Pastor's Message - June 27/28 , 2026

My Dear Friends in Christ,

“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church. Let’s be the Church!”

I came across this quote not long ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. I remember sitting quietly in my room, reflecting on the power of those words.

“Let’s be Church!”

Let us be a community of faith, hope, and love. Let us gather, celebrate, and give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.

This weekend’s Gospel for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle A) reminds us that discipleship is more than belonging to a building or attending an event. Jesus tells us, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (Mt 10:40). In these words, the Lord teaches us that whenever we welcome, support, and care for one another, we are welcoming Christ himself. Every act of hospitality, kindness, and service becomes an encounter with Jesus.

Our parish community is diverse, vibrant, and blessed. Together, we have generously shared our time, treasure, and talents. Through your dedication and commitment, our faith community continues to be a living sign of hope, service, and faithfulness. We call this place HOME. From your homes to this home of worship and celebration, we continue to renew the face of the earth.

Our mission statement gives us both identity and purpose:

Our mission is to seek unity in our diverse community, establishing a living Church where people practice their faith, develop compassionate communal leadership, and foster and preserve solidarity among God’s people.

You make up this community of faith. You are the Body of Christ. This is your spiritual family

under the loving guidance of God our Father.

As I have shared in one of my homilies, healthy relationships are built on the “Triple AAA Insurance” of community life: Appreciation, Allowance, and Acceptance.

APPRECIATION:

Do we honor God and appreciate all that He has done for us through this faith community? Gratitude opens our hearts to recognize the blessings that surround us each day.

ALLOWANCE:

Do we make room in our lives to be involved and engaged in our community? Many of us wear watches—Seiko, Rolex, Timex—but do we truly have the time? Faith grows when we intentionally make time for God and for one another.

ACCEPTANCE:

Do we recognize the value of belonging to this community? When we accept that we are part of something greater than ourselves, our presence gains deeper meaning and purpose. Acceptance also means looking beyond imperfections—our own and those of others—and embracing one another with Christ-like love.

I hope and pray that each of us will continue to invest our energy, gifts, and hearts in building up this parish community. Let us appreciate, allow, and accept. Let us receive one another as Christ asks us to do in the Gospel. In doing so, we become a living Church where Christ is present and active.

As a community, we will experience ups and downs, triumphs and challenges. Yet our faith, conviction, and perseverance will carry us forward with hope and joy. I remain deeply grateful for the many parishioners who, year after year, continue to make a difference in the life of our community. Your generosity, faithfulness, and love are a constant source of inspiration and strength. Thank you for all that you do.

This Saturday, we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our Independence Day. As we observe the Fourth of July, let us do so with gratitude and pride. Freedom is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity. Let us give thanks for this blessing and use it responsibly—not for self-interest, but to promote the dignity of every person and the common good of our society.

Next weekend, we will also welcome Fr. Joseph Nguyen, who will be joining us as our new Parochial Vicar. Please keep him in your prayers as he begins his ministry among us, and may we receive him with the same spirit of hospitality that the Gospel calls us to live.

May God continue to bless you and your families.

I am your humble servant,

Fr. Geoffrey