St. Anthony Catholic Church Raymondville

St. Anthony Catholic Church Raymondville 464 South First St. Raymondville, Texas 78580

Telephone #: 956-690-4078 Son of Teodoro N. Heredia & Gloria Lorenzana both of them deceased.

Biography:

Father Juan Victor Heredia-Lorenzana

Father Heredia was born in México City on February 26, 1954. He is the 2nd of 5 brothers: Agustin, the firstborn, himself, Rafael, Raúl Alberto & José who died as an infant. As a young boy, he was an Altar Server at his parish home in México City and the seed of his vocation was planted. It was not until he was 19 years old that he entered the high

school seminary (1972-1975). After graduation, he entered the Major Seminary from México City and completed his studies of philosophy (1975-1979); then he went to the Major Seminary in Tlaxcala, México where he studied Theology (1979-1982). Father Heredia-Lorenzana left the seminary and spent four years teaching philosophy and History at two different high schools. In 1986, he was invited to return to the seminary at the Diocese of Brownsville. After one year of intensive English classes at UT Pan Am in Edinburg, Texas, he was sent to the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin to obtain the Master in Divinity. After obtaining such degree, he returned to the diocese and was ordained Deacon by the late Bishop John J. Fitzpatrick at Sacred Heart Church in Edinburg on February 3, 1990 and as a Priest at St. Paul Church in Mission on February 2, 1991. Father Heredia-Lorenzana now serves at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Raymondville, Texas.

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is Trinity Sunday. A f...
05/30/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is Trinity Sunday. A feast which the church invites to adore the Mystery of One God in Three different persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A mystery we honor each time we sign ourselves, every time we make the sign of the cross. Have an abundantly blessed Trinity Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9— The LORD, merciful and gracious, rich in kindness and faithfulness.
Responsorial: Daniel 3 — Glory and praise forever!
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13— Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Live with one another in peace, and the God of peace will be with you.
Gospel: John 3:16-18 — God did not send the Son to condemn the world, but to give it abundant life.
GLORY TO THE FATHER, AND TO THE SON, AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.
Today, just a week after Pentecost, we celebrate the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Today’s celebration is a song of praise to God, who has called us to share in this mystery. Two concise prayers and blessings include: “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you,” and “May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These are called Trinitarian formulas. In these, the Trinitarian God unites to perform the function for which they are being consulted. Paul knew this and so constantly employed this formula in concluding most of his letters (1 Cor:16, 23; 2Cor 13:14; Gal 6:18; Phil 4:2). The first question that comes to mind at the first encounter with the doctrine of the Trinity is: “Three Persons in One God, how could that be? Indeed, it should provoke such a question. However, this question becomes meaningful only if one could humble oneself and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten him through the church. Hence, the Church teaches that: “The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the consubstantial Trinity. The divine persons do not share one divinity among themselves, but each is entirely God. The divine persons are distinct from one another. God is one but not solitary. Father, Son, Holy Spirit are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are distinct from one another” (CCC253-255, p.82-83).
In the first reading, we hear of Moses' obedience and humility before God. This won him God's favor. Here also, God proved that he is indeed a Father. This is because although He was not happy with the ways of his people, He restrained his anger. So, because of Moses' prayer, he forgave them.
In the second reading, Paul encourages us to “be united and live in peace.” He concluded with his usual benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” In this, Paul shows great interest in the unity of the Christian community. In other words, by invoking the Trinitarian fellowship on them, he wishes that they emulate it and be united in heart and soul as the Most Holy Trinity. A divided family lacks the fellowship of the Trinitarian God and needs to give attention to it for their harmony and happiness.
Today’s Gospel is very popular: “God sent his son so that through him the world might be saved.” This sending is one way through which we share in the Trinitarian Community. They keep coming to us to unite and make us like them. They continue to seek fellowship with us because they wish that we be united as they are. Human words cannot perfectly explain this divine reality and mystery of the Trinity. So, no terminology or formulation is adequate to communicate it. We need God’s enlightenment and grace to comprehend the Trinitarian mystery and theology. Nevertheless, the Christian faith is Trinitarian, and every Christian needs to partake fully in this mystery. Finally, the Trinity is not an abstract theological concept. Instead, it is a reality that is to be believed and lived. The Trinity is someone to whom we pray, but it is also a community, the communion of three in one, the family in whose image we build up our human community. In appreciation of this fellowship and communion, let us praise the Most Holy Trinity: “Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is Pentecost Sunday. P...
05/23/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a feast that occupies a very important and prominent position in the Church’s history and liturgical calendar. In history, it marks the birth of the church that Jesus had intended to create. Liturgically, because it serves as the bridge between the Easter Season and the Ordinary Time of the year. Have an abundantly blessed Pentecost Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:1-11 — Filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostles begin to speak in tongues.
Psalm 104 — Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 — In one Spirit we are baptized into one body and given to drink of one Spirit.
Gospel: John 20:19-23 — Jesus Christ appears to the disciples and sends them on their mission with the power to forgive or retain sins through the Holy Spirit.
A NEW PENTECOST: COME HOLY SPIRIT, COME
The first reading of this Sunday tells the story of how Christ eventually fulfilled his promise to his disciples, who faithfully obeyed his command: “Do not leave Jerusalem until the advocate comes!” (Acts 1:5). From the perspective of this reading, therefore, today’s celebration is a reward for faithful obedience and steadfastness in prayer. It is important to note that one of the greatest aspects of this feast that is grossly misunderstood and abused is the gift of tongues. It is important that we grasp Paul’s teachings on the issue of gifts and speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. It is a gratuitous gift from God and does not come through learning and practicing. Anyone who speaks false tongues is both blaspheming against God and committing sacrilege. That is, sin against the Holy Spirit. This gift was given to the apostles to aid them in spreading the good news to different people who gathered from all nations to listen to them: “Now devout men were living in Jerusalem…each one bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language about the marvels of God.” It was not given to them to boost their ego, or for their own personal or selfish interest. Instead, it was given to them to edify the church and to transmit the message of eternal life to others.
In the second reading of today, Paul makes a very important statement: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.” What this means is that it is God himself who enables us through the gifts we have received today in order to recognize the lordship of Christ. Recognizing the lordship of Christ was a difficult task for Satan because the Holy Spirit had left him. The obvious fact is that when Paul uses the phrase “say Jesus is Lord”, he is not simply referring to the literary pronouncement of the lordship of Christ. Rather, he means making Jesus the Lord of one’s life. To achieve this, one needs the conviction of the Holy Spirit. To say Jesus is Lord is to live it, and to actually have him as the lord of one’s life. Only those who are being led by the Holy Spirit are truly sons and daughters of God (Rom 8:14). It is the Spirit that we receive today, that will therefore prompt us to proclaim the lordship of Christ: “You received the spirit of sonship, and by him, we cry Abba Father. The spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Rom 8:15-16).
In today’s Gospel, we see the Trinitarian God in action, each doing and completing His action, and yet united. They operated as though they were involved in a relay race, where each handed over the baton to the other. However, despite this, none of them was passive at any moment. Jesus says, “as the Father sent me so I am sending you, receive the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit we received today has in no way come to replace Christ. Rather, He has come to help us achieve what he helped Christ achieve. Therefore, the same Spirit empowers us to move out to testify to the lordship of Christ. It is a new Pentecost, so we implore the Lord: “Send forth your spirit, Lord, and renew the face of the earth. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. “All peoples clap your hands,...
05/16/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. “All peoples clap your hands, cry to God with joy. God shouts joyfully, and the Lord goes up with a trumpet blast.” On this seventh Sunday of Easter, we celebrate the solemnity of Ascension. It marks the return of Jesus to the Father. This fast, together with the Resurrection, is a manifestation of Christ's victory. Ascension is a solemnity that sustains the hope of Christians that one day we shall be where Christ is. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that: “Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into His Father’s glorious kingdom, so that we, the members of his body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever.” (665-667). Have an abundantly blessed Ascension Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 — Jesus tells the disciples that they will be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 47 — God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 — May the Father of glory give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 — Jesus instructs the eleven to baptize and teach people of all nations.
CHRIST GOES UP IN GLORY
The first reading from Acts of the Apostles recounts the events of Christ’s moment on earth with his apostles before his ascension into heaven. Christ instructs his Apostles here: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what the Father has promised.” Christ encourages his disciples to remain faithful. Most importantly, he reminds them that their success will depend on their ability to walk with the Holy Spirit. These instructions are also meant for us. It reminds us that before we set out for any business or project, we must commend ourselves to the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit.
In the second reading, Paul prays asking God to send us the Holy Spirit: “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ give you the Spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you the full knowledge of him.” This must be our prayer and wish every day of our lives. We must invite the Holy Spirit to take control of our entire mission. We must invite him to lighten the dark spots of our lives as Paul prays: “May he enlighten the eyes of your minds so that you can see the hope his call holds for you.” We must ask him to lead the way so that we follow him. This is because his ways and counsels are right.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus knew that his apostles needed help to succeed. So he instructed them: “…Stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high.” We must seek this power if we are to make any positive impact on our world. Therefore, we must pay attention to what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. As an experienced master, He knows the terrain we are about to walk. He knows how delicate the hearts of men of our age are. He knows how challenging our task is and what it takes to be successful. He knows that only the Holy Spirit can help us. Therefore, Ascension marks the beginning of the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to us. So, as we celebrate the solemnity of Ascension today, Jesus reminds us that, in addition to our knowledge and human capabilities, we need divine help to succeed. This divine help will come from the Holy Spirit, to whom we must always pay attention. So, as we celebrate the Ascension of Christ today and expect the fulfillment of His promise on Pentecost Sunday, this is our hope, and on it we pray: “Sent forth your spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth.” Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Congratulations to all our mothers, both living and deceased. We thank God for the wonderful mothers He has given us to ...
05/09/2026

Congratulations to all our mothers, both living and deceased. We thank God for the wonderful mothers He has given us to love and care for us in this life and ask Him to bless them abundantly every day of their lives. And for those He has already called to Himself to grant them eternal happiness and peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is the Sixth Sunday of ...
05/09/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. As we approach the feast of Pentecost, the Church invites us to celebrate the coming of the Advocate. She calls us to celebrate the Spirit of truth, which strengthens us in the proclamation of the good news. The message we bear is not false. Instead, it comes from the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. Have a blessed Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 — The people of Samaria accepted the word of God preached by Philip; they received the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 66 — Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18— Act with gentleness and reverence toward all, so that when you are maligned, those who defame you will be the ones put to shame.
Gospel: John 14:15-21 — I will not leave you orphans, but will come to you.
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST CONFIRM US
Our first reading continues the disciples' frantic efforts to bear witness to the risen Lord. Through their efforts, the Samaritans received their Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Peter performed his Episcopal function on this day by laying hands upon the new converts. Since Philip baptized these new converts, why did he not confirm them? Why was it necessary for Peter and John to travel that long distance to lay hands on (or confirm) the new converts already baptized by Philip? An understanding of our Catholic Catechism is fundamental here. What Philip did by inviting Peter (the chief Shepherd of the Apostles) was in line with the Church’s teaching on Confirmation: “The ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the bishop. If the need arises, He may grant the faculty to priests. However, he should confer it himself, mindful that the celebration of Confirmation has been temporarily separated from baptism. For this reason, Bishops are the successors of the apostles” (CCC 1313). The Samaritans needed the Holy Spirit as much as we do today because it is the Holy Spirit that strengthens and makes one a true soldier of Christ (CCC1303-4). He helps us to bear witness to the truth without fear: “You have not received the Spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of son-ship. The Spirit bears witness that we are God’s Children” (Rom 8, 15-16). This same Spirit resurrected Christ and gives life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). As the principal agent of evangelization, He confirms the truth we preach.
In the second reading, Peter encouraged us to have reverence for Christ. Also, he admonished us to treat others with respect, even those who despise the Gospel we preach. Hence, he reminds us of the animating power of the Holy Spirit even in the life of Christ: “In the body, he was put to death; in the spirit, he was raised to life.” The same spirit that raised Jesus sustains us in the truth. This means that once the Spirit of God comes upon us, we become active for Christ because “What gives life is the spirit of God (John 6:63).
As we are a couple of weeks from Pentecost, Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, in today’s Gospel. However, He gives a condition for receiving the Advocate: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” When we do this, he adds: “I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you forever, that spirit of truth…I will not leave you, orphans.” What is this commandment that we must keep receiving the Spirit of truth? It is: “Go into the whole world and preach the good news to all creation (Mk 16: 15). It is also a command to love both God and our neighbor (Luke 10, 25-27). When we do these, we are certainly preaching the good news of truth. The advocate will come to strengthen us in the way of truth. He will also come to confirm that, indeed, we are children of God. So, let us pray: Come, O Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Amen. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this 5th Sunday of Easter,...
05/02/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this 5th Sunday of Easter, the Church reminds us of who we are: “The chosen race and the royal priesthood, who would be and reign with Christ. Today, we have gathered to exercise our royal priesthood by offering a spiritual sacrifice just as Christ did. Have a blessed Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 6:1-7 — To meet their growing needs, the community chooses seven reputable men to serve the new Greek believers.
Psalm 33 — Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9 — We, like living stones, let ourselves be built into a spiritual house.
Gospel: John 14:1-12— “Show us the Father,” Philip asks Jesus. To which Jesus replies: “Whoever sees me, sees the Father.”
WE ARE AROYAL AND PRIESTLY PEOPLE
In today’s first reading, the drama that unfolded led to the election of seven deacons to take care of the social needs of the believers. We can learn the following lessons from this reading. First, we must not neglect or take our communities’ social or material needs for granted. If left unattended, they could undermine the work of God. Second, we must balance our spiritual and material needs because both are important. Third, we must not forget who we are or neglect our primary calling. Peter rightly noted that the mundane should not distract us from our mission and vocation: “It would not be right for us to neglect the word of God to give out food. We will hand over this duty and devote ourselves to prayer and the service of the word of God.” The spiritual will undoubtedly suffer if we pay too much attention to material needs. We cannot do everything by ourselves. We must let others play their role by helping us. Finally, we must be wise and prayerful in selecting ministers for God’s mission. They must be “men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom.”
In the second reading, Peter reminds us of who we indeed are: “A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart to sing the praises of God.” Here, Peter highlights our participation in the priesthood of Christ through the “common or general priest priesthood.” This is undoubtedly by our baptism (CCC1268). Baptism configures us to become “priests.” Thus, in this pastoral letter, Peter highlights the efficacy of the “Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) on us as believers. Through this, he reminds us of our priestly and royal heritage. He calls us to live it out in a proper manner. In other words, if we set ourselves close to Christ, our chief priest, we shall live up to expectations. That is, by offering acceptable sacrifices to God. Through this, we become pleasing to God and a spiritual house for God.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus assures us of a place in his kingdom: “Let not your hearts be troubled. There are many rooms in my father’s house, so where I am, you may be too.” This indicates that by baptism, we are indeed children of God. This is why he considers us worthy of being where he will be. Unfortunately, many of us do not know who we are or believe there is a beautiful place prepared for us by Christ. This is also the reason many of us cannot maximize our priestly and royal potential. As priests and people of royal descent, we must assert ourselves positively. It takes faith to do this. Therefore, let us ask God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ to help us live as members of the royal priesthood. Also, during this glorious and gracious season of Easter, let us: “Rejoice in the Lord” for what God has done for us. Amen. Alleluia, alleluia!

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this fourth Sunday of East...
04/25/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this fourth Sunday of Easter, the church celebrates Christ the Good Shepherd. We continue to rejoice because He is the one who leads us through the difficult paths of life. Have a blessed Good Shepherd Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33 — God has raised the crucified Jesus, who now pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us.
Psalm 16 — Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 — Our faith and hope are in God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 — Through his words and in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ made himself known to two disciples on their way to Emmaus.
CHRIST, OUR GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR US
In the first reading, Peter, the head of the Apostles, played his pastoral role very well. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he spoke on behalf of the rest. Of course, his speech was a great success. This is because it led to the most significant conversion of souls ever recorded in the history of humankind in a single day. That is, three thousand converts! The lesson here is quite simple. A shepherd who prepares himself and works with the Holy Spirit will become a powerful instrument of conversion in God’s hands. God knew that Peter was prepared and capable, so he gave him a great harvest of souls.
Also, in his pastoral letter from our second reading today, Peter further reminds us that to be a good shepherd, one must endure ordeals as Christ did for the sake of his flock. He was not selfish and did not neglect his duty. Instead, he persisted and gave everything for the good of his flock: “Christ suffered for you and left an example for you to follow. He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross.” These are the qualities of a good shepherd. The good shepherd offers everything for the sake of his flock. He does not believe in half measures. For him, it is “Aut optimuim, aut nihil” (it is either all or nothing). We must imitate Christ, the good shepherd who dared the devil to save us. We must say like Christ, “I will.” Lord, let me take care of the sick, the orphans, the weak, the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Lord, let me fight for their course. Let me be their light, hope, pride, and shepherd. As good shepherds, each one of us has a responsibility towards someone. We must not abandon this responsibility to the detriment of our flock. Today’s celebration reminds us that we ought to be contrasted to “mundane shepherds” of our time who exploit their flock.
In the Gospel, Jesus points out more qualities of the good shepherd: “The one who enters through the gate is the good shepherd of the flock. The sheep hear his voice. He calls his sheep and leads them. The sheep follow because he knows his voice.” Jesus teaches us that we must build a good relationship with our flock based on love, trust, and mutual respect. We also must make Christ the shepherd of our souls. This means listening to his voice through the scriptures, the teachings of the Church’s Magisterium, and the church’s traditions. We must listen to him to be truly the sheep of the Lord’s flock. He never fails. He knows the path we walk every day. He knows when to place us on his shoulders, to take us by the hand like his little children. We shall hear and recognize his voice when we come closer to him. Whereas moving away from him endangers our lives. He beckons us: “Come unto me all you (my sheep) who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 1, 28). So, let us make the risen Christ our shepherd because, if we do: “there is nothing we shall want, and indeed, goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life (Ps 23:1,6). Amen. Alleluia, alleluia!

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this third Sunday of Easte...
04/18/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. On this third Sunday of Easter, we continue to appreciate God’s love for us. Today, the Church urges us to continue being joyful because Christ has not only ransomed us with his precious blood but continues to be present with us in the scriptures (liturgy of the word) and the breaking of bread (liturgy of the Eucharist), the core of the Holy Mass. Have an abundantly Third Easter Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:14, 22-33 — God has raised the crucified Jesus, who now pours forth the Holy Spirit upon us.
Psalm 16 — Lord, you will show us the path of life.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-21 — Our faith and hope are in God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 — Through his words and in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ made himself known to two disciples on their way to Emmaus.
ALLELUIA! THE RISEN CHRIST IS AMONG US
In the first reading of this Sunday, after the Pentecostal experience, Peter continues to bear witness to the risen and glorified Christ. He argues that since it was impossible for Christ to be held captive by death, it is equally impossible for us, whom Christ has ransomed with his precious blood, to remain captives. This is because we share in Christ’s new life. Now, we abide in his presence. There is no cause for alarm because “Those who abide in the presence of the Almighty God will rest in his shadow” (Ps. 91:1).
In the second reading, Peter calls us to live a life that is worthy of our new state through the resurrection of Christ. In other words, if God is truly our Father, we must try to live holy lives because “Those who call upon the name of the Lord, must depart from iniquity” (2 Tim 2:19). It is a life of witness and one that shows that Christ is alive in us.
Today’s Gospel draws our attention to important aspects of our Christian life. That is the liturgy of the Word and that of the Body and Blood of Christ (The Holy Eucharist). It is important to note the sequence of activities on this journey to Emmaus. First, Christ illuminated the minds of his disciples with scriptures (liturgy of the Word): “Then starting with Moses…, he explained to them the passages through the scriptures about himself.” Second, Christ celebrated the liturgy of his own body and blood (the Eucharist) with them: “While he was still with them at the table, he took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke it and gave it to them.” Afterward, something significant happened: “Their eyes opened, and they recognized him.” It is important to note that it was only after these two celebrations that these disciples recognized Christ, their master. The celebration of the Eucharist with his disciples underscores the importance of Christ’s injunction: “Do this in memory of me.” Indeed, he has ransomed and given us new life through his paschal mystery. Nevertheless, to sustain and nourish this new life, He left us himself in these two important liturgies of the Holy Mass (Word and Eucharist). Hence, the saying: “Liturgy is Life!” This means that if we forget these liturgies celebrated by Christ, we forget our new life in him. Christ did this today to remind us that each time we celebrate these liturgies worthily, He opens our eyes to recognize his divine presence with us. By breaking bread in memory of Him, He nourishes our lives and makes them new every day. Therefore, at Mass, we recognize Christ daily, renewing our life in Him. This is because Christ at Mass offers himself again as a precious ransom for the renewal of our own life. Therefore, let us ask Christ always to open the eyes of our minds so that we may recognize Him during every Eucharistic celebration. Alleluia, the risen Christ, is with us! Amen.

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is the Second Sunday of...
04/11/2026

Greetings to all Parishioners and Friends of Saint Anthony Church in Raymondville, Texas. Today is the Second Sunday of Easter. It is also Divine Mercy Sunday. On this special day, the Church rejoices in the joy of the resurrected Christ. She calls us to continue our celebration of the resurrected Christ, the first fruit of all those who have fallen asleep, the hope of Christians, and the Cause of Our Joy. Have an abundantly blessed Divine Mercy Sunday!
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: Acts 2:42-47 — All who believed were devoted to the teachings of the apostles, the communal life, the breaking of the bread, and prayer.
Psalm 118 — Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love is everlasting.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9 — God has given us an undiminished inheritance, safeguarded for us in heaven.
Gospel: John 20:19-31 — The risen Christ comes to his disciples with peace and the Spirit. The absent Thomas doubts.
HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER, ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA
Today’s first reading recounts the new zeal, love, and spirit of the early Christian community. People who used to fear the Jewish authorities and persecution have been transformed into courageous people. They are now proud of themselves and their new heritage. This heritage is their sharing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is the cause of their joy, love, unity, and strength. This is what the resurrection of Christ did for us also. It restored our confidence as the people of God. It lifts us from the dust and places us exactly where we belong. In short, it reinstates us.
In the second reading, Peter draws our attention to God's mercy towards us. In his mercy, God has given us a new birth by allowing us to share in the resurrection of Christ: “So that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be destroyed.” So, what we celebrate this season is also God’s incredible mercy. Indeed, our salvation is guaranteed through the resurrection of Christ. However, according to Peter, our Faith is the necessary tool for taking this salvation. “Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared for you and will be revealed at the end of time”. So, only faith can guarantee our salvation in the resurrected Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Christ presented himself to his disciples. During this crucial visit, He dispelled their fears and doubts. He restored their peace and commissioned them as ministers of the sacrament of reconciliation and mercy. It suffices to note that it was not easy for Thomas to believe that Christ had risen. As we witness the resurrected Christ, we shall undoubtedly encounter those (some Thomas) who will doubt our testimony. Let us not be bothered by their unbelief and stubbornness. This is because God will convince them through the power of the Holy Spirit. We must pass on the message and leave Christ the risen Lord to convince them. So, like the disciples of Christ, let us continue to announce the good news to the world that Jesus Christ, our Lord, has risen from the dead. As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday today, the church reminds us that God extended his mercy to us by allowing his son to pay the ransom for our sins. Christ accomplished this through his paschal mystery. Finally, we, too, must extend this mercy to others. Hence, we are called to be apostles of mercy. So, as we spread the good news of Christ’s resurrection, we must thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, because his mercy and generosity endure forever. Alleluia, Alleluia!!

Address

464 S 1st Street
Raymondville, TX
78580

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 12pm
Tuesday 8am - 12pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
Thursday 8am - 12pm
Friday 8am - 12pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

(956) 690-0759

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. Anthony Catholic Church Raymondville posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category