Since my arrival in the Catholic Community, I’ve thought of putting something together weekly and post it here in the newly-designed website to keep my parishioners abreast on what’s happening in the neck of the woods (en la frontera, so to speak). I’d like to begin with a heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and reception given me.

One of the many surprises was my first Spanish mass at St. Bernard. I've tried to speak el idioma aunque sea incorecto porque aqui, no tenia otra opcion. Yo les digo siempre, no se lo que dije. This is not an exaggeration. Tenia miedo in just about anything. En la tienda, about 90% mas o menos habla espanol. Para ayudarme, I downloaded an app. But as you know, translation (traduccion) is betrayal (traicion). It’s just an approximation. It doesn’t capture the exact the meaning/thought of a word and/or expression. Since ordination, preaching in Spanish has become the longest 10- minute of my life. (Back to St. Bernard), about halfway in the homily (my struggle was noticeable), a handful politely interrupted me, se puede decirle in Ingles, Padre. Podemos aprender…Yo les dije, Ay chihuahua! Porque no me dijeron antes! En San Lucas, antes de la misa, una persona me dijo, Padre, no se preocupe…todo bien…the Spanish community here is not very critical…they are down- to- earth. If you make mistakes which you will, just smile and they’ll love you even more. Gracias a Dios! That’s a huge relief, compadre!

Douglas Consortium is a very established community. I’m extremely pleased to serve the people down here in Southern Arizona. The spirituality and religiosity of the people humbled me. Loretto School run by the OCD Sacred Heart of Los Angeles along with the dedicated teachers and staff is a pillar in town. They have a tremendous influence in the upbringing of the children and the young. The sisters of Notre Dame is a different story. They're the invisible and the unknown. I was told no one invited them. They volunteered to work for peace and justice whose ministries are mostly across the line. I have the utmost respect for these two religious order of nuns, the spiritual powerhouse which embody both the active and contemplative aspects of life. Amen.