Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday, we began the Faith formation classes for the new year. From this year, we have accommodated all the Faith formation sessions on Sundays only. I take this occasion to thank Diane Parzyk, our Faith Formation Director, Maureen Galla, our Confirmation Director and our dedicated team of Faith formation guides who have been accompanying our children through their faith journey. A special word of thanks to Annette Frank, Shannon Rodorigo and Ruth Meyer and Eileen Westgate, who have newly joined the Faith Formation team! Thank you for your generosity and availability! On behalf of our parish family, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the members of our faith formation team! May God bless you and your families!
In the liturgy today, the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel employ the image of the Lord’s vineyard. The Lord’s vineyard is his “dream,” the plan which he nurtures with all his love, like a farmer who cares for his vineyard. Vines are plants which need much care! God’s “dream” is his people – all of us! He plants us and nurtures us with patient and faithful love, so that we can become a holy people, a people which brings forth abundant fruits of justice.
But in both the ancient prophecy and in Jesus’ parable, God’s dream is thwarted. Isaiah says that the vine which he so loved and nurtured has yielded “wild grapes.” In the Gospel, it is the farmers themselves who ruin the Lord’s plan. Let us allow Christ the true Vine to nurture us, the branches, to bear abundant fruit for God’s Kingdom
Last Sunday, we honored the couples who were celebrating their significant wedding anniversaries. I would like to thank the members of the Small Christian Community for organizing the homely reception for them. Thank you to all the couples and their families who joined in this joyful celebration!
Today, October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. This year is the 800th anniversary of the death of Francis of Assisi. The Church has declared a special Jubilee Year, with the theme, San Francesco Vive” (Saint Francis Lives On), running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027, as proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV. The legacy that St. Francis left behind for the Church and the entire world reminds us to care for Creation, to be instruments of peace in the world and to live a life of simplicity, humility and selfless service to the marginalized.
United in prayers in asking the Lord to make us instruments of peace in the world in imitation of St. Francis of Assisi,
Fr. Joy Jacob, SDB