Holy Trinity Church

This coming weekend, July 18 & 19, Fr. John Richard Kyankaaga, MCCJ will be in our parish to talk about the missions that he and his community are doing. Fr. John Richard Kyankaaga, MCCJ was born in Buwunga, Masaka District in Uganda on February 14, 1964. He did both his elementary and secondary education in Uganda. In 1983, he started his formation journey to missionary life and priesthood in the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries, first in Uganda (1983-1986) in the initial three years of training in Philosophy and then in Kenya where he did his Novitiate (1986-1988) and Theological Studies (1988-1992). He took his first vows in 1988 and was ordained as a priest on June 20, 1992.

As his first assignment, he was sent to Egypt for the study of Arabic and Islam in 1992 and eventually to Sudan in 1994 for missionary apostolate. While in Sudan he worked in Khartoum and in the restive region of Darfur in the west of the country, where he served as parish priest (Pastor) for four years. In 2000, the Superiors sent him to Rome for studies in Sacred Theology, with specialization in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language, obtaining a PhD in 2006. From 2005 to the end of 2016, he was Director of the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies in Cairo, founded by the Comboni Missionaries to prepare missionaries, both religious and lay, to work as missionaries in Islamic countries. In 2017, he was elected and appointed Provincial (Regional) Superior of the Comboni Missionaries for the Egypt Sudan Province. He served in this capacity until the end of 2022.

In 2023 he was back in Rome for a sabbatical Year and since August, 2023 he is serving as educator in Uganda, preparing young seminarians for future missionary service in the Church. He speaks several languages: fluent in English, Italian and Arabic, basic French and he understands Spanish. He speaks a few African languages like Swahili besides a number of some Ugandan native languages and dialects. Fr. Richard is not a stranger in the US, as this will be his 10th visit to the country.

The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus were founded in 1867 by Saint Daniel Comboni, the first Bishop of Central Africa. Today, the Comboni Missionaries number close to 1,500, with an equal number of Comboni Missionary Sisters. Together, they serve in over forty countries in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

The Comboni Missionaries remain true to their original calling as missionaries, and often serve where the Church is new and where people are just forming their Christian identity. They also serve in marginalized communities, including in some of the most impoverished places on Earth. Their parishes can be the size of American States, or within the slums of the developing world. Emphasis is given to evangelization, and to service to people who are poor, many of whom have no place else to turn.

In North America, the Comboni Missionaries have a contingent of 30 members in Chicago, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Newark and Hamilton, Ontario. Their North American Mission center is at 1318 Nagel Road, Cincinnati, OH 45255.

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!

Last Monday, June 29, the Catholic Church celebrated the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. This solemnity holds great importance and special significance for the life and history of the Church. Let us begin with Saint Peter.

Peter was a fisherman; fishermen belonged to the lower-middle or working class of Jewish society. Although they lived on the edge of poverty, they were not considered the most marginalized (such as beggars or day laborers). They were part of Galilee’s productive workforce and owned their own resources. Consequently, Peter did not have the same level of education as the high priests, Pharisees, or scribes. Despite this, Jesus chose him as the head of the Church after Peter made his profession of faith. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 16:13–20; Mark 8:27–30; and Luke 9:18–21). Peter’s words and the Lord Jesus’s decision to entrust His Church to him are so significant that the Gospels recount this event. Saint John also narrates how Jesus entrusted His Church to Peter in a different context, asking him if he loved Him and receiving an affirmative answer (cf. John 21:15–19). Jesus granted Peter full authority to guide the Church.

On the other hand, we have Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen who, initially known as Saul, persecuted the Mystical Body of Christ—the Church. After his conversion (cf. Acts of the Apostles 9:1–19), Paul began preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles—that is, to all those who did not belong to the Jewish community. Paul undertook several journeys and established various communities, or churches. He wrote a number of letters to these communities—such as the letters to the Romans, the Corinthians, the Ephesians, and others—which are found in the Bible. Paul dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel, just as Peter did.

Thus, Peter and Paul were great apostles who always proclaimed the truth of Christ to all people. Peter preached to the people of Israel, and Paul to the Gentiles. Both gave their lives for the Gospel; Peter was crucified upside down, and Paul was beheaded. Let us learn from Peter and Paul to profess our faith in Christ Jesus and to proclaim the Gospel, regardless of the difficulties we may face. Likewise, let us pray for Peter’s successor, Pope Leo XIV. He needs our prayers so that he may continue to shepherd the Church according to the heart of Christ.

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!

The word vocation comes from the Latin word Vocare which means call. God is calling all of us. The first calling is to live. Life is the first and most important call that God is making to us. For this reason, no one has the right to terminate the life of any person. Life is the universal vocation because we are called to love, serve, and grow in holiness regardless of our specific path. St. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians says that we have one Spirit but different charisms (cf. 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11). These charisms are the different acts, works, activities that we develop in our lives and make our calling special allowing us to serve God with dignity.

Some are architects, police officers, artists, teachers, administrators, builders, chefs, politicians, cleaners, players, doctors, nurses, priests, and so on. Talking about priests, it is necessary that we recognize the three degrees of priesthood: Episcopate (these are the Bishops), Presbyterate (these are the Priests), and Diaconate (these are the Deacons). For instance, we have the Most Reverend John S. Bonnici (Bishop), me – Reverend Fr. Jorge Ramirez (Priest), and Gary Terrana and Michael Shoene (Deacons). All of us received the sacrament of Holy Orders and have the apostolic mission of teaching the Gospel of the Lord.

Talking about deacons, we appreciate all the service of Dc. Gary Terrana and congratulate Dc. Michael Schoene for his ordination this past May 30th at Sacred Heart Cathedral. We need to understand that we have two kinds of deacons in the sacrament of the Holy Orders. First, we have transitional deacons. They are single men who are ordained as deacons usually for a period of 1 year because they are preparing themselves in the seminary to be ordained as priests. For instance, I was ordained as a deacon on June 6, 2015, and then as a priest on June 4, 2016. Second, we have permanent deacons who usually are married and have a family. Their ministry is exactly the same.

The Diocese of Rochester explains what a deacon is and requirements for a man to be a candidate for the program of permanent deaconate.

“The deacon is a man of faith, who is called from the community that already recognizes his dedication to service. He makes a lifetime commitment to serving the People of God by proclaiming the Word, assisting and presiding at liturgies, and ministering in the areas of charity and social justice. A deacon gives witness to his availability to the community by addressing present and emerging needs of the Church. The Diocese is inviting interested men of strong and active faith, who can demonstrate a record of service in the communities in which they live, work and worship, who may wish to explore a possible call to ordained ministry as a permanent deacon, to first speak with their pastor for an initial conversation. They may also contact Deacon Edward Giblin, Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate, at edward.giblin@dor.org, for additional information. A potential candidate must be at least 35 years of age and no older than 62 years of age at the time of ordination after a five (5) year period of formation. He must be in good health, emotionally mature, have stable relationships and must have the wholehearted support of his wife (if married) and family to enter the phase of inquiry. Because the parish is the primary experience of Church for most inquirers, the parish community is asked as well to invite from among its members men who exhibit strong faith and a spirit of service and encourage them to consider a possible vocation to the permanent diaconate. The Diocese anticipates that the next formation class will begin in Fall 2027, with the application process beginning in early 2027.”

Men… if you are thinking of becoming a permanent deacon, I would be happy to talk to you and answer your questions. The Church always needs more ministers to work in the vineyard of the Lord.

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!

Dear family of the Most Holy Trinity Church.
In continuation of our 165th anniversary, let us read the words from Father Tim Horan on this Father’s Day. God bless all the Fathers.

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

June is traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, one of the most beloved devotions in the Catholic Church. The image of the Sacred Heart reveals to us the deepest mystery of our faith: the infinite love of Christ for every human being.

In sacred images, the Heart of Jesus is often shown encircled by thorns, crowned with a cross, and aflame with divine love. These symbols remind us that Christ’s love is not merely sentimental; it is sacrificial. The thorns represent the wounds inflicted by sin, the cross recalls His saving Passion, and the flames signify the burning charity with which He loves the world.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart was greatly promoted through the visions of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the seventeenth century. Jesus revealed to her His Heart “which has so loved men” and expressed His desire that people come to know and respond to that love. Through prayer, reparation, and trust, the faithful are invited to draw close to the Heart of Christ.

In a world often marked by division, anxiety, and loneliness, the Sacred Heart offers a message of hope. Jesus does not love us from a distance. He knows our struggles, carries our burdens, and invites us to rest in His mercy. As He says in the Gospel:, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart calls each of us to reflect on how we respond to Christ’s love. Do we make time for prayer? Do we extend mercy to others? Do we trust in God’s providence, even amid difficulties? The Heart of Jesus remains open to all who seek Him.

On June 11, 2026, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops consecrated the United States of America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us all consecrate also ourselves to Jesus and His Sacred Heart with love.

Let us pray…

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!