The war continues with the DARK SIDE. Juarez women bones. Remains of slain Juárez girls given to wrong families. By Lorena Figueroa \ El Paso Times. 07/20/2013. The pain two Juárez families endured in the slayings of two young girls whose remains were found in the desert last year got exceedingly worse this week. The remains of the girls were switched at a funeral home and given to the wrong families, officials said Friday. One set of remains also was mistakenly cremated. The mother of one of the girls said she was angry and saddened by the mistake. The cremated remains of 15-year-old Yanira Fraire Jaques, who disappeared from downtown Juárez in June 2010, were wrongfully given to the mother of Jessica Leticia Peña, also 15, who disappeared May 2010.

Christian Priests returning to Mexico after the 1920’s religious persecution of Christian churches in Mexico. Here in El Paso, during the 1920's, thousands of priests from Mexico found a safe haven. The Mexican province of the Society of Jesus relocated their entire seminary novitiate program in Ysleta, just a few minutes from where I reside.

Our Lord put it well: Give to that Dude Caesar what Caesar thinks he deserves, Give to God what is God's. The power of true priesthood based on love and commitment to God and neighbor is greater than Caesar's greatest nuclear bombs. True priesthood knows no bounds.

JUST DO IT. NO EXCUSES

THAT WHICH WE ARE, WE ARE

Tennyson: Ulysses "We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." Some thoughts very appropriate to a consideration of true Christian ministry.

The exemplary priests of our American Catholic Church in the United States.

BASKETS BRIMMING OVER

My plate is overflowing and I am very pleased. I am now teaching LAW classes 9 hours a day and reaching out to a lot of young women, single parents who are studying under me. I also continue my work as CHAPLAIN at the Hospital, planning a new CHAPLAIN training program that will have some far reaching consequences for the EL PASO community at large. And my spinal therapy is really working and my psyche has adapted to the fact that I will have this condition for the rest of my life. Ron Reagan said in the 1950's, progress is our most important product.

SENOR BURRO FOR MAYOR

El Burro Chon mayor of Juarez, State of CHIHUAHUA, Mexico Dissatisfied Juarez voters nominated "El Burro Chon" for mayor, "it is better to have a donkey for a mayor than a donkey mayor." This long-eared, brown short-haired candidate -- with no political party affiliation -- promises to do nothing for the city: He is a donkey. Yes, the four-legged kind. (Jesus Alcazar / Special to the Times .

LETTING GO

Mary Oliver :::: Look, the trees are turning their own bodies into pillars of light, are giving off the rich fragrance of cinnamon and fulfillment, the long tapers of cattails are bursting and floating away over the blue shoulders of the ponds, and every pond, no matter what its name is, is nameless now. Every year everything I have ever learned in my lifetime leads back to this: the fires and the black river of loss whose other side is salvation, whose meaning none of us will ever know. To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.

COLLEGE INVOCATION

on June 27, 2013, I delivered the following invocation at the International Business College where I teach: Heavenly Spirit of wisdom and power, love and sacrifice, This has been a long journey that started before anyone arrived at International Business College. We take time to remember all those who have encouraged, taught, nurtured, prayed and paid that we could be at this crossing place today: • We give thanks for the proud parents, grandparents, husbands, wives, and children; • We give thanks for the teachers, mentors and professors; • We give thanks for the faithful friends. At this crossing place we look back over the years of study at International Business College--the papers, exams, classes, deadlines, extensions, “chismes calientes”, relationships, road-trips, games, sleepless nights, laughter and sadness--and give thanks. We pray that you guide those graduating today in the paths of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control

CHILDREN'S FLIGHT FROM JUAREZ

EL PASO TIMES: 7-4-2013 Rival drug cartels have been fighting in Juárez since 2007 with nearly 7,000 deaths. As the violence in Juárez has increased, the El Paso Independent School District has seen the largest increase citywide From 2007 to 2010, Franklin saw a 350 percent increase in students enrolled in ESL programs. The increase is the largest in the city. According to figures obtained from the Texas Education Agency's website, Franklin also had a 74 percent increase during this period in the number of students classified as LEP. A science teacher at Franklin, who asked not to be identified because he did not have authorization from school officials to talk on the record, said that he has seen these changes in his classroom. "I've seen more students who are coming into the classroom and know barely any English at all, and it is obvious that their first language is Spanish," he said. He said that since 2007 -- and especially this last school year -- it seems he has been getting more LEP students in his classes.

GOSPEL ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

Gospel Mt 9:1-8 After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven. “At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming. “Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven, ‘or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home. “He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.

CHAPLAIN PROGRAM/CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES

• CHAPLAIN Program/Curriculum Objectives • Biblical self as a pastoral care giver • Worship/Sacramental Leader – Acquire the ability to develop liturgy for the gathered assembly in its unique cultural context; acquire the skill to function as a liturgical leader. • Homiletics – Acquire the skill and ability to craft and articulate a sermon for the work of proclamation • Teaching – Acquire the ability to teach the scriptures and the Christian faith in the normal venues of hospital life, i.e. bible studies, confirmation, etc. • Public Leader – Acquire an understanding of the polity of the UMC and its implications for one’s role as an ordained and public leader. • Interpretation - Acquire the basic skills for interpreting the Scriptures for preaching and teaching in one’s context • Theology and Ethics – Acquire a basic understanding of theology/ethics as well as a basic ability to critically analyze one’s context through Chaplain and ethical lenses. • Church History – Acquire a basic understanding of the history of Christianity in the U.S. • Pastoral Care – Acquire the ability to engage and accompany people in the circumstances of their life; develop the awareness of o In addition to these competencies, the following are desired formation goals: • Develop awareness of self as a CHAPLAIN pastor • Develop an awareness of the meaning of the CHAPLAIN tradition for one’s contextual reality • Develop awareness of self as a cultural being • Develop the ability to read and interpret ones cultural through a Chaplain and contextual lens • Develop the ability and competency to identify and cross the cultural borders in one’s context and practice of ministry

TRAINING HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS

I am in the process of developing a training program for lay chaplains. The proposed UMC Hospital Chaplain Program is a care program available to patients and their families. They are hands-extended, caring for the patient’s spiritual needs. The Hospital Chaplains, staff of the hospital who completed orientation on the Hospital’s patient privacy and HIPPA regulations, will make rounds, as a doctor does, to visit patients in the hospital. While the doctor tends to the physical, medical needs of the patient, the Chaplain tends to the patient’s spiritual needs. The Chaplain’s interaction with patients is one of comfort and counsel: the visit is not for proselytizing or recruitment. How it works is the Chaplain consults the Hospital patient census to organize that day’s visit schedule. Highlighted on the census are those patients who answered yes to the “request for Chaplain Visit” question at the time of hospital admission. If a patient is unsure or declines the Chaplain visit at admission, then later changes their mind or a family member seeks the Chaplain, they need only to make their request known to the nursing staff and that patient will be included in the Chaplain’s rounds. For patients having a medical emergency or taken to the Emergency Department due to a trauma, the chaplain is on call 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The Chaplain will arrive at the Hospital to provide comfort to patients and their family. Reverend Dr. MacPherson says that “serving as a Chaplain helps build a relationship with the staff, too.” This relationship is important because in a trauma situation the Chaplain may also serve as a communications link between family members and the nursing staff caring for the trauma patient.

MASS ON SUNDAY

I am so grateful to the University Medical Center to allow me to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in this chapel every Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

EL PASO MOONSHINE

I have been to Russia, Rome, Bogota, Montreal, New York City, San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, South Carolina, Norfolk, Washington, DC, Guatemala City, Costa Rica, Columbia, Honduras, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Monterrey, Torreon, Chihuahua, British Columbia, Milan, Genoa, Venice, Austria, the Alps, all Northern Italy, Virginia Beach, all Southern states, Idaho, Oregon, …just to name a few.Honestly I really love El Paso in the evening. Can look out over two countries simultaneously.

LOCALE OF NEW RESIDENCE

My new residence. Hopefully, my ministries will flourish here.

COMUNIDAD DE INSERCION

Just moved to 610 River Street here in El Paso several months ago, right in the heart of the migrant Hispanic community. Really increases a lot of ministry opportunities. Just a short walk to Ciudad Juarez across the border in Mexico.

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY

Hospital chaplaincy has no material advantages nor financial rewards, but I have found it to be the most deepening and rewarding experience of my life. Yes I love my four children, 30 years practicing law quite successfully and sometimes tragically. In the 1970's I was an "asset" for the United States Information Service abroad in Latin America, travelled to over 20 countries, served as a police officer in California, taught and practiced law in the US and Mexico, and had a wonderful life with a spouse from Mexico who died 10 years ago. Today working with the critically ill both at the moment of death and as they so slowly recuperate from tragic accident and illness, has given me a profound spiritual and emotional understanding of God's mysterious yet perfect loving plan for humanity. My cathedral is the hospital, my chapel is the patient's room, my sanctuary is the Sunday spot where I celebrate Mass in the hospital every Sunday

ANONYMOUS PRIEST

"...bring the sacraments to where the people work and toil..." the Anonymous Priest.

GOT SPINE - WILL TRAVEL

It is really hard at times to ask for prayers. Seems somewhat selfish and self centered. However.. I have to have my left hip and left knee reset, realigned tomorrow at 2:00pm. The pain has been excruciating and very limiting. Being a single parent, a dynamic priest, and a widow, I want to be totally self reliant, but these types of events in one's life are humbling right down to the core. I have so many great events in my ministry this week and really want to get back on track asap. If you pray for me, it will happen. If you build it it will come. (Kevin Costner)

GET SPINE - DO MINISTRY

Thanks for all the mountains of prayers. My spine was realigned today and will be entering into 6 weeks of intense therapy. I told the doctor that my main concern was performing all my liturgical duties and hospital chaplain duties. Aside from giving up skydiving from 100,000 feet, parachuting at 200,000 feet, and playing professional basketball, (all just kidding), I should get another 30 years and 300,000 miles out of this divine gift of a human body.

CHER IN THE MORNING

What a great way to wake up in the morning. Cher born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20, 1946 is an American singer and actress, known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for working so hard for over 40 years. Listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFtLVogB87c

A GRIEVING FAMILY

Just prayed intensely with a family whose close relative was shot by police. I am so profoundly overwhelmed by GOD'S presence in these moments, over 200 in during the last 2 years, and how God wants us to trust in the Trinity. There are no human answers; but into His hands we must commend all of our spirits and Trust in God. — at University Medical Center of El Paso.

CHURCH AND SAME SEX MARRIAGE

When the Fathers of the Constitution wrote the 1st amendment, the basic holding of the entanglement clause was that Church and State should be separate, i.e. the civil government cannot tell the Church (any Christian, non-Christian, recognizable religious group) how to run their Church business. Concurrently, Churches cannot get involved telling the civil government how to legislate. Same-sex marriage laws are civil in nature and cannot mandate any duly formed Church organization to accept the civil marriage within the ranks of their membership. United States residents can choose whether or not to belong to a Church; they cannot choose which civil government to be subject to. When two people decide to make a lifelong commitment to each other, their only resource is civil government to recognize their decision and call it marriage. No government should deny the right of two people to marry. Churches can freely choose how to manage same sex marriages within their own membership.

2nd ANNIVERSARY

Two years ago on June 12, 2012, I was ordained a priest in the American Catholic Church in the United States by the Most Rev Archbishop Lawrence Harms. By God's grace and mandate, I have been able to make chaplain visits over 2080 patients in the Intensive Care Unit here, 620 addicts and alcoholics in local rehab centers, taught over 900 hours of legal ethics, constitutional law, property rights, criminal law and procedure, celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on over 480 occasions, sacrament of the sick to over 300 patients, visited fellow clerics in Washington State and South Carolina, 156 hours of ESL at the Lutheran Center, and most of all, I was charged and enriched with the beauty of God's presence in the most marginalized people of society. God willing, it is just the beginning. I pray: teach me to be generous, to serve as You deserve to be served, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seeks for rest, save that of knowing that I do Your will.