I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.

Transcription

1 Our Confirmation 2 Candidates with their Sponsors I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. Twenty-Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time October 15, Thornburn Street Los Angeles, CA SCHEDULED SERVICES Daily (Mon-Sat) Mass - 8am Saturday Evening Vigil Mass - 5:30pm Sunday Masses - 7:30am, 9am, 11am, 5:30pm Confessions Friday 9-10am; Saturday 4pm-5pm Holy Hour - Wednesday 6:30pm with Our Lady of Perpetual Help prayers at 7pm Rosary - following 8am daily and Sunday evening 5:30 Mass RECTORY OFFICE HOURS Monday Thursday: 8:30am noon; 1:00pm-4:30pm Friday: 10:00am-1:30pm RECTORY STAFF Our Pastor: Fr. Bill Bolton Fr. Valentine Ibe Our Deacon: Senior Deacon Guy and Helene Wauthy JustFaith, Engaging Spirituality, Social Justice/CLUE Business Manager: Juanita Rivera-Wiemken For calendar request juanitarw@gmail.com Youth Ministry: Kristina Provence Sharma Director of Faith Formation: Nely Tingting Go Secretary/Bulletin Editor: Roxanne Shaw rshaw@stjeromewestchester.org SCHEDULING SERVICES ( ) Anointing of the Sick: call the rectory Baptisms: Must call rectory 6 weeks in advance to schedule Communion to the Sick and Homebound: call the rectory Funerals: contact the rectory to set date and time Anniversaries, Quinceañera, Memorials: call the rectory Weddings - Call the rectory 6 months in advance to set the date. EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP Adult Faith Community stjeromeyam@gmail.com Director of Faith Formation: Nely Go Office Hours: Thursday 5pm to 9pm, Saturday 3pm to 5:30pm, Sunday 9am to 1pm Sacramental Preparation for Adults (RCIA): St Jerome s Catholic School (pre-k to 8th gr): Principal: Mrs. Priscilla Doorbar SCRC Prayer Mtg (7pm Fri): Mr. & Mrs. Muoneke Senior Center: Allene Muccia Sunday School for Toddlers (11am Mass): Obi Nwabuzor Youth Ministry (teens) & Confirmation: Kristina Provence Sharma Tuesday Evening (7:30-9pm) Bible Study: Alan Bernstein or Steve Picard PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Catholic Daughters: Kathy Fitzpatrick Knights of Columbus: Tony Holloway St. Vincent de Paul Society: Morris Bernstein LIFE, CHARITY, JUSTICE & PEACE MINISTRIES Creation Sustainability Jacqueline Welsh Detention Ministry (Restorative Justice): Mr. & Mrs. Muoneke Food Pantry LAX: Johnny Albano Immigration: Noreta Jose Respect Life: Louise Meehan Safeguard the Children: call the rectory Voice in the Wilderness Tom Lenert Soup Kitchen (Every 3rd Sat.): Jude Ramlochan 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 Dear Sprinter, I will never forget the day you got your name. Three dogs got loose on our property at the retreat center. You and your brother kitten evaded them. You sprinted low into a hedge and your brother dove high into the hedge. The dogs collars got entangled in the hedge s branches and you both hustled away. Later, you got pregnant. I had tried catching you when you went into heat. You escaped me but evidently not the local boy cats. I caught you because you were a good mother. I caught your kittens and you followed. I had you and your kittens in my bathroom as otherwise you would have found a way to escape with your kittens. I arranged for families for all of your kittens. I am still disappointed in myself in not realizing that one of your kittens, Cream, might be able to somehow move the box which covered the toilet bowl. You and the two remaining kittens of your litter were crying. I cried and promised I would take care of you. I got you fixed and the tip of your right ear clipped. You were part of my Trap-Neuter-Release program. As cats weren t allowed in our residence I released you outside. We prayed the rosary together each night on the hillside. We moved and began the process of entering the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We moved to Sacred Heart in Ventura for five years where you were for the office staff the invisible cat. The office ladies cornered you once while I was away to pet you. From that day on the office ladies never saw you. Only food eaten and sand used revealed your existence to them when I was away. Truth be told, our housekeeper who cleaned the room, once a week, pretended you were not there and saw you regularly. You provided me mice, rats and birds to show that you cared. The Mother s Day mouse on my pillow I will never forget. Every night you were by my side and each day in my lap. July 2015 we moved to St. Jerome s in Westchester. You missed going outside but grew to be at home in the Pastor s Suite. I know I called you one of my daughters, but the truth is you were more like my wife. If I was out too late or too long, you would wake me from sleep and with pointed paw, lecture me. I don t know how many times you ve been in my arms as tears streamed down my face. My laughter bothered you as did my musical instrument work, but you watched, you cuddled you made coming home something I always looked forward to. October 23rd, 2015 our lives changed. I brought home two refugees who were terrified and hungry. You lectured me through the night about the guests I had brought into our home. Sparta, the rescued dog, came up to check your scent for the one and only time. After you had explained that this is your castle and home Sparta retreated with wounded nose having learnt her place. Sprinter, you know how Sparta won t eat food until you have checked it and had your fill or passed on it? Sparta hasn t touched the food I put out in our room Sunday evening and this morning. She is waiting for your permission. From Fr. Bill In August 2016 you had a stroke. You couldn t walk. You couldn t eat. You couldn t drink. You were like a sleeping kitten in my arms. I was sure the end was near. I got an eye dropper. I gave you water, then chicken broth, later tuna juice and gravy. Your walking was uneven and jumping not possible. I placed you on the bed on the pillow that was so often your throne. In under a month the spring was back in your step, but your digestive system was never the same. Also, in your final months you sometimes had accidents on your way to the box. Martha, our housekeeper, placed pads around the boxes to assist you. On Friday, October 6th, 2017 I knew something was amiss. You hadn t gone to your sandbox during the night. Your appetite was diminished and only gravy seemed desired. You slept with me and purred that everything was going to be all right. Saturday, the cat towers now seemed unclimbable. In the evening after mass you rested in my lap. That night you jumped into bed by my side for one last time. As I stoked and messaged your head, neck and back I couldn t but notice how thin you seemed. Sunday morning. You just want quiet dark places to not be disturbed. You rest in my lap after the 9am mass. I go to the 11am for a before mass announcement and stay to hear Fr. Valentine s homily. At the end of mass I again make announcements for coffee and the 1pm documentary Before the Flood. You are laying on the floor of the closet with your tail sticking out under the door. I gently carry you out to the lazy-boy and cuddle you to my chest. We both know there isn t much time left. Your breathing is shallow and slow. I can feel the rumble of your faint purr. They will have to watch the documentary without me. My phone rings. It is an anxious mother who says she and her husband are here and have an urgent matter which requires my attention. I say I will be right down. I pet you. I give a gentle hug and a kiss on the top of your head. I am a priest and I must go as my flock needs me. Thirty minutes later I return. You are near where I had gently placed you, but I can t sense your breathing. We sit and cuddle. You are warm but there is no purr s vibration. I sense warm fluid on my stomach. You have forever left your mark on me. Your journey in this world is done. I had tried to be there but maybe you held on until I had let you go. Sprinter, I love you. Sprinter, I is miss you. I thank God for allowing you to be in my life as you have brought me so much joy, laughter and peace. Don t think too harshly of me, Sprinter, as there will come days and even months I will fail to call you to mind. It doesn t mean I don t love you rather I know you are in God s loving hands. As long as I never forget God, our Father, and Jesus, our brother, we are OK because I know that our being together again requires my reaching heaven. Thank God for you, Sprinter, my companion for almost twenty years. Rest in Peace. Fr. Bill Bolton October 9, 2017

3 Service For Prayers of Your Heart Please join us this Sunday at 1:30pm in the church for a Prayer Service to remember the victims of all the suffering we ve seen in the last few weeks. We have experienced human suffering on a horrific scale, so we come before our loving God to pray from the heart for the victims but also for our selves as we strive to make sense of so much tragedy. SCHOOL NEWS For the third Friday elective, primary students created their own lava lamps with the help of an adult. They made predictions and examined what would happen when water was mixed with vegetable oil. Students learned about primary colors and how secondary colors are created. They were fascinated with the end result when Alka-Seltzer was added to the bottles, which created a gas. All Souls Novena Masses During the entire month of November, a Mass will be offered each day in memory of our beloved dead. All Souls envelopes are in the church for you to list your departed loved ones to being included in this Novena. From Faith Formation Director: You are invited to attend the Oct. 21st, Mini Congress at St. Mary s Academy. The Encounter s theme is Bridging Distances. You can choose from over 30 workshops and attend Mass with the Bishop at 11am. On-site registration is $35 For more information, contact Nely Tingting Go at or DFF@stjeromewestcheter.org Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) & Youth (RICY) Are you a non Catholic who is interested in exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic, or who would like to receive the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation? Are you a baptized Catholic adult who would like to receive the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation? Are you the parent or relative of a non Catholic child (ages 6 and above) and you re interested in baptism for your child? If you answered Yes to any questions, then your are invited to join RCIA /RCIY. Take a journey of faith involving talks, discussions and fellowship as well as prayer, reflections and discernment. You ll study the bible, learn about the Catholic Church and prepare to receive the Sacraments, which were established by Jesus. You will meet friendly, knowledgeable Catholics (both lay and ordained) who are committed to helping you every step of the way. For more information or to begin your journey, contact Nely Tingting Go: or DFF@stjeromewestchester.org Senior Center Mon., Oct.16: 12-4pm, Social & cards. Wed., Oct. 18:12-4pm, Social & cards. Day Trip to Pechanga Casino on October 24th only $8! For more information and to reserve your seat please call the Senior Center at VIRTUS Certification at St. Jerome Our children need a loving and safe environment in which to learn play and grow. All St. Jerome volunteers are required to be trained to identify situations that may pose a threat. Protecting God s Children for Adults, (first time certification session/3 hours) will be held on Sunday, November 5th at 1pm, in the Religious Education Center. To sign up, please call the rectory at (424) or Roxanne at rshaw@stjeromewestchester.org Congratulations! We offer congratulations to the newly married couple Ikenna and Hava Okoro World Mission Sunday Next weekend is world Mission Sunday. We are called in a special way to be missionaries through prayer and participation in the Eucharist and by giving generously to the collection of the Society for Propagation of the Faith. In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries! Ant it provides and opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and suffering in more that 1,150 mission dioceses. For more information, please visit Special envelopes are in the pews and on the tables near the church entrances. Thank you! Catholic Charismatic Prayer Meeting, SCRC The St Jerome Catholic Charismatic Group meets at 7:00pm on Fridays for fellowship and prayers. You are invited to join us in the school building. For more information, contact Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at or at Religious Education Registration We are accepting applications for Religious Education, First Communion and RCIY (Rite of Christian Initiation for Youth.) You can pick up and return the application at the Rectory office during business hours of Monday thru Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You may also obtain an application from our website at: (Please bring a copy of the child s Baptism Certificate.) Class choices: Saturdays 4:00pm to 5:15pm or Sundays following the 9am Mass (allowing children to be in the choir). Class follows from 10:15 to 11:30am. For more information contact Nely Tingting Go at or DFF@stjeromewestchester.org

4 Mass Intentions Sat. 10/14 5:30pm (SI) Marie Omoruyi Sun. 10/15 7:30am (M) Dina Aquino 9:00am (M) George William 11:00am (SI) Dr. & Mrs. Okoro 5:30pm (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners Week Day Masses Mon. 10/16 8am (M) The Holy Souls In Purgatory Tues. 10/17 8am (M) The Holy Souls In Purgatory Wed. 10/18 8am (M) Franklin Logarta Thurs. 10/19 8am (M) Vincent William Frid. 10/20 8am (M) Freddie Macaranas Sat. 2 10/21 8am (M) Burke Mucho Memorial (M) Special Intention (SI) Thanksgiving (T) Prayers For The Sick Alex Bajot Bill Bolton Sr. Mary Grace Charon Marion Dillan Elizabeth Ezeani Hank Grady Mary Gibson Joseph Kluchinsk Walter McDade Pat Menezes Monalisa Nwokike Marie Omoruyi Sam Quatto Mary Quinn Francisca Saunders Maria Rodriguez Teri Witkowski You are invited to pray the Holy Rosary after each 8am Mass and Sunday 5:30pm Mass in the church. On Thursday at 1:00pm we meet in the church to pray the Cenacles. Pease join us! St. Jerome Filipino Choir Needs You Every voice is important. We are currently in need of singers and would be overjoyed if you will join for the fellowship and fun. The Filipino Choir sings every 3rd Sunday of the month and practices are twice a month on Fridays. If interested, please call Gina at Volunteers Make It Happen The 2017 St. Jerome Holiday Craft Faire is in need of strong bodies to volunteer to do set-up and clean up. Dates and times are as follows: Set-Up : Nov. 11th & 12th at 6:30am Clean-Up: Nov. 11th at 4:15pm, Nov. 12th at 2:00pm. If interested, please call Joan Hoffman at Holiday Craft Faire St Jerome Parish is planning its 2017 Holiday Craft Faire the weekend of November 11th & 12th. If you would like to reserve a table as a vendor or know of someone who would be interested in reserving a table, call Joyce at or Joan at It was brought to our attention the obvious fact that the parish offices are open Monday through Friday while most Catholics are here on Sunday. To help bring the two together beginning Sunday, November 19th we will have a monthly Parish Staff Sunday. Our office staff will be available in the parish hall during coffee and donuts. You are welcome to stop by for conversation or to ask questions regarding weddings, baptisms, facility usage or about having mass said for your special intention. We hope this makes our ministry of service more accessible to you and your family. God bless 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 Hawaiian Luau Dinner & Raffle Saturday, November 4th, 6pm 10pm $25 per person for dinner event! Raffle Prizes: 1st prize: Vacation for 2 to Maui (see ticket for vacation details) 2nd Prize: $500 3rd Prize: $250 Purchase your tickets after each mass today, or at the rectory or school during business hours. Coffee and Donuts The St. Jerome School will be hosting Coffee and donuts after all the morning Masses this Sunday. Come join us in the parish hall. St. Jerome Monthly Soup Kitchen Our next meal will be on Saturday, October 21st from 10:30am to 12 noon. If you wish to donate funds, kindly leave your donation at the Rectory, or send a check to St. Jerome, 5550 Thornburn St. Los Angeles, CA Note Soup Kitchen Funds in the memo section of your check. Thank you! CALLING ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS JOIN US ALL DAY NOVEMBER 4TH SEASON PASS HOLDERS: $45 EVERYONE ELSE: $75 Hurricane Relief Your donation to Catholic Charities Disaster fund supports disaster response and recovery efforts for victims of the Hurricanes including direct assistance, rebuilding, and health care services. You can donate by writing a check to St. Jerome and in the memo section, print Hurricane or you can donate online at the following link: