My Dear Parishioners:

The liturgy is considered as an exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ. In the liturgy the sanctification of the man is signified by signs perceptible to the senses, and is effected in a way which corresponds with each of these signs; in the liturgy the whole public worship is performed by the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, that is, by the Head and His members. From this it follows that every liturgical celebration, because it is an action of Christ the priest and of His Body which is the Church, is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the Church can equal its efficacy by the same title and to the same degree (Cf Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 7)

I take this opportunity to introduce Mr. Adrian Charles to you and to all of the members of our St. Vincent de Paul Parish Community.

Adrian is from San Antonio and presently an Upper Level student in Theology and in Music at the University of the Incarnate Word. He is a layman who began his career in the Church as an Altar Server and, as his command of all ceremonial aspects of the liturgy grew he was given more and more responsibility and eventually was appointed Master of Ceremonies at San Fernando Cathedral. His life is an example of the expanded role of the Laity in every aspect of the life of our Mother, the Church.

As Master of Ceremony at the Cathedral Adrian did many things including being the Master of Ceremony at the consecration of Father Oscar Cantu as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. I was always impressed by Adrian’s love of the liturgy and the quiet dignity with which he directed all of the celebrations.

Recently I was able to offer Adrian the opportunity to come to our Parish and teach all of us, priest, ministers and congregation, to celebrate all our liturgies with the same love and dignity, and he accepted.

Please help me thank Adrian and welcome him to our Parish.

In Domino

Your Pastor,

Father Agustin Estrada