Photographs by Charlene Dorman 210 Oak Grove Avenue Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel: (650) 323-7914 fax: (650) 323-3231 www.nativitymenlo.org www.nativityschool.com The Church of the Nativity MASSES Sundays 08:00, 09:30, 11:30 AM and 05:00 PM Saturdays 08:00 AM and 05:00 PM (Vigil) Weekdays and Holy Days, 05:30 and 07:30 PM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Opus Dei priest) 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM (parish priest) (also by appointment) BAPTISMS 1 st, 3 rd and 5 th Sundays of the month (contact rectory 2 months in advance) WEDDINGS Saturdays 11:00 AM and 02:00 PM (contact rectory at least 6 months in advance) PASTOR Rev. Msgr. Steven D. Otellini PAROCHIAL VICAR Rev. John Mary Chung PASTOR EMERITUS Rev. Clement Davenport PERMANENT DEACON Rev. Mr. Dominick Peloso Rev. Mr. Thomas Kelly WEEKEND ASSISTANTS Rev. Kevin Gaffey Rev. Paul Maillet, S.S. Rev. Gladstone Stevens, S.S. SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Mrs. Monica Hickam (650) 804-2390 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration
FIRST READING God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. Baruch 5: 1-9 PSALM Our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. Psalms 126 SECOND READING This is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more. Philippians 1: 4-6, 8-11 GOSPEL The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. Luke 3: 1-6 SCHEDULE OF MASSES AND INTENTIONS WEEK OF 09-15 DEC SAT 05:00 PM Priest s intentions SUN Masses Priest s intentions MON John Zappettini Bob Connelly TUE WED THU FRI Douglas Taylor Terrence Meagher Garrett Chiamparino Dot Connelly Frances Galea Lucienne Woods Sister Mary Assumpta Joseph Masuda SAT 08:00 AM In thanksgiving; Jide Onyeneho; Fulgencia Rodriguez; Gary Fazzino Please pray for those in need of physical or spiritual healing BULLETIN NEWS REMINDER: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Items for the bulletin should be emailed to the bulletin editors at nativity.bulletin@gmail.com. Deadline: 12:00 PM (noon) Friday by email, for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin 9 days later. EARLY SUBMISSION DEADLINES During the holiday season our publishers have earlier-than-usual submission deadlines for specific bulletins. Items for the 23 December 2012 bulletin must be submitted by Wednesday, 12 December 2012. Items for the 30 December 2012 bulletin must be submitted by Tuesday, 18 December 2012. Items for the 06 January 2013 bulletin must be submitted by Monday, 24 December 2012. MON-FRI MON-FRI SAT 07:10 AM 05:10 PM 07:40 AM 09 DEC (Sunday) 07:30 PM 10 DEC (Monday) 09:00 AM 07:30 PM 07:30 PM 11 DEC (Tuesday) 09:30 AM 07:00 PM Morning Prayer Evening Prayer Morning Prayer Guatemalan Mission Sales Holy Hour for Priests Bible Group Legion of Mary RCIA Bible Study: Psalms Cenacles of Life Rosary Bible Study: Psalms 12 DEC (Wednesday) 07:00 PM Confirmation Class 13 DEC (Thursday) 09:30 AM 11:00 AM 14 DEC (Friday) 15 DEC (Saturday) 06:15 AM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM 07:00 PM 09 December 2012 John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 2 nd The Second Sunday of Advent Opus Dei Women s Group The Thursday Group Perpetual Help Novena Luke 3: 3 Calendar Adopt-A-Family Deliveries Men s Spirituality and Prayer Group Confessions (Opus Dei priest) Confessions (parish priest) Volunteer Thank-You Party Guadalupe Presentation Electronic giving is offered through our website www.nativitymenlo.org or call the parish office for a paper form SPECIAL COLLECTION There will be a second collection at all Masses this week for the Retirement Fund for Religious.
Saints and Observances 12 DEC (Wednesday) OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (1531) The Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 calling herself the Mother of the True God and promising compassion and protection to all who come to her. She left an image of herself on his cloak, which is still preserved at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Under this title, Mary has been declared Patroness of the Americas. SOLEMNITY, FEAST, MEMORIAL OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OTHER 13 DEC (Thursday) SAINT LUCY, Martyr (~283 - ~304) St. Lucy was a young Christian of Greek ancestry, living in Syracuse in the early fourth century. Like many early Christian women, she devoted herself completely to Jesus. But her mother betrothed her to a pagan, and Lucy was only able to change her mother s mind after praying at the tomb of St. Agatha to cure her mother s illness. However, the spurned pagan suitor denounced her as a Christian, and she was martyred. CHRISTMAS NOVENA This is a traditional novena of the season, and is quite old. It should begin on 17 December, ending on Christmas Day. The repeated daily prayer is: Hail, and blessed be the hour and moment at which the Son of God was born of a most pure Virgin, at midnight in Bethlehem in the piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, O God, to hear our prayers and grant our desires. (mention request here) Through the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ and His most Blessed Mother. Amen. There is a daily reflection to accompany each of the nine days of the novena. The reflections can be found at www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/christmas.htm 14 DEC (Friday): SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS A Doctor of the Church, he was persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order. John became the Master of novices, spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa s convent. His reforms revitalized the order. John was a great mystical and spiritual writer. Ministry and Group News STANFORD BLOOD DRIVE NATIVITY BLOOD DRIVE Our next Nativity Community Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, 09 December 2012 from 08:30 AM- 12:30 PM. We are in our 7th year of hosting Stanford Blood Drives here in the Nativity Church parking lot (inside the comfortable Stanford Bloodmobile), and our local hospitals could use your donation of blood at this time. You can schedule an appointment by logging onto bloodcenter.stanford.edu. Simply click on the red schedule an appointment button and enter our zip code (94025) to find our blood drive. If you prefer, contact Sebastian Trucios at 650/888-5442 for scheduling. Remember: The Blood You Give May Help Save a Life! NATIVITY MOMS AND DADS OF YESTERYEAR Renew past friendships and make new ones. Join the Nativity Moms and Dads of Yesteryear at Harry s Hofbrau, 1909 El Camino Real, Redwood City, on Tuesday, 15 January 2013, at. For information only call Bonnie Neylan at 650/322-8645. Pregnant? Need Help? Please contact the Juan Diego Society (408/258-2008), the Gabriel Project (800/910-0191) or Community Pregnancy Center (650/964-8093). ADOPT-A-FAMILY DELIVERIES A reminder to all that gifts for the families we have adopted are due to be delivered at Nativity School s Sobrato Pavilion between 09:00-10:00 AM on Saturday, 15 December 2012. Those who will be volunteering are encouraged to attend the 08:00 AM Mass before going to the school. Thank you in advance for everyone s assistance and participation. We look forward to seeing you. For questions, call Mary Ellen Peloso: 650/269-7794. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Please come to visit our Lord during the week, as the church is open 24x7 and He awaits you. Also, everyone is encouraged to sign up for one hour. This will ensure your weekly meeting with Jesus. You may sign up for any hour. Please consider the following hours which currently have no one assigned. Our Lord wishes to speak with you, and you have much to say and ask of Him: SUN: 01:00 PM (twice per month) THU: FRI: 02:00 PM; 04:00 PM (Prayer Partner) 09:00 AM Please call 650/269-7794 for more information or to sign up. You have never strayed too far for the Father s forgiveness and grace.
Announcements OUR PARISH FAMILY Please keep all of our newest members in your prayers, as well as those who have preceded us to the Father. BAPTISMS Thomas Alexander, son of Daniel and Laura Beltramo James and Lauren, children of David and Renee Crawford Catelea Marguerite, daughter of Scott and Paige Spencer MARRIAGES NEW PARISHIONERS Colleen and Christopher Miltenberg (Margaret, Kevin) Eric Johnson DEATHS Zona Koo Nancy Jackman SPECIAL COLLECTION This weekend there will be a second collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. There are more than 34, 000 religious sisters, brothers and religious order priests in the country who are over the age of 70. They have made a positive difference in so many lives as they worked in school, hospital, and social-service agencies, often for little if any pay, or thought of retirement. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement. Your gift will help provide prescription medications, nursing care, and more for thousands of elderly religious. Please be generous. VOLUNTEER THANK-YOU PARTY Msgr. Steven Otellini cordially invites all Nativity volunteers to the annual Thank You Christmas Party on Saturday, 15 December 2012, after the 05:00 PM Mass. Volunteers are a very important part of the Nativity community and your help is invaluable. The party will be in the rectory. If you have done any volunteer work for Nativity Church or School, please stop by for some friendly company, good food, drinks and general good cheer. This includes all volunteers, e.g., choir members, ushers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, Altar Society, Eucharistic Adoration, Men s Club, carnival, tree lot, Adopt-a-Family, Legion of Mary, School of Religion, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and anyone who has done a special project, etc. This is our chance to say thanks for all your generous help throughout the year. FINAL BROWN BAG SUNDAY FOR 2012 Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be taking up their last Brown Bag collection of the year on the 5th Sunday of December (30 December 2012). There will not be another of these collections until the end of March 2013. The Nativity Conference of St. Vincent de Paul is a very active one. Several times a week members go out to the needy of our parish bringing food, or assistance with P.G. & E bills or rent. These collections on the 5th Sundays make their good work possible. Thank you for your generosity. In The Community NATIVITY TREE LOT - - FINAL WEEK! Nativity School s annual Christmas tree lot is open, but this is the final week! The very last day is 15 December 2012. Don t miss the opportunity to get one of the best Christmas trees on the peninsula and help Nativity School at the same time! The tree lot raises funds for important enrichment programs at Nativity. For more information call 650/275-3750, or email sales@ nativitytrees.com. GUATAMALAN MISSION SALES This weekend, 08-09 December 2012, Kay Sweeney will be at Nativity once again to sell Guatemalan handicrafts, made by indigenous women in Guatemala, who are part of the Kateri Tekakwitha Mission Fund. The sales of these handicrafts help support and educate these women. Find more information at www. mission-guatemala.org. Kay Sweeney is an Associate of the Sisters of the Presentation in San Francisco. She works in Guatemala with the Kateri Tekakwitha Mission Fund helping these women develop their talents through formal and informal education. The crafts will be available in the O Hare Center after the Saturday evening Mass and the Sunday morning Masses. GOOD FOOD AND GOOD MUSIC! Join us for the Nativity Men s Club 2013 Crab Cioppino Feast. Tickets are on sale for the Men s Club Crab Cioppino Dinner on Saturday, 09 February 2013 at Nativity School in the Sobrato Pavilion. The dinner will include Dungeness Crab Cioppino, pasta, salad; sourdough bread, and dessert. The tickets are $45.00 per person. In addition to the best Crab Cioppino dinner anywhere, there will be live music. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Seating is limited. Seating will be assigned so we must have the names and payment of everyone in your party at the same time. Reservations are being taken until 30 January 2013, or until the seating capacity is reached, whichever comes first. Drop off your form and payment at the school or parish office. If you have any questions, please contact Erik Kingham at 415/305-5866 or nativitymc@gmail.com. Parish Office Hours 09:00 AM-04:00 PM Monday-Friday
From the Holy See THE HOLY FATHER S PRAYER INTENTIONS Each month His Holiness Benedict XVI asks for general and missionary prayer intentions. For December 2012, the Holy Father s prayer intentions are: General: Migrants That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities. Missionary: Christ, Light for All Humanity That Christ may reveal Himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church. SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SERVICES THURSDAY, 20 December 2012 07:30 PM Advent Penance Service MONDAY, 24 December 2012 (Christmas Eve) 10:00 PM 10:45 PM 11: 00 PM Vigil Mass of Christmas Choral Prelude to Christmas Mass Christmas Proclamation and Procession to the Crib Christmas Mass TUESDAY, 25 December 2012 (Christmas Day) 08:00 AM 09:30 AM 11:30 AM Christmas Day Mass Christmas Day Mass Christmas Day Mass (no 05:00 PM Mass) WEDNESDAY, 26 December 2012 09:00 AM (one Mass only) MONDAY, 31 December 2012 (New Year s Eve) 11:30 PM Vigil for the Solemnity of the Mother of God New Year s Eve Prayer Vigil TUESDAY, 01 January 2013 (Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God) 09:00 AM 12:00 AM Holy Day of Obligation WEDNESDAY, 02 January 2013 Regular Mass schedule Go and make disciples of all nations. www.rio2013.com/en Pro-Life PRO-LIFE PROCESSION Join our rosary-praying procession beneath Our Lady s banner starting from St. Matthew s Church, San Mateo (El Camino Real & 9th Ave) north up El Camino to Planned Parenthood (35 Baywood Ave) and returning (about 1.5 miles round-trip). Rain or shine! For more information, please call Jessica at 650/572-1468. Sunday 09 December 2012, 02:00 PM Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Pre-born, Pray for us! GUADALUPE CONFERENCE On Saturday, 15 December 2012 at 07:00 PM, Deacon Peloso will give a 90-minute talk on the appearance of Our Lady at Guadalupe, Mexico. The talk will include a history of the Spanish and Aztec conflict, the circumstances and messages of the appearance, and an examination of the miraculous finds and heavenly teachings of the tilma. This truly amazing appearance was a beautiful message of faith and peace for the whole world. It is the first of what are considered the modern apparitions that extend to the 21st century. The talk will be in the church. Call Deacon Peloso for questions: 650/269-6279. EVERY FOURTH BABY CONCEIVED IN THE UNITED STATES IS KILLED BY ABORTION. I ve noticed that every single person who is pro-abortion has already been born. -- Ronald Reagan
TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD Young Believers FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: SANTA LUCIA In Sweden the 13th of December is not a national holiday, but it is a day of special celebrations. It is the feast day of Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia) and many traditions are celebrated in Swedish and other Scandinavian homes. In the historical tradition, the eldest daughter brings coffee and St. Lucia buns to her parents, while wearing a crown of candles and singing a Lucia song. Other daughters may help, dressed in the same type of white robe with red sash, and holding a candle in one hand (but only the oldest daughter wears the candle-wreath). In modern tradition, public processions are held in Swedish cities, with national and regional Lucias selected. The regional Lucias will visit shopping malls, elder homes, and churches, singing and handing out ginger snaps. Boys also join in the processions, dressed as star boys in white robes and tall cone-shaped hats covered in golden stars, as tomtenissar (Santa s helpers), or as gingerbread men. Before the conversion to the Gregorian calendar, the feast day of St. Lucy fell very close to the winter solstice, a time of very long, very dark nights in Scandinavia. St. Lucia s Day was a festival of lights to dispel the darkness, and candles are a prominent part of all the celebrations. Though it is not an official part of the Advent celebrations, many Swedes consider this day to mark the beginning of the Christmas season. Help Saint Lucy bring the light of Jesus into the darkness. Remember that we have the promise of Our Mother that we never need to worry about anything: Hear me and understand well, my son the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish. Am I not here, who is your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything. Our Lady to Juan Diego