ST. MARY PARISH DEKALB, ILLINOIS

JUNE 30, 2019

Important Reminders!! Independence Day THURSDAY, JULY 4

No 7:00 AM Mass - Mass will be at 8:00 AM.

The Parish Office will be closed.

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W . S T M A R Y D E K A L B . O R G P A G E 2

Office 302 Fisk Avenue · DeKalb, IL 60115 Phone: 815.758.5432 Fax: 815.758.2487 / Website: stmarydekalb.org

Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 AM - Noon & 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday: Closed

Liturgies

Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM in English

Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM in English

Spanish Mass: Sunday 4:00 PM

Vietnamese Mass: 2nd Sunday 1:30 PM

Weekday Masses: Mon.-Fri. 7 AM and Sat. 8 AM in English

Vigil/Holy Day Masses: See page 5

Area Care Facilities: See page 5 for dates & Mass times

Reconciliation:

English: Tue, Thu, Fri. 7:35-8:00 AM

& Sat.8:35-9:15 AM & 3:30-4:15 PM

Spanish: Tue. 6:00-8:30 PM

Pastoral Staff Pastor: Rev. Dean Russell, 815.758.5432 frrussell@stmarydekalb.org Principal: Ashley Davis, 815.756.7905 Cemetery: 815.758-5432 Director of Music: Joe Harmon, ext. 106 Choir Director: Caleb Gray Director of Religious Education: Annalisa McMaster, ext. 110

Support Staff Business Manager: Jim Glemkowski, ext. 102 Financial Assistant: Susan Klefstad, ext. 105 Parish Secretary: Linda Jackiw, ext.103 Ministry Secretary: Mona O'Bryan, ext. 107 Receptionist: Carrie Anderson, ext. 100

Contact Information Parish Office: 302 Fisk Avenue - 815.758.5432

Faith Formation / Rel. Ed. / Youth Ministry: 815.758.5432

School: 210 Gurler Road - 815.756.7905

E-mail: mail@stmarydekalb.org

Website: stmarydekalb.org

Hispanic Ministry

Rev. Darwin Flores, 815.758.1377

Hispanic Secretary: Susana Garcia, ext. 113

Vietnamese Ministry

Rev. Anthony Vu Khac Long, 815.312.9661

Bulletin Deadline

Monday - 8:00 AM (FOR CONSIDERATION)

Send requests to: bulletin@stmarydekalb.org

“Brothers and sisters: May I nev-er boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).

St. Paul reminds us that our vision goes beyond this world. He leaves behind the guilt of the past, hav-ing been reconciled with our Lord, and he presses on toward the goal of life with Christ Jesus. The freedom that St. Paul experiences, he wishes to share in Christ; and he knows that gifts come to us through the cross. As faithful citizens we celebrate the freedoms worked and fought for and we continue to work for authentic life, freedom, and prosperity.

We know from history that tyranny results when we aban-don the source of our freedom. In the last couple weeks we have celebrated the 40 English Martyrs; including St. Thomas Garnet (1574-1680), who followed the example of such English heroes as St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More in refusing to cooperate in this error. Ordained a priest and sent with Blessed Mark Barkworth in August of 1599 to the English Mission, he was introduced to the Jesuits by his famous uncle, Fr. Henry Garnet. He was arrested dur-ing the sweeps following the “Gunpowder Plot” in 1605 and arrested near Warwick. Because of his connection with his uncle he was severely interrogated and threatened to no avail. After about 9 months in a damp cell he was deported with about 46 other priests.

He completed his Jesuit Novitiate and returned to the Eng-lish Mission. Arrested 6 weeks later, he was finally charged with treason because he was made a priest by authority derived from Rome and he had returned to the country in defiance of the law. He made no answer to the priest charge and refused to take the “Oath of Supremacy” that nullified the authority of the Pope granted by Christ Himself from his own mouth while he walked the earth. The Earl of Essex and other influential people tried to persuade him to sign the oath and spare his life and opportunities for escape were presented. To the first he replied, “My lord, if the case be so doubtful and dis-putable, how can I in conscience swear to what is doubtful as if it were certain? No, I will not take the oath, though I might live a thousand lives.” To the latter he said that a voice within him had said: “Noli fugere – Don’t run away.” He was hanged at age 34.

He was beautified in 1929, one year before the Church of England met in Lambeth (where St. John Fisher was summoned for his beheading) to condone what no Christian body had previously condoned, the separation of life from the marital act of love through artificial means. St. Thomas Garnet was canonized as one of the 40 martyrs of England and Wales by Pope St. Paul VI (author of “Humanae Vitae” and prophet concerning the disastrous consequenc-es of abandoning God’s laws and the natural law in marriage) on October 25, 1970 – about 3 years after the encyclical “Humane Vitae” and about 3 years before the disastrous fruit of its rejection, court ordered acceptance of abortion (overriding state legislatures).

“Jesus said, ‘I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

In Christ, son of Mary,

Fr. Russell

From the desk of

Father Russell

1 3 t h S U N D A Y I N O R D I N A R Y T I M E P A G E 3

2019 Lancer Raffle Ticket Winners

06/24 - Chad Stewart - $20.00

06/25 - Charlie Brown - $20.00

06/26 - Linda Hulne - $20.00

06/27 - Lorenzo Hernandez - $20.00

06/28 - Greg Thompson - $20.00 Donated Back!!

06/29 - Louis Plica - $20.00

06/30 - Anselmo Soto - $30.00 Donated Back!!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ST MARY SCHOOL

Readings for the Week of June 30, 2019

Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21/Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 [cf. 5a]/Gal 5:1, 13-18/Lk 9:51-62 Monday: Gn 18:16-33/Ps 103:1b-2, 3-4, 8-9, 10-11 [8a]/ Mt 8:18-22 Tuesday: Gn 19:15-29/Ps 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12 [3a]/ Mt 8:23-27 Wednesday: Eph 2:19-22/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/Jn 20:24-29 Thursday: Gn 22:1b-19/Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 [9]/Mt 9:1-8 Friday: Gn 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67/Ps 106:1b-2, 3-4a, 4b-5 [1b]/Mt 9:9-13 Saturday: Gn 27:1-5, 15-29/Ps 135:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 [3a]/ Mt 9:14-17 Next Sunday: Is 66:10-14c/Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 [1]/ Gal 6:14-18/Lk 10:1-12, 17-20 or 10:1-9 ©Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Sunday Offertory $ 9,112.71 Guardian Angel $ 25.00 School $ 20.00 Capital Improvements $ 10.00 Cemetery $ 27.00 Diocesan Appeal $ 1,040.00 National Appeal $ 250.00

Thank You for Your Contributions!

Our Weekly Offering Week Ending 06/21/2019

52ND WEEK OF FISCAL YEAR 2018 - 2019

Lancer Legends A History of St. Mary School 1913-2019

The 243 page book compiled by Joan Metzger includes a history of St. Mary School and many, many pictures. It is available for $20 and can be

purchased at the parish office.

Stewardship In today’s second reading, St. Paul provides a wonderful one-sentence summary of Christian stewardship: Out of

love, place yourselves at one another’s service.

Vocation Corner: Fr. Manny Gomez

Assistant Vocations Director

Greek mythology teaches us a great lesson about sin and love. After Apollo had defeated Python, a mon-ster that browbeat the people, he became very arro-gant. He enjoyed showing off his bow and arrow ability, and was vain about his recent triumph.

One day he made fun of Eros, the god of love who had the figure of a winged child carrying a small bow and arrow. Apollo said to him to leave the bow and arrows to true warriors like him, and go home to play children's games. Eros wasn't happy with such treatment, but didn't an-swer him immediately. He waited for the right moment to strike Apollo's heart. Eros pierced Apollo's heart with both a golden and a lead arrow. The golden arrow made him fall in love with a beautiful nymph named Daphne, and the lead arrow caused her to reject him.

From that moment on Apollo wanted to conquer Daphne's heart, while Daphne kept rejecting him. Soon Apollo's desire became an obsession. He started harassing her. One day he was about to take advantage of her by force, but she cried out for help to her father, the river god Peneus. 'Father take away from me this beauty that causes Apollo's obsession', she asked him. Peneus heard her voice and transformed her into a laurel tree. When Apollo saw the transformation, he was able to contemplate Daphne's beauty from a perspective he never thought of previously. As a sign of admiration and love, he decreed that all the victorious men, from that moment on, shall be crowned with a laurel crown.

From this story we can learn two things. First, a grave sin always begins with a smaller sin. Apollo passes from being arrogant, showing off his abilities, to making fun of others, and then desiring and obsessing to the point of almost abusing Daphne.

Second, we can always purify our desires and our intentions, but for that we need to ask help from our Father. Daphne asked that her beauty may be taken away, but her father instead transformed it in a way that it may be respected.

In our vocational journey we should be aware of both things: the tempta-tions that sometimes make us go astray, and the purification of our de-sires to love others more every day, as God loves us.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Mary Church through your advertisement in our bulletin.

“The purpose of freedom is that we might be serv-ants of one another. Life in the Spirit is always oriented toward love and service for others.”

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Religious Freedom Week 2019

Cinema and Salads Everyone is welcome

Wednesday, July 10th 6:15 pm Please bring a salad to share 6:45 pm Movie: GOSPA (Communist officials persecute a priest who is encouraging pilgrimages to the site of the Medjugorje miracle.)

For more information contact Annalisa at 815.758-5432 ext. 110 or annalisam@stmarydekalb.org

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry

Our monthly collection for the food drive is July 6/7. Donated items may be left in the chapel entrance of the church. If you

would rather make a monetary donation, please place a check to “St. Vincent Food Pantry” in the collection basket

or at the parish office.

Suggestions: canned soup, canned fruits & vegetables, cake mixes, sugar, flour, baking

ingredients, seasonings, condiments, jelly & cereal.

UPDATE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Does Our Church database have your family membership record correct?

Here is your chance to update your record for our Guide Book and Directory. We will be publishing a new directory in August.

It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred over the past years.

Have you changed your phone number or do you now use your cell phone as your home phone? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your children still at home and are they all included in your membership record? Do you want your information published?

If you have not already informed the church office about changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the Guide Book & Directory is correct.

The church office number is 815 758-45432.

PILGRIMAGE TO MARYTOWN, LIBERTYVILLE, IL

National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Mass at 7:00 am - St. Mary Depart St. Mary: 7:45 am Return to St. Mary: 4:45 pm (approximate) Cost: $60 (includes transportation & buffet lunch)

Name(s)______________________________________ $60 x ____# of people =_________________________ Phone Number________________________________ Email address_________________________________

PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN JULY 1

Mrs. Ashley Davis has began the role as Principal at St. Mary Cath-olic School. Mrs. Davis has served the St. Mary School com-munity as our middle school sci-ence teacher for the past two school years. Aside from this, she may also be a familiar face as she and her family are members of St.

Mary's Parish right here in DeKalb. Prior to her position at SMS, Mrs. Davis served as principal of St. Michael the Arch-angel Catholic School in Streator, Illinois for seven years and as a middle school Social Studies, English and Religion teach-er at St. Mary School in DeKalb prior to that. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a minor in Secondary Education and a Masters of Education in Leadership and Ad-ministration from Benedictine University. Mrs. Davis, her hus-band, Dan Davis, and three boys, Charlie, Andrew, and Teddy are excited about the new adventures that a wait with this new role.

For the financial stability of our school AND to continue to increase our student enrollment, it is imperative that we continue to provide tuition assistance to our St. Mary School families in the form of either the State of Illinois Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program OR our own Guardian Angel Tuition Assistance Program. For the 2018-2019 school year, 16 children in 10 families were awarded full tuition payments amounting to $59,303 from the Illinois Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program, and 35 children in 18 families received $73,659 in par-tial tuition assistance through our Guardian Angel Tuition Assistance Program. The viability of Invest in Kids was assured this week when the Illinois General Assembly made major strides to improve education is-sues in the state. Donating to Invest in Kids through Empower Illinois allows an individual donor to receive a CREDIT for their Illinois state taxes equal to 75% of their donation. For example, if a taxpayer donates $1,000 to Invest in Kids through Empower Illinois, they are eligible to claim a $750 tax credit on their 2019 taxes. The amount of money donat-ed to Invest in Kids through Empower Illinois can be designated for a donation to St. Mary School in DeKalb! It is a win-win situation, espe-cially for our students!

Please consider a donation to Invest in Kids!

You may do this by going to empowerillinois.org to read more about your options and to donate.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ashley Davis at adavis@stmaryschooldekalb.com or by calling the school office at 815-756-7905.

In today’s Gospel we see how Jesus, on His way to Jerusalem, sent “messenger on ahead of Him.” To be the messengers of God, we must know well what it is God wants to say and do through us, as He sends us out to bring His love to others.

In the month of June, you were the “Messenger of God” in bringing hope to the poor. Your gifts

enabled the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to assist families, providing food, and money for utility and

rent bills.

Meals on Wheels Thanks St. Mary Parish! A big thank you to all who participated in the June Delivery Pro-gram for MOW. There were many “regulars” as well as newcom-ers, and it seems as if many enjoyed this ministry! This is a vital program for our homebound friends, and it is dependent on volun-teer drivers. It is a fairly easy ministry, requiring about 1½ hr. from start to finish… Perhaps you are called to serve? If interest-ed in continuing to deliver occasionally, contact Ron Mullen at The VAC, 815-758-3932. If interested in learning more about MOW, call Chris Hacker at 815-758-5625. Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity of time and spirit! Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God sup-plies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4: 10-11

Thank you to Robert and Sarah Taylor for the generous donation to purchase new blinds and to replace the broken water fountains in the Ministry Center.

God bless you!

Locations: (B) Bethany Room, (CA) Cafeteria, (CHP) Chapel, (CH) Church,

(E) Emmaus Room, (G) Gym, (LRC) Library Resource Center, (MARI) Marian

Room, (MC) Ministry Center, (PCN) Parish Center North, (PWR) Parish Work

Room, (PR) Presentation Room, (SAR) St. Anne Room, (SJM) St. James Room

(Private), (SJ) St. John Room, (SJOA) St. Joachim Room, (SJOS) St. Joseph

Room, (SL) St. Luke Room, (SM) St. Mark Room, (SMR) St. Matthew Room,

(YC) Youth Center

J U N E 3 0 , 2 0 1 9

Councils and Committees

Pastoral Council Kevin Fuss, Chairperson 815-758-5432 ext. 100 Ging Smith 815-756-2177

Ana Vargas Witthoff 815-787-0285 Barbara Halverson 815-756-9453 Matt Fleming

Finance Council 815-758-5432 ext. 104

Buildings & Grounds Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 102

Cemetery Committee Thomas Specht 815-758-5432 ext. 102

Funeral Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 100

Ministry of Care Rick Fleming 815-758-5432 ext. 100

Respect Life Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 100

St. Vincent de Paul Society (Second & Fourth Monday of month) 815-200-4730 (General) Simon Seibert 815-761-0430 (Helpline)

School Committee Greg Kubitz, Chairperson 815-756-7905

Stewardship Commission 815-758-5432 ext. 102

If you know of a person in our parish who is homebound and would like to receive a card of encouragement, or to have a name added to or removed from the prayer list, call the parish office at

815.758.5432.

The power of prayer We pray for St. Mary parishioners, relatives, and friends who are suffering from illness, also for those who are homebound, hospitalized, or confined to a care facility, especially:

Giana Anderson, Jane Anderson, Matt Anderson, Jackie Balon, Joseph Barrile, Matt Bechtel, Pat Beck, Maryilene Blondel,

Patricia Budzinski, Mary Clarbour, Debbie Coffland, Ben Coniglio, Mario Delgado, Joe Diedrich, Quan Do,

Horst Erker, Michael Esposito, Bobbie Fitch, Beth Fixmer, Missy Flores, Chris Haight, Rita Hammett, Eric Hanson, Kathleen Hiatt, Ruth Higgins, Brenda Hoiness, Margaret Holder, Peggy Hoyt, Joann Schoo Irving, Col. Thomas Z.

James, Joan Judkins, Patsy Kelahan, Rev. Richard Kramer, Carolyn Kustron, Ginger Lange, Catherine Lipps, Henrietta

Lobner, Brayden MacNeille, JoAnn MaKarrall, Bob Marcheschi, Matt Marcheschi, Timothy McMillan, Louis

Mustari, Mary O’Brien, Tom O’Brien, Carolyn Owen, Betty Ramsdell, Tony Ravelo, Joel Rivera, Laura Ross, Jeff Salazar,

Marlene Salazar, Richard Salazar, Erick Schroeder, Bill Sorensen, Steve Stach, Jim Theisen, Ray Theisen, Justin

Valdez, Jerry Vasko, Abel Viland, Nancy Watson, Dolores Wieczorek, Richard Wiseman, David Young

This week’s schedule… Sunday, June 30 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) 1:30 PM Vietnamese Mass (CH) 2:45 PM - 5:00 PM Vietnamese Ministry Social Time (C) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM (CH)

Monday, July 1 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) NO Scheduled Reconciliation in English (CH) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN)

Tuesday, July 2 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry (C) 5:30 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Teen Tuesday Peer Training (YC) 6:30 PM Hispanic Mass (CH) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Teen Tuesday-High School Night (YC) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Teen Tuesday Talent Show (G) 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group (CH)

Wednesday, July 3 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 2:00 PM Mass (Barb City Manor) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Teen Tuesday Bible Study (YC) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN)

No 24 Hour Exposition (CH) Thursday, July 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY Parish Office Closed NO 7:00 AM Mass in English 8:00 AM Mass in English (CH)

Friday, July 5 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 10:15 AM Mass (Pine Acres) 7:00 PM Hispanic Sacred Heart of Jesus Mass (CH)

Saturday, July 6 8:35 AM - 9:30 AM Eucharistic Adoration (CH) 9:30AM Baptismal Prep (CH) 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Quinceanera Mass-Crisel Franco (CH) 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Quinceanera Mass-Ashley Ferral (CH) 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Hispanic A.A. Group Meeting (PCN) Reconciliation in English 8:35-9:15 AM & 3:30-4:15 PM (CH) Masses in English 8:00 AM & 4:30 PM (CH)

Sunday, July 7 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Hispanic Baptism (CH) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Spiritual Motherhood (CH) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM (CH)

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

Mass Intentions Monday, July 1 (St. Juniperp Serra)

7:00 AM † Margaret Zimny & Cathy Bartoldus

Tuesday, July 2 (Weekday)

7:00 AM † Poor Souls

Wednesday, July 3 (St. Thomas)

7:00 AM † Pelagia Jackiw

2:00 PM † Margerie Hedgespteh & Helen Lemmer

(Barb City)

Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day)

9:00 AM † Helen Zimny

Friday, July 5 (St. Anthony Zaccaria)

7:00 AM † William Berg

10:15 AM † Poor Souls (Pine Acres)

7:00 PM † Alejandro Gonzales (Spanish Mass)

Saturday, July 6 (St. Maria Goretti)

8:00 AM † Poor Souls

4:30 PM Living & Deceased Members of St. Mary

(14th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

8:30 AM † Caryl Steimel

10:30 AM † Anna & Leon Ziobro

4:00 PM † Concepcion Solis Castro (Spanish Mass)

LITURGICAL ROLES

Lectors 4:30 PM Diana Fohrman

8:30 AM Kevin Hickey

10:30 AM Andy Small

Ushers 4:30 PM Dave Roliardi, Craig Vitkus, Keith Anderson

8:30 AM Chuck Albertson, Dan Cliffe, Doug Davis,

John Sauter, Donald Moizo

10:30 AM Duane Rapp, Dan Thompson, Jim Zenz, Mark

Farris, Nicholas Singer, Lance Farris, Michelle

Mershon, Andrew Miller, Rick Sullivan,

Toby Woodruff

4:30 PM

Captain Steve Riippi

Chapel Cheryl Wieczorek

Cup 1 NO CUP

Cup 2 NO CUP

8:30 AM

Captain Donna Hickey

Chapel Kim Launer

Cup 1 Joan Metzger

Cup 2 Helen Traglia

10:30 AM

Captain Teri Lorek

Chapel Brenda Hoiness

Cup 1 Bob Daniel

Cup 2 Linda Daniel

Cantor Schedule

July 13/14 4:30 PM Sandi Bruckner

8:30 AM Alice Smith

10:30 AM Teresa Fuller

July 6/7 4:30 PM Cecilia Aspengren

8:30 AM Sarah Taylor

10:30 AM Michael Hynek

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the words of everlasting life. Let Jesus speak to you on the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on July 19-21 in Madison, WI; September 6-8 in

Geneva, IL or October 18-20 in Brookfield, WI. Visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653.

Para un fin de semana en espanol por favor llamen a Candelario y Emilia al 815-375-4250. Las fechas son las siguientes:

9-11 de agosto y 1-3 de noviembre.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Rockford/Madison/Milwaukee Ministry

St Vincent de Paul Society is looking for strong, kind-hearted, pick-up truck owners to be part of our as needed/on call furni-ture moving ministry. For details please call 815-200-4730 or email svdpdekalb@gmail.com with your contact and availability info!

PLEASE BRING TO THE PARISH OFFICE ALL ST. MARY PROPERTY KEYS THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR POSSESSION BY JULY 15th. UPDATED

INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR RE-ISSUE. LOCKS WILL BE CHANGED IF KEY

INFORMATION IS NOT UPDATED. PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFFICE FOR MORE

INFORMATION OR WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. THANK YOU.

ST. JUNIPERO SERRA FEAST DAY - JULY 1

Miguel Jose Serra was born on the island of Majorca on November 24, 1713, and took the name Junipero in 1730 when he entered the Franciscan Order. He was ordained in 1737 and taught theology and philosophy at the University of Padua until 1749. At the age of 37, he landed in Mexico City on January 1, 1750, and spent the rest of his life working for the conversion of the people of the new world. In 1768, he took over the missions of the Jesuits, who had been wrongly expelled by the Mexican government, in the Mexican province which is now California. He was in large part responsible for the foundation and spread of the Church on the West Coast of the United States when it was still mission territory. He founded 21 missions and converted thousands of Indians. The converts were taught methods of agriculture, cattle raising, and arts and crafts. He was a dedicated religious and missionary. He was imbued with a penitential spirit and practiced austerity in sleep, eating, and other activities. He died on August 28, 1784, worn out by his apostolic labors. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988 and canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015. He is the patron of vocations.