The feeling I had on Easter Vigil was like I had been waiting for something for so long and I finally made it to that point or destination. Being fully submerged for those few seconds, everything was grace and serene. Coming out of the water was how I would imagine being born. You are cold and there are people around you and noise that wasn’t there 2 seconds ago. From there, it was PEACE & TRANQUILITY.

Have you ever felt a tug to do something out of the ordinary? Maybe say something to someone you’ve never met before or call up an old friend to check in? This tug can make us feel uncomfortable; we aren’t sure why we have this feeling we need to act, but we feel almost disobedient if we don’t follow through. Oftentimes, these promptings are from the Holy Spirit, who puts things on our hearts in order for us to be Christ to others. Through Baptism and Confirmation, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The next time you feel prompted to reach out, be bold in love and ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of courage.

TRINITY SUNDAY! The most simplest and visual way to express our faith and experience the Trinity’s reality and mystery, and reveal that God is constantly present in us, is the sign of the cross.

The RCIA Process has been an amazing journey. I felt welcomed from the very first day I inquired about the process even though classes had started weeks ago. The process sounded like a long time but looking back, this year has gone by in a flash. I look forward to attending RCIA each week and learning new things. I have learned so much this past year. Knowing that it will be a lifelong journey to learn and to know about God gives me peace.

Fire. It’s intense, beautiful, dangerous, overwhelming, warm, and all consuming. Fire can be used to warm us on a cold night, or as a way to gather friends on a summer evening. It can also yield immense destruction. Fire is powerful. This is the image that we hear about today as we learn more about the Holy Spirit. The Apostles have tongues of fire descend upon them. At our Confirmation, our hearts are set ablaze with the Holy Spirit. Think of a blazing fire, it consumes everything nearby, without hesitation or prejudice. Are we really ablaze with the love of Christ? Do we radically and unabashedly share him with those around us, setting their hearts ablaze, too?

So, today, PENTECOST SUNDAY, as the Holy Spirit makes you busybodies in your involvement in spreading the “Good News” of the Risen Christ to every creature, believe also, that the Holy Spirit consecrates you as living saints despite of your sins. And then, act as holy people and live as saints.

My journey through RCIA and receiving the sacraments has changed my life little by little. The RCIA process has a steady rate and allowed me to take it in each week. In this way, I could more fully understand and implement some of the concepts taught.

This Sunday we are presented with a Gospel reading that should deeply challenge us. These are readings that remind us of who we really are—disciples of Jesus Christ. We are not only his friends, called to stay near to him, but we are also his missionaries, called to go out and to spread his Good News.

Today, we celebrate MOTHER’S DAY! We cannot ignore this day without expressing our undying love to our mothers. Beloved MOTHERS in our midst, please put your right hand over your heart as I impart to you my blessings of admiration and love:

The Catholic Church plays a vital role in our ability to remain on the vine throughout all of history. As new circumstances arise, God has given us the gift of the Church to help us recognize where his love is so that we can remain with him. We know that God does not ask anything from us without giving us the grace to respond, and that grace always flows through his Church so that we can be assured that we are truly following him in all truth.

“Laying down one’s life for one’s friends” is the blue print of unconditional love: it isn’t superficial but real and concrete; not a weapon of destruction, but a food for the heart; does not encourage violence, but it is the inner voice that speaks of peace, and shows the path to forgiveness; and is a medicine that heals wounds, and helps make this world more livable for present and future generations.