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 English: Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Spanish: Third Saturday of the month at 11AM Vietnamese: Second Sunday of the month at at 2PM. 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
Would YOU like to serve God as an Altar Server? If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server, pick up a Registration Form in the SRE Office. Qualifications: Must be in 5th grade or higher; received First Communion; registered in SRE classes; able to serve at one of the parish Masses as scheduled; able to attend training sessions. Return your completed form to the SRE Office, Attention: Fr. Quyen. Scholarship Opportunity The Knights of Columbus are offering a $500 scholarship (tuition assistance) to a member of the parish attending a Catholic High School during the 2018-19 school year. The application and additional information are available on-line from the St. Nicholas Parish website: https://st-nicholaschurch.org, or from the SRE Office. Look for Knights of Columbus under Ministries, and open to find HS Scholarship App. Submit your completed application to the Parish Office or the SRE Office before May 1st. Pastoral Services Appeal 2018 Thank you to all who have already participated in this year s PSA. If you did not receive information about the PSA in the mail, there are brochures and pledge envelopes available in the Church or in the Parish Office. # Participating families: 265 Amount of pledges: $105,185 Payments received: $63,395 Once we reach our diocesan goal of $111,000, all monies over that amount will be returned to St. Nicholas to help pay for the parking lot project. Dear Parishioners, On this fourth Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Gospel, we are reminded that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He came to teach us about God s love and gather us all into the sheepfold. We are His sheep and as a shepherd is present to protect his sheep from the dangers that surround them, He comes to protect us from the dangers that surround us. He is willing to lay down His life for our sake and as His followers, we are called to lay down our life for those that we encounter. Those who are parents are the shepherds of their children and are here in this world to teach, guide, support, and protect them. Like Jesus the Good Shepherd, parents should be willing to lay down their life for their children. Jesus is our ultimate example of the good shepherd, but we also have the saints and especially the martyrs as examples to follow. The martyrs sacrificed their lives for the sake of living and teaching the Gospel message and that is what we are called to do. I encourage all parents to not only follow the example of Jesus in guiding your children but also choosing a particular saint that emulates the type of parent you would like to be. In choosing this saint, you can ask this particular saint to walk with you and to give you the strength and courage that you need to be an effective shepherd of your child or children. Fr. George The Society of St. Vincent de Paul 2nd Collection on weekend of April 28th and 29th The Society of St.Vincent de Paul would like to thank you for your generosity which provides assistance for the needy and suffering in our area, many of whom are experiencing financial crises and are in danger of becoming homeless. On April 28th and 29th, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be having a 2nd collection. Any contribution will be very much appreciated. Stewardship of Treasure 2018 2017 52-Weekly Required Budget April 8th 25,304.86 26,224.28 $25,856.00 April 15th 20,712.49 19,660.92 Church of Africa Missions 5,274.50
Monday: 7AM Gerald Castro (d) 9AM Dewey Glenn (d) Tuesday: 7AM Melanie Frost (d) 9AM Carlos Antonio Flores (d) Wednesday: 7AM Kathleen and Mr. & Mrs. McQuaid 9AM Joan Carpenter Thursday: 7AM Joan Hays Shaffer (d) 9AM Paul Bennion (d) Friday: 7AM Pierre Migara Balasuriya (d) 9AM Msgr. Lawrence Gibson (d) Saturday: 9AM Funeral Mass for Rita Gloria Mangione 4PM Kimberly Kouri (d) 7PM Armando Pedrozza Vazquez Sunday: 7:30AM William Rick Hardgrove (d) 9:00AM Heliodoro Romero (d) 10:45AM For the Parish 12:30PM Beata Palma Herrera (d) TODAY S READINGS We Remember Rita Gloria Mangione who entered her new and eternal life in Christ. Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever. First Reading: Acts 4:8-12 There is no other name under heaven by which we are to be saved than the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene. Psalm 118 The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone. Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Gospel: John 10:11-18 I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep Parish Calendar This Week MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM TUESDAY Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM 7 & 8 Grade SRE, Parish Center downstairs, 7PM SRE Confirmation II, Parish Center upstairs, 7PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM WEDNESDAY Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM St. Vincent de Paul Meeting, Room A, 7PM Devotions and Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Hispanic Group, Room B, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM THURSDAY Faith Alive Faith Sharing, Room A, 9:45AM Spanish RCIA, Room C, 5:30PM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM RCIA, Parish Center 2nd Floor, 7PM St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM Teen Choir, Choir Loft, 7:30PM FRIDAY Spanish Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Praise and Worship, Room B, 7:30PM SATURDAY Adult Confirmation Preparation, Room C, 10AM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM SUNDAY Library CLOSED Thanks to Deacon Wayne, Cantors, Sacristans, all who helped and attended the Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration! The Divine Mercy Prayer Group Meets at 3PM daily, in the Church, for recitation of Chaplets and the Rosary. The Stations of the Cross replaces the Rosary on Fridays at 3PM. All are welcome. The St. Nicholas Library... The Library is open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, from 8:45am 12:45pm. We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office. Freebie Cart: Rosaries, prayer cards and more!
School of Religious Education Welcome back from Easter break! Classes on Monday Wednesday, April 23 25th from 4:15PM 5:30PM. Jr. High meets on Tuesday, April 24th at 7PM. Confirmation I Students meet on Tuesday, April 24th at 7PM. Reminders for First Communion Families: Pendant Mass at 10:45AM on Sunday, April 22nd Please meet in vestibule to pick up the pendant for your child before Mass. First Communion Rehearsal on Tuesday, May 8th at 7PM Please meet in the Church. First Communion on Saturday, May 12th at 4PM Mass Please meet in front of the Parish Center at 3:30PM Confirmation II Schedule for Remaining Year: Rehearsal May 1st Sponsor (or responsible adult to stand in for sponsor) and candidate MUST attend this 7PM in Church. There will be assigned seating for candidates and their sponsors. Saturday May 5th Confirmation at 10AM. Candidates and sponsors should meet downstairs in Parish Center at 9:30AM SHARP! Child Abuse Prevention Month April is national Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during Easter season as there is no better time than this when we experience renewal and growth that we celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God our children. For more information on how you can become more informed in keeping our children safe, visit www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth. SMART Recovery Program Addiction Weekly Support Tuesdays 6-7:30PM This 4-Point Program, sponsored by Catholic Charities, will assist with; building & maintaining motivation, coping with urges, managing thoughts & behaviors, & living a balanced life. For more information and how to register, contact Alex at (714) 347-9632. THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP PRAYER GROUP Come join us in praise, worship and for healing prayers, on Friday, April 27th at 7:30pm in Room B. All are welcome! Questions: Phoebe 949-855-9263 Check us out on Facebook! Bible Studies: April 24, May 8th, and May 15th at 6pm in the Youth Ministry Room. Teen/Family Mass on Saturday, April 28th at 4PM. Choir Rehearsals on Thursdays, April 26th and May 3rd at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft. Confirmation Mass will be held on May 5th at 10AM and First Communion Mass on May 12th at 4PM. Thank you to all who helped to serve dinner to the St. Angela Merici Catholic Church invites you to a Healing Eucharistic Mass Fr. O Gorman will be addressing Christ s Healing Presence on April 23rd at 7:15PM. All those suffering physically, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, or know others who are, are encouraged to come. All are most welcome! For more information: Jan (714) 529-2277 585 S. Walnut (at Fir) Brea, 92821 Prayer for Life O God, our Creator, all life is in your hands from conception until death. Help us to cherish our children and to reverence the awesome privilege of our share in creation. May all people live and die in dignity and love. Bless all those who defend the rights of the unborn, the handicapped and the aged. Enlighten and be merciful toward those who fail to love, and give them peace. Let freedom be tempered by responsibility, integrity and morality. The Spanish Prayer Group Invites parishioners to join them at St. Nicholas Church on the third Wednesday of every month at 7pm in Room C. For additional information, please call Jose or Norma Garibay at 949-613-3030.
Fun and Fabulous Mother s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show Come join us for a Fiesta Celebration at El Adobe Restaurant in San Juan Capistrano, May 11th at 10am! Enjoy shopping at the Silent Auction, Pre-Loved Jewelry Sale, Brighton Opportunity Drawing and Photo Bomb! All proceeds and generous donations will benefit the poor in Orange County. This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities Auxiliary, South County. If you have any questions, please call (949) 488-3872. Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola Spring 2018 Session Beginning: Week of Apr. 21-26 Sat: 11am, Sun: 1:30pm, Wed: 7:00pm or Thurs: 9:15am These classes, offered at St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, are given over a 10-week period, will greatly intensify your spiritual life and your desire to go to Heaven. St. Peter Chanel Church, 12001 E. 214th St., Hawaiian Gardens. This program and all materials are FREE. Donations are accepted. Meetings are 2 to 2.5 hours. Register: www.spcomv.com, or call 562-924-7591. Pro-Life Articles in Need of Volunteers Pro-Life Articles is an organization in Arizona that notifies Catholic Churches about Pro-Life Issues. This volunteer opportunity requires knowledge of Microsoft Excel Software and requires volunteers to make approximately twenty calls per month. For more information, contact Martin Reiser: reiser33@gmail.com Council of Catholic Women General Meeting on Friday, May 4th at 10AM We will begin by praying the Rosary followed by the crowning of the state of the Blessed Virgin Mary Social time starts at 9:30am and the meeting begins at 10:10am in the Parish Center. Please bring your donations of pennies for Water for Life, can tabs for Ronald McDonald House and pasta/sauce for Caterina s Club. Questions: Call Lynn at (949) 830-2920 Mother s Day Novena Spiritual Bouquet cards and envelopes are now available in the Parish Office for the Novena being offered for Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunts, and Godmothers, etc. Mass will be offered once a day from May 10th 18th. Spiritual Bouquet Envelopes will be placed in the Sanctuary during these Masses. Wordnet Productions presents The Word in the World week of April 22nd: Guest Speaker: Fr. Mike He inspires us to rise to our dignity as members of Christ s Body, with each one s gifts being needed and appreciated. TCT (Direct TV-377) - now on Sundays, 4am -record it!! (TCT is on Channel 205 in Laguna Woods Village.) Or go to www.wordnet.tv Program Archives, Senior Grocery Program for those 60+. Fruit Vegetables Meat Dairy Bread. PHOTO ID REQUIRED. No income requirement. Please bring your own grocery bags. Sponsored by area churches, this program provides fresh produce, dairy, etc., for seniors at the Lutheran Church of the Cross (back parking lot) 24231 El Toro Rd., Laguna Woods. Distribution of food will be on Friday, April 27th from 10am to 11am in the Social Hall. HELP WANTED! More volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month after the 9AM Mass. If you can contribute an hour or two of your time, it would be appreciated! Our next church cleaning is Tuesday, May 1st. Call: Phoebe at 949-855-9263 with any questions.
Church Etiquette Please don t chew gum in the Church. We have been made aware of a problem with parishioners stepping/sitting in gum. We would appreciate it if you would please discard chewing gum in the trash bins outside the Church before entering to attend Mass. THANK YOU! PARISH OFFICE STAFF Parish Liturgical Secretary: Kathy Debolt Parish Financial Accountant: Irma Contreras Front Office Lead: Karen Falagrady Ministry to Sick & Homebound: Barbara Price Director, Youth Ministry: Gwen Wieser Director, Religious Education: Gwen Wieser SRE Secretary/Admin Assistant: Alfonso Lopez Music Ministry: Emett Loera Plant Supervisor: Steve Burton SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (949) 837-7676 VIETNAMESE MINISTRIES: (949) 837-1090, Ext. 116 Sr. ThuHuong Nguyen, LHC (949) 837-1090, Ext. 137 Baptism Preparation Team I am looking to enhance our Baptism preparation procedures. Currently, we have one dedicated parishioner who has been preparing our parents and Godparents to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. I would like to have a larger team; therefore, I am requesting for any interested parishioners to contact me if you would be interested in assisting in developing a Baptismal preparation procedure, or being part of this important team to prepare our parents and Godparents on the meaning and gift of this sacrament which welcomes new members to our Catholic family. If you have been part of a Baptism preparation team either at St. Nicholas or at another parish, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me so that we can begin our discussion and planning to expand this very important ministry in the life of the Church. Fr. George P. Blais The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday, May 17 7:45am to 7:45pm at St. Nicholas Church in the Parish Center. To schedule appointments call one of the following: 949-831-0208, 949-581-5503, 949-350-3282 Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment for faster service! New Bulletin Editor/Liturgical Secretary Cate Wolski, our current bulletin editor/liturgical secretary, has announced her retirement. She will be leaving this position as of April 11. I wish to thank her for her efforts and professional skills as she served St. Nicholas Parish for the last four years. I am pleased to announce that I have hired Kathy Debolt. She has begun working already and she is the new contact person for all bulletin related needs. Please join me in welcoming Kathy to our St. Nicholas Staff. Fr. George Parish Office Restructure As of April 1st, 2018, due to a restructuring of the St. Nicholas Parish office, we no longer have a Business Manager. Karen Falagrady is now the Front Office Lead and is the contact point for all scheduling of rooms/facilities. Irma Contreras is now the Parish Financial Accountant and is the contact point for all financial matters. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition. Refurbishing the Art Works You may have noticed a different image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that was on the large parking lot side of the Church by the candle stands. The original piece is being restored and will be gone for about 2 months. Once this piece is returned, the image of the Blessed Mother will be restored.