Dear Family of St. Polycarp,
Stewardship is a big theme in Bible. Beginning with the Book of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, human beings are entrusted to care for God’s creation: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen 2:15). In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus praised on good and trusted steward as a faithful servant: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Mt 25: 23). In brief, stewardship is a task or responsibility given to each one of us to safeguard and to protect the common good. In the Church, this concept of stewardship is understood as being responsible to the goods or properties of the Church.
A pastor of a parish is a steward of the goods of a parish. To me, it is the goods of the Family of Saint Polycarp, from which I am called to be a steward. In this task of stewardship, transparency is important. That is why, each year a report on the goods of the church must be made available to all of you—parishioners of Saint Polycarp.
The annual report for 2023-2024 consists of many aspects of the parish’s activities and functions. Besides a healthy financial income and expenses, you notice that the well-being and the morale of our priests and staffs are good; the Faith Formation Programs are strong; and the upkeeping of the facility has been tremendous. Many areas of the parish campus have been repaired or renovated. Our contribution to PSA or the Pastoral Service Appeal has allowed us to continue and to complete many projects for our parish.
With the annual report being available, I am proud of our Family of Saint Polycarp. I always give thanks to God for all of you, namely for my predecessors who had prepared the way for me to continue the works of the Lord. It is a privilege and a joy to be your pastor. Together with my brother priests (Fathers Luis and Nicolaus), I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support.
Father Viet Peter Ho
Pastor
Recent Pastor Letters
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March 2, 2025
Read more: March 2, 2025Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, Warmest greetings from the Lord Jesus to all of you. Last weekend, on the Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, our parish celebrated two events: The first was the commencement of the Jubilee Year and the second the Feast of Saint Polycarp—our Patron. With heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty God, I…
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February 9, 2025
Read more: February 9, 2025Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, Each year, through a diocesan project called the Pastoral Services Appeal or simply PSA, Bishop Vann invites us to live out the two greatest commandments of loving God and loving others. The theme for this year’s PSA is “Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied,”…
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December 29, 2024
Read more: December 29, 2024Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, As you come to church this weekend, the Christmas Season has already begun. In fact, we are in the Octave of Christmas, and are preparing for the arrival of the New Year of 2025. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a healthy, blessed, and joyful…
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December 24, 2024
Read more: December 24, 2024Dear Parishioners of Saint Polycarp, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a Savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2: 10-11). These are the words of the…