Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Last Sunday, during the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, we had Tuan Hung Le and his team from SAM'S Club administer flu shots to those who may not have had adequate insurance coverage. In total 203 parishioners received the shot. I'd like to think that this act of generosity reflects our Vincentian family image and heart.

As a parish community we will welcome to the Lord's Table for Eucharist our First Communion recipients in the English and Vietnamese faith formation programs. Please extend your heartfelt prayers to these young people Amia Kpo, Ariana Hernandez Bronson, Brandon K, Brianna G. Sanchez Orocio, Bruce K, Daellen Varela Rodriguez, Devin Yael Gutierrez Tolentino, Giuse Dustin Dao, Giuse Justin Dao, Jorh Tambou, Joshua M. Pagnou, Kimberly Gutierrez Tolentino, Maria Ngoc Yen Vo, Nathaniel L. Pagnou, Noe O. Sanchez Orocio, Ramon Guevara, Rylie Ka, Stephanie Rosillo Perez, Tatiana Urrutia Morales, Teresa Nghi Gia Pham Le, and Teresa Thao Cil Nguyen. A word of gratitude to the catechists and parents who have helped prepare the children to receive this most important Sacrament.

Beginning this month, St. Mary's will start a fundraising activity for the future building of a Parish Center. The fundraiser is the building of another Remembrance Wall, with entrance columns and stone benches at the Blessed Mother Mary's Shrine area. The new Memorial Wall will replace the wooden Trellis. On the other side of the original memorial wall a Shrine to St. Joseph is planned to mirror the Blessed Mother's Shrine, with entrance columns and stone benches. In the vestibule, we have art drawings of the expanded shrine areas. The wall and column bricks will have the names of you and your loved ones printed on one side of the brick face. One name or a family group name can be printed. If you are interested in obtaining a brick or bricks you may write down your name(s) on the provided sheet located in the vestibule. The cost per brick will be $125.

As we plan for the future of St. Mary's an expanded Shrine area helps us to center our prayers before The Blessed Mother and St. Joseph with the child Jesus asking that they continue to assist us to walk together as a Holy Family, relying on their guidance, grace, and hopefulness. I thank you for your consideration. If you wish to contribute, I ask that you take one of the Church envelopes and enclose it with a check that has your name and address. The Checks are to be made out to “St. Mary's Fundraising”.

God Bless you in all your endeavors.

Father Bill