Events
* April 7, 2023: 1st Friday Mass - Save The Date
*SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
26th Holy Spirit Conference
"ACT ON MY WORD AND BEAR GOOD FRUIT"
Luke 6:43-49
St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to all the re-elected Executive Officers of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Board of the Archdiocese of San Francisco for the year 2023-2026 led by Bro. Danny Garza (Chairman), Sis. Sally Yeo (Vice Chair), Sis. Tess Garza (Secretary), Bro. Jose dela Torre (Finance) and Bro. Romy Arellano (Treasurer).
We also would like to acknowledge and compliment all new members of the CCR Board as well. More work to do in the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ!
To God be the glory and praise.
Congratulations to all the incoming 2023-2024 Filipino Catholic Charismatic Communities Officers led by their new Head Coordinator Sis. Tess Garza as commissioned by Rev. Fr. Ray Reyes at the Piro Hall of St Andrew Catholic Church in Daly City.
1st Friday Mass:
St. Paul of the Shipwreck San Francisco, CA
February 3, 2023
Fruitful Corner
REFLECTION FOR TUESDAY
MARCH 21, 2023
By Fr. Andrew Ibegbulem, OSA
THE HEALING AT THE POOL OF BETHESDA
One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” Jn. 5:5-6
Our gospel reference today formed part of the healing of a paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda. As a practicing Jew, Jesus had gone to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover feast. While there, He saw a paralyzed man lying near the pool believed to have healing power.
Only those who have been paralyzed for many years could understand what this man had to endure in life. He was paralyzed and unable to walk for thirty-eight years. The man have been hoping for a healing when the water was miraculously stirred by an angel.
Jesus saw this man and clearly perceived his desire for healing after so many years. Most likely, his desire for healing was the dominant desire in his life. Without the ability to walk, he could not work and provide for himself. He would have to rely on begging and the generosity of others.
Thinking about this man, his sufferings, and his ongoing attempts for healing from this pool should move any heart to compassion. And since Jesus’ heart was one that was full of compassion, He was moved to offer this man not only the healing he so deeply desired but so much more.
One virtue in the heart of this man that would have especially moved Jesus to compassion is the virtue of patient endurance. This virtue is an ability to have hope in the midst of some ongoing and lengthy trial. It is also referred to as “longsuffering” or “longanimity.”
Most times, when we face difficulty, the immediate reaction is to look for a way out. When this difficulty is not removed with time, we easily fall into discouragement and even despair. Patient endurance is the cure for this temptation.
When Jesus saw this virtue of patient endurance alive in this man, He was moved to reach out and heal him. And the primary reason Jesus healed this man was not just to help him physically but so that the man would come to believe in Jesus and follow Him.
As Christians, we need to have the patient endurance of the paralyzed man and keep our desire, hope and trust in God alive and firm. This miracle challenges us to give up the blindness of our heart, the lameness of our mind, and the paralysis of our spirit, and to focus on the positive of God’s unconditional healing and love made visible in Jesus.
Reflect, today, upon this beautiful virtue of patient endurance. The trials of life should ideally be seen not in a negative way but as an invitation to patient endurance. Ponder the way you endure your own trials. Is it with deep and ongoing patience, hope and joy? Or is it with anger, bitterness, and despair. Pray for the gift of this virtue and seek to imitate this paralyzed man.
Lord Jesus, in You I hope, You endured so much in life and persevered through it all in perfect obedience to the will of the Father. Give me strength in the midst of the trials of life so that I can grow strong in the hope and the joy that comes with that strength. May I turn away from sin and turn to You in complete trust. Jesus, I trust in You.
Saint of the Day
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.
