eBulletin April 13, 2025

This past Sunday I was on a bus with 46  young San Diegans.  We were heading to Sacramento for the Laudato Si Advocacy Summit, where we would join up with about 350 other young people from mostly Jesuit schools and parishes all over the state, all advocating at the state capitol for the care for our common home (the earth), and additionally for certain restraints on immigration enforcement.

I wish you all could have seen our 14 parish youth in action!  When they met, first with a staff member for State Senator Steve Padilla, and then with our Assemblymember David Alvarez (also a parishioner!), they had clearly done their homework and were prepared.  I was so proud of them!  And you would have been, too.  While nervous, they each spoke clearly and eloquently of our need to take care of our world, and to care for their immigrant family members.

In addition to just being a wonderful thing for me to behold, it was also a helpful way for me to enter Holy Week.  For in truth, so much we hold dear is on trial.  First, the earth.  Though some will argue global warming does not exist, I think we all know that weather patterns are changing, we are seeing dramatic and destructive storms all over the world, and in Caliornia we see that ravaging fires are far too frequent. The fires just north of us in LA this past January are one jarring example.

Second, we know that our immigrant brothers and sisters are on trial as well.  One young woman in our group told of how fearful her undocumented parents are in these days, and how she as the older sister has to do much more to help care for the family.  The stress on her father caused him to have a diabetic attack, and because he has no voice where he works, he could not take the necessary time off to heal.  She shared these parts of her life with tears in what was a particularly compelling testimony.

We often fail to see how Jesus suffers today, he who entered creation and became a part of this world, and he who undergoes trial in our brothers and sisters.  May we open our eyes this Holy Week to how much is on trial with Jesus in the people and world all around us, that we might broaden our love of God to include love of neighbor and world.

We have Bibles and candles available for the Easter Vigil and First Communions.
Please stop by the parish office during office hours if you need one.
Thank you!

Please pick up QR code red cards. These cards help you access information that can be helpful in these challenging times for immigrants. It is important to know your rights!

If you need one, please ask one of the ushers.

This past weekend, the OCIA students and our YAM drove out to Agua Caliente County Park to experience a Lenten Retreat. Together we were trying to Find God in our Journey, got to know one another and had moments of self reflection. It was a beautiful weekend away from distractions & we hope you all enjoyed 💜✝️