Today's Features

James sat on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. The water shimmered, its choppy surface echoing the deep azure of Israel’s morning sky. He held a fishing net in his hands, his fingers carefully darning small holes ripped by the tides.

His brother and father sat near him, and as they worked, they noticed a peaceful man striding with purpose toward them. Follow me, the man said. James and his brother felt the tug of something divine, something clear and wondrous. They handed their father the repaired nets and placed sandaled feet into wet sand, into a new life with Jesus.

Theres something about thunder that excites me. It reminds me of when I was little and I used to scream at every loud boom and hide under the table. Or of when my family would be driving somewhere and I would count the seconds between each flash of lightning, to figure out how close it was.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary bursts into leaping orange flame next to the sword-pierced heart of her resurrected Son. A twisted ring of thorns presses into Mary’s flesh, transmitting the pain a Mother breathes for her child. Jesus’ heart stands behind His mother, a silent sentry promising rest.

Theresa Jaramillo and Thomas Martinez are brother and sister, who, after years of working together at local eateries, decided to take a leap of faith; in November 2007, together with Theresa’s husband, Earnest, they took over D’Vino’s restaurant at El Fidel Hotel.

“It comes naturally to us” said Thomas. “We grew up around the stove, where someone was always cooking. Theresa learned to make rice when she was 5.”

“We learned from dad and mom, and grandma Tere,” Theresa said.