This past weekend, St. Mary’s of the Assumption Parish in Whittier celebrated and gave thanks to God for the gift of our retiring director of social outreach, Mrs. Cecilia Sosa. Cecilia has been a partner in mission with the Redemptorists here for nearly 30 years.

During her long career of dedication and service, Cecilia has embodied how our lay partners share and live the Redemptorist charism. Cecilia’s love for the poor and the abandoned has transformed the lives of countless of our brothers and sisters in Christ in their moments of most desperate need, as well as helping our neighbors meet their basic day-to-day necessities of life.

This past year of the pandemic has been a particularly challenging time. With the dedication of lay partners like Cecilia, St. Mary’s has been able to provide food assistance to more than 600 families a week during the height of the pandemic. But Cecilia’s ministry has been much greater than merely providing food. Through her love for the poor, she has lifted up those who are in need, restoring their dignity and helping them to see that God had not abandoned them.

Cecilia has truly been the presence of Jesus to our parish family, and she has inspired so many others to follow Jesus. Cecilia has been an indispensable partner in our Redemptorist mission at St. Mary’s. Like so many of our lay partners in mission, she has made it possible for us to more fully preach the Good News of Plentiful Redemption to the poor and most abandoned. All of the Redemptorists here at St. Mary’s and our entire parish family would like to extend our deepest gratitude and blessing to Cecilia for all that she has done for the Redemptorist mission here at St. Mary’s. Cecilia has truly brought the healing love of the Redeemer to awounded world.

Thank you, Cecilia.

By by Fr. Ted Dorcey, C.Ss.R. (Courtesy of DenverLink.)