SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Transcription

1 Saint Brigid Parish December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Encounter Love Serve Jesus One Another The World Mass Schedule: Reconciliation: Prayer and Devotions: Children: Youth Ministry: Adults: Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. Daily: 7:30 a.m. Holy Days: 7:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. or by appointment Centering Prayer: Tuesdays 7:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration: Thursdays 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Healing Prayer: 1st Sunday 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. NightWATCH Candlelight Adoration: 3rd Friday 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Tuesdays after 7:30 a.m. Mass Prayer Divine Mercy Chaplet: Thursdays 3:00 p.m. Rosary: Daily after 7:30 a.m. Mass Children s Programs run September - May Pre-School & Kindergarten: During 9:00 a.m. Mass Grade 1: Sundays 8:40 a.m. 9:35 a.m. Grades 2-8: Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. 7:50 p.m. High School: Wednesdays Jr. High School: Tuesdays Becoming Catholic/RCIA, Connection to Christ Small Groups, Retreats, Parish Missions, Ongoing Opportunities SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Infant Baptism: Orientation for Parents & Godparents First Communion & First Reconciliation: Two-year process Teen Confirmation: Two-year process Becoming Catholic: Adults year round Marriage: Contact Parish Office to initiate 9-month preparation process Pastoral Staff Infant Baptism, RCIA, Funerals and Bereavement Lee Hulburt (858) x117 lee@ Children s Faith Formation Gayle Heyman (858) gayle@ Youth Ministry Vita Reivydas (858) vita@ Young Adult Ministry Jacqueline & Scott Weeman (858) youngadults@ Adult and Senior Ministries Nancy Wesseln (858) nancy@ Creation Care: Debbie Hedley (858) Centering Prayer: John Sclater (858) Cub Scouts: Tom Kozak (858) Culture of Life: Greg & Gabriele Anthony (858) Divorce Support: divorcesupport@ Eucharistic Ministry to Homebound: Fr. Sebastian (858) Family Life & Spirituality: Joe & Frannie LaRussa jlusd09@gmail.com Healing Prayer: Mike & Kathy MacCarthy (858) Home Visits: Gerry & Bev Greer (858) Knights of Columbus: Fred Williams (619) Pacesetters: Marianne Weis (619) Patricia Easton (858) Social Ministries: Deacon Mike Daniels (858) Surf Club: Holly Yang hollyby@hotmail.com Ushers: Parish Office (858) Classic Choir Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Mass Jensine Nolan (858) Contemporary Groups Revelation Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Mass Tim Foley (858) Morning Praise Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Mass Jensine Nolan (858) Ordinary Time Sunday, 5:30 p.m. Mass Brian Curry (619) Evangelization and Stewardship Maryanne Russell (858) maryanne@ Connection to Christ Coordinator Julie Colman (858) x111 julie@ Music Ministry Jensine Nolan (619) Wedding Coordinator Mary Lucena (858) weddings@ Business Manager Debbie Hedley (858) debbie@

2 SAINT BRIGID PARISH DECEMBER 24, 2017 Reflecting on Sunday s Gospel Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Lk 1:26-38 Theme: God s Spirit comes to us in ways we least expect. Question for Refection: Name one area of your life where God has surprised you with love, abilities, or even a pregnancy. How is God s Spirit upon you in this dimension of life? Readings for the Week Monday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27-29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] During the Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128: 1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Saints and Special Observances Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Tuesday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Wednesday: St. John Thursday: The Holy Innocents Friday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket Saturday: Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Mass Intentions December 25 December 30 Christmas Day Richard T. Maurer Reuben Hanshew, Jr. Ed Von Tobel Wayne Six Souls in Purgatory A Word from Our Pastor Dear Friends, One word more than any other describes the Christmas season: joy. With joy the angel Gabriel greeted the Virgin Mary, You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. It was with great joy that the angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds on a cold wintry night: Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. As disciples of the Lord we are called to be a people of joy, a joy that is a gift of the Spirit, a joy that is the fruit of faith and an outpouring of love that overflows our hearts. It is a joy that the world cannot give, a joy that is found only when we welcome Jesus into our hearts and let his love transform our lives. I join Father Sebastian, Deacon Mike, Deacon Chris, and the entire parish staff in wishing you and your loved ones a very joyful and blessed Christmas. May the One who came to save us continue to strengthen you in faith, sustain you in hope, and enrich you in love. Sincerely your is Christ, Fr. Steve Callahan Christmas & New Year Schedule Christmas Eve 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Join us for 9:00 a.m. Mass on Monday, January 1 as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. There will be no 7:30 a.m. Mass on January 1. Parish Office Holiday Hours Our Parish Offices will be closed Sunday, December 24 Monday, January 1. Words to Inspire The Word who found a dwelling in Mary s womb comes to knock on the heart of every person with singular intensity this Christmas. St. John Paul II Question for Reflection: To what extent have I allowed Jesus to dwell in my heart? Am I willing to give him more space in my heart and in my life? Am I ready to give him my whole heart and soul? In what ways would that make my life different? 2

3 Get Connected FORMING COMMUNITY FOR ADULTS OF ALL AGES San Diego Catholic ADULT COMMUNITY Connecting Catholics through social, faith, and service opportunities! St. Brigid has teamed up with several local parishes to form the San Diego Catholic Adult Community. Sign up to receive our weekly s. List St. Brigid as your parish. Calendar of Events: Parish Contact: Nancy Wesseln or (858) Somethings For all who find themselves between Young Adult and the Adult Community. Details on our Facebook Page: Contacts: & Young Adult Ministry 20s & 30s Wednesday Nights at St. B s 7:00 p.m. Ministry Center Please join us on Wednesday nights from 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. where we share in fellowship and read and reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings in large and small groups. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in the New Year! For more information about Wednesday Nights or our many other young adult events, contact Jacqueline and Scott Weeman at youngadults@ or (858) Adult Community (35+) Celebrating 6 Years! Epiphany and Anniversary Party Saturday, January 6 Senior Scene SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, ENRICHING FAITH, & KEEPING PHYSICALLY FIT Senior Scene Ongoing Events Mondays: Prayer Group All ages are welcome! Meets at 10:00 a.m. in the Bay Room. Tuesdays: Bridge 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. in the Bay Room. Wednesdays: Moving Meditation 10:00 a.m. in the Bay Room. All are welcome to this gentle, meditative movement. For more information, call Shirlee at (858) (No meetings December 27 and January 3) Wednesdays: Pacesetters 12:00 p.m. in the Bay Room Weekly gathering, lunch, and card games. Join us! Contacts: Marianne (619) or Pat (858) For more information about our Senior Scene, contact Nancy Wesseln at nancy@ or (858) :00 p.m. Double Tree Hotel in Del Mar Cocktail attire, DJ music, appetizers, no-host bar, free parking Ticket information is coming soon. 40 Somethings & 50 Somethings Age Bracket Events See your weekly or ACTIVE 60s+ Saint Brigid Friday Walking Group Walking together thankful for every step! Meet at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Bay Room Round trip minutes followed by stretching Contact: Mike and Sandi sandi@sandiegocac.org

4 Family Life & Spirituality GROWING IN FAITH & FELLOWSHIP Save the Date VBS! Children s Faith Formation News! Christmas Holiday Due to the Christmas Holidays, there will be no classes on Sunday, December 24 and 31 and Tuesday December 26 and January 2. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 9. We wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas and a Joy-filled New Year! Faith Formation Parents Family Life & Spirituality Fellowship Nights Tuesdays 6:15 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Ministry Center The Ministry Center is an open space for families with children in Faith Formation Classes to enjoy. Come and finish work, read a book, meet other parents, let younger siblings play (dedicated child area available), pray with others, or talk about the Sunday readings, or just enjoy some quiet space. Due to the Christmas break, we will not be meeting again until January 9. Growing with the Gospel Fill this Gospel message into The empty squares: Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God Vacation Bible School Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus July Save the date to join us this summer for another great adventure during Vacation Bible School the week of July 16 20! We are going on an island adventure where we ll learn more about trusting God through all our storms and how Jesus saves and rescues us! Our Christmas Gift to You FORMED Great News! Our parish has purchase a subscription to FORMED, an online platform which provides access to Catholic audio talks, movies, e-books, and video-based studies. There is great content for families and kids! See page 5 for registration instructions and our parish access code. Merry Christmas! 4 St. Brigid High School Ministry Youth Group Our Youth Group meets Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. 7:45 p.m. in the Parish Lounge. We are now on break for the Christmas Holiday and will resume on Wednesday, January 10. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! Confirmation The next meeting for Confirmation Preparation is Sunday, January 14 from 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. (includes 5:30 p.m. Mass and dinner). Year One and Year Two Candidates and their parents will be participating in a Living Your Strengths Workshop where they will learn about their God-given talents. For more information about High School ministries, contact our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Vita Reivydas, at vita@ or (818)

5 Becoming Catholic SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION Are you wondering what life is all about, perhaps asking yourself, What is my purpose, or Why am I here? You are welcome to seek answers with us! While we offer seasonal Connection to Christ groups to all adults, the Rite of Christian initiation of Adults (RCIA) group is the process by which the unbaptized and baptized Christians of other faith traditions, are invited to explore Catholic spirituality in community, deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our group meets weekly on Sunday mornings, year-round. The faith journey is unique to each person, and is often characterized by an awakening, or conversion of the heart, that leads one to desire an authentic life of Christian discipleship. Through the foundational sacraments of initiation Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist we encounter and participate fully in the mystery of Jesus Christ s life, saving death, and Resurrection. God wants us to know His love and fulfilling plan for our lives! We welcome all inquiries and look forward to accompanying you soon. Please Lee Hulburt, RCIA coordinator, at lee@ or call her at (858) x117. Prayer & Worship INDIVIDUAL & COMMUNAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTING WITH GOD Candlelight Adoration Friday, January 19 7:00 p.m. nightwatch is ninety minutes of prayer in candlelight with music and Eucharistic adoration. In the beauty of the darkened church illuminated by candles, enter the mystery of our Lord s presence. Your spirit will be lifted by the beautiful music and time with The Lord! Please join us and bring a friend. All are welcome! Need Prayer? Every first Sunday of the month the Healing Prayer Ministry is available from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the John Paul II Room. Healing Prayer time is an opportunity to have two of our prayer team members pray with you for whatever healing you need in your life, whether physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. If you need prayer at times other than the scheduled prayer time, we are happy to make arrangements to pray with you at another time. Call Mike and Kathy at (858) You can also send your prayer requests to prayer@ and our prayer team will pray for your intentions. We can also be reached through links on the parish website and on the weekly e-newsletter. We're here to help! 5 Prayer for the Sick Please include the following parishioners in your prayers for those suffering from illness or disease: Tom Abts JoAnn Antigiovanni Matilde Arviso Kathy Barlow Veronica Breda Doreen & Jerry Bosco Nora Cather Ed Cislo Irene Crawford Eva Crossman Julia Davidson David Decelles Gina Ferreira Terri Gandolfi Mary Gildea Toni Gohlson Emma Hernandez Eve Lonack Joe McGreevy Eileen Millay Fay Putz Hilda Rivera Dolores Riccio Ruth Smith April Solis Mildred Stuart Noel Stuart Virgie Candor Sweet Grace Szymanski Amparo Vallin Ariadna Wall Ethel Walsh Linda Wells Warren Wells Weekly Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet, 3:00 p.m. Join us for some quiet time with the Lord. Open Time Slot: 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Please contact Rosemary Fraunces at (858) if you are able serve in this ministry. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 A Gift from St. B s! For all our Parishioners, Visitors, and Neighbors We would like to give you a special Christmas gift! We have purchase a subscription to FORMED, an online platform which provides access to the best Catholic audio talks, movies, e-books, and video-based studies from providers like Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, Catholic Answers, Sophia Institute Press, and St. Paul Center right at your fingertips! Formed provides a plethora of content 24/7 to help you and your whole family grow in your faith! It s easy and free to register! Go to formed.org/register Enter our Access Code: Z4MN4X Enter your and create a password (you ll need this to login later) Enjoy and share with others in our local community! Z4MN4X

6 Support OFFERING RECOVERY, SUPPORT, HEALING, & HOPE Home Ministry Do you know someone who is challenged, sick, or homebound? We offer prayers, greeting cards, Holy Communion, and visits to pray the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or to just chat. To arrange a home visit for yourself or someone else, or to serve in this ministry, call Gerry and Bev Greer at (858) Christmas Season Tip: Give the gift of a visit or phone call to your family and friends! Military Members & Families Please contact Samantha Ratcliffe at ratcliff.sb@gmail.com to receive updates and information for our military community at Saint Brigid Parish. Divorce Support Bereavement Support Seasons of Hope: A Support Group for the Bereaved Thursdays, January 11 February 15 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Ministry Center We are now registering for our six-week winter series of Seasons of Hope: A Support Group for the Bereaved. If you cannot attend the first week, or might have to miss more than one week, please discuss it with us in advance. Look for our green brochure in the church display racks, in the office, and on the parish website (Support Ministries tab). Advance registration is requested. Questions? Call Lee Hulburt, (858) or lee@. Come and be comforted! Addiction Recovery & Support Catholics in Recovery Family Support Group Mondays* at 6:30 p.m. in the John Paul II Room Contact: stbrigidsupport@catholicinrecovery.com We discuss the Sunday readings in light of recovery principles and seek to foster a deeper understanding of our own recovery through our situations and lives. We welcome you to join us if you are a family member or loved one of someone suffering from addiction. *Due to the holidays, our next Catholic Family and Friends in Recovery meeting will be on January 8. Men s Pornography Recovery Group Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the Knights of Columbus Room Contact: stbrigidmens@catholicinrecovery.com Pornography and sex addiction have run rampant. The time has come to unite as a community to break this pattern and find freedom together through the channels of faith and fellowship. Come join us on Monday evenings as we gather for support on the road to healing and recovery. Recovering from Divorce: A Journey of Hope and Healing 13-Week Divorce Support Group Thursdays, Beginning January 11, 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Saint Brigid Ministry Center Suggested Donation for Materials: $30 Are you separated or newly divorced? Have you been divorced for a while but are still in need of healing? You are not alone. Come join other separated and divorced men and women for this 13-week series. Using materials from Divorced Catholic, this group will offer support and address the most pressing challenges of divorce. Topics include: Praying in Times of Distress Anger with Our Spouses Why Did God Allow This to Happen? What Does the Church Really Teach About Divorce? Staying Close to the Sacraments Dealing with Your Former Spouse How Are the Children? Our Own Self-Worth The Value of Suffering Working on Forgiveness Sex and Dating as a Divorced Catholic Hope for the Future and Our Vocation in Life To register, or for more information, please call (858) or divorcesupport@. 6 Outreach & Social Justice PROVIDING HELP, DIGNITY, & SOLIDARITY Neighbors In Need Next Meal: Monday, January 8 We ministers to our neighbors in need would like to thank you all for your support this past year. While this ministry has gone through some challenges and changes, we have continued to serve those in need who include some of our neighbors, seniors, families and some who are without homes. According to our records, we have served over 4,000 meals this past year. This would not have been possible without your wonderful continuing assistance with clothing, socks, sleeping bags, throws, travel size personal products, toothbrushes, toothpaste and cash donations. Due to scheduling conflicts during our Christmas season, we will not be serving our neighbors until Monday, January 8. For this reason, we would like to thank you all for your wonderful support this past year and wish you all a Blessed Christmas with your families and friends and a safe and Happy New Year!

7 Evangelization & Stewardship SHARING THE GOOD NEWS THROUGH WORD & DEED Discipleship at Saint Brigid Our pastor, Fr. Steve Callahan, gave his moving homily in early December. It describes the heart of our mission and vision at St. B s. We share it with you in hope that it gives you a sense of who we are and who we are striving to become: At the end of the first reading, the prophet Isaiah gives us a beautiful image for our relationship with God. We are the clay and he is the potter, the work in His hands. The father's lifelong mission to mold us and shape us and form us in His image. In the second reading, Saint Paul reminds us of the vocation that we received in our baptism, to fellowship with Christ Jesus. These two thoughts or images express well what the season of Advent is all about; a season of hope, a season of desire, a season for us to get in touch once again with what are the deepest desires of our hearts. Communion with God and one another, and to be aware of God's desires for all of us. Tonight I'd like to reflect with you on my hopes and desires for our parish, rather not just mine, but our entire parish staff. Our vision for our community as we go forward. Over five years ago as a staff, we read and reflected together on a book by Sherry Weddell called Forming Intentional Disciples. It was a game changer for me as a priest. For I realized that I'm called not to just respond to people's needs, whatever they might be, but to help form you with intentionality as disciples. What's a disciple? What does it look like to live as a disciple of Jesus? There are five essential characteristics, and if one of them is not active in our life, we're not living as disciples in that moment. The first is to believe in Jesus Christ, and I'm just not talking about assent to the truth that he is the Son of God who took on human flesh, who suffered, died and rose again. By belief in Him, I mean we trust Him, with our lives. We allow him to lead us each day and guide us in the mission He has entrusted to us. The second characteristic is growth in Christ. At any given moment in our lives if we're honest, we are either moving away from him or drawing closer to Him. Third, a disciple gathers with a community of faith in the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist, to experience His presence, in Word and sacrament and one another. Fourth, a disciple seeks to love as Jesus loves, to take on his attitudes of the heart, his ways of thinking, his ways of acting. 7 Discipleship continued And finally a disciple is one who goes out and seeks to bring others to Christ. How does this happen in our lives? One word, "accompaniment", beautifully expressed by Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel. Every one of us can identify one or more persons in our life, who has walked with us as disciples, who showed us what it's like to live as a follower of Jesus. In the culture in which we live, we can no longer just let that happen, because it's not happening. And so we have to be intentional about it. And our hope is many of you as possible, we can help you identify a person who accompanies you in your journey as a disciple. And secondly, as part of that accompaniment that you have a spiritual plan, a rule of life. I went through five years of formation to become a priest and we had a rule of life that encompassed our growth in human development as a person, our spiritual life, our academic studies because that was a major thrust of our time and our pastoral care in service of others. And we were accountable to someone else, to share that with. And I recognized as well, that formation as a disciple, is a lifelong task. We're never done! Now as a church, we have not done that for you. We're talking about a culture shift, to develop a culture of formation, a culture of accompaniment that we accompany one another at every phase of our life journey as disciples. We started working with Evangelical Catholic, out of Madison, Wisconsin over four years ago. A number of you have been in small groups, Connection to Christ. It's all about accompaniment and discipleship. A little over a year ago with nine other parishes from around the country, we started working with Parish Catalyst in Los Angeles. We all thought the focus was to help young adults be more engaged in the life of the church. We were wrong. That was too narrow of a focus. Accompanying one another as disciples is a lifelong task. Maybe the young people will be more responsive to our effort to change this culture in our church. At root, it's about falling in love with Jesus, allowing ourselves to fall ever more deeply in love with Him. And so I want to conclude with a quote that our former associate, Father Peter Bosque, sent me last week. It's from Father Pedro Arrupe, a very holy man, a Jesuit, who is a superior general of the Jesuits worldwide, who died in This is what he said, Nothing is more practical than finding God, (that is) than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. Mission Possible A 10-Part Bulletin Series on our Parish Mission Our parish mission series will return next week with a reflection on serving one another. Stewardship of Treasure Sunday and Christmas Offering Thank you for your participation in our parish life and mission through your financial stewardship. We are grateful for your regular Sunday offering and your Christmas offering. Your prayerful, planned, and proportionate contribution enables us to give the gift of faith to others as we continue our mission of forming disciples (that s you!) who go out and set the world aflame with the love of Jesus Christ! If you do not receive envelopes, and you d like to give your Christmas gift online, visit www. saintbrigidparish.weshareonline.org.