​Hello friends, 

In just six short months we will be in the Christmas season, celebrating the birth of Christ. On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby I noticed that they already have Christmas on display. I guess they're taking Christmas in July seriously!

With Christmas on the horizon and six months left on the calendar, I'd to offer an update on parish finances and our UIM progress.

First, a huge thanks to all of you, for your continued financial support of our parish family. Through your generosity our ministries flourish and we are able to share the Good News more readily. Second, please refer to the bulletin insert on the final numbers for fiscal year 2015/16. A special thanks to the members of the finance council for your help!

Here are the most up to date UIM figures (as of June 2016): 88 families have pledged $51,980.00. We have received $32,136.66. Our parish goal is $80,396.06.

Again, thanks to those who have already pledged to this appeal. If you have not yet made a pledge, please consider making one in the name of Seminarian Franky, Francis or Tito. Franky and Francis will be present at each of the weekend masses to offer their thanks for your support and to ask for your continued prayers. 

​Fr. Ray

Hello, friends:

Last week Bishop Cantu led a virtual diocesan wide gathering on pastoral priorities. You might remember that a couple of years ago the diocese participated in a needs assessment and survey and from that Bishop is attempting to respond to the needs of the local church. The pastoral plan is a five year, pretty comprehensive response, a proactive approach to ministry.

Last year the focus was on Evangelization and this year the focus will be on Stewardship. Look for more information in the near future; I’ll be sharing this information with both the parish and finance council and we will try to participate as fully as possible.

Both Tito and Frankie are preparing to leave for seminary in just a couple of weeks. They have both been a blessing and great witness to our parish community. They will be attending Assumption Seminary in San Antonio. I’ll be sure and get that address to you so that you can send them a note of encouragement from time to time. We have been so blessed these last several years with the witness of these young men. I hope that their witness will both inspire and challenge other young men to consider the priesthood and young women to prayerfully discern a call to religious life.

​Fr. Ray 

Hello, friends!

July 1 started the new fiscal year and I'm happy to report that last week the pastoral council together with the finance council approved the budget for 2016/17. The final report from fiscal year '16 will be available soon and members of the finance council will offer their end year report sometime in late August.

​I'm also happy to announce that the contract for the design of Phase I and II has been approved by the Diocesan Pastoral Center and the work on that will begin very soon. Please pray for the success of this initial work for our future building project.

If you have not yet made a contribution to this year's United In Ministry appeal I'd ask you to please consider making one. This year's goal is set at $80,396.06. As of mid year we have not yet reached our parish goal; there is still plenty of time to help us reach our number.

Please consider making a pledge in the name of one of our seminarians: Ivan, Francis, Gino, Frankie, Tito and Patrick. Also know that there are several young men who are discerning the possibility of priesthood. We have a wonderful opportunity to help support, educate and accompany these young men, your future priests, in their formation. 

Fr. Ray 

Aloha, friends

The wedding on Maui was beautiful and I was very honored to be a part of my friends, Ernest and Mercy’s special day. I was able to attend Sunday mass at St. Teresa church and happy to see so many young families with children, it reminded me of our special place here, at Newman.

I’m thankful for so many who help make our parish a family and a place that is welcoming and has a sense of being home. It’s great to hear graduating NMSU students, at the end of their time here, how much they appreciated the welcome. Please start to pray for incoming freshmen and returning NMSU students; it won’t be long, just a short while before we’ll start the fall semester.

​Congratulations to seminarian Ivan Torres! On Saturday, Ivan received what’s known as Candidacy. Candidacy is a rite which take place during Roman Catholic seminary formation, by with the Church formally recognizes the seminarian as worthy of being ordained a priest or deacon. Most seminaries seem to accept candidates towards the end of the seminary formation, but in Ivan’s situation, it’ll take place before he begins his first year of theology. Ivan leaves for Assisi on Monday; please keep him in prayer as he makes this transition and I will work on getting Ivan’s mailing address so that we can keep in touch with him!

Happy Independence Day! 
Fr. Ray