Dear Friends of Carmel Mission,
The message brought by Saint Junipero Serra to those who lived on the West Coast was a message that they had never heard before, i.e. that God our Creator loves every human person with a tremendous love that never changes.
God showed this love by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ. By following the example of Jesus, Our Savior, we are assured an eternity of total happiness and peace. Every human heart searches for these goals, but it is only when we return to the presence of God that these goals will be realized.
Our faith is not based on loyalty to a hierarchy, a Cardinal, a Bishop, or any priest. If we read the history of the Church, we become all tooaware of the human failings and at times, the grave sinfulness of those in leadership positions in the Church.
No, our faith is based on the love of Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for you and me. At this moment in human history, when our faith is being tested, may we have the grace and courage to rededicate ourselves to our loving God and His Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As the song made popular by Journey said: Don’t Stop Believing!
Fr. Paul
Pastor at Carmel Mission