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Holy
Angels Church My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Today is the feast of Saint Matthew, the Apostle. He is one of those twelve special disciples Jesus called to work with Him to establish our holy Catholic Church. Saint Matthew and the other Apostles faithfully fulfilled the mission Jesus had given them. They now serve as our intercessors in heaven and our models of faith on this earth. When Jesus called Saint Matthew to become His Apostle, some of the Pharisees objected because he was a tax collector. Jesus responded: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.’” This beautiful response of Jesus is a great consolation for all of us. Why? Because even though we are all sinners, God has not condemned us. He has not abandoned us. Rather, He loves us so much that He calls us and invites us to repent of our sins. He urges us to change our sinful ways. He offers us His grace and mercy. How joyful each of us should be! We are grateful to God for His goodness and love. Upon hearing this Good News which Jesus proclaimed, let us rejoice and be glad. Let us re-commit ourselves to live the fullness of our Catholic faith. Tonight we gather as a grateful Catholic community. We come to bless and dedicate your new Catechetical Center. These classrooms were greatly needed for instructions about the Sacred Scriptures and the teachings of our Church. The many children of this parish will now have a suitable place to study and to learn. But the Catechetical Center is not only for children. It is for the entire parish. Every man and every woman of Holy Angels Parish must make use of the Catechetical Center. Only when you understand our Catholic beliefs can you faithfully live your religious convictions. It is my hope and my prayer that all of you come to know, love and serve God. It is for this reason that the Archdiocese has purchased the land for you to build the Catechetical Center. Likewise, we have purchased other properties in this neighborhood for continuing development of your parish. The blessing and opening of your new Catechetical Center is just the beginning of what I expect here. I expect you, as members of Holy Angels Parish, to become even better and holier people than you already are. Our Catholic faith is a great gift from God. Please thank God for this and continue to practice our Catholic faith all the days of your lives! On this happy occasion tonight, I want to thank Father Michael Chapman, your pastor, for his enthusiastic and joyful priestly ministry among you. I thank Sister Carmen Teresita and the Missionary Carmelite Sisters of St. Theresa who are now serving or who have served here and in the Archdiocese. I am grateful to the members of the parish council and the finance committee of the parish. I thank everyone who helped in any way to make the new Catechetical Center a reality. Indeed, a special thanks to Deacon Lucio Nieto and the catechists, who will use the new building for teaching the truths and beliefs of our Catholic faith. In the spirit of gratitude and faith, let us prepare now to make a public proclamation of our faith. “We believe. . .” Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran |