It is a favorable time to heal wounds, a time to offer everyone the way of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. - Pope Francis

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1 HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH 355 E CHAMPLAIN DRIVE FRESNO, CA Fax: Website: or us at: holyspirit@holyspiritfresno.org Bulletin Notices: bulletin@holyspiritfresno.org Please submit 10 days prior to publication by . facebook.com/holyspiritfresno twitter.com/hsfresno Holy Spirit Times: Saturday Vigil 4:00 pm Sunday Morning 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 am Confession: Saturday afternoon 3:00-3:45 pm Daily : Tuesday-Friday 7:30 am Communion Service Monday 7:30 am Eucharistic Adoration: Monday-Wednesday 8:00 am-9:00 pm Thursday 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Friday 8:00 am-noon Holy Spirit Office Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Weekends 9:00 am-1:00 pm Shaver Lake: Confession Prior to Saturday 4:00 p.m. Our Mission is to be a Spirit-filled community of love, challenging people to proclaim the good news of Christ s salvation to the world. We seek to foster and promote a life pleasing to God through prayer and Sacramental ministry. We are called to nurture spiritual growth, build our lives on Gospel values and to reach out to the poor and hurting. It is a favorable time to heal wounds, a time to offer everyone the way of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. - Pope Francis Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2015 Parish Registration/Update Form: Please complete this form and mail it in, drop it in the collection basket or bring it into the office. We Welcome all New Parishioners! Head of Household Name(s) (Mr & Mrs, Ms, Mr, Miss) Other Family Members (and ages) Address: City: zip: Phone # Please circle any of the following: 1. New Parishioner. 2.Update information. 3. Moving, remove from directory. 4. Send contribution envelopes. 5. Discontinue or do not send contribution envelopes.

2 Holy Spirit Volume 26 Edition 50 Page 2 December 13, 2015 Intentions for the Week: December 8 Raymond Foth by Menagh Family Special Intention: In Thanksgiving by Jo Santiago family Margaret Lamonica by Don & Karen Wettstead December 9 Bernard Kreft by Rosalba Sifuentes December 10 Special Intention: Romulo Romel Receno by Maria Receno December 11 David Lewis by Mercedes Sutton & Jaqui Smith December 12 Special Intention: Victoria Alberti by Bernadette Hansen Laura Brenner by Vicki Aispuro December 13 8:30am: Mary Kathleen Daffern by Michael & Fern Fox 10:00am: Dori King by Margi Harris Ruth M.Butler by John Mangyar Intentions of Holy Spirit Parishioners 11:30pm: Stejpan Kupina by The Repar Family December 15 Curt Vaughn by The Holy Spirit Staff December 16 Patricia O Leary by Enrico & Kelly DiCicco December 17 Mirian Bradley Cardona by Frank & Michelle Felser December 18 Mary Flynn by Jennifer Huerta December 19 Dave Lewis by Margi Harris Alexander Orian by Dolores Orian December 20 8:30 am: Vito Mastro by Harold & Sherry Cook 10:30 am: Mary Carpentor by the YLI No :30 am: Intentions of Holy Spirit Parishioners Simbang Gabi Please Join us for a Simbang Gabi and Potluck Friday December 18th. is at 6pm in the Church, with a potluck following in the hall. Simbang Gabi is a Filipino tradition which includes nine es as a novena in anticipation of the gift of Christmas the birth of Jesus Christ. Please Join your parish family for this and potluck, it is open to all. The Sanctuary Light From 12/15-12/21/15 is in Memory of Luisa Costa By Luisa Costa Interested in sponsoring the Sanctuary Light? Please Call the Parish office at Aging religious need your help In the United States today, there are more than 33,000 senior Catholic sister, brothers and religious order priests. These religious worked tirelessly in Catholic Schools, hospitals, and agencies, usually for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to today s s econd collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and more. Please be Generous. Bishop Armando X. Ochoa Sends Thanks to All Supporters of the Annual Appeal Bishop Armando X. Ochoa sends his personal Thank You to the many who have responded generously to the Together in Faith/ Bishop s Annual Appeal. Those who have not yet had the opportunity to respond, please be mindful of those services and ministries which the Annual Appeal supports and that no gift is to small. Funding is crucial to support seminarians and vocations, catechetics, youth and young adult, and family life ministries all of which ultimately benefit all parishes. Also, you are encouraged to give on-line by visiting and clicking on the donate button for the Bishop s Annual Appeal. Again, Thank You! Jubilee Year of Mercy Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this of you Lord Jesus, through the intersession of Mary, Mother of Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.

3 Page 3 December 13, 2015 Dear Parishioners, The following message is from Most Rev. Armando X. Ochoa, Bishop of the Diocese of Fresno, in union with the California Catholic Conference of Bishops: California will step over a moral and ethical precipice unless a new law (ABx2-15) Physician Assisted Suicide) to legalize the practice of physicians actively bringing about the death of their patients is overturned. This travesty of compassion is such a danger to so many vulnerable people and so fundamentally undermines the physician-patient relationship that Californians deserve to have the final say on whether this new law is what they want. As Catholics our teachings on the end of life respond to both the needs of the dying and those accompanying them. We should all promote the prudent and responsible exercise of patient autonomy during a patient s last days. Those who are dying should experience the embrace of family, quality palliative care and love. All of those grappling with the loss of a loved one should be offered spiritual solace and grace-filled consolation. Our Catholic health care providers offer this effective and compassionate care throughout our state. Sadly, this new law creates a medical and social reality in civil society that expands a throw-away culture mentality to an unprecedented level placing in peril our most vulnerable sisters and brothers in California. California stands at a perilous juncture in our history and what we do here may also negatively influence others in our nation. Concerned citizens have filed a referendum to ask voters to overturn this dismal law. To succeed it must first receive enough signatures by January 4, 2016 to qualify for the ballot. Because this law presents an unprecedented moral threat to human dignity and the timing for qualifying a referendum is urgent, signature gathering will be allowed and encouraged in the Diocese of Fresno through December 15, Since the legislature passed the physician assisted suicide bill in a Special Session, it will not take effect until the session is adjourned which has not yet been determined. Should the referendum receive enough signatures, the law will be prevented from going into effect until after the voters have had their say in November The effort to legalize a doctor writing prescriptions for a lethal dose of drugs highlights the throw-away culture Pope Francis has warned us against. In speaking to Italian doctors last year, His Holiness spoke clearly of the dangers of such a policy: The dominant thinking sometimes suggests a "false compassion", that which believes that it is: helpful to women to promote abortion; an act of dignity to obtain euthanasia; a scientific breakthrough to "produce" a child and to consider it to be a right rather than a gift to welcome; or to use human lives as guinea pigs presumably to save others. Instead, the compassion of the Gospel is that which accompanies in times of need, that is, the compassion of the Good Samaritan, who "sees", "has compassion", approaches and provides concrete help (cf. Lk 10:33). Your mission as doctors puts you in daily contact with many forms of suffering. I encourage you to take them on as "Good Samaritans", caring in a special way for the elderly, the infirm and the disabled. By putting this referendum on the ballot we can educate our own Catholic community to understand the beauty of our Catholic teaching and the dire consequences that this sad practice will inflict on individuals and their families. We can keep it from becoming law and advocate better alternatives for end-of-life care. As we have seen in other health issues of moral concern, if this law is affirmed here and elsewhere, it will become ever more difficult to reverse the practice and to expand true compassionate care. We can keep health care in California from going down that path and work for a California that truly cares for its people. Thank you for your understanding and assistance.

4 Page 4 December 13, 2015 Confessions: Please Pray for those who have recently died: Lorraine Etzler Charlene Esparza Carol Kim Golding Ferd & Irma Menz Dorothy Ramirez Holy Spirit 2014 Christmas Schedule Christmas Eve : Saturdays: 3:00pm to 3:45pm Thursday, Dec.17: 12:00pm to 1:30 pm Friday, Dec.18: to 9:30 am Sunday-Wednesday, Dec.20-Dec.23 6pm-7:30pm Children s 4:15pm in Hall 6:30pm Life Teen 9:00pm Contemporary Shaver Lake Christmas Day : 10:00am Adult Choir Directives for the Flu Season for Ministers, Altar Servers and Parishioners in Liturgical Celebrations At Holy Spirit we have already begun distributing Communion under one species. Please note the following Directives for the Flu Season: Do NOT come to when you have flu-like symptoms Do NOT bring sick children to or Religious Ed. classes Wash your hands well with hot water and soap before. If you cannot, then use an alcohol based anti-bacterial solution. If possible get a flu shot, get plenty of rest, eat a balanced meal and drink plenty of water. Eucharistic Ministers MUST wash hands with an alcohol (62%) based antibacterial solution immediately before and after distributing the Eucharist. If you are ill or caring for a sick family member and believe you may spread the flu virus, you are excused from attending. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Sunday: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1: Walk for Life West Coast January 23, 2016 Gather together with a crowd of more than 50,000 pro-life people! Speeches, signs, prayers, uplifting music, and a two-mile march. It all begins at the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza, and it finishes with a two-mile walk down Market Street; from the Civic Center to the Embarcadero. Take the bus with us right to the Civic Center and back to Fresno. Tickets cost $35 and are on sale today in the plaza. Join us, the Holy Spirit Knights of Columbus, for this big event! Sunday December 6, 2015 Collection: $30, Mail/Counter: $2, On Line Giving: $1, Attendance: 2567 All are welcome to join us at the 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 19th, when Santa Claus will attend. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with parishioners in the plaza following and have candy canes for the children.

5 The Jesse Tree Christmas Vacation Day Camp Monday, December 21 Please join us for fun activities and snacks! Grades K-6, 9:30am to noon, $15. Call the R.E. office to reserve your spot. Volunteer forms are now available in the Narthex and the Religious Education Office. All volunteer opportunities are located on the form. Please check the volunteer options you are interested in and once complete, drop it by the Religious Education Office or in the offertory basket during. First Holy Communion Pictures are available in the Religious Education Office. Advent is a time of beginnings, allowing us to refocus our lives to be cohesive with preparation for the coming of Christ. It is a time to see past ourselves to those in need and taking the time to provide them with comfort and joy. Family participation in Advent activities offers parents an opportunity to teach and celebrate their faith with their children. Gathering the family to make an Advent wreath is a favorite activity. Traditionally, it is made with evergreens, then adorned with three purple candles and one pink. The white candle, known as Christ Candle, placed in the center. A Jesse tree, named after Jesse, the father of King David, has ornaments, each symbolizing one of Jesus ancestral families. Beginning December 1, a child puts one ornament each day, culminating with all 25 families represented on Christmas Day. A great way to give the gift of joy is to Light up the Community with Kindness. This is performing random acts of kindness. Some examples are thanking the janitor, a flower for the bus driver, warm blankets to a homeless person, leaving quarters in the parking meter, or allowing someone to go ahead of you in line. Keeping the focus on Advent is the way to truly experience and understand Christmas, strengthening our faith, preparing us for the coming of Christ. Congratulations!!! EMHC sign-ups are in the Sacristy Please note* We are only offering Communion under one species during the flu season. Santa s Christmas Prayer On Christmas Eve the other night I saw the most amazing sight, for there beneath the Christmas tree was Santa kneeling on his knee. His countenance was different than that all-familiar, jolly grin; his head was bowed, with hand to breast, and slightly tucked into his vest. For there in a nativity was Jesus and His family, and as I heard him start to pray I listened close to what he d say. Lord, You know that You re the reason I take pleasure in this season. I don t want to take Your place, but just reflect Your wondrous grace. I hope You ll help them understand I m just an ordinary man, who found a way to do Your will by finding kids with needs to fill. But all those centuries ago, there was no way for me to know that they would make so much of me, and all the gifts beneath the tree. They think I have some hidden power granted at the midnight hour, but it is my love for You inspiring the things I do. And so when they begin to open gifts for which they have been hoping, may they give You all the glory, for You re the One True Christmas story. Congratulations to Aris Borjas, Natalya DeCiccio, Kelly Licari, Shaun Mallam and Fernando Rodriguez who received their First Holy Communion on November 21, They are now able to come to the table of the Eucharist, to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man so that they may have eternal life and show forth the unity of God's people. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, their final stage of initiation into the Church.

6 Page 6 December 13, 2015 Please Pray for our Priests, Sisters, Deacons & Seminarians. Holy Spirit Calendar for Dec. 14 thru Dec. 20, 2015 Monday, Dec. 14 Sr. Margaret Tapang PDDM, Sr. Jean Williams OP Communion Service Religious Education all classrooms Tuesday, Dec. 15 Dec. John Rees, Dec. Steve Taylor, Dec. John Sousa 9:00am Bible Study in room 5/6 Religious Education in all classrooms 5:00pm Children s Choir in Church 6:00pm Legion of Mary in room 4 6:00pm Knights of Columbus in room 7 6:30pm Adult Choir in Church 6:30pm Adult Confirmation in room 5/6 7:00pm Adult Faith Study Group in Hall 8:00pm AA in room 3/4 Wednesday, Dec. 16 Fr. Dan Avila, Fr. John Burns, Fr. Kenneth Bozzo 9:30am Mom s Group Christmas Party in hall 11:45am AA in classroom 7 Religious Education in all classrooms 6:30pm Life Teen Core in Hall 6:30pm Stephen Ministers in room 2 Thursday, Dec. 17 Sr. Marie Schroepfer CSJ, Sr. Mary Sanchez RSM Cenacles of Mary in Chapel 12:00pm Confessions in Church 1:30pm Cenacles of Mary in room 7 Religious Education in all rooms 5:00pm 6:30pm Cub Scouts in Hall 6:30pm Bible Study in room 5/6 7:00pm Music in Church Friday, Dec. 18 Sr. Eri Rodriquez IMAP, Sr. Sheena Ouseph CSST 6:45am AA in room 7 Confessions in Church 6:00pm Simbang Gabi in Church 7:00pm Simbang Gabi Potluck in Hall 8:00pm AA in room 5/6 Saturday, Dec. 19 Sr. Bernardita Nudalo FDZ, Sr. Acacia Moises FHIC, Sr. Mary Mathai FDZ Men s Club in Hall 8:30am Knights of Columbus in room 3/4 3:00pm Confession in Church with Santa Sunday, Dec. 20 Sr. Benita Gomez MCSTNJ, SR. Patricia Reinhart PBVM 8:30am 9:30am Mom s Group in room 5 10 :00am 11:30am 11:30am Life Teen in Hall 12:45pm Baptisms in Church 5:30pm AA in room 7 6:00pm Confessions in Church Reminders For Saturday, December 19, 2015 Lectors: Dottie Cornacchia, Jackie Sterios Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: *Darlene Hoffman, Jim Flanagan, Lynn Joseph, Marilyn O Neill, Carole Warnert, Sue Finnegan, Cathy Booey, Kathy & Steve Monroe Altar Servers: Emma Ferdinandi, Frances Medina, Sophia Medina, Evenia DiCicco, Gianna Giorlando Ushers: Robert Smith, Bob Merkle, John Obrist, Tony DeLaTorre, Rick Hoffmann, Bill Rittore, Ray Garcia Reminders For Sunday, December 20, 2015 Lectors: 8:30 am: Jennifer O Meara, Bruce Kleckner 10:00 am Raylene Giannetta, Mike Maxwell Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: 8:30 am *Larry & Ranae Holody, Esther Cantu, Rizalilna Hernandez, Jennifer Huerta, Sandy Huerta, Fred & Teresa Parks, Vera Bryan, Josanne Grant, 10:00 am *Mary Rodriguez, Raylene Giannetta, Kate Mallam, Dennis & Nancy Palmer, Bev Robinson Connie Bowser, Paul Bowser 11:30 am *Jose Lopez, Brenda Abrames, Joyce Heisdorf, Rhonda Rafidi, Kris Lopez, Lisa Rhodes, Martha Limata, Archi Garcia, Ariel Mena, Daniel Conniff Altar Servers: 8:30 am: Jason Simbre, Joseph Simbre, Isabella Simbre, Nicholas Aldaz 10:00 am : Camille Utleg, Bill Utleg, Grant Fox, Trent Fox, Ainsely Hoekzema, Lance Elep 11:30 am: Adam Lopez, Enrick Manansala, Christopher Bruno, Victoria Casero, Adam Estacio Ushers: 8:30 am John Eastwood, Hector Huerta, Jack Beacom, Cy Athens, John Cardoza, Tim Allison, Paul Ringel, John Bird 10:00 am Tom Boland, Marty Jelacich, Richard Fairbank, Don Belair, Ben Romero, Ruben Rodriguez, Antonio Alvarez 11:30 am Alfio Marrone, Ken & Larry Hustedde, Betty Lambert, Bob McCarthy, Ken & Joseph Lazarus, Henry DeLaTorre, Brian Sabbatini LA Schedule: 4:00 pm - Greg Suryadi 8:30 am - Pete Marquez 10:00 am- Ade Osijo 11:30 am- Michael Lawson