I was 16 years old on a youth group retreat in the mountains. One night, I opened my heart to the message being proclaimed: that God so loved the world that He sent His Son for us. Later, I lay under the pine trees and looked up at the countless stars. They seemed different. No longer cold, distant balls of chemical reactions, they appeared as an expression of God’s love, as if He were giving those stars directly to me. The truth of God sending His Son changed how I saw the whole universe.
That is what today’s Gospel reveals: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” (John 3:16) The universe is not just a whirl of impersonal forces or empty space. At its heart is a gift: the Father eternally giving the Son, not to condemn, but to bring life.
This is not abstract doctrine but deeply personal. God gives His Son for you and me. Each human life is precious enough to be caught up in that eternal gift.
It is in the Mass where we encounter this most directly. In the Word proclaimed, in the assembly gathered, in the priest, and above all in the Eucharist, the Father once again gives His Son. What looks like bread and wine is the drama of the Trinity, laboring to love us here and now.
The Trinity is not a puzzle to solve but the blazing Truth at the center of everything: the Father gives the Son for you and me. Lord, help us to see this more clearly.
— 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 extend God’s love, mercy, and kindness to the world, especially to those most in need, becoming a more and more effective and powerful witness to God’s goodness, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That leaders around the world may take Saint Paul’s words to heart, mending their ways, finding agreement with one another, and living in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those preparing for their wedding day, that the union of their love in marriage may reflect the divine love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
D. For those whose sinfulness has led them away from God and the body of Christ, the Church, that they may feel remorse for their sinful actions and may find mercy beyond what they deserve from God and from the community, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For students and teachers, that they may enjoy the rest and renewal of a summer break, 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
Today, we have our Ministry Fair. We invite you to walk around the Church and visit one of our ministries and see how you can integrate to our Parish community.
The Parish cordially invites you to attend Father Gustavo's Jubilee Mass next Saturday at 2:00pm. There will be a small reception after Mass in the school parking lot.
