Dear Brothers and Sisters, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you and your families a blessed Christmas Season and all of God’s graces to you in the coming year. I am very grateful to all of you who participated in the Guadalupe Mass at Saint Pius on December 12th and the Posadas on December 23rd at Saint Pius. I appreciate those of you who were generous in responding to my desire to see greater collaboration between our two communities. The choirs working together, the lectors, and volunteers who made such delicious foods and set up/cleaned up was a wonderful witness of Christian charity and support. Your presence added so much to our celebrations. It was great to have Folklorico Viva Mexico! join us for Posadas and added so much to the festivities.

As we begin the new year, I look forward to having the lighting project for the church begin later this month. This much-needed change is due to your financial generosity and support of the parish. I would also like to focus again on the development of the Parish Council. Several of you have asked that the Parish Council members be elected by the parishioners. I will honor this request and will be working with Father Mariusz and the staff to plan for this effort. I am very grateful for the generosity so many of you provide our parish community. Your enthusiasm and commitment is such a blessing and reflects the spiritual life that makes Saint Anthony of Padua/San Jose Obrero such a special community. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers and I am so blessed to the spiritual father, along with Father Mariusz, to this wonderful parish!