Bill Hao

40 Days of Lent March 5, 2025 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. The practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is normally done during Ash Wednesday, reminding us that it is a special time for repentance. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan; accordingly, the Lenten Season was first observed as a period of fasting for 40 days in…

In addition to being the foster-father of Jesus and the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph was a carpenter. Through his work of manual labor, he provided for the Holy Family and had a role in the divine plan of salvation. St. Joseph is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and briefly in the Gospel of John. Probably by the time Jesus began His public life, St. Joseph had already died, although we don’t know exactly…

The candle of the First Sunday of Advent is called the Prophet’s Candle, which symbolizes HOPE. The prophet Isaiah foretold the birth of Christ the Lord: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14) This prophecy gave hope to a people who have been longing for a Messiah. For Christians, this prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who came into…

MAR 5, 2025     ASH WEDNESDAY MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS   12:00PM CHINESE MAR 7, 2025     FRIDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS   12:00PM ENGLISH MAR 9, 2025     FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT MASS 10:30AM CHINESE, 2:00PM ENGLISH   MAR 12, 2025   WEDNESDAY OF THE 1ST WEEK OF LENT MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS   12:00PM CHINESE MAR 14, 2025   FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS   12:00PM ENGLISH MAR 16,…

May you have a prayerful Advent and Blessed Christmas!

On November 1st, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation, honoring all the Saints in heaven. Throughout the month of November, the Catholic Church also remembers the faithful departed. Offering Mass and praying for the dead has always been practiced since the early Church. 2Maccabees 12:42-45 (c164 B.C.) gives the earliest account that prayers (v. 42) and sacrifices (v. 43) for the dead are efficacious. There is also ample evidence of the custom of…

October is the month of the Rosary The Catholic Church designated October as the month of the Rosary. The origin of this observance goes back to October 7, 1571, when the Catholic League* (aka Holy League) repelled the invasion of the Ottoman Empire. Below is a more detailed account of what happened: By the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire (aka Turkish Empire) had controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. The Ottomans were on a warpath to…

During this past Holy Week, the Catholic Church celebrated the sacred liturgies of the Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. The following reflections on the Last Supper, the Passion and Death of our Lord and His Resurrection give us a deeper understanding of these mysteries according to what the Church teaches. May the Light of Christ dispel the darkness in the world!

In October, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Respect Life Month, a time for Catholics across the country to reflect on and bear witness to human dignity. End of Life Issues Some of our more challenging decisions in life come when a loved one is nearing death, and we are compelled to pay attention to end of life issues while respecting the dignity of the human person. Many Catholics are not clear on the position of the Church…