Dear SSJ,

If you were at Mass last weekend, you may have heard me introduce myself as your new Director of Outreach & Evangelization. I shared a bit about my new role, but I’d like to take this opportunity to get a little personal and share more about me.

I’m a huge Dodgers, Raiders, and especially Lakers fan, and I love playing basketball and golf. I’m also a big Marvel and Disney nerd, and I love spending time with my family and friends—trying new restaurants, singing karaoke, playing board games, and simply enjoying each other’s company. I’m also happily engaged to my best friend, Casie, someone I’ve known since we were kids growing up together as family friends in church.

When I think about the things that make me who I am, there’s a common thread through all of them: community.

It’s funny how easily community forms around the things we love. If I wear a Lakers shirt or Dodgers hat somewhere, there’s a good chance I’ll end up talking with someone about last night’s game, a favorite player, or who we need to trade away. Our faith has the power to do that too.

This weekend Jesus tells us, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” What comes before that promise is just as important. Jesus talks about disagreement, hurt, and what to do when someone sins against us.

I’ve experienced this with teammates, friends, family, and people I’ve served alongside in ministry. Sometimes we disagree, frustrate one another, and don’t see eye to eye. When we invite Christ into these challenging moments, He has a way of working things for good.

We can take “gathered in His name” very literally, and we already do this well at SSJ through Bible studies, Tacos/Tapas & Theology, prayer groups, and other opportunities to come together in faith. Gathering in His name can also look much simpler. It can mean inviting a family over for dinner, grabbing matcha with a friend, watching a movie together, or having people over for the big game. To gather in His name is to invite Christ into every part of our lives.

Jesus often loved people in simple, ordinary moments. He broke bread with His apostles, sat with tax collectors and sinners, told stories, traveled with friends, and spent much of His early life working as a carpenter alongside His dad. Gathering in His name doesn’t always have to look like a formal ministry event. Sometimes it simply means being fully present to the people around us and choosing to love them the way Christ would.

That is also important in our closest relationships. Casie and I try to keep Christ at the center of ours by going to Mass together, praying together, listening to praise and worship, and having genuine conversations about our faith. These simple moments help us invite Christ into the ordinary parts of our relationship.

We’re also called to invite Jesus into relationships that are harder for us. Jesus shows us throughout the Gospel that our love should extend to the lonely, the poor, the outsider, the person who doesn’t believe what we believe or vote how we vote, and even the person we might consider an enemy.

This is how I hope to approach my work here at SSJ.

Outreach and evangelization can be as simple as this: seeing, being, and bringing Christ wherever we go.

Let’s go out of our way to see Christ in ALL people around us, be Christ by listening, loving, serving, and forgiving the way He did, and bring Christ to those who need Him most, especially those on the margins of our community.

We already know how quickly a Dodgers hat or Lakers shirt can turn strangers into friends. Imagine what could happen if we let our love for Christ do the same.

If you’re looking for support, guidance, or more ways to become part of our community, let’s connect! I’d love to get to know you.

“Lord, lead us closer to your heart as you guide us closer together in communion with one another. Amen.”

In Christ,

Drew Perez

Director of Outreach and Evangelization

Email: [email protected]