Making it Count!

We have entered into the season of Lent, which is a special time of the year for receiving graces, and it is especially true this year because this is a special jubilee year! This is a special year of grace. I think our prayers and penances during this Lent will COUNT 

DOUBLE because they will be augmented by the graces of this Holy Year! Perhaps we will get more graces for the same effort! This may seem like a silly way to think, but I think it is true. I always feel that on the feast day of my favorite saint, the prayers that I say to that saint on that day have more power. A jubilee year is like that. It is an anniversary of Our Lord himself and his gift of salvation. It was 2025 years ago that he gave himself to the world as our Savior! Therefore, I would say that even if you haven’t yet decided what you want to do extra for Lent, or what you want to “give up” for Lent, don’t worry! It’s not too late! Whatever you do will COUNT DOUBLE! You can do twice as much in half the time! This is a year of special INDULGENCE. God will indulge you anyway. This is what an “indulgence” is. Catholics know that a prayer that is “indulgenced” has added value. The church has decreed that certain prayers or pious acts are supercharged! The church has been given the “keys” to the treasuries of heaven and can distribute them as she wills. 

In the past few weeks, I have been trying to explain this idea of indulgences by quoting the Bible and the Catechism and the writings of the popes and saints. Please indulge me as I continue to write about it! The basic idea is that the merits of Christ and of Our Lady and of the saints are like a  treasure trove which can be accessed by the church. The pope has the “keys to the kingdom” which were given to St. Peter so that whatever he binds on earth is bound in heaven (Matthew 16:9). This is the basic idea of what an indulgence is. It means that if I say a rosary with love and devotion it has a certain value, but if I pray a rosary devoutly but also receive Communion and pray for the intentions of the pope, then I fulfill the conditions set my the church in such a way that that rosary is also supercharged with the merits of many saints who during their lifetimes said their rosaries with intense love and perfect devotion. 

I hope that you, my parishioners, have understood a little of what I have been trying to teach in these bulletin messages about indulgences. However, I think that while these theological reflections might be helpful for those who misunderstand or question or doubt our faith, they have probably been 

supremely unhelpful and useless to many of my faithful parishioners who have strong faith and do not need all of these explanations. Most of you probably don’t need to know all the proof texts that support this abstract concept. You probably just want to know HOW to gain the jubilee indulgence. You are probably thinking impatiently: “When is Fr. Mark going to tell me how to get one?” To find the answer to the question of how to obtain the special jubilee indulgence, you must read Pope Francis’ document called “Decree on the Granting of Indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025.” This document gives a long list of various things that you can do such as making a pilgrimage to your 

cathedral and attending Mass there, or doing a work of mercy, defending life, giving something up for at least a day. There are handouts at the doors of the church which give a more extended list, along with the other “normal conditions” which must be met in order to receive any indulgence (receiving 

Communion, praying for the pope’s intentions, going to confession within a month, etc.). For this jubilee year, Pope Francis has decided not to emphasize the idea of gaining the indulgence by going through a “holy door” (except in Rome). It is sad that Pope Francis has fallen so ill during the Jubilee Year which he himself decreed. Certainly, we pray for him and ask that our prayers for him might COUNT DOUBLE! May he be richly blessed by the graces which are pouring through the floodgates of grace which have been opened during this Jubilee Year! 

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

Gail Galela

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

Mildred Quitoriano

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, MARCH 9, 2025

7:00 AM: † Pedro Cuevas Sanchez 

8:45 AM: † Angelina Flores — birthday  

10:30 AM: † Pastor Sarnillo

12:15 PM: † Nestor Maldonado-Luna 

   — fifth year death anniversary  

2:15 PM: † Antonio Guerrero Fonseca 

5:00 PM: † Efren Paez Sr.  

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025

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

12:15 PM: Freddie Dumaoal — birthday

TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025

7:00 AM: Urquico Family — thanksgiving 

12:15 PM: Orino Family — thanksgiving 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025

7:00 AM: † Hilda Goyette

12:15 PM: † Kenneth A. Gates

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025

7:00 AM: † Salvador Mendoza

12:15 PM: † Bob Provo

FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025

7:00 AM: Anthony C. Rodriguez 

12:15 PM: † Rafael Benabaye Sr. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025

8:00 AM: † Louis T. and † Dolores F. Arbios 

5:00 PM: † Melanie 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

We pray that we give God the “first fruits” of our gifts – our first and best time in prayer, charitable works in ministry participation and financial support of our parish mission and community outreach. 

Rezamos que le demos a Dios las “primicias” de nuestros dones — nuestro primer y mejor tiempo en oración, nuestras obras de caridad al participar en los ministerios y al apoyar financieramente nuestra misión en la parroquia y el alcance a nuestra comunidad. 

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, MARCH 9

Dt 26:4–10/Rom 10:8–13/Lk 4:1–13

MONDAY, MARCH 10

Lv 19:1–2, 11–18/Mt 25:31–46

TUESDAY, MARCH 11

Is 55:10–11/Mt 6:7–15

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12

Jon 3:1–10/Lk 11:29–32

THURSDAY, MARCH 13

Est C:12,14–16, 23–25/Mt 7:7–12

FRIDAY, MARCH 14

Ez 18:21–28/Mt 5:20–26

SATURDAY, MARCH 15

Dt 26:16–19/Mt 5:43–48

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 16

Gn 15:5–12, 17–18/Phil 3:17–4:1 or 

3:20–4:1/Lk 9:28–36

“I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O Lord, have given to me.” 

— Deuteronomy 26:10

This line from the Old Testament offers two challenges. First, do you give to God from your “first fruits” - the first and best that you have to offer? Or do you give from what you have leftover? Second, do you realize that everything you have and that everything you are has been given to you by God? We aren’t owners of anything, we are merely stewards of God’s gifts. Pray for a grateful and generous heart, every day, in all circumstances. 

“Por eso traigo ahora los primeros frutos de la tierra que el Señor me ha dado.” — Deuteronomio 26:10

Esta línea del Antiguo Testamento nos ofrece dos desafíos. El primero, ¿le da a Dios sus “primeros frutos” - los primeros y mejores que usted tiene que ofrecerle? ¿O le da lo que le sobra? El segundo, ¿se da cuenta que todo lo que tiene y todo lo que ha recibido viene de Dios? No somos dueños de nada, somos simples administradores de los dones de Dios. Ore por un corazón agradecido y generoso, cada día, en cualquier circunstancia. 

Sharing the Gospel

Jesus was powerful, and the devil knew it. Jesus could have used the power he had selfishly, to get whatever he wanted 

— food, land to rule, or even angels to come running. Instead, Jesus chose to save his power to do what God wanted. 

​Prayer

Dear God, help me not to be selfish. Help me to be more like Jesus.  

Something to Draw

Draw Jesus praying to God in the desert.  

Mission for the Week

God has given you special talents to share with others. If you enjoy drawing, make a picture for someone else. If you enjoy singing, sing songs that make God smile. 

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

BL. “CONCHITA” CABRERA | 1862–1937 | FEAST DAY: 3 MARCH

Bl. Concepción “Conchita” Cabrera Arias was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. She was the seventh of twelve children. Since childhood, Conchita was attracted to God, especially in the Eucharist, and distinguished herself for her purity, humility, and spirit of sacrifice. On November 8, 1884, she married Francisco Armida Garcia. Together they had nine children. In 1889, Conchita attended her first spiritual exercises. There she discovered her mission, “to save souls” Thanks to Fr. Alberto Mir, SJ's guidance, she advanced significantly in her spiritual life and began to write a spiritual diary. On January 14, 1894, moved by the desire to belong to Jesus Christ entirely, she marked her chest with the monogram “JHS,” and a spontaneous cry came from her lips and heart, “Jesus, Savior of all people, save them.” That day is considered the birth of the Works of the Cross. A few days later, she had a vision of the Cross of the Apostolate, the symbol of the Spirituality of the Cross which God gave the world through Conchita. Today, many faithful come on pilgrimage to this holy place seeking God and to venerate the cross. On May 3, 1895, the Apostleship of the Cross was founded in the Diocese of Chilapa. On May 3, 1897, she founded the Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1901 Francisco died, and Conchita became a widow raising her children. On March 25, 1906, God granted Conchita the grace of the mystical incarnation, a grace of transformation into Christ, and great spiritual fruitfulness. With the support of Msgr. Ibarra, then Archbishop of Puebla, founded the Covenant of Love with the Sacred Heart of Jesus on November 8, 1909, and on January 19, 1912, the Fraternity of Christ the Priest. The Holy Father granted permission for the foundation of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, and they were founded on December 25, 1914. Conchita died in Mexico City on March 3, 1937, with a reputation for holiness. Some of the great treasures that this laywoman gave to the Church are her numerous mystical and autobiographical texts, her letters to different recipients, and her catechetical and devotional writings.  She was beatified on May 4, 2019, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

BEATA “CONCHITA” CABRERA | 1862–1937 

FIESTA: 3 DE MARZO 

La Beata Concepción “Conchita” Cabrera Arias nació en San Luis Potosí, México. Fue la séptima de doce hijos. Desde su infancia, Conchita se sintió atraída por Dios, especialmente en la Eucaristía, y se distinguió por su pureza, humildad y espíritu de sacrificio. El 8 de noviembre de 1884, contrajo matrimonio con Francisco Armida García. Juntos tuvieron nueve hijos. En 1889, Conchita asistió a sus primeros ejercicios espirituales. Allí descubrió su misión: “salvar almas”. Gracias a la guía del P. Alberto Mir, SJ, avanzó significativamente en su vida espiritual y comenzó a escribir un diario espiritual. El 14 de enero de 1894, movida por el deseo de pertenecer completamente a Jesucristo, marcó su pecho con el monograma “JHS”, y de sus labios y corazón brotó un grito espontáneo: “Jesús, Salvador de todos los hombres, sálvalos”. Ese día se considera el nacimiento de las Obras de la Cruz.

Pocos días después, tuvo una visión de la Cruz del Apostolado, el símbolo de la Espiritualidad de la Cruz que Dios dio al mundo a través de Conchita. Hoy en día, muchos fieles peregrinan a este lugar santo en busca de Dios y para venerar la cruz. El 3 de mayo de 1895, se fundó el Apostolado de la Cruz en la Diócesis de Chilapa. El 3 de mayo de 1897, fundó a las Hermanas de la Cruz del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. En 1901, Francisco falleció, y Conchita quedó viuda a cargo de sus hijos. El 25 de marzo de 1906, Dios concedió a Conchita la gracia de la encarnación mística, una gracia de transformación en Cristo y de gran fecundidad espiritual. Con el apoyo de Monseñor Ibarra, entonces Arzobispo de Puebla, fundó la Alianza de Amor con el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús el 8 de noviembre de 1909 y, el 19 de enero de 1912, la Fraternidad de Cristo Sacerdote. El Santo Padre otorgó el permiso para la fundación de los Misioneros del Espíritu Santo, quienes fueron fundados el 25 de diciembre de 1914. Conchita falleció en la Ciudad de México el 3 de marzo de 1937, con fama de santidad. Algunos de los grandes tesoros que esta laica entregó a la Iglesia son sus numerosos textos místicos y autobiográficos, sus cartas a distintos destinatarios y sus escritos catequéticos y devocionales. Fue beatificada el 4 de mayo de 2019 en la Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.