St. Mary Catholic Church

Transcription

1 December 9, 2018 St. Mary Catholic Church

2 MASS TIMES Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. & 12:05 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m. Sundays 6:30 a.m. * 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. * 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Spanish 6:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. DEVOTIONS Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (First Fridays all night) Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Fatima Devotion: First Saturday Hispanic Holy Hour: Other Saturdays Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturdays 9:00 a.m. (at the end of 8:30 Mass) PARISH OFFICE 2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA OFFICE HOURS 8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday There will be a second collection next weekend to help offset the cost of flowers and decoration expenses for the Christmas season Dear Friends, Prepare ye the way of the Lord Prepare ye the way of the Lord. So goes the song from Godspell. They are important words for all of us this Second Week of Advent. We are given this great season to prepare our minds and hearts for Jesus the anniversary of His birth AND preparing for His coming in Glory at the end of the world. How have you been able to prepare this last week? Are you farther ahead or farther behind in your prayer and your commitment to following Jesus? Have you grown closer to the Lord or have the deeds and tasks and demands of this week pulled you in a different direction? Let us each utilize the gift of this season to take time in your busyness to be with the Lord in prayer, to find a quiet moment, to relax in the presence of our Savior and to hear His voice speaking to us. Have a joy-filled week. May the goodness of Christ guide us always. Father Fred "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar...and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee...and Lysanias was tetrach of..." Did you need to pinch yourself awake during the first few lines of this Sunday's Gospel? John the Baptist received quite a prelude today as Luke described the religious and political leadership of the time period. Scripture is divinely inspired, and we believe that everything that made it into the Bible is there for a reason. These lines remind us of an important truth. The Christmas story isn't a fairy tale or nursery rhyme. It's not a parable we say to give meaning to the holiday. At Christmas, God's presence is made tangible in a precise moment in time. The birth of Christ is a historical event. As precursor to Jesus' preaching, the ministry of John the Baptist is also a historical event. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." John's call to repentance and the forgiveness of sins happened in a particular time and place. But that does not mean it is limited to first century Palestine! God continues to move in our daily lives. What we hear in today's Gospel - and what we anticipate at Christmas - occurs in our daily lives. God works in concrete ways in time and space. He did that 2,000 years ago, and He continues to do so today! This Sunday, examine your own Christmas preparations. Is there anything you need to repent of before the Christmas season? Are there low points in your life, valleys to "be filled" by the love of God? Are their mountainous obstacles in your spiritual life? How can they be "made low"? Are you making decisions that have moved you away from God? This Advent season is the time for them to "be made straight and be made smooth." Prepare the way in your heart for Christ today! ORGANIZATIONS CYO, Jerry Florence stmarycyo.wc@gmail.com Charismatic Prayer Group, Jim Crowley Catholic Divorced, Widowed & Separated, Char Buckman Eucharistic Adoration, Mary Johnstone Finance Council, Brian Mulligan Gabriel Project-Hotline Homebound Ministry, Helene Vizcarra Hospital Ministry, Angeles Ron Knights of Columbus, Todd Conway Respect Life Ministry, Jim Crowley Rosary Makers, Ana Lau St. Vincent de Paul, Brian Kavanagh

3 Staff and Administration Parish Office Fax Fr. Fred Riccio, Pastor Fr. Dante Tamayo, Parochial Vicar Fr. John Blaker, In residence Ana Lau, Office Manager Aileen Baker, Bookkeeper Faith Formation Mary Kerfs, Administrative Assistant Tim Mannix, RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator Austin Pisciotto Grades Maureen Tiffany Grades K Heather Abraham, Grades 7-8, Confirmation School Office Website: Alumni: Garrett Padia, Principal Advisory Council Joel Williams, President Parents Club Shannon Crvarich, Co-President Lisa Kavanagh, Co-President Sheila Deignan Derek Lyn Candy Udell Norma Bolla Fellner Duke Sella Sally O Connor Josefina Zabat Mina Leon Marisa Magno Angela Crain Mary McLoughlin Nancie Campi Witold Pokorski Aimee Kwiatowski Marina de Castilla Claudia Black Doris Black Allison Flamez Michael Dunbar Sandy Spayd Maryanne Phillips PRAY FOR THE SICK Jenny Schneider Maritess Ingco Pam Brady Aurora Sanchez Maria Teresa Granda Martha Martinez Margarita Caracas Leticia Gomez Elsa de Rossi Monica Jara Ana Alvarez Benjamin Christman Isabel Castillo Susana Jaime Maria Vargas Anthony De Cristoforo Wilfred Gundao Rosalinda Reyes Annabelle Semira Christine Pollnow Carmen Bardges MASS SCHEDULE DATE TIME MASS INTENTION 12/08 4:30 pm Richard Bialobrodski 12/09 6:30 am Catherine Feeney (L) 8:00 am Miles Green 9:30 am Olivia Hoskins (L) 11:00 am Miki Fasanella 1:00 pm Andrea Kochanik (L) 6:00 pm The People of St. Mary Parish 12/10 6:30 am Paul Ostermann (L) 12:05 pm Jose Lozano 12/11 6:30 am Nancy Thummess 12:05 pm Giselle Perez 12/12 5:00 am Mañanitas to Our Lady of Guadalupe 6:30 am Otto Idor 12:05 pm Luis Cabatingan (L) 7:00 pm Hispanic Community of St. Mary 12/13 6:30 am Fernand Briard 12:05 pm Junior & Caroline Calderon 12/14 6:30 am Thomas Rigdon 8:15 am St. Mary School Community 12:05 pm Steven & Gloria Silva 12/15 8:30 am Gonzalo Santos Our Lady of Guadalupe When Mary appeared to Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe, she had encouraging words for him. "Am I not here, I who am your mother?" In the image on Juan Diego's tilma (tunic), Mary identifies herself with the Aztec people. She has their hair and features, their symbolic maternity dress. She incorporated their important symbols of the sun, moon, and stars. The Mass for this feast day includes two Gospel options. Both are familiar passages from the Gospel of Luke - the Annunciation and the Visitation. Both are equally relevant to this feast because Mary's yes to Christ isn't only to care for him but to come to us. Our Lady of Guadalupe is pregnant. The image bears witness to Mary's yes to conceive the Savior of the World. But even in her pregnancy, she goes to care for Elizabeth. Now Mother to all the world, Mary comes to the aid of her children, reminding them of her presence among them.

4 THIS WEEK S CALENDAR December MONDAY, DECEMBER 10 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/SA 6:30 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/SE 7:00 PM Faith Form. 6th Gr./FF 7:00 PM Faith Form. 7th-8th Gr/SE 7:30 PM Choir Practice/Church WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12 9:00 AM Scripture Study/FF 7:00 PM Charismatic Prayer/FF-SM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 4:00 PM Faith Formation 4th-5th Gr/SE 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/Church 7:00 PM Young Adults/FF 7:00 PM Lay Apostolate/FF FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/Church SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 8:00 AM Men s Prayer Group/ 9:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16 9:30 AM Faith Formation K-3rd/FF 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 10:30 AM Hispanic Faith Form./FF 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church 7:00 PM Encounter Youth Group/Gym FF = Faith Formation Center SA = St. Anthony Rm. (near parish hall) SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room Aging religious need your help. Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests ministered for years for little to no pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate retirement savings. Your gift to today's second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps to provide medications, nursing care, and more for tens of thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous and give to those who have given a lifetime. The school and St Vincent De Paul are collecting toys again this Advent season. The Christmas Tree is on the altar, and we encourage you to take ornaments with the gift requests from the tree and return the gifts to the tree no later than Monday, December 17. Thank you for brightening up a child s Christmas! Once again, the St. Mary Saturday Musicians are selling their Christmas CD, featuring Christmas songs sung by Lynn Guidi and Ray Perez, together with Ernie Mansfield, flute and saxophone; and Pawel Walerowski, cello. The recording also features special guest Mario Balestrieri, pianist. Mario has been a pianist/ organist with the Diocese of Oakland and San Franciso for many years. In addition, the CD features bonus tracks recorded previously with our former pianist, Andrea Morse. All profits from the sale of the CD will be donated to St. Mary Church. Please see any of the musicians to purchase the CD. It's time to sign up to participate in the children's Christmas Eve 3pm Mass. We need children of all ages (TK through 8th grade). There are lots of parts for readers and Gospel actors. There will be a mandatory rehearsal on Saturday, December 22, for ALL participants. If interested, please contact Mrs. Guidi at mftheart@yahoo.com by December 14 with name of child, grade and parts interested in. ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2018 Wednesday, December 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 5:00 am Mañanitas & Rosary 6:30 am Mass of the Day 12:05 pm Mass of the Day 7:00 pm Mass in Spanish Mon., December 17, 7:00 pm Communal Penance Service The celebration of this Sacrament is a wonderful way to prepare ourselves to celebrate Advent and Christmas. We will have several visiting priests assisting with individual confessions. Monday, December 24 ONE DAILY MASS at 10:00 a.m. Christmas Eve: 3:00, 5:00, 8:00 (Bilingual), 11:00 pm Tue., Dec. 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Masses: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm (Spanish) NO 6:00 pm Mass

5 SIMBANG GABI The Filipino Society of Christ the King Parish invites you to join in the celebration of "Simbang Gabi", a nine-day novena in preparation for the birth of Jesus, December Mass begins at 6:30 p.m. every night (except Sunday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 23, when mass begins at 6 p.m.). Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 18, will be held in the gym. Refreshments will be served after each mass. Then join us for a dinner after the conclusion of mass on the 23rd. For more information, please contact Imelda Santos ( ) or Maritess Baula ( ). The Diocese of Oakland has encouraged us to assist people who wish to contribute to the need of those devastated by the wildfires in Northern California. People are asked to contribute to Catholic Charities USA. All (100%) of contributions to them will support those suffering from the wildfires. You may visit to contribute online. Checks can be sent to: Catholic Charities USA, Attn: California Wildfires 2050 Ballenger Ave., Ste 400 Alexandria, VA Meeting the California Challenges to a Faithful Christian Life Don t miss our Catholics@Work speaker on December 11! Andrew Rivas is the new Executive Director of the California Catholic Conference, which serves as the critical interface for the Church with state government and other entities. As the link between California s 12 dioceses, CCC will face many challenges in the coming years, including relations with the new governor and the legislature. Mr. Rivas will be discussing the greatest challenges facing Catholics in California. Join C@W Tuesday, December 11, at 7am, preceded by mass at 6:30, at the Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Drive, Danville. A generous breakfast is provided and the program concludes promptly at 8:15. $20 Members, $30 Nonmembers. Please register in advance at catholicsatwork.org. Wildfire Relief Peace in the Womb Christmas Caroling on Fri., December 21 In the Christmas story, hope enters the world through the birth of a child, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. Join us as we sing carols and share this Christmas hope where it s needed most: the abortion facility right here in our community. Event: Peace in the Womb Christmas Caroling When: Friday, Dec. 21, 10-11am Where: Planned Parenthood Walnut Creek, 1357 Oakland Blvd. More Info: Contact info@calright2life.or call FREE Natural Family Planning (NFP) Intro Class Join other couples and individuals to hear about the science and effectiveness of family planning that is natural and healthy for women and marriages, while being supported by Church teaching. Dr. Tom Lenz and his wife Debbie challenge cultural perceptions and present scientific and practical information on the variety of safe natural methods being taught all over the world. You too can benefit from this timely introduction to NFP, which can also be an effective alternative to infertility treatments. December 15 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Brentwood. RSVP or find out more info by calling Bishop Barber offers the following prayer: We pray for all those suffering from the fires in our State. For those who have lost everything, that our solidarity will show them the merciful face of Christ. We also pray for those who have died, that the Lord may welcome them in His peace, comfort their families and encourage those who are providing relief and support. We also pray for the brave women and men battling the fires and providing immediate aid to all affected, for their safety and strength.

6 Disciples in Training Faith Formation Youth Ministry LITTLE SAINTS Kinder - 3rd Sunday 9:15am - 10:45am THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12) Sunday, December 9, 2018 Catequesis en español Ages 6-13yrs Sunday 11:15am - 12:45pm ROCK 4th - 5th Grade Thursday 4:00pm - 5:30pm BLAST 6th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDGE 7th - 8th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm Join us, next Sunday, Dec. 16, after the 6PM Mass for the Annual Youth Band Christmas Concert! CONFIRMATION Call for info YOUTH GROUP 9th - 12th Grade Sunday 7:00pm - 9:00pm Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office Lifeteen.stmarywc@ gmail.com Sunday Thursday 8:30 5:30pm Last Sunday at Little Saints, the K-3rd grade families gathered to learn about the Liturgical Season of Advent. Each family created an Advent Calendar in the form of a chain with a link to pull off each day so they can put their faith into action. Families are really loving the opportunity to gather together in faith to support their children and each other! K-3rd Little Saints Family Session Sunday, December 16 In the SMC Gym! All Saints families are welcome to join us for family time, food and fun!

7 A la Espera de la Salvación de Dios El mundo no parece tan grande como para contener el alborozo que causa la primera lectura. En la lectura del Evangelio, el Imperio Romano tampoco es lo suficientemente grande. Los grandes poderes de Roma se designan y se hacen esperar por la salvación de Dios. Y encontramos a Pablo que medita gozosamente en lo que importa, en lo que realmente cuenta. De acuerdo con Baruc, la ciudad de Jerusalén es como una persona que en puntillas espera la salvación de Dios, que viene del Este. Los que fueron llevados a pie, con la cabeza gacha, regresan ahora orgullosos. Todo el camino está pavimentado. Al lado del camino hay árboles fragantes y frondosos. No puede haber algo mejor que eso, no es así? Bueno, sí puede haber algo mejor. Porque una voz grita en el desierto. Aquí comienza la salvación de Dios. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. No estoy yo aquí que soy tu madre? BUSCANDO A NUESTRO SALVADOR! Tradiciones de Nuestra Fe En 1726, Juan de la Cruz ( ) fue canonizado por el Papa Benito XIII. Nació en la región de Castilla en España, este doctor de la Iglesia junto con Teresa de Ávila fue reformador de la Orden Carmelita. Muchas órdenes religiosas del siglo XV sufrieron grandes decadencias. Por eso mientras los protestantes se separaban de la Iglesia, los religiosos descalzos, recoletos y observantes buscaban reformar órdenes religiosas, como la Orden de la Bienaventurada Virgen María del Monte Carmelo, uniéndose siempre más a la Iglesia romana. Para los reformadores católicos quedarse en la Iglesia no fue fácil, sin embargo se quedaron! Aunque sus reformas fueron apoyadas por los papas, muchos de ellos, como Juan de la Cruz, tuvieron que aguantar muchas oposiciones y persecuciones para lograr sus reformas. Estas reformas ardían con el deseo de amar bien a Cristo Jesús y a su cuerpo que es la Iglesia. En sus poesías, Juan de la Cruz muestra la fuerza de esta llama de amor vivo a pesar de la oscuridad de la noche que no lo deja encontrar al amante (Dios). Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. LO QUE FALTA Uno nunca se da cuenta de lo que ya hizo; sólo se fija en lo que falta por hacer. Marie Curie La segunda colecta de hoy es para el fondo de retiro de los sacerdotes, hermanos y hermanas de órdenes religiosas. La segunda colecta del próximo domingo es para las flores de Navidad para la iglesia. Gracias por contribuir. FECHAS IMPORTANTES Diciembre 9, Clase 11:00am Dinámica de Adviento Familiar Diciembre 16, POSADA 10:30am (925) janet.stmary@gmail.com LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 35:1-10; Sal 85 (84):9-14; Lc 5: Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-3 o Lc 1:39-47, o cualquier lectura del Común de la Santísima Virgen María, nos Jueves: Is 41:13-20; Sal 145 (144):1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Eclo 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15-16, Mt 17:9a, Domingo: Sof 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Fil 4:4-7; Lc 3:10-18