Pastor's letter for this week

May 22, 2026,

Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,

I hope you are all doing well and staying strong!  This has been a very busy week as we prepare for the end of the academic year with Graduation as well as our upcoming Confirmation Mass.  This time of year is very popular for weddings so there are lots of those as well.  That’s always a joy especially when one knows the couple and the family well.  That was the case for a wedding I had this afternoon.  It was a wonderful celebration.  

Today begins the Memorial Day weekend so a lot of our parishioners will be out of town and traveling.  Let’s keep everyone in our prayers to have safe trips.  Even though this weekend is usually known as the “beginning of summer” the real reason for the holiday is to thank and pray for all those who generously and willingly gave their lives for our country.  We ought never to forget their sacrifice.

I’m currently doing the Mass schedules for this summer and was just given a curveball because all travel from Uganda has been halted due to the Ebola virus outbreak in neighboring Congo.  There are only two cases of it in Uganda but all flights to the U.S. have been halted for 30 days.  It is likely that will be extended.  That would mean that Frs. Deogratias and Kizito, who usually come to visit in the summer, will be unable to come.  So I’m scrambling to ensure we have coverage as Fr. Villasano will be taking vacation in July and I go later in the summer.  Fortunately, we still have Fr. Okello with us until the end of July and Fr. Josephraj will not be taking his vacation until after Christmas.  But summer is also the time he usually goes out of town several weekends to preach the Missionary Co-Op collection.  But we will find coverage for all Masses one way or another.

Here is the rest of the news from the parish:

SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST – This Sunday we celebrate this beautiful feast of the Holy Spirit.  We recall the manifestation of the fulfillment of the Lord’s assurance that He would send the Holy Spirit to inspire and protect His Church.  It is also sometimes called the “birthday of the Church” since her missionary efforts began following the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost concludes the Easter season.  The next two Sundays, although in Ordinary Time, celebrate the beautiful solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi.  

MEMORIAL DAY – This Monday, May 25th, is Memorial Day.  We will pray for the repose of the souls of those who gave their life for our country.  Please note that since this is a civic holiday, there will be only one Mass that day at 9:30 a.m. The parish office and school will be closed.  

MASS FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS - The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month. In support of this, the Saint Andrew Mental Health Ministry will be offering the 12:30 pm Mass on May 31st for all our parishioners who struggle with mental health challenges and those who care for them. We will also celebrate the feast of Saint Dymphna, patron saint of those who suffer from mental illness, anxiety, and emotional distress. Saint Dymphna, pray for us!

DO WE WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS WELL? - When new parishioners register in our parish they receive a personal letter from me welcoming them and familiarizing them with our parish.  

However, it is important that all of us welcome new people when they come to church.  I recently read a Yelp review left by a family visiting our church for the first time.  While they appreciated the music, beauty, homily, etc. they mentioned that they did not feel welcome by our parishioners.  Quoting directly from the review: “A Good Morning and a smile could go a long way and can improve the experience in the house of God.”  I agree completely!

Sadly, this is not the first time I have heard this comment.  I think it challenges all of us to review our attitude toward visitors and newcomers.  Because so many of our parishioners are friends and know each other well, it is easy to stay in our own insular group especially when socializing after Mass in the piazza.  On the other hand, this is a wonderful opportunity to welcome new faces when we see them.  So, let’s rise to the occasion, if you see someone you don’t recognize after Mass, go over and smile and say “Hello!” and “Welcome!”

ANNUAL RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES – It is our practice to honor our young parishioners who are graduating from high school or college during the month of June.  We will have 2 special Masses of recognition on Sunday, June 14th once all the graduations have taken place.   At the 12:30 p.m. Mass in English and at the 2:00 p.m. Mass in Spanish we will recognize these wonderful young men and women and give them a special blessing as well as a small gift from the parish.  If you have a member of your family who is graduating this year from high school or college, please let them know about these Masses and encourage them to come and attend dressed in their graduation gown and sit in the front pews.  This is a wonderful way for us to thank God for these young men and women and to highlight the importance of education. 

PARKING AT ST. ANDREW'S - Just a quick reminder, especially because we have so many new parishioners, that parking for visiting the church for any reason at any time is always free. Our parking lot is managed by Diamond Parking Company of Pasadena and there is a fee for parking there for those people who are not visiting the church, office or school.  If you mistakenly receive a parking ticket and were visiting the parish, please simply contact the parish office and it will be erased. Thank you!

In Christ and St. Andrew,

Fr. Gonzalez

ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN CHURCH
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION