One in Faith/Uno en la Fe

 Well my friends, week one of classes is vastly approaching, and I have to say, I have learned A LOT thus far. Although I am not at the stage where I have nearly mastered the language, I am able to comprehend a lot more as to what is being said. I may not be able to hold a long conversation (probably less than 30 seconds, haha), but I am understanding most of what is being said- us slow minded people need to take our valuable time! But hey, that’s why I am here. Today, in class, my maestra and I had a very long conversation (again, me listening and comprehending about 85% of what she is saying). It was good to listen to what she was saying about the various topics we got into discussing. As I was asking some questions in Spanish (see I am learning something, haha) she responds totally in Spanish, with some Spanglish in there to make sure I am not loosing her. Honestly, she is VERY GOOD! Well, I can keep going on for sometime in regards to what we discussed, but I will make this a short

Well my friends, I had my first official test today in class- to read aloud my ‘homework’ (Homily in Spanish). For what it is worth, it was not really that bad, at least what I thought before my ‘maestra’ basically helped me correct every single line! However, I guess that’s a part of the learning curve! The finished product though was not far off from what I originally had written- first in English, and then translated into Spanish; so I can say I am improving- and its only been 3 DAYS- but lets not talk about the LITTLE help that I got from DeepL translator! Here is the Homily I wrote for my ‘homework’. It’s the Homily I said at Mass for the celebration of St. Peter and Paul. Enjoy! “¡Dichoso tú, Simon, hijo de Juan, porque esto no te lo ha revelado ningún hombre, sino mi Padre, que está en los cielos!” Hoy, nosotros celebramos la Solemnidad De San Pedro y San Pablo- un Apóstol para los judíos y primer Papa, y el otro Apóstol para los gentiles. Estos dos hombres en los ministerios ac

 Hola mis amigos I know I was going to begin or start typing my messages in Spanish- but guess what- I GOT HOMEWORK. I haven’t had homework in over a year, and on top of that, its in a different language. SO, with that said, the homily I wrote for tomorrow (which was the homework) will be posted on the blog- after it is corrected by mi maestra! Today was another uneventful day to say the least. Yes, I got another opportunity to experience the humility, the pride, and the joy of the Guatemalan people. A number of Seminarians and I, along with the Program Director, Rigoberto, went to a Chocolate Factory. This factory was not even what we would consider a ‘factory’. It didn’t have large pipes with smoke and steam rising from them; the building was not even as big as a small 2 bedroom Ranch house; the machinery was, well, non-existent; and the amount of people working, I mean, could all be counted on one hand, not even.  This factory was pretty much the size of three-three and a half cubic

 Well my friends, its official! I have begun the 6-week 5 hour a day Spanish Classes. So far- I am really enjoying it. The teacher has a lot to teach me, but the conversation, as well as the grammar, vocab, pronunciation, etc… she is giving me, is going to be of great benefit in the long run. I am super pumped for this experience. I see now, that, being immersed in a language is vital to learning it. Although you may learn it from a class  or a program, nothing compares to being immersed into a cultura and a language completely foreign to you. And you know what, the people know that you are learning, and it is their mission to help us to learn the language and culture as we enter into their own lives, in their own country, and on their own level. As Jesus was Baptized by John in the waters of the Jordan, he went into the muck of the Jordan river. A river that is not clean or sanitary by any means to show that, although he was God, he wanted to get on our level in order to experience wh

My brothers and sisters/ Mis Hermanos, (Yes a bit late form yesterday, so you will get 2 posts for the price of one day) Well, I have arrived and not a moment to waste with my Spanish Immersion, and what better way to celebrate my 1 year anniversary as a Priest- today- than experiencing a different culture and Eucharistic Spirituality. The spirituality of the Guatemalan people is humbling and prideful at the same time. In celebrating the 13th Sunday Ordinary time, the people of the community I celebrated with held a Corpus Christi Procession. We, the Seminarians of the Program and I began with the celebration of Mass, where the Priest asked me to give an impromptu homily. At first, I was taken back, and shamefully saying to myself ‘Shoot, I should have prepared something, a few words in Spanish- this is of course a Spanish Immersion experience.’ However, the Priest, gratefully told me to give a small reflection in English- Whew. Then he asked the other Pries that was with me to give an

My friends/Mis Amigos, Well, I am packed, checked-in, and IN-WAITING at the Airport. I look forward to this learning experience- from an academic, personal, spiritual, and pastoral standpoint. However, going to another country is not just learning about a different culture, but rather to be immersed and consumed by the different traditions, and to encounter and enter into the ‘identity’ of the country. Being a part of another country is unique and beautiful because it provides both the experience to  encounter with people from another part of the world, who help shape the ‘identity’ of their country who in turn shape the minds and hearts of individuals seeking to become a part of their way of life- both for short-term and long-term.  This is what we are going to my brothers and sisters, and I look for4ward to going on this magnificent journey with you that Christ has called us to.  Next time you hear from me will be in Antigua, Guatemala! Hasta Luego

 Good afternoon my brothers and sisters/Buenos Tardes mis hermanos As many of you know, I will be traveling to Guatemala tomorrow for my Parish Spanish Immersion. I look forward to this opportunity, and I thank the Archdiocese and Fr. Mendoza for allowing me to have this opportunity.  I ask and pray, especially on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we come together and pray for the Priests of our Archdiocese and the world as we celebrate as well the World Day of Sanctification of Priests. Pope Francis in his Chrism Mass Homily for 2022 reminded all Priests that Jesus embraced his cross from the beginning to the end and that “If mere circumstances conditioned the saving power of the cross, the Lord would not have embraced everything. But when his hour came, he embraced the cross fully. For on the cross there can be no ambiguity! The cross is non-negotiable.” (Pope Francis) This is an invitation for all my brother Priests, including myself, to embrace the cross we are