Messages From Father Steve
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 »
Our Lord jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 24, 2024
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 11/22/24
Today is the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe! It is also the last Sunday in the Liturgical Year, which started back last Advent. As many would agree, time flies. If you think about it, lots has happened, especially in the last few months in ... Read More »
The Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time November 17, 2024
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 11/15/24
Did you know that in 2016, Pope Francis designated the Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (each year) as “World Day of the Poor”? That day is today! Not only do Catholic Churches in the USA take up the Annual Collection for the Campaign for Human Development today, but there ... Read More »
The Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time November 10, 2024
Posted by Nancy Carrizales on 11/08/24
By the time you read this, it is my hope (and I think the hope of many Americans) that the national election results will have been counted and finalized. If so, it is time to now look forward to the new leadership in both houses of government as well ... Read More »