There is much wisdom in the Church’s celebration of the feasts of Saint Monica and Saint Augustine one day apart from each other.  Yesterday we recalled Saint Monica’s perseverance in trail and adversity, and today we rejoice in the fruit of her prayer: the conversion of her son Augustine. One of Augustine’s most famous lines from his masterwork Confessions is found early in the work, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until in... Read more

  Last weekend a parishioner came into the sacristy before Mass with a plastic grocery bag.  She approached me and said, “Father, my neighbor’s daughter gave me this when my neighbor died and I have no idea what it is.  All I know is that it came from Rome.”  Getting curious about what the brown plastic bag contained, I asked her if I could see it. I smiled in disbelief when I saw the bag’s content and said, “I know... Read more

  El domingo pasado antes de iniciar la Misa, una parroquiana entró a la sacristía con una bolsa plástica.  Se me acercó y me dijo, “Padre, la hija de mi vecina me dio esto cuando mi vecina murió, y la verdad no sé que cosa será.  Solo sé que viene de Roma.”  Me dio curiosidad que podría traer la señora en la bolsa marrón, así que le pregunte si podía ver el contenido. Al ver el contenido me vino una... Read more

Imagine a fairy godmother appeared to you this evening as you got ready for bed and promised you that by daily placing a penny into a piggy bank until February, your favorite team would win the Super Bowl.  I can assure you, you would certainly never miss adding a coin into that piggy bank.  You would be eager to place the coin, paying close attention that you never missed a day, perhaps even doing it as soon as you woke... Read more

Today I had the joy of celebrating Mass for the students of my alma mater, Aquinas High School.  School Masses now take place in the air conditioned new cafeteria, the days of Mass in the gym, sitting on the bleachers, are long gone.  My homily below. “From this day all generations will call me blessed.”  Did you hear closely to these words Mary was inspired to say by the Holy Spirit when she visited her cousin Elizabeth? God reveals something... Read more

  Ruinas de la sinagoga de Cafarnaúm Recuerdo de niño preguntarle una vez a mi mama justo antes de la comunión durante la Misa: ‘mama, ¿al Padre se le acaban las hostias?’ Mi mama me respondió rapidito y calladamente, ‘No, nunca se le acaban.’ No lo podía yo creer.  Al Padre nunca se le acaban las hostias.  Dios debe de ir llenando el copón milagrosamente para que no se acaben.  Me imaginaba a ángeles invisibles trayendo más y más hostias del... Read more

  The Church celebrates today the feast of Saint John Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, who died on August 4th, 1859.  Sent to the rural and remote village of Ars, France in 1818 because he was not considered very smart, Saint John Vianney became an unsurpassable model for priests, transforming the lives of the villagers of Ars and of the thousands of pilgrims who came seeking him. Saint John Vianney ministered during the aftermath of the French Revolution,... Read more

Hoy la Iglesia celebra la fiesta de San Juan María Vianney, patrón de sacerdotes, quien murió el 4 de agosto de 1859.  Enviado al poblado rural y remoto de Ars, Francia en 1818 porque no era  considerado muy inteligente, San Juan Vianney se convirtió en un modelo insuperable para todo sacerdote, transformando las vidas de los habitantes de Ars y de los miles de pelegrinos que con él se confesaban. San Juan Vianney ejerció su ministerio durante uno de los... Read more

Este 28 de julio tuve la gran alegría de celebrar una Misa  de acción de gracias auspiciada por el  Consulado General del Perú en Atlanta en la parroquia Holy Cross, Atlanta.  En la foto de arriba estoy con el Consul General del Peru en Atlanta, mi tio Francisco Rivarola. Doy gracias a Dios por esta oportunidad de compartir el dia de la independencia del Peru con mis compatriotas y poder celebrar con una causa de pollo, una Inca Cola y... Read more

Today is the feast of one of my favorite saints, Saint Ignatius of Loyola.  Member of a minor noble Basque family from Loiola, Spain, Iñigo was born in 1491.  Trained as a soldier, he was seriously injured in 1521 at a battle in Pamplona.  As he lay in bed during his recovery, he read books available at his family home which included a book on the lives of the saints and one on the life of Christ. Loyola Family home in Loiola,... Read more