A Note from our Pastor February 25, 2024

My dear brothers and sisters,

“But I through the abundance of merciful love will enter your house,

I will worship toward your holy temple in the fear of you” (Psalm:7.)

As we gather today/this weekend, hearts brimming with gratitude and spirits lifted with joy, in the renovated Church to worship and bless the Lord, we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, whose vision and labor have shaped this sacred space into what it is today.

It is marvelous for our eyes what God has done for us; we started intending renovation of the Altar space, but the Lord has allowed us to complete the entire church and make it beautiful for its Jubilee Year! Though we had planned to complete the tiling as a three-phase project, the Lord has brought us all together and we were able to complete it at its first phase!

I have no words to describe the phenomenal outpouring of support from our parishioners. The generosity of your donations and the enthusiasm of our contractor (Peter Marble) and his crew allowed us to finish on time. We offer our deepest thanks to the passionate and joyful efforts of all the volunteers who tirelessly worked removing pews, sanding, polishing, painting, cleaning, and countless other tasks.

Your selfless service and unwavering commitment are a true testament to your love for the Lord and your dedication to the life of our faith community. Through your efforts, you have helped to create a place where all are welcome, where hearts are lifted in prayer, and where the presence of God is tangibly felt. Your faith, enthusiasm and dedication truly reflect the sentiments of the Psalmist:

“One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple”. (Psalm 27:4)

As we marvel at the beauty of our renovated church, let us not forget the profound truth that we ourselves are living temples of God. As St. Paul reminds us, "Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Just as this physical space has been transformed and renewed, so too are we called to daily renewal and transformation in our lives as God's living temples. Moving forward, let us embrace our responsibility as a community to continually evolve daily as temples of the living God. May the beauty of this renovated church serve as a reminder of the beauty of God's presence within each of us, and may it inspire us to live lives worthy of our calling as children of God. As we embark on this new chapter in the life of our faith community, may we carry with us the spirit of gratitude, love, and dedication that has brought us to this moment. Together, let us continue to build and nurture a community where all are welcomed, where faith is deepened, and where the love of God shines brightly for all to see.

As a final note, may I express my heartfelt gratitude to our pastoral team, building and finance committees for their unwavering support. Joanita Miranda our parish secretary, Katherine Gomez our front desk, student staff for their communication skills, Deacon Anthony Wong as the chair of the Building Committee, Mr. John Fernandes as the chair of the Finance Committee, and Fr. Ed Lopez for his all-round help with workers, volunteers as priest and team player. May the good Lord bless you all.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Cherickal - Pastor.