Beloved Parishioners,

As Christians we understand perfectly that grace is an external help given to us by God to help dispose us to virtue and goodness and we do not fail to make recourse to the grace of God in our prayers as a foundational basis of our Christian life and practices. What are we without the grace of God?

Beloved Parishioners,

I continue my reflection with you in this Pastor’s Corner and today, after my summer vacation, I want to share a reflection on what can bring a positive change in our spiritual life. We read how Saul changed to Paul following his Damascus experience of Christ (Acts 9:1-9) and how Christ himself renamed Simon, the head of the apostles, Cephas or Peter (John 1:42), but I really wonder if we have ever thought of the significance of the great change that comes with an encounter with Jesus Christ.

Beloved Parishioners,

This week I will use my Pastor’s Corner to introduce you to our new Parochial Vicar. He officially begins his new assignment here on July 1, 2024, but many of you will meet him at the 8:45am mass on June 30th. As a way of introducing him, his biography follows.

Beloved Parishioners,

As an effort to emphasize the importance of holiness of life, robust faith, and spiritual fervor, which are the hallmarks of Christians who are bearing witness to the Gospel message in the modern time, I want to strongly recommend to all of us, the example, patronage, and spirituality of Saint Anthony of Padua. The intercession of this Saint is a special privilege I have enjoyed all my life, most especially in my vocation, and I wish to recommend him to all of us as a model for piety and virtues.

Beloved Parishioners,

We just celebrated both the Solemnity of The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Having shared reflection with you on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, today I share with you on the Immaculate Heart of Mary which took place last Saturday.

Beloved Parishioners,

In line with my promise to keep sharing with you some significant reflections on the solemnities we celebrate in the church, today I wish to share with you another reflection on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. These past Sundays, we have been celebrating great mysteries that distinguish the Church as the most powerful spiritual institution in the world.

Beloved Parishioners,

The Church historically celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Maundy Thursday, which is the first day of Tridium, usually the peak of the Lenten period. This moment is already charged with sorrowful memories, Judas’ betrayal, the arrest and agony of Jesus, Peter’s denial, as well as the memories of our imperfections in following Christ.