St. Mary Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. Mary Catholic Church Walnut Creek, CA 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. Fatima Devotion First Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. 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 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

2 THIS WEEK S CALENDAR December 4-10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/OS 9:30 AM Rosary Makers/FF-ST 12:30 PM Walking with Purpose 101/FF 6:30 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/SE 7:00 PM Faith Form. 6th Gr./FF 7:00 PM Faith Form. 7th-8th Gr/Gym 7:00 PM Walking with Purpose/SJ 7:30 PM Choir Practice/Church WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 9:00 AM Scripture Study/FF 7:00 PM Charismatic Prayer/FF-SM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 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/OS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/Church SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9 8:00 AM Men s Prayer Group/OS 9:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:15 AM Faith Formation K-3rd/FF 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 11:15 AM Hispanic Faith Form./FF 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church 7:00 PM Encounter Youth Group/Gym FF = Faith Formation Center SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room OS = Our Space Second Collections Today: Parish Maintenance Next Week: Religious Retirement Las Posadas Sat., December 16, 7:00 pm In the parish gym The Hispanic Community s theater group, La Voz de Cristo, invites all of you to our celebration of Christmas, which includes Posadas, dancing and refreshments. We will also be presenting a short play, The Birth of Jesus (in Spanish with English translation). Please join us! Dear Friends, Once again we enter into a new liturgical year as we begin the season of Advent, that time of extended retreat to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus on Christmas. With all the busy moments of our lives, it is good to have an opportunity to make time for quiet and prayer. It is also important for us to remind each other (especially parents to children) of what this season is all about: Not commercialism, or getting more stuff, but of preparing ourselves to celebrate the birthday of our Savior. I hope that you will use the opportunities given this season to help in your preparation. One of the best ways is to celebrate the mercy and forgiveness of our God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On Monday, Dec. 4, at 7:00 p.m. we will have our Communal Penance Service with four visiting priests here to assist with the hearing of individual confessions. We also have our weekly celebration on Saturday afternoon from 3:30 4:15, and, of course, one may call the office to set up a private time with one of the priests. May the blessings of the Lord be with each of us through this holy season of Advent. Father Fred God Has a Different Plan We begin the season of Advent with a heartfelt call for our own repentance. We remember God s faithful love for us, and call upon God to help us to turn back. For behold, you are angry, and we are sinful (Isaiah 64:4). In the first reading and in the psalm, we recall God s promises and lament our unfaithfulness and our guilt. We call upon God s might and power in order to save us. With Isaiah, we ask God to rend the heavens and come down, with the mountains quaking before you (Isaiah 63:19). Yes, God is faithful to us, because we are the work of God s hands. God is the potter, we are the clay. And yet, our concept of how God will come to save us is rooted in our own expectations of a warrior God who crushes mountains and thunders into our lives with great noise and glory. But God has a different plan: the Incarnation. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. First Sunday of Advent God of new beginnings, today we begin a new year in our church with the image of a wreath. We ask you to bless our family. Help us to see our family life as a wreath, without a beginning and without an end. As we light this one candle, we recall how you have changed our family since we last gathered around the Advent wreath. Help us to be for others what this family has been to us a helper in times of need and a source of abundant blessings to share with others. We ask this through Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega. Amen. Monday, December 4 7:00 pm

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: Tracey Schmidt, Principal Advisory Council Karen Redwood, President Parents Club Jennifer Millette, Co-President Lynne Kenny, Co-President Kids Club Vicki Schwartz Mayah Pisciotto Harry Prudhomme Jacob & Katherine Pollnow Ashley Ng Carter Ankey Colin Worster Carmel Roubal Carol Erikson Rosalie Jacoby Lindsay Davis Sheila Deignan Pam Brady David Holmes Derek Lyn Candy Udell Norma Bolla Fellner Duke Sella Cathy Stuemph Sally O Connor Del Davenport Louise & John Repetto Josefina Zabat Maureen Burnash Mina Leon Marisa Magno Angela Crain Pat Cantrell Pat Mooser Mary McLoughlin Rio Cabatingan Jerry Adame Theodosia Faustino Nancie Campi Betty McBride Rose Marie Asaro Witold Pokorski Aimee Kwiatowski MASS SCHEDULE DATE TIME MASS INTENTION 12/02 4:30 pm Norma Bolla Fellner (L) 12/03 6:30 am Jeff Palmer (L) 8:00 am The People of St. Mary Parish 9:30 am President Donald Trump (L) 11:00 am Ralph Schweigert (L) B D 1:00 pm Karen Hoskins (L) 6:00 pm Arthur Gaoiran (L) 12/04 6:30 am Jack Springer 12:05 pm Olivia Hoskins (L) 12/05 6:30 am Lauren Meinbress (L) 12:05 pm Rio Cabatingan (L) 12/06 6:30 am Holy Souls in Purgatory 12:05 pm Sheereen Tibajia (L) 12/07 6:30 am Joseph Cruz Garcia (L) 12:05 pm John Francis Parenti, II 12/08 6:30 am The People of St. Mary Parish 8:15 am The People of St. Mary Parish 12:05 pm The People of St. Mary Parish 5:00 pm The People of St. Mary Parish 7:00 pm The People of St. Mary Parish 12/09 8:30 am Mason Ross, Jr. (L) Once again, the St. Mary Saturday Musicians have produced a new CD! It is a 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. In addition, the CD features bonus tracks recorded previously with our former pianist, Andrea Morse. The CD is also available as a download card. Net profits from the sale will be donated to St. Mary Church. CDs will be available for purchase after Mass and in the parish office during office hours. CD: $15 for one, $25 for two. Download card: $10 Gifts to be collected via the Giving Tree this year will be sent to support the St Vincent DePaul conferences at St Peter Marty Parish in Pittsburg and St Paul Parish in San Pablo. If you would like to donate for a child, please take an ornament from the tree with the requested gift and leave the gift under the Giving Tree near the sanctuary. Final collection of gifts will be December 17.

4 Treasures from Our Tradition Advent calendars appear now in many homes, and newfangled formats are even available on line. Children have fun opening the doors and windows keyed to the days counting down to Christmas. Behind each door is a picture related to the Christmas mystery, perhaps a scripture verse or saying, but more and more these days something totally unconnected to religious life, like a small toy or a chocolate treat, appears instead. The Advent calendar is not very old as traditions go. We can trace it back to German-speaking Christians, both Protestant and Catholic. Lutherans might have originated the custom by placing chalk marks on doors starting December 1, lighting candles every day, or placing a new religious picture on the wall each day during Advent. The oldest known hand-made calendar goes back to 1851, and the first printed ones appeared in 1908 in Germany with Bible verses behind the doors. By far the most interesting calendar is a building, the town hall (Rathaus) of Gengenbach in Germany s Black Forest. Every year the townspeople invite an illustrator of children s books to create twenty-four paintings or motifs for each of the twenty-four main windows of the building. Every night the people gather to see a new window opened and illuminated. Very few commercial Advent calendars pay much attention to the core values of our liturgical calendar: the pivotal place of Sunday, the importance of Advent feasts like Saint Lucy and Saint Nicholas, and the clear shift in tone on December 17 from Advent longing and preparation toward imminent hope in Christ s coming. That kind of creativity is left up to you! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Join us for coffee, donuts and fellowship next Sunday, December 10, after the 9:30 Mass. God is speaking to you. Are you listening? Adora on, Rosary, and Confession for men, Wednesday, December 6, at 7pm in the church. Rosaries and cheat sheets provided. Food and drink follow. Invite a friend and sons welcome. Don t leave a brother behind! Ques ons? Contact: michaelgallagher1025@outlook.com 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, at Christ the King Church from December 15 to December 23. Mass begins at 6:30 p.m. every night (except Sunday, Dec. 17, and Monday, Dec. 18, when it begins at 6 p.m.). Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 19, will be held in the gym. Light Supper in the parish hall will be served after each Mass. Then join us for a nice dinner after the last mass on the 23rd. For additional information, please contact Rudy Bautista ( ) or Imelda Santos ( ). Advent Day of Renewal December 8 New Year s Retreat: That I was Blessed and Could Bless December 30 January 1 San Damiano Retreat Center 710 Highland Dr., Danville katerik@sandamiano.org SanDamiano.org This year, the annual children s Mass on December 24 is at 3:00. We are looking for children who would like to be a part, both readers and actors. The parts consist of Mary, Joseph, Angel Gabriel (4 th grade and above); Innkeepers, Wise Men (3 rd grade and above); Angels and shepherds (kindergarten and above); Readers (3 rd grade and above). If you would like your child to be a part of our yearly pageant, please Cathe Cracknell at cracknellcathe@gmail.com. This will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Mandatory rehearsal will be in the church at 9:30 am on December 23. The deadline for sign-ups is Friday, December 15. Magnificat SOTI invites all to their Advent Prayer Breakfast December 9, 9:30-12:30 Crowne Plaza 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord, CA Join us for a morning of praise, prayer, and inspiration. Our speaker is Father Gary Thomas, the mandated exorcist for the Diocese of San Jose. In 2005 he traveled to Rome to receive training in the Rite of Exorcism, which was the subject of the 2010 book The Rite:The Making of a Modern Exorcist, which was later the basis for the movie The Rite, starring Anthony Hopkins. Men are also welcome to attend! Tickets are $33/$40 after Dec. 2. Go to for more information about our guest and tickets or call Kim Sullivan, (925) If you have young children, make a Jesse tree or use an Advent calendar, preferably one with Advent rather than Christmas themes. You can find information on both online.

5 Disciples in Training Faith Formation Youth Ministry LITTLE SAINTS Kinder - 3rd Sunday 9:15am - 10:45am Catequesis en español Ages 6-13yrs Sunday 11:15am - 12:45pm ROCK 4th - 5th Grade Thursday 4:00pm - 5:30pm THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12) Sunday, December 3, 2017 This week at SMC, all ministries will be celebrating the beginning of Advent through learning about the Church s traditions and teachings! BLAST 6th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDGE 7th - 8th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm 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 TEEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SERVE AT THE 6PM MASS! Ushers/Greeters/Altar Servers/Lectors Sign up online at stmary-wc.org and click on the H.S. Encounter page!

6 Advent & Christmas 2017 Mon., Dec. 4: Penance Service (with individual confessions) 7:00 pm Fri., Dec. 8: Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation) Masses at 6:30, 8:15, 12:05, 5:00, 7:00 (bilingual) Tues., Dec. 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 5:00 am - Mañanitas & Rosary Masses at 6:30 am, 12:05 pm, 7:00 pm (Spanish) Sun., Dec. 24: Christmas Eve 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 (NO 1:00 pm Spanish Mass) 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 8:00 pm (Spanish), 11:00 pm (preceded by carols) Mon., Dec. 25: Christmas Day NO 6:30 am Mass 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am - Masses in English 1:00 pm - Mass in Spanish NO 6:00 pm Mass O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, prepared a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we beseech you that, as by the foreseen death of this, your Son, you preserved her from all stain, so too you would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto you. Through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. Dios Tiene Otro Plan Comenzamos el tiempo de Adviento con un llamado sincero al arrepentimiento. Recordamos el amor fiel que Dios siente por nosotros y le pedimos que nos ayude a emprender el camino de regreso: estabas airado porque nosotros pecábamos (Isaías 64:4). En la primera lectura y en el salmo, recordamos las promesas de Dios y lamentamos nuestra rebeldía y nuestra culpa. Invocamos el poder de Dios para salvarnos. Con Isaías, le decimos a Dios: Ojalá rasgaras los cielos y bajaras, estremeciendo las montañas con tu presencia (Isaías 63:19). Sí, Dios nos es fiel, porque somos hechura de sus manos. Dios es el alfarero, nosotros el barro. Y sin embargo, nuestro concepto de cómo Dios vendrá a salvarnos se origina en nuestra expectativa de un Dios guerrero que estremece las montañas y llega a nuestra vida con ruido y gloria. Pero Dios tiene otro plan: la Encarnación. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. El Grupo de teatro La Voz de Cristo los invita a celebrar la Navidad! Disfruten con nosotros de nuestra Posada, Baile y Kermés. Estaremos presentando la obra de teatro El Nacimiento de Jesús. Habrá antojitos tradicionales, piñatas y colaciones. Trae a toda tu familia! Sábado 16 de diciembre, 7 pm, en el gimnasio de St. Mary. Tradiciones de Nuestra Fe El significado de la palabra Adviento! es muy interesante. Viene del latín y quiere decir Allí viene o Ya está llegando. Pero, de quién hablamos cuando proclamamos adviento? Del Rey de la Gloria?, del Príncipe de la Paz?, del Hijo del Dios Altísimo?, del Salvador de Israel? Sí, sí, sí y otra vez, sí, pero más todavía del Hijo del Hombre, del niñito de María. Allí viene y ya está llegando. Tenemos que estar preparados. Pero cómo prepararnos para la llegada de un rey que es pobre?, de un príncipe que nació entre una mula y un buey? de un niñito que ya es todo un hombre y además es Dios? He allí el dilema del Adviento cristiano. Es un llamado a vivir la paradoja de un tiempo que está a medias, donde el Reino de los Cielos ya existe pero no en su plenitud. Es un llamado a buscar en el templo, en el mall, en el barrio, en el hogar y en el propio corazón, para ver si allí viene el dueño de la casa. Es un llamado a estar atentos y vigilantes. Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 2:1-5; Sal 122 (121):1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Martes: Is 11:1-10; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lc 10:21-24 Miércoles: Is 25:6-10a; Sal 23 (22):1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Jueves: Is 26:1-6; Sal 118 (117):1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, Viernes: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Ef 1:3-6, 11-12; Lc 1:26-38 Sábado: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Sal 147 (146):1-6; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Domingo: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Sal 85 (84):9-14; 2 Pe 3:8-14; Mc 1:1-8