Hello, everyone!
I want to introduce myself to the parish this weekend. I was ordained a permanent deacon this past May 2021. I’m thrilled to be here at St. Jane Francis parish. I grew up in Glen Burnie and attended Church of the Crucifixion parish all of my life. The parish is now part of Christ the King Church. I’ve lived in Pasadena for over 31 years with my wife Sandy. We’ve raised our three daughters here, all of which are grown adults living here in Pasadena. We have two son-in-laws, two grandsons, and a granddaughter. I hope to get to know each of you as I settle into my vocation in the parish. I look forward to working together in ministry and serving each other as we worship and praise our Lord we love and adore. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our activities as well as our daily lives.
As I reflect on the second reading for Sunday’s mass (2 Cor 12:7-10), I’m reminded of how much we need to surrender our own will, and trust the Lord to work in and through us. When we accept our weakness then we can fully rely on the Lord. It’s when we’re relying on God’s strength that we’re truly strong, for it’s God’s strength working through us, not the strength of our own flesh. When we are weak, but God is strong in and through us, keeping us faithful in our weakness, he can work through us in amazing ways. This brings glory to his name, because it’s clear that it’s not us, but God at work. So, let us be strong in the Lord and go forth in God’s strength and let him bring glory to his name, through us—even through our weaknesses.
Again, I look forward to being a part of this parish family and sharing in our faith journey together. I ask that you please keep me in your prayers, and I will keep you in my daily prayers.
God Bless,
Deacon Howard
