In this week’s Gospel, we hear the familiar parable of the “Sower and the seed” in which our Lord Jesus explains how God’s Word—in other words God’s grace—brings about spiritual fruit in us. He tells us, “the

seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” This parable reminds me of a principle in the spiritual life, the principle of “grace perfects nature.” This principle was termed in the 13th Century by St. Thomas Aquinas. Grace and nature are the two distinct parts of our spiritual life. “Grace perfects nature” affirms God’s grace is necessary to elevate, or perfect, our human nature so we can reach our full potential of union with God. Grace, which is freely given by God, is always first and foremost. When we receive any Sacrament, we are given a special type of grace, called “sanctifying grace.” Through this, we can produce good fruit. But, for the grace received to “produce a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold”, we must be ready or disposed to receive the grace of the Sacrament and continue cooperating with the grace we have been freely given. We think of our souls as a garden, the soil, in which “the seed” of the grace of God is “sown.” Jesus tells us in order to bear fruit, the soil of our souls must be fertile, deep, and cleared of any rocks and thorns. He explains the rocky ground represents a person whose faith is shallow. When that person is faced with “some tribulation or persecution … he immediately falls away.” To deepen our Faith, and for the soil in us to receive the Word, we need to actively live the gift of our Faith, following the teachings of the Catholic Church in all areas of our lives. If a person has a hardened attitude against any of the Church’s teachings, is clinging to unrepentant sin, is holding on to resentments or hates anyone, then their soul is not fertile, not ready to produce any fruit. If a person’s life is centered on worldly pleasures, comforts, and material possessions, then as Jesus says, he or she will “bear no fruit” because these “lure of riches choke the word.” Continued on next page………………………………………………………………………..

Holy Eucharist Sunday Mass: Vigil Masses, June 20 4PM Hall (age 60+ or) 5PM Church Sunday Masses, June 21 7AM Hall, Latin, 8AM Drive Up 10:30AM Hall 10:30AM Church (Live Streamed Masses & In person) 1:00PM Church, Spanish (Live Streamed Masses & In person) 1:30PM Hall, Spanish 3:30PM Church, Latin (Live Streamed Masses & In person) 5:00PM Hall; 7:00PM Church Daily Mass: 8:00am & 5:45pm; Saturdays 8:00am Traditional Latin Mass, Fridays at Noon Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration: Chapel access code available in office Sacrament of Reconciliation: Monday thru Thursday 5-5:30pm Fridays: 5pm– 5:30pm Saturdays 8:30am Homebound please call 551-4973 for a priest to visit you by appointment. Clergy:

RCIA Inquiries: Noemi Ewalt 209-581-8477

July 12, 2020 - Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July Second Offerings: July 5

Facility Improvement Fund July 19

Priest’s Health and Retirement Make Offerings online at

www.stjmod.com

Image courtesy of Catholic Answers.com

Questions? To make an appointment with a

priest or deacon or to register at St. Joseph’s, please stop in or call our

parish office at 551-4973.

Parish Office Hours Monday-Friday: 8:30am-6:30pm

except Wednesday: 1-6:30pm Weekend Maintenance

(209) 602-6062

PARISH LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Pastoral Council: Eddie Munoz Finance Council: Jim Gordin Building: Rick Dinubilo Development: Daniel Del Real Stewardship: Ranier Ramirez

READINGS

Monday: IS 1:10-17

Tuesday: IS 7:1-9

Wednesday: IS 10:5-7, 13B-16

Thursday: IS 26:7-9, 12, 16-19

Friday: IS 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

Saturday: MI 2:1-5

Sunday: WIS 12:13, 16-19

Union with God is only possible by God’s grace, from beginning to end. However, we are free to choose whether or not we cooperate with the promptings of Grace. We do this by using the means the Lord has given us to make ready our souls for His grace. One very productive way is having frequent confessions. Not only do we receive the forgiveness of our sins, but we are also given the grace to protect us from future sins, grace to strengthen us to not give into the inevitable temptations from the “evil one.” Also, spending time in prayer, particularly in the Real Presence of the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, is a most effective way to prepare our soil – to clear away any rocks and thorns. Prayer, especially the Rosary, can truly heal in us any resentment, or calm any fear, thus making the soil of our soul ready for the seeds of God’s grace. Let us pray through the intercession of our Blessed Mother that we will both “hear and understand” God’s Word, His Son our Lord Jesus, and allow His grace to perfect our nature.

Altar Flower Donation

In Loving Memory of

William Michael Grogan

To remember a special event or loved one Please call Rosario at 551.4973 X110

Page 3 – Jul. 12, 2020

Religious Education

PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

URGENT Vacant Hours: Mon. 9-10pm Tue. 5-6pm; Wed. 3-4am; Thur. 6-7pm; Fri. Noon-1pm

SUBSTITUTES ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED.

Please contact Monica: 209-527-4920.

Sign up for the access code in

the parish office.

Find free resources are from faithful Catholic ministries and numerous videos and other media available for ongoing catechesis and sacrament preparation. St. Joseph's hopes these will aid parishioners during the suspension of parish

catechesis. https://www.stjmod.com/re-online-resource.html

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION—DOUG BEAUMONT, Director of Religious Education Beware of Philosophy(?) St. Paul exhorted the faithful to beware of being “taken captive by philosophy” (Col. 2:8). Although written 2,000 years ago, this warning is as urgent today as it was then. Perhaps even more so. But we cannot beware of philosophy if we aren’t first aware of philosophy! None of us come to the Bible or to Church without preconceived ideas about the world – and those ideas greatly influence how we understand what we read in print or hear from the priest. The most dangerous presuppositions are the ones we don’t realize we have. This is where philosophy comes in. One of the jobs of philosophy is to investigate our assumptions about reality. For the Christian, that means subjecting them to the teachings of Christ (also Col. 2:8). St. Paul lists several deceptive non-Christian philosophies: Jewish legalism, extreme asceticism, angel worship, and other made-up religious practices that were competing with true Christianity (Col. 2:16-18). Some of these falsehoods have fallen by the way side since St. Paul’s day – but they have been replaced by others (some better, some worse). If you’re not sure what your philosophical presuppositions are, it’s a good idea to ponder them and discuss your thoughts with someone knowledgeable in the field. Here are some questions to get you started:

What does it mean to say something is “true”? Can we know the world the way it really is? Can the limited things we see around us explain their own existence? What kind of God exists (or does not)? What is a person? Where does morality come from?

Please remember St. Joseph’s Church when planning your estate. Call 551-4973, ext. 207 for more

information. Language to use: I give to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a Corporation Sole, a California nonprofit Corporation, located in

Modesto, CA _____ Dollars ($_______) This gift shall be used for the benefit of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for ministry and

operational expenses or for the following purpose:_______________.

Parish Events and Activities

ENCOURAGE—in English and Spanish “EnCourage” is a Catholic Support Community for parents,

clergy, families and friends who desire to reach out in Truth and Compassion to loved ones experiencing same-sex

attractions. To inquire about local EnCourage meetings, call (209) 425-1679.

Mass Intentions

stjmod.com/mass-times.html

Sunday, July 12 (Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) 7:30a Fritz & Maria Laesecke / 9:00a All St. Joseph’s Parishioners / 10:30a Leon Powers, Ron Caballero, Jesus Herrera, and Raul Ruiz / 12:00p Margaret Loeffler / 1:30p Orlando Reyes, Sp. Int. Angelica Meda, Sp. Int. Gabriela Meda, Sp. Int. Luciana Arias, and Sp. Int. Dami-an Gonzalez / 5:30p Sp. Int. Marivic Teano Chua / 7:30p Hilda West

Monday, July 13 (St. Henry) 8:00a Sylvester P. DeLeon, Joe Mendes, Olivia Vera, Gumaro Diaz / 5:45p Jose & Jesuina Bairos

Tuesday, July 14 (St. Kateri Tekakwitha) 8:00a Dora Ramirez / 5:45p Ross Aliotti, Gloria Rocha, and Sp. Int. Rodolfo Leon, and Sp. Int. Claudia Camarena

Wednesday, July 15 (St. Bonaventure) 8:00a Laura Shaw / 5:45p John Hollenback, Jr.

Thursday, July 16 (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) 8:00a Ernest Martin / 5:45p Carmen Petkus

Friday, July 17 8:00a Savannah Burton / 12:00p Bishop Stephan Blaire / 5:45p Antonio De Morais, Manuel Hernandez, Lucia Silva, and Baby John Farinha

Saturday, July 18 (St. Camillus de Lellis) 8:00a Nelly Castro, and Sp. Int. Dave & Debbie Reymouth

Sunday, July 19 (Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time) 7:30a Gayle E. Johnson / 9:00a Neil Phillips / 10:30a All St. Joseph’s Parishioners/ 12:00p Blanca Arguello, Msgr. Fred Bitanga, David Almazan, and Paolina Aliotti / 1:30p Gloria Rocha, Bertha Barajas, Salomon Claros, Tulio Claros, and Marcelina Barajas / 5:30p Maria Luz & Miguel Campos/ 7:30p Hilda West

Page 5 – Jul. 12, 2020

Diocese Deacon Formation:

Please keep the seven Deacon Candidates and their

wives in your prayers. Next week they will be

attending a five day, silent retreat in preparation for

their ordination in September. Typically the Deacon

Candidates gather in person for the retreat. However,

due to COVID-19 restrictions, the group will be

attending a hybrid retreat where most of it is done

over Zoom.

The Candidate couples are from the following

Parishes:

Cathedral of the Annunciation

St. George - Stockton

St. Gertrude - Stockton

St. Joseph - Modesto

St. Stanislaus - Modesto

Our Lady of the Assumption - Turlock

St. Mary's - Oakdale

-Notice-

It has come to our attention that there has been an

increase of spam emails posing as Bishop Cotta stating

that he needs help or money. Please be advised that

Bishop Cotta would never directly contact anyone in

search of money.

Any email coming out of the Pastoral Office will have

the domain "@stocktondiocese.org". Please contact the

Pastoral Office if you are unclear as to if an email is

legitimate.

CHURCH ADDITION/SACRISTY Jan. –June 2020 WE’RE OPEN! Thank you

to our Building Committee for their work on this project! Project Contractor: JHK Construction, Inc. Thank you for recent donations!

As a parish, please consider to pray for

our children who are receiving their First Holy Communion this month!

Photo above from 2006 St. Joseph’s First Holy

Communion Mass

PSR, Youth Ministry and Young Adults

Confirmation/Youth Ministry

St. Joseph’s Young Adult Ministry Young Adult Ministry A community of young adults (18-35ish) building fellowship, having fun, and living a Christ-centered life.

Next Gatherings... More updates coming on future events! Please view FB and Social Media.

Hey Family-in-Christ! Do you have questions

or suggestions?

Text or Email us at YoungAdults@stjmod.com Follow us for event details @STJMODYA

Dear Parents and Students, We are grateful to begin planning on near dates for our confirmandi!

We ask that our parents and students continue to provide any outstanding forms or information that is needed. If you have questions about your student’s preparation for Confirmation, please contact Ryan Shields at 209.661.8826 or email Gizelle at

gworley@stjmod.com Again, more information on our High School Lifeteen and Confirmation dated to

come.

First Holy Communion Masses are Coming!

If you are expecting your child’s first

Holy Communion this year, check your email for the schedule!

If you have not received an email,

please contact Leslie Klinger at 551-4973 ext. 218.

Center for Lay Apostolates

Parish Stewardship — a way of life

ALTAR GUILD MINISTRY As we prepare to return to Mass in-person, consider becoming active in the Altar Guild Ministry. What: The Altar Guild provides the necessary attention to the details of daily Masses and to the cleanliness and beauty proper to the sanctuary. It provides a liturgical environment proper to Ordinary Time. How: Sets up for all daily Masses. This includes opening the church on weekdays, leading the Divine Office and Rosary. On Monday morning cleans the trash from weekend Masses that is left in the church. Keeps the candleholders clean and the candles trimmed. Cleans and polishes the baptismal font. Maintains church environment during Ordinary Time, sets up for funerals when called by the Parish Office, keeps the sacristy counter clean and obtains, washes, irons, and mends altar linens. Who: Must be a practicing Catholic, in full communion with the Church. Time commitment can be as much or as little as you wish to contribute. Our biggest need is for people to open the church and set up for Daily Mass, lectors for Daily Mass and individuals to lead the Divine Office. Training is done “on the job” and requires no outside time or commitment. Length of commitment is year to year. Must be 18 years or older. For more information, call the Center for Lay Apostolates at 209.551.4973, ext. 202

Profiles in Stewardship By Tammy Menezes

Ralph Hidalgo and

Richard Goeken

“We need our ushers back!! We need more ushers!" This was the rallying cry as St. Joseph's began resuming limited, in-person events. They first returned to work as usher stewards with our Drive Up Adoration (our first drive-up event) and the Drive Up Confession. Now, with our return to in-person Masses and Confessions, and our big Drive-Up Mass, our ushers have a critical role in ensuring that parishioners are welcomed, directed and adjusting to our new protocols. We couldn't ask for two better co-leaders than Richard Goeken and Ralph Hidalgo. They both have rich faith lives, are truly committed to their parish and enjoy helping others serve. Fr. Sam has been working with them, in an effort to secure more ushers to help with our modified activities. Richard and Ralph welcome any young adults or any-age adults (or even older teens) who would like to help with our Masses and liturgies. As we prepare for our First Holy Communions and Confirmation Masses, it will be even more important to have some extra helpers. Of course, there is a special training and new Covid-19 protocols, but most of us are getting more used to those. God bless Richard and Ralph. Please call 209.551.4973, x 202 .

REFLECCION DEL OBISPO Julio 2020 “Dios Bendiga a América, la Hermosa”

Querido Pueblo de Dios, Al continuar adelante con nuestras celebraciones de Misas Dominicales, quiero agradecer a los sacerdotes y a sus equipos parroquiales por coordinar y tomar las precauciones necesarias de seguridad para poder tener la Misa. También, quiero agradecerles a ustedes, los feligreses, por su paciencia y cooperación, en medio de la pandemia presente. Al dar la bienvenida a los meses de verano, en los cuales esperamos, disfrutar algún tipo de vacaciones, nos encontramos cara a cara con el pecado del racismo.

Una vez más, ha demostrado su horrible presencia y nos reta a hablar sobre el impacto que tiene, y continúa teniendo, especialmente, en la comunidad Afroamericana. Con la muerte trágica de George Floyd, en las manos de los oficiales de la ley, las protestas y demonstraciones han tenido lugar a lo largo de la nación. Algunas han sido pacíficas, y otras han sido infiltradas y secuestradas por la violencia y el desorden. Muchas han resultado en manifestaciones de ira fuera-de-control, desorden, vandalismo, y profanaciones. Todo esto ha llevado a la destrucción, lesión física y muerte. Hay una indicación fuerte de que esto no es solamente una experiencia de corta-duración de disturbios civiles y agitación cultural. Hay una necesidad urgente de leer los signos de los tiempos. Se puede ver la lucha entre la luz y las tinieblas, orden y desorden, una desorientación diabólica. Nuestra Sociedad y cultura está en necesidad de Jesús y su Evangelio. Estamos llamados a vivir nuestras vidas de acuerdo con sus enseñanzas: “Haz a los demás como quieras que hagan contigo.” Nuestra sociedad está en necesidad de la esperanza y sanación. ¡Está en necesidad de nuestro testimonio! Este año, al celebrar el 4 de Julio, que sea un día de reflexión en oración. Mucho ha sucedido en pocos meses. Ahora más que nunca, hay necesidad de orar y de tomar acción. Es un tiempo para que nos eduquemos a nosotros mismos, a nuestros jóvenes y niños sobre el pecado del racismo. Los animo a visitar el sitio web de La Conferencia De Obispos Católicos de Estados, (usccb.org) para obtener recursos que les puede ayudar a informar y educar a nuestras familias, parroquias, y comunidades escolares en relación al racismo. Ahora es el tiempo de escucharnos los unos a los otros en dialogo.

Esta es la llave para poder entender la experiencia que han vivido nuestros hermanas y hermanos Afroamericanos en relación con el racismo. Es tiempo para que compartamos nuestras preocupaciones, miedos, y esperanzas para un bien común. Cuando acordamos el unirnos como hermanas y hermanos, entonces, la puerta de la sanación se nos abrirá. Al orar y pedirle a Dios su intervención, no olvidemos de obrar nuestra parte. Necesitamos doblegarnos, no una rodilla, sino las dos rodillas al arrepentimiento de nuestros pecados contra la vida; contra el respeto y dignidad de la vida. El papa Francisco dijo, “La vida no es desechable, no es para ser descartada,” sobre la mentalidad de una sociedad que descarta. Es una mentalidad que Office of Bishop Myron J. Cotta, D.D. afecta vidas, ya sea: vidas negras, u otra vida étnica, o la vida de todos los que enfrentan todo tipo de discriminación, prejuicios, injusticias, privación de la dignidad humana y respeto, ¡incluyendo la vida en la matriz! En esta época turbulenta, oremos por la misericordia, y la conversión de corazón. Sigamos creyendo, esperando y amando a nuestro Dios sobre todas las cosas y a nuestro prójimo como a nosotros mismos. Juntos, sostengamos las enseñanzas sociales de la Iglesia, trabajando para aliviar el pecado del racismo en nuestro día y época. En reparación, pidamos a Dios la misericordia por todos los que no creen, no adoran, no esperan y no lo aman a Él. Como dijo la Santísima Virgen María a la visionaria Lucia: “Es necesario que ellos (nosotros) corrijan sus (nosotros) vidas y pidan perdón por sus (nuestros) pecados.”

Las ultimas palabras de nuestra Señora a Lucia en 1917 son un eco para nosotros en 2020, “Que no ofendan más a Nuestro Señor Dios, que ya está muy ofendido.” Hermanos y hermanas, esforcémonos para seguir a Jesús y ser formados por los dones y frutos del Espíritu Santo. Al celebrar el Dia de la Independencia, hay que, durante todo el mes de Julio, dar gracias a Dios por su don de libertad y libertad religiosa. En este tiempo oremos por la sanación de nuestra nación que se encuentra dividida por dentro. Este 4 de Julio, meditemos las palabras que se encuentra en el himno, América, la Hermosa: “América, América, Dios enmienda cada uno de tus defectos, confirme tu alma en control de sí misma, en libertad de ley.” “América, América,

Dios esparció su gracia sobre ti, y culmina tu belleza con la fraternidad de costa a costa. Padre de la Misericordia, sana nuestra nación. Nuestra Señora, Patrona de los Estados Unidos de América, ora por nosotros. Dios Bendiga a America! En la Paz de Cristo,

Obispo Cotta

ENCOURAGE (Alentar): Disponible en español "EnCourage" o alentar es una comunidad de apoyo católica para padres, clérigos, familias y amigos que desean comunicarse con la Verdad y Compasión con los seres queridos que experimentan atracciones del mismo sexo. Para información sobre las reuniones locales de EnCourage o alentar, llame a Leticia y Jose Padilla al (209) 425-1679.

En el Evangelio de esta semana, escuchamos la parábola ya muy conocida del "Sembrador y la semilla" en la cual nuestro Señor Jesús explica cómo la Palabra de Dios, o sea, la gracia de Dios, produce fruto espiritual en nosotros. Él nos dice: "Otros, finalmente, caen en buena tierra y producen unos el ciento, otro el sesenta, y otro el treinta por uno". Esta parábola me recuerda un principio en la vida espiritual, el principio de "la gracia perfecciona la naturaleza". Este principio fue denominado en el siglo XIII por Santo Tomás de Aquino. La gracia y la naturaleza son las dos partes distintas de nuestra vida espiritual. "La gracia perfecciona la naturaleza" afirma que la gracia de Dios es necesaria para elevar, o perfeccionar, nuestra naturaleza humana y así poder alcanzar todo nuestro potencial en la unión con Dios. La gracia, siempre y ante todo, pues es un regalo gratuitamente dado por Dios. Cuando recibimos algún sacramento, se nos da un tipo especial de gracia, llamada "gracia santificante". De este modo, podemos producir buenos frutos. Pero, para que la gracia recibida “produzca ciento, sesenta o treinta veces”, debemos estar preparados o dispuestos a recibir la gracia del Sacramento y continuar cooperando con la gracia que se nos ha dado libremente. Nuestras almas son como un jardín, son el suelo, en el que se "siembra" la semilla "de la gracia de Dios". Jesús nos dice que para dar fruto, la tierra de nuestras almas debe ser fértil, profunda, limpia de rocas y espinas. Explica que el terreno rocoso representa a una persona cuya fe es superficial. Cuando esa persona se enfrenta a "alguna contrariedad o persecución…inmediatamente se viene abajo”. Para profundizar nuestra Fe, o sea, que el suelo en nosotros pueda recibir su Palabra, necesitamos vivir activamente el don de nuestra Fe, siguiendo las enseñanzas de la Iglesia Católica en todas las áreas de nuestras vidas. Si una persona tiene una actitud contraria a cualquiera de las enseñanzas de la Iglesia, esa persona se aferra al pecado impenitente, se aferra a los resentimientos u odia a alguien, entonces su alma no es fértil, no está lista para producir ningún fruto. Si la vida de una persona se centra en los placeres mundanos, las comodidades y las posesiones materiales, entonces, como dice Jesús, él o ella "no darán fruto" porque estos “la seducción de la riqueza ahogan la palabra”. La unión con Dios solo es posible por la gracia de Dios de principio a fin. Sin embargo, somos libres de elegir si cooperamos o no con los impulsos de la Gracia. Logramos esto usando los medios que el Señor nos ha dado para preparar nuestras almas para Su gracia. Una forma muy productiva es tener confesiones frecuentes. Por medio de este sacramento, no solo recibimos el perdón de nuestros pecados, sino que también se nos da la gracia de protegernos de futuros pecados y la gracia de fortalecernos para no ceder ante las inevitables tentaciones del "maligno". Además, pasar tiempo en oración y contemplación, particularmente en la Presencia Real de Jesús Sacramentado, es la forma más efectiva de preparar nuestro suelo: limpiar las rocas y las espinas. La oración del Santo Rosario, realmente puede sanar en nosotros cualquier resentimiento o calmar cualquier temor, preparando el suelo de nuestras almas para las semillas de la gracia de Dios. Pidamos la intercesión de nuestra Santísima Madre para que nosotros tanto "escuchemos y comprendamos" la Palabra de Dios, que es su mismo Hijo nuestro Señor Jesús, y permitamos que Su gracia perfeccione nuestra naturaleza. Fr. Sam West

Como aspecto esencial de la corresponsabilidad. Creo yo, que sirve para llenar el vacio entre la palabra y el hecho, entre nuestra fe personal y nuestro compromiso y participación en comunidad. El don espiritual de alimentar, compartir con, y dar a los demás es a lo que la corresponsabilidad debe llevarnos. En términos más amplios, implica la extensión del individuo en la comunidad. Durante la Misa, individuos incontables forman una sola comunidad, comulgantes separados se transforman en un cuerpo. Transcendemos nuestros seres separados, nuestra singularidad, nuestro aislamiento en el momento de comunión, ligando nuestras vidas con todos los comulgantes a través del tiempo desde los apóstoles. Por medio del cultos, como Cristianos estamos más alertas de nuestra responsabilidad con los demás. Debemos ampliar la generosa Palabra de Dios en hechos generosos. Compartiendo su don del Tiempo, Talento y Tesoro con los demás la verdadera misión de Cristo. Forma una comunión eterna entre nuestro Señor, nosotros mismos y nuestra comunidad. 209.551.4973, ext. 202.

Ralph Hidalgo

and Richard Goeken

Profiles in Stewardship by Tammy Menezes

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BISHOP’S REFLECTION July 2020 “God Bless America, the Beautiful”

My Dear People of God, As we continue to move forward in our Sunday celebration of Mass, I want to thank the priests and their parish teams for coordinating the necessary safety precautions in order to have Mass. Also, I want to thank you, the parishioners, for your patience and cooperation, as we move forward in the midst of the presence of this pandemic.

As we welcome the summer months and, hopefully, enjoy some sort of vacation, we find ourselves face to face with the sin of racism. Once again, it has raised its ugly head and challenges us to address the impact it has had, and continues to have, especially, upon the African American community.

With the tragic and shocking death of George Floyd, at the hands of law enforcement, protests and demon-strations have taken place across the nation. Some have been peaceful, and others have been infiltrated and hijacked by lawlessness and violence. Many resulting in manifestations of outof-control anger, disorder, van-dalism and desecration. All this has led to destruction, physical injury and death.

There is a strong indication that this is not just some short-lived experience of civil unrest and cultural up-heaval. There is an urgent need to read the signs of the times. One can see there is a battle raging between light and darkness, order and disorder, a spiritual disorientation. Our society and culture is in need of Jesus and his Gospel. We are called to live our lives according to his teaching: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Our society is in need of hope and healing. It is in need of our witness!

This year, as we celebrate the 4th of July, let it be a day of prayerful reflection. A lot has happened in just a few months. There is a need for prayer and action, now more than ever. It is a time for us to educate our-selves, our youth and children about the sin of racism. I encourage you to visit the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops website (usccb.org) for resources that can assist in informing and educating our fami-lies, parishes and school communities in regard to racism. Now is the time for us to listen to each other and to dialogue. This is key in understanding the lived experience of our Black brothers and sisters in regard to racism. It is time for us to share each other’s concerns, fears and hopes for the common good. When we agree to come together as brothers and sisters, then, the door of healing can be opened to us. As we pray and ask for God’s intervention, we must not forget to do our part. We need to bend, not one knee, but both knees in repentance for our sins against life; against the respect and dignity of life. “Life is not disposable, it is not to be discarded,” said Pope Francis, in regard to the mentality of our throwaway society. It is a mentality that effects lives, be it: Black lives, or other ethnic lives, or lives of those facing all types of discrimination, prej-udice, injustice, deprivation of human dignity and respect, including life in the womb! Office of Bishop My-ron J. Cotta, D.D.

Let us pray for mercy, and conversion of heart, in these troubled times. Let us continue to believe, adore, hope and love our God above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Together, let us uphold the social teachings of the Church, so as to work toward alleviating the sin of racism in our day and age. Let us, in reparation, ask God’s mercy for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Him. As the Blessed Virgin Mary mentioned to the Fátima seer, Lúcia: “It is necessary that they(we) amend their(our) lives and ask pardon for their(our) sins.” Our Lady’s last words to Lúcia in 1917 echo true to us in 2020, “Let them offend Our Lord God no more, for He is already much offended.” Brothers and sisters, let us strive to follow the lead of Jesus and be formed by the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us, throughout the month of July, give thanks to God for the gift of freedom and religious liberty. Let us pray for healing during this time of division within our nation. This 4th of July, let us ponder the words found in our patriotic hymn, America, the Beautiful: “America, America, God mend thy every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.” “America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.” Father of Mercy, heal our nation. Our Lady, Patroness of the United States of America, pray for us. God bless America! In the Peace of Christ,

Bishop Cotta