​Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On August 15th, we celebrated the Assumption of Mary, recalling that at the end of her earthly life our Blessed Mother was taken body and soul into heaven. This feast reminds us that God’s power is revealed not in domination, but in mercy. He lifts up the lowly. In Mary, God shows what He desires for all His children: that the humble be raised, the forgotten remembered, and the faithful brought into glory.

Mary’s life reveals how God notices what the world overlooks. She was a young woman from an ordinary village, without status or influence, yet God chose her to bear His Son and, at the end of her earthly life, drew her body and soul into heaven. The Assumption teaches us that humility is never wasted and trust is never ignored.

This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 15:21–28) echoes the same truth. The Canaanite woman was an outsider, dismissed by the disciples and seemingly ignored by Jesus. Yet she refused to give up. Her persistent faith broke through every barrier, and Jesus praised her perseverance. She shows, as Mary does, that God listens to those without power and draws close to all who come before Him in need.

Mary and the Canaanite woman together show how wide God’s mercy truly is. Mary reveals the future God desires for His faithful ones; the Canaanite woman shows the courage to seek that mercy even when others say we do not deserve it. Both proclaim that God’s heart is open to those who come in humility, trust, and hope.

​God still looks upon the lowly. God still hears those who feel pushed aside. God still raises up those who cling to Him in faith. And He calls the Church to be a place where the forgotten are remembered, the outsider welcomed, and the humble honored. May our parish reflect this calling.

May Mary’s Assumption strengthen our hope, and may the Canaanite woman’s faith deepen our trust in the God who lifts up the lowly and brings His children into glory.

I wish you a grace-filled week!

Fr. Nick Apetorgbor

​Dear Brothers and Sisters,

On August 6th, the Church celebrated the feast of the Transfiguration, when Christ allowed the radiance of His divinity - normally veiled by His humanity - to shine forth. On the high mountain with Peter, James, and John, His face and garments gleamed with heavenly light. Moses and Elijah appeared beside Him, showing that the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment in Him. Then the Father’s voice proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” The Transfiguration reveals that Jesus is not merely a teacher or miracle worker, but truly God‑with‑us, whose eternal glory scatters every darkness.

This mystery resonates beautifully with this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 14:22–33). The disciples are battered by wind and waves, overwhelmed by fear, and unsure of what will happen next. Into that chaos, Jesus comes walking on the water. The same Lord who shines with divine splendor on the mountain steps directly into the storm to save His friends.

Together, these two Gospel scenes teach us something essential: The Jesus of the mountain is also the Jesus of the storm. His glory is not distant or abstract. It draws near to us precisely when life feels fragile, confusing, or overwhelming. In moments of fear, He speaks the same tender words He spoke to the disciples: “Do not be afraid.”

We all know “mountain moments”- times of clarity, strength, and joy. And we know “storm moments” - times of doubt, frustration, and anxiety. The Gospel assures us that Christ is present in both. His glory is not only something to admire; it is something we can depend on. He is with us in every circumstance, steadying our steps and strengthening our hearts.

Let us entrust ourselves more deeply to His faithful companionship, a companionship that comforts, strengthens, and saves.
 
I wish you a grace-filled week!

​Fr. Nick Apetorgbor

​Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was a profound honor to take part in the ordination and installation Mass of our new Bishop, Most Rev. Michael T. T. Castori, on Tuesday, July 28th at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.  The celebration was deeply moving - filled with joy, hope, and a strong sense of unity.

We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of Bishop Michael and pray that God will accompany him always, blessing him with wisdom, strength, and a heart attentive to His people.

Bishop Michael chose as his episcopal motto E hiki mai kou aupuni — Thy Kingdom come.  In his remarks at the conclusion of the ordination Mass, he reminded us that God’s kingdom draws near whenever we embrace our divine calling: proclaiming the Word, lifting up the lives of others, and helping to renew the world entrusted to us.

His message resonates beautifully with this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 14:13–21), where Jesus withdraws to a quiet place, heals the sick, and then takes the humble offering of five loaves and two fish to feed a vast multitude, with abundance left over.

It is a vivid reminder that no gift is too small for God to use.  When we offer what we have - our skills, time, or resources - Jesus transforms our limited efforts into abundant impact.  The disciples saw scarcity in five loaves and two fish, but Jesus saw possibility.  His kingdom grows not through human strength or status, but through compassion and divine abundance.  When we stop focusing on our weakness and start trusting God’s power, even the smallest offering becomes more than enough.

May God take the humble beginnings of Bishop Michael’s ministry and bring forth a rich harvest of grace for all the people of our Diocese.  And may the Lord receive our own simple talents, gifts, and daily offerings, multiplying them so that many may be nourished by His goodness.  In this way, may His kingdom continue to shine brightly in our parish and in every heart He touches.

I wish you a grace-filled week!

Fr. Nick Apetorgbor