Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Addressing those responsible for the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Israel and Iran, Pope Leo XIV last Sunday appealed “in the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill: Cease the fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened!"

“Violence can never lead to the justice, the stability and the peace that peoples are awaiting,” he said.

The Pope recalled that “the peoples of the Middle East have been suffering the atrocious violence of war" for two weeks. “Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many others have been forced to abandon their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas".

We continue our prayers for peace!

Our former pastor, Father Dan McCotter passed away last week. Dan was my immediate predecessor and served as pastor from 2015 - 2018. He had been called out of retirement to help during a number of Paulist transitions. He was gracious and kind and filled with joy. Please see his obituary below. This Sunday's mass intention at 9:30am will be for the repose of his soul.

Thank you for your hospitality to Father Ivan. There is still time to participate. Visit paulist.org/apa to help us. Your participation in the appeal as a sign of unity. Whatever amount you give helps our mission and is a sign of our mission: "Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome!" We are grateful for your support! Thank you!

Peace and blessings,

Father Gil

Thank you for your generosity sustains the Paulist mission: caring for senior priests, fostering vocations, and funding ministries that lift up women in leadership, engage young adults, honor the gifts of people of color, and welcome our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers with compassion - reaching even those beyond church walls.

We invite you to give during Mass using the reply envelope or scan the QR code to donate at paulist.org/apa.

Lazarus’ rising from the dead foreshadows Christ’s resurrection. Death has no power; Jesus will be with us always. When he is born, he is called “Emmanuel,” or “God is with us.” When he visits the apostles the last time before ascending into heaven, he reminds them that he will be with them always, “even to the end of time” (Matthew 28:20). In times of darkness, we can be emissaries of this very real, very personal, love that Our Lord has for us. By making a gift to the Together in Mission Annual Appeal, we can make his presence known to those who need it most. 

For peace in every nation: for an end to the war in Iran, Ukraine. For all those wounded and killed and for the safety of service members in harm's way. For peace, may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together, let us pray to the Lord:

For our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, for James Wilkie, Dick Chilson, Dan Bianco, Nancy Campbell, Gary Orfield, Manolo Velez, Anne Wadad Shalhub, Madeleine Lord, Victoria T. Picard, Amparo Haber, Bruno Raineri, Shirley Ruess, Sister Irene Wright, Melinda Nadres, Greg Tinsley, Jack & Vicki Phillips, Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Todd Wiench, Bernadette Tee, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Marisa Kavanau, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Paul Lannan, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Father Daniel McCotter, CSP, Zenaida B. Chua, Mike Lanning, Jaroslan Witkoski, Susan Burkhard, Connie Pobre, John A. Woodward IV, Terry Casey, Darrel Bengry, Joan Doyle, Cristina Mirendolf, Elaine Vucelich, Marietta Lavin, Jeffrey Graham, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Robert J. Burns, John 'JJ' Goldrick, Dellie Abad, James Kennedy, José Fernandez, Terry O'Malley Seidler, Rich Puppione, Christie Farmer, Alfred Ruess, Christohper Hudlin, Alan Culver, Laura James, Anne Marie Hannick, Father Greg Goethals, SJ, Ron Schuster, Bobby Burks, Father Jack Lynch, CSP, Arlene Havel, Phil Duncan, Michele Kearin, Father Brad Schoeberle, CSP, Mary Tokuza, Haruko Hiromura, Donny Kie, Cesar Robeniol, Nellie Scholar, may they rest in peace.