Prayers for our Bishop:

(statement from the archdiocese)

Following a mild stroke experienced March 15 while leading a Lenten observance of the Stations of the Cross, we are pleased to report that Cardinal DiNardo’s condition has improved to the point that he has been discharged from St. Joseph’s Hospital — and has entered a standard rehabilitation program which usually lasts in the neighborhood of two weeks. Based on recent trends, doctors expect the Cardinal to make a full recovery.

“I could not be more grateful to the truly wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s for their expert care and compassion, which has helped hasten my way down the road to a full recovery,” said Cardinal DiNardo. “I am also doubly thankful for the many kind wishes and especially the prayers that have been directed towards my healing, which I can assure you are making a true difference. I look forward to getting back to work soon, and continuing the important work we have before us.”

From the Pastor’s Desk:

This month, we focus on the Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) as both an avenue for Lenten Almsgiving, and a necessary support to the good and charitable works of our Archdiocese. Because the impact of this Fund is so widespread, it can be hard to fully appreciate what a practical impact it makes in the lived experience of so many individuals in our area. The yearly DSF video helps highlight some of their stories.

As I mentioned in the recently-published DSF Newsletter, “I didn’t know much about DSF until I was a seminarian, when I not only benefited from the Fund directly, but also realized the tremendous impact it makes all throughout the Archdiocese in a way that I could never do by myself.” I entered the Seminary in 2006, after graduating from college. I was glad to hang my degree in the home of my grandma (or “lola”), who would often show it off to friends and visitors, telling them I was studying to be a priest. The following year, when she decided to pack up her belongings and move back home to the Philippines for good, I distinctly remember coming across several thank you letters from the Archdiocese, thanking her for her DSF contribution. I was struck by how she, living on a meager fixed income and government subsidies, wanted to make sure she budgeted what little she had for the DSF each year – so she could help her grandson in the seminary.

I was oblivious to the DSF before then, and even though her individual contribution may have seemed small, when combined with so many “small” contributions across the wider church, it made a massive impact – for, me, personally. It was only through the DSF that the Archdiocese was able to give me the support I needed to discern and follow through with my vocation: retreats, summer programs, tuition payments, etc. It was very humbling to know that my family, both by blood and by baptism, was taking care of any potential obstacle so that I could freely respond to God’s call. This certainly remains true for each of the 50 or so seminarians we have today.

Since we are still in the collection phase of our Capital Campaign, the Archdiocese has kept our goal the same as it has been for the past 3 years – $205,000. I ask that you please consider making a DSF Contribution – especially if you have not participated in it in the past. Aim for a dollar a day – $365 or $36.50 over the next 10 months we have left in the calendar year. If just 20% of our active parish families contributed that amount, we would already exceed our goal by more than $50,000. Thank you for your generosity this Lenten season, and I look forward to celebrating the successful attainment of this year’s parish DSF goal very soon!

In Christ,

Rev. Eurel Manzano, Pastor

Read the statement from our Bishop, Cardinal DiNardo, regarding the abuse crisis here.

Listen to recent homilies from our clergy addressing the issue here.