There are over one billion Catholics in the world today, yet at one point, Catholicism was just a tiny seed in the hands of thirteen men; Jesus and His twelve apostles. Who would have imagined that there would be so many of us in the world today?
Like the Catholic faith, beginning a new habit, or sustaining an on-going one, is like planting a very a tiny seed. When we decide to change from our sinful and wasteful ways and devote ourselves to becoming more serious with God, we have just planted a tiny seed. When we hope to continue devout practices of the faith, we not only help ourselves get to heaven, but we consequently bear witness to others about the need to strive and do the same for their salvation.

This month of October dedicated to the Blessed Mother, I encourage you to begin a good habit: come to church 15 minutes earlier than your usual time so you can either have silent moment and dispose yourself for the celebration or help welcome fellow parishioners and visitors partaking the Eucharist that weekend; receive Jesus reverently by the tongue or by the hand; spend some quiet moment after Mass on your knees; pray the Rosary every day and wear the brown scapular; visit the Blessed Sacrament for at least an 30 minutes once a week. If you have been doing these already, continue doing them with greater zeal and devotion, and be amazed at how these habits will eventually become your virtues once done consistently, consciously and conscientiously.

The beginning may be rough and challenging at times. We may even face great temptations and oppositions; so great that we may attempt giving up; progress may be slow; but we must keep moving on. One day, that good habit we just began will become part of us, and we would attract people to God by your own witness of faith.

This is my desire, but really my hope and prayer, that together as one community here at Saint Raymond Church, we not only praise and give thanks to the Lord at Mass, but to go out of our way to continue the journey in response to the call to be profitable and faithful servants of the Lord who do not only do what is expected, but, in all things, accomplish what we can to glorify the Lord – the giver of all good gifts, everything that we have and everything that we are today.

I do not have any other words to say, but “thank you” for your powerful witness. And in the words of the Responsorial Psalm this Sunday: “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives”.

Sono semipro grate,
Father Erick

(For 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time)