SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL | Founded in Paris in 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a worldwide community of more than 800,000 lay Catholics, known as Vincentians, who join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to neighbors in need. Have you considered answering the call to help serve the poor by joining the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (for Adults) or SSVdP Youth (13-18 years old)? Contact sanrafael.svdp@gmail.com or call (858)588-2556. Facebook: @SVdPSanRafaelConference. All are welcome at our monthly meetings. You do not need to be a member to attend.)

MAY GIVING TREE | It’s a baby shower for the unborn at Life Choices Pregnancy Center during the month of May. This center has been a life source for young women in the community contemplating abortion. Women’s Fellowship invites everyone to fulfill the wishes of these families. The center especially needs: Enfamil or Kirkland brand formula, Diapers – Sizes Newborn, 3-6, Baby Wipes, Onesies, Clothing for boys and girls 4T-8, and gas gift cards. Costco, Amazon, and Target gift cards would be appreciated also. Direct financial donations may be made by scanning the QR Code. Place all unwrapped gifts and gift cards in the bassinet located in the vestibule of the church. Thank you for your generosity to the children and their mothers who visit Life Choices Pregnancy Center.

NEWCOMERS WELCOME GATHERING | All newly registered parishioners as of November 1st, 2022 to present are invited to join other fellow new parishioners for a welcome breakfast gathering and fellowship after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 4th. Please meet at the rectory. Your presence is much appreciated. A light breakfast will be served. RSVP to Lea at (858)487-2834 or to Elmira at (315)278-5934. Note: Any new parishioner who missed the previous breakfast gathering are welcome to join us. Please call the above numbers for any questions. Thank you.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP | The Inland North County Parkinson’s Support Group for people with Parkinson’s and their care partners meets from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon Monday, June 5th ,at San Rafael in the Parish Hall. The featured speaker is Erin Angelo from RX Ballroom Dance who will present “Free Ballroom Dance Classes for People with Parkinson’s.” Discussion sessions will follow the presentation. Call (760)749-8234 or (760)518-1963.

FORTISSIMO! FAITH FORMATION | Join San Rafael’s Music Ministry the week of June 26th-30th for Fortissimo!, a summer music experience for children kindergarten through 5^th grade focused on faith formation and music education. Your children are in for a week full of games, songs, instruments and crafts! Our theme this year is “The Cross of Christ.” Registration can be found on the San Rafael Parish website. Volunteers, 6^th grade and up, are also invited to join us. If you have any questions, please contact Haley Pettersen at (858)487-4314, ext. 1225.

A PEARL OF UGANDA | In 2007, the parishioners of San Rafael adopted the children of Mbarara, Uganda into their hearts, and through their financial support and prayers, Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital became a reality. Today, Holy Innocents has treated over 250,000 children and has redefined Ugandan pediatric health care.

A Pearl of Uganda: The Story of Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital, a new book from Tau Publishing, written by Clay Hoffman, chronicles the parish’s amazing role in making the hospital possible. Copies will be available for purchase following each of the Masses during the weekend of June 10th-11th.

To purchase advance copies of A Pearl of Uganda: The Story of Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital visit taupublishing.com or call Anne Hoffman at (619)517-5058.

Sunday, May 28th, 2023

FROM THE DESK OF MSGR. DENNIS

The National Workshop on Christian Unity, which is the largest forum in the United States for those who work in the area of ecumenism and interreligious affairs, was held in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. This Workshop began in the late 1960’s and continues through today although, like everything, it is taking steps to recover from the COVID Pandemic and current financial stress. In the past, these meetings were exciting and hope filled that the unity for which Christ prayed for His followers (Jn 17:21) would soon come to fruition. However, like many things it takes two steps forward and one (or more) steps back! The walls that separated Christians for centuries were laboriously dismantled and bridges to bring us together were slowly built. Now, it seems, the evil one has been at work here as well because in some instances the bridges are now being dismantled and the walls rebuilt. What is it that causes such fear among Christians to do what Jesus asks? Issues such as racism, abortion, human sexuality, the LGBTQ agenda are all hot topics that no one wants to handle which consequently mute the gospel. The work of satan is clearly visible in discouraging the work of Christian Unity. One thing that is common to every thinking Christian, though, is that this work is nothing we can do by ourselves but is something on which we must depend one hundred percent on the Holy Spirit (but with our cooperation).

The work of Christian Unity is just one scene at play in the life of the world. Just look at how divided we all are today, ready to tear out each other’s throats of those who disagree with us like a pack of wild dogs. Why is it that we human beings with in our petty squabbles prevent the Holy Spirit from doing His job in the world? Why?

We become very comfortable sitting on our side of the river in our castles which we have built from the stones of the bridges we have willingly dismantled. What a sad, pathetic image we Christians must project to the world. As long as was we continue to kick God to the curb or lock Him up in the dungeons of our darkened, self-centered minds the Good News of Jesus Christ will never be reached to this world desperate for the “sweet refreshment” of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit of Pentecost is the only recourse we have to bring the gospel to life in the world. Each of us must first start with ourselves and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten our minds to God’s wisdom and will. We must then gather with like-minded disciples (the Church) and show by the witness of our lives that God lives and God alone can save us. We must be willing to cooperate with God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we want to see positive change. We must be open to seeing and respecting God in others and reaching out to help every person understand his/her dignity as a child of God. Only then will Eden be restored and the evil one be put to flight. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in us the fire of your love! Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew face of the earth!

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: “Breathe into me Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.”

Msgr. Dennis L. Mikulanis, S.T.D.
Pastor

San Rafael Parish, San Diego

Catholic Church

News & Events

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

Sunday, May 28th, 2023

FROM THE DESK OF MSGR. DENNIS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply