JOKE: There is a humorous story of three buddies who died and they are immediately in heaven going to orientation. They are all asked the question, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are mourning you, what would you like to hear them say at your funeral?" The first guy said, "I would like to hear them say, ‘He was a great doctor and a great family man.'" The second guy said, "I would love to hear them say, 'He was a wonderful husband, a great school teacher and made a huge difference in our children of tomorrow.'" The last guy said, "I would like to hear them say, 'Look, he is moving!'"
 
That was the “awe” expression of the curious people in Bethany who witness the resurrection of Lazarus. My favorite Gospel for Funeral liturgies is this: the raising of Lazarus. It gives us a glimpse of our personal hope in the resurrection by the power of Christ. I  would like comment some verses for our personal reflection.

Jn. 11,9. Are there not twelve hours in a day? Jesus states that while our live-spam is limited, there is enough for us to accomplish what God intends from us.  God gives each of us our allotted portion in life.  We can either waste it or use it to the utmost for God's glory. The unrest and the hurry of life are so often simply due to the fact that we are trying to catch up on work which should have been done before. never be in debt to time.
Jn. 11,21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
Martha’s reproach to Jesus for not being present echoes the anger, bitterness and resentment which many of us feel against God on the occasion of an untimely death. There is a test of faith in every trial we face when deep mourning forces us to question the goodness of God.
35 And Jesus wept.  This is the shortest verse in the Bible. God suffers when we suffer, he does not ignore our pain.
39. Jesus said, “Take away the stone. Jesus is asking for some human cooperation in his work. The stone also represents any obstacle that does not allow us to reach the Lord. There are many people who are spiritually dead who are waiting to hear the voice of Christ.
40 Father, I thank you for hearing me. Before asking for the miracle, Jesus thanks the Father. Our initial prayer should always be of “thanksgiving” to God.
44 So Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go. Again, Jesus is asking for some human assistance. The burial bands also represent any impediment that restrain us from our service to the Lord. We can be “bounded” by habits, life-styles, moral disorders, conditions and circumstances. Our connection with Jesus can “unbound” us.

Final thought: One can be dead before dying, by a sinful life-style. The resurrection of the body will happen at the End of Times, but the resurrection of the heart could happen at any time. How? As Martha and Mary did, when their brother was ill: invoking the presence, the help of Jesus in their lives.
Final Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you have ransomed us with your blood and restored us to life with the Father in heaven.  May your resurrection be our hope as we long for the day when we will see you face to face in glory."
 
May the Lord bless you,
 
Fr. David


The March 2020 issue of Central Washington Catholic will be offered on line this month.  If you need a printed version, please contact the parish office (509-962-989) and request a copy.

English

Spanish

My dear parishioners,

Today March 25, we celebrate the Annunciation of the Lord. We learned from Mary to be a humble instrument in the hand of God, trusting in his goodness. St. Augustine reminds us that God who created us without our permission cannot save us without our active cooperation. Like Mary, it is our duty to carry Jesus and bring him to the lives of others around us in love, mercy, forgiveness and service.

For all of us, this Lenten season has been different from any other Lent. We can use it as a time of grace, a time reflection, a time to live our faith in a more intimate way with our family. What does God want to teach us with this pandemic? Is this turning people away from him or making people reflect about the frailty of life?

Due to the governor's order to “Stay home, stay healthy” which went into effect on March 24, our parish church and office will be closed for the next two weeks, until midnight on April 6. As always, I am available to all who are in grave danger of death.

I have been celebrating a daily private Mass for our Parish and those impacted by illness. You're always in my heart and in my prayers. During the weeks that the St. Andrew’s is closed there will be no confessions in the church and no funerals. I am available by email at padredavid@hotmail.com. In danger of death please call the parish office 509- 962 9819 or 509-901-3885.

Let us remain united in prayer for healing and deliverance from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your servant in Christ,

Father David

Please follow Sunday and daily Mass at:
https://www.ewtn.com/
https://www.ewtn.com/tv
http://www.catholictv.org/
https://www.catholicfaithnetwork.org/
https://saltandlighttv.org/

La celebracion de la Santa Misa se suspende en la Diocesis de Yakima hasta futuro aviso.
Se dispensa a las personas de la obligacion da asistir a Misa.
Siga la misa dominical y diaria aqui:
https://www.ewtn.com/espanol/magtv.asp
http://www.catholictv.org/masses/la-santa-misa
https://magnificat.tv/es/taxonomy/term/1

Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, and in accordance with the May 23 Order from the Governor’s Office and guidance from the Washington State
Department of Health, St. Andrew’s Church and parish offices are closed to the public until at least April 7, 2020.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Office Phone: (509) 962-9819
Address: 401 S Willow St Ellensburg, WA 98926
Fax: (509)962-9846
Emergency Anointing of the Sick Sacrament: (509) 901-3885
Email: standrewparish@yahoo.com
Bulletin: bulletinellensburg@gmail.com
Charity Requests:  509-962-9819

Pastor (Párroco): Fr. David Jiménez
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