Cardinal Wuerl Celebrates Lunar New Year Mass for Vietnamese Community
“…as we celebrate the Year of Faith and begin this new year, we pledge ourselves to continuously renew our faith and call upon God to strengthen our faith and pour out his grace on us so that we can always remain strong in our belief.”
February 10, 2013
Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington celebrated Mass at Our Lady of Vietnam in Silver Spring to mark the start of the Lunar New Year on Sunday, February 10. At the beginning of Mass, Cardinal Wuerl wished the standing-room crowd who had assembled at the annual Mass a blessed new year as he recognized the pastor, Rev. An Vu and parochial vicar, Rev. Tam Tran and thanked them for their ministry and service to the parish.
In his homily, Cardinal Wuerl said, “How appropriate that we would begin this new year as our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, calls us to celebrate a Year of Faith. To help us celebrate this unique year and strengthen our faith, the Pope calls on us to focus our attention prayerfully and thoughtfully on the Creed.” Cardinal Wuerl explained because the Creed is a summary of who Jesus is and what he does, it is a compact statement of belief. Faith, and an increase of faith, said the Cardinal, can only come to us as a grace from God. “We are free to accept the gift of faith or reject it, to cultivate it or neglect it. Thus, we who are gathered at this celebration of the New Year begin by asking God to increase our faith.”
The Cardinal concluded his homily by reminding the faithful that in the coming week, the Church would begin Lent with Ash Wednesday, the reminder that God’s mercy is always present and available to us. “How providential that the New Year would coincide with the season in the Church set apart to recall God’s generosity to us in his mercy and His forgiveness,” he said.
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The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 600,000 Catholics living in Washington, DC, and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
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