Pastor’s Message

Nov 21, 2024 | Pastor's Weekly Message

Message from Fr. Mike

11-24-2024

Death Is a Friend

Our 75th Anniversary message in this All-Souls’ month is death is a friend and not an enemy.

During the month of November, the Church invites us to remember and pray more intently for All Souls that have left this world. St. John Paul ll said, “We feel bound by charity to offer those brothers and sisters who have experienced the fragility proper to human existence the help of our vigilant prayer.” (Address, 2 November 1982).

St. John Paul ll touched on something worth exploring when he used this phrase, “fragility proper to human existence.”  He is saying clearly that breakability or death is proper to human existence.  Recently, I went home to officiate at the funeral of my uncle. He was the last of his generation. In the homily, I reminded my siblings and cousins that we are next to die. There is no one between us and death. Everyone should get ready.  There were mixed reactions to this announcement. Some welcomed it, and some were troubled by it.

They were troubled by it because they don’t want to die. They don’t want to think about it. We are busy planning for the future that might or might not come. We are afraid of death. St. Ambrose, the Archbishop of Milan, in his book on the death of his brother St. Satyrus of Milan said, “We should have a daily familiarity with death, a daily desire for death. By this kind of detachment, our soul must learn to free itself from the desires of the body.”  A Nigerian musician once said that, “the desires of this word have trained us to be afraid of death.” We are constantly afraid of dying. Because of this fear, many people do not have a Health Care Directive or a Will, but death is inevitable. What is the remedy to this fear of death?

St. Ambrose again suggests that, “The remedy is the grace of Christ.” Jesus is our model and remedy.  “It was by the death of one man that the world was redeemed. Christ did not need to die if he did not want to, but he did not look on death as something to be despised, something to be avoided, and he could have found no better means to save us than by dying. Thus, his death is life for all” says St. Ambrose.   St. Ambrose is not alone in this sentiment. St. Francis called death, sister. He was not afraid of death.

The pictures in our 75th Anniversary All Souls station is a clear reminder that one day our picture will appear in that station. At the center of that station are the pictures of the founders of our parish community: Msgr. Timothy Crean and Msgr. Augustus Moretti. With them is a dear friend of the community, Fr. Alan Phillip, C.P.  In this year of our 75th anniversary, we will pray for all parishioners and priests who went to the Lord from 1950 to present.

May they Rest In Peace,

Fr. Mike Ume

11-17-2024

A Reflection on the Celebration of All Saints

On November 1, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints. It is natural to ask the question, what does it take to be a Saint?

During our 75th anniversary pilgrimage, we visited the tomb of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, St. Catherine of Sienna, just to name a few. We witnessed how they lived their lives. For example, we visited the Eremo delle Carceri where St. Francis went for retreats. Eremo delle Carceri is a hermitage complex located 791 meters (2,595 ft) above sea level in a steep forest gorge upon Monte Subasio, about four kilometers above Assisi. It is surprising to know how he got there without our modern means of transportation. We also visited the simple room of St. Catherine of Sienna, where she fasted and prayed. Is this all it takes to be a Saint?

As stated earlier, we celebrated the Solemnity of All Saints with the school children last Friday. After Mass, they created an avenue of the Saints on the sidewalk along Orange Grove Blvd., in front of the principal’s office with the drawings of their favorite Saints. As each student drew his or her favorite Saint, the question of how anyone becomes a Saint might have crossed their little minds. The irony is that the same question crossed the mind of the Scribe in last Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 12:28b-34). Out of 619 ways of becoming a righteous person in the Old Testament, which one is the most certain way? He posed that question to Jesus? The answer of Jesus is impressive. Jesus outlined three steps on how to become a saint: Jesus said that to know, accept and believe that the Lord our God is Lord alone!” (Mk 12:29), is the first step. Today, we have so many gods, to discern and know the true God is a task, unless we know and accept the true God.

The second step is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mk 12:30). However, the second step might be difficult if we skip the first step. To know and accept the true God, is the foundation for becoming a Saint.  To love this true and only God with the whole person is vital.

The third and last step is to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Mk 12:31).   St. John said, “whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1Jn 4:20).

St Francis of Assisi, St. Clare, St. Catherine, St. Martin de Porres, and St. Josephine Bakhita became saints because they loved the true and only God with all their heart, their mind, their souls, and with all their strength. They also loved their neighbors.

It is important to note that none of these people were born saints. They became saints through conversion. That means that we still have a chance!

God bless you,

Fr. Mike

Sept. 29, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

May the “grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:2) be with you.  I give thanks to our God for you in my prayers because of your commitment to our parish community and your partnership in spreading the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we all continue to grow in faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ and this community.

CALL TO RENEW CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE.

The Finance Council and I would like to update you on the progress of the Call to Renew Capital Campaign.

As of August 30, 2024:

The success of this campaign is a sign of your generosity and commitment to this community. Thank you very much.

The data above shows that a great percentage of the total pledge has been collected as of August 31st. This is a tremendous success considering that this is the first year of the campaign. Again, thank you.

The data also shows that 58.9% of the Total Paid is the parish portion. This is because we have met and surpassed the parish goal. From now on, every cent you give to this campaign will go straight to the parish. Thank you and Congratulations.

However, when the total parish portion is put against the total cost of the Msgr. Crean Hall project, we are a little concerned. The chart shows that the parish portion is only 29% of the estimated cost of the Msgr. Crean Hall project.

Due to the rising cost of materials and labor, it is estimated that it will cost more than $2,000,000 to have a decent renovation done in Msgr. Crean Hall. We need to start the renovation of the Hall as soon as possible. The more we wait, the higher the cost. To start the renovation now, we will need to ask for a loan from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to bridge the gap between the actual construction costs and the pledges collected.  We designated this year as the year of Faith and Hope. We believe and hope that everyone will fulfil their pledge and give more. We will pay off the loan with pledge fulfilment.  Hence, we count on everyone to PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

We have launched a yearlong 75th anniversary celebration of this wonderful parish. This puts our Msgr. Crean Hall project on a fast track. We hope to complete the project by August of 2025. As we thank those before us for the faith we inherited, also future generation will thank you for preserving that faith.

God bless you,

Fr. Mike Ume

Pastor

Msgr. Crean Hall circa 1960

In April, 1958, work was started on the final portion of the parish plant to be designed by Architect George J. Adams, who also designed St. Elizabeth’s in Altadena, and Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School in Montebello. It was to be a combination cafeteria and auditorium, and was called a “Cafetorium.” The new building was 50 feet wide and 60 feet long, with a 16’ x 60’ porch on the east side that was intended to serve as a lunch shelter for the school children. The original plan was that when a permanent church was built (the current Msgr. Moretti Auditorium was the original church), that the first church would become the auditorium, and the “Cafetorium” would become three additional classrooms. The “Cafetorium” was finished in either 1959 or 1960.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On September 14, 2025, we will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of our parish. For 75 years, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish has proclaimed the Gospel of Our Lord Christ to the residents of this Northeast part of Pasadena and beyond. For 75 years, our parish has welcomed people into our Catholic community through the Sacrament of Baptism, reconciling people with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and ministering to the sick through the Sacrament of Anointing. For 75 years, this parish has helped young couples start their families by celebrating their marriages and educating their children. Our TK through 8th grade elementary school has given thousands of children a good start in life. Most importantly, the parish has formed and nourished our community through the daily celebration of the Eucharist. These ministries and many more are what we have done and will continue to do.

While the 75th anniversary celebration is on September 14, 2025, we will begin on September 14/15th of this year with preliminary celebrations leading up to our anniversary. There will be different events throughout the year. Be part of these events and attend. We want everyone to be part of this celebration. Therefore, sign up for one or more of our committees. We need volunteers. You can reach out to Mr. Guido Galli, the Coordination of our75th Anniversary Celebration. He can be reached at guyroosters@yahoo.com for more information on different committees or call the rectory, 626-792-1343.

The theme for the 75th Anniversary Celebration is THE FAITH AND HOPE WE INHERITED. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI declared that year as the Year of Faith. Pope Francis indicated that 2025 is a Year of Hope. This is our year of Faith and Hope. Let us use this year to renew our faith and hope in God, and in this parish community. We have lined up events to help us achieve this goal.

Sincerely your brother in Christ,
Fr. Mike Ume
Pastor