Peace and all good!
This weekend we are confronted with another “hard” Gospel (Luke 16:19-37). It is the story of an unnamed rich man (whom tradition calls “Dives”) and Lazarus, the neglected poor beggar at his gate. Although presented in a calm and even somewhat gentle manner, this parable is nevertheless quite clear in its message: as followers of Jesus, we must be willing to work actively to secure God’s justice in our broken world. In the first reading, from the prophet Amos (6:1a, 4-7), the language is even more direct and quite unsparing in its criticism of people who lead narcissistic, self-involved lives, indifferent to the suffering of others.
Recent surveys disclose that one out of every seven Americans (about 44 million people) now lives in poverty, while at the same time the share of total wealth controlled by the top 1% of our society has skyrocketed from 8% (in 1960) to more than 20% currently.
Meanwhile, middle class families, including many of our parishioners, are struggling to hold on to house and home while attempting to feed, clothe, and educate their children. Seniors and others on fixed incomes are in a similar bind. It goes without saying that the financial pressures on people these days are severe and in many cases, unrelenting.
On a personal and local level, both individuals and groups within our parish are working hard to provide some measure of relief for people caught in the bind of the economic downturn. I want to thank Carmen Parra of our Social Concerns office, in particular, who, along with several parish volunteers, works to provide emergency services (food, clothing, furniture, etc.) for individuals and families in need. (The Rotary Club generously provided a $5,000 donation last year (proceeds from the Crab Fest), and our Knights of Columbus Council 3162 is always available to answer the call for assistance. Other parishioners are involved in Brother Benno’s, while still others offer their time at Father Joe’s Village in San Diego.
The response to the need must necessarily differ with each person and group: we are all called to serve and work for justice according to our specific talents, gifts, and experience. For some, it will mean intensifying their prayer life; for others, direct volunteer service to the poor.-- and for others still, direct involvement in movements for peace and justice is what is necessary. Everyone’s help is needed and welcome. Presently, for example, we are working to coordinate more effective services to our military families. I will keep you informed on that project.
On another note, I would like to thank all who participated in the celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick here in the parish last weekend. We are trying now to offer the sacrament on a quarterly basis in order to provide this service to parishioners who are struggling with illness of body, mind, and spirit. Many people still operate under the mistaken notion that the priest should be called only at the last minute of life to anoint someone. One time, even, a gentleman thanked me for “reading mom her last rights!” We are growing in the understanding, though, that we need to make use of this important sacrament (“sacred moment”) when the person is still alert, and able to comprehend what is happening: our full and conscious participation is optimal.
This month we celebrate the first anniversary of a great new group in our parish family: MOP (Maintain Our Parish). Check out the displays in the rotunda of the Serra Center. These great folks organized themselves to provide TLC to our parish grounds. They gather every Saturday at 8 AM at the flag pole in front of the parish school and then go to work with mowing, pruning, washing (windows), sweeping…. whatever is needed. They’ve clearly made a huge difference in the appearance of the grounds (remember the big monster stones the kids used to dive off—to the never -ending anxiety of their parents? Well, they’re gone. Look
for a new barbecue grille/pit soon to take their place). The MOP folks, as well as our parish Knights (of Columbus), Youth Core Team members and others pitched in to make the rummage sale last weekend a great success. They raised $5,027 towards the OLG Sports Court/parking lot Project. For more information about MOP, contact Lee Bickford at 760-522-2738
Speaking of the OLG Sports Court/parking lot: stay tuned for an update soon as we get ready to launch our fundraising campaign this fall. It’s taken us all this time (since late January) to deal with the myriad of complications and details involved in getting permissions from the authorities, securing competitive bids, etc., etc. We’ve been keeping a lid on things until we’re ready to go. Hang on, it’s coming!
This weekend, we celebrate with our parish Filipino community, the feast of St. Lorenzo Ruiz, the first (but not the last!) canonized saint from the Philippine Islands. We take the opportunity to thank our brothers and sisters for their many contributions to our parish life! Salamaat!
Finally, I hope you enjoy the new look of our church bulletin. We now have the capacity to print (at no cost to the parish!) a full-color front and back cover. Many thanks to our parish secretary, Shirley Gonzalez, and to staff members Maricela Rivadeneyra and Christie Herrera for their hard work.
God bless, Fr. Chuck
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