Pastor's Letter -- September 26, 2021

Greetings of peace and goodwill to you my dear parishioners!

This week, in solidarity with the Vatican, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops celebrates National Migration Week (September 20 -26) and World Day of Migrants and Refugees (September 26). Today, migration is one of those topics one engages with great caution. One would not be overstating if one held that there are as varied opinions as there are discussants on the subject matter. And because of the political undertone this subject has taken, it is increasingly becoming difficult to hear what scripture urges concerning kindness to strangers and migrants (Leviticus 19:33-34). We have admonition from God to be hospitable to foreigners. For us, this ought not to be reduced to politics or debate. Our common humanity necessitates it.

Here at St. Thérèse, we are so blessed in our diversity. Ours is a multi-national and multicultural parish. From my interaction with parishioners from different countries, especially from Asia and Africa, I hear that they joined our parish because of our openness and receptivity. This is speaks to one of our core values: JOYFUL RECEPTIVITY. We aim to be a vibrant and loving community where the Good News of Christ is embraced, lived and shared. We will welcome everyone without discrimination, show them the love of the heart of Jesus, and help to make them feel at home. This is our collective responsibility, and everyone can do something. October 1st is the feast day of our heavenly patroness, St. Thérèse. We are so blessed to be under her patronage. We have her example of the Little Way to holiness by performing little acts of kindness, with great love. Although young and frail, the Little Flower of Jesus had a love so great that could not go without recognition. Her love for the mission, though she never left the walls of her Carmelite convent, earned her the title Patroness of the missions. She reminds us that we are all called to ‘Go make disciples of all nations’ through our proclamation of the gospel and by the witness of our lives. Evangelization is the collective task of all the baptized, ordained or lay faithful alike. We are grateful that we have a relic of St. Thérèse with us in our parish. To show our love for her and to feel her closeness to us, we will have the opportunity to venerate her relic after the 6pm Mass this Friday. We have begun a novena in her honor to ask her intercession for our needs. This began on September 22 and would last until October 1. We invite you to join us in praying. There are other activities lined up to celebrate our patronal feast day. Please see the bulletin and our website for further information.

The Annual Bishop’s Appeal is here. We want to use this medium to once again thank you for your generosity in the past, which enabled us to contribute to the many wonderful projects of our beloved bishop Kevin Rhoades. Because of your kindness we were able to meet the target set for us. This year our goal is $81,445. Last year we met our goal, and from what I gather, we always have. We appeal to you our parishioners, and visitors who love the work of evangelization going on in our diocese to participate, as you are able. We ask the Lord, who cannot be surpassed in generosity, to bless you and grant your every prayer.

May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you! With blessings from my heart,