Pastor's letter for this week
January 9, 2026
Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,
I hope you are all doing well and staying strong! Things got back to normal this week as everyone is back from vacation and back to school. We completed another small restoration task this week as the encasement of the tabernacle was refinished. A few years ago when we restored the tabernacle to its central position I had the door replated. At the time, however, it was not possible to have the rim encasement around it replated, but it was completed earlier today and looks wonderful.
On Monday I leave for my annual weeklong trip to Cuba. Frankly, I look forward to it and dread it at the same time. I look forward to it because I get to see my extended family and the parishioners at my home parish. But I dread it because of all of the inconveniences which I have to put up with. Electricity is always scarce but this year it’s far worse than ever. They get basically about 4 or 5 hours of power on a good day. Sometimes none at all. And now gasoline is a huge issue to the point where I’m not sure how I’ll get transported from and to the airport. We shall see. Maybe a horse-drawn cart. That happened on year!
On a very pleasant note, I’m very happy to announce that, after a long search, we now have a new Choir Director for our Spanish Masses. His name is Jason Castillo and he will be starting soon. Initially he will be forming a choir for the 11:00 a.m. Mass and then expand to the 2:00 p.m. Mass. The 6:30 a.m. Mass will continue with cantor and organist. We have been looking for someone for this position for several years without success until now so it is a very happy development.
On a sad note, this week we grieve the loss of our long-time parishioner, Roseann Anderson. Roseann passed away on December 27th. The Rosary Vigil will be tonight at 7:15 p.m. in the Sacristy chapel and the Funeral Mass tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the church. Over the years, Roseann was involved in numerous parish activities including the Concert Committee as well as a very active member of the Christ Child Society. We will greatly miss her! In your kindness please pray for the repose of her soul and the consolation of her family.
Here is the rest of the news from the parish:
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD – This Sunday we celebrate this beautiful feast reminding us of the beginning of our Lord’s ministry as He went forth to proclaim the Good News. With this feast we complete the Christmas season so the beautiful Christmas decorations will come down tomorrow as we begin Ordinary Time once again. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also a time for each of us to remind ourselves of the dignity we have as children of God by virtue of our own Baptism. In addition, we also renew our commitment to follow our baptismal call to love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves. As we bless ourselves with holy water at the beginning of Mass today let it serve as a reminder of our own call to service in the Church.
SOME REMINDERS ABOUT THE SACRED LITURGY - As we begin this New Year and close out the Christmas season, it would be worthwhile remembering a few commonsense items regarding our liturgical celebrations:
- Come on time! - It is amazing how many people consistently come late to Mass. This is truly sad because those people miss out on the very important Introductory Rites and the Liturgy of the Word. If they come late enough, they don’t even fulfill their Sunday Mass obligation! Barring unforeseen emergencies, coming to Mass late on a regular basis is simply an indication of poor planning. Make it a goal to come early and prayerfully prepare for the beginning of the Mass. Needless to say, we ought never leave Mass until after the last blessing and closing hymn. Remember who was the first person to leave Mass early (at the Last Supper!) On the good side: both of these problems seem to have improved in the last couple of years. I see most people now waiting until the Celebrant is out the door before dashing out themselves. That's good!
- Proper attire – Worshiping God in church is not like going to a baseball game or to the park. Sadly, some people don’t realize this and rather than putting on their “Sunday best” for Mass they come dressed quite informally. We ought to dress appropriately for Mass giving God the respect He deserves. It doesn’t mean having to wear expensive clothes. It simply means wearing our “Sunday best” whatever that may be for each person. And, of course, always with modest attire.
- Electronics – in our modern age, electronic mobile devices of all kinds are simply a fact of life for the majority of us. Nevertheless, we should remember to turn these devices off (or at least in "silent mode") as we enter church so as not to disturb the prayer of others or our public worship.
- Eating and drinking – the only eating and drinking that should take place in church is that of the reception of Holy Communion. Other than that, it simply is not a place to eat and drink. This is also true for children (other than infants who are still nursing). The chewing of gum, of course, is always inappropriate in church.
- Silence – since the church is a place of prayer, silence should always be observed. The greeting of our friends and neighbors is appropriate for after Mass outside of the church so as not to disturb the prayer of others.
- Applause - Applause at the end of Mass is not appropriate. Our musicians are there to sustain the singing of the congregation, not to perform. Here's what the Popes have said about this:
Pope Saint Pius X said, “It is not fitting that the servant should be applauded in his Master’s house.”
Pope Saint John XXIII said as people waited for him to arrive to a church outside of Rome, “I am very glad to have come here. But if I must express a wish, it is that in church you not shout out, that you not clap your hands, and that you not greet even the Pope, because ‘templum Dei, templum Dei.’ (‘The temple of God is the temple of God.’)
Pope Benedict XVI: “Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment. Such attraction fades quickly – it cannot compete in the market of leisure pursuits, incorporating as it increasingly does various forms of religious titillation."
- Reverence - We must always remember that the church is the House of God. As such we must always maintain a spirit of reverence and respect. As we enter the vestibule, we should bless ourselves with holy water. Then as we enter the church, we should make a genuflection toward Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle prior to entering our pew.
In Christ and St. Andrew,
Father Gonzalez
ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN CHURCH
CENTENNIAL ORGAN AT SAINT ANDREW CHURCH
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION