Posted on June 7, 2024 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners:
After celebrating Easter and having lived and celebrated two beautiful solemnities (The Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi), today we return to meditate on the public life of Jesus, walking with Him in Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time, despite its name, does not imply a period of lesser importance than the vital times of the liturgical calendar. In fact, it is the oldest time in the Christian year, and it occupies 34 of its 52 weeks. This time, known as ‘Ordinary’ because it is not dedicated to a specific aspect of the life of Christ, presents us with a mature Jesus responsible for His mission, giving life to the mission that the Father entrusted to Him. During this time, we must seek to grow and mature more in our faith, our hope, and our love, and above all, joyfully fulfill the divine will.
Today, the Gospel invites us to compare two irreconcilable enemies: Jesus and the spirit of evil. The Gospel states: “The scribes who had come from Jerusalem said: ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul'” (Mk 3:22). Jesus is accused of being possessed by the prince of demons. But the interesting fact is the answer that Jesus gave them: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand (…). But no one can enter a strong man’s house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man” (Mc 3, 23-24, 27). This shows that Jesus completely rejects the idea that He is acting for Satan. Jesus explains to them the parable of the strong man, which seems to point directly to his mission. This mission shows the Kingdom of God “binding” the strong man, Satan, through the salvation accomplished by Jesus. The casting out of evil spirits shows us that He is stronger than Satan. In a general audience, Pope Francis stated: “Look around us — it is enough to open a newspaper, as I said — we see the presence of evil, the Devil is acting. However, I would like to say out loud: God is stronger!”
Changing the subject a bit, we have already started working on our fourth parish festival, a vibrant celebration of our community’s spirit and faith. This year, the festival will be held on August 17th from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm. Last year’s festival was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of all of you, and we hope to make this year’s event even better. In the coming weeks, you will receive more information about the festival’s program and activities. In the first weeks of July, you will also receive the tickets for this year’s big raffle, with exciting prizes to be won. We invite those who wish to sponsor a food booth or want to donate for the purchase of materials or the sponsorship of a game for the children; your donation will be warmly welcomed. If you wish to promote your company or business, do not hesitate to contact the parish office to get more information. All financial donations are welcome and will contribute to the success of our festival.
Lastly, we are preparing to bid farewell to Father Paul Berghout on Friday, June 21st in Hannan Hall. We will be having a potluck, a special gathering where each of us brings a dish to share, symbolizing our shared community and the diverse talents and tastes that make us unique. If you would like to contribute by bringing a dish, drinks, or other items, please don’t hesitate to contact the parish office. Your presence at this event will be a tangible sign of gratitude for the work Father Paul has done with us over the past two years. Let us remember, it’s not a goodbye, but a ‘see you soon ‘.
I hope you have a week full of blessings. As I continue to hold you in my prayers, I am reminded of the strength and resilience of our community. Your faith and dedication inspire me every day, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your spiritual leader.
Fr. Alex
