Dear Holy People of God,

Warm Greetings of Peace and Joy in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

I thank so many for the prayers offered and for the wishes sent to me, during my trip to Cameroon. It was nice being home, especially spending time with my mother. I had promised her that if she lived till 80, I would celebrate a special Mass for her. She kept her own side of the bargain and held my feet to the fire to keep mine, which I finally did last month. Warm greetings from my mom, and she prays for our parish daily. That is her ministry now, prayer. I am happy to be back home at Ste. Anne's.

I wish to express my profound gratitude to Fr. Jim Morris for the beautiful reflections on the Sacrament of Baptism. I read them with relish and joy, while in Cameroon (thanks to the online version of our parish bulletin). Fr. Jim let us into his deep faith, his pastoral sensitivity, and his great love for Jesus and the Church. I kindly ask all of us to reread and meditate on the writings of Fr. Jim on the sacrament of Baptism. Essentially, Baptism makes us different, entrusting a different lifestyle into our hands. It entrusts us with the mission of being Jesus in the midst of the world.

Starting next week, Fr. Denis will offer reflections on the Eucharist, the next sacrament of initiation. I hope these forthcoming reflections will help us deepen our relationship with the Lord, who gives us himself in the form of Bread, before which, as Aquinas writes in his beautiful hymn, all the senses are deceived. With the Eucharist, Truth himself has spoken, or there is nothing true. During this Year of the Eucharist which we celebrate as an Archdiocesan Community of Boston, may we begin to rediscover the treasure that we have from the Lord, who has not abandoned us.

I likewise wish to express my profound gratitude to all in the light of our parish Grand Annual. Thank you to all who made generous donations to help out with this campaign that supplements our parish annual income. The Grand Annual is more than just money. It is an act of spiritual thanksgiving to God, for the gift of "material harvest" for the year. It has a long biblical tradition to it. In the Old Testament, it was the first fruits of the harvest that was supposed to be offered to God. In the New Testament, it reflected the offering of ourselves, the spiritual oblation, intimately connected with the holy sacrifice of the Mass. In the offering that we make of the Grand Annual, therefore, lies the estimation that we make of ourselves before God. May the Lord richly bless and reward all those who gave: "I will not offer to the Lord, a sacrifice that cost me nothing" (2 Samuel 24:24). There is a spiritual benefit that comes with participating in the Grand Annual in particular, witnessed from both Old and New Testaments.

I also wish to take this opportunity to heartily welcome the Congolese Community to our parish. The inaugural liturgy went on very well, with Bishop Mark O'Connell presiding. A lot of dancing! Thank you to Judy Ware, Sr. Pauline, Al Robidoux, Gloria Matton, Richard LaChapelle, Paul Bosse, and Mary Warren for helping with the ushering and welcoming the Congolese Community to our parish. Thank you to Dr. Hilary Aroke and the Pastoral Council for ensuring all went well. Bishop Mark felt very, very happy with the inauguration liturgy, and the dinner that followed at the rectory. Mary Warren made a beautiful lemon cake for the Bishop, and we all enjoyed it. The priests were "fighting over" the leftovers of the lemon cake!

Let us continue to work for the growth of our parish family, in humility, truth and service, for only the truth shall set us free. Not power, but humility.  God bless you all and have a good week. (Fr. Maurice).