Deacon Pickett will offer a Communion service, allowing us to gather in prayer and receive our Lord in the Eucharist. I am grateful for his service to our parish. I invite you to fully enter into the Sacred Triduum by joining us for these liturgies:
- Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 PM (Bilingual)
(Please note: There will be no regular confession or adoration on Thursday. After the Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place in the Parish Hall until midnight.) - Good Friday – Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
2:00 PM – Stations of the Cross (English)
3:00 PM – Passion Service (English)
7:00 PM – Passion Service (Spanish), followed by Stations of the Cross - Holy Saturday – The Easter Vigil at 8:30 PM at the Grotto (Bilingual)
(Please note: There will be no 4:30 PM or 7:00 PM Spanish Mass on Holy Saturday.)
The schedule for Wednesday will remain the same.
May this Holy Week be a time of grace and renewal for each of us as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. Let us walk this road with Christ, who gave everything for us.
In Christ,
Fr. Alfonso Gamez
April 6, 2025
Why Do We Cover the Statues During Lent?
As we enter the final weeks of Lent, you may notice that the statues and crosses in our church are covered with veils. This ancient practice, known as the veiling of sacred images, has been observed for centuries in the Catholic Church. But why do we do this? Covering statues and crosses, especially beginning on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, helps to draw our focus more intensely on the mysteries of Christ’s Passion. The veils create a sense of longing and anticipation, reminding us that something is missing – just as the disciples must have felt in the days leading up to the crucifixion. This practice also echoes the Gospel passage where Jesus “hid himself and went out of the temple” (John 8:59), symbolizing how His divinity was, in a sense, hidden in His suffering.
The statues remain covered until the Easter Vigil, when the veils are removed, and we rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection. This powerful visual transition helps us journey spiritually from the sorrow of the Passion to the joy of the Resurrection.
Upcoming Celebrations in the Parish Hall As a reminder, if you are planning to celebrate a
Quinceañera, Baptism, or Wedding in July, please note that these liturgies will take place in the Parish Hall due to the installation of the new church flooring. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time of improvement for our parish community.
Let us continue this season of Lent with hearts open to Christ, preparing for the joy of His Resurrection!
March 23, 2025
The Scrutinies: A Time of Prayer, Conversion, and Deliverance
As we journey through Lent, our parish is blessed to celebrate the Scrutinies—a series of special rites for our catechumens, those preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil. These ancient prayers, celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, are moments of deep reflection, spiritual purification, and strengthening in the face of temptation. A central part of the Scrutinies are the prayers of exorcism, through which the Church calls upon Christ to protect and strengthen the catechumens, freeing them from the influence of sin and evil. These prayers are not about possession but about liberation and healing, helping them turn fully to Christ and reject anything that separates them from God. The Scrutinies will take place at the 10:00 AM Mass for the next few Sundays. As a parish family, we are called to pray fervently for those preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation. Let us also keep in our prayers those who are already baptized and preparing to be received into the Church, as well as all those who are discerning the Catholic faith. May our prayers and witness help them experience the love of Christ and the joy of belonging to His Church. Let us accompany them on this journey of faith with our prayers, encouragement, and example, so that, together, we may all be renewed in Christ this Easter!
March 16, 2025
Dear Parish Family,
We are excited to share that we are very close to signing a contract for the new flooring in the church, which will replace the existing carpet. This project has been long in the making, and we are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to making it possible. Soon, we will have an exact amount of what remains to be paid for this expense, and we appreciate your continued generosity. Our hope is to have the new floor installed by celebrated in the parish hall. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we make this much-needed improvement to our worship space.
While we continue to passively fundraise for our future office building, we want to inform you that this effort has been prolonged. The Diocese has placed a moratorium on capital campaigns as they prepare to launch their own diocesan-wide campaign. However, we
remain committed to our vision for growth and will keep you updated as we navigate this process. A heartfelt thank you to all who have already donated towards this important project – we truly appreciate your support.
Thank you for your continued prayers and generosity.
March 2, 2025
As we begin this holy season of Lent, the Church calls us to deepen our conversion through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a day of both fasting and abstinence.
Fasting: Catholics from ages 18 to 59 are required to fast, meaning they may eat one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal.
Abstinence: Catholics 14 and older must abstain from meat. This applies to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. These practices are not just rules to follow; they are meant to draw us closer to Christ. Fasting is not about self-discipline alone—it is about love. We give up food to remind ourselves that “man does not live by bread alone” (Mt 4:4) but by God’s grace. We abstain from meat to unite ourselves in a small way to the sacrifice of Christ, who gave His very body for us. While fasting and abstinence on the required days are obligations, our personal Lenten sacrifices are not binding under sin. If we falter in keeping them, we have not committed a sin, but we should strive to keep our resolutions out of love for Christ. Choose a sacrifice that is reasonable and meaningful, something that truly helps you grow closer to God. If you find yourself struggling, instead of giving up, recommit yourself with renewed intention. Let us enter this season with repentant hearts, remembering that our sacrifices should always lead us to greater love of Christ and deeper sorrow for our sins. “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God.” – Joel 2:1
February 23, 2025
In today’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus gives us one of His most challenging commands: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” It’s easy to be kind to those who treat us well, but Christ calls us to go further – to love even when it’s difficult. Why? Because this kind of love reflects God’s own mercy. When we forgive, bless, and pray for those who hurt us, we break the cycle of hatred and revenge that so often dominates the world. Jesus invites us to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful, offering a love that knows no limits. As we reflect on this, let’s ask ourselves: Where in our lives do we need to let go of resentment? Who do we need to forgive? May God’s grace help us to choose mercy, not just once, but every day.
From Monday to Wednesday this week, I will be in Greensboro with the bishop and all the priests of the diocese for our convocation. We will be discussing a program called the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), which the bishop has asked us to implement at the parish level. This initiative includes a parish survey to help assess how well we are serving you, our parishioners. During my absence, there will be no Masses or Catholic Course Study sessions. In lieu of Masses, Communion services will be offered. God bless you, you’re in my prayers.
January 26, 2025
Greetings from Mexico! I want to let you know that I am praying for you while I am away visiting my family. I will be back on Wednesday, January 29th, and I look forward to being with you again.
On this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time we hear the powerful account from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus enters the synagogue, unrolls the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and
proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Jesus declares that this scripture is fulfilled in their hearing, revealing that He Himself is the Word of God made flesh, sent to bring salvation to the world.
In 2019, Pope Francis instituted the Sunday of the Word of God, to be celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. This day is meant to emphasize the importance of Sacred Scripture in our lives as Catholics. The Pope’s hope is that the faithful will grow in their love for the Word of God and incorporate it more deeply into their daily lives. He reminds us that the Scriptures are not just historical texts; they are living and active, capable of transforming our hearts and guiding us closer to Christ.
One compelling reason to deepen our appreciation of the Scriptures is their inerrancy and authenticity, as explained by scholars like Dr. Brant Pitre. For a deeper dive into these
insights, I recommend his book, The Case for Jesus, which explores the historical and theological foundations of the Gospels in a way that strengthens our faith and understanding of Scripture. Dr. Pitre highlights how the Bible is not a mere human
invention but a divinely inspired collection of writings. From the historical reliability of the Gospels to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus, Scripture demonstrates a divine coherence that transcends human authorship. For instance, the consistent foreshadowing of Christ throughout the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah, underscores the divine plan of salvation woven throughout the
Bible.
Moreover, the New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are rooted in eyewitness testimony and corroborated by external historical sources. As Dr. Pitre points
out, this provides strong evidence that the Scriptures are trustworthy and true, inviting us to place our faith in the Word of God with confidence.
This Sunday, as we reflect on Jesus’ proclamation of the Good News, let us recommit ourselves to deepening our relationship
with the Word of God. May we approach the Scriptures with reverence and trust, recognizing them as the inspired Word of God that illuminates our path to Christ and empowers us to share His love with the world. As Pope Francis reminds us, the Scriptures are a gift and a treasure that transform our hearts and lead us to salvation.
January 19, 2025
The Wedding at Cana is a powerful moment in the Gospel that reveals not only the divinity of Jesus but also the loving intercession of Mary. At the celebration, when the wine runs, it is Mary who notices the need and brings it to Jesus’ attention. Her simple yet profound instruction to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5), resonates deeply in our spiritual lives. Mary’s role at Cana reminds us of her presence in our own lives. She is a mother who sees our needs and brings them to Jesus, always trusting in His power and timing. As we reflect on this story, we are invited to follow her example of faith and obedience. When we entrust our lives to her intercession, she leads us closer to her Son and helps us navigate life’s challenges with hope and trust in God. I also want to share some updates about the parish schedule in the coming weeks. I will be away visiting my family in Mexico from Monday, January 20th, to Tuesday, January 28th. During my absence, there will be adjustments to our liturgical schedule:
Fr. Peter Shaw will celebrate the weekend Masses on Saturday, January 25th, and Sunday, January 26th. Deacon Pickett will lead Communion Services on weekdays in place of the regular daily Masses. The intentions for the daily Masses during this time will still be honored, as I will celebrate them privately while in Mexico. I am grateful to Fr. Shaw and Deacon Pickett for your understanding and support as I take this time to reconnect with my family. Please keep me in your prayers, as I will carry all of you in mine during my time away. Let us continue to walk together in faith, guided by the loving intercession of Mary, who always points us toward her Son. May her example inspire us to trust in God’s plans and to embrace the challenges of life with grace and faith.
January 12, 2025
This Sunday, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, marking the moment when Jesus, though sinless, entered the waters of the Jordan to be baptized by John. In this act of humility, Jesus identifies with us and sanctifies the waters of baptism, opening the way for our salvation. At His baptism, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
With this feast, we transition from the joyous season of Christmas into Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is green, symbolizing growth and life.
Ordinary Time invites us to nurture and deepen our baptismal identity as beloved children of God, living out the grace we received at baptism. It’s a season for spiritual growth, a time to reflect on how we can embody our faith in everyday life. This journey of growth is not without its challenges. Ordinary Time is interrupted by the season of Lent, a time set aside for penance and reflection on where we may have fallen short in living out our baptismal
promises. Lent gives us the opportunity to repent, reconcile with God, and renew our commitment to holiness. In this rhythm of growth and renewal, the Church provides a path for us to continually realign our lives with the Gospel. Pope Francis often encourages us to remember the date of our baptism, calling it “a second birthday.” Knowing this date connects us to our identity as disciples of Christ and reminds us of our call to live as His faithful followers. If you don’t know the date of your baptism, take some time to find out. Celebrate it each year as a joyful reminder of the day you became part of God’s family.
As we embark on this season of Ordinary Time, let us strive to grow in faith and love, trusting that God’s grace will guide us. May this time of growth, interrupted by moments of renewal and penance, draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.
– Fr. Alfonso Gamez
December 29, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
You may have noticed a recent change in the placement of the Celebrant and altar server chairs: they now face the altar. This adjustment was made with the intention of highlighting the central role of the altar in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) reminds us of the profound significance of the altar: “The altar should occupy a place where it is truly the center toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns.” (GIRM 299) The altar is the heart of the liturgical celebration, the place where the sacrifice of Christ is made present and from which we are nourished with His Body and Blood. By orienting the altar server chairs toward the altar, we ensure
that their focus, along with that of the entire congregation, remains on the Eucharistic mystery being celebrated. This small but meaningful change emphasizes that all who participate in the Mass – whether clergy, servers, or laity – are united in worship and adoration of Christ. We hope this change helps to deepen our collective sense of reverence and draws us ever closer to the Lord present in the Eucharist. Thank you for your understanding and support as we strive to continually enhance the beauty and sanctity of our liturgical celebrations. The Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – offers us a model of faith, love, and holiness. St. Joseph, though silent in the Gospels, speaks to us through his actions. As the guardian of the Redeemer and protector of Mary, he shows us how to trust in God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to live with humility and devotion. Joseph’s example calls us to welcome Jesus and Mary into our lives. Just as he embraced Mary and Jesus with love and care, we too are invited to open our hearts and homes to their presence. His quiet fidelity inspires us to make God’s will the priority in our families and daily lives. One powerful way to do this is through the Holy Rosary. The Rosary draws us into the heart of the Holy Family, helping us meditate on the life of Christ through Mary’s eyes. Each decade deepens our connection with Jesus and strengthens our virtues. Like St. Joseph, who must have reflected deeply on the mysteries of Christ’s life, we too can grow in faith through this prayer. Let us ask St. Joseph to intercede for us, that we may invite Jesus and Mary into our lives and embrace the Rosary as a path to holiness. By following his example, we can grow closer to the Holy Family and to God.
December 22, 2024
The coming of Christ changed the course of human history in profound and tangible ways. Born into a world marked by darkness and suffering, Jesus brought the light of truth, love, and redemption. His life, death, and resurrection transformed societies, laying the foundation for a vision of human dignity and care that continues to shape the world today. Before Christ, the world often lacked a clear understanding of the inherent worth of every human life. Christianity proclaimed the radical truth: each person is made in the image and likeness of God. This belief inspired the establishment of hospitals, schools, and orphanages. It led to the abolition of practices like infanticide and gladiatorial combat, and it transformed the way societies cared for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Through Christ, humanity discovered what it means to love and serve one another. Today, that same Christ who was born in Bethlehem comes to us in the Eucharist. The Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, is the same Savior humbly present under the appearance of bread and wine. He comes to heal us, to guide us, and to save us from the darkness of sin. Every Mass is a renewal of Christmas—God with us. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, remember that Christmas is a holy day of obligation. It is a time to come together as God’s family and worship Him in the Mass, where Jesus, the Light of the World, is truly present. Let us not miss this opportunity to receive Him, adore Him, and allow Him to transform our hearts and lives. This Christmas, come to Mass and rediscover the incredible gift of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Jesus is waiting for you. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). O come, let us adore Him!
December 15, 2024
Dear Parish Family,
As we continue our Advent journey, we invite you to rediscover an ancient and profound tradition of our Church: the singing of antiphons. These short verses, drawn directly from Sacred Scripture, are a unique way to praise God with His own words. Unlike hymns – which, while beautiful, are human compositions – antiphons are the Word of God itself, inspired by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed by the Church in her liturgy. So, when you sing a hymn consider that you are praising God with human words, but when you sing antiphons, you are praising God with more worthy words, his own inspired words of scripture. Singing antiphons is more than a musical choice; it is a way of immersing ourselves in the divine mystery of the liturgy. When we sing antiphons, we join in a sacred dialogue with heaven, proclaiming the truths of our faith with the words God has given us. This practice helps us to enter more deeply into the spiritual richness of the Mass and unites us with the universal Church throughout time and space. To renew this beautiful tradition, we will gradually introduce the practice of singing antiphons into all of our Masses along with our hymnal repertoire. Over time, this will help us to grow in our understanding of the liturgy and deepen our prayerful participation in the celebration of the Eucharist. We encourage you to embrace this practice with open hearts. As we sing the Word of God together, may it lead us to a deeper encounter with Christ, who is the Word made flesh.
“Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” – Psalm 95:1
October 27, 2024
Holy days of obligation are intentional interruptions in our lives where the Church asks us to stop whatever we’re doing and proclaim a necessary truth of our faith. All Saints day is one of those days where we are obliged to proclaim the truth of our personal call to become saints and our communion with those who won the battle of fidelity to Jesus by attending Mass. To choose not to come to Mass
out of your own free will is a choice that prioritizes other things other than this crucial part of our faith which is a choice harmful to your salvation; that’s why it’s often referred to as a mortal sin. However, if the choice is not yours (say your car broke down) then there is no sin. Sin and virtue are always in the free choice.
Halloween, a modern translation of “All Hallow’s Eve” is first and foremost an anticipation of All Saints Day as the name suggests. Halloween comes with its own American culture of trick-or-treating. However, in order to instill our children with Catholic culture we are reminding them of the original roots of Halloween with our Trunk-n-Treat event on Wednesday, Oct. 30th. Our Students and parents will be encouraged to dress up as Saints, treats will be given, and pumpkins will be painted. I thank in advance all
those who have donated candy & pumpkins to this event & please continue to donate! There is a virtue St. Thomas Aquinas highlights which is a fun word to say called “eutrapelia” which is the virtue of the ability to have fun. Trunk-n-Treat will help us cultivate that virtue in a holy way remembering the Saints.
On Saturday, Nov. 2nd we will celebrate a special mass at 10am for all those who have passed and are undergoing purification in purgatory. Nov. 2nd is the commemoration of All Souls days and on this day we pray for our deceased relatives that our acts of love and prayers will assist them in purgatory. You are invited to bring a photo of a deceased relative for our memorial altar that we will have in the Church.
September 22, 2024
If you are regularly coming to the 4:30 PM mass you may be wondering where I have been. I promise I haven’t been reassigned. Saturday September 14th, I had another wedding for another cousin who was married. This is the blessing of coming from a large family; my dad has 9 brothers and sisters and my mom has 11, so I have several cousins. Saturday September 21st I am celebrating a wedding for a friend from my first parish. Saturday September 28th, I promise, I am all yours! We are quickly approaching the end of summer and the beginning of fall. None of us like changes, but change is the only constant as the saying goes. I’ve noticed something particular about a plant I’ve had for 11 years. It’s a geranium that was given to me on my first day of seminary. I’ve noticed every time I move to a new parish, all the leaves fall off and it seems like it’s about to die. But just as I think it’s life has come to an end, new foliage comes through. The same is true with us, whenever we experience a death, the end of a season, it can be tempting to lament and mourn the past. But as Christians we must always look ahead at what is to come. This is the Christian virtue of Hope, the firmness of heart that knows that what is ahead of us is far greater than what we leave behind.
September 1, 2024
Since the pontificate of John Paul II, one of the Church’s main concerns has been how to evangelize our youth. In history we were evangelized by our parents growing up in a Christian society. Today that luxury is not afforded to us. Parents often find themselves unable to deal with or address the growing religious apathy that is becoming so common in our society. Studies show that the fastest growing religious demographic isn’t Christianity, Judaism or Islam, but rather those who are not affiliated with any religion whatsoever. In order to address this grave problem, I plan on starting a weekly active youth group that will meet on Friday nights. Youth groups are meant to build strong friendships that lead each other to a friendship with Jesus in the Eucharist. This program is open to all teens 13-17. Our kick-off will be on Friday September 20th at 7-8:30pm. We will meet every Friday from 7pm-8:30PM, where we will have meals, games, talks, prayer, movie nights and field trips! We are in need of some support so we can feed these teens! If you would like to sponsor a meal, please email me at axgamez@rcdoc.org. I am very grateful to Cristal Arroyo who will serve as our Youth Ministry Coordinator. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with Kim Clarke to complete our volunteer forms! Thank you so much in advance and may God bless you and keep you.
August 25, 2024
As you noticed I am away this weekend, my cousin got married yesterday, and I had the pleasure of celebrating her wedding Mass in our home parish in Hendersonville. I will also be away this whole week. I will be traveling with my mother to our home town in Mexico to visit my grandparents. Please pray for my grandfather, he had a stroke a few years ago and his condition is getting more delicate (his name is Enrique Alanis). This week we will have communion services thanks to the help of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Please know that if you have a Mass intention for this week, I will still offer the Mass intention but they will be celebrated from my grandparents living room in Mexico! Next weekend we have the Eucharistic Congress, our annual Catholic convention in Charlotte. I highly encourage you to make the trip down to Charlotte for this event. Because of the Congress concluding
on Saturday evening, Bishop Michael has asked that we cancel our Saturday Vigil Masses. That being said, we will not have Vigil Masses on Saturday August 31st. I will see you all back on September 1st. Please keep me and my mom in your prayers for safe travels.
August 11, 2024
One of the great early church Saints who was instrumental in giving us some insights on how the early Christians prayed and worked was St. Ignatius of Antioch. He writes to us from the first century where already in his time there were divisions among Christians. In his writings he stresses the importance of following the Bishop saying “where the Bishop is, there is the Church.” Everything I do is meant to be in union with the bishop who alone has all the power of governance, the responsibility of sanctifying through the sacraments, and the duty of teaching the faith through preaching. He alone delegates priests, deacons and lay faithful to help in his work of leading us to heaven. This week the priests of the diocese will have our annual convocation with our bishop. The topic for this year will be on preaching, presented to us by Fr. Patrick McManus, a priest from the Diocese of Des Moines. Please remember to pray for us, that we may become more effective preachers that set hearts on fire for Christ!
July 28, 2024
There is little known to us about the lives of St. Anne and St. Joachim the maternal grandparents of Jesus. Most accounts come from tradition and devotions. However, there is a really good work by St. Maria of Agreda who, through mystical experiences, was given insight into the hidden life of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s a great work with deep spiritual insights.
Kim and I were recently talking about the Basilica of St. Anne de Beaupré au Québec. It is the home of one of the major relics of St. Ann, the grandmother of Jesus. The ceiling of the basilica is adorned with images taken from the accounts St. Maria of Agreda narrates of the lives of Sts. Anne and Joachim. It’s definitely a must-see pilgrimage site if you ever find yourself in that area.
Recently in 2021 in the wake of the pandemic, our Holy Father Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who visits the elderly or even simply connects through a phone call with their grandparents. This highlights the dignity of the human person no matter the age. From our elderly we have access to a treasure cove of wisdom, insight and experience that our Lord Jesus himself did not go without.
The feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim was on Friday, July 26 this year. If you are able to connect with an elderly individual, your grandparents, your neighbor then you can apply the indulgence either to yourself or for a deceased relative. May God bless you.