Dear Disciples of Christ at Holy Spirit, St. Helen’s, and St. Mary’s,

I am so blessed to finally be physically present with you here at our parish. These past five weeks in Detroit were filled with great learning and spiritual growth, but to be honest, it was strange to be away from you for such an extended period of time.

Over this past week, I’ve been blessed to begin working with and journeying alongside our parish staff. I’m grateful for their patience with me as I continue to get my feet on the ground and come to a better understanding of the happenings of our parish community.

I have been overwhelmed by the incredibly warm welcome I’ve received so far at our parish. It has been a blessing to finally put faces to names and to see in person so many of the people I’ve been praying for over these past five weeks.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I am a firm believer in the efficacy of prayer because that is what Jesus teaches us. Even when it seems like our prayers go unanswered, as it did for the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus desires to give us His answer even more than we desire to receive it.

Jesus is our good teacher. He teaches us to keep asking for the good things that we know we need, even when it seems like our Lord is silent. He teaches us to persevere in prayer.

Trust in Jesus. He always works for our good. Trust in Him.

Peace, Father Steven Caraher