Church of the Little Flower
Father JC's Page
A little about me....
I was born in the Philippines on April 14… many years ago! Growing up, I wanted to be either a pilot or a lawyer - but early on in my childhood, I realized my passion for the arts, especially for music and theater.
Music has always been my connection to God. Music brought me close to church as a youth. Music is also my best form of prayer. I have gained real friends (and families) through Music. It has always been a part of my life.
I see that the spiritual life is a journey. Life itself is a journey: an Emmaus walk with a friend, the Camino - a pilgrimage. We walk together - where Jesus Christ is at the center, and our Blessed Mother Mary holding our hand. I am thrilled that I am with you on this journey - our path - the Little Way.
Building friendships and small christian communities have always been my passion. Sharing faith and simple stories nourish me spiritually; I find that sharing the grief, pain and struggles - as well as the joys, victories and successes - of people is at the core of my calling. I thrive in places where there are real people who are searching for real questions and answers in life.
I have a lot of favorite things to do and places yet to see. I have recently found myself passionate about technology and the New Media. (I don’t like selfies, but always find myself having to do it anyway!)
I like to binge-watch series on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus and Hulu. I like food and I enjoy traveling - exploring new places and learning little things about their great people and their history.
In summary - Who is JC? One who loves God and is fascinated by people:
a very happy Catholic priest!
Fr. JC Merino
Your Parish Priest
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Fr. JC's Pastoral Letter
My dear Little Flower,
As we enter the third week of our October Feast Month, I am grateful for the many ways you help our parish grow in faith and friendship. St. Thérèse’s Little Way reminds us that love takes shape in ordinary moments, through people who give their time, welcome a neighbor, and quietly do what needs to be done. I see this generosity among many of you, and I am grateful to God for it.
My heartfelt thanks to our Golf Team for a successful golf outing, and to everyone who participated, supported, and helped bring it together. Behind an event like this are many hours of preparation and people willing to take responsibility for the details. Thank you for all your work and for bringing our parish community together in such an enjoyable way.
Please take time to visit the historical exhibit of our parish located in the gathering space (narthex), featured this October as we mark the fifth anniversary of our new church building. It is a beautiful opportunity to remember the people whose faith, generosity, and dedication have helped shape Little Flower and to appreciate the parish entrusted to our care today. I am grateful to everyone who put this exhibit together and helped us celebrate this meaningful chapter in our parish life. We have received something precious, and each of us has a part in carrying it forward.
This year, the Universal Church commemorates the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s passing into eternal life. His witness invites us to consider how we can bring Christ’s peace into the world, beginning with the people closest to us. Perhaps this week we can listen more patiently, apologize for a hurt we have caused, refuse to pass along gossip, or reach out to someone from whom we have grown distant. Peace asks something of us, and our faith gives us the grace to take that first step. In this, Francis and Thérèse lead us toward the same Lord, who teaches us to love through humility and the daily gift of ourselves.
In light of our celebration of St. Francis, please save the date for our upcoming Little Café, “St. Francis of Assisi: A Sign of Contradiction.” Together, we will reflect on how his love for Christ, embrace of poverty, and commitment to peace challenge our priorities and invite us to live the Gospel more faithfully.
With particular joy, we officially welcome our Religious Formation children and their families as we begin a new year of formation. To our children: I am happy you are here, and I look forward to growing in faith with you. To our parents, catechists, and formation team: thank you for helping them come to know and love Jesus. What they learn in their sessions will take deeper root through prayer at home, participation in Sunday Mass, and the example of adults who live their faith with sincerity and love.
My prayer for this third week is that each of us will choose one concrete act of love and follow through on it. May our children discover the joy of belonging to Christ, may our gatherings strengthen our friendships, and may those who enter Little Flower find people ready to welcome them. With St. Thérèse and St. Francis accompanying us, let us offer the Lord the ordinary moments of this week and trust Him to make them fruitful.
Your parish priest,
Fr. JC Merino