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Peace In The Battlefield

April 27, 2026 No Comments

Just as athletes train rigorously to achieve their goals, we too are called to exercise spiritual discipline to triumph over life’s challenges. The trials we face—whether they be illnesses, addictions, losses, or financial struggles—serve as opportunities for spiritual growth. They remind us of our dependence on God and His unfailing presence in our lives.

Every athlete exercises discipline in every way, and so must we in our spiritual journey.

In every trial, God is with us, guiding and strengthening us. As we grow in faith and trust in Him, we become more resilient and better equipped to face future challenges. Remember, in (2 Corinthians 12:9), the Lord tells Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s grace is always available to us, especially when we feel weakest.

1 Corinthians 10:13 New American Bible (Revised Edition)

My Heart of the Matter

The Special Dinner

April 20, 2026 No Comments

Deacon Rick, me, Fr. Erialdo, Fr. John, Bishop Freyer, Deacon Juan

It was a special evening for some of us volunteers to break bread with our priests and the bishop.

The Second Confirmation

To accommodate the families of the candidates, we had to organize two services. This Friday, Bishop Timothy Freyer confirmed the remaining candidates. The service was just as beautiful as the last, with Bishop Timothy sharing his journey into his vocation. His humble beginnings remain evident as he graciously took time to answer our questions at dinner.

The Dinner

I was the first to arrive at the rectory because the dinners were mistakenly delivered to the ministry center. While the younger members of our team, “Vision,” were busy transferring the dinner to the rectory, I ended up being the only one there to welcome our priests and the bishop.

Before we served the meal, I noticed there were different choices for the main course: salmon with vegetables and pasta with chicken parmigiana. After serving the Caesar salad, I asked our guests what they preferred—salmon or pasta. To my surprise, they all chose the pasta. After serving our guests, we discovered several dishes of lasagna, and I felt responsible for not offering this option to them.

Humility

Before the meal arrived, Father Erialdo mentioned that the kitchen appliances were outdated and some weren’t working. Even with a microwave, heating each meal individually would have been challenging. Our dinner was barely warm, yet no one complained. I, on the other hand, tend to complain, and if my meal isn’t up to par, I send it back immediately! These gracious men taught me a valuable lesson in humility—that it wasn’t the meal that mattered, but the rich conversation they shared.

Patty

Patty, our Confirmation and Youth Ministry Coordinator, truly operates in the grace of God. An introvert by nature, she surprised me with how effortlessly she engaged in conversation with Bishop Freyer. Patty asked him if he played a musical instrument. He replied, “No, I do not.” This provided the perfect opportunity for me to share that Patty was part of an all-girl Mariachi group. The Bishop was pleasantly surprised and inquired further into her experiences as a Mariachi. The quiet and humble demeanor of this young lady is a testament to how she will lead many to Christ. I thank God for her dedicated service.

Dinner Conversations

I found myself mostly listening to the dinner conversations, keeping many of my thoughts to myself.

Our parish is truly blessed to have Father John as our Pastor. The following morning, he was set to leave with the 8th-grade class on their trip back east. Father John mentioned that arrangements had been made for him to celebrate Mass at various cathedrals. Saint Patrick Cathedral in New York City and Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral in Washington, D.C. are a few where Mass will be celebrated.

Cats

When the conversation turned to cats, I joined in and shared about Prudie, my beloved cat who is over twenty years old. About two years ago, I prayed for the Lord to grant Prudie five more years, and she is indeed living up to my prayers. Whether you’re a cat lover or not, stories about Prudie always bring a smile. One more important fact: Prudie is gently being love by us. I feel that God blesses those who take care of elderly pets and the way we treat them is how we will be treated once we get up in years.

World Youth Day

Pope Leo XIV has just announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in Seoul, South Korea, from August 3rd to 8th. Patty is working diligently to prepare the Vision team for this momentous event.

Vision

Vision, an organization born from our parish, is led by Patty. Under her guidance, these young men and women dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to supporting the Youth Ministry. Initially, I struggled to understand how they could effectively teach classes given their youth and limited life experience. With the Holy Spirit guiding Patty’s gentle hand in shaping these young minds into servants, I’ve witnessed firsthand their dedication and transformation as they inspire others to live a life filled with joy.

Patty’s Family

During COVID I shared a Blog mentioning Patty’s family (Keeping The Faith). They faithfully attended outdoor Mass during this time and took up eight seats! They are devout and together are a force for holiness. Patty’s two younger siblings attended the Confirmation and assisted as altar servers.

Father Erialdo shared with the bishop that Patty’s brother was in seminary studying for the priesthood.

Since we were the first parish on the list for Confirmations in the Diocese of Orange, we have two more classes left to finish the program. Hopefully the students will attend so that we can bid them a proper good-bye.

I will be back the following year because Jacob, our youngest grandson, will be starting the two-year program. So, God willing, I will be around for two more years. Pray for me!

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for the opportunity to serve and guide the youth through our volunteer efforts. I pray that all the students who have completed their Sacrament of Confirmation may be sealed for life in service to You. Lord, move mightily over the Vision group and continue to grant them revelations to better serve our community. Amen.

My Heart of the Matter

The Funeral And Confirmation

April 13, 2026 No Comments

Our beloved Tia Maria, who graced this world for a century, has been called home to the Lord.

Tia Maria

Over the years, visiting my tia became a cherished routine. She was the last of the Lopez family on our mother’s side. My cousin Delia and I faithfully continued our visits even when Tia Maria was hospitalized. I hold dear the many humorous stories she shared from her younger days.

My tia had a green thumb, she grew the best lemons and pomegranates. She introduced me to peanut brittle; when I was a child she made a homemade batch, and it was surprisingly delicious. I will never forget the time that our aunt came with bags filled with groceries; she answered our mother’s prayers that day.

When I was in my first year of college I got this crazy notion to color my long, beautiful brown hair black. Mother was displeased with my decision, but my aunt helped me dye my hair jet black.

The Service

The memorial service at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church provided a comforting sense of peace, knowing that Tia Maria received a beautiful blessing before her family. After the service, we gathered for lunch at the home of Ricky (Tia Maria son) daughter’s in Beaumont. Mike and I were on a tight schedule, as we needed to return home for Confirmation rehearsals.

My cousins: Nellie, Letty, Roxie, another Nellie, and my sister Norma.

Coming from a family of ten, my mother ensured I had many cousins, with the girls outnumbering the boys in nearly every branch of the family. Needless to say, we had plenty of catching up to do! From there we met up with my brother George and his family, my sister Norma and Maggie her daughter, cousins Nellie and Roxie at Sizzler’s. What a joy to break bread with my family!

The Rehearsal

Even with the calendar marked and times double-checked, I somehow managed to mix it all up. Mike and I found ourselves hurrying to make it to a four o’clock practice, which, in reality, was scheduled for six! When I arrived at the church, I discovered I was the only one there. It turns out I hadn’t read the full text message, which clearly stated “four o’clock tomorrow.” So, I decided to make the most of the unexpected free time by having coffee with friends.

The Sponsors

Both Mike and I had the honor of being sponsors. Our grandson Lucas asked his grandfather to sponsor him, while Cael, one of Lucas’ close friends, chose me. Being a sponsor means guiding and praying for the candidates, a role I cherish deeply. I’ve sponsored others in the past; even though they’ve moved away and we don’t keep in touch, my prayers for them remain unwavering.

One More

As Confirmation day drew near, one of my students, Alice, approached me, asking if I would be her sponsor. Having taught her for two years, it was a joy to say “yes.” Thank God for the rehearsal—between my dyslexia and needing to coordinate two confirmations, I was a bit flustered. But it’s all part of the journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and guide these beautiful souls.

The Mass

The Confirmation Mass was led by Bishop Timothy Fryer. With his miter and shepherd staff, the Bishop’s grand entrance brought us to our feet. We were all sprinkled with holy water to remind us of our Baptism. Soon the church was filled with incense, representing our prayers being received in heaven.

Chrism Oil

It was time to go up for the anointing of the chrism oil. The chrism, perfumed oil, is consecrated by the bishop. As we walk up to the altar with our candidates, our right hand is placed on the candidate’s right shoulder. Then the Bishop anoints each candidate personally while saying their saint’s name. The candidates chose saints’ names of those they want to emulate or have a special connection. Lucas chose Clement of Rome, Cael chose St. Norbert and Alice took St. Bridget of Kildare.

This part of the ceremony is sacred because the power of the Holy Spirit seals the candidate to Christ.

Why Saints’ Names?

Choosing a saint’s name is Scriptural; Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude” (Gen. 17:1-5). God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “he strikes with God” (Gen. 32:24-32; Rom. 4:16). Simon also received a new name Peter “rock” (John 1:42). Peter was our first Pope.

Saint Margaret of Scotland

I was 11 years-old when receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. My mother helped me choose a saint, and since my grandmother bore the name Margarita, we settled on Saint Margaret. It wasn’t until we renewed our wedding vows in 2022 that I needed my Confirmation certificate, which brought back memories of Saint Margaret. As I read about her life, particularly her deep commitment to feeding the poor, I understood the profound connection to my chosen saint. For two decades I led a ministry to the homeless. Each month we ventured to Skid Row in Los Angeles carrying 300 lunches to nourish both body and spirit through food and prayer.

Mikos’ Birthday

Mikos’ birthday coincided with Confirmation day. Though an invitation to dine with the bishop was extended to all teachers, my heart chose to celebrate with family. We gathered at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Yang Mings. Because my son has reached the age of 53, I am blessed with 73 years of life!

Mike, Mikos, Russ and Jenny loading the useless treadmill

Dick’s Sporting Goods

On a different note, a challenge arose with a treadmill from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Despite having 854 stores and over 50,100 employees, we faced a month-long ordeal of corporate blunders, with no one willing to solve the dilemma. The treadmill, delivered by two men who spoke neither English nor Spanish, failed from the outset. Following the Confirmation, we returned the 300-pound monstrosity to Dick’s. We borrowed a truck from a friend and it took four people to load up the useless treadmill on to the truck. Though they resisted, my husband Mike stood firm and secured a full refund. Thus, another boycott was added to my list, as Dick’s truly lived up to its name.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I lift up all the candidates who were confirmed and sealed with the holy chrism oil. May they always be led by the Holy Spirit. And may we, their sponsors, continue to support them in prayer. I also pray for the repose of the soul of my Tia Maria. Amen.