Through our acts of compassion, we will serve to scatter the darkness, and reflect the light of God's love

Recently, Fremont was named among the happiest cities in America by Personal Fortune Finance website wallet hub. It also has one of the largest fastest growth rates in un-housed populations in the Bay Area. And Fremont has assumed a role as Regional leader in the provision of homeless services. Fremont, population 230,500, has seen an alarming 68 percent increase in its un-housed population over the past three years. From 608 counted in 2019, to 1026 counted in 2022. The number of documented unsheltered residents has almost doubled in the same time frame. Reaching 866 this last year, the city's residents have noticed a substantial change.

Two weeks ago, we heard in the gospel, Jesus Approached his first disciples with the call to repent because the kingdom of God is at hand. And promising them, come after me and I will make you Fishers of Men. Then, last week, Jesus took his disciples up a Mountain and began to teach them the values or principles in his kingdom by sharing the Beatitudes. Promising them if they follow his lead, the reward will be great in heaven.

In today's first reading, Isaiah is telling the scattered people Do not forget the poor ,and the needy, as they gather together to re-establish their country after the Babylonian exile. Everyone should not turn their back on the hungry, naked, and homeless, but include them in their Improvement plans. God will recognize your efforts so that when you call for help, he will answer. Likewise, if we stop the ill treatment of the needy, light shall rise and dispel the Darkness. Isaiah attempts to convey a sense of hope to these people who had expected Joy, but we're now sensing despair.

In the short gospel for today, Jesus says that his disciples are the salt of the earth. Salt that cannot flavor or preserve the food has no value, and should be discarded. The disciples are to live their lives practicing the Beatitudes. To improve the community, especially helping the needy of our neighbors. The challenge the disciples face is to update the efforts to meet the changing environment.

The coved pandemic disrupted our Parish Community efforts of Outreach to provide meals at the homeless shelter, and groceries to the food insecure. Our Saint Vincent De Paul conference has responded to the challenge by adding new services - providing fruit, vegetables, and meat. In addition they are the only conference in Fremont to continue to operate straight through the pandemic. Tripling the volume of pounds delivered weekly. our stands food Ministry to the homeless, last year supported by the efforts of sister John Marie's Pantry funds, delivered 76 bags a week of Quick Service, serve food to the areas in Fremont Where the un housed camp.

Now Catholic missionaries have always impressed me by their efforts to fix what is broken in the cities and countries where they work to bring the gospel. When I was a youth, our house always had an abundance of holy cards with prayers and inspirational messages, displayed for reflection. My mother, a Catholic, and my father, a Baptist, had Differences in view of Christian theology, but no differences in the requirements to contribute some of the family resources to charitable causes. We were taught that supporting the missions, local and foreign, were a part of being a Catholic to bring healing where it was needed. The disciples in today's readings were instructed to put the lamp on a stand to spread the light of gospel to a wider audience. How can we accomplish this without personally supporting the Parish Community efforts? Accepting our responsibility for helping the world missions is another way we extend our local reach. We invite our Parish Community to keep up to date in our efforts.

In summary, through the power of God, we can be a light to the world Through our loving concern for others, especially the poor and the oppressed. these and other acts of compassion will serve to scatter the darkness, and reflect the light of God's love

借着爱,让我们反射出天主爱的光芒,来掩没世上的黑暗

最近,Fremont 被 Personal Fortune Finance 网站 wallethub 评为美国最幸福的城市之一,它同时也是湾区流浪人口增长率最高的地区之一。在这区域, Fremont 已经成为提供无家可归者服务的领导者。令人震惊地,人口 230,500 的 Fremont,在过去三年中无家可归的人口增长了 68%。从 2019 年的 608人,增加到 2022 年的 1026 人。登录在案的无壳族也几乎翻了一倍,达到866户。全市的居民都已经注意到这个巨大的变化。

在两周前的福音中,耶稣收了第一批门徒。祂要门徒们悔改,因为天国近了。也要他们成为渔人的渔夫。上周的福音,耶稣带着门徒上山,教导他们天国的价值观,与他们分享了真福八福。耶稣保证只要跟随着祂,就会赢得天国的最后胜利。

今天的读经一,依撒意亚先知提醒那些被巴比伦流放,又企图再聚集起来重建家园的犹太人,不要忘记他们中间的穷人和有需要的人。因为每个人都不该忽视饥饿,赤身裸体,和无家可归的人的需求。我们应该将这些需求纳入改善计划中,千万不可置之不理。天主看到你的努力,当你呼求时,他必回应。同样的,如果我们善待受苦的和有需要的人,光明就会升起来驱散黑暗。在这里,依撒意亚向那些感到绝望的人传达一种期待喜乐的希望。

在今天福音中,耶稣指出门徒是世上的盐。如果盐不能调味,又无法保存食物,就不再是盐了,应该被丢弃在地上。作为一个耶稣的门徒就必须活出真福八端的精神来改善社会。门徒们必须以不断的更新来面对这善变的环境。

新冠病毒扰乱了我们为社区服务的努力。我们的工作是为流浪收容所提供膳食,为贫困的人提供生活必需品。我们的 Saint Vincent De Paul 决定以增强服务来面对病毒的挑战—提供更多的水果、蔬菜和肉类。事实上我们是 Fremont 唯一在病毒流行期间继续运作的单位。我们每周奉献出来食物的磅数增加了三倍。为无家可归者提供食品的服务在 John Marie 修女食品储藏室基金的支持下,每周提供 76 袋食物给 Fremont 游民露营区。

普世天主教传教士的工作总是给我深刻的印象。他们为传播福音来努力修复破损的城市和国家。当我年轻的时候,家里摆满了各种祈祷和励志的圣卡,供我反思。我的母亲是一名天主教徒,而我的父亲是一名浸信会教徒,在神学上他们有不同的看法,但他们都愿意将部分家庭资源用于慈善事业。我的双亲教导我,支持本地和国外的传教使命在世界各地需要的地方带来治愈,是基督徒的基本要求。在今天的读经中,耶稣指示门徒要站在高处,将福音之光传播给更广泛的群众。如果我们每个人不亲自地站出来,那么传播福音给普世的目标是无法实现的。站出来帮助普世宣教是我们扩展基督神国的ㄧ个方式。我邀请每个人都来了解堂区当前所做的努力。

让我们借着天主的力量来照亮世界。借着爱,特别是对穷人和受压迫者的关爱,以及所有的爱心的行为,让我们反射出天主爱的光芒,来掩没世上的黑暗。