February 25, 2018
Second Sunday in Lent
I have just finished reading a new book by Bart D Ehrman: The Triumph of Christianity. How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World. It is a good read. His basic hypothesis is against the commonly accepted idea that the great increase in Christians was caused by the conversion of Constantine, the Roman emperor from 312-337. He made Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire. More important was St. Paul and his mission to the Gentiles. Here are some startling statistics. They are approximations.
30 CE-20 Christians 60 CE-1,500 150 CE-40,000 312 CE-4,000,000 400 CE-25,000,000 500 CE-60,000,000
Here are just a few of his observations: After St. Paul, who died in 64 CE, there are no more great missions. The increase is caused not by massive conversions of pagan crowds at one time but by individuals who persuaded a family member, a friend or a neighbor. Over time that would add up because whoever became a Christian was lost to paganism.
Many pagans were drawn to the idea of one ultimate divinity. But they believed in lesser gods. Christians maintained that the ultimate god was the god of Christians to the complete exclusions of all other gods. To worship the Christian God was the only way to escape eternal punishment.
This increase was not simply the result of divine intervention. If it was, the whole world would be Christian today.
What stunned me was how few were the number of Christians in the year 60 CE. It made me realize how heroic were this first and second generation of Christians who remained faithful. If they had not, Christianity would have faded from history.
Work has begun on the next stage of the stained glass windows: the eight windows on our south side: Six Apostles plus St. Brigid and St. Patrick. The upper parts of these windows were never protected in the past.
Lent 2018: “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white”-Matthew 17:2
Sunday, February 25, 2018:Listen to Jesus: Mark 9:7;Listen today to God voice speaking in your heart.
Monday, February 26, 2018: Let Us Forgive!:Luke 6:37-38; Jesus asks us to forgive others and so be forgiven.
Tuesday, February 27, 2018: Be More Just: Isaiah 1:16-17; Let us try to treat others as if they were Jesus.
Wednesday, February 28, 2018: Don’t Seek Rewards: Matthew 20:27-28; Jesus insists that we will be rewarded for our service to others.
Thursday, March 1, 2018:God Knows Our Need: Jeremiah 17:9-10; God knows us through and through.
Friday, March 2, 2018: Love Your Family: Genesis 37:26; How can your show your love for your family today?
Saturday, March 3, 2018:God Always Surprises Us: Micah 7:18-19; Let us be open to God’s surprising way with us.
Collection : the collection for last Sunday, February 18, 2018 was $3,115.00
Way of the Cross: On Friday's during Lent the way of the Cross will be after the 12:05 Mass, the Arabic community of the Good Shephard will have it at 6:45pm and in Spanish it will be at 8:00 pm.
Easter Flowers: If you would like to have your loved ones remembered or a special intention remembered by the faithful at Easter, please make your reservation on your Easter Flowers Envelope in next week’s second collection.
Large Lily Plant: $50.00
Hydrangea Plant: $50.00
Small Lily Plant: $25.00
Tulip Plant: $20.00
Hyacinth Plant: $10.00
The Cardinal’s Appeal Supports
PREPARING THE CLERGY with $2.5 MILLION
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP requires many years of study and spiritual preparation. Let us show our seminarians that we support them, and are proud of their decision to dedicate their lives to serve the people of God. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY. MAKE AN ONLINE GIFT TODAY www.cardinalsappeal.org
March 2018:
3rd Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00 –2nd Meeting Holy Communion:11:30 School Cafeteria this meeting is mandatory for all Confirmation parents
10th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00
17th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00-Communion Rehearsal– Church 9:45 to 10:45am
24th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00-Holy Thursday and Baptismal Rehearsal-Church 9:45-10:45 am
29th All Children come to the Mass on Holy Thursday Mass –Mass starts at 6:00pm
31st No Religious Education Classes-Holy Saturday-April 1st Happy Easter
April 2018:
7th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00-Baptism-2:30 pm
14th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00-Reconciliation Family Day for Communion Parents/Candidates
21st Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00– Communion Rehearsal 10:00am
28th Religious Education Classes 9:30-11:00– Confirmation Rehearsal 10:00am
Mass Schedule for the week of
February 25, 2018 to March 4, 2018
Mass are daily at 8:15 and 12:05 in English and in Spanish on Thursdays at 7:00pm
Below are the Special Intentions for this week
Sunday, February 25, 2018:
7:30am For the Parishioners
9:00am Onesimo Tovar Toribio & Joaquina Tovar
11:00am Anatalio Ragasa Makissa Morales
Monday, February 26, 2018:
12:05pm Aida Aviles Julia Diaz
Wednesday February 28, 2018:
12:05pm Joseph Ferrara Alice De Waters
Friday, March 2, 2018:
7:00pm Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saturday, March 3, 2018:
12:05pm J.T. Corrigan -1yr anniv. Ann Corrigan
5:00pm St. Jude Thaddeus Josefina Castro
7:30 pm Legion of Mary The Legionaries
Sunday, March 4, 2018:
7:30am For the Parishioners
9:00am Efren Garcia Aguilar Wife & Children
11:00am Eli Michael Vetrano Elizabeth Areizaga & Family