A Word from the Pastor



May 16, 2025

Like so many Catholics and non-Catholics across the world, I rejoice at the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV. Like so many Americans, I am proud that someone who was born and raised in the U.S. has risen to the Chair of Peter. As has been said so often over the last week, he is the first American pope. He brings an understanding of the Church in the U.S. that will certainly be beneficial to him and to us.

Yet he is more than that. He is an international citizen. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston, told the reporters at a news conference attended by our American cardinals that while the cardinals choose a pope who is a U.S. citizen, "he's really a citizen of the entire world since he has spent so much of his life, ministry, missionary work and zeal for Christ in South America," mainly in Peru. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, noted that “living outside of one’s country for an extended period of time changes a person.” (I can relate to that.) His previous role as Superior General of the Augustinians also brought him in touch with all parts of the world. That global perspective makes Pope Leo uniquely suited for his new role as universal pastor.

Another significant gift that Pope Leo XIV brings to his important leadership role is that he has the heart of a missionary. His missionary experience will undoubtedly move him to reach out to every corner of the world, much like Pope Francis. I believe he will frequently remind us (as Pope Francis did) that we are all called to be missionary disciples. 

Missionary discipleship combines the idea of a disciple, who actively follows Jesus, with the call to mission or evangelization, spreading the Gospel. A missionary disciple is someone who has encountered Christ, lives a life rooted in faith, and actively shares that faith with others, inviting them to also encounter Jesus. Each of us is called by Baptism to be missionary disciples.

That call is nurtured each day by a personal encounter with the Lord in prayer. It impels us to live as disciples in such a way that it invites others to do the same. Our concern for the poor, our practice of all the virtues, and our desire to serve are some of the ways we live out our discipleship. To be missionary, we need to be disciples who are not “self-referential” (another favorite term of Pope Francis), but those who truly put the needs of others before our own. We reach out to the world, or at least to that corner of the world where we have some influence.



I believe these are some of the emphases from Pope Francis that Pope Leo will continue. But he will bring so many other gifts to his mission to the Church and to the world that are uniquely his own. I have read that he is a very good listener, and in my book, that is a key quality that we should look for in our leaders. It is exciting and hopeful to see how our new pope will fulfill his new call from the Lord. Let us pray each day for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

 rmbagley@yahoo.com

Biography of Pope Leo XIV



The Vatican News Service has supplied this official biography of Pope Leo XIV.

Pope Leo Sings Regina Coeli



On his first Sunday as Pope, our new Holy Father led the crowds in the Regina Coeli, the prayer to our Blessed Mother that replaces the Angelus during the Easter season. Not only did he pray it, he sang it. As an Augustinian, he probably recalls the words of St. Augustine: “when a person sings, they pray twice.”

Introduction of our new Pope

In case you missed it, here are the first words of our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV as he was introduced to the world in St. Peter’s Square on May 8, 2025.

Celebrate the Centenary of Saint John Eudes’ Canonization

Join us in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Eudes with a special celebration of Mass.

 Saturday, May 31

 Mass Times & Locations:      

8:15 a.m. –  St. James Catholic Church

8:00 a.m. – St. Patrick Catholic Church

Readings from the teachings of St. John Eudes, deserts and coffee, all are welcome.

A Course on Vatican II



For those who are interested in knowing more about this important event in the history of the Church, Fr. Ron is teaching a course on the Second Vatican Council on Wednesdays, beginning June 10.



It is being sponsored by the Diocesan Institute but will take place at St. Patrick’s parish hall. If you have questions, contact Fr. Ron. If you want to register, see the attached flyer for details.

A Five-Week

BIBLICAL ROOTS OF THE JUBILEE YEAR

‘YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR’

Jubilee Year calls the People of God to experience God’s bountiful Mercy. A brief but comprehensive Biblical overview of the Biblical Roots of the Jubilee Year allows the participants to see God’s plan of salvation being the objective. The Jubilee was the heart of Jesus’ mission as the Messiah, which is to forgive and restore the plan of salvation. Join Fr. Azam in a five week thematic biblical study to draw the biblical meaning; to grow in their relationship with Jesus, and to apply learning in their different pastoral ministries.

THURSDAYS AT 9:15 - 10:15 am

May 22, 29, June 5 & 12

A Course on “Last Things”

Fr. Ron will be teachings a course on the Christian meaning of death and resurrection and what happens after death. In Catholic theology, the official name is “eschatology,” or study of the last

things.

We believe that at death “life is changed, not ended.” What will life be like after death? What are

our basic Catholic beliefs? Where do we find them in Scripture and Church teaching? This course will explore topics like the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the dead, heaven,

hell, purgatory and final judgment.

The course is a part of the Diocesan Institute, but it will take place at St. Patrick Parish Center.

Registration is $35 (unless you take it for credit). It will be held on Wednesdays, beginning May 28, and concluding on July 2, and runs 6:30-8:30 pm each evening.

Contact Fr. Ron with questions about the course at rmbagley@yahoo.com

Register for it through the link below.

Million Meal Event

The diocese’s deacons are inviting parish communities to participate in the upcoming Million Meal Event that will take place on June 14th, at Cathedral Catholic High School. 

The event has been very successful the past couple years, drawing more than 3,000 people who packed meals for hungry children in Tijuana and Africa. This year the goal is to pack 1 million meals in one day and raise $300,000. Parish teams, ministries, families and individuals can make an impact on a child’s life. Everyone is welcome to sign up. If you have any questions, please call the office and speak to one of the deacons.  

Financial Report

April 2025 -

Total Income     $192,456

Total Expenses $170,044

Year-to-Date -



Income   $777,205     

Expenses  $716,448

Online Giving Reminder

If you currently use Online Giving for your electronic giving, please make sure you login to the application frequently to make sure your payment method is current and your donations are being processed.

Click on the Online Giving icon below to create or access your account.

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.

1. What was the name of Pope Leo XIV before he became pope on May 8, 2025?
2. To what religious order does Pope Leo XIV belong?
3. Where in the USA was he born and raised?
4. What was his major when he studied at Villanova University?
5. In what field did he complete his doctoral studies?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions rmbagley@yahoo.com