Dear friends,

I am sure you have all heard this phrase: “To Jesus through Mary”. This simple, but profound truth is the very heart of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish. Our existence, our mission, is singular: to lead all who pass through our doors to heaven through a deep and abiding focus on the Eucharist, the very source and summit of our faith, and a devoted love for our Blessed Mother, Mary, our Patroness.

As your pastor, I am committed to facilitating this sacred journey for you and your families as I have promised over and over again. I, along with our dedicated staff, wise council members, and teachers, labor daily in this vineyard. However, the truth of the Gospel is that the work of the Church is not a task for a few; it is a vocation for all.

Our parish is more than just a building; it is a family of faith, a vibrant spiritual home that must be dynamic to carry out Christ’s Great Commission: “Go out to the whole world, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. A truly vibrant parish is one where every member recognizes the gifts God has given them for this task—whether it's the gift of hospitality, administration, teaching, music, or simple, humble service—and puts those gifts to work.

If our parish is to be all that God intends it to be, if we are to successfully lead souls to Christ through the Eucharist and Mary, we cannot do it with the same few hands. I cannot do this alone. Your staff cannot do this alone. Your councils cannot do this alone.

We need you, our volunteers!

I am issuing a heartfelt plea to every parishioner: Step up and play your role as I have emphasized throughout the month of September. Imagine the impact we can have if every family contributes just a small portion of their time and talent:

• Our liturgies would become even more reverent and beautiful through more ministers and choir members.
• Our children and teens would be formed more deeply in the faith with dedicated catechists and youth leaders.
• Our sick and homebound would be reached and cared for with more love and frequency.
• Our parish life would be enriched through more fellowship and community events.

You are indispensable. You were not given your gifts to keep them hidden. The life and vitality of Our Lady of Mount Carmel depend on the generosity of your spirit. I ask you prayerfully to consider: What gift has God given me that I can offer to help lead souls to heaven?

On Sun, Nov 9, I will be having a meeting with the various ministry leaders to share our parish mission and vision with them. They will, in turn, share the same with all of you through our different ministries. Let us work together—pastor, staff, councils, volunteers, and dear parishioners—to make our parish a powerful and dynamic beacon of Christ’s love where every soul is drawn closer to the Eucharistic Lord through the heart of Mary so that we may all get to heaven.

I love you!

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