“Grace, Gratitude, and an Open Invitation”

Dear Parish Family,

          My heart is filled with gratitude as I reflect on my first official weekend with you at St. Joseph Fullerton. I sincerely thank everyone for the warm welcome at each Mass. Your smiles, kind words, and generous hospitality made me feel right at home. It is a true privilege to serve as your pastor, and I look forward to this faith journey together. Fr. Jamie will be at all the Masses this weekend. We are happy to be here with you, and it is a profound joy to begin this journey of faith alongside you.

          In the Gospel for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus offers us profound comfort and relief: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” He invites us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, for He is meek and humble of heart. This is more than a lovely sentiment. This is the God who defeated death, the mighty one whose dominion shall be from sea to sea, promising to carry our burdens with us, never to leave us alone in our struggles, and to humble Himself to walk beside us in our smallness and need. Jesus not only comes to walk beside us as we carry our burdens. He also gives us the grace to carry them. 

         This scripture beautifully reminds us of what our parish should embody: a refuge of rest, healing, and divine peace. Life can be exhausting, and the burdens we carry are often heavy. At St. Joseph, we come together to place those burdens before Jesus, to be strengthened by His Word and Sacrament, and to support one another.

         If you have been away from the Church for a while, or if you attend Mass regularly yet feel heavy-hearted, please know that Jesus is calling you here to offer you rest. I invite you to join us this Sunday. Come just as you are and experience the refreshing grace of the Holy Mass.

         I also want to ask you for a favor. Each of us likely knows someone—a family member, a neighbor, a friend, or a coworker—who has fallen away from their faith. I ask you to extend Christ’s invitation to them. Reach out to them this week and gently invite them back to Mass. Let them know that a place is reserved for them in our pews and that a community is ready to welcome them with open arms.

         I want to get to know you, your families, and your stories. My door is open. Please feel free to stop by the parish office to chat, share your hopes for our parish, or simply say hello.

         I hope you get a wonderful chance this summer to relax in the Lord's presence and to enjoy the warmth of family and friends. Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July weekend.

        May the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds this week. I look forward to praying with you and serving you.

In Christ’s peace,

Fr. Canisius