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A Letter From Our Administrator: THE JOY OF RETURNING TO PUBLIC MASS!
A Letter from Our Administrator
Dear Parishioners,
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To those of you who have been actively participating in the life of our parish but have been forced to stay away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, welcome home!
To those of you who haven’t been to church in years and decided to renew your faith, welcome back, and welcome home!
During these past few months, we have experienced some of the most challenging and unnerving times in the history of our nation and Church. As we start to emerge from the darkness of this crisis and return to Mass and parish activities and ministries, I feel blessed and excited.
Excited to have a new beginning at this vibrant parish.
Excited to see new faces and meet new friends as I begin my service here.
Excited to see faces of those who may have been away from church for a while but decided to come back!
In times like these, when nothing seems to make sense, I am so very glad you are here. The timing of your return is perfect, because the truth is we need Christ now more than ever.
Whether you have simply been forced to stay away while public Masses were canceled, or if you have been away from the Church for many years, this crisis has changed us.
All of us.
We have had some extra time lately for introspection, for personal reflection, and for prayer. And perhaps during this era of isolation and social distancing, you have found yourself yearning for Christ more than ever before in the hopes of finding some meaning to all of this.
You have come to the right place.
As you walk through our doors for the first time in months — or perhaps even years — I hope you see the face of Christ in myself and in all those around you. I hope you find a welcoming parish family here to greet you, overjoyed by your return.
As Christ tells us, from Matthew’s Gospel, “For I was a stranger, you welcomed me” (Mt. 25:35).
The truth is, there really are no strangers at our parish. So as you come back home to our parish, I hope and pray you experience that same spirit of kindness and hospitality from all your fellow parishioners.
Whether you’re a longtime parishioner, or someone who fell away from the Catholic Church and are now ready to become renewed in the faith, let us all remember to welcome all who enter our parish doors with open arms, smiling faces and a servant’s heart.
By living out our calling as Christian stewards, we will all emerge from this dark time as a community of faith that is stronger than ever — together.
Thank you for the warm welcome you have shown me. I look forward to getting to know each of you.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Tony Pangan, SSS, Administrator
