Easter Message from Father Mark

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Happy Easter to each and every member of the parish family of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Today is our greatest feast day of the year and we welcome everyone to come share our joy in the Resurrection! People love to come to church on Easter because we all need the hope and peace that comes from our belief that death is not the end, that Jesus really did rise, and that He calls us to share his eternal joy! Jesus is alive and he attracts many people to His Church on this glorious day. And so, people come in their Sunday best and their flowery Easter dresses with hearts yearning for new hope and new life. On Easter, everything is light and color, beauty, joy, feasting and family! It is the Risen Jesus who calls you! We pray that once you have arrived here you may find what you are looking for and yearning for. We hope you all feel welcomed and that no one goes home wondering why they felt called to come. We yearn to have you remain part of our family and return again and again! This year 2025, is a “Jubilee Year” dedicated to hope. I hope that during this joyful year, the Lord will give you blessings that will transform your heart forever. His church is full of plenty of wondrous blessings which can satisfy every heart. The Easter scriptures are a veritable feast of promises about what God calls us to enjoy: a spirit of adoption that makes us family (Rom. 8:15), a cleansing flood that purifies our hearts (Ex. 36:25), a paschal lamb who was sacrificed (1Cor. 5:7), a cup of blessing which is a participation in the Blood of Christ (1Cor.10:16), and bread from heaven which is the medicine of immortality so that He can raise us up on the last day (John 6:54). But the most deliriously joyful call is one that we will hear much later: “The hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out” (John 5:28). Happy Easter to all! 

Sincerely yours,

Fr. Mark

Do we sometimes think that Jesus is given only to the highly qualified, special religious people? In the Gospel of Luke today we hear about the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The newborn son of God is passed around like a baton in a relay race, not guarded like a precious jewel or a breakable china dish. We can see him going from the arms of Mary to Joseph, then to the priest performing the ceremony, then to Simeon the old man, and then to Anna the old widow. Each one receives him and then hands him to the next. A tidal wave of joy and thanksgiving follows wherever he is placed. Believe me, you are qualified to hold Jesus in your arms. How can I say that with such confidence? Because the mother decides who is qualified. The Blessed Virgin, embodied in the Church, holds him out to you and me. She rejoices to place him in our arms to hold and to hand him on, too.

— Father John Muir

Many people are suffering from ailments of some form or another. Please join us as we pray for the sick, their families, and caregivers. ​

Aaron Ramirez

Alejandra Hernancez

Alex Mendoza

Angelina Munar 

Annabelle Dizon 

Ashraf Ghangosar

Barbara Gini

Bob Weber 

Carlos Felipe Ruiz

Carlos Rodriguez

Carmen Parrish

Celine Hoban

Chuy Cazares

Connie Heim

Connie Tracy

Debbie Brockney

Deborah Balisteri

Derk Hoban

Edith Contreras Ochoa

Elsa Valdez

Elvin Tyler

Enos Gomes

Evelyn Gesell

Frank Gomez Jr 

Galdina Guzmán

George Reyes

Gilbert Ramirez

Gloria Fernandez 

Gloria Rangel Ortiz

Graciela Alegria Vargas

Guadalupe Deleon 

Jack Avery

Janet Kavanaugh

Jeanette Toloy

Joan Reyes

Joann Shannon

Jocelyn Gonzalez

Kenneth McKellar

Kim Bach

Kimberly Ginsberg

Lillian Martinez

Luz Maria Camarillo

María Guadalupe Barajas

Maria Ochoa

Maria Rivera

Matt Johnston

Mayra A. Castillo

Michael A. Mallare

Michael James Miller

Noemi Bourez

Paloma Ochoa

Paulette Vetter

Rachel Stafford

Roger Roman

Scott Johnson

Sheila Bacus

Star Cunanan

Susan Klass

Tammie Parrino

Terri Lomeli

Terry Cabauatan

Tomas Larios Ortiz

​To add or remove names, please contact the Communications Coordinator at comms@presentationchurch.net.

To see additional 'Prayers for the Sick', please click here. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2025

7:00 AM: Parish Families

8:45 AM: Parish Families

10:45 AM: Parish Families

12:15 PM: Parish Families

2:15 PM: Parish Families

No 5:00 PM Mass

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025

7:00 AM: † Maya Tutupalli

12:15 PM: Terry Marshall 

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025

7:00 AM: † Louis T. and † Dolores F. Arbios 

12:15 PM: † Otilio Bautista 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025

7:00 AM: Azucena Campbell — birthday

12:15 PM: † Sonia Bautista — health

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025

7:00 AM: † Roman Flores

12:15 PM: Terry Marshall

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025

7:00 AM: † James Spratt

12:15 PM: Susan Klass and Alison Nelson (twins) — birthdays 

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025

8:30 PM: † Shelby Ann Quinones 

5:00 PM: † Melanie Mendoza-Lara

In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

Shirley Spadafore

MaryLou Knisley

Alejandro Ramirez

Carmel Breakfield

Beverly Limbaugh

Marlene Neri

Marietta Quizana

Mel Pagala

Andrea Weesner

Olga Mendoza

Thelma Adams

Pushpamma Manda

Thelma Perdue

Ruth Segarini

Jose Salud Garcia Jasso

Norma Jean Luder

James R Fenelon

Vernon Franzi 

Henrietta Melinda Gietzen

Donna Mae Monaco

Estela Cortes

Salvador De Leon Samson

Marina Cueva

Nasser Y. Saleh

Myrna Garces

Fr. Joe Maghinay

Lolita Hilario

Benjamin Morelos

Nancy Bertilacchi

JoAnn Campigli

Romulo Gonzales

Antonio D. Alamo, Sr.

Pierce Lawrence (Chris) Brothers

Shirley Benecke

Arnold Arnulfo Rangel

Mario Gines

Yvonne G. Mariani

Frank Ramalho

Patricia Rut

Angelina R. Agpawa

Jack Jerome Vernon

Agnes Sombra

David Wagner

Ramon Espiritu

Marlo Eduardo Gesell, Jr.

Anne Marie Saiers Fowler

Christopher Thomas

Manuel J. Angel

Christofer Gores

Judith Gores

Mario Sepulveda

Armando Fernandez

Marilyn McLean

Gwen Lagesse

Ronald Ramirez

David Perez

Teresita Perez

Jeanette Cuthbert 

Loretta Castro

Genevieve Johnson

Rosalie Mello

John Mendonca 

Joann Phillips

 Maria Trinidad Espinosa Montiel

Jeremiah Bersola

Lorraine Coburn

Ben Munar Cables

David Rodahaffer

Helen Medina

Elvin Tyler

Norah Bennington

Bernice Nickols

Jose Manuel Gutierrez

Gail-Victoria Galela

Dina DeMartini

Bertha Gonzales

Felicidad Albinto

Bernarda Maldonado Camargo

Rita Sepulveda

Victoria Mgbanwa

Perla Rosal Crisologo

Ange Mouttapa

Herminia Espiritu 

Eldina Tronco

Antonio Elopre

Mildred Aquino 

Rosa Montoya

Dan Lucchesi 

Mildred Quitoriano

Dan Lucchesi 

Mildred Quitoriano

David Trummer

Olimpio Sisante

Julie Low

Eberhard Schwertzke

Lucy Valverde 

Ramon Mendez

Ernie Medina

Alfred Del Prato

We pray that we let our lives reflect God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. 

Rezamos que permitamos que nuestras vidas reflejen el amor, la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. 

Even if one cannot sacramentally receive the Eucharist, everyone should be aware of the practice of making a spiritual communion. The following is a daily prayer for Spiritual Communion:

O my Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed 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.

-St. Alphonsus Liguori

For more resources on Spiritual Communion, click here.

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

To view full readings, click here.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Acts 10:34a, 37–43/23/Col 3:1–4 or 

1 Cor 5:6b–8/ Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12

MONDAY, APRIL 21

Acts 2:14, 22–33/Mt 28:8–15

TUESDAY, APRIL 22

Acts 2:36–41/Jn 20:11–18

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

Acts 3:1–10/Lk 24:13–35

THURSDAY, APRIL 24

Acts 3:11–26/Lk 24:35–48

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Acts 4:1–12/Jn 21:1–14

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

Acts 4:13–21/Mk 16:9–15

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Acts 5:12–16/Rv 1:9–11a, 12–13, 17–19/

Jn 20:19–31

“. . . He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” — Acts 10:38

We can’t give what we don’t have. Open your heart to receive God’s love, mercy and forgiveness. Then, show the same to others. As God’s adopted sons and daughters, we are made in His image and likeness. As Pope Benedict XVI says, “we are made for greatness.” Let our lives reflect His light to others. Pray to live a grateful and generous life. Strive for greatness! We are made for more! We are made for God

“. . . Él anduvo haciendo el bien y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con Él.” 

— Hechos 10:38

Nosotros no podemos dar lo que no tenemos. Abran su corazón para recibir el amor, la misericordia y perdón de Dios. Entonces, muestre lo mismo a los demás. Como hijos adoptivos de Dios, somos hechos a Su imagen y semejanza. Como dijo el Papa Benedicto XVI, “fuimos hechos para la grandeza”. Que nuestras vidas reflejen Su luz a los demás. Ore para vivir una vida agradecida y generosa. ¡Esfuérzate para la grandeza! ¡Fuimos hechos para más! ¡Fuimos hechos por Dios!

Sharing the Gospel

Everything you have is a gift from God — your body, your mind, your food, your clothes — everything! Sometimes people become proud, and they think they have earned God’s gifts. Sometimes people run away from God, and they waste God’s gifts. Just remember, it is never too late to run back to God. Every good gift comes from God. 

​Prayer

God, I thank you for bringing Jesus back to life. 

Something to Draw

Draw how surprised Peter and John were when they saw Jesus’ empty womb.  

Mission for the Week

Bake Resurrection cookies with your family tonight. You can find the recipe online by scanning the QR code.  

© 2008 LPi • PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817 • 1-800-950-9952 x2469 • LPiResourceCenter.com 

POPE ST. ANACLETUS — THE 3RD POPE | c. AD 16 – c. AD 92

FEAST DAY: 26 APRIL

Pope Saint Anacletus was the third Pope and leader of the Church. The pope was known for dividing Rome into 25 regions and giving control over each one to different bishops. Anacletus was the first pope born and raised in Greece. He lived Athens. His parents named him Anakletos, he would also use the name Kletos. Anacletus knew St. Peter and worked closely with him. It was St. Peter who ordained Anacletus and made him a priest, which led to him later becoming pope. He would use both the name Anacletus and the name Cletus. There is some dispute over his papal reign and how long it lasted because his papacy wasn’t recorded until later years. Most state that he was pope from 80 to 92 AD, but other records list his papacy as running from 77 to 88 AD. We know that he took the position after Pope Saint Linus died and that he likely ruled for 12 years. Rome looked quite different in the early days than it does today. Anacletus inherited a papacy with no formal rules or edicts. He created parishes in Rome and assigned bishops and others to control those 25 districts. This would help each group establish churches and decide on the hierarchy used in each one. During his time as pope, Anacletus also ordained several priests. Though we have records of some of those priests, they do not list how many he ordained. To make sure that bishops had the experience that they needed, Anacletus decreed that at least three current bishops must be on hand when a bishop took his orders. He also asked that they took their final orders in public as a way to help followers participate. Near the end of his papacy, Anacletus would also make changes to churches and burial sites. He called for the construction of a new church built to honor Saint Peter and requested that the church reserve several spots in the nearby cemetery for martyrs. Anacletus believed that martyrs were witnesses to the atrocities that Christians faced and that they deserved a good final resting place. He also asked that some of the spots be set aside for future martyrs. When Pope Anacletus died, his body was moved to Vatican Hill and placed near Pope Saint Peter. Vatican Hill is now part of Vatican City and home to the current pope. 

SAN ISIDORO DE SEVILLA | c. 560–636 | DOCTOR DE LA IGLESIA 

FIESTA: 4 DE ABRIL  

San Isidoro de Sevilla fue un teólogo, el último de los Padres latinos de Occidente, arzobispo y enciclopedista. Su obra Etimologías, una enciclopedia de temas humanos y divinos, fue uno de los hitos fundamentales en la glosografía (la recopilación de glosarios) y, durante muchos siglos, uno de los libros de referencia más importantes. Isidoro sucedió a su hermano, San Leandro, como arzobispo de Sevilla alrededor del año 600, en una época en la que la iglesia española presenció numerosos concilios, siendo uno de los más importantes el IV Concilio de Toledo (633). Isidoro presidió este concilio, que, entre otros asuntos político-religiosos, decretó la unión entre la Iglesia y el Estado, la tolerancia hacia los judíos y la uniformidad en la Misa española. Continuó con éxito la conversión de los visigodos del arrianismo (la doctrina herética que enseñaba que el Hijo no era igual ni coeterno con Dios Padre) al cristianismo ortodoxo, siguiendo la labor iniciada por Leandro.

Entre la extraordinaria producción literaria de Isidoro, su obra Etimologías destaca especialmente. En sus 20 secciones, recopiló para la posteridad una gran cantidad de conocimientos extraídos de obras de enciclopedistas anteriores, especialistas y diversos escritores latinos. La parte etimológica (Libro X) se convirtió en una fuente fundamental para posteriores glosógrafos. Etimologías, una de las obras más estudiadas durante la Edad Oscura y la Edad Media, trata sobre las siete artes liberales aplicadas al conocimiento general y comprensivo, abordando temas como la antropología, la cosmología, la arquitectura, la historia y la agricultura.

Sus obras teológicas incluyen Sobre el origen y la muerte de los Padres, que contiene biografías de 86 personajes bíblicos; Tres libros de sentencias, un manual de moral y teología en forma de sentencias recopiladas; Sobre los deberes de la Iglesia, una obra litúrgica sobre los oficios y miembros clericales; y Sinónimos, una meditación espiritual. Fue canonizado por el Papa Clemente VIII en 1598. El Papa Inocencio XIII lo declaró formalmente Doctor de la Iglesia en 1722.