Posted on May 9, 2025 View all Pastor's Letter
Dear Parishioners:
We are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also called Good Shepherd Sunday. This Sunday, the Church invites us to pray for an increase in priestly vocations and ask the risen Jesus to provide us with shepherds after His own heart. Let us take a moment to ask the Supreme Shepherd to give us holy and wise priests. Through shepherds, Christ gives His Word, distributes His grace in the sacraments, and leads the flock toward the Kingdom. He gives Himself as food in the sacrament of the Eucharist, imparts the Word of God and His Magisterium, and diligently guides His People. Jesus has provided for His Church shepherds after His own heart, that is, men who, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, represent Him and act as the “in persona Christi,” men who give their lives for their sheep, with pastoral charity, a humble spirit of service, with mercy, patience, and fortitude. St. Augustine frequently spoke of this demanding responsibility of the pastor: “This honor of pastor troubles me…, but where I am terrified by the fact that I am for you, I am consoled by the fact that I am among you … I am a bishop for you, I am a Christian with you.” (St. Augustine, Sermon, 176A). As parishioners and Christians, each of us works to grow the Kingdom of God in communion with our shepherds, the Pope, and our Bishop Burbidge, successors of the apostles. We pray for them, love them, and obey them.
Next Thursday, the 15th, we will have our third parish golf tournament, the “Queen’s Cup.” We invite you to join us for a day of fun and fellowship. There is still an opportunity to register to participate. The tournament will be held at Westfields Golf Club, starting at 8:30 a.m. The funds raised from this tournament will support our school and parish. You can also become one of our sponsors. For more information, contact the parish office or visit our website.
I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the children of our school and the Religious Education program who received their first communion over the past two weekends (May 3 and 10). This is a momentous occasion, as these children are the future of our Church and have taken a significant step in their faith journey. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to Katherine Neville, the school’s second-grade teacher, and the catechists, Mrs. Mary Ann McKeown and Mr. Oscar Bradley, for their dedicated efforts in educating these children in the faith. I encourage all parents to continue nurturing their children’s faith.
Finally, I cannot forget that this Sunday is special because we celebrate Mother’s Day. Congratulations to all our mothers; we will never have enough words to congratulate them. A mother is a living representation of God’s love for each child. A mother is the greatest gift God has given us, so on this day, we recognize that gift in them and pray that God protects and guards them and keeps them healthy. At the same time, we also pray for the souls of those who have returned to their father’s house; we commend them in our prayers. I congratulate all the mothers of Queen of the Apostles and commend them in my prayers. I hope your children celebrate this day with you and love you more each day.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Fr. Diaz
