Hello friends,
I hope all of you are well rested from our Oktoberfest last week. I have no words to thank all of those who helped organize our Second Annual Oktoberfest. There are many of you who were Chairs and Co-Chairs, and many volunteers. There is no way we were able to have such an amazing activity for our church without your help. This event took time to be planned out and a lot of work during the fiesta. I am very grateful to all those who came out to build our community.

​One of the purposes of our Oktoberfest is to bring the community together. I hope to hear from you about our Oktoberfest. What are the things you liked?  Where can we improve? Your feedback will help us to start planning next year's fiesta.  Again, thank you to all for your hard work.  May God bless you! 
 
Fr. Alex Ureña
 

Hello Friends,
There is no doubt that there is the desire to come home after you have been gone for awhile. As I said in my previous note, I spent a week in New Orleans in a training with vocation directors from around the States. After that, I joined the Knights of Columbus college councils in New Haven, Connecticut (the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus).

What an experience to see 214 young men representing 85 different councils from around the nation and Canada. Among them were some priests and chaplains from some universities. All of these young men were encouraged to be living examples to our communities, especially to  the young men and women  on campus. When they entered the Knights of Columbus, they signed up for a life of commitment and service. We are very fortunate to have them in our midst. They do so much for the church, for our seminarians, and for the community in general. This year our council was one of 2 councils who reached over 400 percent of their membership quota set by the Supreme Council of the  Knight of Columbus. They achieved the distinction of  Four Star Council. Thank you for all your hard work.

On a different note, I hope you are ready for this weekend, our Oktoberfest.  Hope to see you all there!
​
Fr. Alex Ureña 
 

Hello friends,

Here I am, sitting in a huge ballroom in the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans with another 300 Vocation Directors from the 177 dioceses in the States, plus some other priest from 5 other different countries.  It is been an intense training for us, new vocation directors. On Monday night during dinner, we had the opportunity to see a bit of the rich culture of  New Orleans. A local band came in to the dinning room and played the typical jazz music of this area. I also learn a phrase from here, "laissez les bon temps  rouler" which means 'let the good times roll.' I think I identify myself well with this!

After this conference in New Orleans, I'll be flying  to New Haven CT,  for another conference with the Knights of Columbus for the weekend. This is why I am not with all of you this weekend. I'll be back  for our Oktoberfest next weekend. With that being said, I hope to see you all soon at this event, and I hope  that you will be ready to let the good times roll!

​Fr. Alex Ureña