President's Desk

REFLECTION ON 2009 AND UPDATE FOR 2010

I am sure you have noticed that there was no update for the web site in December. There were a few upsets for the end of the year. I got a very severe case of food poisoning the middle of the month. For the first time in fifteen years the gift shop was closed for 3 ½ days which really shocked our regular customers.

I have been told by our Priests and others in the ministry that God allowed this to happen so that I would slow down, reflect, join the suffering to that of Our Lord, listen to Our Lady and heal from the attacks that were thrown at me for the year of 2009. I believe we all have to take some quiet reflection time but as Val, our Secretary told me; some people can be tapped on the shoulder and listen you have to be hit over the head with a boulder to listen. That is true. The time was hard as I was so sick but so blessed because my daughters came to take care of me, I was able to stay home for Christmas (first time in at least 15 years) with all coming to my house.

It turned out to be a very blessed time, quiet time, reflection time and a new focus for this New Year of 2010. Fr. Isaac, our Priest for our masses here in the ministry said we will receive many blessings and things will happen in 2010 that we would never expect. His prayer of blessing over us on the Feast of the Mother of God here in the store was so powerful and all of you were included in our intentions for that Mass.

We are excited to look forward to this year after the challenges that were faced for 2009. We will continue to have fund raisers to recoup the loss of the money for the Cruise that will not be returned to us, the challenges for our parish are more under control than they have been and the decisions made here in the ministry are very positive as well. For myself, I feel very peaceful and happy that we have such a strong ministry as a whole.

It is amazing how we can get to busy even though we think we are doing all with total surrender to the will of God and actually be living in stress. My prayer for all of us is that we take time to focus on what God’s will is for each and every one of us. Don’t wait for an illness or other disaster to force us to take the time, let’s all take a little time with the heavenly court to start a very sincere and honest focus on our lives for this new year of 2010.

As we continue our prayers for you we know the miracles and healings will continue through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother who guides us all the way.

We had our annual Board meeting with all Officers being re-elected. The Board has a new member, Lupe DeLaTorre with Joey Garcia retiring because of health problems. We welcome Lupe and thank Joey for the time she was with us.

God Bless You. I wish you a Happy New Year with God’s special blessing on each one of you.

Gayle