To the Parishioners of St. Philip Neri Parish, sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints –

“Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.

Jesus said to his disciples – and to us: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify because you have been with me from the beginning.” (John 15:26) … On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14: 15)

Mahatma Gandhi reinforces the invitation and commissioning of Jesus when he said: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world in our body. If we can change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man/woman changes his/her nature, so does the attitudes of the world change towards that person. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is – and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.”

We have been empowered, in and through the Holy Spirit to live life to the fullest, and to make a difference in the world. May we pray this STEWARDSHIP PRAYER:

My church is composed of people like me – I help make it what it is. 

It (my church) will be friendly if I am. It will do great work if I work.  

It will make generous donations to many causes if I am a generous giver.  

It (my church) will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I invite and bring them.  

It will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, trust and hope … a church with a noble spirit, 

If (I), who helps make it what it is, am filled with the same things/virtues.  

We can make a difference, when we stand and pray together!

Can we make this our Easter commitment?  With the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of BEING all these things I want my church to be.  Amen.

So … wherever you go, go with God, the Advocate … whenever you go, go make a difference.

Praise be Jesus Christ … and Mary Immaculate

St. Philip Neri … pray for us

St. Eugene de Mazenod … pray for us

St. Kateri Tekakwitha … pray for us

God is good … all the time.

Yours sincerely,

Fr. Mike Dechant OMI