Letters from Fr. Andre
November 19, 2025
A Pastoral Message to Our Parish Family
Dear beloved parish community,
I would like to offer a heartfelt apology if I have not been able to return your calls or emails as quickly as you hoped. Please know it is never my intention to overlook anyone. Your needs truly matter to me.
In past years, a parish of our size was served by two or even three priests. At this time, I am serving alone and carrying all of the administrative, pastoral, and sacramental responsibilities. Because of this, there are days when the workload becomes more than one priest can manage. When I fall behind, it is never out of lack of care, but simply the reality of being stretched very thin.
I humbly ask for your patience, your understanding, and your prayers. Even if my response is delayed, please trust that you are never forgotten. I remain committed to serving you with the love, compassion, and dedication that our parish deserves.
Thank you (Salamat)
Father Andre
November 30th
Advent is not a season of rushing; it is a season of awakening. As we begin this holy season, Jesus invites us with the simple but powerful words: “Stay awake.” Advent teaches us to slow down, open our hearts, and notice how God comes to us - in silence, in waiting, and in the quiet places where we long for His light.
Mary is the first disciple of Advent - the woman who waited, listened, trusted, and welcomed Christ with her whole heart. As we celebrate our 150th Anniversary, we remember how deeply our parish has been shaped, protected, and guided by her loving presence. Entrusted to our Blessed Mother from the beginning, we turn to her again in this season of hope. Mary shows us how to wait with faith, how to listen in stillness, and how to welcome Christ into the tender places of our hearts. Advent becomes a beautiful invitation to renew our devotion to her, for Mary always leads us to Jesus, the Messiah and Light of the World.
Each Sunday, a parishioner or family will light a candle on the Advent Wreath, guiding us through the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
November 30 – First Sunday of Advent (Hope):
Hope is the quiet trust that God is already at work. Mary lived this hope as she said “yes” to God’s plan. Please join us for Advent Adoration and Benediction on Wednesday, December 3, from 6:00–8:00pm, a peaceful moment to place your hopes before the Lord with Mary by your side.
December 7 – Second Sunday of Advent (Peace):
Peace grows in a heart that trusts God - just as Mary trusted, even when she could not see the whole path before her.
On Monday, December 8, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with a 7:30am Mass, followed by an 8:00am Rosary. In the evening, the Women’s Guild and Men’s Ministry will lead a 6:30pm Rosary, followed by a 7:00pm Mass, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Vatican II.
On Tuesday, December 9, we welcome Rev. Brendan Lupton, a son of our parish, who will offer a reflection on the Council of Nicaea and how this historic moment continues to inspire and empower the laity in the mission and governance of the Church today.
Adoration and Benediction: Wednesday, December 10.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Friday, December 12, a beautiful day to entrust our families and parish to her loving care, as we honor Mary, Patroness of the Americas.
December 14 – Third Sunday of Advent (Joy):
With Mary, we rejoice that the Lord is near, just as she rejoiced when Christ was growing quietly within her.
Please join us for Adoration and Benediction on Wednesday, December 17, from 5:00–7:00pm - a quiet time to encounter Jesus.
December 21 – Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love):
With Mary, we learn how to welcome Christ with love, for her heart became the first home where Jesus was received and adored.
There will be no Adoration this week. Our Christmas Mass schedule will be shared separately. We warmly welcome our college students home for the holidays.
December 28 – Feast of the Holy Family:
A special blessing for all families will be offered after every Mass. Through Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may our homes be filled with unity, healing, and grace.
May Mary, our Mother and patroness, walk with us this Advent and lead us ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Fr. Andre Beltran, Parish Administrator
A Thanksgiving Message from Father Andre
Happy Thanksgiving, St. Mary Family
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. On this beautiful day of gratitude, my heart is truly full. Thanksgiving invites us to pause, to look around us, and to recognize the many ways God pours His blessings into our lives—through our families, through our friends, through our faith, and through the community we share here at St. Mary. I thank God for the privilege of walking with you, praying with you, and serving this parish that I have come to love so deeply.
At the center of our faith is the Eucharist, which means “thanksgiving.” In Christ’s Eucharistic presence, we are one family—held together by His grace, strengthened by His love, and guided by His mercy. Today is a perfect day to give thanks for that gift.
In the spirit of gratitude, I also want to acknowledge that these past months have brought some challenges and uncertainty to our parish, especially with the unresolved status of Fr. Nacius. I understand that this has caused concern among many. We continue to have limited information available to us, and I am grateful for your patience and understanding as we navigate this with the Archdiocese. Thank you for your prayers, your steadiness, and your continued love for our parish community.
This Thanksgiving also gives us an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable milestone in our parish life—our 150th Anniversary. For a century and a half, this parish has been a home of faith, worship, and service. Countless Hail Marys and rosaries have been prayed within these walls, rising like incense to heaven. We honor our patroness, Mary, who continues to intercede for us and guide our community with her gentle and maternal care. We give thanks for the generations who built, nurtured, and sustained this parish in faith, devotion, and love.
I am deeply grateful to our parish staff, our deacons, our Parish Pastoral Council, and the many parishioners who serve faithfully—often quietly and behind the scenes. Your dedication is a blessing, especially during moments of transition.
As we look ahead, we prepare for our temporary transition to Woodlands Academy beginning January 10 and 11. This move will allow us to enhance the sacredness of our worship space here at St. Mary. While this change may not be easy and may require some adjustment, I want to thank you in advance for your patience, your understanding, and your flexibility. This work is important and necessary for the future of our parish.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, may Christ—present with us in the Eucharist—fill your homes and your hearts with His peace, His hope, and His love. Please know of my prayers for each of you. I also hope to see you at our Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, November 27 at 9:00 a.m.
Thank you (Salamat).
Fr. Andre Beltran
Administrator