Pastors Weekly Letters

Dear friends,

You are invited to pray the ROSARY every Friday of July, from 7-8 pm, in the parish garden, located at 46^th and Wood streets! That's right, you are invited - so come and join our young people and parish groups as they pray the rosary and reflect on the suffering the current immigration system brings to our community.

As we have discovered in these past months, there have been many people suffering from the injustices of a system that no longer serves the immigrant in our community. Fear of punishment and deportation, unjust salaries, loss of rights all contribute to a sense of isolation and dehumanization. College students cannot pay their educational costs, family are separated,  worker's rights are abused and the many laws in the country, such as those in Arizona, only lead to division of people, the laws do not serve to embrace others in their need.

Thanks to the parish immigration committee for organizing prayerful reflections, to be lead by the Guadalupanas, Santo Nombre, the Circulo de Oración, and others. Such reflections guide our hearts to a better understanding of the suffering around us, and the prayer guides us to respond in just ways. The prayer we express unites us together, and together we discern peace and justice in our neighborhood. We know our children will learn from the example of prayer, and find hope. As St. Paul says, "Hope will not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Rom 5:5)

After the Friday prayer, a convivencia will be held in the garden. Join the community in prayer for immigration reform and a just response toward our brother and sister immigrants.

Sincerely,
Fr. Bruce Wellems, CMF
Pastor