Dear Parishioners,

This week we observe Catholic Schools Week in all Dioceses in the United States. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It is observed beginning the last Sunday in January and runs all week. The theme for 2019 is "Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed." There will be several events and activities throughout the week, both at the Diocese and also in our parish and school. The high point of the Diocesan event will be the celebration of Mass at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral at 10 am on Wednesday, January 31. This will be followed by the Catholic Schools Rally at the State Capitol.

Dear Parishioners,

It is wonderful to be back and celebrate Mass with you again. Thank you all for your prayers and support. My special thanks to those who visited me in the hospital, those who brought food to the house, those who sent prayer cards, those who prayed for my healing, and all those who assisted me in different ways. It was a very terrible illness and I have never been sick like that before. If there is one thing I learned from this illness, it is to trust in God and the Power of Prayer. I thank God for his mercy and kindness and for granting me the healing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I go through this period of recovery.

The topic of infallibility in the Catholic Church is an ironic one: although intended to provide clarity, it is one of the most misunderstood topics within Catholicism. At least, humbly speaking, it was a big sticking point for me when I was a beginning Catholic. But once I understood it, I saw that it flows from a deep and beautiful faith in the active presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church.

Today, we celebrate Epiphany Sunday. This special feast, celebrated on January 6, commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus. Some Eastern Rite Churches celebrate their Christmas on this day. Epiphany simply means the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the gentile world.

One common question that many people ask about the celebration of Epiphany is that: "If the Magi were called Wise Men because they followed the star to find the child Jesus, is it okay then to believe in `horoscope?" The answer is No! Horoscope is a form of idolatry - a sin against the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before me." (Exodus) Horoscope readers need to ask themselves who is in charge of their lives, the stars or God? Believing that the stars control our lives contradicts our belief that God is in charge of our lives. The Church states clearly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that:

Traditionally, we are within the octave of Christmas so I can still say "Merry Christmas" to you all. I thank all those who helped with the different preparations such as the Christmas decorations and other events in the past weeks. I was glad to have come back from my trip to Nigeria right on time to witness our SJB Children Christmas Program. What a wonderful and memorable night! I thank the children and the school community for the wonderful performance. On a personal note, Fr. Wilfred and myself would like to thank all those who send us Christmas cards, gifts, and good wishes. May God continue to bless you all.

In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, "to come to," and refers to the coming of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas; but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His second coming at the end of time. Our preparations, therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need to prepare our souls to receive Christ worthily.

Dear Parishioners,

Welcome to the Season of Advent! This first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the newLiturgical Year “C.” I believe the season of Advent is the most beautiful and joyful me of theyear in nearly every part of the world. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word “adventus”meaning “coming or period of anticipation.” As we all know, Advent is a period of preparation forboth the birth of Jesus Christ and also for His second coming here on Earth. You probably noticeda few new things in the church today, namely the purple Altar cloth and vestments, the Adventwreath, and the Christmas decorations, all in anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to thank everyone for the good turnout for the Thanksgiving Day Mass. I was so happy to see so many of us come together to thank God first before other celebrations that day. May God continue to bless us all as we willingly share our time, talent, and treasure during this holiday season.

End of the Liturgical Year

With the celebration of Mass this weekend, we have come to the end of the Liturgical Year B. Next weekend, we will begin the new Liturgical Year C, which also marks the beginning of the season of Advent in preparation for Christmas. The Church dedicates the last Sunday of every liturgical year to the guidance of Jesus Christ, known as "Christ the King." This is a reminder that God has control over the beginning and end of all things in heaven and on earth, the Alpha and Omega. Jesus, himself, chose to identify himself more as a shepherd than a king. This is because the title, King, generally refers to an autocratic leader and a monarchical system where the followers are mostly treated as properties of the king. However, as Jesus explains to Pilate in the Gospel today, his kingship and his kingdom does not belong to this world.

Dear Parishioners,

On behalf of the parish community, I would like to thank the Fall Fiesta committee and all those who helped in different ways to ensure a very successful event last weekend. Special thanks to individuals and business owners for their financial gifts and in-kind donations. What a wonderful night! The fun, the dance and the sharing of a meal together, all made it a very memorable night!

Dear Parishioners,

Congratulations to our parish youth group for a very fruitful and uplifting retreat last weekend. Special thanks to David Rees, our Coordinator of Youth Ministry, the EPIC Core, parents, volunteers and all those who helped with the planning of the retreat. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful, vibrant youth ministry here in our parish.

Happy Veterans Day

I wish all veterans and their families a Happy Veterans' Day. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you make, and have made, to keep us all safe. Let us remember to pray for the men and women who are in active military service, especially those in very dangerous assignments that God will protect them from harm.

Dear Parishioners,

I would like to thank those who helped with the planning of the parish and school events last weekend. My special thanks to the SJB team for the successful Harvest Fest on Saturday night. Special thanks, also, to the parish staff and volunteers who helped organize Trunk-or-Treat on Sunday night. Thank you, everyone, for your participation and personal sacrifices. For me, that was one of the most beautiful and memorable weekends of the year!

The next big event, our Parish Fall Fiesta FUNdraiser Dinner, is coming up Saturday, November 10. Don't miss out on the fun! Lots of food, fellowship, silent auction items, entertainment and more. Consider inviting your friends and neighbors to join you. Many thanks to the Fall Fiesta committee for all the planning and dedication you have made to ensure that we have a successful celebration. I look forward with excitement to another wonderful and memorable evening next Saturday. Proceeds from the event will be going towards the funding of our new church home.

Dear Parishioners,

The month of November is a period dedicated to praying for the dead. On Thursday, November 1, the Church celebrates the Feast of All Saints when we thank God for the lives of all the dead who have made it to heaven. On Friday, November 2, we celebrate the Memorial of All Souls, when we pray for the repose of the souls of the dead who are still undergoing the period of purification in purgatory before they can be admitted into heaven. Prayer for the dead is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform. Our prayers help them during their time in purgatory so that they can enter more quickly into the fullness of heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that:

Dear Parishioners,

I am so excited this week, and I imagine you are too, as we look forward to a number of community events and Liturgical celebrations beginning next weekend and into the holiday seasons of November and December. Next weekend, we will have back-to-back community celebrations beginning with Harvest Fest on Saturday the 27th, hosted by St. John Bosco School. This is followed by Trunk-or-Treat hosted by St. Benedict on Sunday the 28th. As you know, St. John Bosco School and St. Benedict Parish are 'one community, one campus!' I have heard so many wonderful stories about these events and am excited, and looking forward to enjoying the fun next weekend. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to come and join us at these celebrations - all are welcome!