Homily #275 on Hell

Homily #275b (10 a.m.)

Homily #275c (5 p.m.)

 

"Three Women" (Edmund Blair Leighton / John William Waterhouse)

2003 Published by ArtBeats, Inc.  Distributed by New York Graphic Society Publishing Group.  "Three Women" Edmund Blair Leighton / John William Waterhouse.  77123

Artwork of Mary by Daniela Catubig

 

Talk by Bishop Michael C. Barber on St. John Henry Newman, Doctor of the Church

 

Homily #274 for Exaltation of Holy Cross (Cross of Christ Takes What is Evil & Brings About a Greater Good)

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025

8 a.m. Mass

Baptized 9 with Homily #273 Proclaiming Jesus & Making Disciples with Story of Salvation

 

One of baby girls lost a shoe, so I placed the shoe on the baby and called her "Cinderella" and reminded the people that as newly baptized, she is a "Princess" or "Princess Cinderella" of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mom's NASA Award Ceremony

"Virtues: Christ, You and the Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope" (Homily #272)

 

5 p.m.

Altar Server Recognition Mass, St. John's Church, Folsom, CA

 

25th Ordination Anniversary of My First Theology Teacher, Fr. Anthony Hernandez (Aug. 17, 2025)

Aug. 17, 2025

From my kids to Father

 

message/mensaje from new DDCM chair; open nominations; update on catechetical guidelines

 Hello everyone,

That was a great and productive meeting this week! Thank you to one and all, especially those who help put together a successful week.

1.) WARM WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS/OFFICERS: As your new chair, I thought I would send some warm messages, particularly for the 3 dioceses that were not represented/present this week, and give some encouraging words. For my first act, I would like to entrust Region XI DDCM to Inmaculado Corazón de María. May she accompany us together on the journey as missionary disciples during this Jubilee Year on Pilgrims of Hope. We have or will have quite a bit of new DDCM members, so my priority as the new chair is to support new DDCM members and to encourage their regional involvement. I recognize that this requires a little bit more flexibility for your first or even second year in a Chancery trying to have a work-life balance, but let's explore in the upcoming months how we can even revise/reform the bylaws to increase newer member participation. This will also allow people to get to know one another more. I plan to reach out to new members.

2.) UPDATE ON CATECHETICAL GUIDELINES DRAFT: A second priority is to advance the catechetical guidelines. Thanks to Sister Celeste for moving us forward; happily, we were able to edit and approve the draft guidelines document this week. The 3 dioceses that weren't there this week can give their final feedback, if any. Thank you to the 10 dioceses that spent hours revising and editing this draft that you see here. The updated catechetical document draft can be found here: ...

I'm also attaching it as a PDF document for those that wish to print it out. As Sister Celeste from the guidelines committee mentioned, after the 3 dioceses that were not represented give their final input and votes, the hope is that, once unanimous, Sister said that we plan to present the draft to the directors for youth and young adult ministry for their feedback in the fall. The state superintendents will provide their feedback, too. Thank you to Sister for her leadership.

3.) THANKFUL FOR DDCM OFFICERS: For those that missed the presentation of appreciation memorabilia, here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpWBWYQT3Y0. As Kevin mentioned, his position in Sacramento has been restructured to project manager and so his term of office ended last Thursday; we look forward to working with his successor. Tish (Monterey) is also leaving DDCM in the fall, and Katie (Orange) retired a month ago. Luis (Orange) received on her behalf. These appreciation certificates that were presented to them are also a way to encourage newer members. As Tish said, it was worth it for her to get involved, even after over 22 years in Chancery ministry.

4.) NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR ELECTIONS: We opened up the nomination process for a new Vice Chair and Secretary. Email nominations of names to me before the end of the month, Aug. 31. I've already received a nomination for Vice Chair. Nominations will close in a couple of weeks on Aug. 31, and we hope to have elections in early September.  

The new Vice Chair needs to be a Director. The Secretary can be either a Director or Associate Director.  

An Associate Director can be on DDCM but with permission of their director/supervisor. The decision is for the local Diocesan director to make about having the Associate at DDCM.  

After these two vacancies are filled, in the fall, let's discuss having an Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer as part of the executive team. I've been on the executive team for 6 DDCM chairs (after serving twice as vice chair and twice as secretary), and I think having these assistant roles where 2 people are involved with certain tasks will keep things moving forward and help developing newer members. This is part of the efforts to gradually involve newer members and give them regional experience on DDCM.

Attached is a group photo that we took while on a nice tour to St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park. Hope you like the photo.

5.) SAVE THE DATES: Gracie (Stockton) will send out the Minutes from this week when they are ready. Thank you for taking notes, Gracie. Please save the dates for the next general DDCM meetings in the Fall 2025: ....

Thank you, everyone. And thank you especially to His Excellency, Bishop Marc of Los Angeles, for accompanying us. Many blessings upon summer and your fall season.

Tu hermano, and your servant,

Dennis

--

Deacon Dennis Purificacion

Director, Department of Religious Education | Diocese of Santa Rosa

985 Airway Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

(707) 566-3313 | srdiocese.org

Stay connected with us on The Vine e-newsletter!

Mariana's Middle School Graduation

 

Benediction for U.S. Military Servicemen Going on Deployment

- Attended Mass with Family

- Benediction for U.S. soldiers 

- Park time with family

- Celebration of Goddaughter's Baptism Anniversary

Baptism

Taught Baptism Class for About 2 Dozen

Comment on World Youth Days

Commented on EWTN clip on World Youth Day (WYD):

I saw St. JP2 at WYD Denver 1993 and again in WYD Toronto in 2002. He was more beautiful than ever in 2002. At WYD 2002, I proposed to my now-wife at Our Lady's Chapel in St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto while African bishops were celebrating Mass that morning in the background. We later left to be with the Pope, and I was elated that she said yes. Before flying to WYD Toronto, I got my now-wife's parents blessing, a ring, and a blessing from my pastor who later married us. We stayed in separate rooms and didn't live together until we were married in the Church. We've been in Holy Matrimony for 22 years now, and I've been in Holy Orders (Diaconate) for 11 years raising 8 children (& 3 miscarriages of our little ones in God's merciful arms). I owe alot to the World Youth Days. Im proud JP2 Generation. Thank you for posting this. All for Jesus and Mary!

I Baptized Baby Jude Thaddeus on Our 22nd Matrimony Anniversary

Wife's 11th Ordination Anniversary Gift of Mystic Writer

"Remember! Remember! Remember!" (Homily #269 for Corpus Christi)

 

Baptism of Baby Jeremiah with Homily #268

 211) Jeremiah

Taught Baptism Prep Class

Baptism of 13 Babies/Toddlers with Homily #267

Thank you, God, for calling these little ones to your Kingdom through the holy waters of Baptism:

198) Aria Felise (During attendance, I called this baby's name last, but she was the first to be presented to me for Baptism, so I said, "The last shall be first."

199) Kaleb Alexander (The godfather spoke to me afterwards, and I gave him and his fiancee a blessing in front of the altar.)

200) Amelia

201) Valerie (newborn)

202) Mona Penelope

203) Zachary Elias

204) Kataleya Klaire

205) Alexandra

206) Isaiah Jude (I called the baby "Prophet and Apostle" since he carries the name of the Prophet Isaiah and the Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus.  Dad told me he himself was named after another person in the Bible, Joshua, and I told him my favorite passage from the Book of Joshua was, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.")

207) Tahlia Luna (The godfather, Michael, read from the First Letter of Peter.  And we did this to the memory of my former student of mine, Marrianne, his sister, who was killed many years ago.)

208) Liam (toddler for whom I gave extra chrism)

209) Brady Angelo

210) Anastasia

St. Ephren, Deacon, Doctor (Official Teacher) of the Church, Founder of a Theological School

Even though Deacon Ephren's theological school isn't around as such (perhaps it is around but in a different form), it still made a difference to the Church of his time I'm sure.  I pray that MSI likewise made a difference for the Church of our time.  Thank you, Brother Deacon, for your example.  Blessed be God!

MSI gives God thanks for 17 years of service & sunsets in 2025 (Blessed be the Name of the Lord!)

MSI 15th Commencement Exercises (Class of 2024)

Solemnity of Pentecost

June 8, 2025

Dear Friends and Families of the Maris Stella Institute,

Greetings in Christ Jesus Our Lord and Savior! May the power of the Holy Spirit be with you and yours on this glorious Solemnity of Pentecost! Today marks the 17th liturgical anniversary of the founding of the Maris Stella Institute. So, not only Happy Birthday to the Church, but also Happy Birthday to MSI! We give God praise, glory, honor, and thanksgiving for all the blessings bestowed upon MSI since that first day of its existence on the Vigil of Pentecost, May 10, 2008. Today, I have some very important news to share with you.

Firstly, allow me a few moments to reflect upon the past year, for even with less time and less personnel, MSI was able to still operate and offer more programs and activities than in past years. For example, last year in 2024, we were able to use our Koch Foundation Grant, together with the continued prayerful, professional, and material support of our generous donors and volunteers, to operate yet another successful and fruitful year of MSI.

By God’s grace and mercy, MSI was able to provide…

1. for the first time, 1st Sunday Mini Retreats at St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Vallejo, California, from July thru November 2024, where about 50-70 people were served or participated as a whole;

2. 2nd Saturday Adult Basic, Advanced, Master Catechist, & Continuing Formation Classes at Holy Family Catholic Church in American Canyon, from July thru November 2024, where about two dozen were served or participated throughout the year;

3. Regular Online Makeup Classes for Basic, Advanced, Master Catechist, & Continuing Formation Classes via our Webex platform, where a handful of individuals were able to take advantage of and participate in this almost weekly 5-month series of makeup classes. The success and completion of these online classes facilitated the maximum number of graduates and awardees at last December’s graduation, which included 2 MSI Grand Master Catechist Recipients, 1 Master Catechist Candidate/Graduate, and 2 Basic Catechist Candidates/Graduates;

4. A 12-hour Silent Retreat endorsed and jointly sponsored by both the California Knights of Columbus & MSI at St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Yuba City, CA, on Sunday, October 13, 2024. At least two dozen individuals were participants for the entire retreat and over a hundred were involved with the parish sponsored Marian procession & Benediction with Fr. Avram Brown, one of our very own faculty members. We also had a total of four priests (Fr. Chuck Kelly, Fr. Fred Kutubebi, Fr. Raj Derivera, and Fr. Ryan Mahar) available to hear confessions during the retreat and one deacon, Deacon John Thoo, who assisted with both leading Liturgy of the Hours as well as the additional exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament;

5. Graduation Mass, Ceremony, and Reception / Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, December 14, 2024, with Fr. Gary Sumpter, Spiritual Director of MSI, as both the Mass Celebrant and Commencement Speaker. Fr. Fred Kutubebi and Fr. Bala Putchakayala were also present and participants in the awarding of graduation diplomas and V-stoles.

Secondly, although we had a very busy and successful formation year last year, it is with a heavy heart that I share publicly that on Good Friday 2025, the Maris Stella Institute Board of Directors voted unanimously to dissolve MSI as a 501(c)3 nonprofit because of 1) a lack of regular, larger, more substantial funding and 2) committed personnel.

I realize that this may come as a shock to some people, but those of us who have been very much involved with the day-to-day operations of MSI the past couple of years have noticed a more urgent and greater need for regular, larger, and more substantial funding as well as regular committed personnel to keep MSI alive and strong. Unfortunately, things have remained largely the same the past couple of years, and it is no longer sustainable to keep MSI operational.

We do not understand why Our Lord permitted this death of MSI, but we place all our trust and confidence in His great love for us and for MSI, who has, always and everywhere, tried to remain faithful to Him and His teachings, to continue His mission “to make disciples of all nations,… teaching them all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). With our eyes fixed on Christ Crucified, and our hearts united with Mary’s at the foot of the Cross, our hope and consolation at this time is in God’s Word from the Book of Revelation: “’He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.’ The one who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Revelation 21:4-5). If Our Lord one day calls us to start anew and build an even better Catechism training institute one day, such that the “new MSI” is like MSI in a new, glorified, and resurrected state; then, may it be so, whether here on earth or one day in heaven. But for now, may we be like faithful Job, in his brokenness and pain, and say with one united voice, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21)! And although MSI as a nonprofit organization is ceasing to exist, the spirit of MSI, consecration to Jesus through Mary, will continue to live on in the hearts of all those touched by MSI. Viva Cristo Rey! Ave Maris Stella!

Thank you for being part of the MSI Community all these years! I especially thank those of you who have given so much of yourselves to MSI through your continued prayers, professional, and monetary support, through your great labor of love for Christ’s mission. I do hope and pray you’ll stay in contact with me by connecting with me on Facebook, Messenger, LinkedIn, and Telegram.

It’s been a joy, honor, and blessing to serve you and journey with you towards our Heavenly Homeland. Let us be saints together!

Your Sister in Jesus through Mary,

Tove Ann

--

Tove Ann Catubig Purificacion, Ph.D.

President

MARIS STELLA INSTITUTE

Your Catechism Training Institute

P.O. Box 10061

American Canyon, CA 94503

toveann@marisstellainstitute.org

www.marisstellainstitute.org

https://www.facebook.com/marisstellainstitute/

Ave Maris Stella * Profer Lumen Caecis

Hail, Star of the Sea, Send Forth Light to the Blind!

 

Thank you, God

My Son, Who Received His First Communion, Asked to be an Altar Server After Hearing Announcement at Mass

He asked to be an altar server, after he heard the invitation announcement at Mass. 

So we supported it.  And we went to the first day of training. 

He received his First Holy Communion recently. 

He also said that he wanted to be part of the kids band.

I am grateful. 

Robert F. Prevost (Future Pope Leo XIV) Vested as Deacon with Pope St. John Paul II

 

Pope Leo XIV References Mother of Jesus Since Election: Dr. Mark Miravalle

 https://youtu.be/jjLUOsItpH0?feature=shared

Mother's Day 2025

 

 

A Thought About the "Peter the Roman" Private Revelation Prophecy of St. Malachy

I gladly submit this personal opinion on this private revelation to the judgment of Holy Mother Church.

Peinture du crucifiement de saint Pierre par Sébastien Bourdon (1643)

https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/understand/paintings/the-crucifixion-of-saint-peter/

I made this comment on this website: https://youtube.com/watch?v=K1Y8Ml8AF-8&lc=UgyUwFojYfhGlmQDqJZ4AaABAg&feature=shared

If we want to fit Leo into the St. Malachi private revelation prophecy of Popes, then one possibility is that because Leo XIV came from the USA, a superpower, which is like a new Rome, another superpower, that makes him part of...Rome.

The USA did not exist during St. Malachi's time, so Peter the Roman is a good way to describe someone from a new Roman Empire-type of country like the USA. Everyone today thought it would be a cardinal with Pietro in his name or maybe take the name Peter II, but it would be sufficient that he simply come from the USA, a new Rome.

Also, good points in this talk about Leo XIII and Leo XIV on social teachings, St. Michael, era of peace, etc. If there is a declared WWIII, having an American Pope could help stop war or alleviate war to usher in Our Lady's promised era of peace. Leo XIV's first words Urbi et Orbi afterall were "Peace be with you."

Leo XIV's dad has French roots and also served in the U.S. Navy during WW2, and his mom has Italian roots.

Comment for Chris Sanders:

Thanks, Chris.  This was breaking news to hear from you that the new Pope's dad was a U.S. Navy veteran.  I'm glad he's a Navy brat like me; my dad honorably served for over two decades.  Word internally among Catholic circles was that Leo was downplaying his American side bc the USA is a superpower, but I read a comment from someone who I don't think is Catholic that the Pope shouldn't do this and just bring his background to the role.  This includes Leo being the son of a U.S. sailor.  BTW, he voted Republican in GOP primaries, but he can be 'progressive' on social issues without compromising the more doctrinal Catholic Church teachings.  I hope he and POTUS can work together to bring an era of peace based on God to the world.

Homily #265b: The Shocking Good News of Divine Mercy on 2nd Sunday of Easter!

Homily #265b: "The Shocking Good News of Divine Mercy on 2nd Sunday of Easter!"

by Deacon Dennis Purificacion

Divine Mercy Sunday 2nd Sunday of Easter April 27, 2025

"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment" (Diary 699).

A lady standing next to me in Confession line on Saturday showed me this.

1. Resurrection of Jesus

2. St. Faustina, Secretary of Divine Mercy

3. College of Cardinals Meet to Elect a New Successor of Peter

 

Condolences Received From Police Chaplain Colleagues For Death of Francis

Chaplains:

Hello Chaplain Dennis, my wife and send our Condolences to you and the Church at the passing of Pope Francis ✝️. You are in our Prayers 🛐

Me: 

Thank you, dear friends, for your thoughtfulness.  Please remember us in your prayers to Jesus.

V/R,

Easter Sunday

 

Easter Vigil for Brother-in-Law

 

Solemn Intercessions for Good Friday

 

Former Student's Daughter Gave Me Palm Branches

 

RIP Fr. David Farrugia, O.P.

 

Attended Confirmation of 17 Youth

House Blessing (unrecorded Homily #266)

"3 Conditions for a Mortal Sin & Perfect-Imperfect Contrition in Confession": Homily #264b on Lk 15 (Parable of the Prodigal Son)

 

"3 Conditions for a Mortal Sin & Perfect-Imperfect Contrition in Confession": Homily #264b on Lk 15 (Parable of the Prodigal Son)

by Deacon Dennis Purificacion

Recorded by John Paul Purificacion

4th Sunday of Lent

March 30, 2025

12 p.m. Mass

FHC

263 under construction

 

Dispatched

Rite of Election 2025 for the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California

 104 registered for Rite of Election

Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Santa Rosa

Homily #262: "Good Actions Make a Good Person" (March 2, 2025)

Deacon Dennis Purificacion

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, March 2, 2025, 5 p.m. Mass

Lk. 6: 39-45

Ash Wed. & My 4 y.o. Son's Drawing

 

I opened my Liturgy of the Hours for Ash Wednesday, and I found a drawing by my 4 year old son in my book.  He drew a picture of me.

Family had a good laugh about it during family dinner.

 

 

My Sisters, Michelle and Rachel with Her family, Visited World Financial Group (WFG)

 

My Classmate, Bishop Steven J. Lopes, Chaired OCIA Updates

 

In Memory of Dean Castro, RIP

 

Chair of Peter

My Sister Visited Parish for Her Birthday

 

Wife Helped Provide Insurance Needs Through World Financial Group (WFG)

 

Valentine's Day

 

Mom at Warriors Game

 

Father Martin J. O’Gara, S.J. (U.S. Army Chaplain)

 Father Martin J. O’Gara 

https://www.cathstan.org/voices/a-hero-almost-forgotten

Renewal of Vows for World Marriage Day

 

My Parents Visited WFG