Dear Parishioners, I announced last weekend that there will be an opportunity for the members of our parish community to volunteer and serve food for our brothers and sisters who are staying at the Winter Shelter in downtown Ashland. I am so glad that a lot of you have already expressed interest in this endeavor. The sign up sheet is already in…

Dear Parishioners, Today, throughout the Archdiocese of Portland in Western Oregon, every parish is asking for their parishioners’ help to assist the parish-based ministries supported by the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. Once again, I am knocking at the doors of your generous hearts to request for financial help for our parish’s contribution to this year’s Appeal. Our goal this year is $29,115.46. We…

Dear Parishioners, Next weekend is Commitment Weekend for the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. As usual, we will watch a video from Archbishop Sample about the Appeal. If you received a personalized commitment card in the mail please bring it to Mass with you next week (February 8-9, 2020) as we join together to support our Catholic Church in Western Oregon. If you did…

Dear Parishioners, Jesus Christ’s message when He began His public ministry is a call for repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The repentance Jesus preached was radical – this means a complete about-face – a call to turn away from things that cause sin like pride, laziness, selfishness, self-centeredness and so many other things. He calls the people,…

Dear Parishioners, We are done with the Christmas season and now we are on the Ordinary Time of our Liturgical Calendar. I invite you to persevere on the celebration of the Sacraments and on receiving grace from God particularly through the celebration of the Holy Mass. The following are quotations from St. Leonard’s The Hidden Treasure – Holy Mass: “At the hour…

Dear Parishioners, As we end the holy season of Christmas in the celebration of the feast of our Lord’s Baptism, let us call to mind our own baptism. As baptized followers of Jesus Christ, let us be reminded that we in our own baptism, were anointed to be sharers in our Lord’s priestly, prophetic, and kingly ministry – let us persevere in…

Dear Parishioners, Happy Feast Day of the Lord’s Epiphany! The Feast of the Lord’s Epiphany is always wonderful to celebrate for we are reminded of our Faith’s universality – the Lord came to be King of all the world. In this feast, we commemorate the manifestation of the Lord to all the world as represented by the Magi coming from different parts…

Dear Parishioners, As we celebrate today the feast day of the Holy Family, let us be inspired by the openness and obedience of Mary and Joseph to the will of the Father in heaven. Mary and Joseph had to go through a lot of trials but they triumphed because of their obedience to God’s will – they listened to God for instructions and…

Dear Parishioners, A few days more and we will be celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!!! Let us welcome Jesus into our hearts and let us allow ourselves to become his living presence here on earth so that even if all the decorations are gone and the season is over, we will still feel the spirit…

Dear Parishioners, Time really flies fast! We are already halfway through the Advent Season and we mark it with a day of Joy. As we celebrate Gaudete Sunday this third Sunday of Advent, we are filled with joy for truly, the Lord is coming and we wait with joyful anticipation. But I would like us to be reminded that our preparation for…

Dear Parishioners, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Brothers and sisters, this call from John the Baptist is always relevant especially in our preparation for Christmas and for the coming of the Lord at the end of time. Let us be reminded that repentance, is not a feeling, although it is often accompanied by feelings of sorrow and regret.…

Dear Parishioners, Advent is upon us and Happy New Year! The First Sunday of Advent always marks the beginning of a new liturgical year for us and in every beginning there will always be exciting possibilities. As we enter the Holy Season of Advent, our preparation for our Lord’s coming is once again put into focus. Let us be mindful of the…

Dear Parishioners, You have read this before but I will say it again. Thanksgiving Day is truly something that should be celebrated all over the world! It is a wonderful practice that builds relationships not only among people but also and more importantly, it builds relationship with God – the One who is truly worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. The celebration…

Dear Parishioners, You probably don’t want to “hear” this right now but from today, Sunday November 17, we’re only 38 days from Christmas! I know some tend to panic when Christmas time draws near and it seems that it is always too early to talk about it. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet (!) but there are already Christmas decorations in the malls…

Dear Parishioners, As you all already know, I was in Portland this past week to attend two meetings. First (last Wednesday), was the joint meeting of the College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Finance Council and second (last Thursday), the Presbyteral Council meeting. I always treasure these meetings with the Archbishop and his councils that I get to attend. Quite honestly, sometimes…