Posted on October 2, 2026 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As October begins, I invite you to walk more closely with the Blessed Virgin Mary during this month of the Holy Rosary. When we turn to Mary, she leads us to her Son. That is what we do when we pray the Rosary: as we recite its familiar prayers, we contemplate the life of Jesus—His birth, His ministry, His sacrifice for us, and His Resurrection. This simple prayer helps us carry the Gospel into our daily lives and into our homes.
For this reason, as we did last year, I invite you to accept the challenge of praying the Rosary every day in October. During these 31 days, let us pray for the intentions of Pope Leo XIV, for our bishop, Michael Burbidge, and for the pastoral life of our parish. You might pray with your family, with a neighbor, on your way to work, or in a quiet moment at the end of the day. What matters is that we give this time to the Lord with faith and perseverance. A link to join the challenge was sent last week; if you have not yet signed up, I encourage you to do so. I believe this shared prayer will bear fruit in our families and throughout our parish, even in ways we may not immediately see.
Today we also celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In this year marking the 800th anniversary of his death, our bishop has permitted us to celebrate his feast this Sunday. Francis left behind a life centered on wealth because he had discovered a greater treasure: Jesus Christ. His poverty was a way of living with a heart free to love God and serve others. That freedom allowed him to find joy among the poor and to call the creatures of the earth his brothers and sisters. He saw creation as a gift that reflected the goodness of its Creator. His example invites us to ask whether the things we possess help us love more generously and whether we notice the needs of those around us.
Next weekend, we will present our pastoral plan, “Missionary Disciples of the Gospel.” A pastoral plan gives us a shared direction as we discern what the Lord is asking of our parish. It will guide us in deepening our prayer and sacramental life, growing in our understanding of the faith, and bringing the Gospel to our neighbors. We will introduce some new practices in our pastoral and liturgical life, beginning with small ways to care for one another more intentionally.
One of those practices will take place during the welcome before the entrance procession. We will invite you to pray silently for the person beside you. It may feel unfamiliar at first. Yet we often sit near one another at Mass without knowing the burdens another person carries. We do not need to know their circumstances to ask the Lord to bless them, strengthen them, and give them what they need. Through this simple gesture, I hope we will grow as a parish that truly prays for and cares for one another.
That same weekend, a member of the Pastoral Council will speak after the Masses to help us prepare for the presentation of the plan. We will also give each family a book about prayer. I hope you will take it home, read it, and use it as a help in continuing your prayer throughout the week.
Brothers and sisters, this is a time for us to look beyond our familiar routines and ask whom we have yet to welcome, accompany, or invite to know Christ. A missionary parish begins when each of us hears the Lord’s call and responds with generosity. Please pray for this new chapter in the life of Queen of Apostles and take part in it. Let us walk together, guided by Mary and inspired by the joy and simplicity of St. Francis.
May the Lord bless your homes and grant you an October filled with faith, peace, and hope.
With my prayers and affection,
Fr. Diaz
