Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – November 2, 2025

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED – On Sunday, November 2, we celebrate All Souls’ Day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. We gather in a special way to remember all the faithful departed who have gone before us, and are inspired by them. We have the privilege too, of praying for them. On All Souls’ Day, we remember the ordinary people who did ordinary things in responding to the love God gave them. They were the people who did very simple things day after day and poured out their lives in service of those around them. They were the people who gathered in church every Sunday to worship the Lord in community and tried to follow Jesus faithfully every day of their lives. They might include our own parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

During November, the Church encourages us in a special way “to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest.” We remember those who have died with great love and fondness. We remember that we can continue to help them through our heartfelt prayers. We can visit the cemetery and pray for them there. We can make a visit to church, light a candle, and pray for them here too. We can offer masses and offer prayers, good deeds and our own reception of the Eucharist on their behalf. Our prayers on their behalf are very helpful to them. This month the Church also encourages us to remember all the souls who don’t have anyone to pray for them, those who are abandoned. We can spend time in fervent prayer for the souls of those who have gone before us during this month of November.

The number of photos that have been placed in the memorial set up in our churches are vast – reminders of so many loved ones – so many individuals who have touched our lives in simple and also in profound ways. This is a season of memories. We will be remembering those in our community who have gone before us, especially all those who have died this past year, at the Memorial Masses this Sunday at 9 AM and 11 AM.

November is a month not only to remember our beloved dead but also to remind us that our true home is in heaven. We all have to pass from our earthly life one day and enter the next life which is eternal. We should learn from all the saints striving to be faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ and to live in holiness.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them! May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace! Amen!

UPDATE ON THE MULTI-SITE REVIEW PROCESS – Seven years ago St. Cyprian and St. Celestine were combined into a new parish, St. Mother Theodore Guerin with one school, St. Celestine, and two churches, St. Cyprian and St. Celestine as part of the Renew My Church process. The Archdiocese requires us to review the process every five years, and that is going on now. St. Celestine School, with 390 students, is self–supporting, and is not part of this review.

A committee made up of parishioners from both sites has been meeting with a team from the Archdiocese who guide us in the process of reviewing the state of the parish.

As part of the process, the team has been looking at the history of our parish combination, our ministries, our finances, and is touring all the buildings on the two campuses to see how the facilities are used and what repairs need to be made. When the process is complete, probably early next year, there will be a Town Hall Meeting, to present our recommendations to the parish. After that, Fr. Paul, in consultation with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils, will make a decision as to plans for the future of our parish and inform the Vicar.

Please pray for the team and for our parish, that the Holy Spirit will guide us in making the best decisions so that St. Mother Guerin will have a bright future and enable us, as a community, to keep bringing people to Jesus.

In prayer,
Fr. Paul Cao
Pastor of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish