Sunday, June 8th 2025
Come to Us Holy Spirit!
Dear Parishioners of Pope St. John XXIII parish faith community,
Wishing you all a happy and blessed Solemnity of Pentecost! This feast marks the celebration of the fulfillment of Jesus Christs promise to send the Holy Spirit to guide us and remain with us. Thank you for wearing red and joining in this joyful celebration.
The Liturgy of the Word vividly recounts the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, after which they received wisdom and courage to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Let us also pray on this special day for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to be poured upon usespecially upon our children who received the Sacrament of Confirmation this yearthat they may persevere in their faith and live out the Gospel values.
We are nearing the end of the academic year. Our PSJXXIII STEM Academy celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass last Thursday at Visitation Church for our graduating 8th graders. Their Graduation ceremony followed on Friday. On this occasion, let us thank our principal, as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff, whose dedicated and tireless commitment were instrumental in making this academic year a time of great learning for our children in this esteemed institution.
We also extend heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers who worked diligently alongside Sr. Theresa in the religious education program across various parish locations. It is the duty of every Christian to educate our children in the faith we profess, and these volunteers came forward to offer their time and talents out of love for the Lord and for our children.
Our gratitude also goes to Monty and the core team for their dedication to this year's Adult Faith Formation, Scripture Study, and Sacramental Preparation. Their efforts have been a tremendous support to our parish and have helped many on their journey of faith. A big thanks to all of them, and I wish them a restful and blessed summer before we begin another year.
We are proud of the skilled leadership team across all parish locations. I am committed to meeting regularly with them for guidance and insights on community matters. Special thanks to all members of the Pastoral and Finance Committees for organizing the potluck to thank Kevin Lovejoy and for their discussions on key parish issues ahead of the summer break.
Im pleased to share the good news that the gate at Visitation has been completed, thanks to the dedicated work of Mr. Mike Do and Binh, and the generous financial support provided through STEM grants. I had the opportunity to visit last Saturday, and it looks beautiful. Its always a blessing to witness and celebrate such positive developments in our parish. Thank you to everyone who supported this project and helped bring it to completion.
The Feast Day celebration of Saint Rita of Cascia at the Saint Rita Campus was a resounding success! Everything came together beautifully, and the joy of the day was truly felt by all who attended. While it was not intended as a fundraising event, we are currently reviewing the income and expensesand it appears we may have even made a small profit! More importantly, it was truly a fun-raiser, filled with faith, fellowship, and community spirit. Thank you to all the volunteers who made this celebration possible.
We also thank the Knights of Columbus and our welcoming committee for their hospitality, including serving coffee and donuts after the 9:45 AM Mass. Your efforts make guests and parishioners feel welcome and encourage new members to join our community. Thank you for making our church a place of warmth and hospitality for everyone!
You are always welcome to register at our main office or at any of our parish sites. For homebound parishioners, our Outreach Ministryincluding a deacon, a religious sister, and a priestis available to bring Communion, offer the Sacrament of Anointing, or visit upon request. Please contact us for more information or assistance. Know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers!
Sincerely, Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tuan Nguyen, D. Min
Pastor