Fr. Hien's Weekly Letter 03/07/21

My Dear Parishioners,
     How are you doing?  Have you received your COVID-19 vaccine yet?  As of last Saturday, many employees and priests of the diocese have received their shots.  I am scheduled for this Saturday, March 6th for my first shot and the second shot three weeks later.  I hope that I will not have any reaction to the vaccine because I need to be able to celebrate Holy Masses.  If I look half-drunk during Mass, please know that I do not drink and if I sound moody, please know that would not be my true self.  So far, many people have taken the vaccine, and many people have not of their own free will, that is the beauty of living in America, people can make their own decision for their health.  As a priest who encounters so many people every day, it is best for me to take my annual flu shot, and now the COVID-19 shot, too.  I don’t mind a small cut, but I hate needles.  I also understand that taking the shots have no guarantee that I will not get sick on my own or from someone who was sick; however, I hope that my sickness will not be too severe or deadly.  Recently, I have been helping with funerals at St. Anthony’s because Father there has been sick with COVID-19.  Thankfully, Father is back home from the hospital.  Let us continue praying for those who are sick, especially with COVID-19.  
     Are you ready for the Spring season?  It is coming, so please remember to forward your clock one hour on Saturday night, March 13th.  Again, please come to church early so that our church’s doors will not lock you out.  This is for the safety of everyone at Holy Mass.  Please turn off or mute your electronic devices in church so that it will not disturb others.  Personally, I can take a crying child over a phone going off in church.  A cry of a child in church can be a reminder to us that a precious human being is with us; therefore, God is with us as much as He is with that child, but a phone going off in church is a disturbance to the holiness and sacredness in church.  PLEASE TURN OFF OR MUTE YOUR PHONE.  Personally, I always have my cell phone on mute/vibrate mode, in this way I will know who is calling me and I can decide to respond or not without disturbing anyone.  This might be a good method for those who tend to forget to turn off or mute their phone before entering church.  God bless you with His joy, peace, happiness and good health, Fr. Hien