Other Recent Articles


Most Popular Content

Sacramental Life - Feb 12, 2008 03:07 - 0 Comments

Sacramental Life

The Sacramental life is SO much more than the moment of living the ritual like getting acarrot. The sacraments are th emysteries of God’s life co-mingling with us and moving to say and do and be beyond our possibilites to live The Gospel in a world which turns from it.

More In Formation


From the Pastor - May 11, 2008 07:53 - 0 Comments

Time to Talk Turkey! / Es Tiempo de Hablar en Serio

The fundraising efforts for the new sound system have had a life of their own. As soon as there was a rumor of a new system, an anonymous donor came forward with $2,000. Another donor gave $20, still another $25. Individual donors from the parish have come forward with $2045.00 – without being asked.

Then Luis Gonzalez with a group of ACTS friends from around the city put on a benefit dinner at Vista Hills Country Club. That dinner cleared $5,397.65. Then the Tribal Council for Ysleta del Sur came forward with another $2,000!! Thank you all for such a great start! To date we have a total of $9,442.65. The target is $14,000.

SO! I come to the rest of the parish and ask to come with little gifts or big gifts. Just four more $1,000 gifts will make it happen.

The system is not just one system. There are two systems that need to be replaced – both in the main church as well as in the Mission. Both systems were state of the art when installed years ago. They are both still “good” systems. The problem is that neither machine is made any more nor are the parts available any longer. Built in obsolescence!!

If we work together, big gifts or small gifts, we can make quick work of the remaining cost and get the equipment installed and the sound we deserve to be available for our religious services in both church buildings.

Thanks for making this work for our community
fr. Charles

Continue…

More In The Parish


ACTS Retreats, After Your ACTS Retreat - Jan 19, 2008 03:23 - 0 Comments

After Your ACTS Retreat

acts.JPG

An ACTS Retreat is not the end!! ..but JUST the beginning!! Remember the acronym means Adoration Community Theology Service! Our Lady of Mount Carmel needs the commitment of those who are returning fromt heir retreat to lvie the life we have been called to as a parish community! Now, AFTER the Retreat is the time to assess one’s life and see how we fit into the Lifestyle of the acronym!

Adoration: MY life of prayer, My involvement in the parish’s life of prayer, My promotion of the ACTS Retreats. Check out the other aspects of Mt. Carmel Parish life under this section Spirituality/Espíritualidad and to see how you might support your own renewed spiritual walk and become involved in the parish’s prayer life as well. Ever hear of the SPiritual Works of Mervy? Could be a guide of where to begin.

Community: What aspect of the parish community am I drawn to? Perhaps the burn in me isn’t here – yet! Can I make it happen. Look at Parish/Parroquia on the Home page of our website to see what is happening already. Another place to check out how to celebrate and promote your identity in the Community is in the activities of the Mission Ysleta / La Misión Ysleta — part of the parish but so much more. It’s literally a mission to the World! One aspect of the Community is the need for coordination of efforts and the pastoral leadership. In 1987 the U.S> Bishops authored The National Paln for Hispanic Ministry. Two of the four aspects were specifically about the life in developing the community:

  1. Pastoral de Conjunto, or From Frangmentation to Coordination! Pastoral de Conjunto challenges all of us to work together in a planned and programmed way in the parish coordinating our efforts to foster “my/our” program and vision with that of other parish groups and movements. ACTS is about fostering that very cooperation and shot-in-the-arm development. How can I become a part of this?
  2. Evangelization, or From a Place to a Home! The bishops and the ACTS process in responding to the Gospel call us to take the Gospel to the strrets, our homes, our schools our work place (ergo Evangelization). The “Church” isn’t to be just a place — but OUR HOME!! Is it! How can I make it a home for me and my neighbor?

Theology: The U.S. Bishops’ 1987 National Plan for Hispanic Ministry called this “Formation”: From Good Will to Skills! Even to bake a cake one needs to learn how! So much to know and so little time in life to learn it all! But we need to start somewhere. Check out the Formation/Formación section of Parish/Parroquia

Service: The U.S. Bishops’ 1987 National Plan for Hispanic Ministry called this “Missionary Option”: From Pews to Shoes! AS Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, healed the sick, comforted the sorrowing, etc. So to are we called to enter into that pattern of the Paschal Mystery. Ever hear of the Corporal Works of Mercy: They’re ours to live!! Check out the Service/Servicio rubric under Parish/Parroquia.

More In ACTS Retreats