Dear Friends in Christ,
Now that the poster explaining our stained glass window project is up, some of you have come to me very excited about this new addition to our church. Several have expressed that they look forward to the enhancement of our church with this beautiful stained glass. However, I have also heard some objections to the project. This week I would like to address these questions, which I will number below:
1. Why are we buying windows when we need to reduce our debt?
First of all, the donor has a right to restrict his donation to a specific project. In this case the donor wants to donate stained glass windows. We often receive smaller donations that are also restricted. For example, some donations are given for flowers or for the school. We want to respect the wishes of every donor. Now, reducing the debt is also necessary and when we receive unrestricted donations I will usually apply them to reduction of our debt. This year our debt has shrunk from about $230,000 to about $175,000 due to some generous donations. To those who think the donor should donate to the debt I would challenge to match his donation with a donation to reduce the debt or fund another project. Generosity is a virtue and deserves to be imitated.
2. Is the donor just trying to make a name for himself?
As I said in an earlier letter, the donor wishes to remain anonymous. I don’t see how he can make a name for himself if he doesn’t want his name to appear in any acknowledgement. This is what Jesus asked us to do when He said, “Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” We’re in a recession. Isn’t this bad timing to make such a large gift? Ironically enough fund-raising specialists tell us that hard economic times are often better for non-profit organizations than prosperous times. People begin to think more seriously about how they use their money and want to use it for good causes.
In general, generosity breeds more generosity. If you are unable to match the donor’s dollar amount, what about volunteering to offer your time and talent? Here’s a practical suggestion: I’m looking for a couple of new members for our pastoral council. Are any of you interested in joining us, or do you know of a good candidate?
Blessings on your summer vacations.
Fr. Hildebrand
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Mother Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
Dear Friends in Christ,
Last week I introduced the general program for the stained glass window project. This week I would like to begin a series on the saints depicted in the windows and why we chose them.
Mother Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
On the school side of the church one window will show Mother Catherine, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who have been teaching in our school from the beginning. Mother Catherine began her work in Dublin in 1827 by opening a home for poor and underprivileged girls and women. The Archbishop saw the great value of her work and asked her to start a congregation of sisters. Catherine and two companions formed the first community in 1831. By the time of her death in 1841 there were 10 houses in England and Ireland with 150 sisters. In 1843 the sisters were invited to Pittsburgh and in 1854 they had houses in New York and San Francisco. From there they spread to other parts of the country, including southern California. Today more than 4100 Sisters of Mercy serve in the British Isles, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Pacific rim countries.
Mother Catherine recognized the Sacrifice of the Mass as the heart of the Catholic Christian life. That is why she is shown looking toward the altar. She had compassion on the poor, oppressed and uneducated and so lived the works of mercy. For this reason she is shown with the crossed keys, symbol of the Sacrament of God’s Mercy (Confession).
Next week we shall look at another saint depicted in the windows.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Hildebrand
Last week I introduced the general program for the stained glass window project. This week I would like to begin a series on the saints depicted in the windows and why we chose them.
Mother Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
On the school side of the church one window will show Mother Catherine, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who have been teaching in our school from the beginning. Mother Catherine began her work in Dublin in 1827 by opening a home for poor and underprivileged girls and women. The Archbishop saw the great value of her work and asked her to start a congregation of sisters. Catherine and two companions formed the first community in 1831. By the time of her death in 1841 there were 10 houses in England and Ireland with 150 sisters. In 1843 the sisters were invited to Pittsburgh and in 1854 they had houses in New York and San Francisco. From there they spread to other parts of the country, including southern California. Today more than 4100 Sisters of Mercy serve in the British Isles, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Pacific rim countries.Mother Catherine recognized the Sacrifice of the Mass as the heart of the Catholic Christian life. That is why she is shown looking toward the altar. She had compassion on the poor, oppressed and uneducated and so lived the works of mercy. For this reason she is shown with the crossed keys, symbol of the Sacrament of God’s Mercy (Confession).
Next week we shall look at another saint depicted in the windows.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Hildebrand
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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. |
Friday, July 10, 2009
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
Sunday, July 05, 2009
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
Friday, June 12, 2009
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
Saturday, June 06, 2009
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
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
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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
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
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 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:
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Hildebrand
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.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Hildebrand
Saturday, May 09, 2009
"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 Com
munion 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
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 Com
munion 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
Sunday, May 03, 2009
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
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
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
Our parish home visits continue on April 28 on the west side of our parish. The streets included are:
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.
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
thanks to Lee for the beautiful orchids and all parishioners who donated Easter Lilies. Job well done!!!!!!
With sincere thanks,
Fr. Hildebrand
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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
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
Sunday, April 05, 2009
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.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
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
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
Sunday, March 22, 2009
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
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
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