Holy Trinity Church-
Corpus Christi: Celebrating the Real Presence of Jesus
Each year, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly known as Corpus Christi. This beautiful feast invites us to deepen our love for the Holy Eucharist and to proclaim with joy the Church’s belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) number 1407 says, “The Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church’s life.” Therefore, all of us should praise the Lord who is alive and truly present in the Holy Communion. The Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus is present through the words of consecration that the priest recites in each Mass. Even though our physical eyes see a host (bread) and wine, our spiritual ones see the real presence of Jesus. This is a mystery of faith and is a central teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.
The feast of Corpus Christi was established in the thirteenth century to honor this profound mystery. Inspired by the visions of Saint Juliana of Liège, also known as St. Juliana of Cornillon, and promoted by Pope Urban IV, the celebration became an opportunity for the entire Church to give thanks for the gift of the Eucharist. Throughout the centuries, Catholics have gathered on this solemn day to worship Christ truly present among His people.
One of the most cherished traditions associated with Corpus Christi is the Eucharistic procession. The Blessed Sacrament is carried in a monstrance through streets, neighborhoods, and parish grounds as the faithful follow in prayer and song. This public witness reminds the world that Christ is not confined within church walls, but walks with His people. The procession is a powerful expression of faith, proclaiming that Jesus remains present and active in our lives today. For this reason, we will have our Corpus Christi procession at the end of the 10:30 am Mass, with adoration and benediction. I hope you can walk with me in this procession.
Corpus Christi also calls us to examine our relationship with the Lord in the Eucharist. Do we approach Holy Communion with reverence and gratitude? Do we spend time in Eucharistic adoration, allowing Christ to speak to our hearts? Do we recognize Him not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the poor, the suffering, and those in need of our love? Let us praise the Lord who is living in the Eucharist, believing the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51).
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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Undivided Unity
The Roman Catholic Church is celebrating this weekend the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. St. John in his first letter says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). God is a community of love between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, God’s love is perfect. During the History of Salvation, God is revealing Himself as One and Triune God. He is not distant to human reality, but He is very close to us. God, the Father, created all the Universe and spoke to different people in the Old Testament, such as the patriarchs or the prophets. God, the Son, is sent by the Father to redeem humankind through His passion, death, and resurrection. God, the Holy Spirit, came to give life to the Church and teach us the truth that comes from the Father giving us His gifts and fruits. The triune God has been present in our lives.
The Most Holy Trinity is a mystery of faith. But, how it is possible that God is only one God and at the same time He is three persons: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is only by God’s grace that we can believe in this wonderful mystery. St. Augustine, a saint who helped the Church to build her foundations through philosophy, tried to understand the reality of the Holy Trinity. There is a story about him when he was trying to understand this mystery. I want to share this story with you.
The child by the seaside. The story goes as follows:
While Augustine was working on his book On the Trinity, he was walking by the seaside one day, meditating on the difficult problem of how God could be three Persons at once. He came upon a little child. The child had dug a little hole in the sand, and with a small spoon or seashell was scooping water from the sea into the small hole. Augustine watched him for a while and finally asked the child what he was doing. The child answered that he would scoop all the water from the sea and pour it into the little hole in the sand. ‘What?’ Augustine said. ‘That is impossible. Obviously, the sea is too large and the hole too small.’ ‘Indeed,’ said the child, ‘but I will sooner draw all the water from the sea and empty it into this hole than you will succeed in penetrating the mystery of the Holy Trinity with your limited understanding.’ Augustine turned away in amazement and when he looked back the child had disappeared (medievalists.net).
It is not important to understand the mystery of the Holy Trinity. What really matters is to have a close encounter with God who loves us. God wants us to receive His love, which is perfect, and to share this love with our brothers and sisters. Let us celebrate this solemnity with faith and joy because this weekend is not only the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, but it is also our feast day. Let us remember that all of us belong to this wonderful family of Holy Trinity Church.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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The Paraclete
This Sunday we are celebrating the Solemnity of Pentecost. This celebration has two important meanings for the Church.
First, we celebrate the fact that the Holy Spirit came over the college of Apostles and Jesus’ disciples 50 days after the Resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Most Holy Trinity, that means He is God. Some people associate the Holy Spirit with a dove, but this is only a symbolism that is present in the Gospel, when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, “After Jesus was baptized, He came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for Him], and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon Him” (Mt. 3:16). Dove is not the only symbol of the Holy Spirit, we have water (Gen. 1:1-2), fire (Acts 2:3), wind (John 3:8), cloud (Ex. 19:9), light (Is. 60:19), and so on.
Second, we celebrate the birth of the Church. Before Pentecost, the Apostles were indoors because of fear of the Jews, but the Holy Spirit helped them to go out and proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without the Holy Spirit, the Church should not be capable to preach the Gospel and overcome all of the obstacles and crisis that she has been facing throughout history.
The Holy Spirit is not an energy, but He is God who is given us the capacity to recognize the presence of God in our lives. With the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, the Church has been celebrating the Eucharist. The real presence of Christ in the Holy Communion is possible because of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives life to the Church. We read in the book of Genesis how God breathed upon Adam and gave him life (cf. Gen. 2:7). This is what we said in our profession of faith, “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.” If we want to live, we need to receive the Holy Spirit. We cannot disregard the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit is real and is present in the life of the Roman Catholic Church. Let us ask always of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray,
O God, who have taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that in the same Spirit we may be truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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Let us talk about our faith
Certainly, we are in Easter Time. Let us remember that Easter is not one day (Easter Sunday), but an entire season in which the Church highlights the triumphant Resurrection of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. During these days, the Church will celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord to Heaven. It is very important that we do not confuse the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord with the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Heaven which is celebrated on August 15th. In the Ascension, Jesus ascends to Heaven by His own will and power because Jesus is divine (let us remember that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human being). On the other hand, Mary, who is only a human being, goes to Heaven by the power of God. God took her to Heaven.
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is one of the most important solemnities in the Roman Catholic Church, and it is described in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50–51, and Acts 1:2–11. This special moment in the life of the Lord and the Church happened 40 days after the Resurrection of the Lord.
There are five holy days of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church in 2026:
Mary, Mother of God – January 1st
Ascension – May 14th
All Saints Day – November 1st
Immaculate Conception – December 8th
Christmas – December 25th
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated this past Thursday, May 14th, but some Dioceses move it to today, Sunday. So, do not be surprised if you watch the Mass on TV and find that they are celebrating the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord this weekend.
Let us participate with faith, love, and devotion in each one of the celebrations of the Roman Catholic Church. In each liturgy, we have a special encounter with the Lord Jesus, who is the Eucharist. Let us remember that we find the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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The voices of our Pastors
Dear family of the Most Holy Trinity Church.
I wish all the mothers a wonderful Happy Day on their day. May God continue to bless your life, and you can live taking an example from our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
We have been reading what our previous pastors wrote. Let us now read what Father William Hart wrote about mothers.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramírez
Mother’s Day
By Fr. William Hart
May 4, 1986Let me ask you on this Mother’s Day to make a really serious and practical resolution. Get yourself
past an empty and frothy sentimentality about Mothers and offer them a gift that is truly generous and an offering that will have a deep meaning. How to do that?
Pray for your own Mother – living or dead. It may not be as colorful or showy as flowers and candy, but if you take the time to pray with attention and piety, it will be infinitely more valuable.
Pray for young Mothers who look on their children and wonder what troubles the world has in store for them. Pray for the Mothers of children in trouble, the sorrowful Mothers who are seemingly powerless to influence their sons and daughters. Pray for the Mothers who can do nothing while they stand by and see their children fall away from prayer and Mass and all regard for religion.
Pray for young Mothers who have not yet seen their children and who are belabored by misguided advisors to destroy their sons and daughters in the womb. Pray that these Mothers, alone and weeping, loaded down with contempt, will find the courage to love their children enough to suffer for them and let them live.
Pray for Mothers in poor lands who sadly watch as their babies and children die before their eyes. Pray for those Mothers whose souls writhe because they have no food to give their small sons and daughters.
Pray for weak Mothers, fearful Mothers, Mothers bereft of the consolations of a Faith they have rejected, Mothers who are desperate and confused as the world dins into them false advices and directions, Mothers who are at the point of giving up their sublime vocation because evil people have told them they are wasting their time and energies on children.
Pray to the Mother of God, the Mother of Sorrows, that she will continue to assist all Mothers to realize the holy plan of
Her Son.
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May is the month of Mary
Traditionally, May is consecrated as the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but do we know why? Mary has a special place in the hearts of all the members of the Roman Catholic Church because she is not only the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but also our Mother. In the first centuries, the Church celebrated a special feast in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 15 of each month. St. Philip Neri, in the 16th century, taught youth people to decorate the image of the Mother of God with flowers. However, Fr. Annibale Dionisi SJ, an Italian Jesuit, formalized the modern Catholic tradition of dedicating May to the Virgin Mary through his influential 1725 book, Il mese di Maria o sia il mese di maggio consacrato a Maria (The Month of Mary, or the Month of May Consecrated to Mary). In addition, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 established the tradition because of the wishes of the Popes and Christian people to honor the Mother of the Lord. Popes Pius VII, Gregory XVI, and Pius XIX devoted themselves to it and May became the Marian month.
May is the month of Mary. During this month, many Catholics offer special prayers, devotions, and acts of love dedicated to her. People often set up a small altar with flowers, pray the Rosary, or participate in May crownings—ceremonies where a statue of Mary is crowned with flowers as a sign of honor and love. Our children this Sunday, during 10:30 am Mass, will crown Mary. Let us consecrate our children and ourselves to the Mother of the Lord.
Bishop Bonnici
May 30th at 4:30 pmOne person who has a special devotion to our Blessed Mother is Bishop Bonnici, whose episcopal motto is “to Jesus, through Mary.” “The phrase ‘To Jesus Through Mary’ rose to prominence through St. Louis de Montfort’s book True Devotion to Mary. He used these words to explain that devotion to Mary is the best way to grow closer to Jesus, because Mary herself will lead us to her Son if we ask her to do so” (Diocese of Pittsburgh). To Jesus through Mary” (Ad Iesum per Mariam) is a cornerstone of Catholic spirituality emphasizing that devotion to Mary is the fastest, safest, and most perfect way to grow closer to Jesus Christ. It involves total consecration, asking Mary to guide, shape, and present our prayers and lives to her Son. Our parish family will have the blessing of receiving a visit from the Bishop on May 30th at the 4:30 pm Mass for the first time. This day will be the first vespers of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, our feast day. Bishop Bonnici will be with us to celebrate this wonderful Eucharist and our 165th anniversary as a community of faith who walks together by the hand of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the house of God, Our Father. Join us in this celebration and greet Bishop Bonnici in a reception that will be held immediately following Mass in honor of our feast day and welcoming our Pastor. If you cannot attend the Mass with the Bishop, we will continue to celebrate our feast day on Sunday. There will be a coffee hour held after each Mass.
Let us pray,
“Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
Remember, The Parish that we dream is the Parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez.
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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Wonderful Sacraments
Dear family of Holy Trinity Church,
I am pleased to share the good news that several children and youth of our wonderful family will receive the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. These sacraments are milestones in the spiritual journey of our young parishioners as they continue to grow in faith, understanding, and commitment to God and the Church. On April 25th and May 2nd, 32 children from our family of Holy Trinity are going to receive Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion. After months of preparation, study, reflection, and prayers with parents, catechists, and under the guidance of Mr. D’Alessandro, our children are ready to fully participate in the Eucharist, strengthening their relationship with Jesus and the Church.
Likewise, Confirmation represents a profound moment in the lives of 44 of our young people, who will receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation on April 29 at Sacred Heart Cathedral by the Most Reverend Bishop John S. Bonnici. Through Confirmation, they will be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live their faith with courage, wisdom, and love. Our Confirmation candidates have spent 2 years preparing for this blessed sacrament. They have attended classes, youth masses, retreats, guest lectures and participated in many hours of community service to be prepared for this moment. They have researched and selected a Patron Saint that they can relate to and have written about that saint. They have participated in a Confirmation interview and written a letter of intent to Bishop Bonnici requesting the sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation candidates have worked hard and are prepared! Confirmation will make our children truly be eyewitnesses of the love of Christ in the world.
The entire parish family of Holy Trinity Church rejoices for our children and youth, who will receive these wonderful sacraments. It is very important that all of us pray for them so that they will be close to the Lord. Let us congratulate them on their First Communion and Confirmation. I am so proud of them. They are growing into graceful, and Godly young people. Thank you to Mr. D’Alessandro, Mr. Luqueno-Tlayeca and the catechists who prepare and give so much to these young candidates. Just as you are blessed with God’s love today, I know that our Holy Trinity family is blessed by all of you every day.
Let us always pray for our children who are receiving Jesus for the first time and for our youth who are going to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray…
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of faith and the grace You offer through the sacraments. We ask for your blessings on those preparing to receive Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon them so they may be filled with Your love and strengthened in their faith, bring them into Your family as beloved children, and guide them to live as disciples of Christ with encounters that deepen their love for Jesus.
And grant them wisdom, courage and a deep conviction to live out their faith. May they become bold witnesses of Christ in the world, and may their lives reflect the fruits of the Spirit. Lord, we pray that all of these young souls continue to grow in faith and that Your grace will guide them throughout their lives. May they always feel Your presence and share Your love and peace with all they encounter. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Remember, The Parish that we dream is the Parish that I help to build!
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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Gracias
Gratitude is a powerful thing, especially when it is directed toward those who give so generously of themselves. Today, we pause to recognize and thank the incredible volunteers who serve our wonderful family of Holy Trinity Church. Your dedication, kindness, and unwavering commitment are the foundation upon which so much of this church’s life is built.
Volunteering is not always easy. It requires time, energy, patience, and often sacrifice. Yet, week after week, you show up with willing hearts and open hands, ready to serve wherever you are needed. Whether you are greeting at the door, helping organize parish activities, supporting ministries, or working quietly behind the scenes, your contributions never go unnoticed. Each act of service (no matter how big or small they are) creates a ripple effect that touches countless lives.
What makes your service so meaningful is not just what you do, but how you do it. You serve with compassion, humility, and a genuine spirit of care. Through your actions, you reflect the very heart of what Holy Trinity Church stands for: love, faith, and community. You help create an environment where people feel welcomed, supported, and inspired.
Because of you, the Church is more than just a building; it is a vibrant and thriving family. Your efforts make it possible for others to connect, grow spiritually, and find a sense of belonging. You are the quiet strength behind every gathering, every service, and every moment of fellowship.
I am also grateful for the example you set. Your willingness to give without expecting anything in return is a powerful reminder of what it means to serve with purpose. You inspire others to step forward, to get involved, and to become part of something greater than themselves.
To each volunteer at Holy Trinity Church, THANK YOU! Thank you for your time, your energy, and your heart. Thank you for the countless ways you uplift this family and make it a place of hope and encouragement. Your service is a gift that continues to make a lasting difference. And for that, we are deeply and sincerely grateful.
I do not have enough words to express all my gratitude for everything you do at Holy Trinity Church. I am very proud to be your pastor. ¡Gracias! ¡Muchas gracias! Thank you very much for helping me to build the parish that we dream. 165 years are not possible without you.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
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Mercy: More than You Deserve
Dear family of the Most Holy Trinity Church,
In our celebration for our 165th anniversary, let us continue to read what our previous pastors have said to us. Now it is Father Tim Horan’s turn, whom we miss very much.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramírez
Homily April 10, 2016
Homily April 30, 2017
Mercy: More than You Deserve
By Fr. Tim Horan
April 27, 2014So I say to you: “I’ll give you $20 if you wash and wax my car.” And you say, “Deal”. So you wash and wax my car but contrary to our agreement, I only give you $10. “Hey, you owe me $10!”, you cry. “I changed my mind”, I say, “and besides, you used my bucket and my soap!” Besides never washing my car again, you’ll continue to remind me that I owe you 10 bucks. Why? Because we made a deal recognized by law. I was legally obliged to pay you $20 (in a larger case, you’d take me to small claims court). So, knowing you’d probably tell everyone in Webster that I’d stiffed you, I finally decide to pay you the full amount. Our friendship will still need repair but at least JUSTICE IS SERVED. Justice is giving to another what they deserve or have a “right” to. So, you get into your shiny clean car and race across the Bay Bridge when suddenly you see those scary red and blue flashing lights in your mirror. “License and registration please,” says the officer (you were going 68 in a 55 zone). Turns out to be $125 to the town court. Justice served.
We get the idea sometime that justice is the highest form of human relationship… to give everyone what they deserve makes for a happy well ordered society. That may be true for a community wracked with poverty and crime — justice is a blessing. But, in the Christian perspective justice is the minimum that is expected of us. It’s no big deal to be “just”. We are called to a higher level of relationship. We are to be a people of Mercy. The Webster dictionary defines mercy as “kindness in excess of what is deserved or demanded by fairness.”
We see it everywhere in the Gospels. Jesus tells us: “love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing” (Lk. 23:34). “If someone asks for your coat, give them your shirt as well, to walk a mile, walk with them for two miles” (Lk. 6:27). The Father put the gold ring and royal cloak on his wastrel son, because “He was lost, but now he is found.” The laborers received a full day’s wage for just one hour’s work (Mt. 20:8). And, St. Paul marvels at the mercy of God when he declares, “that while we were still sinners and enemies of God, Christ died for us” (Rm. 5:5).
So, this second Sunday of Easter is called Divine Mercy Sunday. We are called to acknowledge God’s mercy in our own lives (the countless times I’ve received more from life and God than I ever deserved). And, in the joy of the Resurrection we have the grace to offer mercy to those who have offended us in some way.
Happy Easter… 50 days of it!
Fr. Tim
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Alleluia!
During these days, we have been in a spiritual desert through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These forty days of Lent were an opportunity for us to reconcile with God in the wonderful sacrament of Reconciliation. During Lent, we were in silence, but now we can say, Alleluia! Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. With His resurrection, He has opened the gates of Heaven to each one of us. Easter is a joyful celebration where we rejoice for this wonderful moment in the history of human beings.
The Resurrection of Jesus is not just a miraculous event, such as the resurrection of Lazarus was. The Resurrection is the victory of Jesus over death and is essential to our Christian Faith. St. Paul states in his first letter to the Corinthians, “If Christ has not been raised, then empty [too] is our preaching; empty, too, your faith” (1 Cor. 15:14). Pope Francis in his Easter blessing “urbi et orbi” on April 20, 2025 said, “Together with the risen Jesus we become pilgrims of hope, witnesses of the victory of love and of the disarmed power of life.” All of us are pilgrims in this world. We are walking together hand in hand to the house of our Heavenly Father. Therefore, the Resurrection of the Lord should lead us to have this wonderful experience of God who is loving us unconditionally.
For all of this, we can say Easter is a celebration of hope, renewal, and salvation. We have hope that death is not the end of our existence, but the beginning of something beautiful. We renew our faith in the Lord who died for us on the Cross and rose from the dead to give us eternal life. We celebrate that we received salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Easter is a season of joy. Let us rejoice because Jesus Christ has risen today! Alleluia! No more silence! All of us have the mission to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection of the Lord, like the women did when they saw the empty tomb the first day of the week (Cf. Mark 16:1-11). Let us announce that the Lord is risen and lives in the Eucharist. Let us always proclaim the death of the Lord, and profess His resurrection until He comes again.
Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!Fr. Jorge Ramirez
Holy Trinity Church… 165 years evangelizing!
