Changes

Last week Bishop McElroy informed pastors that he was lifting COVID restrictions on parishes. Masks are no longer required. For the near term, we will keep the speakers on and chairs outside for those who would be more comfortable praying outside during the Mass and receiving Communion outside. Also, if you want to attend an uncrowded Mass, Sundays at 4:30 is our least attended one. Further, the Bishop has restored the obligation for Catholics to attend Mass every Saturday evening or Sunday. His letter doing so can be found here. I addressed these changes in light of the Sunday readings in my homily last weekend, which can be found here.

There will be a number of changes to our staff. Deacon Noel Rivera, who has been a parishioner at OLMC for 26 years and a deacon for 15 of those years, was asked by the incoming pastor of Nativity Parish to serve there. They do not have an associate priest nor a deacon, and so in consideration of their greater need for diaconal ministry, Deacon Noel agreed to be assigned to Nativity Parish. He will no longer serve as a deacon at OLMC except for the monthly Encounter. He has faithfully and fruitfully served our parish and his ministry here will be missed. We will be offering a special prayer of gratitude and blessing for him at our Feast Day Celebration on July 16th.

Kylie Armstrong will be the new Director of Youth Discipleship for OLMC. The process of replacing Theresa Inoue led to a restructuring. Kylie will be responsible for Middle School and High School ministry. Our current Coordinator of Middle School Ministry, Kenneth Manyari-Magro will no longer be working at OLMC as of the end of this month. And as of now, there is no staff member designated to lead Young Adult Ministry. Our cantor, Alyssa “Nikki” Lucero has also decided to leave her employment here. And longtime facilities assistant Cody Gower will also be moving on.

I can assure you that each person has discerned a new path forward for different reasons, and that there is no general dissatisfaction with the working conditions at the parish. I was very happy with our staff and so these changes cause me sadness. But I take comfort in knowing that God is good, all the time, and that the new members He sends to join our team will continue the excellent pastoral care you have come to expect and which you deserve.