La celebración del Sacramento de Confirmación fue muy bella. En día jueves 28 de abril, en una ceremonia bilingüe, el arzobispo Brunett confirmó a 58 jóvenes de la parroquia. Unos 25 eran de la comunidad hispana. La lista completa se encuentra en mi columna en inglés. También expresé mi agradecimiento a los que trabajaron tan duro para preparar a los candidatos. Quisiera agradecer especialmente a Mario Recinos por todo lo que hecho en orientar a los jóvenes.
Estamos progresando con el proyecto de dar nombres a los varios cuartos de la Ailbe House. Además de la biblioteca, que en el 20 de junio, renombraremos en honor a la Sra. Sharon Carriere, los siguientes grupos han dado estos nombres: San Vicente de Paul – el Beato Federico Ozanam, Caballeros de Colón – el Padre Miguel J. McGivney, Legión de María – San Luis Marie de Montfort, Legion of Mary (inglés) – San Lorenzo Ruiz, Valentía (Courage) – Santa Catalina de Suecia, Párroco – Beato Carlos Leisner, Adoración Perpetua – Misericordia Divina.
Estamos en el proceso de mejorar la Ailbe House para la rededicaion el 20 de junio. Muchos de Uds. han comentado sobre la nueva alfombra, mesas, sillas, reparación de ventanas y puertas de la biblioteca y otros cuartos. Lo que recibimos por medio de la Petición Anual Católica usaremos para renovaciones. Este incluye proyectos pequeños como puertas y ventanas, pero también proyectos mayores como eliminación de asbestos, reparación del techo y el retiro de la deuda del calentón. Les agradezco su atención al Diacono Abel Magaña el domingo pasado. Este domingo es domingo de compromiso.
Al comenzar el mes de mayo tenemos unas bellas actividades en honor a la Siempre Virgen María – y nuestras madres terrenas también. Este sábado comenzamos la novena de misas y rosarios para nuestras mamás, vivas y difuntas. El santo rosario será rezado a las 7:30 p.m. del 1ero al 9 de mayo.
Para los que pueden seguir una charla en inglés, habrá unas oportunidades para profundizar la fe. El evangelista laico, Mark Shea, dará una conferencia el 12 de junio, de 10:30 a.m. hasta 4:30 p.m., sobre el tema “Los Sentidos de las Sagradas Escrituras – Leer la Biblia Como Católico.” El mes siguiente un padre de la Prelatura de Opus Dei dará una presentación sobre “El Código Da Vinci.” Muchos de Uds. han escuchado de este libro, una obra de ficción que al mismo tiempo propone una teorías sobre Cristo y el origen de la Iglesia Católica que muchos (incluyendo el autor) han tomado en serio. El libro es divertido – pero la realidad es aun más interesante que la ficción. Si Ud. quiere saber mas, venga a la conferencia el 12 de julio a las 7 p.m.
El Padre Ramón y yo estaremos disponibles para confesiones este jueves de 6 a 8 p.m. El próximo sábado habrá dos misas para celebración de Primeras Comuniones. Favor de rezar por los niños que recibirán este gran sacramento.
Lista de niños para Primera Comunión (24 de abril)
English First Communion Miranda Benavides Monica Corcoro Regine R. Fernandez Liliana Gudiel Jonathan Hipolito Ashley Nelson Myah Williams Alexis Stilwell Sylvia Martinez John Paul Hansen Kyle Cho Mika Rowe Jaquelin Aragonez Teran Burnite Sam Dominico Rachael George Savanna Hernadez Jack Larsen Alex Rodal Marisa Munoz Joel Martinez Julio Martinez Ivan Cho Timothy Seballos
We had a wonderful celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation last Wednesday. In a bilingual ceremony, Archbishop Brunett confirmed fifty-eight youth and adults of our parish:
Zharina Angeles Marneil E. Bacelonia Nancy Bustillo Emily Byrne Isabel Canlas Crystal Carillo Marivel Cavazos Casey Dagdag Maria Damey John Denault Daniel Estigoy Rachael Fox Mariel Fragada Elizabeth French Sheena Gagh Esteban Garcia Ryan C. Guevarra Sylvia T. Hunt Dewevell Jones II Evelyn Leaños Cliff Macaraeg Sarah Moffat Michaela G. Parfait Christina Radmacher Daniel Riojas Jackie Sablan Louis G. Shipley Richard A. Stilwell Stephen James Stilwell Linda Tran Steven Tran Susan M. Thrasher Allison C. Wettstein Madeline Levesque Adriana Lucero Alejandro Martinez Alfredo Ramirez Alonsso Rey Gaytan Ana Gonzalez Andrea Lucero Brenda Raymundo Martinez Emanuel Perez Sanchez Fredy Zamora Gerardo Emilio Orozco Rosales Guadalupe Monserrat Salmoran Gustavo Bañuelos Ramirez Jr. Isabel Guadalupe Salmoran Jorge Luis Richarte Jose Chi Jose Miguel Valenzuela Juan Manuel Mora Maria Delia Auceda Guerra Nancy Castañeda Soriano Rafael Lester Garcia Sindy Paola Auceda Guerra Sonia Bañuelos Ramirez Victor Ernesto Ramirez Wilfredo Hairol Vallejos Villalobos Yudith de Jesus Velazquez
Fr. Ramon continues to meet with those who have been confirmed. As Archbishop Brunett said in his homily, this is not the end but the beginning of a new life sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Vernon Wells is forming a youth group which will have a number of excellent activities over the summer months, including the Shaw Island Retreat and the Northwest Steubenville Conference. I want to thank Fr. Ramon, Vernon Wells, Jim Postel, Rosa Velasco, Mandy Rowe, Mario Recinos, Monica Orozco and all those who worked with our confirmation candidates. Special thanks to Tom Weber for setting up the church and acting as Master of Ceremonies, and to Deacons Abel Magaña and Ted Weise for the fine participation, Tom and Vernon for training the altar servers, Paul Grady for directing the multi-lingual and multi-ethnic choir, to Mr. Morissette and other school staff who showed their support for candidates, Betty Weller and her crew for the wonderful reception, Ben Workman and Keith McNeil who brought the Knights of Columbus for their assistance and presence, the Legion of Mary, Pat Waite, Gary Samaniego and Peggy and Greg Nelson for their hard work preparing the church, and of course all our office assistants in preparing the programs and certificates.
Many of the confirmandi attended the Lenten conference of Mark Shea, “Why Be Catholic?” By popular demand, Mark is returning to Holy Family on June 12 for a conference titled, “Making Senses of the Scripture.” This conference will lead to a yearlong Bible study. Please see the announcement in another section of the bulletin or talk with Susan Purcell who is coordinating this effort.
Also, this summer I have invited a priest to give a conference on The Da Vinci Code. Many of you have read the book or heard about it – and wonder if it presents an accurate picture of the Catholic Church. I read the novel myself, and while I enjoyed it as a work of fiction, I was quite amazed that so many people (including the author) take seriously its version of Christian origins. The novel does raise a lot of questions, which is good. Please reserve the evening of July 12 if you wish to learn more.
We are making good progress on the naming of the rooms in the Ailbe House. Besides the library, which on June 20 will be renamed in honor of Sharon Carriere, the following groups have submitted names: St. Vincent de Paul – Blessed Frederic Ozanam, Knights of Columbus – Fr. Michael J. McGivney, Legión de María – St. Louis Marie de Monfort, Legion of Mary – St. Lorenzo Ruiz, Courage – St. Catherine of Sweden, Pastor – Blessed Karl Leisner, Perpetual Adoration Chapel – Divine Mercy.
Many people have commented on the great work being done to refurbish the Ailbe House. We hope to have it looking even better for the June 20 rededication. We received a nice boost from the Sisters of Providence. As you know, they served here in Holy Family Parish for many years and lived in the convent. Last week they made a lovely donation. Even more than the financial support was the great encouragement of their prayers and continued concern for Holy Family Parish and School.
This year the rebate from the Annual Catholic Appeal will be dedicated to Ailbe House needs. This will involve many small projects such as fixing doors, windows, carpets, etc.; but it will also include bigger projects such as asbestos abatement, roof repair and retirement of debt on the Ailbe House boiler. I thank you for your attention last weekend to Deacon Abel Magaña. Deacon Ted will address us this Sunday, which is Commitment Sunday, for the Appeal.
As we move into May, we have a number of beautiful activities in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and our earthly mothers as well. On Saturday evening we begin the novena of Masses and rosaries for our mothers, both living and deceased. The rosary will be recited each evening at 7:30 p.m. (May 1 - 9). On May 7 at our 8:30 a.m. Mass, we will have the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin by children from our kindergarten and eighth grade classes.