Grave Site Service for Our Miscarried Baby J.M.J.

Dec 28, 2021

“Mary & God’s Word of Hope for a Hurting World (Includes a Sharing of Our Own Family Miscarriage of Baby J.M.J.)” [Homily #202 on Lk. 1:39-45]

 

“Mary & God’s Word of Hope for a Hurting World

(Includes a Sharing of Our Own Family Miscarriage of Baby J.M.J.)”

[Homily #202 on Lk. 1:39-45]

by Deacon Dennis Purificacion

4^th Sunday of Advent

December 19, 2021

8 a.m. Mass

 

I

Whether it is a more popular social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or whether it is an up-and-coming social media platform like Telegram, Gab, and/or Truth Social Media, one often finds controversy.  There are posts and photos with which we are uncomfortable or simply do not like.  However, there is perhaps one area that doesn’t generate a lot of controversy, and that has to do with photos and comments having to do with one’s mother. 

People all over the world are, for the most part, proud to post photos of their mother.  Motherhood, more often than not, evokes feelings of affection and love.  Nobody messes with mother.  We honor mothers.  We put them up on a pedestal, instead of put them down.  Even big, tall tough guys respect their tiny mothers.  Everyone has a mother.  My mama wears combat boots, they say.  She is tough as nails, they say.  Nobody messes with mother. 

If we so honor our earthly mothers throughout human history all over the world in our human wisdom, then how much more important we should honor our spiritual mother, Mary, in divine wisdom!  For those of us fortunate to have experienced the unique yet sometimes imperfect love of an earthly mother, we can take comfort in the perfect love of our spiritual mother, Mary.

The Word of God shows the honor of our spiritual mother, Mary.  All Christians who love the Bible should honor Mary, the way all Christians honored Mary especially during the first 1,500 years of Christianity until the Protestant movement.  Think about this: Jesus followed the Ten Commandments perfectly.  The 4^th Commandment is “Honor your father and mother.”  So Jesus would have honored not just his heavenly Father or earthly legal father, but Jesus – who keeps the Commandments perfectly – would have “honored” his mother, Mary.  What would Jesus do?  WWJD.  Jesus would honor his mother.  If we are true brothers an sisters of Jesus, we would honor our mother, Mary, as well.    

As we light our 4^th candle on our Advent wreath in the final week before Christmas, today’s Gospel reminds us of the reason for the season: the unborn fruit of Mary’s womb will be born soon.  Remember, Jesus was conceived during the first joyful mystery of the Annunciation.  This is when St. Gabriel the Archangel opened the first line of the Hail Mary Prayer to Mary, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”  Elizabeth later had the honor of adding to St. Gabriel’s prayer, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”  The Hail Mary Prayer is deeply, deeply, deeply Biblical. 

Also, it ends with, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.”  Let us learn and ponder the Hail Mary Prayer from the Bible.  And like a little child who loves and honors her, says to their mother, over and over and over, “I love you,” “I love you,” “I love you.” Or “here is a rose, and another rose, and another rose,” over and over and over again, every repeated Hail Mary is like saying, “I love you,” “I love you,” “I love you.”  “Here is a rose for you, Mama.”  “Here is a rose for you, Mama.”  A mother does not get tired of her children loving her, receiving roses again and again, and honoring her.

In today’s First Reading, it is written from the Book of the Prophet Micah, “Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne…”  The Bible says that every generation will call Mary blessed (cf. Lk. 2).  She is the Blessed Virgin.  Today’s Gospel uses the word “Blessed” three times to describe Mary.  There is cause for great rejoicing here, for “she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

And even before their birth, the unborn John the Baptist prepares the way for the unborn Jesus.  At the moment the sound of Mary’s greeting reached Elizabeth’s ears, Elizabeth described her unborn baby John the Baptist “The infant in my womb leaped for joy.”  Already, the unborn baby bears witness to Jesus in Mary’s womb.

  

II

You know, the holidays can be difficult for many people.  What is commonly considered a season of joy and happiness can also be a more intense season of sadness and loneliness.  Perhaps someone we loved died either recently or a long time ago.  Perhaps one has experienced a pregnancy and lost the baby in the womb, whether directly or indirectly, through abortion or through miscarriage, or perhaps one may not bear children when one would like to.  Or perhaps there is an empty space in our lives for someone that should be there but is not anymore. 

My family and I haven’t shared this publicly until now, but Tove Ann and I just lost our 8^th child in a miscarriage in October.  It’s been by far the most devastating loss we’ve ever experienced in our marriage and family life of 18 years together.  (PAUSE)  But the Word of God is powerful.  God’s Word is “living and active, sharpen than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12).  (SMILE)  And Mary, through the Word of God, gave us hope, and gives us all hope.  That is why even in our darkest moments in life, we can still rejoice because God is more powerful than death.  And Mary shows this.

Mary knew what it was like to lose her child.  She knew what it was like to have a pierced heart.  She knew what it was like to experience profound loss.  But, she also knew what it was like to have hope and to experience the Resurrection.

[Add impromptu note about naming one’s baby, if appropriate.  And how we named our unborn baby "Joshua Miriam Job" or "J.M.J."

Yes, the message today is HOPE as we await the coming of Our Savior Baby Jesus Christ anew at Christmas, for Christ makes “all things new.”  [It’s a message of JOY, that joy is coming into the world.  Joy is on its way.] 

“[A]nd I heard a great voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men.  He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” (Revelation 21:3-5)

 

 

Chaplain's Corner @ Cal Martime Vallejo

2 Former Students & Law Enforcement

One former student said thank you to me, while to another who is a former student and now a police officer I said thank you.

"Prepare for the Return of King Jesus!" (Homily #201b)

 

12 p.m. Mass

10 a.m. Mass

[Homily #201a begins @ 27:00 minutes.]

[video by St. Catherine's Catholic Church, Vallejo, CA]

* * *

“Prepare for the Return of King Jesus!” (Homily #201)

by Deacon Dennis Purificacion

Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

Nov. 21, 2021

In the book trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, the author J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic who brought his Christian Faith into his artwork.  This book was eventually put into a three-part movie with the third and final part subtitled “The Return of the King.”  One main character, Aragorn, the rightful king, returns to claim his throne after an evil illegitimate ruler has taken the throne by a great deception.  By the end of the movie, Aragorn, the true king Aragorn returns to his restored kingdom.

Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, Jesus the true King stands before Pontius Pilate.  Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”  Pontius Pilate represents all those in the world who seek the truth in a time when truth is censored or suppressed.  Jesus eventually replied, “You say I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  If we love the truth, we will seek Jesus.

Like the character from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Jesus too will return one day.  This is called the Second Coming of Christ or in Greek the Parousia, and we do not know when this will happen.  In today’s Second Reading from the Book of Revelation, it is written, “Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him.” 

I

The return of Jesus the King reminds us of 4 Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell.  Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.  At the moment of death, there is a Particular Judgement of the soul.  The soul then enters into one of three states: Heaven, Purgatory or Hell.  Those in Purgatory are both joyful and sad, in the sense that they are joyful that they will be with God fully one day, but there are also sad because they are not yet with God and have to still be finally purified of any venial sins and forgiven mortal sins.  November is the month to alleviate the suffering of those in Purgatory.  As much as the flowers, social media photos, and the memorials are beautiful, there is nothing more that the holy souls in Purgatory appreciate more than offering Mass for them, saying the rosary in the state of grace, or an act of charity for them.  St. Bernardine of Sienna said that Purgatory is like waves of the sea where the pain comes and goes, but it is unlike Hell where the pain is permanent, and Purgatory is temporary.  St. Faustina said the souls in Purgatory call Mary “Star of the Sea” because she visits them and relieves them with refreshment.

At the Second Coming of Christ when Jesus the King returns in glory, all those in Purgatory transition to Heaven.  Those souls in Heaven will resurrect with a glorified body, while those souls in Hell will resurrect with a damned body.  This is not the Particular Judgment, but it is called the General Judgment where Jesus the King will come again to judge the living and the dead.  Yes, Hell is a real place yes, it is eternal, and yes there are souls in Hell now.  Yes, the devil is real.  Heaven is your true home.  CCC 1039?? So that’s an explanation of Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.

And that’s why we should prepare for the return of our King Jesus.  Prepare for the return of King Jesus!  We can prepare for the return of King Jesus in 2 ways.  The first preparation is our earthly preparation, and the second is our spiritual preparation.

II

For the earthly preparation, I remember attending this wonderful workshop from the Diocese of Sacramento for about hundred deacons and their wives.  The workshop focused on end-of-life care issues and medical ethics from the document Ethical and Religious Directives.  There were issues like having advanced medical directives, creating a will, palliative care, and talking to your family about what you want done toward the end of your life, your material assets, etc.  It’s your choice.  It can be a difficult topic to discuss but we are finding that it helps the family to have a plan.  Perhaps with the upcoming holidays when family gathers, it may be a good time to bring up these issues.

In Catholic medical ethics, the Principle of Informed Consent and the Principle of Medical Privacy should be upheld whereby the patient should be fully informed of the benefits and side effects or injuries of medical treatment.  When dealing with minors, parents are the first educators of their children, not the government or even the Church, so parents and guardians themselves decide what is best for their children’s needs.

Catholic Cemeteries also has a program where one can purchase a burial plot beforehand so that the grieving family is less concerned about financial issues when someone dies.  Annie from Catholic Cemeteries is a good resource to talk to.  Tell her I sent you to her.

And then there are the human psychological needs like either forgiving someone of a very hurtful pain before death, or asking someone for forgiveness for the hurt we caused them before we die.  We want to have things in order and cannot assume that we will have time for them.  Given the global situation, preparation is critical now!

III

So those are some earthly preparations we can make before the King returns.  For the spiritual preparation, there are things before the moment of illness such as Confession and practicing our Faith.  And then, I don’t know if you know this, but there are 3 Sacraments involved with the Last Rites: Confession, Anointing of the Sick, and Communion also called Viaticum.  Do not wait last minute to call a priest. 

Finally, as part of spiritual preparation, I want to raise awareness of what a “consecration” means.  Consecration can also be called entrustment.  It means dedicating something specifically for the service of God.  After the 12pm Mass, we will have a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament with a Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Consider making the 9 consecutive First Fridays.  Related to this is the 5 consecutive First Saturdays.  This is where a person goes to Confession and receives Communion for 5 consecutive First Saturdays with the intention of doing penance.  I also very respectfully here call for the Pope and bishops to consecrate or reconsecrate (whatever the case may be) Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the antidote to the current global situation.  Spiritual preparation also means works of charity and sacrifices for those in need.

 

So, to summarize: Let’s prepare for King Jesus!  We can do earthly preparation, and we can do spiritual preparation.  As the Responsorial Psalm says, “The Lord is King; he is robbed in majesty.”  

I didn’t mention that in that Lord of the Rings: Return of the King movie, there is a popular line that King Aragorn said.  He said, “My friends, you bow to no one.”  This reflects how you in glory united with Christ the King will too receive a crown of holiness where we share in the Kingdom of Christ the King, a Kingdom of truth, justice and peace.  

Viva Christo Rey!  Long live Christ the King!

 

Comforted Family Member of Fallen Officer From South Bay

He wore a shirt for his brother-in-law.  I offered my condolences and prayers, along with some other words of comfort.

Attended VPD Operation PEACE 2nd Annual Virtual Community Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: November 3, 2021 MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany K. Jackson, Public Information Officer - Vallejo Police Department - VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net

VALLEJO PD TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL VIRTUAL COMMUNITY DAY NOVEMBER 10, 2021 FROM 6:00PM - 8:00PM

VALLEJO - The Vallejo Police Department is cordially inviting you to attend our 2nd Annual “Virtual Community Day” on Wednesday, November 10th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The event serves as a platform to host courageous conversations and establish positive and meaningful relationships with members of our community. The day will also bring greater awareness to the programs, services and resources available to the public.   Attendees will hear from community leaders, officers, social services providers, non-profit agencies, and families impacted by gun violence in the City of Vallejo. Panelists will cover several topics including:   ·     Operation PEACE: One Year Later ·     Human Trafficking Awareness & Prevention ·     Healing Sisters Circle & Support Group (highlighting mothers who have lost their children to gun violence in the City of Vallejo)   We invite the Vallejo community to join this discussion, share your ideas, and join in the effort to building lasting partnerships. Click here to register via Zoom or join us on Facebook live!   To get involved with our Operation PEACE Community Taskforce (OPCT), click here to complete the sign-up sheet.   For media inquiries, please contact Public Information Officer, Brittany K. Jackson by email at VallejoPolicePIO@cityofvallejo.net. or by phone at (707) 651-7147.   ###

RIP Deacon Jose Revelo

Deacon Jose Roberto Revelo

Nov 26, 1942 - Nov 2, 2021

https://www.twinchapelsmortuary.com/m/obituaries/Jose-Revelo/Memories

Seasoned VPD Chaplains Said Thank You

I'm not sure what I said, but some Chaplains thanked me during a recent meeting.

I am grateful to be among them.

Out of 9 VPD Chaplains, I am the only Catholic right now.

"Blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job)

From Lauds (Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours)

READING
Job 1:21; 2:10b

Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb,
   and naked I shall go back again.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
   blessed be the name of the Lord!
We accept good things from God;
   and should we not accept evil?

Served By Listening During VPD DOJ Listening Session

I attended a VPD DOJ listening session this evening, as part of my chaplain-deacon ministry.  About 50-60 were in attendance.  

One of my former students from high school, Charles, was in attendance and sent me a message and said hello.  We joked around with each other for a bit and exchanged emails.  He said he wants to bridge a gap between VPD and the community.  

Then, for my small breakout group (Group 2), I didn't talk.  Someone else moderated.  One of my former high school students, a VPD officer, was mentioned during the breakout.  There were alot of critical comments about VPD.  

This evening, I simply listened to everyone's comments.  And that's how I serviced law enforcement chaplaincy and the citizens of Vallejo this evening.  

Finally Met SPSV High School Legend

---

After 23 years, I finally got to meet Mr. A., a St. Pat's High School teacher legend, in person.

Brandon Angelo was my predecessor as Religion Teacher at St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School in Vallejo, CA, where I taught for 4 years.  During that time, I had about 500-600 students formally registered as my students.  Some time after I left to finish my dissertation, he then returned to St. Pat's for a bit and then left again.  Both of us left St. Pat's to finish grad school.  But both of us were grateful for our time there.  

There was one thing he said that stuck with me.  He talked about how we planted seeds with young minds.  I agreed and pondered the awesomeness of teaching teenagers.  We then talked about how we still remember our students, and I could see the joy in his eyes as we reminisced about them and even old teacher colleagues like Mr. Lastoski and Mr. Black.  One student that particularly brought us great delight was Jonathan Biascan (SPSV Class of 2001).

It is planting seeds as teachers but especially as teachers of the Faith that gave us great joy.  What a privilege that God has given us!  I've also had the joy of helping students even into their adulthood and their own families in different ways.

As former SPSV Religion teachers, we also got to talk about a variety of other things: the high school, old colleagues like Chuck Ross who was one of my mentors, family and fatherhood, and life.

In that 30 minutes or so that we chatted, I felt alot in common with him.  It brought back old memories.  I have considered him an ally in the spiritual war against evil since I first heard of him in 1998, as his reputation preceeded him.  And my brief time with him only solidified that.

My one regret is that I did not meet him sooner.

As high school teachers, Mr. A. and I have felt really blessed.

When reflecting on the dignity and call of being a teacher, I am reminded of a story about St. Peter meeting 4 people in Heaven.  St Peter asked the 4 why he should let them through the Pearly Gates.

The first person said, "Well, I entered the medical profession, saved lives, protected patients' rights, and healed people."  St Peter said, "Welcome!"

The second person said, "I was a businesswoman who helped people put food on their table, kept their water running, and helped people get a roof over their heads."  St. Peter said, "Welcome!"

The third person said, "I was a talented musician and artist and brought joy to sad people and lifted up their hearts to inspirational things."  St. Peter said, "Welcome!" 

St. Peter then asked the fourth person, "Have you got anything to say?  I've been waiting patiently for an answer."  The fourth person stood there and kept thinking and thinking and thinking.  After a while, the fourth person eventually said, "I really can't think of anything great.  But do you see those 3 people that just spoke?  Well, I was their teacher."

POST-SCRIPT (added on 3/25/2023)

How I react whenever I run into a former student that calls me "Mr. Purificacion" or "Mr. P.":

Assisted Bishop Robert Vasa as Deacon of the Altar for Mass Where He Launched Synodal Process in the Santa Rosa Diocese

This morning, I assisted at Mass.  Then I took my family to Mass in the afternoon.  

Served as a Breakout Moderator-Chaplain (Group #10) for Vallejo PD Town Hall Meeting Tonight

There were 9-10 in my small breakout group.  A total of a little less than 100 attended the entire event.

I was partnered with Officer Gomez as moderators. 

We made sure that all voices were heard that wanted to speak.  We also reported back to the wider body a summary of the discussions.

And that was my service to the City of Vallejo as chaplain this evening.

Homily #200: Christ the Diakonos (Servant) Shows Us How To Serve (Mk. 10)

 

#200a (12 p.m. Mass)

Christ the Diakonos Shows Us How to Serve (Mk. 10)

Homily #200

29^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Oct. 17, 2021

12pm & 5 pm Masses

by Deacon Dennis Purificacion

I give thanks to Almighty God for the privilege of preaching Homily #200 today.  Te agredecemos por Dios todo poderoso.  Salamat sa Diyos.  Cảm ơn bạn.  Gam sa ham nida.  (Doj je) Xie Xie.  Thank you.

Please allow me this brief reflection of gratitude.  Most of these 200 homilies were written for St. Catherine’s, and they include 143 baptisms, along with some funerals and marriages.  When reflecting on the top 3 themes that I tend to talk about, I tend to talk about Mary a lot.  Sometimes I think people say, “Oh great, here comes that deacon talking about Mary all the time, and Fatima again, and how the Immaculate Heart is tied to what is happening in the world today.”  I’ve also talked about the Eucharist and Sunday Mass, the need to practice a sacramental life like Confession, protecting innocent human life and marriage, God’s Commandments and the lives of the saints and mystics.

But perhaps this is fitting to reflect on service and ministry because of today’s Gospel on Christ the Servant from St. Mark Chapter10.  Christ the Deacon shows us how to serve: First, Christ serves with his words; second, Christ serves with his actions; and third, Christ serves through his saints.

First, Christ the Deacon shows us how to serve with his words.  Jesus taught, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  The Greek word “to serve” in Verse45 on the Son of Man coming to serve is “diakonesai” and in the previous Verse43 the Greek word for “servant” is diakonos.    

It is fine and good to meditate on Christ the Priest, but now we reflect on Christ the Diakonos.  After all, in today’s Second Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, it is written, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way yet without sin” (Heb. 4).  Jesus the Servant literally rolls up his sleeves and enters into the everyday life of a slave.

Think about the irony of this!  I am supposed to serve God, yet God said that He came to serve … me … and to die for me?  I’m the one who is supposed to serve this great King and wash His feet, yet he stoops into my world with all its imperfections?  He says to me and you today, “I’ve come to serve… you.”  I come to wash your feet.  I’ve come to love you.  Let me wash your feet.  Let me love you, my beloved.  Let me, your King, die for you.

Jesus the Servant serves with a merciful love, a loving-kindness.  In today’s Responsorial Psalm, “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you,”  biblical scholars note that the word “mercy” (chesedin Hebrew) in the Psalms is different.  It doesn’t just mean a forgiving mercy but it means a kind “merciful love”.  Mercy is the same as God’s love.  God’s diakonos is mercy and love.  What an awesome God we serve!  He says, “I come not to be served but to serve…”

Second, Christ the Diakonos shows us how to serve with his actions, he isn’t just the Servant; He is the Suffering Servant.  Christian service means the Cross.  We hear proclaimed in the First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, [T]hrough his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.”  Christ teaches us that this action to serve come with sacrifice and hardship.  In fact, when you serve according to God’s will, then you’re going to encounter trials and hardship.  It’s like prayer: If you’re doing your prayer right, then you’re going to be distracted.  That’s what the devil wants: To distract us, to get us to not serve and place our gifts at the service of others.  He wants to interrupt us from serving God.  But love hurts.  Christ the Suffering Servant shows us how to love all the way to the Cross. 

Third, Christ the Deacon shows us how to serve practically today through his saints.  Jesus said, “[W]hoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant.”  I’m reminded here of a popular phrase by John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”  In a sense, we can say the same of the Church.  Ask not what the Church can do for you, but what you can do for the Church.  Yes, it is important to come to church and be fed with the Word and the Eucharist, but the consciousness or the awareness here is a type of intentional discipleship.  Having been loved by Jesus, then be Jesus to others!  We are successful when everyone in the Church – the evangelized -- become evangelizers.  When we come not to be ministered to but to minister.  The saints served because they knew in their hearts that they were loved by God.

Mother Teresa for instance gave a simple smile to others, even when she didn’t feel God’s presence for many decades.  St. Thomas More stood for religious freedom and conscience protection, even when most of the cowardly bishops of his time did not speak out against injustice.  St. Thomas More said, “I die the King’s good servant; but God’s first.”  Only one bishop, St. John Fisher, spoke out to protect religious liberty of the Flock.  St. Katherine Drexel and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton took care of minority poor children of color and protected the God-given rights of parents as the first educators of their children.  Parents, not the state or even the Church, determine what their children learn.  St. Oscar Romero and St. Jose Sanchez del Rio in Latin America who spoke out against government persecution of the Church, families and the poor when their jobs and income were threatened.  Or St. Catherine our patroness cleaned up the corruption among the clergy and the papacy in her time.  And finally, St. Ignatius Loyola served because he said, “If the saints could serve God, then why can’t I?”  Take courage, for you see, God writes straight with crooked lines.  He doesn’t just call the qualified; he qualifies the called to serve.  So do not be afraid to serve.

In summary, there were three points from today’s Gospel on Christ the Servant:

First, Christ the Deacon shows us how to serve through his words.  “I came not to be served but to serve…”

Second, Christ the Deacon shows how to serve through his actions to the Cross.  “Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many…”

Third, Christ the Deacon shows us how to serve through His saints and martyrs.  “Whoever wishes to be great will be your servant.”

 

May we too know deep in our hearts how much God loves us, so we can love and be a servant to others.  “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101721.cfm

https://www.biblehub.com/text/mark/10-45.htm

https://www.biblehub.com/text/mark/10-43.htm

https://logosapostolic.org/hebrew-word-studies/2617-chesed-mercy.htm#b1.1

 

 

visited/prayed at site where Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson & K9 Riley were shot

photo by breitbart.com

I spoke to an officer who was also Deputy Gibson's friend, and he offered to show me the spot where his friend was shot.

I blessed the spot where Deputy and K9 were shot.  I also prayed for Deputy's family and the repose of his soul.

Wife's Ph.D. Graduation 10 Years Ago

May 14, 2011

University of Hawaii

(w 3rd child)

I've kept this in my wallet for as long as I've had it.

Santa Rosa Rel Ed Congress 2021

Video Credit: Irene from ETWN Missionaries of Santa Rosa, CA

I oversaw my 8th Diocesan catechetical conference.

We are small but faithful.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jz7ZLJH1oi4