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