Recently I received a note from a teenager I met years ago. He wrote, “Dear Father Muir, you probably do not remember me, but I wanted to thank you for your inspiring and humorous homilies at the parish. They helped me appreciate the beauty of Catholicism, which I have now embraced in a personal way.” That small note moved me more than he probably imagined. I had no idea my words had taken root in him. I was simply sowing seeds — week by week, Mass by Mass. Someone else — his parents, a youth minister, or God Himself — was doing the deeper work. Now this young man is joyfully reaping a harvest of faith.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers living water to a Samaritan woman whose life had been full of searching and disappointment. By the end of their encounter, she becomes a bold and joyful evangelist. Then Jesus turns to his disciples and says something easily overlooked: “One sows and another reaps” (John 4:37). He is helping them — and us — understand how evangelization works. Often, the one who sows the seeds of faith is not the one who sees the fruit.

This Lent, ask yourself: Are you in a sowing phase or a reaping phase? If you are sowing — raising children, praying for someone, mentoring — be patient. Your work matters. If you are reaping — seeing someone come alive in faith — be grateful. You are standing on sacred ground, tilled and watered by others.

Lenten challenge: Thank someone who once sowed faith into your life. And keep sowing, even when the harvest is unseen.

— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we always may be a source of life-giving water to those who thirst for a spiritual home, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That access to the precious resource of clean water may be seen as a fundamental and universal human right, so that its prevalence may be ever expanded, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For women religious, that they may be blessed and strengthened in their ministries so that God’s grace may flow through them like water, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those preparing for the Easter sacraments, particularly those in our midst, that the living waters of Christ may become a spring welling up to eternal life, let us pray to the Lord.

E. That those whose spiritual lives are dry and parched might be refreshed by the life-giving waters they received in baptism, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we'll have a second collection to support the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Communism in this region fell more than 30 years ago, but the Church still struggles to rebuild after decades of oppressive rule. Your support of this collection funds grants for vital pastoral ministries throughout the region.

2. Due to our first reconciliations of our religious education students, there will be no confessions on Mondays in March.

3. Next Saturday, the Parish will host a presentation on the art and history of the crucifix and cross in the Catholic Tradition. The presentation will take place in the Cenacle at 9am and will be hosted by Dr. Victoria Brennan, professor at St. Johns seminary.

4. The Parish will host a financial presentation on income protection on March 21 at 12pm in the Parish Center.

5. The Parish is selling Lenten reflection books that offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day of Lent. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

Resources

Readings

When I sit down to answer emails or write a Gospel reflection or return a phone call, I sometimes wonder: Does any of this humdrum work matter? Maybe you ask the same thing about your daily labor. Today’s Gospel, the Transfiguration, offers a surprising answer.

Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a mountain. There, “his face shone like the sun face and his clothes become white as light” (Matthew 17:2). That detail regarding his clothes is worth considering.

We know Jesus’ body is inseparably united to the divine nature. But his clothing? That’s something made by human hands. It’s an artifact. And yet it shines with the same uncreated light. What does this detail mean? The early Church noted that Adam and Eve’s first act after the Fall was to make clothing. This clothing symbolizes all human labor that supports our dignity. In Jesus’ glorified garments, we see not just the redemption of our body, but of human effort to protect and uplift human dignity.

Parents, your family is your work. Baristas, plumbers, nurses, accountants — your labor, your emails, your phone calls, your spreadsheets — can all become radiant when offered to God in love. The question isn’t just do I believe in Jesus’ glory, but do I believe he can share it with the work of my hands?

Lenten Challenge: Identify the “artifact” you are making to uplift the dignity of others: your job, your home, your relationships. Consciously bring it to the Lord this Sunday at Mass. Offer it to share in His glory. It will begin to shine. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that these forty days may to the Lord.

B. For our parish community and for the upcoming Alpha gatherings, that the Holy Spirit may stir hearts, deepen faith, and draw many into a life changing encounter with Jesus.

C. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. The religious sisters will be selling religious goods in the Madonna plaza. We thank you for your support.

2. The St. Vincent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to limited storage space, we ask that you not leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.

3. UCLA is sponsoring a free health fair in the Redahan Hall from 9:30am to 1:30pm. The event will include dental and medical consultations, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, and many other services.

4. Due to our first reconciliations of our religious education students, there will be no confessions on Mondays in March.

5. We ask our parish family to please keep Alpha in your prayers. Pray for all who attend, for those inviting others, and for our team. May the Holy Spirit move powerfully in our parish community.

6. The Parish is selling Lenten reflection books that offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day of Lent. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

Resources

Readings

In my second-to-last year of seminary, I woke up one September morning to devastating news: two beloved classmates had died in a car crash. I was overwhelmed with grief and anger like I had never known. I entered therapy for the first time and had intense conversations with my spiritual director. For months I felt lost in a spiritual wilderness. But something unexpected happened: I encountered Christ there. The fear and sorrow didn’t destroy me. In fact, that spiritual desert was a time of intense growth in faith.

Today’s Gospel begins: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). The word “led” denotes a gentle, humble submission to the Spirit. Jesus does not send himself into this desolate place where wild beasts roam and Satan tempts. Who wants to be around roaming, wild beasts? The Church Fathers saw them as symbols of our inner chaos: fears, temptations, wounds. The Spirit leads us there, sometimes against our wishes. But those same Fathers also saw that this deserted place is also where angels ministered to Jesus, amidst his great trial and temptation. 

Lenten Challenge: This Lent and throughout life’s struggles, the Spirit leads you and me into the wilderness. Name one “desert” into which the Spirit has led you: perhaps grief, fear, silence, change, disappointment. Ask for the grace to go there willingly. The beasts may be real, but they will not harm you. There, the angels are waiting to minister to the Christ living in you, who always goes where the Spirit leads. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that these forty days may strengthen what is weak in us and equip us to resist what tempts us, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For world leaders, that they may prioritize the welfare of the people of their nation and so avoid temptations of personal power and glory, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For those afflicted by the storms of winter, that God may keep them and their loved ones safe during extreme cold, ice, and snow, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those preparing for the sacraments of initiation this Easter, whom we send for election today, that their faith may be deepened during their Lenten journey, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all of us when we succumb to temptation, that we may always find our way back through God’s infinite mercy, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. The Parish is selling Lenten reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Lent. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

2. Our Alpha program begins this Tuesday in the Guadalupe Hall. Registration is available through out Parish bulletin.

Resources

Readings

A few years into my priesthood, I hit a wall. I had taken on too many commitments: Masses, meetings, ministries, projects. I couldn’t keep up. I was double-booking, forgetting things, running late, and letting people down. My boss at the time, a wise priest, and our shared secretary, noticed. For my birthday, the two gave me a stack of 100 flashcards, each with one word printed in a different language: “NO.” It was funny, but also painfully true. If I couldn’t say no, my yes was in danger.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One” (Matthew 5:37). He’s not just giving advice about polite speech. He’s showing us something about the freedom of Christian discipleship. The follower of Christ is called to speak clearly, simply, and honestly. There is joy in that kind of freedom.

The Church Fathers often linked this kind of straightforward truthfulness with spiritual maturity. The devil is the father of lies, but Jesus is the Word made flesh. When we hedge, flatter, exaggerate, or avoid, we open space for the shadows to creep in. That little stack of flashcards reminded me that God does not want us enslaved to the expectations of others or to the fear of disappointing them. He wants us to enjoy the peace of saying yes and meaning it, and saying no, and meaning it, too.

Lenten Challenge: Practice one moment of honest, peaceful speech this week. Maybe it’s a sincere “yes” to something important, or a humble “no” to something you cannot do. Let it be a quiet step into the freedom Jesus offers. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, as we strive to live out the spirit of the commandments, that we may grow in understanding of the wisdom of God, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For legislators, civil authorities, and members of the judicial system, that they may exercise judgment and mercy in creating, enforcing, and applying our laws, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For those suffering in broken relationships, that they may receive the support and hope they need, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For our Muslim sisters and brothers, who begin celebrating Ramadan later this week, that the holy month may be filled with peace and joy, let us pray to the Lord.

E. That we may grow in discernment, recognize the wisdom of God’s commands, and keep them with all our heart, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. This upcoming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and English Mass will be celebrated at 8:00am. We'll have Bilingual Mass at 12:00pm and Spanish Mass at 5pm and 8pm. We'll have additional services with Ashes in our Parish halls from 6am to 9:30pm.

2. The Parish is selling Lenten reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Lent. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

Resources

Readings

I recently learned why zebras have stripes. Scientists used to think it was for camouflage, but new research suggests something more interesting: the stripes help zebras blend in with one another. When a predator looks at a herd, the overlapping stripes make it hard to single out one animal. But if a researcher spray-paints a dot on just one zebra, predators lock on it and eventually attack. The lesson? In the wild, blending in is protection. Standing out can be dangerous.

Human beings are not so different. Most of us would rather blend in than stand out, especially when it comes to our faith. We know that giving bold witness to Jesus — through our words, values, or public choices — can make us targets for criticism, isolation, or judgment. That’s why Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are so challenging: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

A city on a hill draws attention. It also draws fire. But that’s part of the cost of discipleship. Jesus doesn’t call us to be tribal or boastful. He calls us to stand in the open with humble confidence, so that people might see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. Today, let’s ask for the courage not just to believe in Christ, but to be seen believing in him. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may shine Christ’s light in the world by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, liberating the oppressed, and clothing the naked, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That our elected leaders may work to reduce hunger, homelessness, and oppression in our wealthy nation, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For all married couples, that they continue to live their vocation of love as an example to their families and to the world of God’s faithful, fruitful, and lasting love, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those who suffer from chronic illness, and for their caregivers and health care personnel, that they may see God’s blessings in the difficulties they face each day, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For our parish, that we may be salt of the earth and a light in the darkness through our ministries that reach out to those in our community in need, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

Pulpit announcement by ALPHA team

Resources

Readings

A priest I know was once falsely accused of a terrible crime. The claim was wild and easily disproved, but for a while, it didn’t matter. In the atmosphere shaped by the abuse crisis of the early 2000s, the public assumption was guilty until proven innocent. His name was dragged through the mud, and his ministry placed on hold. I had the privilege — and the burden — of walking closely with him during that time.

He was angry. He was confused. He felt abandoned and deeply disoriented. The last thing on his mind was the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel: “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me … Rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:11-12). Rejoice? He felt anything but.

And yet… something holy slowly grew in him. Not overnight, and not without pain. But as the truth came to light and his name was cleared, I watched him become more Christlike — more patient, more compassionate, more detached from human approval.

Maybe you haven’t faced something so dramatic. But where do you feel judged? Misrepresented? Overlooked? Maybe someone else got the credit or the promotion. Maybe someone you love isn’t getting their due. In those moments, the Cross of Jesus is near. When we feel accused, that’s when we ask him for the grace not just to endure, but somehow, mysteriously, to rejoice and be glad.

— Father John Muir

©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that like the shepherds returning to the fields after seeing the Lord, we may glorify and praise God whenever we encounter the Son, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That the peace that flows from the Queen of Peace and the Prince of Peace may take root in our world, our community, and our hearts, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For mothers of newborns who find themselves overwhelmed by their maternal responsibilities, that through the intercession of the Blessed Mother they may find the confidence and serenity they long for, let us pray to the Lord.

D. That we may work as one to extend justice to the poor, the victimized, and the forgotten, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For our parish community, that we may treasure our faith in our hearts and find ourselves moved to put it into practice throughout 2026, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. The Together in Mission 2026 annual appeal is upon us, and while the official kick-off is not until next weekend, we ask you to generously support the parishes and schools of our Archdiocese. Archbishop Gomez has chosen the theme of This is the hour for love. It is such a great reminder that the Lord is working through each of us, and the time is now for us to respond.

2. Are you, or is someone you know, asking questions about the meaning of life, faith, or God? We are excited to announce that we are starting Alpha, a space where you can explore the basics of our faith in a friendly, open, and informal environment. We have team members outside the main doors of the Church who can provide detailed information.

Resources

Readings

I was 22 years old, lying in bed one night while on a pilgrimage, when I suddenly sensed an idea in my mind: “Go to the seminary.” There was no voice, no vision, but a gentle and unmistakable clarity. I simply prayed, “Lord, if that’s from you, let me find great joy in it.” Three days later, my heart was bursting with joy. I dropped everything and entered the seminary. The older I get, the stranger my rather careless and hasty departure seems to me. I followed not because it made sense, or because I was especially brave. I went because the Lord called me. 

Something like this happens in today’s Gospel. Jesus walks by Simon, Andrew, James, and John and says, “Come after me” (Matthew 4:19). And immediately they leave their nets and follow. There’s no explanation, no hesitation … just movement. Why? As St. John says, “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us” (1 John 4:10). They do not leave their nets because his call made perfect, calculable sense. They left them because they were called. And Jesus’ call is powerful.

Take a moment this week to remember when Christ first called you. However small or quiet it was, recall it, and give thanks. The more we marvel that Christ has called us personally, the more passionately and freely we will follow him.

— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may shine a light on poverty, injustice, and neglect, so that the world notices the plight of those living in the gloom of those conditions and spurs a movement to alleviate the darkness, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That world leaders may lift the yokes that burden those who are oppressed, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For students, teachers, and staff of Catholic schools, that every day they may learn something new that heightens their curiosity about the world and their growth as the Lord’s disciples, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For women religious worldwide, who have responded to the call of discipleship by nurturing and using their talents in order to serve others more fully, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For those murdered in the Holocaust, that their memory may spur us to stand up against evil and genocide, and may change the hearts of those filled with hate, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. (Only read at the 10:45am Mass and 12:30pm Mass.) The 8th Grade St. Joseph School Class of 2026 is selling raffle tickets for $5 for a chance to win a basket filled with a variety of gift cards. All proceeds will go toward supporting their 8th grade retreat and other fun end-of-the-year activities. Thank you for your support, and good luck!

Today, the parish school invites you to take a tour of the classrooms and talk with the teachers so you can see the blessings of a Catholic education and consider enrolling your children. The school will be open today from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Resources

Readings

It’s common to hear belief in Jesus and the Church mocked as blind faith and credulity. But in reality, it is deeply human and rational. Think about it: we rely on the testimony of others constantly. I trust chemists who certify the safety of toothpaste and cleaning products. I trust engineers when I use a microwave or drive over a bridge. Why? Because they have studied and seen what I have not, and their testimony proves itself in daily life. That kind of trust is not irrational; it is how human knowledge works.

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist declares: “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God” (John 1:34). That is the language of an eyewitness. It invites us into a very human act: trusting someone who has directly encountered something — or Someone — we have not yet fully seen ourselves.

The Church’s faith is built on this kind of reliable sight-based testimony. The Apostles did not make abstract claims. They saw, followed, suffered for, and proclaimed Jesus Christ. Over centuries, their witness — carried in Scripture, in the lives of the saints, and in the sacramental life of the Church — has proven dependable. We come to know its truth by assenting to it, by living and studying it, praying with it, trusting it.

Faith in Christ is not a childish leap into the dark. It is a step into the light of testimony that proves itself over time. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may be a light to the nations and a sign of God’s love and mercy, so that the salvation of God may reach to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For our nation as we celebrate Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., Day this Monday, that we may help bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For Christians of every denomination on this first day of the week of prayer for Christian unity, that we may draw ever closer to each other as we live out our common baptism, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those who work to promote the dignity of every human life, that they may help move the minds and hearts of people around the world, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all of us gathered here today, that we may respond willingly and joyfully to God’s call whenever we hear it, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. The Amor por Teco foundation will be having a clothes and shoe drive today in the school parking lot from 8am to 4pm. We thank you for your generosity.

2. The Parish office will be closed Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. We'll continue to have daily Mass at 8am and 5pm, but there will be no confession or Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Resources

Readings

Apple ran a commercial not long ago called “Behind the Mac – Greatness.” It shows artists and creators, such as Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga, working behind their MacBooks. The narration says, “There’s a certain kind of person who doesn’t wait for greatness. They make it.” It’s a compelling message. There’s beauty in using our gifts with passion and purpose. But there lies a hidden weight in that idea: If you are what you make, what happens when you can’t anymore? When the project fails, the passion fades, or the spotlight moves on, where is greatness then?

Today’s Gospel offers a differing vision of greatness. Jesus steps into the Jordan River. He hasn’t preached, healed, or performed a single miracle. Then the heavens open, and the Father speaks: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” It’s not a reward for success. It’s not earned. Before he does anything “great,” Jesus receives the greatness of his identity from the Father.

And so do you. At your baptism, God said the same thing over you: “You are my beloved.” That is your true identity, not constructed or earned but received. When we see ourselves and others this way, everything changes for the better. We discover a greatness that can never be taken away.

This week, reflect on your baptism: look up the date, thank God for it, pray for those baptized with you, or visit the church where it happened. Let your identity be rooted there.— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may be faithful to the mission that we were called to in baptism, joining in Jesus’ saving work of spreading the gospel and doing good, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For government leaders, that they may protect and preserve the earth’s precious resource of clean water and share it equitably with those in need worldwide, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For young people, that they may honestly discern if God is calling them to service beyond their baptismal call to the priesthood or religious life, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For all those who must endure brutal winter weather for long periods of time: those who are homeless, those without heat, and those who must work outdoors, that they may be kept safe this winter, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For catechists who prepare adults, teens, and parents of babies and young children for baptism, that they may be blessed in their work, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. No announcements today.

Resources

Readings

When I was 22, I went on a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of 2000. I was traveling light with just a backpack, one blue shirt and black pants, little money, and no Italian. I had a few close friends and one goal: to reach the Eternal City. Despite the challenges and deprivations, I felt alive in a way I had never known before.

When do you feel most alive? I’d wager it’s not when you’re most comfortable or surrounded by stuff. Rather, it’s when your life is aimed at something great; when you’re on a meaningful and challenging journey with good friends.

That’s the image the Magi give us in today’s Gospel. They set out from the East not with certainty, but with hope. They study the signs, discipline their attention, and journey together, offering the best they have when they find the newborn King.

The Church gives us their story at the start of the year to reawaken something in us. We are not meant to drift. We’re meant to journey as pilgrims. The Jubilee Year of 2025 may have ended, but our pilgrimage has not. Like the magi, the closer we get to Christ, the more alive we become. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. That we the Church may shine the light of Christ upon the darknesses of all those in need, from here in our own communities to the ends of the earth, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That world leaders may welcome the light of God’s glory, revealing those in need who are otherwise relegated to the shadows, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For those who are searching for hope, for meaning, or for something they cannot find in their lives, that the light of Christ may lead them to what they need, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For refugees, migrants, and those seeking asylum, that they may be kept safe and warm in God’s tender care, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all those who are traveling during the Christmas holidays, that they may find joy at their destination and may return home safely, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Our Parish will be sponsoring a free finance workshop on January 10 at 12pm in the St. Joseph Hall.

Resources

Readings

When I was ten, my dad gathered our family around the table in small-town Vermont and told us we were moving to the big desert city of Phoenix, Arizona. We were leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar. None of us knew what to expect.

But something beautiful happened. As we made the move together, our family grew closer. In retrospect, I’m amazed at my parents’ courage to go on that adventure. Even as a kid I realized our family found, in that challenge, a deeper unity and mutual love.

In today’s Gospel, Joseph is told: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee…” (Matthew 2:13, 20). First to Egypt, then later to Israel. The Holy Family is frequently challenged to move and change, to adapt to God’s will for them, in order to find safety in the midst of threat. It’s not just an idiosyncratic story about survival. It’s a spiritual pattern for all of us. Every Christian family is called to be a kind of sanctuary, especially in a world full of noise, busyness, and fear. 

May I make a practical application for us? The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is perhaps the most practical way we imitate this dynamic we see in Joseph and his family. Sunday is not meant to be just like every other day, filled with errands and stress. It’s meant to be a day set apart; a holy “escape” into rest, worship, joy, and peace. A day to rise, take your family, and flee, into God’s presence. 

— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you who are here today. We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass, please take a moment to make sure your cell phones are turned off so as not to disturb our prayer.

(Wait a few seconds to allow people to turn off their phones)

Let us now take a moment to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the message we will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for…

Please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may treat each other with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love, and thereby follow the model of the Holy Family, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For our parents, that we may treat them with care and reverence, especially as they grow older and their bodies and minds grow weaker, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For our children, that they may be raised with love and mercy so they may learn by example to be kind, considerate, and respectful, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For our extended families, that we may keep them warm in our hearts as we encourage them in times of trial, assist them at times of need, and console them in times of grief, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For our parish family, that we may sustain each other and grow in witness of the love of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Join us for our New Year’s Mass next Wednesday and Thursday as we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Our English Mass on Wednesday, December 31, will be at 5:00 p.m., and the Spanish Mass will be at 7:00 p.m. We will have a special Holy Hour to welcome the New Year at 11:00 p.m. On Thursday, January 1, our English Mass will be at 10:45 a.m., and the Spanish Masses will be at 9:00 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. Please take a bulletin or visit our parish website for our complete schedule.

Resources

Readings

A priest friend recently told me a remarkable story. One of his cousins reported having a vivid dream in which an angel told him the family needed to exhume their grandmother’s body from a cemetery in New York and return it to her birthplace in Romania. She had been dead nearly ten years. As you might expect, the family thought it was, well, crazy. But astonishingly they exhumed her body. It was incorrupt, showing no signs of decomposition. That experience sparked healing, faith, and reconciliation throughout the family.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Joseph also receives a dream. He’s confused, afraid. But in the quiet of sleep, God speaks: “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” (Matthew 1:20). When he wakes, Joseph acts. He doesn’t overanalyze or dismiss the message. He trusts, and acts.

God still speaks — not necessarily through literal dreams but through those deeper intuitions of the heart. St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that God’s voice draws us into peace, courage, and love. But we have to listen to it. Advent is a time for stillness. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we’re invited to enter that quiet space where God’s voice can be heard.

When and how do you become most receptive to God? Is it in silence? In prayer? In nature? At Mass? This week, go there. Be still. Listen. And like Joseph, have the courage to act on what God shows you. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our Liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our Parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you here this (morning/afternoon/evening). We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass today, please take a moment to make sure your cellphones are turned off so as to not disturb our prayer.

(wait a few seconds)

Let us take a moment now to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the

message that will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for...

Everyone please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may reach out with the joy of the gospel to all those who wonder if Jesus is the one who saves us or whether they should look for another, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That the world may bloom with justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For the prophetic voices who speak out despite persecution, derision, or apathy, to help build the kingdom of God in our community, our nation, and our world, let us pray to the Lord.

D. That we may bring God’s compassion and care to those who are disabled, especially to those who find life burdensome, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Advent and Christmas. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

2. Adult Confirmation registration will take place today from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the Parish Center. Classes will be held on Thursdays from January to April, from 7pm to 9pm.

Resources

Readings

When I was 11, I was riding my bike on a Friday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. I saw giant spotlights swirling in the sky. Something amazing had to be happening. I pedaled after them with excitement. Sweaty and tired, I arrived, only to find a used car lot. Bright lights, flapping banners, inflatable balloon men swaying wildly in the wind. I stood there, heart sinking. All that spectacle, and all my effort … for this?

As life proceeds, we learn what it is like to pursue promising but fruitless searches. This week we hear Jesus ask the crowds regarding John the Baptist: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?” (Matthew 11:7). He’s not just describing the crowd’s mis-aimed pursuit. He’s naming our tendency to chase after what’s flashy but flimsy.

What are our swaying reeds? For me, it is endless video reels on my phone, worldly pleasures, entertainment in sports, and the good opinion of others. Inflated distractions that bend whichever way the wind blows. But they can’t satisfy my soul. What are your flimsy reeds? 

John the Baptist wasn’t a swaying reed. He was rooted, grounded, unafraid to speak the solid truth. The people went to see him because, deep down, they were starving for something real.

This Advent, the Church asks us to reassess: What are we really looking for? Are we chasing the dazzling but hollow? Or are we seeking what is solid and lasting — that which points to Christ? — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our Liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our Parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you here this (morning/afternoon/evening). We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass today, please take a moment to make sure your cellphones are turned off so as to not disturb our prayer.

(wait a few seconds)

Let us take a moment now to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the

message that will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for...

Everyone please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may reach out with the joy of the gospel to all those who wonder if Jesus is the one who saves us or whether they should look for another, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That the world may bloom with justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For the prophetic voices who speak out despite persecution, derision, or apathy, to help build the kingdom of God in our community, our nation, and our world, let us pray to the Lord.

D. That we may bring God’s compassion and care to those who are disabled, especially to those who find life burdensome, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we have a second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This fund provides housing, medical assistance, and essential support for thousands of aging religious. Please consider giving next week.

2. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Advent and Christmas. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

3.Adult Confirmation registration will take place today from 11:00am to 2:00pm and Wednesday, December 17, from 6pm to 8pm, and Sunday, December 21, from 11am to 2pm in the Parish Center. Classes will be held on Thursdays from January to April, from 7pm to 9pm.

Resources

Readings

This week we hear that John the Baptist is out in the wilderness eating “locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). It’s not just a strange historical detail. It’s a symbolic expression of a healthy spiritual diet. The path to Christ includes both the hard and the beautiful, the gritty and the sweet. We have to learn to gulp the locusts and savor the honey.

I remember working with a young couple preparing for marriage. They were sincere, but raw — barely beginning to discover faith. Part of me wanted to rush them ahead, to fill in all the gaps, to bombard them with scripture and church documents. I swallowed that instinct. It was like eating locusts.

But I also recall them light up as they spoke about each other, about their first child, then their second. And they wanted to be close to God. Something innocent and beautiful was unfolding. That was the honey. I knew God was asking me to savor it. 

This Advent, maybe we’re each being invited to accept both locusts and honey. Maybe it’s time to stop avoiding the difficult parts of faith — prayer that feels dry, the call to repentance, the patience with the troublesome. It’s time to eat some locusts.

But we also need to notice the small gifts God gives us: a peaceful moment, a good conversation, the joy of serving someone else, new life, good intentions of our friends. That’s the honey. Savor it!

John didn’t avoid either. He took it all in. And so can we. What are your locusts? Your honey? If we let God feed us with both, we’ll be ready — really ready — for the coming of Christ. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,

As we begin our Liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our Parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you here this (morning/afternoon/evening). We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass today, please take a moment to make sure your cellphones are turned off so as to not disturb our prayer.

(wait a few seconds)

Let us take a moment now to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the

message that will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for...

Everyone please stand and greet those beside you.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may sustain John the Baptist’s call for repentance, recognizing the joy of reconciliation and remaining conscious that the kingdom of heaven is always at hand, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That we may resolve differences without violence or anger, hastening an end to hostilities the world over and contributing to fullness of peace for ever, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For those who call us to repentance, who persist in trying to make us better people, that they may not grow discouraged, let us pray to the Lord.

D. That we may take the time during this busy Christmas season to make room in the inn of our hearts to welcome the Lord in our midst, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Next week we have a second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This fund provides housing, medical assistance, and essential support for thousands of aging religious. Please consider giving next week.

2. This Monday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Our daily bilingual Mass will be at 8am, with Spanish at 5pm, and additional Masses at 6:30pm in English and 8:00pm in Spanish. Due to these additional Liturgies, there will be no confessions or Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after the 5pm Mass

3. On Friday, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mañanitas will begin at 4:00am, followed by Spanish Mass at 4:30am, 12:00pm, 5:00pm, and 8:00pm. Our Bilingual Mass will be at 8:00am, and English Mass at 9:30am. Because of the additional liturgies, confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will not be available all day.

4. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Advent and Christmas. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.

5. Adult Confirmation registration will take place this Wednesday, December 10, from 6pm to 8pm, and Sunday, December 14, from 11am to 2pm in the Parish Center. Classes will be held on Thursdays from January to April, from 7pm to 9pm.

6. It’s time for the St. Margaret Center annual Christmas Program and we need your generous support! Please consider donating a gift to a child this year and bring them to the parish office by Friday, December 12th. We thank you for your support in advance!

Resources

Readings

A few years ago, my house was broken into on Super Bowl Sunday. Turns out, it’s a great day for burglars. If the TV isn’t on, people are probably watching the game somewhere else, so … easy pickins’. I’ll never forget walking into my bedroom and realizing someone had been there. My stuff was thrown all over the floor. The closet was torn apart. It was disorienting and disturbing — someone had invaded the space I thought was secure. After that, I bought an alarm system. And every Super Bowl Sunday since, I’m extra careful to lock the doors and keep the lights on. That experience made me more alert. Not scared. Just attentive.

That’s much like the spiritual place Jesus wants us to be on this first Sunday of Advent. He doesn’t start the season with soft candlelight and cozy manger scenes. He starts with two brutal images: a flood and a thief. In other words, chaos and violation.

Why? Because life will flood us. Chaos will come. And in the midst of it, Christ will come like a thief — not to steal from us, but to steal us back. He is the intruder we should want. The one who breaks in, not to ransack, but to rescue.

Christ presents himself as the thief but also the new Noah. He builds the ark of the Church to carry us through the flood. And he invites us to join him. How? By participating fully in our parishes. By making our homes places of prayer. By guarding our hearts with truth. By refusing to let spiritual complacency leave us exposed. By repentance.

This Advent, don’t just stay vaguely “awake.” Prepare. Build. Watch. The flood will come. But so will he. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this First Sunday of Advent.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may discern the Lord’s presence in the world and bear witness to it, strengthening the faith of believers and giving hope to those who find life meaningless and burdensome, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For government leaders, that they may always promote the common good in the work they do, let us pray to the Lord.

C. That armies and militias of all kinds may beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, turning battlefields into fields of grain and fruit, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those who suffer with AIDS, particularly those who cannot afford and cannot obtain the treatment available in the developed world, let us pray to the Lord.

E. That this Advent we may prepare our hearts for our Savior’s coming, reconciling with those we have hurt and turning away from sinful pleasures, so that we may walk in the light of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.

For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we have a second collection for the decoration of flowers for the Parish, in particular, our upcoming Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We thank you for your generosity.

2. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books. These books offer a simple yet enriching reflection for every day during Advent and Christmas. The books can be purchased in our Parish Center for 2 dollars.

3. Adult Confirmation registration will be this Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3 from 7pm to 9pm in the Parish Center. Classes are held on Thursdays from January to April from 7pm to 9pm.

Resources

Readings

Not long ago, I was called to a hospital to anoint a woman in her early 80s. She was dying, and visibly in pain. But what struck me most wasn’t her suffering — it was the atmosphere in the room. She had eight children and 30 foster kids, and many of them were gathered around her. You’d expect sorrow, fear, maybe even despair. But the room was filled with something else entirely — a quiet strength, a kind of sweetness. It was as if she was suffering not just with them, but for them. And they, in love, were suffering for her. The pain was real. But so was the peace. I didn’t want to run. I felt as if I was in a little paradise, beeping machines and all.

I think of that moment when I hear today’s Gospel. Jesus, hanging on the cross, doesn’t look like a king. But one of the crucified, dying men beside him sees through the suffering and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). That word — remember — literally means to make someone a member again. He’s asking to be joined to Christ, to become part of his Body. And Jesus says, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

He doesn’t say, “I’ll take your suffering away.” He says, “You will be with me.”

That’s the strange power of Christ the King. He doesn’t rule by avoiding suffering. He reigns by entering into it, and transforming it with love.

What are you suffering right now in your life? Likely you want it to stop. But if we are willing to suffer with him — paradise begins even today. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may grow in wisdom and insight when interpreting God’s laws in the changing circumstances of today’s world and apply them justly and compassionately, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For rulers of nations, that they may recognize that there is an authority above their own, and value honest deliberation and consultation in making decisions, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For all people whose rights and dignity are slighted by those in authority, especially for those imprisoned, oppressed, or persecuted, let us pray to the Lord.

D. That we may see Christ in all whom we meet and treat them in such a way that they may know that Christ is our king, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we have our annual second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. This campaign provides funding to groups whose activities reflect Catholic moral and social teaching on human life and dignity. CCHD is an example of how the Catholic community reaches out to involve and support people who are poor in acting together to improve their lives, overcome injustice and escape poverty. We thank you for your generosity.

2. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books. These books offer a simple yet enriching reflection for every day during Advent and Christmas. The books can be purchased in our Parish Center for 2 dollars.

3. Adult Confirmation registration will be this Tuesday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 26 from 7pm to 9pm in the Parish Center. Classes are held on Thursdays from January to April from 7pm to 9pm.

4. Our Men's ministry is having a food sale in the Madonna Plaza. We thank you for your support.

Resources

Readings

When I was a kid growing up in New England, I’d occasionally go on a whale watch. Once we went out with calm waters and clear skies. But on the way back in, the sea got rough. I was just a kid, and I remember thinking we should turn left or right toward the shoreline I could see. But the pilot of the boat kept going straight — right into the waves — focused on a small, discouragingly distant lighthouse. Even when it flickered in and out of sight, he stayed the course. He knew where he was going.

That image comes to mind when I hear Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel regarding false messiahs: “Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8). In times of chaos or uncertainty, there are always voices offering easier routes, promising false safety, claiming to speak for God. But Jesus isn’t found in the loudest voice or the nearest shoreline. He is steady, like a lighthouse in the storm.

The tribulation of which Jesus speaks — it’s real. It happened to the Temple, it happened to him, it happens in the Church, and it will come to each of us. But the command is not to panic. It’s to endure. To keep steering toward him. Faith isn’t about having all the answers or dodging every wave. It’s about knowing where the lighthouse is — and trusting it enough to keep going, especially when false safety beckons us to stop. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may remain faithful to the gospel and be ever ready for the day of judgment, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That those in public office may work to lift up the poor and raise up those on the margins of the society, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For judges, attorneys, and all those who interpret and apply the laws of our land, that they may always do so with justice, fairness, and mercy, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those whose anxiety about the future makes it difficult for them to cope, that they may be comforted, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For those crossing the threshold from this life to the next, that they may sense the presence of God in their midst, let us pray to the Lord.

F. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Next week, we'll have our annual second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. This campaign provides funding to groups whose activities reflect Catholic moral and social teaching on human life and dignity. CCHD is an example of how the Catholic community reaches out to involve and support people who are poor in acting together to improve their lives, overcome injustice and escape poverty. CCHD is a sign of how the Church lives out the call from Scripture and Tradition to give special concern and priority to the needs of those who are poor and vulnerable. We thank you for your generosity.

2. The Parish is selling Advent reflection books. These books offer a simple yet enriching reflection for every day during Advent. The books can be purchased in our Parish Center for 2 dollars.

3. Adult Confirmation registration will be this Tuesday, November 18 from 7pm to 9pm in the Parish Center. Classes are held on Thursdays from January to April from 7pm to 9pm.

Resources

Readings

When I was 22, I entered St. Peter’s Basilica for the first time. It floored me. I could hardly take it in, its grandeur, majestic arches, vibrant colors, and the light that danced through its high windows. Somehow, amidst such splendor, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging, as if I had finally come home.

Jesus reorients how we Catholics see sacred buildings. In today’s Gospel he says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:13-22). His riddle implies, shockingly, that his own body is now the fundamental dwelling place of God and humanity. The temple in Jerusalem has been superseded. 

In our churches today — whether they mirror the basilica’s grandeur or embrace humble simplicity — we experience architectural symbols of Christ’s risen body. It is no accident we call them “churches”: they make visible in brick-and-mortar Christ’s body which is made up of the living stones we call Christians. Each church building, like St. John Lateran in Rome, or St. Peter’s, or any other, is meant to be a vibrant sign of Christ’s resurrected body. We should cherish and protect our churches as places where heaven touches earth, where we, as a community, are raised to the fullness of life in Christ. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may continually commit to carrying out Christ’s mission, and channel God’s grace like a flowing stream to the entire world, let us pray to the Lord.

B. That those in leadership positions in government may work to build a society in which the hungry are fed, the stranger is welcomed, and the forgotten are cared for, let us pray to the Lord.

C. For those who have served in the armed forces in times of war, that they may be treated with respect and dignity all their lives, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those who design and construct church buildings, and all those who care for them from generation to generation, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we have a second collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. These funds are used for a Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, Vocation Discernment, Veteran Affairs Chaplaincy, meet the pastoral needs of Military families, and young adults. We thank you for your generosity.

2. Today the St. Vicent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to our limited storage space, we ask you not to leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.

3. We invite you this Friday, November 14 at 7:00pm to Father Gustavo's Installation Mass, which will be presided by Bishop Marc. During this Mass, Father Gustavo will do his profession of Faith and take an oath of fidelity as our new Pastor. After Mass, we'll have light refreshments in the Redahan Hall.

4. Our teen ministry, Soldiers of Christ, is having their food sale today in the Madonna Plaza, we thank you for your support.

Resources

Readings

I lost my wallet this year. It was such an annoyance to replace everything in it. A friend, moved by sympathy, gave me a beautiful new one. One month later I lost that one, too, with all my newly replaced cards. No matter what I did, I couldn’t find what I had lost. I resigned myself to never seeing either of my wallets again.

Fortunately, the Lord Jesus is not like me in this regard. In today’s Gospel (John 6:37–40), he says, “This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me.” Jesus, unlike me, is ever vigilant with what the Father has given him. He searches for every lost soul — as the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the one lost sheep, or the woman rejoices upon recovering a lost coin — and even descends to the depths of loss on the cross and into the realm of the dead to recover that which seems forever lost. 

On All Souls’ Day, as we remember our faithful departed, these words kindle a hope beyond hope in our hearts. Even the dead are not lost to Jesus, though they may seem so to us. Nothing entrusted to him by the Father is ever truly lost. So, we may hope that every soul, no matter how wandering or forgotten in life, is secure in his loving care and destined to be raised on the last day. Of what the Father gives him, he loses nothing. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome

November 2, 2025 · Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that we may share our faith, hope, and love with the world, bringing comfort to all who mourn, let us pray to the Lord.

2. That those who are suffering may be consoled and find hope in the promise of the Resurrection, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For all who care for those nearing the end of their lives, that they may be blessed for their selfless ministry, let us pray to the Lord.

4. That we may be inspired by those who have pursued a vocation to serve the Church, let us pray to the Lord.

5. For all our loved ones who have died, that in the fullness of time they may be raised to life eternal with God, let us pray to the Lord.

6. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Next Sunday, we'll have our Vocation Fair outside on the west side of the Church. We invite all youth and those discerning religious life to stop by and talk to one of our Seminarians, Priests, and religious Sisters.

2. Next Sunday, we'll have a second collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Funds are used for a Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program, Vocation Discernment, Veteran Affairs Chaplaincy, meet the pastoral needs of Military families, and young adults by fostering, through small faith groups, outreach ministry and evangelization among 18-24 year olds in the military seeking to support and deepen their Catholic faith.

3. Next week, the St. Vicent de Paul truck will be in the school parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until their truck is filled with your donations. Due to our limited storage space, we ask you not to leave your donations at the parish office. We appreciate your generosity.

Resources

Readings

Every now and then readers of these reflections write letters in which they object to something. Years ago, this Gospel of Luke 18 prompted such an email. A man wrote to me: “I find it deeply offensive that you suggest we are still sinners once we are God’s sons and daughters.” His objection stirred in me a profound awareness of the paradox at the heart of our faith.  Are we sinners or beloved children of God?

In this Gospel (Luke 18:9-14), a tax collector appears as one who has missed the mark. His sins have isolated him. His breast-beating is not an act of self-flagellation for pride’s sake but a heartfelt admission of his failure and unworthiness. Remarkably, Jesus honors the candid humility of the parable’s penitent. Why? Because we are always in need of mercy, always. But even more, perhaps because on the cross, Jesus will fully embrace a similar place of humiliation and rejection. He will enter into the most shameful, offensive place of the sinner so that we might “go home justified.”  

There is a sacred tension in admitting that we are sinners and yet have profound hope. We are beloved sons and daughters of God, growing precisely through our honest acceptance of failure. When we cry, “Have mercy on us,” during Mass or when we repeat the “Jesus Prayer” in quiet moments, or in the confessional, we embrace our imperfections as fertile ground for divine grace. In doing so, we follow Christ’s example — finding true exaltation in the humble acknowledgment of our human frailty.

— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

October 26, 2025 · Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A. For the Church, that we may truly be a church of the poor and for the poor, humbly recognizing our need for God’s mercy while serving the least of our brothers and sisters, let us pray to the Lord.

B. For those in public office, that they may serve their constituents with humility and be attentive to the cries of those most in need, let us pray to the Lord.

C. That we may cherish every human life, from conception to natural death, for we are all made in the image and likeness of God, let us pray to the Lord.

D. For those who have been widowed or orphaned, that through the love of others they may receive affection, companionship, and tender loving care, let us pray to the Lord.

E. For those who have kept the faith and long for God’s appearance and are approaching the end of their lives, that they may at long last receive the crown of righteousness, let us pray to the Lord.

FFor all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. On Friday, October 31st, we will have our Holy Hour at 6:00 p.m. This month, it will be led by Father Eugenio Cárdenas, a member of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit and professor of spiritual theology at the Camarillo Seminary.

Resources

Readings

A woman in my parish has an adult son who has rejected his faith. She prays for him every day. She lights candles, says rosaries, and asks God again and again to bring him back. But nothing changes. Is God listening? Is He delaying? She told me once that she feels like the widow in Jesus’ strange parable — crying out for justice, but hearing only silence. And yet, she said, she is at peace. I asked why. She responded, “God is already answering. I just can’t see it yet.”

She embodies something of the mystery in Jesus’ parable this week in Luke 18. A powerless widow demands justice from a corrupt judge. This isn’t about wearing God down until He gives in. It’s about faith in the justice that is already coming. The widow isn’t just persistent; she believes that justice is inevitable. And when Jesus points to the judge’s words — his fear of being “struck” — He hints at something deeper: God’s justice does not creep in gradually. It strikes. It comes like lightning.

Blessed Mary is, of course, the ultimate widow demanding justice. At the foot of the cross she stands before what looks like the ultimate injustice — the brutal execution of her son. But she did not despair. She did not beg for a last-minute rescue. She knew that justice was not delayed. In fact, it was happening. The power of the cross was already unleashing justice upon the world — suddenly, decisively, like a blow that would topple every corrupt power, making even the most corrupt fear her strike. 

This parable asks us: will the Son of Man find faith on earth? Or will we mistake God’s silence for absence? The cross proves that justice is not slow. It is only hidden. The lightning has already struck. In the cross, justice is speedily being done. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A.

Announcements

1.

Resources

Readings

Dorothy Day, the great Catholic activist, doubted God’s existence. At least in her early adult years. But something changed when after giving birth to her daughter, she experienced an overwhelming gratitude. She later described how, as she held her daughter, the only appropriate response was a kind of unlimited gratitude. She had done nothing to deserve such a gift — this tiny, miraculous life — but there she was, flooded with gratitude, completely undone by the love of such a Giver.

Something similar occurs in Luke 17:19 when Jesus tells a healed leper, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” This man had already received physical healing through his faith. But the moment of an even deeper transformation came when he turned back, fell at Jesus’ feet, and gave thanks. Like Dorothy, this man’s gratitude led him to encounter the Giver.

Isn’t that what we want, too? Gratitude to God has the power to break our chains of sadness, bitterness, and disenchantment. It empowers us to step out of the prison of self-pity and into the reality of God’s abundant love. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have received, from what wounds us to what heals us.

Where do we learn this? The Mass. The priest prays: “It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks.” Always. Everywhere. Not just when life is easy. Not just when prayers are answered as we expect. Gratitude is not a passive feeling; it is an act of faith. In the eucharist, we remember that Christ himself has given everything for us. And in this act of gratitude, we are healed.— Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that we may express our gratitude toward God through the work we do to extend and expand God’s healing mercy, let us pray to the Lord.

2. For doctors, nurses, and health care workers who have dedicated their careers to care for those who are sick or injured, especially those ill with chronic conditions, that they may know the gratitude of those they treat, their loved ones, and all of society, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For indigenous people in this country, that they may receive the dignity and reconciliation they deserve, let us pray to the Lord.

4. That we may be ever grateful for the blessings of this parish community and all who minister to it, let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. We would like to thank everyone who participated in our Parish Fiesta. Information about raffle winners and our Fiesta sponsors can be found in the bulletin. Final Fiesta numbers will be published at the end of the month.

2. The annual Young Adult retreat, also known as CDJ, will take place on October 19 from 9am to 6:30pm in the LA Convention Center. More information could be found in the flyers that are placed by the entrance of the church.

Resources

Readings

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A.

Announcements

1.

Resources

Readings

I am embarrassed to admit that I frequently find myself dining and socializing with people who have millions and sometimes billions of dollars. I’ve eaten more caviar, lobster and wagyu steak than most people on the planet. I justify it by saying it’s part of my job. But I have seven pairs of nice jeans and expensive shoes.

So it is rather uncomfortable to hear Our Lord say: “My child, remember that you received what was good in your lifetime, while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented” (Luke 16:25). Fellow rich people (and if you’re American, you’re rich), do we not vehemently though quietly object to this parable’s karma-esque reward system? Why bless the rich man just to curse him later? And curse Lazarus just to bless him later? So Americans go to hell, while Burundians and Afghans go to heaven? What is going on?

One clue is that the condemned rich man doesn’t complain of injustice. Rather, he simply begs to help his brothers to repent. Of what? We don’t know exactly. Perhaps another clue is that the rich man now seems more like the downtrodden Lazarus. He knows what it is to be hungry and thirsty, to be wounded in the gutter; that he deserved that, not fancy meals and clothes. Maybe the rich man finally understands how to receive true blessings, but it is too late for him. But not for me. Not for us. — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that we may heed the cries of the poor and respond with compassion and charity, let us pray to the Lord.

2. For the world’s refugees, that they may be kept safe on their journeys and in their new homes, far from everything they have ever known, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For a bountiful harvest of the fruit of the land this autumn, and for just and generous compensation for all who work to pick, package, and transport the earth’s yield, let us pray to the Lord.

4. For those who minister to God’s people as priests, that they may be enriched and nourished in their prayer and their work, let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Our Parish Fiesta is next weekend! Our presale ride tickets and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the Parish office. Presale tickets will be available until Friday at 4:00pm. On Friday, at 4:30pm, we'll start our Parish Fiesta with the dedication of the Youth Center to our late pastor, Father Greg.

2. We invite all Parish school alumni to join us on Friday of next week at 5pm to join us on stage to reunite classmates, reconnect with friends, and relive cherished memories from St. Joseph School.

Resources

Readings

Before I was a priest, I was a lazy worker for a retail Apple store. Hearing a rumor that my boss was going to fire me, I secretly sold iPhones for half-price, gave away dozens of free iPads, and donated several brand-new laptops to managers in other stores in the mall. After a week, my boss called me into his office. He knew what I was up to. He said I had cost the store thousands of dollars. “Really great work, John,” he said. “I am going to recommend you to be my assistant manager and double your pay.” I was amazed.

And so are you. Which is understandable because it never happened. How could it? My tall tale is a retelling of Jesus' brow-furrowing parable we hear this week. A lazy, dishonest steward defrauds his boss and then the “master commended the dishonest servant for acting prudently” (Luke 16:8). What is the Lord saying to us?

Most of us treat our spiritual lives like a lazy teenager at an Apple store. We really don’t care. We go through the motions. Then, if we are lucky, something happens that shakes us to spiritual action; to employ whatever time, money, and resources we have to build around us a strong network of love. Every saint did that. Our Lord is so good he wants us to use his stuff to forgive debts and to bless others. He wants us to ensure our future. So do it! — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Sunday, September 21

6:00 AM

Pilar and Jorge Cochella • †

Aurela Guia • †

Evelyn G. Villanueva • †

Cesar B. Villanueva • †

Rainier G. Lorica • †

Antonio L. Aquino • †

Lan Banh • Thanksgiving

10:45 AM

Richard Mendenhall • †

Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez • †

Filemon Gaspar • †

Napolion y Miriam Aguilera •†

Felipe y Gregoria Murillo•†

Rose Ekweonu • Thanksgiving

12:30 PM

Rogelio De Leon • †

Luciano Espinoza • †

Animas del Purgatorio •†

Familia Miranda-Ibarra • prayer

Liliana Miranda •Prayer

Javier Miranda • Prayer

Vincent and Connie Delgadillo • Aniversary

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

For the Church, that we may model to the world an honest and prudent attitude toward material wealth, using it to lift up the poor and raise up the lowly, let us pray to the Lord.

For world leaders, that they may pursue peace, justice, and reconciliation between nations and regions, let us pray to the Lord.

For catechists, that they may kindle a curiosity in our faith and deepen a love of God in those they teach, let us pray to the Lord.

For those who struggle to put food on the table, buy clothing and basic necessities, or keep a roof over their heads, that they may be lifted up through the generosity of this and other Christian communities, let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

Today's second collection is for our annual Mission Appeal in particular for St. Joseph of the Amazons, which Father Joseph share during his homily. Your contributions enable this community to follow the call to serve the people in this remote and very poor area. We thank you for your generosity.

Our Parish Fiesta is less than a month away, our presale ride tickets and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the Parish office. We are also looking for volunteers for that weekend. If you would be interested in helping please leave your name and phone number in our Parish Center.

The Parish will host its first Holy Hour for Vocational discernment this Friday, September 26, from 6pm to 7pm. We invite everyone to join us and pray together through scripture, reflection, and music.

Resources

Readings

One of my favorite movies is the 1991 comedy What About Bob? Bill Murray plays a troubled, paranoid hypochondriac named Bob Wiley who innocently but annoyingly hounds Dr. Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss. Bob is paralyzed by his fear of, well, everything, and is convinced the psychologist can heal him. But Dr. Marvin’s failed attempts to heal Bob end up driving the doctor to attempt to murder Bob. He fails. The surprise is that, having faced death head on, Bob is suddenly healed. He attributes his healing to Dr Marvin for break-through “death therapy.” In facing the cause of his deepest illness and dysfunction, Bob is healed.

 Underneath this light-hearted comedy is a dead-serious resonance with this week’s feast: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Christ is lifted up on the cross to force us to face the truth of sin and death. In that reckoning we find healing. Like Moses’ snake on a pole, the cross says: this is what is causing your sickness – rebellion, disobedience, sin. Look at it! Don’t run from it. Now seeing it exposed, we see life. We see our physician mercifully healing us. In this sense, we are all like Bob Wiley. The “death therapy” of the cross is our only hope for healing. 

 This week I invite you to “exalt the cross.” If you don’t have one in your house, get one. Use it for prayer. Gaze on it frequently. It teaches us to not be afraid. It heals us.  — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross may inspire us to carry our own crosses with the confidence that we never carry them alone, let us pray to the Lord.

2. That leaders around the world may promote and advance initiatives that save lives, improve health, and aid vulnerable populations, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For first responders, 911 operators, and other hotline staffers, that they may realize how vital their interventions to save lives are and may be strengthened in their work, let us pray to the Lord.

4. For our community of faith, that we may see those who are burdened by crosses they feel unable to bear by themselves and step up to assist them as best we can, let us pray to the Lord.

5. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. We have a second collection today for the Black and Indian Missions. Your gift will go to help fund programs such as evangelization and catechesis for these missions.

2. Our Parish Fiesta is less than a month away, our presale ride tickets and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the Parish office. We are also looking for volunteers for that weekend. If you would be interested in helping please leave your name and phone number in our Parish Center.

3. Next Sunday is our annual Mission Appeal. Father Joseph from the Apostolic Vicariate of St. Joseph of the Amazons, located in the Peruvian rain forest, will be present at every Mass, sharing his mission. Your contributions enable Fr. Joseph's community to follow the call to serve the people in this remote and very poor area. We thank you for your generosity.

Resources

Readings

One hot Arizona summer afternoon my car ran out of gas. I phoned the parish office and begged for help. My secretary came and helped me fill the gas tank. She chided me, “If you can’t manage getting your car from A to B, how can we expect you to guide the parish where it needs to go?” Point taken, Julie. I vowed to always make sure I have plenty of gas in my car.

The Lord Jesus chides us in this week’s Gospel, too. He uses the two images of a man building a tower and a king marching soldiers into war to make this single point: acquire what is needed to follow him or look ridiculous. We rightly mock the builder who lacks money for his tower and the king with a short-handed army. But our mocking boomerangs back on us. How do we expect to follow Jesus to the end with insufficient detachment from our possessions and divided hearts?

The good news is, there is still time. Jesus is building a great tower to heaven–his own body. So we renounce all and give ourselves to him as his precious stones. Jesus is waging a battle against our enemy. So we forsake all and swear allegiance and march under his banner. In this way, we will finish what has begun in our discipleship. Or better put, our Lord will have the stones and soldiers required to see his great work through.  — Father John Muir ©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A.

Announcements

1.

Resources

Readings

©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twenty second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, August 30

5:00 PM

Belle Allcantara • †

Rosalio Guerrero • †

Sunday, August 31

6:00 AM

Jorge and Pilar Cochella • †

Jhonny Higland • † 

Jose Vallez Reyes • †

Juan Martin De La Mora • †

Cecilia Williams • Thanksgiving

10:45 AM

Penny Marton • †

Alain Castillo • †

Liz Malto • Prayer

12:30 PM

Jhonny Higland • † 

Anabell Gomez • Birthday

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that we may always welcome the poor and forsaken, whom we find at the peripheries of society, and show them that in God’s eyes they are exalted, let us pray to the Lord.

2. For those who have suffered horrible tragedy, especially those in Minnesota, that they may receive the consolation, the support, and the hope they need to go on, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For blue-collar and white-collar workers, for farmers, migrant workers, factory workers, office workers, service workers, temporary and part-time workers, and all those whose labor contributes to the betterment of their families, this nation, and society, let us pray to the Lord.

4. That our faith community may welcome those who are poor, disabled, homeless, or forsaken to join us in the eucharistic banquet, let us pray to the Lord.

5. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Our Soldiers of Christ youth ministry and the First Communion catechists invite you to a special event, next Sunday at 10:30am in the Redahan Hall, to learn and watch the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.

2. Our Parish Fiesta is less than a month away, ourpresale ride tickets and raffle tickets are available for purchase in the Parish office.1.

Resources

Readings

©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Mass Intentions

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

A.

Announcements

1.

Resources

Readings

©LPi

General Mass Notes

Welcome

Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...

Please stand for our procession.

Mass Intentions

Saturday, August 16

5:00 PM

Hilaria Mercado • †

Jose Hector Barquero • †

All Souls of Purgatory • †

Becky Strong • †

Roda Family • Thanksgiving

Sunday, August 17

6:00 AM

Pilar Maldonado • †

10:45 AM

Ernesto Rendon • †

Consuelo Medina • †

Lisa Steinberg • †

Fr. Gene Buhr • †

Fr. Gregory King • †

Jennifer Lee Tolosa • Health

Ivory Claire Tolosa • Health

Ione N. Betonio • Birthday

12:30 PM

Irene Torres • †

Lorena Navarro • †

Nemesio Cervantes • Health

Universal Prayer (Petitions)

1. For the Church, that we may truly become a great cloud of witnesses, encouraging each other to persevere in our discipleship through setbacks and hardships, let us pray to the Lord.

2. For world leaders, that they may exercise wisdom and good judgment when faced with dissent or opposition, let us pray to the Lord.

3. For those suffering from the summer heat, especially those who must work outside, those who have no homes, and those who cannot afford air conditioning, that they may be kept safe from harm, let us pray to the Lord.

4. For all who struggle to be faithful witnesses of the Gospel, those suffering from hardship, grief, or doubt, that they may know the support of this faith community, let us pray to the Lord.

5. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.

Announcements

1. Today we have a second collection for the National Combined Fund. This fund supports Black and Indian Missions, Catholic University of America, Catholic Communications Campaign, and Catholic Home Missions Appeal. We thank you for your generosity.

2. The Parish is looking for dance and music groups for our Parish fiesta which takes place on the first weekend of October. If you are interested, please leave your information at the Parish office.

Resources

Readings