After 50 years in the priesthood, John Paull II captured his experience of his vocation in two words which became the title of his book, Gift and Mystery. Like John Paul, these two words resonate with me and my vocation. Going back to the seminary has been at the back of my mind for t

Dear Parents, Alumni, Parish Members, and Friends of St. Nicholas School, Our “why” was originally formed by the Sisters of Mercy 70 years ago with their vision to bring Christ to young children. We honor those who laid the groundwork for offering the highest quality education while i

Dear friends, My thirteen years of service as a priest in the Vatican, both in the Pontifical Council for the Laity, as well as in the Vatican Museums, have provided me with a unique window into the missionary life of the Catholic Church. For 8 years I sat in on some of the “ad limina

Dear Parishioners, October has been dedicated as “Respect Life Month.” During this month we have been reflecting on the dignity and identity of the human person from conception to natural death. These reflections come at an opportune time as the California legislature has proposed an

Nice guys finish last. Only the good die young. Look out for number one. These common phrases would have you think that people are generally selfish, competitive, and indifferent to the needs of others. There have been studies on the biological basis of compassion that argue otherwise

On the first Sunday of October, the Catholic Church begins the celebration of Respect Life Month. This is a month to help remind us of our sacred identity, that God created us out of love in, his image and likeness. This God‐given sacred identity imbues within us a dignity that makes

Established in 2003 by the Serra Club, Priesthood Sunday is celebrated on the last Sunday of September as a way for Catholic communities to express appreciation for the devoted priests who serve them so faithfully. As we reflect on all the good our priests do, what probably first come

Today is Catechetical Sunday. We celebrate this day to commission our catechists, including our teachers, to go forth and bring the love of Christ to our children, youth, and adults. By way of our baptism, we are all commissioned to go forth and be true disciples of Christ, sharing ou

Every year our Country celebrates “National Grandparents Day” which lands on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, we also have a whole day dedicated to celebrate and remember our grandparents both living and deceased. The Catholic Church also has a spe

The opening verse in Chapter 9 of the Book of Wisdom, sets a tone for the surprising exhortation of Jesus on discipleship in the Gospel of Luke. The Book of Wisdom says, “Who can know God’s counsel or who can conceive what the Lord intends?” In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 14, Verse 25