Dear Friends:
Ever since I became a pastor over 16 years ago, it has been my practice to write a weekly column to the parishioners in our bulletin. Thus, as I begin my pastorate with you, I’m happy to write this first column. The column is one of many ways that I can communicate with you. Usually, I begin the column with a very brief reflection on the scriptures of the day. But the majority of the column is to share with your thoughts about our parish, the needs we may have, events that are coming up, etc. By doing so, I hope to avoid questions like, “what is Father up to? or did you hear what Father said?” If you haven’t heard it from me, I may not have done it or said it! Thus, I hope that this form of communication is helpful to everyone!
This weekend we celebrate two important things. Of course, we celebrate Thanksgiving weekend. I know there are many, who were not able to be with family, and friends this year. We were all encouraged to remain distant during these days that many of us want to be closer to family and friends. And yet, in a way, we are “close” to each other by taking care of each other and trying to keep each other safe. I think we will find that this Thanksgiving, as difficult as it may be for some, to be a blessing in the future. Perhaps this temporary “separation” from family and friends will help us realize more deeply the good things that God has given to us. God will always draw good out of bad.
Second, this is a happy weekend as we mark the First Sunday of Advent. Today we begin a new liturgical year. So, it is appropriate to even say Happy New Year! Today is a great day to make some resolutions… much like some of us do on January 1, each year. But in this case, we could make some solid “spiritual” resolutions. Perhaps a good resolution is spending more time in prayer. Or maybe it is engaging in reading some scripture or spiritual reading sometime during the week. Maybe it’s praying a weekly rosary with family. Whatever it is, that’s up for each of us to decide by having some good conversation with God.
I know there are many questions you have about me, just as I need and anxiously await learning about you. Unfortunately, we have a challenge with this as we remain “socially distant” and follow appropriate guidelines and protocol. At first, it may seem like we are separate. But I believe that God has a plan in all of this, and we must trust the Holy Spirit.
People have already asked what my goals are here at our parish. I have only one. That we strive to become saints. That’s the only mission statement we need. We are called to become saints. Everything we do should keep that goal in mind. That would be a great thing to pray about this week.
I am grateful to the people who have been there to guide me and help me learn about our parish. Fr. Tom has been very welcoming, and I am grateful for the communication that he and I have. Fr. Arul has been great, too. His enthusiasm and joy when it comes to our parish and the priesthood are obvious without us even having had much of a chance to talk. I’m happy to work with Fr. Tran, as well, and I am deeply grateful for his care of the sick of our parish.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us in so many ways. As your pastor, I want to assure you that I will do all I can to be sure our parish “campus” is as sanitized as possible. This includes, of course, our churches first. But it includes, of course, our other buildings as well. I look forward to seeing what attendance is like downtown and at Saint Joseph South during this difficult time. At present, I do not intend to make any change to the schedule of our liturgies. I need a chance to learn before making significant changes like that. Again, in all ways, I ask for your patience and support in every way.
Have a peaceful week; and Praised