Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,
Happy Easter! Christus resurexit ~ Christ is risen! Easter celebrates Jesus’ rising from the death: His rising from the death means that He defeats the greatest enemy that threatens us, His children. No longer does death has power over us. This is what Saint Paul preached to the Corinthians, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15: 17).
A brief review of this celebration is needed to strengthen and deepen our faith. Last Sunday, we began Holy Week with Passion Sunday, which is commonly known as Palm Sunday; and Holy Week culminates in the Holy Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday). During these three sacred days, the Church mourns the passion and death of Our Savior Jesus. However, our faith does not stop at the Savior’s death. It surmounts to the Resurrection, where Jesus destroys sufferings, despair, and death. The Resurrection is the triumphant of God—the living God.
On Easter Vigil Mass, Saint Polycarp church receives more than thirty new members into the Catholic Church. These new members are called neophytes. Their entrance into the Catholic faith through baptism gives them a new identity: they are children of the Kingdom of Heaven and of the Catholic Church. To these newly baptized, we congratulate you. We pray that your faith continues to grow, and that you continue to join us at the Eucharistic table every Sunday.
On this Easter Sunday, I welcome those who join us this special and sacred day of the Resurrection. I wish to thank all those who assisted in the Triduum, the Easter Vigil Mass. In particular, my brother priests (Fathers Luis and Nicolaus), deacons (Ramiro, Larry, Tri, Juan, and Francis), seminarians (Ivan L. and Ivan G.), the English, Hispanic, Filipino, and Vietnamese communities, sacristans, choirs, altar servers, ministers of hospitality, lectors, Sister Jessica and her O.C.I.A teams (English, Hispanic, and Vietnamese), the cleaning crews (both Hispanic and Vietnamese), and of course all of you– the people of God for your support and love.
Christ is risen, let us rejoice and be glad. Easter blessings to all.
Father Viet Peter Ho
Pastor