Dear Parishioners,
Good news everyone!!
1) Father Pascal was moved out of ICU late yesterday (Sunday).
2) My test for Covid19 came back negative! Therefore, we will resume Daily Mass beginning tomorrow morning (Tuesday, 7/14/20).
Thanks be to God and to everyone for your prayers!
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.
Dear Parishioners, I would like to update you on the health status of Fr. Pascal Nguyen, O. Praem (who is the celebrant for our 11:30am & 1:30pm Latin Masses). He came down with a fever last week and was tested … Continue reading →
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you are well and safe during this time of crisis!
Since our Church reopened, I can see that there is about one-third of our parishioners returning to Church. Another two-thirds are still staying-at-home for safety. It is wonderful to see you in-person and I miss those who are unable to return to Church at this time. Whatever it maybe, we are one together in spirit and we pray for one another.
Just to let you know that because of the low attendance ator the 6:00 pm Sunday Mass, with the consultant of Staff and Pastoral Council, I decided to cancel the 6:00pm Sunday Mass beginning July 5, 2020. I apology for any inconvenience!
This weekend, we celebrate the July 4th Independence Day. Please remember our ancestors and those who are in uniform (living and deceased) in your prayers. Especially pray for peace, justice, and unity in our Country. On First Friday, July 3rd, at 3:00pm, I will expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration and Benediction to pray for our Country. Please join us if you can to pray for peace and justice wherever it maybe. Please take time to pray and ask the Lord for healing and to restore our life, our country, and to overcome the virus soon so we can come back to normal life. Jesus calmed the winds and the sea when His disciples were faced with a violent storm. He will calm the storm of our life and our society if we come to Him and beg Him for help.
Please continue to stand firm in your faith and belief! Be not afraid! Do not settle for feeling overwhelmed or frustrated! Instead, let the Lord go before you always, come follow Him and He will give you rest.
God bless you always and God bless the United States of America!
Happy Independence Day! Happy 4th of July!
Sincerely yours,
Rev. Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Greeting and best wishes to all!
I was so happy to see many of you in-person at church to celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. I also missed those of you who could not yet return to our church. I thank each one of you very dearly for your understanding, patience, and cooperation with the guidelines.
I thank our hospitality and cleaning volunteers for their time and talents. You have done a wonderful job in welcoming and assisting our parishioners before and after the Masses, and for the time you spent sanitizing the pews after each Mass. God bless you all! I can see many of our parishioners were so happy to return to church and see each other.
For the first time, we gather in-person after three months of lockdown. Our attendance was down about two-thirds this weekend because many people are not yet ready to return. I hope that in these coming weekends we will have more people return to church.
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we can sum up three important confessions about our Faith:
For these reasons, I would like to invite you to come back and join with our community to celebrate the Eucharist in-person in our Church.
Let us continue to pray for peace and justice in the world, especially in our country. Peace be with you always!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor.
Dear Parishioners
The Diocese of Orange has announced that we can begin celebrating public Mass on the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 14 (including Saturday June 13 Vigil Masses). In addition, the Bishop of Orange, Kevin W. Vann, extends a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation until such time as it is deemed safe to have large gatherings at Mass.
Those over age 65 and/or in an at-risk health group or who do not feel comfortable attending a public gathering should stay home. Also, anyone who has a fever or temperature or who is sick or has been exposed to the coronavirus should refrain from attending Mass as it is an act of Christian charity to safeguard the health of others.
St. Mary’s by the Sea will be celebrating the Mass together as a community using social distancing, maximum capacity guidelines for attendance, and guidelines for sanitization set by Bishop Kevin Vann and the State of California, no exceptions. Additional Masses are being offered to attempt to accommodate everyone who desires to attend.
MAXIMUM CAPACITY IN THE CHURCH DURING MASS IS (30) PEOPLE. Everyone will sit 6 feet away from one another (unless you are attending the Sunday 4:30 pm Family Mass), with the exception of small children who will be allowed to sit with their parent. If all seats are filled, we will provide overflow seating for (20) additional people in Fr. Johnson Hall and in the Courtyard, where Mass will be viewed on a large screen.
Please plan to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the Mass. All households will line up at the Main Entrance of St. Mary’s by the Sea (following social distancing tape placed on the sidewalk). Ushers will be waiting at the steps to seat you and your household. Please use the single entry when entering and exiting the Church. For those who need to use the ramp to enter the church, an usher will be available to provide assistance.
All individuals attending Holy Mass at this time must wear masks, unless medically unable to do so. You will be allowed to remove it only when receiving Holy Communion. If you should forget to bring your mask, one will be provided for you.
Holy Water fonts will be empty, but you are encouraged to still make the sign of the cross.
The sign of peace and distribution of the Precious Blood is suspended. Instructions for receiving Holy Communion will be announced during each Mass. If you are uncomfortable receiving the Eucharist at this time, you are always welcome to remain in the pew and make a Spiritual Communion.
In accordance with the Bishop’s directives, there will be no singing by the congregation until otherwise noted. In addition, all missals, prayer cards or other paper resources are currently not available.
Hand sanitizer will be available to all people. Pews and high-contact areas will be thoroughly sanitized/cleaned in between Masses. Please follow the instructions at the end of the Mass.
A large container will be located at the Church entrance/exit doors to drop off collection envelopes and donations.
Our first consideration must be for the health and safety of our parishioners and those whom they will encounter. As Bishop Kevin Vann said on Friday, “We know that God is with us, but at the same time we have to be careful and make sure that we protect each other in this challenging time.”
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we come together for the Holy Sacrifice with measures in place to minimize risks.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Quang Vinh Chu – Pastor
Temporary Schedule Effective June 13th
Daily Mass (Monday-Saturday): 8:00 am
Saturday Vigil Masses
4:30 pm (with music)
6:00 pm (no music)
Sunday Masses
7:30 am (with music)
9:30 am (with music – no choir)
11:30 am Latin Mass (no Schola)
1:30 pm Latin Mass (no Schola)
*4:30 pm Family Mass (no music
Confessions: Saturday 3:00-4:00 pm
*PLEASE NOTE: Families may sit in one pew next to each another at the
Sunday, 4:30 pm Family Mass ONLY.
DIOCESE OF ORANGE ANNOUNCES LIMITED PUBLIC MASSES CAN BEGIN
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 14 IN PHASED APPROACH
May 22, 2020
Garden Grove, Calif., (May 22, 2020) – The Diocese of Orange announced today that public Masses can begin in Orange County on the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 14 (including Saturday June 13 Vigil Masses) in a phased-in approach with measures in place to safeguard public health. In addition, the Bishop of Orange, Kevin W. Vann, extends a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation until such time as it is deemed safe to have large gatherings at Mass.
After extensive consultation over these past few months with civil authorities, County of Orange Health Authority, as well as with our medical advisors, the decision was made to gradually open the churches for Mass with strict guidelines for attendance including important requirements for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion and the safety and health of all who attend. Bishop Vann acknowledges the hard work of Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, on behalf of all the California bishops, who met frequently with Governor Newsom and his staff. The positive cooperation of all involved – working together for the common good – has helped bring us to this important moment.
“The pandemic is far from over so we will begin with small steps,” said Bishop Vann. “Realizing that reinfection is a concern, as we saw occurred in Texas and elsewhere, I am asking our pastors to prepare their churches to ensure that these guidelines are followed without exception.” Indeed advisors to the bishop have been working on guidelines for weeks, in consultation with county officials and other experts.
The Diocese announced that phase one brings smaller groups of healthy Catholics back to a limited Mass with strict social distancing guidelines and rules. Phase two would allow larger groups while phase three would allow choirs to return to church and social gatherings to resume. At this point, it is unknown when we might be able to enter phases two and three. Phasing our return allows for the ability to re-evaluate the process as necessary in order to ensure the health and safety of the community going forward.
All phases of this plan require following strict guidelines for social distancing and sanitization.
Catholics should visit the website of their parish for eventual specific instructions on how their parish will offer Masses and how attendance will be allowed. In most cases, only one-third of the church space will be available per Mass. Bishop Vann has granted a temporary dispensation from the requirements of canon 932, which will permit priests to celebrate Mass outside the sacred space of a church building, thereby permitting parishes to utilize other spaces for Masses including gymnasiums, parish halls and outdoor spaces.
Since the Sunday obligation has been dispensed from, Catholics will be encouraged to attend other Masses during the week instead of on Sunday, in order to spread out the number of people attending. More Masses than usual will be offered to attempt to accommodate everyone who desires to attend Mass during this phase. In addition, many parishes will continue to livestream Masses.
Anyone who is in an at-risk health group or does not feel comfortable attending a public gathering should stay home. Also, anyone who is sick or has been exposed to the coronavirus should refrain from attending a public Mass as it is an act of Christian charity to safeguard the health of others.
“Please continue to pray for those who have died, those who are sick from this disease and for the people who care for them,” said Bishop Vann. “I wish to thank everyone for their sacrifices over these last weeks to benefit the common good. It has been a time of reflection, prayer and growth in faith for many of us. We will continue to take one day at a time and walk in faith together until the day we can all gather to rejoice in the Lord. The Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ) is a very fitting feast day to begin our journey to once again gather together as the Lord’s people.”
About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
With 1.3 million Catholics, 57 parishes, 5 Catholic centers, and 41 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese encourages Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools welcoming all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Diocese, was dedicated in July 2019.
Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at https://www.rcbo.org.
6th Easter Weekly Message
Dear Parishioners,
I hope you are doing fine! Me too! I am good!
Last Sunday we heard that the Lord has promised, “I will not leave you orphans.” But what about our present trials? We cannot go to church, go to work, go to visit families or friends, etc. because of the pandemic. What about evil in the world? How can we be sure that He has not abandoned us? The more we think about this, the more we are disappointed! We ask, when will circumstances improve?
Here is the answer. Jesus is not only with you; He is within you by the power of the Holy Spirit. He never left your side because He is in your heart! No matter what your situation right now, you can take a few deep breaths, calm your mind, and begin to sense Him. He is there inside you, ready to give you His blessing, healing, peace, wisdom, and joy! (The Word Among Us, April – May 2014, p. 62)
Try not to be discouraged. Stay focused on the larger vision that God has for you. Trust that the Holy Spirit is leading you, guiding you, and protecting you, whether you understand the reasons for the twists and turns in your path or not. We cannot always comprehend the bigger picture that God has for us, but He is a good God, and so we can always trust that His plan for us is better than anything we could ever come up with ourselves! (The Word Among Us, April – May 2020, p. 54)
Nothing can stand against God’s promises. Lift up your heart to the Lord always!
May God bless you, straighten your faith in His wisdom and love!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Reverend Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor
5th Easter Weekly Message
Dear Parishioners,
Wishing you well! I am doing fine! May God always protect us and keep us in His love!
During these days, imagine what would happen if everything falls through. Your transportation is limited. Your job is furloughed or laid off. Your freedom is so limited now. Your savings has drained down. These things have happened during the past six weeks and our patience is also drained down. We ask why would God put up so many obstacles? It must have been hard for us to understand God’s plan.
Yes, sometimes we do not understand how God leads us. Of course, God wants us to use wisdom and good judgment as we make our plans, especially during this time.
First, our plan is to surrender to God. Last Thursday, May 7th, our President called us to observe this day as a “National Day of Prayer.” In this day, our President led the prayer first, and then each minister of each religious belief came forward and prayed and asked God to forgive our faults and asked Him to protect us and restore our life. (Act of FAITH)
Second, this pandemic could help us to understand how God works in our life, such as cutting, trimming, and nurturing, so that we too can become shining exemplars of His glory. He trains our thoughts and intentions so that we can think and act like Him. (Act of LOVE)
Jesus is now able to reach so many people, who are scattered throughout the world, who are far away from Church, who have no chance to build up a relationship with family, community, and others. Jesus is promising that you can make a difference. He is in you and He will work through your example, your works, your prayers. Remember, you are not doing it alone! By doing this, our lives will never be the same. We will keep getting better and better. (Act of HOPE)
Keep in mind, the U.S. currency always has its value throughout the world, in good times or bad times, in good hands or in bad hands, because it has a motto “In God We Trust.” God has Power; we value our Trust. Let us continue to trust in God’s providence because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
So be encouraged. God is at work, He will form you so that His beauty can shine forth in your life!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Reverend Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you for your calls and emails and to let us know that you are doing fine! I am doing fine too! May God bless us all!
We are hoping that the light at the end of the tunnel will be bright soon. Each state will gradually reopen businesses and start to come back to normal. Some leaders are slow to reopen because of “fear.” What does it mean “essential or non-essential”? How about “Spiritual food”, is it essential for Christian lives? Are we afraid if God is for us? How easy it can be to let our hearts be “troubled” because of wars, famine, virus, fear, etc. Many things can concern us, but in the midst of it all, Jesus tells us to have faith in Him and not let all the bad news overshadow our joy and trust in Him.
Jesus also reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd and Sheep Gate. He knows each of us and we recognize His voice. Think about how much He cares for you. He is always mindful of you. He never leaves you defenseless before the predators of temptation or guilt or condemnation or pandemic.
Jesus says: I know you; I know your strengths and your weaknesses, your hopes, and your fears. I know what you believe and what you are not ready to believe. So, trust in Him, and do not worry about getting everything right. Just do the best you can while we are waiting for the “stay at home” order to be lifted. Let us put ourselves into God’s hands and trust in Him because the Lord is our Good Shepherd and Gate Keeper!
May Jesus protect you and keep you safe from all harm!
Best wishes to all and I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Reverend Quang Vinh Chu, Pastor