Pastor's letter for this week
February 27, 2026,
Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,
I hope you are all doing well and staying strong! Lent is in full swing now and it is wonderful to see how many people are coming to daily Mass and to the Stations of the Cross on Fridays. It’s a surprisingly hot day today coming after last week’s rather cold weather. The wide swings in temperatures cause our HVAC system to go from heat in the early morning to AC by late afternoon. It also doesn’t help my health as I always get a cold in this kind of weather. Oh well.
Yesterday we concluded the Spanish Parish Mission and now anticipate the English Parish Mission next week (more information below and attached). I am hopeful that as many of our parishioners as possible take advantage of coming to the Mission for spiritual renewal.
This week we finished another restoration project which was to install new lighting in the Sacristy Chapel as well as painting it. As a result we will start to celebrate the daily Lenten noon Mass in the Sacristy Chapel on Monday. Many of our long-time parishioners recall that all our daily Masses used to be in that chapel, but we moved to the church following the pandemic in order to accommodate the larger numbers of parishioners attending daily Mass. However, it is a perfect size for the noon Mass during Lent.
Here is the rest of the news from the parish:
LENTEN PARISH MISSION IN ENGLISH THIS WEEK – The Parish Mission for 2026 will take place this week during the Second Week of Lent. This year it will be conducted by the Fathers of Mercy with Fr. Ricardo Pineda, CPM as the preacher. Please mark your calendars today as there will be two English conferences: one in the morning after the 8:15 a.m. Mass and one in the evening at 7:15 p.m. The same talk is given in the morning and in the afternoon so you can choose the best time for you.
Please note that our English Parish Groups will NOT be meeting that week so that everyone can attend the mission. Attached is a flyer in today’s bulletin giving details about the Mission and about Fr. Pineda. He will be preaching at all English Masses this weekend to introduce the Mission.
LENTEN REMINDERS – As part of Lent, please remember that we have the Stations of the Cross devotion each week. We pray the Stations each Friday of Lent at 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in English and at 7:00 pm in Spanish. The English Stations in the evening are concluded with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Following the evening Stations, everyone is invited to participate in the Lenten Soup Suppers in the Parish Hall. They take place after each session of Stations.
We also have Confessions 5 times per week: Tuesdays during the 7:00 p.m. Holy Hour, Fridays at 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Please take advantage of this opportunity to cleanse your soul and receive the grace of the Sacrament of Penance.
In addition, we also have our special noon Mass (12:05 p.m.) Monday through Friday so those who cannot attend the morning 8:15 a.m. Mass can have another opportunity for daily Mass.
HAVE YOU MADE YOUR PLEDGE? – Our annual Together in Mission Campaign began several weeks ago. As you know, this campaign assists the poorest parishes and schools of the Archdiocese. Our parish goal this year is $75,322.00. This reflects our income in 2025. It is a great opportunity to help out these poor parishes even more.
Some parishioners have asked me if any of these funds go to other expenses of the Archdiocese such as the settlement of lawsuits, etc. The answer is: no. These are restricted funds that go specifically to assist the poorest parishes to keep their doors open. It is very greatly needed.
The important thing is that everyone participates according to their means. If you have more then give more, if you have less, then give less. But everybody’s part is important. The pledge envelopes are available in the pews and in the Pastoral Center. You may also make your contribution online by going to: togetherinmission.org. Please be sure to click on "St. Andrew Church" as your parish so that it is credited to our goal.
To all those who have already donated or made their pledge for 2026: thank you!
MORNING OF RECOLLECTION FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS- It has been our practice the last few years to have a morning of Recollection during Lent for all liturgical ministers (lectors, Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, musicians, sacristans). The English one will take place on Saturday, March 21st. We will begin with Mass at 8:15 a.m. then a continental breakfast in the Altar Server room followed by conference in the Sacristy Chapel. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All liturgical ministers are invited. Please let the head of your ministry know if you can attend so we can have a count for continental breakfast.
CHORAL STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Please note that the evening Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 27th will be slightly different. Instead of praying them at 5:30 p.m. we will be doing so at 7:00 p.m. and they will be sung by our Pueri Cantores children’s choir. They will be performing the Pergolesi Stabat Mater between each Station. We will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
ALSO: the usual Lenten Soup Supper will be CANCELLED for that Friday (March 27) due to these special Stations.
The morning Stations of the Cross at 9:00 a.m. will be celebrated as usual.
In Christ and St. Andrew,
Fr. Gonzalez
Fr. Ricardo Pineda Biography
PARISH MISSION: TILL DEATH DO US PART
LENTEN PRACTICES
LENTEN REGULATIONS
ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN CHURCH
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION