Dear Parish Family,

It's hard to believe that this week marks the completion of my 5th year at the parish! I was assigned to St. Patrick's and St. Mary's on August 1, 2021, and named Pastor on December 11, 2022. I am incredibly blessed by the vibrancy and love of our communities of faith. Thank you for bringing the love of Jesus with you wherever you go. Let's continue to grow stronger in our relationship with Christ together each day!

I remember thinking many times when I took on the role of Pastor, "This will be too much for me" or "I'm not enough." I believe these thoughts are fairly normal for anyone taking on a new vocation or position for the first time. In my prayer and through spiritual conversations with priests, I came to realize that while these thoughts might be true in some fashion, I needed to complete them by adding that "Jesus is enough."

All of our Scriptures this weekend point to this central truth of our faith: "I am not enough on my own, but Jesus is enough." Isaiah invites us to be nourished by God rather than trying to nourish ourselves by what fails to satisfy. Psalm 145 reminds us, "The hand of the Lord feeds us. He answers all our needs." St. Paul instructs the Romans that we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us. Jesus tells His disciples to bring what little food they have to Him so that they will have enough to feed the thousands in the crowd. 

We become more by giving all to Jesus. I am not enough, but Jesus is enough. The fruitfulness of our lives comes from offering the little we have to Jesus. Even the little bit (our own five loaves and two fish) offered to Jesus becomes enough to nourish thousands. The bread and wine we offer to God at Mass becomes the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and the small host and sip from the cup nourishes our body and soul for the works God entrusts to us. 

Push past the temptation that you aren't enough or that you cannot persevere through whatever trial you are currently undergoing. Trust in Jesus. His grace is enough!

I am yours in Christ,

Fr. Scott Goodfellow