President's Desk
February 2010

FRUITS OF THE MINISTRY

As we approach the season of Lent I want to share with you one of the most wonderful fruits of this Ministry.

In December of 1996 I led a pilgrimage to Caracas, Venezuela to visit the Shrines especially Betania where our Lady appeared to Maria Esperanza as well as manifesting herself to numerous pilgrims as well.

I was really happy to have on this pilgrimage my friend David Guzman and his aunt. David and I were parishioners at Santa Cruz and friends. We went out to breakfast very often after mass. He became interested as I actually led over 15 pilgrimages to the site and he decided he wanted to go.

While we were at Betania, David heard the homily of one of the Priest's that were celebrating mass (there were masses celebrated every hour as long as there were Priests there). The words he heard went to his heart through the intercession of Our Lady and he started the discernment process to become a Priest.

He entered the formation period to become a Carmelite Priest. As the years have gone on, the prayers of this ministry and all others that prayed for him, HE WAS ORDAINED TO THE PRIESTHOOD ON JANUARY 30, 2010 at Santa Cruz Church.

Father Christopher mentioned that it must have touched my heart when Bishop Kikanis mentioned the fact that his "calling" began on that very trip. That is an understatement. I have been privileged to be at all the major events as he persevered in his vocation and this was the highlight.

As this ministry is to pray and aide our Priests this is the greatest of the "fruits". What a heartwarming joy to see this special person celebrate Mass at Santa Cruz. We had a packed church for his first mass on January 31st as well.

I would ask you to continue to pray for Father David Guzman and all our Priests in this year of the Priesthood.
We have been able to provide Father Philip from St. Margaret’s Parish with 100 glow in the dark rosaries and 500 scapulars for the youth of their parish. We have more for Santa Cruz and the Youth group as well.

We received a Valentine's Day card from one of the catechism classes as well in appreciation for some donated items for them. That was very special and very much appreciated.

We have several very special people we are praying in a special way for this month as well as all your intentions as we pray together and approach this Lenten season.

God Bless You.

Gayle

AS WE BEGIN OUR LENTEN SEASON, LET US ALL STRIVE TO GIVE UP ALL THAT IS HOLDING US BACK FROM TOTALLY SURRENDING OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF GOD.

Gayle