CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY A praying, learning and caring Catholic community

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1 November 29, First Sunday of Advent CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY A praying, learning and caring Catholic community MISSION STATEMENT We are a praying, learning and caring community fulfilling the mission God gives us in baptism by our worship in faith, by our witness in hope and by our service in love. Praying through the Sacraments, Learning through Religious Education, Caring through Pastoral Care. Very Reverend Monsignor Richard F. Duncanson, Pastor (rfduncanson@nativitycatholic.org) , ext. 4 Parish Of ice Mailing Address Post Of ice Box 8770 Rancho Santa Fe, CA Deacon Jim Walsh (jwalsh@nativitycatholic.org) Church & School Location 6309 El Apajo Road Rancho Santa Fe, CA Mrs. Margaret Heveron, M.Ed.Adm. Principal, The Nativity School (mheveron@thenativityschool.org) The Nativity School Mailing Address Post Of ice Box 9180 Rancho Santa Fe, CA

2 Page Two Church of the Nativity November 29, 2015 LIVING GOD S WORD It may be that our fear is that all of those creaks and clatters and clicks are the sounds of our lives being rearranged for us without our having any say in the rearranging. Who knows if we ll be able to live with ourselves when the new light dawns? Nevertheless, in the dark of our lives our God comes and does the rearranging our God does. Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Please join us in singing the Psalm Response: : ÜÜ 4 3 H To G H G H G H G you, O Lord, I lift my soul. REFLECTING ON GOD S WORD These days I live in what had been for well over a hundred years a parish convent for the sisters who once taught in the parish s grade school. Like every old house it has creaks and clatters and clicks that ricochet about at nighttime and never seem to be heard in the daytime house. And because all of us who live here are adults, we say it s just the noises of an old house bedding down for a sleep until one of us is home alone at night. Then, when the others return, we rush to tell them how Mother Caroline was up and around again. The dark does crazy things to our imaginations and makes us act and think like kids. The dark has a way of launting itself with fearsome noises and sowing mysterious unknowns. And when not only our bodies but also our very lives ind themselves in the dark, when we don t know how best to deal with disciplining our children, or where to direct the rest of our lives, or how to manage a relationship, well, such darkness can seem unbearable. Then the dark is too much with us. We re never quite sure what mysterious unknowns our God might raise up out of the dark. That may also be why each of us in our own crazy way tries to befriend the dark s noises. We say they re the sounds of an old house, or the day cooling down, or the furnace kicking in, or we say it s Mother Caroline. One way or another we ind a way to live with the darkness, for who knows what our God, the divine potter of the reading from Isaiah, may yet do with the damp clay of our lives? Rev. Joseph J. Juknialis Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. PARISH OUTREACH Our annual Christmas Giving Trees will be in the Narthex starting the weekend of November 28th and 29th. Please take an ornament from the trees and purchase a gift for a person in need. The ornaments will have details on them about the person. Our bene iciaries this year are Never Leave One Behind, an organization that helps veterans back into civilian life, East County Transitional Living Center, a homeless shelter, and families and individuals on the Nativity Parish Outreach List. Gifts are due back to the parish by December 13th. THE NATIVITY CELEBRATION Mark your calendars for Friday, December 11th from 6-9pm for our elegant Church of the Nativity Celebration! (The re-imagining of our Parish Christmas Party). We will be honoring special guest Father Purcell on the 50 th Anniversary of his Ordination and celebrating the Christmas Season as a Parish Community. The night will feature gourmet food by The Culinary Wizard, Hubert Lorenz, dessert by our Parishioners, special festive decorations, and a giant Christmas Tree! Dress colors are red and green festive holiday cocktail-party attire.

3 Page Three Church of the Nativity November 29, 2015 T S A W For us Catholics, and for many other Christians, Advent Wreaths are a favorite way to celebrate the month of December leading up to Christmas Day. Even though Advent Wreaths are popular among Christians, many are not fully aware of the rich meaning and symbolism embedded in the tradition. Here is some information to help us deepen our appreciation of the Advent Wreath. D L The Advent candles readily demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the Light of the World contrasted with the darkness of sin. Human history spanned long ages before our prophesied Savior would inally make his appearance, and with him God s promise to make all things new through him. As his Advent, or coming, draws nearer another candle is lit, each candle dispelling the darkness a little more. Thus, the Advent wreath helps us to spiritually contemplate the great drama of salvation history that surrounds the birth of God Incarnate who comes to redeem the human race. S, N C Shape: The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God s complete and unending love for us a love that sent his Son into the world to redeem us from the curse of sin. It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ. Number: The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. Each candle represents 1,000 years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the world s Savior from Adam and Eve to Jesus, whose birth was foretold in the Old Testament. Color: Violet is a liturgical color that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacri ice. Advent, also called little Lent, is the season where we spiritually wait in our darkness with hopeful expectation for our promised redemption, just as the whole world did before Christ s birth, and just as the whole world does now as we eagerly await his promised return. T F W A During the irst two weeks of Advent we light the irst two purple candles. The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. On this day we celebrate that our waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over. Rose is a liturgical color that is used to signify joy, so we light the single pink candle on the third Sunday of Advent. Then on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the inal purple candle is lit to mark the inal week of prayer and penance as we wait expectantly for the soon-coming birth of the King of Kings. B A W Lord God, your Church awaits the coming of its Savior who enlightens our hearts And dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour fourth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May their light re lect the splendor of Christ who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen. [Taken from the Catholic Company website: God bless you! Fr. Richard Duncanson (rfduncanson@nativitycatholic.org)

4 Page Four Church of the Nativity November 29, 2015 MASS INTENTIONS NOV 28TH - DEC 4TH SATURDAY 5pm Dn 7:15-27; Dn 3:82-87; Lk 21:34-36 Sis Hawkins, RIP SUNDAY 7:30am Jim Johnson, RIP 9am 10:30am For All Parishioners John Rocca, RIP MONDAY 8am Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Louis S. Hughes, Jr., RIP TUESDAY 8am Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Bob & Dorothy Myron, RIP WEDNESDAY 8am Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Edita Arambulo, RIP THURSDAY 9am Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, Charles M. Costolo, RIP FRIDAY 8am Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Margarita Sosan, RIP Immaculate Conception Mass on Tuesday, Dec 8 th will be celebrated in the Church at 8am and 6pm. T R First Reading The days are coming when the L will ful ill the promise made to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 33:14-16). Psalm To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Psalm 25). Second Reading May the Lord make you increase and abound in love that you may be blameless in holiness; conduct yourselves so as to please God (1 Thessalonians 3:12 4:2). Gospel There will be signs and you will see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory. Be vigilant (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36). The Call to Worship is set to a traditional French melody with text by the poet Eleanor Farjeon ( ), who also wrote the hymn Morning Has Broken: People, look east, the time is near of the crowning of the year. Set every peak and valley humming with the word the Lord is coming. People, look east, and sing today; Love, the Lord, is on the way. The Offertory is by Richard Lloyd (b. 1933), who was an organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge. After National Service, during which he quali ied in clerical skills and as a tank gunner, as well as compiling a guide to Paris restaurants and conducting a choir, he became organist at several cathedrals, but retired early due to ill health and now spends much of his time writing church music, although he writes little during the cricket season. The text is by Isaac Watts ( ), who wrote over 500 hymns, including Joy to the World: Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell by faith in every breast; then shall we know and taste and feel the joys that cannot be expressed. Come, ill our hearts with inward strength, make our enlarged souls posess and learn the height and breadth and length of thine unmeasurable grace. Amen. The Communion begins with a piece by Franz Xaver Witt ( ), a priest and musician who founded the Cecilia Society (named for the patroness saint of music) to revive the use of Gregorian chant and promote the composition of new liturgical music in an older style. The text is from today s psalm: To you, my God, I lift my soul, I trust in you; let me never come to shame. Do not let my enemies laugh at me. No one who waits for you is ever put to shame. The second piece is by Paul Manz ( ), a composer and music professor who worked in Chicago: Peace be to you, and grace from him, who freed us from our sins, who loved us all and shed his blood that we might saved be. Sing holy, holy to our Lord, the Lord, almighty God, who was and is, and is to come, Sing holy, holy, Lord! Rejoice in heaven, all you that dwell therein, rejoice on earth you saints below, For Christ is coming, is coming soon! E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, and night shall be no more; they need no light, nor lamp, nor sun, for Christ will be their all. The third piece is by John Rutter (b. 1945), an English composer, choral conductor, editor, arranger and record producer. Born in London, he read music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the choir and then director of music from 1975 to In 1981 he founded his own choir, the Cambridge Singers. The text of the piece is from the Book of Numbers, chapter 6, verse 24: The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. If your talented child in grade 2 or above would like to sing at the 4:00 pm Mass on Christmas Eve, and can attend after-school rehearsals on Fridays December 11th & 18th, please contact Paul Batchelor.

5 Page Five Church of the Nativity November 29, 2015 WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS Please join us for our Holiday Luncheon on the Patio Lomas Santa Fe Country Club 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Drive Solana Beach, Meet on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 12:15 pm, $25.00 per person. Deadline for reservations: Thursday, December 10th! Pat Smart (858) or Mary Lou Matthews (858) Hunger is a "true scandal" that threatens the life and dignity of millions of people while tons of food go to waste, Pope Francis said. "We must face this injustice, this sin," the pope told more than 7,000 volunteers and coordinators of Italian food banks, along with representatives from food banks in other countries. Pope Francis met the volunteers and coordinators Oct. 3 in the Vatican at a meeting sponsored by the Italian Food Bank Foundation, which assists the local food-distribution outlets and has a special focus on encouraging large-scale food producers to donate their excess or imperfect products to local food banks rather than destroy the products. Time, Talent and Treasure Our Parishioners contributed $19,201 in the weekly collection to further the Mission & Ministry provided by the Church of the Nativity. Thank you for giving what is meaningful to you, to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. Congratulations to Cece Haynor on receiving the Catholic Charities Matthew 25: Award! This award is given in recognition of those who exemplify Christ s ministry to those in need. Cece Haynor has been incredibly involved in many ministries at Church of the Nativity since she joined the parish in Her contributions include helping with food drives for senior citizens living below the poverty line, bereavement and grief counseling and fundraising for children to visit their imprisoned moms on Mother's Day. She brings the Eucharist to patients at Scripps Green Hospital and to others in their homes, where she prays and reads scripture with them, sharing her deep faith and the strength it brings her. Cece recognizes need where others may miss it, and she reacts quickly, thoroughly and until the need is illed. The pope praised their efforts "to ight the waste of food, recover it and distribute it to families in dif iculty and to the poor." "Look at their faces, look them in the eye, shake their hand, see in them the lesh of Christ and help them regain their dignity and get back on their feet," the pope said. "Be brothers and friends of the poor; let them know they are important in God's eyes." Advent begins our new Liturgical Year with a prayerful focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus. May we each re lect on how to provide Gifts of the Heart by way of help, service, or gratitude. May the Holy Spirit guide your actions. The Nativity School Preschool - Grade 8

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8 Page Eight Church of the Nativity November 29, 2015 LORD'S DAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5pm Sunday: 7:30am, 9am, 10:30am RCIA and Youth Minister: Mike James, , ext. 5 Religious Education: Patti Smiley, psmiley@nativitycatholic.org, , ext. 6 Music Director: Paul Batchelor, pbatchelor@nativitycatholic.org, , ext. 102 The Nativity School: Margaret Heveron, Principal mheveron@thenativityschool.org, Bookkeeper: Jackie Marin, jmarin@thenativityschool.org, Office Manager: Nicole Carlin Steele, nsteele@nativitycatholic.org, Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 2:30 pm Pastoral Council: Carl Bobkoski, Jane Boler, Kevin Flanagan, Cindy Hesse, Mimi Johnson, Kathy Klink, Craig Ryall Finance Council: Jeff Brandon, Chair Michael Conway, Jim LaGrossa, Catherine Mowbray-Lorenz, Earl Parker, Carolyn Wilkinson, Joe Wilkinson Safe Environment Coordinator: John Marin Call the Parish Office PASTORAL CARE Nativity Samaritans: Patti Smiley, Childcare: Attended care is provided in the play room off the Commons during 9:00 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses. Holy Communion for the sick: For the homebound upon request, Widows and Widowers: Mary Lou Matthews, Monthly Luncheons - September through June Men of Nativity: Meet First Thursday of the month 6-8 pm in the Parish Commons Tim Van Damm, Small Christian Communities - Faith Sharing Groups See Deacon Jim Walsh or contact Kathy Alameda at or kathyalameda1@gmail.com SACRAMENTS Baptism: After last Sunday Mass - Juan Carlos & Cecilia Brito or baptism@nativitycatholic.org Marriage: Saturdays, 10 am or 2 pm Wedding Coordinator: Georgiana Strate, Anointing of the Sick: Encouraged for anyone critically ill, for the elderly, or prior to major surgery Reconciliation: Saturday, 4:15 pm in the Chapel Eucharist: Weekday Mass: Monday - Friday, 8 am in the Chapel Centering Prayer Group: Saturdays, 9 am in the Chapel Contact: Dixie Welsh, Eucharistic Adoration: Every Friday after 8 am Mass Perpetual Help Novena: Tuesdays, after 8 am Mass Rosary: Weekdays, after 8 am Mass in the Chapel FAMILY FAITH FORMATION Classes meet September through June PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE Contact: Patti Smiley, , ext. 6 Preschool - 6th Grade: Sundays, 8:50-10:05 am at The Nativity School Junior High: Sundays, 5:00-6:15 pm in the Commons FFF: All students making their First Communion must be baptized in the Catholic Church. Please send a copy of the Baptismal certi icate to Patti Smiley in the Parish Of ice. HIGH SCHOOL Contact: Mike James, , ext. 5 High School Youth Group (9th - 12th Grade) Sundays from 5:00 to 6:15pm High School Youth Ministry There will be no class on November 29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We resume on December 6. RCIA There will be no class on November 29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We resume on December 6. Thank you to all who participated in the Operation Christmas Child project! The world s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan s Purse, uses gift- illed shoeboxes to demonstrate God s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. The R.C.I.A. Class meets on Sundays, from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Parish Of ice Classroom and continue every Sunday to Easter Christian Initiation welcomes all those who turn to the Catholic Church seeking baptism and acceptance into full communion with the Catholic Church, as well as those baptized Catholics who seek to complete their sacraments of initiation. There is no commitment to converting to Catholicism - the purpose of the class is informational. You decide if and when you are ready to pursue the sacraments at Easter time. Please contact Mike James at if you are interested in joining the class.

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