God is With Us! Pastor’s Column “Do not be afraid,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel to Jairus, whose daughter is dying, “just have faith.” Difficult as it was for Jairus, it may seem to be even harder for us now. Jairus and the woman with hemorrhages take a courageous step in this weekend Gospel. They both fall on their knees before Jesus, pleading for his healing touch. Each is just desperate enough to do so. Jairus’s daughter is near death. The woman has an untreatable illness. Jairus is a synagogue official, a public figure, well-known enough to be mentioned by name, taking a risk that he might lose his position after publicly turning to Jesus. We know the woman does not want to make her request openly, but when Jesus asks, she acknowledges her actions, despite her fear and trembling. Jesus commends their faith, which they have courageously confessed, which has saved them. What are we afraid to bring before the Lord? As we speak of death, I am reminded of how many times we die in our lives to give God a chance to make us new. We died as old parishes of St. Sylvester and Our Lady of Grace for God to give us a new parish of Jesus, Bread of Life. I am sad to report to the community our operation director Nuri Covarrubias will no longer be working in our parish starting July 1st. Please thank Nuri when you speak to her or email her. We as a parish were very blessed by her dedication service to the parish. She worked with great love for our parish and God. This was not just a job for her but a ministry. Our schools and parish shared the operation director. However, after Big Shoulders taking most of administration of both schools, they have decided to bring their own financial person. That left us with no other choice as we could not afford that position as a parish on our own. This was a very sad and difficult decision we had to make as Nuri has been very supportive in our mission here. During the Covid outbreak when I was stuck outside the country, she showed her dear love for the church by leading volunteers and stepping up to help keep the church open. Nuri will be missed by all our staff here. The parish will miss Nuri, and we wish her well in whatever she decides to do in the future. Please keep her in prayer in this time of transition. We are now in process of searching for a new part time operation director. Please be patience as we work hard to fill this position. Keep in mind God is with us and all will be well as God is in charge not us. Our journey of salvation goes through death on the cross. It is through those difficult and painful experiences that God brings renewal and new life. Let us hear the voice of Jesus once again telling us “Do not be afraid”. In Christ Jesus, Fr. Sam