Posted on March 15, 2025 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are celebrating the Second Sunday of Lent, a significant period in our liturgical calendar. Today, Jesus invites us to climb with Him Mount Tabor, a different setting from last Sunday. It is a high mountain where there is light, and God manifests himself. The mountain symbolizes the challenges that Christian life poses to us, the pains and the fatigue, the fears, and everything that in life makes us lose joy, but for a Christian, those challenges and difficulties walked with the hand of God are always rewarded with something as great as the crown of holiness. Lent is always an invitation to fight hard for our transfiguration, even if this implies pain in denying ourselves.
In his Lenten message this year, Pope Francis places us in the framework of the Jubilee Year, inviting us as a Church to “journey together in hope, and on the summons to conversion that God in his mercy addresses to all of us, as individuals and as a community. This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves in the presence of the Lord whether…, in the service of the Kingdom of God, we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance” (Pope Francis, Lenten Message 2025). In this very special time for our interior life, it is necessary to climb Tabor together with Jesus with hope and let ourselves be enlightened by the love of God that transfigures us and thus transfigure our brothers and sisters who need God and us so much. Let us allow ourselves to be surprised by God in this Lent.
In addition, I would like to invite you to join me in celebrating Father Ramón Domínguez’s birthday, our parish vicar. Today, on this special Sunday, he is marking another year of his life. It’s a wonderful occasion to express our gratitude for his dedicated service and his priestly calling. Father Domínguez, we wish you a joyous and blessed birthday. We will offer a special mass to thank God for the gift of his life.
As part of our Lenten activities, the Knights of Columbus are organizing their traditional fried fish sale this coming Friday, the 21st of this month and on April 11th. From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. You and your family can either order to go or join us at Hannan Hall for a delightful meal. No need to pre-order, just come and enjoy this community event with your loved ones. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated.
Finally, I am eagerly looking forward to your participation in the solemn mass on the Solemnity of St. Joseph next Wednesday, the 19th. St. Joseph, the foster father of our Lord, holds a special place in the history of salvation. The Church’s devotion to him is a source of inspiration for us to lead lives of purity and chastity. On this day, we also celebrate the patron saint of the religious sisters of our parish. Let’s come together in prayer for the congregation and the growth of vocations in the ‘Poor Sisters of St. Joseph.’ The bilingual Mass will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by a small gathering in Hannan Hall. Everyone is warmly invited to join us for this special occasion.
Have a happy week,
Fr. Alex
