It is not by some random process
that a parish church is named for a particular saint.
Admittedly, there are some saints better known than
others, and location influences this choice. However,
most parishes have a patron saint whose life directly
flavors its character. It might be the life and
witness of one saint, or one church doctrine, or
a sacrament; all these may set the disposition of
a parish for all time.
Having read this booklet on the life of young Paul
of Thebes, later to be known as Saint Paul the Hermit,
there are obvious correlations between his environment
and this desert commun ity of Palm Springs. However,
the beautiful palms, crystal springs, and the image
of a desert oasis are only superficial. The physical
setting common to both is insufficient to pre sent
a mission to this parish.
Saint Paul the Hermit possessed certain spiritual
qualities that, once meditated upon, certainly cry
out to modern man. Saint Paul left a life of gentility
in order to defend his faith and pursue a ministry
of meditation and waiting upon the Lord. Worldly
standards were set aside and the crush of time lost
its control so that this man might find a peace
with crea tion and Creator. A man threatened by
other men, discovered a true sense of fellowship
with all mankind. We, no less than he, live in a
wasteland unless God blesses our life and en deavors.
As with Saint Paul, our life may either be shallow,
or charged with purpose when we offer it up in service
to our Lord Jesus.
This parish church of Saint Paul in the Desert is
set apart to be an oasis of God's grace in the midst
of modern living. As Saint Paul shared his home
and futh with Antony, we of this parish, set in
a quiet park, welcome resident and visitor alike.
The health giving sacraments, pastoral ministrations,
and the fellowship of our common faith are offered
to all who enter and rest. Our personal life in
the community should point to the truth we have
seen revealed in Christ Jesus, It is our hope that
this parish will remain a symbol of the eternal
glory and love of God All that is fashionable may
pass away, but the prayers of the devout, the daily
witness of faithful people, and the sincerity of
our worship will make firm our foundation.
This desert community calls to the world: "Come
to me for health, excitement, and glamor."
Firm in the realization that all these soon pass
away, Saint Paul's shall simply proclaim: "Come,
hear Christ's words, partake of His saving love,
and gain God's everlasting peace."
