St. Nicholas Parish 24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 837-1090; FAX (949) 837-9510; www.st-nicholaschurch.org School of Religious Education: (949) 837-7676 Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord. We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds. CLERGY Parish Administrator Rev. George Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Raphael Nguyen Parochial Vicar Rev. Quyen Truong Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Gibson Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM, 7:00PM in Spanish Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM, and 5:00PM in Vietnamese. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM and 9:00AM Saturday: 9AM Filipino Mass: 5:30PM, First Saturdays, October-June. Holy Days: 4PM Vigil, 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM and 7:30PM in Vietnamese RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday: 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3:00PM to 3:45PM or by appointment. BAPTISM Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Arrangements must be made a month in advance. Parents must attend two preparation sessions. MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DAY 24-hour adoration begins the second Wednesday of the month at the 9:00AM Mass. DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM; Vietnamese 2nd Wednesday of the month at 8PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction. Parish Office Hours: Sunday: 8:30 AM 1:30 PM Monday through Friday: 9 AM 12 Noon; 1 PM 4:30 PM; 6 PM - 8 PM Saturday: 9 AM 12 Noon
Vietnamese Registrations Registrations for the Vietnamese Bible, Language and Youth Programs for the school year 2016 2017 will be: TODAY, Sunday August 7th and next weekend, August 14th from 2:00pm to 4:45pm in the Parish Center. Sr. Maria Loan Tran, LHC: loan222@gmail.com My Hanh Dang: myhanhdang@yahoo.com Tony: anthonycnguyen@yahoo.com St. Faustina Messenger of Divine Mercy Comes to Christ Cathedral August 12 14 This is a live multi-media drama with a modern message of mercy. This one woman production is performed by Maria Vargo of St. Luke Productions. St. Faustina, Polish Mystic, who had personal encounters with Jesus, has inspired a world-wide devotion to Christ s Divine Mercy. Tickets: www.ccdramaseries.com or 714-282-3045. Today, Sunday, August 7th The Knights of Columbus Pancake and Sausage Breakfast is being served today after the 7:30am, 9am, & 10:45am Masses. Please bring your family and friends and join us for this parish event! Welcome to Deacon Gerardo De Santos We say thank you and good bye to Deacon Adolfo Ramirez as he returns full-time to deacon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Santa Ana, and we welcome Deacon Gerardo (Gerry) De Santos. Deacon Gerry was ordained at St. Columban Church in Garden Grove in 1984. After ordination, Deacon Gerry was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Ana (Delhi) for 9 years. He was then transferred to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Santa Ana where he served 23 years. Deacon Gerry was born in Jalisco, Mexico and arrived in California when he was 20 years old. He met his wife, Socorro, while attending her brother s wedding, and they have been married for 43 years. They have two married children and four grandchildren. A highlight of Deacon Gerry s ministry has been presiding over his daughter s wedding and baptizing his grandkids. When at home, Deacon enjoys time in his garden, cooks with Socorro and spends time with his family. He and his wife are grateful for the opportunity to serve at St. Nicholas. OUR FATHER IN FAITH The Letter to the Hebrews today sings a hymn of praise to Abraham and to his faith, upon which are founded the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Abraham is called father in faith by more people on earth than anybody else, numerous as the sands of the seashore or the stars of the heavens. Hebrews tells us it was this foundational faith that led Abraham to obey God s call when he heard it, though he was called to journey to a land he did not know and told he would father a mighty race through a marriage he thought was barren. But Abraham s faith, the author of Hebrews tells us, was his realization of what he hoped for, and the evidence of what he could not see. How often are we, in simple daily events of our own Christian vocation, called to an unfamiliar place or told we are to do something we do not believe we can? How fortunate we are to have Father Abraham as our guide and example! Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Stewardship of Treasure Stewardship is not about our generosity; it is our response to God s generosity. 2016 2015 52-Weekly Required Budget July 31st $24,074.28 $25,000.42 $22,987 St. Vincent de Paul $ 5,202.00 $ 3,600.67
Parish Calendar This Week Monday: 7AM Shaun Biss (d) 9AM Chuck Bassett (d) Tuesday: 7AM Sue Ellen Stone (d) 9AM Anna Thay Tran (d) Wednesday: 7AM Kolby Chak Pon Lee 9AM Linda Obermeier (d) Thursday: 7 AM Patrick McIlroy (d) 9AM Gerald Henry Brock (d) Friday: 7 AM Beatriz Bravo and Oscar Monte (d) 9AM Tina Ngo (d) Saturday: 9AM Maria Luisa Romero (d) 4PM Chet Wolski (d) Sunday: 7:30AM Adela Rey (d) 9:00AM For the Parish 10:45AM Billy Hogan (d) 12:30PM Feris and Antoinette Haddad (d) We Remember Clarice Matheson who entered her new and eternal life in Christ. Our Parish condolences are extended to her family. Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever. MONDAY Backyard Theology, Parish Center, 6:30PM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM TUESDAY Backyard Theology, Parish Center, 6:30PM WEDNESDAY Backyard Theology, Parish Center, 6:30PM Devotions and Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM THURSDAY Bereavement Ministry, Room B, 9:45AM Faith Alive, Room A, 10AM Hispanic Council Meeting, Room C, 6:30PM FRIDAY Dynamic Catholic Book Study, Room 201, 9:45AM Divine Mercy, St. Faustina Study, Room A, 1:45PM Spanish Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Baptism Preparation Spanish, Room B, 7PM Baptism Preparation English, Room C, 7:30PM SATURDAY Spanish Choir, Room C, 5PM SUNDAY Library closed for summer The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday, August 18 7:45am to 7:45pm St. Nicholas Church in the Parish Center Council 10590 To schedule appointments: Rod 949-831-0208 or James 949-295-3769 Walk-ins also welcome or make an appointment for faster service! One of the Knights will be outside the Church after all Masses today to answer any questions you may have! TODAY S READINGS First Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9 Your ancestors waited in faith and courage for God s promised summons. Psalm 33: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own. Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 [1-2, 8-12] Because of his faithful obedience to God s call, Abraham s descendants number as the stars. Gospel: Luke 12:32-48 [35-40] Keep watch and be prepared, for you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man will appear. Our Monthly Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins this Wednesday, August 10th, at the 9AM Mass and continues until just prior to the 9AM Mass on Thursday, August 11th. We invite and encourage you to spend some time with Our Lord in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament - praying especially for the strengthening and unity of Christian family life and for vocations to religious life and the priesthood.
School of Religious Education PLEASE NOTE: Liturgy of the Word will not meet on Sunday, August 28th. AUGUST SRE EVENTS: Sunday, August 21 Open Registration 8:30am to Noon in the Parish Center Lobby. Monday, August 22 Teacher s Orientation 6:30pm in the Parish Center. A very special THANK YOU to all our volunteers who offered their time, talent and treasures to make this year s Vacation Bible School a success! You are much appreciated! Blessings to each of you and your families! Fall schedule for School of Religion Classes: information will be mailed later in August. Parent Meeting for parents with students in First through Eighth Grades: Monday OR Tuesday, September 12 or 13 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. Elementary: Classes begin the week of Sept. 18th from 4:15pm to 5:30pm. Junior High: Classes begin Tuesday, October 4th at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. Confirmation I and II: 1/2 day Retreat on Saturday, September 24th, 1pm to 6pm (includes Mass/Dinner). Confirmation I: Classes begin Tuesday, October 1st at 7pm upstairs in the Parish Center. Confirmation II: Classes begin on Tuesday, October 11th at 7pm upstairs in the Parish Center. We need Catechists, Aides, Office Help during the SRE School Year. Who? Me a Catechist? Here are some reasons to consider becoming a Catechist! 1. Your relationship with Jesus will grow as you deepen your knowledge of the teachings of the Church. 2. You re needed! You have the Good News of Jesus to share. 3. Jesus is the source of our life of faith. As a catechist, you get to share that life with your students. 4. Don t think you have nothing to offer. You ve got a lot to share. 5. You ll be provided with resources and lesson plans that will give you great support. 6. You ll meet new people and become part of an important faith community. 7. Teaching is renewing; it is energizing and can be a lot of fun. 8. As a catechist, you are sharing salvation with your students and their families. 9. Being a catechist is a great way to proclaim the Good News to others. 10. You are fulfilling the Great Commission (Mt. 28). It is a way to live out your baptismal call to Go make disciples Call the SRE Office, 837-7676, for more information! Check us out on Facebook! Thanks to all our members who helped with Vacation Bible School this last week you did a great job! Look for pictures in the bulletin next week. Teen/Family Choir practices will begin on Thursday, September 1st at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. We welcome all teens and their family members to join our group we meet twice a month on Thursday nights and sing at the 4pm Mass the last Saturday of the month. If you sing or play an instrument, please join us. For more information, call the SRE Office, 837-7676. We ll be having a planning session for the 2016-2017 school year in August so watch future bulletins and check Facebook for upcoming activities! Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola Autumn Session 2016 Beginning: Week of Aug 20 25 Sat: 11am, Sun: 1:30pm, Wed: 7:30pm or Thurs: 9:15am If you feel an interior call to grow in Holiness, these classes, offered at St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens and given over a 10 week period, will greatly intensify your spiritual life and your desire to go to Heaven. Come and learn the real purpose of your life, and how to achieve it through self-knowledge, self-discipline, and deep prayer. St. Peter Chanel Church, 12001 E. 214th St., Hawaiian Gardens. There is no charge for the program and all materials are provided. Donations accepted. Meetings are 2 to 2.5 hours. Register: www.spcomv.com, or call 562-924-7591.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Are you at a point in your life where you find yourself standing in front of a door and hear someone calling to you? That is Christ standing there waiting for you to open the door but the only handle on the door is on your side! It is your choice if you want to let Him in or not. He is always calling us into relationship with Him no matter how long it takes. If you are an adult (18+) and are thinking about having a relationship with God and have not been baptized, the RCIA process is what you are looking for. It will lead you or someone you know into a lifetime relationship with our Lord, to and through the Sacraments of the Church. Sessions begin on Thursday, September 1st at 7PM, in Room 201 in the Parish Center. Please call Jeff Moses at 714-366-1149. We have a wonderful team waiting to help answer your questions and get you started on your journey in faith. Each month through November of 2016, we will feature a Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy on which to concentrate our efforts. For August Work of Mercy: Forgive offenses. Ideas: 1. Pray for those who have hurt you. Scripture Readings: John 13:24 New commandment, love one another. Ephesians 4:32 Forgive one another. 2 Corinthians 2:7 Forgive and comfort the sinner. Church Cleaning Update! The volunteers who cleaned the pews on July 12, did such a wonderful job, that they decided to make cleaning the Church a monthly event. We will meet again in Church on August 9th at 10AM. Additional volunteers always welcome! Through Food Pantry Assistance, Susan s family did not go hungry. The program made it possible for her to finish school and achieve a brighter future. Susan is a single mother that has utilized the Food Pantry to help her small family through the last 6 months. Last Thursday, she told her favorite volunteer why it would be her last month visiting the pantry. Susan had attended school full time and after many hard nights of balancing family and school work, she graduated. She will begin her nursing career at a local hospital, next week. Your food and cash donations make a difference! BAD MEMORY The recollection of an injury is... a rusty arrow and poison for the soul. St. Francis of Paola VATICAN SPLENDORS at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum On Monday, August 22nd, the bus leaves St. Nicholas Church at 8am, returning at 6pm. Donation: $50 per person, which includes bus fare, Library entrance fee and a small portion to benefit the St. Nicholas Music Ministry. Lunch will be on your own at a choice of three restaurants within the Museum area. Experience 2000 years of Vatican art and history at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. This is the exclusive West Coast destination for Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art. This 10,000 square foot exhibit, comprising one of the largest Vatican collections ever to tour the United States, includes an extraordinary collection of historical and religious objects, some of which date to the first century, as well as works of art by Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino and others. Reservations Required: Call Cynthia Holmes, 949-951-3375 Tuesday, August 16th at 7PM doors open at 6:30PM. Event hosted by St. Martin de Porres Church at 19767 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda. FREE EVENT! Come celebrate 35 years! Featuring: Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood Leader turned Pro- Life Advocate and Kathleen Bravo, Obria Founder & CEO. Desserts/Coffee provided Free-will offering appreciated. Register on-line at: https://events.obria.org Question? Call Stephanie at 949-273-5042
Backyard Theology at St. Nicholas August 8 10 gathering at 6:30PM, in the Parish Center. Monday Fr. Quyen, Parochial Vicar Tuesday Fr. George, Parish Administrator Wednesday Fr. Raphael, Parochial Vicar Come Meet and Greet our new Parish Administrator and Parochial Vicars! Please bring a snack or dessert to share. Coffee and drinks will be provided. The Diocese of Orange s 40th Anniversary Sunday, September 18 40 Years of Faith, Love and Inspiration at Christ Cathedral, 13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove Join the faithful from across the Diocese of Orange as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary. This daylong event will welcome thousands to join in communion together and celebrate the unique gifts of the people of Orange. 7-9AM occatholic.com/5k 9:30 11AM Anniversary Mass 11AM 6PM Fun Zone with real snow sledding area For information or to purchase tickets: www.rcbo.org 11:30AM 2:30PM Speakers, Series Freed Theater 3PM to 9:30PM Music Festival PHOTO EXHIBIT ALL DAY! CHOIR RECRUITMENT MONTH Now is a great time for you to climb on board and become a part of this exciting and rewarding weekly liturgical ministry, for the 2016-2017 season. The Catholic Church teaches us that CHOIR isn t a luxury, it s a necessity! Parishes NEED choirs. Our Choirs need YOU. We are fortunate to have THREE Choirs: 9:00am CHOIR (SATB), under the direction of Emett, (our music director and accompanist), rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45. Repertoire consists of all musical styles: ancient, traditional, and contemporary. Present membership is 42. Our goal is to recruit 12 new members. 10:45am CHORALE (SATB), Under the direction of Mary Ester, and accompanied by Emett, rehearses on Tuesday evenings, from 7:15 to 8:45. Repertoire also consists of all styles of liturgical music. Present Membership is 24. Our goal is to recruit many more voices. TEEN/FAMILY CHOIR Under the direction of Pauline, and connected to our Youth Ministry Program, rehearses twice a month and provides contemporary music on the last Saturday of the month at our 4pm Mass during the academic year. Our goal is to recruit as many voices as possible. Sign-ups for ALL 3 Choirs are being accepted at all Masses every weekend in AUGUST. Please see Emett in the choir loft, take a tour of the loft, peek inside the pipe organ chambers, and sign up! Membership is open to anyone who is seriously interested in contributing to these teams of liturgical ministers. Some musical experience would be helpful for the SATB Choirs, but there are no formal auditions. (Climbing the stairs to the loft is your audition ) However, you must be able to commit to regular attendance, be excited to learn, and carry a tune. REHEARSALS begin the 2nd week of September. DEADLINE to join is Sunday, September 4th. Please don t wait...come up to the loft today, see Emett, and JOIN NOW!