“Pope Leo Applauded After Pro-Life Speech to Spain’s Parliament”

“Pope Leo received a nearly 10-minute Standing Ovation after giving a Pro-Life Speech to Spain’s Parliament”- This poignant headline appeared recently on the front page of The Wanderer, a Catholic newspaper which I remember reading as a child here at Presentation BVM Parish. This is amazing news because for many years, Spain has been one of the countries most affected by anti-Catholic ideologies and attitudes. I recall traveling in Spain wearing my priestly garb and receiving only unfriendly and hostile stares. Pope Leo has shown great skill as an orator by giving a beautiful speech to the elected leaders of Spain and winning them over. The speech, perfectly given in Spanish, emphasized that “every truly just society is built upon the recognition of the inviolable dignity of the human person.”

Here is what Pope Leo told the legislators to remind them of their responsibility to defend human life, to protect the family, and the right to Catholic Education:

“If life ceases to be recognized as a fundamental value, what future can our societies have? Can a community that casts into the shadows the unborn child, the elderly, the sick, those who suffer in silence, or those who depend entirely on the care of others be called fully just? The defense of human life is neither a partisan issue nor a confessional interest: it is a goal of civilization. Every human life must be recognized and safeguarded from conception to its natural end, in every circumstance of its existence. When this certainty is obscured, the most vulnerable are the first victims, and the law loses its deepest meaning: to serve and protect every person. For this reason, the moral greatness of a nation is manifested, above all, in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that are most fragile.”

“The family is the primary human reality and the natural foundation of the community.”

“Government must always respect the primary and inalienable right of parents to choose the kind of education and formation for their children, in a manner consistent with their moral, cultural and religious convictions.”

In his speech, Pope Leo showed his listeners that he is aware of the great works of Spanish literature and art. He referred to several Spanish writers, artists, and philosophers, all of whom are Catholic and many of whom are saints. 

In Spain, there was a civil war during the years 1936-1939, in which socialists fought against the Catholic rulers. Many priests and religious sisters were killed. The socialists lost the war, but since that time, it has been the Catholic Church, which has lost the “propaganda war,” because most people in Spain now believe that the socialists were always “the good guys” in Spanish Civil War. History is complicated, but Pope Leo understands it and is trying to gently heal the wounds of the past.

Spain has not been my favorite country to visit. Most modern Spaniards are not great experts on Catholicism. They are universally respected, however, for their expertise in creating tactical systems on the soccer field. I am writing this bulletin message for our bulletin deadline, which is before the World Cup semi-final between Spain and France, which is my favorite team (since I have relatives in France). I usually cheer for the team that has the most players who make the sign of the Cross before they play and point to God after scoring a goal. These I recognize as my true brothers, because they share my belief that we must love God, neighbor, and even our enemies!

Do we sometimes think that Jesus is given only to the highly qualified, special religious people? In the Gospel of Luke today we hear about the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The newborn son of God is passed around like a baton in a relay race, not guarded like a precious jewel or a breakable china dish. We can see him going from the arms of Mary to Joseph, then to the priest performing the ceremony, then to Simeon the old man, and then to Anna the old widow. Each one receives him and then hands him to the next. A tidal wave of joy and thanksgiving follows wherever he is placed. Believe me, you are qualified to hold Jesus in your arms. How can I say that with such confidence? Because the mother decides who is qualified. The Blessed Virgin, embodied in the Church, holds him out to you and me. She rejoices to place him in our arms to hold and to hand him on, too.

— Father John Muir

Many people are suffering from ailments of some form or another. Please join us as we pray for the sick, their families, and caregivers. ​

Agnes Mallare

Alejandra Hernandez

Angelina Munar

Ann Wall

Antonio Vivian

Ashraf Ghangosar 

Bernadette Viray

Bill Galvez

Bob Weber 

Carl Wilner

Carlos Felipe Ruiz

Carmen Parrish

Debbie Brockney

Deborah Balisteri

Dee Glasscock

Dolores Dominguez

Dominic Rufino

Doris Ness

Edgar Felipe Ramirez Romero

Edith Contreras Ochoa

Elsa Valdez

Enos Gomes 

Evelyn Gesell

Frank Gomez Jr 

Galdina Guzmán

George Reyes

Gilbert Ramirez

Gloria Fernandez 

Gloria Rangel Ortiz

Graciela Alegria Vargas 

Guadalupe Deleon 

Jack Avery 

Jeanette Fernandez

Jeanette Toloy

Jennifer Wilner

Joanie Trotter

Joann Shannon 

Jocelyn Gonzales

Kenneth McKellar 

Kim Bach

Kimberly Ginsberg

Lillian Martinez

Lorena Castaneda

Luz Maria Camarillo

Maria Eugenia Garcia

María Guadalupe Barajas

Maria Ochoa

Matt Johnston

Mayla Marquez

Mayra A. Castillo

Melvin Caldwell

Michael De Guzman

Michael A. Mallare

Michael James Miller

Mike Bohi

Oscar Barrera

Paloma Ochoa

Patricia Lacano

Paulette Vetter

Roanne Macapinlac Villamil

Sebastian Esparza

Star Cunanan

Susan Klass

Susie Rainwater

Tammie Parrino

Terri Lomeli

Terry Cabauatan 

Tomas Larios Ortiz

Yazlene Aceves

​To add or remove names, please contact dmnsam@yahoo.com or call 925-980-6377.

To see additional 'Prayers for the Sick', please click here. 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2025

7:00 AM: † Tony and Marti Kulisch  

8:45 AM: † Harvey Woodward Addie  

10:30 AM: Lulu Menor and Family 

   — thanksgiving 

12:15 PM: Gabby Tovar 

2:15 PM: † Benigno Saavedra and 

 † Juana Olivas

5:00 PM: Parish Families

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2025

7:00 AM: † Rafael Alvarez Ruiz

12:15 PM: † Salvador Alvarez Ruiz 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025

7:00 AM: † Louis T. and † Dolores F. Arbios 

12:15 PM: † Rafael S. Benabaye Jr.  

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025

7:00 AM: † Roger Roman

12:15 PM: Orino Family — thanksgiving

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025

7:00 AM: † Catalina Gomez

12:15 PM: † Maya Tutupalli

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025

7:00 AM: Parish Families

12:15 PM: † Sonia Bautista

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025

8:00 AM: † Emma Golis

5:00 PM: Jeanette Toloy

In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

Elvin Tyler

Norah Bennington

Bernice Nickols

Jose Manuel Gutierrez

Gail-Victoria Galela

Dina DeMartini

Bertha Gonzales

Felicidad Albinto

Bernarda Maldonado Camargo

Rita Sepulveda

Victoria Mgbanwa

Perla Rosal Crisologo

Ange Mouttapa

Herminia Espiritu 

Eldina Tronco

Antonio Elopre

Mildred Aquino 

Rosa Montoya

Dan Lucchesi 

Mildred Quitoriano

David Trummer

Olimpio Sisante

Julie Low

Eberhard Schwertzke

Lucy Valverde 

Ramon Mendez

Ernie Medina

Alfred Del Prato

David Rodahaffer

Alberto Barican

Babette Zafra

Roger Roman

Annie Zavala Hernandez

Susan Wolford

Andy Tancioco

Kathleen Devers

Maria Luisa Francisco Bermudez

Michael Paul Dutra

Dcn. Scott Johnson

Maria Candelaria Ybarra

Flordelis Seward

David Velazquez

Jacqueline Gutierrez

Raul Aquino

Bruce Joseph Mahan

Pedro Zuniga Ortega

Barbara Gibson

Narcisa Miro

Ruben Padilla, Sr.

Ruben Padilla, Jr.

Alan Eduardo Hernandez Leyva

Raul Ballesteros

Janet Kavanaugh

Celine Hoban

Connie Tracy

Fernando Rodriguez

Gary Milano

Barbara Jean Boggs

Josephine Kotoisuva

Stephanie Mayorga Tipton 

Joseph Mingram

Mary Louise Rivera

Msgr. Larry McGovern

Patrick Shepherd

Michael Copeland

Barbara Gini

Jose Echaniz

Greg Levitt

Ruby Norton

Thomas Murphy, Sr.

J. Issac Castro

Ernestine Perez 

Holly Bevilaqua

Maria Lonero 

Antonio Andrade 

Rose Buhagiar 

Michelle Padilla

Rosario Barajas

Remy Gonzalez

Rosendo Gonzalez

Leticia Cabutaje

Dennis Hernandez

Nina Isola Guebara

Daniel Marquez

Freddie Dumaoal

Apolonio Bisuna

Shirley Ann Arquines

Ruben Gonzalez

David Aceves Jr.

Patrick Ente

Teresa Dini

Patricia Bertilacchi

Eredina Cerros

Reyes Cordova

Yolanda N. Dulay

Yolanda Madrigal 

We pray that we let our lives reflect God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. 

Rezamos que permitamos que nuestras vidas reflejen el amor, la misericordia y el perdón de Dios. 

Even if one cannot sacramentally receive the Eucharist, everyone should be aware of the practice of making a spiritual communion. The following is a daily prayer for Spiritual Communion:

O my Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.

I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there and

unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

-St. Alphonsus Liguori

For more resources on Spiritual Communion, click here.

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

To view full readings, click here.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3

Eccl 1:2; 2:21–23/(1)/Col 3:1–5, 9–11/

Lk 12:13–21

MONDAY, AUGUST 4

Nm 11:4b–15/Mt 14:13–21

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

Nm 12:1–13/Mt 14:22–36 or Mt 15:1–2, 10–14

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6

Dn 7:9–10,13–14/2 Pt 1:16–19/Lk 9:28b–36

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7

Nm 20:1–13/Mt 16:13–23

FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

Dt 4:32–40/Mt 16:24–28

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9

Dt 6:4–13/Mt 17:14–20

NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 10

Wis 18:6–9/Heb 11:1–2, 8-19 or 11:1–2, 8–12/Lk 12:32–48 or 12:35–40

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” — Revelations 22:13

This is a reminder of how we should live our lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – putting God first in all that we do. Not only when I am at Mass and parish activities, but when I am in the world, at work, or at school. Living gratefully and generously is an intentional lifestyle. Every decision you make either moves you closer to God or farther away. Choose wisely! 

“Yo soy el Alfa y la Omega, el primero y el último, el principio y el fin.” — Apocalipsis 22:13

Eso es un recordatorio de cómo debemos vivir nuestras vidas las 24 horas del dia, 7 días a la semana - poniendo a Dios en primer lugar en todo lo que hacemos. No solo cuando estamos en Misa y en las actividades parroquiales, sino cuando estoy en el mundo, en el trabajo o en la escuela. Vivir una vida agradecida y generosa es un estilo de vida intencional. Cada decisión que usted toma lo acerca más a Dios o lo aparta de Él. ¡Escoja sabiamente! 

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for showing us through your Word that Jesus is our  Savior. Amen.  

Something to Draw

Draw a picture of Jesus glowing on top of the mountain. 

Mission for the Week

Read today’s Gospel with your family. What would have surprised you most about seeing Jesus like that on top of the mountain

© 2008 LPi • PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817 • 1-800-950-9952 x2469 • LPiResourceCenter.com 

ST. PETER JULIAN EYMARD | 1811–1868 | FEAST DAY: 2 AUGUST

St. Peter Julian Eymard grew up in a poor family after the French Revolution, at a time when Catholicism was not looked upon kindly. There is a story about Peter from when he was only about five years old. His sister was caring for him and he disappeared. She was frightened and began to search the whole town, looking for the little boy. She finally looked into the village church, where she saw that her brother had pulled a small ladder over to the tabernacle and had his ear up against its door. When she scolded him and asked what he was doing, the child told her, “I can hear Him better this way.” Before his First Holy Communion at the age of 12, the young boy wrote a small book of prayers. The prayer to be recited after Communion was written as follows: “My dear Jesus, I thank you for the grace which you have given me that you have come to dwell in my heart.” It was clear from an early age that Peter wanted to be a priest, although his father was not happy with that idea. After he entered the seminary, illness forced him to leave. But he persisted and was finally ordained for the Diocese of Grenoble when he was 23. A few years later he heard some Marist Priests preach. The Marist order is dedicated to Mary, the Blessed Mother. Their message appealed to Father Eymard, and he eventually joined their congregation. He traveled through Europe, giving retreats and missions. As time passed, he felt very drawn to Jesus through the Eucharist and decided that there needed to be priests who urged devision to this. In 1856, Father Eymard founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The men who joined the congregation guarded the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day and soon attracted lay persons to do the same. This practice of prayer and devotion before the Blessed Sacrament became known as Eucharistic devotion. The congregation struggled and was very poor. But Father Eymard did not give up. Despite continuing problems with his health, he even helped form the Sister Servants of the Blessed Sacrament with one of the women who came to him for direction, Marguerite Guillot. Along with the men and women of these congregations, he visited the poor and those in prison, and he tried to educate Catholics in the teachings of the faith. In 1868, at the age of 57, Father Eymard died. He was canonized 1962 by Pope John XXIII. He has been referred to as “the Apostle of the Eucharist.” 

SAN PEDRO JULIÁN EYMARD | 1811–1868 

San Pedro Julián Eymard nació el 4 de febrero de 1811 en La Mure, Francia. Creció en una familia pobre tras la Revolución Francesa, en una época en la que el catolicismo no era bien visto. Existe una historia sobre Pedro cuando tenía apenas cinco años. Su hermana estaba cuidando de él y, de repente, desapareció. Ella se asustó y comenzó a buscarlo por todo el pueblo. Finalmente, miró dentro de la iglesia del pueblo y vio que su hermano había llevado una pequeña escalera hasta el sagrario y tenía la oreja pegada a su puerta. Cuando ella lo regañó y le preguntó qué estaba haciendo, el niño le respondió: “Así lo escucho mejor”. Antes de su Primera Comunión, a los 12 años, el joven escribió un pequeño libro de oraciones. La oración para después de la Comunión decía: “Mi querido Jesús, te doy gracias por la gracia que me has concedido al venir a habitar en mi corazón.” Desde muy pequeño, Pedro mostraba un deseo ferviente de ser sacerdote, aunque su padre no estaba de acuerdo con esa idea. Luego de ingresar al seminario, una enfermedad lo obligó a abandonarlo. Sin embargo, perseveró y finalmente fue ordenado sacerdote para la Diócesis de Grenoble a los 23 años. Pocos años después, escuchó predicar a unos sacerdotes maristas. Esta orden, dedicada a la Virgen María, atrajo a Pedro Eymard, quien eventualmente se unió a su congregación. Viajó por Europa predicando retiros y misiones.

Con el tiempo, sintió una fuerte atracción hacia Jesús en la Eucaristía y concluyó que era necesario que existieran sacerdotes que promovieran la devoción al Santísimo Sacramento. En 1856, el Padre Eymard fundó la Congregación del Santísimo Sacramento. Los hombres que se unieron a la congregación velaban el Santísimo las 24 horas del día, y pronto también laicos comenzaron a unirse a esta práctica. Esta dedicación se convirtió en lo que hoy conocemos como devoción eucarística. La congregación enfrentó muchas dificultades económicas, pero el Padre Eymard no se rindió. A pesar de sus problemas de salud, incluso ayudó a fundar las Siervas del Santísimo Sacramento con Marguerite Guillot, una mujer que acudía a él en busca de dirección espiritual. Junto con los hombres y mujeres de estas congregaciones, visitaba a los pobres y a los encarcelados, y se dedicaba a educar a los católicos en la doctrina de la fe. En 1868, a los 57 años, el Padre Eymard falleció. Fue canonizado en 1962 por el Papa Juan XXIII. Se le conoce como “el Apóstol de la Eucaristía”.