They say that the definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.  The Mary Star Football team keeps playing against bigger schools, still won't pay its coaches, and have kept the same basic coaching staff (changing head coaches but keeping it all in the family) for years while continually having losing seasons.  And when hey did have a winning season they limped into the playoffs to get their clocks cleaned.  Maybe it is time to actively…

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Recently, Archbishop Gomez asked me to become the assistant Vicar of Clergy for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. 

This position requires a six year commitment, three of which I will serve as the assistant, followed by three more years as the Vicar of Clergy. 

This office cares for the well being of all the Priest in the Archdiocese of…

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Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation has given an early holiday gift to the California State University, Dominguez Hills School of Nursing. Last week, University President Mildred García accepted a check for $25,000 from the health care provider.

In recognition of the gift and Providence Little Company of…

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Emily Harrison wins the 2011 Queen crown at the 64th annual Mary Star of the Sea fiesta. 

 

The 64th annual Mary Star of the Sea Fiesta kicked off Friday night and will continue until 11:00pm on Sunday, July 17. The Fiesta Queen will be chosen between three candidates at 7:30pm while the winner of the Grand Prize, a car or $20,000 will be announced at 10pm on Sunday. View video for more details.

 

July 3, 2011

Readings for The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Zec 9:9-10: Rom 8:9,

11-13; Mt 11:25-30

 After the reign of King Solomon in 597 B.C. the kingdom of Israel fell into civil war and broke into two different countries.  The Northern wealthier territory retained the name Israel while the Southern poorer area where Jerusalem was located was named Judah after its most predominate tribe.    In 721 B.C. the Northern Kingdom was invaded by the…

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June 12, 2011

Pentecost Sunday Readings: Acts 2:1-11;

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

As I write this pastor message we are expecting extraordinary thunder storms during the month of June.  I have always been amazed and a little fearful of the power and beauty of thunder and lightning.  I realize that science is able to explain this phenomenon, but it reminds us  of the unseen power that is present in the universe and world that we are a part of.  For the…

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June 5, 2011

Sunday Readings:

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20

 The Preface of the Eucharist Prayer for major feast often provides a good summary of the Church’s Teaching for the given day.  It is always a prayer that helps us express our gratefulness to God and today, on the Feast of the Ascension this is especially true.  It reads as follows: “Father, all powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere…

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May 29, 2011

Sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21.

In her book, Living in Courage, Debra Oakland listed 144 qualities of love: Acceptance, Accountability, Activity, Adoration, Allowance, Attention,  Authority, Awareness, Balance, Beauty, Blessedness, Boldness, Boundless, Bravery, Calmness, Caring, Centered-ness, Charity, Clarity, Command, Commitment, Community, Compassion, Concentration, Confidence, Consciousness, , Consideration,…

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June 19, 2011

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18

 One of the great mysteries of the Ancient world was the origin of the Nile, the longest river in the world.  In ancient Greece, the source of the Nile was considered one of the earth’s most compelling mysteries, written about extensively by the 460 BC historian Herodotus, who believed the river sprang from between two massive mountains. Later, the Emperor Nero ordered his…

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May 15, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10



There is an old story about a famous actor who after performing soliloquies for a dinner gathering read as an encore Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd”. The audience was very impressed and gave him a standing

ovation. When they finished he spotted an elderly priest in the crowd and invited him to come and recite the same psalm. With a weak voice and true heart the… Continue

May 22, 2011

Readings for The Fifth Sunday of Easter:

Acts 6:1-7: 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12

Directions were always very difficult when I

was studying Spanish in Guatemala

twenty-three years ago. Not because I did not

understand the language, Izquierda, derecha, derecho (left, right,

straight). The problem was that when you asked for simple

directions people would often point with their hands and say,

“go that direction and turn left, then go down a way… Continue

May 1, 2011

Acts 5:12-16; Rev 1:9-11a 17-19; Jn 20:19-31



If there is any passage that Catholics should put to memory I believe that it should be today’s Gospel, John 20:19-24. John’s Gospel has Jesus giving the sacraments of Holy Orders, Confirmation and Penance on the night of the resurrection. The disciples still do not understand the events that have taken place; they are in the upper room afraid with the doors locked. The gospel says that the doors are locked for fear of the… Continue

     In my first assignment as a priest I regularly visited an elderly man in his nineties, Jose Holguin. Jose insisted on playing a little jazz piano after I would give him communion. At his age he could not hit all of the proper keys on the piano, but you could still recognize the tune and understand that once this was a very good musician. One day, I was called to the hospital to anoint Jose before a serious operation. When I arrived he was being wheeled into the operating room. The…

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Third Sunday of Lent: Ex 17:3-7; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42

A new pastor was out visiting his parishioners one Saturday afternoon. All went well until he came to one house. Although it was obvious someone was home, no one came to the door, even after he had knocked several times. Finally, he pulled out his card, wrote,…

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