A HALF CUP OF INSPIRATION WITH FR. TAT:

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-33)

One of the comments I’ve received when I moved to St. Gerard’s in Baton Rouge to work for the next four years is “Fr. Tat, you will be close to your family. You can go to New Orleans every week to visit your Mom and your family.” That is true and not true.

It is true because yes, it is much more convinient to drive home to see Mommy in New Orleans. It takes me only one hour and 30 minutes. I will enjoy Mom’s food more easily compared with the last times when I stationed in Chicago and New York City.

But it is not true because I am a Redemptorist missionary. I belong to everyone. Wherever I am sent, I call it home for myself. Every parishioner is part of my family. I cannot go “home” to see my Mom whenever I want to. My Mom has sacrificed me for God and God’s people. She’s offered me to God to serve the Church since I entered into the Redemptorist formation in 1998.

The most difficult cross for those who want to follow Jesus is not about the cross of family but the cross of their own. Mom, Dad and family may pass on. But our own cross never goes away. It stays with us until we die. The late Vietnamese Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan wrote in Road of Hope, “If you do not give up your own self, you will eventually collect everything you gave up back to yourself.”

Who wants to become Jesus’ disciple? To follow Jesus we need to dedicate our whole life and intention. There is no distraction. There is no “maybe” or “50-50” or “one day per week”. It takes daily practices and discipline. We do not need to go to seminary or convent to become Jesus’ disciples. You can be a great disciple of Jesus where you are and with the people you live and work. Be generous and grateful to all. May we all believe in Jesus and follow him.

– Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

A HALF CUP OF INSPIRATION WITH Fr. TAT

My child, conduct your affairs with humility,  and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God. (Sirach 3:17-18)

Happy Labor Day Holiday to all!

Labor day is a holy day. It is a sacred day. And I hope everyone has a chance to rest and to celebrate with your families, loved ones and friends. Working is necessary and essential in our lives. St. Paul said, “Those who do not work should not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). However, resting is also important for our health, happiness and holiness. “God rested on the seventh day” (Genesis 2:2).

The book of Sirach taught us about the outcomes of the humility of our activities, works and relationships. If we conduct our affairs with humility and gratitude, we will be loved more than a giver of gifts. A humble person will be great and find favor with God.

Many times we work and work for the sake of survival and temporary security. Some don’t even find joy and meaning in what they are doing. Saint Alphonsus said, “If you can find a right vocation for yourself, you will have eternal happiness.”

I am so glad to “work” at St. Gerard Majella community. I felt at home and happy here when I arrived. I felt a warm welcome like my own sisters and brothers. I do not feel that I am “working”. I feel like I just “live out” my call, my life and God’s mission with the people that God has sent to me everyday. I enjoy it very much.

I pray and wish that God continuously blesses all the workers: Constructors, doctors, nurses, scientists, teachers, janitors, bus drivers, bookkeepers, employers and employees, farmers, first responders, students, mothers and fathers. Because of them, we are here today.

I personally thank all parishioners of St. Gerard’s, especially ushers, altar servers, lectors, parish and finance councils, secretary, bookkeeper, groundskeeper, our cook and cleaners, for working very hard to sustain our community. May we all find joy, meaning and blessing in all things we do.

Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Gerard’s Parish,

Your pastor has asked me to write the reflection this week. Not sure my words, like Fr. Tat will be “A Half Cup of Inspiration” maybe more, maybe less. A chance I take. This I know. My 23 years in the parish was somewhat surprising. Arrived in Baton Rouge from the Crescent City in August 1996 from the then viceprovincial residence, which moved from New Orleans to the “Red Stick”. Came with the community of four other members, two priests and two brothers.

My first year was difficult. I knew no one, so there was no connection. Not until I was asked to become involved in the high school retreat program. I then found myself visiting the students of Redemptorist Diocesan High School, as well as the children at St Gerard Elementary during religion classes. Working with the principals at both sites was a joy. And for the students you know what is said about them, “working with the young keeps one young“. This wasn’t the reason for staying with them. But found out it works. LOL.

Ministering over the years as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister brought me closer to the sick, the elderly and the dying in their homes, as well as in nursing homes.

But it’s time to move on I found our from my Redemptorist superior. I will move on to Houston. But with my new assignment the happy memories of what so many have done over the years come along. These will be packed and taken as well. The nice things like baking brownies, sewing a rip shirt, being invited to their home, never forgetting my birthday, preparing a plate of red beans and rice (only in Louisiana), driving to someone’s home to bring Holy Communion, inviting to have lunch at their favorite restaurant (only in Tigerland). And so many more. What others offer as acts of kindness. God bless those whose path I have crossed, and those who have crossed my path.

A wise person once said, “You don’t have to go far to find the best things in life”. May I add, all the best people. We find them where God places us at each stage of life. I found them right here in South Louisiana, in North Baton Rouge, in St. Gerard’s Parish, and not too far from Plank Road.

May our dear Mother of Perpetual Help cover you with her holy mantle.

– Br. Clement

A HALF CUP OF INSPIRATION WITH FR. TAT:

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”  (Luke 12:49-53)

Everyone always wishes for peace. No one wants war, conflict and division.

Jesus announced, “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” What did Jesus mean? Did Jesus bless us with all the bad and difficult things in life? – No.

Jesus always wants the best for us. Maybe he wants us a different kind of peace, the real true peace within, not the false peace of empty noises. He wants us the peace of joy, justice and inclusiveness.

Some of us appear to be very peaceful from outside, look very nice and friendly, talk very politely, but they already picked and chose the fixed way of judging other groups of people. They are so discriminated. They are so exclusive. They are so rigid and close-minded. There is no “gray” part, only “black or white”. There is no “both-and” argument, only “either-or” statement. This type of peace is only the peace of a subgroup.

Catholicism, the Church of Jesus Christ, is the religion of inclusiveness, forgiveness and everyone. Jesus invites everyone to come to his Father, especially the sinners, the poor, and the marginalized. If we keep our own definition of exclusive peace, we will divide among ourselves again and again. We never find unity, healing and true peace.

What a blessing for us to be able to worship and work together in diversity here. May we, the St. Gerard Majella Community, live up to Jesus’ command and spirit so that we can truly promote the peace of joy, justice and inclusiveness here and now.

– Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

A HALF CUP OF INSPIRATION WITH FR. TAT:

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32-48)

These days, Jesus reminds his disciples about their daily life as well as eternal life. “Do not be afraid any longer.” What are we worring the most these days in our lives?

The tragedy is that we are worrying about our short temporary needs while God “is pleased to give us the kingdom.” The whole kingdom God will give us. We constantly run and work, compete and compare, control and play politics to gain some power and benefit from one another. Some even are willing to attack or kill others to get what they desire for. The question here is: “Are we still believing that God gives us the kingdom?” Our fears will influence and control our thinking, actions and future destiny.

If we allow God to decide and plan for our lives, we will be free from all anxieties and unnecessary fears. We will be free for expressing our strength, friendship, love, joy, and need. We will be free to give, to serve, to pray and to live everyday.

I wish and pray that each one of us will develop a faith with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus so that we, as a whole community of St. Gerard, freely live, work and pray together everyday.

Let’s pray for all students as they prepare to go back to school with good health, happiness and enthusiasm. May all teachers be blessed with wisdom, courage and generosity to serve young people to discern God’s gifts in their lives. And may God bless us eternal joy now and forever.

Prayerfully,

Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

A HALF CUP OF INSPIRATION WITH FR. TAT

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:1-12; 17-20

Dear disciples of Christ,

“Who are the disciples of Christ?” You might ask. You are; I am; and we are the disciples of Christ.We are called and sent to be disciples of mercy, forgiveness and love. Jesus called and sent seventy-two disciples to go out, to preach the good news, to heal the sick and to pray with the poor and abandoned.

We should be so proud and happy because God invites each one of us personally by name. The most joyful and rejoicing news is: “Our names are written in heaven.” Today, we should celebrate our vocation as baptized Christians. We are called to be holy and to share God’s blessings with everyone without condition and without border.

What a privilege to work with God and for God in the vinyard. “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” I would like to invite youpersonally to reflect on your gifts, availability and time to see if you can work in the following ministries at St. Gerard’s community:

• Finance council (internal dimension)
• Parish council (external dimension)
• Sacraments team (spiritual dimension)
• Giving Communion to the sick and homebound
• Youth and young adults
• Extraordinary ministers (Lectors, Ushers, Altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, choir)
• Catechists
• Bible study
• Helping the homeless or poor
• Interfaith dialouge
• Counting collection money
• Alumni
• Cleaning the church, chapel and office.
• Bingo
• Prayer group

I thank God for your great generosity to St. Gerard’s Church. I am glad to share with you a picute of Mary Ann visiting Ms. Kim and giving her Communion every Thursday. May God continue to bless us with joy and grace to generously share God’s blessings with others around us.

Gratefully,

Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

A Half Cup of Inspiration with Fr. Tat :

“Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:1-13

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

St. Alphonsus Liguori, Founder of the Redemptorist and Doctor of the Church, taught, “No Prayer no salvation.” The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. My primal profession as a priest and a Redemptorist minssionary is to pray. With gratitude and joyfulness, I pray “Give us each day our daily bread.” And indeed, I’ve received abundantly everyday blessings upon blessings from the Lord through all of you and events.

I have come here to serve at St. Gerard Majella Church – A Redemptorist Family for only three weeks. However, I felt like I have been here for a long time. We meet. We laugh. We exchange stories. We celebrate. We care and share together. Especially, we prepared together for the Blue Mass last Sunday to honor our First Responders. And it went so so well. I personally thank each one of you to join together to make this event so honarable and beautiful.

God has blessed and guided me everyday. I have no fears. I remember my dad used to teach me how to pray. He always prayed to God everyday saying, “Give us each day our daily bread.” He never asked God for more than he needed each day. He entrusted his family to God with this prayer. God takes care of his family of 6 children (5 boys and 1 girl). We all are grown up and successful now. I am grateful to my parents, family and friends.

Life is beautiful. And life is full of surprises. If we keep ourselves open and trust in the Lord, we never lack of God’s blessings and guidance.

Instead of asking for more from God, we might need to recollect ourselves to give God thanks for so many blessings in our lives through our family, work, faith community and friendship. Gratitude is the foundation of prayers.

Gratefully,

Fr. Tat Hoang, C.Ss.R.

“He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord” (Psalm 15).

 We thank God for our Governor, Mayors and all First Responders for working so tirelessly last week to make sure all citizens and families protected from the tropical storm Barry.

This Sunday is a special Sunday for St. Gerard’s community. We have a blessed opportunity to celebrate the “Blue Mass” to care, share and pray together for the First Responders, living and diseased, in our community, city, state and country. These First Responders are our police officers, firefighters, EMS, military men and women, coast guards, security officers, chaplains of hospitals, doctors and nurses. They are secretly and tirelessly working for the sake of the common good of all citizens and families. My first and last words for them are: “THANK YOU.”

“He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.” This phrase is from the Responsorial Psalm today. The First Responders are the ones who are called and sent to do justice in our society today. They represent justice. They keep us safe. How many times we believe that they live in the presence of God and God is with them always?

We live in the world in which people live so much in fear, suspicion and doubt. We do not easily trust one another. We constantly run fact check to find “the truth”. Unfortunately, we are cautious for everything. If we live justly, we should not be so worried.

Justice of God is not only about right from wrong, but also about hospitality, compassion, wisdom, common sense and trust. Abraham and his wife Sarah, in the first reading today, invited three strange men to rest and eat at their home because they saw them in need. In contrary, these three men blessed them back with the abundant grace of God to have the firstborn baby after a long time yearning.

The ultimate justice is: We all need God’s grace, blessing and even forgiveness in our lives.

May we all live and do justice. May the presence of God be with each one of us. May God bless our First Responders and our families with abundant peace, protection and love.

– Fr. Tat