This week in our gospel Jesus is talking with his followers in what is called in John's version of the story as, "The Last Supper Discourse," and more specifically this sharing on, "The Advocate." Jesus is conversing with his followers before the betrayal, passion AND resurrection. Jesus is trying to get his community and our ready for his leaving of this world in the fulfillment of the Pascal Mystery in the life, death resurrection and the Ascension of our Lord.
This actually seems to be a fairly quiet time in the lives of Jesus and his followers before all the great drama unfolds. Jesus, in talking about, "The Advocate," is trying to share with those whom he loves most, the hope of the promise of the Holy Spirit who will be coming to give them the strength they need.
Why do they need strength? Clearly, at this point in the story they do not fully comprehend the answer to that question at all. We relate to this as we do not often have clarity with what God is doing in OUR lives. We trust God will enlighten us and look to that peace.
Jesus says to his followers: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
We might not feel very peaceful as we are now moving into this month of May and ALL the preparations for our FIESTAS 2016 and the schedule change happening two weeks prior. I have been very pleased at so many of the people of our community who are embracing these coming changes with open hearts. I am also; clearly aware of the people for whom these changes are not peaceful. I pray that all of us will continue to prepare for FIESTAS 2016 AND the changes to our schedule with an understanding that God our Creator and Our Blessed Mother Mary with whom we pray in a special way this month, will give all people peace in these days.
As of May 21, 2016, two weeks BEFORE FIESTAS 2016 we will move to this weekend schedule: On Saturday evening, the Sunday Mass of anticipation at San Felipe will be at 4:00 pm. Later that evening, at 6:00 pm we will celebrate another Sunday Mass of anticipation at San Jose Mission in Duranes. This can be a very good thing for the people who like to go to an early Sunday Mass at San Felipe, then be free to go to dinner or have other Saturday evening events. The San Jose Mass is a return, I am being told, to a former reality where the community there used to have a Saturday evening Mass years ago.
On Sunday, the Mass schedule will begin as it does right now. The first Mass of Sunday morning will be at 7:00 am; the second Mass of Sunday -- that will remain completely in Spanish -- will be at 9:00 am; the third Mass of Sunday will be at 11:00 am. All of these Masses will be celebrated at San Felipe. This will give us plenty of time between the Masses to clear parking, have some time to do donuts and coffee on the first Sundays of the month and not be so very rushed between the Masses. This will also accommodate all the people who desire and enjoy praying the rosary before the Mass AND the music ministers who rehearse before Mass and review with the congregation the new music that is being introduced to the community.
Let us pray that this change will be something that is truly good for our community. Please join in the praying that all will positively respond to this as we grow as one united community of faith and love.