This week I have one new item and several friendly reminders.

Improvements in the lower church. A new reconciliation room has been constructed near the holy water container. Because of the pandemic we stopped using the regular reconciliation rooms due to the closeness of the penitent and priest and set up a temporary room in that corner of the church. Since the area is spacious and much more inviting, we decided to construct a new, permanent room in that area that would be comfortable, appealing and sound proofed. The exterior wall is much more aesthetically appealing.

The weekend of August 6th and 7th St. John’s will participate in the Annual Missionary Cooperation Appeal. Sister Theresa Ho Nguyen of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, Hung Hoa, Vietnam will speak at all the Masses.

The Lovers of the Holy Cross of Hung Hoa, a Vietnam community of religious women are committed to ministering the needs of the suffering, especially women and children through education, health care, and social works in ten provinces in the north of Vietnam. The sisters also visit he sick and elderly in their diocese, including lepers.

There will be a second collection in support of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Farewell Mass. I wanted to let you know that I was finally able to organize and schedule my farewell Mass which will be Sunday, August 28th at the 10:30 Mass. There will be a reception in the parish center immediately following. All are welcome.

For your information, I will also be having a farewell Mass at Holy Redeemer Chinese Church on Sunday, August 21st at 11:15 with a reception following. All are welcome.