. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Fr. Charles Puthota		Fr. Charles Puthota
	June 13, 2021
Dear St. Elizabeth Parishioners,

Starting Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass: Starting Saturday June 19, the weekend of Father's Day, we shall have 4:30 p.m. vigil Mass. You are most welcome to join this Mass. I suppose this is a sign of life coming back to normal, however slowly. If anyone would like to make confession, you are welcome to arrive at least 15 minutes before the Mass. On Sundays as well before the 9:30 a.m. Mass, I'll be available to hear confessions. We await the California Government's announcement of measures about resuming life after over a year and three months of interruption by Covid. In light of those and those from the City and County Governments, we shall make decisions about our liturgical celebrations and organizational meetings.

Word of God --- The Kingdom of God: As you know, Jesus is a fantastic story-teller. In today's gospel, he tells two stories --- parables --- about the Kingdom of God. The first one is that the Kingdom of God is like the seed that is sown in the ground. The seed has its own inner dynamism to germinate, grow to become a plant, and reach the stage of harvest. It can be externally aided through water, manure, etc., but no one can interfere with the seed's inner instinct for life and fruitfulness. Have you heard the statement, for example, that no one can make you happy or unhappy? Happiness is an inside job! It's something within us. It's we who have to make the option for happiness and no one can actually help, except in a very external sense. This would apply to love, service, forgiveness, generosity, humility, kindness, etc. No one else can live your or my life. We have the God-given inner grace and strength. We have to take responsibility for our own life and live it in a fruitful and faithful way. The other parable is about how the Kingdom can start out like the smallest mustard seed but grow to be a large mustard plant. The Kingdom of God keeps growing and developing quietly and steadily and will come to its fruition. Small things matter. Small gestures of love and caring are vital. It's like John the Baptist making that little movement in his mother's womb toward Christ. Just a little dance! We cannot do everything, but we can do something. We cannot all do extraordinary things, but we can do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. We cannot all do big things, but we can do small things in a big way. We can put love and joy into the little ordinary things we have to do every day. We can put our heart and soul into things. It's what St. Therese of Lisieux would call "the little way." It's doing all the little things with great love and faith. Each of us may be just like a little flower, but we can still give glory to God because God's gaze falls on the little flowers as well.

Please Continue Supporting St. Elizabeth Parish: As I have said before, I'm edified and inspired by your weekly donations to our parish. Despite the Covid reality all around us, you are amazing in your love for the parish and the continued support you give. Thank you!

Top Ten Reasons Eve Was Created

10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.

9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.

8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.

7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor, dentist or haircut appointment for himself.

6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage on the curb.

5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.

4. As the Keeper of the Garden, since he didn't have metal sheds or greenhouses, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.

3. Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.

2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone!"

And the #1 reason why God created Eve: 1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched His head and said, "I can do better than that!"

Pilgrimage to Jordan & the Holy Land: October 05 - 17, 2022: I'll be spiritual director of this pilgrimage. If you are interested in joining, you are most welcome. Check out www.pilgrimages/frputhota. For a brochure, please call the parish office. You may also call 206 Tours (pilgrimage company) at 800-206-8687.

Food for Thought: Traveler: "What kind of weather are we going to have today?" Shepherd: "The kind of weather I like." "How do you know it will be the kind of weather you like?" "Having found out, sir, that I cannot always get what I like, I have learnt always to like what I get. So I am quite sure we will have the kind of weather I like."

Joke: The Coin Toss: By the time Bobby arrived, the football game had already started. "Why are you so late?" asked his friend. "I couldn't decide between going to church and going to the football game. So I tossed a coin," said Bobby. "But that shouldn't have taken too long," said the friend. "Well, I had to toss it 35 times."

Your Friend and Pastor,
Fr. Charles Puthota, Ph.D.