I would hereby like to update you, once again, a little on how we are at this moment. The pandemic continues to have us unable to enter the Church, due to the prohibition of the authorities, both churches and cinemas and restaurants in our county of Los Angeles.
When that changes and we are allowed to enter, the Church will plan how to open and immediately let everyone know. At the moment we continue to have all the celebrations outside, and thank God they allow us to have everything there: quinceañeras, weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc ... with the proper precautionary measures, such as healthy distance, disinfectant gel and mask ; please continue to take all precautions.
Recently this summer, I put in the newsletter a financial report on how we were doing with the collections. A request from some interested people, again, said that we continue to have a weekly income between 6 and 7 thousand in Sunday collections, which means slightly more than half of what it was before the pandemic. Again I remind you that we do everything possible to get ahead avoiding any expense that is not strictly necessary and I renew my immense gratitude for your generosity, and for all the volunteers who support us in different ways, including cleaning.
I also want to urge everyone to return to the parish to participate more fully in the sacraments and in everything that God offers us through the brothers in the faith, so that we continue to grow and mature in what is most important, our health and spiritual life.
On this occasion I would also like to thank some who voluntarily help us each week to count the collections. We had formed 6 groups, but for reasons of age and to avoid contagion risks, we are doing this with a smaller group that collaborates with the office. Thank you all for your patience; I know that many would like to continue supporting this ministry as in others, and that you would like the groups and normality to return, but this is the cross that we now have to accept as disciples of Christ.
I also take the opportunity to inform you that the parish office has undergone some forced changes, since two of its members have left us of their own free will, Terry and Alan, who have been of great support for some years and are not with us. Immensely grateful to them, we will continue to pray for them in their new destinations.
This means that we had to integrate other people, Destiny (who comes from the religious education office and sings in the choir, Graciela (who many know from social service) and Karla (from the Spanish youth group). Thanks to Alan, that despite His new job and full Schedule, has helped us train our new members. Thank you all for your patience and support in this pilgrimage, in the midst of these turbulences that also made us change schedules in summer and winter, since the Masses were in the open air.
I also want to share with you that all these decisions and guidance of the parish do not fall solely on the parish priest. Thank God we have good advisers for each decision: Starting with the archdiocese, our San Gabriel region office, and an Administrative Council, made up of some from the financial council, group leaders, all committed members of our community, we are immensely grateful to them for their support and guidance, as a team with Father Robert and myself.
We continue with Jesus as our main teacher and guide, whom we want to follow to the end, whatever happens, and to suffer for Him everything that comes us, even martyrdom. With the help and intercession of our mother the Virgin. May she always cover you with her mantle and help you with her maternal love. GOD ALWAYS BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE.