“The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.” (1 Kings 17:14) This biblical phrase always fascinates me. It comes from the story of Elijah, who, as he met a widow at the entrance of the city of…
I still think about my conversation with my older brother last week when I visited him. “It’s amazing that we’ve both reached this age,” I told him. “How quickly time has flown by,” I added. “I still remember our youthful years growing up together.” “Yes,” he responded, “I’m scared.” “What are you scared of?” I…
On Nurturing a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit How can we shift our mindset from negative thinking to positive thinking? How do we transform our depressive thoughts into more joyful ones? How can we develop the habit of feeling worthy of love and belonging, maintaining optimism about our health and society, and recognizing goodness in…
Pope Francis recently appointed twenty-one new Cardinals from various countries to reflect a more global and synodal Church, reaching out to its peripheries. In his letter to the cardinal elects, whom he refers to as “brothers,” he expressed and outlined their role as members of the Roman clergy: “I urge you to make every effort…
What drives and motivates us to serve? Is it honor, title, prestige, and popularity? Or is it a genuine concern for others and love for God? This is an important question to reflect upon, as it can free us from the taints of self-importance and self-absorption, granting us a profound and authentic sense of joy….
Lately, I have been exercising a “softening” of myself as I confront anxieties to achieve peace of mind and heart. What do I mean by “softening” myself? It refers to not being “hard” on myself while striving to meet the high expectations of myself and others. It involves being kind and compassionate towards myself, acknowledging…
The affirming words of Rev. Nicky Gumbel, the developer of Alpha, a basic introduction to Christianity, during the last session of Alpha in our parish last week, still resonate in my mind, offering me a fresh perspective on who we should be as a Church. In simple yet profound terms, he shared in the Alpha…
Is it possible that God answers our prayers in ways that do not align exactly with our desires? Or is it that while God answers our prayers, He may not shield us entirely from challenges or distress? He may provide assistance through the people He sends our way, but still, we are required to exercise…
Typically, we do not perceive ourselves as gifts bestowed upon the world. Instead, we view ourselves as workers, consumers, caregivers of families, leaders in communities, governments, and businesses. Consequently, we regard our responsibilities and obligations as cumbersome burdens that sap our joyful spirits. This perception often leads us to eagerly anticipate leisure and vacation times….
NO matter how busy Jesus was ministering to people who were sick and hungry for his words of wisdom, he would never skip praying. He would go to a deserted place to be alone with his Father. It was this practice that gave him the energy and passion to address the needs of God’s people….
Greetings! One thing is very clear about Jesus’s ministry as we read or listen to the Gospel: He desires that people be healed from all forms of illness, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional. He wants people to be liberated from any anxiety and fear, even the fear of death. He wants us to…
One thing is very clear about Jesus’s ministry as we read or listen to the Gospel: He desires that people be healed from all forms of illness, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional. He wants people to be liberated from any anxiety and fear, even the fear of death. He wants us to remain…
During the recent 8th Grade Graduation Mass at our school, I shared in my homily with the graduates, parents, and teachers David Brooks’ insights from his new book, “How to Know a Person.” He explains: “In every crowd, there are Diminishers and Illuminators. Diminishers make people feel small and unseen. They see other people as…
God has high hopes for us. This is a truth we must firmly believe. As the Book of Jeremiah 29:14 tells us, “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” However, our hope for the…
WE have abundant blessings to celebrate in our parish this month. Forty youth and young adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Saturday, and twenty-six 8th-grade students graduated from our school, with the majority of them pursuing a Catholic high school education. We are also looking forward to our annual parish carnival that brings together…
AS we come together this Sunday, June 2 to commemorate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we affirm our unwavering belief in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist, distinguishing us from other Christian faith traditions and religions. The bread and wine, once part of the Eucharistic celebration, undergo a profound…
It has been three years since our parish council, staff members, and I collaborated to craft our parish’s vision and mission statements. The process of formulating them was deliberate, requiring prayerful consideration, discernment guided by the Holy Spirit, and in-depth discussions on our parish’s history, demographics, values, needs, and priorities. I am confident that we…
ON Pentecost Sunday, we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, empowering them with bold faith and igniting them with passion, eagerness, courage, and determination to spread the message of Jesus Christ, who resurrected and ascended to sit at the right hand of His Father in heaven. This significant event is recognized…
It’s all about love! This is what we hear in today’s Scripture Readings, particularly in the Second Reading (1 John 4:7-10) and the Gospel (John 15: 9-17). “Love is of God,” and hence, “God is love.” As Jesus told us in last Sunday’s (April 28) Gospel and in this Sunday’s Gospel, we must “remain in…
Trust is important in any relationship, whether with God or with human beings, as it serves as the foundation and key to a healthy and harmonious connection. This principle holds true across various human endeavors, including business, politics, the church, or any organization. While individuals may collaborate towards a shared objective, without trust in each…
“We belong to God and to one another.” This has been Pope Francis’ message to the world, as Austen Ivereigh conveys in his new book, “First Belong to God, On Retreat with Pope Francis.” It is a message that captures the essence of our celebration of Easter: Christ rose from the dead, offering the promise…
Friends, we’ve journeyed through Lent, and now we are approaching Holy Week. I hope that your Lenten journey has uplifted and inspired you to draw closer to God and that it has strengthened and nourished your faith. I pray that your response to His love, mercy, and presence in your life will lead to greater…
“I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33-34) What messages has Jesus placed in your heart this Lent? How is He affirming, challenging, inspiring, and encouraging you through the Scriptures and the homilies, and how are you responding…
The reading from St. Paul to the Ephesians, 2:4-10, presents to us a beautiful verse: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is a gift of God.” This verse echoes Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in our Gospel Reading for Cycle A,…
Imagine a world without laws or rules governing behavior and moral conduct; it would descend into chaos. In a world where everyone acts solely in their own interests, we would all face severe consequences. Laws exist not to restrict us but to liberate us from various societal ills such as conflicts, violence, disunity, abuse, corruption,…
TO prepare our local community for any emergency, we would hear an alarming sound from the radio, television, and our phones. Oftentimes, nothing disastrous has happened; it is only a test. “This is a test,” an official would inform us. It is good to be tested because it allows us to see if we are…
THE Lenten season has commenced! Traditionally, it is viewed as a time of sacrifice, a period in which we forgo certain worldly pleasures and devote more time to prayer. While this is true, let us not overlook the joy, promise, and transformative effects that Lent can bring into our lives. A fellow priest once described…
“Be imitators of Christ!” This is the theme of this year’s Together in Mission Appeal. Its aim is not only to appeal for help for the poor parishes and schools of the archdiocese but also to encourage us to emulate Christ: to have His mind and heart, to be loving, generous, and compassionate, especially towards those…
There’s an old story about a priest celebrating his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. For this occasion, he had invited his personal friend, Richard, to come and recite his favorite Psalm, Psalm 23. His friend agreed to do this on the condition that the priest would also recite it after him. At the appointed time, Richard…
While spending a holy hour one morning last week, I felt a heavy sense of depression. I found myself questioning why I was feeling this way. Typically, during prayer, I would feel elated, consoled, inspired, and strengthened. However, that early morning experience of prayer was different. It was a time of desolation rather than consolation,…
