September 15, 2020 

Dear parishioners,

After 10 blessed weeks, my time here at Saint Francis of Assisi has come to an end. After being ordained to the priesthood this past June, this was my first official assignment from Archbishop Gregory, and I could not have asked for a better one.

In these 10 weeks at the parish, I have celebrated/concelebrated Mass over 70 times, heard over 30 confessions, anointed 15 individuals, and celebrated two Baptisms. I have been able to help with this year’s virtual Vacation Bible Camp, participate in various Triple V Youth Ministry activities, and pray the Rosary with parishioners via Zoom each week.

While I never imagined I would begin my priestly ministry in the middle of a pandemic, the present situation has reminded me that there will never be a time that people won’t need God. Pandemic or not, people will always need Jesus, and the priest is the one to bring Him to them. The priest makes present Jesus during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the priest is the one who imparts God’s mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation. What a gift it is to be a priest!

Thank you, St. Francis of Assisi parishioners and staff, for the prayers, kind support, and generosity that you all have shown to me these past 10 weeks. And thanks to Fr. John for his friendship, wisdom, and joyful priestly example he shared with me during this time.  

I love being a priest. I am grateful to Our Lord for calling me to such a beautiful vocation.

Know of my prayers for you all, and please remember me in your prayers as I return to Rome to complete my studies. As a reminder, if there are any intentions you would like me to bring to Assisi to the tomb of Saint Francis, please e-mail them to me at agustinp@adw.org by Wednesday, September 30.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

In Christ,

Fr. Patrick