I am BLESSED to be your spiritual father here at Saint Raymond’s. I am your spiritual father, yes; and I am also your son – nurtured, cared for, and guided by you! I have truly grown in the last five years, especially as we navigated through and out of COVID which served as the backdrop of our time together in 2020 and 2021.

And now, a new chapter is about to begin – for all of us – and we are called to keep our hopes up – hope does not disappoint – knowing that the Lord is always in full control. He is the author; He writes the narrative. And we rejoice in that humbling Truth.

I will definitely miss everything – EVERYTHING – about Saint Raymond’s: the kids beings dropped off in the morning, the foot traffic at the parish and school offices, the meals partaken with parishioners who I now and always consider as FAMILY, the random encounters in the park, restaurants, grocery stores, and even in the gym … I will miss YOU.

You have welcomed me with smiles concealed behind masks at the drive-by communions and outdoor adoration, confessions and prayer services at the height of the pandemic. You have offered prayers and condolences when my grandmother – my Nanay – died barely six weeks after I was transferred here, and I cannot visit home to pay my last respects because of the restrictions of the pandemic. You have supported my crazy ideas – like purchasing the 8-foot monstrance now in the chapel, installing the stained glass window of our patron saint in our private rectory chapel, trying 12 hours of confessions during Advent and Lent, welcoming visiting priests, seminarians and Bishops for our beautiful and reverent liturgies, opening Saint Raymond’s to different groups and events, walking from Golden Gate Bridge to Folsom for the Eucharistic Revival, watching 4th of July with our school families and parishioners, skydiving and scuba diving whenever I am able, or just laughing my heart out loud, often for no reason … you have been there with me for everything. EVERYTHING! I will miss YOU, or did I say that already?

I am extremely sad right now because I have experienced immense joy here with all of you. We are naturally sad because we have experienced immense joy … together. I believe that our path did not only cross, they now intertwine! The relationship we have forged over the years – the highs and the lows, victories and challenges, the laughers and the tears – is the very same gift I am bringing with me as I leave for my new assignment starting July 1. This love I bear in my heart is what will compel me to let go, or I can grow … so we can continue growing together, even if we are 20 miles apart.

For those times when I was unkind and lacking in charity, for those times when did not listen enough and did things my way, I apologize. I am a work in progress, and thank you once again for making me realize the rough areas of my life that still needs polishing … I know there are many.

To the past and current members of the parish and school pastoral and administration teams, advisory Councils over the years, and all of you who reflected to me the joy of your spirit, let me say again … I will miss YOU.

In the core of my being, I believe that this is not the end of our stories together, but merely the beginning of a new chapter that you will all be part of. Thank you for making me part of yours, however unworthy I may be.

Maraming salamat po! Muchas gracias!

Father Erick

(For The Feast of Corpus Christi, 2025)