Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35 FOLLOW OUR PARISH

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1 ST. MARY PARISH th Street, Sacramento CA Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm Phone (916) Fax (916) Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35 PARISH INFORMATION MARRIAGE: Contact the Parish office at (916) months prior to the wedding date. Marriage Preparation classes are available. INFANT BAPTISM: Contact the Parish Office. Parents and godparents must attend class. ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Contact the Parish Office regarding sick, elderly who are at home, hospitals or special care facilities. MUSIC: For Music Ministry, call Ben (916) RCIA: Process for adults and children of catechetical age who are interested in joining the Catholic Church and baptized Catholics wanting to complete their initiation sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Please call Michelle Mills at (916) CFF: Catholic youth are formed through the Parish Faith Formation Program (CFF). Deacon Lu (916) x12 BULLETIN: Our church bulletin is prepared two weeks in advance. All submissions are reviewed by the Pastor. requests to traci@stmarysacto.org no later than the Thursday two weeks before. ST. MARY SCHOOL To enroll in Preschool or TK to 8th grade, please contact principal, Laura Allen at the school (916) or find more information on our website MASS SCHEDULE Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am, and 6:00pm Daily Mass: Monday - Saturday 8:00am; Saturday 5:00pm (Vigil Mass) Holy Days: As announced in bulletin CONFESSION : Saturday: 3:30pm-4:30pm Or by appointment PASTOR: Fr. James Narithookil, CMI frjames@stmarysacto.org PAROCHIAL VICAR : Fr. Sijo Chirayath, CMI frsijo@stmarysacto.org DEACONS Deacon Luigi Del Gaudio, MSW deaconlu@stmarysacto.org Deacon George W. Kriske deacongeorge@stmarysacto.org BUSINESS MANAGER: Tracilyn Peters traci@stmarysacto.org INFANT MARY CHAPEL Open Daily 6:30 am-5:00 pm Solemn Adoration: First Fridays 8:30 am-6:00pm PARISHIONER REGISTRATION: Please contact parish office at (916) FOLLOW OUR PARISH

2 Christmas Message from Mother Teresa of Calcutta At Christmas Christ comes to us like a little child, small and helpless, so much in need of all that love can give. Are we ready to receive Him? Before the birth of Jesus His parents asked for a simple dwelling place, but there was none. If Mary and Joseph were looking for a home for Jesus, would they choose your house and all it holds? Today there is so much trouble in the world, and I think that much of it begins at home. The world is suffering because there is no peace in the family. We have so many thousands of broken homes. We must make our homes centers of compassion and forgiveness, and so bring peace. Make your house, your family, another Nazareth, where love, peace, joy, and unity reign, for love begins at home. You must start there and make your home a center of love. You must be the hope of eternal happiness to your wife, your husband, your child, to your grandfather, your grandmother, to whoever is connected to you. The home is where the mother is. Once I found a child on the streets. I took him to our children s home and gave him a bath and some clean clothes, but he ran away. He was found again by somebody else, but he ran away a second time. After we found him, I said to the sisters, Please follow that child and see where he goes when he runs away. When the child ran away a third time they followed him, and there, under a tree, was his mother. She had put stones under a small earthenware vessel and was cooking some food she had found. The sister asked the child, Why did you run away from the home? And the child answered, But this is my home because this is where my mother is. That was home. The food that was found was all right because Mother had cooked it. It was Mother who hugged the child, Mother who wanted the child and the child had his mother. And between a wife and a husband it is the same Let us pray that we shall be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas not in the cold manager of our heart but in a heart full of love and humanity, a heart warm with love for one another. Fr. James Narithookil, CMI Pastor TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Children of the parish are somewhat focused on Santa Claus these days, who is keeping an eye on who s naughty and who s nice. Santa Claus, with his heavenly patron Saint Nicholas, has been more or less in charge of gift-giving to American children for a hundred years or so. In other places, perhaps more attentive to our Christian tradition, there are different giftbearers. In Greece, Saint Basil delivers the presents on his feast day, December 31, and makes sure everyone is sprinkled with holy water. The Baby Jesus is in charge elsewhere, called the Christkind in Austria and Belgium, El Niño Jesús in Columbia, and Le Petit Jesus in France, where he shares his duties with Père Noël. In the Czech Republic almost everyone is atheist, but Ježíšek, the infant Jesus, brings gifts to one and all. In Poland the Star Man is said to bring the gifts, although often he turns out to be the village priest in disguise. Saint Nicholas, not his Americanized cousin, is the giver in Holland, where he wears a bishop s miter, and in Russia, where he wears a bishop s crown. Soviet Russia tried to dethrone Saint Nicholas and promote Grandfather Frost, but no one was much fooled by this attempt to squeeze religion out of Christ s birth. One country has a saintly woman in charge of the gifts, Saint Lucy, honored in Sweden on December 13, when children serve their parents breakfast in bed, and others awake to news that they have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Some children have a second round of gifts on Epiphany, when the magi assume the gift-giving duties. In general, the gifts of Christmas are simple pleasures, not great heaps of treasures. Once upon a time, a new pair of socks or an orange was enough for us. No matter what gifts we receive, all of them are to point us to the true gift, and the true giver. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

3 We Welcome the Following New Parishioner To Our Parish Family: Carol Gleeson, Millie & Charles Drake Marco Contreras Mary Nancy Plasencia We encourage all new Parishioners to take a moment to register. Millie June Drake Frank Garcia Eugene Koger 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 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 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 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-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 Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40] Mass Intentions Sunday, December 24 8:00am Maria Ranieri + Domenick Stefani + 9:30am Requested By The Renato Ranieri Family Stefani Family Jim,Bernadette,Denis & Josie Tomassetti + Family Norman Santos + Jack & Arlen Licursi 11:00am Nikola & Mila Batarelo + Ante & Neda Terzich + 4:00pm Anna De Clereq + Don Dali + 6:30pm Connie Lee + William Gabrielli + Monday, December 25 12:00am Tony Mattos + Randy Causland + Bilandzich Family Bilandzich Family Family Cathy Marie Sartuche Gloria & Family Alice Mattos & Family Marie Sartuche 9:00am Maria & Mario Ferrarotti+ + Daughers Danny & Ann Melchiorre + Family 11:00am Del & Muriel Baeta + Lino Carolo + Husband Gloria & Family Tuesday, December 26 8:00am Darlene Klein Tylman + Dolores Storman Gloria Pajarillo + Romeo & Nenita Pajarillo Wednesday, December 27 8:00am Raymond Clemons + Family Fr. Francis Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann Thursday, December 28 8:00am Rick & DoLores Evans+ Daughter Fr. Jossy Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann Friday, December 29 8:00am Jerome Chetcuti + Kathy Traversi Fr. Joshy Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann Saturday, December 30 8:00am Fr. James Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann Fr. Sijo Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann 5:00pm Mary Barrett + Michael Noto + Sunday, December 31 8:00am Elvira O Day Bernadette Hayes + 9:30am Thomas Quesada + Mike Koewler 11:00am Thomas Quesada + George Haag + Sister Wife & Children Mary Kassis Maria Hayes, Sister Blecha Family Rich & Carol Chelini Emily Rossi Pam Myczek 6:00pm For our Parishioners and their Prayer Requests

4 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Do you have questions about the Catholic faith? Are you thinking about becoming Catholic? Are you Catholic but never completed the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and/or Eucharist)? If you or someone you know has questions like these, contact Michelle Mills at for more information about the RCIA process. Families in Need of Assistance We have a couple of families, due to recent circumstances, who are in great need of help with the tuition for their children here at St. Mary School. While our school does give out a substantial amount of tuition assistance each year to our families in need, we have at this point awarded what was available plus a bit more. Therefore, during this time of thanks and giving, we are reaching out to our parish community to ask if you might be able to help. If you would like to help one of these families in need, please contact Ms. Allen, our school principal, at extension 110. Thank you. New! Flower envelope included with weekly contribution envelopes Beginning in January, you will receive a flower envelope with your weekly contribution envelopes. The purpose of the envelop is to collect funds to purchase fresh flowers for the altar and other items needed for the altar such as linens. Every little bit can help and our altar will look beautiful adorned with fresh flowers each week. We are grateful to have volunteers who will purchase and arrange the flowers. Please contact Teres Mugnaini, Liturgy Chair if you have any questions. ( ) Pianist Needed Our Music Ministry is looking for a part-time occasional pianist to fill in playing at our weekend liturgies from time to time. Please contact our Liturgical Music Director, Ben Billeci, if you are interested in helping out. You can reach Ben or ben@stmarysacto.org The full job posting can be viewed under the employment tab at the Diocese website: scd.org The clergy and staff of St. Mary Parish would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas! In observance of Christmas the parish office will be closed Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26 Congratulations to Fr. Sijo on the 6th Anniversary of his ordination on December 28 Holy Hour for Vocations Please join the Office of Vocations and St. John Vianney Parish (10497 Coloma Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA) in prayer and fellowship for vocations on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 6 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Vocations at (916) or by at msmith@scd.org. December Update - Prayer Request Group The Prayer Request Prayer Group continues to meet Mondays at 6:30pm in the Church to pray for the needs of St. Mary's Parishioners and their loved ones. This December we will not meet on Dec. 18 due to the Penance service, or on Dec. 25 Christmas day. If you would like us to pray for you, please place your written request in a Prayer Request Box on one of the tables in the vestibule. Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

5 The St. Mary Building Fund Raiser needs volunteers! There are a number of clerical and interactive volunteer opportunities that we need help with. Please contact any of the following Committee members if you are interested in helping with this very important Building Fund Raiser for our parish. At this time, we request that parishioners, who have submitted their written intention forms in support of the building fund, proceed with their commitment. On the first Sunday of each month there is a building fund collection. Electronic offerings are also encouraged as a convenient online system. Go to to donate and from there you an enroll. Please keep in mind that 100% of your donation to the St. Mary Parish Building Fund stays with the parish. It is with immense gratitude that our parish fundraiser will be a success because of you. Thank you for your gifts. Nikola Bilandzich # Fernando De La Rosa # Suzie Rozewski # Mike Paparella # /24/17 CHRISTMAS EVE Adult/Teens Catechumenate Kids Catechumenate Children s Liturgy of the Word 12/25/17 MERRY CHRISTMAS Divine Mercy Chaplet 12/26/17 Neo Catechumenal Way St. Mary Adult Recreational Basketball 12/27/17 Centering Prayer Group Choir Practice 12/28/17 Choir Practice 12/29/17 Divine Mercy Chaplet 12/30/17 Confessions Neocatechumenal Way 12/31/17 Adult/Teens Catechumenate Kids Catechumenate Children s Liturgy of the Word Liturgical Signing/ASL Catechesis Classes in 2018 Calling all Catholic ASL signers! We are planning Liturgical Signing and ASL Catechesis classes in Please contact Jo Clark at (530) for more information. THE GIFT OF TREASURE With gratitude for the gifts they have received, Parishioners and visitors made a joyful return to the Lord of the following: December 17, 2017 Weekly Collection (including EOP) :$ 9,966.63* Weekly Goal (to cover expenses): $13, Please remember St. Mary s, your Spiritual Home, in your will. *This amount only represents weekly Sunday Mass collections. Other sources of income (i.e. donations, building fund, etc.) are not included in this number. OUR MISSION STATEMENT St. Mary Parish prepares and sustains its members and guests for a life and eternity in the presence of God. In accomplishing our mission, we proclaim and celebrate our salvation through Jesus Christ enlivened by the Holy Spirit, nourish our sacramental life especially in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and demonstrate our faith worshiping, educating, serving and encouraging vocations as modeled by Mother Mary. Feast of the Holy Innocents Candlelight Procession and Mass Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament th Street, Sacramento On Thursday, December 28, Bishop Jaime Soto will lead the annual Feast of the Holy Innocents Candlelight Rosary Procession and Mass. We will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (11th & K) and pray for the sanctity of life as we walk to Our Lady of Guadalupe (7th & T) for Mass at 7:00 p.m. This March for Life commemorates those male infants of Bethlehem who were killed by decree of King Herod, as well as those innocent unborn babies lost by abortion today. Bring your family and walk to Mass praying the rosary. Candles will be provided. Carpools will shuttle people back to their cars. Dress warmly and bring umbrellas if needed. For more information, please call Leticia at (916)

6 Advent Giving Tree It s that time again for the Advent Giving Tree which benefits homeless women and children at Maryhouse. Various needed items such as diapers, fast food gift cards, etc. are listed on ornaments on the tree in the vestibule of the church. Be sure to take one and return your gift unwrapped. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Any Questions? Please contact Joanie at Fourth Sunday of Advent, PEACE Sunday, December 24 Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, risen from the dead. He is the King of Glory. Mass Schedule Saturday, December 23, 5 pm Vigil Mass Sunday, December 24, 8am, 9:30am and 11am There will be no 6pm Mass Liturgical Note: Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas are both Holy Days of Obliga on. Na vity of the Lord Christmas Sunday, December 24 Vigil of Christmas (Holy Day of Obliga on) Mass Schedule 4 pm Family Mass (Childrens Choir) 6:30 pm Vigil Mass (Christmas Choir) Monday, December 25 Christmas (Holy Day of Obliga on) Mass Schedule 12 am Midnight Mass 9 am Mass (Christmas Choir) 11 am Mass (Bridget Brennan & Ed Tra on)

7 We re Hiring! Camp Pendola, Camptonville, CA Camp Pendola is hiring energetic Catholic adults as Summer Camp Counselors for Summer Camp Counselors live with campers in a small group outdoor setting. Camp Counselors will mentor campers, provide a positive role model, assist in teaching special programs (archery, nature, arts & crafts), lead activities with campers and promote a positive spiritual atmosphere. If you would like more information or to apply please go to or contact Jennifer Campbell at (530) Christian Brothers High School Placement Exam for Incoming Freshmen Saturday, January 20, 2018 Eighth graders interested in attending CB in the school year are required to take the placement exam on Saturday, January 20 from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online applications are due by January 19, Please contact the Admissions Office for more information at (916) or visit the CB website at JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS PASTORAL CENTER Director of Family & Faith Formation Sacramento Coordinator for Pastoral Juvenil Sacramento Regional Coordinator for Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sacramento JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS CATHOLIC FUNERAL & CEMETERY SERVICES Family Service Advisor St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center, Sacramento Part-time Funeral Assistant St. Mary Funeral Center & George L. Klumpp Chapel of Flowers, Sacramento To apply for a position, please a short cover letter, resume, and application to personnel@scd.org Positions are open until filled. For more information and complete job descriptions, visit the diocesan website and look under employment. Thank you. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK begins Sunday, January 28th with Family Mass at 9:30 a.m., followed by OPEN HOUSE from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a great time to show off the great things we offer at St. Mary School. During Open House, our parent club will be serving breakfast and our Science Fair will be on display in the hall. Our annual Scholastic Book Fair will be in the Library for an entire week so don t miss it. We look forward to seeing you there! On Friday, February 2, the students and staff will host Grand Day from 9 am to 12:15 pm. There will be a welcome from Father James, choir singing and dancers dancing! Now Accepting Applications for the School year! A brochure on the application process is available in the vestibule. Please contact the school at for more information. Pier Young Adult Group New Year New Beginning The Pier Group (Young Adult Ministry) at St. Mary Parish is for adults between years of age. JOIN US on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 7:10 pm to 8:30pm in the Holy Spouses Room. We will be creating the calendar of activities for 2018! The Pier Group strives to incorporate bible verse reflection and prayer with social and community service events monthly. Please follow us on Facebook at Pier Group Sacramento for young adult events. Contact Monika Lopez at Pier- Group916@gmail.com or for more info Youth Leadership Training Are you searching for a way to engage, encourage and empower high school leaders in their Discipleship? We invite you to consider sending teens to our weekend-long training on December at Trinity Pines Catholic Center in Colfax. Teens will be empowered to live as disciples and servant leaders, gain practical skills to lead vibrant youth ministry in the parish, and lead them to a closer relationship with Christ. The cost for the 3-day training is $150. For more information, please contact Jennifer Campbell at jcampbell@scd.org, via phone at (530) or visit *NEW* Engaging Catechist Series Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 7:00pm- 8:30 pm Pastoral Center, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, If you are a catechist teacher trying to reach your students in a more engaging way, check out the Engaging Catechist Series. A set of classes that enables the catechist to develop their practical skills needed in a classroom setting. Join us on Thursday, January 25 for Different Learning Styles, Crafts and Activates from 7p.m.-8:30pm. Call Lauralyn Solano for more information at or via at lsolano@scd.org

8 From the WLP Vault comes the Bible Story of Christmas featuring 8 Classic Christmas Carols and a reading of the Gospel of Luke 2: 4-20 by Bing Crosby! Also available on vinyl. FAMILY PORTRAITS SENIOR/GRADUATION PORTRAITS WEDDINGS BECKEE LIENERT Owner /Parishioner (480) Mention this ad and receive $50 off a regular session! Photo Courtesy of Bing Crosby Enterprises Visit WLPmusic.com to purchase your copy - CD $10.00 STEPHANIE GLORIOSO EPOLITE St. Mary A T T O R N E Y A T L AW CST Cemetery & Funeral Center WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATES, GUARDIANSHIPS, FD2263 Your family resource for Advance Planning and End-of-Life Services Come Sail Away on a 7-night Catholic Exotic Cruise starting as low as $1045 per couple & CONSERVATORSHIPS Brian or Sally, coordinators 333 University Avenue, Suite 200 Parishioner an Official Travel Agency of Apostleship of the Sea-USA (916) Ask for your Parish Discount Mercy McMahon Terrace Assisted Living At It s Best 3865 J Street Sacramento Owned and operated by the Diocese of Sacramento RCFE # Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home Great Food Right in Your Neighborhood FD # Folsom Blvd Tues.-Sat. 8:00am-9:00pm Sun. 8:00am-3:00pm BANQUETS AVAILABLE $10 OFF Total Dinner Orders of $30 or More 5401 Folsom Blvd Sacramento, CA AND CATERING A Unique Dining Experience (58th & Folsom Blvd.) Sacramento th St (in the 57th St. Antique Row) S PLU ROONEY MBING Closed Mondays # CATERING SPECIALISTS George L. Cook Sr. Chairman Executive Committee 48th & J St. 55th and Folsom Blvd. CA Lic# Serving the Sacramento Communty ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS with Dignity, Compassion and Integrity Since 1932 Parishioner MARY WILLETT Realtor Cal BRE # Parishioner & School Parent Cell ANDY THIELEN Realtor CalBRE # The best little Heating and Air Company in Sacramento athielen@golyon.com (916) Parishioner for over 40 Years St Mary Church Service Repair Installation Parishioner & Parent at St. Mary St. Mary parishioner discount mary@sacramentohomes.net WEBSITE: FIND ME ON FACEBOOK AT: Sacramento Home Buyer s Resource For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc