The time has come to say goodbye.

It isn’t that we want to leave, but it is a part of the missionary life that we commit ourselves to. Being ready to move, to be sent to another place where we can share the message of God’s goodness with others. It is one of the most difficult parts of our lives. In the places where we live and work we really try to enter into the situation of the people – their joys, their hopes, their struggles, their pain and their many concerns.

Leaving means handing on what we have shared to others what has been so much a part of our lives.

It’s important for us to emphasize that our leaving is not abandoning the people: it is rather handing to other ministers of the Church their care and accompaniment. The church will not become some other kind of church when we leave. It will not cease to be a Catholic Church served by Catholic priests and connected with the local diocese and the local bishops. 

Some of the ways the priests here do ministry here may be a little different, but not in any essential way. The sacraments will continue to be celebrated for the people. The Oblates who have been serving people here will be sent to other people in other places: Fr. Tom and Fr. Victor to Most Precious Blood Church in Chula Vista, California and Fr. Feliciano to St. Ferdinand’s.

Good-byes are difficult and that is especially true for us who have served in Santa Rosa Parish. The warmth you have shown us – your love, your joys and sorrows, your generosity, your sharing with us have helped us to be better people, better ministers and closer to God. Although we go to some other community of faith, we will certainly take something of you with us.

No parish is perfect or without any faults and that is true of Santa Rosa, but it is also true that there is a great deal of the love of God and love of neighbor here that we hope and pray will never be lost.

As we leave, our hearts will be particularly heavy. We have wanted to make this celebration really special for the people and the parish that has been so special for so many. At the same time everything that we have wanted to do seems to have been blocked by the coronavirus epidemic and other obstacles. We will not be able to say good-bye the way we have wanted to. We will not get the opportunity to formally recognize and thank so many people who deserve so much. In this time of virus we will practically have to say good-bye with a wave and a prayer – when the greatness of the parish merits so much more.

We want to assure you that we will take you with us in our hearts and our prayers. May God be always with you and with this great parish of Santa Rosa and may Mary the Mother of the Church continue to point to her Son and remind us, “Do whatever he tells you.” 

Thank you once again and may God bless all.

Our Appreciation

Our Most Sincere Appreciation to all the great Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Priests who did so much for us here at Santa Rosa Church. 

None of you will be forgotten for each of you left a memory on our hearts.

He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Hebrews 6:10

Our most sincere appreciation for your continues support

This week we received $3,199.00

Please continue mailing your weekly contribution to the parish office attention Fr. Rush or you may bring it to the parish office-drop it through the mail slot. If you are not able to financially support the parish at this time please remember us in our prayers. Please be assured of my unceasing prayers for you and your family and know that we are here for you, as always, and especially during these difficult times.

Online Giving: You may log into our website, clicking on the Donations link and after the process, you will receive an email confirming your donation.