Celebrant: Fr. Ray Reyes, Pastor, St. Augustine
Concelebrant: Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA, Parochial Vicar, St. Paul of the Shipwreck
Assisting: Deacon Ernie von Emster, Deacon, St. Charles Church, San Carlos
Sponsored by: SF CCR
Music by: Holy Spirit Music Ministry
Information:
Danny Garza (650) 270-8065
Suzanne Nazario (650) 296-4825
You can also watch directly from our Facebook page Facebook.com/SFSpiritOnline
Note: You don't need a Facebook Account to View.
FREEDOM OF RELIGION
July 4, 2020
"So, if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed" (Jn. 8: 36) As Catholics and members of the Charismatic Renewal in San Francisco, we are living in one of the most trying and challenging time of our Christian life. The recent happening of Covid-19 pandemic and the racial injustice which had resulted in lockdown of churches and protest respectively, may have caused many of us to ask where is our faith or how free are we to practice our Christian faith without external influence? Well it is in moments like this it become obvious that we need Jesus more than ever.
Jesus came into this world to set us free from the various captivity we were held. His death on the cross was meant for our freedom but how free are we today in our world? How free are we in our relationship with one another without the being judged by our skin color? How free are we in our practice of our religion with secular influence or people tearing down historic Statues of Saints? The recent happening in our world and society has made it obvious that even when Jesus has set us free, some like Pharaoh of Egypt has refuse to let us go. As we celebrate July 4th this year let us reflect on the theme of freedom or Freedom of Religion.
In the course of over 2,000 years, the Catholic Church has developed a significant body of teaching on the relationship between Church and state, and religious freedom. In Dignitatis humanae, the Church teaches that religious freedom is the cornerstone of a society that promotes human dignity; it is a fundamental human right, which follows on the duty of all people to seek the truth about God. In recent time there have been great external force on the Church, restricting her members from worship. Statues of Saints have been turned down in protest and nothing is said of this.
It is important to know that the Catholic Church is at the forefront today in advocating and fighting for these indispensable supports of our nation and its freedom. We stand up for the freedom not only to worship, but also to live our faith without government coercion to violate the sacred sanctuary of our conscience. Pope Francis says: "Religious freedom is not only that of private thought or worship. It is the liberty to live, both privately and publicly, according to the ethical principles resulting from found truth."
Sadly, in today's cultural climate, speaking and defending the truth about freedom of Religion often results in unjust and false charges of bigotry. We can expect claims of discrimination for upholding what for millennia has been considered a self-evident truth of Freedom.
Jesus teaches us to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. Presently, we seek to have the freedom to do so. This is part of our human dignity - not only to be free to worship God, but free to serve Him and others through our schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, charities, and other institutions and to do so without compromising our faith and moral convictions.
There are many in our society who disagree with the teachings of the Catholic Church on various issues. They have the right to disagree. But it is quite another matter to deny to us the right to live our faith and to conduct our lives, ministries, and works in accord with the Church's teachings. And rather than engaging in civil and respectful debate, critics and opponents of the Church will sometimes resort to attacks that reveal the persistent anti-Catholic prejudice that for some reason is still deemed acceptable in our culture.
On this July 4th, as we pray for the protection of religious freedom in our nation, let us also remember in prayer the millions of our brothers and sisters throughout the world who are persecuted and suffer injustices because of their faith. Not only are so many denied the right to live their faith or the right to worship, so many Christians and other minorities, innocent individuals and communities, are subjected to barbaric acts of violence, evicted from their homes and native lands, or sold as slaves.
Some are killed, beheaded, crucified, or burned alive. It is a great sacrilege that this evil is being done in the name of God. We are living in a new age of Christian martyrdom. May these present-day martyrs inspire us by their faith and courage! Their suffering and death were not in vain: their lives bear eloquent witness to the love of Jesus Christ.
May God who gave us life and liberty, bless us, our nation, and the world with renewed determination to protect these cherished gifts!
- Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem
The Holy Spirit Conference is Cancelled.
But save the date!
We are planning on having a teaching day on September 19th.
Check back here for more info
MESSAGE OF HOPE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
"Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT IS UPON US
I write this message of hope to you brothers and sisters in the Charismatic Renewal of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Covid-19 Pandemic that has resulted in the death of many in our world has indeed affected and impacted everyone directly or indirectly. In moments like this our faith, hope and trust in Christ could be put to test. Many people may be wondering and are tempted to ask, "God why this pandemic?" It is not really a time to ask the "why" questions but the "what" should we do?
As priests, we are aware of the sadness, fear and frustration of many of you in the renewal as a result of this situation. Many of you have told me how you fear that the Covid-19 has impacted the foundation and core of your Catholic belief, making it impossible for you to attend your weekly prayer meetings and daily masses. Families may have been turned apart, lives lost, and the future can be changed forever when a friend, relative, loved one, fellow renewal member, or even a complete stranger is lost as a result of this situation. The question we should me concern now will be: "What can we do about it?"
We can either sink down into despair or rise up in hope. Our Christian faith compels us to choose hope. As St. Paul says, "Hope does not disappoint." Ultimately, hope gives us the strength to choose life over death and to work for that day when this pandemic is behind us. The Church, that is, the people who believe in the power and love of Jesus Christ - you and I - are called by God to give both hope and life. We must not be afraid to offer the healing power of prayer and the support of our community of faith as we confront this challenging evil of our time and place.
In moments like this, let us adhere to all the precaution that have been given to us to stay safe and join our individual and collective prayer for the healing of our world and an end to this pandemic. Even when we can't attend public masses, opportunities are there to participate in mass stream online. Let us see a positive side to this situation as the Holy Father suggest, that families should see their time together as a way to bind the family together in love.
In another occasion, while praying the Pope said: "I am thinking of the families under lockdown, children who aren't going to school, parents who cannot leave the house, some who are in quarantine,"… "May the Lord help them discover new ways, new expressions of love, of living together in this new situation,". In addition, he said: "It is a wonderful occasion for rediscovering true affection with creativity in the family. Let us pray for families so that relationships in the family at this time always thrive for the good."
In this challenging time therefore, let the words of St. Teresa of Avila be a source of encouragement for us "Let nothing disturb you, nothing frightens you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient." God alone indeed sufficient. we will overcome.
Let me conclude with this act of Hope is widely attributed to St. Augustine. Let us turn to it, that we might grow in hope for the only thing we truly need: For your mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: "I am your salvation." So, speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: "I am your salvation." After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; do you repair it. There are things in it - I confess, and I know - that must offend your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to what others besides you shall I cry out? From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare your servant. Amen.
God bless you and your family.
Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
Parochial Vicar, St. Paul of the Shipwreck
San Francisco, CA
Live Streaming: Holy Mass
Archdiocese of San Francisco - Various Parishes: https://sfarchdiocese.org/livestreams
Relevant Radio: https://relevantradio.com/faith/daily-mass-video/
EWTN: https://www.ewtn.com/tv
First Friday Mass and healing service -
March 6, 2020 at St Patrick Church in San Francisco
with the main celebrant Fr. Linh Nguyen.
Mission Statement
As a lay organization, the mission of the Charismatic Renewal is:
- To help all people come to know the love of God in their lives as demonstrated through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
- To help our brothers and sisters respond to God's love by loving God in return through a commitment to serve Christ and His Church.
- To assist them to listen and follow the movement of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.
- To help our brothers and sisters recognize the ministry that God has called them to, and accept the gifts that God desires to bestow upon them for His work in our Church and in our world.
- To lead them to a New Life offered to us by the Holy Spirit.
Click here for an Introduction
to the Archdiocese of San Francisco Charismatic Renewal
Fruitful Corner
REFLECTION FOR TODAY,
August 4, 2020
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
COURAGE TO SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE
Then his disciples approached and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?" He said in reply, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Matthew 15:12-14
Why were the Pharisees offended? In part because Jesus just spoke critically of them. But it was more than that. They were also offended because Jesus doesn't even answer their question.
These Pharisees and scribes came to ask Jesus what was, in their minds, a very important question. They wanted to know why His disciples failed to follow the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. But Jesus does something interesting. Instead of answering their question, He gathers a crowd and says, "Hear and understand. It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one" (Mt. 15:10b-11). So they were offended by Jesus both because of what He said and because He didn't even say it to them but spoke it to the crowds.
What's interesting to note is that sometimes the most charitable thing one can do will result in another being offended. We ought not recklessly offend. But it seems that one of the cultural tendencies of our day and age is to avoid offending people at all costs. As a result, we dumb down morality, ignore clear teachings of faith, and make "getting along" one of the most important "virtues" we strive for.
In the passage above, it's clear that Jesus' disciples are concerned about the fact that the Pharisees were offended by Jesus. They worry and appear to want Jesus to fix this tense situation. But Jesus makes His position clear. "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit" (Mt. 15:14).
Charity requires the truth. And sometimes the truth will sting a person to the heart. Clearly this is exactly what the Pharisees need even though they fail to change, which is evident by the fact that they ultimately killed Jesus. But, nonetheless, these truths spoken by our Lord were acts of charity and were the truth that these scribes and Pharisees needed to hear.
Reflect, today, upon how willing you are to speak the hard truth in love when a situation requires it. Do you have the courage you need to charitably speak an "offensive" truth that needs to be spoken? Or do you tend to cower and prefer to allow people to remain in their error so that you do not agitate them? Courage, charity and truth must become deeply intertwined in our lives. Make this your prayer and mission so that you will better imitate our divine Lord.
Lord, please do give me courage, truth, wisdom and charity so that I may be a better instrument of Your love and mercy to the world. May I never allow fear to control me. Please remove any blindness from my heart so that I can see clearly the many ways You desire to use me to lead others to You. Jesus, I trust in You.
Food for Thought
Brothers and Sisters, during this lockdown, l believe that as Christians we are going through one of the greatest time of testing in the history of mankind. The war is Spiritual, but manifested in the Natural, and that's what we are experiencing everyday from day one of corona virus until now. As Charismatics we are called to do more, prayer alone is not enough, our Lady is calling us to fasting and the reading of the Word of God and meditate on it daily.May we be led by the Holy Spirit in every decision we make. Come Holy Spirit, Fill my Heart on Fire.
- Lucy Kaloucava
