Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy,

I hope and pray that you are all doing well and safe.

Congratulations, once again, to our newly Confirmed brothers and sisters!

It was a very beautiful celebration with Bishop Manny Cruz last Sunday. In the name of Our Lady of Mercy, I would like to thank Father Tom, Jeng Villa, Jayvee, catechists and aides who worked so hard in the formation and preparation of these twenty-six young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

As we all know, this has been a different and challenging situation because of the pandemic. Our confirmation candidates were supposed to be confirmed in May. However their formation gatherings and their scheduled ceremony were interrupted by the lock down. Thank God they made it to the end. So, kudos to the team! I cannot thank you enough.

Parents and sponsors of the newly confirmed, thank you for your support and prayers. You have the responsibility to model to these young people the Christian vocation you have received. We entrust them to you. With the help of God, we pray that you will be able to fulfill your duties and responsibilities.

Moving forward, as good Christians and citizens, let us pray for our country. Let us invoke the Holy Spirit to help us have a well-formed conscience to know which candidates to vote for. May the Holy Spirit truly guide us in this election.

We also pray for safety of our children who will be going out for “trick or treating” this Halloween this Saturday. I remind the adults, parents, and friends to watch the children’s every step along the road. Their safety, and yours, is our mutual concern.

I would like to end this short letter by urging you to try your best to do what Jesus commanded you to do in the gospel passage this weekend: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37, 39). One of the many important ways of showing our love for God is by coming to church every Sunday and holy days of obligation. And loving our neighbors as ourselves means respect for one another. Let us strive to do that.

Thank you and God bless each and every one of you!

Love,

Father Marty