To Understand God’s Word
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus, in short, says, “Blessed are those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated.” At the same time, He also says that woe will come to those who are rich, full, laughing, and praised. A cursory reading of the Gospel text may lead us to wonder about a few things. Is Jesus advocating for poverty and a masochistic lifestyle? Is He condemning wealth and prosperity? When we read what Jesus is saying in the Gospel, we need to do so with the eyes of faith. It is with the eyes of faith that we can grasp the truth of what Jesus is teaching.
With the eyes of faith, we can understand that Jesus is revealing a profound truth about life. He is not simply challenging the ways and values of the world; He is also showing how God blesses His people. God’s blessings fall upon those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated. God is present for them and will bless them because He knows they have no one to turn to and nothing else to rely on. On the other hand for those who are rich, satisfied, happy, and well-regarded, their wealth is so abundant that they no longer hunger for anything. Everything seems easy, smooth, and they have high social standing. In this case, will they ever feel the need for God? Perhaps, but for them, God becomes just one of many options. It is only in times of desperation that they may turn to Him.
What Jesus is conveying in this Sunday’s Gospel invites us to view life’s adversities and difficulties through the eyes of faith. We are called to believe that it is in those very struggles that God will shower His blessings. For it is in our adversities and difficulties that we become the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the hated—precisely the people Jesus says God will bless abundantly.
Therefore, may we have the eyes of faith to see this truth and understand that we need only God, and God alone. Our reflection: How do we, as followers of Jesus, view the suffering, poverty, misfortune, and serious problems that surround our lives? What should we do?
Fr. Aegidius Warsito, SCJ
Community Outreach Street Patrol
On Saturday, February 22nd beginning at 9:30 am, our Community Outreach Street Patrol will be helping the less fortunate in our city.
Thank you for the excellent participation last year in the outreach events.
We are preparing winter packages to help the homeless during the cold weather.
We welcome donations of winter hats, socks, gloves, or cash.
Donations may be dropped off at Parish office.
Please register on the parish website or call the parish office if you would like to participate in preparing the packages.
Please note, registration will close on Monday, February 17th, to help with outreach planning.
Pilgrim Virgin Statue
The Pilgrim Virgin Statue is a blessed replica of our Blessed Mother. It is a traveling sacramental offered by the Legion of Mary to be given to any home, wishing to create a prayerful, sanctifying space where family and friends are encouraged to pray the Rosary, and meditate on its mysteries.
All parishioners are welcome to request the statue.
If you are interested in having the Pilgrim Virgin Statue in your home, please sign your name in the binder provided at the back of the church and a Legion member will contact you.
Parish Campaign – Collection
There will be a second collection next week for the Parish Campaign.
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support for our Campaign.
Prayers Needed for the Sick
We are praying for the sick of our parish: Jill Downs, Melina and Rolando Castillo, Keith Achue, Victoria Munson, Eileen MacDonald, Doug & June Smith, Jose Benjamin Mallari, Rob Dunklin, Rachel Cleveland, Arianna Lindsay, Tina Lopes, Bill and John Bailey, Winda Viterbo, Christopher Morrison, Joseph Michael Alves, Triva Steenberg, Nida Morales, Jeffrey Mo and Lito Gana.
May they be supported by our prayers and pastoral ministry and by the grace of God.
Mass Intentions for February 15 – 22, 2025
Saturday 5:00 p.m.
+Deceased members of the Soosipillai Family
Sunday 8:00 a.m.
+Raffaelle, Sebastiana and Maria Privitera and Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, requested by the Privitera family
Sunday 10:00 a.m.
+Petronilla De Guzman requested by the Family
Sunday 12:00 noon
Intentions of the Parish Community
Sunday 8:00 p.m.
+ Lavy Reyes
Monday 9:00 a.m.
+Timothy Aseervatham
Tuesday 7:15 a.m.
+Angela Sebastianpillai requested by the D’Mello Family
Tuesday 7:00 p.m.
+Paola Di Giulio, requested by Cristiano Family
+Ofelia Lim requested by Family
+Agostinho Teixeira, requested by family
+Jamie Madigan requested by B & M Serran
+Miguel Tuazon Cruz
+Bhanu Arasaratnam
Intentions for increase of Vocations
+Harj Virk
+Jeremias & Josephine D’Mello
Wednesday 7:15 a.m.
Intentions of Michelle Rodrigues
Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
+Adoracion & Eliseo Madulid requested by E. Alon
Thursday 7:15 a.m.
+Palmira Pereira, requested by M. Fernando
Thursday 7:00 p.m.
+Yusef Patel requested by Patel family
Intentions of Michelle Rodrigues
Intentions for increase of Vocations
+Joseph Pito
Intentions of Lydia Cebrian
+Mary Lilly Marianayagam
Intentions of Salud Rudillas
Friday 7:15 a.m.
+Bobby, Susan and Darryl Rejano, requested by the M. faller
Friday 7:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving for the Nalliah Family
Saturday 9:00 a.m.
+Julienne D’Mello, requested by the family
Is Jesus calling you? Would you give your life for Him?
The Church is blessed with a rich diversity of vocations; all of them are born from God as He calls us to participate in his work of redemption. If you are thinking about God’s call and trying to find purpose for your life, we are here to help you. Maybe He is inviting you to be a priest, a religious brother or sister, to serve the church with love and generosity.
Come and talk to us! We will help you discern your vocation.
Contact: Fr. Antonio Resende Pereira, SCJ
(Priests of the Sacred Heart Vocation director)
