Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp,
Parish administration encompasses many aspects of parish life, ranging from sacramental to pastoral/spiritual care to finance. Such administrative responsibilities involve many people who help the parish priest or the pastor. As such, I am grateful for the support of Fathers Luis and Nicolaus, the deacons (Ramiro, Larry, Tri, and Juan), religious sisters (Anh Tram, Jessica, and MaryAnne), the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, Ministry Heads, the Parish Staff and most of all YOU, the people of God
Among the many administrative responsibilities, finance is important because your generous contributions and donations support the daily operations of the church. Therefore, enclosed in this Sunday’s bulletin you find the 2024-2025 financial report of our parish, which shows that we are in the positive area of finance.
I thank especially Marcia Vojtech, Chair of the Finance Council, and the members of the Council; and Tom Ma, Business Manager, for assisting me to be a faithful steward of God’s gifts. Their counsels and hard work are valuable to my ministry in this area of administration.
During this month of October, I invite you to join the Universal Church to pray for life—a precious and special gift of God’s love, as stated in the story of the creation of man in the Book of Genesis:
“Then God said, Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gn 1:26-28) … “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gn 2:7).
When talking about “life” I am not referring only to the fact of being able to breathe, walk, and talk. I am referring to the sanctity of life with which each one of us is given according to the will and love of God– that is, to consider your life as a sacred gift; to make your life fruitful and meaningful; and to never be afraid to show God’s presence in you to others.
Together with my brother priests, Fathers Luis and Nicolaus, I invoke the divine blessings from Our Almighty God, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, and Saint Polycarp upon you and your family.
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…