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[The link bar feature is not available in this web]	THE YEAR OF GRACE 2008 August Angels Angels have always been known as messengers of God. Sometimes, the early saints, like John the Baptist, are portrayed with wings too because they were thought of as bringing God’s message to the people. Our fascination with the spiritual beings known as angels has often caused us to forget that we too are the messengers of the word of God. Our actions in evangelization (bringing someone to know Christ in their life) and catechesis (teaching them what it means to follow Christ in their life) remind us that we too have wings. We are moved to different people in our lives that we might tell the story of God’s miracles in our lives. Our parish is full of God’s messengers. There are the different groups who take care of our physical plant, the Knights of Columbus who help with the care of the parish, the Guadalupanos who reverently proclaim the greatness of the Virgin Mary’s faith, the Grupo de Oracion who 400+ pray every Thursday for our parish, and who are restoring the library, the Ladies Group who diligently has restored and repaired the rectory, the Mujeres Enamoradas con Jesus who beautifully restored room 6. There are the angels who spiritually challenge us: the lectors, the ministers of Eucharist, the ministers to the sick, the Administracion de Los Bienes, the choirs---the 2 childrens’ choirs, the four Spanish choirs. The cantors and choir for the 3 English masses, the 2 Spanish prayer group choirs, the ushers, the Cursillo, the Grupo de Jovenes and the countless catechetical and youth ministries, the different bible study groups. Scripture always calls us to be more grateful for the blessings we have received. As pastor I am so thankful for the many different ways Christ manifests himself before me by the faith of the parish. We are more than angels. We are redeemed human beings who have a soul enamored with God and a God who is enamored with us. Let our love show itself in deeds and let our souls proclaim the goodness of the Lord. In the grace of the risen Christ, Fr. Hector Pastor August Angels Greetings to you all! August is here and this year brings the magnificent event of the Olympic Games. In the Olympics, athletes meet from around the world to compete for victory and to receive a gold metal. Interestingly enough, the Olympic Games coincide with the Year of St. Paul. Sports were very popular in the time of St. Paul and he famously compared our life of faith to an athletic event. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, St. Paul states, “Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.” St. Paul encourages us to take our faith as seriously as an athlete who desires to win a gold metal at the Olympics. To be the best requires dedication and the goal to win determines how each and every day is lived. As St. Paul says, “Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one” (1 Corinthians 9:25). The stories of Olympic athletes are filled with sacrifice, early mornings, and intense training programs. They train to win gold and this occupies every aspect of their lives. We, too, can be inspired by the dedication of the Olympic athletes. They train to win a metal and to be the best. We know that metals eventually tarnish and glory fades. However, what we accomplish through faith will endure. Let us, therefore, be inspired by the Olympics to take our faith as seriously as the athletes who train to win the gold. Let us be inspired by St. Paul to take our faith seriously and “run so as to win.” May God bless you and I remain, Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Jonathan Wallis Email Father Hector! Email Father Jonathan!
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