(cont'd from first page)

He went on to graduate from California State University Dominguez Hills and then moved to the major seminary of St. John’s in Camarillo. He completed four years of theological studies and year of pastoral internship at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Rowland Heights. He was ordained a priest on June 3, 2023, and assigned to Resurrection Parish in east Los Angeles.

Father Emmanuel is fully bilingual and has a particular love of the liturgy. He reflected that “Life as a parish priest has been a blast!” At Resurrection Church, under the guidance of Msgr. John Moretta, he strove to bring people closer to the love of Christ and experienced a wide scope of what priesthood means, noting that “each day is an adventure full of excitement, challenges, and blessings.”

​He is looking forward to serving here in Santa Clarita at OLPH!

     This weekend we have a rare treat because the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul falls on a Sunday. In some parts of the world this feast is a holy day of obligation. This feast has ancient roots. As noted in an article by the Catholic News Agency, “As early as the year 258, there is evidence of an already lengthy tradition of celebrating the solemnities of both Saint Peter and Saint Paul on the same day.” 

     These two Apostles had a profound impact in their time and continue to inspire us to this day. The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles reveal Peter as a man of great heart but also with many flaws. Simon, bar Jonah, along with his brother, Andrew, were among the first whom Jesus called to follow him (Matthew 4:18-20). Peter was the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21). In consequence, Jesus gave him the name of Cephas, Peter, (John 1:42; Matthew 16:18-20) signifying that he would be “the rock upon which I will build my church.” Yet not long after this affirmation Jesus had to rebuke Peter for trying to deter him from his mission with the words: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Matthew 16:21-23).

    When many disciples left Jesus after his teaching that he himself was the Bread of Life, Peter chose to remain with the ringing proclamation, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Peter experienced the miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11) and saw Jesus walking on the water, at which point he dared to get out of the boat but panicked and began flailing. His cry then is one at times we all have on our own lips: “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:22-33). Initially, Peter re fused to let Jesus wash his feet at the Last Supper (John 13:1-11). Of course, we all know Peter’s foolish boast that he would always be there for the Lord and the prediction of Jesus that Peter would three times deny him (Matthew 26:31 35; Mark 14:27-31; Luke 22: 31-34). Ultimately, Peter repented in tears, was one of the first to see the Risen Lord, ex pressed his love three times, and proclaimed Jesus boldly at Pentecost. Even though for the most part Peter no longer allowed his fears to rule him, there was an occasion where he acted out of fear and Paul had to confront him (Galatians 2:11-21).

     Saul of Tarsus (Roman name, Paul) was a zealous Jew who persecuted the early Church and was complicit in the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 8:1-3). He then encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and his life was forever trans formed (Acts 9:1-30). He became the great missionary, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Both were martyred in Rome (Peter in approximately 64 AD and Paul approximately 67 AD) for their commitment to Jesus.

      On this feast day, you might consider reading the First Letter of Peter (only five chapters long) or some passages from the Acts of the Apostles centering on St. Paul (particularly Acts 7:54 – 8:3 and the story of his conversion, 9:1-30).

      On Tuesday of this week we welcome our new Associate Pastor, Father Emmanuel Sanchez. You will find a brief bio of him in this bulletin.

     Jesus, who chose to build your Church on the rock of Peter and his successors, shower us with your love and strength. Dearest Mary, our beloved Mother, help us to live with the faith, hope and love we see in Saints Peter and Paul.

  This wonderful prayer seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is simple yet powerful. In it, we ask that the fire of God’s infinite love burn within us to recreate and renew us. We ask that we receive and take to heart the truths pro claimed by Christ so that we become truly wise and holy. This simple prayer has a long history.   

Prayers invoking the Holy Spirit go back into the early mists of our faith. Of course, we know that Jesus promised to send the gift of the Holy Spirit and that Mary and the early disciples were in the upper room praying when the Holy Spirit came upon them at the first Pentecost. There are several references to invoking the Holy Spirit in the writings of theologians as early as the third century. In the 800s, a Frankish Benedictine monk named Rabanus Maurus (c. 780 – 856), wrote a hymn entitled, Veni Creator Spiritus, or Come, Creator Spirit. The prayer begins, “Come, Holy Spirit, Creator, come….” Among other times the Veni Creator Spiritus is used, this ancient hymn is one that is part of the ceremonies for a papal election.

In the 1200s, a similar but different prayer entitled Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit), the author of which is de bated, was incorporated into the Mass as the Sequence for the celebration of Pentecost. We will hear this Sequence at our liturgies this weekend. The shorter prayer at the beginning of this message takes its inspiration from these ancient texts and is designed for personal daily use.

This Pentecost, we do indeed ask that the Holy Spirit renew us, reinvigorate us, kindle in us the fire of Christ’s love. We hear the advice that St. Paul gave to Timothy, “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). May the gift of the Spirit of God given us at baptism and confirmation indeed be the driving force of our lives, guiding us, consoling us, strengthening us to live our faith with enthusiasm and deep commitment. 

Jesus, risen from the dead and ascended in glory, send your Holy Spirit upon us. Holy Mary, you who always followed the promptings of the Spirit. Pray for us that the flame of faith and love will always burn brightly in our hearts.

Father Craig