March 23, 2025
The Scrutinies: A Time of Prayer, Conversion, and Deliverance
As we journey through Lent, our parish is blessed to celebrate the Scrutinies—a series of special rites for our catechumens, those preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil. These ancient prayers, celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, are moments of deep reflection, spiritual purification, and strengthening in the face of temptation. A central part of the Scrutinies are the prayers of exorcism, through which the Church calls upon Christ to protect and strengthen the catechumens, freeing them from the influence of sin and evil. These prayers are not about possession but about liberation and healing, helping them turn fully to Christ and reject anything that separates them from God. The Scrutinies will take place at the 10:00 AM Mass for the next few Sundays. As a parish family, we are called to pray fervently for those preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation. Let us also keep in our prayers those who are already baptized and preparing to be received into the Church, as well as all those who are discerning the Catholic faith. May our prayers and witness help them experience the love of Christ and the joy of belonging to His Church. Let us accompany them on this journey of faith with our prayers, encouragement, and example, so that, together, we may all be renewed in Christ this Easter!
March 16, 2025
Dear Parish Family,
We are excited to share that we are very close to signing a contract for the new flooring in the church, which will replace the existing carpet. This project has been long in the making, and we are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to making it possible. Soon, we will have an exact amount of what remains to be paid for this expense, and we appreciate your continued generosity. Our hope is to have the new floor installed by celebrated in the parish hall. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we make this much-needed improvement to our worship space.
While we continue to passively fundraise for our future office building, we want to inform you that this effort has been prolonged. The Diocese has placed a moratorium on capital campaigns as they prepare to launch their own diocesan-wide campaign. However, we
remain committed to our vision for growth and will keep you updated as we navigate this process. A heartfelt thank you to all who have already donated towards this important project – we truly appreciate your support.
Thank you for your continued prayers and generosity.
March 2, 2025
As we begin this holy season of Lent, the Church calls us to deepen our conversion through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a day of both fasting and abstinence.
Fasting: Catholics from ages 18 to 59 are required to fast, meaning they may eat one full meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal.
Abstinence: Catholics 14 and older must abstain from meat. This applies to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. These practices are not just rules to follow; they are meant to draw us closer to Christ. Fasting is not about self-discipline alone—it is about love. We give up food to remind ourselves that “man does not live by bread alone” (Mt 4:4) but by God’s grace. We abstain from meat to unite ourselves in a small way to the sacrifice of Christ, who gave His very body for us. While fasting and abstinence on the required days are obligations, our personal Lenten sacrifices are not binding under sin. If we falter in keeping them, we have not committed a sin, but we should strive to keep our resolutions out of love for Christ. Choose a sacrifice that is reasonable and meaningful, something that truly helps you grow closer to God. If you find yourself struggling, instead of giving up, recommit yourself with renewed intention. Let us enter this season with repentant hearts, remembering that our sacrifices should always lead us to greater love of Christ and deeper sorrow for our sins. “Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord your God.” – Joel 2:1
February 23, 2025
In today’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), Jesus gives us one of His most challenging commands: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” It’s easy to be kind to those who treat us well, but Christ calls us to go further – to love even when it’s difficult. Why? Because this kind of love reflects God’s own mercy. When we forgive, bless, and pray for those who hurt us, we break the cycle of hatred and revenge that so often dominates the world. Jesus invites us to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful, offering a love that knows no limits. As we reflect on this, let’s ask ourselves: Where in our lives do we need to let go of resentment? Who do we need to forgive? May God’s grace help us to choose mercy, not just once, but every day.
From Monday to Wednesday this week, I will be in Greensboro with the bishop and all the priests of the diocese for our convocation. We will be discussing a program called the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), which the bishop has asked us to implement at the parish level. This initiative includes a parish survey to help assess how well we are serving you, our parishioners. During my absence, there will be no Masses or Catholic Course Study sessions. In lieu of Masses, Communion services will be offered. God bless you, you’re in my prayers.
January 26, 2025
Greetings from Mexico! I want to let you know that I am praying for you while I am away visiting my family. I will be back on Wednesday, January 29th, and I look forward to being with you again.
On this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time we hear the powerful account from the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus enters the synagogue, unrolls the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, and
proclaims, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.” Jesus declares that this scripture is fulfilled in their hearing, revealing that He Himself is the Word of God made flesh, sent to bring salvation to the world.
In 2019, Pope Francis instituted the Sunday of the Word of God, to be celebrated each year on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. This day is meant to emphasize the importance of Sacred Scripture in our lives as Catholics. The Pope’s hope is that the faithful will grow in their love for the Word of God and incorporate it more deeply into their daily lives. He reminds us that the Scriptures are not just historical texts; they are living and active, capable of transforming our hearts and guiding us closer to Christ.
One compelling reason to deepen our appreciation of the Scriptures is their inerrancy and authenticity, as explained by scholars like Dr. Brant Pitre. For a deeper dive into these
insights, I recommend his book, The Case for Jesus, which explores the historical and theological foundations of the Gospels in a way that strengthens our faith and understanding of Scripture. Dr. Pitre highlights how the Bible is not a mere human
invention but a divinely inspired collection of writings. From the historical reliability of the Gospels to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the life of Jesus, Scripture demonstrates a divine coherence that transcends human authorship. For instance, the consistent foreshadowing of Christ throughout the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah, underscores the divine plan of salvation woven throughout the
Bible.
Moreover, the New Testament’s accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are rooted in eyewitness testimony and corroborated by external historical sources. As Dr. Pitre points
out, this provides strong evidence that the Scriptures are trustworthy and true, inviting us to place our faith in the Word of God with confidence.
This Sunday, as we reflect on Jesus’ proclamation of the Good News, let us recommit ourselves to deepening our relationship
with the Word of God. May we approach the Scriptures with reverence and trust, recognizing them as the inspired Word of God that illuminates our path to Christ and empowers us to share His love with the world. As Pope Francis reminds us, the Scriptures are a gift and a treasure that transform our hearts and lead us to salvation.
January 19, 2025
The Wedding at Cana is a powerful moment in the Gospel that reveals not only the divinity of Jesus but also the loving intercession of Mary. At the celebration, when the wine runs, it is Mary who notices the need and brings it to Jesus’ attention. Her simple yet profound instruction to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5), resonates deeply in our spiritual lives. Mary’s role at Cana reminds us of her presence in our own lives. She is a mother who sees our needs and brings them to Jesus, always trusting in His power and timing. As we reflect on this story, we are invited to follow her example of faith and obedience. When we entrust our lives to her intercession, she leads us closer to her Son and helps us navigate life’s challenges with hope and trust in God. I also want to share some updates about the parish schedule in the coming weeks. I will be away visiting my family in Mexico from Monday, January 20th, to Tuesday, January 28th. During my absence, there will be adjustments to our liturgical schedule:
Fr. Peter Shaw will celebrate the weekend Masses on Saturday, January 25th, and Sunday, January 26th. Deacon Pickett will lead Communion Services on weekdays in place of the regular daily Masses. The intentions for the daily Masses during this time will still be honored, as I will celebrate them privately while in Mexico. I am grateful to Fr. Shaw and Deacon Pickett for your understanding and support as I take this time to reconnect with my family. Please keep me in your prayers, as I will carry all of you in mine during my time away. Let us continue to walk together in faith, guided by the loving intercession of Mary, who always points us toward her Son. May her example inspire us to trust in God’s plans and to embrace the challenges of life with grace and faith.
January 12, 2025
This Sunday, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, marking the moment when Jesus, though sinless, entered the waters of the Jordan to be baptized by John. In this act of humility, Jesus identifies with us and sanctifies the waters of baptism, opening the way for our salvation. At His baptism, the heavens opened, the Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
With this feast, we transition from the joyous season of Christmas into Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for this season is green, symbolizing growth and life.
Ordinary Time invites us to nurture and deepen our baptismal identity as beloved children of God, living out the grace we received at baptism. It’s a season for spiritual growth, a time to reflect on how we can embody our faith in everyday life. This journey of growth is not without its challenges. Ordinary Time is interrupted by the season of Lent, a time set aside for penance and reflection on where we may have fallen short in living out our baptismal
promises. Lent gives us the opportunity to repent, reconcile with God, and renew our commitment to holiness. In this rhythm of growth and renewal, the Church provides a path for us to continually realign our lives with the Gospel. Pope Francis often encourages us to remember the date of our baptism, calling it “a second birthday.” Knowing this date connects us to our identity as disciples of Christ and reminds us of our call to live as His faithful followers. If you don’t know the date of your baptism, take some time to find out. Celebrate it each year as a joyful reminder of the day you became part of God’s family.
As we embark on this season of Ordinary Time, let us strive to grow in faith and love, trusting that God’s grace will guide us. May this time of growth, interrupted by moments of renewal and penance, draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.
– Fr. Alfonso Gamez
December 29, 2024
Dear Parishioners,
You may have noticed a recent change in the placement of the Celebrant and altar server chairs: they now face the altar. This adjustment was made with the intention of highlighting the central role of the altar in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) reminds us of the profound significance of the altar: “The altar should occupy a place where it is truly the center toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns.” (GIRM 299) The altar is the heart of the liturgical celebration, the place where the sacrifice of Christ is made present and from which we are nourished with His Body and Blood. By orienting the altar server chairs toward the altar, we ensure
that their focus, along with that of the entire congregation, remains on the Eucharistic mystery being celebrated. This small but meaningful change emphasizes that all who participate in the Mass – whether clergy, servers, or laity – are united in worship and adoration of Christ. We hope this change helps to deepen our collective sense of reverence and draws us ever closer to the Lord present in the Eucharist. Thank you for your understanding and support as we strive to continually enhance the beauty and sanctity of our liturgical celebrations. The Holy Family – Jesus, Mary, and Joseph – offers us a model of faith, love, and holiness. St. Joseph, though silent in the Gospels, speaks to us through his actions. As the guardian of the Redeemer and protector of Mary, he shows us how to trust in God’s plan, even in uncertainty, and to live with humility and devotion. Joseph’s example calls us to welcome Jesus and Mary into our lives. Just as he embraced Mary and Jesus with love and care, we too are invited to open our hearts and homes to their presence. His quiet fidelity inspires us to make God’s will the priority in our families and daily lives. One powerful way to do this is through the Holy Rosary. The Rosary draws us into the heart of the Holy Family, helping us meditate on the life of Christ through Mary’s eyes. Each decade deepens our connection with Jesus and strengthens our virtues. Like St. Joseph, who must have reflected deeply on the mysteries of Christ’s life, we too can grow in faith through this prayer. Let us ask St. Joseph to intercede for us, that we may invite Jesus and Mary into our lives and embrace the Rosary as a path to holiness. By following his example, we can grow closer to the Holy Family and to God.
December 22, 2024
The coming of Christ changed the course of human history in profound and tangible ways. Born into a world marked by darkness and suffering, Jesus brought the light of truth, love, and redemption. His life, death, and resurrection transformed societies, laying the foundation for a vision of human dignity and care that continues to shape the world today. Before Christ, the world often lacked a clear understanding of the inherent worth of every human life. Christianity proclaimed the radical truth: each person is made in the image and likeness of God. This belief inspired the establishment of hospitals, schools, and orphanages. It led to the abolition of practices like infanticide and gladiatorial combat, and it transformed the way societies cared for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Through Christ, humanity discovered what it means to love and serve one another. Today, that same Christ who was born in Bethlehem comes to us in the Eucharist. The Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, is the same Savior humbly present under the appearance of bread and wine. He comes to heal us, to guide us, and to save us from the darkness of sin. Every Mass is a renewal of Christmas—God with us. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, remember that Christmas is a holy day of obligation. It is a time to come together as God’s family and worship Him in the Mass, where Jesus, the Light of the World, is truly present. Let us not miss this opportunity to receive Him, adore Him, and allow Him to transform our hearts and lives. This Christmas, come to Mass and rediscover the incredible gift of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Jesus is waiting for you. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). O come, let us adore Him!
December 15, 2024
Dear Parish Family,
As we continue our Advent journey, we invite you to rediscover an ancient and profound tradition of our Church: the singing of antiphons. These short verses, drawn directly from Sacred Scripture, are a unique way to praise God with His own words. Unlike hymns – which, while beautiful, are human compositions – antiphons are the Word of God itself, inspired by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed by the Church in her liturgy. So, when you sing a hymn consider that you are praising God with human words, but when you sing antiphons, you are praising God with more worthy words, his own inspired words of scripture. Singing antiphons is more than a musical choice; it is a way of immersing ourselves in the divine mystery of the liturgy. When we sing antiphons, we join in a sacred dialogue with heaven, proclaiming the truths of our faith with the words God has given us. This practice helps us to enter more deeply into the spiritual richness of the Mass and unites us with the universal Church throughout time and space. To renew this beautiful tradition, we will gradually introduce the practice of singing antiphons into all of our Masses along with our hymnal repertoire. Over time, this will help us to grow in our understanding of the liturgy and deepen our prayerful participation in the celebration of the Eucharist. We encourage you to embrace this practice with open hearts. As we sing the Word of God together, may it lead us to a deeper encounter with Christ, who is the Word made flesh.
“Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” – Psalm 95:1
October 27, 2024
Holy days of obligation are intentional interruptions in our lives where the Church asks us to stop whatever we’re doing and proclaim a necessary truth of our faith. All Saints day is one of those days where we are obliged to proclaim the truth of our personal call to become saints and our communion with those who won the battle of fidelity to Jesus by attending Mass. To choose not to come to Mass
out of your own free will is a choice that prioritizes other things other than this crucial part of our faith which is a choice harmful to your salvation; that’s why it’s often referred to as a mortal sin. However, if the choice is not yours (say your car broke down) then there is no sin. Sin and virtue are always in the free choice.
Halloween, a modern translation of “All Hallow’s Eve” is first and foremost an anticipation of All Saints Day as the name suggests. Halloween comes with its own American culture of trick-or-treating. However, in order to instill our children with Catholic culture we are reminding them of the original roots of Halloween with our Trunk-n-Treat event on Wednesday, Oct. 30th. Our Students and parents will be encouraged to dress up as Saints, treats will be given, and pumpkins will be painted. I thank in advance all
those who have donated candy & pumpkins to this event & please continue to donate! There is a virtue St. Thomas Aquinas highlights which is a fun word to say called “eutrapelia” which is the virtue of the ability to have fun. Trunk-n-Treat will help us cultivate that virtue in a holy way remembering the Saints.
On Saturday, Nov. 2nd we will celebrate a special mass at 10am for all those who have passed and are undergoing purification in purgatory. Nov. 2nd is the commemoration of All Souls days and on this day we pray for our deceased relatives that our acts of love and prayers will assist them in purgatory. You are invited to bring a photo of a deceased relative for our memorial altar that we will have in the Church.
September 22, 2024
If you are regularly coming to the 4:30 PM mass you may be wondering where I have been. I promise I haven’t been reassigned. Saturday September 14th, I had another wedding for another cousin who was married. This is the blessing of coming from a large family; my dad has 9 brothers and sisters and my mom has 11, so I have several cousins. Saturday September 21st I am celebrating a wedding for a friend from my first parish. Saturday September 28th, I promise, I am all yours! We are quickly approaching the end of summer and the beginning of fall. None of us like changes, but change is the only constant as the saying goes. I’ve noticed something particular about a plant I’ve had for 11 years. It’s a geranium that was given to me on my first day of seminary. I’ve noticed every time I move to a new parish, all the leaves fall off and it seems like it’s about to die. But just as I think it’s life has come to an end, new foliage comes through. The same is true with us, whenever we experience a death, the end of a season, it can be tempting to lament and mourn the past. But as Christians we must always look ahead at what is to come. This is the Christian virtue of Hope, the firmness of heart that knows that what is ahead of us is far greater than what we leave behind.
September 1, 2024
Since the pontificate of John Paul II, one of the Church’s main concerns has been how to evangelize our youth. In history we were evangelized by our parents growing up in a Christian society. Today that luxury is not afforded to us. Parents often find themselves unable to deal with or address the growing religious apathy that is becoming so common in our society. Studies show that the fastest growing religious demographic isn’t Christianity, Judaism or Islam, but rather those who are not affiliated with any religion whatsoever. In order to address this grave problem, I plan on starting a weekly active youth group that will meet on Friday nights. Youth groups are meant to build strong friendships that lead each other to a friendship with Jesus in the Eucharist. This program is open to all teens 13-17. Our kick-off will be on Friday September 20th at 7-8:30pm. We will meet every Friday from 7pm-8:30PM, where we will have meals, games, talks, prayer, movie nights and field trips! We are in need of some support so we can feed these teens! If you would like to sponsor a meal, please email me at axgamez@rcdoc.org. I am very grateful to Cristal Arroyo who will serve as our Youth Ministry Coordinator. If you would like to get involved, please get in touch with Kim Clarke to complete our volunteer forms! Thank you so much in advance and may God bless you and keep you.
August 25, 2024
As you noticed I am away this weekend, my cousin got married yesterday, and I had the pleasure of celebrating her wedding Mass in our home parish in Hendersonville. I will also be away this whole week. I will be traveling with my mother to our home town in Mexico to visit my grandparents. Please pray for my grandfather, he had a stroke a few years ago and his condition is getting more delicate (his name is Enrique Alanis). This week we will have communion services thanks to the help of our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Please know that if you have a Mass intention for this week, I will still offer the Mass intention but they will be celebrated from my grandparents living room in Mexico! Next weekend we have the Eucharistic Congress, our annual Catholic convention in Charlotte. I highly encourage you to make the trip down to Charlotte for this event. Because of the Congress concluding
on Saturday evening, Bishop Michael has asked that we cancel our Saturday Vigil Masses. That being said, we will not have Vigil Masses on Saturday August 31st. I will see you all back on September 1st. Please keep me and my mom in your prayers for safe travels.
August 11, 2024
One of the great early church Saints who was instrumental in giving us some insights on how the early Christians prayed and worked was St. Ignatius of Antioch. He writes to us from the first century where already in his time there were divisions among Christians. In his writings he stresses the importance of following the Bishop saying “where the Bishop is, there is the Church.” Everything I do is meant to be in union with the bishop who alone has all the power of governance, the responsibility of sanctifying through the sacraments, and the duty of teaching the faith through preaching. He alone delegates priests, deacons and lay faithful to help in his work of leading us to heaven. This week the priests of the diocese will have our annual convocation with our bishop. The topic for this year will be on preaching, presented to us by Fr. Patrick McManus, a priest from the Diocese of Des Moines. Please remember to pray for us, that we may become more effective preachers that set hearts on fire for Christ!
July 28, 2024
There is little known to us about the lives of St. Anne and St. Joachim the maternal grandparents of Jesus. Most accounts come from tradition and devotions. However, there is a really good work by St. Maria of Agreda who, through mystical experiences, was given insight into the hidden life of the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It’s a great work with deep spiritual insights.
Kim and I were recently talking about the Basilica of St. Anne de Beaupré au Québec. It is the home of one of the major relics of St. Ann, the grandmother of Jesus. The ceiling of the basilica is adorned with images taken from the accounts St. Maria of Agreda narrates of the lives of Sts. Anne and Joachim. It’s definitely a must-see pilgrimage site if you ever find yourself in that area.
Recently in 2021 in the wake of the pandemic, our Holy Father Pope Francis granted a plenary indulgence to anyone who visits the elderly or even simply connects through a phone call with their grandparents. This highlights the dignity of the human person no matter the age. From our elderly we have access to a treasure cove of wisdom, insight and experience that our Lord Jesus himself did not go without.
The feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim was on Friday, July 26 this year. If you are able to connect with an elderly individual, your grandparents, your neighbor then you can apply the indulgence either to yourself or for a deceased relative. May God bless you.