Transformative Moments
This is a photo of Miguel and I this past May at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City (Rome, Italy). We went to celebrate the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint, but instead ended up at the viewing and funeral of the beloved Pope Francis.
Over the years, I heard elders mention having life-changing experiences, truly transformative encounters with the Lord. Praise be to God, I had such an experience myself while in Rome.
Here’s what I learned in my conversation with our brother, Jesus, while climbing the Holy Stairs:
- we must tend to each other and selflessly care for our neighbors
- we must spread that Agape Love like there is no tomorrow, because tomorrow might be too late
- we must dig deep and love ourselves as Jesus loves us, unconditionally unapologetically and unashamedly, in order for us to in turn authentically spread that radiant love into all the dark places of this world
- Spoiler: He already won, so there’s no need to worry.
Challenge: What small act of love will you do this week to begin that ripple effect of love originating from yourself and permeating into the world?
Dearest friends & church family,
Thank you for allowing me to be inspired by serving alongside you the past 8 years. It has been truly transformative for me and my family: Nina, Miguel and Thomas. My employment at Holy Cross ends on June 6th 2025. Please do keep me in prayer, and stay in touch:
Veronica Alvarado
232 E Mt Pleasant Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19119
veronica@heverin.com
267-825-2580
In the meantime, I leave you with this timely meditation and reflection that the Holy Spirit dropped in my lap just the other night at a prayer class I attended with Fr. Emmons. Hope you find it as moving and relevant as I do.
Peace + Love,
Veronica
Prophets of a Future Not Our Own
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Source: USCCB.com
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