Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – New Assignment – March 22, 2026

Dear St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parishioners,

I received a call from Bishop Siemianowski this week, informing me that I have been named the pastor of Holy Child Jesus in Chicago effective July 1, 2026. Bishop Siemianowski and Cardinal Cupich have entrusted me to lead the faith community there, a responsibility for which I am both humbled and grateful.

This is bittersweet for me. I am so very grateful for my 13 years spent with you in Chicago, Elmwood Park and River Grove. I am proud of the strong, faith-filled, community we have. Together, we have done much to serve God, one another and our surrounding community. I thank you for all that you have shared with me in my time here. I am grateful for all your love and support during my time here. I came here as a young pastor and have grown a lot during our time together. You have taught me how to be a good pastor, and I really appreciate all you have done for me.

Fr. Ton Nguyen has accepted the appointment as administrator of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish effective July 1, 2026. Fr. Ton is enthusiastic about serving our community and he and I are meeting so that he can learn as much as he can about St. Mother Theodore Guerin before he moves in on July 1, 2026. As administrator, Fr. Ton will oversee the pastoral and administrative governance of our parish, with support from a mentor while the diocese continues to assess the right placement of a new pastor for our parish.

Fr. Paul Cao
Pastor of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish

Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – March 29, 2026

NEW ADMINISTRATOR’S ANNOUNCEMENT – I would like to officially announce that Cardinal Cupich has appointed Fr. Ton Nguyen, currently the Associate Pastor at Holy Name Cathedral, as the new administrator of St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish, effective July 1, 2026.

Fr. Ton has come here before when he was a seminarian. He is a dedicated, hardworking priest. He works exceptionally well with children and young adults, and I am certain you will enjoy having him here.

As for my next chapter, I will be assigned to Holy Child Jesus Parish on the North side of Chicago. Please keep me and Fr. Ton in your prayers during this transitional time. Please CLICK HERE and read Fr. Ton’s letter to learn more about him.

HOLY WEEK – This weekend, we celebrate Palm Sunday. We celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus is greeted by hundreds of people who wave palm branches and “Kept crying out saying: Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Mt. 21:9). May these remaining days of Lent reaffirm our faith – and give a new purpose to our lives.

This weekend, we receive palms at church to take home and to place in a significant area in order to remind us of this celebration and that we celebrate Jesus as our Savior. This weekend is also the beginning of Holy Week. We will celebrate Holy Thursday, the institution of Eucharist, Good Friday, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, and the Easter Vigil, the day on which we rejoice in Christ’s victory over death and sin. These days are known as the Triduum. We are encouraged to spend this week in prayerful preparation for the great feast of the Resurrection. Please take this opportunity to come spend time with the Lord during Holy Week:

  • Monday of Holy – Week – At 7 PM we will gather for our parish Reconciliation Service at St. Celestine Church. I would like to invite you to take this opportunity to come to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to renew ourselves with the Lord. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is an encounter of forgiveness, healing, and renewal with the Lord. Through the sacrament, entrusted to the Church by Christ, God offers us the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins and the strength to become more faithful followers of Jesus. Please don’t miss this opportunity! Jesus never disappoints you!!!
  • Labyrinth on March 29 through April 3 in the Gym and Annex at St. Celestine from Palm Sunday through Good Friday.
  • Wednesday of Holy Week – At 7 PM we will hold a Taizé Prayer service at St. Cyprian.
  • Holy Thursday – Easter Sunday – Please CLICK HERE to see a schedule of the times and events leading us to the Easter celebration.

AN ONGOING JOURNEY – Please keep in your prayers all those who have journeyed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process since last September and who will either enter the Catholic Church or complete their Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on April 4 at 7:30 PM. In particular, please remember from our parish: Makayla Franks, Angela Heredia, Lilian Heredia, Mia Hernandez, Destiny Marroquin, Myla Medina, Lizbeth Ortega, Sandra Derrico, Ariyani Diaz, Emiliano Diaz, Jaiden Jaramillo, Troy Morales, Emily Moris, Isabella Moris, Abigail Ortiz–Ferrer, Benjamin Santos, Nelson Santos, Anabelle Castrejon, Samantha Escalera, Ethan Porter, Joycelynn Reyes, and Eleni Rodriguez.

THANK YOU TO THE SCOUTS – I would like to thank Jerry Lis and his son Justin Lis for the beautiful new parish sign in front of the Pastoral Center on 76th Court. The sign was part of Justin’s Eagle Scout project. We are grateful for this sign and now it will be easier to find the office!

May you have a peaceful and prayerful Holy Week!

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