Viva la FIESTA 2016!!

This weekend we gather together as one community of faith to praise our God and to honor our patron San Felipe. Viva la FIESTA!! It is incredibly humbling to see all the people working so very hard and having fun too for this successful FIESTA 2016 weekend. I am truly moved by all those who are giving so much of their valuable time and talent to make this truly one exciting and special time. Thank you ALL!! Our readings this weekend are at first glance probably not ones I would select for our FIESTAS 2016 celebration; but they are the one for this time of year. Once again our lectionary editors and our God gives us readings of healing AND resurrection. The new life we see represented in these readings are a constant reminder of the hope we have each year at FIESTAS time and all the year through.

This has been a year of many changes, challenges and blessings. It is always good to focus on as many of the blessings as we can rather than the challenges we must endure. Yes, we have said, “Good bye” to Fr. Dennis Garcia the pastor here for nine and one half years; BUT, we have also gotten to know each other, you and I over these last months and for that I have been truly blessed. Thank you for your most kind welcome and all your support.

In this my first year here I am extremely impressed by our young Royal Court competitors and their families. These young folks and their families have truly become ambassadors for San Felipe. They have brought the name of San Felipe to many places already, they have raised a great amount of money to assist in making our FIESTAS 2016 a great success and they will continue to represent San Felipe in the year to come in many exciting and wonderful ways. Thanks to our Royal Court!!

Most of all, as we come together we must remember amidst all the preparation, excitement, work and enjoyment, we are about praising our God and sharing in this most blessed time to raise our funds for our insurance bill. Also, we are here to host the whole of Albuquerque to the FIRST AND FINEST FIESTAS for the whole year.

I pray our God will continue to bless you and our whole community today and always! Thanks again for all your work and support. Viva la FIESTA!!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Andrew J. Pavlak – Pastor