Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2016

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Gilbert Powell
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1 Second Sunday of Advent December 4, 2016

2 On November 8th I wrote this while awaiting the voting outcome: Election Results: please don't get too happy or too sad. The scriptures remind us not to put our trust in princes or people of power whose glory will be their shame. Jesus is our savior, not those who occupy the positions of corrupting power. Pray for our leaders. Pray for our president. Pray that whoever won does not become a barrier to people striving to practice their faith and trying to follow their Gospel centered consciences. Pray for wisdom and pray for peace. Regardless of who won, we as individuals and as a nation are badly in need of prayer. We are broken. We need God's healing. As the election still appears to be a hot topic, here are words from our bishop. AFTER THIS ELECTION, WHERE DO WE GO? The election is over. So where do we go from here? I am not alone in observing that this long campaign season exposed deep divisions in our society and real anxiety about our country s future direction. I would also say that this is the first election where we can see very clearly that we are living in a post-christian America. We have known for a long time that the elites who govern and shape the direction of our society are deeply secularized and hostile to religious institutions and traditional values and beliefs. In this election, we see that their secular vision now shapes the priorities and concerns of the electorate. We are living in a society that operates as if God does not exist, and one consequence is that we have lost a sense of what human life is all about. There is a widespread crisis of meaning in our society, reflected in popular culture, politics, law and education. We are a society that is now confused and conflicted about basic realities the meaning of life and what makes for true happiness and human flourishing. These are issues that cannot be addressed only by changing political administrations. Unlike any election in my memory, there was very little talk this time about values except for one, civility. And it is true that the rhetoric and tactics in this election season were often vulgar and uncivilized. But sadly, it seems that too often we define civility as just being more polite. True civility is rooted in our common status as citizens who are responsible for our life together in society. In practice, true civility means demonstrating real respect for other people even if we are deeply opposed to their positions on issues or even their worldview. If it is going to mean anything, civility must reflect our common search for what is true and what is good for individuals and for society. And in the aftermath of this election, the search for truth and goodness becomes even more precious and more crucial. From Fr. Bill We are living now in a society that has lost contact with the truth not only with the truth about God, but also the truth about human nature and what is good for people. What we see in the extremes is a notion that there is no truth, no human nature. Only opinions, only choices that we make in selfcreating our own truths, in self-defining what is good for us. So truth is important, vital. And the Church may be the last institution in our society that believes in the truth. In the wake of this election, we cannot get discouraged or give in to the tendencies toward anger and resentment that we see everywhere in our society. The Gospel is still good news that every person longs to hear the good news that everyone is born with sacred dignity and a transcendent destiny; the good news that every person matters to God and that we are all made to live in love and friendship with him and with one another. The truth is that God is real and he is still in charge of his creation still in charge of history and still in charge of our lives. This is our hope. And our hope will not disappoint, because our hope is in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. So where do we go from here? We keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and we keep following him. We remember who we are, where we came from and who God calls us to be. That means we live as Catholics first, as Christians first. This is our identity. We are not Republicans or Democrats or liberals or conservatives. Before everything else, we are followers of Christ children of God, made in his image, called to be saints and to work for his kingdom, which is the family of God on earth. Following Jesus, we need to continue to proclaim the truth and oppose the false paths to human happiness that we see in our society. We need to continue the struggle for dignity and resist everything that threatens to diminish the nobility of the human person as a child of God. We need to do it all with love, as people of compassion and mercy. And in this time of division and confusion, we need to promote solidarity and reconciliation. If we want America to be greater, then we need men and women like you and me who are committed to serving God and living the truths we believe in every aspect of our lives. Pray for me this week and I will pray for you. And may our Blessed Mother Mary watch over our country and help us to come together to meet the great challenges of this moment. Archbishop José H. Gomez November 09, 2016

St. Jerome Church Christmas Bag-It Up 2016 Once again, Food Pantry LAX and St. Jerome Church is sponsoring a Christmas Bag-It-Up program. Christmas bags are being collected this weekend.

Food is distrubuted to the community every Tuesday and Fridays from 10:00am to 12 noon! For more information call 310-677-5597.

We celebrate Mary s preservation from original sin from the moment of her conception. Masses will be at 8:00am, 12noon and 7:00pm. Congratulations!

As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement Fund, notes a women religious.

Please Share in the Care and give generously to next week s collection. Special envelopes are located in the pews and on the church tables. Thank you!

It will be an eye-opening experience for you! After the visit, if you like the experience and want to be of service to these kids, you can then become a member of St Jerome Detention Ministry.

For more information, please contact Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at 323 294-1940, or by emailing dmuoneke@gmail.com Senior Center Mon., Dec 5th: 12noon-4 pm-rosary, cards & social Wed, Dec.

The Wonderful Senior Christmas Luncheon will take place on Wed., Dec. 14th from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Join us for delicious food, see our gorgeous tables, and enjoy the children singing Christmas carols.

3 St. Jerome Church Christmas Bag-It Up 2016 Once again, Food Pantry LAX and St. Jerome Church is sponsoring a Christmas Bag-It-Up program. Christmas bags are being collected this weekend. Please return the filled bags to the parish Hall. Thank you for your support of this ministry! The Food Pantry LAX, is located at 355 E. Beach Ave., Inglewood Food is distrubuted to the community every Tuesday and Fridays from 10:00am to 12 noon! For more information call Solemnity Of the Immaculate Conception Thursday, December 8th, is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics. We celebrate Mary s preservation from original sin from the moment of her conception. Masses will be at 8:00am, 12noon and 7:00pm. Congratulations! We offer congratulations to the newly married couple Emeka and Adaora Udeoji May God bless them! Retirement Fund for Religious Next weekend is the annual Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal. As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement Fund, notes a women religious. Your tax deductible donation to the Retirement Fund supports the day-today care of thousands of elder sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Please Share in the Care and give generously to next week s collection. Special envelopes are located in the pews and on the church tables. Thank you! Restorative (Detention) Justice Ministry Have you ever visited anyone in prison? You are invited to join the Restorative Justice (Detention) Ministry to visit kids in Central Juvenile Hall. It will be an eye-opening experience for you! After the visit, if you like the experience and want to be of service to these kids, you can then become a member of St Jerome Detention Ministry. Volunteers are needed to visit, talk, and listen to these kids. The first Sunday of the month we invite those who wish to visit Central Juvenile Hall for the first time to join us. For more information, please contact Donatus or Murglen Muoneke at , or by ing dmuoneke@gmail.com Senior Center Mon., Dec 5th: 12noon-4 pm-rosary, cards & social Wed, Dec. 7th: 12noon-Communal Anointing of the Sick (Refreshments after Communal Anointing) December birthdays will be celebrated with January birthdays! Ho, Ho, Ho, it s that time again! The Wonderful Senior Christmas Luncheon will take place on Wed., Dec. 14th from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Join us for delicious food, see our gorgeous tables, and enjoy the children singing Christmas carols. Cost is $18. Non Members welcome! Penance Service We will celebrate our Advent Penance Service on Tuesday, December 20th, at 7:00pm. We encourage all of our families to plan to take part in this evening of reconciliation and sacramental Confession in preparation for Christmas. Please set aside this special evening as a time for true spiritual renewal, for parents and grandparents, for children and youth, for all who want to prepare well for Christ s coming at Christmas. Rosary Invitation You are invited to pray the Holy Rosary after each 8am morning Mass, and Sunday evening 5:30pm Jackets for Mother of Sorrows Jackets are needed this year for the Religious Education students at Mother of Sorrows School. The estimated cost for each jacket is $ Envelopes are in the pews and on the church tables for these monetary donations. Please make out checks to St. Jerome Church with a notation on your check MOS jackets. Thank you for your generosity. For more information, please contact Arnold Tena at (310) A Soul-Full New Year s Eve Dinner & Mass You re invited to attend our first annual SOUL-FULL NEW YEAR S EVE DINNER AND MASS on December 31, 2016, in the Parish Hall at 8:30pm. We will begin the sampling of gumbos made by parishioners and professional chefs. There will be live jazz music, dancing and raffles of gumbo-related food products and recipes, as well as gift cards to gumbo restaurants. We will also be auction off a gumbo dinner for 6-10 guests. This dinner will be prepared by one of our evening s outstanding gumbo chefs at the location of the winner s choice! Your $15 entrance fee will automatically enter you in our raffles! The night will end with the celebration of the Mass at 11:30pm. DO COME! Enjoy a variety of gumbos, a good time, AND welcome 2017 in with friends and neighbors. See you there!! Please RSVP by 12/24/16 to Kathy Fitzpatrick at , or for more information you can contact her at the same number!

12/07 8am (SI) Jenny Waddington Thurs. 12/08 Holy Day of Obligation 8am (M) Miguel Macaranas 12noon (M) Peter & Nancy Welsh 7pm (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners Frid.

4 Mass Intentions Sat. 12/03 5:30pm (M) Leonito Somod-Ong & Marciana Cabasan Sun. 12/04 7:30am (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners 9:00am (M) Olga Kemp 11:00am (M) Bobby Joe & Yves Serge Carli 5:30pm (M) Carolyn Perkins Walsh Week Day Masses Mon. 12/05 8am (M) Marcel Bejnar Tues. 12/06 8am (M) Mary Bejnar Wed. 12/07 8am (SI) Jenny Waddington Thurs. 12/08 Holy Day of Obligation 8am (M) Miguel Macaranas 12noon (M) Peter & Nancy Welsh 7pm (SI) St. Jerome Parishioners Frid. 12/09 8am (M) Henry & Hubert Chandler Sat. 12/10 8am (M) Jeremias Diosomito Memorial (M) Special Intention (SI) Thanksgiving (T) Prayers for the Sick Anthony Annecharico Glenn Bordenave James E. Clark Cheryl Bordenave Anna Colon Levon Crowder Jacqueline Dawson Diondre Fleming Frankie Gutierrez Debbie Holiman Mark Ludwig Shyna King Frankie King Sr. Judy Peters Sam Qatto Lucio Quevedo Jennie Wadding Adrian Williams Cherice Williams Deceased Our condolences are extended to the family and friends of Mary Ann Podegracz, E.J. Jackson, Michele Celano and Maruja Babar Peron May they rest in peace. (Mary Ann Podegracz s funeral Mass is scheduled at St. Jerome Church on December 10th. Rosary at 9:30am followed by Mass at 10am) High School Open House Invitations Serra High School s Prospective Student Open House on Wednesday, December 7th, from 6:30-7:30pm, at S. Van Ness Ave., Gardena RSVP at Call tstafford@la-serrahs.org Loyola High School of Los Angeles Open House: Sunday, December 4th, 1pm-4pm, at 1901 Venice Blvd. (between Normandie Ave. & Vermont Ave.) For more information, contact Maite Saralegui maite_saralegui@yahoo.com Immaculate Heart High Schoolopen House: Sunday, December 4th 1pm. No reservations are required. Located at 5515 Franklin Ave. (corner of Franklin & Western) Los Angeles Liturgical Ministries Altar Server: Randy Billups randybillups@gmail.com Eucharistic Min.: Tina Gustavson Hospitality: Joyce Holt Lectors: Cathy Fitzpatrick Music: Jim Drollinger Ushers: Tina Gustavson

St. Jerome School News Catholic Elementary Students are more likely to graduate from High School and College! St. Jerome School is accepting applications for Pre-K, Transitional K and Grades K thru Grade 8.

st-jeromeschool.org Advent Invitation You are invited to come and ponder the precious and mysterious gift that Advent awakens inside of us.

Presentation by Terry Dicks, followed by Group Discussion and light refreshments.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry We invite everyone to our next Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, December 16th.

00 & children $8.00. Dinner served between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Takeouts available. The Hall is located at 8049 W. Manchester Blvd. (310) 821-2324.

Staff and volunteers are preparing a magical day for approximately 1,000 low income children and their parents from surrounding communities.

17th (morning and afternoon shifts available) and for the prep work in the four days preceding the event sorting toys, preparing goody bags,

5 St. Jerome School News Catholic Elementary Students are more likely to graduate from High School and College! 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 Advent Invitation You are invited to come and ponder the precious and mysterious gift that Advent awakens inside of us. The members of the Young Adult Ministry invite you to join us as we PAUSE AND PONDER THE MEANING OF AVENT! Presentation by Terry Dicks, followed by Group Discussion and light refreshments. EVERYONE INVITED on Monday, December 12th in the Senior Center, from 7:00pm to 8:15pm. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry We invite everyone to our next Fish Fry Dinner on Friday, December 16th. Enjoy fresh Alaskan Cod, deep fried in a light batter, with either a baked potato or french fries, cole slaw and a roll. Adults are $11.00 & children $8.00. Dinner served between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Takeouts available. The Hall is located at 8049 W. Manchester Blvd. (310) St. Margaret s Center Christmas Program It s time for the annual St. Margaret s Center Christmas Program and your generous support is needed! Staff and volunteers are preparing a magical day for approximately 1,000 low income children and their parents from surrounding communities. Besides new toys, cash donations and supermarket SCRIP, there is a need for adult volunteers, for both the day of the event on Saturday, December 17th (morning and afternoon shifts available) and for the prep work in the four days preceding the event sorting toys, preparing goody bags, decorating etc., at Morningside High School in Inglewood. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please smcxmas@gmail.com or call St. Margaret's Center at Thank you for your support! Coffee & Donuts Sign Ups If your Group wants to sign up for Coffee and Donuts, please contact Juanita Rivera-Wiemken at or juanitarw@gmail.com

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 20, 2016

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe November 20, 2016 5550 Thornburn Street Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-348-8212 www.stjeromewestchester.org Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord St. Jerome