I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get to recognizing her for her fidelity and generosity to the Little Church process. As she and her family are moving to Ventura I felt it just to thank her publicly. Please join with me in saluting Elaine for living out her Christian commitment in tangible ways that both love and care for children, and grant respite for their parents. What a gift!
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Siempre Adelante,
Fr. Patrick
Pastor

August 27, 2017

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Also Visit: St Vincent de Paul

Friends on the journey,

There’s nothing more persistent than an inquisitive toddler. Commonly heard in my house was “Mom, mom, mommy, mom” and questions like “What’s this? What’s that? Why? How?” Of course, this continued through childhood and the teenage years just with different circumstances. As nerve wracking as it sometimes was, those conversations were times of learning, sharing and growing. Now as a mother of young adults, I often miss those younger inquisitions but cherish the more complicated adult discussions today.

Today’s gospel is about persistency. The Canaanite women is a Gentile, a non­-believer, and so desperate to help her tormented daughter that she’s willing to beg over and over again for this Jewish man’s help. The disciples tried to send her away and Jesus was hesitant at first. Her won’t­-take-­no-­for-an­-answer approach finally wins and Jesus honors her persistency by curing her daughter. 

God’s like that with us, wanting us to be as persistent in our faith just like that inquisitive child and Canaanite woman. Our loving Lord wants nothing more than for us to have faith and trust in his unwavering care. God never tires of our prayers and wants to hear from us regularly, consistently, for mundane requests, life changing petitions for ourselves and others, gratitude, praise, and just every day conversation. 

Our faith always invokes a God response and our prayers are never unanswered, though we don’t always get what we want. How often have we asked God for something, didn’t get our way and then gave up, thinking God is punishing us or doesn’t care? That’s where persistent faith comes in. Faith is what guides us to search for God’s message in any situation, difficult or otherwise. Faith is what helps makes sense of the unexplainable in our lives and in the world. Faith is what allows us to the see light in the darkness. Faith is what inspires us to find something or someone for which to be grateful. Faith is what helps us to see God at work in our daily lives through creation, people and events. Persistent faith is trusting and surrendering our will to God’s. Easier said than done, I know. But our faith journey is a lifelong marathon, not a sprint, ever changing, always evolving and only abundant with persistence. 

May we always be like that inquisitive toddler, daily saying “God, God, Lord, Jesus. Where are you? Help me see you today. Thank you. I know that was you.” 

Siempre adelante,
Teresa Runyon
Faith Life Minister
August 20

Dear Parish Family,

We recently returned home from the eastern Sierras. Everything was so fresh and beautiful. It is so easy to experience the presence of our good God in the blue skies, clear lakes, green trees, and in the many waterfalls and wild flowers. Nature is doing her thing up there. We relaxed and took in the quiet. 

Today’s first reading from the first book of Kings reminds us of hearing God in the quiet. Not the only way. Elijah heard God calling him outside the cave as the Lord would be passing by. The Lord was not in the loud violent things like earthquakes, fire and strong wind. Elijah did hear the Lord in the soft whispering sound.

As summer winds down and the busyness of back to school and work, consider taking a small last vacation. Let’s find that quiet place to listen to the Lord in the whispers. Finding God in the small, much like loving in the detail.

Siempre adelante,
Deacon Ike and Shari Edie
August 13​

I recently had the opportunity to go to the Yosemite and Sierra Nevada mountain area. Wow, what beauty! I stood there admiring the perfection in mountains and trees, the lakes and rivers, so peaceful. I could not help but think this is a little glimpse of heaven. My eyes could see God’s glory in his beautiful creation. I too like Peter was in such awe … saying, “Lord, it is good that we are here.” I did not want to leave.

I think of the apostles Peter, James and John who were accompanying Jesus to the mountaintop to pray. There they were witnesses to Jesus’ Transfiguration. Imagine their good friend, whom they knew well, covered in radiant light, exposing his divinity, True Man and True God! There he spoke with Moses, the keeper of the law and Elijah, the great prophet. And as if more proof was needed they heard the voice of God say, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” Though they did not fully understand what they were experiencing, this moment prepared and sustained them for the future trials.

I think of our daily lives, so busy, family, work, responsibilities and worries. Some days our burdens are so heavy, we seek respite. Coming to Mass, is our weekly mountaintop experience. It is our source and summit. We have to walk up to the hilltop to the church. We are encountered by Jesus made flesh in the loving and embracing community and worship together. Our soul is fed in the Word and in the Body and Blood of Christ. We are transformed through Jesus, and like Peter will say, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” With a renewed strength and spirit, we are ready to be sent out, to “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” 

Siempre Adelante,
Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister
August 6, 2017