Dear Parish Family,

Peace be with you! (And if peace seems to be hiding in the back of the back closet this week, you are not alone.) As your pastor, and as a fellow pilgrim who sometimes forgets why he walked into the sacristy, I wanted to share a word of hope, joy, and yes, a little holy humor for our parish bulletin.

We are blessed to be under the patronage of Our Lady of Peace, who knows a thing or two about trusting God when the world feels anything but peaceful. When the angel greeted her, Mary did not receive a neatly typed five-year plan. She received a promise and a call to trust. And trust she did. As Scripture reminds us, “Nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:37). That verse alone can calm a lot of anxious hearts… and at least, I’m hoping and praying for, half of our overthinking.

It’s easy these days to look at the glass and debate whether it’s half empty, cracked, or needs to be recycled. But faith teaches us to look again. With God, the glass is not only half full—it’s being continually refilled. St. Paul encourages us, “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Notice he doesn’t say, “Rejoice when everything is perfect.” Thank goodness! If that were the case, most of us would still be waiting to rejoice.

Christian hope is not wishful thinking or spiritual denial. It is the quiet confidence that God is at work even when we can’t see the whole picture. Jesus tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Not the world’s peace, which depends on circumstances, but His peace, which depends on love. And love, as we know, is very stubborn.

Here’s the hopeful truth: God is doing good things in our parish. Sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly, often through people who don’t even realize the grace they are carrying. A kind word after Mass. A meal shared. A prayer offered when no one is watching. These are not small things. In the Kingdom of God, they are building blocks.

If you’re feeling tired, remember Jesus’ gentle invitation: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). He doesn’t add, “after you get everything together.” He simply says, “Come.”

So let us keep our eyes lifted, our hearts open, and our sense of humor intact. Saints, after all, are just sinners who trusted God, and probably laughed a little along the way. With Our Lady of Peace walking beside us, may we be people who carry calm into chaos, light into shadow, and hope into every corner of our community.

The glass is half full, dear friends, because God is still pouring. Blessings for a beautiful and faith filled phenomenal 2026.

God Bless and Happy New Year!

-Fr. Francisco

P.S. Don’t forget to pray!