My very dearest people, Today, Friday December 26, 2025, our church experienced a devastating fire that caused serious damage within our beautiful church. Yet, in the midst of the flames and destruction, a powerful sign of hope emerged; a reminder that God is with us and His presence remains unshaken.
Although our sacred space has been wounded, our mission and faith remain unbroken. Just as we endured our trials and many other hardships in the past, we will rise again. We will rebuild our church, brick by brick, with prayer, love and unity. Our Sunday services will continue without interruption, as we remain committed to give honor and glory to our Heavenly Father, worship, fellowship, and service.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 Our congregation, though small, is grounded in the Sacred Word of God and has not been moved by the loss, we have the faith and fortitude that with the Lord’s help, we will rebuild, we are going to make it. None of this was a surprise to God . . . God knew from the beginning that this would happen and that we would call on Him in the time of our suffering.
In our darkest moment is where God shines the brightest’ and that’s what we’ve been seeing in small and big ways.
I must admit my heart sank as I drove up to St. Joseph this morning when I received Terry’s phone call and as I saw smoke coming from every side of our church: I wept.
I have also been seeing many signs of hope with all who have come to our aid, learning what may be salvaged from the church and the beginning of steps to rebuild.
While the fire appears to have caused great damage, I am confident that our faith and our hope and our love for our community remains and will remain strong.
As Jesus’ passion and death drew near, he told his disciples, “You will weep and mourn as the world rejoices.” It must have been difficult for the disciples to understand what Jesus meant. They were expecting a Messiah who would make things better, restore Israel. They did not expect to suffer more.
We may also expect our lives to be easier because we follow Our Heavenly Lord. Jesus’ words, however, are also meant for us: ‘You will weep and mourn” because like the earliest disciples, we will also experience struggles, trials, suffering, afflictions, and tribulations that come in this world.
But I want to remind you my dear people The Easter joy, boldly proclaims that even from death and destruction, new life comes forth, for the world and the world to come. This, my dear children, is the truth we believe and behold in all that happens in life and death. Just as the cross was not the end for Jesus, so too can our suffering be redemptive, the beginning of all things new.
I would like to thank everyone who helped the parish, your help was greatly appreciated. I am thankful for the fire department, you all became part of our family. Thank you!!! I would also like to thank everyone that supplied drinking water and food for all the firefighters and volunteers. We live in a great community, and it really showed today, thanks everyone.
We ask all parishioners, friends and the wider community to keep us in your prayers and to support us during this difficult time. Together, and with God’s grace, we will rebuild, not just the walls of our church, but the spirit of faith that lives within it.
I am holding you all my beautiful people in my prayer and am united with you all in your suffering and pain.
Let us give thanks to our Heavenly Father in all circumstances: for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
Let us praise the Lord. Thanks be to God! May the divine assistance remain always with you all.
Padre David