To Celebrate a Life of Love: Mary H. Mellin
December 20, 1925-February 26, 2019
Mary H. Mellin, 93, of San Antonio, died on February 26, 2019. Born in Prescott, Arizona to William Bliss and Dorothy Travis, she worked for many years as a Registered Nurse.
Mary married the late Lt. Colonel James Mellin (USAF Ret.) in 1950. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage, spending many happy years of retirement in Boerne and Shavano Park, TX. Mary has been reunited with her beloved husband. She is survived by children Barbara Ballard (Doug), Susan Rapp, James, Cindy Quicksall, Mark (Julie), and Steve, brother Warren (Ginger), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary and Jim loved napping on their loveseat, holding hands. As Mom, Bama, and friend, she will be fondly remembered for her unceasing desire to help others and to make sure everyone was well fed.
Visitation: Sunday, March 10, 6:00 p.m., followed by Rosary at 7:15 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapel North.
Funeral Mass: Monday, March 11, 8:45 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Mobile Loaves & Fishes at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Kathryn “Katy” Neubert Garbus
January 27, 1986-February 23, 2019
Services:
Visitation at 8:30 am on March 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Mass at 9:30 am on March 2 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Committal service at 11:15 am on March 2 at Holy Cross Cemetery
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To Celebrate a Life of Love: Sarah Malady Eifler
July 24, 1943-February 13, 2019
Sarah was born to John and Mildred Malady in Rochester, IN. She found eternal peace, rest, and her eyesight at her home in San Antonio, TX. Sarah grew up in Logansport, IN and became a Certified Operating Room Technician. Working 25+ years at Community Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, she said her main goal was to make her patients calm and comfortable while going into surgery. During this time she also received a Bachelor of Business degree from IUPUI.
In 1992 she moved to San Antonio to be closer to her sister,
She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law. Survivors include her husband James, sister Colleen Malady, step-sons James (Jessica), Norman (Karalyn), adored step-grand children Callen, Julien and Ethan Eifler and sisters and brothers-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4201 De Zavala Rd., at 10 am on Wednesday, February 27 with visitation prior to Mass. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation or Owl Radio, San Antonio Chapter.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Enrique J. “Henry” Arizpe
October 16, 1924-February 21, 2019
“Henry” Enrique J. Arizpe, 94, passed away in San Antonio on Thursday, February 21,
Over the years, Henry worked various jobs at furniture businesses gaining more and more experience in the furniture upholstery trade. With help from his wife, he started his own business, Henry’s Upholstery, in 1953 and operated it for 50 years. All the while, Henry and Tere were building a real estate portfolio consisting of small-to-medium shopping and office centers, single family homes, and duplexes in the San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Austin, Texas areas. As the patriarch of Arizpe Properties, LTD., Henry and his wife Tere labored hard to achieve their dreams and provide for their family—all this with a grade-school education.
Henry always had time for bowling, trail rides, and weekends at the lake teaching many others to fish and water ski. Other weekends were spent at the coast, camping, or on road trips across the state and country. For Henry, there was always time to teach his children and grandchildren how to have fun, but there were also many lessons on how to work. He would take them to work at the shop at 2327
Henry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is greatly missed by Teresa, his loving wife of 70 years. Also carrying on his legacy are his children: Sam and Lisa Arizpe, Sandy Arizpe Gonzalez, Sylvia
Henry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is greatly missed by Teresa, his loving wife of 70 years. Also carrying on his legacy are his children: Sam and Lisa Arizpe, Sandy Arizpe Gonzalez, Sylvia
We ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we lay our father to rest. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 27, from 5:00-6:30 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary North. A rosary will follow at 6:30 pm. Mass will be held on Thursday, February 28,
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Choosing Love Instead of Hate
When you refuse to escalate the violence, you are, in fact, “doing good to those who hate you.”
What does it look like to “refuse to escalate the violence?” It is hard to imagine that, isn’t it, since we have so many media images of the opposite. We see and perhaps even experience violence of all kinds—gun violence, drug violence, domestic violence, hate crimes.
Doing good to those who hate is quite challenging. No one says it is easy. But Jesus did offer some difficult and practical advice about how to do unto others as God does to us. And we have modern day examples of persons who modeled that there is power in non-violence. Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Oscar Romero, Sister Dorothy Stang, and Pope Francis are among the persons who come to mind.
Studying how they preached and more importantly how they lived, offers us insight into what Luke’s gospel is calling us to in loving our enemies.
Many years ago I had the opportunity to visit The King Center in Atlanta. There I learned Martin Luther King, Jr.’s six principles of nonviolence.
- Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
- Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
- Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people.
- Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.
- Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
- Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.
I have those principles hanging on the wall. Some of them I know by heart. Others are slowly converting my heart. Will we choose love over hate?
Scam Alert
A scammer has created a fake email account in Fr. Tony’s name with an old picture of him. The scammer sends a message to a parishioner or friend asking them for a favor or to assist in purchasing a gift for someone. The scammer may ask for a gift card number to be sent by text message so that he or she can have access to the money immediately. The fake account is through Gmail.
Some parishioners are also receiving text messages from someone claiming to be Fr. Tony, as you can see in the screenshots below. The scammer is asking for a gift card for a friend who is in the hospital with cancer. Please ignore and block the number.
Please be aware that Fr. Tony, Fr. Krzysztof, Sr. Rose, or any member of the parish staff is not sending messages asking for help purchasing gifts for family or friends. If you receive a suspicious message, please do not reply to the request. As always, please be sure to exercise caution to avoid falling victim to scams like this.
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessing or Woe
When we reflect on the Beatitudes, how do we feel? Are we encouraged or discouraged? Are we happy or sad?
Luke’s presentation of the Sermon on the Mount is sometimes referred to as the “Upside Down Kingdom” or “The Great Reversal.” The Beatitudes are often described as the “higher law”—higher than the Ten Commandments. What does that reversal or upside-down-ness teach us? How does it inform us about what to expect in the next life? Will it be bliss or woe?
The meaning of the word “beatitude” is a state of utmost bliss, supreme blessedness
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Throughout Luke’s gospel, Jesus advocates for the lowly and critiques those who do not use their status and wealth wisely.
Jeremiah challenges us with a contrast/comparison of the tree planted beside the water and the barren bush. Do we choose to place our trust in ourselves and human beings alone? Do we choose to place our trust in God? Blessed are they who hope in the Lord. May we sing that refrain with boldness and joy realizing that Jesus invites us in the words of Pope Francis “to leave behind all that is passing, to be a source of reassurance to those around us, and to give freely to all those in need.”
Join Us to Pray the Rosary
We gather to pray a Rosary every Saturday before Mass. Please join us inside the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 4:30 pm. If you have any questions, please call Jane Cantu at 210.240.3381.
To Celebrate a Life of Love: Irene Casias
May 18, 1945-February 4, 2019
Irene Casias was born on May 18, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas, the eldest daughter of Patricio and Francisca Ramirez. She grew up in a tight-knit family of seven brothers and sisters before meeting the love of her life, Rudy Casias, to whom she was married for 42 years. Together they made their home a welcoming place for friends and family, regularly hosting Thanksgiving lunch and other get-togethers.
Irene was a unique and caring individual whose bright smile could instantly light up a room. She had a gift and passion for decorating, a flair for dressing, and loved to cook at home. Her lively personality and generous spirit ensured that she made friends wherever she went. She will be greatly missed by all of us who loved her.
Irene is preceded in death by husband Rudy Casias, parents Francisca and Patricio Ramirez, brothers Joe and Louis Ramirez, brother-in-law David Casias and wife Minnie. She is survived by sisters Beatrice Ramirez, Rose Mary Schoenmakers, Sylvia Alonzo, Gloria Ramirez, brother Adolph Ramirez
A Mass celebrating Irene’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi with a reception to follow in Henke Hall.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Here I Am, Send Me
But I am sinful, of unclean lips, unworthy, unfit, and unqualified to be a follower of Jesus! These are the excuses we hear in the Scriptures this weekend. How then do we get to saying YES, to saying “Here am I, send me?”
At Mass, we often have children run to the altar for the dismissal for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Sometimes I think some are racing to be the chosen one to carry the Book of the Gospels as they leave us. Others join them a bit slowly, and some reluctantly led by an older sibling. Whatever the motives for racing or plodding, they do all leave giving us witness to “Here I am, send me.”
When’s the last time you responded to a “call” that stretches you out of your comfort zone? Did you quickly disqualify yourself with reasons not to respond with an enthusiastic YES? What does it take to get to YES?
Every time we are with the community at Mass, we ask to be healed multiple times. We publicly admit that we are sinners and we ask for mercy. At the invitation to Communion we pray “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.” We follow that with our act of trust in God’s mercy: “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
Our procession to receive the Body and Blood of Christ is an act of faith and trust that God’s bounteous, loving mercy makes us fit to be sent! Communion fortifies us with strength and goodness, courage and resilience, and