A Letter from Our Pastor, Fr. Philip Sullivan, O.C.D. 

“Dreaming Big”

Catholic Schools Week 2017

 January 29, 2017

Dear Friends, 

In my homily I gave this past December on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I quoted Fulton Sheen from his book, The World’s First Love: Mary, Mother of God. Venerable Fulton Sheen suggested that God “dreamed” His perfect mother: “She existed in the Divine Mind as an Eternal Thought before there were any mothers. She is the Mother of mothers—she is the world’s first love.”  God dreams and amazing things happen! What happens when you dream? 

We often use the word “dream” to mean “fulfilling our desires and ambitions in life.” For example, to get accepted to Notre Dame or to achieve professional success could be a dream come true for some. Have you ever imagined the perfect “dream home”? There is the American Dream, pipe dreams, daydreams, field of dreams, dream boat, and let’s not forget Martin Luther King’s dream that one day there will be an end to the culture of racism in America. Fulfilling our dreams is important. But if our ultimate goals in this life are anything other than getting to Heaven, our dreams will surely turn into nightmares! 

While my dreams are different today than from the days of my youth, I still dream and I dream BIG! I dreamt of a thriving school that is authentically Catholic, Orthodox, and Carmelite—trustworthy from textbooks to teachers. I dreamt of a perfect principal who could courageously lead and govern with a thirst to save souls for Christ! I dreamt of a perfect curriculum that will teach our children to learn, think, and hunger for knowledge without Google spoiling the fun! I dreamt of a school that is perfectly harmonious with the mission of the Parish. I dreamt of a school that is affordable to growing families who otherwise could not financially consider Catholic education. I dreamt of a school that would have as its main objective to create an environment wherein the student can BECOME A SAINT! And let’s not forget that our school’s formation does not subscribe in any way to Common Core. Yes, I still dream and I dream BIG! 

I want to thank my parishioners for all of your prayers, encouragement, and financial support for our parish school. Come and see for yourself my dream come true! Please come to our OPEN HOUSE today, Sunday, January 29, after each Mass. I also want to take this opportunity to invite you to attend our annual School Gala on Friday, February 24, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Almansor Court here in Alhambra. ALL ARE WELCOME! 

Although St. Therese Parish may be the only parish in the entire Archdiocese of Los Angeles with a school like ours, we are confident and hopeful that the yeast is rising, and that Catholic education will be restored one parish at a time!  We should never doubt that a small group of committed and faithful Catholics can change the world; indeed, it is the only way in which the world has ever changed.  Take to heart these words from Thomas Jefferson: “One man with courage is a majority.”  Come and see my dream come true! 

God bless you,

Fr. Philip Sullivan, OCD

Pastor