November Letter from the Director

May the Lord give you peace!

As we enter the month of November, the desert landscape begins to change. The days grow shorter, the mornings become cooler, and the rhythm of nature invites us to slow down, reflect, and give thanks. Here at Holy Cross Retreat Center, our Franciscan Oasis in the Desert, November offers us a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the blessings of the past year, remember those who have gone before us, and renew our commitment to living the Gospel with hope, gratitude, and compassion.

We begin this month celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. These sacred days remind us that we belong to something much greater than ourselves. We are part of a communion of love that transcends time and death. The saints were ordinary people who responded to God’s extraordinary invitation to love. They remind us that holiness is not reserved for a select few, but is a calling for each of us, lived out in the ordinary encounters of daily life.

As Franciscans, we are particularly mindful this year of the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi, his passage from earthly life into eternal life. Francis embraced Sister Death not with fear, but with trust in the God who had accompanied him throughout his journey. His example challenges us to live each day more intentionally, to cherish our relationships, and to recognize the presence of God in every person we encounter.

November is also a month of thanksgiving. I find myself especially grateful for the many people who make Holy Cross such a special place. Our dedicated staff, volunteers, benefactors, retreatants, and our growing Conventual Sunday Mass community are all part of the beautiful tapestry of Franciscan hospitality that continues to unfold here.  Sharing coffee, pan dulce, and conversation after Mass reminds us that building community often begins with something as simple as making room for one another at the table.

At the same time, gratitude does not mean ignoring the struggles of our world. We live in a time when division, uncertainty, violence, and fear weigh heavily on many hearts. Here in the Borderlands, we encounter these realities in particularly personal ways. Yet, St. Francis reminds us that we are called to be instruments of peace, people who build bridges rather than walls, and people who recognize the image of God in every human being. Our Franciscan mission calls us not simply to speak about peace, but to become peacemakers through our presence, our compassion, and our willingness to accompany others.

As we look toward the future of Holy Cross Retreat Center, we are committed to strengthening this sacred place so that it may continue to be an oasis of prayer, healing, encounter, and renewal for generations to come. There is much work ahead as we care for our aging facilities, expand our retreat offerings, and deepen our presence in the wider community. We cannot accomplish this alone, and I am deeply grateful for your prayers, generosity, and continued partnership in this ministry.

My invitation to each of you this November is simple: Take time to be grateful. Take time to remember. Take time to encounter. Reach out to someone who may be lonely. Offer a word of encouragement to someone carrying a heavy burden. Spend a few moments in silence with God. And perhaps most importantly, remember that each of us has the capacity to bring a little more peace and goodness into a world that desperately needs both.

May this season of thanksgiving renew our hearts and remind us that every day is a gift, every encounter is an opportunity for grace, and every person deserves a place at the table.

On behalf of our friars, staff, and everyone at Holy Cross Retreat Center, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Peace and All Good! ¡Paz y Bien!

Br. Joseph Bach, OFM Conv.                                                                            Director