Homily/Sermon #235 for Baptism of Baby Lucas Rae

We joyfully announce to you my nephew as the newest prince of the royal family of God in baptism!

May our little ray of light be a great saint in our Loving Father's Kingdom.

(180th Baptism)

49th Birthday Self-Reflections (last year in my 40s)

Self-Reflections

Age 0-9: First introduced to God by parents, didn't like church as a kid, learned from godparents/parishioners/catechists

Age 10-19: began deeper reversion to God more after death of grandfather, began church ministry (altar server, teaching as catechist), learned school friendships

Age 20-29: formal theology/philosophy studies, entered teaching profession, married

Age 30-39: expanded into education administration, marriage and family growth, formation studies for ordination

Age 40-49: marriage and family life, education administration, diaconate service

---

Sample of my day today:

Took the day off of work.

Wife took me to Holy Hour to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  After Liturgy of Hours, I wrote the thoughts above reflecting on my life.

'Got Jamba Juice and snacks later.  Then, we went to Mass with kids.  Kids made dinner, and I blew out some candles.

I am grateful for another year of life.

Thank you to all of you in my life.  I prayed for you all.

Homily #234: "Fall in Love with God; Stay in Love with God"

 

12 p.m. Mass

Homily #234a: "Fall in Love with God; Stay in Love with God" by Deacon Dennis Purificacion St. Catherine's Parish, Vallejo, CA 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mt. 13) July 23, 2023 12 p.m. Mass

Marriage of Eric & Nessa (with Homily/Sermon #233)

(photos from Nessa Welker)

 

I knew them since high school.

Homily/Sermon #233 for Marriage of Eric & Nessa

(I owe Alexander Hunt one for missing him in my list.)

 

God bless your new chapter!

<salute>

"Tell Your Heart to Beat Again" by Danny Gokey

Nuptial blessing from the Catholic Church which recognizes this new union.

Thank you to the Diocese of San Jose for your assistance.

I knew their parents since our youth.

I was privileged to journeyed with the families at different moments in their lives.

Thank you, Nessa and Eric!

 

 

(2016 & 2023)

In 2016, Savannah's mom died in childbirth, and I came to baptize Savannah in the hospital.  This story made national headlines in 2016.  Here we are several years later in 2023.

Middle School Graduation

Our 20th Wedding Anniversary (July 12, 2023)

Thank you to my son, John Paul, for editing these photos.

* * *

- During lunch, I surprised my wife with a simple bracelet with the engraved names of our 3 miscarried babies (the new bracelet replaces an older bracelet with names of the three): "JMJ JAM JMR".

+ Joshua Miriam Job (2021)

+ Jacinto Angel Marya (2022)

+ Jacob Mystical Rose (nickname from daddy, if a girl: "Misty") (2023)

On the inside of the bracelet was engraved "20th Wedding Anniversary Gift".

A few days ago before our celebration, I asked Tove Ann what she wanted for our 20th, and she mentioned a bracelet with our three loved little ones' names on it.  I found something online, and it arrived Wed. morning.  I was grateful to have had the day off of work to receive the package to surprise her.

new bracelet on Tove Ann's right wrist & old bracelets

(Tove Ann & 3 girls made these older bracelets a couple of months ago; I told them they reminded me of Punky Brewster bracelets.)

I wanted to capture Tove Ann's reaction to my gift remembering our three little ones in this video:

Thank you for sharing our joys and sorrows with us.

- Tove Ann then asked for us to spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament @ the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, St. Dominic's in Benicia, as part of our date.

- Then, after evening Mass, the pastor Fr. Glenn blessed us when we renewed our vows.

- This was followed with some time spent afterwards with the kids on the parish grounds where John Paul took photos and videos & where Tove Ann sang her wedding song to me outside while EJ played the guitar.  Thank you, Kathryn, for your help.

- video under construction -

 

To end the evening, we had some burgers.  And then we went to the store, and Tove Ann got me a picture frame to hold photos and Toblerone candy.  

We had ice cream at home.

Here's a card from Tove Ann:

As usual, my parents are thoughtful.

 

Thank you, everyone, for your love, support and prayers for 20 years of married life.  Thank you, God.

We love you all!

- Dennis, Tove Ann and kids

"Imitating the Meek & Humble Heart of Jesus: 12 Promises of His Sacred Heart for You" (Homily #232)

Homily #232a (12pm Mass)

 

Homily #232b (5pm Mass)

"Imitating the Meek & Humble Heart of Jesus: 12 Promises of His Sacred Heart for You" (Homily #232) by Deacon Dennis Purificacion, Ed.D., S.T.L. 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 9, 2023, 12 p.m. & 5 p.m. Masses St. Catherine's Catholic Church Vallejo, CA, USA ___ The Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary (1) "I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life. (2) I will establish peace in their homes. (3) I will comfort them in all their afflictions. (4) I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death. (5) I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings. (6) Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. (7) Lukewarm souls shall become fervent. (8) Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. (9) I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored. 10) I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. (11) Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart. (12) I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment. Source: HERE (July 8, 2023)

A Toast for a Family Pet: Some Memories of Pup Chester (2011-2023) From the Purificacion Family with a Prayer of Praise to God For Chester

 

Chester is the family pup.  Here is my sister, Rachel, with Chester.  

 

Last Tuesday, Chester died.  

 

The family is very sad.  

Here is an excerpt from Rachel's message:

Dear family & friends— 

Cheers to our number one pup Chester  please help us in cheering to his life… a life that we will always remember. We will cherish the memories we made with him and only be left with happy thoughts, smiles, and laughter. Let's raise a glass!

3/15/2011- 7/4/2023 

When you can, please send a special memory you have with our boy. (Feel free to do it separate from this group text) We are grieving and remembering special moments seems like the best way to get through the pain. Thank you  

Love...

Hear, hear!

So raise a glass with us...

...to Chester!

Man's best friend

Woman's best friend

In-laws' best friend

Everyone's best friend

* * *

I group replied with the following message, after asking the kids over family dinner for their favorite memories of Chester.  

Some memories of Chester from the Purificacion Family:

Faith Marie (age 9): I remember Braxton, Chester and I were running around the park on John Paul's graduation party together.  I also gave him water.

Tove Ann: When Joey, the kids, and Dennis all jogged/ran alongside Braxton around the block, while he and Peter rode the buggie car, and Chester ran with everyone.

John Paul (17): Chester greeted every visiting family member, and he barked while we cheered after singing Happy Birthday.

Peter (5): Playing with Chester.

Mariana (12): We were playing on the couch -- EJ, Faith, Hope and me  -- and we were throwing toys while Chester was chasing after the toys. 

EJ (14): Faith and I played tug o war rope w Chester.

Hope (7): I used to scratch Chester's back so much!!  And I used to feed him a little bit of goldfish crackers.

Dennis: How much joy and delight Chester brought especially to my sister Rachel's heart, and how he helped teach my kids responsibility when being around Chester.

Thanks, everyone.  We remembered you all at Mass and at our family rosary the past couple of days.  We know this is a painful time, and we are really sad Chester died.  Chester is a beautiful and loving part of our family history!  We love you, Chester!!!

* * *

Prayer to Praise God for Chester

(adapted from sources HERE and HERE and HERE)

+ Lord God, we thank you for the gift of Chester.

 Even in our sadness, with St. Francis, we pray: Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures.

“For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made...” (Wis. 11:24).

Every creature is in your gentle hands, Loving Father, and you give each being its place in the world. Even the fleeting life of the least of your beings is held by your love.  And in their brief time of existence, you embrace them with great affection.

Our affection for Chester, thus, reminds us of You and Your love.

Thank you for our precious time that we had with him.

Thank you for showing us the wonder and beauty of Your creation through Chester.

Thank you for the cherished memories that Chester built with us.

And thank you for the laughter and joy that he brought to our hearts.

May all of creation always lead us to praise you and love you more and more.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.

“O Lord, how manifold are your works! 

In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures …” (Ps. 104).

Good boy.