Last weekend, the L.A. Dodgers recognized a group known as the 'Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence' during their annual 'Pride Night.' This group, composed of men who dress in flamboyant female clothing and makeup, often mimic the appearance of Catholic nuns as part of their performances. Some of their acts, which include pole-dancing atop a full-sized crucifix, raised the ire of Catholics everywhere as offensive and even blasphemous. The special honor was announced by the Dodgers months ago, then when Catholics made lots of noise about the offense the Dodgers rescinded the invitation. Then left ..read more

Folks,     We stomach quite a bit, but what do we really do about it?     If I may, there is a big difference in Pride & Boldness.   Selfishness & Pride are the 2 biggest roots of all sin.  I regrettably speak from experience!     It's no coincidence that this is Pride month.  We need to respect and pray for these folks ridiculing our Christian faith and the weak leaders caving in... but we can't allow ourselves to be continually, unjustly stepped on.     It's not a matter of Pride,  It's a matter of following our Lor ..read more

When Jesus is preparing His disciples for His Ascension into heaven, He tells them and us that He is not leaving us alone. He is giving us support with the Grace & Power of the Holy Spirit.  I don't presume to speak for any of you, but given a choice  "OUR CHOICE"  what would you like to leave your children?   Where are our Priorities…      The all too common Tangible/Worldly answer is: An inheritance of wealth, a nest egg, maybe your home, a life insurance policy' ... all in an effort to provide your children with a 'better life' easier th ..read more

My favorite verse in Scripture comes from James 2: 26. You gotta love Saint James. He wasn’t shy. He spoke his mind and was a fervent evangelist who believed our Actions speak volumes. He was the first of the Apostles martyred. James was the brother of John the Evangelist, sons of Zebedee. Peter, James & John were arguably the 3 closest, most trusted apostles to Jesus. James and John were the first two apostles to follow Jesus. They were with Jesus at the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Jesus brought Peter, James & John with Him into the Garden of Gethsemane where Judas betrayed our Lo ..read more

Ordinary Time ———————————————-Father Richard Veras————————————————- In his homily at my priestly ordination, Cardinal John J. O’Connor told my classmates and me, “The greatest homily that could be preached to you about your priesthood does not come from me, but from the Priests and Bishops who are here in this Sanctuary… You will find them weak at times, tempted at times, even sinful at times; you and others may rant or rave about their inabilities or their lack of zeal, but these brothers of yours have never given up.” It was a beautiful testament to the grace of perseverance in one’s vocati ..read more

Changing the world! Every Sunday we hear the words emanate from our priest’s mouth “The Mass has ended, go in peace to love and to serve the Lord.” Now you may be asking because of the title, "how can I bring about any kind of change to the world? Isn't that for more important people? People with power and influence in the world?” Yes and no! The responsibility is theirs because they have the power and influence to change the world for the good. Yet it is only the converted heart, the heart that has been transformed by grace and filled with Him who is goodness itself, that is able to truly ch ..read more

Merry Christmas Brothers and Sisters! I pray the light that has appeared in the heavens has arrived in your hearts and in your homes, which is Jesus Christ, the Lord. Today we celebrate the Epiphany. The birth of the Christ Child was announced by the appearance of a star and the Wise Men, that came from afar, followed it until they arrived in Bethlehem. The word “epiphany” means that something has been revealed. God has revealed Himself and even gentiles (non Jews) have come to discover what has been revealed, God made into Flesh. (The Incarnation) This manifestation (epiphany) of God coming ..read more

On this Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus is 12 years old! When we celebrate the Holy Family, we are acknowledging that God’s desire to be in relationship with us includes being involved in our families’ lives. This little family of Mary, Joseph and Jesus is very much like our own families. Just like our own families there are many interruptions. Mary and Joseph had to move, had to find their lost child, had to watch him grow up and leave home. The baby Jesus was born in a cave only suitable for animals! They were no more prepared for the reality of family life than we are, (with the exception ..read more

“Jesus of Nazareth is so intrinsically king that the title ‘King’ has actually become his name. By calling ourselves Christians, we label ourselves as followers of the king… God did not intend Israel to have a kingdom. The kingdom was a result Israel’s rebellion against God. The law was to be Israel’s king, and through the law, God himself. God yielded to Israel’s obstinacy and so devised a new kind of kingship for them. The king Jesus; in him God entered humanity and espoused it to himself. This is the usual form of the divine activity in relation to mankind. God does not have a fixed plan t ..read more

In God’s plan of history-that mysterious drama that unites God’s providential care with our freedom-there are particular moments that reveal with glittering clarity that God is in charge for Americans, Independence Day marks the anniversary of such a moment. Nearly two and a half centuries ago, on July 4, 1776, members of the Continental Congress approved Thomas Jefferson’s magnificent Declaration of Independence, proclaiming “these truths be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that amount these are Life, Libert ..read more