I recently came across a photo of my priest friend, Fr. Paul Zoghby, when he had COVID-19 back in 2020. I went down to help him during his hospitalization. The picture was of him, at home, outfitted with a mask and gloves, which made me sad. My thought now is, “How wonderful life is!”
Despite our continued growth at St. Andrew’s with new families registering during the pandemic, and with some 243 baptisms since, our parish family is still incomplete because there are some who have not returned to us. Everyone in the parish is receiving this letter. If you are among those not attending Mass regularly, you are missed. Please come home!
Let me address a few of the more common things heard:
Because of my calling as a priest and my love for you, I must remind you of Jesus’ striking words, "Wide is the road to destruction and narrow is the road to salvation" (Mt 7:13-14). Friends, now is the acceptable time. Now is the time of salvation. If you have ceased practicing or practice our holy Faith infrequently due to the pandemic or for some other reason, please come home. God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to keep us that way. Jesus teaches us that our Heavenly Father will always receive us when we return home, no matter what (Lk 15). I invite you to please come home.
Most sincerely,
Father Rogers
Pastor St. Andrew the Apostle Church
Confessions: Wednesday—5:30pm, Thursday—9:00am, Friday—7:00am, & Saturday—3:00pm
Masses: Saturday—4:00pm & 5:30pm, Sunday—8:00am, 10:30am, & 6:30pm