St. John the Baptist Church
My Very Dear Brothers and Sisters,
An Affectionate Greeting to All of you at this most difficult time that we are all experiencing!
I hope and pray that you and your family(s) are safe and healthy through this extremely challenging time!
When I was a child growing up in Vietnam, I have thought of the United States of America as the Earthly Heaven? It was my dream to see it one day. Living now in the United States, you, as well as, I, are confronted with realities not like the dream when I was a child. It concerns basic values and beliefs-of peace, justice, fairness, the dignity of human life, and, above all, as Christians, about God. A human existence without God is not what Heaven is all about. Only with God is there heaven, life, love, peace, joy, and happiness.
Needless to say, you, and I, need God today more than ever before. The virus, Covid 19, that the naked eye cannot see, is capable of destroying our way of life and that of all the world, even the way we practice and live our Catholic faith. For over two thousand years, we, as Christians, have never been beset contrary to the way we attend Mass, where the dead are buried without a Mass, whereas a community we are kept at a distance from one another while celebrating Christmas and without a joyous face to show.
Brothers and Sisters, I like to express and reassure you of my best wishes and that my ardent prayers are with you every day. To every private Mass celebrated, I thank God for you, especially in my life. I offer each Mass for you and your family to our Almighty God. I may not be able to protect you entirely from the harm that the pandemic could cause but God can keep you away from it all. I may be limited to function in some ways, especially at times of sadness, but God is always present with you every step of the way.
Christmas is fast approaching. This is the day that our Savior was born for us. Our salvation is near at hand. I like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! It is my prayer that we shall turn to a grant, new page, full of grace from God, abundant blessings from our Mother Mary. Wishing all to stay safe, peace, joy and happiness.
With Love and Peace,
Fr. Thuong Hoai Nguyen
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Upcoming Livestream Masses
You can watch the livestreams via our website or Facebook page.
To receive reminders about all upcoming livestreams, please follow our page.
Simbang Gabi, Dec. 15th to 23rd
7:00 pm Rosary Livestream
7:30 pm Mass Livestream
Weekly Sunday Mass
9:30 am: Livestream
Christmas Eve, Dec. 24th
4:30 pm: Christmas Concert Livestream
5:00 pm: Mass Livestream
Distribution of Holy Communion immediately following the livestream.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25th
9:30 am: Mass Livestream
11:30 am: Mass Livestream
Distribution of Holy Communion immediately following both livestreams.
Weekly Distribution of Holy Communion - Sundays at 12:00 pm
Come for Distributions of Holy Communion outside in the courtyard next to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida every Sunday from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. We humbly ask that you please watch our 9:30 am livestream to hear the Liturgy of Word and prepare yourself at home before coming to consume the Most Holy Body of Christ.
When coming for the Distribution of Holy Communion on Sundays, you do not need to preregister; however, you will still have to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth. We will provide hand sanitizer and a collection basket for you to drop off your offering.
Click here to read the most recent bulletin
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Virtual Christmas Concert
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Christmas Concert by Andy Gutierrez & Christine Cosbey
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Here is a recording of the Christmas Concert from this past Tuesday featuring soprano Christine Cosbey from St. Isidore, Danville, and our very own Music Director, Andy Gutierez in case you missed it.
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