Yesterday after Mass there was a parishioner who asked me about the difference between fasting and abstinence.  Fasting sometimes requires abstinence (not eating meat). I will address them separately. Fasting is eating less with a purpose.  For instance, we fast when we skip a meal or when we eat smaller portions, not as a diet … Continue reading Is Fasting the same as Abstinence?

Last week we sent out letters to all our fellow brother and sisters parishioners who are willing to contribute to pay our parish debt.  Fr. Henry and I, along with our parish and finance council, embarked in a campaign with a common goal: to be a debt-free parish.  As you may know, to finish pay … Continue reading Blessing the Mail = Blessing all our Families

I have experienced that whether it is time, talent or treasure, the more I share the more the Lord give me back.  When I was just a teenager, about fifteen years old, I was called to serve my local Catholic Church in Venezuela.  I remember that I biked every time to Church volunteering for retreats … Continue reading The more you give, the more you get back

I was invited to the Magic Castle in 2005. I asked myself how these magicians were doing all these tricks.  If you have been in the Magic Castle http://www.magiccastle.com/  If you have attended a Magic show, the same question would come to your mind: How did he do that?  My first contact with the surreal … Continue reading Learning Magic for a Reason

The first time I visited Mexico City was in 2000.  I was a missionary in my early twenties and there was always something from Mexico that always attracted me.  I did not know what it was, I just knew in my heart that there it was something special. There were neither the enchiladas nor the sopes … Continue reading My Devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Last time I was writing about the negative events that emerged in our community: suicide.  This time is the moment for me to talk about the positive aspects of our youth and those who want to be the best version of themselves by learning from the Lord and by serving Him.  Tomorrow is the kickoff … Continue reading What is Going Right with Our Youth?

In the light of the sad news related suicide, I want to speak out about it.  Last month, four of our own youth took their lives in just two weeks in the city of Rancho Cucamonga. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rancho-cucamonga-suicides-20180823-story.html As a priest, I am in pain because this is happening in our neighborhood.  As a shepherd, I have … Continue reading What is wrong with our Youth?

Going for a long vacation to recover after a loss of my dad was a great gift from God. My project for summer vacation was doing nothing and watch most of the games of the World Cup Russia 2018.  Certainly, that project did not come to fruition.  The Lord had other plans for me.  I … Continue reading An Inspiration from the Lord: Exercising my Soul while on Vacation

One of the things that priests have to deal with is criticism.  This criticism could be well-intentioned (constructive) or without any purpose (destructive).  Some people like to talk behind the back of others and are not able to bring to a conversation something that is distressing.  As a priest, I received any kind of criticism with love and understanding, even if I … Continue reading A Hard Gospel Vs A Soft Gospel