Happy Birthday Mama Mary. There are only three feasts celebrating birthdays in the church calendar: Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and today, September 8, the Blessed Mother. This feast takes us back in the early centuries of Christianity which honors divine maternity and the birth of her son, our Savior and Redeemer. 

I extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to the newly confirmed in the parishes of Immaculate Conception and St. Luke on September 1st and 2nd, Tuesday, and Wednesday, respectively. The sacrament of confirmation is a religious rite of passage, a ritual that young people (normally, high school students) complete the sacrament of initiation. At the rite of confirmation, they are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gifts that the Prophet Isaiah wrote in the first reading, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, spirit of counsel and strength, spirit of knowledge and piety, and the fear of the Lord. The anointing of sacred chrism at Confirmation which confers the sacrament will provide additional spiritual energy which we all need but especially, confirmands to help them battle the strong forces of the evil one. Young people go through a lot. The church expects them to be the beacon of light, to show the world the face of Christ by simple acts of kindness and charity and selflessness. If you're able to do extraordinary things beyond human ingenuity, then it must be spirit of confirmation invisibly working on you. Let the spirit be the power behind your inner life. Let the spirit be the force inside you. Let the spirit be your sacred guide in learning to navigate the intricacies of life. Allow the spirit to enter, immerse and dominate your life. Don't ignore the spirit. Come to the Holy Spirit. Ask for the intercession of your confirmation saint. You should have an image of your favorite saint in your room, phone or wallet as they are windows to divine realities. 

On Friday, September 11, we join the country in a national day of mourning and remembrance of the horrific attack on American soil. We pray for those who have died. We pray for comfort for the victims for the families who are still grieving for the loss. For more info, here's the link to the 911memorial.org.  

We pray for the eternal repose of the souls of the parishioners who recently died and offer condolences, sympathy and consolation to the grieving families, relatives, and friends. Rest assured, they are included in the prayers of the gathered community. 

Francisco Durazo, Elena Valencia

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.