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. Pastor Parochial Vicar Deacon Deacon Deacon CLERGY Rev. George P. Blais Rev. Quyen Truong Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Rev. Gerald Walker Rev. Brendan Hankins Rev. Jack Sewell Rev. Chin Dang Wayne Thompson Chau Tran 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 7:00 PM; Saturday: 9 AM 12 Noon
PASTOR S MESSAGE NOVEMBER 4-5 November is the month to remember those who have gone before us, especially our family and friends. We will pray for all of the deceased during the month, at the 7AM Mass. If you would like the names of your loved ones included in these Mass intentions, please fill out the All Souls envelopes with their names and bring the envelope to the parish office or place the envelope in the weekend collection basket. Please DO NOT put the envelopes in the basket by the Altar. We will not mention the names verbally at Mass, but please know that we are praying for them at the Mass. May they rest in peace and may they continue to be an inspiration to us until we are with them again in heaven. Next Saturday, Nov 11th, is Veterans Day. This is the day that our nation recognizes and honors all of our military veterans for their service to our country. These men and women recognize the need to stand up in defense of freedom and we thank them and God for their commitment and service. It is a good opportunity and practice to personally thank anyone who is wearing a symbol of their service; e.g., a hat or pin identifying the branch or unit in which they served. This is also the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving. Let us all give thanks to God for the gifts that He provides for us by sharing these gifts and talents with one another. Fr. George The Knights of Columbus wish to honor and recognize all Military Veterans of St. Nicholas by inviting them and their families to attend, as our guests, our Past Grand Knights Testimonial Dinner. RIGHT AND WRONG What is morally wrong can never be politically right. Anthony Ashley Cooper This event will be held after the 4pm Mass on Saturday, November 11th. Reception and Social begins at 5:30pm, with dinner at 6pm. If you are a Veteran and would like to attend, please call and leave a message at 949-768-7228. Knights who are veterans need not RSVP. National Needs Collection This Weekend! November 4-5 This collection combines three national collections into one. Envelopes for the special collection are provided in the pew racks. Catholic Campaign for Human Development, mandated by the U.S. Bishops to address the root causes of poverty in America by funding organizations that help individuals help themselves. Catholic Communications Campaign, the mission of which is to contribute to the process of evangelization by fostering activities in relation to television, radio and other media, and through special projects of the Catholic press. Catholic University of America, provides funding for academic scholarships at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in response to the commitment made by the bishops at its foundation in 1887. Students are enrolled from all 50 states and almost 100 countries in 12 schools. We appreciate your generosity! St. Nicholas Thanksgiving Dinner Sign-up We salute and honor our Veterans this week on Veterans Day Saturday, November 11th. Thank you for your service to our country! The Thanksgiving Committee will be outside the Church THIS WEEKEND after the Saturday, Nov. 4th, 4pm Mass, and on Sunday, Nov. 5th after the 7:30am, 9am, 10:45am and 12:30pm Masses, to take reservations for the Thanksgiving Dinner to be held in the Parish Center on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd. Thanksgiving Dinner will be served at 1:00pm. This free dinner is being made possible thanks to: The St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus and the Hispanic Prayer Group. Stewardship of Treasure 2017 2016 52-Weekly Required Budget October 29 $21,905.81 $20,367.90 $25,856.00 St. Vincent de Paul $ 5,436.16
Parish Calendar This Week Monday: 9AM Ramon Evangelista (d) Tuesday: 9AM John McGlone (d) Wednesday: 9AM Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Garcia (d) Thursday: 9AM Thomas Rose Friday: 9AM Maria Jubb (d) Saturday: 9AM All Souls 4PM For the Parish 7PM Maria Martinez Sevilla (d) Sunday: 7:30AM Joan Skula & Terry Skula (d) 9:00AM Lucien Pic (d) 10:45AM James Clarke 12:30PM Cleotilde Catamisan (d) We Remember All our Beloved Deceased who entered their new and eternal lives in Christ. Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever. MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM Bible Study, Rooms 201-204, 7PM Pastoral Council, Rooms B & C, 7PM TUESDAY Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Spanish RCIA, Room C, 6PM SRE Confirmation II, Parish Center-upstairs, 7PM 7 & 8 Grade SRE, Parish Center-downstairs, 7PM Remembering Church, Room C, 7PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM WEDNESDAY Eucharistic Adoration, Church, starting at 9AM Mass Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Bereavement Ministry, Room B, 10AM Bible Study, Rooms 201-202, 10AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM THURSDAY Faith Alive-Faith Sharing, Room A, 10AM Alpha Leader Training, Parish Center, 6:30PM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM RCIA, Parish Center-Room 201, 7PM St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM FRIDAY Divine Mercy-St. Faustina Study, Room C, 9:45AM Book Study-Rediscover Catholicism, Room 201, 9:45AM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Baptism Preparation Spanish, Room B, 7PM Baptism Preparation English, Room C, 7:30PM SATURDAY Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM Knights of Columbus Veterans, Parish Center, 5PM SUNDAY Library is OPEN, Room C, 8:45AM TODAY S READINGS First Reading: Malachi 1:14b 2:2b, 8-10 Do we not have one father? Did not the one God create us? Psalm 131: In you, Lord, I have found my peace. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 You have received not a human word but the word of God. Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 Call no one your father on earth; you have but one Father, the one in heaven. REMEMBERING CHURCH! Confused Catholic? Inactive Catholic? Alienated Catholic? An Advent Invitation! If you ve been away from the Church, drifting away from the Church if you ve been hurt by the Church if you re confused or angry because of your Catholic experience, please consider this invitation to come and talk with us. Perhaps this Christmas can be a time of renewal of hope in your faith journey. We ll meet starting on Tuesday, November 7th at 7PM in Room C. If interested, call Gloria at 768-7228.
School of Religious Education PLEASE NOTE: SRE Elementary: Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 6 8, in the Parish Center from 4:15pm to 5:30pm. 7th & 8th Grades: Tuesday, Nov. 7, at 7pm to 8:30pm, downstairs in the Parish Center. Confirmation II: Tuesday, Nov. 7, upstairs in the Parish Center, from 7pm to 8:30pm. For the safety of our Children Important Notice: It will now be dark when you come to pick up your children from their classes. Please PARK your car in a designated parking space when picking them up. (First and Second Graders should always be escorted to and from their class.) CONFIRMATION II RETREAT NOVEMBER 17-19 AT LAZY W RANCH All students must meet at the Parish Center on Friday, Nov. 17 at 5pm SHARP! Remember to bring your supplies and a flashlight. We will return on Sunday, Nov. 19 between 12 Noon and 1pm. Please bring a snack or drinks for 6 8 people to share. If you have questions, please call Gwen at the SRE Office, 837-7676. Teen/Family Choir Rehearsal: Choir Rehearsal on Thursday, Nov 16 at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft. Teen/Family Mass is: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 AT 4PM. Check us out on Facebook! Saturday, Nov 11 and Sunday, Nov 12: We ll be collecting for Pennies from Heaven, after the Masses. Please sign up to help with this worthy cause. All the monies collected will be donated to the many Right to Life organizations in the Orange Diocese. Sunday, Nov 12: Confirmation and Youth Ministry will be hosting Coffee and Donuts after the 9am and 10:45am Masses. Please meet Betty Farrell in the Parish Center at 9:30am. ATTENTION RETREAT LEADERS: Be at the parish center on Friday, Nov 17th at 5pm to help check in the Confirmation Students. Don t forget your supplies and a flashlight. We will be back by 1pm on Sunday, Nov. 19th. Student Contest Enter to win! PENNIES FROM HEAVEN NOVEMBER 11-12 The St. Nicholas Youth Ministry Members and the Confirmation Students will be collecting pennies after the Masses on Saturday and Sunday, November 11th 12th. Your coins and dollars will support local Respect Life Shelters, Clinics and Centers that give immediate and long-term care to Orange County residents affected by the threats to the life and dignity of the human person and unborn. We appreciate your generosity! The Hispanic Group invites all parishioners to attend a discussion on humility, in Spanish, directed by Fr. Jorge Mateos on Monday, November 13th, at 7PM-9PM in the Church. The St. Nicholas Council of the Knights of Columbus is again sponsoring A Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest, open to all 8-12 grade students in public, private or parochial schools who are parishioners of St. Nicholas Parish. Entry forms and rules are available at the SRE Office and the Parish website: www.st-nicholaschurch.org/. Essays and entry forms must be returned to the SRE Office no later than November 13th. Vocations Faire Sunday, November 12, 8am to 12:30pm at St. Edward s Church, 34161 Granada Dr., Dana Point. Featuring: Fr. John Moneypenny, Diocese Vocations Director, and representatives from various local Religious Orders will be available to answer any questions you may have about their vocation. Complimentary Sunday donuts, juice and coffee will be available courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.
CRAFT FAIR St. John Neumann Catholic Church 5101 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA Friday, November 17th: 5pm to 9pm Saturday, November 18th: 10am to 7pm Monthly Gregorian Chant Once a month, on the first Sunday of the month in Ordinary Time, from October through June, the St. Nicholas Parish Choir (9AM), will include Gregorian Chant and traditional hymnody at the 9AM Sunday Mass. This practice continues from last choir season and keeps the tradition of the official music of the Roman Catholic Church present in our parish. Copies of the Missa de Angelis are available in the Choir Loft upon request. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica On Thursday, November 9th, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. The Lateran Basilica is the oldest and highest ranking of the four major Basilicas in Rome. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, (the Pope), not St. Peter s Basilica as so many mistakenly believe. The wealthy Lateran family donated land to Constantine and the first basilica was built on the site in the fourth century and monks from the monastery of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Divine served it. A Latin inscription in the Church says: Omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput. Translated in English, it means, The mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world. Come to the Parish Library! Children gather in celebration of the Lord of the Miracles. The Hispanic Group thanks the St. Nicholas Parish community for attending the annual celebration of the Lord of the Miracles. We also appreciate all of the volunteers who helped make the celebration a success. The Library is open on Sundays, 8:45am to 12:45pm, and the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm to 4pm. We have a cart of free items: rosaries, prayer cards, etc. The Library is located in Room C, behind the Parish Office. The Diocesan Office of Restorative Justice/Detention Ministry is in need of Forever Postage Stamps for our annual Operation Christmas Spirit. Each year we collect 7,000 donated postage stamps and Christmas cards to be distributed throughout our local jails and juvenile detention facilities. It gives the incarcerated populations we serve an opportunity to give back to their families and loved ones by sending them a simple Christmas greeting that they could not otherwise do without your generous contribution. We accept Christmas card/postage stamp donations anytime throughout the year. Currently, we are in need of Forever postage stamps for the supply of cards we now have, which must be delivered to the correctional facilities by November. Drop off or mail donation to: 1820 W. Orangewood Av., Suite 101, Orange, CA 92868. Contact: 714-634-9909 or through our website: www.rcbo.org/restore.
Please note: EARLY DEADLINES FOR BULLETIN ARTICLES With holidays and other Publisher requirements, articles for our bulletin have early deadlines. Please note the following deadlines if you have an article that needs to be in a bulletin for the dates shown below. Articles submitted after the required Due Date will not be published in the bulletin. Bulletin Date November 12 Articles Due By November 1-past due November 19 November 8 November 26 November 9 A Prayer For the Nation (Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer) Almighty God, you have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable endeavor, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitude brought here out of many nations and tongues. Endow with the Spirit of Wisdom those to whom, in your name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to your law we may show forth your praise among the nations of earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble do not allow our trust in you to fail. We ask all of this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Monthly Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins this Wednesday, November 8th, at the 9AM Mass and continues until just prior to the 9AM Mass on Thursday, November 9th. We invite 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. PLEASE NOTE!! Starting on Monday, November 6th, the St. Nicholas Parish Office will have NEW office hours. Monday through Friday we will be open as follows: 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 7pm. Anyone who has reserved a room at the parish for ministry events will need to pick up the room key by 6:30pm in the Parish Office. Parish Office hours for the weekend remain the same: Saturday: 9am 12 Noon Sunday: 8:30am 1:30pm The Hispanic Group is having a Tamale Sale in the Parish Center on Sunday, November 19th after all Masses. unless they sell out early! St. Nicholas Senior Singles are gathering for lunch on Friday, November 17th at 12:30pm at Lucille s Bar B-Q, 23760 El Toro Rd., Lake Forest. Reservations required; RSVP: Joan at 949-855-8755. New Members are invited and welcomed! Friendship with the love of God in our hearts. Sunday Missal Living With Christ Sunday Missals for 2017-2018, Cycle B, which begins The First Sunday of Advent on December 3rd, are on sale now in the Parish Office. It contains the Sunday readings, Mass prayers, a short meditation and some questions at the end of each section. The Missal is $5.00 (shipping /handling costs included), and can be picked up in the Parish Office. Limited supply.