Hello friends,

Greeting from New Orleans. I am attending the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Director (NCDVD) in this side of the States from September 22nd - 29th.This is the 54th Annual Convention. Every year, the Vocation Directors of the different dioceses of the United States get together to discuss important matters of the future of the Church, vocations. This year it happens that it is taking place in this beautiful City of New Orleans. Those participating at the Convention are bishops, priest and other keynote speakers showing up to offer their expertise on the topic. Among them, are Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, and the well known Father Michael Schmitz. Some of the activities that I am attending during these days are: a) a training for the new Vocation Directors (first 3 days), b) daily mass and Holy Hour, c) Workshops, d) Tour to Notre Dame Seminary, e) many other activities throughout the days. This is an enrichment for me to be able to accompany and guide our seminarians and those candidates thinking about it. I hope to acquire more tools and knowledge on how to help in the discernment of the young men on their calling to follow the Lord.

Fr. Alex Ureña
 

Hello friends,                                                                                                                                                                                                       

A special welcome to all the new children, teens and adults in our Religious Education and RCIA programs. To those returning students, welcome back! To our catechists, thank you for sowing/planting seeds of faith in the hearts of these children and these men and women searching for Christ. One of our duties as Christians is to pass on the faith. As the community of the Newman Center, we are here to pray for you and to support you in any way we can.

​I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of those who participated in my Installation Mass and the "Pachanga." Special thanks to the Staff, Parish Council and Finance Council for their presence in the ceremony. Thank you, also to the rest of the community, especially those who helped put it all together. It was an effort of a lot of people: planning committee, chefs, Knights of Columbus, different councils, the live band, all of you who brought a side dish, my family, and countless volunteers. What a way to celebrate as the one family of faith that we are! I think we all enjoyed ourselves, the excellent food and the fellowship.  I hope this is just a taste of our upcoming Oktoberfest!   
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Fr. Alex Ureña
​Now officially your Pastor! :-)

Hello friends, 
​
Let me give you a background of the installation mass. In this mass, the local bishop invites the new pastor to be a loving father, a gentle shepherd, and a wise teacher to all of you. The order for the Installation of a Pastor says that when a new pastor is appointed for a parish, it is appropriate that he be publicly installed by a liturgical rite. The bishop is the usual celebrant of this rite, but he can delegate a priest to preside in his place. The new pastor is presented to the members of the parish council, finance council, and the staff. After the Gospel, Bishop Oscar Cantu presents the new pastor to the community, then he gives the homily. After that, the new pastor is presented to various groups of the parish. Then the new pastor faces the people and leads them in the profession of faith. After that, the new pastor faces bishop and recites an oath to believe in the teachings and Tradition of the Church. This is followed by the Prayers of the Faithful, and Mass continues as normal. I hope most of you get to experience this!

Fr. Alex Ureña
 

Hello friends,

I'm writing to you from Tucson, Arizona. This is my third day of retreat at Redemptorist Renewal Center. The auxiliary bishop of Chicago, Alberto Rojas, is the presenter and spiritual guide during this week. His is been presentation is on "Created in the  image and likeness of God and chosen to serve." Some of the topics he has addressed are: a) Father (Alex), you're a beloved child of God b) Father (Alex), you're a sign and instrument of conversion ( unity) c) Father (Alex), you are an instrument of the Holy Spirit.

One of the things that I want to share with you is a phrase that l heard during the second talk, that is: "before we are good leaders, we need to be good followers. "Meditating on this makes me aware that I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to share it with you. Just as the law of nature says, "nothing can give what it doesn't have." This also means that from time to time I need to refresh my mind and rest my body in order to be healthy and offer more of myself to you all.

​This retreat is a good opportunity to rejuvenate, refresh, meditate, and pray. I've been thinking about you too and praying for you! May the Holy Spirit continue guiding and keeping us in the right path.
 
Fr. Alex Ureña