Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021
Pray the pope’s prayer for peace
Exactly 60 years ago tomorrow, John F. Kennedy gave an inaugural address that quoted Romans 12:12, reminding citizens to be “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.” One year later, Pope John XXIII became a secret intermediary between Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, speaking a message of peace to the entire world during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Haunted by the experience, he penned his final encyclical, Pacem in Terris, stressing the church’s Christian duty to address international issues of peace and human rights—speaking to all persons “of good will,” not only Catholics. Pray for peace and the perseverance of hope.
TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 6:10-20 Mark 2:23-28.
“Hold fast to the hope that lies before us.”
#takefiveforfaith
Alleluia
See Ephesians 1:17-18
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
Alleluia, Alleluia
#dailyingodsword
203... Public discussion, if it truly makes room for everyone and does not manipulate or conceal information, is a constant stimulus to a better grasp of the truth, or at least its more effective expression. It keeps different sectors from becoming complacent and self-centred in their outlook and their limited concerns. Let us not forget that “differences are creative; they create tension and in the resolution of tension lies humanity’s progress”.[198]
205. In today’s globalized world, “the media can help us to feel closer to one another, creating a sense of the unity of the human family which in turn can inspire solidarity and serious efforts to ensure a more dignified life for all… The media can help us greatly in this, especially nowadays, when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something truly good, a gift from God”.[199] We need constantly to ensure that present-day forms of communication are in fact guiding us to generous encounter with others, to honest pursuit of the whole truth, to service, to closeness to the underprivileged and to the promotion of the common good.
Excerpt: FRATELLI TUTTI
Pope Francis Encyclical
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
*Part of a sequential daily series to read and reflect on this new encyclical.
“God has entrusted us with his greatest treasures: our own lives and the lives of others. He has entrusted any number of different gifts to each of us. These gifts, these talents, are not something to be stored in a safe they are a true vocation: the Lord calls us to make our talents bear fruit, with boldness and creativity. God will ask us if we stepped forward and took risks, even losing face. This should jolt us and motivate us to be active in doing good. Not notaries of faith and guardians of grace, but missionaries.” – Pope Francis
Building together
203. Authentic social dialogue involves the ability to respect the other’s point of view and to admit that it may include legitimate convictions and concerns. Based on their identity and experience, others have a contribution to make, and it is desirable that they should articulate their positions for the sake of a more fruitful public debate. When individuals or groups are consistent in their thinking, defend their values and convictions, and develop their arguments, this surely benefits society. Yet, this can only occur to the extent that there is genuine dialogue and openness to others. Indeed, “in a true spirit of dialogue, we grow in our ability to grasp the significance of what others say and do, even if we cannot accept it as our own conviction. In this way, it becomes possible to be frank and open about our beliefs, while continuing to discuss, to seek points of contact, and above all, to work and struggle together”.[197].
Excerpt: FRATELLI TUTTI
Pope Francis Encyclical
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
*Part of a sequential daily series to read and reflect on this new encyclical.
Reading I: Hebrews 5:1-10
Brothers and sisters:
Every high priest is taken from among men
and made their representative before God,
to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring,
for he himself is beset by weakness
and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself
as well as for the people.
No one takes this honor upon himself
but only when called by God,
just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
but rather the one who said to him:
You are my Son:
this day I have begotten you.
#dailyingodsword
January 17 2020
Sunday Mass
2nd week in Ordinary Time
Mass is celebrated in person on the Parish Plaza (bring your own chair) weekday mornings at 8am and Weekends as follows:
Saturday vigil 3:00pm
Sunday 9:00 and 11:00
Masks and Social Distance required.
All masses are livestreamed.
Recorded weekend masses are also posted here and on the website for viewers participation at your convenience.
Here’s the LIVESTREAM link: sacredheartcor.org/worship/live-broadcast/
*(turn speaker icon on at bottom left of screen)
Please stay safe and practice all health precautions.
January 16 2020
3pm Saturday Vigil
2nd week in Ordinary Time
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Keep me close in your Sacred Heart.
Amen.
Homily by Fr. Mike Murphy
Msgr. Jeremiah O’Sullivan Mass of Resurrection
15 January 2021
(Is.25:6-9; Psalm 23; Rev.21:1-5a,6b-7; John 6:51-59)
These Scripture passages were chosen by Msgr. O’Sullivan for this Mass. They reveal the centrality of the Eucharist in his life. “I am the bread of life, whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:59). The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). The Eucharist is at the heart of priestly life. In the Mass, the priest repeats the words of †Jesus from the Last Supper: “This is my Body, which will be given up for you...This is the chalice of my blood, which will be poured out for you.” The priest is “in persona Christi in capite”, “in the person of Christ, the head.” This is the true identity of the priest. As Mary gazed at the infant she gave birth to, she could honestly say, “This is my body, this is my blood.” St. John Vianney, patron saint of diocesan priests wrote: “The priest can do something, the Mother of God could not. She brought †Jesus into the world once; the priest makes †Jesus truly present in the world every day.” This is an incredible gift and responsibility for a priest. “This is my body, this is my blood.” When the priest speaks these words, he speaks of his reality. He is ontologically, mystically, and sacramentally united to †Jesus. St. Paul came to this realization, expressed in his Letter to Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ, Yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). His divinely inspired words call us to strive for unity with Christ, the crucified Christ. For the priest, it is his essence; to die to himself, after the manner of †Jesus; to remove self, from self.
In the 5th century, Bishop Faustus of Riez, wrote: “The law withdraws, and grace takes its place; the shadows fade, and the truth becomes present.” This is a beautiful description of the priest. In the realm of nature, he is a man: flawed, weak, and very human. But, to the priest who strives to live, “in the person of Christ, the head,” grace perfects nature. The shadows of the false self give way to the light of his true self: “in the person of Christ.” The priest is not the Light. He does not generate the Light, it is the Light of Christ shining through him. Our mission is to reflect the Light; to hold the light so others, see the Way. We do not always do this perfectly but the love and prayers of the faithful, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, strengthen us to lead others through the “sheep gate” (John 9:10).
As priests, we hold in our hands, those whom we serve. Pope Benedict XVI, said: “God desired to save us by going into the abyss Himself so that every person...may find God’s hand to cling to, and rise from the darkness.” The hands of the priest reach out to those in darkness. The Son surrendered into the hands of His Father. The Apostles probed and took the pierced hands of the risen Son. The bishop grasps the hands of the priest at his ordination. The priest reaches out and takes the hands of the faithful: those seeking forgiveness for sins, those who need comfort amid human tragedy, those with crosses too heavy to bear, and those who are slipping away from the bonds of earthly life.
Through the hands of His priest, Jeremiah, countless numbers touched the hands of God. While he had the strong hands of a laborer, his hands had the gentleness of an artist. Fr. Jeremiah grew up on a farm, overlooking Tralee Bay in western Ireland; the 8th of 15 children. The boys worked the farm with their father, the girls attended to household chores with their mother. In
1|Page
1927, a month before Jeremiah’s 2nd birthday, his father was working the farm when he heard the sound of an engine, overhead. He looked up and flying over the O’Sullivan farm was the Spirit of St. Louis, on its way to Paris. Michael O’Sullivan waved to ‘lucky Lindy,’ Charles Lindbergh.
Growing up in a devout Catholic home, young Jeremiah thought about being a Franciscan. In typical meekness, he did not feel worthy. At age 20, he moved to Dublin where he joined the police department. He always had a desire to serve others and this seemed like a good fit. At that time constables did not carry weapons unless on a special protection detail for a dignitary. Once Jeremiah was assigned to that duty. He told me he went off by himself and removed the bullets from his revolver, fearing he might harm someone. One day as Constable O’Sullivan was walking his beat in Dublin, an incident occurred that changed his life. When this muscular, 6-foot police officer went to greet a group of children playing they ran away in fear. He decided that day, he could not be in a profession that frightened children. Not long after, he resigned from the police department, His brother Martin invited him to move to the United States with him. They landed in St. Louis and worked in construction. Soon, the call to priesthood began to strengthen. The O’Sullivan had two cousins who were priests in San Diego: the Flahave brothers. They arranged an interview with Bishop Buddy, and he was accepted into St. Francis Seminary. Martin had met a beautiful Irish lass named Nancy. They married; their children and families are here, today. Martin is watching today on-line, as are his other siblings from L.A. to Ireland. Hannah Mary, Liam, Mary, and Flurry.
Fr. Jeremiah lived his priestly life focused on prayer and ministry. He saw God’s wonderous creation through the eyes of an artist. He was a remarkable artist, painting still life, Irish landscapes, seascapes, the missions, and the Blessed Mother. Even his signature was a work of art. He also took up photography and his photographs were beautifully artistic. At past priest Convocations we would gather for a group photo taken by Jeremiah. He was a beloved spiritual director and served as a chaplain for lay Carmelites. He was attracted to the spirituality of the great Carmelite saints: Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Therese of Lisieux. Father Jeremiah served as director of the diocesan catechetical office and pastor of numerous parishes in Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. In all this, he was known for his prayerfulness, gentleness, and his love of going out to eat. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it did not matter, your company is what mattered. Many of you joined him at the Bistro and his annual birthday lunch at the Marriott. Fr. Jeremiah was loved by many people. To all who cared for him at Nazareth House, thank you for your kindness to him. Be certain, he is praying for you at the heavenly banquet
The Blessed Mother is often called “the Mother of Priests.” She is a model of holiness for the priest as she is for all of us. She knew that her life belonged to Another. She belonged to God in the concrete circumstances of her life and gave herself totally and completely to God. For the priest, his life does not belong to him. Everything He is, everything he will become, is a gift from God; it is grace. Those whom we serve, the lay faithful, you are a gift to our priestly life. We are humbled by your honesty in Reconciliation. We are strengthened by your faith and perseverance in times of challenge and crisis. We are grateful for your affection for us, even in moments we are not so loving.
All this is possible, because †Jesus loved us enough, to give His life for us. He sent His Apostles to proclaim the good news. He washed their feet the night before He died. He loved them
2|Page
all. He loved the one who would betray Him for 30 pieces of silver, He loved the one who would deny Him 3 times before the cock crowed. †Jesus loved two brothers who wanted special treatment: to sit at His right and His left. Even these first priests were not so perfect. When a parish priest becomes a saint, it is through the love and grace of God and the formation received by those he served.
Today we give thanks in this Mass for a simple priest entrusted with this mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the So and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). He shares in the fullness of life as we all hope to, someday. Fr. Jeremiah: “The Lord has sworn an oath He will not change: ‘You are a priest forever in the manner of Melchizedek.’” (Psalm 110:4). Let us continue to pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that He will send us more laborers for the vineyard. Pray for the courageous and selfless priests you know. The prayer on the back of the Mass card was written, prayed, and lived by a woman in this parish and ministered to us. She suffered with bone cancer for 20 years, refusing pain medication and choosing to offer her suffering for the holiness of priests. You might recite the prayer for the priests you know and those unknown to you. We are called, in the ordained priesthood and the common priesthood of the faithful, to live lives centered on the Eucharist and to live in union with +Jesus: “This is my Body, this is my blood.”
✝️
Thank you for sharing Father Mike’s beautiful Homily for Msgr. O’Sullivan.
Simply perfect...he will definitely be missed 💗
Beautiful! Amen! ❤️🙏
Beautiful Homily RIP🙏🏻
Beautiful words for a beautiful man. RIP Monsignor. 🙏🏻♥️
RIP Monsignor O'Sullivan...you were a special priest indeed and touched so many lives.
