Sunday, February22nd 2026
Dear Parishioners of Pope St. John XXIII parish family,
Welcome you once again to this sacred season as we celebrate the first week of Lent today. As usual we begin to reflect upon Jesus’ experience in the desert with the Father. Away from the disturbance and distractions of the world. This is important in the life of Jesus, because this happens right before He starts His public ministry. The desert experience gives Him strength in the face of temptations and sufferings that He would face during His ministry. That’s the reason, rightly the experience of the desert ends with Jesus being tempted by the devil. This gives us also the example of how to win over our own temptations we face in our lives. We also need to withdraw ourselves from the disturbances of this world, to be alone with the Father, and know His will for us. We may not be able to get away from our daily commitments like Jesus for 40 days, but we can avail some time every day to pray and to hear God’s Word in the scripture, besides our fasting and doing works of Mercy.
We witnessed many people attending the Mass and in the distribution of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, which is the start of the Forty Days of the Lenten Season. We encourage you to engage and participate in the Lenten Journey with us. We have the Rice Bowl to give out on Ash Wednesday and the First Sunday of Lent, so you can participate in this program by praying for the poor and doing the work of Charity to support those who need our help. During lent, it also advised to meditate upon the Stations of the Cross each Friday at different locations within our parish, reflecting on how Jesus suffered for us and how much he cared for the poor and needy.
During these final months of CCD, I had the opportunity to meet with parents of students for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion to share with them about the completion of the program, as well as assisting us by helping their children when they receive this sacrament. In the meeting I also insisted on praying together as a family to help and support their children grow up in faith and to receive this sacrament. We are very pleased with them for taking up their responsibilities and duties in raising their children in good Faith.
I also seek your special prayers for all the Elects and Candidates who will join the Auxiliary Bishop Elizondo for the Rite of Election coming Saturday. We ask you to remember them in your prayers during their journey. They will receive different rites within their Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children. We thank the core team for the Order of Christian Initiation for both Adults and Children and members of the Faith Formation Program for supporting us in reaching out to those people who want to know God and want to join us at the Easter Celebration. I thank you for your love and care for our parish life.
I wholeheartedly thank everyone who was instrumental in making the Luna New Year celebrations a grand success. It was wonderful to see how the small children and the teenagers participated and enjoyed these celebrations. May God bless each one of you who have contributed with your time, talent and treasure for this grand event.
Lent is the journey towards the Baptism Font for those who will be baptized into the Church at Easter. The Lenten Journey is also a time to repent and helps us to reconcile with the Lord. So, you are cordially invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this Season of Lent. We have the Communal Reconciliation with students and different groups, as well as individually before Daily Mass and regularly before Saturday Mass. You can call a Priest to make an appointment at a time that is convenient for you to receive this sacrament.
There is a lot more information that you may want to know, so please check the parish website, parish bulletins, and electronic Newsletter that we send out each week (if we have your e-mail address). May you have a blessed day and week ahead with your family!
Sincerely, Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tuan Nguyen, D. Min
Pastor