Natural Family Planning Awareness Week

July 19th, 2009 - July 25th, 2009 SJB will be participating in the Diocese's NFP Awareness Week. On Tuesday, July 21st, 2009, there will be Eucharistic Celebration at 7:30pm in SJB. Father will celebrate Mass with the intention that couples will live God’s plan for their union, and for a strengthening of marriages and families. For more information, see the flyer below for more details on Diocese's daily NFP events. NFP Awareness Week Event Flyer PDF Learn more about NFP

Stained Glass Windows Project at SJB

Dear Friends in Christ,

Last week I introduced you to our special 50th anniversary project of new stained glass windows, initiated by an anonymous donor to enhance our worship space.

Here is the overall program for the windows:

We will use an artistic style that blends well with the existing artwork/décor in the church. Background colors will emphasize the elements of creation: water, land, sky, birds, plants, animals, and fish; also the heavenly sphere with angels and the Holy Spirit as a dove.

The large windows will depict saints: on the school side, saints dedicated to education, Mother Catherine McCauley, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Herman Joseph. On the opposite side, saints representing the major ethnic groups of the parish, St. Juan Diego, St. Patrick, and St. Andrew Dung Lac. Their positions in these large windows remind us that they accompany us in our journey through this world to God’s kingdom. In the bottom panes there will be shields of our Orange county bishops, our Norbertine abbot, and our donor’s membership in the Knights of Malta and the Order of the Holy Sepulcher.

The large window at the front of the church will depict the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters, the scene of Jesus’ Baptism by John (on our bronze doors). The coloring of this window focuses on light and water.

As we cross this threshold we are reminded of our own baptism in the Spirit that began our Christian life. Simple symbols of the other six sacraments are incorporated into the six saints windows with a special connection between the saint and the sacrament.

In the sanctuary, the eight small windows will show angels facing the altar and demonstrating different postures of reverence and adoration. The colors used will connect with the lighter tones of the Holy Spirit window at the rear.

To get some idea of the first phase of the project (the six saints windows), please stop to look at the poster set up in the church vestibule.

Please remember to pray for our anonymous donor, who has so generously funded this project.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

50th Anniversary Parish Project

Dear Friends in Christ,

Over the past several months I have been involved in a top secret project with one of our priests and a parishioner (donor) who desires to remain anonymous. This is a very special project which is related to our recent church renovation. Let me give you a bit of history.

When our project for renovating the church was planned out a few years ago, we planned to renovate the sanctuary, church interior, and add the chapel of adoration. Part of the plan included stained glass windows, but after we calculated the costs, we decided to wait until a later time to do the stained glass.

Some time late last fall Fr. Robert gave a homily at which our anonymous donor was present. Fr. Robert mentioned stained glass in the homily and the donor looked at our present windows, noticing that they were not too remarkable as stained glass. As a result the donor contacted me and proposed to fund a project to replace the present windows with beautiful stained glass. What a great way to celebrate our parish’s 50th anniversary!

To start this project we formed a small committee composed of the donor, Fr. Norbert (who had worked on a similar project for St. Michael’s Abbey several years ago), a project manager who had helped in building the school security wall, and myself. This project will be done in two phases during our 50th anniversary year.

The first phase is due to be installed in late September 2009. This will include the six windows on both sides of the church. They will depict saints and holy persons who are dear to our community of St. John the Baptist.

The second phase to be completed in the spring of 2010 for our 50th anniversary celebration will include the eight small windows above the sanctuary, the windows on either side of the main entrance, and the large window in the choir loft.

Color posters with sketches will be shown in the vestibule in the coming weeks. Please keep this project in your prayers, and especially remember the anonymous donor who has so generously funded this project.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

The Sacrament of Holy Orders

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I have told many who ask me about my 25 years as a priest, I can still remember the hands of Cardinal Timothy Manning of Los Angeles as he laid them on my head on June 16, 1984. That was an unforgettable day when the priesthood of Jesus Christ was conferred on me so that I
could participate in His eternal priesthood. For this I will always be grateful.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders that confers this power on men is given for the service of others. The priesthood is not for the benefit of the priest but for the good of the Church.

Over the past 25 years I have served in a number of different assignments.

My first assignment was Our Lady Chapel in downtown Los Angeles, which closed in 2001 when the new Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels opened. I used to commute to the chapel from Pasadena two or three days a week. The principal ministry at the chapel was confessions because thousands of people commute to Los Angeles daily.

In 1991 I was made associate pastor at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Silver Lake (east Hollywood). That parish had a large Latino population with a good proportion of Filipinos. For the first time I had to work with three different ethnic communities in two languages. We celebrated Simbang Gabi with the Filipino community and Las Posadas with the Latinos. In 1999 I became pastor of St. Francis.

In 2001 I was transferred to Santa Paula in Ventura County, where I was made pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. There my Spanish really had a workout because the parish was almost all Mexican with all the Masses in Spanish except one. I enjoyed the fiestas, the pageant of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, the “Jamaica” (parish festival), and the other celebrations of the community. At certain times of year the migrant workers would add to our congregation during the fruit and vegetable harvest.

In 2003, after having discerned with my spiritual director a more monastic vocation, I transferred to St. Michael’s Abbey of the Norbertine Fathers. I spent about a year learning about the Norbertine way of life. Then in August 2004 I was assigned here to St. John the Baptist. I am grateful first of all to God for my vocation, but I must also thank many others, my parents, priests who have guided me through the years, and many others who have worked with me and who have prayed for me. Please continue to pray for me as we all move forward to spread God’s Word in north Costa Mesa and serve God’s people.

Thank you for your kindness and continue to keep me in your prayers. We are about to celebrate our parish’s 50th anniversary. Let’s keep going ever forward with God’s help to continue His work.

Fr. Hildebrand

Graduation

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Thursday our parish school graduated its 8th graders. To prepare for their graduation ceremonies I asked the students to write a short paragraph about their wish for their future. I thought you would like to read some of their thoughts.

“I think it is very sad that many people don’t have a home and a warm bed to sleep in. I want to dedicate my time helping out at a homeless shelter since I don’t think it is enough just to give money.”

“I would like to use my success for (a) good (purpose). I will go to Mass every Sunday and give donations to the less fortunate. I want to be a good faith-filled husband that can provide for my family.”

“Since I was young I had dreamed of doing missionary work…I would like to provide education to those children who cannot afford to go to school…I would like to build a school for the children, hospitals for the sick.”

“I vision my future using my talents in a good and positive way. I would like to work for a company that helps better my community and the world around us.”

“I hope that I will be able to bring the example of Christ wherever I go…I know that God has a plan for me and I am willing to accept any path that He chooses.”

“The most important gifts that God has given me are my family and friends. I have been blessed with a loving family…They allow my siblings and I to attend a Catholic school to help guide our faith. My friends also help me in many situations. They give me advice and the laughter I need to continue each day.”

“My greatest hope for the future is to become a nurse for third world countries…to help children who have cancer or other diseases…I would like to encourage them to know that they should never give up on their faith, because with God everything is possible…I would like to be a nurse when I grow up to reflect God’s power working through me to save others.”

“My talent is that I can sing and I think God gave me this talent because he wants me to sing in churches…Although it is abnormal for a lot of eighth graders to sing in church I believe it is a great, important necessity…I intend (to use) this talent to help people believe in the good
news of God.”

“Most of all I want to do whatever God has planned for me.”

These are truly words of wisdom from our 14 year old graduates. Let us pray for them as they grow toward the full stature of adults in our Church and in our world.

God bless you all.

Fr. Hildebrand

Parish Home Visitation Project

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our Parish Home Visitation project has been reaping good fruit this month. We visited a Spanish speaking home on May 15 and an English speaking home on May 26. There were interesting conversations and questions; I was able to meet parishioners whom I had only seen briefly at Mass. If you live in the north Costa Mesa area you may want to schedule a visit at your home.

The next home visit will take place on June 12 in the north central area of our parish. There is a subdivision with streets named after places in Ireland. It is bounded by the Baker St. on the south, Harbor Blvd on the west, Gisler Ave. on the north and Fairview Rd. on the east. The streets included are:

Gisler Ave.
Chemin de Fer, Deauville Pl.
Dublin St
Shamrock Ln.
Watson Ave.
Shannon Ln.
College Ave.
Galway Ln.
Killybrooke Ln.
Royce Ln.
Warren Ln.
Donnybrook Ln. Fernheath Ln.
Murray Ln.
Loren Ln.
Dorset Ln.
Stonefield Ct. McCormack Ln. Garlingford St.
Belfast Ave.
Conway Ave. Londonderry St.
Sharon Ln.
Limerick Ln.
Killarney Ln.
Kerry Ln.
Cork Ln.
Bray Ln.
Parnell Pl. Donegal Pl.

If you live on any of these streets, please call the rectory (714-540-2214) to find out the address of the host family and plan to join us for prayer, conversation, and light refreshments. You’ll be surprised how many fellow parishioners are your own neighbors!

Have you signed up for a holy hour with the Lord in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel? What are you waiting for? An invitation? Consider this a personal invitation. The rewards are out of this world!

Have a good week.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Congratulations to the Newly Confirmed on May 19, 2009

Holy days of obligation

Dear Friends in Christ,

Holy days of obligation are really equal to Sunday in terms of the requirement to attend Mass. Unfortunately not everyone understands this. Of course we all go to Mass on Christmas, which is one of these holy days. Nevertheless, there are other days which have very high rank as solemn feast days and which are also days when we must attend Mass.

Over the past several years there have been some changes in laws regarding these holy days of obligation. I am providing you with this information so that you will have it for future reference.

The following brief description of Holy Days of Obligation in the dioceses of the United States of America is designed to provide some clarification:

• January 1 (Mary, the Mother of God) is a day of obligation only when it falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. It is often dispensed in the Diocese of Orange.
• Ascension Thursday (for most of the United States) is observed on the Thursday of the sixth week of Easter, and is a day of obligation. In the western states, however, the solemnity is observed on the seventh Sunday of Easter, and the previous Thursday is not a day of obligation.
• August 15 (the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) is a day of obligation only when it falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday.
  
• November 1 (All Saints) is a day of obligation only when it falls on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday.
• December 8 (Immaculate Conception) is always a day of obligation, except in years when December 8 falls on Sunday and the solemnity is observed on December 9.
• Christmas is always a day of obligation.
  

Let us remember all of our Confirmation candidates in our prayers as they receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit this Tuesday.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

"I am the vine, you are the branches"

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is Thursday, May 7, 2009. In today’s Orange County Register the article about the swine flu is still not very optimistic. There has been progress in determining the origins of the virus, but the number of those infected has increased. As a result, we are continuing to suspend Communion from the cup until the danger to our children and parishioners is clearly past. However, the question arises: Are we being deprived of the fullness of Communion by receiving under the form of bread alone?

Most of us remember about 30 years ago when few if any parishes provided Communion from the cup. This was the common practice for centuries, especially after the Protestant Reformation. Many of the Protestants had begun to teach that Communion had to be distributed under both forms for it to be valid. The Church responded by explaining that the presence of Christ in the Eucharist did not depend upon the outward appearance but on the inward reality. This is true of all sacraments, which are outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace. The outward sign of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the bread and wine. When the priest says the words of consecration, This is my Body….This is the cup of my Blood, he is speaking on behalf of Christ Himself, in persona Christi, is the theological term. During the Eucharistic Prayer the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This change is very mysterious, but still very real. Many miracles of the Eucharist down through the centuries have confirmed the Church’s teaching that this is indeed the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church also explains how Christ is present in this Sacrament.

The creed tells us that after his resurrection Christ “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father”. He is living in His glorified state, body, blood, soul, and divinity, the whole Christ perfectly sound. Therefore, his presence in the Eucharist cannot be divided. Therefore, when we say the Eucharistic bread has become the Body of Christ, His blood, soul, and divinity are also present by concomitance, that is by the very fact that He is one integral person in heaven’s glory. When we receive the Body of Christ we receive the whole Christ. When we receive the Blood of Christ we receive the whole Christ. When we receive under both species we receive the whole Christ.

At this time let us pray for those who are sick with the flu virus. Let us pray for an end to the spread of the disease. Above all, let us thank the Lord for the gift of the Eucharist, the bread of angels.

A very happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, both living and deceased. How grateful we are that they gave us life and the possibility of eternal life!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently I visited Grade 2 in our school. I usually visit them before their First Communion to give them the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. I have found that many people don’t know about the scapular and so I thought I would dedicate this first letter of May to explain its meaning in our relationship to Mary. Like holy water, rosaries, and other religious objects, a scapular is a sacramental. The Catechism defines sacramentals as “sacred signs instituted by the Church. They prepare men to receive the fruit of the sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life.”(§1677). Unlike Sacraments, which give grace just by the fact of being administered, sacramentals give grace according to the devotion of the person who uses them.

Scapulars are pieces of cloth worn around the neck and hanging down the front and back. They form part of the religious habit of different religious orders and come in different colors. For example, the scapular of the Norbertines is white, that of the Benedictines is black. The brown scapular belongs to the Carmelite Order and has an interesting history.

The Carmelites are especially devoted to the Virgin Mary under her title Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. In 1251 St. Simon Stock, an English Carmelite, received the brown scapular from Our Lady. She encouraged all those devoted to her to wear it and so the religious men and women of the Carmelite Order have the large brown scapular as part of their habit. However, for those lay persons who wish to benefit from the devotion to Our Lady by wearing her scapular, a much smaller version was developed that can be worn under ordinary clothing. This smaller version consists of two small squares of brown cloth with an image of Our Lady on one of them. These two squares are joined by two cords or string that make it easily worn around the neck.

A person who wears the brown scapular must first be enrolled and receive the blessed scapular from a priest. Any priest has the faculty to bless and impose the brown scapular.

Once enrolled, a person enjoys the spiritual benefits of the Carmelite Order and wears the scapular as a sign of his/her devotion to Our Lady. If the scapular is lost or wears out the person need not go through another enrollment but may simply replace the scapular.

In 1917 when Our Lady appeared to the three children at Fatima she especially encouraged people to wear the brown scapular. She promised that those who wear it faithfully and with true devotion would not suffer eternal punishment. This great promise holds as long as a person truly remains devoted to Our Lady and lives a good Catholic Christian life.

May God bless you and Our Lady protect you always.

Fr. Hildebrand

Third Sunday of Easter

The Gospel is from St. Luke 24:35-48. Our Lord's glorious resurrection is the crowning miracle of his sojourn on earth among men. It is the foundation and cornerstone of our Christian religion. His death on Calvary proved that he was really human; his resurrection proved he was also divine. During his public life he had claimed to be God. Had that claim been untrue God the Father could not have raised him from the dead. By his death he made atonement for the sins of the world — "he nailed them to the tree of the cross"; by his resurrection he opened the gates of death for all men and made them heirs to the eternal life.

We need hardly delay to prove the fact of the resurrection of Christ, for without it there would have been no Christianity, no Christian Church. In the story of the appearance which precedes today's Gospel, we are told how two of Christ's disciples were so depressed and disorientated by his death that they were giv- ing up all interest in the dead Master and were returning home at the first opportunity (the Sabbath, Saturday, had intervened and they could not travel on that day). The Apostles were no better since Good Friday. They had remained behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. They had no hope left. They too would have left Jerusalem that Sunday were it not for the story brought by Mary Magdalene that Christ's body had been taken from the tomb. When the risen Christ appeared to the ten Apostles (Thomas was absent) they thought he was a ghost, so far were their thoughts from a possible resurrection.

Of the fact of the resurrection we can have no doubts; Christianity is inexplicable without it, and Christianity has existed for almost two thousand years. A more important point for consideration today is what this resurrection means to us. "If Christ has not risen," says St. Paul (1 Cor. 15:17), "vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins." But "Christ has risen from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." Our faith then is not in vain, for the founder and foundation of our faith is the Word of God who cannot deceive or be deceived, and his resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection. He is the "first fruits," the earnest of the full harvest that was to follow after our earthly death. We shall all rise again, in glory if we have been faithful during our time on earth, in a less pleasant state, if we have not followed Christ here below.

With St. Paul then, we may well sing out today: "O death where is thy victory, O death where is thy sting?.thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15 : 55-57). Yes, Easter time is a time of rejoicing for every true Christian. It is a time for Alleluias, for praising and thanking God. Our happy future is within our reach. Our eternal happiness has been won for us by Christ and is within our grasp, if only we hold fast to the true faith of Christ, taking the rough with the smooth, going through our lesser Gethsemanes and Calvaries as Christ went through his great ones. If we do this we can hopefully await the angel who will roll back the stone from our grave one day, and allow us to enter into the glory of the eternal Easter in heaven.

Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.

Divine Mercy Sunday

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter). The Gospel for today shows us Jesus appearing to the Apostles and giving them the power to forgive sins. The constant teaching of the Church from earliest times has maintained that priests continue to exercise this power in the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation or Confession). On Divine Mercy Sunday we remember the message of Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska in which He encourages all to seek for His mercy, especially those who are the greatest sinners. We should especially recommend our friends and family members who have fallen away from the faith or have become enslaved by some addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol or pornography. Let us commend them to the Divine Mercy and trust in Jesus who has won the victory over sin.

Father Robert researched the indulgences one can gain on Divine Mercy Sunday. We should all take advantage of this. Here is what he found:

Divine Mercy Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter) has been enriched with a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions for those who recite in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament the Our Father, the Creed, and a pious invocation to the Merciful Lord Jesus (such as "Merciful Jesus, I trust in You!") while being in the state of grace (free of mortal sin) and free of all affection for sin, even venial sin. The usual conditions for a plenary indulgence are: Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Pope (for example, an Our Father and a Hail Mary) either on Divine Mercy Sunday or within several days before or after the feast, Sacramental Confession on that day or within three weeks before or after the feast, and at least a general intention of gaining the indulgence.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Parish Home Visitation Project

Our parish home visits continue on April 28 on the west side of our parish. The streets included are:

• Java Rd. Maui Circle, Tahiti Dr. Club House Circle, Kauai Pl. Lanai Dr. Suva Circle, Simba Circle, Ayon Circle, Nevis Circle, Boa Vista Dr. Korna Dr. Lemnos Dr. Chios Rd. Baltra Pl. Balearic Dr. Inroz Dr. Capella Ct. Calvert Ave. Shantar Dr. and Europa Dr.
  

If you live on one of these streets, please call the rectory office 714-540-2214 to find out the location of the host family and the time of the visit. Please continue to pray for the success of this project, whose purpose is the evangelization and spiritual enrichment of our parish.

Thank You

Thank you to all the volunteers who prepared the worship environment for Holy Week as well as all the members of several ministries that participated in the Easter Triduum liturgy. A Special
thanks to Lee for the beautiful orchids and all parishioners who donated Easter Lilies. Job well done!!!!!!

With sincere thanks,

Fr. Hildebrand

Dear Friends in Christ,

He is risen as He promised, alleluia!

A very blessed and happy Easter 2009 to all of you! In recent months we have heard many promises, campaign promises, promises for economic recovery, and promises about ending the war. How many of these promises have been fulfilled? Not many, I’m sure you will agree. Hopefully the most important and needed promises will be fulfilled soon. Meanwhile we wait.

The promise of Jesus that He would rise from the dead is a promise we know has been fulfilled. We have the witnesses, the Apostles, who have handed down their own testimony, that they saw Him and that they ate and drank with Him after his resurrection. The good news for us is not only that Jesus Himself is alive, but that He has made it possible for us to share his life. This is the greater promise of the resurrection, that those who follow Jesus can also share in his new life.

Our candidates and catechumens who received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion on this Easter Sunday have benefited from the promise of Jesus. After months of preparation, through study and prayer, they have come to believe in the Lord and his Church. Just this weekend we at St. John’s have added 38 new members to the Catholic Church.

We have good reason to rejoice. At the same time we must be humbly aware of our responsibility to support and pray for these “neophytes” these new Catholics. Please welcome them when you see them. Their journey of faith is far from over; they will probably experience even more trials now that they have been fully initiated as Catholics.

Nevertheless, they have the grace of Christ and the Sacraments to strengthen them. The promise of Jesus continues to be fulfilled in each one of us as we live the faith we proclaim. On this Easter Sunday we renew our baptismal promises. Let us not make empty promises today but promises full of conviction in the Lord and his grace. He has promised to be with us all the way. We have every good reason to trust in Him.

Sincerely yours in the risen Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Pope Benedict on the World Economy to the London Economic Summit (Excerpt)

The London Summit, just like the one in Washington in 2008, for practical and pressing reasons is limited to the convocation of those States who represent 90% of the world’s gross production and 80% of world trade. In this framework, sub-Saharan Africa is represented by just one State and some regional organizations. This situation must prompt a profound reflection among the Summit participants, since those whose voice has least force in the political scene are precisely the ones who suffer most from the harmful effects of a crisis for which they do not bear responsibility. Furthermore, in the long run, it is they who have the most potential to contribute to the progress of everyone.

It is necessary, therefore, to turn to the multilateral mechanisms and structures which form part of the United Nations and its associated organizations, in order to hear the voices of all countries and to ensure that measures and steps taken at G20 meetings are supported by all.

At the same time, I would like to note a further reason for the need for reflection at the Summit. Financial crises are triggered when -- partially due to the decline of correct ethical conduct -- those working in the economic sector lose trust in its modes of operating and in its financial systems. Nevertheless, finance, commerce and production systems are contingent human creations which, if they become objects of blind faith, bear within themselves the roots of their own downfall. The only true and solid foundation is faith in the human person. For this reason all the measures proposed to rein in this crisis must seek, ultimately, to offer security to families and stability to workers and, through appropriate regulations and controls, to restore ethics to the financial world.

The current crisis has raised the specter of the cancellation or drastic reduction of external assistance programs, especially for Africa and for less developed countries elsewhere. Development aid, including the commercial and financial conditions favorable to less developed countries and the cancellation of the external debt of the poorest and most indebted countries, has not been the cause of the crisis and, out of fundamental justice, must not be its victim. If a key element of the crisis is a deficit of ethics in economic structures, the same crisis teaches us that ethics is not “external” to the economy but “internal” and that the economy cannot function if it does not bear within it an ethical component.

Accordingly, renewed faith in the human person, which must shape every step towards the solution of the crisis, will be best put into practice through a courageous and generous strengthening of international cooperation, capable of promoting a truly humane and integral development. Positive faith in the human person, and above all faith in the poorest men and women -- of Africa and other regions of the world affected by extreme poverty -- is what is needed if we are truly to come through the crisis once and for all, without turning our back on any region, and if we are definitively to prevent any recurrence of a situation similar to that in which we find ourselves today.

Passion

Dear Friends in Christ,

This week and next week are called Passion tide because the readings and focus of the liturgy is on the imminent passion and death of the Lord. An ancient custom in the Church has been maintained here at St. John’s, namely the veiling of statues and images. This practice was regulated in the time before Vatican Council II. Today, the practice of veiling images from the Fifth Sunday of Lent to Holy Saturday is optional; all churches are required to veil images from Holy Thursday evening to Holy Saturday evening. We have decided to maintain the older custom because of its sign value.

From the beginning of Lent we have been without flowers and elaborate music, with few exceptions. We want to focus our attention on the Lord’s sojourn in the desert and accompany Him during His temptations with our fasting, prayers, and alms for the poor.

During these last two weeks of Lent, we enter more deeply into the spirit of this season by covering the beautiful statues and images in our church so that we can concentrate on the Lord
Who was taken away, out of the sight of His disciples and the people during the days of His passion.

Let this be a time of prayer and meditation on the Lord’s Passion so that we may come to know better the love of Christ, Who offered Himself as an innocent Victim for our sins. I suggest that you read the Passion of St. Mark and St. John during these days. You will find both of them in the “Celebrating the Eucharist” missalette. The St. Mark Passion is on pp. 114-124; the St. John Passion is on pp. 140-148. Or, you may find them in your Bible: Gospel of Mark chapters 14-15, Gospel of John chapters 18-19.

May the Passion of Christ be in our hearts these days so that we may see His glory at Easter.

Fr. Hildebrand

SJB News

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here are some news items that I wanted to share with you. First, we are grateful for the spiritual guidance of Fr. Antoninus Wall, O.P. (Fr. Tony) who preached our Lenten parish mission last week. Fr. Tony proved that age (84 years!) is no deterrent when it comes to imparting a powerful message that speaks to today’s problems.

Our PSA pledges are nearing $100,000. I am very grateful to all of you who have made a pledge so far. Please mark your calendars for our two penance services. This week the Vietnamese/ English penance service on March 26 begins at 7PM. Several visiting priest-confessors who also speak English, will be available for your Lenten confession. Next week on April 2 we have our English/Spanish penance service. Again, several confessors from other parishes will join us so you will have another opportunity to prepare for your Easter Communion.

SJB Festival 2009 News. Yes, there will be a festival for all of you who are looking forward to good food, fun, and fellowship. Our first meeting was held on Friday, and we’re looking for ideas and helping hands to make this year’s festival another success. Please consider being a part of this community-building effort.

Those of you who attend the 9:30AM Mass are aware that we have a large group of English and Spanish speaking Elect and Candidates who will complete their Christian Initiation at Easter. They are in the final stages of preparation for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Please keep them in your prayers during the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming them into the Church. We have reached the halfway point in our Lenten journey; many graces are coming. Let us continue our practices of prayer, fasting and works of mercy with renewed fervor, mindful that if the Lord Himself suffered temptations during His 40 days in the desert, then we can expect the Enemy to be working extra hard too. Vigilance and perseverance! Ask your guardian Angel to strengthen you.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Modesty

Dear Friends in Christ,

If you have ever visited the great cathedrals in Europe, especially St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, you know that even in summer visitors are required to dress appropriately. There are signs near the entrances that show what types of clothing are suitable for God’s house.

Dress codes are integral to our lives in civilized countries. Service personnel and businesses have uniforms to identify themselves. We wear distinctive dress to mark special occasions and special places. Certain clothing is appropriate for a formal evening. Other clothing is common in an office. Appropriate clothing is worn by hospital workers, construction workers, and restaurant staffs. Each type and cut of clothing has its characteristic appearance that identifies it with some place, event, or work. In general, what we wear sends others a message about how we want to present ourselves.

Modesty is a virtue that shows we know how to dress appropriately as Christians. A person who dresses modestly and in good taste shows personal self respect and security.

In an interview four young college age men were asked their reaction to immodestly dressed girls. They said that a girl who dresses immodestly sends a message to guys that she does not respect herself. This message in turn lowers the guy’s respect for her. They see immodest dress as a sign of insecurity and lack of self-confidence. Those who dress immodestly invite others to judge them according to what they see.

Here’s an objection: Fashions change; shouldn’t we dress according to the current fashion? Thirty or forty years ago the women fashions common today were used by women in the “red light district”, i.e. women of the street. Fashions change, but male psychology doesn’t. What women wear has an effect on men who see them. We could also object that men should have their minds on other things than women necklines and skirtlines, but they don’t. Fallen nature hasn’t changed in thirty years either.

You might ask: What guidelines should I follow to dress modestly, especially in
church?

Here at St. John’s we will soon have signs posted at the entrances and in the vestibule to give you a sense of what is appropriate dress in God’s house. Please take a moment to read them and use them as a guide to your choice of clothing when coming to Mass or for a visit.

Women and men who dress simply and modestly show inner strength and confidence that goes beyond appearance. There is an inner beauty that radiates out to others. Here’s an image that might help. Persons who dress immodestly are like a firecracker that explodes. It grabs our attention for a moment, but then it’s over. Persons who dress modestly are like a candle that glows. It draws attention and continues to shine forth its radiance.

“Let your light shine before all” (cf. Matt. 5, 16).

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Lent

Dear Friends in Christ,

Lent, the season of God’s mercy, has begun. It is a season of opportunity and renewal. We join our brothers and sisters in faith as we accompany Jesus along the way that leads to Calvary. However, we are hopeful because the Lord has already walked this road and encourages us to follow, bearing the sufferings and looking always to the goal of rising with Him at Easter.

Catholics in today’s world must be counter-cultural. We live in this world, but the Lord challenges us not to accept the values of this world. Every Sunday we hear His Word and listen to His teaching us through the liturgy. This Word of His is a gift to us. “I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world” (Jn. 17: 14). The gift of the Word is very precious because His Word is life for us. When we listen to Him and follow his way we may find that we must avoid certain ways of living that the world promotes. This is conversion and Lent is about conversion. Conversion begins with small steps that lead to a stronger relationship with Jesus.

Just a few days ago we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of the dedication of our renovated church. At the time of the renovation we noticed how much more beautiful our church had become. It inspires us to lift up our hearts and thoughts in prayer. When we come to church for Mass or for a visit, we are coming to the Lord’s house. The way we act and the way we dress make a difference not only in our own disposition but it also has an affect on others who see us.

The way we dress is an expression of who we are. We communicate to others something about ourselves by our dress. The fashion industry and advertising often dictates to us by pressuring us into specific styles of dress even without our realizing it. Today styles of dress can really compromise our natural sense of modesty, but we fail to recognize it because we have been conditioned to accept what the major clothes companies advertise. I have noticed at weddings
that men dress very formally with coats and ties, while women dress according to fashions that show little or no respect for women. These distracting styles can also be seen in church at Sunday Mass.

This Lent we should examine our attitude toward dress and reflect about our Christian calling to give good example by the way we dress. Modesty is a Christian virtue that guards our purity of heart. Simple and good clothing does not have to be expensive. We can find quality clothing that is modest and still very good looking. Lent is about turning away from sin and being more faithful to the Gospel message. We can begin an interior change by improving the unspoken message we give by our attire.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Lenten Regulations of Fast and Abstinence

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we enter the holy season of Lent, I would like to call your attention to the spirit of this time by reviewing our Church’s regulations and offering some other suggestions for your practice during these 40 Days.

By Divine Law the faithful are bound to do penance. The example of Jesus Himself is the source of the Church’s laws on this subject. Therefore, the Church requires of her members that some form of penance by those 14 years of age and older is to be observed on all Fridays throughout the year. This obligation is in itself a serious one.

Lenten Regulations of Fast and Abstinence

1. Everyone 14 years of age and older is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. If for some serious reason a person must eat meat on a Friday in Lent, some other form of self-sacrifice should be performed.
2. Everyone who is at least 18 years of age and not yet 60 is bound also to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
a. On these two days of fast only one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals on these days is not permitted, but liquids are allowed.
b. Where health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
Other Lenten Observances

3. In order that our love for Christ and identification with Him may be deepened, all Catholics during the period of Lent are encouraged to participate at daily Mass and to receive Holy Communion often; to participate in the devotional life of the Church; to give generously to religious and charitable works; to assist the sick, the aged and the poor; to practice voluntary fast, penance and self-denial, especially regarding alcoholic drink and social entertainment; and to pray more fervently, particularly for the intentions of the Holy Father.
4. Lent is an admirable time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation or confession, especially in the setting of a communal Penance Service. In this way the social and ecclesial aspects of sin and reconciliation may be underscored.
5. Ash Wednesday falls this year on February 25. Easter Sunday is on April 12 and the Easter Season concludes on the Feast of Pentecost, May 31. Catholics are bound to receive Holy Communion at least once a year, especially within the Easter Season, unless for good reason the precept is fulfilled at some other time.
6. The Way of the Cross and other prayer services should also be publicly celebrated during the Lenten Season. They are celebrated at St. John’s on the Fridays of Lent at 6:15PM in Vietnamese and 7:30PM in English.
7. The Sacred Triduum from Holy Thursday evening to Easter Sunday (April 9-12) is especially recommended as a fitting conclusion to the Lenten Season. Please check our special schedule for these liturgical celebrations.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Pastoral Services Appeal for 2009

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today we launch our Pastoral Services Appeal for 2009. Your contributions to PSA supports many programs and services throughout Orange County.

10% of PSA funds go to Catholic Charities of Orange County to support their vital programs that serve the poor and those in need. From material assistance such as rentals to other needs such as counseling Catholic Charities serves a wide variety of people who could not otherwise find help.

The Catholic Deaf Community also benefits from PSA funds, which help them to be full participants in special liturgical and social environments. The Church is for all people, including those with special needs.

Jesus said, “I was in prison and you visited me.” Members of our parish also participate in the Catholic Detention Ministry. Using over 400 volunteers, this ministry provides pastoral care to thousands of inmates in eleven facilities at the city, county, and federal levels. There are Bible studies and sacramental preparation for persons in these institutions.

In the current economic climate many agencies and governments are cutting back on services. All of us know that public schools are often subject to these cutbacks. Our Catholic schools have been “an advantage for life” for many Americans, both Catholic and non-Catholic. With the difficult economic times there is an even greater need to support our Catholic Schools. PSA provides grants to schools, mostly those serving parishioners in multiple languages, who have a critical need for assistance for technology, capital improvements, staff and volunteer education programs and other urgent needs.

Vocations to the priesthood must be a priority for the Church because the priest is the minister of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Clergy formation for qualified candidates for the priesthood and diaconate receives funds from PSA to assist in seminary tuition for future priests. In addition there are programs of discernment, education and spiritual formation for permanent deacons. We have a parishioner from St. John’s who is currently enrolled in this program.

All of these programs, services, workshops, and education are supported by you when you pledge to PSA 2009. This is your way of showing that you are a part of this Church in Orange County. We are all on this spiritual journey toward God’s kingdom. I encourage you to join us in making this year’s PSA another success, always remembering that by participating you are sharing in the Church’s mission for the salvation of souls.

Fr. Hildebrand

Vocations at SJB

Dear Friends in Christ,

Recently I received an invitation to the religious profession of a young man whom I had trained as an altar server 15 years ago. He and his best friend are both seminarians in different religious orders today. I keep their photo on my bulletin board. For me it is a great sign of hope for the Church that fine young men are offering their lives to the Lord to serve His people. I am very happy for them and pray that they will persevere in their vocation. Both of these young men come from a Catholic parish like ours and benefited from parish religious education and formation programs that helped them discern the call to the priesthood.

Next month Fr. Cirilo Flores, who was chosen by the Holy Father to become auxiliary bishop of Orange, will be ordained a bishop. Before he became a priest, he used to teach religious education here at St. John’s. Who knows? Maybe he thought of the priesthood when he was teaching here! Now God is calling him to become a bishop! Teaching religious education at St. John’s has prepared him to accomplish one of the primary tasks of a bishop, that of teacher of God’s Word.

Preparing young people to be active members of the Church, reaching out to those in need, evangelizing the community, this fairly describes the purpose of the Pastoral Services Appeal. Next weekend you will hear more about how the Pastoral Services Appeal works to bring the Gospel to the people of Orange County. You can be confident, based on our own experience, that your participation in PSA will make a difference in the lives of fellow Catholics. In this time of economic challenge, you want to be sure that funds are used for good purposes. Please check out the “pie chart” for PSA on the pledge envelope, and you will understand that your money is used wisely.

On another topic, see below if you live in the neighborhood of our FIRST parish home visit!

Kind regards in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Parish Home Visitation Project

Our first home visit will be in the neighborhood just southeast of our church. If you live on the following streets, please contact the rectory, or call 714-540-2214, and you will be told the address, date, and time where we will meet:

• Saint Clair
  
• St. Junipero Dr.
  
• Loreto Av.
• Santiago Rd.
  
• Sutter Way
  
• Portola Dr.
• Velasco Ln.
  
• Serra Way
  
• Drake Dr.
• Sonora Rd.
  
• Eastern Presidio
  
• San Lucas Ln.
• Magellan St.
  
• Francis Ln.
  
• Cortez St.

Parish Home Visitation Project

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our Parish Home Visitation Project is off to a good start. So far four families have volunteered to host a visit. I hope to start these visits this month. This week I will meet with the Pastoral Council to map out the different sectors of our parish, to draw up a format for the visit, and to begin scheduling the first visits. Again, if you would like to host a visit please contact the rectory and you will be placed on the list. My intention is to make two visits per month; at present I am
reserving the second Friday and the fourth Tuesday. The visits will take place in the evening about 7PM and will run about an hour or so. Roughly the structure will include:

• Prayer and Scripture
• Sharing our reflections and questions
• Social time with light refreshments

Here is more information about the Parish Home Visitation Project. The goal is to bring God’s Word to your homes and in that way awaken an interest in developing your “domestic church”. This term refers to the fact that every Catholic family is a cell of the universal Church. Just as the cells in a human body need to function well for the good health of the whole body, so the cells of the Church need to be actively functioning so that the whole Church is alive and healthy. In preparing for the visit, we are dividing the parish into “sectors”. A sector is an area of the parish bounded by major streets. Once we have determined the boundaries of these sectors we will begin by inviting fellow parishioners who live in your area. You may also invite friends and neighbors from your sector to join in the visit.

This project is important for the evangelization of our parish. We are seeking to bring more souls to Christ and build up His Kingdom on earth. Please remember the Parish Home Visitation Project in your prayers.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

St. Paul & Parish Home Visitations

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today is a special day in the Year of St. Paul. We join with the Church throughout the world in celebrating the day of his conversion. On this day the Lord Jesus appeared to Saul (his original name). Up to that moment he had been a rabid persecutor of the disciples of Jesus, but his encounter with the Lord brought him to a complete change of heart.

He changed from Saul the persecutor of Christians to Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles. Many of us undergo conversion experiences in our lives; sometimes these are very dramatic, at other times we change gradually over a period of time. Some people drift away from the faith of their childhood. Even among our family members there are some who have given up the practice of their Catholic faith. I know this is true because I talk to people who are grieving over their children, brothers or sisters who no longer go to Mass.

We may also have friends and neighbors who are Catholic but who don’t practice the faith. We cannot be indifferent to this situation. If we truly believe that the Church is necessary for salvation, we should try to draw these people back to Church.

With this reality in mind I wish to announce a new project that we are launching today, the Parish Home Visitation Project. Inspired by the example of the great Apostle Paul who journeyed far and wide to spread the Gospel, I want to ask you to join me in sharing the good news of Christ with your neighbors. During this year I will be visiting homes in different parts of our parish. The purpose of these visits is to meet with you and your friends and neighbors in the area, to pray, share Scripture, and invite those who have been inactive to become active again.

Please pray for this effort, that the Lord will bless it and make it fruitful for the good of souls. If you would like to host an evening visit, please contact the rectory. You will be told how to prepare for the evening, and you will reserve a date for the visit. Visits will take place on weekday evenings (except Wednesdays). Plan to invite other parishioners who live in your neighborhood, as well as neighbors who would like to pray and meet your pastor. You will hear more about the parish visitation in today’s homily.

Let us pray to the great missionary apostle St. Paul for the success of our Parish Home Visitation Project.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Life

Dear Friends in Christ,

In the recent election, Californians voted to protect the natural institution of marriage. God has created this institution for the purpose of continuing the human species. Unfortunately, there are people who don’t believe in this purpose of marriage and who see conjugal relations as recreational only. They separate the unitive function of the marital act from the procreative function. This is why birth rates in some countries have dropped to dangerous levels in recent years. There are other causes for this drop in the rate of births, abortion on demand is one cause, but perhaps the most common cause is contraception. By contraception is meant any act that prevents conception. Pope Paul VI describes it this way:

“The direct interruption of the generative process already begun and, above all, direct abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of controlling the birth of children. Equally to be condemned is the direct sterilization, whether of the man or the woman, whether permanent or temporary. Similarly excluded is any action, which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation.” (Humanae Vitae, #14)

This is the teaching of the Church; “it is a promulgation of the law of God himself”(#20). That many people disregard this teaching does not take away its binding force. The “contraceptive” mentality so prevalent today has resulted in these lower birth rates and more abortions; because when contraception doesn’t work abortion is chosen as a second option.

In view of this problem of the contraceptive mentality being so prevalent today, some within the Church have given serious thought to promoting the teaching of Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae so that it can be better understood. With this in mind we have invited Fr. Matthew Habiger, OSB to preach at all the Masses on Dec. 6-7 on the subject of God’s plan for life. A couple who teaches natural family planning will also be on hand to introduce modern methods of regulating and spacing births. Please pray that this presentation will benefit our parish.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Fr. Hildebrand

CORRECTION

A few weeks ago I wrote about the morality of voting for pro-abortion candidates. I would like to clarify what was written at the end of that letter. When I said, “To vote for a candidate who favors abortion even though he/she may have many other good qualities is to vote in favor of abortion” I was giving what I see as the logical result of voting for a pro-abortion candidate, in my opinion. If a person suppressed his/her own conscience about the morality of abortion when voting for such a candidate, then that person would run the risk of cooperating in immoral behavior, and “that is something a Christian in good standing cannot do.

All Saint's Day

Dear Friends in Christ,

This weekend we celebrate All Saints (Nov. 1) and All Souls (Nov. 2). All Saints is preceded by All Hallows Eve (commonly called Hallowe’en). This celebration, which has degenerated into a commercialized and very secular event, has a Christian tradition.

In the early Church all major feasts like All Saints were celebrated with a vigil the evening before. All of us are familiar with Christmas Eve which precedes Christmas. We also have the vigil of Sunday celebrated on Saturday evening with Masses and Evening Prayer I of Sunday. All Hallows Eve was not always about witches, ghosts, and wild parties. The original meaning, the true meaning of Hallowe’en lies in its connection with the feast of All Saints. Early Christians used to go in procession from one church to another dressed like the Christians who had died for their faith in Christ. These processions would conclude with a prayer vigil that often lasted well into the night. That’s why we have celebrations like Christmas midnight Mass and the Easter Vigil.

It was only later that the pagans, who had a feast at the same time of year, began to incorporate their customs with the Christian celebration. Here at St. John the Baptist School we encourage our children to dress up like their favorite saints on Oct. 31. Prizes are awarded to the best saint costumes. This is an opportunity for all who have children to restore the “holy” to Hallowe’en. Since it falls on a Sunday this year, we all have the opportunity to remember our faithful departed on All Souls Day (Nov. 2). This commemoration reminds us of our mortality and of our connection with friends and relatives who have died. While we may hope that some are in heaven already, we also believe that our prayers, works of charity, and other sacrifices can be offered for their benefit. All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification. (Catechism of the Catholic Church §1030-1031).

Let us remember all of our loved ones next Sunday at Mass so that they will soon join their brothers and sisters in the Communion of Saints in heaven.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Life Month

Dear Friends in Christ,

October is respect life month. As followers of Christ we are called to respect human life at all of its stages. Jesus showed great respect for all persons. He welcomed little children. He comforted the elderly widow and restored her son to life. He healed the blind man and the paralyzed man. He had a real sense of the value of human life. As the Creator He sought to preserve, protect and restore his creation.

The book of Genesis tells us that when God created Adam and Eve He gave them dominion over the material world. They became stewards of the gift of life. While human beings are responsible for all creation, they are especially charged with protecting human life. In the complementary relationship of marriage, man and woman become one for the sake of mutual love and so that children may be born through that love. Every human being possesses an immortal soul, destined for eternal life with God. Every human life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death.

As we begin to finalize our decisions in the coming election, we may find ourselves faced with a dilemma. We like a certain candidate, but we are aware that he/she is in favor of abortion. Can we vote for this person in good conscience? In 2004 a group of United States Bishops, acting on behalf of the USCCB and requesting counsel about the responsibilities of Catholic politicians and voters, received a memo from the office of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope
Benedict XVI, which stated:

“A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.”

In other words, the reasons are more compelling in the moral sense. Could a Catholic in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports legalized abortion when there is a choice of another candidate who does not support abortion or any other intrinsically evil policy? Could a voter’s preference for the candidate’s positions on the pursuit of peace, economic policies benefiting the poor, support for universal health care, a more just immigration policy, etc. overcome a candidate’s support for legalized abortion?

In such case, the Catholic voter must ask and answer the question: What could possibly be a proportionate reason (more compelling reason) to vote for a candidate that supports abortion when we consider the more than 45 million children killed by abortion in the past 35 years? Let us pray for those seeking public office; let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we make our decision this November 4.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand

Election 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

In a little over three weeks we will go to the polls for one of the most crucial elections of our nation’s history. In the next three weeks I hope all of you will take time to seriously reflect on your obligations as citizens to seek the greater good for our country. Presently the media is full of bad news about our economy, but this should not prevent us from focusing on even more important issues that involve the very foundations upon which our American society is built, namely the right to life and the family. There are three propositions on the November ballot that need our attention.

First, there is Proposition Four. Here is an excerpt from the California Bishops’ statement supporting this proposition:

Proposition 4 contains public policy that is both sensible and realistic and which will benefit not only our families but our society as a whole. It is a sensible policy to encourage a minor girl faced with a serious decision like an unexpected pregnancy to go to her parents or family for their love, their wisdom, and their counsel. It is a realistic policy that her parents or family be notified of her request for an abortion whether or not she chooses to consult them. Society will benefit because similar involvement laws in other states have the effect of discouraging irresponsible sexual behavior and teenage pregnancies. In addition, individual rights and unborn babies will be protected because a minor girl will be afforded support in the unfortunate circumstance that she is being coerced to have an abortion.

Secondly, Proposition 6 involves retribution not rehabilitation for criminals. The Bishops of California oppose this proposition. Here is an excerpt from their statement:Communities do have a right to establish and enforce laws to protect people and to advance the common good. At the same time, our Church teaches us to not give up on those who violate these laws. Despite their very different claims on society, the lives and dignity of both victims and perpetrators should be protected and respected. As bishops, we oppose Proposition 6 because it advances a retributive rather than a restorative justice model for dealing with crime. Proposition 6 would create multiple new crimes and additional penalties, some with potential for new life sentences. Proposition 6 could also curtail the participation of nonprofit organizations in community councils that determine county-level policy for juvenile justice. Although Proposition 6 was introduced in good faith by those with legitimate concerns about“ safe neighborhoods,” it offers more of the same criminal justice policies which have failed in the past—and it will cost Californians billions of dollars without increasing public safety.

Finally, Proposition 8, which restores the true definition of marriage, also has our Bishops’ support. Here is what they say: We need to recall that marriage mirrors God’s relationship with us—and that marriage completes, enriches and perpetuates humanity.. We must support traditional marriage as the source of our civilization, the foundation for a society that can be home to all human beings, and the reflection of our relationship with God. We need to remember that we are all children of God possessed of human dignity and that each of us is created in God’s image. Protecting the traditional understanding of marriage should not in any way disparage our brothers and sisters—even if they disagree with us.

God bless you and have a great week.

Modesty Starts With Purification of the Heart

Modesty Starts With Purification of the Heart

Bishop John Yanta of the Catholic diocese of Amarillo, Texas, published this pastoral letter on modesty in dress, especially at Sunday Mass. The following are excerpts:

Immodesty in dress is governed by two citations from God’s Law:

1) The Ninth Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife” (Exodus 20:17);
2) Jesus said: “Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery
with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

To live our daily Faith as children of God (baptism), disciples of Jesus, and temples of the Holy Spirit, we are faced with moral choices constantly, many times a day. Conscience can either make a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law, or on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them (CCC: Catechism of the Catholic Church #1799).

Dressing or putting on one’s clothes is a moral act and wearing them is a moral act. There are different appropriate modes of dress for different occasions, e.g. in the privacy of our home, with our spouse only or with our children in our home, at work or school, in mixed company, at the lake or swimming pool, grocery shopping, at church, etc.

Our condition – all of us are beset with concupiscence. Concupiscence or covetousness: “Human appetites or desires that are disordered due to the temporal consequences of original sin, which remain even after Baptism and which produce inclination to sin” (CCC, Glossary).

The road to modesty starts with the purification of the heart: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication…” (Matthew 15:19). Bible beginners should be encouraged to get the basic overview of Jesus’ teaching by starting with the beatitudes in Matt. 5 in Jesus’ first sermon: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Part of the essence of that teaching is a wholesome, orthodox, first hand appreciation of God’s plan for our sexuality - its sacredness, its fulfillment in marriage, its place in family, Church, and world.

The Catechism speaks next, after the purification of the heart, about “the battle for purity”. We, the baptized and the forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation struggle against concupiscence of the flesh and disordered desires (CCC 2520).

“Purity requires modesty, an integral part of temperance. Modesty protects the intimate center of the person. It means refusing to unveil what should remain hidden (CCC 2521).

“Modesty is decency. It inspires one’s choice of clothing. It is discreet (CCC 2522).

“There is a modesty of the feelings as well as of the body. It protests, for example, against the voyeuristic explorations of the human body in certain advertisements, or against the solicitations of certain media that go too far in the exhibition of intimate things. Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies (CCC 2523).

Yes, we can help the devil in many ways including the way we dress. In the Act of Contrition we promise “to avoid the near occasion of sin”. St. Paul writes about “provoking another” (Gal. 5:26).

The key to all modesty is rooted in our mother and daddy who model modesty for their children, i.e. a strong, but tender St. Joseph-like husband and father who is blessed with a wonderful wife and mother for their children. “Happy the husband of a good wife… choicest of his blessings is a modest wife, priceless her chaste person” (Sirach 26: 1, 15).

When the community of believers comes together for the Eucharist (Mass) let no one be a distraction from Jesus or provide temptation (an occasion of sin) to another because of our manner of dress.

May we cherish and bear witness to the virtues of prudence, temperance, chastity, and modesty for the sake of our own salvation and of others. St. Mary and St. Joseph, St. Ann and St. Joachim, parents and grandparents of their son and grandson, Jesus, intercede for us!

Bible Study at SJB

SJB Presents:

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 2008-2009

A YEAR OF CATHOLIC TRUTHS AND THEOLOGY EACH NIGHT FROM 7-9 P.M.
with Alan John Meister
U.S. Scripture Scholar and Theologian

Truths of the Priesthood & Eucharist From Sacred Scripture

• The Celibacy and the Priesthood

Wednesday September 10, 2008

• The Eucharist: Body, Blood, Soul, & Divinity

Wednesday September 17, 2008

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Christ as Messiah in the Gospels Series

• The Messianic Gospels of Matthew and Mark

Wednesday October 8, 2008

• The Messianic Gospel of Luke and John

Wednesday October 22, 2008

• The Messianic Gospels: Thematic Approaches

Wednesday October 29, 2008

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Pauline Theology Series

• Life and Journeys of St. Paul Slide Show

Wednesday November 5, 2008

• St. Paul’s Approach to Theology & Salvation

Wednesday November 12, 2008

• St. Paul’s Salvation Concepts: Firstborn to Sin/Death

Wednesday November 19, 2008

• St. Paul’s Salvation Concepts: Resurrection & Redemptive

Wednesday November 26, 2008

• St. Paul’s Salvation Concepts: Mystery & Summary

Wednesday December 3, 2008

"World Youth Day: An interview with Pope Benedict XVI"

(Journalist’s Question): Australia is a very secular land, with low religious practice and much religious indifference. I'd like to ask whether you are optimistic about the future of the Church in Australia, or are worried and alarmed that the Australian Church may follow the European path to decline? What message would you offer Australia to overcome its religious indifference?

Benedict XVI: I will do my best in English, but I beg your pardon for
my insufficiencies in English.

I think Australia in its present historical configuration is a part of the "Western world," economically and politically, and so it is clear that Australia shares also the successes and the problems of the Western world.

The Western world has had in the last 50 years great successes -- economic successes, technical successes; yet religion -- Christian faith -- is in a certain sense in crisis. This is clear because there is the impression that we do not need God, we can do all on our own, that we do not need God to be happy, we do not need God to create a better world, that God is not necessary, we can do all by ourselves.

On the other hand we see that religion is always present in the world and will always be present because God is present in the heart of the human being and can never disappear. We see how religion is really a force in this world and in countries. I would not simply speak about a decline of religion in Europe: Certainly there is a crisis in Europe, not so much in America but nevertheless there too, and in Australia.

But on the other hand, there's always a presence of the faith in new forms, and in new ways; in the minority, perhaps, but always present for all the society to see. And now in this historical moment, we begin to see that we do need God. We can do so many things, but we cannot
create our climate.

We thought we could do it, but we cannot do it. We need the gift of the Earth, the gift of water, we need the Creator; the Creator re-appears in his creation. And so we also come to understand that we cannot be really happy, cannot be really promoting justice for all the world, without a criterion at work in our own ideas, without a God who is just, and gives us the light, and gives us life. So, I think there will be in a certain sense in this "Western world" a crisis of our faith, but we will always also have a revival of the faith, because Christian faith is simply true, and the truth will always be present in the human world, and God will always be truth. In this sense, I am in the end optimistic.

Ecumenical Event

Dear Friends in Christ,

The year of St. Paul has begun and I wanted to share with you my experience at St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church on June 29. Event was a service of Evening Prayer and Bishop Brown and Metropolitan Jerasimos from San Francisco presided. This was an important ecumenical event because it brought together clergy and people from both Catholic and Orthodox churches for prayer and mutual understanding.

During the service we prayed using the Psalms and Biblical readings. Some parts were chanted in the Orthodox style; other parts in a more Catholic style. Bishop Brown spoke about his own experience of ecumenical outreach, and Metropolitan Jerasimos spoke about the life of St. Paul as something for us to study and imitate.

At the end of the service the two bishops exchanged gifts. Bishop Brown presented the Metropolitan with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Metropolitan Jerasimos gave Bishop Brown an icon of Our Lady. It was clear that both were moved by a real spirit of friendship and dialogue.

We must admit that there has been significant progress in relations between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and we can hope for more during this year dedicated to the Apostle Paul. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has already met with leaders of the Orthodox Church. He met with the Patriarch of Constantinople on June 29. Here is part of his talk on that occasion:

May the Pauline Year, which will begin solemnly this evening, help Christian people renew the ecumenical commitment, and may there be an intensification of joint efforts on the journey to the full communion of all Christ's disciples. And as part of that journey, your presence here today is certainly an encouraging sign. For this I express again to all of you my joy, while together we raise our grateful prayer to the Lord.

Let us all pray for Church unity.

God bless you all.

Fr. Hildebrand

Prayers

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here are two prayers to St. Paul that you may wish to say during this Year of St. Paul.

Prayer to Saint Paul the Apostle

O Glorious Saint Paul, after persecuting the Church you became by God's grace its most zealous Apostle. To carry the knowledge of Jesus, our divine Savior, to the uttermost parts of the earth
you joyfully endured prison, scourgings, stonings, and shipwreck, as well as all manner of persecutions culminating in the shedding of the last drop of your blood for our Lord Jesus Christ.

Obtain for us the grace to labor strenuously to bring the faith to others and to accept any trials and tribulations that may come our way.

Help us to be inspired by your Epistles and to partake of your indomitable love for Jesus, so that after we have finished our course we may join you in praising him in heaven for all eternity. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Paul the Apostle

Great convert and Apostle of the Gentiles, you became Christlike and knew only Christ Crucified. Though extremely learned, you relied completely on the Wisdom received from the Spirit and taught from the abundance of your heart. Instruct modern evangelists, those who preach Christ to others. Let them realize that their actions speak louder than any words they may use.

Teach them to use their talents in conveying their God-given message but to rely above all on the promptings of the Spirit. Amen.

God bless you all,

Fr. Hildebrand