Letter from Fr. Peter

We will be live streaming the 10 am Sunday Mass this coming Sunday, March 22, 2020 on our Facebook page. Join us online for the Mass!

March 18, 2020

My dear people of the Our Lady Queen of The World,

May the Peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. 

As we have known, the invasion of the Covid-19 has created an unprecedented turmoil both in the world and in our hearts. Let us remember “Psalms 23:1-6”

The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not  want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

We have the Lord as our Shepherd, who will hold our hands as we walk through the dark valley of fear and anxiety. 

We are asked to distance ourselves to protect each other and stop the spread of the Corona Virus. It is in fact, an act of charity. We all should do it with humble obedience and love to our brothers and sisters. However, while social distancing and stay shelter-at-home are necessary steps, the spread of fear and anxiety have been already taking place in each of us. These dual adverse effects of the virus must be conquered and replaced with God’s grace. Let us together we offer more prayers and sacrifices to our Lord to obtain His blessings and healing power to us all and the whole world. We don’t forget to pray for the doctors, nurses, caregivers and those who are taking care of our sick brothers and sisters in hospital, nursing homes and other places.  

On March 17th 2020, Contra Costa County has ordered the “shelter-at-home order” until April 7th 2020. The Diocese of Oakland, collaborating with the local Bay Area officials, is immediately putting into effect the following actions.

1.      After serious consideration of the grave health risk involved in public gatherings, effective immediately, we are suspending all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, scheduled events, ministry meetings, trainings, and conferences until April 7th.  

2.      Since participation in public gatherings significantly increases the risk of contagion, effective immediately, the office will be closed.

3.      All parish office staff/volunteers are to remain at home during this period.

Although Public Masses are suspended, but as a priest I celebrate private Mass everyday and I remember you all in my Masses and daily prayers with all the intentions. 

Since you cannot go to Mass as you wish. Attaching here are the links so you can follow. 

Daily Mass (including Sunday)

Archdiocese of Boston CatholicTV – http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass
Archdiocese of New Orleans – https://thedailymass.com/mass/
EWTN – http://ewtn.com
Relevant Radio (audio only) – http://relevantradio.com/

Sunday Mass
Catholic Extension Society — Catholic Mass Online

I encourage you to pray more often the Holy Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet to end the Corona Virus soon. We also join the Holy Father to pray this prayer:

Pope Francis’s prayer to Mary during Corona virus pandemic

O Mary,
you always shine on our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman People,
know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide
so that, as in Cana of Galilee,
we may return to joy and to feasting
after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Under your protection, we seek refuge, Holy Mother of God. Do not disdain the entreaties of we who are in trial, but deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

May God continue showering His blessings upon you and your family. May Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and all the Saints intercede for us and protect us all!

Our Lady Queen of the World pray for us your children!

Devotedly in Christ,

Yours,

Fr. Peter Ngo Duc Dung