parish life blessed trinity catholic...

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PARISH OFFICE - 352.629.8092 Pastor Father Patrick J. Sheedy x 3209 Associate Pastors Father Raul Valdez x 3219 Father Zbigniew Stradomski x 3227 In Residence Father Michael O’Keeffe x3221 Father Joseph Maniangat 397-4919 Deacons Heriberto Berrios, James Schwartz, James Maubach, Stephen Floyd Sisters Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix 867.9860 MASS SCHEDULE AT BLESSED TRINITY WEEKEND Saturday 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm Sunday 7:10 am, 8:45 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm Spanish, 5:00 pm Life Teen DAILY Mon—Fri 7:10 am and 5:30 pm Wednesday 8:15 am (follows school schedule) Thursday 6:30 pm (Spanish) Saturday 8:00 am Reconciliation Thursday 7:00pm (Spanish) Saturday 2:45—3:30pm (English) 5:00—5:30pm (English) Sunday 12:15—12:45pm(Spanish) BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH ADDRESS: 5 SE 17th Street Ocala, FL 34471 PHONE: 352.629.8092 FAX: 352.351.8872 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.blessedtrinity.org SICK CALLS: 352.629.8092 352.207.5835 (Emergency pager) MISSION: CHRIST THE KING 14045 N US Hwy 301 Citra, FL 32113 352.595.5605 LA GUADALUPANA 11153 West Hwy 40 Ocala, FL 34482 352.291.2695 May 10, 2020 FOLLOW US ON MASS SCHEDULE AT OUR MISSION CHURCHES WEEKEND Saturday 7:00pm (Spanish) Sunday 10:15 am at Christ the King 7:00 pm at La Guadalupana (Spanish) DAILY Tuesday 7:00 pm at La Guadalupana (Spanish) Wednesday 5:30 pm at Christ the King Parish life may 10, 2020 ~ fifth Sunday of easter MISSION STATEMENT: Blessed Trinity Catholic Church Stewardship Community recognizes Jesus is Lord. We believe that our Time, Talent and Treasure are gifts from God to be used for the spiritual, educational and social needs of our community, the Diocese and the world at large, especially the poor. Parish Staff 629.8092 Sr. Juliet Ateenyi Ministry to Sick x3211 [email protected] Katherine Baker Secretary x3201 [email protected] Colleen Halstead Parish Administrator x3218 [email protected] Megan Losito Blessed Trinity School 622.5808 [email protected] David Hardison Elder Care 671.2823 [email protected] Jason Halstead Brother’s Keeper 622.3846 [email protected] Kris Plunkett Parish Bookkeeper x3228 [email protected] Kelly Schwietert Angels in Arms 622.6167 [email protected] Shelby Conner Youth Minister x3222 [email protected] Sue Lanier Stewardship x3208 [email protected] Paul Miranda Plant Manager 804.2415 [email protected] Sr. Concepta Najjemba Soup Kitchen 789.8139 [email protected] Patrick Botti Music & Liturgy x3202 [email protected] Teresa Hyde Religious Education x3207 [email protected] Trinity Catholic High School 622.9025 Lou Pereira President Dr. Erika Wikstrom Principal NEW PARISHIONERS ARE WELCOME to stop by the Church Office to register Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm or stop by the Parish Hall the first Sunday of each month following the 8:45am and 11:00am Masses. BAPTISM: We are pleased to help your family prepare for the special event of your child’s entrance into our faith community. To help parents and godparents prepare, a class (English) is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm in the Community Center and in Spanish the 2nd Saturday of each month, at 9:00am at Guadalupana. Parents and Godparents must attend this class prior to scheduling baptism. MARRIAGES: If you are planning to be married at Blessed Trinity, your preparation process should begin at least four (4) months prior to desired date. We look forward to helping you during your time of engagement and preparation for the vocation of Christian marriage. Call the Church Office for an appointment with one of our priests. SICK CALLS AND HOSPITAL VISITS: If you or a family member are in a local hospital or homebound and would like to receive Communion or Sacrament of the Sick, please call the Church Office at 629.8092 or Sister Juliet at x3211. When registering at the hospital, put your name on the Catholic List. PARISH APP: Download at myparishapp.com or search your phone’s app store for myParish STEWARDSHIP BY THE BOOK “Those who have faith in Me will do the works I do, and far greater than these,” Jesus tells His disciples. That’s quite an assignment for us as Christian stewards! ADS OF THE WEEK ANDREWS LEMEK TAX SERVICES Dan Andrews & Joyce Lemek 352.351.8833 BABIARZ LAW FIRM, PA Tim Babiarz, Lawyer 352.205.7599 Please see our Ads at the back for all our business supporters. WORD OF LIFE “O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties.” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, “A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers”

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Page 1: Parish life BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCHbtchurch.blessedtrinity.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/05/... · Trinity, your preparation process should begin at least four (4) months

PARISH OFFICE - 352.629.8092

Pastor Father Patrick J. Sheedy x 3209

Associate Pastors Father Raul Valdez x 3219

Father Zbigniew Stradomski x 3227

In Residence Father Michael O’Keeffe x3221

Father Joseph Maniangat 397-4919

Deacons Heriberto Berrios, James Schwartz,

James Maubach, Stephen Floyd

Sisters Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix 867.9860

MASS SCHEDULE AT BLESSED TRINITY

WEEKEND

Saturday 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm

Sunday 7:10 am, 8:45 am, 11:00 am,

1:00 pm Spanish, 5:00 pm Life Teen

DAILY

Mon—Fri 7:10 am and 5:30 pm

Wednesday 8:15 am (follows school schedule)

Thursday 6:30 pm (Spanish)

Saturday 8:00 am

Reconciliation Thursday 7:00pm (Spanish)

Saturday 2:45—3:30pm (English)

5:00—5:30pm (English)

Sunday 12:15—12:45pm(Spanish)

BLESSED TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

ADDRESS:

5 SE 17th Street

Ocala, FL 34471

PHONE:

352.629.8092

FAX:

352.351.8872

EMAIL:

[email protected]

WEBSITE:

www.blessedtrinity.org

SICK CALLS:

352.629.8092

352.207.5835

(Emergency pager)

MISSION:

CHRIST THE KING

14045 N US Hwy 301

Citra, FL 32113

352.595.5605

LA GUADALUPANA

11153 West Hwy 40

Ocala, FL 34482

352.291.2695

May 10, 2020

FOLLOW

US ON

MASS SCHEDULE AT OUR MISSION CHURCHES

WEEKEND

Saturday 7:00pm (Spanish)

Sunday 10:15 am at Christ the King

7:00 pm at La Guadalupana

(Spanish)

DAILY

Tuesday 7:00 pm at La Guadalupana

(Spanish)

Wednesday 5:30 pm at Christ the King

Parish life

may 10, 2020 ~ fifth Sunday of easter

MISSION STATEMENT: Blessed Trinity Catholic Church Stewardship Community recognizes Jesus is Lord. We believe that

our Time, Talent and Treasure are gifts from God to be used for the spiritual, educational and social needs of

our community, the Diocese and the world at large, especially the poor.

Parish Staff 629.8092

Sr. Juliet Ateenyi Ministry to Sick x3211

[email protected]

Katherine Baker Secretary x3201

[email protected]

Colleen Halstead Parish Administrator x3218

[email protected]

Megan Losito Blessed Trinity School 622.5808

[email protected]

David Hardison Elder Care 671.2823

[email protected]

Jason Halstead Brother’s Keeper 622.3846

[email protected]

Kris Plunkett Parish Bookkeeper x3228

[email protected]

Kelly Schwietert Angels in Arms 622.6167

[email protected]

Shelby Conner Youth Minister x3222

[email protected]

Sue Lanier Stewardship x3208

[email protected]

Paul Miranda Plant Manager 804.2415

[email protected]

Sr. Concepta Najjemba Soup Kitchen 789.8139

[email protected]

Patrick Botti Music & Liturgy x3202

[email protected]

Teresa Hyde Religious Education x3207

[email protected]

Trinity Catholic High School 622.9025

Lou Pereira President

Dr. Erika Wikstrom Principal

NEW PARISHIONERS ARE WELCOME to stop by the

Church Office to register Monday through Friday 8:00am

to 5:00pm or stop by the Parish Hall the first Sunday of

each month following the 8:45am and 11:00am Masses.

BAPTISM: We are pleased to help your family prepare for

the special event of your child’s entrance into our faith

community. To help parents and godparents prepare, a

class (English) is held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at

7:30pm in the Community Center and in Spanish the 2nd

Saturday of each month, at 9:00am at Guadalupana.

Parents and Godparents must attend this class prior to

scheduling baptism.

MARRIAGES: If you are planning to be married at Blessed

Trinity, your preparation process should begin at least four

(4) months prior to desired date. We look forward to

helping you during your time of engagement and

preparation for the vocation of Christian marriage. Call

the Church Office for an appointment with one of our

priests.

SICK CALLS AND HOSPITAL VISITS: If you or a family

member are in a local hospital or homebound and would

like to receive Communion or Sacrament of the Sick,

please call the Church Office at 629.8092 or Sister Juliet at

x3211. When registering at the hospital, put your name on

the Catholic List.

PARISH APP: Download at myparishapp.com or search

your phone’s app store for myParish

STEWARDSHIP BY THE BOOK

“Those who have faith in Me will do the works I do, and far greater than these,” Jesus

tells His disciples. That’s quite an assignment for us as Christian stewards!

ADS OF THE WEEK

ANDREWS LEMEK TAX SERVICES

Dan Andrews & Joyce Lemek

352.351.8833

BABIARZ LAW FIRM, PA

Tim Babiarz, Lawyer

352.205.7599

Please see our Ads at the back for all

our business supporters.

WORD OF LIFE

“O Blessed Mother, you received the

good news of the incarnation of Christ,

your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your

protection to all pregnant mothers facing

difficulties.”

USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities,

“A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers”

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worship

May 10, 2020 ~ fifth Sunday of easter

READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

1 Pt 3:15-18

Jn 14:15-21

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS

Monday, May 11 7:10am L/D Andrew & Teresa

Semudo Family

5:30pm Harold Taul †

Tuesday, May 12 7:10am Samuel Hickson †

5:30pm Maria Mazza †

Wednesday, May 13 7:10am Douglas Hernandez (L)

8:15am

5:30pm Rudy Blanchette †

Thursday, May 14 7:10am Ken & Phyllis Marino (L)

5:30pm Joshua Hartley †

Friday, May 15 7:10am Ester B. Pacariem †

5:30pm Arlene Dion †

Saturday, May 16 8:00am Ken and Phyllis Marino (L)

4:00pm Emilio Canganelli †

6:00pm Francis & Betty Banner †

Sunday, May 17 7:10am L/D Andrew & Teresa

Semudo Family

8:45am Shirley Pronzinski †

11:00am Francisco Molina †

1:00pm Spanish Community

5:00pm Evelyn Rondinella †

Your prayers are requested for those who have recently died.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You

are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Good News Our Bishop, John Noonan, has given us a timetable for re-opening. Here is the short version. You will get more details in the following weeks. 1. The main Church will be open for prayerful visits before the Blessed Sacrament starting May 11th from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Appropriate social distancing will be required. Sacrament of Reconciliation can also take place in Church as long as we have social distancing. The Adoration Chapel will not be open. 2. Daily Masses (not weekend) will be celebrated in the main Church (not the Chapel). Appropriate social distancing will be required.

BLESSED TRINITY: (starting May 18th) 7:10am and 5:30pm and Thursdays (starting May 21st) at 6:30pm (Spanish) and Saturday 8:00am (starting May 23rd) CHRIST THE KING: (starting May 20th) 5:30pm (English) and 7:00pm (Spanish) GUADALUPANA: (starting May 19th) 7:00pm The Adoration Chapel will not be open.

3. Weekend Masses will be celebrated in the main Church starting May 30/31. Appropriate social distancing will be required.

EXPANDED WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE: BLESSED TRINITY: Saturday: 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 6:00pm Sunday: 6:00am (outside), 7:10am, 8:45am, 11:00am, 12:30pm (Spanish), 2:00pm (Spanish), 5:00pm (Life Teen), 6:30pm (Life Teen) GUADALUPANA: Saturday: 7:00pm (Spanish) Sunday: 7:00pm (Spanish) CHRIST THE KING: Saturday: 7:00pm (Spanish) Sunday: 10:15am (English) The Adoration Chapel will still not be open.

4. Masks are encouraged but not required. PS: The 6:00am Mass will be celebrated outside in front of the Church. You can gather anywhere – on the lawn, in your car, by the shrine, by the parish hall portico, by the school overhang as there will be a speaker projecting the Mass.

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STEWARDS OF THE WEEK

BARBARA GOSSETT and

JODIE MCCRACKEN

The Church Office staff would like to sincerely

thank Barbara and Jodie for their assistance with

a large mailing. It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for being

faithful Stewards!

NEW PARISHIONERS:

Mike, Heather, Isabelle, Michael and

Sonya Campbell

BAPTISMS:

The readings on this fifth Sunday of Easter present us with themes of dwelling places and home. As Christian stewards, we are well aware that this world is not our permanent home. We are merely pilgrims here, making our way through the stewardship way of life to our true home, heaven. Yet, as we make our way to heaven, we are called to make our dwelling here — whether we are in a household of one or bursting at the seams — a true “domestic church.” In other words, the stewardship way of life begins long before we set foot on the parish grounds. Stewardship starts at home. It begins with our families, our domestic churches. The domestic church plays a key role in our sanctification because it is the primary place where we practice intimate and selfless love of other persons. In our Gospel passage from John, Jesus speaks of heaven as a home filled with dwelling places. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” This is a beautiful image of the glory that awaits us and the personal love our Lord has for us in preparing the perfect “spot” for each one of us who remain faithful to Him. Let us respond to this great love by becoming good stewards of our earthly dwellings, making of our homes true “domestic churches” where we honor God with our prayer, our thoughtfulness to each other and our generous hospitality to all. Let us never forget that stewardship starts at home!

Copyright © 2020 — Catholic Stewardship Consultants, Inc.

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE ~ WEEKLY OFFERINGS

Weekly Offering May 3, 2020

Envelope Total: $ 0.00 Year to date collection: $ 3,666,307.79

Electronic Offering Total: 332 $ 33,598.71 Year to date budget: $ 4,618,800.00

otal Children’s Offering: $ 0.00 Year to date deficit: ($ 952,492.21)

Non Sunday: 326 $ 35,761.20

Grand Total for Week: $ 69,359.91

Amount needed for Operating Expenses:$ 102,640.00

Difference ($ 33,280.09)

“Thank you for your donations.”

Reminder: Do your best to put your envelope number on the “memo” line of your check.

WEEKLY OFFERING

Thanks to all of you who are keeping up your

regular weekly Church offerings. So far a good

percent of our regular pledges are being kept

current. We could not stay open and pay our

staff and necessary expenses without you.

If the coronavirus has reduced your income

don’t worry about your pledge. You might put

a brief note in with your envelope to say what

your new pledge needs to be or to let us know

you cannot give anything at this time.

We are financially helping a few families. Let us

know if you need our financial assistance.

Brother’s Keeper Soup Kitchen is open everyday

to hand out bagged lunches to all who pass by—

over 200 daily. See the insert in this bulletin on

Brother’s Keeper store hours and emergency

assistance details.

Thank you for your faith commitment which

allows our community to continue to promote

the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You are in our

prayers.

AUTOMATED GIVING/ELECTRONIC DONATIONS

Blessed Trinity offers an Automated Giving/

Electronic Donation program and many of our

families are taking advantage of this program.

We are currently accepting debits to Checking

Accounts, Savings Accounts, Visa, MasterCard,

American Express and Discover credit/debit

cards. If you would like to participate, please

stop by the Church Office to pick up the form or

contact Sue at [email protected] or call

352-629-8092 x3208.

SUMMER CAMP

Due to the situation with the coronavirus the

decision has been made to cancel summer camp.

Refunds will be processed accordingly.

digital.thefloridacatholic.org

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THANKS FROM BELIZE PARISH Thanks to your prayers and donations, and the hard work of our volunteers, we exceeded our own goals this week. Over 600 food bundles were given to families in Benque Viejo and the surrounding areas, plus half the bananas. Because of YOU we had the resources to put food in the hands of every soul who needed it, and the priests and nuns were able to pray with the families who were feeling distraught or overwhelmed. What an amazing blessing! The community continues to step up. Neighbors are helping neighbors, sharing what little they have to ensure no one goes without. These simple acts of kindness are so powerful. Despite the fears and uncertainty that linger in town, gratitude is even more abundant. Thank you for your role in helping us get to this point! It was Fr. Beau's goal to meet the physical and spiritual needs of Benque, and I believe we are truly doing just that.

Brother’s Keeper is Re-Opening

Hello,

I hope you and your families are well.

We are planning to re-open our thrift store and Emergency Assistance office on Wednesday, May 6. We are committed to doing this in accord with Governor DeSantis’s Safe, Smart, and Step-by-Step plan and using the recommendations of the CDC Guidance for Businesses.

• Store hours will be M-F, 9am-3pm. The Emergency Assistance office will be open from M-F, 9am-12pm. We will not open on Saturdays at this time.

• We will implement measures to encourage Social Distancing and encourage the use of masks and gloves by volunteers, staff, customers, and clients.

• A regular cleaning regimen will be implemented to sanitize commonly touched items and surfaces.

• Any persons with symptoms of illness will be asked to leave.

• The total number of clients and customers allowed in the store will be limited 20 or less at a time.

• Client applications will be distributed and filled out from a table in the main store area.

• We will limit the number of clients in the Emergency Assistance reception area and ask applicants to “wait and walk” throughout the store area until it is time for their interview.

• The reception desk will be corded off and distanced from clients. The receptionist’s main role will be answering the phone.

• The regular interview offices will not be used, rather, the hallway will be used to conduct interviews, allowing proper social distance between interviewers and clients.

• Most Emergency Assistance services will be available as resources allow. Clothing Vouchers will only be distributed to the homeless at this time.

We will be expanding our thrift store sales area to include a specific portion of the large warehouse in the back of the store.

If we have enough volunteers on a given day, we will also open the boutique.

If you are willing and able to volunteer to serve or have any questions, please let me know via email ([email protected]), call or text. We’d love to see you.

Thanks – God Bless you!

Jason

(352) 229-0035

TEMPORARY CHANGE IN CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday—Friday: 8:00am—4:30pm

No Saturday hours

GROCERIES/MEDICATION If you are in need of groceries or medication to be delivered please contact Heidi Jasper at 352.441.0743.

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fifth Sunday of easter

Gracious and Loving God,

When your Spirit descended upon the apostles at Pentecost,

they spoke the languages of those who came to hear their testimony.

They proclaimed a new covenant in Christ Jesus,

sanctified by his blood, bound by the Holy Spirit,

and sealed in the waters of baptism.

We give you thanks and praise for releasing your Spirit upon us;

and in these uncertain times pray that it will break through

the many barriers that divide people.

Let your Spirit open our eyes as a communion of faith

to your ongoing presence among us, so we can recognize you when we serve one another.

Let your Spirit open our minds so that we may gain the wisdom

to work together to show love for our neighbors, and unite our talents to build a better, safer world.

And let your Spirit open our hearts so that together we can live more fully in Christ,

shine his light of mercy and hope and prepare for the day of his glorious return.

We pray this through your son, Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God forever and ever.

Amen.

5th SUNDAY OF EASTER

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles relates how the Christian community was expanding rapidly and so were the needs (material) of the poor, especially widows and orphans. It was too much work for the apostles to handle.

Their solution was a very practical one—choose seven holy men and ordain them as deacons whose primary responsibility would be to take care of the material/financial needs of the poor. We have four deacons in our parish. And while they do serve on the altar and proclaim and preach God’s holy word, their primary calling is ministry—especially to the poor.

Today the role of ministry, especially to the poor, has been expanded thousands of times over—now including all baptized lay men and women, regardless of their age or career.

In our parish here at Blessed Trinity the ministry of our baptized, in over 100 ministries , is truly inspiring. Thousands of our parishioners have taken ownership (and rightly so) of the Christ entrusted mission to our parish.

All baptized are called to live out their baptismal vocation. There is no real limit as to when they might serve or how far reaching that service might be extended.

It might be as close as serving the poor and homeless in our county, or the devastated Bahama islands or the spiritual and educational needs of Blessed Trinity Nalweyo, Uganda or the isolated shut-ins of our parish.

Like the apostles and deacons in the first reading today we are really trying to ensure that no one is deliberately neglected. Our parish mission is to ensure that those who are perceived to be the least of our brothers and sisters are not left out especially during these unsettling times.

MOTHER’S DAY

The Pope used to have a custom of presenting a blessed golden rose to some deserving high ranking Mother on the 4th Sunday of Lent. I don’t know if that custom still exists.

But there are countless Mothers who deserve the golden rose. All you good Mothers (Moms, Mums, Ma, etc) must know that you will receive a reward more precious than the golden rose for the carrying out of your calling toward God, your faith and your family.

Today we take the time to tell our Mothers we love them. Of course we should not have to be reminded.

Each of us can do it in any one of countless meaningful ways—by a special hand written card, a meaningful gift, a personal phone call (no text or email please), a big dinner out whenever we are allowed out in groups, maybe a week with no kitchen duties and, yes, a very special prayer for Mom. And if your Mom has passed on honor her by your faithfulness to the spiritual foundation she gave you and pray for her by receiving Holy Communion for her whenever we are al-lowed back.

Surely the greatest happiness of a Mother, whether living still in the flesh, or passed on, is to know that her children are serious about fulfilling the faith she helped plant in them.

Also, today, we want to say to the spiritual Mother of all Mothers: “Heavenly Mother, I love you.”

SUNDAY MASS Plan now to join us for the Fifth Sunday of Easter Mass at 11:00am. To view the Mass please visit

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyw-cCS4kBm58PXgsn9hzg

SATURDAY CONFESSIONS—May 9th Even though the Church is closed we still have

confessions every Saturday (keeping social

distance):

2:30pm—3:30pm and

5:00pm—5:30pm

We have three locations:

the Church portico,

the Parish Hall overhang and

the School overhang

You can stay in your car if you wish.

PERPETUAL ADORATION

This is a great link for Adoration: https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm3Z44Q4eis

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fifth Sunday of easter

fifth Sunday of easter

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…”

One of the most prominent landmarks of Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago, is without a doubt the Bahai Temple. This is a magnificent construction that has been commended for its architectural beauty. What makes this building so unique is that its design incorporates key elements of the Bahai faith, which was founded by Bahá’u’lláh a hundred and fifty years ago.

For instance, in this spiritual tradition the number “9” signifies completion, perfection, harmony. Because of this, the Evanston temple has nine sides representing the nine great religions of the world: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the religion of the Sabaeans in Yemen, the Babi religion and the Bahai religion. Each side has a door and a set of windows, meaning that we can enter the same building through any door, and we can find and reach the same god through any of the nine religions.

In a similar way there is only one sun and its light shines through all the windows. There is only one god and his truth is communicated through all religions. According to the Bahais, all religions are essentially the same. In fact, the great spiritual figures in history: Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Bab and Bahá’u’lláh are all divine messengers, prophets, who came at different times, in different places, to educate mankind on the truth of the same god.

Of course, as Christians we respect all religions and spiritual traditions. It would be a contradiction to demean or hate other faith-communities on account of our love for Jesus. And yet, at the same time, we cannot water down our convictions. We have to present and articulate our own faith without any ambiguity.

In this sense, today’s gospel passage provides us with the opportunity to clarify how we view and deal with the issue of religious diversity. Christianity believes that there is indeed “one god and father of all.” (Eph 4:6) but, obviously, human beings have advanced different concepts of god, resulting in several religious systems.

Of course, there are striking similarities among all religions but the differences are very real and drastic as well. Therefore, all religions are not essentially the same. Christians are often accused of being arrogant, intolerant and exclusive because we recognize that there are elements of goodness, beauty and truth in every religion. But we also maintain that only Jesus, His revelation and teachings contain the fullness of the goodness, the beauty and the truth of god.

Why? Because Jesus is not just a prophet, a religious reformer: he is God in human form, “whoever has seen me has seen the father…I am in the father and the father is in me.” (Jn 14:9) This is a conviction we cannot hide or conceal: that Jesus is the way. He is not ‘one more way,’ ‘one way among others’ but the way. Only through Jesus can we reach with certainty the true god, “no one comes to the father except through me.”

Jesus is also the truth. His mission was not to preach new religious ideas but to tell us the whole truth about god. “For this is eternal life: that they should know you, the only true god, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (Jn 17:3) He came to disclose the mystery, the heart, the mind, the real being of god. Ignorance of Jesus is ignorance of god. Knowledge of Jesus is knowledge of the truth of god, “if you know me, then you will also know my father.” Jesus is the life. No one else in human history has ever claimed that he has the will and the power to keep us alive, to raise us from death, to give us life everlasting. “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, though he should die, will come to life…” (Jn 11:25) so, Jesus is our reli-gion!

All of you may remember that old and famous story of a man who was having doubts about the identity of Jesus. One night he had a dream and saw himself walking confused and disoriented until he fell into a bed of quicksand. All of a sudden, Confucius appeared to him and said, “it was your lack of wisdom which took you to a place such as this.” And the man continued to sink. Next buddha observed the situation and said, “let your plight be a lesson to the rest of humanity.” Then Mohammed came by and said, “suffer now and you will enjoy the seven heavens.” Finally, Jesus appeared and said to the sinking man, “take my hand and I will save you.”

This is not Christian propaganda. This story presents in a simple way what our faith proclaims: that Jesus is actually true god and true man, lord and savior. This is the Jesus that you are going to receive, dear children: the son of god, the son of Mary, the way, the truth and the life. Through his power, he will change bread and wine into his own body and blood. He will become food for you, food for everlasting life. And I ask you to cultivate your friendship with him, to study the bible so that you can learn more about him, to speak with him every day in prayer, to show your love for him by serving your family and community.

Jesus will help you live without fear and always do what is right. He will lead us to heaven where he has prepared a dwelling place for all of us.

Today, we also pray for all mothers; we remember all of them with gratitude; they were the ones who first introduced us to Jesus, the ones who through their love and sacrifice gave us a taste of the love and mercy of god. The highest law for a Christian is the law of love.

As our communities become more diverse, we are called to respect, be a good neighbor and work with everyone regardless of our religious differences. And the catholic church teaches that be-cause Jesus died and rose for all, even if they do not know it, “the members of other religions are not excluded from heaven and eternal salvation” as long as they proceed with righteousness and justice. We can never amalgamate all faiths into one religion. Only god can make us one. But through dialogue, cooperation and respect we may find and see the way…

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me…”