Dear Parishioners,

The past week has invited us to look at the hope of what unity can mean for us as a human race, as a nation, and as Christian believers. The call for unity first came in our remembrance and celebration of the dream and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and many in the civil rights movement. His work and the work of many people was to be about equality, respect and justice. We started the week with his remembrance and the promises of being one human family even in our diversity. The work must continue even in the many faces of racism what some would say is the original sin of our nation. This past Wednesday, we sought in the inauguration of Mr. Biden and Kamala Harris a sign of unity in the nation. The legitimate and peaceful transfer of presidential authority is the hallmark of our democracy and is the work of representation and news signs for co-working for the betterment of all peoples within the borders of our nation. Calls for unity do not dismiss the realities of our divisions or the wounds caused by them. A call to unity in this week reminds us of the work we need continue to do. Unity calls each of us to a higher purpose not simply for today but for future generations. Unity within our country calls each of us to act responsibly, act with accountability for the freedoms we are guaranteed in the Constitution and civility within our words and actions. Will the new administration achieve even a modicum of this essential ideal for all peoples is yet to be seen, but this Wednesday, regardless of our political foundations we can choose to signal a willingness to serve the call that brings us together in our diversity. This week is also known as Christian unity week. That we may all be made one in Christ, among our divisions requires great prayer and perseverance. Unity among the various Churches also requires great dialogue on what we hold in common and seek ways to address that which still divides us in our traditions, doctrines and expressions. Christian unity asks that we pursue with one another the love that Christ offered from the Cross and Empty Tomb. Reliance upon his love will call us to humility and the courage necessary to heal the divisions among us. In short, this past week calls nothing less than a unity among the races, within our nation and among the Christian churches. Ultimately this is God’s work, but each of us can allow the Holy Spirit to move us to seek out and act upon justice for peoples, respect for the law and order of this nation, and choose the ways of Christ’s life and love to be our bond, and our lifeline with one another. Unity among us will always be a workable ideal, a great prayer and a desire that reflects the hearts of those who still believe that with the Lord all things become possible. Next week, the call to unity and justice for the voiceless unborn must and will be addressed in our nation and Church. Amen.

As we open the actual Church doors this weekend in the midst of a virulent virus, I ask that you respect the guidelines laid down to ensure that all of us may be protected. These simple signs from each of us requires a unified response of care and concern across all the differing peoples celebrating here.

• If you are sick please do not come inside.
• Please wear a face mask that covers your nose as well.
• Please hand sanitize before you are seated.
• Please seat one per person. Family members are not encouraged to sit together at this time.
• Please do not congregate inside the Church either before or after Mass.
• Please do not hug, kiss, offer a bare handshake or fist bump.
• Do not take off your Mask for pictures or to talk while inside.
• Please take Holy Communion only in the hand for better sanitary purposes.
• Please wait until everyone from the preceding Mass leaves the Church before entering.

English Mass
 5:30 PM – Saturday
 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM
Vietnamese Mass
 9:15 AM & 2:00 PM
Spanish Mass
 4:00 PM & 6:15

The National Rosary for Life will be held across the nation next week. Please come to the Parish to join peoples of faith in praying for the unborn rights to life at 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 28th. Each decade of the Rosary will be spoken in one of the major languages of the parish. Please observe all the necessary health protocols.

To all upcoming high school graduates or those looking to apply for college, we have applications for scholarships online and in the office from the Gate City Rotary Scholarship Fund.

*Please know Fr. Bill, Fr. Joseph and Fr. Orlando will be away on retreat on February 1-5*