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Pastor's Page 2019-08-11

Dear Parishioners:

IT’S HERE – Bathrooms Remodeling … Remember both upstairs’ bathrooms are remodeling at this time. … For the following weeks, please use the downstairs’ bathrooms. Thank You.

  • The book of Wisdom, named after the wisest of all the Israelite kings – Solomon, was used as a manual or textbook for young Jews living in a Greek culture from 300 B.C. to 200 A.D. The Jews were awed by the brilliant culture around them, and perhaps feared that their traditional values might be inferior to those of Egyptian society.  Wisdom consisted of a series of wise sayings, philosophical and moral discussions, religious apologetics, science, and rhetoric.  The authors strove to educate and build up the Jewish faith in a foreign environment.

The final section of the book of Wisdom, from which today’s first reading is drawn (Wisdom 18:6-9) praises God as the liberator of his people. One of the high points of the text glorified God for his great power that destroyed the first born of the Egyptians, yet, at the same time, freed his people.  Israel was saved because they listened to God’s word.

Whenever I have moments of frustration, discouragement or sadness about the state of things in the Church today, I go back and read chapter 11 of the Letter to the Hebrews. This chapter draws upon the people and events of the Old Testament to paint an inspiring portrait of religious faith, firm and unyielding in the face of any obstacles that confront it.

Today’s Gospel passage reflects questions that arose from the early Christian belief that Jesus would soon return in his glory and the delay that had already occurred. Written more than half a century after Jesus’ death, this gospel needed to address concerns regarding laxity on the part of the members of the community who had already been waiting for Jesus’ coming and were discouraged at his delay.

  • Is it not true that in some of the bleakest, most challenging moments of life, we find tremendous freedom?
  • How many times has a painful period led us to joy and consolation far beneath the turbulence of the surface?

 

  • On Thursday, August 15 - The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryBody and Soul into Heaven – reminds us of the special privilege and reward of our Blessed Mother of her faithfulness to God in her life. May her son, Jesus’ gift of the “Living Bread”, help us also to be one day with him and our blessed Mother as we also open to receive and remain faithful to Him.  

There will be two Masses - 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM

  • Our former Pastor, Fr. Dennis Sevilla, will celebrate his 50th Ordination Mass of Thanksgiving at 11:00 AM Mass next Sunday, August 18 at St. Gabriel. Please plan to come and celebrate with Fr. Dennis next Sunday.  There will be a reception follows after Mass at the Community Room.  CONGRATULATION 50TH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY FR. DENNIS SEVILLA.

 

  • It’s only two more weeks until our Parish Annual Picnic, please mark your calendar and plan to bring your family and friends to this fun day. The Parish Pastoral Council and the Knights of Columbus are coordinating our Parish Picnic this year.  It’ll be on Sunday August 25th , after the 11:00 AM Mass at the ground of St. Gabriel. 

Have a wonderful week with Jesus Presence and His abundant Grace.

Christ’s Peace, 
Fr. Phuong Hoang

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