Pastor’s Message: September 9, 2022

Dear Parish Family,

In this week’s Gospel Jesus tells three parables about losing, finding, and rejoicing. These three parables share a common theme. In verse 7 we are told “There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

God is always ready to forgive. God who goes to great lengths to save his people. God gives people freedom to make mistakes but continues to reach out with his grace ready to bring repentant people back to his kingdom.

In all the readings of this Sunday we are told that God is always ready to welcome and receive us no matter of how much we have gone away from him.  We must never be embarrassed or feel guilty to return to God our father because: “His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercy never comes to an end. They are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23).

God Bless,

Fr. Cyrus

 

Pastor’s Message: August 26, 2022

Dear Parish Family,
This weekend we hear about a very important Christian virtue, humility. It is an attribute and quality of God which we must strive to possess and live. We must reflect deeply on this great virtue. Also, we are called to imitate the humility of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the mediator of the new covenant.
In the Letter of Paul to the Philippians, 2: 1-6, we find a beautiful paragraph that explains the importance of imitating Christ’s humility. It states,
“If then, there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete; be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross).
God Bless,
Fr, Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: August 19, 2022

Dear Parish Family,
Parish Feast Day
Last Sunday we celebrated our parish feast day.
We began at 5PM with a beautiful liturgy which was celebrated by me and Fr. Joseph. Our choir led by our music minister Frank Matto, gave glorious praise to our Lord and Blessed Mother.
After Mass our parishioners and guests enjoyed a delicious Lobster Bake prepared for us by Captain John’s of Norwalk
Thank you to Michelle Hankey and Nancy Curcio who planned the event and to all those who helped set up and clean up.
God blessed us with the most perfect summer evening and a good time was had by everyone who attended.
God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: August 12, 2022

Dear Parish Family,

In today’s Gospel we don’t expect to hear such difficult words from Jesus “I have come to set the earth on fire” But it is good to be reminded that the decision to do the right thing, the good thing, is not always easy and without conflict. Jesus himself did not make easy decisions and avoid conflict.

In describing this fire St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote: “We affirm therefore
that the fire which is sent forth by Christ is for men’s salvation and profits … For the fire here is, I say, the saving message of the Gospel, and the power of its commandments; by which all of us upon earth, who were so to speak cold and dead because of sin, and in ignorance of Him Who by nature and truly is God, are kindled unto a life of piety, and made fervent in spirit.” (Cyril of
Alexandria, Commentary on Luke, 1859, Sermons 89-98, pp. 409-459)

We are all servants of the Kingdom of God and of God’s Holy Word. If Jesus came to serve and not to be served, we are called to do likewise. Everything we do must be in total confidence in God, seeking to always do what is right and not what is easy.

God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus

Pastor’s Message: August 5, 2022

Dear Parish Family,

This Sunday in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells us in parables, we must be like servants waiting for the master’s return. We must be watchful so that even if the master comes after midnight, we will be ready for him. This is what the coming of the Son of Man will be like.

The parables remind us that we should be found doing our jobs when the master arrives. If we are doing our jobs, our reward will be great. But if we relax, neglect our duties, and begin to act like the greedy rich man eating, drinking, and making merry we will not have a place in the kingdom. Watchfulness means living in such a consistently moral and obedient way that we are always ready to give an account to God of how we have lived. The rich man did not enrich himself in the eyes of God.

How can we avoid being foolish? All the gifts God has given to us he expects us to share with others.

God Bless,
Fr. Cyrus