May: month of the Blessed Virgin Mary

ST. JOSEPH and HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC PARISHES are a welcoming Catholic community, alive in Christ, living out His message in love and service to everyone. St. Joseph Church is at 500 N. Mesa Verde Avenue in Aztec, New Mexico. Holy Trinity Church is at 42 Road 3520, Flora Vista, New Mexico. Click here for MAP. Our parish office is at Father Owen Center, across the street from St. Joseph Church, at 424 N. Mesa Verde in Aztec, NM.

THE PADRE'S PORTION

5th Sunday of Easter

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Fr. Ricardo, and his Mission on the Sacrament of Marriage (Matrimony), got me thinking about the imagery of the great wedding between Christ and His Bride the Church (Rev 19). When I went to see how often the Early Church Fathers talked about the Sacrament of Marriage, I found over 150 references. Did you ever notice the connection between the hardships of Adultery (Exodus 20:14) and those of Idolatry (Exodus 20:4) ? Both involve the breaking of a covenant. God gave us the covenant of marriage so that we could understand what unity truly means in a family sense. The sins of this world have torn the family structure apart. This is just like how Sin has separated us from our heavenly family. We as Christians are called the Family of God. (1 Thes 4:10; and 1 Peter 2:17) God wants to bring us to Everlasting Life. We are to lay down our life, and receive His life. (John 15:13) St. Paul beautifully speaks many times about the need for Unity in the Church. Who did not feel moved watching LOVE STORY (1970) ? We all can understand the natural-ness of being united in romance. How much more God and His children ? (Ephesians 5:18-33)

Fr. David Tate

Comments? You may email pastor@stjosephaztec.org

  So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
    and find favor before you;
for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
And now we follow you with our whole heart,
    we fear you and we seek your face.
Do not put us to shame,
but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
Deliver us in accord with your wonders,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord.   Daniel 3:40-43

ST. JOSEPH CHURCH

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

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Our Parish theme:

"I am the vine, you are the branches....

for without me you can do nothing."

(John 15:5)

Everyone in our parishes has free unlimited access to FORMED! Register on the left column. FORMED is a great resource online, offering a large selection of movies, video-based study programs, hundreds of eBooks and Lighthouse Talks, in English and Spanish, for adults and children, to enliven your Faith. FORMED is the Catholic Faith online, on demand.