Welcome back to another year of parish ministry and praise of God through Christ and the Holy Spirit!
I am blessed to be with you as pastor and co-disciple of Christ at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel. Fr. Mariusz Gajewski and I are committed to serving your needs as you seek to deepen your spiritual life and follow in the Way of Jesus.
I have been overwhelmed with the genuine welcome afforded me; you have lifted my spirit and filled me with new hope as a priest.
I want to lift up in high praise and thanks your beloved pastor for 18 years, Fr. Jude Salus, OSB. What an involved and dynamic parish you have created under his leadership. I can only hope that I will be able to continue such compassionate care for the ‘flock of Christ’.
So a new year of ministry lies ahead of us at Notre Dame. I am ready and willing to journey with you, to praise God in the Eucharist, and to reach out to all in need of the compassion of Jesus Christ.
In the spirit of Pope Francis I call on all of us to come together as Missionary Disciples and proclaim the Good News to all who seek it on their faith journey. There is a joy to the Gospel of Jesus. Let us embrace it, and sprinkle it on the fertile ground of God’s Kingdom at Notre Dame!
Next week we will gather at Malapardis Park for the parish picnic. Fr, Mariusz and I are looking forward to greeting you and enjoying good food and fun together. Come on out and celebrate together our faith and friendship!
In humble gratitude for being called to be your pastor,
Fr. Paddy