Dear Holy Trinity Family,

It has been one week that Fr. John Baptist Baalaboore went back to the UK after staying 51 days with us. When he left last Sunday after 9:00am Mass, he told me that he not only had a wonderful time here in Los Angeles but also had been very impressed with the kindness and generosity of many parishioners. He wanted me to tell you that he would not forget his time with Holy Trinity community, and he would remember all of us in his prayers. With his staying with us, I have been so grateful that he celebrated many Masses for Holy Trinity priests. I am sure many of us already miss him very much. On behalf of Fr. John, I would like to say “Thank you” for your hospitality that you showed to him. I told him that Holy Trinity is always open to welcome him anytime. He may come back next year. Who knows what? When I invited him to come again, he did not say no. Upon his arrival in the UK safely next day, he sent me a text message and wanted me to pass it on to you. “Dear Holy Trinity, I have arrived in London safely. And I just want to say a big thank you to you for the warm welcome and hospitality you gave me in Los Angeles. I shall always treasure those moments in my heart. May God bless and reward you abundantly. I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. May God bless all! - Fr. John Baptist.”

I would like to thank those families who participated in the Food Drive for Thanksgiving Day. We have collected a good amount of food items and donated to a local Charity group through the Holy Trinity School. I am sure our caring for the poor is more than what we give materially; we gave them a sense of hope and love. Now our parish is doing the Toy Drive for Christmas. Last year we collected a lot of toys and were able to donate them to Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in South Los Angeles. This year I will select another inner-city parish in that area and donate whatever toys we collect. In advance, I say “Thank you” on behalf of those kids who get your loving gifts. Let us show them Santa Claus is real!

The Season of Advent is a time of anticipation and preparation. Meanwhile we prepare ourselves in hope, we need to remember that we are still in the Jubilee Year of Hope until next year of Epiphany of the Lord that the Holy Father Leo will officially celebrate its closer on the Solemnity of Epiphany, January 6, 2026. When our late Holy Father Pope Francis declared the Year of Hope, he said “In the course of the year, every effort should be made to enable the People of God to participate fully in its proclamation of hope in God’s grace and in the sings that attest to their efficacy.” I think our Advent is the perfect time to bring a sense of hope not only to ourselves but also to others. Let us remain hopeful in God despite of many challenges and difficulties we encounter everyday of our life.

May God bless all of us that we may be open to the grace, which the Baby Jesus brings to the world!

In Christ,

Fr. Brian