Spring/Lent 2020 

Dear Friends in Christ,

Lent is a holy and beautiful season of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. We embark on a forty day of spiritual journey to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter by commemorating the Paschal Mystery of Christ's passion, death and resurrection.
 
We who are baptized followers of Jesus are called to refocus our daily lives on the important truths of our faith. We recognize our shortcomings and our need to respond more faithfully to the challenges of the Gospel. On Ash Wednesday we received the ashes in the form of a cross, reminding us that the Lenten penitential season is a journey that ends with Easter Resurrection.
 
Our Holy Father, in this year's Lenten message, asks that we ponder the supplication from Second Corinthians: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Cor 5:20) Pope Francis urges us to reflect on the great Mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, so that we rediscover the roots of our conversion.
 
Reconciliation is essential for our relationship with God. It begins with repentance, the need to turn away from sin, change the course of our lives and turn to God. It opens our hearts to God's mercy, forgiveness and salvation, made possible through the Paschal Mystery, the very foundation of Christian life. The challenge for us is to make needed changes, not only on the surface or for show, but deep down inside. Indeed, God generously offers us forgiveness and showers us with His divine love.
 
The pillars of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, help conversion take root in our lives. Our fasting can help us feel the physical hunger that reminds us of our need for God. Our prayer bridges a stronger relationship with God our Father and opens our hearts to know His plan for us. Through the alms we give for the least of our brothers and sisters we are giving to Christ himself. (Mt. 25:45). Indeed, Lent offers us the opportunity to free ourselves from the culture of accumulating more and instead share in a spirit of love to help others.
 
Let us journey together this Lenten Season and seek reconciliation with Christ. "Repent and believe in the Gospel," that we may celebrate God's gift of new life Easter brings.
 
Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, D.D.
Bishop of Salt Lake City
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Islanders Affairs  
News
  1.  USCCB Statements on Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued a reflection and prayer;Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued a statement; and, in response to news of progression of COVID-19 outbreaks in other parts of the world, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on International Justice and Peace, issued a statement with Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Health Association of the United States that addressed the Catholic response to the outbreak.
2. ECH:API and the Art of Storytelling- Read an article by Jayne Mondoy about how the Diocese of Honolulu has implemented Encountering Christ in Harmony: A Pastoral Response to Our Asian and Pacific-Island Brothers and Sisters.

3. Read the articles about the Encountering Christ in Harmony Asian and Pacific Island Track that took place during the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress (LAREC).
Upcoming Events
Visit our News and Events page for links and PDF's. 
  • May 2020 - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
  • May 2, 2020 -  The 18th Annual Asian and Pacific Island Catholics Marian Pilgrimage  will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. This annual event brings together many Asian and Pacific Island Catholic communities to celebrate their heritage and Marian devotions. Most Rev. William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, will be the main celebrant and homilist. *Please check back with us - this date may change.*
  • May 24, 2020 - Day of Prayer for the Church in China.
  • July 23-26, 2020 - July 23-26, 2020 - Journeying Together: A National Intercultural Encounter for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults will be held at John Carroll University in Cleveland, OH. For more information about this event, please visit the website: www.usccb.org/journey2020
Resources 

Rooted in Tradition: The Chamorro Catholics in the United States (Product Code 7-572) - A new edition to the small book series about a people indigenous to the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific, the Chamorros have a strong Catholic heritage, which they brought with them to the United States.








Resettling in Place: A Vietnamese American Catholic Experience  (Product Code 7-480) - This small book is a snapshot description about a community who rebuilt their faith life by sustaining family values, culture, and Catholic devotional practices.









Harmony in Faith: Korean American Catholics (Product Code 7-479) - This small book on Korean American Catholics connects each believer to their roots in Korea, weaving through thick layers of their history of faith.









Product Code 7-606) - This pastoral letter against racism the US Catholic bishops call on fellow clergy and all Catholics to help change racist attitudes and acts to conform to the moral order established by God, in which men and women of all races are honored as brothers and sisters.