Pastor's letter for this week
May 17, 2024
Dear Parishioners of St. Andrew,
Last week I began my weekly letter telling you that I was sending it during the “calm before the storm” of the visit of the relics of St. Jude on Friday, May 10th. Well, let me tell you, the storm did come, and it did not stop coming! We had the most incredible crowd I have ever seen in my life entering a church. Thousands and thousands of people stood in line for hours on end to have the opportunity to venerate the relics. It was simply incredible. If you weren’t there, then you were probably the only one who wasn’t! Seemingly everybody else was here! The line went around the block, wound around the school parking lot, down Chestnut Street, down Fair Oaks Blvd. all the way down to Walnut Avenue for hours and hours and hours. We were supposed to close at 10:00 p.m. but it was actually closer to midnight. Just amazing!
I was most edified by the great faith and devotion of the pilgrims. I spoke with quite a few and heard their stories. Some came from very far away distances. It truly was a grace-filled and very devotional day. The Solemn Mass was absolutely packed yet very reverent and devotional. We all learned a great deal from Fr. Carlos Martins about St. Jude the Apostle as well as the intercessory power of the saints and the beautiful devotion of relics. Thank you to all the many wonderful volunteers and parish staff, who worked so diligently to ensure that everything was orderly and reverent. All our people worked very hard. Thank you!
The very next day, Saturday, we had two beautiful and very large First Communion Masses for the children in our Religious Education Program. We congratulate all of these children and their families.
We recently received some sad news: two former Associate Pastors here at St. Andrew’s recently passed away. Msgr. Michael Bunny was Associate here several decades ago and Fr. Victor Ruvalcaba was Associate Pastor in the mid-1990’s. I served with him here my first couple of years. In your kindness, please remember them in your prayers. May they rest in peace.
Here is the rest of the news from the parish:
PUERI CANTORES CONCERT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, MAY 18 - The Music at Saint Andrew Concert Series presents, for the penultimate concert of our 2023-2024 season, “Brief Can Be Beautiful" featuring the Missa Brevis in C, K. 220 of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Missa Brevis in D, Opus 63 of Benjamin Britten, performed by our resident children's choir, Pueri Cantores San Gabriel Valley, orchestra, and soloists under the direction of Musical Director, Patrick Flahive. This concert concludes the 30th anniversary year of great performances and music for Pueri Cantores SGV which has included singing Vespers at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with His Holiness, Pope Francis last December.
Saturday, May 18th at 7:30pm
St. Andrew Catholic Church
311 N. Raymond Ave. Pasadena CA 91103
Suggested donation of $20 general and $15 for seniors and children under 12
Brief Can Be Beautiful Tickets, Sat, May 18, 2024 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite
SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST – This Sunday we celebrate this beautiful feast of the Holy Spirit. We recall the manifestation of the fulfillment of the Lord’s assurance that He would send the Holy Spirit to inspire and protect His Church. It is also sometimes called the “birthday of the Church” since her missionary efforts began following the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost concludes the Easter season. The next two Sundays, although in Ordinary Time, celebrate the beautiful solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi.
CONFIRMATION MASS NEXT SATURDAY – On May 25th we will have our Confirmation Mass with Bishop Matthew Elshoff officiating. Everyone is invited and we congratulate our confirmandi.
This brings to a close the current academic year for our Religious Education Program. Last Saturday we had two beautiful celebrations of First Holy Communions. I want to thank our Religious Education staff and catechists for their wonderful work of passing on the Faith to our children.
Registration for the next academic year will begin soon.
MEMORIAL DAY – Monday, May 27th, is Memorial Day. We will pray for the repose of the souls of those who gave their life for our country. Please note that since this is a civic holiday, there will be only one Mass that day at 9:00 a.m. The parish office and school will be closed. We moved the Mass a little earlier than the usual 9:30 a.m. in order for parishioners to attend the special patriotic observance which the City of Pasadena is sponsoring at nearby Memorial Park. That will take place at 10:30 a.m. I plan to attend, and I hope many of you will as well.
SPECIAL CONCERT COMING UP! - The Filipino members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale will be coming together to celebrate the 126th year of Philippine Independence with songs and voices! Enjoy Tagalog songs with world-class Filipino opera and choral singers. Drinks and Filipino desserts will be available in the Piazza after the concert. General admission tickets are $20 and include admission to the piazza for the reception. Tickets and artist information are available on our website: www.standrewpasadena.org
When: Wednesday, June 12 · 7:30 - 8:30pm
Where: St. Andrew Church
In Christ and St. Andrew,
Father Gonzalez
HOW TO RECITE THE HOLY ROSARY
PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION