From the Gospel of Luke 11:1-13. Meister Eckhart asks, “Who is the man whose prayers God always hears?” He answers, “God hears the man who appeals to God as God. When, however, man appeals to God, hoping for some worldly good, he is not appealing to God at all, but to what he is asking of God. He is trying to make God his servant. On this point, St. Augustine says: ‘You pray to what you love, for true whole prayer is nothing but love!’ Thus, we pray to what we love, and no one rightly prays to God but he who prays for God and has nothing on his mind but God.” We struggle with what we want God to do and how we want our prayer validated. Meister Eckhart is correct. We often want God to be our servant. We further struggle with trusting that God knows what we need and that His will is best.
From the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42. Our families need to ask for the gift of the Spirit! Through prayer, even in the busiest times, we give time back to God, we find the peace that comes from appreciating the important things, and we encounter the joy of God’s unexpected gifts. Through daily prayer may our homes become, like the house of Martha and Mary, places where Jesus always finds a warm welcome (Pope Francis).” While it is necessary to attend to the details of hospitality, learning how to be present to people, experiences, and God is sometimes more important. Creating homes that are welcoming environments requires not only organization and structure but members who truly enjoy being there and celebrating life with one another.
We have added a new tithing opportunity, called the Debt Reduction Fund, to our monthly envelope packets and online giving option that will be available for the remainder of 2022. Donations to this fund will be applied to our parish’s obligatory portion of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy settlement of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. Thank you for your generous support of our parish.
There is now a kiosk located near the Lomas doors of the church containing books, pamphlets and CDs on various aspects of Catholic spirituality and practice. The kiosk will be available on Saturdays from 3:30 PM until after the 12:00 PM Mass on Sundays. A small donation is requested for these materials as indicated on the kiosk.
From the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37. We can learn a great deal from Mister Rogers. Remember him? He was the gentle soul who found his way into living rooms worldwide starting as far back as 1968. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was a beloved program that celebrated and exalted people, especially children. He taught us that we are neighbors and that everyone has a place. Everyone matters. He had a vision, born of his relationship with God that highlighted every human life’s innocence, beauty, and uniqueness. To that end, he called us to be responsible for each other, saying nothing different than what Jesus said. Viewers quickly learned that life is not just about me.
From the Gospel of Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. Freedom properly defined is freedom properly understood. The Cambridge Dictionary tells us that it is, “the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc., whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited.” That same dictionary defines liberty as, “the freedom to live, work, and travel as you want to.” Both definitions sound very similar. Is there a difference between freedom and liberty? Many are accustomed to believing that freedom and liberty are interchangeable and simply involve possessing rights and privileges. For the Christian, however, there is a big difference between the two.
From the Gospel of Luke 9:51-62. And to another he said, “Follow me.” In every moment of every day, in every circumstance and experience, God is calling us. We can easily get distracted and not hear it or simply ignore it, pretending it wasn’t even heard. When we do hear it and favorably respond, there are some conditions that must be met. Jesus makes it clear that once we say yes to his invitation, we must stay focused and forge ahead. We cannot keep looking behind or worry about unfinished business. There are some tasks, and discipleship is one, that require our full devotion.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The Catholic Church has consistently taught from Apostolic times that during a valid celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the bread and wine are truly changed into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is what is meant by the “True Presence” or “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. Although the elements still have the appearance of bread and wine, they have – through the power of the Holy Spirit – actually changed into Jesus’ Body and Blood, just as they did at the Last Supper.
The Religious Education Program is in need of volunteer teachers (catechists) and teacher’s aides to help with the instruction of children in the Catholic faith. Aides are needed at every grade level, from Kindergarten to grade 7. If you can serve as a teacher, substitute teacher, or teacher’s aide, please contact the Parish Office.
Today we celebrate one of the most fundamental beliefs of Christianity: the Most Holy Trinity – three distinct, coequal Persons in one God. For the Church, the Trinity is considered a mystery. There are aspects of the Trinity that we will never fully grasp while we are this side of Heaven. But it is something we hold as revealed truth. We experience the presence and reality of the Most Holy Trinity as what has been described as “a divine communion of love.”
From the Gospel of John 20:19-23. Even though Pentecost is rightly celebrated in late spring, the robust experience of a New England fall can provide a profound metaphor for reflection. A full expression of fall colors is beautiful to behold. But, with all of its majesty and beauty, the observer knows the experience of death is soon to come. Creation will be dark and barren for a while. Pentecost cannot be separated from the cross. Before God’s transformative, life-giving power can bear fruit, we must first die.
Our Lady of Fatima is accepting applications for Director of Music Ministry and also for a full-time Janitor position for the Parish. Please call the Parish Office for more information.
You are cordially invited to participate in a Joyful Senior Day Celebration on Wednesday, June 22. The celebration begins with Mass and the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick at 11:00 AM in Fatima-Gallagher Hall followed by Lunch and then Bingo with prizes! All activities are free. Please call 505-265-5868 to RSVP so we can get an idea of how many to prepare for. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity for fellowship and prayer.
From the Gospel of Luke 24:51. We have the ability to walk with joyful hope! Jesus, during his earthly ministry, pointed the way to God’s kingdom. What is finally understood about God’s kingdom is that it is filled with the glory of Christ! We are all in the process of being emptied into and becoming one with Christ. We are new creations, clothed in Christ, made in God’s very image and likeness, and on this incredible journey of glory. The Ascension allows us to see this truth about ourselves and it enlightens our hearts. Christ who was most perfectly, vividly, and brilliantly transfigured before the very eyes of the disciples will be our destiny. Seeing only imperfectly now, we will see perfectly then. We will bask in the brilliance of understanding and truth. Christ is our destiny and our hope. Alleluia!
We are adjusting the Parish Office hours for the months of June and July ONLY. Regular office hours will resume the first week of August. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM, Thursday: CLOSED, Friday: 8:00 AM-1:00 PM.
From the Gospel of John 13:31-35 “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Many folks really work very hard to circumvent difficult situations. We prefer the easier way around something, rather than risk inconvenience, hurt or prolonged suffering. It’s no wonder euthanasia is rapidly becoming acceptable around the world. Through purely human eyes, there is no issue bypassing the inevitable, taking control and bringing things more swiftly to a place of peace. If this is the way God sees things, then why does Jesus make such a big deal helping us understand the experience of suffering and embrace it? God’s wisdom clearly takes us in another direction.
From the Gospel of John 10:27-30 “Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start.” (Pope Francis) We have a difficult time figuring out what is true and best for us. There are many voices talking and so many trying to get our attention. We wrongly convince ourselves that the true voice is the voice of progress, the one that speaks of contemporary wants and desires, enticing us with the latest trends and causes. We are taught, by listening to the voices around us, that truth is found in feelings and thought, and ideals must match current and popular human wants. Because we feel a particular way it must be true.
I would imagine that most of us have had at least one experience in which we were deeply hurt by another person - perhaps by someone we cared for very much. Our emotions can be very powerful at such a time and we can be consumed with feelings of hostility and resentment. If the hurt is deep enough, we may be tempted to give up on the relationship and avoid that person altogether, stubbornly refusing even the slightest move toward reconciliation, and speaking badly about the person to anyone else who will listen.
We will hold a Mass on May 13, 2022 at 5:30 PM to mark the first day in 1917 that the Blessed Mother appeared to the three shepherd children of Fatima in Portugal.
