Fr. Francisco reflects on four years as pastor of Our Lady of Peace Church in a special letter to the parish. Thank you, Father, for four wonderful years of faith and leadership. Together, we move forward in faith!
"Four years have passed since I began my journey as the head of our parish, and as I look back and reflect, an old joke comes to mind:
The teacher turns to little Johnny and asks, “What is half of 8?” He thinks for a couple of seconds and asks, “Across, or up-and-down?” She’s puzzled and answers that it doesn’t matter, to which he responds, “Of course it does, it makes all the difference! See,” says Johnny, “if it’s up and down, the answer is 3, but if it’s across, then it’s 0.”
That clever response speaks deeply to me. Perspective changes everything. And in many ways, my time at OLP has been about discovering new perspectives, trusting the process, and allowing God to guide us in shaping our parish in unexpected and beautiful ways.
When we began this journey together, we were still navigating the uncertainty of COVID-19. The Academy was on probation, our beloved Country Fair was nearing its final days, and our parish buildings were in desperate need of attention. Yet, through it all, God was present.
In these four years, we have accomplished a great deal: we installed a new and secure security camera system; upgraded the sound and replaced and enhanced the livestream system to eliminate transmission failures. We purchased new altar linens and liturgical vessels to ensure compliance with Church liturgical regulations, and we improved the church lighting so that everyone can see more clearly and read the texts with ease. We streamlined our rectory technology, going from six separate computer systems to one unified system. We also upgraded the way we record donations and contributions, allowing for more accurate tracking by both the parish and individual parishioners. We recreated the entire website, redesigned the bulletin with a fresh look, and tested multiple catechetical programs, ultimately selecting the one most preferred by parents and students. We removed an aging and leaking oil tank, repaired the roofs of all parish buildings (except the church), and refinished the parking lot. Finally, we began transitioning the gardens into self-sustaining spaces, lending a hand to our dedicated volunteers and making their work more manageable.
Our Academy also saw major transformations: we replaced old, stained classroom carpets with new wood-look flooring, added fresh paint, updated furniture, and created a teacher’s lounge. We addressed longstanding issues like flooding with a French drain system and refinished the gym, thanks to support from our CYO program. The curriculum was restructured, and new programs were introduced, along with vital upgrades to the fire alarm and security systems.
Beyond the physical buildings and systems, the most significant growth has been spiritual and communal. The pews are fuller, with so many new faces joining us at Mass. “Father, my name is ___, and I’m/we are new to the parish,” has become a common and welcome greeting. And let’s not forget the many “old faces” who have chosen to return. To all of you, I extend a heartfelt welcome.
Lastly, I want to express a very special thank you to those who have been here long before my arrival. Your warm welcome and the opportunity you’ve given me to serve have meant the world to me. Thank you. Our parish has become known throughout New Providence and beyond as a place of welcome, joy, and vibrant liturgy. People come for our celebrations: Christmas trees, Easter decorations, liturgies rich with meaning... and they return because they feel they belong. We are a church alive with faith. And as we grow in numbers, we also grow closer to one another, through uplifting worship, through shared service - and yes, through Name Tag Sundays that help us truly know each other.
These four years have been a gift. I thank God - and each of you - for making them so. Let’s continue forward together!"
-Fr. Francisco