Dear Parishioners:
- A big word of THANKS to Dominic Legge, O.P. who have celebrated the 9:30 AM Mass for our parish community for the last three consecutive SUNDAYS. Thank you, Fr. Dominic, for your generosity of sharing your priestly ministry to our community while you are visiting with your family this summer. Your words of wisdom and nourishing us through the celebration of the Eucharist truly are special gifts to all of us. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry to all God’s people
- We have been reading from Matthew Gospel chapter 13 for last three weekends, the Kingdom of God is compared to a series of parables (Jesus’ favorites preaching stories) and in this 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, it’s continued on to Matthew Gospel chapter 14, this theme seems to continue with the story of the “Feeding of five-thousand people” with five loaves and couple of fish.
This is echoing the “parable of the mustard seed … so small of a seed and yet when fully grown became a big plant that birds made their nests in it”. So, it is with “little food – five loaves and a couple of fish”; yet, over five-thousand people were fed and plenty of left over.
- Also, this week, on Thursday, August 6th will be the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. This story is meditated on the fourth of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary is so important for understanding our faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus leads three of his disciples, Peter, James and John into this special scene and then astounding events unfolded before their eyes: “he was transfigured” before them; his “face shone like the sun;” and his garments became “white like the light.” Peter responded by acknowledging “how good it is for us to be here.” And then the cloud, the ancient sign of the very presence of God overshadowed them, and the voice, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.
What a special moment for them, and also for us who receive the promise of ultimate glory from Jesus through God’s generous love. We may think of the “glory” of Jesus at the moment of the transfiguration being associated with his resurrection. But the truth is that BOTH the suffering/death of Jesus AND the resurrection represent to us the glory the Son has received from the Father.
- A word of Thanks to our Religious Education Director, Maria Murphree and her team, who had held a successful and unique LEGO Virtual Vacation Bible School last week for the children and the big help from all the parents. The event concluded with a “parking lot Rosary” where all who attend got to sing Jesus’ Vacation Bible School songs between the decades of the Rosary.
- Mark your calendar, in honor of our Blessed Mother Mary from the Feast of Assumption, there will be a plan for the next “parking lot Rosary” on Saturday, August 15 at 1:00 PM at the Marian Garden at St. Gabriel parking lot.
- Also, “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 2020 again this year. It’s not too late to participate …. 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 – Gabriel and Prince of Peace.
Christ’s Peace,
Fr. Phuong Hoang