A n old expression admonishes, “Be careful what you wish for.” Another

one warns about money “burning a hole in your pocket” as you try and determine all the possibilities about how you will spend it. If God were to grant you a wish, what would it be? Our readings are about making wise choices and following God’s ways. When Solomon is given this opportunity, he does not make a rash or selfish decision but requests an “understanding heart” so that he might better govern the people with justice. The responsorial psalm is part of a long acrostic poem about the beauty of follow-ing God’s law. Saint Paul speaks to the Romans about being God’s master plan, in which we each have a special calling and purpose. The Gospel provides sev-eral parables about the kingdom of heaven, and how we might take right ac-tion and necessary steps in order to ob-tain it.

THE REVELATION OF YOUR WORD SHEDS LIGHT

Jesus is speaking in parables and offers three different images for the kingdom of heaven. Remember that popular line from a phone commercial: “Can you hear me now?” Jesus is trying to teach and basically says, “Do you understand me now? Do you get it now? Then let me explain it another way.” He is shedding light on just how very important his mis-

sion is, that the kingdom of God is the most important thing, and that we must make every choice, every effort to strive for it. To use a sports metaphor, Jesus is telling us we must not look for immediate satisfaction, but we must “play the long game” because in the end, this is the only thing that really matters.

GIVING UNDERSTANDING TO THE SIMPLE

This message again seems very coun-tercultural. We live in an age of instant gratification. Consumer debt is at an all-time high. Houses get bigger and bigger and more luxurious. Instead of saying “I can’t afford a new car,” people stretch payments out over six or seven years in an attempt to afford the unaffordable. Today we are called to put it all in per-spective, to follow the “pearl of great price,” to put all things aside that we might seek the kingdom of God and reach our heavenly goal, our salvation. This may require a paradigm shift and making radical changes in our lifestyle, in how we spend our time, our money, our energy, how we define what is important to us. May each of us find the wisdom of Solomon to guide us in making the right choices. Today’s Readings: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7–12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76–77, 127–

128, 129–130; Rom 8:28–30; Mt 13:44–52 [44–46]

ANNUNCIATION CHURCH "As the father sent me, so I send you."

1307 East Longden Ave., Arcadia CA 91006 Parish Office: 2707 Peck Rd., Monrovia, CA 91016

(626) 447-6202 / Fax (626) 447-9834 Website: AnnunciationChurch.net

Annunciation Church Masses for This Week Saturday, July 25th 5:30 p.m. Msgr. O’Connell RIP Nazareno de Leon Sunday, July 26th 8:00 a.m. Fr. Chua S.I. Khanh, David & Kevin Nguyen, Cecile Le Mai, Timothy, Anthony, and Lan Pham, Carolyn Pinlac, and Danny Soriano RIP Felicita Ocampo 7:00 p.m. SPANISH Fr. Chua S.I. The Parishioners of Annunciation 3:00 p.m. Fr. Nguyen Monday, July 27th 8:30 a.m. Msgr. Timothy O’Connell S.I. Mauro Villasista Tuesday, July 28th 8:30 a.m. Fr. Chua RIP Theresa Huong Wednesday, July 29th 8:30 a.m. Fr. Chua RIP Theresa Camiling Thursday, July 30th 8:30 a.m. Msgr. O’Connell RIP Danny Do Friday, July 31st 8:30 a.m. Fr. Chua RIP Rosa Maria Masses for Next Week First Saturday, Aug. 1st 5:30 p.m. Fr. S.I. The Parishioners of Annunciation Sunday, Aug. 2nd 8:00 a.m. Fr. RIP Dorothy Tesika, Adna & Frances Saul, Michael Coppi and Eligio Marquez 7:00 p.m. SPANISH Fr. S.I. The Huerta Family 3:00 p.m. Fr. Nguyen Monday, Aug. 3rd 8:30 a.m. Fr. S.I. John Lewis Tuesday, Aug. 4th 8:30 a.m. Fr. RIP Theresa Huong Wednesday, Aug. 5th 8:30 a.m. Fr. RIP Henry Do Thursday, Aug. 6th 8:30 a.m. Fr. RIP Danny Do First Friday, Aug. 7th 8:30 a.m. Fr. RIP Raul Martinez

Parish Office Clean Up Day—Results: You know that biblical quote—”Ask and you shall receive”? Well, it works! We had somewhere between 40 and 50 volunteers come last Saturday morning to help clean out several years of accumulated items. Our goal was to empty out three rooms that are located upstairs in the Parish Office. Not only did we ac-complish that, but we also relocated our R.C.I.A. from downstairs to upstairs, cleaned out another of our upstairs rooms that was being used as storage for our Christian Service Center and helped to relocate some of the items from the space currently being occupied by Christian Service to their new location in our “D” building (the one directly behind the Parish Office). We all enjoyed a deli-cious lunch graciously and expertly provided by Mary Pat Wiard. Now we can move forward with creating some much-needed space for additional meeting rooms. A huge Thank You to all who came and gave of their physical strength and heartfelt goodwill. You all proved that our Annunciation Parish Community is indeed intact and energized! COVID-19 certainly hasn’t diminished our unity in any way, shape or form, that’s for sure!

Mass To Be Celebrated Outdoors: Although the new restrictions have resulted in the closure of our church at this time, the Archdiocese is allowing Mass to be celebrated outdoors. With this in mind, we will begin a Pilot Program under these guidelines THIS WEEKEND, JULY 25-26. The altar will be set up just outside the wall that borders the Rec-tory patio, so all cars will face this area. Entrance will be allowed from both driveways on Peck Road and exits will be allowed from both driveways onto Longden Avenue. When you enter the parking lot, you will be directed to a specific parking space and given an FM radio station to tune into—this is how you will listen to the Celebrant. Large and/or high profile vehicles may be di-rected to the far east side of the lot. You and your passengers will remain in your car and face coverings are required. Because of the distancing between cars, you will be allowed to roll down your windows. When Communion is of-fered, you will be directed by one of our parking attendants as to when to exit your car and proceed to one of the Eucharistic Ministers, who will offer Com-munion on the hand only, then you will return to your car. You will be given the opportunity to put your donation into a basket at the exits to the parking lot. By entering the parking lot, you will be agreeing to remain until the conclusion of Mass, which follows the Final Blessing by the Celebrant. In consideration of the time of year, and the weather that accompanies it, our Mass times are: Saturday, 5:30p.m. (English), 7:00 p.m. (Vietnamese), Sunday, 8:00 a.m. (English) and Sunday, 7:00 p.m. (Spanish). Once we have a better idea of attendance, we will consider adjusting this schedule to fit the needs of our pa-rishioners. We ask your patience and cooperation as we venture into this way of ensuring that you have access to Mass and Holy Communion. As we did recently, we will stream daily Mass at 10:00 a.m., Sunday Mass in English at 10:00 a.m. and Spanish Mass at 12:00 Noon. You can access these Masses on our website (www.annunciationchurch.net), Facebook (Annunciation Catho-lic Church) or YouTube (Annunciation Catholic Church Arcadia). Grateful thanks to you for continuing your weekly or monthly donations. Like you, we have several recurring bills and your generosity greatly helps us meet our fi-nancial obligations! Please contact the Parish Office if you have questions or concerns.

Daily Mass Schedule: Daily Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday in the patio area on the north side of the Parish Offices. Our usual Wednesday evening Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. for the time being., Parking is available either in the Parish Office parking lot, or through the gate onto the basketball area that it normally utilized by the students at Pearl Prep as a play area. The patio is quite well-shaded, so the use of an umbrella should not be necessary and the seating is all socially-distanced. Masks are required.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 26, 2020

April 7, 2002

Offering Collection $9,310.50

Thank you and God bless you.

Religious Education Catechists Needed: If the Holy Spirit has entered your heart with the thought of extending your love of God toward our young people, our Religious Education Pro-gram is where you need to be! We anticipate the need for three teach-ers for our next school year, which will begin in late September, 2020. Classes meet on Thursday afternoons from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. and les-son plans are provided for you. If you would like to volunteer for this spiritually rewarding work, or if you have questions, please contact Arcie Reza at (626) 446-1625.

Christian Service Center Information: Our Christian Service Center is relocating to a smaller area. We are accepting only non-perishable food items at this time. No other donations, please, as we adjust to our new site. Thank you.

Mass Alternatives: Daily Mass is streamed from Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral at 12:10 p.m. and Sunday Mass is streamed in English at 10:00 a.m., followed by Mass in Spanish at 12:30 p.m. The Cathedral Masses can be accessed through either Facebook (facebook.com/lacatholics) or on YouTube.

Your Church Contributions: You can access our various methods for making your contribution. These include our website (www.annunciationchurch.net), droping your contribution at the Parish Office, and using the pre-addressed envelope in your monthly mailed package.

Lord, Protect Them Joseph Villamayor Air Force Elizabeth Villamayor Air Force Robert James Logan IV Army Adrian Mc Nally Army Ronnel Resurrecion Navy Daniel Smith Marines Patrick Thompson Navy Catherine Holdren Coast Guard Robert Wrischnik Marines Brandon Tennis Navy Rafael Hernandez, Jr. Marines Mario Monoz Marines Emma Larenas Navy Gabriel Jimenez Air Force Brian Griffiths Marines John B. Goss Marines Noe Villanueva Army Stephen Cain Marines Preston Ellis Air Force Matthew Aldrete Army Patrick Parra Army Justin R. Lozano Marines Vianca Medina Army Carlos Casillas Army Alex Quesada-Bocanegra Marines Carlos Rodriguez Army Jacob Davis Navy Shannon S. Everitt Air Force Liezl Sarte Air Force Mariel Constantino Air Force Christopher Moss Marines Nicholas Goddard Army David Aguilera Army Jason Smith Marines Brandon Patanjo Navy Michael Stanton Army Alex Ascanio Marines Matthew Martinez Army Osvaldo Santillan Air Force Lazarus Fuentes Marines Cristian Jesus Garcia Army Marco Andres Garcia Army Michael Beltran Navy

Last Week’s Offertory Collections July 19, 2020: $ 1,718.00 Last Year: $ 9,126.00 Online Giving: $ 1,470.00 Together in Mission—2020

Goal Amount: $ 54,834.00 Amount Pledged: $ 63,039.00 Amount Paid: $ 52,621.52 Difference UNDER Amount Paid: $2,212.48

Please Pray For: John Goss, Sr., Patricia Meier, Jo Litwicki, Denise Menjivar and all who are ill. Calendar of Events: Sunday, July 26th Monday, July 27th Tuesday, July 28th Wednesday, July 29th Thursday, July 30th Friday, July 31st First Saturday, Aug. 1st

Did You Know? With many vacations cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, families may be spending a lot of time at local beaches. Before you hit the sand, brush up on your water safety rules with your children. Think about imple-menting the buddy system, where two people stick together and keep an eye on each other. Know who will be in charge of watching children at each time, and, if possible, make sure the adults in your family know CPR. For more information, get a copy of the VIRTUS article, “Refresh your memory about summer water safety” at https:lacatholics.org/did-you-know/.

Usted encontrára esta informacion en Espanol en la tabla de anun-cios que se encuentra al Esta del vestibulo de la iglesia.

Những người trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay khôn ngoan vì thao thức đi tìm. Sự thao thức đi tìm được thấy trong thái độ bôn ba đây đó, khảo sát đất đai. Chắc phải đào bới nhiều

mới thấy kho tàng chôn giấu trong ruộng (trong lòng mình). Sự thao thức đi tìm cũng thấy trong việc ra khơi thả lưới. Vất vả chài lưới rồi còn phải lựa chọn. Dù vất vả, họ quyết tìm cho ra Nước Trời.

Họ khôn ngoan vì biết phân định. Đời sống đem đến cho ta đủ mọi loại giá trị thượng vàng hạ cám, như chiếc lưới đánh bắt đủ mọi loại tôm cá. Giữa những giá trị ấy ta phải biết phân định. Lựa chọn những giá trị cao quý, tốt đẹp. Biết chọn lựa cá tốt, vứt bỏ cá xấu. Biết giá trị của viên ngọc dù nó còn đang nằm giữa khối đá sù sì dơ bẩn. Biết giá trị của kho tàng dù nó còn đang bị chôn giấu dưới lòng đất sâu. Biết giá trị của Nước Trời, dù Nước Trời chưa tỏ hiện rõ ràng trên thế gian. Biết giá trị của thời gian hiện tại, tìm kiếm xem thử Chúa đang ở đâu giữa những biến loạn của Covid-19. Chắc chắn là Chúa đang ở giữa chúng ta, nhưng phải xin Chúa cho mình ơn khôn ngoan để biết phân định.

Họ khôn ngoan vì dám dấn thân. Khi đã biết được giá trị Nước Trời, họ dấn thân theo đuổi đến cùng. Dấn thân trọn vẹn nên bán tất cả những gì mình có để đổi lấy kho tàng, viên ngọc quý. Dấn thân quyết liệt vì bán hết nhà cửa rồi thì không thể quay về chốn cũ, chỉ còn gắn bó với quê hương mới mà thôi. Dấn thân tuyệt đối, bỏ hết tất cả chỉ vì một viên ngọc. Dấn thân như thế là thái độ của tình yêu, sự say mê, sự khao khát mãnh liệt. Đó chính là thái độ phải có khi đi tìm Nước Trời. Hôm nay, các Kítô hữu đang dấn thân đi tìm, bằng mọi cách, để được rước Mình Thánh Chúa mỗi tuần, dù nhà thờ bị đóng cửa vì chiến dịch Covid-19 này. Đây chính là viên ngọc quý mà mỗi Kitô hữu đang khát khao tìm kiếm cho mình.

Họ khôn ngoan vì biết từ bỏ. Bán tất cả những gì mình có là một từ bỏ lớn lao. Dứt lìa những gì mình gắn bó còn đau đớn hơn nữa.

Lạy Chúa, xin ban cho con ơn khôn ngoan, để con biết chọn Chúa là nguồn mạch hạnh phúc. Không phải nói ‘bỏ’, là có thể bỏ được đâu. Con cần ơn Chúa giúp con. Cái ‘từ bỏ’ khó nhất, lạy Chúa,

là cái lo sợ đủ điều, âu lo.

Những nỗi âu lo ấy, làm con dảm đi nhiều về phần tin tưởng, và phó thác trong tay Chúa. Vậy lạy Mẹ Maria, xin Mẹ cầu cùng Chúa, cho con được ơn:

‘Từ bỏ được những lo sợ và âu lo của con’ để con được hưởng kho tàng quý giá: là niềm tin tưởng nơi Chúa Giêsu Kitô. Amen.

Bài đọc 1 1 V 3,5.7-12

Ngươi đã xin cho được tài phân biệt để xét xử. Bài đọc 2 Rm 8,28-30 Thiên Chúa đã tiền định cho họ nên đồng hình đồng dạng với Con của Người. Tin Mừng Mt 13,44-52

Người ấy bán tất cả những gì mình có mà mua thửa ruộng ấy.

Luật pháp Ngài, lạy Chúa, con yêu chuộng dường bao.

Suy Niệm

J esús habla en parábolas y presenta tres imágenes diferentes del reino de los

cielos. Recuerda la famosa frase de una compañía telefónica que decía: “¿me puedes oír ahora?” Jesús está tratando de enseñar y básicamente dice, “¿ahora me entiendes?, ¿ahora lo entiendes? Entonces déjame ex-plicártelo de otra manera”. Él está derra-mando luz sobre lo importante que es su misión, que el Reino de Dios es lo más im-portante, y que debemos tomar cada de-cisión, cada esfuerzo, para luchar por él. Para usar una metáfora deportiva, Jesús nos dice que no debemos buscar la satisfacción inmediata, sino que debemos “jugar el juego extenso” porque al final, esto es lo único que en verdad importa.

ENTENDIENDO LO SENCILLO

Este mensaje de nuevo parece muy con-tracultural. Vivimos en una época de gratifica-ción instantánea. La deuda de los consumi-

dores está en su punto más alto. Las casas son cada vez más grandes y lujosas. En lugar de decir “no puedo pagar un carro nuevo”, las personas extienden sus pagos por seis o siete años como una manera de pagar lo que no se puede pagar. Hoy esta-mos llamados a poner todo en perspectiva, seguir la “perla de gran precio”, a dejar todo a un lado para que podamos buscar el reino de Dios y llegar a nuestra meta celestial, nuestra salvación. Esto puede requerir un cambio de paradigma y hacer cambios radicales en nuestro estilo de vida, a qué dedicamos nuestro tiempo, en que gastamos nuestro dinero, energía y cómo definimos lo que es importante para nosotros. Que cada uno nosotros encuentre la sabiduría de Salomón para que nos guíe cuando hagamos deci-siones correctas. Lecturas de hoy: 1 Re 3:5, 7–12; Sal 119 (118):57, 72, 76–77, 127–128, 129–130;

Rom 8:28–30; Mt 13:44–52 [44–46]

We encourage you to take notes as you reflect on this week readings / homily:

Liturgy Francine Moore (626) 930-0448 Eucharistic Ministers Linda Gutierrez (626) 446-7837 Lectors Christine Hunt (626) 422-3934 Sacristans Kathy Trinaystich (626) 359-6553 Altar Servers Frances Luna (626) 327-6147 Ushers Raul Arias (626) 357-6465 Music Ministry Joella Merten, Dir. (626) 821-0264 Joe Adamski (626) 437-5921 Francine Moore (626) 930-0448 Carlos Orozco (626) 371-6438 Deidre Stadler (626) 357-1433 PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Pastoral Council Mark Lopez (626) 417-8541 Couples/Singles for Christ Perry Rivera (909) 594-6475 Bereavement Gary Cooper (626) 482-5041 Finance Council Jerry Gutierrez (626) 446-7837 Perpetual Adoration/Nite Adoration Leticia Carbajal (626) 277-9429 Rosary Prayer Group Gary Miller rosaryprayers@yahoo.com Meditation Group Pat Arkosy (626) 444-9355 Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick Marie Nimmrich (626) 448-3304 Christian Service Saturdays 10 am-12 Noon Grupo de Oracíón Teresa Villareal (626) 236-0374 Safeguard the Children Dianne Logan (626) 303-6299 Encuentro Matrimonial: Ramiro y Mirna Cabrera (626) 376-1079 Fatima First Saturday Devotion: Jo DeLa Torre (310) 663-1955 Divine Mercy Prayer Group Lupe Sheets (626) 716-1714 Women’s Ministry Joella Merten (626) 821-0264 BLD Prayer Community Kathy Dela Paz (626) 629-0788 Intercession Ministry Gloria Murillo (626) 316-0628 Justice & Peace Ministry Cathlene Wells (626) 840-7966 Prayer Chain Ministry Marie Nimmrich (626) 448-3304

ANNUNCIATION CHURCH 1307 East Longden Avenue, Arcadia CA ~ www.annunciationchurch.net

OFFICE: 2701 Peck Road Monrovia, CA 91016 Telephone: (626) 447-6202 Fax: (626) 447-9834 Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. (Closed for lunch from 12:00—1:00 P.M.) Office Manager Ms. Christine Hunt Ext. 11 Receptionist Mrs. Kathleen Trinaystich Ext. 10 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 2701 South Peck Road Monrovia, CA 91016 Telephone: (626) 446-1625 Monday & Wednesday 5:00—8:00 P.M. Tuesday & Thursday 2:00—8:00 P.M Closed on Fridays Director Arcie Reza Office Staff: Alexandra Dixon and Jessica Tang Confirmation/Youth Ministry Arcie Reza R.C.I.A. (Adults Only) Sandra Rivera (626) 506-9068 R.C.I.A. for Children/F.I.R.E. Children’s Liturgy Esther and Susan (626) 446-1625

Pastor: Rev. Freddie Chua In Residence: Rev. Eugene Herbert Pastor Emeritus Msgr. Timothy O’Connell

LITURGIES Saturday Evening Vigil 5:30 PM Sunday 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon (Español) 3:00 p.m. (Vietnamese) 4:45 p.m.—Liturgy of the Hours Weekday Mass Schedule 8;30 a.m. Mon. Tue. Thurs. Friday Wed. [Marian Devotion] with O.L.O.P.H. Devotion 7:00 P.M. Rosary 7:30 P.M. Mass of the B.V.M. First Friday Schedule 7:45 A.M. Reconciliation 8:30 A.M. Mass & Exposition All Day Adoration 7:30 P.M. Benediction Fatima First Saturday Devotion 7:00 P.M. Adoration 8:00 P.M. Mass Holy Days Vigil: 5:30 P.M. 8:30 A.M. and 7:30 P.M. Reconciliation Saturday: 3:30 to 5:00 P.M. or by appointment Matrimony Six months notice required. Please contact the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with the Pastor. Baptism Please stop by the Parish Office to pick up the necessary paperwork and to be given the name and phone number of the Baptism Catechist to contact and pre-register for your classes. Child Abuse Hotline Reporting Sexual Abuse: (800) 355-2545 Heather T. Banis (213) 637-7650 Ph.D