From The Pastors Desk
Dear Parishioners,
Today is the last Sunday of the month of July! Summer seems to be flying right by, but thank goodness that we have a few more weeks of summer to enjoy the rest and relaxation that I think we deserve. I had the beautiful opportunity to attend the XIII Black Catholic Congress this past weekend, which was held in Washington DC. This was my second Congress that I attended, the first was in 2017 which was held in Orlando, Florida. It was a weekend filled with the Holy Spirit! Having the opportunity to gather with almost 3,000 other Black Catholics throughout the country from at least 80 other Dioceses within the United States was fruitful and inspiring. I was blessed to be with at least 200 priests, deacons and bishops for this beautiful and faith-filled weekend. In a few weeks, I will share with all of you the pastoral plan that has been drafted for the Black Catholic community throughout the United States, continuing the write the vision of salvation in Christ Jesus.
Our gospel passage for Mass today continues to come from our Lord’s message to his disciples in parables. The Lord speaks to us in parables in order that we can understand and carry out his message of love and mercy as brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus speaks to us of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is like a treasure one finds in a field and buys for all the world to partake of. We, as disciples and witnesses of the Lord must continue to spread the Good News of Christ in this world. We are blessed to be able to gather as a community of believers, to give witness to who Jesus is in our lives. The Kingdom of Heaven is a true treasure, that must be shared with all our brothers and sisters. As we enter the month of August, may these days of summer be moments of encounter with the Lord Jesus, sharing his light and love with others.
On a personal note, last week my family celebrated the 16th anniversary of the death of my maternal grandmother. As many of you know, she was one of the most influential people in my vocation to the priesthood. Unfortunately, she was not here on this earth to see my ordination, but I truly believed that she had the best seat at the cathedral from the Kingdom of Heaven. I would like to share with you the prayer that I prayed 16 years ago at her funeral Mass:
Dear God, please bless my grandparents. Thank you for the life they gave my parents
and for the life, they give to me. For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks. For the ways, they love me no matter what, I rejoice. For the ways, they have paved the road that leads me here, I am grateful. Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work. Let them be healed of every sickness and pain.
And let them see with their own eyes your glory and the love of their children and grandchildren. Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
Wishing you a blessed and peaceful week,
Father Alonzo Q. Cox