"Faith in the Present, Hope for the Future" Offertory Initiative
Fr. Vidal on Faith in the Present, Hope in the Future...
Dear Parish Family and Friends,
As I approach my one-year anniversary as your pastor, I often reflect with deep gratitude on the amazing community I have encountered here. From the moment I arrived, I have been inspired by the generous spirit, unwavering faith, and high level of engagementthat define this parish. Truly, the Holy Spirit is moving in our midst, guiding us in our shared mission of faith, service, and love.
This year is particularly special as we celebrate 100 years of Faith, Mission, and Hope! This legacy is alive in every ministry, every act of service, and every heartfelt prayer offered within our parish. As we give thanks for our blessings, we also acknowledge the challenges ahead. Like many other faith communities, we, too, are facing financial constraints that could impact our ability to sustain the vital ministries and outreach efforts that serve so many here in our parish and beyond. In response, we have worked diligently to reduce expenses while ensuring that we remain faithful stewards of our resources. Thanks to the commitment of our staff and ministry leaders, we have made significant progress, but our work is not yet done.
Now, more than ever, we must come together as one body in Christ, prayerfully discerning how each of us can contribute through time, talent, and treasure to ensure that Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel continues to thrive for generations to come. This parish is more than a place of worship; it is a beacon of faith, a home of belonging, and a testament to God’s enduring love.
I am truly blessed to be on this journey with you. May we continue to walk forward in faith, hope, and love, trusting in God’s providence and the strength of our incredible parish community. With gratitude and blessings,
Fr. Vidal
Special Announcement
As we move forward in our Faith in the Present, Hope for the Future initiative, we are deeply thankful for the heartfelt responses and generosity shown thus far. Our shared goal remains 100% participation, not out of obligation but as a reflection of our heartfelt discernment and commitment to our parish's good works and mission. While we acknowledge with deep gratitude that larger gifts significantly impact our ability to meet financial goals, we also affirm with the same deep gratitude that smaller contributions, given with sincerity and love and in many instances sacrifice, hold immense spiritual value. In the eyes of the Lord, it is the spirit of the gift, not its size, that invites grace and miracles.
May we continue to nurture a spirit of generosity within our hearts, trusting in God's providence and the vibrant future of our blessed parish community.
If you have yet to respond to the initiative, you may click HERE and complete an electronic Commitment Card, or mail or bring your card to the church.
Your Prayer Intentions
Please also note that the back of the Commitment Card has a place for you to include any prayer intentions you wish to share. We welcome all intentions, and they will be prayed for collectively over the next few weeks. If you would like to speak to Fr. Vidal, please indicate so on your card, and we will contact you.
If you use offertory envelopes, you may begin enclosing your updated gift with your next donation. If you wish to donate via offertory envelopes and are not currently receiving them, please click HERE.
Planned Giving
To learn more about making a Planned Gift (cash, stocks, real estate, life insurance, other assets, a will or trust), please contact Fr. Vidal at [email protected], or our parish bookkeeper, Karen Fajardo at [email protected].