Our Lady of Mount Carmel,

pray for us!

Saint Agnes,

pray for us!

Nuestra Señora del Monte Carmelo,¡ruega por nosotros!

Santa Inés,

¡ruega por nosotros!

Dear Friends in Christ,

It is with joy for Fr. Joseph and me to greet you. We count it an honor to begin to serve you here at this historic and faithful parish.

Both of us are priests of the Diocese of Phoenix and we know well of the beautiful Carmelite tra- dition that has blessed this parish over the past 50+ years. It is humbling to follow Fr. Brad who called St. Agnes his home prior to religious life and Fr. Jorge who has also served you so well over these past years. We, like you, are indebted to them and all the Carmelites for their faith- ful service.

All of us, laity and clergy alike (religious or dioc- esan), are called to serve the Lord in loving re- lationship together within the Body of Christ which is His Church. The Second Vatican Council proclaims that “priests have been placed in the midst of the laity to lead them to the unity of charity, loving one another with fraternal love, eager to give one another precedence" (Rom 12:10) in such a way that no one need feel himself a stranger in the community of the faithful.

They are defenders of the common good, with which they are charged in the name of the bishop.”

We simply ask your prayers for us as we get to know you. Just as the Lord has blessed us in past assignments, we know that He will contin- ue to bless us here at St. Agnes as we together follow Him with Mary’s intercession.

Yours in Christ, Fr. Paul