Many thanks!

The bond between priest and parish, between the flock and the pastor, is determined by the level of spiritual life in the parish. The priest is first of all an officiant performing the services and sacraments of the Church, the spiritual guide of the flock, which is entrusted to him by God. Therefore, the position of a priest, rector of a parish and pastor of souls, is different from the position of a president, manager, administrator or boss. It is different because a priest's duties are of a different kind. The priest must keep in touch with all aspects of parish life: charity, social work and even finances. His goal is not to gain power, but to keep a spiritual control over the worth of all these expressions of parish life and to constantly inspire his parishioners to spiritualize all these manifestations. Every member of the parish shares with the priest his responsibility for the spiritual future of the parish and of the whole Church. The priest's responsibility is greater and heavier, because he stands closer to the heart of Church life, the holy altar. The priest is responsible for his parish to the Archbishop. He is even more responsible to God for the souls entrusted to his care. The parish cares for the pastor's welfare; the pastor responds by taking prayerful care of the parishioners' spiritual life. The parish looks after the decoration and the good repair of the church; the pastor strives to fill the church with people aspiring to salvation. A full church is the first proof of success of pastoral work, it is the joy of any priest's heart. His deepest sorrow is an empty church. The priest has a part in all aspects of parish life, but his true place is at the altar. Here is his strength, the source of his inspiration, the center and essence of his office. He awaits for his spiritual children, his flock, to join him there, to lead them to the evergreen pastures of the Kingdom of Heaven.

I write all this because once again my office mailbox has been filled with cards, gifts and tokens of affection of and love of my parishioners, and I am very grateful. I had a very busy weeks but I was greatly assisted by the love of you all, the people of my parish. On Christmas Eve, the Archbishop invited us to some of the priests to eat with him; it was a very good experience. There we talked about all this that I write today. Once again thank you for your gifts and affection, I am very fortunate to have a good and generous parish! So, from the bottom of my heart, again ■ Fr. Agustín, Pastor.