My dear friends,

It is with a heavy but grateful heart that I write this letter to you. After three very joyous and rewarding years serving this community, the Archbishop has given me a new assignment. I want to thank each and everyone of you for the kindness and love you have shown me during these three years together. As many of you know, Church of the Little Flower was my very first assignment after my ordination. I felt so welcomed when I arrived, not only by the Pastor and the priests, but also by all of you. This community received me with open arms, and you took me in as one of your own children.

Throughout these three short years, I have enjoyed working with all of you in the various ministries of the Church. I have learned so much from so many people and it has been a great pleasure serving you in the best way that I possibly could. I have come to learn that this is a very special community that strives to always be united under the loving care of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I have learned that you love your priests, no matter how imperfect we may be.  But the most important thing that I have learned is that you loved me, and that is worth more to me than gold.

I want to take this opportunity to humbly apologize to anyone whom I may have treated rudely, or did not have time for, or if there is anything that I did to offend you. Please know that, that was never my intention and I ask for your forgiveness.

Change can be difficult, but as parish priest we pledge our obedience to the Archbishop as he discerns what is best for our Archdiocese. I am very grateful to him for giving such a wonderful “first” assignment at the Church of the Little Flower, an assignment that I will never forget. I ask you to please pray for him and for all our diocesan priests.

This farewell has allowed me to pause and look back and count my blessings that I have received while serving this community. I can see how God has guided me along the way and help me to lead others to Christ. I pray to God that he will continue to shower his blessings and love on this community and know that my prayers are with each one of you.

Few words express my feelings, so it’s hard to convey how deeply I appreciate the love and support that you gave during these three years together. The only thing I ask of you is that you pray for me, as I pray for you.

From the very bottom of my heart I thank you for these amazing and fruitful years together. I will miss you a lot.

Sincerely,

Fr. Luis A. Flores

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.” —1 Thessalonians 5:23–24