Sabbatical Update

I’m writing from Los Angeles where I’ve come to visit several priest friends, the Carmelite sisters in Alhambra, and my youngest sister Liz and her family.

In January, I spent about four hours a day writing a book, with the working title, “Not Another Boring Homily: Preaching that Puts You in the Christian Story.” It is a reflection on what a homily is, the art of preaching, and a collection of 40 homilies that I’ve preached at OLMC. Having received some feedback from a publisher and others who have read the manuscript, I’m rewriting parts of it now.

The sabbatical has given me plenty of rest and quality time with my family. I have been praying for all of you and have offered many Masses for your benefit. I miss you all. I’ve heard that things are going well at the parish, a tribute to the faithful community God has built up with you.

I’ve been informed that my next assignment will be as Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in El Cajon. I don’t know much about the parish yet. They have five weekend Masses, of which two are in Spanish. There is no associate pastor. And there is a school. I’m very much looking forward to helping the parishioners and school community grow as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Niranjan (Niru) Kanmury, Ph.D. will be the next pastor of OLMC. I have not spoken with him yet as he is on vacation in India. He is currently the associate pastor at San Rafael. He has impressed me as a faithful, loving, and learned priest and I am confident he will do well as your pastor. Some of our parishioners have attended his bible study and told me that they found him to be an excellent teacher.

Please pray for me, the book, the people of Holy Trinity, and for Fr. Niru. I can’t wait to see you all again for Holy Week.