Letter from the Director

This year, the month of June has been one of great blessings as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles celebrated the Ordination of nine men to the Sacred Priesthood, the Episcopal Ordination of a new Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese, and the Ordination of 16 Permanent Deacons. As I thanked God for this great gift to our local people, I was very much aware that throughout the world, in particular in the mission lands, other dioceses struggle to keep their seminaries open and to provide the necessary formation that will lead their seminarians to Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood and to pastoral ministry for the people of God in their Local Churches.

That is why the Society of St. Peter Apostle holds a special place in my heart. It was formed to support the education and formation of candidates to the priesthood in the developing world. Each year support is sent for some 30,000 young men in mission seminaries – providing textbooks, technology, housing, food and medical care. This aid helps ensure the continued formation as growing numbers of men respond to the call of our Lord to follow Him as priests in service to the most vulnerable communities around the globe.

I encourage you to reflect and pray on how your own life is enriched and sustained by the pastoral ministry of your local priests and bishops, and I invite you to consider our brothers and sisters struggling in the mission lands as they yearn to experience this same spiritual care in their own lives.

With your prayers and financial assistance we can make a difference in the lives of future priests and religious, and in the lives of those whom they will one day serve. This month, as we celebrate the Ordinations of new priests and bishops here in our Local Church, I cannot think of a better way to express our joy than to support vocations throughout the mission lands.

- Reverend Monsignor Terrance Fleming
June 2018