Dear Parishioners,

Our gospel passage for Mass today comes from Our Lord’s farewell discourse. As Jesus is preparing to ascend to take his seat at the right hand of the Father, he tells his disciples that they will not be alone. Jesus will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit to be with them. The Spirit of Truth will be with them to guide and strengthen the community. This Thursday we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. As he is taken up into heaven the Lord wants us to know that he will never abandon us. We are people of hope, knowing that with the Lord at our side no one or nothing can harm us. During this month of May, we continue to ask for the Blessed Mother’s powerful intercession for healing, strength and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace pray for us!

As I mentioned this Thursday, May 21 is the solemnity of the Ascension. Mass will be livestreamed from Our Lady of Victory Church at 12:00Noon. It can be seen live on our parish Facebook and then it will be uploaded to our YouTube page. On Saturday May 30, we will celebrate the Vigil of Pentecost with Vespers and Benediction. It will begin at 5:00PM and will be livestreamed on our parish Facebook page and then uploaded to our YouTube page. Brother Christopher Cato will be the preacher. Many of you have tuned in through Facebook and YouTube and we thank you for staying connected. The gift of social media has helped us with proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ during this pandemic. Since we do not know when we will be able to gather again as a community, we will continue to livestream weekday and Sunday masses.

As we enter into another week of lockdown and social distancing, I want to thank you again for your prayers and concern. Both Father Kingsley and I are grateful for your generosity. Please be assured of our thoughts and prayers for each of you. We miss all of you very much. It is our hope that we will be able to gather soon to celebrate the Eucharist as a community of believers. Until that time though, let us pray for one another, most especially as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, which is the birthday of the Church universal.

We also continue to pray for those who have been affected by this deadly virus. We recall the souls who have died from this virus as well. May the healing presence of Christ console their loved ones. We also pray for those who are on the front lines in combating this virus such as doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement.

I thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart for your spiritual and financial generosity. I am blessed to call myself your shepherd. I ask the Lord to bless each of you with his abundant love, mercy, peace and joy. Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful, enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and you shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Wishing you a peaceful week,

Father Alonzo Q. Cox