As we approach the solemn season of Lent, we invite you to join us in a transformative journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and, most importantly, hearing the cry of the poor. This Lent, we are called not only to deepen our connection with God but also to heed the calls of those in need around us and the cries of our fragile planet.

In the early part of last year, two Cardinals published a series of questions challenging the orthodoxy and appropriateness of some of Pope Francis’ writings and actions. Perhaps the most controversial of these Dubia (as they are known) concerned the blessing of persons in same-sex unions, which the Cardinals claimed was contrary to “revealed doctrine.” In his response, Francis noted that while the Church continues to understand marriage as an “exclusive, stable, and indissoluble union between a man and a woman,” such an understanding does not exclude the possibility that people in same-sex relationships might be blessed by the Church. Responding to the Cardinals, Francis said, “in our dealings with people, we must not lose pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes. The defense of objective truth is not the only expression of this charity; it also includes kindness, patience, understanding, tenderness, and encouragement. Therefore, we cannot become judges who only deny, reject, and exclude.” Thus, the Pope noted that, while the Church might not be able to sanction or ritually solemnize same-sex unions, the blessing of those in such unions—as an act of tenderness and encouragement—sits well within the pastoral tradition of the Church and the practice of Jesus.

Sixty years ago, Vatican II spoke about Catholics in the pews in language that was groundbreaking and exciting. The image of “the People of God,” for example, sought to replace our self-understanding as a passive, receptive people with one that gives agency and responsibility to the everyday Catholic. Lumen Gentium, one of the four primary documents, speaks of the “common priesthood of the faithful,” conferred on all of the baptized. In following years, the Society of Jesus developed these themes in its own documents, recognizing the gifts given by the Spirit to the Church through our lay partners in mission and their essential role in the effectiveness of our ministries.

Nearly eight years ago, on an apostolic pilgrimage to Mexico, Pope Francis went to the border between Mexico and the United States to profess his faith in the grace of God that transcends all borders. On the high platform beneath a towering black cross decorated with an image of the Holy Family in their flight to Egypt, raised in memory of the many migrants who have died attempting to cross the border, he looked across the border fence at the people of El Paso, and waved to them in friendship. As usual, he was dressed in his threadbare white soutane and worn black shoes, and showed a strength that belied his days of travel. Then he placed a bouquet of flowers before the cross and raised his hand to his forehead to begin the prayer, “En el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo.”

Though the trappings have disappeared, I hope that the memories of Christmas 2023 still warm your hearts and that the graces of the season continue to bring light into your lives as we settle into what the Church calls Ordinary Time. (So called because of the use of ordinal numbers: the Second Sunday of Ordinary time, for example.)

One of the great joys of my ministerial life is celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation: being grace with the opportunity to tell a person that he is loved by God in a quite absolute way, that she is absolved of her sins because she is beloved of Christ Jesus. To be able to do this on behalf of the Church—i.e., not through my power, but through God’s grace—can be truly overwhelming. 

Dominic Milroy, in the London Tablet, wrote about a cold, grey day in London just before Christmas. On a crowded subway car, everyone was carefully avoiding all eye contact in the spirit of alienation and solitude that seems to characterize most public transportation in this era. At the second stop, his eye caught a splash of bright red, which turned out to be a very large balloon in the hands of a small Black child who was clearly delighted with his trophy.

Bring your wrapped "Gifts from the Magi" to the 4:00 pm Family Mass on Christmas Eve! This Christmas, our parish family will once again be supporting Epiphany Center, a local non-profit which provides holistic, client-centered care to a diverse population of families who are the most vulnerable in our society. All gifts will be delivered to Epiphany Center the week between Christmas and New Year's for distribution.

Midnight Mass is at 11 pm Christmas Eve. A schedule of Christmas Masses, as well as Feast of the Holy Family, New Year's Eve, and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, New Year's Day (at 10 am only) is available.

As a follow-up to the discussion "Reporting from Rome: Pope Francis' Synod of Bishops," an Adult Faith Formation Fall Lecture with Joshua McElwee of NCR, Fr. Greg promised three things: an article by Tom Reese, SJ; videos of the "Synod Retreat Talks" by Tmithy Radcliff; and The Vatican Briefing, a new podcast by Josh McElwee and Chris White, Vatican correspondent for NCR. 

The In All Things Bookstore, located within the nave of St. Ignatius Church, has a new and special relationship with a renowned photographer. Ryan Fitzsimmons has taken the most amazing images of this Church and its beautiful surroundings, including the famous fog we all know and love. Come to the Bookstore to see these images for yourself! This gallery quality art is ready for your home or anywhere you'd like to inspire yourself and others with images of our beautiful church and environs as they have never seen before.

As you know well by now, when my family tells stories of my Sicilian grandmother, they usually involve food. Whether it was her pizza (which some focaccia breads come very close to in their taste!) she brought to family gatherings, her custard-filled at-Christmas-only cannoli, or her Bolognese sauce, it was always more than food she gave us. It was herself. The chopping and dicing, the sauteing and frying, even the shopping and washing the dishes – all of it was more than the discrete actions of preparing great food she knew we would savor and enjoy. Rather, she stirred herself into the mixtures and baked her love for us into her meals. I know that’s true for those of you who gather around your family tables, who feed those you love.

Perhaps we all come to the notion of “Christ the King” with a bit of a disadvantage over earlier ages. After all, the whole idea of royalty in our culture is colored either by the Romantic heroes found in stories like the Lord of the Rings or the legends of King Arthur, or by the jet-set antics of the British royal family.

Simbáng Gabí [pronounced “Sim-BONG gah-BEE”] is a nine-day celebration in which Filipinos prepare for Christmas. December 15 to 23, all are invited to join as a spiritual offering in preparation for celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus.

In this November month of remembrance, I reflect on my own lived experiences as the daughter of Vietnamese-American refugees and the integrated elements of my Catholic faith and Vietnamese culture. The story of St. Andrew Dũng-Lạc, a revered Vietnamese saint, was well known amongst my family and community.

So it’s Veterans Day weekend. There will be parades. And speeches by politicians. And news articles. A plethora of references that captures our collective attention once a year. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2022 there were 16.2 million veterans in the U.S., and while that may feel like a large number, it represents 6.2% of the adult population, so the chances of you knowing a veteran, especially a female identifying one, are slim.

We are very excited about a brand new program. Our new Youth Ministry Program serves youth, ages 8 to 18, and their need for connection in the context of faith, service and community.

Dear Sisters and Brothers – Our annual Pancake Breakfast is back next weekend, for the first time since 2019! Also, for the first time since before the pandemic, we will be hosting a delegation from Parroquia San Antonio, our sister parish in Soyapango, El Salvador.

Last week, Fr. Greg was part of a delegation of 10 parishioners from St. Ignatius and another five individuals from St. Agnes and other faith communities that traveled to Mexicali, Mexico. Their aim was to accompany for a few days migrants who are seeking asylum in the U.S. Read Fr. Greg's latest Pastoral Letter.

Our return Back Home4Dinner was a remarkable event! The church was full, the singing spectacular, and the food delicious and plentiful. Most wonderful of all, the experience of community lifted our spirits and gave joy to our hearts.