If you followed me on Facebook, you’ll know that I had a wonderful time in Italy! But, as always it’s great to get back home and sleep in your own bed! And, it’s so nice to be back in dry heat as I found the humidity in Italy to be so very oppressive — especially in the record-breaking heat wave that’s happening all over Europe. Yeah, we have had some monsoon rains the last few days, but that’s okay: we need the rain!
   The day before I headed home, Fr. Jojo went off to the Philippines to attend a seminary class reunion; he’ll be gone a few weeks. He said a lot of Masses and handled lots of sick calls while I was gone; now it’s my turn!
   At all the Masses this weekend, Robert Martinez will deliver a reflection on the Scripture readings and say his farewell and thanks. It’s hard to believe that his two-month internship is over. In early August, Robert will return to the seminary, Mt. Angel, in Oregon, to resume his studies. We wish him well.
        Two seminarians, who also had internships here in the past, Michael Caster and Simon Tran, will have returned this weekend from a two-month immersion course in Spanish in Puebla, Mexico. They, too, will be returning to seminary studies, in early August, but to St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California.   When Michael is not at the seminary or on assignment, he lives at the parish rectory.   Unfortunately, while his car was parked in front of the house for those two months, (which we moved every couple of days to abide by Summerlin HOA rules of not leaving a car in the same spot for more than four days), it was stolen last Sunday night (July 24). It is a 1991 Honda Accord DX —which he kept in perfect running condition. He had a GPS tracker on it, but that was dismantled and sent its last location signal from a Chevron station in the Lakes area. He also had the “club” on his steering wheel. Apparently, Honda Accords are the cars most often stolen. Hopefully, the police will find it.
        In two weeks, we are going to have our first-ever “Volunteer and Activity Fair”. In the lobby of the Church (to avoid the August heat), we will have around a dozen tables representing all our different ministries. Are you wondering how to get more involved in the parish? Plan to check out all the different opportunities of serving here at Holy Spirit. Or, do you have in mind a new ministry that is not yet here at our parish? There will be an “open” table for you to suggest just such a ministry. Or maybe, you have a particular talent that you would like to offer for the good of other parishioners; if so, go to that “open” table. I’m very excited about this event. I’m looking forward to many new parishioners getting involved.  
   Have a good week. God bless you!