For Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, today is a feast day; not only our feast day, but we are also celebrating a 100-year history. The plan several months ago was to invite us all as a parish to join the Missionary Servants in offering prayers of thanksgiving for allowing us to be of service for 100 years and begging for a blessing as we begin the next 100 years. Quite frankly we have been very busy with so many things to tend to that a “giant” celebration will have to be postponed. But, I would certainly ask for your prayers.
Our presence here in the Coachella Valley, both at Our Lady of Soledad and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mecca is a symbol/sacrament of who we are.
It was a blessing when Msgr. Bob Miller, from the diocese, contacted us and then the conversation continued with the Holy Cross Priests. The Valley Missionary Program spoke to us. As Missionary Servants, we wanted to be part of a program that “spiritualized the laity for mission”. And, the summer heat, the vineyards, the Oasis Palm church, the very image of Our Lady of Soledad spoke to us. We have a special devotion to Our Lady, we call her the Queen of the Missionary Cenacle, and we seek her intercession as we seek the graces of wisdom and fortitude. The summer heat spoke to the zeal we constantly pray for, the “white heat of charity” that moved our founder, Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, CM into the most tangled portion of the mission field, would now invite us to the Coachella Valley. And so, we came to the Valley.
Each Missionary Servant has given of himself. Names don’t even have to be mentioned but everyone will know who contributed what and how. Who comes to your mind when the first repairs and changes took place at the Oasis Palm church and rectory? Who were the young priests who became the directors of the Valley Mission Program? Who was the #1 Dodger fan? Who was the one who always said, “God is good all the time, all the time God is good”? And who were the ones who broke our hearts with their tragic death?
We have been in the Valley only a small portion of our 100-year history, but we have already quite literally given the Valley our lives – and well worth it!
Without a doubt, each of you has a hand in the future of the Missionary Servants. Your prayers, your care and love, your support, and your reprimands will help us continue to serve you and others with fidelity.
Blessed be God the Father who has created us,
Blessed be God the Son who has redeemed us,
Blessed be God the Holy Spirit who has sanctified us,
Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Trinity now and forever. Amen.
Father Francisco Gómez, S.T.