July is at the corner! There is a way time flies, which often surprises me. It has just dawned on me, recalling that it is now a full year since I was appointed and came here as your Pastor. It seems like only yesterday, but it is a full year!
It even seems only a very short time when you get to encounter wonderful and kind people like you. I thank you for making it easy for me, and for allowing me to work with you, as I share my life with you. I still look forward with excitement as I start yet another year to share with you the blessings that God has blessed me with. Please keep me in your prayers always, that God may bless me with his Wisdom, so that I may lead you diligently on this Journey leading home.
I am very grateful to God in a special way, who has made this year smooth for me, while serving you, his people. And as we start the new year, I would like to entrust you, my dear parishioners, and myself to him. May he continue to guide and to protect us!
The past year has seen us making some good strides in a more positive direction in all the areas that affect our lives as parishes: Sts. Peter and Paul, and St. Joseph.
Administratively, we have continued to run the daily affairs of our two churches, keeping to date all our bills, as we have also continued to maintain all our infrastructures and grounds. Sts. Peter and Paul has continued to keep an eye on its big debt. The Finance Council, which advises me on financial matters, has provided me with positive counsel that has seen us work around our debts, while at the same time, we ensure that our current bills are paid timely. Please look out for our financial reports from our Financial chairs in the next few weeks.
In the area of Liturgy and Worship, we have continued to celebrate the Sacraments and to worship in a reverent manner that fits our God, even during this historical challenging time of Covid-19. I am very grateful to the Deacons who help and advise me in that area. I cannot forget the Liturgy teams that include: Sacristans, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar servers, Ushers and Choirs. Thank you for all you do to ensure that God’s people worship in an environment that honors God!
We have also served God’s people in the area of Education and Faith Formation. This involves, most of all, religious education to our children. It also involves adults who come searching for Christ in the Catholic Church. It also involves on-going formation for any Catholic who wants to know more about Jesus. We have served in this area through our CCD programs, RCIA and Bible studies. I am very grateful to the Deacons still for their help in this area. I cannot forget to thank our teachers who volunteer to share their lives and time with our young people so as to make them fall in love with Jesus. Thank you very much!
I am aware of the challenges that Covid-19 has thrown at us during this year. It has not been so easy in all these areas that impact our ministry. We have had to defer the celebration of the sacraments for our kids; First Communion and Confirmation. I can understand how frustrating this has been to our children and their parents. I only encourage you, that you know that in everything, God is always in-charge. Let us allow him to be! And when that time at last comes for you to celebrate these sacraments, may it be a very special time for each of you!
I pray for God’s blessings for each of you as I start my second year with you. I also humbly ask you to pray for me always; it is not easy to lead, but with God, nothing will be impossible (Lk. 1:37).
Your brother and Pastor,
Fr. David Happy