A. M. D. G.
I write this letter for a double purpose. Both are important. One is of good wishes for the present.
God first willingly submitted Himself to unrestrained human evil for a purpose of His own, and then quickly undid all the effects of evil by rising from the dead. In so doing, he achieved the results he sought in His passion and death and thus nullified and triumphed over all the evil men had done Him. Thus He vindicated and established His work and His power, both as regards His own affairs and as regards what He has promised to us. With God, responsible effort and good will never end in defeat, though for a time there may be darkness. The implications of all these things have limitless applications to our successes and failures, our trials and our blessings in this life, and to the ultimate outcome of all the things which are beyond our control but within the bounds of Divine Knowledge and Power. This is the sure, certain basis for unwavering and unshakeable Christian confidence, peace, hope. Some in-depth participation in this light and goodness and joy is what I wish you and yours as a special blessing.
And secondly, I have been conscious of your great kindness to me at Christmas. I cannot be absolved of the obligation of gratitude until I express to you my appreciation of your kindness and thoughtfulness.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Schell (1982)
Father Fred Schell was responsible for bringing Holy Mass to us from the mid-1970’s until his death some 25 years later. Father says it well that, “responsible effort and good will never end in defeat, though for a time there may be darkness”. At the time of Monsignor Perez’ death, the Padre Pio Academy Board of Directors was presented by Monsignor’s sister, a sealed envelope containing a letter, handwritten by Monsignor and, dated March 4, 2021, (while he was in reasonably good health and certainly of sound mind) and witnessed by two of his friends, neither of whom were/are board members. In this letter, he transfers complete authority of Our Lady Help of Christians to the PPA Board of Directors, who he (Monsignor Perez), gives the full responsibility with specific instructions, of finding a new pastor.
Please keep Our Lady Help of Christians in your prayers as the Board continues to perform its legal and ethical obligations in the best interest of the Chapel, (three weeks completed), and as we move forward in our search for qualified priestly candidates. God willing, we will have the Traditional Latin Mass celebrated every Sunday, and soon daily, upon our altar. Sadly, this is all part of the penance we must suffer through due to the tragic state of the Church and of the world today. “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”