Message From the Pastor

10-09-2024Pastor's LetterFr. David Ostler

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As I am sure you noticed, confessions were cancelled multiple times two weeks ago. It was not something that I wanted to do, but something I had to do as I received news on Wednesday, October 2nd that our Parish will not be receiving a Parochial Vicar until July 2025.

In the past month there had been multiple conversations with the Diocese, and everyone was hopeful that we would be assigned a Parochial Vicar in mid-October. Unfortunately, to no one’s fault, those plans did not work out. Since receiving that news though, my mind has been spinning thinking of how I, the lone assigned priest, and Fr. Hans, a retired priest with many health issues, can sacramentally, spiritually, and pastorally provide for our wonderful and growing Parish.

With that, I have made the hard decision to no longer offer confessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning October 9th. The sacrament of Confession is beautiful, and we have become a confession Parish with people coming from all over the West Valley, but it is not something that can be sustained with our Mass schedule and sick calls.

I ask for your prayers and understanding as I navigate being the Pastor of this Parish with only the help of one retired priest.

In Christ.