Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Thank you for your generous response to the missionary cooperative appeal on the weekend of August 13-14.  Allow me to share Fr. Albert’s note of gratitude with you.
 
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
 
“Wishing  you peace and all good” according to the prayers of St. Francis of Assisi.
 
From the depth of our hearts we write to say “A Big Thank You” to you for your generous response to my appeal for our growing Diocese of Ijebu-Ode.  Words are not enough to express the depth of our appreciation. In the words and prayers of the prophet Elijah, we say to you in faith, “…your bowl will not run out of flour or your jar run out of oil…” (Kg. 17:14).  May God be gracious to you and bless you and may He bring your paths and purposes to fruitful ends. Amen
 
I have sent a report of your love and generosity to my Bishop, Most. Rev. Albert A. Fasina, clergy, Religious and lay faithful of my diocese.  They were really touched by your kind gesture.
 
May the blessings of the Lord be with you and may He give success to the works of your hands. Amen (Ps. 90:17)
 
With deep sentiments of thanks and appreciation.
 
I remain sincerely yours in Christ,
 
Rev. Albert A. Adeleke
Mission Coordinator
For the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode in the USA
 
Peace,         
 
Fr. Steve
 

 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
We know there is much division in our society and unfortunately news reporters and commentators love to stir the pot.  One place we wish we would never experience division is in our own families, and yet that is exactly where we find it all too often.  This weekend Jesus offers some very disquieting words, “Do you think the I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”  How can this be?  Shouldn't our faith in Jesus be the one thing that brings us together?  Unfortunately, many Christians over the centuries have experienced this bitter truth. 
 
When we dedicate our lives to the Lord, we are often ridiculed or at best misunderstood.  As we grow in our faith and desire to live holy and virtuous lives, this may cause us to grow apart from those we once felt so close too.  Obviously we have the obligation to continue to love them and to share the joy that our relationship with Jesus brings us.  We cannot however live two lives.  We must make a decision to follow the Lord and leave behind the dark places of our former lives that blocked out the light of Christ.
 
Peace,
 
Fr. Steve

 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Next weekend, Rev. Albert Adeleke of the Diocese of Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria will be visiting our parish for the annual missionary cooperative appeal. Ijebu-Ode is a rural but growing diocese, located in the western part of Nigeria, near Lagos. Its population is 50% Muslim, 25% non-Catholic Christian, 15 % Catholic, and 10% traditional African believers.  The Diocese has 32 parishes with over 150 churches, 7 houses of formation, and 12 religious houses for male and female religious groups. The Catholic population does not have enough material and financial resources to sustain its many developing programs of evangelization; care for priests and religious, training for seminarians, and to provide primary health care for villagers.
 
Please welcome Fr. Albert warmly and prayerfully discern how you can support his Mission Diocese.
 
Peace, Fr. Steve