W e l c o m e t o S t. P a t r i c k C h u r c h 2 3 5 C h a p e l S t r e e t, G r a s s V a l l e y, C a l i f o r n i a 95945 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time November 15, 2015 Father Sylvester Kwiatkowski, Pastor Father Robert Brooks, Parochial Vicar James Shea, Deacon Carlos Astesana, Deacon (retired) Brian Moore, Deacon (retired) James Chatigny, Deacon (retired) Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 5 pm Sunday 7:30, 9 and 11 am Monday through Saturday 8:30 am Spanish Mass Saturday 6:30 pm Reconciliation Saturday 3 to 4:30 pm or by appointment Monday through Saturday 7:50 am Eucharistic Adoration See overleaf We, the parish of St. Patrick Church, being one community growing in faith and proclaiming our belief in the message and mission of our Lord Jesus Christ, invite all to open their hearts, hear His call, and become one with the Body of Christ.
St. Patrick Church 235 Chapel Street Grass Valley, CA 95945 phone 530-273-2347 fax 530-272-9681 email stpatchurch@sbcglobal.net web www.stpatrickgrassvalley.org Fr. Sylvester Kwiatkowski, Pastor 273-2347 Fr. Robert Brooks, Parochial Vicar (residence St. Canice Church) 265-2049 Linda Shirkey, Secretary 273-2347 stpatchurch@sbcglobal.net Pamela Magill, Bookkeeper 273-2347 stpatricks0469@sbcglobal.net John Evans, Facilities Manager 277-2934 gogiants8363@yahoo.com Karen Burford, Director of Faith Formation 273-2336 x 201 karinab@aol.com Barbara Burns, RCIA 273-2336 x 205 burnsla@peoplepc.com John McDaniel, Youth Ministry 273-2336 x 204 office 798-6859 cell saintpatrickym@gmail.com Sr. Wendy Mitchell, Marian Consecration 273-8113 Edee Wood, Principal Mount St. Mary s Academy 273-4694 info@mtstmarys.org PASTOR S CORNER By Father Sylvester Kwiatkowski The Word of God is with us always, for all eternity, and will not pass away. The Word of God embodied in Jesus gives us direction for our lives and hope for a future where suffering is gone, pain does not exist, war and conflict have ceased, hatred and prejudice are no more. In the person of Jesus we have been given a glimpse into the mind and heart of God, into the mystery of the community of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, into the endless flow of love and compassion that heals and makes whole. The love of God made flesh in Jesus our guide, our model, our teacher, our example for today and forever is our hope, our strength, our safety, our truth, our light, our life, the Word of God who will never pass away. Bishop Soto has designated St. Patrick Parish and Mount St. Mary s Academy as an official pilgrimage site for the Year of Mercy which begins with the opening of the Holy Door at the Cathedral on December 13, 2015, and concludes on November 20, 2016. Further information will be posted in the upcoming weeks. This is a privilege for our Church. Please pray for all pilgrims who will visit our Church during the Year of Mercy. READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK November 16 through November 22 Monday: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 Luke 18:35-43 Tuesday: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31 Luke 19:1-10 Wednesday: 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 Luke 19:11-28 Thursday: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 Luke 19:41-44 Friday: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 Luke 19:45-48 Saturday: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13 Luke 20:27-40 Sunday: Daniel 7:13-14 Revelation 1:5-8 John 18:33b-37 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Monday 11/16 8:30 am All Souls Tuesday 11/17 8:30 am All Souls For anointing of the sick, hospital visits or communion visits at home, please notify the parish office. Wednesday 11/18 8:30 am All Souls Thursday 11/19 8:30 am All Souls Friday 11/20 8:30 am All Souls Eucharistic Adoration Schedule Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. First Saturday of the month 7:30 to 9 p.m. First Sunday of the month 12 Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday 11/21 8:30 am 5 pm 6:30 pm Sunday 11/22 7:30 am 11 am Howard Borel II (D) All St. Patrick Parishioners No Intentions Irene Kumiyama (D) Maurice Emanuel (D) and Joe Malfa (D) Thanksgiving
FAMILY MINISTRY AND FORMATION Religious Education and Catholic Formation for Our Public School Families SCHEDULE: November 15: Topic: The Creed: Our Profession of Faith Sacrament Preparation Workshop Wednesday, November 18: Advent Preparation for families Simple supper from 5-5:45 p.m. Class from 6-7:30 p.m. WHAT IS FAMILY MINISTRY AND FORMATION? Family Ministry and Formation is a unique and dynamic religious education process that teaches our Catholic Faith to the children, youth and parents of our community, including preparation for the Holy Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Please note that preparing children or youth for the sacraments is a two-year preparation process. For more information about our program, please call Karen at 273-2336, x 201 or email at karinab@aol.com. SUMMER FAITH CAMP 2016 Cave Quest: Following Jesus the Light of the World June 20-24, 2016. Parents, grandparents and teens save this date on your calendars now! You won t want to miss this awesome camp! PARISH MINISTRY AND COLLABORATION The Diocese of Sacramento is offering us these quotes to help parishioners reflect on the importance of collaborating and working with others to accomplish a common goal as we minister to God s people. For collaboration to be effective; when we come together we must put aside our interests and agendas, and unite. JA Perez MOTHER-DAUGHTER PROGRAM The Mother-Daughter Programs explore God s special gift of human fertility and the beauty and wonder of God s plan for growing up and becoming a woman. The Teen and Tween Programs cover similar subject matter while differing in depth and scope. All presentations are pure, light-hearted and affirming! If the mother is not available, the daughter can be accompanied by another supportive female. For dates and more information on the program, contact Steve Patton at (916) 733-0133 Email: spatton@scd.org or go to www.motherdaughterprogram.com. FATHER-SON PROGRAM The Father-Son Program explores God s special gift of human sexuality and fertility as well as the goodness and wonder of his plan for growing up and becoming a man. It is designed for fathers* and their 12 15 year old sons. All content is pure, light-hearted and affirming. *If the father is not available, the son can be accompanied by another supportive adult. For dates and more information on the program go to www.fathersonprogram.com or contact Steve Patton at (916) 733-0133 Email: spatton@scd.org. MARRIAGE AND THE MYSTERY OF GOD Deep Love and Happiness in Holy Matrimony The Diocese of Sacramento is offering a four-evening series that explores the beauty of marriage as God designed it, taps into the depths of marriage as a Sacrament, and provides practical ways for marriages to flourish. Taught by Steve Patton, MA, JD, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on November 23, 30, December 7 and 14. Attendance can be either live in Sacramento at the Diocesan Pastoral Center or at home via internet live stream. $30 for the series includes a great workbook. For more information and to register, go to www.themeaningoflove.info. NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK From November 15-21, 2015, the United States Conference of Catholic bishops invites families, parishes, schools, and other Catholic groups to participate in National Bible Week in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum. This year s theme, The Bible: A Book for the Family, builds on this year s Synod of Bishops on the Family and Pope Francis s visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. For great resources for parents and everyone interested in the Bible, please go to http:// www.usccb.org/bible/national-bible-week/index.cfm. If you are interested in finding good, Catholic bibles for families, children or youth, please email Karen at karinab@aol.com or call 273-2336, ext. 201. THE GIVING TREE The Catholic Ladies Relief Society is putting up a Giving Tree as part of their mission to help those in need. The tree will be set up in the Church vestibule on Friday, November 20. You will see paper ornaments hanging on the branches with a gift suggestion for a specific needy person in our community (no names will be shared). In the spirit of Christmas we encourage you to select an ornament and return the wrapped gift, with the paper ornament attached, to the parish hall after any of the weekend Masses on December 12-13. If you have any questions phone Dolores at 271-0783, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
ST. PATRICK MEETINGS THIS WEEK Mon 11/16 7:50 am 7 pm Tue 11/17 7:50 am 5:15 pm 6 pm 7 pm 7 pm Wed 11/18 7:50 am 9:30 am 5 pm 6:30 pm Thu 11/19 7:45 am 8:15 am 10:30 am 6:30 pm Fri 11/20 7:45 am 9:15 am 5 pm Sat 11/21 7:45 am 9:15 am Sun 11/22 10 am 10 am 12:30 pm Divine Mercy Choir Practice O.L. Perpetual Help RCIA Team Choir Practice K of C Assembly Men s Bible Study Divine Mercy Bible Study Advent Prep Bereavement Group Liturgy of the Hours Charismatic Prayer Group RCIA Eucharistic Adoration Choir Practice Families of Nazareth Faith Formation Opening Doors Catechism Round Table Your Generosity to St. Patrick Church is Greatly Appreciated. Sunday Collection 11/8/15: $9,002 Upcoming 2nd Collection: 11/22 Human Development Interested in online giving? Go to www.myeoffering.com to sign up You might be eligible to earn credit card points by donating to the Church YOUNG LADIES INSTITUTE BAKE SALE YLI will be holding our annual Pre- Thanksgiving Bake Sale after all Masses on November 22, 2015. We will have home baked breads, cookies and candies that will be perfect for your Thanksgiving weekend. Proceeds from this sale go to help needy seminarians in the Sacramento Diocese. ST. PATRICK STEWARDSHIP At the Eucharist the Church (that is us) comes together to hear the Word of the Lord, to pray for the world's needs, to offer the sacrifice of the Cross in praise and thanks to God, to receive Jesus in Communion, and then to be sent forth in the Spirit as disciples of the Gospel." (Breaking Bread Missal) Is that why we go to celebrate Mass every Sunday? I realize that is why we are suppose to be here. Are we being prodded by guilt, by the Holy Spirit, by God's love, by an obligation to have our children here? Is it to pray for our health or the health of a loved one or neighbor? Is it for the safety of our children or grandchildren? Those are all good reasons! We need to continue on though, and that is where there is sometimes a lack of earnestness. How often we seem to forget the praise and thanksgiving to God. The celebration and receiving of the Eucharist is what sets us apart from the rest. It is the greatest contribution given to us from God through His son, Jesus. How can we improve? I am going to deal with one way that is relatively easy to do, will easily bring you closer to God, and will open your hearts and minds to God's love, compassion, and mercy; it will leave you feeling much better about yourself, your family, friends, neighbor, and hopefully even those that seem to bug you. How often do you go on vacation? When was the last time you went on vacation? When was the last time you went on vacation with God? When was the last time you made a retreat? Never, some may say; for others it could be years ago. Spending a weekend with God, slowing down, experiencing quiet time, letting your heart and mind open up to God's love, the Holy Spirit helping you to see, hear, feel so many different things in a whole new light. You have heard Father Sylvester speaking many times about his 30-day retreat and how it has transformed his life. Well that is not where he started. It all began years ago, and continued throughout the years with many various retreats. Your first vacation normally is not a 90- day cruise around the world. You couldn't do it, you wouldn't enjoy it, and it would not work for you. A weekend is all you need! Your eyes will be opened! If there is any pain or suffering in your life and your cross is too heavy to bear, you will see others like you. You will see that God has been at your side wanting and willing to help, but you didn't notice. This past weekend I made a retreat at Christ The King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights. As always, I was moved and stirred. I watched a gentleman one evening eating his meal. His hands were deformed, a fork in both hands, his movements very jerky; I thought for sure the food was going to fly off the plate. He was the last one to finish. My heart went out to him, it brought tears to my eyes. It did not seem to bother him a bit. I visited with him the next day and told him what I had observed and how I had felt. I offered to help him with his next meal. He slowly slipped on his sunglasses and said he didn't want me to see him cry. He said he had been struggling with this auto-immune disease for years. The disease was not life threatening but would get worse and that he had learned to cope with it. He was there to be closer with God. A person with a physical disability that wasn't going to kill him, just get worse! Always a smile on his face, and he wanted to be closer to God! That's why he was there. Do you want to be closer to God? You will be surprised! Pat Gerving Flyers available in the vestibule next week.
INTERFAITH FOOD MINISTRY It s getting to be that time of the year when turkeys are getting eaten and friends are gathering. We hope you will be generous in donating to IFM during this holiday season. $20 to sponsor a family for the holidays puts a delicious meal on the table for our clients. Last year we partnered with The Food Bank of Nevada County. We are doing this again, but in a different way. The food bank is supplying 1,500 servings of all the fixings and IFM is supplying the turkeys. Distribution will be on November 21 at IFM. Please be generous. You can donate on line at interfaithfoodministry.org by putting a well-labeled envelope in the collection basket, or by bringing your donation to 440 Henderson Street between 9 and 10 a.m. If you have questions please call Nancy Koring at 273-5510. Thank you for all you do. PASTORAL ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE The Diocese of Sacramento provides pastoral care to persons who have suffered sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy and other Catholic Church workers. Please call toll-free at 866-777-9133 if you are seeking assistance in coping with this tragic situation. Assistance is available in English and Spanish. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING It is time to replace the tired altar server robes. Many have observed that the current robes worn by the altar servers are either too big, too small, torn, or simply do not lend themselves to a neat and tidy appearance on the altar at Mass. The Liturgy Committee has looked into a complete change in appearance from the white robes to the black cassock and white surplus that you may have observed being worn by our adult servers. It has a neater appearance and is more fitting for Mass. This change presents an opportunity for giving from any parishioners who wish to do so. The cost of outfitting one altar server is approximately $90. We estimate needing a minimum of 20 outfits to accommodate the many sizes of our servers, for a total of $1,800. If this is a project that you would like to donate to please contact Father Sylvester or Linda in the office (273-2347) or simply drop off a donation to the rectory. We hesitate to move forward with this change unless and until we know that it is the desire on the part of parishioners to enhance the appearance of servers on our altar at Mass. Thank you in advance for your financial assistance to this program and to all of the other programs you have supported. You are always so generous. If there is not sufficient support for this change in altar server appearance, your donation will be returned to you. In appreciation, Father Sylvester If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes. St. Clement PRO LIFE WALK FOR LIFE WEST COAST The annual Pro Life Walk for Life is a short two months away. Register for your place on the bus today before the family events celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas divert your attention. Let s also remember in our prayers the 56 million+ babies who have lost their lives via abortion in our country since 1973. The Knights of Columbus Fr. Nicholas Phelan Council 1875 along with St. Patrick and St. Canice Parishes are once again sponsoring two 56-seat buses for transportation to the 12th Annual Pro-Life Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco on Saturday, January 23, 2016. Come show your support for Life in all its stages especially the unborn children by joining us for the day. $25 per person gives you the round trip bus ride; coffee, juice, donuts, rolls before we leave; and bottled water and snacks during the walk. For more information and to reserve your seat on the bus, call Charlie Babiarz at 530-205-7877 or email your RSVP to WFLbusGrassValley@gmail.com. For additional info, history, resources, etc., check out the Walk for Life West Coast web site at www.walkforlifewc.com. Then take action and RSVP your place on the bus and pass the word to others. CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: NEXT WEEKEND Next week s collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) needs your help. CCHD was founded to end the cycle of poverty in the United States by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. With the tradition of improving education, housing situations, and community economic development, CCHD continues to make a positive impact in communities nationwide. Your contribution will defend human dignity and reach out to those living on the margins. Please give generously to the CCHD collection. GETTING THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES It s going to get worse before it gets better is a phrase that prepares us to buckle up for a rough ride. We know that enduring a difficult time will require some strenuous physical or emotional energy on our part before we experience the calm of normality. Our past experience tells us that we can endure the difficult pressure better when we know how long it will last and if we know that something better awaits us. Getting through the tough times while holding to the promise that awaits us is the message of this weekend s readings. They point toward the promises of God s kingdom that will come after the maelstroms and chaos of this world. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.