What do you call brothers who are born on the same day? Twins, of course. That is what we celebrate today in the inestimable saints, Peter and Paul. Wait: twins? Yes. The early Church believed that Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome on the same day. Since the day of martyrdom is celebrated as a saints’ birth into eternal life, the result is striking: Peter and Paul are twins in God’s family, the Church.
Who should care about this? Well, anyone who longs to live in a world marked by love and peace. Remember, the Romans believed that twins, Romulus and Remus, founded their city through an act of fratricide, the former murdering the latter. Sadly, the structures of this fallen world emerge through violence between those who should love each other. But in the Church, a new city has been founded upon this new set of twins, embodying the non-violent power of Jesus’ cross and resurrection.
That’s why traditional icons represent Peter and Paul in a fraternal and warm embrace. Contrasted with the violence of Rome’s founders, it challenges us with a bold claim: do we believe that structures of merciful love are more powerful and lasting than those based on power, violence, and domination? Am I willing to see others in my life as my “twin,” with whom I am called to give my life for Christ, or as my rival? Am I committed to living what is embodied in Romulus and Remus, or in Peter and Paul? — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Collection next week.
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Mass Intentions
Saturday, June 28
5:00 PM
Salvador Paez Aviles • †
Roberto Ambriz De Jesus • †
Eduardo y Ramon Nava • †
Dolores Reyes De Ambriz • Intention
10:45 AM
Fe Ea • †
Petra Vielma Aguilera • †
Mrs. Gloria & Veronica Oliveros • Health
12:30 PM
Pedro Antonio Arce • †
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For Pope Leo the fourteenth, successor of Saint Peter, that he may be blessed with wisdom and fortitude as he tends the Lord’s flock around the world, let us pray to the Lord.
B. For missionaries, who follow in the footsteps of Saint Paul, that they may keep the faith as they preach and apply the Good News of Jesus Christ to the communities they serve, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For our nation, as we celebrate the 249th year of its independence this week, that it may continue to meet the challenge of creating an ever more perfect union, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For our parish community, that we may be inspired by Saint Peter and Saint Paul as we grow together in discipleship of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Registration for First Communion and Confirmation is open. Requirements are listed in our bulletin. This Sunday, we have adult Confirmation registration from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph Hall. Youth Confirmation registration will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Center.
2. The parish will be closed this Friday, July 4th, in observance of Independence Day. We will have Masses at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There will be no confessions or exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
3. Do you feel a call to be a catechist? We are looking for catechists to help instruct our youth and adult confirmation candidates. If you are interested, please leave your name and phone number at the Parish office.
4. Next week is our annual Peter’s Pence collection, to support the universal Church and the work of the Holy See, including helping Pope Leo (the fourteenth) to carry out his charitable works. These works will benefit our brothers on the periphery of society, including victims of war, oppression and disasters.
5. We thank Edgar Amaral and his construction company for sponsoring our bulletin; their information can be found on the last page of our bulletin. If you have a business and would like to sponsor our weekly bulletin, you can call the phone number at the bottom of the last page.