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.
