News - October 2022 RSS Feed

From the Gospel of Luke 19:1-10. Barry had a life sentence in prison for doing unthinkable crimes. He would often remark to the chaplain that he was an atheist and could not bring himself to believe in any “god.” When the chaplain asked why, Barry quickly retorted that the book of Genesis speaks of God creating everything and feeling very good about it. God’s creation of people and things is beautiful. Barry continued, “If there is a God who creates something and likes what He makes and that God is good, then how could He have created someone as evil as me?” The chaplain fell silent as tears welled up in his eyes. “God loves you too, Barry. The stuff that you did is another matter. God puts His image and likeness in each one of us, in our souls. How can God not love himself?” God cannot despise or hate anything or anyone. He made you. Life hurt you. He is always about unconditional love and mercy. Barry found a glimmer of hope that day and was touched by love.

Tuesday, November 1st is All Saint’s Day. It is a Holy Day of Obligation this year. Mass will be offered at 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM (Our Lady of Fatima School Mass) and 5:30 PM. Wednesday, November 2nd, is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Soul’s Day). It is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but it would very appropriate to attend Mass and pray for the souls of the faithful departed. Masses will be offered at 6:30 AM and 8:15 AM.

From the Gospel of Luke 18:9-14. There is a thing called “false piety.” It is when we wear a religious disguise of devotion, attend to our obligations, and outwardly abide by rules while being inwardly unkind, uncharitable, and exclusive. Wearing the right clothes, saying the proper prayers, being in sacred places, and reading devotional books, those exhibiting false piety craftily try to control others using the pretense of love. The Pharisees, consistently criticized by Jesus, are prime examples. Thinking they are superior to others, they foolishly believe they are better positioned with God and more worthy of God’s attention. Forming an exclusive “club,” they divide things between “mine” and “yours” and “us” and “them.” They quickly criticize and point out flaws and errors in rituals and thinking. Conformity becomes the first commandment and control is the game’s name.

From the Gospel of Luke 18:1-8. Brendan wouldn’t stop. He continued nagging his mom to let him have a little more time with his phone. He knew the rules but wanted to finish a game and text a few more friends. He begged, had a temper tantrum, pleaded, screamed, pouted, and used every means he could think of t o get Mom to change her mind. Mom had a busy day and was tired. At first, she held her ground. Then, her son’s persistence got the best of her, and she caved. “Brendan, you can have 30 more minutes and no more!” she retorted. Brendan’s determination paid off. He won. 

From the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19. Ten lepers were cured. Only one returned to give thanks. When we fall victim to entitlement, we diminish our capacity to love. Never satisfied, we walk around with outstretched arms, eagerly searching for the next thing we want so that we can acquire it ourselves. Very rarely do entitled hands hold anything to freely give away to others. Entitled hands also find it challenging to reach toward heaven in a gesture of gratitude and praise. We are often more obsessed with celebrating our victories, securing our assets, safeguarding our futures, and stacking the deck of life in our favor rather than relishing and absorbing the gift of the moment and blessings received.

The Legion of Mary ministry is seeking new members to help serve those who are unable to attend Mass due to illness or physical limitations. They take communion to the homebound and praying the rosary at nursing homes and assisted living centers. All parishioners are welcome, and your help is greatly needed. They have weekly meetings on Mondays from 3:20– 4:20 PM with our spiritual director, Fr. Edward Okpu. The First Saturday Mass each month is celebrated for the Living and Deceased Members of the Universal Legion.

On October 2nd, two members of Our Lady of Fatima Parish were presented with the Archbishop’s St. Francis of Assisi Award for outstanding service in our parish. Each year, the Pastors of the Archdiocese nominate a person or couple from their parish to receive this award, and this year, I am pleased to announce that I have selected Collin and Jacqueline Martinez for this honor. As a parish we are grateful for the service that these recipients have provided to the parish community.

Join us for Mass at 5:30 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2022. Our Lady of Fatima Parish annually celebrates October 13th as the date of our Blessed Mother’s final public appearance to the shepherd children of Fatima and the occurrence of the “Miracle of the Sun” (October 13, 1917).

The Parish Office and Our Lady of Fatima School will be closed on Monday, October 10, 2022 in observance of the Columbus Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, October 11.

From the Gospel of Luke 17:5-10. As adults, unless we are dealing with children, “obedience” is not a word we typically like to hear. It often brings connotations of military protocols, deference to superiors at work, or conforming to laws and practices. In a culture that has learned to challenge authority, being obedient is understood more as something I “have” to do, not “want” to do. Do you ever see merit in wanting to be obedient? Encouraged to develop independent, self-sufficient egos and personas, we learn to focus on our own wills and merits as we strive for success and achieve a sense of well-being. Giving ourselves over to the will of another, especially when done blindly, can sometimes carry more risk than we are willing to take. Also, blindly following orders without any deference to ethics or morality can lead to atrocious crimes and violence against humanity.