My sisters and brothers in Christ:

A quick note from the Ontario Convention Center.

Yesterday, your St. John’s Diocesan convention delegates heard a spectacular talk by the Most Rev. Michael Curry — he says he prefers the title chief evangelist to presiding bishop — and moving references in Bishop Bruno’s midday homily at Holy Eucharist about how our Diocesan community was touched by the San Bernardino massacre as well as by the Nov. 18 murder of Downey police officer Ricardo Galvez. Bishops Curry and Bruno prayed together at the scene in San Bernardino before coming to convention.

mybishopsI took this photo of our three wonderful Diocesan bishops — the Rt. Revs. Mary Douglas Glasspool, Diane Jardine Bruce, and J. Jon Bruno — as Holy Eucharist was about to start. Since she’s accepted a call to be assisting bishop in the Diocese of of New York (where she grew up and her father served as a priest), Bishop Mary is attending her last LA convention. We’re going to miss her energy, eloquence, and love of Christ and Christ’s people. Having served as her chaplain six years ago during the search process, I have made her promise that I can be her chaplain for life!

Click the link below to fine your copy of the Advent edition of the Vaya Con Dios, our parish newsletter. We’ll have hard copies available tomorrow at church. Please be sure to thank our editor, Linda Allport, for her devotion to this ministry when you see her around campus. It’s the finest newsletter in Christendom! VAYAAdvent2015

And also: Please note that we will not offer a 5 p.m. service today (Saturday) so that your clergy can finish up our work at convention this afternoon. Your Adopt-a-Family gifts are due at church tomorrow. Thanks for giving so generously to our neighbors in need. Please write Loreen with questions at loreenguilford@gmail.com. Finally, if you’re reading Fr. Richard Rohr’s daily reflections, Mo. Martha and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Bishop’s Room for informal conversation about what you’re discovering along your Advent walk.

Yours in Christ’s love,
Fr. John

P.S.: By close of business Friday, we had received 83 pledges from the good people of St. John’s. Thank you! We need 56 more just to match 2015. Thank you for your discernment and pledge-to-come!