BIRTHDAY OF THE CHURCH

Pentecost Sunday celebrates the birthday of the Church. It is the beginning of the work of the Church to continue Pentecost Sunday celebrates the birthday of the Church. It is the beginning of the work of the Church to continue the ministry of Jesus. It is at Pentecost that the gift of the Risen Christ, the Holy Spirit is given …

THE ASCENSION

The New Testament is very clear that the departure of Jesus is not absence but presence. In fact, it is eternal and permanent presence. It is fulfilled in the sending of the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of the Son and the Father. Jesus said, “We will come to him and make our dwelling place with him” (John 14:23). …

NEW COMMANDMENT

During the Last Supper, Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you should also love one another!” (John 13:34) This is mandatum novum in Latin, which means the mandate of love. It is a command, not an invitation nor a request. It is not a recommendation nor a suggestion. Ignoring …

From the Desk of Father Romeo Velos – DIVINE MERCY

Sister Faustina (1905-1938) was a young, uneducated nun in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s. She came from a poor family that struggled during the years of World War I. She had only three years of simple education, so hers were the humblest tasks in the convent, usually in …

From the Desk of Father Romeo Velos – EASTER

The word “Easter” comes from Old English, meaning simply the “East.” The sun which rises in the East, bringing light, warmth, and hope, is a symbol for the Christian of the rising Christ, who is the true Light of the world. The Paschal Candle used during the Easter Vigil is a central symbol of this divine light, which is Christ. …

HOLY WEEK

Holy Week is the most important week in Catholicism. This week of great reverence and reflection spans the final eight days of Jesus’ life—from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is astounding how much wisdom, insight and inspiration are available to us during this one week. Here is just a sample of what happens during Holy Week: • Palm Sunday, …

PRODIGAL FATHER

During this Lenten season, we are called to rejoice because God’s love is extravagant,  steadfast and boundless. He desires to forgive and be totally reconciled with sinners. He is a prodigal Father because His love is abundant, excessive, wasteful and infinite. We are no match for God’s forgiveness. He is never outdone in generosity. His business is finding us that …

CHRISTIAN HOPE

During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our Christian hope is not empty hope but confident hope. Our Christian hope is sure hope because our God is a …