I am susceptible to fetid odors and insects, which can distract my activities and works. Therefore, I empty the trash every night and every month, an exterminator treats the rectory, both inside and outside. Can you imagine what the rectory and surrounding areas would be like if these activities were not done correctly?
Throughout the ages, we see successful individuals strictly following their principles. They use their principles as guides to achieve their goals and complete projects. We would love to obtain the principles of Albert Einstein, George Washington, Leonardo da Vinci, or Mahatma Gandhi so we might compare our principles to understand success. Sadly, no one can share these specific principles with us.
Today's gospel talks about a direct interaction when Jesus and Peter clash, but the results are comforting. It starts when the disciples sense that they have made several trips with Jesus from one village to another, witnessing many things. That is, Jesus healed many sick and was applauded by the crowds. The disciples would have thought Jesus would continue this mission—to teach the people and heal the sick. They had grown comfortable with that lifestyle. However, a mood of anger erupts when Peter interrupts His teachings.
Over the past weeks, the international news and social media televised the Fall of Kabul event, particularly the airlifting of many Afghans. Last week a group of Afghans evacuated from Kabul to Germany, and from there, they transferred to the United States. Before the Fall of Kabul, did these Afghans receive itineraries? I'm guessing they did not. It took them by surprise. However, they did not hesitate to cooperate with rescuers to take them out and into the places where they could speak, share, and practice their freedom and religion.
In today's gospel, Jesus has harsh words for the Pharisees about their hypocrisy. He notices the Pharisees remarkably demonstrate their passion and adoration for religious rules and traditions. Their laws stiffened and took away the followers' freedom; there was no heartfelt motivation to go beyond the laws to reach out to God and humanity.
Welcome back to school all St. Thomas More Catholic School's students, parents, and teachers! St. Thomas More School started the new school year last Monday. In a special gesture, I walked through classrooms, prayed, and blessed their backpacks. I could see students have grown physically and mentally since last fall. This is a positive sign that indicates their parents protected and enlightened them well. We continue to pray for all students that God's Spirit will motivate their loving enthusiasm to openly learn through growing faith and all areas of their lives.
Babonneau is predominately a farming community; along with the surrounding areas is populated by about 10,000 people, most of whom are Catholics. There are two Catholic Primary Schools under the parish care with two outstations for weekends Masses. Every Sunday we gather about 600 people in the Parish Church at Babonneau, 150-200 people in Bogius and more than a hundred in Des Barras the outstations. The Babonneau Parish is a vibrant and lively community with many church groups and confraternities including Youth Groups, Youth and Parish choirs, Sacred Heart Confraternity, Sunday school for children, Couples for Christ, Legion of Mary, and Men's fellowship. ...Read More...
Many Catholic churches, schools, and homes are filled with statues and images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This practice concerns many Christian denominations. Like all Christians, we believe that God is our Creator. Jesus Christ is truly both God and man, born of the Virgin Mary. We believe that Christ sacrificed, died, and rose from the dead as our Redeemer. The Roman Catholic Church shares those core principles with most Christian believers. However, they disagree with the Catholic Church regards Marian's doctrine and devotion.
You may agree with me that two important places in your home are the kitchen and dining table. They are there for purposes: to prepare and serve food for the family members. These places also connect us to other folks, like extended family, friends, and other guests. Even more, those places nourish our physical bodies. Generally, we cannot avoid such places. However, if they're not managed well, these places can also cause us harm and inflict illnesses later!
Sometimes we look back to those days when we could do many things or travel almost anywhere as long as we could manage our schedules and resources. However, many of us no longer have such opportunities, at least during this time. We look back and regret those prosperous years. Whatever your situation may be, no one can live for yesterday or tomorrow; we can live only for the present moment.
Sunday, August 1 - Parish Hall: STM will host a fingerprinting event for Los Angeles Archdiocese employees and volunteers. Contact the Rectory to schedule an appointment.
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.