New Assignment for Fr. Paul Cao starting July 1, 2026

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

After almost 13 years of serving as Pastor of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish, I am writing to announce that I will be moving to a new assignment on July 1, 2026.

It has been a profound honor to serve the communities of St. Celestine and St. Cyprian. I am deeply grateful to all the staff and parishioners at St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish. Thank you for the support and friendship you have shown me over the last decade. As I prepare for this transition, I reflect on the many ways I have seen God’s grace at work in our parish. You truly have taught me how to be a good pastor.

Please pray for me as I move on to my next assignment, that I will continue to be a good and effective priest in service to God’s people.

I look forward to celebrating my final Masses with you in the coming weeks and having the chance to say thank you in person. May the intercession of St. Mother Theodore Guerin continue to guide and protect you all.

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

Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – January 25, 2026

FIRST RECONCILIATION – This Saturday, January 24, and next Saturday, January 31, our students from the School and Religious Education Program at St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish will receive their First Reconciliation. This is their first time coming to seek God’s love and mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and I hope they will come again as many times as they need it, in order to continue to experience God’s love and forgiveness in their own lives. I would like to thank Ms. Ruthanne Swiatkowski, our Director of Religious Education Program, and the teachers and catechists who have taught and prepared our students for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please keep them in your prayers as they are preparing to receive their First Communion in May.

I would like to highly encourage parents to please cooperate with us by bringing your children to Mass every Sunday in order for them to understand and participate more fully in the Eucharist. There is no point in letting your children receive communion if they don’t know what is going on at the Eucharist and with whom they are receiving. Parents, you are the first educators for your children, and as Pope Francis said: “Do not forget that the greatest inheritance that you can give your children is FAITH.”

NATIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK – This Sunday, at the 11 AM mass, we will kick off National Catholic Schools Week, which is celebrated from January 25 to January 31, and also the 90th anniversary of St. Celestine School. I am very grateful that Cardinal Cupich will be the principal celebrant for this mass.

This week we highlight the unique aspects of Catholic education and the community spirit within Catholic schools. Schools typically observe the week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week this year is “Normal lives, called to holiness,” emphasizing the call to holiness in everyday life.

The success of our school rests primarily with the generous and hardworking individuals who diligently go about every day fulfilling the vision of Catholic education. This great team of collaborators is headed by our principal, Sheila Klich. Alongside her stands a faithful group of committed teachers, teacher’s aides, support staff, room parents, members of Parents Club, School Board and committees, volunteers, and all of the good, caring people who I have probably neglected to mention. Our parish is indebted to them for all they do!

I also would like to thank the parents of our school children who see Catholic education as a value and who are financially able to make the sacrifice to send your children to St. Celestine school. Please bring them to church every Sunday to worship and praise our Almighty God.

May God bless you and your loved ones!

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

Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – February 1, 2026

PARISH ANNUAL RAFFLE – By this time, you should have received your raffle tickets in the mail. The Annual Raffle is the big fundraiser for our parish, and we really count on your support for this raffle. We are asking that each family help in our fundraising efforts by purchasing at least one raffle ticket or the whole packet, if possible. Tickets are $20 each or 6/$100. If you cannot buy the whole packet, please consider selling them to your family members, friends, relatives, co–workers, and neighbors. I would like to thank those of you who have already purchased the tickets.

We will be drawing the winning tickets on Easter Sunday, April 5, after the 11 AM mass. It is a good chance for you to win the 1st prize of $5,000, 2nd prize of $2,000, and 3rd prize of $1,000. Last year, we made close to $22,000 in profit thanks to your generosity, and I want to thank those of you who purchased tickets last year. With your continued support, I am sure we will make close to $25,000 this year! You can drop your tickets and payment at the Pastoral Center or bring them to either church and put them in the collection baskets on Sunday. I would like to thank you for your help in this fundraiser.

May God bless you and your loved ones!

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