Father Joseph Illo, pastor of Star of the Sea in San Francisco, gave a 17-minute homily on Sunday, May 17.

We have two of the Glorious mysteries this Sunday and next – the Ascension and Pentecost. When I was growing up Ascension was celebrated on Thursday. We got out of school, from public school. The crowd at the Ascension believed and they doubted. Faith is a constant struggle. If you struggle, exercise your faith – go to the tabernacle, go to the poor on the streets. Look up into the highest heavens, where Christ reigns.

Finally Our Lord gives us a mission. You have to build a church. This Jesus you saw will return.

Yesterday was the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Our Lady came to the children from the east. The children were shephering their sheep and there was a bright light. They saw a lady floating above a holm oak tree. In the 25 approved apparitions, Our Lady comes from heaven and says this is the way of my Son. And that’s our path as well.

Go and teach all nations and baptize them. Teach them to believe in me. Give them the whole truth. Christian culture has waxed and waned over time. Now you see intense faith in countries where there is a general malaise.

Church attendance is at an all-time low in San Francisco, but there are pockets of intense faith. St. Dominic’s just had over 100 fully initiated into the Church. We had about 18 in our own parish. Six men are entering the seminary this year.