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 – April 12, 2026

DIVINE MERCY – This weekend, we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, known as Divine Mercy Sunday. At the canonization of St. Faustina on April 30, 2000, Pope St. John Paul II declared: “It is important then that we accept the whole message that comes to us from the word of God on this Second Sunday of Easter, which from now on throughout the Church, will be called ‘Divine Mercy Sunday.’”

We have this celebration as a result of the life and holiness of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938). She is further proof of what can be accomplished in only a short time on earth. Beginning on February 22, 1931, our Lord began appearing to St. Faustina, revealing to her a wonderful message of God’s mercy for all people. This simple and uneducated – yet courageous – woman was given a great mission by God: a message that our world desperately needs to hear. At one point, Our Lord spoke to Sr. Faustina and said: “Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and then throughout the world.” He also promised: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I promise victory over its enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death; I Myself will defend it as My own glory.”

We are blessed to have a beautiful painting of the Divine Mercy in our chapel at St. Celestine, as well as on the left side of the sanctuary above the tabernacle at St. Cyprian. I have seen many people lighting candles and praying before the Divine Mercy image. I encourage you to please pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, asking Jesus to pour out His grace and blessing upon us and to have mercy on us and the whole world. Jesus, I trust in You.

Please Remember:

  • First Friday Holy Hour – Every first Friday of the month at 3 PM at St. Celestine, we hold a Holy Hour to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
  • This Sunday – For Divine Mercy Sunday, we will have a Divine Mercy Holy Hour and pray the chaplet at 3 PM. Please come join us as we offer our prayers for peace in the world – especially in Ukraine and the Middle East. Let us pray that we may trust totally in God’s love and mercy for us.

WORDS OF THANKS – Many people came to me after the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses to compliment the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, sharing how prayerful and beautiful they were. One thing I have realized as pastor of this parish is the deep dedication of so many people who have worked tirelessly to make our community of faith strong and vibrant – especially during these last few weeks of Lent and Easter.

I am not even sure where to begin in thanking the many people who made the days from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday so spiritually uplifting. However, I want to offer at least a partial list of the generous individuals who worked extremely hard so that our celebrations might more easily raise our hearts and minds to God:

  • The Art and Environment Committees of both churches, under the direction of Jolene Wrobel, Jerry Lis, and Jeanne Schneider, and especially the volunteers who helped decorate during the Easter Triduum.
  • Our Liturgical Ministers – All who served as lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, servers, ushers, cantors, soloists, and guest musicians.
  • Our School Students under the direction of Craig Kamptner, for their presentation of the Shadow Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.
  • Our Choirs – Craig Kamptner and the Adult Choir; Jeanne Schneider and the St. Cyprian Choir; and Maureen Murphy’s Family Choir.
  • The OCIA Team – Ruthanne Swiatkowski and her dedicated team.
  • The Sacristans – Linda Santelli, Patricia Rinella, Nancy Krzys, and Tony Cannizzaro.
  • Our Clergy – The prayerful ministry of Father Paul Eruva, Father Fil Ngwila, Father Ron Navoy, Deacon Mike DeLarco, and Deacon Roland Merced.
  • Hospitality – Lynn Schmidt and her helpers for providing a wonderful reception after the Easter Vigil.
  • Events and Fundraising – Laurie DePillo, Ray and Paulette Maraviglia, Danny and Lisa Lacour, Ruthanne’s teen group, the Scouts and Scout leaders, and all the staff and volunteers who helped with the Pasta Dinner and Fish Fries.
  • Eileen Lepore and Michelle Doyle and the volunteers for the beautiful, prayerful Labyrinth.
  • Parish Staff – For their generous efforts on a daily basis.
  • Donors – Those who donated flowers in memory of their loved ones and everyone who supported the parish Easter Raffle.

I apologize if I have missed anyone. Thank you to all from the bottom of my heart, and may God reward you for your good work!

I also want to thank each of you for attending our liturgies and for your generous donations, which keep our parish running smoothly. May the Risen Christ always bless you and your families!

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

Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – April 26, 2026

FIRST COMMUNION – On Saturday, May 2, at the 10 AM and 1 PM Masses at St. Celestine, 91 children from our parish school and Religious Education Program will receive the Body of Christ for the very first time. It is a special moment for them to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” Please keep them in your prayers, that they may be blessed and strengthened by the Lord, especially through the Eucharist.

I would like to encourage all the parents to please bring your children to Mass to receive the Eucharist regularly. We must be good examples of faith for our children. Come celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday; we need Jesus to nourish us with His Body so that we may grow closer to Him.

MAY CROWNING – May is the month the Church designates to honor our Blessed Mother. I encourage every family to take time to pray the Rosary, asking our Blessed Mother to protect us and help us grow closer to her son, Jesus Christ. Let us also light a candle for her and pray for peace in our country, Ukraine, and the Middle East during this difficult time. Let us pray for an end to war and violence.

It is a beautiful tradition in our Church to crown the Blessed Virgin Mary as our Queen and Mother. We will hold a May Crowning at St. Cyprian during the 9 AM Mass on Sunday, May 3. We will also honor Mary with a traditional procession of her image through the streets of Elmwood Park immediately following the 11 AM Mass at St. Celestine. The procession will conclude with the crowning of the statue of Mary in front of the school.

This is a significant time for all First Communicants as they dedicate their lives to the Blessed Mother. I encourage all First Communicants to join us next Sunday for Mass, the procession, and the May Crowning. An ice cream social will follow in the annex and gym. I also invite each parish organization to join the procession with your banners. Please join us for this long–standing tradition.

May our Blessed Mother intercede for us!

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