Dear friends here in Laguna Niguel,
The Coastal Fire of yesterday reminds all of us just how fragile life is and how quickly our lives can be upended. Thankfully, no one lost their life… sadly, one firefighter was injured and for him we pray, and tragically, a good number of families lost their homes and all possessions. Thanks be to God for the men and women firefighters, for our police and rescue members, for our city leadership, and for all who went out of their way to be of service during the scary hours of the fire.
If you, or anyone you know, could use the following services:
· Call our St. Vincent de Paul Society - at (949) 249-4092 for an appointment
Should anyone need some crisis counseling:
· Call the New Hope Crisis Counseling Line at Christ Cathedral – at (714) 639-4673, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Father Evan, Deacon Ken, Helene Markel, and I are also available for prayer and personal support. Please call us at the St. Timothy parish office (949) 249-4091 and we will get you connected.
Let us pray for all who are affected in any way during these difficult hours and in the days, weeks, and months to come.
Your brother in Christ,
Msgr. John
Message for the Fifth Sunday of Easter:
Word Games
Recently some friends introduced me to “Wordle”... a word game in the New York Times that stretches the mind and makes me work as I try to come up with the ‘word of the day’ with only six chances to do it. I have found it fascinating and a good way to think creatively and give my brain a work out!
Also recently I read in the Acts of the Apostles (which is the first reading at Sunday Masses in the 7 week Easter Season) “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians”. (Acts 11: 26)
Antioch was a very important city in its time; it ranked behind Rome and Jerusalem as the leading center of commerce, education, culture, and faith. Located in Syria it became a center for evangelization for the new way of living offered by faith in Christ. The name “Christian” seems to have been a derogatory expression though; it means “like Christ” and to the Romans that meant “like the criminal we put on a crucifix”. Those who followed Jesus Christ, then, were considered open game for arrest and martyrdom.
This is good for us to recall each time we use the name “Christian”. Yes, it means us following and emulating the Risen Lord, the Good Shepherd, the one who taught by word and example a life of compassion, mercy, justice, peace, love of enemies, and forgiveness of sins. It also means being a witness (a martyr) for Him in whom we have put our hope.
Wordle is a word game that come and goes... Christian is a way of life that makes me live differently, creatively following Jesus, and giving my soul a work out each day in the steps of the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection.
An Expression of Solidarity from our Parish Word Games
A couple of months ago I was asked by the Bishop’s office if our parish might join with two other parishes to pay the salary of one of our diocesan priests in the coming year. This priest will be assigned to serve 2 parishes whose income just won’t allow them to pay the salary and benefits for his priestly services. After bringing this request to our Parish Finance Council, I accepted the Council’s recommendation to give this donation, and so our parish has contributed $39,543.00 which is more than half of the total needed. This donation has come out of the “Community Support” fund of our budget. Thank you all for your continued generosity which makes this gift possible.
Monsignor John Urell
