Father Nathan St Gabriel | October 13, 2019
A Message from Father Nathan
My dearest people who are close to my heart.
“This missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a mission, always; you are a mission, always; every baptized man and woman is a mission…
— Pope Francis
In the year 1927, St. Therese of Lisieux was declared the Patroness of the missions. Having never left the cloister, she was given this title alongside her co-patron the great St. Francis Xavier who traveled to many lands and converted Asia.
Vatican II defined missionary activity in these terms: “The special end of missionary activity is the evangelization and implantation of the Church among peoples or groups in which it has not yet taken root.” St. Francis Xavier and St. Therese of Lisieux are the patron saints of missions.
We may think that how would a person who never left the cloister come to be named with the title Patroness of the Missions? Can a person be a missionary for souls without ever leaving home? The answer is “Yes”
There are two ways we could actively participate in the mission of the Church.
- Through supporting them with our valuable prayers
- Our financial contributions or assistance.
As a child, I still remember and cherish those moments where we would be selling candies, cookies, auctions and garage sales what not….We were encouraged to do it, throughout the whole month of October for World Mission Sunday. The whole parish would be busy doing something. Invariable all the church organizations would be doing something to support World Mission Sunday.
I still remember one of our pastors would state this every week in October “We are Christians just because missionaries who brought Christ to us, now it’s our turn to support missionary work; hence, please may I request that each and every one of you do something for the missions” I have witnessed a healthy competition between the parish groups and organizations and between parishes and diocese to support the mission of the Church.
In America, knowing the importance of missions and the need for missions, the Church has included as the seventh precepts of the Church to support the mission of the Church. Let me give you the precepts of the Church below:
The Seven Precepts of the Church
I To attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and resting from servile works.
II To observe the days of abstinence and fasting.
III To confess our sins to a priest, at least once a year
IV To receive our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during Easter Season.
V To contribute to the support of the Church.
VI To obey the laws of the Church concerning Matrimony
VII. To participate in the Church’s mission of Evangelization of Souls (Missionary Spirit of the Church)
This week we have World Mission Sunday, let us take pride and honor to support the church through our prayers and through our financial assistance as well.
This life is bestowed on us in baptism, which grants us the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, the conqueror of sin and death…
Our mission, then, is rooted in the fatherhood of God and the motherhood of the Church.
The mandate given by the Risen Jesus at Easter is inherent in Baptism: as the Father has sent me, so I send you, filled with the Holy Spirit, for the reconciliation of the world (cf. Jn 20:19-23; Mt 28:16-20). ”
– Pope Francis
God bless you all. Please be assured of my prayers for you.
With lots of love and ever at your service,
Fr. Sahayanthan Nathan
Join
Join our Parish Family
Register in the parish, so that it’s easy to become a confirmation sponsor or Godparent.
Volunteer
Want to Lend a Helping Hand?
Find volunteer opportunities and share your talents.
Get Help
Need a Helping Hand?
We are here to help. Request home visits, send a prayer request. For urgent needs call 954.943.3684
Give
Coming Soon
Set up Online Giving.
You can make a one-time donation or set up recurring gifts.
Past Messages from Father Nathan
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | September 03, 2023
“Our Lady of Good Health” is Our Lady of Vailanganni, popularly known in southern India. We will remember her miracles on September 9th with a special mass and celebration.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 27, 2023
Aug. 28 is the memorial of St. Augustine, bishop and doctor of the Church. He’s one of the most influential Church Fathers and theologians in history.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 13, 2023
Holy Days of Obligation | The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains holy days of obligation this way:
Family needs or important social services can legitimately excuse the obligation of Sunday rest (specified in the Fourth Commandment). The faithful should see that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health {CCC 2185}.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | August 06, 2023
St. Clare’s feast day is August 11th. Known as the patron saint of television because when she was able to see and hear mass on the wall of her room.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 30 2023
August 4th we celebrate the feast of St. John Vianney who is the patron saint of priests – a French priest, a renowned confessor with supernatural powers. Baptiste-Marie Vianney, also called Cure d’Ars, (born May 8, 1786, Dardillly, France—died August 4, 1859, Ars, canonized May 31, 1925, feast day August 4 (formerly August 9), a French priest who was renowned as a confessor and for his supernatural powers.
From The Desk Of Father Nathan | July 23 2023
Feast of Joachim and Anne | the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary. On July 26 the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the parents of the Virgin Mary, Saints Joachim and Anne. The couple’s faith and perseverance brought them through the sorrow of childlessness, to the joy of conceiving and raising the immaculate and sinless woman who would give birth to Christ.