Grace and peace be with you all.
Dear Parishioners, Visitors and Friends, participating in the Holy Mass at home or with loved ones. I just wanted to take this moment to say words of our great concern for you and the well-being of all your loved ones at home or far away from home.
Fr. Clement, Deacon Richard, Deacon Angken, Sister Rose Marie, office staff, pastoral leaders, volunteers of Sts. Peter and Paul, and I have been praying and working diligently to find ways for our community to stay connected through these challenging times when we all are confronted with the spread of the deadly virus COVID-19, unprecedented circumstances which are beyond our control or ability to comprehend.
Since the Urgent Announcement of Bishop Larry Silva to stop all public Masses in “all parishes, ethnic communities, and oratories in the Diocese of Honolulu,” last Tuesday, March 17, due to his health concerns for all, I found myself as empty as our church now is. Our church building is virtually empty with no public Masses, spiritual gatherings, social meetings and services. And more so there is an emptiness today, as it is Sunday when our church is always filled with music of praise, little children and Faith Formation families, Parishioners, Visitors and Friends.
This is where our faith in God is tested, and our hearts so ache. For we Catholics believe the Eucharist to truly be the Body and the Blood of Jesus, and hold the Sacrifice of the Mass to perpetually be celebrated in remembrance of the Lord. Though we cannot be together today and in the following Sundays, I want to encourage all, including myself, to hold on to our faith in God and His power to bring us to the other side of this present situation in victory.
“Brothers and sisters,” St. Paul tells us in the Second Reading, “... Live as children of light, and ... try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Eph. 5: 8a, 10). While things around us may be looking as bleak, dark and fearful at this present crisis, look always to Christ who is our light in darkness, our strength in adversity, and our hope in crisis.
In the meantime, we are encouraged by the Holy Father Pope Francis, as well as our Bishop Larry Silva, to keep this day a special day of prayer, rest and reflection by meditating on the Word of God, putting on “Sunday best” as if we were at church, participating in the Mass, and praying the Act of Spiritual Communion Prayer while we are unable to receive the Eucharist.
I humbly ask our parish families to keep one another close in their hearts and remember the needs of our community in serving the poor and struggling families, providing care to the increased needs of many in our community, and keeping up church operations throughout this crisis.
We realize that many families in our community are experiencing the economic hardship the pandemic has on our global, national and local economy. We are aware that many, especially the most vulnerable among us will come to our Parish for assistance and we are committed to serve them as long as our resources allow.
Our parish has established a team of parish volunteers and staff who will oversee the Relief and Recovery (R & R) efforts for our community. As we continue this season of Lent, please prayerfully consider financial donations which will allow our parish Relief and Recovery team to continue to serve those who come to us for help. Donation can be made to our parish at sspeterpaulhawaii.org, online giving “COVID 19 Relief and Recovery”. All donations will be directly used to serve the needs of others during this difficult time.
Thank you for your consideration to help us serve others in their greatest needs. As we look forward to the day when we can be gathered again as a church to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as God’s people, the family of Faith, Hope and Charity, know that you and your loved ones are in the hearts of Pope Francis and Bishop Silva and constantly in the prayers Fr. Clement and I offer each day when we celebrate our private Masses. And please, keep all peoples and your parish clergy in your spiritual communion for it is our shared faith in the Lord Jesus.
Prayerfully Yours in Christ,
Fr Khanh