Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ -

Servant of God, Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers wrote: “I am a better American because I am Catholic; I am a better Catholic because I am an American.” His religious vision about the ideals of freedom in the United States mirror the Catholic imagination about the freedom of the human person in a special way this year.

On July 3, Pope Leo XIV will receive the Liberty Medal of the National Constitution Center, a distinction awarded to individuals whose lives have advanced the cause of freedom around the world.

Leo will address the gathering in Philadelphia through a live video message from the Vatican.

Established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, the Liberty Medal has previously been bestowed upon internationally renowned figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Kofi Annan, and the Dalai Lama.

The constitutional tradition enshrined in the First Amendment protects not only the free exercise of religion but also freedom of conscience itself—the right of individuals to seek truth, worship according to their convictions as in Catholic tradition. This broader understanding of liberty that is being recognized by the Center.

On the day after the Philadelphia ceremony, Pope Leo will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa, the Mediterranean gateway where thousands of migrants arrive seeking safety and opportunity in Europe.

The juxtaposition is striking. In Philadelphia, the Pope will be celebrated for defending fundamental freedoms. In Lampedusa, he will stand at one of the world’s most visible frontiers of human vulnerability. Together, the two events show us the Pope seeking to connect constitutional ideals with concrete human realities—linking the language of rights to the lives of those who most depend upon them, uniting the aspirations of being an American with our Catholic faith.

May the Holy Spirit bless these United States and guide us to use our freedom to build a more peaceful, compassionate, and inclusive society for the generations to come.

Happy Independence Day!

Peace and blessings,

Father Gil

P.S. I will away until next week visiting family in the Monterey Bay area. And help with masses at the San Carlos Cathedral in Monterey. If you happen to be in Monterey, stop by and say hi.

Magnifica Humanitas

The Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence

Pope Leo XIV, in presenting to the world and to all the people of God, his first Encyclical Letter, focused on the care for the human person in the time of Artificial Intelligence.

Read the encyclical here, Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

Many of our parishes and schools struggle with limited resources, but Together in Mission helps keep them thriving. This is the Hour for Love campaign helps Catholic schools afford supplies, ensures parishes can continue serving their communities, and supports programs that bring faith to those who need it most. 

2026 Parish Goal: $156,561

Total Pledged: $72,817.79

Total Paid: $70,184.74

Percentage to Goal: 44.8%.

Please make your gift today! To make a gift, go to:

Together in Mission - St. Paul the Apostle (P493)

For peace in every nation: for all those wounded and killed and for the safety of service members in harm's way. For peace, may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together, let us pray to the Lord:

For our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, Mary Healy, Lisa Becker McLaglen, Sharon Siebhur, Mike & Joanne Hinnebusch, Gwen Thompson, Bernadette Tee, Grace L'Manian, Jeannie Cheng, Richard Welch, Catherine Peacock, Dan Bianco, Nancy Campbell, Gary Orfield, Manolo Velez, Victoria T. Picard, Amparo Haber, Shirley Ruess, Sister Irene Wright, Greg Tinsley, Jack & Vicki Phillips, Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Todd Wiench, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Marisa Kavanau, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Paul Lannan, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Fred Votto, Biagio Silvestri, Paulina Dominguez-Castillo, G Robbie Nicholson, José Agerico Moncada, Debbie Battaglia, Madeleine Lord, Cecile Bianco, Mary Loberg, Mary Claire Arbus, Dolores Diaz, Grace Hiney, Robert Cimiluca, Gary Bourgeois, Andrew Politz, Pauline Zaloski, James Wilkie, Father Richard Chilson, CSP, Father Daniel McCotter, CSP, Zenaida B. Chua, Antonia T. Semar, Mike Lanning, Jaroslan Witkoski, Susan Burkhard, Connie Pobre, John A. Woodward IV, Terry Casey, Darrel Bengry, Joan Doyle, Cristina Mirendolf, Elaine Vucelich, Marietta Lavin, Jeffrey Graham, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Robert J. Burns, John 'JJ' Goldrick, Dellie Abad, James Kennedy, José Fernandez, Terry O'Malley Seidler, Rich Puppione, Christie Farmer, Alfred Ruess, Christohper Hudlin, Alan Culver, Laura James, Anne Marie Hannick, Father Greg Goethals, SJ, Ron Schuster, Bobby Burks, Father Jack Lynch, CSP, Arlene Havel, Phil Duncan, Michele Kearin, Father Brad Schoeberle, CSP, Mary Tokuza, Haruko Hiromura, Donny Kie, Cesar Robeniol, Nellie Scholar, may they rest in peace.