Posted on February 25, 2022 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear parishioners,
We are just a few days away from starting the season of Lent. A powerful time like this within the liturgical year is a new opportunity given to us to create a deeper connection with God through the exercises of penance, prayer and almsgiving: three great ways that help us to unite more with God, to sacrifice our bodies, and share with others what little we have. Every Lent is an opportunity to change and turn to God.
I remind you that this weekend we will make the commitment of the Bishop’s Lenten Campaign (BLA). I invite you to participate and support this campaign that each year our bishop calls our attention to. Our support is vital and important to continue with the evangelization and charitable works of our diocese; many are those who benefit from each contribution we give as part of our diocese. Each parish has a goal to meet and we will only achieve it if we all contribute a little. I invite you to make this commitment in faith, and offer it as a sacrifice, that God will more than reward. In the bulletin you will find more information on how to make this commitment. Our bishop thanks you in advance for your contribution.
Next Wednesday, March 2, is Ash Wednesday when we begin the season of Lent. I wish to remind you that it is a day of fasting and abstinence, and a day to pray and make sacrifice. We will have three masses in English at 6:30am, 9:00am and 5:00pm and then 7:00pm in Spanish. We are hoping for everyone to receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of penance and repentance.
As in previous Lents, we will continue with the program “The Light is on For You” every Wednesday. On that day, one of the priests will be available for confessions starting at 6:30pm. I hope that many can attend and receive the sacrament of forgiveness of our sins. I will be announcing some other Lenten activities to enrich our faith and help us more to live our Lenten journey soon.
Do not forget that starting on Friday, March 4, every Friday we will have the prayer of the Holy Way of the Cross; in English it will be at 5:30pm and in Spanish at 7:30pm. If for personal reasons you cannot come to pray it in community, I invite you to pray it in private. This devotion is an ancient practice of faith that moves us to join the path of the cross of Jesus. It is also recommended to pray the sorrowful mysteries of the Holy Rosary during this penitential time.
Finally, as I have already been announcing, you can now download the parish app on your cell phones; through this application you can have more access to all the activities and evangelization programs that we have, and you can also have control of your donations online. There are several ways to download our mobile application: You can scan the QR code that appears below, or send a message with the letters QoA to the number 77977, and open the link that will be sent to you. Or also Search “QoA” in your Google Play store or App Store. But if you need help, please call the parish office and we will be happy to assist you.
I keep you in my prayers.
God bless you.
Fr. Alex
