Dear Friends,

Greetings in the Lord. Although the following changes for Immaculate Conception Parish in Lancaster have not been announced officially by Bishop McManus in the Catholic Free Press, I understand that the Bishop plans to assign Fr. Julio Granados and I to serve Immaculate Conception as its associate pastor and pastor, respectively, beginning January 2, 2024. It will be our joy and honor to do so. There is no greater fulfillment for a priest than to make the Sacraments available to God’s people, and thereby lead souls to heaven. This will be our prime focus at Immaculate beginning January 2.

I had the first two weeks of January blocked off for a vacation period — with no particular plans or destination. Accordingly, I will dedicate these first two weeks in January to be present on the campus of Immaculate Conception every day and all day to listen to your thoughts and ideas. Further, although I cannot promise that this will be a sustainable daily Mass time beyond January 12, for these first two weeks in January, I will be pleased to celebrate 12:30 PM weekday Masses. Therefore, from Tuesday, January 2 to Friday, January 12, you are invited to worship at 12:30 PM weekday Masses at Immaculate Conception. After these 12:30 PM weekday Masses, I will be available from 1pm to 2pm to meet with those who have just attended Mass to get to know you and to listen to your thoughts and ideas.

The weekend Mass times will remain the same — a 4:30 PM Saturday Vigil Mass, and a 9AM Sunday Mass.

You are cordially invited to schedule a time to chat with me in the Immaculate Conception Rectory between 8am and 8pm from January 2nd through January 14. Please note, however, that noon to 2pm is “blocked off” every weekday for daily Mass and the 1-hour gathering afterwards. You may contact me directly by email to propose a day and time to meet. You are invited to share your thoughts one-on-one, as a couple, a family, or as family and friends gathered together. If you prefer that we meet in your home rather than at the Church, that is fine, too. Meanwhile, if anyone asks, “What are the new priests’ plans for the parish when they arrive in January?” please tell them that we intend to: (1) meet parishioners, (2) listen to parishioners thoughts and ideas, (3) offer the Church’s Sacraments, and (4) lead souls to heaven. There will be plenty of time to discuss more specific matters thereafter.

I very much am looking forward to my first two weeks in January at Immaculate Conception in Lancaster! I am looking forward to meeting you all, and I know that Fr. Julio is looking forward to meeting you as well later in January.

In Christ,