Sunday, October 27th 2024
Dear Parishioners of Pope Saint John XXIII Parish Family,
Greetings on this 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Todays Liturgy of the Word invites us to reflect on the inclusiveness of Gods salvation, which is extended to all, not just a chosen few. In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear Gods promise to gather the people of Israel from all corners of the earth, especially the most vulnerablethe blind, the crippled, and those with child. In the Gospel, Jesus fulfills this prophecy by healing a blind beggar, not only offering him physical healing but also inviting him to become his follower. Christ offers salvation to all, sacrificing himself for our sins. As Christs followers, we are called to care for everyone around us, regardless of their faith, status, or background.
As we near the end of October, the month of the Rosary, let us offer special prayers for peace in the world and for those suffering in war-torn countries. Pope Francis urges all the faithful to pray fervently for world leaders to promote peace.
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made our recent events possible the Fall Harvest at Saint John of the Woods and the Breakfast Fundraiser at Visitation Church. Your hard work and generosity made these events a success, and we are deeply grateful. Also, last week, we celebrated Funeral Masses for Fran Laudidio and Joy Viafore at St. Rita Church.
Looking ahead, we invite volunteers to help set up and organize the PSJXXIII Holiday Bazaar. We need help preparing the hall and inviting everyone to participate and make the event a success. Special thanks to Gayle Jensen for organizing this wonderful occasion!
At the same time, we are facing a challenge as our volunteer base continues to shrink. Our beloved church buildings, which have been the foundation of our community for many years, are aging and require ongoing care. These sacred spaces have witnessed countless prayers, celebrations, and moments of grace. Maintaining them is a shared responsibility, passed down from previous generations. We need more helping hands to share the load, ease the burden, and ensure these spaces remain strong and beautiful for future generations. When we come together, were not just preserving buildingswere building a future for our faith and community. Please consider joining our facilities team. Together, we are stronger and can accomplish much more than we could alone. Special thanks to Thien Dinh for leading this important effort.
We are beginning our yearly focus on Parish Stewardship. This week you will receive a letter regarding our Parishs annual renewal of Stewardship of Treasure. We invite you to reflect on how God has blessed you in your life. In the coming weeks, we will ask you to consider returning a proper portion of those blessings to your parish as we continue the mission set before us by Jesus Christ. Next Sunday we will be hearing from one of our parishioners about how God has blessed them, how and why they choose to share their blessings. We invite you to join in this important mission by submitting your Stewardship of Treasure pledge card, which can be returned by mail, during the offertory, or online using the link or QR code provided in the letter, bulletin, and on our website.
As October ends, we look forward to November, which begins with the Solemnity of All Saints and the commemoration of All Souls. This is a special time to pray for our departed loved ones, friends, and all souls in purgatory. If you have had a funeral service for a loved one at our parish from January 2024 to the present, please inform our parish office so that we can include them in our prayers and Masses throughout November. The Church also extends the opportunity to obtain a Plenary Indulgence for the faithful departed during November by visiting a church or oratory and reciting the Our Father and the Creed. Let us take advantage of this grace by visiting the graves of our loved ones, offering prayers, and attending Masses for them, so that Gods mercy may be granted to them.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Tuan Nguyen, D. Min
Pastor