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In This Issue
Hurricane Preparedness
Photos
Parish Notes
Prayers
Last Sunday's Sermon
Sinh Hoạt Hội Thánh
Tóm Tắt Kinh Văn Chúa Nhật Vừa Qua
Archives

 

To see the previous issues of The Epistle, please  click here.
Upcoming Events

 

Sunday, Sept. 11:         Sunday School begins, 10:30 AM

Evening Prayer, 5 PM 

 

Tuesday, Sept. 13:        Commissions, 6:30 PM; Vestry, 7:30 PM

 

Saturday, Sept. 17:       Clean-up Day

 

Sunday, Sept. 18:         Odeon Concert, 4:00 PM

 

Saturday, Sept. 24:       Clean-up Day (If it rains on Sept. 17th)

 


Saint Patrick's Ministers 

The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish

 

supported by

 

The Reverend  

Tinh Trang Huynh, Vicar

Ms. Mariko Hiller,  

Music Director

Ms. Rachel Burgess,

Nursery Care

 

We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia

 

led by

our chief pastors

 

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop 

 

The Rt. Rev.  

David Colin Jones, 

Bishop Suffragan

 

and  

The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,

Assistant Bishop 

The Vision of St. Patrick's

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.

About St. Patrick's Church

Saint Patrick's was founded in 1953 as a mission church from the Falls Church.  The congregation met for the first time on January 3, 1954 in the cafeteria of the Graham Road School.  The building was completed in 1956.  Members of St. Pat's have been known for their involvement in outreach ministries since the very early days of the parish.  In 1995, Saint Patrick's became an Anglo-Vietnamese church, and has become more and more multicultural.  Some of us say that St. Pat's is like a window through which we can see God's love.  Other parishioners suggest St. Pat's is a "safe haven" for all who seek peace, a quiet place for those who want to find rest.  Many in the congregation mention caring is what makes St. Patrick's special to them.  Our vision statement reflects what we are in our hearts:  St. Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world."


About the  

Diocese of Virginia 

The Diocese of Virginia is the oldest Christian community in Virginia, and is the largest diocese in the Episcopal Church in the United States, with 181 congregations representing more than 80,000 baptized members and about 400 clergy.  Our diocesan headquarters are located in Richmond with an additional office in Alexandria, Virginia.  Our diocesan bishop is the Right Reverend Shannon Sherwood Johnston.  He is assisted by a suffragan bishop, the Right Reverend David Colin Jones, and an assistant bishop, the Right Reverend Ted Gulick. To learn more about the Diocese of Virginia, please click here

St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry 

 

Vestry Committee:  Senior Warden:  Tom Auld;  Junior Warden:  Vivian Benjamin; Registrar:  Winnie Lebo; Treasurer:  Kathy Oliver;  Other members of the Vestry:   Victoria Kennedy, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.

 

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Altar Guild:  Lucille Selby;  Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller; Church Office:  Lois Cascella;  Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry:  Maggie Spinelli; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli;  Diocesan Council Delegate: Amelia Nicholson; St. Margaret's Circle:  Ann Nelson;  Telephone Chain: Alice King; Ushers: Bill Houston; Odeon Chamber Music Series:  Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School:  Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program:  Felix Spinelli;  Church Women United:  Amelia Nicholson.



Birthdays

 

August


26    Sylvia Houston

 

 

We remember in prayer 

 

We remember in our prayer:

 

Morgan Wyatt, Michael Sleggs, Bob Aronstein, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Hai Dang Do,  Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, Ingrid Eckstrand, The Edsall Family, Archie Ellis, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Nic Franca, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Bill and Betty Henderson, Sheila Henderson, Eldon Paul Henry,  Alek Hensley, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Angelina Jansen, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Timothy Livingood, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Michael Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Gary Owens, Irene Pierce, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross,  Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Heather Stefl, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, The Strysko Family, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha, Mark Zimpel.

 

We pray especially for Leslie Hogan,  Bob Aronstein and Magaret Mills.  

 

 

We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Galway Thomas, Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.

 

Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at

[email protected]  or call him at 703-405-9571.

 

 

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August 25, 2011

Hurricane Preparedness  

Worship will be held at St. Patrick's this Sunday, unless it is impossible for Tinh+ to get to the church from the Rectory.   If the storm comes on Sunday as predicted, everyone should stay at home.   Make sure that you:

1. fill every vehicle you have with gas/ and every gas tank.

2. get as much money as you think is necessary from the bank or ATM.

3. stock up on food which will keep without refrigeration (bread, peanut butter, nuts, fruit, canned goods).. Remember you need a can opener that is not electric.

4. have at least enough pet food and baby food for a week or so.

5. batteries for flashlights.

6. a portable radio with batteries.

7. candles/lighter/matches.

8. fill your propane tanks if you have a gas grill - as it may be the
only way to cook, unless you have gas in your house.

9. have bottles of water and additional containers filled with drinking water, use pool water to flush the toilets.

10. refill any prescriptions you may need.

11 bring EVERYTHING into your house/garage (lounges, toys, potted plants, garbage cans) - anything that could become a projectile in the wind.

12. charge everything (computers, phones, cameras, etc) as much as you can today.

13. take pictures of EVERYTHING in and around your house NOW - you will need the pictures later for the insurance companies if the damage is severe.

The more things we get tied down or moved inside, the better our community will fare from the storm.  Another good idea is to update your cell phone numbers of friends and family. Contact others after the storm to let everyone know that you are okay or what you need help with is important. Cell phone reception may not be possible after the storm if the cell towers are damaged.

 

Photos

The Huynhs and the Vangs

The Vang Family, withTinh+ and Kim-Anh, after worship  

at Church of the Holy Apostles, August 7th

Communion at Holy Apostles, Aug. 7th
Celebration of Holy Eucharist at Church of the Holy Apostles on Aug. 7th. From left: Acolyte, Seminarian Toua Vang, Rev. Minh-Hanh Nguyen, Rev. Letha Wilson-Barnard, Rev. Tinh T. Huynh


Parish Notes


-  Tinh+ and Kim-Anh attended the EAM Southeast Asian Convocation meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Entitled, "With God's Help: Living Out Our Baptism in Our Daily Lives,"  the meeting gathered Vietnamese, Cambodian and Hmong Episcopalians for learning, fellowship and worship, from August 4th to August 7th.  Workshops about mission, leadership and daily devotion were offered, and Tinh+ was invited to give a sermon at the Church of the Holy Apostles in St. Paul, on Sunday, August 7th.  In the sermon Tinh+ said that God never refers to anyone as an outcast.  Holy Apostles is an Anglo-Hmong congregation, led by Rev. Letha Wilson-Barnard.  When Letha+ was a seminarian at VTS, she  came to Saint Patrick's for field education and stayed with us for 3 months.  Our seminarian Toua Vang and his family came from Holy Apostles, where both Hmong and English are used in worship. 

 

Congratulations to My-Linh, Kiet and Hao Tran on the arrival of Anh-Minh "Matthew" Tran, on August 6, 2011.

 

Ten-year-old flutist Emma Resmini is scheduled to perform music at Saint Patrick's this Sunday during worship.  For the offertory, she plans to play Bach's "Adagio ma non tanto," from Sonata in E major; and for the postlude, Bach's "Allegro," from the same sonata.   Emma has performed with the Dallas Symphony, National Symphony, and the Pittsburgh Symphony.  She was featured on the National Public Radio program "From the Top," and also on the NPR program "All Things Considered."  Emma was invited to perform at the 2009 National Flute Association Convention in New York City.  In April 2011, she performed in the Japan Tsunami benefit concert, which was held at St. Patrick's.  We are grateful to Emma for sharing her gift of music with us.  Click here to enjoy Emma's rendering of Cecile Chaminade's Concertino for Flute and Piano, recorded when she was 7 years old.

 

Seminarian Toua Vang will begin field education at Saint Patrick's in September.  The Seminary requires every seminarian in the M.Div program to participate in a congregation for two years, under the supervision of a priest.  This year, Toua will preach at Saint Patrick's once a month and meet with Tinh+ once every week.  During the summer, Toua completed the 10-week Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training in Minneapolis, MN.  During that time, Toua spent 8 hours per day (Mon-Fri) at a hospital to learn and serve as a pastor to the patients.  While being at St. Pat's, Toua is required to work with a "lay committee," which consists of lay members of the church.  The committee and the seminarian meet once per month, to share experience and concerns.  The seminarian will act as pastor and leader of the group, and the group offers support to him or her. There will be opportunities for the participants in the program to gain more insight into church life, especially about how church leaders are called and raised for effective ministry.  A lay committee is now being formed for Toua.   Tinh+ is hoping to get seven people to join the group.  So far he has  4 people for the lay committee.   All who wish to serve on this committee are welcome.  Please speak with Tinh+ for more information. 

 

Sunday school will resume on Sunday, September 11, at 10:30 AM.  Maggie Spinelli is the coordinator of our Sunday School program, and parents and volunteers will be contacted soon.  Many thanks to all of you who were so generous in supporting our Sunday School.  We look forward to a successful program this year. 

 

-  It is time to gather school supplies for the Westlawn children.  The church welcomes your generous donations, and there will be a box in the narthex to collect them.  Some of the things the children need are:  large and small Elmer's Glue sticks, 8 oz. bottles of Elmer's Glue, 4 oz. bottles of Elmer's Glue, 8 - 10 count Crayola Classic Markers, 24-count Crayola Crayons, yellow highlighters, 12-count colored pencils, large Expo Whiteboard markers, #2 pencils, Pink Pearl erasers, eraser caps, Fiskar scissors, packs of wide rule loose-leaf  paper, packs of college rule loose-leaf paper, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, 3x5 index cards, sticky notes, pocket folders with brads, pocket folders without brads, 1-inch and 2-inch 3-ring binders, hand sanitizer, tissues and disinfectant wipes. St. Patrick's and Westlawn Elementary School are partners in helping the poor. 

 

-  All are invited to join us in the 9/11 Remembrance Service, which will be held at Saint Patrick's on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 5:00 PM. 

We give thanks for the safety of our parishioners and our church building and the rectory during the recent earthquake.  We pray for our loved ones and all the people who live near the ocean on the eastern coast as Irene hurricane approaches this week.

-  We give thanks to God for the healing of Madison Trout and Morgan Wyatt, and for the progress that our Margaret Mills has made as she recuperates from the stroke.  Their families wish to thank all of you for your prayers and support.

Prayers  

  

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and
flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.

 

From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from
violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and
unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.  

 

(The Great Litany, BCP Page 149) 

 

Last Sunday's Sermon   

  

SERMON FOR THE 10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --

AUGUST 21, 2011 -- Preacher:  Nancy Burch

 

Text: Matthew 16: 13-20

 

Our Gospel reading today is very familiar, so I looked at it in a couple of ways - first from a completely secular standpoint and then later I viewed it from perhaps a more sacred direction.

If we just look at the phrase "Who do you say I am?" from a secular standpoint I believe we can all find parallels.

       Don't we all want to know what people really think of us - do we stand out in a crowd? Are we leaders? Are we fun to be around? Are we talented? Are we caring? Do we give a good impression? Let us not forget that the only thing we never get a second chance at is making a first impression. That first impression can color the way in which many perceive us.

Many of us spend countless hours trying to find ourselves - we want to know who we are, what makes us tick, and more particularly what we are here for - what is our purpose? How are we perceived by our family and friends - if they really knew who I was would they still love, and care about, me?

As some of you know I am an "old movies" fan - love those movies from the 40's, 50' and 60's! Many of these movies were made from classic writings and many dealt with the this very topic of people trying to find themselves and knowing how they are perceived - people setting of in search of Shangri-la (James Hilton's "Lost Horizon"), of going to India in search of a guru to help them in their quest (Somerset Maugham's "The Razor's Edge"). Actually, people like us - wanting to know who we are and how others see us and what they think and say about us.

Put in this light, Jesus is fully human when he asks "Who do you say I am?" He wants to know what people think of him.

But Jesus already knows who he is, so in some ways his question to Peter is rhetorical. What he really wants to know about is Peter's faith. He personalises the question -- "Who do YOU say I am?"

      In researching this I looked at several commentaries, some said that the question was directed to all of the disciples - with only Peter answering on their behalf, others said the question was directed only to Peter.

I had to agree that the first time the question was asked it was directed to all the disciples, but when the question is asked a second time I had always felt that the "YOU" was singular and addressed only to Peter. Looked at in this light - that is in the singular form - this question becomes as relevant to each of us today as it was to Peter more than 2000 years ago.

By questioning him, Jesus was endeavouring to establish the depth of Peter's faith - was it deep? How about us - is our faith deep enough to allow us to follow Peter's response of "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God"? Can we answer that question emphatically with "Jesus is the Son of God"?

Once Jesus has established the depth of Peter's faith he is able to go forward with his plan to metaphorically give Peter the keys of the kingdom. I can't imagine Jesus giving Peter a great bunch of keys and saying "Go open the gates of heaven!".

      No, Jesus would do that himself by his death, resurrection and ascension but he needed to be sure that the church he was establishing would be on a solid foundation so, in a way he was testing Peter to see where his faith lay. I think he continues to test us today to see where our faith lies - how do we feel about no longer having prayers in our schools? Are we really going to remove "In God We Trust" from our currency? Do we confess that Jesus is the Son of God and our Saviour? Does our church continue to be on a rock-solid foundation? What are we doing about these things? Do we just give these concerns lip-service?

      There are some interesting things for us to think about in the name PETER. I can become quite fascinated by the derivation of words - not by looking them up in the dictionary, but by my own process of elimination in looking at, and listening to, words - a skill we are fast losing in this electronic age!!

As an example - PETER in Greek is PETROS. Recently a friend wanted me to accompany her on a trip which included the ancient city of PETRA in Jordan - as I thought about that city formed in the rocky mountainside I wondered if PETRA could mean rock. Then in looking at that word I thought about PIETA - Michaelangelo's famous sculpture of Mary holding the crucified Christ - made of beautiful Carrara marble (more rock)!

Then I thought about PETRIFIED something that becomes rock-hard and probably immovable - I recalled a PETRIFIED DESERT that I had visited out West many years ago - there the trees which had fallen millennia earlier had turned into rocks. When we are petrified of something - often we cannot move, we become stone-like, rock-like.

      So, of course, Jesus would choose Peter as his solid foundation - his rock - perhaps privately he even called him "Rocky"! - I wonder if any gentlemen in the congregation named Peter are ever called "Rocky"?

       And now Jesus knows exactly how Peter feels about him - how deep his faith and trust are - in those few words Peter has told Jesus exactly what he wants to know and Jesus is comforted in knowing that he is leaving his church in good, safe, strong hands. Having his church on a rock-solid foundation.

Then we come to the binding and loosing what is that all about? Well "bind" and "loose" are technical rabbinic terms meaning "forbid" and "permit" - so the phrase becomes quite simple what is forbidden on earth is forbidden in heaven and what is permitted on earth is permitted in heaven. I am sure there are deeper theological meanings to this but, not being a theological scholar, I just want to keep it simple and in effect tell you how I see it. Sometimes we can get too complicated!

       In closing, I am going to ask all of you to work on the end of this sermon - did I tell you there was going to be homework?

I want you to think about why Jesus admonished his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ - surely this flies in the face of discipleship? Of spreading the Good News - are we not supposed to speak about Jesus and tell of how an "encounter" with him has affected our lives? But it wasn't the first time Jesus had cautioned his friends - for instance in the next chapter, Matthew 17, verse 9 - when they came down from the mountain following his transfiguration, he gave them a similar instruction. I wonder why he did that?

      Perhaps YOU can come up with some answers.

      Amen.

 

Sinh Hoạt Hội Th�nh

- Về vấn đề gi�p nạn đ�i ở Somalia, Phi Ch�u: Gi�o Phận Virginia v� Gi�o Hội Trung Ương k�u gọi qu� t�n hữu v� th�n hữu ở khắp nơi gi�p c�c nạn nh�n đ�i k�m ở Somalia, Phi Ch�u. V� số trẻ em đang chết đ�i, v� ho�n cảnh của người Somalia rất l� tang thương. Qu� anh chị em c� thể đ�ng g�p qua hệ thống internet (xin xem phần Anh Ngữ) hoặc viết chi phiếu cho Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church -- ở h�ng "memo" xin đề "Somalia." Chi phiếu hay tiền mặt c� thể đặt v�o dĩa tiền d�ng trong giờ thờ phượng. Nếu l� tiền mặt xin để v�o phong b�, v� b�n ngo�i đề chữ "Somalia." Chi phiếu cu~ng c� thể gởi về nh� thờ. Địa chỉ: Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church, 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042.   

 

- Mục Sư Tỉnh v� b� Kim-Anh đ� dự hội đồng EAM người Đ�ng Nam � tại St. Paul, Minnesota, từ ng�y 4 đến ng�y 7, th�ng 8, 2011. EAM, hay "Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry," l� tổ chức li�n hữu kết hợp t�n hữu v� mục sư người ch�u � thuộc gi�o hội ch�ng ta. Đề t�i của hội đồng l� "Thực H�nh Giao Ước B�p Tem trong Đời Sống H�ng Ng�y Bởi Ơn Ch�a." Năm nay, hội đồng quy tụ người Việt, người Cam Bốt v� người Hmong. Chương tr�nh gồm c� c�c b�i thuyết tr�nh v� buổi thực tập về đời sống phục vụ, l�nh đạo v� cầu nguyện h�ng ng�y. Mục Sư Tỉnh được mời giảng trong lễ thờ phượng tại nh� thờ Holy Apostles, St. Paul, v�o ng�y Ch�a Nhật. Trong b�i giảng, Mục Sư n�i rằng Thi�n Ch�a kh�ng loại bỏ bất cứ một người n�o. Holy Apostles l� một Hội Th�nh gồm người Hmong v� người Mỹ -- đa số l� người Hmong. Hiện nay Mục Sư Letha Wilson-Barnard chủ tọa Hội Th�nh đ�. C�ch đ�y khoảng 5 năm, Letha+ đ� đến thực tập tại Nh� Thờ Th�nh Patrick trong 3 th�ng, khi B� c�n l� sinh vi�n tại chủng viện Virginia. Lễ tại nh� thờ Holy Apostles d�ng 2 thứ tiếng: tiếng Anh v� tiếng Hmong; khi đến phần đọc b�i cầu nguyện của Ch�a, họ ng�m to�n b�i bằng tiếng Hmong. Gia đ�nh �ng b� Toua Vang, chủng sinh, đến từ nh� thờ n�i tr�n. 

  

 - Ch�c mừng gia đ�nh Mỹ Linh, Kiệt v� H�o Trần về sự ra đời của ch�u trai thứ nh� l� Anh-Minh "Matthew," v�o ng�y 6 th�ng 8, 2011. 

 

- Emma Resmini, nhạc sĩ s�o10 tuổi, sẽ tr�nh tấu trong lễ thờ phượng tại Saint Patrick v�o Ch�a Nhật tuần nầy. Emma sẽ tr�nh tấu nhạc của Bach v�o l�c d�ng hiến v� cuối lễ. Sau c�u giải t�n, xin qu� vị ngồi lại để nghe nhạc sĩ trẻ tuổi trổi kh�c ngh� thường. Từ khi rất nhỏ, Emma Resmini đ� được c�ng nhận l� nhạc sĩ thi�n ph�. Em đ� tr�nh tấu với c�c d�n nhạc Dallas Symphony, National Symphony v� Pittsburg Symphony, v� tr�nh tấu tr�n hệ thống National Public Radio của Hoa Kỳ. V�o năm 2009, Emma được mời tr�nh tấu tại đại hội nhạc sĩ chuy�n về s�o của Hoa Kỳ ở th�nh phố New York. Hồi th�ng tư 2011, Emma đ� tham dự buổi h�a nhạc gi�p nạn nh�n động đất v� s�ng thần Nhật Bản, tổ chức tại Nh� Thờ Th�nh Patrick.

 

- �ng Toua Vang, chủng sinh người Hmong sẽ ch�nh thức bắt đầu chương tr�nh tập sự tại Nh� Thờ Th�nh Patrick v�o th�ng 9 năm nay. Trong chương tr�nh Cao Học Mục Vụ m� �ng theo học tại Chủng Viện Virginia, mỗi sinh vi�n phải thực tập tại một nh� thờ Episcopal 2 ni�n kh�a.   Trong thời gian thực tập, �ng Toua sẽ giảng mỗi th�ng một lần v� họp với ủy ban chủng sinh. Ủy ban nầy do Mục Sư Tỉnh phối hợp, gồm c�c qu� anh chị em trong Hội Th�nh. Chủng sinh sẽ l� mục sư v� người l�nh đạo nh�m nầy, v� c�c th�nh vi�n hỗ trợ cho chủng sinh trong sự chia xẻ g�p �. Đ�y l� dịp cho c�c t�n hữu học biết th�m về Hội Th�nh, nhất l� hiểu tiến tr�nh k�u gọi v� huấn luyện người ra l�m Mục Sư. Mục Sư Tỉnh đ� c� được 4 t�n hữu tham dự v�o ủy ban, hiện cần c� th�m 3 hoặc 4 người nữa. Mục Sư hoan ngh�nh bất cứ ai muốn tham dự. Xin cho Mục Sư Tỉnh biết nếu qu� vị muốn biết th�m về mục vụ của ủy ban nầy.   Trong m�a h� vừa qua, �ng Toua Vang v� gia đ�nh đ� về thăm nh� tại St. Paul, Minnesota. Trong suốt 2 th�ng rưỡi, �ng đ� ho�n tất chương tr�nh huấn luyện CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) tại một nh� thương ở Minneapolis. Tất cả c�c sinh vi�n chuẩn bị l�m Mục Sư phải ho�n tất chương tr�nh đ�.

 

- Trường Ch�a Nhật tại Nh� Thờ Th�nh Patrick sẽ bắt đầu v�o ng�y Ch�a Nhật, 11 th�ng 9.   B� Maggie Spinelli sẽ tiếp tục l� phối hợp vi�n, v� B� sẽ li�n lạc với qu� vị phụ huynh v� những người t�nh nguyện gi�p c�c em học Lời Ch�a.

 

- H�ng năm, v�o đầu th�ng 9, Nh� Thờ ch�ng ta quy�n tặng giấy b�t v� c�c học cụ cho c�c em nh� ngh�o thuộc Trường Tiểu Học Westlawn. Ch�ng ta sẽ để một c�i hộp ở ph�ng narthex, v� xin qu� vị mang đến nh� thờ những thứ như sau: keo d�n Elmer's, viết ch� m�u, tập vở v� giấy, vv (xin xem phần Anh Ngữ -- chi tiết ở đ� r� r�ng hơn). Việc trợ gi�p nầy nhắc ch�ng ta hai điều: thứ nhất, trẻ em ở Hoa Kỳ may mắn hơn trẻ em ở nhiều nước kh�c -- điều nầy khiến ch�ng ta li�n tưởng đến sự ch�nh lệch ở Việt Nam, giữa thiểu số trẻ em gi�u (qu� ph� phạm) v� đa số trẻ em ngh�o (qu� thiếu thốn về mọi mặt). Thứ hai, ngay tại Hoa Kỳ c� rất nhiều trẻ em ngh�o đ�i.

 

-   V�o ng�y Ch�a Nhật, 9 th�ng 11, 2011, sẽ c� một buổi lễ tưởng niệm c�c nạn nh�n của vụ khủng bố c�ch đ�y 10 năm, tại Nh� Thờ Th�nh Patrick, l�c 5 giờ chiều. K�nh mời qu� vị tham dự.

 

- Ch�ng ta tạ ơn Ch�a về sự an to�n của t�n hữu v� nh� thờ trong cuộc động đất vừa qua. Ch�ng ta cầu nguyện cho sự an to�n của th�n nh�n v� tất cả mọi người ở v�ng biển ph�a đ�ng Hoa Kỳ, trong cơn b�o Irene đang tới.

 

- Ch�ng ta tạ ơn Ch�a về sự l�nh bệnh của c�c em Madison Trout v� Morgan Wyatt, v� sự tiến triển về sức khỏe của cụ b� Margaret Mills sau cơn đột quỵ. Gia đ�nh của c�c t�n hữu n�i tr�n c�m ơn  tất cả c�c qu� vị đ� cầu nguyện cho c�c người bệnh.


T�m Tắt Kinh Văn Ch�a Nhật Vừa Qua

 

Niềm tin Kit� Gi�o khẳng định rằng Đức Ch�a Trời đ� c� lần ở giữa trần gian sinh hoạt với lo�i người. Ch�ng ta c� một Đấng để cầu xin khi cần, giống như trẻ con xin cha mẹ. Những người c�n cha c�n mẹ thường qu�n rằng m�nh may mắn. Ch�ng ta c� thể hay qu�n rằng m�nh c� Ch�a.

            Mục đ�ch của Ph�c �m Mathiơ l� để cho ch�ng ta biết Ch�a vẫn hằng ở c�ng con người, v� biết Đức Gi�su l� ai. Kh�ng phải chỉ c� thế.  Mathiơ c�n c� mục đ�ch dạy người t�n hữu về c�ch sống theo sự dạy dỗ của Ch�a.

            Đoạn Kinh Văn h�m nay kể truyện �ng Phierơ xưng nhận Ch�a. Đức Gi�su c� nhiều m�n đệ, v� c� 12 người theo Ch�a rất gần -- c� lẽ người viết s�ch Ph�c �m đặt số 12 để ti�u biểu cho mười hai chi tộc Do Th�i, với ba người th�n t�n nhất: Phierơ, Gia Cơ v� Giăng. Phierơ l� người n�ng t�nh, bộp chộp.  Phierơ từng xin Ch�a cho m�nh đi tr�n mặt nước, v� �ng thấy Đức Gi�su đi tr�n mặt biển.  Phierơ tuốt gươm ch�m đứt tai một người thuộc phe bắt Ch�a. L�c Ch�a bị xử, Phierơ đứng b�n ngo�i v� khi bị chỉ ra l� người của Gi�su, �ng chối Ch�a. Bao giờ Phierơ cu~ng l� người ph�t biểu � kiến trước.

            Trong đoạn Kinh Văn nầy, Đức Gi�su hỏi c�c m�n đệ người đời nghĩ Ch�a l� ai. C�c m�n đệ l�ng t�ng, v� ch�nh họ kh�ng biết r� Đức Gi�su l� ai. Thần hay l� người thường? Quả thực l� Ng�i kh�ng thể l� một người thường. Lời giảng của Ng�i qu� lạ l�ng. Ng�i n�i những điều kh�n ngoan m� họ chưa từng nghe. Ng�i chữa bệnh, đuổi quỷ, v� thi thố quyền năng tr�n cả thi�n nhi�n. Nhưng bảo l� thần th� sao được? Nếu l� thần th� tại sao c� th�n x�c như người thường? Kh�ng những Ng�i chỉ c� lời n�i nghi�m nghị m� c�n cả c� l�c kh�i h�i nữa. Người xưa trong x� hội Do Th�i v� Hy Lạp tin rằng c�c vĩ nh�n thời cổ c� thể t�i xuất hiện. V� vậy, khi Ch�a hỏi người thế gian nghĩ Ng�i l� ai, c�c m�n đệ tr�nh rằng người ta n�i Ch�a l� �ng ti�n tri �li t�i xuất hiện, hay l� �ng Giăng B�p T�t bị giết đ� sống lại.   Ch�a bảo: Người đời n�i thế, c�n c�c anh gọi Thầy l� ai? Phierơ n�i ngay: Thầy l� Đấng M�-si-a, l� Đấng Cư� Thế, l� Con Đức Ch�a Trời. Qu� ngạc nhi�n, Đức Gi�su bảo: nầy anh Phierơ, kh�ng phải c� ai tr�n đời nầy cho anh biết điều anh vừa n�i, m� do thần linh trong l�ng anh đ� cho biết. Nếu Ch�a kh�ng cho ta biết Ng�i ta sẽ kh�ng bao giờ gặp Ng�i. �n sủng lớn lao như thế nhiều lần ta l�ng qu�n coi thường. Thay v� nhờ cậy Ch�a, ch�ng ta nhờ cậy v� theo đuổi biết bao điều kh�c m� đời hiến tặng. Lời ph�t biểu của Phierơ bao h�m � rằng "Thầy l� Ch�a Trời đang đứng b�n cạnh con, v� con kh�ng sợ h�i bất cứ điều g�, v� con thuộc về Ch�a v� Ch�a l� của con. Con kh�ng c�n l� mồ c�i nữa."

            Niềm tin Kit�-gi�o l� niềm tin đặc biệt: Đức Ch�a Trời đ� đến v� ở c�ng ch�ng ta m�i m�i. Chữ "Kit�," phi�n �m từ Hy Lạp "Christos," hay l� Đấng Được Ch�a Xức Dầu, nghĩa l� Đấng Cứu Thế. Ch�nh v� tin chắc Ch�a c� mặt b�n m�nh, ch�ng ta c� hy vọng cho đời nầy v� cả đời sau. Cho d� c� bất cứ việc g� xảy ra, ch�ng ta vẫn tin chắc Đức Kit� kh�ng bỏ m�nh. Niềm tin ấy đ� gi�p bao người vượt qua được kh� khăn, d� cho cả khi bị bắt bớ t� đ�y. T�c giả Thi Thi�n 138, b�i Thi Thi�n ch�ng ta đọc h�m nay n�i rằng mặc d� �ng đi giữa gian tru�n Ch�a bảo vệ �ng trước sự thạnh nộ của c�c qu�n th�, v� Ch�a đưa tay ra giải cứu �ng: Ch�a sẽ ho�n th�nh mục đ�ch của Ch�a cho cuộc đời của �ng, v� t�nh thương kh�ng lay chuyển của Ch�a c�n đến đời đời.

            C�u hỏi cho ch�ng ta l� ch�ng ta phải sống như thế n�o khi cảm nhận sự hiện diện của Ch�a v� biết Đức Kit� l� ai? �ng Phao L�, trong thư gởi cho c�c t�n hữu th�nh La M� n�i rằng ch�ng ta n�n d�ng ch�nh m�nh l�m một của lễ sống v� th�nh, đẹp l�ng Đức Ch�a Trời. �ng cu~ng khuy�n ch�ng ta đừng l�m theo đời nầy song phải đổi mới trong lời n�i, h�nh động v� tư tưởng để xứng hợp với tư c�ch người l�m m�n đệ Đức Kit�. C�u n�i của Phierơ xưng nhận Đức Gi�su l� Đấng Cư� Thế ch�nh l� nền tảng x�y dựng đời t�m linh của ch�ng ta.

 

Thank you for reading this newsletter. 
May God bless and keep you, and may God grant us peace. 

 

The Rev. Tinh T. Huynh

Vicar of Saint Patrick's Church