may 8, 2022
Dear friends,
I am so thankful to Mrs. Patti Tiezzi and her wonderful committee for the magnificent party we threw last Sun- day for Monsignor Joe’s retirement. I am grateful to all who made the Mass so beautiful and of course for all of you – from across the parish – who came to wish Monsignor well on his retirement. We are blessed to have the help of Father Robert Landback for the month of May, Father begins a new assignment June first. On that day our new parochial vicar will begin his ministry. As is the custom of the archdiocese when we receive the appointment letter we will announce the new priest.
I would like to talk to you about Alpha. Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith, in a friendly, open and informal environment. We have had many people in our parish experience Alpha and I would like to encourage you to consider being part of it. We will be starting an Alpha soon. You will hear testimony from those who have gone through it and also have the opportunity to ask questions about it. The more we embrace this evangelization tool the stronger our faith becomes. This is also a wonderful way of inviting those who have fallen away or are seeking something more in their lives. Alpha has made a difference in so many people’s lives across the world. I hope you will consider it. Alpha helps us ask the big questions in our lives and helps us find the answers that animate us as Catholic Christians. Alpha takes its name and inspiration from the first letter of the Greek alphabet. Alpha is the beginning of a lifetime relationship with Christ and His Church.
Easter continues! Each day of Easter during the preface – i.e. the prayer that begins with The Lord be with you and leads into the Holy, Holy Holy, we say a particular phrase: Overcome with Paschal joy. I love that phrase because it expresses who we are as an Easter people. We are overcome with joy. The joy that finds at its foundation the risen Lord. So I wish you that joy that is so powerful and so complete.
Thank you for all you do for our parish.