Thank You My Beloved Parishioners

by Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.  |  06/28/2026  |  Weekly Reflection

Beloved Parishioners,

The gospel of today captures clearly the amazing blessing you, the beloved parishioners of Our Lady of the Lake have been to me as your priest and pastor these few years I have been with you. I came back to this parish on October 30, 2020, when I was asked by Bishop Olmestd to return to Our Lady of the Lake to serve the good people of this parish.

I had no problem saying “YES” to the request of the Bishop as I know the people and how they love and cherish their priest. Thereafter in April of 2022 I was asked to be your pastor as parochial administrator. This also I accepted with my whole heart because I know how generous you people are.

As your priest and minister you prayed for me, cared for me and provided for me. Out of the generosity of your heart you never allowed me to suffer any lack and it is on this basis that I think that today’s gospel reading is very timely as Jesus assures blessings both here and in the world to come on anyone who gives a cup of cold water to a minister of God because the person is a prophet. On my part you have given me more than just a cup of cold water. You gave me your time, your love, you prayed for me and you provided for my needs and that of my local village far away in Africa. You were everything to me and that is the reason the words of Jesus in the gospel of this Sunday’s liturgy will be manifested in your life. You will surely be blessed and rewarded.

In this parish I found faith, I have a people to call my family, I found support, I found a home, and I have found love that transforms. Despite my weaknesses and challenges you accepted me as I am without judging me. As I leave OLL to OLPH I want to assure equally that my prayers will be with you that those blessings promised by our Lord in today’s gospel would be yours in full measure. May you never lack the blessings from above that bring peace and joy. Let me also mention that we have been able to accomplish a lot in this parish within these few years of my journey with you as your parochial administrator because of your trust and confidence in me. It gives me great joy how many of you stepped forward to take up certain responsibilities whenever there was a call for things that needed to be addressed in the parish.

Finally, as I go to a new parish I will ask for your prayers and I pray for you. I am sure the new priests who are coming will do a great more than me and I ask you to give them also the same support. My beloved parishioners I leave you with these words, God is Real and He comes to our aid whenever we call him, he never abandons us even when it seems he is silent.