Exerpt from Pope Benedict XVI's Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations

A fundamental element, one which can be seen in every vocation to the priesthood and the consecrated life, is friendship with Christ. Jesus lived in constant union with the Father and this is what made the disciples eager to have the same experience; from him they learned to live in communion and unceasing dialogue with God. If the priest is a “man of God”, one who belongs to God and helps others to know and love him, he cannot fail to cultivate a deep intimacy with God, abiding in his love and making space to hear his Word. Prayer is the first form of witness which awakens vocations. Like the Apostle Andrew, who tells his brother that he has come to know the Master, so too anyone who wants to be a disciple and witness of Christ must have “seen” him personally, come to know him, and learned to love him and to abide with him.

Another aspect of the consecration belonging to the priesthood and the religious life is the complete gift of oneself to God. The Apostle John writes: “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and therefore we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”(1 Jn. 3:16).

With these words, he invites the disciples to enter into the very mind of Jesus who in his entire life did the will of the Father, even to the ultimate gift of himself on the Cross. Here, the mercy of God is shown in all its fullness; a merciful love that has overcome the darkness of evil, sin and death. The figure of Jesus who at the Last Supper, rises from the table, lays aside his garments, takes a towel, girds himself with it and stoops to wash the feet of the Apostles, expresses the sense of service and gift manifested in his entire existence, in obedience to the will of the Father (cf. Jn. 13: 3-15).

In following Jesus, everyone called to a life of special consecration must do his utmost to testify that he has given himself completely to God. This is the source of his ability to give himself in turn to those whom Providence entrusts to him in his pastoral ministry with complete, constant, and faithful devotion, and with the joy of becoming a companion on the journey to so many brothers and sisters, enabling them too to become open to meeting Christ, so that his Word may become a light to their footsteps. The story of every vocation is almost always intertwined with the testimony of a priest who joyfully lives the gift of himself to his brothers and sisters for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This is because the presence and words of a priest have the ability to raise questions and to lead even to definitive decisions (cf. John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis, 39)

Phase 2 of SJB's Stained Glass Windows

Dear Friends in Christ,

The second phase of our stained glass windows should be completed in a few weeks. There are two distinct areas where these windows will be installed, at the front entrance, and the eight small windows above the sanctuary.

Above the front entrance, the large window in the choir loft will depict the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovering over the scene of the Baptism of Jesus which is depicted in the bronze doors below. At the very peak of the window is the creative hand of God gesturing downward. These higher windows depict the heavenly sphere, the dwelling place of God.

In the windows below, alongside the bronze doors you will see a continuation of the water and riverbanks that form a background to the scene on the bronze doors. Thus, the water in the lower parts of the six “saints” windows continues throughout as a sign of the water of Baptism whereby we are joined to Christ and become members of His Church.

The eight small windows high above the sanctuary continue the view of the heavenly sphere. The angels that adore before God’s throne are there; they are constantly praising Him. Their postures will portray various attitudes of prayer, from silent adoration to pious supplication. Please stop by the displays in the church vestibule today. You will see some color drawings of the new windows. I’m sure you will agree that they will enhance our place of worship, worthy of the house of God.

As you view these drawings, please remember to offer a prayer of gratitude for our generous donor who made this possible.

A happy and blessed Easter season to you and your family.

Fr. Hildebrand

New Archbishop of Los Angeles

Dear Friends in Christ,

The appointment of Archbishop José Gomez as coadjutor to the Archbishop of Los Angeles may prompt some questions. What is a coadjutor? What is the difference between a bishop and an archbishop, a diocese and an archdiocese?

First, a coadjutor bishop is appointed by the Pope to assist the bishop, like an adjutant to a military commander. He may, as in the case of Archbishop Gomez, also have the right to succeed the present bishop. Since the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest in the country the Holy See has wisely decided to give Cardinal Mahony’s successor a “breaking in” period of nearly a year so that he can become familiar with the tasks that await him when he takes charge next year.

The word “diocese” comes from a Greek word which means an administrative division. A diocese is usually a territory over which a bishop exercises ecclesiastical jurisdiction. The Diocese of Orange, where we live, comprises Orange County and Bishop Tod Brown is the ordinary. Some dioceses cover a larger territory, even several counties.

An “archdiocese”, you might imagine, is a larger or more important ecclesiastical jurisdiction. It is like the “capital” of an ecclesiastical province and is headed by an archbishop. Los Angeles is an archdiocese because of its size (it’s the largest in the U.S.) and importance. An archbishop, like other bishops, has immediate jurisdiction only over his archdiocese. However, he does have the right to convoke a provincial council of his bishops and others may appeal to him for decisions made on the diocesan level. Dioceses are grouped into ecclesiastical “provinces” and the archdiocese is the metropolitan see which presides over the province. For example, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the Dioceses of Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Fresno, and Monterey form the ecclesiastical province of Los Angeles.

Archbishop Gomez is going to have a huge task ahead of him in serving such a large and diverse archdiocese like Los Angeles. Let’s keep him in our prayers that the Lord will give him spiritual strength.

Fr. Hildebrand