Dear friends,

As July draws to a close, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for the summer I’ve spent with the community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This final month has been nothing short of transformative, marked by unexpected moments of surrender, powerful encounters with Christ, and profound witness to the love and faith of this vibrant parish.

The month began with a personal trial—a week marked by illness and car troubles. While unplanned and inconvenient, these moments became an unexpected grace. I was reminded that trust in God is often forged in our weakness. Sometimes, we are simply called to stop, rest, and ask for help. That week, I experienced the kindness and generosity of this community and staff in very real ways. Even amidst this, I was still able to briefly assist with the parish’s Vacation Bible School, where the joy and energy of the children reminded me that God wants us to be childlike and to depend on Him fully.

July 16th marked the heart of this parish’s identity: the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. What a gift it was to celebrate with Solemn Vespers, a beautiful Holy Mass, a Marian procession, and a joyful potluck. I witnessed the love this community has for our Blessed Mother, and I felt proud and humbled to be part of it. The reverence, the unity, and the joy that flowed from that celebration were a foretaste of the communion we all long for in Heaven.

Later in the month, I joined the teens on their retreat to Steubenville West in Tucson. This was my first time, and I was really moved. The theme, “For the Lord, your God, is a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24), lit a spark in all of us. I sensed the fire of God’s love for the teens, and the teens’ response through worship, adoration, and fellowship. It was powerful to walk with them and witness their openness to grace.

Another meaningful moment came when I was invited to share my testimony with the young adult group. I spoke vulnerably about my own encounter with the Lord and the call to love with a pierced heart—just like Jesus and Mary. I encouraged them to embrace the risk of love, knowing that it may lead to wounds, but also to resurrection. Their openness and faithfulness moved me deeply.

Toward the end of the month, I had the privilege of attending the School and Staff Retreat. The theme, “Shine with the Light of Grace,” came alive through the powerful witness of the Sisters of Life. Their reflections on prayer, belovedness, and living in communion with the Father renewed my own desire to live from a place of childlike wonder and deep trust. I left that retreat with hope, a renewed heart, and a litany of gratitude.

As I conclude my time at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, I want to thank each of you for welcoming me, praying with me, and teaching me by your example. You have shown me what it means to belong to a parish family, and I will carry this experience with me as I continue my journey toward the priesthood.

Lastly, I invite all of you to mark your calendars for The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15th. It is a Holy Day of Obligation, but more than that, it is a day of celebration. Jesus gave us His Mother, and in her Assumption, we celebrate the glory she now shares with Him. Let us enter into this mystery with joy, knowing that where she has gone, we too are called to follow. Where Mary is, Jesus is also there.

Thank you, OLMC. You have been a gift. Please pray for me in this journey to the priesthood.

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