Dear Prince of Peace Parishioners:
JESUS HAS RISEN!
ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA
- Easter is the promise that death will visit each of us. But more important, it is the assurance that death is not the last word. The Resurrection of Jesus prompts us to recall, from the darkest moments of grief and trials, how much God comforts us and gives us the strength to persevere. The Easter mysteries give us a new identity and a new name: we are saved, redeemed, renewed; we are Christians, and we have no more need for fear or despair.
- Gabriel Parish Staff and Fr. Phuong wishes all parishioners and their families a very HAPPY EASTER and may this Easter Day begin a “gift of New Life” in all of our lives and in our faith community.
Most especially, CONGRATULATION R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult) members completing their process … to our Neophytes (newly baptized) Sebastiana Castaneda, Patrick Turner and Kimberly Turner at the Easter Vigil Mass (April 16).
- The TRIDUUM ends on Easter Sunday. We, then, begin the 7-week Easter Season which lasts through Pentecost Sunday, June 5. It’s a season full of LIFE. In our part of the world it’s springtime. Rivers and streams come alive. Trees sprout new leaves. Flower blossom. Birds sing… … And the calendar is full – First Holy Communion, Middle-School Confirmation - Wednesday, April 27 at 7 PM, Mother’s Day, Graduations … …
The Church says to us: “This is the perfect time of the year to celebrate LIFE – a life that lasts forever”. ENJOY! Let there be 50-day festival of Easter after 40 days of Lent. Let the Paschal Candle, lit from the Easter fire, burn brightly throughout these days. Catch the spirit in the air and let it remind us of the Holy Spirit within us. Remember, EASTER doesn’t end when we go to bed on Easter Sunday night. It lasts 50 days. We need to catch the spirit of this season and let the good news sink in: DEATH has been conquered!
- A word of “THANK” to all different Liturgical Ministers, Parish Staff and Volunteers of St. Gabriel Parish who have devoted a lot of time to prepare for many Liturgical celebrations throughout this long Lenten Season and continues into this Easter Season. We truly appreciate your dedicated love for God and our Faith Community. I also want to thank many parishioners who have actively participates in the many special rituals of the Triduum. May the blessings of God be in abundant to you and your families.
I’d like to say a very personal word to “THANK” Deacon John Ricciardi, Fr. Ron Belisle, Fr. Patrick McDermott (Tacoma) and Deacon Romeo (from Portland, OR) whose dedication and love for ministry to both of our parish communities of St. Gabriel and Prince of Peace are beyond measurable. Without all of them, I would not have been able to fulfill my ministry here.
- GREAT NEWS …. Tuesday, May 3rd – 2:00 PM at St. James Cathedral, Seattle is the Episcopal Ordination of the Most Reverend Frank Schuster as Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, in the present of the Most Reverend Christophe Pierre – Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America.
Peace and Joy of the Risen Christ,
Fr. Phuong Hoang