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August 1, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
Just like the disciples who were sent forth by Jesus and
now are rejoining Jesus, I was also sent forth and I now
need to rejoin my community, bringing with me all the
learnings I have gained and ready to bring in new
perspective and fresh vigor to the community that will
continue to send forth missionaries. I am filled with
sadness because I am leaving; with anxiety because I will
start again; and with fear because I am taking on new
responsibilities. But I am at peace because I trust that the
Lord knows better, and he will surprise me with beautiful
things beyond my imagination, as I have proven many
times in the past.
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July 13, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
What does this Gospel say to the Church today? How, in
today’s world, should we interpret the command of Jesus
to go forth without money or food, with only sandals, staff
and a single garment? New Testament scholar Brendan
Byrne offers this insight: “Today’s Gospel reminds the
Church that the effectiveness of its prophetic role – its
critique of prevailing cultural assumptions and practices -
will largely be in proportion to the ‘lightness’ with which it
travels, its trust in the goodness (hospitality) of ordinary
people, and the lack of self-seeking its clergy present to
the world.”
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July 5, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
The Gospel reading for this Sunday takes us to the story of
Jesus’ rejection by the people of Nazareth. Jesus is coming “to
his own country.” The literal Greek is patrída which means his
fatherland, the place from which he hailed, his hometown. He
has come back in order to teach and preach. But they took
offense at him. They said, “Where did this man get all this? Is
he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James
and Joses and Judas and Simon?”
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June 29, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
Despite the differences in social standing, in the manner of approaching Jesus, in age and in the gravity of condition, the little girl and the hemorrhaging woman received miraculous healing. Jesus does not discriminate. He heals us all. What is needed is faith, and always faith.
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June 22, 2024
The works of the God of Israel in the Old Testament are the same works that Jesus does in the New Testament. So, to the question of Mark, “Who then is this [Jesus] whom even wind and sea obey?”, he is God. He is one with the God of Israel. He is God who became flesh and dwelt among men.
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June 15, 2024
A father is a source of strength and support. He strives to provide for and raise his children to know right from wrong, to develop sound moral values. A dad puts the needs of his family before his own. A dad teaches his children the value of hard work, courage, honesty and good judgment. A dad creates memories with his children that will last them a lifetime… by teaching them to ride a two-wheel bicycle or how to throw a curveball or simply just by quiet-time together, allowing his children to revel in the security of a protective, paternal love. A dad encourages his children to live lives of holiness and quiet fortitude. Most of all, through his own life of faith, a father teaches his children by example to cultivate a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father through prayer, to live their lives according to God’s word and guide them firmly along the path to their eternal, Heavenly destination. Whether he realizes it or not, it is through such dedication and commitment to his family, that a dad emulates Saint Joseph.
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June 8, 2024
Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991, in London though his family moved to Milan shortly after. From a young age, Carlo seemed to have a special love for God, even though his parents weren’t especially devout. The priest promoting his cause for sainthood noted that Carlo “managed to drag his relatives, his parents to Mass every day. It was not the other way around; it was not his parents bringing the little boy to Mass, but it was he who managed to get himself to Mass and to convince others to receive Communion daily.” What an inspiration for a child to model faith witness to a family!
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June 1, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we also take this opportunity to understand Communion. Fr. Joseph McGloin teaches that, “The word ‘communion’ is almost self-explanatory. Literally, it means ‘union with.’ It suggests a sharing, a mutual participation. Holy Communion, is, then, an intimate sharing in the life of Christ” (How to Get More Out of the Mass, p. 128).
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May 25, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
May 24th, we marked the conclusion of our Catechetical Year 2023-2024 with a Mass. I am overwhelmed with joy and filled with hope knowing that hundreds of children have received the Eucharist for the first time and teens and adults have finally been confirmed in their faith. Not to mention, the many more young disciples and their parents who received their faith formation. But we cannot rest on our laurels. The journey continues and so does the mission.
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May 17, 2024
“The Paraclete is a witness in defense of Jesus and a spokesman for him in the context of his trial by his enemies; the Paraclete is a consoler of the disciples for he takes Jesus’ place among them; the Paraclete is a teacher and guide of the disciples and thus their helper. New Testament scholar Brendan Byrne, on the other hand, offers us this: “A Paraclete is someone that you would want standing beside you when you are in a difficult situation - under accusation, at a loss for what to say, needing defense.” Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
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May 11, 2024
In the family, there is the mother. Every human person owes his or her life to a mother, and almost always owes much of what follows in life, both human and spiritual formation, to her. Yet, despite being highly lauded from a symbolic point of view, the mother is rarely listened to or helped in daily life, rarely considered central to society in her role. Rather, often the readiness of mothers to make sacrifices for their children is taken advantage of so as to “save” on social spending.
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May 10, 2024
Đức Giêsu đã chịu chết và được Thiên Chúa phục sinh. Được phục sinh là điều kỳ diệu, chưa từng thấy. Đấng từ thế giới Thiên Chúa bước xuống thế giới con người. Sau khi hoàn tất công trình cứu độ, Ngài trở về với Thiên Chúa. Lễ Thăng Thiên là lễ mừng Con Thiên Chúa thành công. Chính Thiên Chúa Cha rước Con về, đưa Con lên, tôn vinh Con trong thế giới thần linh vĩnh cửu. Người Con này không những có thần tính, mà còn có nhân tính. Ngài là Con Người đầu tiên đi vào thế giới của Thiên Chúa, với thân xác phục sinh được hoàn toàn biến đổi. Chúa Giêsu được rước về trời, ngự bên hữu Thiên Chúa. Ngài là Đầu, mở cửa trời cho cả nhân loại bước vào, từ người đầu tiên là Ađam cho đến người cuối lúc tận thế. Lễ Thăng Thiên là lễ mừng cho phẩm giá con người. Nhân loại biết mình đi đâu sau cuộc sống ngắn ngủi tại thế. Thân xác con người biết mình sẽ không trở về bụi tro. Thiên Chúa và con người không gì chia lìa được. Lễ Chúa về trời nhắc chúng ta về sức hút của đất. Hấp dẫn của đất làm ta quên rằng trời mới là chỗ dừng chân. Những lo âu về cơm áo gạo tiền làm ta khép lại, so đo và ích kỷ. Những đau thương của phận người làm ta mất niềm hy vọng. Đất thì gần, còn trời lại xa xôi. Làm sao ta sống để người khác nhận ra trời ở ngay trong đất? Lạy Chúa Giêsu, xin giúp chúng con ở lại trong Chúa, để qua cuộc sống hàng ngày của chúng con, mọi người thấy Nước Trời đang tỏ hiện. Amen.!!!
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May 4, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
How does Christ love? He lays down his life for his friends. It is the greatest form of love. It is a sacrificial kind of love. It is a love offered generously that, when fully received, makes the one who receives it holy.
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April 27, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15, 5) This is a beautiful image of the life of Christian discipleship. For anyone who is engaged in the work of evangelization, whether at home (parents), in the Church (religious leaders and volunteers), or in the missions (lay missionaries), it is absolutely necessary to come to the Eucharist and receive nourishment and sustenance from the Lord. Unless you do it in and with Christ, you will not bear any fruit for the Kingdom of God.
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April 18, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
Pope Francis says this to young people, and especially those who feel distant or uncertain about the Church: “Let Jesus draw you to himself; bring him your important questions by reading the Gospels; let him challenge you by his presence, which always provokes in us a healthy crisis. More than anyone else, Jesus respects our freedom. He does not impose, but proposes. Make room for him and you will find the way to happiness by following him. And, should he ask it of you, by giving yourself completely to him.”
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April 13, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
The Greek word for spirit is pneuma. But in this context, spirit can also mean what we would consider to be a ghost or the spirit of a person who has departed from this world coming and appearing to us after their death. It is one of the examples that we see in the Gospels where the disciples might seem to believe in the existence of the soul after death.
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March 30, 2024
by BISHOP ALBERTO ROJAS
“For God so loved the world…” It is significant that “world” is used, instead of “human race” or “humankind.” We can read this as a reminder that God created everything in our reality – the skies, the mountains, the oceans, the deserts, all the plant life, the fish, the animals, and of course, us, who He created in His own image and likeness. The breath of new life and rebirth that comes to us at Easter is something that we share with all of God’s creation. It’s reflected in our Easter imagery, the beautiful and vibrant colorful flowers that represent the plant world, the “bunny” that represents the animal kingdom, the eggs that represent the beginning of life for so many species.
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March 16, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
During the season of Lent, the memorial and feast of many saints are not celebrated due to hierarchy in liturgical festivities. The Sundays and Weekdays of Lent occupy a higher position. But two saints are difficult not to remember and to reflect on.
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March 1, 2024
by Fr. Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
Fasting builds up our spiritual strength, and the Church asks us to complete this simple task every time we receive Holy Communion for our own benefit. Just like any athlete, we need to exercise discipline and fasting is great for building those spiritual muscles. Without fasting we are weak, and our passions drive us to wherever the wind blows.
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February 24, 2024
by Joseph CM Pilotin, MS
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that is received by those who are ill or suffering. By the sacred anointing and the prayer of the priest, the whole Church commends those who are sick to Christ. The sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gifts of strength, faith, peace, and courage, and his or her suffering is united with the suffering of Christ for the building up of the Church (CCC nos. 1520-23).
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