On this first weekend as Pastor of Holy Family Parish I can say I am grateful for this opportunity. I am looking forward to praying with you, learning with you, and ministering to the parish and wider community with you. As a Pastor, at the end of each day, a fundamental goal is to be able to say yes to this question: Did what happened in the parish today begin with the Lord's inspiration; continue with His saving help; and draw us closer to Him, each other and all the people of God?

This is the second time in my life I have moved from being Associate Pastor to Pastor in the same parish. The first time was in 1997 at St. Francis Seraph Parish and School, our inner-city parish in Cincinnati (our Franciscan Province Headquarters). That experience - along with begin Pastor at St. Clement Parish and School in St. Bernard, Ohio - is among the reasons why I am feeling comfortable becoming Pastor here. I have already had some success at it and have some lived experience of the kinds of things to expect.

There are some huge advantages I gladly start with there. I am very thankful to have lived and worked with Fr. John once again these past two years. He has been a great mentor throughout the challenging and exciting times we have had since "The Storm." Like you , I also wish Fr. John the Lord's blessing and all the best in his retirement. All the parish staff - including all the staff at Holy Family Catholic School - are devoted and capable people who gladly work very hard - above the call of duty - for the Lord and all of us. And all the volunteers here who offer so much of their time, talent and treasure in all kinds of ways are mind-boggling in the best sense. Two years here have given me a good sense of the parish, the school, and the part of Texas they are in.

One big issue on the minds of many of us is: Are we going to get an additional priest? Who is he? When is he coming? My Franciscan leaders have directly told me there are no Franciscans available to send this coming year. In the past six weeks, I have had four conversations with Archdiocesan officials about this matter - conversations they initiated at the beginning. The Archdiocese is clearly aware that asking only three priests - two of which are in their late 70's to look after the needs of this parish is asking a lot. They are also clearly aware of the need for a bi-lingual priest who can communicate very well in both Spanish and English. And they know that this priest needs to relate well with Spanish speaking cultures. The Archdiocese is moving through their discernment processes to find such a priest. However, because I don't know, I cannot tell you who the priest will be or when he will get here. In the meantime, I thank Fr. John Paul and Fr. Maynard for their willingness to remain here at this time.  Each month I will be recruiting volunteer priests to help with Sunday Masses.

May the Lord bless all of you and your families!

Fr. E. J.