Hello Holy Spirit Community from your new parochial vicar, Fr. John!

I will be preparing the Pastor’s notes for this week and next as our Pastor, Fr. Ritche is on vacation. I would like to introduce myself again if you haven’t met me already. I’m Fr. John, a native here in San Jose, California. I grew up on the east side and went to public schools throughout my life. My family came here during the fall of Vietnam in 1975 and started their new life from scratch with the help of St. Vincent De Paul Society from St. Victor Parish.

In this weekend’s gospel for the 19th week of ordinary time, we hear Christ speak of giving alms and focusing our treasures on heaven. Christ goes on further, hitting it on point. when He says, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” As I hear this, I reflect on what God has given me throughout my life, particularly the “treasure of faith” from my family. They had to move on amidst the physical and mental damage they experienced from war and separation. And the trials in life – to learn a new language, and start over with a hoodlum child son and brother like me.

As your new parochial vicar, the hoodlum child, I ask you to stay firm in your Catholic faith and know her teaching. Truly this treasure will change your heart forever, like it did mine. I also want to recognize Jacob Mark Schweizer who will receive his confirmation this weekend at the Sunday 9:30am mass. Let us pray for Jacob to recognize the treasure he has been given in this sacrament to go out and share it with the world.