Faith gives us hope--hope in all the we do and in all we encounter. Ideally, this hope leads to love, which in turn leads back to faith.
For me, living must somehow include faith and love because it is what allows us to live more fully so that we may live in light of our gospel call.
I think of today's gospel: the parable of the Good Samaritan. If we are to be good Samaritans are we not required to have faith and love? A faith and love that is rooted in the gospel. After all, the gospel itself is rooted in faith and love.
As Brothers, educators, our salvation of young people is centered around the faith and love found in the gospels. A salvation that allows young people to live more fully.
To bring faith and love to our students, we must be rooted in the gospel, in love, and in faith--for it is the way to live. Jesus said, "I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly."
Let us live abudantly in faith and love.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Increase Our Faith
Reflecting on the week's readings (Mon., Oct. 1 - Sun., Oct. 7)
“Increase our faith…” is the request of the apostles to Jesus. Throughout the week, the readings spoke very much of FAITH. I want to begin by saying that faith does not make sense, it is illogical.
Monday’s first reading is from the prophet Zechariah. It ends: “Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.” God seems to be saying, “stick with me,” and “I’ll have your back, I won’t let you down.” Thursday’s reading comes from the prophet Nehemiah. It deals with Ezra sharing God’s word following the return of the Israelites from exile. The reading is rather detailed about Ezra sharing the Torah with the people, but one line stands out, “…rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” The people are reminded that this great joy of returning from exile must begin with “rejoicing in the Lord” for God provided the strength during the time of hardship.
Friday’s reading returns to the Babylonia exile as the people admit sin to the Lord, “For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us…” In Saturday’s reading from the same book, the Prophet Baruch speaks, “Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring back enduring joy.”
In all that is said above there seems to be this idea of having faith in God even though life may be tough at the moment. Doesn’t faith make even less sense when life gets tough? Yet, the prophets very clearly push their people to have faith, their words push us to have faith and even “rejoice in the Lord!” Sunday’s Old Testament reading from Habakkuk presses on, “if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.” A very clear message that takes it to another level by saying that in order to simply live we must have faith. How do we then make sense of faith?
If Habakkuk is saying “…the just one, because of his faith, shall live,” then I say the one who lives has faith. Therefore, how we live will give us faith, how we live will allow God’s grace to come upon us and give us faith. That is the challenge: to live. It is not easy to simply live. I turn to the gospel readings of the week then for guidance on how to live.
We can say that the gospel themselves are our guide for living so that we may gain faith amongst much more of God’s grace. But, again, I think the readings of this past week point to some specific examples for us.
This week we hear two versions of the same gospel reading where the apostles ask Jesus who is the greatest. Jesus turns to a child for his response to the apostles saying, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is the least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” A very clear message from Jesus about how we should live. Living to the point where we are able to humble ourselves in such a way that “children” / “the least” become the greatest. The faith received because of directing our lives in this way helps us accept and truly receive Jesus who is our path to God the Father.
Using some other gospel passages of the past week, I believe we desire to follow Jesus like the one who speaks to Jesus and says, “I will follow you, wherever you go.” Jesus’ clear message to those who want to follow is, “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” That is to live. Jesus adds, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” To live then means to go forward and let go of what is preventing us from proclaiming the Kingdom of God. We must look at our lives and see what is getting in the way. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (Sunday’s 2nd reading) he reminds Timothy, “…God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” To be humbled to point of being childlike, of being the least is to use God’s gift “of power and love and self-control.” Yet, it is very easy to live without using these gifts, life is just much easier without having to worry about loving all, taking self-control over our desires that steer us away from God, and why worry about the power to bear our “share of hardship for the gospel.”
Let us live such that we may open our eyes to see and ears to hear, for faith is a grace from God. Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
If we hear and see, Jesus’ message to “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” becomes God’s call to live. Live so that we might recognize faith, gain faith, and live faith. Live so that on that day we may say to God, “We were unprofitable servants; but have done what we were obliged to do.”
“Increase our faith…” is the request of the apostles to Jesus. Throughout the week, the readings spoke very much of FAITH. I want to begin by saying that faith does not make sense, it is illogical.
Monday’s first reading is from the prophet Zechariah. It ends: “Lo, I will rescue my people from the land of the rising sun, and from the land of the setting sun. I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.” God seems to be saying, “stick with me,” and “I’ll have your back, I won’t let you down.” Thursday’s reading comes from the prophet Nehemiah. It deals with Ezra sharing God’s word following the return of the Israelites from exile. The reading is rather detailed about Ezra sharing the Torah with the people, but one line stands out, “…rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” The people are reminded that this great joy of returning from exile must begin with “rejoicing in the Lord” for God provided the strength during the time of hardship.
Friday’s reading returns to the Babylonia exile as the people admit sin to the Lord, “For we did not heed the voice of the Lord, our God, in all the words of the prophets whom he sent us…” In Saturday’s reading from the same book, the Prophet Baruch speaks, “Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; For he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring back enduring joy.”
In all that is said above there seems to be this idea of having faith in God even though life may be tough at the moment. Doesn’t faith make even less sense when life gets tough? Yet, the prophets very clearly push their people to have faith, their words push us to have faith and even “rejoice in the Lord!” Sunday’s Old Testament reading from Habakkuk presses on, “if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.” A very clear message that takes it to another level by saying that in order to simply live we must have faith. How do we then make sense of faith?
If Habakkuk is saying “…the just one, because of his faith, shall live,” then I say the one who lives has faith. Therefore, how we live will give us faith, how we live will allow God’s grace to come upon us and give us faith. That is the challenge: to live. It is not easy to simply live. I turn to the gospel readings of the week then for guidance on how to live.
We can say that the gospel themselves are our guide for living so that we may gain faith amongst much more of God’s grace. But, again, I think the readings of this past week point to some specific examples for us.
This week we hear two versions of the same gospel reading where the apostles ask Jesus who is the greatest. Jesus turns to a child for his response to the apostles saying, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is the least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” A very clear message from Jesus about how we should live. Living to the point where we are able to humble ourselves in such a way that “children” / “the least” become the greatest. The faith received because of directing our lives in this way helps us accept and truly receive Jesus who is our path to God the Father.
Using some other gospel passages of the past week, I believe we desire to follow Jesus like the one who speaks to Jesus and says, “I will follow you, wherever you go.” Jesus’ clear message to those who want to follow is, “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” That is to live. Jesus adds, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” To live then means to go forward and let go of what is preventing us from proclaiming the Kingdom of God. We must look at our lives and see what is getting in the way. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (Sunday’s 2nd reading) he reminds Timothy, “…God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” To be humbled to point of being childlike, of being the least is to use God’s gift “of power and love and self-control.” Yet, it is very easy to live without using these gifts, life is just much easier without having to worry about loving all, taking self-control over our desires that steer us away from God, and why worry about the power to bear our “share of hardship for the gospel.”
Let us live such that we may open our eyes to see and ears to hear, for faith is a grace from God. Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
If we hear and see, Jesus’ message to “Go and proclaim the Kingdom of God” becomes God’s call to live. Live so that we might recognize faith, gain faith, and live faith. Live so that on that day we may say to God, “We were unprofitable servants; but have done what we were obliged to do.”
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Meet the Community!
The U.S.-Toronto Regional Novitiate officially began on August 19, 2007. Three novices are preparing for the first vows in this stage of their vocation journey.
The Novitiate year takes place at Mont La Salle in Napa, CA. The community lives together and accompanies each other. It is a year of great spiritual growth, personal development, and religious life studies.
The Novitiate Brothers' Community...
Br. Richard Moratto, FSC
Director
Br. Brendan Garwood, FSC
Sub-Director
Br. John Luczkowski, FSC
Novice--District of Baltimore
Br. Peter Nguyen, FSC
Novice--District of Baltimore
Br. Chris Patino
Novice--District of San Francisco
Monday, August 27, 2007
Our Incarnate Mission
If you are willing
to bear serenely
the trial of being
displeasing to yourself,
then you will be
for Jesus
a pleasant place of
shelter
St. Therese of Lisieux
We were given this quote today in our Religious Life course. We have read two articles on self-esteem and self-acceptance, and so this quote fits in with the topic.
When I first read the quote, three words came to mind: openness, peace, and grace. This quote could be taken apart and looked at from a Christian perspective in many ways. I chose to look at the line, “to bear serenely.” If we are to bear who we are serenely, it requires openness. If we are open, I think it allows us then to bear our individuality with peace. Finally, if we bear it with peace, then a grace will enter us that will come to a genuine, loving acceptance of ourselves. God desires this of us. He has created us uniquely, lovingly and our relationship with God must be an open one, in which we love ourselves.
James Martin, S.J. wrote a book called, “Becoming Who You Are.” In this book, he reflects on the true self from Thomas Merton and other saints. It is very clear from the beginning that he is making a very simple, yet complicated point: to be a saint is to be yourself. St. Therese at a very young age understood this and I believe this quote shows her understanding of loving oneself. For if we do this, Jesus will find “a pleasant place of shelter.”
Creating “a pleasant place of shelter” for Jesus allows us to love and to be loved. As a De La Salle Christian Brother, I think of this in the classroom. If we as Brothers, as teachers, are loving of ourselves, of our vocation, and of our God—we can share it with our students.
For me, what comes into play is a sense of vulnerability. As Lasallian educators, we believe in the power of the student-teacher relationship. The power of this relationship has to do a lot with the vulnerability we offer, obviously a “healthy vulnerability.” Our students believe in this relationship because they see the humanity in us. Part of the beauty, the freedom if you will, of the incarnation is Jesus’ humanity. This gives us the freedom to be vulnerable, yet live out De La Salle’s mission as he called us to save the souls of those entrusted to our care. We have an incarnate mission. Our Founder reminds us:
“Be satisfied with what you can do, since God is satisfied with it, but don not spare yourself in what you can do with grace; and believe that, provided you want it, you can do more with the grace of God than you think. Do not forget to thank God for all the blessings he bestows on you.”
to bear serenely
the trial of being
displeasing to yourself,
then you will be
for Jesus
a pleasant place of
shelter
St. Therese of Lisieux
We were given this quote today in our Religious Life course. We have read two articles on self-esteem and self-acceptance, and so this quote fits in with the topic.
When I first read the quote, three words came to mind: openness, peace, and grace. This quote could be taken apart and looked at from a Christian perspective in many ways. I chose to look at the line, “to bear serenely.” If we are to bear who we are serenely, it requires openness. If we are open, I think it allows us then to bear our individuality with peace. Finally, if we bear it with peace, then a grace will enter us that will come to a genuine, loving acceptance of ourselves. God desires this of us. He has created us uniquely, lovingly and our relationship with God must be an open one, in which we love ourselves.
James Martin, S.J. wrote a book called, “Becoming Who You Are.” In this book, he reflects on the true self from Thomas Merton and other saints. It is very clear from the beginning that he is making a very simple, yet complicated point: to be a saint is to be yourself. St. Therese at a very young age understood this and I believe this quote shows her understanding of loving oneself. For if we do this, Jesus will find “a pleasant place of shelter.”
Creating “a pleasant place of shelter” for Jesus allows us to love and to be loved. As a De La Salle Christian Brother, I think of this in the classroom. If we as Brothers, as teachers, are loving of ourselves, of our vocation, and of our God—we can share it with our students.
For me, what comes into play is a sense of vulnerability. As Lasallian educators, we believe in the power of the student-teacher relationship. The power of this relationship has to do a lot with the vulnerability we offer, obviously a “healthy vulnerability.” Our students believe in this relationship because they see the humanity in us. Part of the beauty, the freedom if you will, of the incarnation is Jesus’ humanity. This gives us the freedom to be vulnerable, yet live out De La Salle’s mission as he called us to save the souls of those entrusted to our care. We have an incarnate mission. Our Founder reminds us:
“Be satisfied with what you can do, since God is satisfied with it, but don not spare yourself in what you can do with grace; and believe that, provided you want it, you can do more with the grace of God than you think. Do not forget to thank God for all the blessings he bestows on you.”
Reflecting on the Sunday Readings
In the movie Spiderman, the grandfather of Spiderman gives him some advice just before his death: “With power, comes great responsibility.”
In reflecting on the readings for this Sunday and of the past week, this line came to mind in the following form: “With vocation, comes great responsibility.” Throughout the week, the readings speak of being called, invited, and chosen. Yet, it comes with great responsibility: the kingdom of God. The glory of God’s kingdom is great, but I think a lot of that glory is only possible if we build the kingdom of God here on earth.
First of all, the Sunday readings remind us that God’s kingdom includes many. In the first reading from Isaiah we read, “…I come to gather nations of every language…” Reminding us that God’s kingdom indeed is vast. The word “nations” is used three other times in this short reading. These nations are not all followers, one may call them Gentiles, but God will prevail so that, even “some of these [God] will take as priests and Levites…” Not only is God’s kingdom vast, but there is hope for all.
The second reading is also a sign of hope. One may think how can all this talk of discipline, used five times in 6 verses, give hope. The letter to the Hebrews includes lines like, “Endure you trials as ‘discipline’…all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain…” However, it is the end of the reading that gives hope: “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.” We are all broken, yet with courage and “discipline” come “peaceful fruits of righteousness…”
Today, it is commonly heard “no pain, no game.” What will we do for the kingdom of God? What will we do today to follow the path towards the Kingdom?
Earlier in the week, we heard the reading where the young man goes away sad for he had many possessions, but in a later reading Jesus reminds us “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred time more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Sunday’s gospel ends the same way, “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” I believe this is Jesus inviting us to build his Father’s kingdom here on earth. As De La Salle Christian Brothers, we have the great responsibility for the salvation of souls, of bringing others to the Kingdom. Therefore, we need the “discipline” and the faith to accomplish such a task. Our own Founder reminds us “not to look upon anything but with the eyes of faith…” This faith is what will give us the daily courage to go about building the Kingdom of God here on earth.
De La Salle’s reflection on St. Bartholomew calls on us to tear off our own skin, “which St. Paul call the old man, in order to be clothed with the spirit of Jesus Christ, which is according to the same Apostle, the new man.” How else can we do this but with the eyes of faith? I agree with Br. Richard that the novitiate can in some ways be God calling us to put on this new skin and in fact, throughout our lives we must work on putting on the new skin in a responsive love to God. This response is to God’s invitation to build his kingdom, for as the psalm verse reminds us, we are called to “Go out to all the world and tell the good news.”
Our vocation does come with great responsibility, but also with hope, faith, and love.
In reflecting on the readings for this Sunday and of the past week, this line came to mind in the following form: “With vocation, comes great responsibility.” Throughout the week, the readings speak of being called, invited, and chosen. Yet, it comes with great responsibility: the kingdom of God. The glory of God’s kingdom is great, but I think a lot of that glory is only possible if we build the kingdom of God here on earth.
First of all, the Sunday readings remind us that God’s kingdom includes many. In the first reading from Isaiah we read, “…I come to gather nations of every language…” Reminding us that God’s kingdom indeed is vast. The word “nations” is used three other times in this short reading. These nations are not all followers, one may call them Gentiles, but God will prevail so that, even “some of these [God] will take as priests and Levites…” Not only is God’s kingdom vast, but there is hope for all.
The second reading is also a sign of hope. One may think how can all this talk of discipline, used five times in 6 verses, give hope. The letter to the Hebrews includes lines like, “Endure you trials as ‘discipline’…all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain…” However, it is the end of the reading that gives hope: “So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.” We are all broken, yet with courage and “discipline” come “peaceful fruits of righteousness…”
Today, it is commonly heard “no pain, no game.” What will we do for the kingdom of God? What will we do today to follow the path towards the Kingdom?
Earlier in the week, we heard the reading where the young man goes away sad for he had many possessions, but in a later reading Jesus reminds us “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred time more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Sunday’s gospel ends the same way, “For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” I believe this is Jesus inviting us to build his Father’s kingdom here on earth. As De La Salle Christian Brothers, we have the great responsibility for the salvation of souls, of bringing others to the Kingdom. Therefore, we need the “discipline” and the faith to accomplish such a task. Our own Founder reminds us “not to look upon anything but with the eyes of faith…” This faith is what will give us the daily courage to go about building the Kingdom of God here on earth.
De La Salle’s reflection on St. Bartholomew calls on us to tear off our own skin, “which St. Paul call the old man, in order to be clothed with the spirit of Jesus Christ, which is according to the same Apostle, the new man.” How else can we do this but with the eyes of faith? I agree with Br. Richard that the novitiate can in some ways be God calling us to put on this new skin and in fact, throughout our lives we must work on putting on the new skin in a responsive love to God. This response is to God’s invitation to build his kingdom, for as the psalm verse reminds us, we are called to “Go out to all the world and tell the good news.”
Our vocation does come with great responsibility, but also with hope, faith, and love.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Let the Inner Journey Begin...
I guess much of the next year will focus on my inner journey. That is, my spiritual journey or relationship with God. My inner journey also means dealing with...ME!
I arrived at the Novitiate for the De La Salle Christian Brothers this past Sunday, August 19th. As I drove up the long windy road to Mont La Salle, I was in bit of a shock..."Wow, I am going to call this home for the next year!"
My time here has started off very smoothly...God is taking care of me! I began to move in and settle in as soon as I got here. We spent Monday and Tuesday getting ourselves organized as a community: responsibilities, schedules, and a good review of the purpose of this year.
Based on what I have been told by other Brothers, I think this year will include the following: deepening my person, my being in relationship to others and to God; it will be a year that is a gift and I am invited to "waste time" in the Lord; an opportunity to live the Church calendar (daily prayers and mass); and pushing me to deal with God and to deal with myself.
This year requires an openness of mind and heart. In the end, this year is about me and my relationship with Jesus Christ. Its about deepening of a gift, an invitation, with joy and peace. I want to look at this invitation/calling/vocation and solidfy my answer to God, while being able to somehow articulate it. Who will be, who is Br. Chris Patiño?
I will be able to do a lot of this through the time available and time required for prayer/mass, through classes I will be taking (Religious Life and Scripture), in the context of the community that is on the journey with me, etc....
We began with classes today and dealt with an introduction to a lot of the above--received some books and readings we will start with!
We do have some basic responsibilites as members of the community. Mine include: photographer for the community; loading the fridge with beverages; and kitchen coordinator/food shopper. This is in addition to our Friday house cleaning responsibilities.
The residence I live in is the Novitiate Residence of Mont La Salle, the headquarters for the District of San Francisco of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Our residence has 10 rooms, a kitchen, showers/restrooms, laundry rooms, gymnasium, tv room, dining room, classrooms, offices, and a library.
On a side note, before my arrival, I did have the opportunity to take a family vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was great to spend some time with my family.
Tonight was a special night, since we had an official welcome BBQ provided by the Provincialate Community and Holy Family Community of Mont La Salle--thanks Brothers!
As I settle in, I will try to post more regularly and share my journey.
I arrived at the Novitiate for the De La Salle Christian Brothers this past Sunday, August 19th. As I drove up the long windy road to Mont La Salle, I was in bit of a shock..."Wow, I am going to call this home for the next year!"
My time here has started off very smoothly...God is taking care of me! I began to move in and settle in as soon as I got here. We spent Monday and Tuesday getting ourselves organized as a community: responsibilities, schedules, and a good review of the purpose of this year.
Based on what I have been told by other Brothers, I think this year will include the following: deepening my person, my being in relationship to others and to God; it will be a year that is a gift and I am invited to "waste time" in the Lord; an opportunity to live the Church calendar (daily prayers and mass); and pushing me to deal with God and to deal with myself.
This year requires an openness of mind and heart. In the end, this year is about me and my relationship with Jesus Christ. Its about deepening of a gift, an invitation, with joy and peace. I want to look at this invitation/calling/vocation and solidfy my answer to God, while being able to somehow articulate it. Who will be, who is Br. Chris Patiño?
I will be able to do a lot of this through the time available and time required for prayer/mass, through classes I will be taking (Religious Life and Scripture), in the context of the community that is on the journey with me, etc....
We began with classes today and dealt with an introduction to a lot of the above--received some books and readings we will start with!
We do have some basic responsibilites as members of the community. Mine include: photographer for the community; loading the fridge with beverages; and kitchen coordinator/food shopper. This is in addition to our Friday house cleaning responsibilities.
The residence I live in is the Novitiate Residence of Mont La Salle, the headquarters for the District of San Francisco of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Our residence has 10 rooms, a kitchen, showers/restrooms, laundry rooms, gymnasium, tv room, dining room, classrooms, offices, and a library.
On a side note, before my arrival, I did have the opportunity to take a family vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was great to spend some time with my family.
Tonight was a special night, since we had an official welcome BBQ provided by the Provincialate Community and Holy Family Community of Mont La Salle--thanks Brothers!
As I settle in, I will try to post more regularly and share my journey.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Living it up in L.A.
I have spent the past week here in Los Angeles. When I arrived last Saturday it was simply nice to see my family. I visited my grandfather as soon as I got here, it was neat to see him.
There was also an uncle coming in from Mexico at the same time, so we played host to him.
Saturday night, after some time with my grandfather and settling in, we headed out to dinner at a Peruvian restaurant. Wow! Great/Entertaining service and food. I had a Peruvian stir-fry rice with a mixture of seafood. The evening weather was nice so we took advantage of it by walking a bit after dinner. The restaurant was located in Glendale which is only about 15 minutes from my parent's house.
Sunday we went out to breakfast in Glendale with my grandpa and uncle at a family favorite, Foxy's. We're pretty well known there. After breakfast we headed to the beautiful Our Lady of Angels Cathedral for mass. It was actually the quietest, most prayerful Spanish mass I've been to in a long time. Great music and a great homily topped it off.
Sunday afternoon we headed to Home Depot as my little sister wanted her room painted. We decided it would be our early week project. We bought the paint and supplies then headed over to my grandpa's house for dinner. We bought pizza at a new eatery in Atwater Village (about 10 minutes away). Great pizza!
While at the pizza shop, I ran into some high school friends of mine I hadn't seen since pretty much graduation (5 years!). It was neat to see them and just catch up a bit.
After dinner, we decided to burn off some calories by heading to our local park. Actually, this brand new, beautiful park opened up less than a year ago and it's great. Very active. My parents and little sister Denise all headed over. We did some jogging around the park, volleyball, and finally tennis. Quite the workout.
This past Monday and Tuesday was basically spent working on my sister's room. Not only painting, by getting rid of things, rearranging furniture, etc...
Wednesday we spent mostly at home. My sister Denise and I did head out for lunch at a great Sushi place, we made a stop at Border's and did a bit of walking. She's playing volleyball for her school team and so I also took her to pratice throughout the week.
Thursday was a long, but fun day. My former car, now my parent's, had the "check engine" light come on. So I took it in at 7:00 AM to get serviced. Well, I am glad I brought a book because I was there until just about 11:30 AM. It was actually neat to run into my cousin there and so we spent lot of time talking and catching up.
I must say the current book I am reading now is a great one. Well, at least the first 60 pages. It is titled, "Walking the Bible." It is the story of a scholar who journies through the Middle East focusing on the locations of the first 5 books of the Bible. It is such an interesting journey already, that it makes you went to read the Old Testament, it makes you want to travel to the Middle East, and I would say it even makes you desire to be Jewish! While the book focuses on the scholarly and physical journey of the author, it also lets you into his faith journey.
Anyway, so the week in L.A. continued. After my 4 plus hour stay at the car shop, I headed out to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Two of my friends and I had made plans for lunch and museum visit. An exhibition of colonial Latin American art is on display. Quite an amazing collection, plenty of religious art, my interest. We head down into the west L.A./West Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Hancock Park area for lunch at The Grove. The Grove is quite the happening place for eating, shopping, and entertainment. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was during lunch that I got a great surprise: a phone call from SMHS students. Great to hear them!
So after lunch, we headed to the museum and had a nice time there. Actually, ran into one of the Cathedral High School brothers, Br. Ricardo. Br. Ricardo invited us to dinner at the Brothers' House the following evening.
On Friday, did some early morning house cleaning just to help around the house and then took my little sister out for lunch and a movie. We headed to another happening area, The Paseo in Pasadena. We had lunch at Rubio's Mexican Grill and then headed into the movie theatre to watch The Transformers, which ended being a long, but interesting, fun movie.
After that, I came home where my friend Ryan Resurreccion would pick me up to head over to dinner at the Brothers' house. It was great to see familar faces of Brothers, including some that had recently been transfered back to Cathedral. We had a great time at dinner, got a great tour of the new gym/science building. It is quite spectacular. We stayed around chatting there with Br. Ricardo until about 9:00 PM.
Ryan and I then headed towards Eagle Rock, the next neighborhood over from mine, to meet another friend at a local bar. We had quite a nice time talking about the Church, vocations, our Lasallian mission, and well other fun stuff. We didn't get out of there until about 1:00 AM.
Saturday was just spent at home with the family. Sunday we followed our usual routine mass and breakfast. Spent the rest of Sunday at home getting ready for our trip to Cabo San Lucas.
So we take off to Cabo San Lucas tomorrow for a family vacation, which I am sure will be very enjoyable.
I must admit, I miss the activity of the beginning of the school year, miss San Miguel, but I also realize I probably won't be seeing much of this kind of time in the future, so taking advantage of it.
Well, it's getting late on this Sunday night....I'll be heading off to Cabo tomorrow for a relaxing and enjoyable time with my family....Blessings to all!
There was also an uncle coming in from Mexico at the same time, so we played host to him.
Saturday night, after some time with my grandfather and settling in, we headed out to dinner at a Peruvian restaurant. Wow! Great/Entertaining service and food. I had a Peruvian stir-fry rice with a mixture of seafood. The evening weather was nice so we took advantage of it by walking a bit after dinner. The restaurant was located in Glendale which is only about 15 minutes from my parent's house.
Sunday we went out to breakfast in Glendale with my grandpa and uncle at a family favorite, Foxy's. We're pretty well known there. After breakfast we headed to the beautiful Our Lady of Angels Cathedral for mass. It was actually the quietest, most prayerful Spanish mass I've been to in a long time. Great music and a great homily topped it off.
Sunday afternoon we headed to Home Depot as my little sister wanted her room painted. We decided it would be our early week project. We bought the paint and supplies then headed over to my grandpa's house for dinner. We bought pizza at a new eatery in Atwater Village (about 10 minutes away). Great pizza!
While at the pizza shop, I ran into some high school friends of mine I hadn't seen since pretty much graduation (5 years!). It was neat to see them and just catch up a bit.
After dinner, we decided to burn off some calories by heading to our local park. Actually, this brand new, beautiful park opened up less than a year ago and it's great. Very active. My parents and little sister Denise all headed over. We did some jogging around the park, volleyball, and finally tennis. Quite the workout.
This past Monday and Tuesday was basically spent working on my sister's room. Not only painting, by getting rid of things, rearranging furniture, etc...
Wednesday we spent mostly at home. My sister Denise and I did head out for lunch at a great Sushi place, we made a stop at Border's and did a bit of walking. She's playing volleyball for her school team and so I also took her to pratice throughout the week.
Thursday was a long, but fun day. My former car, now my parent's, had the "check engine" light come on. So I took it in at 7:00 AM to get serviced. Well, I am glad I brought a book because I was there until just about 11:30 AM. It was actually neat to run into my cousin there and so we spent lot of time talking and catching up.
I must say the current book I am reading now is a great one. Well, at least the first 60 pages. It is titled, "Walking the Bible." It is the story of a scholar who journies through the Middle East focusing on the locations of the first 5 books of the Bible. It is such an interesting journey already, that it makes you went to read the Old Testament, it makes you want to travel to the Middle East, and I would say it even makes you desire to be Jewish! While the book focuses on the scholarly and physical journey of the author, it also lets you into his faith journey.
Anyway, so the week in L.A. continued. After my 4 plus hour stay at the car shop, I headed out to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Two of my friends and I had made plans for lunch and museum visit. An exhibition of colonial Latin American art is on display. Quite an amazing collection, plenty of religious art, my interest. We head down into the west L.A./West Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Hancock Park area for lunch at The Grove. The Grove is quite the happening place for eating, shopping, and entertainment. We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. It was during lunch that I got a great surprise: a phone call from SMHS students. Great to hear them!
So after lunch, we headed to the museum and had a nice time there. Actually, ran into one of the Cathedral High School brothers, Br. Ricardo. Br. Ricardo invited us to dinner at the Brothers' House the following evening.
On Friday, did some early morning house cleaning just to help around the house and then took my little sister out for lunch and a movie. We headed to another happening area, The Paseo in Pasadena. We had lunch at Rubio's Mexican Grill and then headed into the movie theatre to watch The Transformers, which ended being a long, but interesting, fun movie.
After that, I came home where my friend Ryan Resurreccion would pick me up to head over to dinner at the Brothers' house. It was great to see familar faces of Brothers, including some that had recently been transfered back to Cathedral. We had a great time at dinner, got a great tour of the new gym/science building. It is quite spectacular. We stayed around chatting there with Br. Ricardo until about 9:00 PM.
Ryan and I then headed towards Eagle Rock, the next neighborhood over from mine, to meet another friend at a local bar. We had quite a nice time talking about the Church, vocations, our Lasallian mission, and well other fun stuff. We didn't get out of there until about 1:00 AM.
Saturday was just spent at home with the family. Sunday we followed our usual routine mass and breakfast. Spent the rest of Sunday at home getting ready for our trip to Cabo San Lucas.
So we take off to Cabo San Lucas tomorrow for a family vacation, which I am sure will be very enjoyable.
I must admit, I miss the activity of the beginning of the school year, miss San Miguel, but I also realize I probably won't be seeing much of this kind of time in the future, so taking advantage of it.
Well, it's getting late on this Sunday night....I'll be heading off to Cabo tomorrow for a relaxing and enjoyable time with my family....Blessings to all!
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