Dear Parishioners:
… … MERRY CHRISTMAS … …
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:
--Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve): 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM
--Sunday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 9:30 AM
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth, Peace to people of good will”
---This is a special hymn prayer that we finally can sing out to truly give praise and
thanksgiving to our God who has bridged Heaven and Earth in Jesus Christ who is the
awaited Messiah, the “Prince of Peace” and the “Savior of the world”. The greatest gift
from God in this Christmas Day is meant for each and every one of us to receive Him into
our lives and make Him known to our world. May we return to Him the “gift of our
Faith” which will continue to be shown through our words and actions!
Most of all, wishing you and all your family, Jesus’ abundantly Blessings on this great
feast of His birth; may Jesus’ presence and actions renewed each and every one of us,
our family, our community, our country and the whole world. Merry Christmas to
everyone…
… …HAPPY THE FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY … …
---Normally, this Feast Day is celebrated on a Sunday following Christmas, but this year
because Christmas falls on Sunday; therefore, the Feast of the Holy Family will be
celebrating on Friday, December 30. May the Grace of God sustain your family in good
times and in struggle times but always there to strengthen you in times of need.
---In the afterglow of Christmas, the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family.
This weekend we are invited to reflect on the gift and mystery of life and the blessing of
family life in particular.
The Gospel of Matthew 2:13-15,19-23, shows the family of Jesus to be clearly rooted in
fidelity to God’s Word. Joseph accepts the command to leave Israel and then return
again at a later date. Joseph places the accent on obligations first. Jesus must be the
cohesive center of family life. The Holy Family is a wonderful example for us of the
dignity and beauty of human and family life. It is here, in the house of Nazareth that
Jesus learned how to reach out to the poor, lonely and defenseless. It was at Nazareth
that something beautiful was transmitted from Mary and Joseph to their Son, Jesus.
“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)
*****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: Fr. Ron
Belisle, Fr. Patrick McDermott 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.
---The Calendar Year is coming to the end soon. I’d like to take this opportunity “to
thank” for your participation in many different ministries and volunteer opportunities in
our parish community. Especially, I’d like to thank for your Stewardship of Time,
Talent and Treasure in the year of 2022. Please be aware that “all tax-deductible
contribution” to the parish has to be done in the last week of December up to December
31 to be included for 2022.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang