Saint Junipero Serra Parish, Lancaster

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus October 1, 2020 My dear parishioners, It has been too long since I wrote all of you! It seemed like a good day to write as we observe this saint who is special to many of us, at least those of us of a certain vintage. Although cloistered, St. Thérèse had great love for the foreign missions of the Church. In fact, she is their patron saint. It is also a new month, with a certain crispness to the morning air, and in many places, the beginning of... brilliant fall foliage. My favorite colors are in the fall palate, probably because of the maple and other splendidly arrayed trees where I grew up. Admittedly, I tend to sarcasm and a tinge of cynicism. This political climate, especially regarding the Covid-19 Virus and the anarchic activity masquerading as peaceful protest, certainly challenges me to keep my mouth still. It is a struggle to balance my obligation to preach and teach with my obligation to respect the consciences of others. The lives of great Catholics who navigated in the waters of totalitarian regimes inspire me. This is why I have been invoking two Blesseds or Saints in the bulletin every week at the end of my Pastor's Corner. I hope you do a quick search of them and read about them as well as pray for their intercession. Yesterday Archbishop Gomez spoke to all the priests of the Archdiocese per Zoom. He described the many impressive, creative, responses present in the parishes, religious education programs, and schools as we try to minister to one another during this unusually challenging time. He expressed several times his appreciation for these apostolic actions by the people, religious and clergy of the ADLA. I join him in thanking you for your attendance at outdoor Masses and your steady financial support which has been most appreciated. In September, they began withdrawing the AD assessment of $10,000 monthly from our bank account, which they had suspended doing in April. The $10,500 loan repayment monthly has not yet resumed. In other words, expenses continue to demand payment. Thank you for continuing to support! Archbishop insisted that they are in dialogue with the State and the County regarding reopening our churches. In San Francisco, Archbishop Cordeleone was rather blunt with the civil authorities. Speaker Pelosi had the audacity to publicly chide him Observe the science! We are expected to accept that it is a smart virus, genetically modified in a communist lab, that spares anarchists in the streets but attacks Christians in churches and Blessed Sacrament chapels. That science is up there with baking soda and vinegar volcanoes! But I digress... May you observe the "little way of St. Thérèse as you offer your daily routines and prayers for the sake of your family, the world, our country, and our parish. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Le Dechant, C.S.J., D.Min. Pastor