Harvest of the Spirit

Harvest of the Spirit
Witnessing the love of God
This month we celebrate Valentine’s Day in our country and in other nations as well.
Some countries refer to this as day of friendship. In our country, it is a day of celebrating
love – romantic as well as fraternal love. The love of our God is unconditional and
constant and we can take an opportunity on St. Valentine’s Day to remember the love of
God and how that love transcends all things including our relationships and friendships.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bishop’s corner continued
I have reflected quite often on my friends over the years and what these relationships have
meant to me. Some of these friendships go back to my high school and college days,
other are more recent since I arrived in the Diocese seven years ago, but as I reflect on
each of them, I feel the blessing that each is for me. I know that God has sent each of
these people into my life for various reasons and to fill voids that would cause me anxiety
or loneliness.
Alerts
Birthday’s/Anniversaries
PAPA’S page!
Department of the
Protection of Children and
Thus as we pause this month to look to the Sacred, loving Heart of Jesus, let us thank
God for our few and many friendships and relationships that give us life and hope as they
radiate love.
Young People
Department Human
Resources
I quote Pope Benedict XVI in his first encyclical letter “Deus Caritas Est” God is love.
As Pope Benedict notes so beautifully;
Bulletin Board:
Reflections, Theology on
At the same time, the devotion of the faithful shows an infallible
intuition of how such love is possible: it becomes so as a result of the
most intimate union with God, through which the soul is totally
pervaded by him—a condition which enables those who have drunk
from the fountain of God’s love to become in their turn a fountain from
which “flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38). Mary, Virgin and Mother,
show us what love is and whence it draws its origin and its constantly
renewed power. To her we entrust the Church and her mission in the
service of love.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
You have given the world its true light,
Jesus , your Son—the Son of God.
You abandoned yourself completely
to God’s call
and thus became a wellspring
of the goodness which flows forth from him.
Show us Jesus. Lead us to him.
Teach us to know and love him,
so that we too can become
capable of true love
and be fountains of living water
in the midst of a thirsting world.
(GOD IS LOVE, DEUS CARITAS EST ENCYCLICAL LETTER, Benedict XVI)
May God, the source of love itself, bless you, your family and friends and all who are dear
to you - and know in your hearts that God is love.
A blessed month of February to all of you,
Most Reverend Richard J. Garcia
Tap and more!
Attachments
Department of Catechetical
Ministries
LA Congress Luncheon
Lenten 2014
Department of Catholic
Schools
February Newsletter
St. Angela’s Preschool
Fundraiser
Dioconate Department
Information Sessions
Co
nt
He reflexionado a menudo en mis amistades a través de los años y lo que estas relaciones han significado para
mí. Algunas de estas amistades son de mi escuela secundaria y mis días de colegio, y otras son más recientes
desde que llegue a la Diócesis hace siete años, pero al reflexionar en cada una de ellas. Siento la bendición
que cada uno es para mí. Sé que Dios ha enviado cada una de estas personas a mi vida por diferentes razones
y llenar los vacíos que pudiera sentir con facilidad y que me pudiera causar ansiedad o soledad.
Al hacer una pausa este mes para mirar al amor Sagrado del Corazón de Jesus, demos gracias a Dios por las
pocas y muchas amistades y relaciones que nos dan vida y esperanza al irradiar amor. Cito al Papa Benedict
XVI en su primera encíclica “Deus Caritas Est” Dios es Amor. Como el Papa Benedicto observa de una
manera tan hermosa.
La devoción de los fieles muestra al mismo tiempo la intuición infalible de cómo es posible este amor: se
alcanza merced a la unión más íntima con Dios, en virtud de la cual se está embargado totalmente de Él, una
condición que permite a quien ha bebido en el manantial del amor de Dios convertirse a sí mismo en un
manantial « del que manarán torrentes de agua viva » (Jn 7, 38). María, la Virgen, la Madre, nos enseña qué es
el amor y dónde tiene su origen, su fuerza siempre nueva. A ella confiamos la Iglesia, su misión al servicio
del amor:
Santa María, Madre de Dios,
tú has dado al mundo la verdadera luz,
Jesús, tu Hijo, el Hijo de Dios.
Te has entregado por completo
a la llamada de Dios
y te has convertido así en fuente
de la bondad que mana de Él.
Muéstranos a Jesús. Guíanos hacia Él.
Enséñanos a conocerlo y amarlo,
para que también nosotros
podamos llegar a ser capaces
de un verdadero amor
y ser fuentes de agua viva
en medio de un mundo sediento.
(Carta Encíclica DEUS CARITAS EST Benedicto XVI)
Que Dios la fuente del amor mismo lo bendiga, a su familia y amistades y sobre todos sus seres queridos y
saber en su corazón que Dios es amor.
Bendiciones para el mes de Febrero a todos,
Obispo Ricardo J. Garcia
ALERTS The USCCB has sent information regarding the following individual.
Reverend Joseph Thanh-Son Nguyen, CSSR - The Vice-Provincial Superior of the
Redemptorist Vice Province of Extra Patriam advised the Conference of its concerns
regarding Rev. Joseph Thanh-Son Nguyen, CSSR is an exclaustrated priest and does not
have faculties.
Reverend Jorge Patricio Pintado Herrera - The Office of the Vicar General of the
Archdiocese of New York reports that Reverend Jorge Patricio Pintado Herrera priestly
faculties ceased in October 2000.
Please call Sister Patricia Murtagh at the Pastoral Office, (831) 373-4345 extension 221
if you’ve been contacted by any of the priest mentioned above.
In your charity
Please pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of
Claralee Griffin mother of Rev. John Griffin who passed
away on January 15, 2014
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your
perpetual light shine upon them; and may the souls of
all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen”
February Birthdays
& Anniversaries
February 2nd:
Rev. Michael Cicinato: Happy Birthday!
February 5th:
Deacon Michael McNally: Happy Birthday!
St. Cyril &
St. Methodius
February 9th:
Rev. Dominic Castro: Happy Birthday!
February 13th:
Rev. Matthew Pennington: Happy Birthday!
February 18th:
Rev. Pedro Umana, OFM: Happy Birthday!
Presidents’ Day
February 20th:
Deacon Greg Dutra: Happy Birthday!
February 22nd:
Rev. Alphonse Van Guilder, OFM Conv.: 50th Anniversary of Ordination ~
Congratulations!
February 23rd:
Rev. Larry Betrozoff: Happy Birthday!
February 24th:
Deacon Tom O’Brien: Happy Birthday!
February 25th:
Deacon Steve Michaelson: 19th Anniversary of Ordination ~ Congratulations!
February 27th:
Rev. Rodolfo Contreras: 4th Anniversary of Ordination ~ Congratulations!
February 29th:
Rev. John Ulrich, SM: Happy Birthday!
If your birthday or ordination anniversary is in February and is missing from our list, or if we
have your information incorrectly documented, please contact Bernardine at:
[email protected]
PAPA’s PAGE !
Messages from your Holy Father,
Pope Francis
Homily of Pope Francis given at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls
Saturday, 25 January 2014:
hhhhhhh
Christ, dear friends, cannot be divided! This conviction must sustain and encourage us to persevere
with humility and trust on the way to the restoration of full visible unity among all believers in
Christ...
Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lord Jesus, who has made us living members of his body, to
keep us deeply united to him, to help us overcome our conflicts, our divisions and our self-seeking;
and let us remember that unity is always better than conflict! And so
may he help us to be united to one another by one force, by the
power of love which the Holy Spirit pours into our hearts (cf. Rom 5:5).
Amen.
© Copyright - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
To read the complete text of this homily as well as other homilies, speeches and
messages from Pope Francis, please visit the official Vatican website at:
http://www.vatican.va/
Papa Franciscus says …
Let us pray for Christian unity. There are so many beautiful things which unite us.
~ @Pontifex: Jan. 28, 2014
It is easy to ask God for things; we all do it. When will we also learn to give him
thanks and to adore him? ~ @Pontifex: Jan. 25, 2014
I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life,
especially the most vulnerable. ~ @Pontifex: Jan. 22, 2014
If we live the faith in our daily life, then our work too becomes a chance to spread the joy
of being a Christian. ~ @Pontifex: Jan. 21, 2014
Wars shatter so many lives. I think especially of children robbed of their childhood.
~ @Pontifex: Jan. 18, 2014
Let us pray for peace, and let us bring it about, starting in our own homes!
~ @Pontifex: Jan. 16, 2014
No elderly person should be like an “exile” in our families. The elderly are a
treasure for our society. ~ @Pontifex: Jan. 11, 2014
Follow Pope Francis on Twitter! @PONTIFEX
Department of Human Resources
Thank you from HR!
Thank you to all of our employees and their families who attended the
Health Fairs in January. Your wonderful energy and positive attitude
made this an overwhelming success. The goal of the health fairs was to
create an atmosphere for learning and wellness while at the same
time providing some fun, food and fellowship. You brought wonderful
questions and hopefully took away valuable information from the vendors and the nutritionist and had the opportunity to get your biometrics
done or have a relaxing chair massage.
Congratulations to all of you who won raffle prizes and to our grand prize
winner of $500, Juana Uribe of St. Patrick’s Church, Watsonville. Juana
says, “Thank you Diocese of Monterey! It was so nice to see the pastoral
office staff having a good time with us and letting their hair down. The
health fair made me more aware of my health, something I never would
have done without it. It was great!”
If you did not have an opportunity to complete your Health Quotient at
the health fair you may log on to WebMD and complete it. If you
completed your Biometrics exam at the health fair, your numbers should
be available at WebMD in approximately 3 weeks. If you did not have an
opportunity to attend one of the health fairs, you may still sign up to
have your Biometrics testing done by another method. Check WebMD for
more information. Thank you to our wonderful volunteers, Resurrection
parish in Aptos, Madonna del Sasso Church and School, the Cathedral
in Monterey, and St. Paul the Apostle parish in Pismo Beach for their
hospitality in hosting the health fairs.
Bulletin Board
First Mondays of the Month
11:00 a.m. & 9:00 p.m.
KYAA 1200AM
KIHC 890AM
The beautiful Shrine of St. Joseph on West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz is looking for a part
time musician. The primary responsibility would be to provide music for the Sunday
11:00 am Mass as well as on special feasts that occur during the week. The ability to
play the organ (the Shrine has a small electronic instrument) and to cantor from the
console is an essential requirement. If you know of anyone in the area, or perhaps a
retired musician who is moving to the area, please do encourage them to contact the
Shrine rector, Father Paul McDonal, OSJ at (831) 457-1868.
Please let us know of any change of e-mail, address, phone number or fax number to
Dona Acuff: [email protected]
~~~~
Send your information updates for the
Diocesan Directory or Website to Dona Acuff: 831-373-4345 Ext. 234
[email protected]
Newsletter Contact
Leticia Flores-McPherson - 831-373-4345 ext. 220 - [email protected]
USCCB Forms and Documents www.usccb.org
Now in two locations!
Monterey & Salinas
NEW!
Theology on Tap!
Theology on Tap-Salinas
Monday, March 3rd 7:00 PM
RESPECT LIFE MASS
Theology on Tap offers fellowship and
discussions about topics important in our lives
today, with interesting speakers guiding the
conversation, while enjoying your favorite
beverages and snacks.
This month’s session will be
Thursday, February 27th 7:00PM
London Bridge Pub
256 Figueroa Street
(at the foot of Wharf 2) Monterey
Our topic this
month is “Sabbath Rest in a Workaholic
Culture”, with the conversation led by
Reverend Brother Peter Junipero, O.P.
Do you live to work, or work to live? American
society places a high value on efficiency,
production, and work. Honest work is a good
thing, but as Christians we are called to strike
a proper balance between work and rest,
between activity and time devoted to renewal.
Sunday is the day inscribed into each week by
the Creator for this renewal. Drawing off of
John Paul II's apostolic letter Dies Domini
("Day of the Lord"), from Scripture, and from
a variety of historical, theological and popular
sources, Brother Peter will unpack the biblical,
theological, and practical meaning of Sunday
for our busy lives. Come and learn more while
enjoying food, drinks, and friends!
Join Monterey Theology on Tap on
FaceBook!. You can also send questions to
Deacon Warren Hoy at
[email protected].
We hope to see you there!
Casa Sorrento Pizzeria Wine and Spirits
393 Salinas St.
Salinas, CA 93901
Being a Christian Recording Artist in a Secular World
This month, Martay a local Christian recording artist who
graduated from Notre Dame High School will join us as she
kicks off her Coffee Shop tour to strategically enter secular
venues and share her faith through music.
“I enjoy all things having to do with music and am deeply
driven to create art that inspires people to realize the
beautiful, compassionate God I love. No matter what I do or
create, I hope it leads those who come into contact with it to
look beyond the trials of life and dream again.”
Please contact:
Yulma Velasco for more information
Thank you Fr. Peter Sanders for being our first guest
speaker this month, it was a wonderful success!
We are also truly grateful to Deacon Warren Hoy who
helped us jump start Theology on Tap-Salinas! We could
not have done it without you!
Reflections
by Rosie Murray
We have all experienced being in unfamiliar or stressful situations in which we were not quite certain
how to behave or knew the right words to say. Likely someone told us “Just be yourself.” Each
situation, however, requires us to be a version of ourselves for that particular moment. While attending a black tie event at Pebble Beach, for example, it would not be appropriate to behave like the
passionate football fans we are when we root on our favorite team. Social events will require the use
of our social graces. While at work or school there are rules that must be adhered to. The boss decides
what our dress code will be, what time to report to work, and when we can take time off. Appropriate
behavior is essential and being politically correct is a virtue. Although most people do not enjoy being
told what to do and do not enjoy being questioned, we humans are adaptable creatures. In order to
function in society we develop the self-discipline that allows us to follow rules at work and behave
properly in social circles even though we may not like it. We learn to adjust our behavior and
personality to fit the environment we are in. It is not a weakness to give way to the rules set before us.
It speaks to our character and our ability to be flexible. We build tolerance and understanding with
one another each time we bend just a little.
The gentleman who asked if he could go ahead of me at the Costco line was not in a hurry. He
simply did not think he should wait in line behind someone with a full shopping cart. I did allow
him to go ahead of me and realized that he must push his way through the day. The one item he was
attempting to purchase was a one year membership but in actuality he wanted was a gift card. The
cashier patiently explained that he needed to go and get the correct item but the gentleman would
not have any part of it. He insisted that the cashier “do his job” so he could go on his way. Even in
the face of his own error and in the presence of genuine kindness, this man would not give up the
control he thought he had of the situation. Thankfully he soon was on his way but without a meager
thank you to anyone. The cashier thanked me for my understanding and I thanked him for his
tolerance.
Our identities are composed of many factors. We are parents, spouses, siblings, employees, customers, and each of us with a variety of interests. There is a difference between who we are what we do.
Whether we are artists, writers, dancers, photographers, tourists, musicians or athletes in our free
time, perhaps the suggestion to “just be you” has to do with character. We may not be able to control
the external factors of everyday life, but we can manage the internal mechanisms that drive who we
are. We are in control of our integrity, our decisions, our professionalism, our sportsmanship, our
attitude, our authenticity, and our faith.
Peace comes from truly knowing who we are and from our relationship with our God. Finding the
proper balance between what we do and who we are takes effort. What others should see radiating
from us is the grace and the light of God. When in unfamiliar or stressful situations let God’s grace
find you, soak it in, and remember that you are His child. The other morning a very special person
said to me, “Have a wonderful day and shine like only you can.” A beautiful reminder that the light
from within comes from above.
For the latest Diocesan information, check out our website at
http://www.dioceseofmonterey.org/
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