Our Lady of Lourdes

Church and School A Catholic Tradition in the foothills of Los Angeles since 1920

Fifth Sunday

of Easter

May 2, 2021

Pastor Fr. Rolly Astudillo 818-352-3218 x 103 frrolly106@gmail.com

Deacons Dn. Mar Enriquez 818-802-1639

marciano.enriquez@yahoo.com

Dn. Ramon Villasenor 818-352-3218

rvillasenor10@yahoo.com

In Residence Fr. Jiwan Kim

jiwankim@yahoo.com

Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil Mass *

5:00 pm (English) Sunday Mass

7:00 am (English) 8:30 am (Spanish)* 10:30 am (English) 12:30 pm (English )

Daily Mass Monday through Friday:

7:45 am

Parish Office Hours Monday through Friday

8:30 am - 1:00 pm 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

ollenriquezy@gmail.com 818-352-3218

Church Location 7315 Apperson St

Tujunga, CA 91042 Office Location

7344 Apperson St Tujunga, CA 91042

OLL School Office Hours (Closed)

officemanager@olltujunga.org 818-353-1106

Adoration* First Fridays after 6:00 pm Mass

Reconciliation Saturdays: 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm

Rosary+ After Daily Mass

Baptism and Marriages Please call the Parish Office

818-352-3218

* Masses held outdoors by grotto + Suspended until further notice

First Reading: Acts 9:26-31 Second Reading: 1 John 3:18-24 Gospel: John 15:1-8

Last Sunday, which was Good Shepherd Sunday, we reflected on Jesus being the Good Shepherd who knows his flock and gives his life to defend his flock. In today’s reading, he says that He is the vine, and we are the branches.

I have a priest friend who retired as chaplain of the Maximum State Prison in Lancaster. His passion is to raise sheep and goats and he also has a vineyard. He has a farm somewhere in Junipero Hills and I sometimes help him in his farm. Recently, he lost his farm in the Bobcat fire.

He knew the life story of his sheep and goats and during spring, he would prune the grapevine. In pruning, I observed that there were more branches that are cut than what are left and afterwards, the irrigation is taken care of and plant food is placed around the roots.

In many ways, life is like that. If we are to get the best out of our life, we will need to constantly prune, care for and cultivate it. The first reading tells us of Paul who, despite all difficulties, misunderstandings, and suspicions, preserved his union with Christ and with the community of the disciples as a vine-shoot joined to a vine. The second reading draws our attention to another point. The first letter of John tells us that our faith must be manifested by works of love. These ensure possession of the life of God in ourselves.

At some point in our lives, we may have asked the question: Am I in union with Christ or cut off from him?

Jesus is the true vine, and the Father is the vinedresser. Jesus uses these images of vine, branches and pruning and applies them to himself as the true vine. In other words, this gospel passage is all about union with Jesus, just like branches to a vine. It is keeping in touch with Jesus.

The main vine does not bear fruit; it is the branches that bear fruit. Jesus is the vine trunk, and his followers are the branches. Christ continues to produce fruits in the branches, that is, through us, his followers. If we do not, we become like dried-up branches that do not produce fruit.

The same thing happens to the Christians who abandon their faith and their community of faith. They may say that they pray to God on their own; they maintain that what is important is to be helpful, to build schools, to tend to the sick, to feed the hungry, etc. They are right up to a point but the Gospel of today tells us that these acts of love are “fruits”, and it is necessary to remain united with the main vine and the branches that produce the fruit.

God is the vinedresser, and he continually prunes the Church. His cutter is the Gospel of His son, Jesus Christ. The message of Jesus brings to light all our limitations, our defects and all that keeps us from producing the fruits of love and whatever remains for show and is not real. In fact, we notice in our communities a lot of leaves: many words, noisy ceremonies, and parties that perhaps are more of an entertainment. We need to be pruned continually by God’s Word.

The vine does not produce grapes for itself. The vine does not produce fruits for its own use as fertilizer. The fruits are for others to use. In the same way, a Christian does not do good works to get a reward. The reward is the joy that comes from seeing the love of God manifesting itself through us and the love of God shining through us. We can produce works that are the fruit of the Spirit only if we remain with Christ. Nothing more and nothing less: this is the happiness of God, and this is ours to reap.❖

I came across an image of “Christ at Heart’s Door” in one of the seminaries I visited as a young priest. It is the image of the risen Christ knocking at the door of an old house made of stone. This image served as a backdrop in one of my articles a few years ago. The door has no outside knob and can only be opened from the inside. While it conveys Christ’s call to conversion of hearts, it speaks to the man and woman who seek to search for life’s meaning and direction with a heart open to Christ who seeks the heart of each person.

Not long ago was the Feast of the Divine Mercy (second Sunday of Easter) and not far from now will be the Feast of the Sacred Heart (Friday after Corpus Christi). Both feasts celebrate the love and mercy of Christ that comes from his heart. Then comes the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary the day after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

These feasts can elicit responses from us for we cannot remain untouched. As a married man or woman, as a single parent, a single adult, a youth, religious or ordained, Christ keeps on knocking at our heart’s door. And there is only just one response: the language of the heart which is no other than LOVE.

Captivated by the beauty and love of Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, whether at mass or during Eucharistic Adoration, people feel the urge to change, sometimes radically. It does not mean “flipping a switch” to “become a saint” instantaneously. It means working through shortcomings, weaknesses and wounds that may be painful. One cannot do these alone because the Church is communal, and our personal faith is directed towards service out of love for God and others. Christ, the Blessed Mother, a husband or wife, a son or daughter, a brother priest, or a Spiritual Director, to name a few, can be our sustaining pillar. We also need to remember that day when you accepted each other as husband

and wife in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the day when your child was born, places you have visited together and as for me, the day I was ordained when I prostrated myself in humble acceptance of the need for the Spirit, to unravel and embrace my own humanity to serve the Divine and promised to obey my bishop and his successors in humble service to the Church.

Remembering stimulates memories of people, places, feelings, perceptions, and commitments. They are meant to renew us and help us in our commitment and vision, a calling which the daily stresses, resistance and routines of our work frequently grind down with the passage of time.

While most of us are called to actively participate in Christ’s mission of loving service, some people are called to a unique life of prayer and solitude. They are called the cloistered members of the Church who live in monasteries while others live an ascetic life in hermitages or alone. They separate themselves from the world without shunning the world and spend their days in quiet prayer and work. While, from a worldly view, they add little to society, their life of hidden prayer and sacrifice brings delight to the Heart of our Lord. They may be looked upon with curiosity, offering inspiration and inspiring admiration but unknown to many, they intercede for the world in a more intense manner through a deep interior life of prayer.

Look though! It is in the world that God calls people; it is in the concrete world of our times, with diverging cultures and cross-cultural living characteristic of the American culture. Amidst this reality is where we find our calling, our hidden treasures, our holy dreams.

Listen to the beatings of your heart! ❖

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 2

Cast into the Deep (May 2)

Opening Our Hearts Fr. Rolly Astudillo

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 3

Time is Running Out Are you included?

TWO new ways to take your picture for this special historical keepsake. Choose a location:

Visit www.ollcentennial.com for details and to signup for a

portrait sitting.

Portrait Sessions:

Eloisa de Guzman: eloie@ca.rr.com

To purchase an ad or become a sponsor:

Mary Dausner — mdausner@aol.com

All other questions:

Giovanna Dottore — DanceItUp127@gmail.com

**Book available in February 2022

Centennial Celebrations

OLL plans to prepare a time capsule as one of our Centennial year activities. One of the suggestions is to include a photo album of all the babies born during our centennial year, between October 17, 2020 and October 17, 2021. So please help us to prepare this album by sending

• a photo of your baby,

• his or her name,

• birthdate

• parents’ name.

• and/or grandparents’ name for our OLL grandparents submitting their newest grandchildren’s names

Please bring to the office or send to ollpfwdc@gmail.com.

Thank you!

Front Steps of OLL Church or the

Grotto*

Safely meet with one of our professional, volunteer photographers on the church grounds to take your photo.

On Your Own Front

Porch*

One of our professional, volunteer photographers will be happy to travel to your home and take your personal or family photo on your front porch or yard.

*For safety, please practice all social distancing protocols and wear a mask when you’re not posed for the actual picture taking.

Javier Pérez, or Don Javier, is simply a wonderful example of someone who loves serving in his church and who stands out in the community for having a great character. Don Javier was a quiet presence at OLL opening the Church in the morning and serving in various ministries. He retired from active ministry a couple of years ago when at 90 years of age, he could not drive

himself to church anymore. Currently, he lives at home where his grandson is his official assistant. And true to his unofficial motto, “Never stop moving”, he remains active aided by his walker, whether it is carrying the trash can in or chopping branches to put in the green bin. His wife Martha is at New Vista where she was recuperating from a surgery when the pandemic hit. Thank God that both Javier and Martha

are relatively well.

Don Javier is quite a resourceful person and has always been a problem solver everywhere he went, working as a mechanic, driving a truck through different states in Mexico for a lumber company or working at the railroad company in California. He even learned carpentry and how to mix cement to build a home for his family of five children whom he raised with Martha. Now they are blessed with many grandchildren and

great-grandchildren.

God works in mysterious ways and it was no different with how Javier was introduced to OLL. When Javier retired from the railroad company, he started going for long walks to remain active. Oftentimes he would pass the church without stopping but a few times, he stopped to use the restroom. Curious to see what was behind the closed doors he decided to take a peek inside and ended up staying for the weekday Mass. Javier would pay attention to what the sacristan was doing, how the sacristan would set up the altar before mass, or put things away after, and little by little he would notice if the sacristan missed something. The sacristan was older and was starting to forget things, but he noticed Javier’s interest and ability so he started to count on him for help, delegating various duties to him and before long, Javier was the official sacristan.

His curiosity turned out to be a blessing for our church.

Javier and Martha served as coordinators for the Spanish Eucharistic Ministry when the church started celebrating Spanish mass; he was in charge of looking for good responsible people living their faith and to invite them to be a part of the ministry. Don Javier was also in charge for many years of training new Eucharist ministers alongside Sister Jean. If he noticed that you missed something while you were serving, he would let you know in a way that you appreciated his kindness. During the OLG Mañanitas at 5:00 am he would be at the church at 4:00 am to make sure everything was ready and to turn the heat on so people would feel comfortable inside the church. Martha would bring candy for the children during the OLG Novena and the children loved it. He was always willing to help in what was needed, taking the Host to the sick with his wife, serving in Cursillos, being in charge of the Spanish Via Crucis. For many years Javier and Martha helped out during Family Fun Days in the

Mexican food booth… always with a smile and kindness.

~ Lupita Cueva

(editor’s note: Spanish version and photos on page 8 of WEB version)

On a Morning Stroll

Javier Pérez

On Tap this Week: Today, Sunday the 2nd of May marks the resumption of the 12:30 pm Mass. It will be held indoors.

The Feast of St. Joseph the Worker is on May 1st. “It is necessary to live a spirituality that helps believers to sanctify themselves through their work, imitating St Joseph, who had to provide with his own hands for the daily needs of the Holy Family and whom, consequently, the Church holds up as Patron of workers.” - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker

O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all who are devoted to labor, Obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. , O Patriarch St. Joseph!

This shall be my motto for life and eternity. Amen.

Asia & Pacific Island National Heritage Month starts May 1st. Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) are among the fastest-growing minority groups impacting American society and the Catholic Church as well. We pray for our API brothers and sisters, especially as their communities have faced increased reports of incidents of racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Portrait Sessions for OLL Centennial Commemorative Book - signups are ongoing. If you have not had your family pictures taken, there are many options available: Photos to be taken in your front yard or in the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes or in front of the Church.

What’s Coming Up:

Catholic Daughters’ Fundraiser on May 8th and 9th: see page 5 for more details.

First Communion will be on Saturday, May 8, 2021 and

Confirmation will be on Friday, May 21, 2021 to be administered by Bishop Aclan.

Let us keep our first communicants and confirmandi in our prayers .

Centennial Celebration: We will be celebrating on October 17, 2021 the culmination of Our Lady of Lourdes Church’s Centennial Year.

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 4

Confessions Saturday at 3:45-4:45 P.M. (patio)

Sunday Masses Saturday at 5:00 P.M. (English—Outdoor) Sunday at 7:00 A.M. (English—Indoor) Sunday at 8:30 A.M. (Spanish—Outdoor)

Sunday at 10:30 A.M. (English—Indoor)

Sunday at 12:30 P.M. (English—Indoor)

Sunday Masses, except the 7:00 am mass will be live streamed.

The Link to the live streamed Masses is:

https://www.facebook.com/106570891120663/live/

Daily Masses

Monday - Friday at 7:45 am (English - Indoor)

Of course, we must still follow all the protocols whether at the outdoor or indoor Masses

It is a must to wear a mask

Sanitize your hands frequently

Maintain social distance (6 ft apart) *

If you are sick or unable to wear a mask, please stay home.

*The numbered seats inside the church have been

reconfigured, still maintaining 6-ft distances, to accommodate more than 100 participants. People from the same household may sit together. Please be sure to stay 6-ft distanced from anyone who is not of your household.

Drive-Thru Holy Communion by the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes will be available at 9:15 A.M. right after the 8:30 A.M. Spanish Mass on Sundays.

Offertory Baskets will be placed in different areas of our place of worship. Another option is to give online (ollchurch.us, click on “Give”). You may also bring your gift or mail it to the parish office. Thank you for your generosity. ❖

Revised Schedule of Masses and Reconciliation

Twin compressors for the new Airconditioning System ready for summer

May is the Month of Mary!

As the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary has a unique position among the saints, indeed, among

all creatures. She is exalted, yet still one of us.

Redeemed by reason of the merits of her Son and united to Him by a close and indissoluble tie, she is endowed with the high office and dignity of being the Mother of the Son of God, by which account she is also the beloved daughter of the Father and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Because of this gift of sublime grace she far surpasses all creatures, both in heaven and on earth. At the same time, however, because she belongs to the offspring of Adam she is

one with all those who are to be saved. (Lumen Gentium, no. 53)

Mary embraces God's will and freely chooses to cooperate with God's grace, thereby fulfilling a crucial role in God's plan of salvation. Throughout the centuries, the Church has turned to the Blessed Virgin in order to come closer to Christ. Many forms of piety toward the Mother of God developed that help bring us closer to her Son. The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model

of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf.

Excerpted from Catholic Current, copyright © 2021 USCCB, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

Mass Intentions May 1 to May 7, 2021

Saturday May 01 5:00 pm Anita Santa Maria † Jimmy Schram † Gertrudis Santos Cunanan † Gerald Mc Endarfer †--Birthday Remembrance Cecilia & Ricardo De Los Reyes —

44th Wedding Anniversary Thanksgiving

Sunday May 02 8:30 am Saul Alavez † Felix Barreno– Comfort & Healing Rolman Alexander Chavez—Spiritual Healing

Sunday May 02 10:30 am Hazel Suba † Ignacio & Maria Macias † Carmen Cortes † Gloria Reyes Sandoval † Edwin Gonzalez—Healing Frank Puente—Birthday Blessings

Jason Bustamante—Birthday Blessings

Sunday May 02 12:30 pm Jose Astudillo—Death Anniversary Katherine Astudillo-Fajardo—Birthday Blessings Miriam Astudillo—Thanksgiving John Abinsay † Lenuel Mallari † Manuel Balavo, Sr. †

Monday May 03 7:45 am Vincent Estrellas—Graduation Thanksgiving

Tuesday May 04 7:45 am Eduardo Guimaraes Lean †

Friday May 07 7:45 am Lucho Chacon—Birthday Blessings and Thanksgiving

Readings for May 3 to May 9, 2021

Mon 3

1 Cor 15: 1-8/ Ps 19: 2-3. 4-5/ Jn 14: 6-14

Tue 4

Acts 14: 19-28/ Ps 145: 10-11. 12-13ab. 21/ Jn 14: 27-31a

Wed 5

Acts 15: 1-6/ Ps 122: 1-2. 3-4ab. 4cd-5/ Jn 15: 1-8

Thu 6

Acts 15: 7-21/ Ps 96: 1-2a. 2b-3. 10/ Jn 15: 9-11

Fri 7

Acts 15: 22-31/ Ps 57: 8-9. 10 and 12/ Jn 15: 12-17

Sat 8

Acts 16: 1-10/ Ps 100: 1b-2. 3. 5/ Jn 15: 18-21

Sun 9

Acts 10: 25-26. 34-35. 44-48/ Ps 98: 1. 2-3. 3-4 (see 2b)/ 1 Jn 4: 7-10/ Jn 15: 9-17

“Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

1 Jn 3:18

From scripture to life…

Do you produce fruit?

Our Lady of Lourdes

Flower Sale First Communion & Mother’s day

Beautiful Flower & Candy arrangements at very affordable prices will be sold outside Our Lady of Lourdes Church at

the following times:

Saturday, May 8th, 2021

11:00 AM First Communion Mass

5:00 PM Mass

Sunday, May 9th, 2021 At all Masses

presented by

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 1507

Teaching children about home security

Teaching children about home security and safety tips is critical, but can be daunting for parents. Who wants to scare their child with thoughts of fire, break-ins, or other dangers? Remember to keep instructions simple and age-appropriate, with empowering roles for children in managing their own safety at home. A great place to start is by teaching your children how to dial 9-1-1. Be sure to show younger children how to access the security screen on a cell phone that allows them to call 911 without unlocking the phone.

For more home security tips, request a copy of the article “Teaching Your Children Some Valuable Home Security Lessons” at https://lacatholics.org/did-you-know/.

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 5

Confesiones Sábado a las 3: 45-4: 45 P.M. (patio)

Misas dominicales Sábado a las 5:00 p.m. (Inglés — al aire libre) Domingo a las 7:00 a.m. (Inglés — dentro de la iglesia) Domingo a las 8:30 a.m. (Español — al aire libre) Domingo a las 10:30 A.M. (Inglés — dentro de la iglesia) Domingo a las 12:30 P.M. (Inglés — dentro de la iglesia)

Todas las misas dominicales, excepto la misa de las 7:00 am, se transmitirán en vivo. El Enlace a las Misas transmitidas en vivo es:

https://www.facebook.com/106570891120663/live/

Misas diarias

de lunes a viernes a las 7:45 am (dentro de la iglesia)

Y por supuesto, debemos seguir todos los protocolos establecidos sea que las misas se celebren adentro o afuera:

• Es imprescindible usar una máscara mientras esté en los terrenos de la Iglesia.

• Desinfecta tus manos antes de unirte a la congregación

• Mantenga la distancia social (a 6 pies de distancia) *

• Si está enfermo o no puede usar una máscara, quédese en casa.

*Los asientos numerados dentro de la iglesia se han reconfigurado, manteniendo distancias de 6 pies, para acomodar a más de 100 participantes. Las personas del mismo hogar pueden sentarse juntas. Asegúrese de mantenerse a una distancia de 6 pies de cualquier persona que no sea de su hogar.

Comunión en el auto por la Gruta afuera estará disponible a las 8:45 a.m. después de la misa en español de las 8:00 a.m. los domingos. Los invitamos a que nos acompañen a las misas transmitidas en vivo en inglés y español antes de comulgar

Las cestas del ofertorio se colocarán en diferentes áreas de nuestro lugar de culto al aire libre. Otra opción es dar en línea (ollchurch.us, haga clic en "Give"). También puede traer su ofrenda o enviarla por correo a la oficina parroquial. Gracias por tu generosidad. ❖

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 6

“Hijos míos: No amemos solamente de palabra, amemos de verdad y con las obras.”

1 Jn 3:18

Calendario revisado de misas y reconciliación

El tiempo se acaba ¿Estás incluido?

DOS nuevas formas de tomar una foto para este recuerdo histórico especial. Elija una

ubicación:

Visita www.ollcentennial.com para obtener más información y para

inscribirte en una sesión de retratos

Sesiones de retratos:

Eloisa de Guzman: eloie@ca.rr.com

Todas las demás preguntas: Giovanna Dottore — DanceItUp127@gmail.com

*Libro disponible en febrero 2022

De las escrituras a la vida …

¿Produces fruta?

Gradas a la entrada de la

Iglesia OLL o de la Gruta*

Reúnase de forma segura con uno de nuestros fotógrafos profesionales y voluntarios en las afueras de la iglesia para tomar su foto.

En tu propio porche

delantero*

Uno de nuestros fotógrafos profesionales y voluntarios estará encantado de ir a su casa y tomar su foto personal o familiar en su porche o patio delantero

*Por seguridad, practique todos los protocolos de distanciamien-to social y use una máscara cuando no esté posado para la

toma de fotos real.

Enseñar a los niños sobre seguridad en el hogar

Enseñar a los niños consejos sobre la seguridad en el hogar es fundamental, pero puede ser abrumador para los padres de familia. ¿Quién quiere asustar a su hijo con ideas de incendios, robos u otros peligros? Recuerde mantener las instrucciones sencillas y apropiadas para la edad,

con labores de empoderamiento para los niños en el manejo de su propia seguridad en el hogar. Un buen comienzo es enseñarles a sus hijos cómo marcar el 9-1-1. Asegúrese de mostrarles a los niños más pequeños cómo acceder a la pantalla de seguridad en un teléfono celular que les permite llamar al 9-1-1 sin desbloquear el teléfono. Para obtener más consejos sobre seguridad en el hogar, solicite una copia del artículo “Teaching Your Children Some Valuable Home Security Lessons” (Enseñando a sus hijos algunas lecciones valiosas sobre seguridad en el hogar) en https://lacatholics.org/did-you-know/.

Nuestra Senora de Lourdes

Venta de Flores La Primera Comunión y el Dia de las Madres

Arreglos hermosos de flores y de dulces a buenos precios serán vendidos afuera de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes al

horario siguiente:

Sábado, el 8 de Mayo 2021 11:00 AM La Primera Comunión

La Misa de las 5:00 PM

Domingo, el 9 de Mayo, 2021 A todas las Misas

presentado por Las Hijas Católicas

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 7

El domingo pasado, que fue el Domingo del Buen Pastor, reflexionamos sobre Jesús como el buen Pastor que conoce su rebaño y da la vida para defender sus ovejas. En la lectura de hoy, él dice que Él es la vid, y nosotros las ramas.

Tengo un amigo sacerdote que se jubiló como capellán de la Prisión Estatal Máxima en Lancaster. Su pasión es criar ovejas y cabras y también tiene un viñedo. Tiene una granja en un lugar de Junipero Hills y a veces lo ayudo en su granja. Recientemente, perdió su granja en el incendio de Bobcat.

Conocía la historia de la vida de sus ovejas y cabras y durante la primavera podaba el viñedo. Cuando le ayudaba a podar, observé que se cortaban más ramas que las que quedaban, y después se riegan y se coloca abono alrededor de las raíces.

En muchos sentidos, la vida es así. Si queremos conseguir lo mejor de nuestras vidas, necesitamos podarla, cuidarla y cultivarla constantemente. La primera lectura nos habla de Pablo que, a pesar de todas las dificultades, malentendidos, y sospechas conservó su unión con Cristo y con la comunidad de discípulos como un sarmiento unido a la vid. La segunda lectura llama nuestra atención a otro punto. La primera carta de Juan nos dice que nuestra fe se debe manifestar mediante obras de amor. Estas aseguran la posesión de la vida de Dios en nosotros mismos.

En algún momento de nuestras vidas, tal vez nos hemos preguntado: ¿Estoy en unión con Cristo o separado de él?

Jesús es la vid verdadera, y el Padre es el viñador. Jesús usa las imágenes de la vid, ramas y podar y las aplica a sí mismo como la vid verdadera. En otras palabras, este pasaje del evangelio tiene que ver con la unión con Jesús, igual que las ramas con la vid. Debemos mantenernos unidos a Jesús.

La vid principal no da fruto; son las ramas las que dan frutos. Jesús es el tronco de la vid, y sus seguidores son las ramas. Cristo continúa produciendo frutos en las ramas, es decir, a través de nosotros, sus seguidores. Si no lo hacemos, nos convertimos en ramas secas que no producen frutos.

Lo mismo les ocurre a los cristianos que abandonan su fe y a su comunidad de fe. Pueden decir que rezan a Dios por su cuenta; y sostienen que lo importante es ayudar, para construir escuelas, atender a los enfermos, dar de comer al hambriento, etc. Tienen la razón hasta cierto punto, porque el evangelio de hoy nos dice que estas obras de amor son “frutos”, y es necesario permanecer unido a la vid principal para que las ramas produzcan frutos.

Dios es el viñador, y continuamente poda su iglesia. Su cortador es el evangelio de su Hijo, Jesucristo. El mensaje de Jesús saca a la luz todas nuestras limitaciones, nuestros defectos y todo lo que nos impide producir los frutos del amor y lo que queda solo es adorno y no es real. De hecho, notamos en nuestras comunidades muchas hojas: muchas palabras, ceremonias ruidosas, y fiestas que quizás no son más que entretenimiento. Necesitamos ser podados continuamente por la palabra de Dios.

La vid no produce uvas por sí misma. La vid no produce frutos para su propio uso como fertilizante. Los frutos son para que los usen otros. De la misma manera, un cristiano no hace buenas obras para obtener una recompensa. La recompensa es la alegría que viene de ver el amor de Dios manifestándose en nosotros y el amor de Dios brillando a través de nosotros. Podemos producir obras que sean fruto del Espíritu sólo si permanecemos con Cristo. Nada más y nada menos: esta es la felicidad de Dios, y es nuestra para cosechar.

V Domingo de Pascua Primera Lectura: Hechos 9, 26-31 Segunda Lectura: 1 Juan 3, 18-24 Evangelio: San Juan 15, 1-8

May 2, 2021 Our Lady of Lourdes www.ollchurch.us 8

Javier Pérez, o Don Javier, es simplemente un verdadero ejemplo de alguien que amó servir en su iglesia y que sobresalió en la comunidad por su buen carácter. Su presencia era tranquila en OLL, abría la iglesia en las mañanas y sirvió en varios ministerios. Hace dos años se retiró del ministerio activo cuando cumplió 90 años; cuando ya no podía manejar a la iglesia. Actualmente vive en su

casa donde su nieta y bisnieto son sus asistentes oficiales. Y fiel a su lema oficial de, “No dejar de estar activo”, no deja de hacer cosas, con la ayuda de su andadera, ya sea jalando los botes de basura o cortando las ramas para ponerlas en el contenedor verde. Su esposa Martha está en New Vista donde se recuperaba de una cirugía cuando

inició la pandemia. Gracias a Dios Javier y Martha se encuentran bien.

Don Javier es una persona bastante ingeniosa y siempre solucionaba los problemas donde quiera que andaba, ya sea trabajando como mecánico, conduciendo un camión por diferentes estados de la República Mexicana para una empresa maderera o trabajando para la empresa de ferrocarriles en California. Incluso aprendió carpintería y como trabajar con cemento para construir un hogar para su familia de cinco hijos que formó con Martha. Fueron bendecidos con muchos

nietos y bisnietos.

Dios trabaja de maneras misteriosas y Javier no fue la excepción cuando comenzó su servicio en OLL. Cuando se retiró de ferrocarriles comenzó a salir a caminar para mantenerse activo. A menudo caminaba por la iglesia, pero se pasaba de largo, pero a veces paraba para usar el baño. Curioso por saber que pasaba detrás de las puertas, decidió entrar y echar un vistazo, y terminó quedándose durante la misa de la semana. Javier se fijaba en lo que hacía el sacristán, como preparaba el altar para la misa y como guardaba todo cuando terminaba, y poco a poco Don Javier se daba cuenta si le faltaba algo. El sacristán era de edad avanzada y ya se le olvidaban las cosas, pero se dio cuenta del interés de Javier y su habilidad, por lo que comenzó a contar con él para que lo ayudara, y le delegó varios deberes y al poco tiempo Don Javier se convirtió en el sacristán oficial.

Su curiosidad resultó ser una bendición para nuestra iglesia.

Javier y Martha se desempeñaron como coordinadores del Ministerio de la Santa Eucaristía cuando la iglesia comenzó a celebrar la misa en español; estaban a cargo de buscar personas responsables que vivieran su fe para invitarlos a formar parte del ministerio. Javier también estuvo a cargo durante muchos años de entrenar a los nuevos ministros de la Santa Eucaristía con la monja Jean. Si se daba cuenta que a alguien se le olvidó algo al servir, se lo hacía saber de una forma amable. Durante las mañanitas de la Virgen de Guadalupe a las 5:00am, él llegaba a la iglesia a las 4:00am para asegurarse que todo estuviera listo y para prender el calentador. Durante la novena Martha traía dulces para los niños y ellos lo disfrutaban. Siempre estaban dispuestos a ayudar, llevando la Eucaristía a los enfermos, en Cursillos, estaban a cargo del Vía Crucis en español. Por muchos años Martha y Javier ayudaron en el puesto de comida mexicana en Family

Fun Days…siempre con una sonrisa y amabilidad.

~ Lupita Cueva

En un paseo matutino

Javier Pérez

Ministry Contact Name Email address Office # Cell #

Adult Bible Classes Christopher Plance christopherplance@gmail.com 818-317-1542

Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts Dan Kelgreen dirty_dan@earthlink.net 818-521-1137

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Debby Felkel dmflkl@gmail.com 818-439-0110

Children’s Liturgies & RCIA Jackie Tanker jitanker@yahoo.com 818-383-4688

Confirmation/ Youth Ministries Deacon Mar Enriquez marciano.enriquez@yahoo.com 818-802-1639

Counters/-Fellowship Ministries Mary Dausner mdausner@aol.com

Devoción al Santo Niño Martha Brambila viejitachula525@gmail.com 818-517-4960

Divine Mercy Blanca Marco marco1215@yahoo.com 818-353-7835

Eng. Pre-Baptism Classes Henry Medina 213-550-6278

Environment Leader Pauline Penn pp98fosped@verizon.net 818-352-5995

Eucharistic Ministry Jackie Pensanti djpensanti@yahoo.com 818-686-2450

Family Fun Days Anita Dominguez wvlivinnow@yahoo.com 818 397-5178

Filipino Community Bobby Rigoroso amrigoroso@yahoo.com 714-350-4509

Greeters Ministry Paul Robich 818-352-2821

Health Ministry Eloisa De Guzman eloie@ca.rr.com 818-281-4818

Hispanic Community Irma Velasquez ixv5310@lausd.net 323-447-2290

Jr. Legion of Mary Cel Cabrera celcabrera911@gmail.com 818-913-9479

Knights of Columbus Patrick Bellue patrick@bellue.com 818 281-0824

Lectors Ministry Gloriann McGowan gloriannmcgowan@yahoo.com 818-426-0218

Legion of Mary Linda Bustamante lindapb5678@gmail.com 818-943-1346

Liturgy Committee & Wedding Coordinator Michelle LaForce sd4mal@aol.com 818-515-5068

Martha’s Helpers Candy Piscitelli candyp2@aol.com 818-429-1333

Ministry of the Sick Eleanor Graf grafea@hotmail.com 818-897-6143

Monday Bingo John Patriarca danip925@sbcglobal.net 818-947-1452 818-314-1534

Music Ministry Ania Balon mychoir@live.com 818-224-9363

OLL Rose Cottage Pre-School Michelle Eyraud-Saunders rosecottagepreschooldirector@olltujunga.org 818-352-4455

OLL School Principal Evelyn Cortes principal@olltujunga.org 818-523-0529

OLL Spanish Youth Ministry (Ministerio Juvenil OLL) Eloisa Macias maciasd96@hotmail.com 818-352-4001

OLL Women’s Group Barbara Reardon barbara.mich.reardon@gmail.com

Parents Club (PTO) Star Barrios starbon87@gmail.com 909-997-3585

Parish New Evangelization Commission Nelle Orsburn ollacctg@gmail.com 818 352-3218

Pasture/Food Bank Gena Beierschmitt genabeier@dslextreme.com 818-352-1550

RCIA Adult Formation Jim Lank jimclank@gmail.com 818-400-5418

Religious Education Coordinator Gloriann McGowan Ollgloriann.tujunga@gmail.com 818-353-3053 213-278-8910

Religious Education Office Manager Lona Barone

Respect Life Joan Noyes joannoyes@aol.com 818-425-6251

RICA Spanish Adult Formation Guadalupe Cueva ololcueva17@aol.com 818 216-0154

Sacristans Raquel Rose raquelrose1115@yahoo.com 818-633-0813

Sp. Pre-Bapt. Classes Henry Medina 213-550-6278

Spanish Adult Prayer Group Yolanda Oliva yolanda@riocompany.com 818-793-9683

Spanish Altar Servers/ Ushers Claudia Yesenia Navarro 818-205-8767

Spanish Choir Ministry Rosalia Perez rosalia0628@aol.com 818-642-9606

Spanish Eucharistic Ministry Ma. Zoila Ezequiel Mendoza mariazoilamendoza1960@gmail.com 818-723-7096

Spanish Lectors Ministry Andrea Mata matajosee@yahoo.com 818-601-2805

Spanish Wedding-XV Coordinator Jenny Aguilar jjeragui@yahoo.com 818-470-0532

Ushers Ministry Ben Menicucci 626-808-1696

Youth Choir Nina Ragonese ninaragonese@gmail.com 818-522-9230

Parish Office Yolanda Enriquez ollenriquezy@gmail.com 818-352-3218

English Bereavement Ministries Brenda Mikhall brendamikhail@msn.com 818-352-5265

Spanish Bereavement Ministries Antonia Garcia 818-731-8742