Posted on July 19, 2024 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners,
Today, the Gospel invites us to discover the importance of resting in the Lord. The Apostles were returning from the mission that Jesus had given them. They had cast out demons, cured the sick, and preached the Gospel. They were tired, and Jesus told them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mk 6:31).
One of the temptations any Christian can succumb to is to want to do many things while neglecting the relationship with the Lord. The Catechism reminds us that, when praying, one of the greatest dangers is to think that other things are more urgent, and, in this way, we end up neglecting our relationship with God. For this reason, Jesus tells the Apostles that they have worked hard, are exhausted and happy because everything has gone well for them, and have to rest. And, the Gospel points out, “so they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place” (Mk 6:32). To pray well, at least two things are needed: the first is to be with Jesus because He is the person with whom we are going to talk. Make sure that we are with Him. That is why every moment of prayer generally begins, and it is the most difficult, with an act of God’s presence. Become aware that we are with Him. And the second is the necessary solitude. We choose solitude if we want to talk to someone or have an intimate and deep conversation. After receiving the Body of Christ, it was best to be silent for a while, to regain strength and let Jesus speak to us in the silence of our hearts. Sometimes, better than explaining our projects to Him, it is convenient for Jesus to instruct and encourage us.
This week, you have probably received the raffle tickets for our parish festival. Along with the tickets, a letter with the explanation and how to return them was included. I urge you to please send the tickets as soon as possible, so that the staff and volunteers can start working and complete the entire process. Remember, the festival is not just a fun event, it is a vital source of profits for our parish. Your participation is crucial. If you need to sell more tickets, do not hesitate to call or come to the parish office.
I want to encourage all those adults who lack the sacraments of Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, and communion) to enroll in the Christian Initiation of Adults program. This course will be taught in Spanish on Mondays and English on Tuesdays. English, please do not be afraid to register. You can receive all the sacraments next year at the Easter Vigil. At the same time, do not forget to register your children for the catechism program; do not leave something so important until the last minute. Education in the faith is something of utmost importance in our parish. The parish office is open, and you can come whenever you want.
Finally, I want to share my concern with you. With less than two months left, we still do not have enough catechists for the upcoming year. I kindly ask you to consider in prayer, helping in this beautiful ministry. Being a catechist is not just a duty, it is a joyous opportunity to serve God and our community. If you feel called to this ministry, please contact the parish office. Your service will be a great gift to God and our parish. We need your help, and we need it soon.
I hope you have a blessed week. Don’t forget to give God your best.
Fr. Alex
