July 4, 2018

My Dear Parishioners of All Saints,
    HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to everyone living in this blessed country.  Our forefathers found our culture on God and committed themselves and the people of America to the Almighty God with the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.  Today, let everyone give thanks to God and to always TRUST in Him.  May the lighting up of the sky on the 4th be the signs of our gratefulness and love for God and our beloved country, the USA.  Happy 4th everyone!
    (Continued from last week) It was on Good Friday, 2012; unexpectedly Bishop Jackels called me and said he would like to send me to St. Joseph in McPherson and St. Bridget in Lindsborg.  I was surprised and didn’t know what to do.  Bishop explained that St. Joseph has been going through tough financial situations due to their large debt of about 2.3 million dollars.  They were hit hard by the downturn in the economy.  To make the story short, I said to him, “Bishop, you know that I don’t want to deal with debt or run a Catholic school.  I would take a country parish anytime.”  He says, “I understand.”  Finally, I said to him, “Can I think and pray about this?”  He said, yes but don’t take too long; I could tell that he was surprised at my request.  After we hung up, I reminded myself that I was ordained to serve and I must trust in God’s plan for me.  Immediately, I called him back and he said, “That was quick.” I said, “Bishop, if you believe that this is what God calls me to do and that I can help the people of St. Joseph, I will do as you wish.”  He was relieved and thanked me.  I continued, ”Bishop, I can’t promise you that I can fix their financial problems but I can promise you that I will love God and the people of my parishes.”  Six years have gone by and I was so blessed to be loved by so many people of McPherson County, especially the children.  Together we paid off about 1.4 million dollars of debt.
    Now that I have been at All Saints for about three weeks, I learn that the parish usually holds a parish picnic in July.  I was told that due to the extreme summer heat, the turnout has been low, it’s too hot for so many people especially the elderly parishioners.  Also, I was told that the parish would like to have a welcoming event for me to All Saints.  So, here is what we’ll do:  On Sat, July 14th, after 4pm Mass, in the Fisher Center, the parish will host a potluck dinner for everyone to come and to be a church family.  Our Altar Society will provide Fried Chicken for everyone, please bring a side-dish to share.  On Sun, July 15th after 8am Mass, everyone is invited for a breakfast/brunch meal provide by our Knights of Columbus; and after our 9:30 &11 am Masses, the Vietnamese people will provide homemade fried rice, egg rolls and stir fry for everyone to enjoy.  I would love to visit everyone in the Fisher Center after every Mass (no confessions before or after 9:30 am Mass on July 15).  So, please join us for these special events of our parish, both days if you can.  At the 11am Mass, a group of our Vietnamese parishioners and others will sing Mass songs in Vietnamese.  Holy Mass will be said in English.  Please help our church and school to be a church family full of love for God and for each other. 
 
Thanks, Fr. Hien