Pastor's letter for this week

December 26, 2025

Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,

I hope you are all doing well and staying strong!  Merry Christmas!  I hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebration.  We were very blessed at the parish with huge crowds (except for the Spanish Masses with people who paid too much attention to the alarmist media which claimed that we all needed to build arks like Noah).  The Vigil Masses and Midnight Mass were particularly full with Midnight Mass at standing room only.  It was beautiful!

The Christmas season continues now until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 11th.  The Christmas decorations will then come down on Monday, January 12th and Ordinary Time begins once again.

Today is catch up and clean up day at the parish and I’m trying to clear my desk of a lot of stuff that had been neglected due to the Christmas schedule.  It’s also a little breather prior to the weekend schedule.  I’m looking forward to the Rose Parade and hope that the weather is good.

Here is the rest of the news from the parish:

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Following the celebration of Christmas last week, this Sunday we celebrate this beautiful feast in which we recall the Holy Family of Nazareth.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph provide for us a beautiful example of the virtues that should be lived out in each of our own families.  Perhaps this week would be a good time to make a resolution regarding our families for this coming year.  I suggest especially the “Family Night”.  This consists of setting aside at least one evening per week, in which everyone eats together, then prays together (the rosary would be especially appropriate) and then enjoys a fun activity together such as a board game or a good movie.     Let us strengthen our families in this coming year!

NEW YEAR’S DAY – SOLEMNITY OF MARY – Thursday, January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God.  In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles this is not a Holy Day of Obligation as it is elsewhere in the country as the Archbishop has dispensed of the obligation.  Nevertheless, we will have special Masses for the feast day since it is a wonderful way to begin the New Year.  Vigil Masses on December 31st will be: 5:30 p.m. in English and 7:00 p.m. in Spanish.  On January 1st, due to the Rose Parade, we are not able to have Masses in the morning so Mass will take place at 12:30 p.m. in English and then the usual 6:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS - Many people have the custom of making resolutions for the New Year.  This is a worthwhile practice, but we should not neglect to make resolutions regarding our spiritual life.  Some of the ones I suggest: a) more daily prayer; b) regular Confession; c) never missing Mass on Sundays or Holy Days; d) spiritual reading each day; e) being faithful in your tithes to God, etc.  These are obviously quite basic and simple but, if done, they would change your life.

MANY THANKS ALL AROUND!

We have much we have to be grateful for during the month of December just finishing.  Many thanks to:

- All the members of our Guadalupe Society and Altar Decorations committee for their beautiful decorations for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Christmas.  

- The St. Vincent de Paul Society for their great generosity in the preparation of the Christmas baskets of food and toys to our needy families.

- The wonderful and dedicated parishioners who decorated the church and piazza for Christmas.

- The parishioners who donated poinsettia flowers for the decoration of the church.

- Our wonderful priests who daily minister to us but worked especially hard during the month of December on the various celebrations.

- Our musicians and school staff who conducted the Christmas Program as well as all the extra music required for the feast days

- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Knights of the Altar, Altar servers and Sacristans, all of whom had extra duties.

- And all of our parishioners who supported the events of this past month.
As we finish one year and start a new one it is also a time to give thanks to the numerous individuals who give freely of their time all year long.  I especially want to thank the heads of the various ministries and parish organizations who have worked hard this year.  We especially thank:

- Our musicians, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, and sacristans who serve so well to make our liturgical celebrations beautiful and dignified.   

- All the volunteers who clean up after Mass and clean the altars on a regular basis as well as those who freely launder the liturgical linens on a regular basis. 

- The Altar Decorations Group who beautifully decorate our sanctuary for the various seasons and feast days.

- All our wonderful catechists who teach the Faith to our children and adults every week.

- The members of our Parish Finance Council who meet regularly to oversee our finances 

- Our money counters who work diligently week in and week out every year.

- Our parish and school staff who work hard for minimal pay.

Thank you to all!  May God reward each of you!

UPDATES - Because of the holiday schedule, our bulletins at the end of the year are printed early.  This means that they may not always contain the most updated information.  However, you can always check our website for the latest information: www.standrewpasadena.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR! - Finally, on behalf of the Priests, Deacon and Staff, I want to wish you and your family a very Happy New Year filled with the Lord’s blessings!

In Christ and St. Andrew,

Father Gonzalez

NEW YEAR’S DAY SCHEDULE
ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN CHURCH
CENTENNIAL ORGAN AT SAINT ANDREW CHURCH
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION