Dear Parishioners:
… Happy Thanksgiving Day 2020…
- WELCOME BACK to our “limited public Mass” at our Prince of Peace Church after a short pause of two weekends to keep everyone safe.
- Looking back in this Liturgical Year and the effects which it had in our lives, there is so much for us to give “Thanks to God” for the many blessings that we have received; most especially in this usual year of Coronavirus, for Healthy and Safety … individually, family and parish community.
The only “Thanksgiving Day Mass” – Thursday, November 26 will be at St. Gabriel and at 11:00 AM - to give thanks to God for the many Blessings we have received through our country, faith community and family. May the Blessing from the Thanksgiving Mass continue to be a reality in your family as you share this special day together.
- What a powerful image of God’s presence as the Church celebrates this last week of the Liturgical Year with the Solemnity of “Christ the King” who is leading and guiding us through the end with the hope to share with Him Eternal Life, for Jesus Christ is our Savior and our Redeemer.
On this final Sunday of the liturgical year, also known as the Solemnity of Christ the King, we are presented with the great scene of the final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). The final judgment will accompany the parousia (second coming of Christ) and is the last teaching of Jesus before he goes to Jerusalem to face his crucifixion and death. The stirring refrain of today’s Gospel is found precisely in these words: “You did it to me” (Mt. 25:40)
Christ the Lord of history and King of the universe will separate the sheep from the goats at the end of time based on whether or not they have accepted the Word of God by accepting the people who were sent to proclaim that Word. Such acceptance or rejection is ultimately acceptance or rejection of the God who sent Jesus. To reject Jesus the Son is to reject God the Father. To reject a disciple sent by Jesus is to reject Jesus himself.
Jesus tells us that whenever we practice works of mercy, forgiveness, and kindness, we are doing these things to him. He fully identifies himself with the needy, the marginalized, and the dependent; the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. Everyone is included in the Royal Kingdom of the humble Jesus. His reign completely overturns our notions of earthly kingship. The kingship and royalty of Jesus are of ultimate service, even to the point of laying down his life for others.
- Also, in the month of November, all the parishes in our Archdiocese of Seattle are conducting the annual tradition of Christian Stewardship. Let me first say a “big word of THANKS” to all of you who had generously given to our parish this past year. Thank you for your renewal financial commitment in support our parish.
- A special tradition throughout the month of November is that, our parish will remember and pray for all our deceased members at Mass, especially those names who have died this past year and all the names that have been written on the parish prayer scroll. Please join us in the daily Mass or at the weekend Mass in these celebrations. It’s not too late to send in the All Souls’ envelop with the names of your loved ones who have passed away and wanting our parish to pray for them.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang