Latest Message from Fr. Paul Cao – March 15, 2026

PARISH ANNUAL RAFFLES – If you haven’t bought your raffle tickets yet, please do so! I would like to encourage every family to help us by purchasing tickets or selling them to friends and coworkers. We are giving away a total of $8,000 in prizes: a first prize of $5,000, a second prize of $2,000, and a third prize of $1,000. You can return your tickets to the Pastoral Center or drop them in the collection baskets. The drawing will be held on Easter Sunday after the 11 AM Mass. Thank you for your financial support and for everything you do to help our parish grow spiritually strong and vibrant. May God bless you for your good work!

REJOICE SUNDAY – This weekend, we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, traditionally known as Laetare Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. This day sets a tone of joyful anticipation for the Easter mystery. In Year A, the readings center on the theme of Light and Sight.

In the second reading, St. Paul encourages us to live as “children of light,” for the light of Christ exposes what is hidden in darkness. In the Gospel (John 9:1–41), we hear the dramatic narrative of the healing of the man born blind. It is a powerful story where the man gains both physical and spiritual sight, while the religious leaders – who can physically see – remain spiritually blind.

Let us rejoice because we are nearing Easter! This is a great opportunity to reflect on the love of God, turning away from sinfulness and remaining faithful in our daily lives. Ask yourself: How am I doing so far this Lenten season? Am I living as a child of light by doing good works and avoiding anything that prevents me from being closer to Jesus?

A MESSAGE FROM POPE LEO XIV – During Lent, Pope Leo XIV invited Catholics to open ourselves to listening, fasting, and community. He urged us to abstain from words of hatred to make space for words of hope and peace: “I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbor.”

The Pope pointed to this “fasting of the tongue” as a vital practice. “Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, and refraining from slander,” he said. Instead, he calls us to cultivate kindness and respect in our families, at work, on social media, and within our Christian communities. If we do so, words of hatred will “give way to words of hope and peace.” As we reach the halfway point of Lent, let us reflect on this message. By abstaining from hurtful words, we live as people of love and light, following Jesus to bring peace to others.

May God bless you always, and may this Lenten season bring us all closer to the Lord!

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

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