Pastor’s Weekly Message

Walking Together: Remembering Pope Francis A Reflection for the First Anniversary of His Death — April 21, 2026 One year ago today, on Easter Monday morning, Pope Francis returned to the Lord. He had given his final Easter blessing the day before, frail and labored, but still insisting on the joy of the Resurrection. Within…

The road to Emmaus is one of the most beautiful stories in all of Scripture. Two disciples are walking away from Jerusalem. They are heartbroken, and their dreams have collapsed. “We were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel,” they say. Notice the past tense. They speak of Jesus as someone who…

What a glorious Easter! St. Simon was radiant last Saturday at the Easter Vigil and at Easter Sunday Masses. The church was full, the music soared, and the joy was palpable. Many of you who come faithfully every week did something beautiful: you welcomed those who joined us for the first time or for the…

Happy Easter, St. Simon Parish! Welcome home. I love you all. Whether you have been here every Sunday or are joining us for the first time in a while, you belong here. We are glad you are with us. If you have a family member, a friend, or a neighbor who has drifted from church,…

There is a moment in the Palm Sunday liturgy that should stop us cold. The crowd is waving branches and shouting “Hosanna” (Save us!), and then, almost without warning, they are screaming “Crucify him!”; We might be tempted to judge them. But if we are honest, we recognize ourselves in that crowd. Crowds are not…

This past Monday evening, many of you came to our parish Reconciliation service, some of you carrying knots that have been pulling tight for a very long time. I want to thank Jim Arena for presiding so beautifully at the service and to every priest who offered his time. Jim’s reflection on the prodigal son…

There is a wonderful irony at the heart of this Sunday’s Gospel from John. A man who has been blind from birth receives his sight. And yet the deeper story John tells is not really about physical vision at all. The man born blind, it turns out, has been able to see all along —…

What a gift this past week has been. Our Lenten Mission, Untying Your Knots: Return to Joy, exceeded every hope. Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, brought his singular grace to our community—artist, brother, storyteller, spiritual guide—and something genuinely holy happened among us. His sessions were luminous: funny, tender, theologically rich, and full of the kind of invitation…

We all have moments that stay with us for a lifetime. A quiet conversation with a parent that changed how we saw the world. The birth of a child. A sunset on a trip that took our breath away. An unexpected kindness from a stranger that restored our faith in people. These moments become anchors,…

On Ash Wednesday, we began our Lenten journey. Hundreds of you came forward to receive ashes, and I was moved to see so many families, young people, and longtime parishioners marking this sacred beginning. Thank you for starting this journey with openness and faith.   This Sunday’s readings take us to two powerful moments in…

Migrants on the Way Home: An Invitation to Our Lenten Journey This Wednesday, February 18th, we begin the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. I warmly invite you to join us for one of our three services: 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, or 7:00 PM. As we receive ashes on our foreheads, we hear the…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says something that should stop us in our tracks: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He has not come to throw out the rules. He has come to reveal the love that…

This Sunday’s readings continue the great Sermon on the Mount that we began last week with the Beatitudes. Jesus shared with his disciples who they are called to be — blessed, humble, merciful, peacemakers — and now he tells them what they are called to do: “You are the salt of the earth… You are…

This Sunday, Jesus gathers his disciples on a mountainside and shares the Beatitudes, the very heart of his teaching. “Blessed are the poor in spirit… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are the meek… Blessed are the peacemakers.” These words, so familiar to us, describe not just the people God loves but the kind of…

In this Sunday’s readings, we encounter one of the most powerful images of our faith: light breaking through darkness. The prophet Isaiah speaks to a people who had known oppression, exile, and despair. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light…

This Sunday, we hear John the Baptist’s powerful testimony: “Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” These words carry the weight of certainty born from genuine encounter. John doesn’t simply repeat what he’s heard or offer a theory about Jesus. He speaks from direct experience. He has seen. He…

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, we encounter one of Scripture’s most beautiful moments: the Magi, guided by a star, finds the Christ child and worships him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But it’s what happens next that captures my attention this year: “And having been warned in a dream not…

What a grace-filled Advent season this has been! I want to begin by thanking everyone who joined us for our Finding Joy retreat series. Over these past weeks, we’ve explored together how to make space for Christ—not by adding one more task to our endless to-do lists, but by pausing to recognize the One who…

As we gather on this Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday—”Rejoice Sunday”—we light the rose-colored candle on our wreath, a sign that our waiting is almost over. Yet today’s Gospel brings us a story that might surprise us. John the Baptist, that bold prophet who fearlessly called people to repentance, who baptized…

Before we step into Advent, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible generosity of our community in donating turkeys to support local families in need. Thanks to Rose Mary Becker and the St. Vincent de Paul team, along with Melissa and Brian Moody who coordinated the Turkey Bingo event, we were able…

This past weekend, our parish gathered for one of the most moving liturgies of our year—the Mass of Remembrance. The church was full, the spirit was tender, and the presence of God was palpable. So many of you came forward afterward to express how meaningful the liturgy was, especially for those who were unable to…

As we come to the final stretch of our liturgical year, the Church intentionally places before us readings that speak of endings—of shaking foundations, of upheaval, of those moments when the world feels uncertain and fragile. It is not meant to frighten us but to recalibrate our hearts. Scripture uses the language of “end times”…

This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of the Bishop of Rome—the mother church of all churches throughout the world. I visited there during my summer vacation this year and it is an impressive building but also a subdued and unstated magnificent Church. It reminds us…

From Apricots to Souls: Growing Faith in Grateful Soil   What a grace-filled week it has been! As we concluded our celebration of 70 years as a parish and nearly 65 years as a school, my heart overflows with gratitude for the generations who have tilled, planted, and nurtured this community of faith. Throughout our…

The Sunday Scripture readings invite us to reflect on what it means to come humbly before God—not for show or praise, but in sincerity and openness of heart. The readings remind us that God notices what we do when no one else is watching—and that our integrity before Him matters far more than our outward…

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 18:1–8), Jesus tells his disciples a parable “about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.” He talks about a widow who persistently returns to an unjust judge, pleading for justice. Though the judge neither fears God nor respects anyone, he finally grants her request—not because he has…

This Sunday’s readings invite us to rediscover the power of gratitude — not just as polite manners, but as a posture of the soul. Both Naaman the Syrian the leper in the first reading and the one leper out of ten who returned to thank Jesus in the Gospel remind us that healing is not…

Our pilgrimage to Ireland was nothing short of amazing! We were blessed with the most beautiful weather—only a few gentle showers the whole week. What a gift! We visited so many sacred places that it’s hard to highlight just one, but the silence of Glendalough still lingers in my heart and visiting my hometown and…

Greetings from Ireland! I’m writing to you while on pilgrimage with 46 fellow travelers, and it is wonderful to be back in my homeland. The weather has been reliably wet and brisk—Irish through and through—but our spirits are warm. We began at Newgrange, an ancient site of the pre-Christian Celts, then traveled north to Downpatrick,…

What a wonderful celebration we shared on Sunday with the Annual BBQ—with over 1,000 people in attendance! My heartfelt thanks go first to Michelle Duchesne and the entire committee for their creativity, organization, and tireless dedication. A special word of appreciation to Victor and Baldy, our amazing maintenance team, whose behind-the-scenes work kept everything running…

This Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 14:25–33) includes one of Jesus’ most startling teachings. He turns to the large crowd following him and says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” It’s a jarring statement—on the surface,…

There is perhaps no teaching more at odds with the modern world than this: the humble will be exalted, and the exalted will be humbled as quoted in this Sunday’s Gospel.   Our society urges us to promote ourselves—build our brand, seek recognition, claim credit, ensure our voices are heard. Social media platforms thrive on…

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough… For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” (Luke 13:24, 30) These are sobering words. They challenge us to think…

I just returned from my summer vacation, and I want to say how deeply grateful I am—for the time away, for the staff who held down the fort with such grace and care, and for all of you who allowed me the space to rest and recharge. It was a true gift. I spent the…

A Week of Service, Connection, and Transformation in Tijuana This past week, a group of volunteers joined our ministry team on an unforgettable mission trip to the outskirts of Tijuana, Mexico. In just seven days, lives were changed—both among those we served and those who came to serve.   Each day was thoughtfully planned to…

Dear St. Simon Family, As your consultant for liturgy and music and happily pinch-hitting for Fr. Brendan while he enjoys a well-deserved vacation, I am delighted to share a few reflections with you this week. But first, let me start off by saying… it has been a true joy and blessing to journey with this…

The central theme of today’s Gospel is hospitality—especially toward strangers. We are reminded of Abraham, who welcomed three unknown visitors, and of Martha, who worked hard to receive Jesus and His disciples. These stories show us how hospitality was embraced in the past—not just as a kind gesture, but as a deeply rooted tradition, regarded…

Dear Friends, I am deeply grateful and excited to begin my priestly ministry with you at St. Simon Parish. My name is Fr. Thanh Ho, and I come to St. Simon with a heart full of hope and anticipation for the journey we will share together.   My hope is to deepen our relationship with Christ and…

In this weekend’s Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples in pairs, instructing them to go ahead of Him to every town and place He intended to visit. As they embark on this mission, Jesus offers them these powerful words: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest…

This Sunday we celebrate the solemn feast of Saints Peter and Paul, two towering figures of our Church whose lives, though very different in background and temperament, converged on a single, unshakable truth: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Peter professed these words in the Gospel, and Paul proclaimed…

This weekend we celebrate the beautiful and profound Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ—Corpus Christi. It is a sacred reminder that the Eucharist is not simply something we receive; it is something we become. St. Augustine once preached, “Behold what you are, become what you receive.” When we come to the table of…

Living the Presence of the Trinity In the rich tradition of Celtic Christianity, the mystery of the Trinity was not a theological puzzle to be solved but a sacred presence to be lived. The Celts sensed God not as a solitary monarch in the sky, but as a circle of eternal relationship—Father, Son, and Holy…

My heart is full—overflowing, really—with gratitude after the incredible celebration of my 25th anniversary of priesthood last weekend. The liturgy was nothing short of magnificent: stunning music, a beautifully prepared church, and a congregation fully present in voice, spirit, and love. Every pew was filled, every song sung from the heart, and the presence of…

This Sunday, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord—Jesus’ return to the Father—marking the moment when the Risen Christ moves from the visible world back into the invisible realm of the Spirit. In many ways, this mirrors the circle of life that John O’Donohue, the Irish poet, philosopher and theologian, so beautifully described through the…

This Sunday’s Gospel brings us some of the most tender and reassuring words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.” (John 14:27) These words—spoken just before Jesus’ Passion—are not wishful thinking. They are a promise. A promise rooted…

This past week, I had the privilege of attending our annual Clergy Study Week in the historic and peaceful setting of San Juan Bautista. It was an energizing and uplifting experience, not only because of the beautiful surroundings, but more so because of the opportunity to reconnect with fellow priests from across the Diocese. We…

This weekend’s Gospel reminds us of one of the most powerful truths of our faith: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). As we continue our Easter journey, we are invited to tune our hearts once more to the voice of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, who calls each…

 “Feed My Sheep” — Called to Forgive, Called to Love In this Sunday’s Gospel (John 21:1–19), we witness a tender and powerful moment between the Risen Lord and Simon Peter. Around a charcoal fire—so reminiscent of the fire near which Peter once denied Jesus three times—Jesus gives Peter a chance to undo his betrayal. Three…

“Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” — John 20:19 The Gospel for this Second Sunday of Easter brings us into the upper room with the disciples. Locked in fear, unsure of the future, grieving what they thought was lost—until the Risen Lord appears among them with…

Happy Easter! Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen! Alleluia!   This is the high point of the Church year. Easter Sunday is not just a celebration of something that happened—it is the “defining moment” of who we are. As Christians, we are not just followers of a teacher, a healer, or even a prophet.…

Every life is shaped by defining moments. Sometimes, they are joyful. Sometimes, they are painful. But they leave a mark — not just on our memories, but on our character. This Sunday, Passion Sunday, we enter into the defining moment of Jesus’ life — the Passion. Everything in his public ministry was leading to this…

This Sunday’s Gospel brings us face-to-face with one of the most moving encounters in all of Scripture: the story of the woman caught in adultery. She is humiliated, shamed, and dragged before Jesus by people ready to condemn her. But Jesus doesn’t join in the condemnation. He simply says, “Let the one among you who…

This Sunday, we encounter one of the most beloved and powerful stories in the Gospel—the Parable of the Prodigal Son. While we often focus on the son who squanders his inheritance and returns home in shame, or the elder brother who struggles with resentment, today I invite us to shift our gaze to the father.…

What a truly incredible weekend we just experienced! Our Lenten retreat with Julianne Stanz was a profound time of grace, reflection, and renewal. Over 350-400 people gathered each night to hear her powerful message of hope, centered on the Cross of Christ and the “thin places” in our lives—those moments when God breaks through in…

The Second Sunday of Lent brings us to the mountaintop with Jesus, Peter, James, and John as we witness the Transfiguration (Luke 9:28b-36). In this moment of divine revelation, Jesus is transfigured before them, his face dazzling, his clothes radiant, and Moses and Elijah appearing beside him. It is a stunning glimpse of his divinity,…

As we step into the first Sunday of Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and faces three temptations from the devil (Luke 4:1-13). These temptations strike at the very core of identity: “Turn these stones into bread” – The temptation to believe that we are what we do.…

This past weekend, I had the privilege, with several members of staff, of attending the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, a gathering that brings together thousands of people from across the country, and the world, to deepen their faith and be inspired for ministry. This year’s theme centered on compassion, a fitting reflection as we…

This past weekend, I had the joy of leading a group of pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican to celebrate the Jubilee of Artists and Culture. We gathered with others from around the globe to encourage and honor artists in their crafts, recognizing their profound role in shaping culture and faith. Pope Francis was unable…

In the Gospel this Sunday, we hear Jesus’ powerful Sermon on the Plain, where He proclaims four blessings—blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those who are hated for His sake. These words challenge us because they turn the world’s values upside down. In a culture that often seeks comfort and security,…

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells Peter to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). Peter, an experienced fisherman, had been working all night and caught nothing. He was tired and likely skeptical, but something in Jesus’ voice made him trust. “At your command, I will lower the…

This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, a moment of revelation and prophecy. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple, the prophet Simeon took the child into his arms and proclaimed that He was “a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your…

This weekend, as we gather for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we also celebrate Word of God Sunday, a special call by Pope Francis to focus on the importance of Scripture in our lives. Our readings today beautifully emphasize the power of God’s Word to inspire, guide, and unite us.   In the first…

SSPS CSW Letter to Parish 2025.docx

In today’s Gospel from John (2:1-11), we witness Jesus performing His first public miracle at the wedding feast in Cana. At his mother Mary’s gentle prompting, Jesus turns water into wine—a quiet but profound sign of His divine presence breaking into the ordinary moments of life. This moment reveals how God’s grace can transform even…

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are invited to reflect on a profound moment in the life of Jesus and in our own lives as well. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear the voice of God the Father proclaiming over Jesus, “You are my beloved Son; with…

As we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, the story of the Magi reminds us of the profound invitation to encounter Christ and return to our lives “by a different way.” After following the star to the Christ child, the Magi were forever changed. They listened, discerned, and allowed the experience of Jesus to transform…

As we gather this weekend to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, we are reminded of the gift of love and joy that God bestows upon us in our families. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stands as a model of selfless love, deep faith, and mutual care, inviting us to reflect…

As we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Gospel brings us to a profound moment of encounter between Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s words to Mary echo through the ages: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45). These words affirm Mary’s faith, her…

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) This Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, we are reminded of our call to live in joy, even amid life’s challenges. Zephaniah’s proclamation to “shout for joy” because “the Lord is in your midst” (Zephaniah 3:14-17) and Paul’s encouragement to “rejoice always” remind us that…

In today’s Gospel, we hear John the Baptist proclaiming “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). At first glance, the word “repentance” might stir images of regret or remorse, but there is a deeper, richer meaning to uncover here. The Greek word used in the original text is metanoia, which carries…

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, filled with gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. As we transition from the warmth and joy of Thanksgiving into the reflective season of Advent, let us carry that spirit of gratitude forward, opening our hearts to the hope and stillness…

Dear St. Simon Parish Family, As Thanksgiving approaches, my heart is filled with gratitude for each one of you. This season invites us to pause and reflect on the profound blessings in our lives—blessings that shine most brightly through the gift of community.   We are made for connection. God, in His infinite wisdom, places…

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe and the last Sunday of our liturgical year. While kings, queens, and monarchs may feel distant to us in today’s world, we as Christians boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as our King—not of a single nation or earthly dominion, but of…

As we reflect on the readings for this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we hear Jesus speak about the end times, a sobering reminder of the transience of all things. Yet, as we ponder these apocalyptic images, we are also called to treasure the gift of life God has given us and to live with…

In this Sunday’s gospel, we find ourselves in the temple with Jesus, who observes the quiet but profound actions of a widow giving her last two coins. Jesus “sees” her, not only noticing the small offering she places into the treasury but also witnessing her deep faith and courage. This widow, like many in her…

As we reflect on the scripture readings this 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, we encounter the Shema, a beautiful commandment at the heart of the Jewish faith and our Christian faith: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all…

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we encounter Bartimaeus, the blind man who cries out to Jesus, “Master, I want to see!” His plea for physical sight resonates deeply with our spiritual condition. Like Bartimaeus, we, too, are often blind—not in the physical sense, but spiritually. We stumble through life distracted by our busyness, unable to see…

Please read through the Annual Report for 2023-2024, this is a 10 page report. Thank you. Annual Report 2023-2024

As we journey through Ordinary Time, our lives often feel far from ordinary. The world spins faster and faster, days go by and we are caught in the rush, pulled in countless directions especially for families with young children. Where do we find the time to come to Church? Where do we find the time…

In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to a life of radical trust and generosity, urging us to sell what we have, give to the poor, and follow Him. These words are a challenge to live a life detached from the things of this world and to make room for the things of heaven. The rich…

The pilgrims arrived back this week tired but on fire with their faith a little more. We truly had an amazing trip, and we visited many incredible sites. In Istanbul, we continued to pilgrim in St. Paul’s footsteps. Istanbul, once known as Constantinople, was built by the emperor Constantine to give a notably city for…

As I am writing this eBulletin I am in Istanbul, Turkey with a group of 48 pilgrims from St. Simon and Holy Spirit Parishes and we are halfway through our pilgrimage of Walking in the Footsteps of St. Paul. It has been a lot of traveling each day and the pace has been a little…

In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges the disciples’ assumptions about greatness, turning their ideas upside down by teaching that the first must be the last and the servant of all (Mark 9:30-37). At first glance, the disciples’ reaction seems almost automatic, driven by their desire for prestige and status. This instinctual response—seeking power and recognition—is part…

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus engages in a powerful and personal dialogue with His disciples, asking them, “Who do people say that I am?” The responses vary—John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets—but it is Peter’s response, when Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” that shifts the conversation. Peter,…

The beginning of the school year and the arrival of September hit me hard this week. Life just sped up radically. How are you feeling? Are you feeling the same? I found myself with very full days and I felt like I had more going on than ever and not enough time to fit it…

One of the gifts of the COVID-era lockdowns was the awareness we developed for the different “essential workers” in our communities. From store clerks to first responders to nurses and doctors, we all got a sharp reminder how important the different strata of our working population really are and how important it is for us…

It was so exciting to see all the kids come back to school on Wednesday! We welcomed over 540 children back to school and that is a huge increase over previous years. Wow!  We missed seeing them and their families over the summer as they traveled on vacation to see family and friends. While it…

Last year I attended a week at a health spa where I learnt a lot about body nutrition, medical advances and how best to apply those to our modern way of life. It is a complex challenge given our processed food world! I learnt about the varied ways to lose weight and the importance of…

Over the last few weeks, I have immensely enjoyed the Olympics. While I was away on vacation, I got to watch many sports that I never watch and I have enjoyed the skills of the competitors in unpredictable ways, particularly as I knew little about the sports. Since I returned home from vacation, I have…

As I write this eBulletin article, I finished my last hike in the Utah and Colorado mountains on this 2-week vacation. I was able to hike over 130 miles of high-altitude trails and enjoy many high mountains. In particular, I got to climb to the summit of Pike’s Peak outside Colorado Springs. It was the…

 2024 Tijuana Ministry Trip Reflection by Joan Mibach …   This year we celebrated the 20th year of the BASICS Tijuana Ministry mission trip,  and the 15th year  St. Simon has participated in this immersion mission.  Each year the trip is slightly different based on the travelers who go and the programs we can offer. …

A message from Fr. Chris Bologo …. Eucharistic Celebration as an Encounter with Christ that leads to encountering Him in Others   From July 17th to 21st, the National Football League (NFL) Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, welcomed more than 50,000 Catholics from all over the United States to…

“Stop giving your children Bible names without teaching them Bible lessons,” a man lamented. Curious onlookers asked, “What happened?” With a chuckle, he replied, “Well, yesterday I was robbed by someone named Abraham.”   This humorous anecdote highlights a deeper truth: the importance of aligning our beliefs with our actions. As followers of Jesus Christ,…

As we gather on this Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and celebrate the 4th of July weekend with family and friends, we reflect on the gentle yoke of discipleship that Christ offers us. St. Paul in the reading this week, shares his ardent prayer to the Lord to take away some cross in his life,…

Two years ago, we took a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and on our visit to Galilee we stayed at a hotel run by a religious order at Magdala. They were excavating the temple area at the time, at the site which they believed was the home of Jairus. This is the scene depicted in…

One of the most profound experiences of my life was my 30-day silent retreat which I went on over 10 years ago. I found the silence enriching and it settled my soul to a new level that I had never experienced before. I had always taken an annual retreat of one week in silence, and…

As I write this eBulletin I am at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Retreat Property for the annual San Jose Diocesan Youth Retreat (DYR). It is a beautiful place but what is even more beautiful is the experience that happens here with the youth. They experience the love of Christ in ways that they never have before!…

Last Saturday we celebrated the graduation of our eighth-grade students from St. Simon Parish School.  It was a wonderful occasion for all of us. They chose the scripture passage for their Graduation Mass about Christ being the light for the world and how we are called to be the light of the world.   I…

As we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, we reflect more deeply on the profound mystery and gift of the Eucharist. It is the cornerstone of our Catholic faith, and we believe that it is the “font and summit of our shared faith.” As the Church celebrate this gift…

This weekend, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we are invited to reflect deeply on the central mystery of our faith: the loving relationship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity is not just a theological concept but a revelation of God as a…

As I write this bulletin article, I am just returning from our annual Clergy Study Week in San Juan Bautista. It has been quite a busy week – exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. It is always good to get away with the other priests and spend some time in fraternity while studying together…

This Sunday, we gather to celebrate a pivotal moment in our faith: the Ascension of the Lord. This event marks not just a physical ascent but a profound transformation within the early Church. The days from the Resurrection to the Ascension were charged with awe, as the disciples experienced the joy of Christ’s presence anew.…

When we feel loved for who we are, and not what we do or what we have or what we look like, it changes us inside. When someone loves us deeply and we feel it inside, it changes our whole world! We gain a self-security that changes us forever. We stand taller, we talk more…

It’s an exciting day at St. Simon! Later today, Bishop Oscar Cantú will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the teens of St. Simon Parish. It will be a wonderful moment of grace in their lives. I am deeply grateful to the hundreds of you that took the time to write a personal note to…

This weekend as we gather to celebrate and reflect, we are called to focus on the beautiful imagery of Christ as our Good Shepherd. The Gospel of John reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep intimately and calls us each by name. In a world brimming with distractions, His voice…

As we gather on this Third Sunday of Easter, we continue to celebrate the joyous season that illuminates the mighty works of God through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I continue to hear from parishioners how much they loved the Holy Week celebrations and Easter itself. It was so very memorable and meaningful for me,…

As we gather this Divine Mercy Sunday, on the octave of Easter, our hearts are filled with immense joy and gratitude. Last week, our celebration of Easter Masses was a truly inspiring testament to the vibrancy and faith of our community. The sight of our church filled to the brim, with not a single seat…

As we gather this Divine Mercy Sunday, on the octave of Easter, our hearts are filled with immense joy and gratitude. Last week, our celebration of Easter Masses was a truly inspiring testament to the vibrancy and faith of our community. The sight of our church filled to the brim, with not a single seat…

As we gather this Passion Sunday, also known as Palm Sunday, we immerse ourselves in the profound mysteries of our faith, marking the beginning of Holy Week. This year, through the lens of Mark’s Gospel (Mark 14:1—15:47), we are invited to contemplate the dramatic journey of Jesus—from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion.…

The great Catholic theologian and philosopher Bernard Lonergan suggested that the human soul does not come into the world as a tabla rasa, a pure, clean sheet of paper onto which anything can be written. Rather, we are born with first principles indelibly stamped inside our souls.  Fr. Ron Rolhesier states that “classical theology and philosophy name…

As we journey through the season of Lent, the Fourth Sunday offers us profound insights into the nature of God’s love and the essence of our Christian calling. This year, Cycle B readings illuminate our path with themes of reconciliation, love, and the transformative power of light in our lives. They seemed to flow straight…

As we continue our Lenten journey, we are reminded of the importance of deepening our spiritual lives and drawing closer to God. In the Gospel of Mark (Mark 9:2-10), we encounter the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. Peter, James, and John are granted a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory, and they hear the voice…

As we gather together on this first Sunday of Lent, we embark on a sacred journey marked by reflection, repentance, and renewal. Our Lenten journey began on Ash Wednesday, a solemn day where we received ashes in the shape of the cross on our foreheads, reminding us of our mortality and the need for penance…

This weekend, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing at all Masses this weekend. We encourage all parishioners who may need spiritual and physical healing to come forward right after the homily to receive this anointing and prayers from the community. We also ask you to invite any Catholic neighbor or friend who is in…

As we gather on this fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, we are filled with gratitude for the many blessings that have graced our parish community in recent weeks. We have witnessed the amazing success of the Fr. Murray Basketball Tournament, which not only showcased the talents of our youth but also exemplified the spirit of…

The Men’s faith sharing group meets on Thursday mornings and we are currently reading the book How to Know A Person by David Brooks. This week’s chapter has been particularly insightful and provocative. It challenges us to listen attentively to each other on a deeper level. We often project onto others what we want to…

As we approach the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, I find myself reflecting on the profound message in this week’s Gospel reading. In it, Jesus calls His first disciples with a simple, yet transformative command: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” This invitation, extended to ordinary fishermen, reminds us that…

As we gather in celebration this Sunday for the feast day of the Epiphany, we find ourselves at the intersection of several beautiful gifts: the gift of a new year, the gift of the Three Kings’ journey and the gift of opening the new St. Simon Parish Youth Center. This convergence offers us a profound…

On Sunday, we will celebrate the Feast Day of the Holy Family, and Jesus, Mary and Joseph provide us with a model of love and unity. Their lives were centered on love: love for God, love for each other, and love for all humanity. In their humble dwelling in Nazareth, they showed us that love…

Just over a year ago I led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and our last site to visit was the Church of the Visitation where Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist. It seemed like an odd place to finish our pilgrimage as we had just finished…

As we enter the third week of Advent, the Church reminds us of the profound significance of joy and peace during this sacred season. Despite the hustle and bustle of these final days of Christmas preparation, it is essential that we not only seek but also live the message of joy and peace. I encourage…

Last weekend, we kicked off Advent with a wonderful Christmas Tree lighting ceremony along with the children’s choir singing carols getting us into the Christmas spirit. Families and friends enjoyed hot chocolate, Christmas cookies served by the student cheer squad. This will surely be a new annual tradition as we had 100’s of children and…

As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent, we enter a season of profound anticipation and hope. Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, inviting us into a period of active waiting for the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This waiting is not passive or resigned but filled with purpose…

As we gather this weekend to celebrate Christ the King Sunday, we find ourselves amidst the joyous atmosphere of Thanksgiving. In the spirit of this special occasion, may we reflect on the importance of valuing and cherishing the incredible gifts that surround us—our families, friends, the precious gift of faith, and the often-overlooked gift of…

As we gather together this Thanksgiving, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the countless blessings bestowed upon us by our loving and merciful God. We are reminded to cultivate a spirit of gratitude not only for the bountiful harvest on our tables but also for the abundant love, grace, and companionship that surround us…

I love this time of year as fall arrives and the days get shorter and become cooler, and the nights become longer and colder. The darkness brings its own rewards and the earth starts the process of renewal for another growing season in the spring. At the same time the liturgical year comes to an…

Last weekend, we had over 250 people join us for our first annual St. Simon Parish Retreat, “Rekindle Your Spirit.” It was a wonderful weekend of energizing music, enriching sessions, and nourishing spaces for prayer throughout the campus. We were joined by Catholic composers and musicians, Francesca LaRosa, and Meredith Augustin. While we have not…

In Sunday’s gospel we hear the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, and Sadducees, who are trying yet again to catch Jesus at something to prosecute him. While their question, “What is the greatest command?” was meant to be a trick question, Jesus answered the way any good Jew would have answered. It is called Shema law,…

Over 20 years ago when I was first ordained my brother Paul took early retirement and moved his family to Sacramento. I promised him I would visit often, and I did. I went once a week for a few months but then I became too busy, and I reduced my visits to twice a month,…

My heart is heavy as I write this. What a terrible week of news to hear and read! The Hamas horrific attack on Israel has unnerved us all. It was traumatizing to watch the evening news each day and to see the slaughter of innocent children and women. It is so hard to understand why…

As I continue to read this latest book “Learning How to See” by Brian McLaren, I am shocked about how it resonates with me and hits a nerve so readily. As I mentioned in last weekend’s homily (that I only published via email and podcast as I was not here in person—link here), McLaren lists…

Over the past several weeks I have been talking about the St. Simon Retreat being held here on October 27 & 28. I have been asking people if they have ever been on a retreat and if so, what would they say to others who have never been on a retreat.   One couple said,…

Last weekend we announced the first annual St. Simon Retreat. It is my hope that this becomes an annual opportunity for all parishioners to deepen their faith in God and grow in relationship with Jesus. Many parishioners after Sunday Masses asked me what exactly this retreat is about, and why they should attend. So, what…

I am reading a book called “AWE: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life.” It is an inspirational read on life and a fresh take on many feelings and things we experience daily. It takes a scientific approach to something that we all feel on a regular basis—awe—and studies…

Last weekend with Labor Day we celebrated the official end of summer here in the United States. When I first moved to California 30+ years ago, schools used to start their first day of school after this weekend but now we start school earlier in August. I’m not sure if this is a good thing…

This weekend we hear from the prophet Jeremiah and his prayer to the Lord that he duped him into doing his work and now he cannot help himself but speak in the Lord’s name  – even if it brings him much more grief, “I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak…

Last Sunday I gave a short retreat of two hours to our catechists and ministers. Thank you to all who came and invited ministers from other parishes. I shared the highlights of the two books I plan to use as a guide for us in the year ahead as we re-group after the summer and…

During the summer I spent time reading books and listening to lots of podcasts, all in an effort to rejuvenate my mind and heart. I read some great books and heard some amazing wisdom over these last few months, and I will try to share the highlights with you over the weeks and months ahead…

When I was growing up in Ireland with a household of 12 children, all of us had chores to do around the house. We called them “charges” as we were “in charge” or this or that. We all had multiple charges, some of which were always the same. For example, I cleaned the pots and…

As you all know I just returned from part one of my vacation, three weeks traveling to Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon hiking and visiting with family and friends. I usually try to take all four weeks of my vacation together but this year I could not do so as I had some commitments on…

“…I give you a heart so wise and understanding…” (1 Kings 3: 12) Solomon is the third king of the people of Israel.  He reigned about forty years in the ninth century BCE.  In today’s First Reading, the story begins: “The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night.  God said, ‘Ask something of…

Looking Forward to the Season of Creation by Fr Chris Bologo Last Tuesday, July 18, I phoned Sr. Evelyn Muonanu, a Daughter of Divine Love congregation religious with whom I had worked in the chancery of the archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria. She is on a study and mission trip in Rome, Italy. As we talked,…

As I write this eBulletin article, I am closing the day of work on Thursday in Tijuana for our mission trip here with 35 other missionaries of which eleven are from St. Simon Parish. It has been an amazing experience since we arrived here. Each day brings its own graces where we experienced Christ in…

It was such a joy to have our Vacation Bible School (VBS) in session this week with over 125 children in attendance along with 60 counselors from 7th-8th grades and our high school core team. The buzz on campus was wonderful and they learned all about how to let Jesus’ light shine in their hearts…

In Sunday’s first reading, Jeremiah is struggling with where the Lord is in his life as it seems that all his enemies are delighting in his demise. Finally, after a dialogue with God in which God reviews with Jeremiah his presence always, he concludes that “The LORD is with me, like a mighty champion.” It…

Most elementary and high schools finished classes over the last two weeks and now universities and colleges are finishing up too. It is a welcome change of pace for many as we head into the summer months. Most of us are ready for the change and eagerly anticipate a vacation of some sort or at…

When Albert Einstein was once asked if he could explain his theory of relativity in simple terms, he said “No, I cannot.” But he added, “If you come home with me, I will play it on the violin.” It sounds so simple, but the reality is some things are beyond simple explanations, but they can…

This weekend, our 8th grade class graduates from Saint Simon School and we are excited for them as they head off to high school. Many of the students have been here all 10 years of their elementary schooling and some joined in the last few years, but they are graduating as a class, a community…

The feast of Pentecost is a feast about locked doors being blown open. It is about the doors of our hearts being blown open. Think about it, sometimes we are locked in patterns of the past and we are locked behind closed doors of fear or pain or unforgiveness.   This is illustrated well by…

At the beginning of this week, all the priests from the Diocese of San Jose were away at the San Juan Batista Retreat Center for clergy study days. It is usually a full week but as we had Bishop P.J McGrath’s funeral services, we came back early. While we were there, we reviewed the Synod’s…

On Sunday, May 7, Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, our bishop emeritus died. Bishop P.J.’s sudden death has caught us all by surprise. While he fell about two weeks ago and broke a vertebra in his back, the surgery was successful, and he was recovering well. Unfortunately, he developed pneumonia in one lung, and it spread…

Last weekend was an incredible weekend of community, ministry, and music. Francesca LaRosa and John Angotti gave a fantastic concert on Friday night with over 400 people present. Everyone was singing their hearts out and it was a wonderful celebration of faith! On Saturday morning, they gave a wonderful workshop that engaged nearly 100 cantors…

The gospel reading for Sunday is one of my favorites from the Bible, the walk to Emmaus. For me, it is a model for all ministry in our modern world. Let me explain. This is a post-resurrection scene where Jesus appears to the two disciples walking away from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Bear in mind that…

Happy Easter! I have to say it was wonderful to see all the Masses full over the Easter weekend and indeed throughout all the Triduum celebrations. Thank you for coming in person. It was most definitely good for my soul to see a full church and I hope it was good for your soul too.…

Happy Easter! Jesus is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!   When I immigrated from Ireland to the USA thirty-four years ago, I remember both of my parents taking me to the airport and walking me to the gate (remember those days!). It was a beautiful moment because they were genuinely delighted for me to go and make…

On Tuesday, the clergy of the Diocese gathered for an afternoon of prayer before the Chrism Mass that evening. We do this every year in preparation for Holy Week. I always look forward to spending some time away with priests, praying together and learning from a reflection given by one of our brother priests. Over…

Many of us have things we would love to do or places we would love to visit. Some of these have not happened because the timing was not right, or we did not have the money. Maybe we have promised ourselves we will do them when the kids have finished college or when we retire.…

Keeping time…Sacred was indeed what we did at the Lenten retreat that we held this week with John Angotti. While the storms raged in our neighborhood and everyone around us lost power, we were fortunate to have electricity at the parish and so we were able to proceed with a powerful retreat about the preciousness…

Last weekend I had the great honor of giving a retreat to one of the largest parishes in the country at American Martyrs Parish, Manhattan Beach, CA. They have over 7,500 parish families, an elementary school of 720 students and six Masses on Sunday. The church is huge with seating capacity of 1,400 and all…

According to Henri Nouwen, “Living a spiritual life requires a change of heart, a conversion. Such a conversion may be marked by a sudden inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always involves an inner experience of oneness. We realize that we are in the center,…

I have two friends who have a really bad sense of direction. They could drive out of their home garage, take a left turn, and be immediately lost! Seriously! It is extraordinary.    However, they both deal with it differently. One never admits he is lost and keeps driving. He takes a left turn, then…

Last Saturday we celebrated our first in-person Auction since before the Covid pandemic. It was so wonderful to attend such an awesome event with nearly 500 parishioners enjoying each other’s company. It was the best year ever! Saint Simon community, you are amazing beyond belief! Thank you to all who came and supported by buying…

One of the struggles of becoming seriously sick is that it is hard to keep your spirits up. In fact, a common side effect of any physical or emotional illness is we often slide into some form of mental illness, often without realizing it. One of the most common is mild depression. A prolonged delay…

Last weekend we hosted the Fr. Murray Basketball Tournament, the first since 2020 and my first time to attend. Wow!  What an awesome event! It was so much fun to see the students compete and have fun. Our 8th grade girls travel team won the championship and played outstanding basketball. Indeed all our teams played…

Last Saturday we held a volunteer appreciation Mass followed by dinner and a concert with John Angotti to recognize our volunteers. It was our way of saying thank you to the many school and parish volunteers who have shared the gift of their time with us over the last three years throughout the pandemic period.…

I recently listened to a podcast with Bill Perkins, the author of the book called Die With Zero. It was a fascinating listen and the book should prove to be a great read. The basic thesis is to spend your money on things that bring fulfillment now and not just save it up till you…

On Tuesday, the parish office re-opened after Christmas break and we had our staff meeting. We hold semi-monthly meetings with the pastoral staff to keep each other connected and up to date with the various activities and ministry work going on in the parish. To build a positive staff culture, we share highs and lows…

I hope you had a great Christmas with family and friends and found some time to  rest and take time off work during this week. If you were working, I hope you at least had some time to slow down just a little to absorb the profundity of the message of Christmas—God loves us so…

Hallelujah! Christ is born!    Christmas is finally here, and we now gather in churches all over the world to celebrate that the Word was made flesh and God chose to become one of us in Jesus Christ. Over the last two years we have been in a pandemic, something none of us expected during…

This week we continued our Advent Retreat series “Atomic Habits of Prayer” focusing on the third law of behavior change, Making It Easy and introduced the third stage of prayer called Listening to God.   We talked about how human behavior follows the Law of the Least Effort and we will all gravitate towards the…

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, and you didn’t eat too much food. I love Thanksgiving because I always get together with family sharing a meal, good conversation and yes even watching football. It is so good to be surrounded by love and share a glass of wine chatting…

I love this time of year in fall as the seasons change. Nature is resplendent with majesty and its ever-expansive range of colors as if to showcase the creativity of God. The days get shorter, and the nights get longer. While it is still warm during the days, the nights get progressively colder.  It is…

We are coming to the end of our liturgical year, and we finish reading from the Gospel of Luke which we have done over the last year. Starting in Advent, we will start reading from the Gospel of Matthew. Luke has a unique worldview, and he presents Jesus differently that the other gospels. Luke shows…

Over the last few days, John Angotti and I gave a new style of retreat in which we bantered back and forth about the Eucharist and God’s love for us with words of wisdom and songs of praise. This new format was well received with close to 100 parishioners attending each night in-person with an…

After being in the Holy Land and seeing so much amazing and inspiring artwork, I was reminded how much I love going to Art Galleries and just walking around and taking in the beauty of other people’s creations. I am fascinated by the diversity of the artwork that is available these days but sometimes struggle…

I am delighted to be back home after our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was a spectacular pilgrimage with so many new memories to reflect on for the next several months. While it was an exhausting two weeks, it was spiritually uplifting and an enriching experience for all of us. As I mentioned in…

As many of you already know, on Monday night, I fly to Tel Aviv to lead a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for 12 days with 48 parishioners. I am very excited about finally being able to lead another pilgrimage, especially to the Holy Land. Pilgrimages are journeys to sacred places to deepen our faith…

Last Sunday after Mass a parishioner asked me, as an Irishman, what I thought of Queen Elizabeth and her dying. It is a great question with many layers. I responded by saying that after seventy years of being a leader she has certainly passed the test of time. She was a grace-filled woman who rose…

It was so wonderful to see so many people at Masses last weekend as we launched the Children’s Faith Formation and Middle School Youth sessions. It was particularly lovely to hear the children making so much noise. One of the hardest things for me over the last two years of the pandemic was not seeing…

The more I know, the more I know that I don’t know. Or put more clearly, the older I get, the more I realize how little I know! It is not that I am not trying to learn but the more I learn the more I realize how little I really know. That is as…

It is hard to believe but school is starting this week for many schools including our own SaintSimon Parish School. Summers seem to be getting shorter! I remember when school started after Labor Day weekend but alas that is years ago. Nevertheless, it is exciting to have the school back and see all the students…

During the week of July 17th, 25 travelers joined the Tijuana Ministry mission trip sponsored and organized by BASICS, Brothers and Sisters in Community Service.  This is the 11th year that St. Simon Parish has been an integral part of this mission trip.  We had not been to Tijuana on Mission since 2019 and, out…

A few weeks ago, after one of the Sunday Masses, a parishioner came to me expressing her desire to be a greeter at Mass.  She shared with me that for a while she had discerned that God really wanted her to help others.  In the process of discernment, she realized that she had been blessed…

We are All called to Evangelize… The Church exists purely for the mission of evangelizing. In other words, to evangelize is the nature and character of the Church. This mission belongs not only to the ordained Ministers but to all baptized.  At the beginning of Christ’s Ministry, He appointed twelve apostles to assist him in…

Thank you, St. Simon Pastor and Parishioners. I arrived back at St. Simon Church Saturday morning, June 25th, after a month of vacation. Most of the time was spent in my home country, Nigeria. I had not visited Nigeria for two and half years, partly due to Covid-19 Pandemic, so it was enjoyable to be…

Happy 4th of July weekend!  I hope that you have a great time with family and friends at any BBQ you attend. I ask you to pause at some point in the celebrations and remember this great country of ours and genuinely pray for it and all our people and institutions. Our democracy is more…

I want to begin this eBulletin with a huge thank you to Tamami Honma for all her hard work in recruiting and preparing all the bands, musicians, and singers for last week’s Concert for Peace. It was simply a fantastic concert on every level. I cannot say enough about the San Francisco Brass Band and…

When I was a young boy I had a friend who was ambidextrous. When writing, he could take the pen and begin a sentence with one hand and finish the sentence with his other hand without telling the difference in his handwriting. I wanted to do the same so I started to write with my…

I am currently finishing a book called “Living in the Flow” by Sky Nelson-Isaacs. It is a book about the intersection of quantum mechanics and faith. One of the questions it attempts to answer: Is the Universe friendly? In a faith community, we would ask it differently: Why do bad things happen to good people?…

Today as you read this email, we will be in the middle of the graduation Mass for Saint Simon Parish School. It is always a special occasion to graduate a class from elementary school but this year even more so because these young men and women have endured over two years of covid restrictions that…

This week has been another shock to our system as we heard the horrifying news of the massacre of 21 innocent children and teachers in Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas. It is devastating to watch the damage done to that whole community. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who were…

Over the last few days, the Mental Health Ministry team called Hope & Wellness Ministry and Michelle Nealon, Joan Mibach, and I attended the first National Catholic Mental Health Conference at the Jesuit Retreat House, Los Altos. It was an excellent conference, and I am sure that I will be preaching and teaching more about…

Last week all the priests of the Diocese of San Jose gathered in San Juan Bautista for our Annual Clergy Study Week. It is always good for us to take time away and engage in some formation as priests. It is  the only time every year that we get to spend time together in fellowship.…

Celebrating Mother’s Day is always a wonderful opportunity to express our affection for our mothers and demonstrate our love for them if they are still alive. But it can also be a difficult day if we have a broken relationship with our mother as it seems everyone else is celebrating a harmonious relationship. It can…

I am currently reading a book by the great Irish poet and theologian, John O’Donohue called “Beauty” and it speaks of how we can discover divine beauty in all things. At this time of year when spring is unfolding its grandeur, there is so much beauty to be seen that it is not hard to…

After a week of incarceration and isolation in my room, I finally tested negative for Covid-19 and I am on the mend. While my energy is not 100% yet, I am feeling much better and I am back to quasi-normal. Thank you for your prayers. I will continue to take it easy for a few…

For the last several weeks I have given the retreat, From Here to Eternity: How to Live and Die Well. Through those sessions I explored in detail what our faith tells us about what happens when we die and indeed what happens in the dying process. I outlined the needs of the dying and how…

As I begin this eBulletin article, I want to thank Kim Karmirantzos for her hard work and dedication to our Parish in her role as Pastoral Associate for Community Engagement and Communications. She has done a fantastic job over the years and worked especially hard over the last two years during the COVID pandemic. She…

On Tuesday, we continued with our Lenten retreat called From Here to Eternity: How to Live and Die Well. During this third session, I again talked about death as the birthing process into eternal life and our roles as midwives to our loved ones. To this well, we need to know more about the dying…

Last Tuesday, we continued our Lenten retreat called From Here to Eternity: How to Live and Die Well. During this second session, I emphasized that death is more a birth into eternal life than the end of our earthly life. As such, then our role as disciples of Christ is to help those dying to…

Last Tuesday, we started the Lenten retreat called From Here to Eternity: How to Live and Die Well. During this first session, I covered our Catholic belief in the resurrection and the communion of saints and how those affect our approach to death itself. If we know we are destined for eternity life, then the…

I just arrived back from St. Monica’s Parish in Santa Monica, CA where I presented to them the Cairns on the Second Mountain of Life retreat that I gave at St. Simon’s last year. It was very well received and lots of people came to the sessions each night. It was a particularly healing trip…

All of this weekend and next week, I am away giving a retreat at St. Monica Parish, Santa Monica, CA. It will be the retreat I gave last year here at St. Simon, Cairns on the Second Mountain of Life, with some modifications to localize it. St. Monica Parish is a mega parish with over…

Over the last several weeks, I have shared some insights about the mental health continuum and how important it is that we become aware of what contributes to good mental wellness. Last week, I shared how traumas can often cause us to slide down the continuum, sometimes without us becoming aware of it.   I…

As we continue our short 4-minute series on the mental health ministry Hope & Wellness, we will now focus our attention on how we move from the wellness part of the mental health continuum to the illness part of the continuum. While it is more complex than we will lay out, there are some basics…

On Friday, February 11, the Church celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and the World Day of the Sick. It is a recognition of the importance to pray and care for those who are ill in our community and in our world. Jesus always had a preferential option for the sick and constantly…

“The Joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ, joy is constantly born anew…I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy,…

Over the last many months, many of us have heard about the Global Synod on Synodality but we have heard little in our own local Diocese of San Jose. What we do hear seems to be confusing! So let me spend a few moments trying to explain some of the different aspects of what will…

I am not sure if you have ever visited the famed John Muir National Forest. It is about 1.5 hours away depending on traffic and has some beautiful old sequoia trees some of which are 1,000 years old. It is a beautiful national treasure along with many other places to hike and enjoy nature.  …

I just arrived back from Ireland today and it was a bittersweet experience. Bitter because of the nature of the trip—to preside at the memorial service for my brother Paul so all our family and friends back there could gather and mourn the loss. Sweet because it was good to be back in Ireland surrounded…

What can be said of 2021? It was a tough year for all of us for sure and yet it was also full of grace and light. As Charles Dickens once said, it was the best of times and the worst of times. That is certainly true for many of us—2021 was a great year…

Recently when I visited the students in our school classrooms, one of the children asked me what was my favorite season of the liturgical year? I immediately said it was Christmas. I explained that it is not only because I love to decorate my home with lots of Christmas trees and lights, but also because…

As I write this bulletin article, my room is full of cards, flowers and baked goods from families and parishioners of St. Simon Church and School.  Also, my inbox is full of countless emails. The outpouring of love since the loss of my brother, Paul, and my spiritual director, Fr. Dave, has left me speechless.…

They say that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” In my experience, that is so true. If we do not want to see beauty, we will NOT see it. Even if we do want to see beauty, it is hard enough to see it! Yet we ought to try hard to see the…

As you already know this week has been a difficult week for me. On Monday night my mentor-friend and spiritual director, Fr. Dave Ayotte, died after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer. Then on Tuesday afternoon, after a 6+ month battle with pancreatic cancer, my closest brother and best friend, Paul died. It was the…

Last week at all Masses, the Finance Council presented the financial report for the year ended June 30, 2021 and it was also sent via email to all parishioners.  It is important that we all read the financial update carefully and be aware of the great work we have accomplished in the last year in…

As you might remember from the retreat on the Eucharist we just completed that one of the important aspects of the liturgy of the Eucharist is music. It is not just an optional element but a constitutive element of the whole liturgy. While we have four processional songs (gathering, preparation, communion, and recessional) music is…

On Tuesday night, we concluded our retreat, Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life. We reviewed the four previous movements of the Gathering, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Sending Forth. Then we focused on the challenges that come from these sessions especially in light of the pandemic and the…

On Tuesday night, we continued our retreat, Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life. After having gone through the three previous movements of the Gathering, the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we moved onto the last movement of the Sending Forth. The center of the first Gathering movement was humility and…

I just got back from our Annual Clergy Retreat and it was good to be away praying together. We all realized how much this past 18 months of pandemic has taken out of us and how much we need to come away and renew ourselves in Christ. Thank you for your patience while we were…

On Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm, we continue the retreat on Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life.  This week, we went through the second movement of the Eucharist about the Liturgy of the Word. We walked through the critical elements of this movement and how God comes at us in the four different scripture passages:…

On Tuesday nights at 7 pm, we continue the retreat on Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life. Last week, we went through the importance of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist; not only in the consecrated bread and wine, but also in the Word proclaimed, the people gathered, and in the priest. This…

On Tuesday night, I started our new retreat series called Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life and I had a real audience. It was lovely to have people in the Church as I presented. After giving 26 retreat sessions over the last year during the pandemic, this was the first session to have people with…

This Tuesday, September 28, at 7-8pm, we will start the new Retreat series called Living the Eucharist: Circle of Life. There will be in-person live audience and we will also livestream it for those who cannot come in person.  On Wednesdays, I will host a zoom call to break open the material a little more…

Last weekend it was wonderful to see so many parishioners gather for the Fall BBQ. It was the first time that many of you had been on campus in person since the beginning of the pandemic and for many more the first time you had seen each other in person. There was such excitement and…

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack on the United States and the collapsing of the World Trade Towers on 9/11/01. Over the last week, we have seen these images replayed on television and we remember what occurred then and how it affected so many lives since. Most of us remember exactly…

As I write this article, I am in Lourdes on pilgrimage with my brother Paul, his wife Maria and a number of other parishioners from St. Simon along with the Order of Malta’s annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. We arrived late Wednesday after a long day of travel which was hardest on the Malades (those who…

Jesus saves his harshest words for the Pharisees and the religious leaders of his time. When they challenged him, he would regularly accuse them of being “hypocrites” as they consistently say one thing but did another.  Jesus was brutal on them and in Sunday’s gospel; he is particularly harsh. Why does he do this? Mostly…

This week, St. Simon School welcomed back all our students to in-person learning. It was so exciting to see so many kids on campus again.  I was delighted to see them playing in the schoolyard and learning in the classrooms again. We are off to a great start. Of course, we need to remain vigilant…

The summer break is over; school starts this week for many of us, but for others it has already started! For some students, this is great news and for others it is a disappointment. But for all the parents I know, it is welcome news. Most everyone I know is excited to have their children…

While it is great to be back home from vacation, it was a disappointment to see an increase in COVID cases with this new Delta variant. On Tuesday, we were notified of the new Santa Clara County health order for wearing masks for all indoor activities again. This does not change our current policy here…

Today is the last day of July and it is the Feast Day for St. Ignatius Loyola. Jesuits all over the world will be celebrating this day with great reverence this year as it is his 500th anniversary. On this day, it is worth noting that Jesuits have made a huge impact on our Church…

In today’s Gospel, we read that Jesus raised his eyes and saw a large crowd coming to him (cf. John 6: 1-15).  This image caught my eyes. As I have reflected on it, I accepted that Jesus was already longing to be with the crowd. By raising his eyes, Jesus was ready to welcome and…

THE COVID-19 -PANDEMIC AND SILVER LINING IN ST. SIMON COMMUNITY By Fr. Christopher Bologo INTRODUCTION: The havoc Covid-19 pandemic has caused the world is unimaginable. By my calculation, it will take five to ten years for the full impact of the pandemic to be known. The damage is to the economy, people’s spiritual lives, politics,…

Tijuana Ministry Update – July 2021 St. Simon Parish has traveled with the Tijuana Ministry immersion mission program for ten years.  About 350 members from our parish, along with others throughout our Diocese, have traveled to the La Morita area on the far outskirts of Tijuana where we encounter, serve, and work with the poorest…

As I head out on vacation and celebrate my first-year anniversary, I wanted to thank you again for a wonderful year as your pastor. The more I reflect on this last year, the more I am amazed at what we accomplished together. It has been truly a blessing. From the multiple iterations of Mass, inside…

There are times in our lives when we need inspiration to live closer to Christ’s call to love. One way to be inspired is to go on pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is a journey to a sacred place to deepen our faith through prayer and experience. People have been taking pilgrimages for centuries and they have…

I always find Father’s Day a bittersweet experience for me. On one hand, it is sweet because I remember the love that my father shared with all of us as a family. On the other hand, it is bitter because my dad died twenty-five years ago, and I still miss him. I still marvel at…

Finally, we received some good news from the State and County government about the COVID-19 restrictions effective June 15, 2021. Most of California has returned to the lowest yellow tier allowing us to return inside for worship more fully. Consequently, I am delighted to say effective June 15, we will move all daily Masses (6:30am…

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, and we try to say something about the doctrine of the Trinity. I believe that Hilary of Poitiers said it best when he spoke about how the Church “defines” the Most Holy Trinity as attempting to define something that is it not containable in…

On Thursday, May 20, 2021 the Jesuits began a celebration recognizing the 500th anniversary of St. Ignatius’ conversion experience and the start of the Jesuits as we know them. It marks the beginning of a yearlong celebration of the Society of Jesuits and the contributions they have made to society and the Church.   On…

The priests of the parish just arrived back from San Juan Bautista after spending the week with all the clergy of the diocese for our Annual Clergy Study Week. This was the first time we have gathered as clergy in over 17 months and it was a great week for all of us. We needed…

On Thursday, I visited the pre-K at the school, and I read a book to the students and their mothers. The children’s book was called “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch and beautifully illustrated by Sheila McGraw. I had never read it before and I was not prepared for the ending; I cried like a…

Recently I read an article from Fr. Ron Rolheiser speaking about anger and how prevalent it is in our society today. He says, “That most of us operate, however unconsciously, out of anger and this shows itself in our constant criticism of others, in our cynicism, in our jealousy of others, in our bitterness, and…

Today is often called Good Shepherd Sunday because we hear from the Gospel of John in which Jesus reminds us that he is the “Good Shepherd” who never abandons his sheep. He assures his disciples, and us, that there are others who claim to lead the sheep but will run away at the first sight…

In our culture we have an abundance. We have so many things at our disposal that it can be hard to know what to pay attention to. Even within one of these many things we can be inundated with choices. A great example is sports: we have an abundance of choices depending on our inclination…

The mystics maintain that there are two primary paths of transformation in this life. The first is the path of prayer and love and the second is the path of suffering. Most people want the first path but get the second path. Unfortunately, most of us are not well equipped to respond to the path…

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! It is so hard to believe that we have been in lockdown for over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on our personal and professional lives, it has also devastated our economy and it will take us a long time to recover. But…

I recently read that we will never fully penetrate the mystery of God’s revelation in Jesus until we realize that most of Jesus’ life was hidden; even his three “public” years were invisible to most people. On Passion Sunday we enter into Holy Week, the holiest of weeks for Christians, as we celebrate the three…

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of our Diocese and it opens a year of celebrations recognizing the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese of San Jose. Last night we began with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. The pandemic limited our attendance at the Jubilee celebration to…

It is hard to believe that one year ago this week, our County of Santa Clara was the first county in the nation to “Shelter in Place.” With no precedent for this action, we were all in shock and afraid to even leave our homes. We were told it would be for 3 weeks and…

Even though the pandemic continues, we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel with vaccinations reaching our elderly, our teachers and more essential workers. This week we heard that every adult will have vaccinations available to them by the end of May. What a relief! On top of this news,…

Last week, we began our Lenten series on Forgiveness: A Journey from Hurt to Freedom and I began by walking towards the “first cairn of this Second Mountain” namely, to become more self-aware of our need for forgiveness in our own lives. One of the critical steps to understanding unforgiveness in our lives and why we remain…