Dear St. Gabriel Parishioners:
Happy the Feast of “The Ascension of the Lord into Heaven”
- This Feast Day reminds us that even though Jesus has ascended into Heaven, Jesus still is the “source of nourishment” that we receive everyday when we “do this in memory of Him – the celebration of the Eucharist”. What a truly “special gift” that we have in Jesus Christ who offers us the opportunity to share in “His Divine Life” and to be formed into “His Body”. May each of us set aside a special moment on this Feast Day or this coming week to give thanks and acknowledge this special moment to be in the presence of our Lord and anticipate the renewal of the Holy Spirit in Feast of Pentecost.
- As our Nation celebrates Memorial Day this coming Monday, May 25th, I’m reminded of the “great sacrifices” that our American soldiers have given their lives in every generation to ensure the value of Peace and Freedom. Celebrating Eucharist and visiting veterans almost every Wednesdays at Retsil Veteran Home here in Port Orchard (although not lately because of Coronavirus and vulnerable setting), I’m reminded of this reality. Also, as a naturalized citizen from Vietnam, I’m always every grateful for all American soldiers whom have served in Vietnam along with the Vietnamese soldiers during a long Vietnam’s war. Growing up in a war time, I’ve been privileged to see and witness the “great heroics and sacrifices” of these men and women in helping defend and promote freedom in Vietnam and everywhere else in the world.
- May this remembrance on this Memorial Day, lead us united in prayer for those who have given their ultimate sacrifice of their lives be brought to Eternal Home with the Risen Christ as we continue celebrating in this Easter Season.
- Our two parishes communities have a unique opportunity at this Sunday Mass – May 24th – not only celebrate the Feast of Ascension, but also to pray for repose of the soul of Sister Deanna Carr, B.V.M. – a member of a Women Religious Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary whom we indebted to her leadership in growing the community in faith but also in Liturgical enhancement through the renovation of the worship space at St. Gabriel Church.
- We had planned many months ago since Sr. Deanna’s death to celebrate her life in a Memorial Mass on Saturday, May 23, but the Coronavirus suspension of all public Mass and gathering force us with an only choice left is to pray for her soul and honor Sr. Deanna on livestream Mass on this Sunday with an agreement of her blood sister Bernadette Carr Hart (Seattle). At the sanctuary, we have a few unique displays and memories that she had brought to become a permanent tradition of our parish community at Easter Season.
We thank you for the gift of her committed faith through her vocation as a Religious and a Missionary who was sent to our local Church, the Archdiocese of Seattle, from her religious Motherhouse to care for the people of God here in the Northwest area. May the Season of Easter, where we celebrate the Risen Christ, help us to be mindful that from a Christian perspective, that our earthly life may end in death, but we believe that Christ will raise us up with Him and we will see one another again in God’s Kingdom. Rest In Peace Sister Deanna, a Faithful Servant of God.
- “A word of thank” to Remigio Miguel who gave the Annual Catholic Appeal Witness talk both in English and Spanish last weekend and the many families who have pledged and turned in your commitment envelopes to the Parish or Archdiocesan Office to support the Annual Catholic Appeal 2020 again this year. Your continued support is the testimony of the commitment for us to be “Church” today in our time.
If you didn’t have an opportunity of filling your commitment envelop, please join with many of your parishioners to pledge toward our parish goal. Please see the bulletin on our parishes’ websites to see how close we are to meet our parish goal.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang