Do you own stock or other investments that, if sold, would result in a higher tax bill? Are there CDs or other investments producing lower returns or less income than desired? Through planned giving, a number of charitable strategies exist that can assist you financially and also support the church to help those in need. Three options to consider: - 1.OUTRIGHT GIFT One of the easiest ways to lower taxes on an investment is to make a tax deductible gift of the asset to one of our Catholic charities. - 2.CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY CDs or other investments that produce little or no income can be exchanged for a charitable gift annuity that makes fixed payments for life. - 3.CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST Investments that have appreciated can be used to fund a charitable remainder trust that will generate income and tax savings. The Catholic Foundation has the expertise and tools to help you make your legacy gift a reality. Please contact us for more information by calling us at (916) 733-0266.

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WEIGHT NOT MEANT TO CARRY JULY 5, 2026 First Reading Zechariah 9:9-10: The prophet says a king will come to Jerusalem. He will be good and bring victory. But he will also be humble, riding on a donkey. He will bring peace to all nations. His rule will reach everywhere. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145: We praise God for his kindness and mercy. He helps those who fall. He is faithful in all he does. His followers thank him and tell of his greatness. Second Reading Romans 8:9, 11-13: If God's Spirit lives in you, you belong to Christ. God will give you life through his Spirit. Do not follow sinful ways. Live by the Spirit, and you will have life. Gospel Matthew 11:25-30: Jesus thanks God for showing his truth to humble people, not just the wise. He invites those who are tired and struggling to come to him. He will give them rest. His way is gentle and not too hard to carry. Primera lectura Zacarías 9, 9-10: El profeta anuncia que un rey vendrá a Jerusalén. Será bueno y traerá la victoria. Pero también será humilde, ya que cabalgará sobre un asno. Traerá la paz a todas las naciones. Su reinado se extenderá por todas partes. Salmo responsorial Salmo 145: Alabamos a Dios por su bondad y misericordia. Él ayuda a los que caen. Es fiel en todo lo que hace. Sus seguidores le dan las gracias y proclaman su grandeza. Segunda lectura Romanos 8, 9. 11-13: Si el Espíritu de Dios habita en vosotros, pertenecéis a Cristo. Dios os dará vida por medio de su Espíritu. No sigáis los caminos del pecado. Vivid según el Espíritu, y tendréis vida. Evangelio Mateo 11, 25-30: Jesús da gracias a Dios por revelar su verdad a los humildes, y no solo a los sabios. Invita a quienes están cansados y agobiados a acudir a él. Él les dará descanso. Su camino es apacible y no es demasiado pesado de llevar. The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A shows us how God works in quiet and simple ways. The readings remind us that God does not always show strength in power or force — instead, He shows His love through peace, mercy, and care for those who are weak or tired. The humble King of Zechariah, the God who lifts the fallen in Psalm 145, the Spirit who gives life in Romans, and the Christ who offers rest in Matthew — all speak the same truth: God is not far off and demanding. He is near, gentle, and life-giving. It is here the great invitation comes: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest (Mt 11:28). Jesus says that His yoke is easy and His burden light. In other words, the burden we carry as disciples is lighter than what we would carry without Him. This is counter-cultural to what the world promises. Where the world promises freedom through the absence of obligation - no rules, do what you want. But this is not freedom; it is weightlessness without direction. The yoke of Christ is different; it is one of a new law of love by which we enter into the rest of His kingdom. Challenge this Week: The world we live in is exhausted, the people carry crushing burdents - anxiety, isolation, pressure to perform and measure up. This Sunday's readings are not sentimental comfort. They are direct commission to help others lay down their burdens at the feet of Christ. What burden are you still refusing to bring to Christ and what is it costing you to carry it alone? El 14do domingo del tiempo ordinario, año A, nos muestra cómo Dios actúa de forma discreta y sencilla. Las lecturas nos recuerdan que Dios no siempre manifiesta su fuerza mediante el poder o la violencia, sino que muestra su amor a través de la paz, la misericordia y el cuidado hacia los débiles y los cansados. El humilde Rey de Zacarías, el Dios que levanta a los caídos en el Salmo 145, el Espíritu que da vida en Romanos y el Cristo que ofrece descanso en Mateo: todos ellos expresan la misma verdad: Dios no está lejos ni es exigente. Está cerca, es manso y da vida. Es aquí donde surge la gran invitación: «Venid a mí todos los que estéis fatigados y agobiados, y yo os daré descanso» (Mt 11, 28). Jesús dice que su yugo es suave y su carga ligera. En otras palabras, la carga que llevamos como discípulos es más ligera que la que llevaríamos sin Él. Esto va en contra de lo que promete el mundo. El mundo promete libertad a través de la ausencia de obligaciones: sin reglas, haz lo que quieras. Pero esto no es libertad; es una ingravidez sin rumbo. El yugo de Cristo es diferente; es el de una nueva ley de amor por la que entramos en el descanso de su reino. Reto de esta semana: El mundo en el que vivimos está agotado; la gente lleva cargas aplastantes: ansiedad, aislamiento, presión por rendir y estar a la altura. Las lecturas de este domingo no son un consuelo sentimental. Son un encargo directo para ayudar a los demás a depositar sus cargas a los pies de Cristo. ¿Qué carga sigues negándote a llevar ante Cristo? ¿Y qué te cuesta llevarla?

Encounter Christ Through prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments Grow in Faith Through understanding Catholic teachings and traditions Live the Gospel Through service, community, and daily witness Build the Domestic Church Making your home a place where faith is lived and shared Encontrar a Cristo A través de la oración, la Escritura y los sacramentos Crecer en la fe A través de la comprensión de las enseñanzas y tradiciones católicas Vivir el Evangelio A través del servicio, la comunidad y el testimonio diario Construir la Iglesia doméstica Haciendo de su hogar un lugar donde se vive y se comparte la fe Have you felt a quiet pull toward something more — a longing for truth, for Christ, inviting you to follow Him. ¿Has sentido alguna vez un suave impulso hacia algo más —un anhelo de verdad, de pertenencia, de Dios? No es una coincidencia. Es Cristo quien te invita a seguirle. belonging, for God? That is not coincidence. That is

The Catechism makes clear what the Gospel proclaims: Humility opens the soul. Christ reveals the Father. The New Law of love lightens every burden. And the soul finds its rest — not in the absence of the yoke — but in the One who carries it with us - Jesus himself. This is why St. Augustine's cry rings so true alongside this Gospel: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You." — Confessions, Book I Reflection question to sit with: If the Catechism teaches that the desire for God is already written on every human heart, what does it say about the person who feels most burdened that they are actually closest to the moment of surrender? Relaciondo EVANGELIO + DOCTRINA El Catecismo deja claro lo que proclama el Evangelio: La humildad abre el alma. Cristo revela al Padre. La Nueva Ley del amor aligera toda carga. Y el alma encuentra su descanso —no en la ausencia del yugo —, sino en Aquel que lo lleva con nosotros: el propio Jesús. Por eso el grito de san Agustín resuena con tanta fuerza junto a este Evangelio: «Nos has creado para ti, Señor, y nuestro corazón está inquieto hasta que descansa en ti». — Confesiones, Libro I Pregunta para la reflexión: Si el Catecismo enseña que el deseo de Dios ya está escrito en el corazón de cada ser humano, ¿qué dice esto de la persona que se siente más agobiada: que, en realidad, es la que está más cerca del momento de la entrega? Contact us to learn more! (916) 444-5364 gro.cassbc@ytodmls

Small Groups is.gd/cathedralsmallgroups no homework or complicated programs SIMPLE small enough to build real friendships PERSONAL centered on prayer and the Word of God FAITH-FILLED encouraging one another in daily Christian living SUPPORTIVE Inviting others into the same experience GROWING Take the Survey! is.gd/cathedralsmallgroups

NEXT SUNDAY MASS PREPARATION JULY 12, 2026 - 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MAIN MESSAGE - La palabra de Dios es como la lluvia que da vida. - Los corazones que escuchan y comprenden dan fruto. - Las dificultades son insignificantes en comparación con la gloria futura. - La creación se une en la esperanza de las promesas de Dios. Las lecturas: - 1ª lectura: Isaías 55, 10-11 — La palabra de Dios es como la lluvia que hace fecunda la tierra. - Salmo 65: Tú enriqueces la tierra; rebosa de alegría. - 2ª lectura: Romanos 8, 18-23 — La creación espera con esperanza la gloria futura. - Evangelio: Mateo 13, 1-23 – La parábola del sembrador y el terreno. Preguntas para la reflexión: - 1.¿Qué me impide escuchar la palabra de Dios? - 2.¿Cómo puedo abrir más mi corazón a Dios? - 3.¿Cómo me ayuda hoy la esperanza en el cielo? Desafío y Acción: MAIN MESSAGE - Hearts that listen and understand bear fruit. - Struggles are small compared to future glory. - Creation joins in hope for God's promises. THE READINGS First Reading (Isaiah 55:10-11): God's word is like rain that makes the earth fruitful. Psalm (Psalm 65): You enrich the land; it overflows with joy. Second Reading (Romans 8:18-23): Creation waits with hope for future glory. Gospel (Matthew 13:1-23): The parable of the sower and the soil. THEMES TO KNOW God's word gives life Open hearts grow faith Challenges can block faith Hope in God's promises God's creation is full TRY THIS Read the Gospel this week. Ask God to help your heart be rich soil. REFLECTION QUESTIONS How can I make my heart more open to God? 3. How does hope in heaven help me today? Challenge: Jesus' parable about the sower and the seed focuses not only on the seed (God's Word), but on the condition of the soil (our hearts, our families, our daily lives). Use the following questions to reflect the condition of your soil: The hardened path: Are we too distracted or busy to hear God speaking to us? The rocky ground: Do we welcome God only when life is easy, but lose trust when challenges come? The thorns: What worries, habits, or priorities are crowding out our relationship with God? The good soil: How can we help God's Word grow by prayer, forgiveness, kindness, service?