A Letter from our Pastor

Dear St. William Parishioners,

May God bless you! As we enter the Fall season, let us reflect on the changes that life brings. In our daily lives, we witness how the natural world constantly changes and transforms. The seasons shift, the trees shed their leaves only to bloom again, and life cycles renew. Nature reflects God's divine wisdom. His creation is in a continuous state of renewal and growth—and so are we. Just as the earth yields its fruit in due time, we too are called to bear the fruit of love, compassion, and faith through the changes in our lives.

Some of these changes we experience in our parish and home life. Perhaps your work situation recently changed, or perhaps your children started a new school or recently moved away from home. St. William has also experienced transitions: there has been a change of parochial vicars twice in one month, we have had staff transitions, and Msgr. Louis has permanently moved to the John Paul II Residence for Priests. Msgr. Louis has been a mentor, father figure to me since I met him in 2004 at St. Helen. He will be missed at the rectory, but he is doing well and will come to celebrate Masses and hear confessions when he is able.

How do we respond to change in our lives? 

Change is a constant part of our human experience, and while it may often seem uncertain or even unsettling, it also presents us with a profound opportunity to grow closer to God. The Lord does not abandon us. When we embrace change as a gift from God, we allow ourselves to be transformed by His grace. Whether we face a new challenge, a loss, or a new beginning, we are invited to trust in His providence. God is present in every moment of our lives, especially during times of transition. These moments can deepen our relationship with Him if we open our hearts. The beauty of each transition is that it can force us to be vulnerable, which can lead us to reliance on God. And when we are vulnerable, there is an opportunity for the Lord to do great work in our hearts and guide us on a journey to freedom and joy.

Are we continually seeking to grow in our relationship with God—in our relationship with the Communion of Love, the Holy Trinity? When we encounter the Lord, a metanoia (a transformative change) takes place in our hearts. Two weeks ago, I led over 60 of our youth and core team on retreat and many of them gave testimony to the encounter of the Father’s love that they had beautifully experienced for the first time. In my own life, I encountered Jesus during a retreat in 2003 and my life has never been the same—and now I have the joy of being your pastor.  An encounter with Christ can take many forms, often unexpected and deeply personal. Perhaps there was a moment of grace and peace in our lives that reminded us of His constant presence, perhaps offering us hope and the strength to continue on our healing journey. These are the kinds of experiences we want to happen regularly in our parish; that is, that the supernatural would become natural. 

Working through a change in our lives is a chance to align ourselves more closely with God's will. Doing so offers us the chance to grow in love, patience, and understanding, becoming more fully the people God created us to be. In every transition, we are called to deepen our love for God and for one another, allowing His love to guide and transform us. How we grow in our relationship with God depends on our habits, priorities, the company we keep, and our commitment to a life of prayer, living in the sacraments and engaging in parish life. By reflecting on and being intentional about these aspects of our lives, there is a daily dying to oneself that is necessary to draw us closer to Jesus. The beloved “Falling in Love” prayer, commonly attributed to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, but believed to be a quote from Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, SJ, states, “What you are in love with...will affect everything… Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”  An encounter with Christ is an encounter with the Lord’s love both in times of hurt and joy. He wants to walk with you every step of the way. Will you let Him? Will you say yes to Him?

May we continue to grow in our love for Him, recognizing His presence in every season of our lives.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

Fr. Francisco Rodriguez III

Pastor