Christmas Day

Christmas Day Mass

Let us all rejoice for the Baby Jesus has come. As advent ends and the Christmas season begins. We have been preparing our hearts for Jesus, He is the light of the world the, light for us all, and His light shines bright in each of us. 

As we come together for His birth let us remember who us our Shepherd. Fr. Paul says, “Jesus brings us life, love, light, and hope, Jesus Christ comes to us in the darkness, He comes to bring light into the Church and in the world, and He knows our journey.” A beautiful inspiration for this day when we have Jesus in our hearts His light glows brighter. Even in our darkest moments He is there guiding us along on our journey. We just have to remember who we are, we are the bearers of Christ light to others. 

#christmas #jesus #christ #babyjesus #december #catholic #catholicchurch #light

Mary Goes to Visit Elizabeth December 23, 2018

Wow we have made it to the last Sunday of Advent. All four candles are lit and we are filled with Peace. A beautiful day for today Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth. Two pregnant women who are going to give birth to two important men (one is John the Baptist and the other is Jesus). What a beautiful message we had on Friday with the roles of women and today (Sunday) here we have two pregnant women Mary and Elizabeth their children’s future will change everything. The role Mary plays the role we all play. Deacon Fausto says, “Dare to believe, what might dare and faith show us about Mary and Elizabeth, God chooses, and daring faith.” Deacon Fausto always hits the right message we need to hear every Sunday. “Dare to believe,” he speaks of not the date that as children we play where we know it’s wrong and we still do it. This is a dare like Mary and Elizabeth. The journey Mary went on to go visit her cousin this was not an easy journey but she did it. What kind of daring moments do we have on our life? 

As Fr. Paul says, “How does Mary come to us?” Remember she came to Juan Diego. 

#mary #elizabeth #jesus #johnthebaptist #catholic #advent #peace #candles #purple #light #december #christmas

December 22, 2018 Role of Women

This is from Saturday. 

What a beautiful we have today. The importance of women and their role they have played. I just love it when Fr. Denis comes and gives his homilies. Always he finds a way to get us Parishioners involved with what he is talking about. This morning he got us involved by laughing and talking.

Women have very important roles in life, yet they have been treated with not the respect they should be having. Fr. Denis says, “Who plays the major roles, who does Jesus turn to most of the time, because His Apostles were scared and ran off, and who was always their for Jesus especially on the cross and His Resurrection.” For me Fr. Denis hits the spot. Makes you think about the roles of women and roles women have played and continue to play. They have been treated with no respect at all which they deserve. As he is talking he gets us involved by answering questions (who did Jesus always turn too) the women of course and then we have the cross where were His Apostles and the finally the Resurrection. Who did Jesus appear to first? 

How can we better treat women? What roles do women play in the Church? 

#catholic #standrew #jesus #women #mary #faith #cross #catholicchurch

December 19, 2018

A beautiful message we hear during the Advent Season. We continue to prepare for the birth of Jesus. “Do not be afraid,” we hear this in the Bible, there is nothing to fear when we have the Lord by our side. 

We are almost to the day we have been preparing for. As we continue to prepare ourselves Fr. Corral says some inspirational thoughts. No matter what happensGos is always there with us. He knows what He is doing we just need to trust Him a little more. Fr. Corral says, “The Lord is here, He knows what to do, He acts silently, and God acts in the most unexpected ways.” Makes you think right? The Lord is always present with us, He has been from the beginning. Again He has a plan for each of us and He puts them to use. Everything He does is done in silence we just have to pay attention and keep our eyes and ears open. I like this one and He acts in the most unexpected ways which is so true. He has taken me out of my comfort zone and I am blessed because of that. 

How has God acted in your life? 

#advent #catholic #standrewchurch

December 18, 2018

What a beautiful message we are given today. Saint Joseph the adoptive father to Jesus. A man with a heart so caring just like Mary says yes to raising a son who was not his. Yet, for each of us He has a plan for us, just like He had a plan for Joseph. 

These days of Advent have been a time of reflection. Looking back within the past five years has been a blessing which has been filled with changes. Especially within the past year, has been a year of beauty as well as regrets, but also a year filled with more growth in my faith journey which still continues. Fr. Paul talked about a beautiful message today that is St. Joseph reading a reflection from Bishop Robert Barron. Fr. Paul says, “St. Joseph is one of the most beloved saints, God has a plan for him, Joseph cooperated with God’s divine plan.” As Catholics we have tons of Saints to look up to. But none stand out like St. Joseph the father of Jesus. A big heart this man had to care and raise a child not his, yet just like Mary he says yes (how many times have we said yes?). He had a plan for Joseph just like He has a plan for each of us. 

A question Father Paul asked all us today is how do we cooperate with God’s divine plan for us? 

#catholic #divineplan #jesus #frpaul #standrewchurch #pasadena #stjoseph #mary #jesusjosephmary #parents #father #saint #beloved

John the Baptist Eulogy December 13, 2018

I love it when Fr. Clemente comes to St. Andrew Church his homily was something I needed to hear. Advent is a time to reflect, to look back on our relationship with Jesus. Jesus eulogized John the Baptist, John the Baptist brings us to Jesus.

We have all geared eulogies before when we to go to funerals. At funerals we hear reflections from people that knew that person. We begin to reflect on our life. We hear a eulogy today in the Gospel of Jesus about John the Baptist. Fr. Clemente says, “Jesus was giving eulogies, they touch our lives, people reflect, they inspire us, they teach us.” I find this to be very true, I have heard so many eulogies, they do leave you looking back on your life, on situations. No matter who this person was their story touches us sometimes to the core. Some people will inspire us to be a better person. 

This is a perfect season for reflections. I have been doing that a lot lately about everything. For me I know I need more Jesus in my life, have been putting Him to the side lately. Have been working on that this Advent season to find my way to Jesus. 

How has your Advent season been so far? 

#advent #advent2018 #catholic #catholicchurch #catholiclife #jesus #god #johnthebaptist #standrew #standrewchurch

Guardian Angel Cathedral Mass December 9, 2018

Well I am not at St. Andrews today since I am in Las Vegas with family. Just came back from Mass at Guardian Angel Cathedral my Nina recommended to me. A beautiful homily by Father Bob Stoechig.  We have entered the second week of Advent it’s about John the Baptist, it’s about the desert, about a thirst. Fr. Bob says, “Advent is a season of being off balance, John the Baptist, the desert, a wanting, the first two weeks are about us, it’s about an invitation, and our discipleship.” What a beautiful message we are given. The craziness of Advent  while we are preparing for Christmas we also need to reflect and spend some time with our Father. This is the time to spend some time with Him. John the Baptist invites each of us into the desert to contemplate our relationship with Jesus. How is our relationship with Him? During Advent we ask ourselves or look at how well we are doing in being disciples of Jesus. Are we doing a good job or are we lacking in some areas? 

Advent is a season of preparation of getting ready for the birth of Jesus and our faith journey. How is your journey going so far? 

#advent #peace #jesus #christ #god #love #catholic #catholicchurch

Daily Rosary

Daily Rosary! Been awhile since I have done this! Feels good to be here this morning so beautiful the altar looks. Getting ready for next weekend!! #standrewchurch #pasadena #rosary #mass #beautiful #catholic

Why I Believe

It has been about five years since I have completed my Sacraments and still in love with my faith! The Catholic Faith has always been a part of my life, beginning with my Baptism as a baby, but that was as far as it went even my sister tried to put me I Catechism Classes between the 6th and 7th grade did not happen of course. Both of my nieces went to a Lutheran school so they would need to attend Mass on Sundays I would be the one to take them and it was not until my youngest niece and me going away for school that a change happened in me. It was during this time that a tug of my heart was happening. I was taking my youngest niece to Mass on Sundays and here is where something was happening I wanted more of this but not there did not feel right for me. I’m Catholic through and through did not want to leave my faith wanted to get back to it. Eventually the tug became too much for me and would not leave me alone until I came Home. I found my Home Parish (St. Andrew Parish - Pasadena) it was right after Easter of 2013 that I started attending. Have never looked back. The following Summer I would join RCIA so I could complete my Sacraments. I have been involved in my Parish ever since then. Being a Catechist; First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA, Children’s Liturgy. Was on the Liturgy Committee, helped with St Vincent De Paul, usher, Young Adult Group, run the social media for the Parish, even had the opportunity to work in the front office (that was a blessing and a gift). All of these have been a joy especially the social media love doing this and communicating with people who leave comments. Why I believe because it is who I am it’s because of the love of God the love of Jesus! He knew I needed to come Home and He brought me even closer to my faith. 

##believe #faith #bcfaith #catholic #instagod #instafaith #instalife #belief #grace #god #family #truth #spiritual #jesus #grateful #peace @c21center #whyibelieve

Is Our Faith Built on Rock or Sand?

Probably one of my favorite readings from the gospel! What a great message we are given today (especially with the rain coming down outside right now). Do you remember what Fr. Paul said on Sunday? It’s about having an encounter with our Lord about having a relationship with Him. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). When our Faith is strong the foundation will never crumble as long as it is on rock and not sand. A house built on sand is unstable and will crumble. “Acting on the Word if God involves a total embrace and surrender to his Word and will. It means you allow the Word of God to dictate your actions and set your feet “solidly on rock”’ (Catholic Life). It’s about listening and doing His work. This is the perfect time to begin to listen if you do not have your ears opened. Everyday of Advent is a perfect time to have a personal encounter with the Lord. Again we are called to be disciples.

How is your faith foundation? Is it built on rock or sand? Are you ready for an encounter with our Lord? 

#advent #advent2018 #catholic #standrewpasadena #pasadena #frpaul #catholicchristian #rock

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