March 17, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This weekend we begin the immediate preparation for the most important days for us as Christians. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday are the cornerstones of our faith. Yes, Christmas is important, but if Jesus had not died and risen from the dead, Jesus would have just been part of a long line of prophets.

Next weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday with Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. The people will be laying palm branches down in front of him and shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (the Holy, Holy, Holy that we sing at Mass has its origins in this part of the bible).

However, in just a few days, the same people who were thrilled that Jesus was in Jerusalem will be shouting, “Crucify him, Crucify him!”. It might be easy for us to stand back and criticize their lack of faith or the way in which they easily are manipulated. However, it is a call for us to reflect on our own lives. How boldly do we proclaim our faith? Do we share with others that we are Catholic? Do we invite others to join us for Mass or a bible study or to join us in serving the less fortunate? Do we, with love, clearly articulate the teachings of the Church and why it is that we believe what we believe? Do we model keeping the sabbath holy? Do we offer to pray with people when they tell us they are having a difficult time? This week, let us remain faithful to Christ, to proclaim our faith and invite others to come to know the love of Christ.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

March 10, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you heard last weekend at Mass, Bishop Vann has appointed Fr. Mike Rizzo as the administrator of our parish, effective July 1st. Fr. Rizzo currently is serving at Corpus Christi Church as administrator pro-tem. As recently as a week and a half ago, I spoke with parishioners from there who told me how happy they are with Fr. Mike’s ministry as he has brought a lot of life to that community and that he is an excellent preacher.

Fr. Mike is a late vocation, having served as a corporate attorney and been in senior leadership for US Bank and other companies. He was married and his son presently lives with his wife in San Clemente. Before his wife’s death, he was discerning a call to the permanent diaconate, but after her death, he felt called to the priesthood and was ordained in 2020.

Fr. Mike’s first assignment was at my home parish, and I consistently heard good things about him. When my mom was sick, he would regularly go visit her to hear her confession and she spoke about how kind and empathetic he was to her. When I would visit my mom, I would frequently stop by the church to pray and would regularly see Fr. Mike out on the playground with the school kids. Between his administrative skills as well as his priestly zeal, I think he will be an excellent addition to our parish. Fr. Mike will be spending these months caring for the people of Corpus Christi and I will continue to be with you until July. Please keep Fr. Mike in your prayers during this time of transition.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer

March 3, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope you will join us Monday and Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. for our parish mission experience. The evenings are designed to help us to encounter the love of the Lord.

At the 9:00 a.m. Mass this weekend and the following two weekends we have the scrutinies for those who are preparing to be baptized (the elect) at the Great Easter Vigil. As they draw closer to promising to reject Satan and to place their faith in Jesus Christ, the enemy sees them slipping away and will try to instill doubts, cause problems, or discourage them. The Church provides these scrutinies so that they are strengthened and can withstand the attacks of the enemy. Each scrutiny has prayers for the elect as well as an exorcism.

The Gospels for these Masses have the account of the woman at the well, the man born blind and the raising of Lazarus. These show elements of baptism: The woman at the well focuses on water, the man born blind focuses on sight/light and the raising of Lazarus on new life. At baptism we are washed clean of our sins by blessed water, are given the light of Christ (the candle we receive) to walk always in Christ’s light and are given the promise of eternal life (see Romans 6).

They also focus on personal sin (the woman at the well was living with man number 6), sinning with others (the judgmentalism of the Pharisees), and the consequence of sin (death). These readings can help us to reflect on where we need the Lord’s healing so that we can live the promises we made in baptism, to reject the temptation to sin, and so walk in the promise of eternal life.

In Christ,

Bishop Tim Freyer