Dear St. Gabriel Parishioners:
…HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2022 …
“May the Lord Bless you and keep you!
May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you!
May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:22-26)
- Like St. Paul, I give “thanks” to God in gratitude for the many blessings that God has bestowed upon our parish community as I reflect on this past year 2021. May WE, as a community, respond to our gracious God in words and actions the Faith that we have received and with the full knowledge of the Mystery of the Incarnation “Emmanuel – God’s with us” in continue making known God’s presence and love through our lives and make a difference in our world.
… HAPPY EPIPHANY OF THE LORD …
- Just as Christmas (the “Nativity/Birth of Jesus” was the revelation of God to people of Faith Tradition (Mary, Joseph, “Elizabeth-Mary’s relative” … etc.) and to the simple-minded and open-hearted for God’s, the shepherds came to know and see the “the Messiah – Anointed One of God – Jesus Christ” when they hurried to Bethlehem and saw what was told to them by the Angels.
The Church celebrates the “Feast of Epiphany – to show forth” the presence of God to ALL who are willing and open to seek and discern God in their lives. This is traditionally represented through the “Journey of the Magi” that came from afar to search and encounter the presence of God in this “new born King” who was made known in the Scripture.
As we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany and look at the manger scene, we see three wise men arriving. We see three kings who were willing to sacrifice of themselves in order to find a new born King. They were willing to sacrifice so greatly, because they believed in the greatness of the One they were searching for. Each of the wise men was willing to give up his riches in order to find an even greater treasure. May we imitate them in our own search for God whom we acknowledge and recognize in this Christmas Season.
A long-standing tradition in our Church is to announce the important the Church’s Liturgical celebrations in the new year on the Feast of Epiphany; today, the new yearly calendar takes over this announcement. For 2022, please note that Ash Wednesday will be on March 2 and Easter will be on April 17
- Wishing you and all your families a very Blessed and Happy New Year 2021 and Epiphany; May the Lord continues to bless you, your families and our world in this coming New Year.
- On this joyous occasion, I’d to thank: Ministry to both parishes St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace: Deacon John Ricciardi and Fr. Ronald Belisle; Ministry to the Hispanic community at Prince of Peace Parish in Belfair: Patrick McDermott, Fr. Ron Belisle and Deacon Romeo for their generosity of time, dedication and continuing ministry with our two parishes through this past year. May Christ Jesus gifts of joy and peace will be yours continuing throughout this Holy Season and every day of your life.
Finally, I’d like also to say a word of “Thank” to our parish Staff, members of the Councils, Commissions, Committees, Groups, all the Volunteers and all parishioners who have offered their Time, Talents and Treasures to help build up St. Gabriel Parish Community as a visible sign of God’s presence and actions in our world today. “Emmanuel – God is with us” – is indeed here with us; may we fully recognize and receive Him into our lives.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang