Posted on June 14, 2024 View all Pastor's Letter
Today, Jesus offers us two images of great spiritual intensity: the parable of the growth of the seed and the parable of the mustard seed. They are images of ordinary life that were familiar to the men and women who listened to Him, accustomed as they were to sowing, watering, and harvesting. Jesus uses something that was familiar to them—agriculture—to illustrate something that was not so familiar to them: the Kingdom of God. Most of us now have little in common with the men and women of Jesus’ time, and yet these parables continue to resonate in our modern minds because behind the sowing of the seed, the watering, and the harvesting, we intuit what Jesus told us. It is saying that God has grafted something divine into our human hearts. Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that Jesus himself is the Kingdom of God and that our soul “is the essential place where the Kingdom of God is found.” God wants to live and grow within us! Let us seek the wisdom of God and obey his inner promptings; if we do, then our lives will acquire a strength and intensity that is difficult to imagine.
Last week, I began to announce that we had already started preparations for this year’s festival, a significant event that showcases the strength and unity of our community. The festival, which will be held on August 17 from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm, is a testament to our strong community, a success due to the participation and collaboration of everyone, whether participating as volunteers or just participating and enjoying the different dishes offered. This year, we have less volunteer participation, and we hope to see more of our community members getting involved. We also aim to celebrate our diverse community by offering a wider variety of food, from Africa, South America and Asia. I encourage all parishioners, especially those from these regions, to participate this year. I also invite those who wish to sponsor a food booth or wish to donate towards the purchase of materials or the sponsorship of a game for the children. Your support is crucial in making this event a success.
The school will undergo renovations starting this week. I am delighted to share that the Shea Foundation, a California-based foundation that helps Catholic schools, has once again demonstrated their incredible generosity. They have donated $520,000 to the school to change the school’s ceiling tiles and replace the lights and the gym stage sound system, among other damaged areas. Last year, they donated to us to remodel the bathrooms and change the gym floor. Their support is a true blessing, and I am deeply grateful for their continued partnership. Therefore, all school activities throughout the summer are canceled. The Guadalupe Center and Hannan Hall will be used exclusively for pastoral activities, I thank you for your understanding.
Finally, I send a special congratulations to all fathers on this day that celebrate their day, it is a day to celebrate and to be grateful for all the good they have given us. A Dad is a figure that represents love, support and, above all, loving protection. We must thank God for our parents, for his example, his sacrifice and for teaching us so much. Today, as we honor our fathers and grandfathers, the pillars of our families, we also celebrate the figure of Saint Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, who embodies these qualities.
May you have a week full of blessings.
Fr. Alex
