My dear Holyrood/Santa Cruz family, good morning and blessings.

I want to remind you that February 1, 2023, will be my last day as your pastor friend and fellow priest. It's been 18 months since I gave you the first announcement and now that we're only six months away, I wanted to return to this topic, which for me is very painful. But as I said before, my ministry needs to move in another direction in Puerto Rico and from there you will receive news of how we are giving continuity to the prophetic ministry of Jesus. The plans are to have a trilingual mass on Sunday, January 29, 2023 (at 11:00am) and a bilingual (English and Spanish) reflection meeting in the San Romero Chapel on Wednesday, February 1. And of course, our Annual Assembly will be on Sunday, January 8, 2023.
 
What I want to remind you during this transition process.
 
1-We must pray, pray and pray to seek God's direction.
 
2-The Vestry, in particular the Wardens (Yaniris and Pedro) will have an official meeting with Canon Nora Smith (person who is in charge of the transition of clergy in the diocese) in the month of November and they will keep you informed.
 
3-Soon the Vestry will be finalizing the profiles of the church and the community and at the same time will be appointing a Search Committee to identify, in collaboration with the diocese, the next person who will be their pastor. If you are interested in being part of this Committee, contact one of the Wardens.
 
4. Remember that Christ builds his Church, not you. When a pastor moves on to another flock, there is a temptation for the sheep to scatter. Please this cannot happen. We must support and continue moving this People Church project forward. We are here because Christ is the head of the church, not me and not you.
 
5. Remember that God has a purpose for this Holyrood/Santa Cruz Church. Even if I go to another place, the mission and vision of the church continues. If you stay in unity during the transition, the change will be much smoother.
 
6-You will always be in my prayers, and I trust that you will do the same with me. That Sunday, January 29, 2023, I trust that we can hold hands and you give us, Amarilis and me, a special blessing so that we can continue seeking God's will. We are all part of a body that transcends geographical borders (I Corinthians 12:12-31).
 
I will always be grateful that you gave me the opportunity to serve you as your pastor/priest. I recognize that I am not perfect, therefore, I apologize if I fail you in something. Believe me when I tell you that I always had good intentions. Let's keep working these next few months like the first day. The church of Jesus will continue to be a hospital to receive all the people who are sick; We never were and never will be a museum of holy people. We are the People's Church.
 
In solidarity love your son, Luis+