My Saint Andrew Parish Pasadena

A couple of days ago we celebrated the Feast of #ststeven who ended in a tragic death and today we celebrate the Feast of Holy Innocents the little lives lost all because of a man who wanted to do harm to Jesus. Even in the midst of darkness there is light.  An important day for is all to reflect on. The innocent lives lost by someone who had a cold heart. Fr. Paul says, “Be vigilant and always be mindful.” Always keep the faith even when the light goes to darkness. Light will always shine forth when there is hope.  #feastofholyinnocents #holyinnocents #jesus #catholic #christmasseason #catholicchurch #liveslost #babyjesus #standrewchurch #light

Feast of Saint Steven ( the First Deacon of the Church) Wednesday The day after Christmas are hearts are filled with joy as well as sadness. Today (Wednesday) we celebrate Saint Steven the first martyr of the Church and the first Deacon.  A beautiful soul St. Steven was. He was not an Apostle of Jesus but he was a major follower of Him. Spreading the Good News was what he wanted to do. His love for Christ shined brightly as he was stoned to death. Fr. Corral says, “St. Steven was stoned to death, he had strong faith, and Jesus dies for us.” We can all learn something from this saint. His faith was so strong even when people were calling for his death. Steven’s love for the Lord is something we should all aim to have.

Christmas Day Mass Let us all rejoice for the Baby Jesus has come. As advent ends and the Christmas season begins. We have been preparing our hearts for Jesus, He is the light of the world the, light for us all, and His light shines bright in each of us.  As we come together for His birth let us remember who us our Shepherd. Fr. Paul says, “Jesus brings us life, love, light, and hope, Jesus Christ comes to us in the darkness, He comes to bring light into the Church and in the world, and He knows our journey.” A beautiful inspiration for this day when we have Jesus in our hearts His light glows brighter. Even in our darkest moments He is there guiding us along on our journey. We just have to remember who we are, we are the bearers of Christ light to others.  #christmas #jesus #christ #babyjesus #december #catholic #catholicchurch #light

Wow we have made it to the last Sunday of Advent. All four candles are lit and we are filled with Peace. A beautiful day for today Mary goes to see her cousin Elizabeth. Two pregnant women who are going to give birth to two important men (one is John the Baptist and the other is Jesus). What a beautiful message we had on Friday with the roles of women and today (Sunday) here we have two pregnant women Mary and Elizabeth their children’s future will change everything. The role Mary plays the role we all play. Deacon Fausto says, “Dare to believe, what might dare and faith show us about Mary and Elizabeth, God chooses, and daring faith.” Deacon Fausto always hits the right message we need to hear every Sunday. “Dare to believe,” he speaks of not the date that as children we play where we know it’s wrong and we still do it. This is a dare like Mary and Elizabeth. The journey Mary went on to go visit her cousin this was not an easy journey but she did it. What kind of daring moments do ...

This is from Saturday.  What a beautiful we have today. The importance of women and their role they have played. I just love it when Fr. Denis comes and gives his homilies. Always he finds a way to get us Parishioners involved with what he is talking about. This morning he got us involved by laughing and talking. Women have very important roles in life, yet they have been treated with not the respect they should be having. Fr. Denis says, “Who plays the major roles, who does Jesus turn to most of the time, because His Apostles were scared and ran off, and who was always their for Jesus especially on the cross and His Resurrection.” For me Fr. Denis hits the spot. Makes you think about the roles of women and roles women have played and continue to play. They have been treated with no respect at all which they deserve. As he is talking he gets us involved by answering questions (who did Jesus always turn too) the women of course and then we have the cross where were His Apostl...

A beautiful message we hear during the Advent Season. We continue to prepare for the birth of Jesus. “Do not be afraid,” we hear this in the Bible, there is nothing to fear when we have the Lord by our side.  We are almost to the day we have been preparing for. As we continue to prepare ourselves Fr. Corral says some inspirational thoughts. No matter what happensGos is always there with us. He knows what He is doing we just need to trust Him a little more. Fr. Corral says, “The Lord is here, He knows what to do, He acts silently, and God acts in the most unexpected ways.” Makes you think right? The Lord is always present with us, He has been from the beginning. Again He has a plan for each of us and He puts them to use. Everything He does is done in silence we just have to pay attention and keep our eyes and ears open. I like this one and He acts in the most unexpected ways which is so true. He has taken me out of my comfort zone and I am blessed because of that.  How h...

What a beautiful message we are given today. Saint Joseph the adoptive father to Jesus. A man with a heart so caring just like Mary says yes to raising a son who was not his. Yet, for each of us He has a plan for us, just like He had a plan for Joseph.  These days of Advent have been a time of reflection. Looking back within the past five years has been a blessing which has been filled with changes. Especially within the past year, has been a year of beauty as well as regrets, but also a year filled with more growth in my faith journey which still continues. Fr. Paul talked about a beautiful message today that is St. Joseph reading a reflection from Bishop Robert Barron. Fr. Paul says, “St. Joseph is one of the most beloved saints, God has a plan for him, Joseph cooperated with God’s divine plan.” As Catholics we have tons of Saints to look up to. But none stand out like St. Joseph the father of Jesus. A big heart this man had to care and raise a child not his, yet just like M...

I love it when Fr. Clemente comes to St. Andrew Church his homily was something I needed to hear. Advent is a time to reflect, to look back on our relationship with Jesus. Jesus eulogized John the Baptist, John the Baptist brings us to Jesus. We have all geared eulogies before when we to go to funerals. At funerals we hear reflections from people that knew that person. We begin to reflect on our life. We hear a eulogy today in the Gospel of Jesus about John the Baptist. Fr. Clemente says, “Jesus was giving eulogies, they touch our lives, people reflect, they inspire us, they teach us.” I find this to be very true, I have heard so many eulogies, they do leave you looking back on your life, on situations. No matter who this person was their story touches us sometimes to the core. Some people will inspire us to be a better person.  This is a perfect season for reflections. I have been doing that a lot lately about everything. For me I know I need more Jesus in my life, have b...

Beautiful don’t you think to say our daily Rosary at 7:37 am. Perfect this morning with this view!! #rosary #catholic #catholicthing #catholiclife #standrew #standrewchurch #pasadena

What a beautiful message we are given today. It’s an important day today it’s the #Feastsday of #ourladyofguadalupe. Guadalupe appeared to Juan Diego and she comes to us. This morning Fr. Corral says, “Mary is concerned about us, she came to Juan Diego and she wants to come to us, it’s important that the Blessed Mother to stay with us, and to increase our faith and love for our Mother Guadalupe.” Beautiful don’t you think? Our Mother Guadalupe wants to be part of our life. Like any mother she worries, she not only worried about her own Son, but she we to our her children and she worries about each and everyone of us. May Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to meet us and pray for us.  #catholic #guadalupe #mary #catholicchurch #prayforus #standrew #juandiego #standrewchurch

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Daily Rosary! Been awhile since I have done this! Feels good to be here this morning so beautiful the altar looks. Getting ready for next weekend!! #standrewchurch #pasadena #rosary #mass #beautiful #catholic

Probably one of my favorite readings from the gospel! What a great message we are given today (especially with the rain coming down outside right now). Do you remember what Fr. Paul said on Sunday? It’s about having an encounter with our Lord about having a relationship with Him. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be a wise man who built his house on rock” (Matthew 7:24). When our Faith is strong the foundation will never crumble as long as it is on rock and not sand. A house built on sand is unstable and will crumble. “Acting on the Word if God involves a total embrace and surrender to his Word and will. It means you allow the Word of God to dictate your actions and set your feet “solidly on rock”’ (Catholic Life). It’s about listening and doing His work. This is the perfect time to begin to listen if you do not have your ears opened. Everyday of Advent is a perfect time to have a personal encounter with the Lord. Again we are called to be disciples....