My heart was so heavy last weekend as I heard the news about the mass killings in my hometown of Buffalo. I resonated with the woman I saw on TV who said, “You see these things happening elsewhere, but you never think that is possible in your own town.”
I was even more saddened when I heard that the killings were racially motivated. You see, I went to high school in that same neighborhood in the days of racial tension during the 1960s. The racist attacks of last weekend reminded me that racism is not something from the past. It is still present in our society today.
That’s what the US Catholic Bishops said in their 2018 statement on racism called Open Wide Our Hearts. In it they say: “We cannot, therefore, look upon the progress against racism in recent decades and conclude that our current situation meets the standard of justice. In fact, God demands what is right and just.” In other words, we still have work to do.
Jesus’ command to love our neighbor (the gospel reading last weekend) includes the mandate for his disciples to work against all forms of discrimination and prejudice of any kind. Racism exists in so many places in our society. We heard last weekend how it exists in social media and online hate groups. It is present in many of our institutions. The bishops point out that racism is sometimes present in groups or individuals without a full awareness.
That is why the bishops urge each of us: “We must be honest with ourselves. Each of us should examine our conscience and ask if” we have some bit of racism inside us. Throughout their statement, the bishops stress the need for conversion. And that conversion needs to begin in the heart and mind of each person.
I am not able to bring an end to the attitude in others that brings them to do such terrible acts of violence and killing. But I can look deeply into myself, admit my own prejudices, and pray for the grace of conversion. I invite you to pray the following prayer which the bishops included in their statement.
God of Heaven and Earth, you created the one human family and endowed each person with great dignity. Aid us, we pray, in overcoming the sin of racism. Grant us your grace in eliminating this blight from our hearts, our communities, our social and civil institutions. Fill our hearts with love for you and our neighbor so that we may work with you in healing our land from racial injustice. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Everyone is welcome to join the Diocesan Pentecost Celebration on Saturday, June 4 at Cathedral Catholic High School. In its fifth year, this joy-filled event gathers thousands of the diocese’s diverse people to bear witness to God’s unconditional love that fills our hearts and unites us as one family, Brothers and Sisters, All.
The celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. with The Call to Worship, followed by the procession of cultures. The Mass begins at 11:00 a.m. presided by Bishop McElroy concelebrated with Auxiliary Bishops Bejarano, Dolan and priests of the diocese. After the Mass, everyone is invited to the cultural festival that includes heritage exhibits, food tasting, and live entertainment.
Come and experience the unity the Spirit creates from our diversity.
May: The month of Our Blessed Mother
Regina Caeli
Some Catholics follow the tradition of praying the Angelus every day (usually at 12:00 noon). It is a prayer that honors the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It contains some Scripture verses that are alternated with the praying of the Hail Mary.
However, according to Catholic tradition, during the Easter season, the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Caeli (Queen of Heaven). The video below shows a community of monks in Milan, Italy praying the Regina Caeli with the ancient Gregorian chant melody.
The English translation of the prayer is:
Queen of heaven, be joyful, alleluia,
For He whom you have humbly borne for us, alleluia,
Has arisen, as He promised, alleluia,
Offer now our prayer to God, alleluia.
Grief Newsletter Attached
We continue with #7 of our Grief Newsletters graciously shared with us by Hospice of North Coast. This issue has two articles about feelings sometimes associated with grief: depression and guilt. There is more good information on other topics. Past issues of the Grief Newsletter are available in previous issues of our own newsletter (see our website).
The Southern Illinois Worship Center virtual choir presents Goodness of God. In Psalm 23:6 it says that surely God’s goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life. This song reminds us that God’s goodness is always with us.
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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.
Can you name the items described below which are all found in a Catholic Church?
The outer garment worn by the priest celebrating Mass.
The container which holds the hosts distributed at Communion.
A room where vestments, church furnishings and sacred vessels are kept.
A book that contains all the scripture readings, including the Gospels.
A flat metal container used to carry communion to the sick
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 early Church community determines, with the help of the Holy Spirit, not to impose the requirement of circumcision on Gentile Christians.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8
A prayer that all the nations sing praise to God.
Second Reading
Revelation 21:10-14,22-23
The vision of the splendor of the heavenly Jerusalem is described.
Gospel Reading
John 14:23-29
Jesus promises his disciples that the Father will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This portion of John's Gospel comes near the end of the first of four chapters that make up Jesus' long farewell discourse at the Last Supper. This section of chapter 14 actually sums up the themes of the opening of the discourse: the Christian's life is not shaped by Jesus' absence but by God's abiding presence; God's presence overcomes anxiety about God's absence; and the present holds in it the seeds of a fresh future shaped by love, not fear.
These verses also contain a glimpse of some of the other themes of the farewell discourse: Jesus' relationship with the Father and the disciples' relationship to Jesus connect the disciples to the Father as well. Jesus promises to send an Advocate or intercessor who will remind the disciples of everything that Jesus taught them and bring them peace.
Jesus is preparing his disciples in advance for his absence so that they will continue to believe in him and not feel all alone after his return to the Father. After the initial excitement of his Easter appearances, Jesus will remain with his followers in a very different way throughout the centuries.
As our celebration of the Easter season is coming to an end, the liturgy reminds us that Jesus remains with us through the Holy Spirit, who teaches us everything we need to know, reminds us of all that Jesus taught, and brings us peace.
Once again today’s gospel includes Jesus wishing peace for his disciples. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” What is the meaning of this biblical word SHALOM? How was it used in the Scriptures? What did Jesus mean by it?
Watch this video for a brief informative explanation.
Blood Drive on May 22
The San Diego Blood Bank will host a Blood Drive on Sunday, May 22, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm in the Parish Hall. If you are able, please donate.
We are happy to announce that plans are under way to resume our weekly Soup Suppers. However, they will now be held on Thursdays in the parish center. We are also happy to announce that Mark Anderson has agreed to serve as our new coordinator.
Many thanks to Dr. Mike McCarthy who has served as Soup Czar for so many years. We thank him for his dedication to this ministry and all his hard work.
There will be an organizational meeting on thisTuesday, May 24 at 6:30 pm in the Parish Center. Those who are willing to volunteer some time for this important ministry are invited to attend. If you cannot attend, please call the parish office and leave your name, phone number and email address. Mark Anderson will contact you.
Un Saludo de parte del Diacono Miguel,
Jesús les dijo, “Les he hablado de esto ahora que estoy con ustedes; pero el Consolador, el Espíritu Santo que mi Padre les enviará en mi nombre, les enseñará todas las cosas y les recordará todo cuanto yo les he dicho. La paz les dejo, me paz les doy”. Hoy celebramos el 6º Domingo de Pascua. En el Evangelio de San Juan, Jesús les habla de un Consolador, el Espíritu Santo, que les recordará de todo lo que les dijo Jesús en vida. Jesús sabe que sus discípulos son humanos, y aunque Él se tomó el tiempo para instruirlos y hablarles del Reino de Dios y la Vida Eterna, sabía que se les iba a olvidar, especialmente cuando se encontraran en problemas y momentos dificultosos. Eso nos pasa a todos, los problemas tienen la tendencia de nublar nuestra vista y robarnos la paz. Dios, Espíritu Santo, está en, dentro, y con nosotros. Pensamos que Dios esta en el cielo y lejos de nosotros, pero está en nuestro corazón. El Espíritu Santo está presente para guiarnos y instruirnos en cada experiencia de nuestra vida. El Espíritu Santo es la Fuente de la Paz. Busquemos momentos durante el día para pedirle al Espíritu Santo lo que nos guie, nos fortalezca y que nos de la paz.
Por favor escuchen a los enlaces proveídos, espero que les ayude en su reflexión.
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