In the book entitled Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, the author describes how everyday life affected prisoners' behaviors while enduring harsh surroundings—specifically, concentration camps. He observed the tendency of humankind to design and do good for others, for which he wrote: "The more a person forgets himself—by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love—the more human he is, and the more he actualizes himself."
Operating a computer with multiple windows and tabs open at the same time can slow down the computer or even cause it to crash. Similarly, as we run faster, our heart beats faster and may not pump enough blood to our brain and the rest of the body, increasing the risk of a heart attack. The truth is that everything in this universe has limits.
Los Angeles County and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have mandated that facemasks must be worn indoors. Please see our COVID-19 information for up-to-date information and details.
I can imagine during the summer vacation, many of you may have packed your suitcases and backpacks with many things like sunscreen, devices, credit cards, clothes, water, medicines, facemasks, and hand sanitizer needed for a trip. Preparation gives travelers a sense of peaceful security.
Happy Fourth of July to you all! On July 4 each year, we celebrate Independence Day, a momentous event that originated in 1776 when the American colonies no longer recognized king George III's authority over them. This led the Americans to rise up and fight for their liberty and rights in the first colonies.
On June 22 each year, the Church celebrates the patron saint of our parish, Saint Thomas More. You may have watched or read documentaries about his life. He was a man of integrity and faith. He exercised his faith through his commitment to the Church, which was addressed well through his responses to King Henry VIII. Choosing between giving up his loyalty to the Church in exchange for freedom, position, and political prestige, he decided to adhere to the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. Thomas More loved his country and respected the king, but his Church came first. Unfortunately, he was beheaded on July 6, 1535.
To all fathers, Happy Father’s Day - this important day to acknowledge and thank you for all the sacrifice, love, and guidance you model for our lives in good times and bad. There are myriad benefits of having authentic relationships with our parents. Naturally, good fathers advise and protect their children. With that in mind, we turn to the Scriptures, where we find many occasions when God, the Father of all nations, saved His people from dangerous situations. The illustration of God coming through in humanitarian assistance is resonated in today’s gospel. We hear that Jesus’ disciples are terrified by the power of a storm while they are on a boat in the water. When unpredictable external forces scare the disciples, they do not know how to regain control and restore balance. Fortunately, amid all the chaos, they know who to turn to.
There was a story about a man who was walking in a desert. It was hot, and he was desperately in need of water. He found a water bottle shop that only sold empty bottles without any water. He ridiculed the seller saying: "why, in the middle of this desert, would you only sell empty bottles?!" He left the shop angry and continued his search for a place to buy water. Eventually, he found the shop with plentiful water to buy. However, the owner refused to sell to him and said, "this shop only sells water to those who have empty bottles!"
Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This solemnity is crucial regarding practicing our faith in Jesus. The gospel tells us that Jesus asks his disciples to prepare a Passover meal for him shortly before being captured. While they were together, Jesus took the bread and then wine and told them, "Take it; this is my body," and "This is my blood of the covenant." From that moment forward, the disciples gathered and shared the meal to commemorate his sacrifice and love for all believers.
Congratulations to all students who received their first Holy Communion last Saturday! During the Eucharistic Celebration, I asked the first Holy Communicant candidates the following question: "What was the first gift your mother gave to you?" Some answered the gift of faith, others gift of life, and some others gift of love. Those are genuine answers. I told them the first gift a mother gives to her child is the gift of sacrifice. Mom surrenders her freedom, social reputation, humiliation, finance, or even her right to give birth—a new human being into the family. Hence, the sacrifice must take place prior; others will follow.
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Now more than ever, individuals and families across California need to know the critical role CalFresh plays in providing nutrition assistance to millions of Californians. Apply today! GetCalFresh.org / 1-877-847-3663
For many colleges and universities across America, May is graduation month. Congratulations to the graduates! Four years ago, I helped my niece on her move-in day as she started her first semester in college. I could see her worried anxiety from confusion as she checked into her dormitory! Nevertheless, four years later, last week, as I watched her walked on the stage to receive her diploma during the graduation ceremony. She was a different person, having grown in confidence and maturity.