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Messages From Father Steve

Messages From Father Steve

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 16, 2025

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/14/25

I craved four things as a teenager: success in sports, food, fun and the attention of popular people. However, I noticed that as I  acquired them, I was more unsatisfied than before. So, I’d strive even more energetically, achieve more, and the sense of emptiness was greater still. These ... Read More »

The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 2/07/25

My parents’ garage is full of old junk that no longer serves any purpose in my life. As a 46-year-old man, I admit that’s pretty lame.  Either due to my sentimentality or laziness (or both, probably), I just couldn’t get myself to throw things away. But a  ew days ... Read More »

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2025

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/31/25

What is the secret to sharing in God’s power to overcome our difficulties? Mary teaches us this in the prophecy of her pierced heart. This Sunday, the old man Simeon prophecies that when her son faces opposition, Mary’s soul will be pierced by a sword. The seemingly pointless agony ... Read More »

The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 26, 2025

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/24/25

A young couple in my parish told me they were expecting their second child, a baby boy. I knew that their five-year old only child Emma had been desperately wanting to be a big sister for years, so I said, “Emma must have been so happy when you told ... Read More »

The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 19, 2025

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/17/25

A friend invited me to an invitation-only wine-tasting event. There were over two hundred varieties of wine. Having no idea how to approach such a massive selection, I wandered aimlessly among the tables, sipping this and that. At the end of the evening my friend asked if I had ... Read More »

The Baptism of the Lord / Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 1/11/25

Today’s Feast, the Baptism of the Lord, is the last day of the Christmas Season. Tomorrow begins the first part of Ordinary Time, which will be explained and described more in the coming weeks. Some years, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is during the week and ... Read More »

Feast of the Holy Family/Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia December 29, 2024

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 12/28/24

As a first-time pastor in a parish, I received a phone call one afternoon from a young married couple, “Father, our 2-year old son drowned in our pool this morning. We are at the hospital. Please help us.” I sped over. The little boy was gone, his body cold, ... Read More »

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 12/20/24

Today’s Gospel is the story of Mary, having just accepted her role in salvation history (agreeing to become the mother of Jesus), who set out to visit her relative, Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist). What comes to mind are two things.

First, here is this young woman, ... Read More »

The Third Sunday of Advent December 15, 2024

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 12/13/24

Brothers and Sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always! (Phil 4) I shall say it again: Rejoice! St. Paul goes on to say that the Lord Jesus is near!  Today is the third Sunday in Advent, which is sometimes called the “pink” Sunday as that is the color of the ... Read More »

The Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2024

Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 12/06/24

The second Sunday in Advent finds us getting closer to Christmas and coincides with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary (that is, that date that she was conceived in her mother’s womb). Both occur this year on December 8. Because of the Sunday celebration of Advent, the ... Read More »

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