My Dear Friends in Christ,

“Jesus is risen from the death. This is our true faith. This is the faith of the whole Church. We are proud to profess it.” On the afternoon of Jesus’ resurrection, He walked about seven miles with two of His disciples and “interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to Him.” He did this even though His last three years of teaching the apostles seemed ineffective, for they had abandoned Him when He was executed. As Jesus taught His two disciples, their hearts were burning and being purified. That evening of His resurrection, Jesus continued His ministry of teaching by opening the apostles’ minds to the understanding of the Scriptures. Jesus’ teaching of the Scriptures eventually bore fruit at Pentecost. The Church continues this pattern to the present day. As God’s Word is proclaimed, we recognize the risen Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit. Abide in God’s Word. Witness for the risen Jesus. Receive new Pentecost.

How happy are we! We are beginning to honor our blessed Virgin Mary during this month of May. We offer our Mother reverence, flowers, special honor and with Mary “Magnificat.” When we Honor Mother Mary, Jesus will surely be very pleased. Honoring Mary is the way to proclaim that Mary deserved to share the Resurrection of Christ in the first place. Please offer to Mary all flowers: the flower of praise, the flower of thanksgiving, the flower of gratitude, the flower of prayer from our hearts, souls and minds. Above all, pray with Mary as the disciples gathered together with Her, awaiting the Holy Spirit. Be like Mary. Listen to the Word of God, contemplate and incarnate it deeply in our hearts. Also, be with Mary and the whole Church, re-evangelize the Good News of the Resurrection. Mary is the Queen of the Apostles. She will help us to become a community of apostolic mission; we might dare to  approach others, seek sinners/fallen people and welcome those who are abandoned or the poor of the poor. We can make Jesus alive in our society with Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit.

My friends, I would like to invite you all this week to meditate on these words: “Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” We are still experiencing the same way when we celebrate the Eucharist: Why did not we open our eyes to recognize Jesus? Why are we not in haste to proclaim “Jesus is risen from the death?”

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Peace be with you always!

With love,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen, Pastor

Joih XXIII and John Paul II

On this Divine Mercy Sunday, the Blessed Pope John Paul II and Blessed Pope John XXIII are canonized.  Pope John Paul established the feast of Divine Mercy in 2000, saying that he had fulfilled the will of Jesus Christ.  We are to be merciful to others through our actions, words, and prayers.  The popes showed us by example how to be merciful.

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland, on May 18, 1920.  He was elected pope on Oct. 16, 1978.  John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and other religions.  They met several times, especially in Assisi.  He beatified 1,338 persons and 482 became saints.  His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days.  He was the pilgrim pope through his many travels.  The pope helped bring about the fall of Communism in Easter Europe. He was shot on May 13, 1981.  He protected the dignity of human beings and he showed how to die in hope by his suffering.  He died on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.  After his death the people shouted “Santo Subito!”(“Saint now!” in Italian).  Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli at Sotto il Monte, Italy, on Nov. 25, 1881 and was elected pope on Oct, 28, 1958, taking the name John XXIII.  His pontificate, which lasted less than five years, presented him as an authentic image of the Good Shepherd.  He carried out the Christian duties by works of mercy. He launched a renewal of the Church, the Second Vatican Council.  The faithful called him “the good Pope”.

Both popes were sustained by a profound spirit of prayer, so they knew how to lead the Church.

The Divine Mercy message prepares us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. “I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like…”  (Diary 741, Sister Faustina Kowalska).  On the Day of Divine Mercy Sunday, whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. (Diary 300).

Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar

We walked together during the Lenten journey, and the time comes to relive together the joy of the empty tomb, whose empty mystery fills us with hope and shows us our common future, the resurrection. When we climb the mountain together, we do not ask who was the first. Sometimes we only say that we were the first on the peak, but in reality, we do not think this way, because we are conscious of the common work. We come here to St. John the Baptist Church to celebrate Easter in community. We celebrate with spiritual communion with the sisters and brothers who are sick and homebound.

When Jesus came to the disciples, He gave them a command. Jesus commanded the disciples to preach to the people and to testify to all, that He was the One sent by God to judge the living and the dead. Peter affirmed that he and the disciples of the Lord were witnesses to all that Jesus had done in Judea and in Jerusalem. What was said about Jesus were not fabricated stories. It was the truth. The disciples of Christ lived alongside Him and witnessed everything He did and said. In all, it is estimated that Jesus appeared to approximately 500 different persons during the days that followed His resurrection. What blessed women! They did not yet know that this was the dawn of the most important day of history. They could not have known that they, they themselves, would be the first witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Everyone who meets Jesus Christ and confesses faith in him is not able to be silent and cannot keep his good news to himself or herself. Open your heart: the people around you need you. The Risen Christ commended us to preach and witness to those who do not know Christ and to those who knew Christ but do not remember him anymore. To protect the faith is not enough; it has to be preached.

Father Thoung, Father Gabriel and I wish you Happy Easter! Chúc Mừng Phục Sinh!, Easter Adoo! ,Wesołych Świąt Wielkanocnych!

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar

The liturgy of Palm Sunday is like a formal entrance into Holy Week. It combines two contrasting moments: the welcome of Jesus in Jerusalem and the drama of the Passion. We hear the festive “Hosanna” during the triumphal entry, because He is the one who “went about doing good and healing” (Acts 10:38) and “curing every sickness and disease” (Mt 9:35). Later on another moment, the Passion, we hear the repeated cry: “Crucify him!” He is arrested, abused, condemned, scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed to a cross and, amid agonizing torments, hands over His spirit (Mk 15:37; Jn 19:30).

It seems that He deserves the greatest mercy and to appeal for mercy, He had extended only good for people, yet He does not receive it in return. Even those who are closest to Him cannot protect Him and snatch Him from the hands of the oppressors.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI says that in the reality of the cross, what is evil is taken by God and given back as love redoubled. God is not a spectator at the tragedy. In the mystery of suffering, we are not to see the absence of God, for God Himself is present in the very depths of suffering. Christians are called to embrace the cross, to embrace suffering. The cross is a reminder that our God is a God who suffers with us.

The suffering Christ speaks in a special way to every person in the world. Jesus atoned for our faults and made satisfaction for our sins to the Father by his love so we once more would have access to the fullness of life and holiness that comes from God.

The last word will be declared at dawn when first the women and then the apostles come to the tomb of the crucified Christ, see the tomb empty and for the first time hear the words: “He is risen from the dead.” The Eucharist instituted by Jesus during His Last Supper with the disciples has been celebrated as the “source and the summit” of the entire Christian life. With joyful voices let us exalt the victory of the cross.

Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar

My Very Dear Brothers and Sisters:

             As we prepare to celebrate the great events of Easter, I would like to invite you to approach this Holy Season with deeply grateful hearts and minds that Christ has paid the ultimate sacrifice for us: He died for our sins.

Easter’s Gospel proclaims to the disciple of Jesus: “The Lord’s Tomb is empty! He is risen!” Jesus, through His suffering and death, has defeated all sin and death. But the good news calls out to each one of us even more importantly and intimately, “Your tomb is empty! You also can rise!”

Perhaps we should ask how. Definitely we should cast out all forms of hatred, gossip, ill-feelings and above all, our sins. As we recall, the “Exsultet,” the great Easter song which always doubles as the Easter Proclamation, states clearly the most wonderful event: “Dispel all evil, wash guilt away, restore lost innocence, bring mourners joy; it casts our hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride… When heaven is wedded to earth and human beings are reconciled with God!” Do you agree with me that this is most wonderful? Please do not let us lose out in the grace that God is lavishing on us. Our act and deed of appreciation to God for this greatest event in human history is to “climb the mountain of the Lord with clean hearts and pure hearts.” Blessed are they who are poor in spirit, and blessed are they who are clean of heart.

I am extremely thankful to God about the opportunity to serve you over last three years. I believe that we have had good times and bad times together, but I also deeply recognize that this is not happening accidently. This is the will of God and the intention of God that we are becoming a family. I am your pastor but I also am your servant. Please forgive me my sins as well as any wrong-doings that might have offended anyone unintentionally; so I do the same to you! By doing this, the Easter Season will become joyful for all of us. I wish and pray for you that through the Mystery of the Resurrection of Christ, God will grant you PEACE, JOY AND HAPPINESS. Together, let us resolve to think and talk and act as Easter people, to bring Christ’s peace to our families, our communities and our world. HAPPY EASTER.

With love,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen

Pastor

Lent is the old English word for spring. This is a time for change. Watching the world for signs of springtime can bring hope after the long cold winter months, especially on the East Coast. If you are concerned for the arrival of the spirit of spring, be on the lookout for signs of the season. There are signs everywhere – in the sky, the garden, the woods, fields, and near water. In the city and the country, watch for the signs of spring’s approach.

In our lives, change and difficulties seem to give us the opportunity to step back, become aware of ourselves in new ways, holy ways. There are different difficulties in our lives, for example the death of someone you love, and recently our hearts go out to all the people who have lost their loved ones in the mudslide in Washington. We know that the only real hope comes from our Savior. There are economic difficulties that contribute to social problems like limited education.

We remember Lazarus, who was a sign of the Resurrection and the life of Jesus Christ. This sign is for all humanity. And life came to the tomb of Lazarus, as Jesus raised him from the dead. Jesus, who brings life, is put to death and placed in a tomb. His death and resurrection are life-giving. Dying and rising from the dead brings the hope of eternal life to all who, like Lazarus, must die. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. He helped them during a difficult time. He was withLazarus‘ grieving family and friends. Jesus Christ raised Lazarus to life so that more people can believe in him.

Like spring brings hope after long cold winter months, Jesus Christ brings us hope during our difficulties. The sun will begin to show up at an earlier hour and go down later as the spring advances. Notice the sky. Are you seeing more sunlight?This is spring, expression of life. The Spirit of the God dwells in us like the spirit of spring.

Invitation for change: If you have not yet gone to confession, you have the opportunity to go on Saturdays, or just come to the parish office, or ask the priest after or before the Mass. Please remember our youth who are participating in the Confirmation retreat in Lafayette this weekend as well.

Fr. Rafal Duda
Parochial Vicar

Dear friends,sight is a wonderful gift, but what we see with our mind and heart is of even greater value. We have examples of that inner vision in all of today’s readings. Our first reading takes us back 1,000 years before Christ when the prophet Samuel had to choose a king from among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. They all had the dignity and physical characteristics of potentially good leaders, but God knew who would make the best king. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that we have been enlightened by Christ, and in the gospel we hear how a man born blind had not only his eyes opened by Christ, but his heart. Meanwhile, those who claimed to be able to see were blinded by arrogance. Through the waters of baptism, the Christian is brought from darkness into the light of truth.

Our world today thrives in a conscious presence of difference. In the street, at work and on the television screen we constantly encounter cultures whose ideas and ideals are unlike ours. Yet, continually the tendency is to project ourselves, our ideas and ideals, our democracy and values to be the rule for everybody – what is good and workable for us must be good and workable for everybody. This was what blinded the Pharisees in our gospel reading today. Their understanding of religion was based on the strict observance of the law, and nothing more. And so for Jesus to take pity on this man born blind and restore his sight was, for them, “unrealistic” because the law forbade healing on the Sabbath.

Interestingly, even the parents of this man were not willing to testify to his healing because of the blind fear of being expelled from the synagogue. And this is how sin, evil and wickedness thrives – on falsehood. Sin blinds our perception of reality, and we are vehement in rejecting even the moral teachings of our faith. The serious challenges facing us as a people, for example, are questions of how and why some interests – especially promoted by the media – are allowed to dominate decision-making while others are excluded completely. It is a terrible and dangerous arrogance to believe that you alone are right: you have a magical eye which sees the truth, and others cannot be right if they disagree. This was the failure of the Pharisees.

May our Lenten journey open our eyes to the truth of God’s ways, realizing that no matter how eloquent our diatribes in defense of falsehood may be, “Man sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart!”

Fr. Gabriel Wankar
Priest-in-Residence

The symbol of water features prominently in our readings today.  In our first reading, the people of Israel encounter a lack of water on their journey and complain, even with the threat of violence.  Jesus, in the gospel reading, asks for a drink after an exhausting journey, and then offers the woman living water.  Life, as we all know, depends on water.  There is no life without water.  That is why we in California, for example, have been praying for adequate water and cautioning on the use of water in the face of the drought.  Similarly, our Christian beginning is in the life of grace, starting with the water of baptism.  The waters of baptism initiate us into a life of union with God in the Christian community, through which we are continually offered the living waters of the word of God and the sacraments to satiate our spiritual thirst.

Perhaps the woman in today’s gospel came to draw water at noon in order to avoid nasty looks or comments from the other women who may have looked down their noses at her because of her current unmarried situation.  For any number of reasons, Jesus could have easily slipped away when she arrived.  In addition to her unconventional living arrangements, she was a woman and a Samaritan.  Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans, and men usually did not speak with women in public.  Rabbis would not even talk with their own wives in public.  But Jesus did not walk away.  Rather, he asked for a drink.

We will never get to know the Lord if we don’t take time to talk with him.  He doesn’t show up in radiant light or thunder and lightning.  He comes in ordinary ways, in the guise of a friend or even an adversary, in the words from a book, especially the Book that we call by its Greek name, the Bible.  He shows up in an assembly of believers and in such simple things as water, bread and wine.  The important thing is to make time to listen, to respond, to have a conversation, to do more than just tell him what we want him to do for us.  We never get to know anyone in life without spending time with them.  If the Lord is important to us, we need to set time aside to spend with him; attending Stations of the Cross, visiting the sick, coming to daily Mass, visiting the Blessed Sacrament in adoration – to receive the living water from our God.

Fr. Gabriel Wankar
Priest-in-Residence

Fellow believers in Christ, I am sure many people here have climbed a mountain or hill and experienced the presence and grandeur of God.  Of course, it is never an easy experience to climb a mountain; steep, windy, stony and challenging.  It requires real effort, tact and caution.  One of the most memorable days I ever had was the day I climbed Mt. Sinai, a mountain in the southern portion of Sinai Peninsula where tradition has it that God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.  It is part of a chain of rugged, reddish colored granite mountains that rise high into the air.  Mt Sinai itself is 7,500 feet high.  The view of the stark and arid mountains surrounding Mt Sinai is spectacular.

Abraham was called by God to “climb the mountain” of leaving his home for an unknown territory and start a completely new life.  He came from Sumer, a settlement near modern-day Kuwait.  He and his family migrated to Haran, a city in the northern part of Syria, near Turkey.  God called him to leave his kinsfolk behind and move to the land of Canaan, modern-day Israel.  He left behind a prosperous commercial area to settle in a land that was still relatively primitive and undeveloped.  Abraham made the long and difficult journey at the tender age of 75 along with his wife, Sarah, who was 10 years younger.  It was a pure act of faith for him to believe in the promises God made to him, as we heard in the first reading.  Abraham trusted God wholeheartedly and “climbed this mountain” in faith.

Lent is a time when our Lord invites us to “climb the mountain” of intense prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  If you’ve never climbed a real mountain, I’m sure you’ve climbed many mountains figuratively: mountains of ignorance to become educated, mountains of fear to discover new strength and courage, mountains of hurt and sickness to find healing, mountains of pride to discover we are not the center of the universe.  In conquering such everyday heights, we discover the God who never leaves us.  Peter, James and John on Mt. Tabor discovered the God that was hidden within Jesus who was always with them when they “climbed the mountain.”

What mountain will you climb during this Lent to discover God in people around you: at work, in the neighborhood, in family and friends?

Fr. Gabriel Wankar

Fellow Believers in Christ,

Our Church always begins the season of Lent with Jesus in the desert.  Jesus was sent there by the Holy Spirit right after his baptism.  It was a time to reflect and pray, a time of transition from the workshop to his work of teaching and healing.  We all need to go into the desert from time to time.  Sometimes the Holy Spirit takes us there by denying to us for a time the joys and consolations that we would like our religion to bring us.  Sometimes life itself takes us into a desert, with the loss of a loved one or a job or our health, or a feeling that we’ve lost our purpose.  Our faith is really tested during such times.  That’s when we wonder whether God still loves us, whether God is still with us.  Lent is a kind of little desert, as we are encouraged to temporarily back away from a few of life’s pleasures, pleasures that distract us from reflecting on the more serious side of life.  I often minister to people who are dying.  It’s not unusual for someone to say to me: “I never thought this would happen to me.”  I guess they never thought about what was ahead for us all.  Life could be over for any of us tomorrow.  Jesus told us he would prepare a place for us in his Father’s home, and he will never reject anyone who comes to him.  But we do have the freedom to turn away from him by not following the way he has shown us.  That’s what Lent is for, to think and pray about these things.

Today’s gospel, where Jesus refuses to give in to temptation, is contrasted with the first reading where Adam and Eve did give in.  Ultimately their sin, like ours, consists in the decision not to trust God when he tells us to do or not to do something.  The story of Adam and Eve tells us the source of evil is our decision to give in to temptation, to not trust, to make our own rules, to use the free will which God gave us to say “no” to God.  The story shows us that we bring suffering upon ourselves as a result.  Did you notice how Jesus always answered the devil with a quote from scripture?  It shows how knowing scripture can be a real help to resist temptation.  Then again, the devil quoted scripture, too, so we have to know it well.

As we embark on this journey into the desert of self-denial for 40 days and 40 nights, let us in a special way, dear friends, remember those whose lives and persons are perpetually in the deserts of this world!

Fr. Gabriel Wankar
Priest-in-residence