30th Sunday OT @ St. Apollinaris Church

HOMILY - THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
OCTOBER 29, 2017
10:30 AM, 5:30 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as C-E-R-N or “sern”, was establsihed in 1954 in a suburb of Geneva on the border of Switzerland and France. It operates the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, providing particle accelerators necessary for high-energy physics research. It has 2,500 scientific, technical, and administrative emplyees on staff; and last year generated nearly 50 petabytes – that is, 50,000 terabytes – or roughly 100,000 times the storage of my own personal computer … and for that matter, more than three times the data stored that has been stored on the entire World Wide Web for the past fifteen years.

It was five years ago that scientists at CERN discovered the Higgs Boson – the so-called “God particle.” For our purposes, it is an elementary particle which explains why some fundamental particles have mass – or weight.



Recently, research at CERN demonstrated a complete and total symmetry between matter and anti-matter. Without going into the gruesome details, what that means is: the universe as we know it should not exist. According to this research, everything should have been destroyed within the first nano-moments of the Big Bang. Or in other words, according to the most recent research in high-energy physics … the universe as we know it should not exist.

But, somehow … some way … something … or perhaps maybe we can say … Someone … is keeping it all going.



For now, as physicists ponder on why everything exists, maybe the answer can be found in Faith.

Today is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The readings today speak of the “Greatest Commandment” – that is, to love God and to love our neighbor. And this isn’t partial or as-you-like-it.



Rather, Jesus exhorts us to:

love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.

All. All. All.

All in … all the time … with all you’ve got.



I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time being anywhere for part of the time with some of what I’ve got ... even after several cups of strong coffee!

And on top of that, Our Lord admonishes us to:

love your neighbor as yourself.

Since sociologists consider that pop-culture images are intended to create self-loathing on a wide scale, maybe the second one isn’t so difficult. If there isn’t anybody who really even like themselves … then maybe it’s not all that hard to dislike other people on the same level as we all hate ourselves.



But God is calling us to something greater.

If the God of the universe – who quite possibly has been keeping things in check for umpteen billions of years … despite whatever the laws of physics and the best scientific research is currently showing … If God can keep everything together right here, right now … and everywhere else … and out there … then maybe, just maybe He can also provide all of us us with what we need so that we can keep it together … and be all in … all the time … with everything we’ve got.

The God who is holding the universe together … wants to help us hold ourselves together.



The Supernatural Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love are given to us in Baptism. They help us to remain “sanctified” or “divinized” as the Eastern Church calls it. To truly be sons and daughters of God is no small thing. But on our part, it requires a complete surrender to God … Who despite His immense power, grants us a free will … and allows us to reject Him. This same Person who is keeping the universe from self-annihilation … sent His Son, Jesus Christ … to share in our humanity and redeem us … save us … from our own self-destructive tendencies … and our own self-annihilation … that is, what we call sin.



As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … let us pray to be able to share completely and fully in the Divine Life of God … which is already our inheritance through Holy Baptism. May we who are re-born of water and the Spirit truly embrace our right to be re-born in Grace … so that, with God’s assistance, we might truly love Him completely and totally … with our whole heart, our whole mind, and and our whole soul.

And then, as we recognize how powerful His love is for us, may we learn to love ourselves as God loves us … and in turn, share that Divine Love with one another.

Article on St. Apollinaris Evacuee Efforts @ SF Catholic

ARTICLE FROM SAN FRANCISCO CATHOLIC
OCTOBER 22, 2017



Other than misspelling the name of the parish (Apollinaris is correct,) and seriously cutting back on the list of volunteers; it's not a bad article. We're not in downtown and we've always had two daily Masses. Otherwise, a nice article on the work done by St. Apollinaris parish during the wildfires and evacuations.

Online copy with corrections made here.

29th Sunday OT @ St. Apollinaris Church

HOMILY - TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
OCTOBER 22, 2017
7:30 AM, 9:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES



In the 1977 movie titled “Oh God,” John Denver portrays store manager Jerry Landers who is granted an audience with God … Who reveals Himself first as a voice on an intercom, and then as a voice on the radio. Eventually, when God does appear in person, He is portrayed by George Burns – an American comedian, actor, singer, and writer; who died 21 years ago at the age of 100.

Jerry is tasked with getting the word out that “God lives! …God is here and He’s giving you a guarantee … [He] set all this up for you and made it so it can work.”

And despite the simplicity of the message, Jerry can’t seem to get it out. He’s met with skepticism on one hand, and overwhelmed by religious fervor on the other.

His own struggle to come to grips with being chosen by God and trying to understand the message he is tasked with getting out makes him a sort of a-religious everyman struggling to embrace as a reasonable possibility that God could indeed exist.



In a final courtroom scene, God’s closing argument is:

“I know how hard it is in these time to have faith. But maybe if you could have the faith to start with, maybe the times would change. You could change it. Think about it. Try. … If you find it hard to believe in me, maybe it would help if you knew that I believe in you.”

Today is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

In the first reading from Isaiah, God speaks through the prophet and explains that He will end the Babylonian captivity of Israel through a future king of Persia – even going so far as giving a name, which when played out hundreds of years later.



Scholars are torn between believing that was truly a prediction or an insertion by a later commentator. Nonetheless, the point is the same: God not only exists, but directs the flow of history, and He has a plan.

St. Paul, in the first few lines from his First Letter to the Thessalonians, reminds them – and us as well – that we are chosen by God to live out and proclaim the Gospel in word and power through the graces given to us by God: namely, Faith, Hope, and Love.



And finally, in the Gospel, both the Pharisees and the Herodians put Jesus on trial. They think they’ve got Him in a bind – a “lose-lose” situation, if you will. If Jesus opposes the Roman tax, they can have the civil authorities arrest Him as a rebel; but if He supports it, He will lose the support of the people.
Jesus takes a third way. In identifying the coin as “what belongs to Caesar” He tells them to give it back to it’s owner. But then admonishes them to repay “to God what belongs to God.”

For ourselves, we have been chosen by God – from before we were born – and more importantly – through the waters of Holy Baptism, which have bestowed on us the supernatural graces of Faith, Hope, and Love. With this solid, spiritual foundation, God indeed has “set all this up for [us] and made it so it can work.” God has already given us “the faith to start with,” so we can utilize His power to change things – to change the world – starting right now with ourselves.

No matter how strong or how weak our Faith may be, God indeed believes in us, and is taking a chance on us. So, maybe it’s time we step out in Faith and take a chance on God.



As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, let us ask for a deeper outpouring of those Baptismal graces so that we might be strengthened in Faith, Hope, and Love … and fueled with the power of His grace, let us go forth from this place as messengers of the Gospel – chosen by God, redeemed in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit

28th Sunday OT @ St. Apollinaris Church

HOMILY - TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
OCTOBER 14/15, 2017
7:30 AM, 5:30 PM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASSES
4:00 PM (SAT) NATIONAL GUARD CAMP
9:00 AM, 12:00 NOON (EF/LATIN) HOLY FAMILY MISSION



Jack Woltz is a fictional character in the 1969 book … and 1972 movie The Godfather.

In the story, Woltz is a famous producer who refuses to cast the godson of Vito Corleone – named Johnny Fontane – in a movie role that would boost his career.

Fontane goes to his Godfather and asks him to take care of things.



The Godfather responds:

I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.

I’m going to stop there out of deference to horse lovers. I’m not going to tell the rest of the story … but if you have Netflix … all 2 hours and 57 minutes is available online.



Today is the Twenty Eighth Sunday in Ordinary time.

On first glance, the story Jesus tells in the Gospel sounds an awful lot like the King is some sort of unreasonable strong man like the Godfather.



But, let’s look at this a bit more closely. How can we understand this in relation to ourselves?
In Holy Baptism, we all made promises – or promises were made on our behalf – to “Reject Satan, and all his empty works, and all his empty promises.” That is, we promised to reject sin.

How we doin’ on that?



Secondly, through the Sacrament of Penance, we have the ability to freely confess our sins in confidence, and have the graces of Baptism restored. No cost … well, maybe a few minutes in line waiting.

Yet still, probably not your favorite place to hang out.



Third, in the Sacrament of Confirmation, we were configured for mission … to live out and spread the Gospel [… or as we sometimes hear in the Liturgy “Go and announce the Gospel with your life.”]

How’s that goin’?

I’m not here to point any fingers, because I’m as much a sinner as anyone.



But, God is making you an offer, that you cannot refuse.

[As St. Paul told us in his letter to the Philippians: “God will fully supply whatever you need.”]



Baptism supplies us with the supernatural virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. Having a hard time believing? Ask for more Faith. Don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel? Ask for more Hope. Can’t stand that person across the room? Ask for more Love.

These supernatural virtues – or theological virtues – are real … and are free for the asking.
[“God will fully supply whatever you need.”] Are you willing to humble yourself before God and ask for what you truly need?



The graces of penance are free. Yet the most arduous thing I’ve ever given for a penance is a decade of the Rosary. But that’s just because I love Our Lady, and want you to love her, too.

Now, the graces of Confirmation are scarier. And much, more powerful than we have come to expect. Confirmation has become sort of a Catholic “Eagle Scout” or sometimes it’s “graduation” from church.



But, you see, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to us to perfect our virtue. What are you good at? God wants to make you better. What do you need to work on? God wants to build on your effort.

Are you willing to humble yourself before God and ask Him for these graces to become the best version of yourself?



Heaven awaits you. [The banquet Isaiah spoke about … eight centuries before the time of Christ … nearly three thousand years ago … is a description of what awaits us all … in eternity … in heaven.]

The King – that is, God Himself – has invited you to share in His divine life through Baptism. He has given us everything we need to make it to heaven … based on our response to His grace … here on earth. Ultimately, we are invited to the banquet of Jesus Christ … in eternity forever.



This “wedding garment” that Jesus talks about in the parable … is the the interweaving of grace and works. Grace, freely supplied for our betterment through the Sacraments. And works – our efforts to be who God has called us to be; and to love both God and neighbor. It is never one sided, rather it is our personal response to God’s grace … it requires us to meet God in the middle … to love Him and to love our neighbor.

[God, indeed, will supply whatever … whatever … you need.] But it takes humility – the virtue of knowing ourselves, and knowing God, and knowing the difference – to be able to navigate the waters of mercy.

Perhaps the best way to summarize that is: God is God, and I am not.



In other words: More and more of God. Less and less of me.

And that … is counter-cultural. It doesn’t make sense in today’s 21st century logic. But this is God’s offer … This is the offer you just cannot refuse.



As we approach this altar to receive the Sacred Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ … ask for whatever you need. And trust that God will supply whatever that is.

May we trust in God and in His divine providence … So that we might let go … and let God … and in the end … I promise … your life will be changed forever.

Talk on Fatima @ Napa Valley Catholic Men's Conference

TALK - CALLS FROM THE MESSAGE OF FATIMA
NAPA VALLEY CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 7, 2017





Amazon Link

Talk Outline:

Sister Lucia “Calls” From the Message of Fatima

20 “Calls”

Supernatural / Theological Virtues / Infused at Baptism

1. Faith,
2. Hope,
3. Love

God is God, and I am not

4. Adoration (Blessing and Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, Praise)

Imitation of Christ

5. Forgiveness, (forgive us ... as we forgive those ...)
6. Prayer, (response to our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
7. Sacrifice (united with Christ on the cross)

Sacramental Life

8. Eucharist, (Source / Summit)
9. Trinitarian Life (Baptism and all the Sacraments)

Devotional Life

10. Rosary, (Contains the whole of the Gospel embedded in the Mysteries)
11. Immaculate Heart (In the “center” i.e. At the “heart” of the calls of Fatima)

Eternal Life

12. Eternity, (Where are you going?)
13. Apostolate (What are you doing to get there?)

Moral Life

14. Virtue (perfected by Gifts of the HS, manifested in the Fruits of the HS)
15. Stop Offending God (I.e. detachment from sin)

Vocational Life (Here on earth)

16. Sanctification of the Family,
17. Perfection in Christian Life (foretaste of Eternity in the Fruits of the HS)

Spiritual Life (As it is in heaven)

18. Total Consecration to God, (foundation)
19. Holiness, (path)
20. Road to Heaven (goal)

Our Lady of the Rosary @ St. Apollinaris School

HOMILY - OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY (VOTIVE)

OCTOBER 5, 2017

11:00 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS (ALL SCHOOL)

Today we're celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary as a votive Mass. The real feast day is on Saturday, October 7. But even better: the entire month of October is dedicated to the Rosary. So, this month is a good opportunity to get into a more regular practice of praying the Rosary.

Technically, the word "Rosary" means a crown of roses, or a wreath of roses. Rosaries usually come in five sets of ten beads with an additional separate bead in-between. These groupings of 10 are called "decades" – like in history where a decade is 10 years, a decade is 10 beads, or 10 prayers. Traditionally, there are 3 sets of 5 mysteries, and each mystery gets a decade. 3 times 5 times 10 equals 150 - which is the same as the number of psalms in the Bible. So, sometimes, the Rosary is called "Mary's Psalter" because there would be 150 Hail Mary's.

The sets of mysteries are traditionally Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious. St. John Paul II added another set, called the Luminous mysteries. The mysteries are from Jesus' childhood, His Passion, or from the Gospels or the Acts of the Apostles. 

The mysteries are as follows:

JOYFUL MYSTERIES

The Annunciation. Fruit of the Mystery: HumilityThe Visitation. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of NeighbourThe Nativity. Fruit of the Mystery: Detachment from the things of the worldfThe Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: ObedienceThe Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Fruit of the Mystery: Piety

SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

The Agony in the Garden. Fruit of the Mystery: Sorrow for SinThe Scourging at the Pillar. Fruit of the Mystery: PurityThe Crowning with Thorns. Fruit of the Mystery: Moral CourageThe Carrying of the Cross. Fruit of the Mystery: PatienceThe Crucifixion and Death of our Lord. Fruit of the Mystery: Perseverance

GLORIOUS MYSTERIES

The Resurrection. Fruit of the Mystery: FaithThe Ascension. Fruit of the Mystery: HopeThe Descent of the Holy Spirit. Fruit of the Mystery: Love of God,The Assumption of Mary. Fruit of the Mystery: True Devotion towards MaryThe Coronation of the Virgin. Fruit of the Mystery: Trust in Mary's Intercession

LUMINOUS MYSTERIES

The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. Fruit of the Mystery: Docility to the Holy SpiritThe Wedding at Cana. Fruit of the Mystery: To Jesus through MaryJesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Fruit of the Mystery: Call to ConversionThe Transfiguration. Fruit of the Mystery: Desire for Holiness.The Institution of the Eucharist. Fruit of the Mystery: Adoration

Finally, the prayers are:

The Creed, wherein we proclaim our basic Christian beliefsThe Hail Mary, wherein we echo the words of the Angel at the Incarnation in St. LukeThe Our Father, wherein we pray the prayer Jesus taught His disciplesThe Glory Be, wherein we give glory to the Most Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

St. Francis of Assisi @ St. Apollinaris School

HOMILY - SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

OCTOBER 3, 2017

8:45 AM ORDINARY FORM (ENGLISH) MASS (3RD GRADE)

Here is a very brief timeline of St. Francis of Assisi's life.