A Message from Our Pastor

June 9, 2021

Dear Parishioners,

Gather & Rejoice Together in Christ! Bishop Kevin Vann has declared this June 12^th and 13^th as a historic weekend for all Diocese of Orange parishes. It is now time to start attending Mass in person, receive the sacraments, and offer praise to God together after months of pandemic isolation. Join us and receive spiritual nourishment and strength through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

As we prepare to fully welcome all parishioners back to Church, we take this opportunity to offer some reminders and also to present some developments. Please note the following:

• Bishop Vann is discontinuing the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass effective June 12^th. Livestream Masses will be discontinued (except for the sick and homebound) and no longer be an acceptable way to fulfill your obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
• Our Church will once again be open from 1:30-4:30 pm, Monday-Thursday, for personal prayer beginning June 14^th.
• Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Church will be on Thursdays from 9am-3pm, and on First Fridays for 12 hours, 9am-9pm. Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life as well as for the sanctification of the people of our Diocese.
• Masks are now optional.
• Food and drink will now be allowed at all parish events, including ministry meetings. In addition, St. Mary’s by the Sea will once again be serving coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses beginning on our country’s Independence Day, July 4^th.

So to our parishioners, I join with Bishop Vann and all priests in the Orange Diocese as we say “Welcome Back!”  I look forward to reconnecting with all of you as we begin our return to normalcy.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

First and foremost, thanks be to God for His blessings and grace, and thanks to all of you for praying and comforting each other with love and compassion. I am doing fine, and I wish you well! We have not seen many of you for months and miss you dearly!

I would like to provide you with some updated information:

1. Thank you to our staff members and to the many of you who have supported Ms. Linda Gilbert’s family. She was a member of our staff who suddenly passed away last month! Linda served our parish as the Director of Religious Education for over 28 years and will be greatly missed.
2. I believe that many of you still remember Mrs. Suzanne Donnelly, who was one of our parish secretaries for more than 21 years. She retired 6 years ago and just passed away last Monday. Please pray for her soul and her family. Her funeral will be held here on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 10:30am.
3. Some good news, we have hired Sr. Catherine Nguyen, LHC (The Lovers of the Holy Cross Sisters) as a part-time DRE (Director of Religious Education) to coordinate our Faith Formation Program. We are continuing our religious program as usual and will resume classes in-person beginning September 28, 2020. Please see our parish weekly bulletin for further information and register as soon as possible. Thank you!
4. I would also like to inform you that our weekly offertory has been up and down (unstable). This is most likely due to a drop in attendance since about 80% of our parishioners are not yet ready to come back to church. Please keep St. Mary’s by the Sea in your prayers and continue to support our parish as much as you can with electronic donations (online), by mail, or you can drop off them off at the office. Thank you for your support and prayers!
5. Following the virus curve and directives from the State and County, we are still on level 4 and holding Masses outdoors until further notice.
6. Beginning on September 5, 2020, our Mass schedule will be changed:

• Weekly Masses are still the same schedule at 8:00am.
• Saturday evening (Vigil Mass) will be at 5:00pm (only one Mass).
• Sunday Masses: 7:30am and 9:30am are in English, 11:30am is in Latin (no 1:30pm), and 4:30pm is in English.
• Notice: No music at all Masses.

I wish you well and pray that you remain safe and in good health. Please continue to pray for peace, justice, and unity for our country, and especially pray for overcoming this invisible virus so we may return to a normal life soon. Thank you and God bless you always!

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Great news! Fr. Pascal is now home. Thanks be to God!

On another note, even though the Governor has temporarily closed churches, this is only for seating inside. St. Mary’s by the Sea will continue to hold confessions (Saturday from 3:00-4:00pm), daily Mass and weekend Masses (excluding the Latin Mass until further notice) in the Courtyard. Please bring your own chair in the event of overflow. We will still wear masks and practice social distancing, with the exception of families who are able to sit together.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Quang Chu – Pastor

Dear Parishioners,  (see update below)

I wanted to give you an update on Fr. Pascal. As of yesterday evening, Father said his doctor was happy with his progress. He will transfer him out of ICU into a regular room in the next few days.

On another note, up until now, I have been fine. I do not have a fever nor any symptoms of the Covid virus. Unfortunately, I still have not received the results from my test. According to my doctor, all the labs are behind schedule. He did say next Monday or Tuesday for sure, maybe sooner. My doctor also suggested that we should close the Church this weekend and a few days after for the safety and health risks of others. So, I have decided to do this. I apologize, but the Church will be closed this weekend, and next Monday.