Letter from Fr. Gene

Dear Msgr. Tom, Fr. Carter, Fr. Jean, Deacons, the Parish and School Staff, and my dear loving people of the Parish of Our Lady of Sorrows–St. Anthony,

Greetings and well wishes from Fr. Gene. As we enjoy the glorious season of Easter, I extend my heartfelt and prayerful wishes for the season.

I had a safe journey back home to India. First and foremost, I thank God for the wonderful unexpected opportunity to be with you for a few weeks in Hamilton. It was purely God's intervention, and was great spending time with you. I was awestruck by your outpouring love, positive thoughts, generous time, powerful prayers, and endless help that had reenergized me once again. I am grateful to all those who had taken time to visit with me, offered help to take me to places in the midst of snow storms and freezing weather, and those who joined me for an evening dinner before I left. Many thanks to those who arranged it. I came back to "hot weather" in India, truly the reverse of "snow and cold."

The Lenten program that has been a part of Our Lady of Sorrows – St. Anthony's is a sincere expression of the generosity and caring of its parishioners. Msgr. Tom, you are amazingly great for your unconditional love, hospitality, and your genuine missionary spirit. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking into consideration helping my village parish through Our Lady of Sorrows – St. Anthony's Lenten Mission. Special thanks to all the members of the Social Justice Committee for their decision this year to support me in my endeavor to build a Community Center. It was very kind of the Committee through the Lenten Work of Charity Program to make my "dream" come true. This will be a great undertaking, but with your generous contribution, it will allow me to better serve my parish and parishioners in a building that was built out of the hearts and love of Our Lady of Sorrows – St. Anthony's parishioners. I was so pleased that you all took the time to view the pictures and watch video clips of what life is like in India. I will forever remember what you have done for me and my parishioners, and please be assured that you will be remembered in our daily mass and prayers.

I am eternally grateful for your great expression of love for me and for my ministry here in India. It is a great manifestation of your true love. I promise your generous sacrifices will be used for the worthy cause of building a community hall to conduct parish ministries for my poor people here in India. They will finally have a place where they can come together for religious and inter-religious programs. It will also serve as a medical camp and a place where our self-help groups can meet as well as the youth ministry will have a place for their meetings and gatherings. The adults and youth badly need a place to hold seminars and talks, and for a little socializing.

I cannot forget the generosity and kindness expressed by the Rosary Altar Society, my brothers of the Knights of Columbus, the Bible Study Group, Franciscan Fraternity, Pastoral and Finance Committee, OLS School Principal, Staff, and the warm welcome I received from the students and all the ministries of the Parish. I can't thank our Youth Group enough for their creative way of supporting this mission. Please forgive if I missed anyone.

St. Francis of Assisi spent much time in lovely places asking God for enlightenment— God heard his servant and gave him the wisdom to preach especially to the poor. Among his well-known sayings is his famous Prayer— "it is in giving that we receive; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. We can count a day lost in which we have not done some good for another; therefore, through your love and kindess, something that was almost impossible, became possible.

Although I miss everyone and was given the experience of the "good life" in Hamilton, God called me to spiritually enrich the lives of the poor in my homeland. Count your blessings each day, and know that through your kindness and prayers you are able to give those in need a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

Spending the short time I had will all of you gave me more hope, and spritually strengthened me to live my priestly commitment with fervor and zeal in serving the poor in my homeland of India.

May God grant each of you many years of good health and happiness.

Fr. Gene