Two friends met each other on the street one day.  One of them looked miserable, almost on the verge of tears.  His friend asked, “What has the world done to you, old friend?”  The sad friend replied, “Let me tell you.  Three weeks ago, my uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.”

“That’s a lot of money.”

“But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand dollars, free and clear.”

“Sounds to me that you’ve been very blessed.”

“You don’t understand!  Last week my great-aunt passed away and I inherited a quarter of a million from her.”

Now the man’s friend was really confused.  “Then, why do you look so gloomy?”

“This week: nothing!”

Dear Agathians:

2020 has been a year like no other.  Between the terrifying COVID-19 pandemic and the stressful presidential election, all of us were shaken to the core of our being.  And everything we held dear to our hearts all seemed to be uprooted.

Many aspects of our parish have also been affected adversely.  Several parishioners lost their lives to the coronavirus.  Even more were afflicted with the disease.  Masses and parish activities are still strictly limited.  Parish groups are still not able to resume their schedule.  Not to mention that parish finance is completely out of balance.

Yet, we need to be thankful.  As the story shows, if we only focus on what we don’t have, we will be so miserable that we lose sight of the many blessings we still have.  Instead of complaining about how hard life has become, let us give thanks for every moment we are still alive.  Instead of complaining about the inconvenient Mass schedule, let us be thankful that we can attend Mass in person.  Instead of complaining about having to watch livestream in the Lower Church, let us be grateful that we are able to be in church again.  Instead of complaining about not receiving communion from the hand of a priest or a deacon, let us remember that physically receiving communion, even from the hand of a minister, is so much better than receiving it only spiritually.

Yes, 2020 has turned our life upside down.  But Christ is still in charge.  He is still our Lord and Savior.  May we never lose sight of Him.

— Fr. Vincentius Do, Pastor