You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Transcription

1 You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth Thornburn Street, Los Angeles, CA Our mission is to SHARE God s message with all people, to OFFER support to those in need, to PROMOTE Christian values and commitment to the family, to FOSTER a loving and welcoming environment enriched by culture and age diversity, and to DEEPEN spiritual growth through sacraments, prayer and service.

2 My eighteen year old cat, Sprinter, is a great hunter. For ten years at St. Joseph s Retreat Center she regularly brought both mice and rats to share with me. At Sacred Heart Rectory she evicted the mice and rats within a year. Sadly, she has been disappointed that our rectory here at St. Jerome s has no tenants who need eviction. Why am I speaking about my cat? Well, very early on I discovered she was able to get into and out of places which I didn t think possible. The mice may have thought that as well. But if Sprinter was able to get her head into a place, to her prey s dismay, she would be able to get her whole body in. This weekend we celebrate our Lord s Ascension into heaven. Where He has gone we hope to follow. Boys and girls, like Sprinter, we have our head in the door or better through the gates. If our head, Jesus Christ, is in we who are His Body, can make it in as well. The key is staying connected with Him, sustained and nurtured by grace, living in His Spirit as a member of His Body, the Church. I know why the disciples felt sad that our Lord went ahead. I get that feeling when people I have loved: my grandparents my youngest sister one of my cousins and some who have been friends go forward to be fully with our Lord. I have a sour feeling in my stomach, yet how can I not rejoice? They are with our Head, Jesus Christ. Their race is done. They have gone to our Father s house victorious. They continue to pray to cheer us on as we continue our race, our journey. So too, Jesus intercedes for us. He offers mercy, forgiveness, and grace. He shares His very Body and Blood with us. He sends us His Spirit to help us live through, with and in Him. Our Head has already gotten in. Stay connected and live in His love. From Fr. Bill Congratulations to our thirty-four children who received their first communion last Sunday! Their faces glowed as they received His real presence under the forms of bread and wine. I pray they are nourished often at Our Lord s banquet table. Also, I am grateful to the St. Jerome s School Choir under the direction of seventh grader Miss Taylor Lugo who helped us lift our hearts and voices to God. Congratulations to our seventeen high school students who were Confirmed by Bishop Alexander Salazar last Sunday evening. I appreciate that he invited Fr. Valentine and I to lay hands upon our candidates and pray that they be filled with the Holy Spirit. Our newly confirmed actually seemed to grow taller during the ceremony. I need to acknowledge parents and god parents who journeyed with their children though all the Sacraments of Initiation. As they are now prepared to bring people to the baptismal font as god parents and to journey with others as sponsor for the other sacraments, I pray they have learned from our good example and will imitate this. As my mother reminds me, every parent knows no matter old a son or daughter becomes, they are always my child. Being a god parent and sponsor is also a life-time relationship. Please keep your spiritual children in prayer. On the anniversary of their baptism, communion, or confirmation renew that connection with a visit, a call or a card. They need to be reminded they are not alone. They need to be reminded they are loved. Speaking of my child, make some time this weekend to remember your mom. She is the one who said yes to having you. Moms generally have a good idea of how God feels when we take for granted the many blessings He sends our way. Make sure the mothers in your life know that you appreciate the good that they have done for you. Have a Happy Mother s Day!

3 Happy Mother s Day We express our profound gratitude for the love and devotion of our Mothers, and wish all Mothers of St. Jerome Parish a very Happy Mother s Day! Please remember your Mother in our Mother s Day Novena of Masses which begins today and ends on Monday, May 16th. Mother s Day cards and Novena envelopes are available on the tables near the church doors. The names of each Mother will be placed on the altar throughout the Novena. Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity Thank you for your generosity for the Cardinal McIntyre Fund for Charity. Your contributions go directly toward emergency needs for children, adults, and families. You are their hope! Your gift provides a one-time emergency help such as food, utilities, transportation, medical, housing or funeral expenses. If you missed the collection and still wish to contribute, please find special envelopes located in the pew for this collection. Annual ACCW Mass and Crowning of Blessed Mother The Los Angeles Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women invites ALL women of the Los Angeles Archdiocese to attend the 12 th Annual ACCW Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, on Tuesday, May 10th. Crowing of our Blessed Mother at 9:50am followed by Mass at 10am. For more information, please contact: Louise Meehan, Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 14th Day of Renewal & Prayer for Healing Theme: Living Christ s Mercy Daily 9am 3pm, at St. Jerome s Hall Special Guest Speaker: Deacon Steve Greco, from St. Elisabeth Ann Seaton Parish, Irvine. Deacon Greco has also spoken at the SCRC Conventions. No registration, love offering will be taken. Please bring a sack lunch. Sponsored by St. Jerome Charismatic Prayer Group. For more information, please call Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at Concert Invitation You are invited to Howlett Smith s two-act musical concert, The Carpenter on Sunday, May 15th 4pm at Transfiguration Church located at 2515 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Los Angeles (Parking lot rd Ave.) This concert portrays the life of Christ through narrative and an electric blend of jazz, gospel, spiritual and traditional musical styles and even comedy. Performers include the 15 voice Harmony Choir, featured soloists, and the Howlett Smith Quartet. This highly acclaimed production is a thrilling and inspirational experience that you won t soon forget. For more information, call For Howlett Smith CDs: Senior Center Monday, May 9th: 12-4pm, Rosary, Cards & Social. Wednesday, May 11th: 12-4pm, Games for prizes, Cards & Social. Upcoming Trip: Riverside Hotel Laughlin, June 8,9,10 3 buffets, plus the wonderful LUAU PARTY! Single $130 per person & Double $115 per person! For more information call the Senior Center at ALL ARE WELCOME!! Congratulations! We offer our congratulations to Victoria Yvette Maciel who will be baptized into the Christian Community this weekend. May God bless you! Young Adult Ministry Invite YAM invites you to our next Reignite Your Light formation meeting on Monday, May 9th at 7:00pm, in the Senior Center. Our TOPIC is: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Joy! Please join us and we take a deeper look at our Catholic Faith. Your Vote Is Your Voice In Your Community Voter registration forms must be postmarked by Monday May 23, 2016 in order to vote in the June 7 th California Primary Election. U.S. Citizens turning 18 years of age on or before June 7, 2016 are eligible to register. You must re-register if you have changed your name, moved or wish to change political party affiliation. Register online at Self-addressed voter registration forms are available in the Church vestibule, post offices and libraries or call April Community Commission Report: CARNIVAL: April 22, 23, 24th. A important fundraiser for St. Jerome School and Parish. ST. JEROME PARISH PICNIC: September 24, 2016 at Westchester Recreation Center. 10am Mass concelebrated by Fr. Bill and Fr. Valentine. The Picnic Committee is meeting to coordinate arrangements. Large banners are being made to hang on the church. COFFEE & DONUT SCHEDULING: Currently offered once a month by our school s parents. How can we arrange to have it more often? Perhaps different ministries? UPDATING MININSTRY DIRECTORY: Revisions are being made to include an explanation of the commission structure and about the Parish Council. CRAFT FAIRE: November 12th & 13th. An announcement in the bulletin will be placed in the bulletin to attract vendor participation! FYI: ON MAY 15TH Fr. Pat Comerford will be presiding at the 5:30pm Mass.

4 Mass Intentions Sat. 05/07 5:30pm (M) Julie Dicks Sun. 05/08 7:30am (T) Mother s Day Novena 9:00am (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners 11:00am (M) Genevieve Cooke 5:30pm (M) Maria Villafuerte Week Day Masses Mon. 05/09 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Tues. 05/10 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Wed. 05/11 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Thurs. 05/12 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Fri. 05/13 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Sat. 05/14 8am (T) Mother s Day Novena Memorial (M) Special Intention (SI) Thanksgiving (T) Prayers for the Sick Anthony Annecharico Eleanor Cheloha Eugene Ciambella Boris Garber Sr. Frankie Gutierrez Kerry Kearney Pauline Havlina Rosalie Kennedy Kirsten Kluchinsky Marie Martin Gabriel Martinez Julie Martinez Virginia Martinez Baby Landon Moore Bozenna Syslo Gwen Wayne Mary Louise Wyche Deceased Our condolences are extended to the family and friends John Valencia and Elizabeth Jacobs May they rest in peace. Elizabeth (Betty) Jacobs Funeral Mass will be on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Holy Cross Cemetery Viewing at 9:30 followed by Mass at 11:00am Eucharist Ministers Needed We are in need of Eucharistic Ministers for the Sunday, 5:30pm mass. If your are interested and in good standing with the Catholic Church, please consider this wonderful ministry. Call Tina Gustavson at Calling All High School Students! June ~ Life Teen Camp More Info: sjlaconfirmation@gmail.com Lifeteen.com/camps/summer-camp/ BANNS OF MARRIAGE - 1st Notification Dominic Nicholas Zarod, of St. Jerome Church in Los Angeles, CA, who is the son of Jacek Zarod & Iwona Olewinska, and Emilia Ewelina Rojek, of Our Lady of Fatima in Brodnica, Poland, who is the daughter of Marian Rojek & Ewa Narodzonek, plan to be wed on July 23, 2016 in Brodnica, Poland. ANYONE HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF ANY OBSTACLE TO THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE HAS AN OBLIGATION IN CONSCIENCE TO MAKE IT KNOWN TO THE PASTOR. Thank you.

5 St. Jerome School News St. Jerome School is accepting applications for Pre-K, Transitional K and Grades K thru Grade 8. Applications may be downloaded from our website or you may visit the school office to pick one up. Please call or visit us at The Catholic Daughter s Busy Hands Crafters Join us on Tuesday, May 10th, at 1pm in the St. Jerome Senior Center. We need your creative talents to help us in our fund raising activities! St. Jerome Monthly Soup Kitchen St. Jerome Church Soup Kitchen serves hot meals to the needy in our parish community once a month. Our next meal will be on Saturday, May 21st from 10:30am to 12 noon. If you would like contribute fund, send your check to St. Jerome, 5550 Thornburn St. Los Angeles, CA Note Soup Kitchen Funds in the memo section of Thanks for your support! St. Jerome 2016 Holiday Craft Faire The St Jerome Holiday Craft Boutique for 2016, will take place on the weekend of November 12th & 13th! If you would like to reserve a table as a vendor or know of someone who would be interested to reserve a table, please call Joyce at or Joan Hoffman at !