Hello Friends,

This coming week the diocesan priest of the diocese of Las Cruces will be attending a retreat in Tucson, Arizona.  This is part of our continue formation to nourish our souls and to dedicate time to pray together as priests.  During that week, there is a priest or bishop who directs the talks throughout the week.  We celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation among ourselves and also the Anointing of the sick.  It is such a wonderful time to spend with one another and to be able to receive the sacraments that we perform with all of you, parishioners of the different churches.  Pray for us while we live our retreat.  May the Lord give guidance and strength to guide His church in its journey to Holiness.

Next weekend, I want to present to the community the state of the parish address.  I've been here for a year already and I want you to know how we are doing in the different areas (financially, spiritually and pastorally).  I hope I will have some time during the retreat to prepare this report.  With that been said, there are some items that are still up in the air.  We are conscious that our bishop, Oscar Cantu is leaving us at the end of this month.  We need to pray that the Holy Spirit sends us another good leader to our diocese.  We wish bishop Cantu the best in his new assignment in San Jose diocese.  We are grateful to him for his leadership during his time with us.

Fr. Alex Ureña

Hello Friends,

Some of you might notice that last weekend I was absent.  I  made a short trip to Los Angeles, California to baptize a child in the family.  I also took that opportunity to visit my siblings that live in California.  I am happy to be back with all of you and continue to finalize some details for our St. Albert's Pachanga.

Let me share with you some words from today's readings.  Today we heard the prophet Isaiah speaking words of encouragement to God's people during their captivity in Babylon.  He proclaims:  "Be strong, fear not!  Here is your God...he comes to save you."  God's salvation is expressed in terms of numerous blessings among which are healing the blind and the deaf, the lame and the mute.  The reading prepares us for the gospel where Jesus heals man who was a deaf mute.  Jesus' healing work was a work of compassion, but it also announced in a dramatic way the saving presence of God among his people.  In our own times of trials, we need to remind ourselves over and over that God is with us.  In some way, even if we do not understand it.  He is touching us with his saving love.

​Fr. Alex Ureña