SEPT. 23, 2023

It's simple, really. When Carlos was a boy he remembers the reading in the Gospel where Jesus is questioned in order to trap Him about which commandment in the law is greatest: Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, and in answer to him in Luke 10:27...

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... and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He [Jesus] said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. Love God above all else. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

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Carlos has been in love with God ever since that day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church located in Irwindale, California.

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However, it wasn't until Carlos saw and listened to Fred Rogers, host of "Mister Rogers Neighborhood," that he came to understand the second part of what Jesus said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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And, it wasn't until 2023 that Carlos finally realized the last part of Jesus' statement when He said, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

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God first. Neighbor second. Self, third. 

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These awards and how we should live our lives are modeled in the spirit of service of St. Mother Teresa and Mister Rogers, and are an embodiment of the following, "When I know, love, and serve my neighbor, I am knowing, loving, and serving God and there is no deeper way to express our love to God than through service to one's neighbor. Anyone who helps his or her neighbor is a HERO to me!"  (-Carlos Michael Padilla)

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Why St. Thomas More?

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Before one can go beyond the boundaries of one's property to build relationships with their neighbors, one must first develop solidly rooted relationships with their "first neighbors". That begins not outside of, but inside the home.

 

Hence our motto, "Everyone IS our neighbor!" And yes, that includes our families. It just makes sense that you honor those at home first before honoring anyone else outside of the home.

 

These awards aren't necessarily about the neighbor receiving the award as much as they are about how close Carlos has become to the Lord as a result of his relationship with said neighbors. 

 

God first. Neighbor second. Self, third! 

 

Because of these relationships, not only has Carlos found himself and learned that life is NOT about him (and that is a good thing), he has, because of his neighbors, in this case, his neighbors or family if you will at St. Thomas More has learned that when he knows, loves, and serves his neighbor, he knows, loves, and serves God and what else is there but God?

 

"It just made sense to begin this annual event by first honoring my neighbors at home and today that home is the parish community of St. Thomas More Catholic Church." (-Carlos Michael).