Posted on September 22, 2023 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear parishioners:
Today the evangelist Matthew continues to describe the Kingdom of God according to the teaching of Jesus, as it is proclaimed during these summer Sundays in our celebrations of the Eucharist. In the background of today’s story, the vineyard, a prophetic image of the people of Israel in the Old Testament, and now of the new people of God who are born from the open side of the Lord on the cross. In this parable, the protest of the first-hour workers stands out. They are the parallel image of the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son. Those who live their work for the Kingdom of God (work in the vineyard) as a heavy burden (“we have endured the weight of the day and the shame”: Mt 20:12) and not as a privilege that God grants them; They do not work from filial joy, but from the bad mood of slaves. For them, faith is something that binds and enslaves them and, quietly, they are envious of those who “live life”, since they conceive the Christian conscience as a brake, and not as wings that give divine flight to human life. They think it is better to remain spiritually idle than to live in the light of the word of God.
Last weekend, we put this universal work of the church into practice at the Ministry Fair, and I thank all the groups and ministries that promoted and recruited new members. Now we have to pray that these members begin to persevere and that in the future we will have many spiritual fruits. I also thank everyone who worked to provide everything necessary to make it a success, especially the Knights of Columbus who donated free hot dogs for everyone and for their hard work and support of the parish. May God reward you for your generosity.
This Sunday we observe World Migrant Day, and our bishop, in communion with the Pope, invites us to pray for migrants. This year’s theme, “Freedom to Choose to Migrate or Stay,” sheds light on the root causes that drive migration. In many cases, war and conflict have left people with no choice but to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. In most cases, migration is not a choice, but a necessity for survival. Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of understanding the systemic factors that contribute to forced migration, such as political instability, economic inequality, and persecution. Through advocacy, education, and charitable works, faithful Catholics can work to create a world in which individuals and families are free to choose whether to migrate or stay in their homeland. By addressing these issues, we can help create the conditions for people to live in safety and dignity, regardless of which country they call home.
Finally, I remind those who have pets, that next Wednesday, October 4th, we will have the blessing of animals, it will be at 5:00 pm in front of the church doors. The fourth of October is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, and it is a beautiful occasion to bless our pets, who give us so much happiness. You don’t need to sign up for it, just bring your dog or cat and any pets and we will bless them.
May God bless you and have a nice week.
Fr Alex
