One of the special things about the Easter season for Catholics is the focus we put on celebrating the “Easter sacraments,” namely, Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. At our Easter Vigil a couple of weeks ago, we baptized one new member of the Church, we welcomed four more into the full communion of the Catholic Church (i.e., previously baptized but not as a Catholic), sixteen received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and Twenty-one received the Holy Eucharist for the first time. One of the great things about this celebration was the joy and excitement of all those who experienced Christ in the reception of these sacraments. I think it was contagious; we all felt it.
In the coming weeks, we will continue our special celebration of the Easter sacraments. Sixty-five of our young people will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 7 when Bishop John Dolan visits our parish. Our youth ministry has prepared them well under some very challenging circumstances since most of their two-year preparation was done under Covid restrictions. I am very grateful to these young people, their parents and our whole youth ministry team for sticking with it through thick and thin.
In the coming weeks, we will have several celebrations for the First Holy Communion of our young people. Second graders (as well as some older students) from our school and our religious education program will receive Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time. They have been well-prepared by their teachers and parents. Again, I am very grateful to all those involved in their preparation for this special day.
One of the great joys of being a pastor is to be able to preside at the celebration of First Communion. Not only do the children look great but they are so excited about receiving Holy Communion. I always ask them if they are excited. I always get a resounding “yes” from them. It always makes me smile and fills me with joy. But it also makes me wonder if I am still excited about receiving Holy Communion. Has it become commonplace? Do we take it for granted? I think we can all ask ourselves that question. We celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday (or we should). Do we look forward to it? Do we still get excited about receiving Holy Communion? I encourage you to think about it and prepare yourself to share in the Eucharist each weekend (or more often if you are able).
Once again, I’d like to thank all those who helped our parishioners to prepare for these Easter sacraments: our RCIA and RICA teams, our youth ministry team, our schoolteachers, our parish catechists, and the families of those who received (or will receive) the Easter sacraments. One more time, I’d also like to thank those who contributed in many ways to the wonderful celebrations we had for Holy Week and Easter.
May the risen Lord continue to fill us with his peace and joy.
Once again, the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday will be outdoors on the school grounds.
An Easter Hallelujah!
Cassandra Star and her sister Callahan sing a touching duet to the tune of the famous Hallelujah composed by Leonard Cohen. Many people have composed lyrics for this melody. The verses for this performance provide a beautiful meditation on the mysteries we have been celebrating.
What is the relationship between the Catholic Church and other Christian religions? Are their beliefs and practices really so different? Are we allowed to pray in non-Catholic churches? What does it mean to be ecumenical?
Fr. Ron recently taught a four-week course on Ecumenism. He will give a summary of what he covered and answer questions from participants. The session will last one and a half hours with one hour for presentation and thirty minutes for questions. The same program will be offered twice on Wednesday, May 17. The morning session will be at 9:00-10:30 am and be repeated at 7:00-8:30 pm. The session is free and no reservations are necessary.
Church’s
Synod Consultation Continues
Over the next several weeks, the Diocese of San Diego will be analyzing the information the parishes submitted after they held their synod listening sessions. The diocese’s synod team will summarize the findings from those reports in a document that Bishop McElroy will share with our community this summer. It will be sent to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which will submit a report of its own to the Vatican.
Meanwhile, the consultation of young people continues through mid-June at parishes and schools. The diocese, supported by Catholic social service allies, also is holding sessions with the homeless, incarcerated and refugees.
There will be another opportunity for our diocese to listen to our community members. The diocese will circulate a survey this summer, inviting everyone to participate, particularly those who did not attend parish sessions and those not regularly attending Mass. Details to come, so stay tuned.
We invite you to follow this process at sdcatholic.org/synod and sdcatholic.org/sinodo in Spanish, and through the diocese’s Facebook (@DioceseSanDiego) and Instagram (@SDCatholics) pages.
Continúa Consulta Sinodal de la Iglesia
En las próximas semanas la diócesis estará analizando la información presentada por las parroquias tras realizar sus sesiones sinodales. El equipo sinodal de la diócesis hará un resumen de estos reportes, documento que el obispo Robert McElroy compartirá con nuestra comunidad en el verano. El documento también será enviado a la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, la cual presentará un reporte propio al Vaticano.
Mientras tanto, la consulta de jóvenes continuará realizándose hasta mediados de junio en parroquias y escuelas. La diócesis, apoyada por aliados del servicio social católico, también está organizando sesiones con personas sin hogar, encarcelados y refugiados.
Habrá otra oportunidad para que nuestra diócesis escuche a miembros de la comunidad. Este verano la diócesis hará circular una encuesta, invitando a todos a participar, particularmente a quienes no asistieron a las sesiones parroquiales y quienes no asisten a misa con regularidad. Más detalles próximamente, estén al pendiente.
Lo invitamos a seguir este proceso en español a través de sdcatholic.org/sinodo y en inglés en sdcatholic.org/synod. De igual manera, a través de la página de Facebook de la diócesis (@DioceseSanDiego) o nuestra cuenta de Instagram (@SDCatholics).
Grief Newsletters
At the end of March, we began to share the Grief Newsletters that have been prepared by Hospice of North Coast. There are 12 issues in all. Before Easter, we shared the first three issues. You can still see them in the newsletter section of our parish website. Now we resume sharing one each week, beginning today with issue #4 which you can access below.
Given by Rachel’s Hope on May 13-15, 2022. Professionally led. Held at the Diocesan Pastoral Center, 3888 Paducah Drive, San Diego. Confidentiality maintained. Closing Mass included. Group Size limited. Cost $60; partial scholarships available. Limited housing available. “Not judged, not lectured, just healed”. For information/registration call Rosemary Benefield (858) 581-3022; text (858) 752-9378 or email [email protected]
Tetiana Mazur with her Mother (Natalia) and Father (Ihor) singing together beautiful Ukrainian song - "Chervona Ruta". They accompanied themselves with Ukrainian folk instruments: bandura and sopilka.
Whispering Winds Women’s Auxiliary Spring Retreat in Julian
We invite you to come to join us on the mountain for a weekend of faith renewal and fellowship. What a fantastic opportunity for us to come together to encourage, support, laugh, and strengthen our faith! May 13 - 15th, 2022 - Cost is $195 - Financial Aid is Available - contact Chris Villalobos for more info 619-977-7403.
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Catholic Trivia
"Catholic Trivia”... not because they are trivial but because these might be things that not everyone knows. Test your knowledge by reading the five questions, remember your answers (or jot them down), then click the link below to find the answers.
During the Easter season, we hear every day from the Acts of the Apostles. Today’s trivia will test your knowledge of that book of the Bible.
Who is believed to be the author of the Acts of the Apostles?
To whom is this book addressed?
What two major events happen within the first two chapters?
Also, in the first chapter, a replacement is chosen for Judas. Who is that?
Although the book is called the Acts of the Apostles, a large part of the book focuses on the activity of one person. Who is that person?
Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]
If you have other members of your family or your friends who would like to be on our email list, just let me know or write to Mary McLain at [email protected] We will be pleased to add them.
The apostles are brought before the Sanhedrin and ordered to stop speaking in Jesus' name.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 30:2,4,5-6,11-12,13
A song of praise to God who rescues us.
Second Reading
Revelation 5:11-14
John describes his vision of the praises that will be sung to the Lamb by every creature on heaven and earth.
Gospel Reading
John 21:1-19
Jesus appears to the disciples for a third time after his Resurrection and shares a meal with them.
Background on the Gospel Reading
In Lectionary Cycle C, our Sunday Gospels are usually taken from the Gospel of Luke. The Gospels for the Easter Season, however, are taken from the Gospel of John. Today's Gospel is one of the post-Resurrection appearances reported by John. Recall that in John's Gospel, Jesus appears first to Mary of Magdala, second to all of the disciples except Thomas, and finally to Thomas and the disciples (which we heard last Sunday). After those appearances, John's Gospel seems to conclude with a reference to other signs that Jesus gave after his Resurrection, which have not been recorded.
Because it follows this apparent conclusion, most scholars believe today's Gospel passage (and all of John 21) to have been an addition to John's original text. Because there are significant differences between this report and the other appearances described in John's Gospel, it is quite likely that this story is from a different source. There are details in the story that recall Jesus' call to Simon Peter and the other fishermen as well as the miraculous catch of fish (found in the Gospel of Luke, with parallels in the other Synoptic Gospels). The end of the chapter, where Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves him, most likely is meant to represent the reconciliation that occurred between the community represented by John's Gospel with the larger Christian community represented by Peter. This Gospel reading is a rich and textured story that speaks of Jesus' presence in the Eucharist and our commission to serve others as Jesus did.
Last week we heard that Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples in a locked room, probably in Jerusalem. In today's Gospel, the disciples are no longer in Jerusalem; they are in Galilee, returning to their work of fishing. Simon Peter is still presented in the role of leader: when he announces that he is going fishing, the other disciples follow. They spend the night fishing but are unsuccessful.
Jesus calls to them from the shore, but just as when Jesus first appeared to Mary of Magdala, the disciples do not recognize him immediately. Still, they follow the stranger's instructions and bring in a large haul of fish. It is at this point that one of the disciples (the “disciple whom Jesus loved”) realizes that Jesus is appearing to them. Upon hearing this news, Simon Peter leads the way again, jumping from the boat and swimming to shore. The other disciples follow in the boat, dragging the fish.
The disciples have brought to shore a tremendous catch of fish that Jesus has directed them to find. But once on the shore, they see that Jesus has already prepared fish and bread on a charcoal fire. Jesus directs the disciples to bring their catch of fish as well. Jesus is host at the meal that follows, feeding the disciples the bread and fish. In this detail we see allusions to the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes told in John 6.
There are also allusions in the Gospel to our gathering for the celebration of the Mass. In the Eucharist, we too are fed by Jesus in the bread and wine that have become his very Body and Blood. We also find in this story insight about the Presentation of the Gifts at Mass. The gifts we bring to the altar, bread and wine, are made from gifts that God gave first to us: grain and grapes, the fruit of the earth. God has no need of anything further. Yet God accepts the offering we bring—bread and wine, “the work of human hands”—and transforms our offering into the gift of his very presence.
After the meal, Jesus directs himself to Simon Peter. The community of John's Gospel probably looked down on Peter because of his denial of Jesus. This dialogue with Simon Peter is a reversal of Peter's three denials. Peter is forgiven. Having been restored to friendship with Jesus, Simon Peter is sent on a mission. “Feed my lambs . . . Tend my sheep . . . Feed my sheep.” These commands indicate that Peter is to be as Jesus, even unto sacrificing for the flock. As Jesus has fed Peter in this meal and as Jesus feeds us in the Eucharist, so he also sends us to follow him, asking that we offer our lives in service and sacrifice.
Here is a contemporary song presented by Matt Maher that captures the message of this season. It is replete with biblical references that focus on what we celebrate.
Million Meals Event
The deacons of the Diocese of San Diego have come together to live out their mission to serve the needy by coordinating an event that provides a million nutritious meals to children and families living in extreme poverty.
About half of the meals will be sent to Tijuana, Mexico, for distribution by the Franciscan Sisters at Casa de los Pobres, a non-profit organization that has served the poor for decades. The meals also will be sent to charities serving the poor in the Philippines and Africa.
To do this, the deacons plan to raise $250,000 dollars to be able to purchase the food ingredients and to recruit 3,000 volunteers to pack the equivalent of one million meals over one fun, inspiring weekend.
Our parish deacons will be accepting donations on the patio on the weekends of May 7-8 and May 14-15. You may also wish to volunteer to help pack the meals on the weekend of June 11-12 at Cathedral Catholic High School. See the attached flyer to know how to register as a volunteer on the special website.
Interfaith Community Services invites the faith communities in North County to join them for a free, 2-day training (Saturdays, May 7 and May 14 from 8:30am-4:00pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Vista) on mental health. Topics will include suicide prevention, depression and anxiety, mental illness stigma reduction, substance abuse, cultural considerations, assisting families in finding strength and hope, and using faith and spirituality as part of recovery. Upon completion, participants will receive a North County Resource Guide, Copy of Curriculum, and Diploma. An excellent opportunity for anyone interested in mental health ministry! Register by Thursday, May 5 at https://tinyurl.com/FBacademyMay22. For more information, see the attached poster or contact Maria Halbert at [email protected].
Estaba amaneciendo, cuando Jesús se apareció en la orilla, pero los discípulos no lo reconocieron. Jesús les dijo, “Muchachos, ¿han pescado algo?” Ellos contestaron, “No.” Entonces él les dijo, “Echen la red a la derecha de la barca y encontrarán peces”. Así lo hicieron, y luego ya no podían jalar la red por tantos pescados. Siempre me acuerdo de un amigo que me dijo, “Todo lo que quieras hacer te va a salir bien, pero con Jesús, todo te sale mejor”. Para mí, esas palabras siempre me han dicho que tengo que invitar a Jesús a caminar conmigo en todas mis actividades y mis obras. Y gracias a Dios eso me ha ayudado siempre, porque me doy cuenta de que yo tengo que poner lo mejor que tengo y Dios hace el resto, y el fruto que dará depende de Dios. En la primera parte del Evangelio de San Juan en este 3er Domingo de Pascua, leemos que los discípulos, que eran pescadores profesionales, habían salido a pescar y en toda la noche nada habían pescado. Pero, Jesús se aparece y les señala a donde tiene que ir a pescar, los discípulos obedecen las instrucciones de Jesús, y tiene un gran éxito en su pescada. No vivimos solos. Dios nos da una cantidad de personas y cosas para que las usemos con dignidad y construir su Reino en todo lo que hacemos. Esforcémonos, para abrir el oído de nuestro corazón para escuchar la voz de Dios que nos señala donde necesitamos estar.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su reflexión.
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