Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 Readings: Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24

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1 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 Readings: Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24 THE RABBI'S GIFT The Different Drum Version by Dr. M. Scott Peck The story concerns a monastery that had fallen upon hard times. Once a great order, as a result of waves of antimonastic persecution in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and the rise of secularism in the nineteenth, all its branch houses were lost and it had become decimated to the extent that there were only five monks left in the decaying mother house: the abbot and four others, all over seventy in age. Clearly it was a dying order. In the deep woods surrounding the monastery there was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby town occasionally used for a hermitage. Through their many years of prayer and contemplation the old monks had become a bit psychic, so they could always sense when the rabbi was in his hermitage. "The rabbi is in the woods, the rabbi is in the woods again" they would whisper to each other. As he agonized over the imminent death of his order, it occurred to the abbot at one such time to visit the hermitage and ask the rabbi if by some possible chance he could offer any advice that might save the monastery. The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. But when the abbot explained the purpose of his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. "I know how it is," he exclaimed. "The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore." So the old abbot and the old rabbi wept together. Then they read parts of the Torah and quietly spoke of deep things. The time came when the abbot had to leave. They embraced each other. "It has been a wonderful thing that we should meet after all these years, the abbot said, "but I have still failed in my purpose for coming here. Is there nothing you can tell me, no piece of advice you can give me that would help me save my dying order?" Continued on page 2 Mission Statement Gifted by God, called by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, St. Paul Catholic Newman Center is a parish committed to serving the academic community and all those who choose to be part of our parish family.

2 Continued from page 1 "No, I am sorry," the rabbi responded. "I have no advice to give. The only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you." When the abbot returned to the monastery his fellow monks gathered around him to ask, "Well what did the rabbi say?" "He couldn't help," the abbot answered. "We just wept and read the Torah together. The only thing he did say, just as I was leaving --it was something cryptic-- was that the Messiah is one of us. I don't know what he meant." In the days and weeks and months that followed, the old monks pondered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance to the rabbi's words. The Messiah is one of us? Could he possibly have meant one of us monks here at the monastery? If that's the case, which one? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably meant Father Abbot. He has been our leader for more than a generation. On the other hand, he might have meant Brother Thomas. Certainly Brother Thomas is a holy man. Everyone knows that Thomas is a man of light. Certainly he could not have meant Brother Elred! Elred gets crotchety at times. But come to think of it, even though he is a thorn in people's sides, when you look back on it, Elred is virtually always right- often very right. Maybe the rabbi did mean Brother Elred,but surely not Brother Phillip. Phillip is so passive, a real nobody. But then, almost mysteriously, he has a gift for somehow always being there when you need him. He just magically appears by your side. Maybe Phillip is the Messiah. Of course the rabbi didn't mean me. He couldn't possibly have meant me. I'm just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Suppose I am the Messiah? O God, not me. I couldn't be that much for you, could I? And on the off chance that each monk himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves and each other with extraordinary respect. Because the forest in which it was situated was beautiful, it so happened that people still occasionally came to visit the monastery to picnic on its tiny lawn, to wander along some of its paths, even now and then to go into the dilapidated chapel to meditate. As they did so, without even being conscious of it, they sensed the aura of extraordinary respect that now began to surround the five old monks and seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmosphere of the place. There was something strangely attractive, even compelling, about it. Hardly knowing why, they began to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, to play, to pray. They began to bring their friends to show them this special place. And their friends brought their friends. Then it happened that some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more with the old monks. After a while one asked if he could join them -then another, and another. So within a few years the monastery had once again become a thriving order and, thanks to the rabbi's gift, a vibrant center of light and spirituality in the realm.

3 Family Life Ministry Joy of Love Moms Group meets every Sunday after 9:00am Mass either in the east play yard or in St. John XXIII room. For more information Jakki at Men s Scripture Study Group meets Tuesday mornings 7:30am to 8:15am following 7:00am Mass in the Community Room. Prayer & Life Workshop meets Wednesday evenings 6:00pm to 8:00pm in CNH 105. The Prayer and Life Workshops explore different ways to pray and how prayer can transform our thinking, praying and living. Meditation Opportunities: Christian Meditation meets Thursday mornings from 11:15am to 12:15pm in CNH 104. Facilitator: Benita Lankford Evening Meditation meets Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in the Library. Facilitator: Veena Kapoor, MSW Healing & Healthy Relationships: A Day Retreat Relationships are at the heart of our lived experiences. Learn to heal and strengthen your relationships with spiritual insights and guided meditation on Saturday, January 7 from 10:00am to 4:00pm in Cardinal Newman Hall. Register by at BKWSOfresno@gmail.com. Registration is free. Facilitator: Veena Kapoor, MSW Newman Center Young Adult Christmas Party All young adults are invited to our annual Christmas party on Thursday, December 22 at 7:00pm in Cardinal Newman Hall. Bring a dish, dessert or drink to share, and be sure to wear your "best" (ugliest) Christmas sweater! Contact John Kyler at johnk@csufnewman.com for additional information. College Ministry We wish to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone who helped with our Wednesday night college dinners this semester. From cooks to servers and everyone in between, our Wednesday suppers would not be possible without you. We invite everyone who has helped with the college dinners in any capacity to stop by the reception desk after Mass and pick up a small token of our appreciation. Merry Christmas, and see you again on January 18, 2017! Community Activities Tai Chi for Arthritis Tuesday and Thursday mornings: Beginner s class from 9:00am to 10:00am; Regular class from 10:15am to 11:15am. CNH 103. Instructor: Art Lopez and certified instructors. Thursday Evening Tai Chi Tai Chi Quan 24 Short Form from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Fee: $10 a month. Instructor: Bill Titus. For more information contact John Prandini: ext. 107 or prandinij@csufnewman.com. Ushers Needed There is an urgent need for ushers (both men and women) to serve at all Masses. With Christmas coming, larger crowds will require more assistance. Please consider being part of this important ministry team. Contact Steve Toon at or Deacon John at We need your help! Looking for a Sound Engineer There is a need at the Newman Center to create a new ministry to partner with the Liturgical and Music Ministries to manage the sound requirements at each liturgical service. Duties include managing the sound levels of all liturgical entities (readers, musicians, deacon, and priest) to make for a more successful liturgical experience for the community. The goal is to minimize sound system feedback and successfully balance the sound at each liturgy. Training will be provided. Some computer / technical experience is preferred. Contact Deacon John or John Kyler at to sign up for this new and exciting ministry. Front Desk Volunteers Needed We are in need of front desk volunteers. We need help on Thursday afternoons from 12:30pm to 5:00pm and Friday mornings from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Duties include greeting people at the front door, answering telephones, and helping with various projects. Some computer experience is preferred. If you are able to help, please contact Jenna at or jenna@csufnewman.com. Christmas Mass Schedule December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00pm Children s Mass 6:00pm Mass 10:00pm Mass (with incense) December 25 Christmas Day 10:00am Mass (with incense)

4 Weekly Calendar Sunday, December 18 Is 7:10-14; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1: :30am Mass for John Murao, Jr. Chapel 9:00am Mass for Louis Grieco Chapel 10:00am Joy of Love Advent Book Club St. John XXIII 11:00am Mass for Mike Criado Rodriquez Chapel 12:00pm HS Confirmation Class CNH :30pm Baptisms Chapel 7:00pm Mass Chapel 8:00pm Emmaus Community Room Monday, December 19 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25 7:00am Mass for Dorothy Makley, Jr. Chapel Tuesday, December 20 Is 7:10-14; Lk 1: :00am Mass Int. for Johnny Kearns Chapel 7:30am Men s Morning Scripture Group Community Room 9:00am Beginning Tai Chi for Arthritis CNH :00am Faith in Community Meeting CNH :15am Tai Chi for Arthritis CNH :00am Confessions Chapel 4:00pm Confessions Chapel Wednesday, December 21 Sg 2:8-14; Lk 1: :00am Mass for Michael & Catherine O Sullivan Chapel 5:15pm Scriptural Rosary Community Room Thursday, December 22 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1: :00am Mass Chapel 9:00am Beginning Tai Chi for Arthritis CNH :15am Tai Chi for Arthritis CNH :15am Christian Meditation CNH :00pm Christmas Choir Rehearsal Chapel 5:30pm Tai Chi Quan Short Form CNH :00pm NCYA Christmas Party CNH 101 Friday, December 23 Ml 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1: :00am Communion Service Chapel Saturday, December 24 Gn 49:2, 8-10; Mt 1;1-17 Christmas Eve 4:00pm Children s Mass (Mass for Jesus Viola) Chapel 6:00pm Mass for Nita Esquivel Chapel 10:00pm Mass (w / incense) Chapel Sunday, December 25 Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 Christmas 10:00am Mass (w / incense) Chapel (Mass for Lupe and Faustino Pineda) 1:00pm Igbo Mass Chapel No MASS / OFFICE CLOSED on Monday, December 26. No hour for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday, December 27. Prayers Deceased This Week: Sr. Antonietta Vasquez, PDDM, Ramon Magdaleno (father of Rev. Ricardo Magdaleno). Intentions: John Barretto, John Murao, Jr., Louis Grieco, and Mike Criado Rodriquez Have been requested for the intentions of: Gerry Thompson, Bill Robinson, Chet Selmon, Janet Wigim, Alice Terhaar, Aileen Spann, Dick Donovan, Sotero Ureta, Rosa Arias, Glenna Smith, Cathy Martin, Destany Molinar, Maurice Nelson, Deacon Gary Stevens, John Godburn, Nate Offenheiser, Shirley Lea, Sue Noonkester (daughter of Alice Terhaar), Ollie Mae & Tom Godburn, Ernie Lee, Kenny Smith, Kyle Springer, Gary Payne, Louie Rusca, Aicardo Castillo, George Zin, Joseph Rogers, Sam VanderDussen, Martha May, Marilyn Mikow, Richard Jameson, Sara Strope, Debbie Strope, Tom Cleary, Jimmy Monreal, Matthew Serpa, Vic Roznovsky, Margo Contributions for December :00pm Saturday 7:30am Sunday 9:00am Sunday 11:00am Sunday 7:00pm Sunday Received by Mail Electronic Donations Online Donations Total Weekly Contributions Weekly Goal Actual Year to Date Budget Year to Date Parish Information $1, $4, $1, $3, $ $ $ $1, $14, $13, $276, $290, Weekend Masses: Saturdays: 5:00pm; Sundays: 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am & 7:00pm Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday at 7:00am, Wednesdays at 7:00am & 6:00pm First Friday at 7:00am Communion Service: Fridays at 7:00am Reconciliation: Tuesdays 4:00pm to 5:00pm Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm Parish Life Coordinator: Deacon John Supino ; deak@csufnewman.com Parish Priest: Fr. David Norris ext.109; frdave@csufnewman.com Office Manager: Jenna Stallard ext.102; jenna@csufnewman.com

5 Christmas Poinsettias Signups to purchase Christmas flowers will be in the foyer before and after this weekend's Masses. Please consider our longstanding tradition of a donation in memory of a loved one to help decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas season. Children's Choir for Christmas Eve Mass All children are invited to sing in the choir for the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass. We will rehearse on Thursday, December 22 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm in the Chapel. Christmas Mass Choirs If you are interested in singing for our 6:00pm or 10:00pm Christmas Eve Masses or the 10:00am Christmas Day Mass, we will rehearse on Thursday, December 22 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm in the Chapel. All are welcome to join - no prior choir experience is necessary. Christmas Instrumentalists If you are an instrumentalist and willing to play at any of our Christmas liturgies, please contact John Kyler at johnk@csufnewman.com. Christmas Decorating Please join us to decorate our sanctuary for the Christmas season. Set-up is Friday, December 23 and we will begin at 9:00am. A light lunch will be served to volunteers. Please bring treats to share. Joy of Love Moms Group Thanks to the Joy of Love Moms group, their families and especially their children who presented a most wonderful telling of Jesus birth for our Faith, Family & Friends Christmas program. If you are interested in becoming part of this wonderful and creative group of moms and their families, contact Jakki at joyoflovemoms@gmail.com. Mardi Gras - Save the Date Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! Celebrate Mardi Gras 2017 with your friends at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center on Saturday, February 11 from 6:00PM to 11:00PM. The festivities will include dinner, a silent auction, and dancing. A wonderful dinner will be provided by Pardini s. Tickets will go on sale in January for $60 each. Contact for further information. Let the Good Times Roll!!!!! Memorial Garden Please stop by the Memorial Garden to look at our latest addition of memorial plaques on our benches. It is not too late to order a brick! Brick orders can be made at the front desk or online: newmancenter. Food Recovery Network Wish List: Canned meat Cream soups Fruit See our basket in the foyer for more details. Thank you for your support. Calling All Angels If you are storing a Donna Locati Christmas angel, please bring it to the parish by Friday, December 23. Sacrament of Reconciliation To "prepare the way of the Lord" in our lives, Advent is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation if we haven't done so in a while. In addition to our regular Tuesday hour (4:00pm to 5:00pm) of the Sacrament, on December 20 we will add an hour that morning from 11:00am to 12 noon. Also, nearby parishes will have Advent penance Services this week: St. Anthony of Padua (Bullard / Maroa) Monday evening, December 19 at 7:00pm. Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, Clovis - Wednesday evening, December 21 at 7:00pm. At Penance Services, several priests are available to celebrate the Sacrament individually. No 6pm Mass For the next four Wednesdays, December 21, 28; January 4 and 11, we will not have our evening Mass at 6:00pm. This parish Mass will resume on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Happy Birthday! Pope Francis turns 80 years old on Saturday, December 17. We pray for our Holy Father and his health and well being as he guides Christ s church with wisdom and compassion. Link Here is the link to the article that Sr. Kathleen mentioned during her Mass announcement last weekend:

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