Divine Mercy

Pope John Paul II established the Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The Divine Mercy, of course, is the unconditional love of God seen from the point of view of the sinner.  It is the fidelity of the love of God. This is the Good News of the Gospel. Jesus said that he came not for the just, but for the sinner. He ate and drank with sinners. He forgave sins and delegated that same power to his apostles. He taught the parables of the lost coin, the Good Shepherd, and the prodigal son, all of which tell us that the Divine Mercy is not “the pardon of a judge, but the embrace of one who loves.” The first Christians knew and experienced the fidelity of the love of God, the unconditional love, the divine mercy. Their lives were filled with peace, love and joy. They rejoiced at having been found worthy to suffer something for the name of Jesus. But human nature being what it is, over the centuries Christians began to forget this love of God.

Jesus who wanted to remind us of his unconditional love revealed to Saint Margaret Mary (Alacoque) the secrets of his Sacred Heart. Once again the lives of Christians were filled with love, peace and joy. On the First Friday of each month Churches were packed with people celebrating the devotion to the Sacred Heart.

“Sacred Heart I trust in Thee,” was in the hearts and on the lips of millions.

But as the years rolled on, once again people began to forget the love, the mercy of God.

Then Jesus revealed to Sr. Faustina the secrets of his Divine Mercy, and requested that the Sunday after Easter be celebrated as the Feast of Divine Mercy.

Sr. Faustina told Jesus,

“I am surprised that you bid me to talk about this Feast of Divine Mercy, for they tell me that there is already such a feast, so why should I talk about it?”

Jesus said to her,

“And who knows anything about this feast? No one! Even those who should be proclaiming my mercy and teaching the people about it, often do not know about it themselves.”

How many more revelations do we need to convince us? We should go back to the Gospels and read it again. We didn’t get the point! The fidelity of the love of God, the unconditional love of God, the mercy of God is very clear, and definitively expressed in the Gospels. God is love. The unconditional love of God, the Divine Mercy, is a GIVEN. It is always available. The one unforgivable sin is to think that our sin is too great for the mercy of God. As we saw during Holy Week, this was the sin of Judas: not that he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, but that he denied the Divine Mercy. He thought that his sin was too great to be forgiven. He could have been forgiven just as Simon Peter was forgiven.

And so, we can also be forgiven….. Ask for his forgiveness, and with a contrite heart, you will be given what you seek. God loves you so much more than you can understand. Ask for his love and he will fill you, completely. He will heal you; he will make all things new again, within you. Open your hearts and allow him in.

Divine Mercy

Saint Patrick's Day Weekend

Liz and I drove to the City to Celebrate in an Irish Pub.

But there was a long line to get in....

Luckily My Brother Kevin was already inside and had saved us seats.

The Pub was packed.

There was great Irish Music.

A bit noisy...

Liz and I were having a great time.

And then my brother Tim and Angela showed up.

Three Irish Brothers on Saint Pat's Day!

Then we walked across the street to the Celtic Shop.

Where we met two new friends (Patrick and Patrick). 

The tall Patrick said it was his birthday and he was in the store buying a rosary. As we visited, we found out that he is a P.E. teacher at a catholic school. I was able to bless his rosary that he just bought and gave him a special birthday blessing. When the 6'9'' man began to cry, we all felt it! He then stated "This is going to be a great night!"

We thanked the store owner for the Irish hats.

Handsome

We then drove back to Kev's place to eat and have some wine.

Checking the bottle against the inventory list......Hey that is one of the really expensive wines!

Quick get two more....

What an Irishman.

Full of Blarney!

After a good night's sleep, I took Liz to the Cliff House in San Francisco. 

We had dinner here 18 years ago when we were first married.

It is a really nice place.

With a great view.

What a great adventure and time with my wife and brothers.

Happy Saint Pat's Day Everyone!

A Christmas Challenge

In an effort to avoid the holiday traps of consumerism, excessive gorging, and the clouding of the true Christmas Message, I have a 4 week challenge for any who feel the desire to experience a Christmastime like never before.

4 Week "Christmastime" Challenge
(Begin: Saturday November 27th - End: December 24th)

Daily

• Early Morning   
• Morning Prayer   
• Exercise:    
• Push-ups / Sit-ups / Lunges, 
• Run 1 Mile (or more if capable)

• Evening:   
• Family Evening Prayer, 
• Exercise: 
• Push-ups / Sit-ups / Lunges
• Weight Lifting (45 Min)    

Sunday - Friday

• Daily Mass

Wednesdays

• 1 Hour Eucharist Adoration

Thursdays

•     Fast ( 1 Meal of Bread / Water only)   

Saturdays

•     Weekly Confession

My Favorite Time Of Year - Christmastime

Our Parish Christmas Card 
(Photo by Mackenzie Kearns)

For so many, Thanksgiving is such a special time of year, probably because of families uniting and for giving thanks for all the blessings and comforts of our lives.

But for me, I truly love Christmas Time. I stay clear of the buying and shopping frenzies, but take the time to slow down, visit more with friends and family, to do simple acts of kindness for others, and reflect on the gift from our Father, the gift of Jesus.

We are about to begin Advent, this is a time of preparation.

Preparation for what?

Not preparing for a reenactment of Christ's birth, the birth we do honor and remember, but  a time for preparing for his return.

When Jesus does chose to return, his second coming, that will be it.......

I often reflect on if that day was to be today, am I ready? Did I live my life today as if today I would meet Jesus, and would I feel comfortable with my actions presenting them to our Lord? I then think about my past week, month, and even year. I question myself in regard to; am I living a life that that I would be proud to present to Christ.

Our whole life should be a preparation for that physical encounter with Christ. But, all so often we slowly veer off track, and at times, more off track than others. However, Christmastime is a beautiful season to straighten our life course.

So, enjoy the beautiful music, the festivities, and family and friends, but make it a point to daily reflect on your actions, your friendships, your passions, and your current state in life. Are you ready to stand before Christ and present yourself....... Will He say "Welcome, my good and faithful servant, come stay with me for all eternity?"

For some, this is a perfect time to start anew, for others, it is a time for a small self tune-up.

Merry Christmas

After So Many Years - My Prayers Have Been Answered

 

What does an Irish Deacon Pray For? 

Good Beer and close to home.

Our local Trappist Monastery is teaming up with a local brewery to produce that heavenly brew.

Here are the headlines:

New Clairvaux and Sierra Nevada to produce Belgian-style Ales

 

  In a recent press release, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. announced its joint venture with the Abbey of New Clairvaux to begin production of Belgian-style abbey ales in the U.S. next year.  The ales will go by the name of "Ovila" after the 12th century Cistercian monastery, Santa Maria de Ovila.

Click here for the link

For nearly 1000 years, monks have been brewing ales behind monastery walls. Their closely guarded traditions and techniques produced styles of beer unlike anything else in the world. These unique Trappist-style Abbey ales are known for their uncompromising quality and compelling flavor. In 2011, Sierra Nevada and the Trappist-Cistercian Abbey of New Clairvaux are working to bring this centuries-old tradition to America with Ovila—the nation’s only authentic Trappist-style Abbey Ale.

This series of three Belgian -style Abbey ales is made in accordance with the centuries-old tradition of the monks. Each beer will only be available for a limited time and will rotate through the seasons. The first beer in the series, scheduled for release in March, will be a Belgian-style Dubbel brewed with authentic Trappist yeast. The second beer in the series, scheduled for release in July, will be a Saison, the traditional Belgian-style farmhouse ale made in honor of the Monk’s dedication to labor in the fields surrounding their abbey. The third will be released in time for the holidays. It will be a Trappist-style Quadrupel rich with dark fruit flavors and the unique wine-like characters of these strong Abbey ales.

Proceeds from this project will benefit the monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux in their efforts to rebuild an architectural marvel—a 12th century, early-gothic Cistercian chapter house—on their grounds in Vina, California a few miles north of Sierra Nevada’s home in Chico. The medieval chapterhouse—Santa Maria de Ovila—was begun in 1190, near the village of Trillo, Spain.

Cistercian monks lived, prayed, and worked there for nearly 800 years. In 1931, California newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst purchased the chapterhouse stones and shipped it to Northern California. Hearst’s plans were never realized, and the stones fell into disrepair. In 1994, the Trappist-Cistercian monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, gained possession of the ruins, and began the painstaking stone-by-stone reconstruction of the historic abbey.

Located in Vina, California, the Abbey of New Clairvaux is a Cistercian Abbey of Strict Observance (Trappist). The abbey was founded in 1955 on 590 acres of Leland Stanford’s famed Vina Ranch. The monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict—Ora est Labora (Prayer and Work) and spend their days in prayer, meditation, and tending to the labor of the working farm located at the abbey.

Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s first microbreweries and remains highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the finest quality. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for their line of beers and ales including the flagship Pale Ale, Torpedo, Porter, Stout, Kellerweis, four seasonal beers, Estate Ale, Harvest Ale series and a host of draft-only specialties.

Parish Festival 2010 (Our Lady Of Mercy)

We had a great Parish Festival today.

I think we sold a thousand tickets.

For a 50 cent ticket you could have anyone you wanted arrested.

I think every daughter should spend just a little time in jail....

and a good friend.....

maybe even a young priest.....

but especially every son!

The Karaoke singing was great.

But what I love the most is the food....

The Mexican food was delicious.

But my favorite is always the Filipino food.

The prayer booths were powerful, in English and

Spanish!

Two girls working the festival.

And here is Gary, who along with his incredible extended family, organized the whole event! 

Remarkable!

As for the kids, they love the games.

What kid doesn't enjoy playing in the water on a hot day?

Where did that bean bag go?

Crafts

Fishing

Golf

Sheep-Thingy

Water Balloons

Darts

Spinney-Thingy

More Crafts.....Must be a girly thing?

And a great place for the little ones to hang out with stuff just their own size.

It was such a joyful atmosphere.

But most of all, we had so much fun.

All good festivals need a raffle.

Especially when every parishioner just knows that they have the winning ticket.

And then all that is left is to count the money. 

Just Kidding! 

But it will sure help cover the cost for repaving the parking lot.

But don't go home yet, we still need to clean up!

I was just blown away at just how many people showed up not for the festival, there were 100's for that, but those humble servants who came early and left late so they could help with all the "behind the scenes" work.

You can't say we have a powder-puff priest.
He rolls his shirt up when there is work to do....
well as long as there is a corona to drink afterwords...

Now that  the clean-up is done..... time for rest!