A Word from the Pastor

September 15, 2023

According to Christian teaching, forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches that we must forgive others as we have been forgiven by God. In response to Peter's question about how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus replied, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven times." This means that we must be willing to forgive others every time they wrong us, without limit or condition. Jesus' command to forgive "seventy times seven times" emphasizes the radical nature of forgiveness and the need for mercy in our relationships with others.

The importance of forgiveness is further emphasized by Pope Francis, who teaches that forgiveness is a grace that we have received from God and that we must extend to others. He reminds us that we recite in the Our Father, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who trespass against us." Pope Francis highlights the connection between love of God and love of neighbor, stating that love attracts love and forgiveness attracts forgiveness. 

Furthermore, Pope Francis teaches that forgiveness is not just about justice, but about showing compassion and mercy to others. He urges us to break out of the mindset of seeking revenge or only loving those who love us in return. Instead, we are called to show compassion and mercy to everyone, just as God does for us. Pope Francis reminds us that God never tires of forgiving, and we should strive to imitate God’s mercy.



This Sunday’s gospel invites us to consider what limits might we have placed on our forgiveness of others. Is there someone from whom we are withholding forgiveness? Are their groups of people we will not forgive? Could they even be family members, co-workers or neighbors? According to Jesus, we are called to forgive others without limit or condition, just as God has forgiven us. Jesus emphasizes the radical nature of forgiveness and the need for mercy in our relationships. 

God is rich in mercy. Ask yourself: Am I?

In one Heart,

Fr. Ron 

To send an email to Fr. Ron Bagley, please use [email protected]

Other addresses may not work.

Book Giveaway

Through the generosity of several parishioners, we are able to offer a small book free of charge to our parishioners. The book is entitled This Is My Body: A Call to Eucharistic Revival by Bishop Robert Barron. In this brief but illuminating text, Bishop Barron offers a threefold analysis of the Eucharist as (1) sacred meal, (2) sacrifice, and (3) real presence, “helping readers to understand the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood more thoroughly so that they might fall in love with him more completely.”

We are once again offering this free book this weekend September 16-17 on the church patio after our English Masses. Please take only one book per family and consider sharing it with a friend.

Korean Martyr Honored with a Statue in St. Peter’s Basilica

When I [Fr. Ron] was in South Korea giving retreats to our Sisters. I had the opportunity to visit the shrine of the Korean Martyrs. It commemorates the martyrdom of hundreds of saints who suffered martyrdom in Korea during the years 1839–1867. Most of them were killed during three major persecutions in 1839, 1846, and 1866. The shrine is built on the site on which many of the cruel executions took place. Among them was the priest Andrew Kim. The attached story tells how Pope Francis plans to honor these courageous witnesses with a statue of St. Andrew Kim at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

RCIA Is For You If You Are:

• an adult (18+) who has never been part of a formal religion 
• an adult who was baptized in a faith tradition other than Catholicism 
• an adult who received some but not all of the sacraments 
• an adult who was raised in another faith and now wishes to become Catholic

We are now forming a new group of catechumens and candidates. The English group will meet on Sunday mornings. This is a change from our meeting date in the past. We will invite the English group to attend the 9:00 am Mass together and then stay for another hour of formation after the Mass.



Those in the English group can sign up or seek further information by contacting Fr. Ron at [email protected] or 760-729-2866 or our coordinators Brick and Rebecca Langford at [email protected]

The Eucharist Creates Communion and Fosters Communion

The following is an excerpt from the encyclical of Pope St. John Paul II called Ecclesia de Eucharistia, paragraph 40 (2003)



St. Paul wrote to the faithful of Corinth explaining how their divisions, reflected in their eucharistic gatherings, contradicted what they were celebrating, the Lord’s Supper. The apostle then urged them to reflect on the true reality of the Eucharist in order to return to the spirit of fraternal communion (cf. 1 Cor 11:17–34). St. Augustine effectively echoed this call when, in recalling the apostle’s words: “You are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Cor 12: 27), he went on to say: “If you are his body and members of him, then you will find set on the Lord’s table your own mystery. Yes, you receive your own mystery.” And from this observation he concludes: “Christ the Lord... hallowed at his table the mystery of our peace and unity. Whoever receives the mystery of unity without preserving the bonds of peace receives not a mystery for his benefit but evidence against himself.”

Ruah Adonai to Resume Bible Study on October 4

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass (5 sessions) “The Mass is nothing short of amazing. Through it, we encounter God in the most intimate way possible as we hear him speak to us in the Liturgy of the Word and as we receive him Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist.” Watch a video clip here 

Prophets: Messengers of God's Mercy (10 sessions) “God sent prophets at critical times to call the people back to their covenant relationship. Prophets proclaimed the consequences of continued sin, called people to repentance, and declared God’s faithful love. They also spoke of the future to shed light on current events and to reveal God’s plans and purposes.” Watch a video clip here. 

Ruah Adonai - Breath of God Bible Study is open to men and women. No previous bible study experience needed. Our mission is to know, to love and to serve God. We meet Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 10 am in the Parish Hall to view an engaging video presentation followed by a lively group discussion and fellowship. For more information contact Kelly Le Berthon at [email protected]

Sunday Collection for 9/10/2023

 Envelope Collection     $5,981.00

 Plate Collection              $10,730.00

 Online Giving     $12,969.73

     Total Collection: $29,680.73

  We are grateful for the generosity of all of our parishioners and visitors.

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 day marks the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year?
2. What saint is associated with “The Canticle of the Sun”?
3. What is the name of the book that contains the Bible readings for Mass?
4. Who was the first non-Italian pope since 1523?
5. What is the name of the residence in which Pope Francis lives?

Feel free to email Fr. Ron with ideas for future Catholic Trivia questions [email protected]