Posted on September 20, 2024 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners,
As I mentioned last week, and we will talk about today in the announcements at the end of the Eucharist, we have started a campaign to increase the weekly offertory; with this campaign, I seek to solve a future economic deficit. This Monday, the 23rd, the office will send an envelope to each family with information about this program. Please review and read the content and, supported by faith, prayer, and love for the parish, decide to increase your weekly contribution. If you are a frequent donor, I appreciate your love for the parish, but if you are one of the 875 who are not active, consider activating your weekly donation; remember that if we all put in something, even if it is small, it will make a difference. I am praying for this intention.
This week, we will celebrate World Migrant Day; this year, it is from September 23rd to 29th. In communion with the Pope, our bishop invites us to pray for migrants. This year’s theme is “God Walks with His People.” This motto reminds us that God constantly accompanies His people throughout history, guiding them and meeting their needs, similar to what He did for the Israelites. Pope Francis draws a parallel between the experiences of migrants today and the passage of the ancient Israelites from slavery to freedom, highlighting the similar challenges of oppression and adversity they face. Pope Francis states: “Like the people of Israel in the time of Moses, migrants often flee from oppression, abuse, insecurity, discrimination, and lack of opportunities for development. Similar to the Jews in the desert, migrants encounter many obstacles in their path: they are tried by thirst and hunger; they are exhausted by toil and disease; they are tempted by despair”. Jesus calls us to provide support and care for the most defenseless in our environment: the naked, the hungry, the prisoner, and the stranger (Mt 25). Through this commitment, we are called to accompany migrants in all stages of their journey: from the point of origin, in transit, and to their final destination. I invite you all to pray for migrants this week.
This weekend, we also have our ministry fair. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have made this event possible, especially the staff and volunteers. Your dedication and service are truly inspiring. I encourage everyone to participate and consider registering for a ministry. Your involvement is not just appreciated, but it is also vital to the growth and vibrancy of our parish community. Thank you for your kind hearts and for the apostolate you carry out in our parish. I thank and congratulate those who will register and continue to serve in the various ministries. Blessed be God for responding to His call and for accepting this great honor.
Mark on your calendars the invitation of our Bishop Michael Burbidge to join him to conclude the Diocesan Jubilee for the 50 years of our diocese’s founding. This is a significant event, and we are all invited to participate in the diocesan Marian Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, on Saturday, October 5th. The parish will offer bus transportation at $35 per person. Call the parish office for more information to register, or visit the parish website so you can sign up. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a community and celebrate this milestone in our diocese’s history.
Finally, I want to remind you that we are committed to keeping you informed about parish activities and last- minute announcements. We send a weekly virtual bulletin via email every Friday. If you do not receive it, please email us at general@queenofapostles.org so we can add you to the list. Your participation and engagement are important to us, and we want to ensure that you are always up to date with what’s happening in our parish community.
May God bless you and keep you always healthy. I have you always in my prayers.
Fr. Alex
