December 2, 2007
Advent begins this week and with it we have a new cycle in the lectionary (year A for Sundays and year 2 for weekdays). For me, Advent is a joyful time – just like the engaged who can barely wait their wedding day, so we as Christians, find ourselves dreaming of the day when the Lord comes.
We cannot fathom this season without the image of Mary, the Queen of Americas. It is no wonder that we have two celebrations in her honor: Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12). Posada tradition will once again be present in our church. Mr. and Mrs. Santa will be present Christmas eve with many gifts, and all children coming to 5pm Mass will be as happy as ever! On that day, at 10:15pm, we will continue our great custom started last year with Lessons & Carols – this year we’ll have a true international repertoire, including Italian, German, and Romanian carols, thus making evident the universality (catholicity) of our faith. On Christmas day we will have plenty of Masses (9am, 11am and 5pm/Spanish) so that everyone, locals and pilgrims, may attend and rejoice at the Messiah’s birth. The feast of the Holy Family will conclude this month and year. Please know that after Christmas, I will be more than willing to go to each family who will invite me, to bless your family and home – no dinner needed! May you have a blessed and joyful December! (Fr. Emil +)

November 22, 2007 - THANKSGIVING DAY
On this day we want to join the material world to the spiritual and dedicate to God what has been given to us. Like Jesus we want to give thanks. We should thank God for life – it is God who made and formed us, giving us a unique opportunity to live on this beautiful planet. We should thank God for health – don’t wait until you face illness to appreciate health and strength. We should thank God for providing for our physical needs – of course we could have more things or better things; however, others, are not as lucky as we are and we should think on how we can help them. Recent government data suggests that in our nation we have over 30 million poor people who go hungry every evening. We should thank God for our families – even if some of our families are touched or broken by death and divorce – we should be thankful for those who uphold us and love us. Families are precious: spouses should thank God for each other, parents and children should be grateful; don’t forget to thank God for your friends too. Finally, we should thank God for grace and salvation; through Christ, we who were lost are found and renewed and blessed each day. How can you not be thankful??? (Fr. Emil +)

November 2, 2007
November in Liturgy – this month always stands for the end of the liturgical year. While the readings are eschatological by nature focusing on the final days, we are invited to prepare for the coming Christ in our midst. The month starts with All Saints and All Souls feasts, celebrating our heroes of faith and remembering our beloved deceased. On Thanksgiving Day, with the entire nation we will give thanks to God during the special 10:00AM Mass. We will acknowledge that everything we have, including our lives, are God’s gracious gifts. Food and drinks will be brought to Mass, to be blessed for our Thanksgiving Dinner or to be distributed to the poor. Finally, on Nov. 25rd, we will conclude our liturgical year with the feast of Christ the King. Jesus is anointed king on the wood of the cross, a sign of paradox, of defeat yet final victory. Through his cross we have passed from darkness into the Kingdom of light. (Fr. Emil +)

November 2, 2007
BIBLE STUDY – I am so happy that finally, we can start something which I longed for so long: Bible Study sessions.

For just as from the heavens the rain and the snow come down
And do not return there till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
 Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats,
 So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth;
 It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will,
 achieving the end for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11)

Allow the word of God to penetrate your life and come to our Bible Study! God’s word will refresh our lives and help us grow in our faith. From 168 hours a week and 1,440 minutes each day, is it too much to set apart 60 minutes to study and meditate more profoundly upon God’s word?
St. Jerome once said that “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”  God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet, a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105) and we, as a Church, are nourished by Sacred Scripture. Pope Leo XIII said that “the study of the Bible is the soul of theology… and this work is never finished.”

Our sessions start Wednesday,  Nov. 7, at 5pm in Room 5 with Introduction to the Bible. Mark your calendars for the following sessions: Nov. 14; Nov. 28; Dec. 7; Dec. 14, and Dec. 19. and I will be leading all sessions. Following the Introduction are a series of The Infancy Narratives of Jesus, focusing on the coming of the Messiah and Christmas themes. Bibles are provided but you may bring your own. Let the Word of God inspire you and may you respond to God’s Word, Jesus Christ! (Fr. Emil +)

October 6, 2007
Stewardship & New 2007 IRS changes – Soon, you will receive the financial report for the past fiscal year. Please know how grateful I am for your financial support. Months ago we published the changes in the Internal Revenue Service code that affect the deductibility of cash donations to all non-profits, including ourselves. This is another reminder that effective Jan. 1, 2007 every person wishing to deduct contributions to a parish on his or her tax return must have either a bank record or a written acknowledgment from the parish in order to claim a deduction for the donation. We are already using ParishSoft program to track each cent of your donation and you will receive a letter at the end of the year. We encourage all parishioners to do the following. First, use parish envelopes for your contributions, since we track them as stated above. Second, use checks for your donations. Using a check gives you a banking record as well. Third, you can use Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT). This allows you to have a banking record showing your contributions; more about EFT in the next letters. Have a blessed October! (Fr. Emil +)

Oktoberfest – The first Saturday of the month we are co-sponsoring the Oktoberfest together with the Episcopal Church and American Legion. Please join us at the Veterans’ Hall from 12 to 4 or from 4 to 8pm! We can barely wait to see who is the winner for the drawing Trip to Germany! Thank you for all who purchased tickets, and for all of you who helped in one way or another. Special thanks to Lee McFarland and Ron Swierk who are our parish representatives. They put so much into it and it shows! Thank you also to all 21 volunteers from our parish who offered so generously to help. Oktoberfest will be wunderbar because of you. DANKE SCHÖN! (Fr. Emil +)

September 1, 2007
WELCOME OUR DEACON - On May 26, 2007, Bishop Richard Garcia assigned Dan Weber as our deacon, as well as the Catholic Chaplain at Atascadero State Hospital. As a deacon Dan’s ministry consists of the following: administer the sacrament of baptism in cases of necessity or danger of death; be custodian and distributor of the Eucharist; bring Viaticum to the dying; read Sacred Scripture to the faithful; instruct and exhort the people; preside at the worship and prayer of the faithful where a priest is absent; proclaim the Gospel and preach with the permission of the pastor; officiate at funeral and burial services with the permission of the local pastor; administer the sacramentals. On Saturday, Sep. 1, at 5:00 pm Vigil Mass we will joyfully welcome Dan and his family in our midst. Together with him we look forward in continuing building up our parish. (Fr. Emil +)

August 5, 2007
The month of August is special to us and comes with a week of fire, as I call it. On Wednesday the 15th we will be celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Vigil Mass will be on the 14th at 6:00pm and the Mass of the day will be on the 15th at 9:00am. On Friday, Aug. 17th we will be celebrating a Healing Mass at 9:00am. Please bring all people in need of healing for this special liturgy; we will have the Anointing of the Sick for all those who need it. The next two days (18/19) we will be celebrating our parish Fiesta!! This is my first Fiesta here, and I am truly looking forward to it. Energized and led by John McGarry, many volunteers put lots of work in making it successful. Personally, I am grateful for their efforts. It is my hope that all of our parishioners will attend the activities of this special event. Looking forward to seeing you soon. Hopefully, returning from my vacation, my accent will not be too heavy… (Fr. Emil +)

June 23, 2007

Dear Parishioners,

Together with the Parish Council we agreed on forming a special group of committed parishioners called the Planning Committee. I applaud them for their work. Together with them we came with a list of items which need our attention. Because of our financial status, certain items must be moved at a later date. However, the parking lot item for example, requires our immediate interest, fundraising, and lots of planning.

It will be great if each family will be part of our decision making progress. Thus, I would love to hear your personal input. Please bring to the parish office your written suggestions, additions, changes, and anything you think our parish needs right now, in the next two years, or in the next five years.

Please know that together with the Planning Committee and Parish Council we will review each item and plan accordingly.
Fr. Emil +

PHASE ONE

1. Finish the ‘ditch’ in the front of the church (üIt’s done already).
2. Fix window leak in sister’s office.
3. Replace/repair rectory garage door.
4. Remove/prune/replace dead shrubs on the other side of the west fence.
5. Have a switch for the phase motor of the big organ.
6. Drain hot water heater in hall.
7. Sound system, speakers/ microphones need reparation or to be replaced.

PHASE TWO

1. Paint/repair what needs to be done in church-hall bathrooms.
2. Need for a larger sign, close to Main Street, with Mass hours, visible from both sides.
3. Repair/replace entire perimeter fence and “No Trespassing” signs in back.
4. Rain gutters and downspouts for rectory.
5. New kitchen counters.

PHASE THREE

• Repair/replace parking lot – this is a very important item and I need your help here.
• Have a new landscape plan together with a statue of St. Rose.
• Additional classroom/s needed.
• Replace concrete in patio area.
• Replace carpet in altar area, church, sacristy, and offices.
• Need for a Pastor’s office in the office buildings, not in the rectory.
• Reorganize storage space.
• Repaint/refinish rectory outside. (Fr. Emil +)

 

June 3, 2007

PASTOR’S CORNER
Thanks to many ministers and volunteers, our Easter, First Communion, and Confirmation celebrations have concluded in beautiful and meaningful ways. The parish agenda is still quite full: the planning committee will present to the parish council a list of needs – you will be informed and asked on adding or changing this list; our website needs a facelift; the Bible Study is under way - we will begin our classes with September; we began working in cooperation with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for an annual fundraiser, Oktoberfest – this will be a joint yearly project. With the summer on the horizon, it seems that no one is going to take a vacation. One thing I truly appreciate is that your commitment and volunteering spirit doesn’t dry out as the grass on the hills around our beautiful town. As the Ordinary Time begins I realize that we are already making this time, extraordinary. (Fr. Emil +)

 

April 8, 2007

Dear Parishioners,
Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen, Alleluia!
Each year on Easter Vigil we carry the newly blessed Easter candle and we proclaim three times: “Christ our Light.” The light of the risen Christ is made visible in this candle which is used at every baptism and funeral we celebrate. We begin our lives with the light of Christ, and we pass the thresholds of death into life everlasting accompanied by the same light, which never sets.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the power  that “dispels all evil and darkness, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy; it casts out hatred, brings us peace, and humbles earthly pride" as we sing at our Easter Proclamation, the Exsultet.

In the name of our community I welcome each one of you here at our beautiful church of Santa Rosa. It is my prayer that the light of our risen Lord may go before you each day, as a pillar of fire, to keep you warm from the cold of fear and uncertainty, to guide and protect you through the darkness of this world. May you continue to keep the flame of faith alive in your heart; when Christ will meet you, may He find this flame still burning.

On this blessed Easter Day, I am praying for you and your family and friends. It is my solemn prayer that you will follow our risen Lord from death to life, from suffering to glory, from living from day to day to living meaningfully and eternally and experience the life which only Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, can give.
Have a holy and joy-filled Easter!(Fr. Emil +)

 

March 21, 2007

My dear parishioners,
I hope that my letter finds you in the peace of our gracious Lord. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the upcoming Triduum and Easter celebrations at our beautiful parish of Santa Rosa.
At the end of our Lenten journey we will encounter the glorious entrance to Easter which is the Triduum, comprised of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The liturgy which begins on Holy Thursday ends with the solemn celebration of our Easter Vigil. On each of these days you are invited to come to a Morning Prayer at 9:00 AM in the church.

On Holy Thursday we will gather around the altar remembering the Last Supper of our Lord, thanking God for the Eucharist. All Eucharistic ministers are invited to renew their commitment before the community, and I will renew my priestly vows. The washing of the feet will symbolize that service is the hallmark of all ministries within the Church.

On Good Friday we will approach and venerate the cross, walking the Stations of the Cross and celebrating the Passion of our Lord Jesus. On that day we will leave the church in silence and in awe of what God does for us, sacrificing his only Son, to redeem the world. This is a day of fasting and abstinence.

On Easter Vigil we will gather in total darkness. On this night the “darkness will vanish forever” as the fire and the light of the risen Lord will be made present at the beginning of our liturgy as we bless the fire, light the Easter Candle, and walk into the church in a candlelight procession. This is truly the most beautiful (and complex) liturgy of the year. Don’t miss it. If you never attended such a celebration, you will be pleasantly surprised and spiritually uplifted. During this liturgy we will have baptisms, confirmations and first communions; the congregation and the church’s four corners will also be blessed. After the celebration we will have a reception in the parish hall.

The three Masses on Easter Sunday will reflect the same truth of Christ’s resurrection from the dead as we proclaim with the whole world, “Christ is risen! Christ is truly risen!”

On the other side you will find the Holy Week and Easter Schedule. I am looking forward to seeing you here and celebrating with you and your loved ones the mystery of Christ death and resurrection. Bring a neighbor or another guest with you! Together we will rejoice at the gift of eternal life which the Almighty bestows upon us, his people. Until then, may God keep you in his love! (Fr. Emil +)

 

March 4, 2007

PASTOR’S CORNER
No water and no heavy rain can wash the character of Lenten season which we just started at Ash Wednesday. I was so moved to see how many people came to be signed with the ashes, beginning this holy season with humility, and reminding ourselves of who we are before our loving God.
I continue to invite you to come each Friday of Lent to the Stations of the Cross, meditating on the price which God paid for our peace and salvation. Afterwards, we gather in our parish hall breaking the bread together, and sharing a simple meal. In this sharing we share of ourselves as well. While Lent is defined by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, it is also a time of reconciliation with God and with one another.
This month of March also comes with preparation to receive the sacraments: children are having their first confessions, the parish will have its own reconciliation service, and the RCIA members prepare to receive the sacraments of initiation on Easter Vigil. All these are truly leading us to the glory and joy of Easter. Until then, let us climb the mountain of Lent together until we reach the peak of Easter, helping each other on the way. (Fr. Emil +)

 

February 4, 2007

Pastor’s Corner / Annual Bishop’s Appeal
Beginning with next weekend, Santa Rosa Church will join with all parishes throughout the Diocese of Monterey to support programs and services that benefit our own parish as well as our Diocesan ministries. Since every parishioner is a member of the Diocese of Monterey, every household is encouraged to support the work of our Diocese by participating in this appeal. No gift is too small. For 2007, the diocese set our parish goal at $10,000.00.
I personally invite each family of our parish to prayerfully consider a pledge to the 2007 Annual Bishop’s Appeal (ABA). Participation of each one of us will ensure a great success of this program. Once we have met the goal for our parish’s share for diocesan pastoral services, your donations will be returned to our parish! Thus, we can utilize the parish rebate to fund our local ministries, charities and building projects.
In the coming week, every registered family will receive a personal letter from me, with an envelope and flier. Please be as generous as you can in helping our diocese and, ultimately, helping our mission as a Church, continuing the work of Christ.
You can submit your ABA envelope by dropping it in the collection basket. It can also be left at the parish office, rectory, or mailed to us. Let’s make this ABA the most successful ever! (Fr. Emil +)

 

February 1, 2007

My dear parishioners,
We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area and diocese. The diocese of Monterey has a rich history and an amazing heritage. Most of you know that Monterey is the “mother diocese” of the West Coast, being the first diocese and having the first cathedral in the state of California. Seven out of 21 Missions shine like gems of history and civilization, paying tribute to those who brought the faith with commitment and, so often, with great sacrifice.

The work of the Church never ends. Today, we continue the work of spreading the faith with the same commitment and love, as the early Franciscan friars did. Today, the same sacrifice is required of us. Each year, the Diocese of Monterey has its own fundraising event entitled “Annual Bishop’s Appeal,” known as ABA. The theme of this year is “Returning the Lord’s Goodness.” In a nutshell, this is a program in which every parish participates and helps the many programs and ministries of our diocese. It includes support and funding for campus ministry, catechetical ministries, Catholic schools, communication, Hispanic ministry, permanent deacon program, retired priests’ health benefits, stewardship, vocations and seminarians, and youth ministry. The ABA is truly the life-blood of the Diocese of Monterey.

The ABA presents an opportunity to actively participate in the Mission of the Church providing services and programs to serve people both within and outside our parish. I encourage you to make an effort and participate by sharing your God-given faith and gifts. I hope and pray that you will include the ABA in your plan this year for sharing your financial resources to build up the local Church and care for those in need. Once our parish goal of $10,000.00 is paid, all additional gifts (rebate) will be returned to our parish. I will propose to the Parish Finance Council to use this opportunity and use the rebate to build another classroom/office adjacent to Room #4 and service the roof of the rectory – it rains inside!

Please make a commitment to help and participate. No gift is too small and all gifts are tax deductible. If all families of Santa Rosa Church will contribute, the success will be assured. The best way to help is to make a one-time gift. If this is impossible, then you can make eight monthly installments. Finally, you can have an electronic transfer or use your credit card. Whatever works for you, please know that you can make a difference and your gift will be truly used for a holy and good purpose.

A noble purpose always requires great sacrifice. The success relies in the hands of each and every one of our parishioners. You can submit your ABA envelope by dropping it in the collection basket. It can also be left at the parish office or mailed to us. As always, I will keep you informed on a regular basis, presenting the progress of this program.

I hope I can count on your participation this year, as we “return the Lord’s goodness.” Your support is a great encouragement to me in my ministry here at Santa Rosa Church.
Gratefully yours in Christ,
Fr. Emil +

January 7, 2007

OPEN LETTER FROM FR. EMIL – ST. ROSA FINANCES, REALITY AND GOALS

Happy New Year to each and every member of our parish! As it is the time to make resolutions I must convey to all of you that my primary mission as your pastor is to provide for your spiritual well being. However, in this day and age, the parish cannot function without your financial support. For 2006 the average donation per registered family was $484.00 or $9.12 per weekend – this includes counting the gifts given by the tourists as well. It must be said that not everyone donates but we are blessed to have some parishioners supporting us generously. Presently we have 320 registered families.

Despite having five Masses, our Christmas collection was low ($6,407.00) but higher than last year. Usually a Christmas collection (and Easter too) should be doubled or tripled. It was never the case in our parish. This year we had four families whose combined donations of $2000.00 made a positive impact on the collection as a whole. Without them, our collection would be equal or even lower than our regular Sunday collection.

As the New Year beckons the last thing I want to discuss with you is money, but this is essential, especially as we seek to make payments on our debt to the Diocese in the amount of $189,799.00. The harsh reality is that without our cell phone company paying us a monthly fee for their antennas located on our property, we would simply be financially broke.
In order to improve our fiscal portfolio during my brief tenure here I have already taken the following measures: taking steps to change our phone system; cut the number of phone and fax numbers, including a personal rectory number; I drastically reduced by more than 50% the expenses for maintenance and cleaning of our facilities/properties; I also cut our advertising costs by 80% – some of these changes will not be visible until the following fiscal year. My intent is to keep our expenses to a minimum in order to make payments on our debt.  

Someone may ask “Are these changes enough?” Of course not! This coming year I’m looking forward to continuing efforts to reduce our expenses, without affecting our present ministries and functions. Reducing expenditures and increasing accountability for the parish funds is important. However, my efforts would be meaningless without your collaboration.
To achieve our goal of eliminating our present debt not only must expenses be reduced but also revenues must increase. This New Year provides all of us with opportunities to more actively contribute to building our community. 
Here are two recommendations for 2007, which I propose to all members of our community:

1. Please tithe, and try to give of your first fruits. God deserves more than we tip our waiters.
2. Be generous every Sunday, especially on Christmas and Easter. Our budget relies profoundly on our collections.

As pastor, I would like to reaffirm my commitment by conveying my plans for the New Year:

1. Beginning with January, 2007 we are not going to have a second collection every Sunday. However, your generosity and dedication must be showed in one donation/envelope alone, rather than two or often three collection envelopes.
2. This past December we had our first training for ushers. The second training will be on Jan. 9, at 7pm. More ushers are needed but as soon as training sessions are completed all Sunday collections will be gathered by the ushers instead of the present processional system.   
3. Beginning with this month each donated dollar is recorded in our new ParishSoft database program, and with 2007 you will automatically receive an annual report of the exact amount donated to the church. This is given for tax purposes as well.

My goal will always be to implement fiscal operations with accountability and transparency. Please know that my door is always open to anyone having questions or suggestions in this regard. I thank you for your commitment and I do acknowledge your donations and collaboration. This letter was written to encourage the whole parish to respond to our needs. Ultimately, this is your church, not mine. As Bishop Oscar Romero said, “I am just a minister, not a Messiah.”

May God bless you with a healthy, peaceful, and Happy New Year!
Fr. Emil +

December 23, 2006

Dear Friends and Parishioners,
Merry Christmas!
I would like to welcome you in our midst during this holy season. As one family we gather together to worship our God born in Bethlehem. We join with millions of Christians around the world singing “Joy To The Word.”

Today our Messiah is born: Jesus, Emmanuel, God is with us, makes known the message of salvation. Our glorious God did not forget or abandon us. Instead, he himself comes down from heaven to tell us personally of his love. How can we not rejoice? Mary’s joy is ours! As we open our hearts wide open to Christ, let us thank God for this precious gift of His only Son, Jesus. His birth is an open invitation to each one of us to get close and personal with God.
As we unwrap the many other gifts received during this season, we are invited to unwrap the gift of our faith. May our commitment to our faith and Church show our love and dedication to our Savior. With the shepherds and magi, may we walk toward him always; may we find him wrapped in the manger of our hearts. As we kneel before the God of the universe made present to us as a child, let us present him the best gift we have: the gift of ourselves.

My prayers are that each one of you may taste God’s joy and peace today and in the new year to come. May you have a beautiful and meaningful celebration of Christmas with your loved ones. Together with the entire pastoral team of Santa Rosa Church I wish you a wonderful, peaceful, blessed and Merry Christmas! (Fr. Emil +)


December 3, 2006

PASTOR’S CORNER
Dear Parishioners,
The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. It is a year when one of the most beloved and approachable gospel, the Gospel of Luke, will help our understanding of God. This is the gospel of joy, of prayer, of compassion, of the Spirit, and of the poor.
December is the month when the figure of Mary, the mother of God, is prominent especially when celebrating the feast of Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and of course, Christmas! This is truly a time of hope and joy as we prepare our homes and hearts for the coming of Christ among us.
I find myself preparing for these beautiful liturgies with our amazing staff and volunteers. It is a busy season, when besides the liturgies and decorations, we must also employ and complete our parish database (ParishSoft), implement the parish survey results in regards to how the collection is being taken, and sending letters acknowledging your contributions. Yet, despite the work which must be done, I find December as a spiritual, magic time, a month which I always loved. I find this magic and sacredness when we gather around the decorated altar together, in our meetings and liturgies, in the eyes of our wonderful children burning with expectation, and in the heart of each one of you.
Together with the whole Church let us pray Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Santa Rosa Church, our homes, and our souls are wide open for you. Maranatha! (Fr. Emil +)

 

November 1, 2006

PASTOR’S CORNER
Dear parishioners,
As we begin this new month of November, we start as always, with commemorating the heroes of our faith (All Saints) and remembering our deceased loved ones (All Souls). It has been such a pleasure celebrating Masses for these events, especially having my first children’s Mass on All Saints day. I was pleasantly surprised of their Christian knowledge!

This past month has been intensive. I prepared and sent you a financial letter emphasizing the need for accountability, fiscal responsibility and, above all, transparency. With the finance council we decided restructuring our second collections, thus implementing our diocesan guidelines. Together with the parish staff I am considering a software in order to keep our parish database and good financial records. Slowly but surely I am working on the many policies and guidelines which are needed. Yes, our website looks better and better, and I am still working on it. We are in the process of polling our Hispanic community in regards to ESL classes – already seven local professors offered to help! We are also in the three weeks process of polling our entire parish in regards to the following:
(1) Do we really need an additional Sunday Mass, and if yes, what’s the best time and can you help as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister or Usher?
(2) Do you like the current system of processional collections, or should we go back to circulating baskets (old system)?
(3) Do you think it will be a good idea to have a midnight Christmas Mass? If yes, are you planning to attend this Mass?
It sounds like a lot for our little parish but all these activities show just how vibrant our parish really is.

Personally, I am very happy for the ways we are working together. Yes, there are many things to accomplish and there are some difficulties; however, with our commitment and faith and with God’s grace and help, our goals will become reality.
Please know that I am grateful for each one of you being so responsive to the needs of the parish. I am truly looking forward to know you a little bit better.

May God bless you! As we go into the Advent season, let us continue to keep our hearts open to one another and to God. We may be surprised of what God can do through us. You are in my prayers! (Fr. Emil +)


October 2, 2006

PASTOR’S CORNER
Dear Parishioners,
It’s been a month since my arrival at our beautiful Santa Rosa Church.  A church is defined by the parishioners and I thank God for the gift of each one of you. 
Your consideration and hospitality was so evident during my transition. Our parish is vibrant! During my initial month I have had the pleasure to meet with the coordinators of the many programs and ministries. 
I am looking forward to exploring our potential, ministering and serving our community, and working together in building the Kingdom of God.  Already I have experienced God’s compassion through your love and care.
Thank you and God bless! (Fr. Emil +)