I am a native Californian. I love my state but lately California has been suffering from transgressions that have caused great divide among its citizens. On the Sunday before the elections, one of our deacons shared with us during Mass the seriousness of Proposition One. He encouraged us to vote NO! This proposition, once written into the California constitution will allow women to get an abortion up to nine months. That’s full-term, and that’s the worst part of the many proposals connected to this proposition. Never in my life would I have believed that this proposition would pass. I was so preoccupied with traveling out of state that I did not see the results until I got home five days after the election.
One God
You cannot serve God and vote in favor for this proposition. You must realize that you are breaking one of the Ten Commandments. How can you attend a church service, praise and worship God, receive communion and not understand the ramifications of your careless actions? It is evident that many who voted in favor of this proposition were blinded by the facts, or perhaps they have no respect for human life. We all serve ONE GOD. This God comes with a set of rules; you cannot arbitrarily pick and choose what you want or make new rules to fit your lifestyle. In God’s perfect order, His wisdom gives us peace. In California there is no peace.
The Real Facts
The Left used fear-inducing propaganda to gain the votes of the lost masses. Fear always works well with people who already have a mindset of confusion. The Left insisted that a woman would lose all her exceptions to have an abortion including the cases of rape and incest. The facts are that only 1% of abortions are due to rape and .05% are due to incest. Did we fail as Christians? Are we to blame? No, because in the end God is in control. We who understand who God is, are in mourning because many lives will be affected by this heinous law.
Abraham’s Altar
The Consecrated Land
California is a consecrated state. When the Spanish priests set foot on these grounds, they made altars and built Catholic churches up and down our state. This is what Abraham did in the book of Genesis. He built an altar, consecrated the land and made a sacrifice of praise and glory to God.
Abraham built four altars:
Altar of Praise: Genesis 12:7 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
7 The Lord appeared to Abram and said: To your descendants I will give this land. So Abram built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.
Altar of Prayer: Genesis 12:8-13
Altar of Peace: Genesis 13:14-18 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
14 After Lot had parted from him, the Lord said to Abram: Look about you, and from where you are, gaze to the north and south, east and west; 15 all the land that you see I will give to you and your descendants forever. 16 I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted. 17 Get up and walk through the land, across its length and breadth, for I give it to you. 18 Abram moved his tents and went on to settle near the oak of Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.
Altar of Provision: Genesis 22:9-14 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. Next he bound his son Isaac, and put him on top of the wood on the altar. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the angel. “Do not do the least thing to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you did not withhold from me your son, your only one.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a single ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named that place Yahweh-yireh;hence people today say, “On the mountain the Lord will provide.”
There were 21 Catholic Missions established, from San Diego to San Francisco. Just as God assigned Abraham to get up and walk through the land, across its length and breadth, God asked this of all the holy priests including Junipero Serra, who founded nine of the California Missions. This was a commission from God. That is why out of the 21 missions, eight of them are still operating as parishes. We need to understand that God is in charge of California and this land is hollowed ground. El Camino Real (The Royal Way) led us to all the missions in California, and God continues to lead us in His Royal path. There is always hope when you look to the Light (John 8:12).
What we are experiencing in all the battles over our Christian rights is but a second to God. Sometimes it feels as if we will never come out of this chaos, but we will. There are saints in heaven assigned to each city who are interceding on our behalf. I can no longer get discouraged with the present because soon it will be the past.
California’s Protection
Our state is under the protection of God. The Bible states that when the Israelites sinned against God, God did not destroy Israel; rather He punished the people who sinned against Him. It may take a while for all of this to take place, but God will deal with all the sinful choices we have made. I pity the politicians who have led so many astray because they are not only accountable for their own sin but for leading their constituents amiss.
My Prayer
I thank You, Lord, for allowing us to live in this beautiful state. I pray that You soften the hardened hearts of those who do not understand the consequences of their actions. Lord, we wait for Your Holy Hand of judgment to fall on those stiff-necked, lost souls. Save them, Lord. I pray for every politician, including our governor, that You would speak to him in dreams and direct his path to do what is right in Your eyes. Amen.
These past two weeks have been a blur. We’ve attended two beautiful weddings; one for our godson and the other of our nephew.
Marcus and Gianna
Marcus and Gianna
Marcus, our godson, has been in our lives his entire life. We have watched him grow and develop into a fine young man. Marcus is a humble young man who has an appreciation for the finer things in life, but what sets him apart is the deep dedication and love he has for his family. This loving character is an admirable quality to possess for someone his age.
Marcus and Gianna met while they were in high school. It did not take long for his family to fall in love with her. She is sweet, but this type of sweetness comes from the heart. Her charming, sincere personality can win anyone to her loving side.
God, in His perfect arrangement, brought these two hearts together. They dated for six years and grew not only in love with each other but in love with their families; they have become one.
The First Wedding
The Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano is called ” The Jewel of California Missions.” The altar is a masterpiece of Baroque art that is hand-carved cherrywood overlaid with gold leaf. This artwork was imported from Barcelona and is over 400 years old. To walk into this Basilica is to walk into history. My shoes had rubber soles but the Spanish terra cotta tile floors amplified the sound of my steps. When the wedding procession began, the sound of the trumpet and piped organ quickly filled the room with a sense of elation. As Gianna approached the altar, all eyes were on her and her beautiful veil as she drew near to meet her handsome groom. With 250 guests witnessing, Marcus and Gianna sealed their love before God.
During the reception Marcus came and sat next to me. He said,”I want to thank you and Mike because you have done a great job in always being there for me spiritually.” This is who Marcus is, a grateful young man who was gifted with a beautiful bride.
Rocky and Angela
My nephew Rocky is the youngest of four sons of my sister Jo, who lives in Louisiana. Since childhood Rocky has revealed his southern charm. He openly expresses affection through physical contact; he’s a touchy-feely type of guy. Rocky can win you over with an array of facial expressions.
After Hurricane Katrina, the college that Rocky was attending was so badly damaged by water that it temporarily closed. Through a benevolent act of kindness, the California universities extended a helping hand to students who were academically displaced during Katrina. In order to not disrupt these students’ education, this program waived all out-of-state fees. Rocky took advantage of this program by attending the University of California Irvine. He moved in with us and for three months studied at UCI. During this period we developed a deeper understanding of each other. My sister Jo, is a wonderful cook, made sure he had dinner every night. Since both of our children had already moved out, we were enjoying the empty nest; but when Rocky came along I felt obligated to cook dinner more often. This brought us even closer. Our good neighbor, who was the former mayor of Orange, arranged for Rocky to work for the Orange Public Library. I love this young man and am so elated that he found his soulmate Angela.
Rocky and Angela were introduced by mutual friends. He proposed to Angela on their one-year anniversary. I first met Angela when she came to our wedding/anniversary last January. I kept thinking that he needed to marry this girl quickly! I recognized her great qualities, but we all knew she was the one because of how much she loved Rocky. Angela is the young lady who stole his heart with her sparkling eyes and a smile that can capture everyone’s attention.
The Second Wedding
This wedding was held in the town of Gretna, Louisiana, at St. Joseph Church, which is located a stone’s throw away from one of the levees of the Mississippi River. St. Joseph Church was built in 1926 in Colonial Revival style with Spanish Baroque details. This beautiful church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. I was fascinated by all the beautiful stained glass and the bright designs at the nave of the church with it’s colors of blue, gold and terra cotta. As Angela moved down the aisle, the organ made the acoustics of the old church sound as if it were in stereo. Angela looked stunning and Rocky was one proud man that day. Before God and over 200 guests this beautiful couple completed their Sacrament of Marriage.
If you’re planning a wedding don’t forget to invite God, and have the ceremony celebrated in His house. These two couples will have extra blessings because the marriage was blessed by God!
Jo and Rocky
New Orleans
With our entire family in tow, we visited Cafe du Monde. We all had our share of beignets and washed them down with cafe au lait. From there we walked down to Jackson Square. We visited the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Over to the right corner I noticed a priest sitting in the confessional. I asked “Are you hearing confession?” “He answered, “Yes, please come in.” This priest had the most charming southern accent. “Y’all need to understand,” was part of what he said. I was relieved with his advice and did the penance that was asked of me. We continued our tour by walking down Bourbon Street. Our youngest grandson announced that he would wait until his kids were in high school before bringing them here. By tradition we had to have Daiquiris; mine was a delicious mango -flavored one.
We had lunch at Parkway Poor boys, but, sadly, Will and I ordered the wrong sandwiches. After making fun of us, the rest of the family shared their meals with us. At the rehearsal dinner we had Catfish Étouffée, Jambalaya and Andouille with vegetables. We had our share of southern cooking because at the wedding we ate more tasty Cajun dishes.
My Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for these two beautiful couples that they would always have You in their lives. May the love they have for each other become deeper, and may they grow old together. Dear Lord, put it in their hearts to attend Mass on a regular basis. May You bless them with healthy, beautiful children. Amen.
As many were preparing for Halloween parties by painting their faces to resemble the skeletons depicted in the Dia De Los Muertos, I was adapting to this religious concept. The earliest roots in this tradition can be traced back to the Aztecs, hence the sculls. The Catholic Spaniards fused this custom into honoring the dead with a monotheistic concept. For the first time in my life I understood the theory of this enriching celebration.
Since both of my parents were born in the United States, we never celebrated this holiday or understood it. I thought it was a little on the eerie side to see all those altars at churches dedicated to the souls of the deceased and saints. And to carry this tradition from the altar to their personal homes was even more alarming. Since none of my relatives in Brawley, my birthplace, ever celebrated this day, the void and the unknown tradition lain dormant in my spirit. Curiosity finally got the best of me. I was slowly adapting to this theological doctrine and the reason for praying for the souls in purgatory. I have a dear friend, Sylvia, who has always prayed for the repose of their souls. For the passed two years many of us have experienced the death of a loved one because of COVID. For me to pray for the repose of souls was unheard of, but when the Lord tugged at my heart to pray for the deceased, I complied and I have a long list!
The Lesson
In my healthy attempt to flood my mind with pious knowledge, I listen to several Catholic radio stations. In the morning, while preparing our smoothies and having my coffee with Ezekiel toast, I’m feeding my soul as well. I cannot recall the name of the priest who so eloquently explained All Souls Day/Dia De los Muertos and why we need to pray for our loved ones. We can help those who are in purgatory by praying for them. The month of November is dedicated to Souls. While listening to this broadcast, I discovered what is required to receive a plenary indulgence.
Information from Relevant Radio:
In addition to visiting these places and offering the prescribed prayers, the general requirements for indulgences must be met:
Pray for the intentions of our Holy Father
Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day, or within several days if that is not possible)
Go to Confession within about 20 days of the indulgenced work
Be in a state of grace at the time the indulgenced work is completed
For a plenary indulgence it is also necessary to have a complete detachment from sin, even venial sin (a minor offense)
My husband is a planner; therefore I can never suggest anything without details. On Tuesday I suggested that we visit his parents’ gravesite as well as my brother Robert’s. He thought it was a great idea, so on Friday morning after Mass we headed out to the Inland Empire. Mike purchased three arrangements of assorted flowers for the visit. I made a confession on Thursday to be in good graces for the plenary indulgence.
The Visit
When Mike was a child, his family’s business was located near Mitlas’ Cafe. Whenever we are in town, we always frequent this Mexican restaurant in San Bernardino. After our delicious breakfast we headed out to Montecito Memorial Park. It had been a while since visiting Mike’s parents’ gravesite, so we needed help locating the grave stones. I packed some cutting shears and a beach towel so that we could clean the sites. Mike got on his knees to clean the debris on the tombstones. Surprisingly, they were both in good condition. We set the flowers over their engraved names and said a prayer. We prayed for the repose of their souls. To the right of his mom’s tombstone, weeds had disrespectfully taken over the grave stone of a stranger, so much so, that the name was completely covered. Mike graciously cleaned that one as well.
Hermosa Garden Cemetery was our next stop. My heart ached with sorrow because it had been decades since I last visited my brother Robert’s gravesite. I had an idea where he was laid to rest but, again, we needed help. The small office was closed for lunch but I felt that it would be a while before they returned. So, on our own, Mike and I started the search. I called my sister Norma and she was able to confirm that we were in the right area. Because this cemetery is smaller than where Mike’s parents are laid to rest, I was surprised that the squirrels have comfortably had their way with the grounds. Several of the graves were covered in mounds of soil, so much so that I had to clear the dirt in order to read the names on the tombstones. We split up and in about 20 minutes Mike found Robert’s gravesite. We prayed for the repose of his soul, but deep within my spirit I prayed for forgiveness for not visiting Robert’s gravesite more frequently.
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Three Places
When we die we are either going to heaven or hell, but before going to heaven we are in purgatory. As Catholics we believe that there is a state of purification call purgatory. How can we believe that we enter into the pearly gates with blemish? How can we truly believe that we can stand in the presence of God with sin? We can’t! That is why we need to be purified.
Purgatory
Catholics believe that after we die there is a place where our souls go for purification. Purgatory is a process where you will experience pain and discomfort. Prayers from those of us on earth can assist those who are going through this final process. This is why we pray for the repose of souls that they may have eternal rest.
Revelation 21:27 New American Bible (Revised Edition)
27 but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any[one] who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
My Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that with the help of Your Holy Spirit that my simple way of explaining purgatory will help more people understand this process of purification. I ask that You bless Mike and me for our effort to pray for our loved ones. I pray for all those listed in my prayer journal who are making their journey to their final destination, heaven. Amen.
