From Father Adriana - February 7th

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
This January, my family and I have experienced the Lord's passage in our lives: the death of my father, Afonso Albino de Castro. We had an experience of pain, but an experience of faith and consolation from God. He passed away on January 7, 2021, at the age of 64. Within a month he contracted Covid-19, went to the hospital, died, was buried and ENTERED INTO ETERNAL LIFE.

Yes, I am sure of his “salvation”, because first of all God is merciful and also before his death, he was very sorry for his sins. He was able to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick through me a few days before he passed. I am so happy that God granted him His grace through me, because when I was a child, I received faith and blessings through his hands. Now through my hands, as a priest, he received God's forgiveness. I remember seeing him many times ready to go to Mass, well dressed, waiting for us and also hurrying us.

I am sure he is with God in Paradise and that I shall see him again in Heaven. As Saint Braulio, Bishop, says: “Let the hope of the resurrection encourage us, then, because we shall see again those whom we lose here below”. It was because of this faith in the resurrection that the whole process, hospital, death, burial and mourning after death, was so smooth and consoling to me.

Finally, I would like to thank Cardinal Sean who called me when my father fell ill; Fr. Steven who allowed me to go to Brazil; Fr. Przemek and all the parish staff for their support; and to all of you, dear IC parishioners, for your prayers, messages, emails, letters and much more. I really feel loved by God for being part of this family, the IC family.
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Thank you very much!
Fr. Adriano Albino de Castro