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 …

LENT

The season of Lent is a holy season. It is a journey to glory, to new creation. Lent comes from the old English word, lencten, which means springtime, the lengthening of daylight and hours. It comes from the Latin word, lente, which means to go slowly because haste makes waste. It is also the past tense of the verb to …

LIFE

The last section of the Sermon on the Plain of Jesus focuses on true discipleship, integrity of life and authentic Christian life. It underlines the importance of enlightened leadership and discipleship, correcting others without hypocrisy and translating faith into action. A true disciple is called to engage in human interactions using the lens of God’s compassion and graciousness. Jesus said, …

RADICAL LOVE

The Sermon on the Plain according to Luke contains the hard sayings, shocking words, hard lessons and major teachings of Jesus. They seem idealistic and unrealistic in a troubled world in which we live. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. They are impossible to do …

GREAT REVERSAL

The Gospel of Luke is a gospel of great reversal. The Evangelist writes that the last will be the first and the first will be the last. Those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled. He narrates the story of the good thief crucified with Jesus who received the promise of paradise. God …