Dear Prince of Peace Parishioners:
… … Happy Fourth of July – Independent Day … …
(Observed, this year on Monday, July 5)
- On this 245th year of celebrating “Independent Day”, we give thanks to God for the many blessing that our nation has received. Once again, we join in one voice to ask God for continuing blessings for our nation and most especially for all people to live the ideals – “Life, Liberty and pursuit of Happiness” according to God’s way as we share with one another and the whole world community. May our individual family and our whole nation’s celebration help unite us together in a deeper appreciation for this special blessing Day.
GOOD NEWS
- Our State of Washington has lifted further Covid-19 restrictions and our Archdiocese of Seattle, also, has relaxed certain restriction in regard to in-person Mass as well. The following are the top three items that affected our Parish the most:
-
- The Mass Reservation System will be discontinued, there is no need to register for any Masses at this time.
- There will be sections made available at both Churches to allow people to continue the 6 feet social distancing, if so desired.
- Though restrictions on social distancing has changed, we are still limited to only 50% of each Church’s capacity, St. Gabriel in the main Church 275, and Prince of Peace 106.
Please see further information on what changes in Covid-19 in effects starting this weekend and what changes remained unchanged, in this bulletin or on our parish website: www.stgabepop.org
- In this 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we know today's Gospel story well – Jesus came back to visit his home town – NAZARETH. It would have been customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service.
In today's Gospel story, Mark tells us that Jesus was amazed at his town people unbelief! Listening to Jesus, his own people were initially filled with admiration in him and pride because of him. His message of liberation was marvelous. Then, they recognize this young prophet as one of them and they say: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?"
The most severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, or neighbor we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. The people of Nazareth refused to renounce their possessive attitude toward Jesus. Ultimately, Jesus was bitterly criticized because he demonstrated great openness of heart, particularly toward people on the fringes and borders of society. His openness caused rising opposition that led him to the cross.
Today's Gospel warns us to be on guard against certain attitudes that are incompatible with the example of Jesus: the human tendency to be possessive, and egoistic and small in mind and heart. We cannot forget that Jesus is the Savior of the world, and not of the village, town, city or nation!
Let us pray that Jesus not be amazed at our own unbelief, but rather rejoice in our small, daily acts of fidelity to him and our service to our sisters and brothers. May the Lord grant us generous hearts so that we may look far beyond ourselves and recognize the goodness, greatness and beauty of other people around us.
- “A word of thanks” to the many families who have pledged and turned in your commitment envelopes to the Parish and Archdiocesan Office to support the Annual Catholic Appeal 2021 again this year. We’ll be closer to our parish goal with your help today; your continue supports are as the critical testimony of the commitment for us to be “Church” today in our time. If you didn’t have an opportunity of filling your commitment envelope yet, please join with many of your parishioners to pledge toward our parish goal. Please see the bulletin to see how close we are to meet our parish personal goal.
- While enjoying the “Summer rest”, please don’t forget our parishes – Prince of Peace and St. Gabriel.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang