A Word from the Pastor

November 11, 2022

St. John Eudes, the founder of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Eudist Fathers), was born in a small village called Ri, located in the Normandy region of France. His birth date is November 14, 1601. That makes him 421 years old as we celebrate his birthday this Monday.

The 17th century was a tumultuous time in France. There were political conflicts, and the Bubonic Plague made several visits to the country. For various reasons, it was a difficult time for the Church as well. Priests were poorly prepared for their ministry and ordinary people lacked good catechesis. Many were confused by the push and pull between the Reformers and the staunch defenders of the Gallican Church.

But there was also a strong spiritual reform movement emerging in France at that time. It included priests, religious and lay people. It came to be known as the 17th Century French School of Spirituality. The person credited with initiating this movement was Cardinal Pierre de Berulle who also founded the Oratory of Jesus in Paris. Its purpose was to give a spiritual foundation to priests who were too often motivated by financial gain and had loose morals. John Eudes joined the Oratory as a young man and was ordained there. He shared Berulle’s zeal for renewing the faith in France and giving a proper formation to the clergy.

In 1643, John Eudes founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. From the beginning, its clear purpose was the renewal of faith (evangelization) through the preaching of parish missions. John Eudes quickly gained a reputation as an outstanding preacher. His team of priests would go from town to town to stir up and re-awaken the faith in the hearts of lukewarm Christian people.

A second aim of his Congregation was the formation of the clergy. The houses of his Congregation were to be “schools of holiness” where priests would discover the proper orientation of their ministry rooted in a close relationship with the Lord Jesus and his holy Mother (whom John Eudes referred to as “the true superiors of our Congregation”).

As a spiritual motivation for this evangelization and renewal of the clergy, John Eudes offered the devotion to the Heart of Jesus and Mary. (He saw the two hearts as closely united.) This symbol of the Heart invites us to unite ourselves with the love that Jesus and Mary have for each other. It is an apostolic spirituality that sends us out to bring the love and mercy of God to those whom St. John Eudes called “the most miserable of people” (les miseres des misérables), very similar to Pope Francis’ challenge to go to the peripheries. John Eudes wanted us to preach God’s mercy to all, to offer healing to those who were estranged or hurting, and to strengthen the faith of those who had grown tepid. 

As we celebrate the birthday of St. John Eudes this week, we Eudist priests renew our desire to be “missionaries of mercy who offer the world the tenderness of the love of the Heart of Jesus and Mary.”

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

[email protected]

Altar Society Christmas Boutique

The ladies of the Altar Society will be holding their Annual Christmas Boutique/ Bake Sale on Saturday November 19th from 1:00pm - 6:00pm and on Sunday November 20th from 7:30am - 1:00pm. Anyone wishing to donate baked goods please drop them off in the hall on Saturday or Sunday morning.

Using the Name of Jesus in Vain

Some people have the bad habit of using the name of Jesus in anger, as a swear word. Read what one man has to say about this.

Rondo Alla Turca by Mozart on Classical Guitar

Vera Danilina, a rising star in the classical guitar world, has recorded a fascinating concert in the Siccas Guitars studio. Rondo Alla Turca from Sonata No. 11, K.331 by Mozart is a part of that concert.

WWWA Advent Mini-Retreat

Enter into Advent by pondering Mary’s humble “yes” and reflect on the areas in our own lives where we may be challenged to say “yes” to God’s plan. Anamaria Anthony, Department Chair of Theology at Mater Dei Catholic High School, will facilitate this journey. Wednesday, November 30, 6:30 TO 8:30 PM, at Mission San Diego De Alcala, St Francis Chapel, 10818 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego. Click on the link for further information.

Bohemian Rhapsody on the Largest Pipe Organ in the World

Organist Joshua Stafford plays his own spectacular arrangement of Freddie Mercury's "Bohemian Rhapsody" on the Midmer-Losh pipe organ—the world’s largest musical instrument ever built with its 33,112 pipes.

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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.

1. Where did that first Mass on US soil take place?
2. Which pope said: “Giving our lives in order to help others, by giving them a drink of cold water, for example, leads us to experience God’s generosity and gratitude.”
3. Which pope said: “Remember the past with gratitude; live the present with enthusiasm; look forward to the future with confidence.”
4. Which 20th century saint said: ““If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
5. Who was the American Cardinal who promoted the “Consistent Life Ethic” which says that all human life is sacred and that every life must be protected?