Dear parishioners,

I am filled with joy in my heart to be here and to say thank you for your hospitality and your openness with which you received me as your new pastor of All Saints Parish in Lockport. Special thanks to Fr. Walter, Fr. Jerry, our lovely Sisters, the Staff, board of trustees, members of parish council, the finance council, faith formation, the maintenance crew, all parishioners and indeed to everyone for making the transition smooth for me. As you know I already packed into the rectory.

Going through the parish mission statement, it says: “All Saints parish is a community of diverse people, rooted in a heritage of faith, united by the Eucharist and the Word of God. Following Christ’s example, we seek through a variety of ministries, to know, love and serve God and one another and to extend our prayer and stewardship to the missions in the spirit of all the Saints.” The words of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew 20:28; "I came not to be served but to serve..." We are called not to be served but be serve and to help one another as one family in the One Body of Christ... We are all in the same ministry of Jesus not to be served but to serve... The ministry of Jesus is the ministry of service. My number one priority here is you, my parishioners. I believe together we can make our parish a home for all, a community of peace and love as rooted in the parish mission statement.

As you know, this is my first assignment as pastor. Please be patient with me as we go through this transition together. I believe we will go through it. Zechariah 4:6; “It is not by our human power we succeed but by the grace of God" I so much believe and rely on the grace of God and by the power of the

Holy Spirit who has called us to serve.

Finally, I would like to inform you I will be traveling to my home country, Nigeria after Christmas, December 26th to be with my family. Every year, a priest is entitled for one-month canonical vacation and a week canonical retreat. For three years now I have not been able to visit home with my family. When my brother passed I couldn’t travel. I didn’t mean to leave you at this time. I already made my travel plan few months ago before my new assignment came. But I assure you our parish here is in safe hands. You have competent people here. As I travel, please, I ask that you keep me in your prayers for God’s protection. Be assured of my prayers too.

May God bless you!
May God bless our parish!
May God bless our diocese!

Fr. Daniel Ogbeifun