Today is Ash Wednesday, it is a day to remember that we are not invincible, we will someday face death. We need to remember our life, the lives of our friends and family, the lives of superstars and singers, the lives professors and doctors, the lives of our next-door neighbors, the lives of farmers and immigrants, the lives of drug dealers and inmates, the lives of gang members and prostitutes, the lives of the people we see begging for money, everyones life is precious. We will all face the reality of death no matter our social status or occupation. We will also face judgment and our souls will continue our journey to God.

Let us also remember that Christ is present within each person and wants them to be with Him in Heaven. No matter what a persons background, world views, or religion, God wants that person to be with Him in Heaven just as much as He wants you to be with Him in Heaven.

I would like to pass on a very worth while article about Lent and the reality of death and purgatory. If there is one thing we can do for people who pass away is uniting ourselves in prayer for them. Before entering Heaven our souls must be spotless, in order to be spotless we have to go through a purification period. Let us help our fellow brothers and sisters who have passed away and offer prayers and sacrifice in their favor.

Please take some time to read this article, it will help you and your fellow brothers and sisters in the journey towards God.

I hope all of you are well. I’ve been gone from the blog world for a little bit but I think it is time to start posting again. There are LOTS going on, throughout this season of Lent I hope to gradually update you on the new things happening. Some things I will be reflecting on the next few weeks include…

• New God-daugthers
• Walk For Life 2012
• Marathon and Mother Teresa Charity
• Lent 2012
• FoundNation Catholic Rap Video
• Vocation Reflections
• Awesome Saints
• And More!!!

I’m sure more topics will arise once I get back into the swing of writing/blogging regularly. See you soon! God bless.

Blessed Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Pray for us!

Here is a short reflection on the Vigil Mass of WYD 2011.

World Youth Day gave us the pilgrims, youth, and participants an opportunity to see our faith in a new way. We saw the Universal Church, people from different cultures and different countries were present. People from Australia, Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, even a few from China where the believers are persecuted by the government. It is good to see our faith is universal, and we are united with people from around the world who believe in the same faith. The church is not only here in our home town, or our Diocese or our country, but we are united with people from all over the world in our one faith. Because of World Youth Day, we see that we are never alone. People around the world are with us, and the saints in heaven are also with us.

One of the most moving experiences I had during our trip was the final day, which was the vigil prayer service with Pope Benedict XVI. The day starts with an 8-mile walk to the airfield, where all the 2 million youth gather and camp out through the night. During the prayer vigil, right when the Pope was about to give his homily, a storm arrived, beginning with strong winds, and then pouring rain. The storm clouds came out nowhere and we were not prepared for the storm. But what was moving was to see Pope Benedict XVI at the front, just WAITING with us, for the storm to pass. Some pilgrims were frustrated, and some wanted to leave. Other pilgrims started praying and others started praising God by singing songs. Since Pope Benedict XVI is the Successor of St. Peter, this event reminded me of the bible passage of Peter in the storm in Galilee. The disciples were in the boat with Jesus when suddenly a storm came and the waves crashed into the boat. The disciples were worried and woke up Jesus and he said, “Why are you fearful… Peace and be still. (Mk 40). Jesus was with the disciples in that great storm, and in the same way Jesus is with us during our storms in life, in our trails, struggles, and troubles. Jesus is with us through it all. When we are experiencing hard times, we must remember, God is with us and tells us, “peace and be still.” I AM with you.

Now, going back to the storm during World Youth Day, the storm lasted about 20 minutes. Then Pope Benedict XVI brought out Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. And you wouldn’t believe the amount of calmness and peacefulness that came upon the 2 million people there. It was pure silence and adoration. In the chaos of the storm I found peace in Christ, this is where God is. In this storm God is present with me and he is watching, guiding, and protecting me. And the same it is for all of us, it is during the storms of our lives that we must be firm in our Faith and remain with God. He will bring peace to our storms.

Please submit more questions about seminary life, vocation, or prayer. I would love to answer them, don’t be afraid, just ask!

Also, if you have any prayer requests you can send them my way as well. It is kind of my job to pray for you!

God bless!

Here are a few more questions and answers about seminary life and vocation that I am frequently asked. Hope it helps, If you want more in-depth answers, just ask me!

JREM, have you ever thought about having a family? Thats an easy answer, of course! The thought of having a family is normal and healthy for people discerning a vocation to the priesthood and for all males for that matter. A priest is called to be the spiritual father for many people, there a lot of qualities that a priest and a father (dad) should have. The main quality and main call for both the priest and the father (dad) is Faithfulness! No matter if you become a priest or get married you are called to be faithful in your vocation. I believe a man who is faithful would be a good priest and good father & husband. We must remember that both vocations require self-sacrifice and commitment by the person who is undertaking that role.

On another note, for the priest, every man is their son and every woman is their daughter. Priests are the father to all of God’s people.

Since a priest doesn’t have their own family, isn’t it a lonely life? Let me begin by saying, loneliness is a feeling EVERYBODY experiences! Married people experience loneliness, superstars & actors experience loneliness, elderly people experience loneliness, and so YES priests also experience loneliness.

I think the key to remember is the feeling of loneliness is a normal. But we should also remember we are NEVER alone! Sure we may live alone in the rectory, or we may have nobody to go to the store or watch a movie with but that doesn’t mean we are alone. We have friends, family, brother priests and seminarians we can call anytime.

We should also remember, ALL OF US are united in Christ. That means, Every baptized Catholic around the world are joined in prayer when we participate in the Holy Mass. We are united in our faith in Jesus Christ, and their are people around the world constantly praying for each of us. The saints in Heaven are also praying for us.

So to summarize, yes priests experience the feeling of loneliness just like everybody else but we are never alone. We are united through our faith with many people around the world.

What is the hardest part of seminary life? Personally, the hardest challenge of seminary life is the academics. It is more of myself getting in the way of doing work. Example, I have perfected the art of procrastination! (I am most likely procrastinating right now as I write this blog!)

What is the most rewarding part of seminary life? I think the most rewarding part of seminary life are the friendships and bonds I’ve made with other men discerning God’s will. I’ve formed many valuable friendships in the seminary, friendships that I will have for the rest of my life. We are brothers, and we journey through the daily life of semianary. Some days are blissful while other days are terrible. Yet we know, we have each other to share our experiences with and draw support from one another. The bonds made in seminary have been the most rewarding part of seminary life!

Last Thursday (Nov, 3) I along with 20 classmates received the Ministry of Acolyte! This is the second “official” step towards the sacrament of Holy Orders. It was a beautiful Mass presided by the former Auxilary Bishop of Sacramento, now Bishop of Monterey.

In this moment or second “official” step, it is made clear God is still calling us closer to Him, calling us to be ministers. The Rite continues to call us to conversion, it states, “Take this vessel with bread (wine) for the celebration of the Eucharist. Make your life worthy of your service at the table of the Lord and of his Church.” God is calling my classmates and myself in particular, to follow Him in this way. It was a very moving to think, God would ask us for our service for His Church.

This point of my vocation journey is very exciting and very fruitful. I am grateful to be where God has placed me and it is clear God is calling me even closer to Himself.

Please let us continue to pray for one another in our journey towards the Lord.

God bless!