Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,
Happy New Year! This weekend of the Epiphany ushers us into the year 2026. Joining my brother priests, deacons, religious sisters, and parish staff, I wish you a joyful and blessed year.
The celebration of the Feast of Epiphany focuses on the revelation of Jesus Christ to the three magi, who have also been known in certain countries as the three kings. As scriptures indicated, the magi were people coming from the East; they followed the pattern of a special star which scriptures called the Star of Bethlehem. After having reached Jerusalem and been inquired of the place of the birth of the newborn King, they arrived at Bethlehem and found the Baby Jesus, along with His parents Mary and Joseph. To them, Jesus is the Star of Bethlehem or the newborn King. Many religious hymns and secular songs have been dedicated to Jesus as the Star of Bethlehem or the newborn King.
The revelation of Jesus to the magi speaks of a wider revelation by God to the whole universe. Jesus was born as a Jew, but He is given as gift and Savior to the universe. The magi represent us, who are given the grace of revelation to know and to accept Jesus as our Savior.
As indicated in my pastoral letter on the Third Week of Advent (December 14, 2025), our parish of Saint Polycarp is welcoming a new guest who will be staying with us until the end of May: His name is Deacon Francis Ang. Deacon Francis is a transitional deacon who, by the will of God, will be ordained to the priesthood on the first weekend of June. Please join me to welcome him. A brief biography of him is posted on the parish website. He will introduce himself to us at all Masses in the coming week.
Lastly, as we enter into a new year, I look back at past year and thank God for all of you; I thank God for your faith, fidelity to His Church, and love to this local church of Saint Polycarp. I look forward to this new year with joy and confidence that God is always with us and that He will continue to bestow His blessings on us all. May Mary, Joseph, and the patron Saint Polycarp guard you and your family in God’s love.
Father Viet Peter Ho
Pastor
Recent Pastor Letters
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January 11, 2026
Read more: January 11, 2026Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, This weekend, Holy Mother Church celebrates the solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord. According to the Church’s liturgy, this solemnity marks the end of the Christmas Season and begins the liturgical Season of Ordinary Time. The Gospel of Matthew for this solemnity recounts the encounter and the conversation of…
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January 4, 2026
Read more: January 4, 2026Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, Happy New Year! This weekend of the Epiphany ushers us into the year 2026. Joining my brother priests, deacons, religious sisters, and parish staff, I wish you a joyful and blessed year. The celebration of the Feast of Epiphany focuses on the revelation of Jesus Christ to the three magi,…
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December 28, 2025
Read more: December 28, 2025Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, Merry Christmas! Christmas is Jesus’ birthday: The name Jesus means “God saves, or God is Salvation.” Thus, Christmas is a celebration of the birthday of the Savior, who comes to save the universe from darkness of sins and corruption. Normally, when we talk about Jesus’ birth, we talk about His…
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December 14, 2025
Read more: December 14, 2025Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete” Sunday, which means “rejoice” in Latin. Notably, you will see the third Advent Candle is “rose,” and the presider’s vestment may be either in “violet” or “rose” color. It is called “Gaudete” Sunday because the time to wait and to prepare for…