Praying through the Sacraments, Learning through Religious Education, Caring through Pastoral Care.

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1 February 25, Second Sunday of Lent CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY MISSION STATEMENT We are a praying, learning and caring community fulfilling the mission God gives us in baptism by our worship in faith, by our witness in hope and by our service in love. Praying through the Sacraments, Learning through Religious Education, Caring through Pastoral Care. Very Reverend Monsignor Richard F. Duncanson, Pastor (rfduncanson@nativitycatholic.org) , ext. 4 Parish Office Mailing Address Post Office Box 8770 Rancho Santa Fe, CA Deacon Jim Walsh (jwalsh@nativitycatholic.org) Church & School Location 6309 El Apajo Road Rancho Santa Fe, CA Mr. Paul Parker Principal, The Nativity School (pparker@nativitymail.org) The Nativity School Mailing Address Post Office Box 9180 Rancho Santa Fe, CA

2 Page Two Church of the Nativity February 25, 2018 MASS INTENTIONS FEB 24TH MARCH 2ND SATURDAY 5:00 PM Ana Jackson, Special Intention SUNDAY 7:30 AM Jim Raymond, RIP 9:00 AM For All Parishioners 10:30 AM Georgina Reyes, RIP MONDAY 8:00 AM Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Neil Powers, RIP TUESDAY 8:00 AM Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Alice & Joe Lamberger, Special Intention WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 John Guaraglia, RIP THURSDAY 8:00 AM Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Adeline Motta, RIP FRIDAY 8:00 AM Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, Agnes Vance, RIP Clergy Schedule Saturday, 5:00 pm Fr. Duncanson Sunday, 7:30 am Sunday, 9:00 am Fr. Duncanson Fr. Timone Sunday, 10:30 am Fr. Duncanson / Dcn.Walsh T R S S L First Reading The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith (Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18). Psalm I walk before the Lord, in the land of the living (Psalm 116). Second Reading God did not spare his own Son (Romans 8:31b-34). Gospel This is my beloved Son (Mark 9:2-10). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. During Lent, Mass begins with a procession, in which the response Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned is repeated between verses of Psalm 51, the Miserere Mei. The text of the Offertory is from the Book of Hours, a medieval illuminated manuscript of texts, prayers and psalms to form a reference for Catholic worship and devotion. The music for this setting is by John Rutter: God be in my head, and in my understanding. God be in my eyes, and in my looking. God be in my mouth and in my speaking. God be in my heart and in my thinking. God be at my end, and at my departing. The Communion begins with the motet O nata lux by Cristian Gentilini, born in 1974 in Bologna, Italy: O Light born of Light, Jesus, redeemer of the world, with kindness deign to receive the praise and prayer of suppliants. You who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost, grant us to be made members of your blessed body. The second piece is a chorus from the oratorio The Creation, an oratorio describing the process by which God created the world by Franz Joseph Haydn ( ). It was composed in his latter years following his long service as court conductor and composer to the noble Esterhazy family, was and inspired by a journey to London, during which Haydn saw the stars through a telescope for the first time while crossing the Channel. The text is: The heavens are telling the glory of God, the wonder of his works displays the firmament. In the all the land resounds the word, never unperceived, ever understood. The third piece is by Martin Shaw, the text attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi ( ) an Italian mystic and preacher, who founded the Order of the Franciscans. Francis was born to a prominent businessman, who did not want his son to be a man of the Church. He was also known for drinking and enjoying the company of his many friends, who were usually the sons of nobles. One day, he found himself out having fun with his friends when a beggar came along and asked for alms. While his friends ignored the beggar's cries, Francis gave the man everything he had in his pockets. His friends quickly chided and mocked him for his stupidity, and when he got home, his father scolded him in a rage. In 1204 a serious illness started a spiritual crisis; he had left enlist in the army, but on his way, in Spoleto, a strange vision made him return to Assisi, deepening his spiritual crisis. He spent much time in lonely places, asking God for enlightenment. After a pilgrimage to Rome, where he begged at the church doors for the poor, he claimed to have had a mystical experience in the Church of San Damiano just outside of Assisi, in which the Icon of Christ Crucified came alive and said to him three times, "Francis, Francis, go and repair my house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins." He thought this to mean the very ruined church in which he was presently praying, and so sold his horse together with some cloth from his father's store, to assist the priest there for this purpose. The rest is history. In 1209 Francis led his first eleven followers to Rome to seek permission from Pope Innocent III to found a new religious order. At first his attempt to speak with the Pontiff was refused, but the following night, Innocent is said to have seen the church crumbling apart in a dream and a poor man appearing to hold it up. The next morning, he changed his verdict. Around 1220 Francis celebrated Christmas by setting up the first Nativity scene, using live animals. He was later pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX.

3 Page Three Church of the Nativity February 25, 2018 Take Up the Lenten Journey with Enthusiasm, Sustained by Almsgiving, Fasting and Prayer Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer. In his message for Lent, Pope Francis urged people to renew their enthusiasm for the faith, using this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as an opportunity to stoke the flame of charity in their heart. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew. At the Easter Vigil, we will light the Easter candle, he said, explaining how it symbolizes a new fire, and will slowly overcome the darkness and illuminate the liturgical assembly. May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds, he continued. By listening to God s word and drawing nourishment from the table of the Eucharist, may our hearts be ever more ardent in faith, hope and love. Seeing the problems in the world and within ourselves, the solution is to turn to the Church, Pope Francis said, because along with the truth, she offers us in the Lenten season the soothing remedy of prayer, almsgiving and fasting. Almsgiving: One of the biggest obstacles to charity, he continued, is the evil of greed of money, which is what almsgiving helps to counteract. How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us! the Pope said. How I would like us, as Christians, to follow the example of the Apostles and see in the sharing of our possessions a tangible witness of the communion that is ours in the Church! Almsgiving is very fitting during Lent, he continued, but added that he hopes that even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assistance, we would see such requests as coming from God himself. Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, are intended as instruments to fight both sin within ourselves and its effect on the world. Almsgiving is a way of setting us free from greed, acknowledging that what I possess is never mine alone. Fasting: In fasting, too, we are given the opportunity to grow, he said, both by experiencing the hunger that many people around the world experience daily, and by expressing our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbor. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger, he said. Prayer: He explained that devoting more time to prayer also helps us to root out vice from our hearts and to find consolation in God, who is our Father and who wants us to live life well Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life, the Pope said. With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. God bless you! Fr. Richard Duncanson, Pastor (rfduncanson@nativitycatholic.org)

4 Page Four Church of the Nativity February 25, 2018 Next Nativity Men s Group March 1 Speaker: Bishop John Dolan Topic: Abide in My Love Bishop John Dolan is a San Diego native and grew up in Clairemont. He was educated in local Catholic schools at St. Mary Magdalene parish and University High School, before attending St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor s degree in Philosophy. He continued his studies at St. Patrick s Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif., where he earned Master s degrees in Divinity and Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1989 by Bishop Leo T. Maher, and has served as a priest in the Diocese of San Diego for nearly 29 years. He began as an associate pastor at St. Michael s parish in Paradise Hills and Santa Sophia in Spring Valley, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Oceanside, St. Rose of Lima in Chula Vista, and at St. Michael s in Poway. Most recently serving at St. John the Evangelist in San Diego, and St. Vincent de Paul parish in Mission Hills. He was ordained as bishop on June 8, In his role, Auxiliary Bishop Dolan serves as Vicar General, Moderator of the Curia, and Vicar for Clergy at the Pastoral Center, assisting Bishop Robert McElroy in administering the diocese and overseeing the assignment of priests and clergy at 98 parishes. His episcopal motto is, "Abide in my love". Join us for a night of Faith, Fellowship, Food, and Inspiration Where: Church of the Nativity Chapel When: Thursday, March 1, 6:00 8:00 PM Note: (Meeting begins in small chapel at back of the courtyard) Dinner deliciously prepared by Chef Hubert Lorenz Culinary Wizard ( Contact: Tim Van Damm timvandamm@gmail.com, or Scott Maxwell smaxwell@catholicextension.org SPRING OPEN HOUSE 2018 The Franciscan School of Theology in affiliation with the University of San Diego invites you to their Spring Open House for prospective graduate students. Event includes Liturgy, Lecture, Campus tour and refreshments. Thursday, March 1, :30 7:30 pm 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside CA For a additional information and to register please contact Christine Avella at cavella@fst.edu. From the Office for Social Ministry Detention Ministry: Volunteers are needed to help serve Catholic inmates in detention facilities in Otay Mesa, Alpine, downtown San Diego, and Imperial County. Can you volunteer once a month or more to serve on a ministry team to pray, read scripture, and facilitate discussion with Catholic inmates? Explore this opportunity to help others and deepen your own relationship with God. The next Information and Training Seminar will be held on March 13. Visit In San Diego County contact Deacon Jim Walsh in the diocesan Restorative Justice office at or jwalsh@sdcatholic.org SAMARITANS CORNER On Sunday, February 25th we are serving lunch to the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul, from 11 am-1 pm. Please contact Stephanie Kourie at stephaniekourie@cox.net, to sign up for any events.

5 Page Five Church of the Nativity February 25, 2018 Second Sunday of Lent If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31b Please join us in singing the Psalm Response: : ÜÜ Ü 4 H H H H H H G H H H H H I will walk be fore the Lord, In the land of the liv H H G ing. THE OBEDIENCE OF ABRAHAM AND JESUS God tested Abraham by asking not for an ordinary sacrifice, which would have been a partial burning with the meat divided between God and the people and eaten by those who sacrificed, but for a holocaust, a total burning of the sacrificial animal. This type of sacrifice consecrated the entire offering to God alone. This is what God was asking of Abraham in offering his only son, Isaac. When Abraham demonstrated his obedience, that was enough. This story from today s scriptures foretells the completion of the blood sacrifices of the old covenant in the new covenant: the blood of God s own Son, offered to us on the cross and in the Eucharist. Abraham s obedience foreshadows the obedience of Jesus to God s promise of salvation. The obedience of Abraham is rewarded in the birth to him, through Isaac, of many nations. The obedience of Jesus is rewarded in the salvation of all people for all time. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. If you or a loved one is struggling, you are not alone. We are here to help. To talk to a caring member of our Mental Health Ministry, please call Time, Talent and Treasure Registered Households: 1,295 Contributing Parishioners YTD: 734 Our Parishioners contributed $1X,XXX.XX in the weekly collection to further the Mission & Ministry provided by the Church of the Nativity. Thank you for giving what is meaningful to you, to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you often find yourself without your checkbook or envelope on Sunday morning? Faith Direct is secure and convenient, and will even provide you with an optional offertory card to place in the basket during weekly collection. There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish. Please consider using Faith Direct today! Sign up by visiting ( Our parish code is CA288. Call for more information. WOMEN OF NATIVITY To get all future correspondence and to become involved please visit the Ministries page at to be included in our ing list! LOCAL LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 St. John, Encinitas, St. Patrick, Carlsbad Nativity, Rancho Santa Fe St. Elizabeth, Carlsbad March March March March

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8 Page Eight Church of the Nativity February 25, 2018 LORD'S DAY MASS SCHEDULE Weekday Mass: Monday Friday 8 am (Chapel) Saturday Vigil: 5 pm; Sunday: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am RCIA and Youth Minister: Mike James, mjames@nativitycatholic.org, , ext. 5 Family Faith Formation Coordinators: Wendy Campbell & Sandra Escalante-Smith, faithformation@nativitymail.org Music Director: Paul Batchelor, pbatchelor@nativitycatholic.org, , ext. 102 The Nativity School: Paul Parker, Principal pparker@nativitymail.org, Bookkeeper: Jackie Marin, jmarin@nativitymail.org, Administrative Assistant: Jodee Moore, jmoore@nativitycatholic.org, Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00pm to 3:30 pm Pastoral Council: Carl Bobkoski, Jane Boler, Cindy Hesse, Mimi Johnson, Jodee Moore, Craig Ryall Finance Council: Jeff Brandon, Chair Michael Conway, Jim LaGrossa, Byrnes Lambert, Mark Legg, Catherine Mowbray-Lorenz, Earl Parker, Carolyn Wilkinson, Joe Wilkinson Safe Environment Coordinator: John Marin Call the Parish Office PASTORAL CARE Nativity Samaritans: Stephanie Kourie at stephaniekourie@cox.net Childcare: Attended care is provided in the play room off the Commons during 9 am and 10:30 am Sunday Masses. Holy Communion for the sick: For the homebound upon request, Widows and Widowers: Pat Smart, thesmarts@aol.com Monthly Luncheons - September through June Small Christian Communities - Faith Sharing Groups See Deacon Jim Walsh or contact Kathy Alameda at or kathyalameda1@gmail.com Altar Servers: Bill Hearne at bhearne@weoneil.com Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Mimi Johnson at mimijohns78@gmail.com Mental Health Ministry: Lisa James at Ushers: Corbitt Kerr at ckerr@davlyninvestments.com SACRAMENTS Baptism: Celebrated on the 4th Sunday, after 10:30 am Mass Please contact the Parish Office or jmoore@nativitycatholic.org. Marriage: Saturdays, 11:00 am or 2:00 pm Contact the parish office at Anointing of the Sick: Encouraged for anyone critically ill, for the elderly, or prior to major surgery Reconciliation: Saturday, 4:15 pm in the Chapel Eucharist: Weekday Mass: Monday - Friday, 8 am in the Chapel Eucharistic Adoration: Every Friday after 8 am Mass Perpetual Help Novena: Tuesdays, after 8 am Mass Rosary: Weekdays, after 8 am Mass in the Chapel FAMILY FAITH FORMATION Classes meet September through June PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE Preschool - 6th Grade: Sundays, 8:50 am - 10:05 am at The Nativity School Junior High 7th /8th: Sundays, 5pm - 6:15 pm in the Parish Commons Dates to remember: February NO class on 2/25 (Winter Break) March 3/4 - Class 20 3/11 - Class 21 3/24 - Saturday - First Reconciliation Service 3pm 3/25 - Class 22 NO class on 3/18 Wendy Campbell or Sandra Escalante-Smith at faithformation@nativitymail.org for more information. HIGH SCHOOL: 9TH - 12TH GRADE Contact: Mike James, , ext. 5 Youth Group: Sundays, 5pm to 6:15pm Sunday s topic will be Parent-Teen Communication. All freshmen-seniors meet from 5-6:15pm in the Commons. Refreshments are by the Scherer family. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION Contact: Mike James, , ext. 5 On February 25 we will attend the 10:30am Mass and have class from 10:50-11:50am, after dismissal from Mass. The Easter Vigil is March 31 at 8pm. Candidates and Sponsors should arrive by 7:30pm. There will be a short reception in the Commons after Mass. HIGH SCHOOLCONFIRMATION Contact: Mike James, , ext. 5 Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #2 is February 25 from 3:30-4:30pm in the Commons. Teens should bring a pen, binder, and personal calendar to all classes. Our Confirmation Retreat is Saturday March 3 from 10:30 am-7pm. Dress is casual and teens should bring a sack lunch. If a teen can t make our date they must join another parish s Retreat. A Retreat is required in order to be Confirmed. Teens who have attended a Retreat at their Catholic high school do not need to attend our Confirmation Retreat. Our Confirmation Mass date is April 15 at 12 noon with Bishop McElroy. The Church of the Nativity website has a wealth or information including Mass schedules, weekly bulletins, a list of ministries including contact information and even a recording of the homily from the previous Sunday!