Epiphany of the Lord

January 4, 2015

Epiphany of the Lord

The Feast of Epiphany is a reflection of the Light. Through the Birth of Jesus, we see the arrival of the Light in the world. The three wise men followed the brilliant star in the sky. To them, the light of the star was a symbol of hope, of joy and of peace. To them, the star was but a small reflection of the fullness of the Light of the world that awaited them at the end of their journey. Through the Magi, we see the light of hope, of joy and of peace to come.

As we celebrate this feast let us reflect upon Christ the light of the world. As he did to the Magi God shows the stars to us and we might ask ourselves, what are the stars in our lives? The same star of faith and hope will also lead us to Jesus our King and Lord.

                                    -  Deacon Jim

Christmas Greeting from Deacon Jim and Cheryl

Just like the little children on Christmas morning as they open their gifts, the entire Christmas season is unwrapped and placed before each of us on Christmas.  Little children run to the Christmas tree and see all of the wrapped gifts piled under and around it.  It won’t take long for the scene to become a picture of torn paper, discarded ribbons and empty boxes.  The hidden treasures are exposed now.  The long anticipated gifts are now revealed to the delight of the little children.

We have spent all of Advent in anticipation of this moment, this time of celebration.  Just as the children toss away the paper, ribbon, and boxes we too discard whatever is in the way of our receiving the gift God has for us, the gift of salvation.

We are able to discover anew each day God’s love and mercy for us.  We are able to cherish His offer of peace, life, well-being, wholeness, and total union with our Father in heaven.

This Christmas is indeed a feast day of gifts, discovery, surprises, encounters and promises.  Thank you Christ Jesus for your gift of self to all of humanity.  

May Christ bless all of you this Christmas.  You are a gift from God to me and my family.  Your support and prayers through the challenging times as well as the rest of the year have been the greatest gift we could have received.  Thank you to all for being such a loving, caring and welcoming faith family.  We pray that God will bless you all this very special season.  Merry Christmas

-       Deacon Jim, Cheryl Patera and Family

Happy Birthday Pope Francis!

4th Sunday of Advent

4th Sunday of Advent
December 21st

This weekend we encounter the other major figure of Advent, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  For the past two weeks we have heard about John the Baptist who was preparing the way for Christ.  Now we focus our attention on Mary and the pending birth of the Christ Child.  On this last Sunday before Christmas, how fitting it is that we do ponder Mary’s response to God’s invitation through the angel Gabriel. 

As we begin our final preparations for the coming of the Lord, we might ask ourselves if we are answering the call God has for us, in our vocations and our daily life.

-                                                               - Deacon Jim

Appreciate those who have given so much for us!

A young man went to seek an important position at a large printing company. He passed the initial interview and was going to meet the director for the final in...terview. The director saw his resume, it was excellent. And asked, '
- Have you received a scholarship for school?' The boy replied, " No '.
-' It was your father who paid for your studies? '
-' Yes.'- He replied.
-' Where does your father work? '
-' My father is a Blacksmith'
The Director asked the young to show him his hands.
The young man showed a pair of hands soft and perfect.
-' Have you ever helped your parents at their job? '
-' Never, my parents always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, he can do the job better than me.

The director said:
-' I have got a request: When you go home today, go and wash the hands of your father and then come see me tomorrow morning.'

The young felt his chance to get the job was high.
When he returned to his house he asked his father if he would allow him to wash their hands.

His father felt strange, happy, but with mixed feelings and showed their hands to his son. The young washed his hands, little by little. It was the first time that he noticed his father's hands were wrinkled and they had so many scars. Some bruises were so painful that his skin shuddered when he touched them.

This was the first time that the young man recognized what it meant for this pair of hands to work every day to be able to pay for his study. The bruises on the hands were the price that he payed for their education, his school activities and his future.

After cleaning his father's hands the young man stood in silence and began to tidy and clean up the workshop. That night, father and son talked for a long time.
The next morning, the young man went to the office of the director.

The Director noticed the tears in the eyes of the young when He asked him: -' Can you tell me what you did and what you learned yesterday at your house?'
The boy replied: -' I washed my father's hands and when I finished I stayed and cleaned his workshop '

-' Now I know what it is to appreciate and recognize that without my parents , I would not be who I am today . By helping my father I now realize how difficult and hard it is to do something on my own. I have come to appreciate the importance and the value in helping the family.

The director said, "This is what I look for in my people. I want to hire someone who can appreciate the help of others , a person who knows the hardship of others to do things, and a person who does not put money as his only goal in life". ' You are hired '.
A child that has been coddled, Protected and usually given him what he wants, develops a mentality of " I have the right ' and will always put himself first, ignoring the efforts of their parents. If we are this type of protective parent are we really showing love or are we destroying our children?

You can give your child a big house , good food , computer classes , watch on a big screen TV . But when you're washing the floor or painting a wall , please let him experience that too. 

After eating have them wash the dishes with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you have no money to hire someone to do this it's because you want to love them the right way . No matter how rich you are, you want them to understand. One day your hair will have gray hair, like the father of this young man.

The most important thing is that your child learns to appreciate the effort and to experience the difficulties and learn the ability to work with others to get things done. "

December 12 is Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Join me in prayer!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, make intercession for the Holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

 

  

December 13 & 14

3^rd Sunday of Advent

Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice)

Today is often called Gaudete or “Rejoice” Sunday, because the entrance antiphon begins with the word “Rejoice” and we are halfway through Advent.  On this Rejoice Sunday of Advent, what do you have to rejoice about?  Let us pray today for that extra boost of joy in our hearts during this season of watching and searching for Christ in our lives.     – Deacon Jim