05/09/2026
Dear Sacred Heart & St. Frances Jerome Family,
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers!
The second Sunday of May is Mother’s Day in our nation. In Mexico and Guatemala, Mother’s Day is always celebrated on May 10th. May Mary, our Mother, intercede for all our special women, and may our Good Lord Jesus bless you all today and always.
Pope Pius X described the role of the mother as the “primacy of love.”
This weekend at the 10:30 a.m. Mass, we are recognizing the Adams State University (ASU) and Trinidad State Junior College graduates with a blessing. In a formal commencement ceremony, it would be called a Baccalaureate, which means preparation for a career or graduate study after four years of preparation. Baccalaureate also refers to a Christian service held before graduation for reflection and thanksgiving.
We are aware of Avril, Chenoa, Desiree, Dallas, Isaiah, Sergio, and Stephanie graduating this spring semester from ASU. Congratulations to all those who have earned their Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees this spring.
Jesus speaks about another Paraclete in the Gospel. The breadth of this word may not be captured in one simple translation. Catholic Bibles have used the words “Advocate” or “Counselor.” A more robust description of the Paraclete would be a powerful intercessor who can help change our reality before God.
In this spirit, on behalf of Bishop Berg, I ask you to consider a gift to the second collection next weekend for the historic parishes and missions of the Diocese of Pueblo. Most of them are in Conejos and Costilla Counties here in the San Luis Valley. When they were constructed, they were the “space projects” of mostly poor farmers and ranchers. However, their beauty reflected the best craftsmanship possible to celebrate Holy Mass and reserve the Blessed Sacrament for prayer and for the sick. Bishop Berg calls these parishes and missions our spiritual patrimony.
May Mary, whom we crowned at the beginning of this month, intercede for our mothers, graduates, and historic parishes and missions. May the Paracletes — Jesus and the Holy Spirit — hear and answer all our prayers.
Fr. Carlos Alvarez