When I was a wet-behind-the-ears seminarian, I was sent for an immersion with the poor. For one month, I lived in a home for adults with developmental disabilities. It was a challenge for me because the residents had significant communication issues. A 30-year-old man there named Robin was totally deaf and mute. He had Down’s Syndrome. He looked like a Viking, with a shock of red hair and a fine beard. But I felt awkward and disconnected from him. All my normal ways of interacting failed. I resigned myself to the fact that we’d never connect.
Then one morning something amazing happened. He was on the living room floor quietly playing with toys. Watching him from a chair, I sensed Jesus’ words float into my mind, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me” (Mark 9:37). I thought, “Jesus, you must somehow be in Robin.” I sheepishly made sure no one else was in the room, and then I spoke in a clear voice: “Jesus, are you there?” Robin did not turn to me and say, “Hi, John. Yes, it’s me, Jesus.” He kept playing with his toys in silence.
But something changed in me. From that moment on, it was easier to just be with Robin, to joke around with him, to try sign-language with him, to let him be himself, and for me to be myself. His “disabilities'' were no longer obstacles to overcome. He became just Robin, my friend.
Who in your life seems awkwardly distant or uncomfortable to be with? Next time you see him or her, quietly invoke the name of Jesus, and see how the barriers disappear in you. — Father John Muir ©LPi
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Mass Intentions
Saturday, September 21
5:00 PM
Mickie Sartori • †
Ronnie Santua • †
Loretta Ung • †
Jesus Antonio Fernandez • †
Ruben Delgadillo • Health
Wilbert Arias • Health
Renzo Anton • Healing
Eli Dominic • Healing
Alexis Abaygar • Prayer
Ritchie David • Birthday
Sunday, September 22
6:00 AM
Pilar Maldonado • †
Loretta Ung • †
10:45 PM
Eva Ceja • †
Igwebuike Family • Thanksgiving
12:30 PM
Jose Arellano • †
Pauline Arellano • †
Richard Martin Arellano • †
Artemio, Teodoro, Judith Evangelisa • †
Reynaldo Galutera • †
Chibuike Igwebaike • Prayer
Kim Arvin Evangelista • Birthday
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that we may model wisdom, peace, and righteousness for all to witness, encouraging the fruitfulness of these virtues around the world, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That all children, including those still unborn, may be valued by our society, embraced by their families, and kept safe from harm, let us pray to the Lord.
C. That the rhetoric of vindictiveness and intolerance may be recognized as shameful and self-defeating, and that we may turn to words of reconciliation and kindness, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That this autumn may bring a bountiful harvest, a season of plenty whose riches can be shared by farmers, migrant workers, food handlers, and consumers, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Thanks to you, we have exceeded our Called to Renew goal and currently have $328,000 in donations. We received $42,000 in donations during August. We are thankful for your generosity.
2. Our Parish Fiesta will begin on Friday, October 4. We will hold our annual raffle with a grand prize of $5,000. Pre-sale ride tickets and wristbands are also available at a discounted rate. You can buy both tickets at the Parish Center.
3. The Parish is committed to providing a safe and family-friendly Fiesta for all our guests. All visitors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult, 21 or older, to enter on Friday, all day, and after 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
4. We thank MDMed Alert for sponsoring our bulletin; their information can be found on the last page of our bulletin. If you have a business and would like to sponsor our weekly bulletin, you can call the phone number at the bottom of the last page.
