At the end of Saint Mark's Gospel Jesus admonishes His Holy Church: "But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand." Father Illo considered the _"signs of the times_" _ persecution of all that is holy _ _ and certain Sacred Scriptures that give reasons for hope. Only the Father knows if our times presage the end of human history, but Jesus instructs His Church to keep our heads lifted toward heaven in hope and joy. Father Joseph Illo has been pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Modesto, chaplain at Thomas Aquinas College, and is currently pastor of Star of the Sea parish in San Francisco.