The Pastoral Letter
Mass Intentions Monday, July 09 6:30 Larry Murray (D) & Mary Murray (D) 8:00 Erika Gonzalez (D) & Chris de la Torre (D) Tuesday, July 10 6:30 Viola Jarrott (D) 8:00 Betty Kazaroff (D) & John McCauley (D) Wednesday, July 11 6:30 Mass for the People 8:00 Frank Skowron (D) & Abundio C. Namoc (D) Thursday, July 12 6:30 Souls in Purgatory 8:00 Macaria Cueto (D) & Fruto Isidoro (D) Friday, July 13 6:30 Souls in Purgatory 8:00 Richard Montanez (D) & Letisia Gil (L) Saturday, July 14 8:00 Elise Padilla (D) 5:15 Regina Laftkiotes (D) & Romeo Taleon Sr. (D) Sunday, July 15 8:00 Bill Gundelfinger (D) & Kent Van Gundy (D) 9:30 Mass for the People 11:00 Julie Perry (D) & Jim Ostrander (D) 12:30 Misa Para La Gente & Maria Loza (D) 5:15 Christopher Ray Mitchell (D) & Raymond Danalavich (D)
Happy Anniversary! Jim & Shelby Bauer
52 years on July 2 Donald & Libby Atwater
43 Years on July 12 Brad & Mary Lopez
5 Years on July 7 To list your anniversary, please email bulletin@ola-vta.org by the Friday of the week before you wish it published.
Take Care and God Bless, Fr. Steve Correz
Faith At Home Adults and Teens:
Parish Spirituality & Fellowship
What was a time you placed your trust in God even though those around you did not believe?
——————— OLA Classics —–—-————
Children: A prophet is someone who is so filled with God that others can see God acting through that person! Do you know any prophets?
Viva Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King! These may seem like strange words to hear after celebrating Independence Day on the 4th of July. However, for Mexican people of the 1920’s, these words were a reminder of freedom, religious freedom to practice their Catholic faith that was all but outlawed by the government. These historical events were portrayed in the film For Greater Glory, which is still showing in theaters. If you have not seen it, I would highly recommend it. Why would a story about the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico during the 1920’s be so significant for us today? Sadly history has a way of repeating itself if we don’t keep vigilant. Our religious freedom is constantly threatened in our country today. It is sad to see this, especially in a country that was built on the principles of independence and freedom. However, our very freedom to worship as we believe has been challenged. With the HHS mandate, we are required to violate our consciences in our Catholic hospitals and universities in order to provide health care that covers abortion and contraception, providing options that are contrary to our Catholic beliefs. With laws like abortion and euthanasia, we are told life needs to be productive in order to be valued by the State, otherwise life is considered a burden. With attempts to redefine marriage, we are taught that marriage is not a union between a husband and wife, but of two people, even though the design of our human nature would prove this to be wrong. Christ is still our King, and by acknowledging Him as such, we surrender to His will. So let us again remember that by surrendering to the will of God, we do not lose freedom, we gain it to do what is right and good! With our Independence Day, we are reminded by the sacrifices of the brave men and women who made this freedom possible. We remember that freedom has a price. Last week, when I visited Rome, I toured the Roman Coliseum. As I visited its ruins, I was reminded of all the early Christians, who gave their lives so that we could continue to celebrate our faith in Jesus today. As we recall their example, we remember the words of St. Paul in today’s second reading, “Therefore I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Inspired by these words, let us offer our own sacrifices, joined with our prayers to appreciate the freedom of the expression of our Catholic faith. Celebrating our Independence Day, let us be proud to be American! Following the words of St. Paul, let us boldly witness our Catholic Faith.
Friendship Friday continues on August 3rd, in the Santa Cruz Room following 8:00 Mass. Come join us! - 4-
Questions, contact Mary Kielas at 650-7870