Message from Our Pastor Fr. Aaron Pierre, S.J.
Love While We Still Have Time
Fifteen minutes before celebrating a wedding recently,
I received some very sad news: my friend Fr. Steve Molvarec, S.J., had died unexpectedly. He was only 46.
Steve and I had been classmates during our Jesuit formation. He had a generous heart, especially for those who were poor or felt left out. He could also be stubborn and opinionated, and our friendship was not always easy.
When I heard of his death, I felt deep sadness. I also found myself thinking about the opportunities I had let pass: the times I could have reached out, checked in, or made more of an effort to maintain our friendship. What weighed on me most was the good I could have done for him and didn't.
Then I walked into church and celebrated a wedding. Two people promised before God to love one another in good times and in bad, all the days of their lives. As I listened, I realized that promise isn't only for spouses. Every relationship asks us to keep showing up while we still can.
November, the month we remember our dead, holds gratitude, grief, and hope together. On All Saints Day we celebrate those who now live in God's presence; on All Souls Day we entrust our loved ones to God's mercy, confident that in Christ, death does not have the final word.
But remembering the dead can also change how we treat the living. We often assume there will be another chance to say "I love you," to ask forgiveness, to call someone, or simply to spend time together. Sometimes there is. Sometimes there isn't.
This November, I invite you to pray for someone you miss. You can remember them at our parish altars by bringing a photo, a candle, or a name, or by making a donation in their honor. And then think of someone who is still here perhaps someone you've been meaning to call or someone you've found difficult to love.
Reach out. Make time. Take one small step.
We cannot recover every missed opportunity. But with God's grace, we can love more generously today.
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