A Note From Our Pastor: March 22, 2026

Most of you will read this as we begin Holy Week. I remind us to not make this a week like all the others. Even as many of us we still have to work, go to school, or so many other responsibilities, we can still do some things differently, say no to certain things, and therefore, make more time for being quiet, and with our Lord.

At both of our parishes we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday (at St. Thomas 10am to 3pm, and at St. Philomena 9am to 3pm).

Bring spiritual reading, or your Bible or rosary. But bring yourself. I have no doubt that you can afford an hour (probably all three days). For our school parents, come before you pick up your children in the afternoon. In quiet reflection, consider the things that happened to Jesus, and what they mean for our lives and the lives of those we love.

Next, I want to share with you our schedule for the Paschal Triduum, along with explanation. The schedule is as follows:

Please note the specific languages for Holy Thursday and Good Friday (not bilingual). Considering that we have large and thriving Spanish-speaking communities in both parishes as well as English-speaking communities, it’s important that we evermore recognize St. Thomas and St. Philomena together, a larger parish on two different campuses with two worship sites.

Either Holy Thursday or Good Friday is one of those handful of occasions of the year that you are asked to travel the other worship site for the language in which you pray.

I recall a conversation I had with a parishioner, who suggested that our parishes are far apart. “Really?”, I thought. The distance between our parishes, depending on what route you take, is as short as 5.5 miles (7.5 miles if you go via I-5). Think of how many miles you drive to the pharmacy, the bank, Costco, the mall, the doctor, your favorite coffee shop or restaurant, to visit friends, etc. Many (most?) of us drive equal or greater distances, at least once a week.

Very few of our parishioners live so close to either parish that they walk. The majority drive to the church. If you’re already having to drive, it’s likely not that much more effort, time or distance to get to the other church within our parish family.

We can make this work in a new way, and I look greatly forward to celebrating Holy Week with you.

Yours in Christ,

Father Todd O. Strange