Divine Mercy Sunday

04-24-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

Welcome to the Second Sunday of Easter. Since the year 2000, the Second Sunday of Easter has been designated Divine Mercy Sunday. On this day, Holy Mother Church invites us to contemplate the mercy of God who showed us the greatest mercy by giving us His Son as a living sacrifice who, by His death on the cross, canceled out our sins once and for all.

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The Lord Has Risen!

04-17-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

On Good Friday the Jews accused Jesus, Pontius Pilate condemned Him to death, the soldiers scourged and mocked Him, He carried His cross, a symbol of suffering and shame, to Cavalry where He was crucified. He was deserted by His disciples and friends: one betrayed Him, another denied Him, and the others ran away as soon as He was arrested. Only His mother Mary, John the beloved disciple and a few devout women stood sad and sorrowful under His Cross. The Divine Redeemer battled with sin and death from the Cross, mocked by the same people He chose to save. At the ninth hour of the day, He exclaimed, “It is accomplished.” The debt humanity owed for disobedience had been paid by the obedience of the Divine Son of God. The dominion of darkness was over. Death was given a fatal blow by the immortal One and man stood redeemed.

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New Appointment

04-15-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

I am humbly glad to inform you that our Bishop, Thomas Olmsted, has appointed me as Vicar Forane in charge of the the Deanery #3 (South East Central Phoenix), effective May 1st. The Deanery #3 is one of the eight new deaneries recently created out of the existing seven, making a total of 15 deaneries in the Diocese. This is to accommodate the expansion and the growing needs of the Diocese. This news was announced last weekend on Saturday, April 9. Our Deanery (#3) is comprised of the following parishes:

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Father, Forgive Them

04-10-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

Today we commemorate the solemn and triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Traditionally, this day is called “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.” It is the first day of the Holiest week of the year when Jesus endured His passion and death, culminating with the triumphant Resurrection of our Lord.

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Holy Week

04-08-2022Weekly Flocknote Message

Holy Week begins this weekend with the celebration of Palm Sunday. Holy Week is the peak of the Liturgical Calendar of the Church and the most important week for Catholics. I am glad the pandemic has declined significantly, making it possible for us to celebrate the full liturgies during Holy Week this year, including the Triduum and Easter. Here is what to expect during the Holy Week:

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Neither Do I Condemn You

04-03-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

This is the fifth Sunday of Lent, next Sunday will be Palm Sunday, the Sunday before we enter into the Holiest week of the year. The very last week in the earthly life of Jesus Christ during which He suffered, was crucified, died and rose from the dead. The church invites us to evaluate with sincerity our commitment to the Holy practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, knowing that God is always willing to forgive our unfaithfulness if we repent, even if it is at the eleventh hour.

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April 1

04-01-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

I am pleased to introduce to you our new Director of Music and Liturgy, Mr. Phil Arkfeld. Phil comes to our parish with over 25 years of experience. He is currently serving as the Liturgy Coordinator and Music Director at Our Lady of Fatima Church in San Clemente, California. Tuesday of next week will be his first day in the parish office when he will settle in and be introduced to the staff. He will be leading our Masses next weekend, April 9/10.

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The Gift of Free Will

03-27-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

One of the most precious gifts bestowed on each and every one of us is the gift of free-will, the capacity to choose for ourselves among options what we consider beneficial. Ordinarily, God does not interfere with our free-will. However, when we make wrong choices and incur on ourselves unpleasant consequences, God shows His magnanimity and graciousness through merciful intervention to save His straying children. This is what Jesus taught His disciples in the Gospel passage this weekend.

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Introducing Our New Database System

03-25-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

You may recall one of the initiatives I mentioned last Fall was the migration of our software and database into a new system called, “Realm.” Realm is designed specifically for churches and will enable us to consolidate several of our platforms such as Donor Perfect, Faith Direct, and eventually, Ministry Scheduler Pro. Our goal is to strengthen our connection and engagement with one another while saving the parish money and time.

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Repent

03-20-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

God is a God of second chances for those who are willing to repent. This does not mean that God’s willingness to provide opportunities for change endures limitless elasticity and endurance. The justice of God will have to be administered to those who ignore the opportunities offered by Him or outrightly resist the pull of repentance. This is the message presented by the Gospel passage at the liturgy this weekend.

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Prayers for the People of Ukraine

03-18-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

Please join us in praying for the people of Ukraine. Let us pray for the dead, those suffering, for the refugees and for an end to the war. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Pope Francis will be consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday next week, Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 2022. Pope Francis will lead the consecration in Rome at 5:00pm – which will be 9:00am, Arizona time.

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This is My Chosen Son; Listen to Him

03-13-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

No one desires slavery, yet we often find ourselves enslaved by other people or even things. We find ourselves being slaves of sin, drugs, sexual inpurities, social media, money and other material things. When this happens, we stand in need of a redeemer who will return us to our natural and desirable state of freedom and peace. Scripture shows us that we have never been alone in our need for a savior. When humanity embraced darkness and became enslaved to sin, one of God’s initial responses was to establish a covenant relationship with a chosen individual, his name was Abram. The ritual that authenticated the establishment of the old covenant is described in the first reading at the liturgy this Sunday. READ MORE

Stations of the Cross

03-11-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

A quick reminder to come and join us for our Stations of the Cross at 6pm today and every Friday through Lent. All Stations of the Cross this year will be held outdoors in the St. John Bosco Courtyard. Different ministries will lead each week. The Women Spirituality Ministry will lead the Stations today. They will also serve soup right after the Stations around 6:30pm. Please invite your family and friends to come and join us.

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Welcome to the Season of Lent

03-06-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Manasseh Iorchir, VC

Welcome to the season of Lent. Lent is the time that falls between Ash Wednesday and Holy Week, the season when we do spiritual warfare to our inordinate and sinful desires as a means to prepare ourselves to commemorate well the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we battle against the lure of sin aiming to defeat decisively, by the grace of God, the power of evil in our lives and in doing so, deepen our relationship with Christ.

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Lenten Parish Programs

03-04-2022Weekly Flocknote MessageFr. James Aboyi, VC

All Stations of the Cross this year will be held outdoors every Friday at 6:00pm in the St. John Bosco Courtyard. Different ministries will lead each week. Please invite your family and friends to come and join us. Tonight the Knights of Columbus will be leading and will provide a small meal of soup and salad afterwards.

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