Faith Reflection: Mercy—The Beauty of Our Young
Last month Pope Francis started a campaign called Share the Journey asking us to journey with those who are immigrants or migrants. As our 7th grader will point out below, when we learn more about something it will help us see it in a new light. When we learn more about something we might see a side of an issue we hadn’t considered before. This in turn can bring about a better understanding or allow more empathy to emerge. With this in mind Pope Francis has asked this to be a week of prayer and action for the Share the Journey campaign. Some of you heard our 4th grader speak at assembly on Monday asking us to join with the parish in donating used jeans and t-shirts for teenage boys. These will be donated to Youth Hope, a local organization that works with homeless teens, a situation that mirrors some of the fears and concerns that immigrants/migrants face. We are asking specifically for clothing for teenage boys as they have almost nothing for the young guys who come there—I saw this for myself when I was there last Wednesday. Youth Hope also has opportunities for volunteers for those who are enjoy working with teens.
Essay on Youth
by Trent Teruya
A concern I have about how we live our faith as Catholics is the issue of going to mass—only 31.4% of Catholics attend mass in any given week.
Nowadays people often skip going to mass. The reasons people skip going to mass are varied, however some common ones are the following. First, youth complain that mass is boring. Secondly, people say they don’t get anything out of mass. Thirdly, youth are often distracted during mass and just want to go home and do something else. And lastly, people say they can just pray at home and not go to mass.
I think there are some doable solutions to these problems. Understanding what the mass is about and actively participating is one way to make it less boring; mass is not just the same words every week. You will get more out of it, and it will be more interesting, if you understand the history and significance of those words and rituals.
People need to understand that one of the main reasons for going to mass is to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Receiving Communion helps to be closer to Christ. It helps us to avoid sin and to be a better person. It gives us strength to get through our day and week. You cannot do this at home just by praying.
Lastly people need to understand that God gives us 168 hours each week. Can’t we at least spend one of those hours with God?
Friday October 13th, is the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Blessed Mother in Fatima, Portugal. At our parish fiesta on Saturday Deacon Mike will lead folks in praying the Rosary at noon during the fiesta. We hope to have a of witness of people that will reach from the fiesta grounds to Lugonia. Please join us if you can.
Saturday is also the next outdoor Mass of Life and Reparation led by Fr. Manny Cardoza near Family Planning Associates near 855 E. Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino. Mass begins at 9:00am.
Cinema for the Soul will take on a different flavor this month as it joins with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ) in presenting Open Bethlehem, a documentary about the exodus of Christians from the Holy Land. The usual after movie reflection/discussion time will be a question/answer about the plight of Christians in Bethlehem with film director Leila Sansour. Please plan on joining us Wed, October 25, 2017, 7:00 pm in the Olive Ave. hall. You can register for this event at EventBrite.com (search for: “Open Bethlehem” City: Redlands, CA”).
Thank you. Mrs. Alhadef