Parish Mission is Coming!

08-16-2026Pastor's LetterFather Wilson

Dear Parishioners,

Many of you remember the parish mission that Father Ricardo Pineda did for our parish about five years ago. He had a tremendous and long-lasting impact on our parish.

We are most blessed that Father Ricardo is returning to our parish for another mission. Father Pineda’s Adoration and Mission conference will be held from Sunday through Thursday, August 23-27 at Historic St. Mary’s. There will be confessions and adoration each day as well.

Please see the flyers in the back of the church or check out the website for specific details. The theme for this parish mission is: “No Greater Love: The Eucharist as Heaven on Earth.” Father Ricardo will also preach all of the Masses for the weekend of August 22-23.

Fr. Ricardo was born on August 4, 1987, into a Catholic family of both Salvadoran and Mexican descent. He is the fourth of five children, and a native of San Diego, California. Following high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. While in studies at Notre Dame, he played trumpet in the marching Band of the Fighting Irish. In May of 2008, he graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and a minor in Theology.

Fr. Ricardo joined the Fathers of Mercy as a postulant in July of 2008. Following his one-year novitiate, he professed his first year of temporary vows of Obedience, Poverty, and Chastity on August 14, 2009. He graduated from Holy Apostles College and Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Fathers of Mercy in May of 2013.

All of us, as baptized Catholics are called to grow in our faith and advance as committed, on-fire disciples of our Lord. This mission is a critical event for our parish. I have asked all heads of ministries to postpone or cancel their meetings for this week so that we can get maximum attendance for the mission. I have asked the Principal to make sure that the children in our school have no homework this week so that they can attend with their families. Please mark your calendar and plan to participate.

Please join in praying for our parish mission: Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and Love, and we thank you for the blessing of a Parish Mission. Grant, we pray, O Lord, that this mission will be a means for many souls to draw closer to You. Mercifully bestow upon Your sons and daughters profound healing, greater appreciation for the beauty of Your Divine Truths, and a burning desire to love You more and more, through Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN. Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us.

All the best…in Christ.