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

My Dear Parishioners,
     Blessings from our God be with you all.  It was so good to be with so many of you for our Holy Masses last weekend to give thanks, praise, and worship to God.  Of course, we also prayed for one another, including our deceased loved ones.  As you all know, God is good to us all the time.  May we be good to God and one another with our time, talent, and treasure.
      I would like to put in writing a few things I talked about at Mass last weekend.  First, everyone is encouraged to sign up and to spend an hour with Jesus in adoration when our chapel is reopened (we are planning to reopen our chapel for 24/7 adoration at 8pm on Holy Thursday night, unless we cannot fill most of the adoration spots.  This would indicate that many people are not comfortable enough yet to spend extra time in the chapel during this pandemic, in which case, reopening the chapel will be later in the summer.  This is understandable because even Bishop has not lifted the dispensation from Sunday obligation yet).  If you are willing, please pick a day and time that is best for you, your spouse or family to pray together in adoration.  A family that prays together will stay together on earth and in heaven.  For some reason, if you can’t be there for the whole hour, try to spend as much time as you can, even a few minutes; and if you can’t be there at all, please try to get a replacement and if that’s not possible, please don’t worry for God will still love you.  Second, you are welcome to use our hymnals in church.  We will have a musician and a cantor beginning with Holy Thursday night Mass.  Third, although Bishop has allowed the use of Holy Water fonts for people to bless themselves as they enter and exit church, I personally think that it is not safe yet to do so.  I cannot imagine a hundred people putting their fingers in one bowl before and after Masses that will keep themselves safe from the virus.  I think we need to wait a little longer for the use of Holy Water fonts.   Fourth, Easter Sunday Masses for this year due to the pandemic will be at 9am with an extra Mass at 12noon in English, (10:30am in Vietnamese, permanently).  Holy Thursday Mass and Good Friday service are at 6:30pm.  Holy Saturday Mass is at 8:30pm.  Palms will be available for everyone at Palm Sunday Masses.  Parish Penance service is at 3pm on Palm Sunday with Fathers Garett Burns, Michael Brungardt, Matt Siegman and me.  Come and go as you please. 
     Finally, I am so thankful to God and to you all for keeping us safe and healthy during this pandemic.  Let us continue to be smart and safe for our own good and the good of others.  Our lives will be short if we don’t use our common sense that is always within us.  Have you ever heard the saying, “Can’t fix stupid?” I think it’s true because I believe that God made all of us to be smart, plus everyone of us is precious, sacred and holy to God.  Love you all, Fr. Hien