This past Sunday I announced that next week a priest would come from Atlanta to commemorate Black History Month.  I said, “Father John will be the homilist and presider.” An excited seven year old kid attending Mass turned to his mother with the biggest smile and said, “mom, they’re gonna have omelets and cider!” When the kid’s parents told me the story after Mass, I had a good laugh.  I hope you do too. Read more

Leprosy is a terrible disease. Though today confined to certain areas of the world and somewhat treatable, having leprosy in the ancient world was one of the most terrible curses. The disease itself does not kill you, but it lingers for years causing skin to degenerate and the body to deform. Lepers are cursed with twisted limbs, curling fingers, tumors and facial disfigurement. Nerve damage causes terrible pain, but also numbs parts of the body which leads to accidents, burns... Read more

Cuando tenía cinco o seis años recuerdo preguntarle a mi mama que debería hacer si la Virgen María se me apareciera.  Mi mama respondió que me arrodille pero también dijo que no piense en esas cosas porque más que seguro, no iba a pasar.  Me quede satisfecho con su respuesta, al menos ya sabía que hacer si sucedía. Bernadette Soubirous era una niña pobre e analfabeta en el pequeño pueblo de Lourdes, Francia en 1858 cuando la Virgen María se... Read more

[from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops] New opportunity to dialogue with executive branchToo soon to tell whether and how much improvement on core concernsCommitment to religious liberty for all means legislation still necessary WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sees initial opportunities in preserving the principle of religious freedom after President Obama’s announcement today. But the Conference continues to express concerns. “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we... Read more

This morning I read EWTN sued the federal government. Click here for article. The US Bishops are decrying the overstepping of the government into our freedom of religion. Members of the House of Representatives are debating the need to strike down or amend the HHS mandate. With all this happening, someone asked me, “historically, what can we compare this?” I thought about it for a few minutes, and I found an answer. In the year 250 the Roman emperor Decius,... Read more

La misión de Jesús en la tierra se puede resumir diciendo que Jesús vino a enseñar, a curar enfermos y a perdonar pecadores. Fácilmente reconocemos que Jesús es el maestro más grande que ha vivido, pues nos reveló a su Padre, nos enseñó quien es Dios. También rápidamente recordamos historias Bíblicas donde Jesús curó enfermos como los diez leprosos, el siego desde nacimiento y varios paralíticos. Cuando hablamos del tercer elemento de la misión de Jesús, el perdonar pecadores, siempre... Read more

Cuando las  dificultades y cruces de la vida se hacen insoportables, muchos se alejan de Dios.  Consciente o inconscientemente, culpan a Dios por su desgracia, o culpan su inacción al remediar la situación.  Luego de la muerte de un ser querido, la pareja u otros parientes dejan de asistir a Misa.  Luego de que una oración no es respondida por Dios, o una sanación esperada nunca llega, algunos rechazan la oración como palabras en vano.  Cuando algunos no pueden casarse... Read more

When the trials and crosses of life become overwhelming, many turn away from God.  Consciously or unconsciously, they blame God for their misfortune, or blame His inaction to remedy it.  After the death of a loved one, spouses and other family members may stop going to Mass.  After experiencing an unanswered prayer or not receiving a desired healing, some dismiss prayer as wishful thinking.  Due to the inability to marry in the Church, some distance themselves completely from God. The... Read more

Tonight at my parish we celebrated Candlemass in Spanish.  In Mexico, it is traditional to bring a baby Jesus statue dressed in baby clothes to be presented at the church and be blessed, calling to mind how Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be presented at the Temple forty days after his birth.  Also, it is traditional in Mexico that the person who got the baby in the King Cake on Epiphany provides the tamales for today’s celebration. The turnout was... Read more

  The bishop’s miter gently swayed from left to right in front of me as he intoned the Salve Regina. The unexpected yet familiar tune and the tightening of my mother’s grip on my arm awakened me… mater misericordiae. The procession progressed slowly down the path as the hope for a better tomorrow was condemned and as the joy of life was lost.  After emerging from a slumber of unbelief, my eyes were opened to the reality of death by... Read more