Pastor's letter for this week
October 30, 2026
Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,
I hope you are all doing well and staying strong! Not sure about you, but I think it’s nice to have a cool and rainy day after our long hot summer. We’re getting ready for tonight’s big celebration of the annual “Señor de los Milagros” (Lord of the Miracles) Mass for our Peruvian community. This is always a beautiful and solemn Mass but this year it is particular special because it is the 40th anniversary of the Mass here at St. Andrew’s.
Yesterday we finally finished the accounting on the Bach to Broadway concert and I am delighted to report that the net profits after all expenses is: $29,855. This is higher than last year when we raised $24,000. This is excellent news and all the funds go to our Restoration Fund. Please see more details below about the concert.
On Wednesday evening a parishioner texted me to alert me to an upcoming report on CBS Channel 9 regarding our church. I quickly tuned in just in time to see the report which was quite nice. They are highlighting architecture in Pasadena and decided to do a report on St. Andrew’s. A drone provides a video report of the church while a reporter describes our history and architecture. I posted it on our parish Facebook page so you might check it out. https://www.facebook.com/standrewpasadena
Here is the rest of the news from the parish:
ALL SAINTS DAY- This Sunday we have this beautiful Solemnity which celebrates the Church Triumphant in heaven with all those holy ones who came before us, famous as well as the unknown. Since it falls on a Sunday this year it is celebrated at all Sunday Masses.
ALL SOULS DAY – The following day, Monday, November 2nd is the Commemoration of All Souls. We affirm our belief in the reality of sin as an offense against the awesome majesty of Almighty God, and in His just punishments. We affirm as well our belief that prayer is a powerful instrument before God's throne, that by it we are able to intercede for our deceased brothers and sisters.
As is our custom, we will pray especially for all those who died in our parish this past year. If you had a family member who passed away this year and the funeral was held here, then that person will be automatically on the list. If the funeral was held elsewhere and you’d like to include them in our prayer, please call the Pastoral Center at (626) 792-4183.
Our special annual Requiem Mass with the beautiful music of Gabriel Fauré will take place at 7:00 p.m. and all those who had a death in their family this last year have received a special invitation from me. I highly recommend coming to this beautiful Mass which will be celebrated in a solemn manner with magnificent music. The 8:15 a.m. Mass will be celebrated as usual for those who can’t make the evening Mass, but it will not include the special music.
November 3rd begins our All Souls Novena so now is the time to enroll your deceased loved ones in the Novena of Masses which will continue for 9 days. The envelopes are available in the Pastoral Center and also in the church gift shop.
SPECIAL WORKSHOP FOR THE WOMEN OF THE PARISH – On Tuesday, November 3rd we are hosting a special evening workshop for all women of our parish (married, single or engaged) at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall (school auditorium). It is about intimacy skills and is aimed at building a better and stronger marriage. Please see the flyer on the last page of this week’s bulletin.
GROUP WEDDING INFORMATION – Last week I had an information meeting for couples who are already civilly married or living together without marriage and need to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Information and applications were given out. However, it is not too late to register. You may do so by stopping by the Pastoral Center to receive information and complete an application.
ANOTHER FABULOUS CONCERT! – Our annual “Bach to Broadway” concert, held on Friday, October 23rd and was simply wonderful. We had a huge crowd as always and they stayed for the reception afterwards and enjoyed the evening past 10:00 p.m.! The musicians and the musical selections were simply magnificent! It was just the right balance between classical, religious and popular.
A big THANK YOU goes to all the members of our Concert Committee, especially Jerilyn Mc Aniff, the Chairwoman, and Griselda Saucedo, from our parish staff, who did an incredible job.
All the members were absolutely exemplary in the amount of time and effort that they put into this event. Due to the unexpected rain shower just an hour prior to the reception, everybody had to scramble to clean everything up but they managed to do it very well. Bravo!
The patron reception before the concert as well as the dessert reception afterwards, which was enjoyed by all, were both very well received. I also want to thank all those who donated to the event as patrons. Thank you for your generosity! Thanks also go to the children from our Parish School (along with our Principal, Mrs. Gonzalez) and Religious Education program (along with Mrs. Capodieci, our DRE) and their parents, who did a lot of set up and tear down afterwards. The volunteers from the various parish groups all did a great job!
This year we honored Mrs. Altagracia Bonilla. Altagracia has been an active parishioner at St. Andrew’s since 1985, and this year turned 99 years of age exactly as our own St. Andrew Church. Over the years she has served the parish in a variety of ministries and has been involved in many different parish groups. Initially, it appeared as though she was not going to show up as it was a little late for her. However, after a persuasive phone call from her pastor, she showed up just in time, looked great and very much enjoyed the event.
Believe it or not, we will soon start thinking of next year's concert. These events require a lot of advance planning. On that note, I'd like to ask you to consider serving on the Concert Committee to help with this great annual event. You can contact me directly for details. Finally, thank you to everyone. May God bless you all!
THE ELECTRONIC DONATION KIOSKS ARE POPULAR – Our electronic donation kiosks have been up and running for a year now in the vestibule of the church and quite a few people use them. They are extremely simple to use:
Touch the screen and you will see a donation screen.
Touch “donate” and you will see various donation amounts listed
Touch the amount desired
Tap your credit or debit card
You’re done!
Since so many people these days do not use cash or checks this is a new and very necessary means for donations to be given to the church. It is convenient for everybody but especially to visitors and occasional parishioners. One caveat: we do not get identifying information for these kiosk donations so we can not provide a tax receipt.
For regular parishioners (and others who want a tax receipt), I encourage you to sign up for electronic donations using the link on our parish website: www.standrewpasadena.org or clicking on the QR code found in the hymnals and in the bulletin. Thank you for your generosity!
HAVE DONE YOUR PART? – As we start November, we will soon be ending the year 2026 and the close of the annual campaign Together in Mission. As you know, this campaign assists the poor parishes and schools in our Archdiocese. Most of those affected parishes are close to us in Los Angeles. They are our neighbors. Our parish goal for this year has not yet been met and not all donations are yet in. Please check your records to see if you have fulfilled your pledge and, if not, please try to do so as soon as possible. If you did not make a pledge this year, there is still time. Just make your check out to “Together in Mission” and place it in the parish collection. May God reward you for your generosity!
STEWARDSHIP - Each year all Catholics are called upon to reflect upon the gifts they have received from God and how they wish to give back to Him of their time, talent and treasure. Here at St. Andrew’s, we will be making that reflection in these weeks of November. Stewardship is one of our most fundamental Christian values. We are invited to more fully live out our discipleship in Jesus by sharing of what we have been given. Discipleship in Jesus means that we see the world through new eyes. This is not a vision of life dictated by the world’s values. This is a vision of life guided by the life and values of Jesus Himself.
For many of us, the word stewardship refers to contributions to the Church. A broader understanding of stewardship results from the Gospel’s call to conversion of mind and heart. Stewardship asks that we share ALL that we have and ALL that we are so that we might participate fully in God’s plan for the world. Christian stewardship involves the careful administration of all the gifts and resources God bestows upon us. Stewardship is a faith response, an attitude of respect and care; it is a way of life rooted in gratitude and thanksgiving to God who is the Creator and Giver of all gifts.
During the next couple of weeks please reflect prayerfully on how you want to give back to God from what He has given to you of your time, talent, and treasure.
In Christ and St. Andrew,
Fr. Gonzalez
EUCHARISTIC CONCOMITANCE
ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS IN CHURCH
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION