Immaculate Conception / St. John the Baptist

Pastor's Column: “A Parish Renewed in Christ”
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Every new season in the life of our parish is an invitation to renew our faith and deepen our relationship with Christ and with one another. Jesus calls each of us, "Abide in me as I abide in you" (John 15:4). When we remain close to Him through prayer, the Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, and the Sacraments, our hearts are transformed, our families are strengthened, and our parish becomes a vibrant community of faith.
The early Christian community offers us a beautiful model of parish life. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers... All who believed were together and had all things in common" (Acts 2:42-47). Their lives were marked by faith, unity, generosity, and joyful witnesses. This is the vision to which every parish is called today, ‘a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged to grow as disciples of Christ’.
The Second Vatican Council reminds us that "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen Gentium, 11). Nourished by Christ at His table, we are sent forth to become instruments of His peace, living signs of His mercy and extension of His presence. As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace," and as St. Teresa of Calcutta reminded us, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." These simple acts of love build up the Body of Christ and make our parish a true family of God.
As our diocese prepares for the Parish Census, I warmly encourage every family to participate wholeheartedly. The census is much more than collecting information; it is an opportunity to strengthen our bonds as a parish family, to ensure that every household is known, valued, and cared for, and to help us plan our pastoral mission more effectively. Your participation is an expression of your commitment to our parish community and to the mission of the Church.
Let us walk together as pilgrims of hope, united in faith and love. May our parish reflect the beauty of the first Christian community, a people rooted in Christ, united in charity, and committed to proclaiming the Gospel. May the Holy Spirit renew our hearts so that, together, we may become faithful disciples and joyful missionaries of God's Kingdom in our families, our parish, and our world.
May God bless you and your loved ones abundantly.
Fr. Jesuraj Perkmans
July 12, 2026