2020 is as much a time of opportunity as of crisis: a time of respite for nature and for ourselves; a time to let go of our illusion of control and mastery of the earth and of our lives; a time of healing for the earth and for our restless hearts; a time to realize what is really important in life; a time for us to live in the present and, like Mary, to say ‘YES’ to the Lord of our lives, and ‘to ponder things in our hearts’ what we do not yet understand now, or perhaps never will.

Today more than ever, as we step into the season of Christmas, we must trust in Mary, and boldly declare our own fiat, our own surrender, our own “Yes”. Remember: God cannot not use us if our answer is “No”. This speaks of how God respects humankind’s freedom. God, in all His splendor and glory, respects humankind’s freedom to choose his own path. He wanted humankind, like Mary, to become active in the salvation of the world – to be His collaborators. God asked, and Mary said “Yes”, and the world was never the same again.

Elizabeth called the Virgin Mother blessed. We rightly repeat her praise. She is truly blessed and a source of blessing for each of us, her children. And that is true. We may be grown-ups right now, perhaps with children and grandchildren, but we ourselves will forever remain as children of our mother – the Blessed Mother. We do not need to carry the weight and burden of the world by ourselves. We can always run to her and seek help. Her hands held the baby Jesus at His birth, the same hands which embraced Jesus at His death. We can and will carry with us anything we are willing to share with her. She is our mother; a mother will do anything for her child. She desires only what is best for us.

I am blessed that in my young ministry, I am surrounded by people like you, faithful collaborators, who model for me how it is to be desire only what is best for the church entrusted to our charge. Just barely 9 months here at Saint Raymond’s, I bear witness to your fervent desire to continue being part of a Church whose goal is to allow our parishioners and school families to grow in appreciation of the Sacraments and the liturgy. I have personally seen how all of you have lovingly reached out to others amidst these unique and unprecedented time – the phone calls you make, the emails you send each other to share parish updates, how you engage them in quick but sincere conversations in the plaza parking (observing physical distancing and wearing masks, of course).

Thank you for your collaboration. And as I thank you on behalf of Father Mark and Father Bob, and the Bishop who leads us in the Diocese, I thank your family as well for their patience, understanding and sacrifice.

This is definitely a time of great challenges, and yet, also a moment of grace. And while there are still obstacles we must overcome, and new realities we continue to adopt to, things are so much better in terms of how things were when we were first sheltered in place.

I have shared that at one point I asked myself: would I rather have a different beginning to my ministry at Saint Raymond? It would be fun, I thought, if it was “just slightly” different – especially that part about meeting you (without masks to fully recognize and remember the faces) after the Masses and shaking your hands or exchanging hugs after we introduce ourselves to each other. But in the mind and heart of God, He has planned our journey together to start this way as a community of faith: He wants us to be stronger together during these challenging times; He wants us rather to be introduced first to our strength as a a team, as one Church, that amidst these challenges, we have faith in the Risen Lord which urges each one of us to sacrifice for the Church, to continue serving in ways we are capable, and hence build up the Church which He has entrusted to our care as His faithful stewards.

Here we are at the close of the year – a year we will definitely remember not because of the pandemic, but for the Light of Christ which allowed us to navigate through darkness. Thank you for sharing your light.

May you have a blessed Christmas and a grace-filled New Year!

Peace and blessings,
Father Erick