Posted on March 31, 2024 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear brothers and sisters,
Happy Easter Sunday! Jesus has risen from the dead. This announcement resonates in the Church worldwide, along with the song Alleluia; He is alive forever in our midst. This good news has been lit like a new flame on the Holy Night of the Vigil, on the night of a world that faces crucial challenges due to war and all the trials that hinder humanity’s life.
Today, we proclaim that He, the Lord of our life, is “the resurrection and the life” of the world (Jn. 11:25). It is Easter, which means “passage,” because, in Jesus, the decisive step of humanity was made: from death to life, from sin to grace, from fear to trust, from desolation to communion. In Him, Lord of time and history, I would like to say to everyone, with joy in my heart: Happy Easter! May the Church and the world rejoice because today, our hope no longer crashes against the wall of death; The Lord has opened a bridge to life for us. (Pope Francis, Easter message 2023).
As a parish, let us remember that Easter is a celebration, a time of renewal and recommitment to our faith. It is a time to increase our love for the resurrected One and for the Church, which is concretized in our love for the parish. Let us reflect on our baptismal commitment and how it can be manifested in active participation in parish ministries. By being readers, extraordinary ministers of communion, and ushers, we can resurrect with the Lord and revitalize our parish, making our ministries flourish again.
On a different note, I want to share with you a concern. This year, we are facing some financial challenges. We are a little behind what we budgeted for this fiscal year, and we need to grow a little more. In this time of joy, I humbly ask you to consider making an extra donation to the parish offertory. Your contribution will help us balance the budget and continue our important work. I believe that if we all contribute a little, we can make a big difference. I also encourage those who have not yet made their online donation registration (Pushpay) to do so. This will provide the parish with more security in receiving your contribution and continuing our evangelization programs. Please, from faith and from your conscience, consider making a small extra donation in our offertory this Easter time.
Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our volunteers and staff. Your dedication and hard work have made the liturgy of these special days of Holy Week beautiful, organized, and dignified. I want you to know that your efforts do not go unnoticed. Behind each liturgical act, there is a lot of work and organization, and you have all played a crucial role in making it happen with order and decorum. Your help is invaluable to me and to the parish. Thank you so much for everything you do.
Happy Easter!
Fr. Alex
