October 4, 2021
Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17). This question to Jesus was asked by a man, who we hear in this Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time Gospel. Where do we go after this life? What ought we to do to inherit eternal life? Each one of us faces these questions as we journey through life.
Sometimes it seems that, as we face and recognize our human weakness and failures, heaven is impossible for us. However, that is not what Jesus has in mind for us. To him, Heaven is possible not just through the observance of the laws or possession of materials. Rather, it is possible through a reliance on God’s mercy and love. The central point of Jesus’ teaching this weekend reminds us that, at the end of our human life, the inheritance of eternal life or heaven is based on mercy and love.
As I reflect on my life and the lives of those I have served, God is that source of mercy and love. Only in Him heaven or eternal life exists. Outside of Him, or outside of the paradigm of love and mercy, there is no heaven.
On a personal note, as I reflect on my time here at Saint Polycarp, your love and mercy have been extended and shown to me many times. Recently, I experienced such support, love and mercy through the parish Fiesta (September 18-19), the celebration of Mary (October 1), and the thirty year anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese community at Saint Polycarp (October 3). At the Fiesta, many came together to organize a truly marvelous event to build love and faith. At the Marian celebration, again, many came to plan, to decorate, and to celebrate the love of Our Blessed Mother has for each one of us. At the thirtieth anniversary of the Vietnamese community, many came to celebrate: it was a celebration of gratitude to the family of Saint Polycarp for receiving and welcoming them with an open heart. Many came to celebrate a hope that this family of Saint Polycarp will be the future for their children.
Now, looking forward, the clergy of Saint Polycarp have been busy with November’s activities. During November, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints (November 1), of All Souls (November 2), the Annual Memorial Mass (November 6), and Thanksgiving (November 25). All of these November activities are aimed to call us to be more loving to our deceased family members and friends and to be thankful to God always. Please remember to pray for our deceased loved ones, so that they may inherit eternal life through the mercy and love of God.
To conclude this Pastoral Letter, I entrust all of you—members of the Family of Saint Polycarp—into the loving hands of Jesus, His Mother Mary, His foster Father Joseph, and our patron Saint Polycarp. The parish priests and staff thank you for your love and support.
Father Viet Peter Ho
Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10: 17). This question to Jesus was asked by a man, who we hear in this Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time Gospel. Where do we go after this life? What ought we to do to inherit eternal life? Each one of us faces these questions as we journey through life.
Sometimes it seems that, as we face and recognize our human weakness and failures, heaven is impossible for us. However, that is not what Jesus has in mind for us. To him, Heaven is possible not just through the observance of the laws or possession of materials. Rather, it is possible through a reliance on God’s mercy and love. The central point of Jesus’ teaching this weekend reminds us that, at the end of our human life, the inheritance of eternal life or heaven is based on mercy and love.
As I reflect on my life and the lives of those I have served, God is that source of mercy and love. Only in Him heaven or eternal life exists. Outside of Him, or outside of the paradigm of love and mercy, there is no heaven.
On a personal note, as I reflect on my time here at Saint Polycarp, your love and mercy have been extended and shown to me many times. Recently, I experienced such support, love and mercy through the parish Fiesta (September 18-19), the celebration of Mary (October 1), and the thirty year anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnamese community at Saint Polycarp (October 3). At the Fiesta, many came together to organize a truly marvelous event to build love and faith. At the Marian celebration, again, many came to plan, to decorate, and to celebrate the love of Our Blessed Mother has for each one of us. At the thirtieth anniversary of the Vietnamese community, many came to celebrate: it was a celebration of gratitude to the family of Saint Polycarp for receiving and welcoming them with an open heart. Many came to celebrate a hope that this family of Saint Polycarp will be the future for their children.
Now, looking forward, the clergy of Saint Polycarp have been busy with November’s activities. During November, we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints (November 1), of All Souls (November 2), the Annual Memorial Mass (November 6), and Thanksgiving (November 25). All of these November activities are aimed to call us to be more loving to our deceased family members and friends and to be thankful to God always. Please remember to pray for our deceased loved ones, so that they may inherit eternal life through the mercy and love of God.
To conclude this Pastoral Letter, I entrust all of you—members of the Family of Saint Polycarp—into the loving hands of Jesus, His Mother Mary, His foster Father Joseph, and our patron Saint Polycarp. The parish priests and staff thank you for your love and support.
Father Viet Peter Ho