Hello friends,

The month of June brings with it several important events. June 1^st is Ascension Day - Jesus went back to heaven and promised to send us the Holy Spirit. June 11^th is Pentecost - the Holy Spirit, in the form of tongues of fire, descends upon the apostles to strengthen and renew their faith. June 18^th is Father’s Day - we give honor and thanksgiving to our Father in Heaven and we ask for His blessings on all the fathers on earth. Let’s not forget the "spiritual fathers" as well - may the Lord bless and protect all priests who dedicate their whole life to serve God and His people.

Speaking of the priesthood, I have something wonderful to share with you. On May 27^th, my husband’s younger brother, Francis was ordained a priest. Father Francis is more than just my brother-in-law, he’s one of my dearest friend. Twelve years ago, during a retreat, Fr. Francis was deeply touched by God’s overwhelming love for him. This experience had led him to explore his calling to the priesthood. After years of searching God’s will, Fr. Francis believed that a religious life is the best way for him to respond to God’s love. Please remember Fr. Francis in your prayer so that he will always love God with all his heart and be faithful to his calling. Have you ever consider a religious life for yourself? Even if you have just a slightest interest in it, you should call up a religious order and talk to someone in charge to get more information. Who knows, this could be the path that God calls you to travel. Besides, I think if you’re curious about religious life, you should learn and pray more about it so you’ll know if that’s your calling or not. It’s better to try and find out rather than to live your life always with a question mark in the back of your mind.

Finally, June marks the beginning of summer - it’s finally here! June 20^th is actually the official date when summer begins. Most of you will be out of school by then. I know many of you are looking forward to the summer break, so am I. How do you plan to spend your summer this year? Will it be the same as every other summer in the past? I know some people will continue their study through summer school. Some other people will just kick back, sit around the house, watch TV or hang out with friends. Others will look for summer job to earn some money... Some will just party as much as possible. Usually, by the end of summer break many people will feel dissatisfied, exhausted and perhaps burnt-out (either from too much work or too much play). People tend to feel discontented and empty... as though the 3 months break was not long enough.

The truth is if we know how to spend our time wisely during these 3 months, we will be rejuvenated and ready to tackle the world again! From past experiences, I learned that if I do something meaningful (something with a higher purpose or for the good of others) I usually end up feeling great about myself. The task might be burdensome, but if I’m compelled to do it, somehow, I’ll find the energy to carry it out and it always ends with a very satisfying feeling. Here’s what I mean - About six years ago, I decided to spend the summer months by paying more attention to my parents and grandma. Instead of going shopping or staying home to watch Days of Our Lives, I would drove over to my parents’ house to visit more often. While there, I talked and listened to my parents, I also helped my mom take care of my grandma (she’s very old and extremely senile so my mom has to care for her as if caring for a baby). One incident really stood out in my mind. One day, my mom had to go out to do some errands, I was home alone with my grandma. I had never actually care for an elderly person before, so I was quite nervous. It was just my luck that right after my mom left, grandma accidentally "wet" her pants! (I later found out that this was a symptom of diabetes). With my mom gone, I had to "be brave" and clean up grandma ...and the mess. My grandma was quite heavy and I can tell you it was no easy job. But I was determined. After an hour of struggling, I managed to gave her a bath and get her cleaned up. I was literally out of breath by the time I was done. But you know something, there was a feeling of sweet happiness surging deep down from inside of me. I was really glad I did it! As I looked into grandma’s eyes, I see traces of embarrassment, confusion and gratitude... but behind all these expressions, I also see the face of the forgotten Jesus. My grandma’s eyes reminded me of the forgotten Jesus in the Garden sweating blood and the lonely Jesus on the cross thinking that God had abandoned Him! Right then, it occurred to me - all this time, it was the forgotten Jesus, present in my grandma, whom I was caring for. What a great feeling that was! It was one of the most awesome, inspiring moment that made me feel more eager to reach out to those in need. That was really a summer well spent for me. Since then, I’ve decided that each summer, I would make a point to get involved in at least one or two activities that will serve those in need.

You’ve heard my sharing, how about you, are there certain things that you want to do but couldn’t find time because you’ve been too busy studying or working? Are there someone in your life who would be much happier if you lend a helping hand or spend some quality time with (younger siblings, grandparents, parents, aunt, uncle, friend in need, the homeless at soup kitchen, the sick & elderlies at nursing home, etc...)? I challenge you to make an effort to do at least one thing that’s meaningful and worthwhile for yourself as well as for others. I guarantee that you’ll end up feeling terrific about yourself! So how about it, let’s give it a try, shall we? May God bless you abundantly in your effort!

By the way, if you do go out-of-town for your summer vacation, here’s a toll free number for you to call to find out about the location and Mass time of the local Catholic churches in any particular area: 1 (800) MASS TIME or 1 (800) 627-7846. You just call up this number then follow their instruction to enter the area code or zip code of where your staying at and you’ll get all the information you need to find a nearby church. Isn't that great? Please let your parents know about this too. Trust me, our vacation will be a lot more enjoyable if we let God travel with us.

Until next time, remain in God’s Love always,

*ps: smile, summer is here and so is God!

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Once upon a time, the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite.

GREEN said:

"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

BLUE interrupted:

"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."

YELLOW chuckled:

"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet:

"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

RED could stand it no longer he shouted out:

"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

PURPLE rose up to his full height:

He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."

Finally INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination:

"Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, God began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

God continued:

"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow."

And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

----Unknown Author----