Happy Gaudete Sunday! This Sunday corresponds to a similar Sunday during Lent, both of which mark the “half-way” point of the season. Gaudete means “Rejoice!” and is the first word in the Latin text of the formal entrance antiphon for the third Sunday of Advent. This season always seems to move so quickly, partly because it is the shortest liturgical season with less than four weeks, but also because it is a busy time of year in the society in which we live. All the more reason for us to pause during this time to reflect and listen and pray. I think it is a bit of what the Sacred Scriptures refer to when referencing that we are called to be “in” the world but not “of” the world. Last Tuesday, the parish staff took an Advent retreat together. It was a good day of prayer, discussion and sharing. A ritual that we celebrate “in” the world when Christmas time nears iis called a “Blue Christmas.” This simple prayer and candle-lighting ceremony is a time for all those who are experiencing sadness this time of year. It may be due to a death or a loss of a relationship, economic crisis, addiction or abuse or just simply because this time of year conjures up emotions of sadness. It is wonderful that the atmos-phere around us is joyful and hopeful and often full of love and friendship, but when someone isn’t in that place it can be doubly hard. Hence, we will gather on Saturday, December 21, at noon in the church for prayer, acknowledging the struggles in our hearts and in the world. A simple soup meal will be shared following. All are welcome. A sacramental ritual that is often a part of Advent is to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Advent is a season of preparation. As the readings at Mass have reminded us the past couple of weeks, now is a good time to be cleansed in the forgiving grace of God. We’ll have a special Advent Reconcili-ation Service this Thursday, December 19, at 6:30 PM. Our bishop and several priests will be availa-ble to hear individual confessions in both English and Spanish. If you are unable to make this date, Im-maculate Conception parish is holding their reconciliation service on Friday, December 20, at 7:00 PM. A fun and prayerful event coming in the final days of Advent anticipates Christmas through the “Nine Carols and Lessons,” an afternoon of sacred readings and songs by our Cathedral Chorus. Last year this was done on Christmas Eve but due to the late hour it was not accessible to many. The choir has been working hard in preparation for this event and wanted to offer it at a time that is better for more peo-ple, so it will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 22. Join Bishop Calvo, priests, fellow parishioners and friends of the Cathedral to listen and enjoy these reflections of Christmas. Bring your family and friends too! I want to encourage everyone one more time to register to attend the Annual Diocesan Conference. January 3-4. Please pick up a registration form with descriptions of the many speakers and talks being offered. I committed to the parish covering the cost of the conference for the first 50 who register. We’re almost at 50, so check it out today.
We still have 15 spots available on the bus for the Walk for Life in San Francisco on January 25. An anonymous donor has stepped forward to cover the cost of anyone who would like to go, so if finances were an obstacle for you, please contact the parish now to register and your bus fare will be covered. It is a long day but an important witness to life as people gather from northern California and Nevada for this march.
Blessings to you all this third week in Advent!
FROM FATHER CHUCK’S DESK
DEL ESCRITORIO DEL PADRE CHUCK
¡Feliz Domingo de Gaudete! Este domingo corresponde a un Domingo similar durante la Cuaresma, que marcan el punto "a medio camino" de la temporada. Gaudete significa "¡Regocijar!" y es la primera palabra en latín en la antífona de entrada para el tercer Domingo de Adviento. Esta temporada siempre parece pa-sar muy rápido, en parte porque es la estación litúrgica más corta de nuestro año, con menos de cuatro se-manas, pero también porque es una época ajetreada en la sociedad en la que vivimos. Razón de más para que hagamos una pausa durante este tiempo para reflexionar, escuchar y orar. Creo que es un poco de lo que las Sagradas Escrituras se refieren al hacer referencia a que estamos llamados a estar "en" el mundo, pero no "de" el mundo. El martes pasado, nuestro personal parroquial tomó un retiro de Adviento. Fue un buen día de oración, discusión y compartir.
Un ritual que celebramos "en" el mundo cuando se acerca la Navidad es una "Navidad Azul". Esta sencilla ceremonia de oración e iluminación de velas es un momento para quienes están experimentando tristeza en esta época del año a causa de una muerte o pérdida de una relación, crisis económica, adicción o abuso o simplemente porque en esta época del año conjura emociones de tristeza. Es maravilloso que el ambiente que nos rodea sea alegre y esperanzado y a menudo lleno de amor y amistad, pero cuando alguien no está en ese lugar puede ser doblemente difícil. Por lo tanto, nos reuniremos el Sábado 21 de Diciembre, al me-diodía en la iglesia para orar, reconociendo las luchas en nuestros corazones y en el mundo. Tendremos un breve convivio con sopa después de la ceremonia. Todos son bienvenidos.
Un ritual sacramental que a menudo es parte del Adviento para muchos católicos es celebrar el Sacramento de la Reconciliación. El Adviento es un tiempo de preparación. Como las lecturas en Misa nos recuerdan en las últimas dos semanas, ahora es un buen momento para ser limpiados en la gracia indulgente de Dios. Tendremos un Servicio especial de Reconciliación este Jueves 19 de Diciembre, a las 6:30 PM. Nuestro obispo y varios sacerdotes estarán disponibles para escuchar confesiones individuales en inglés y español. Si no puede asistir en este día, la Inmaculada Concepción celebrará su servicio de reconciliación el Viernes 20 de diciembre, a las 7:00 PM.
Un evento que viene en los últimos días de Adviento y anticipa la Navidad a través de “Los 9 Villancicos y Lecciones", una tarde de lecturas sagradas y cantos con nuestro Coro de la Catedral. El año pasado esto se hizo en Nochebuena, pero debido a la hora tardía no fue accesible para muchos. El coro ha estado tra-bajando duro en preparación para este evento y quiere ofrecerlo en un momento que sea accesible para más personas, por lo que será a las 2:00 PM del Domingo 22 de Diciembre. Acompañe al Señor obispo Calvo, sacerdotes, compañeros feligreses y amigos de la Catedral para escuchar y disfrutar de estas refle-xiones de la Navidad. ¡Traiga a su familia y amigos también!
Quiero animarlos a que se registren para asistir a la Conferencia Diocesana que se celebrará el 3 y 4 de Enero. Por favor, recoja un formulario de registro con descripciones de los muchos oradores y charlas que se ofrecen. Me comprometí con la parroquia que cubriría el costo de la registración de los primeros 50 feli-greses que se registren. Ya casi llegamos a los 50, así que regístrese hoy.
Aún quedan 15 asientos en el autobús para la Caminata a Favor de la Vida en San Francisco el 25 de Enero. Un donante anónimo esta dispuesto a cubrir el costo de cualquier persona que quiera ir así si las finanzas fueran, por favor póngase en contacto con la parroquia ahora para registrarse y su cuota será pa-gada. Es un día largo, pero un testigo importante de la vida a medida que la gente se reúne de todo el norte de California y Nevada para esta marcha.
¡Bendiciones a todos esta III Semana en Adviento!
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Recently a member of the Serra Club of Reno expressed the desire to establish a challenge match up to $75,000 for the benefit of seminarian education. This anonymous donor offered to match donations made by January 31, 2020, up to a total of $75,000. All funds will be held in the Thomas S. Dolan Endowment for Seminarians, which is restricted in use for the educational needs of the Diocese of Reno Seminarians.
I’m gratified to witness the men and women of the SERRA Club of Reno supporting the religious of our diocese through prayer, community gatherings and financial contributions. I am especially grateful for this matching gift that enables us to raise funds for seminarian education and to continue to grow the Thomas S. Dolan Endowment for Seminarians.
Educating one seminarian takes six-eight years and costs approximately $50,000 per seminarian each year. In the past three years, we have ordained five men as priests for this diocese, and they are now working alongside their brother priests ministering to Catholics throughout northern Nevada. Currently, three young men are studying to be-come priests for the diocese.
I invite you to consider prayerfully whether you might be able to help us maximize this challenge by making a do-nation toward the match by January 31, 2020. If you are able to make a contribution, please make your check paya-ble to the Diocese of Reno with a memo note: SERRA Fund Match. Mail your donation to: Diocese of Reno, 290 S. Arlington Ave, Reno NV 89501 or drop an envelope addressed to the Diocese into your parish collection basket.
I thank you, as always, for your generosity and encourage you to consider becoming a member of the SERRA Club of Reno. The women and men religious in our diocese feel the prayerful support of our SERRA club members on a daily basis. For information on membership, contact Ross Barker at [email protected].
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Randolph R. Calvo, Bishop of Reno
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken this Sunday, December 15th. This collection benefits over 33,000 senior Catholic Sisters, brothers and religious order priests—women and men who have con-secrated their lives to serving God and the Church.
While some of these retired sisters, brothers and religious orders priests continue in volunteer ministry, others are frail and need care. Most worked for years for small stipends, leaving their religious communities without ade-quate savings to meet growing retirement and eldercare needs. It would be easy to assume that they need has di-minished; it has not. The decrease in the number of religious in compensated ministry and the ever-rising costs of care make it a struggle for religious communities to provide for elder members. Proceeds from this annual collec-tion offer supplemental financial assistance, helping to furnish such day-to-day necessities as prescription medica-tions and nursing care.
Please pray for God’s blessing on all religious and give generously to the Retirement Fund for Religious.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Randolph R. Calvo, Bishop of Reno
D M , D 16 1:00 PM Marian Movement for Priests Rosary 6:30 PM RCIA classes in RH 7:00 PM Bible Study
T , D 17 6:00 AM Men of Saint Joseph 5:15—7:00 PM Religious Education Classes 5:30—6:30 PM Youth Choir Practice 7:00-9:00 PM Adult Choir Rehearsal
W , D 18 6:30 PM Grupo de Oración Carismático
T , D 19 1:00-5:00 PM Adoration concluding w/Benediction 3:00 PM Divine Chaplet of Mercy 6:30 PM Advent Reconciliation Service 7:00-9:00 PM Adult Choir Practice
S , D 21 8:30-10:30 AM Religious Education Classes 12:00 PM Blue Christmas Prayer Service 3:00-4:30 PM Confessions
S , D 22 2:00 PM
Come Join us in the Cathedral T , D 24—C V 4:00 PM Children’s Mass 6:00 PM Spanish Mass 9:00 PM Vigil Mass with Bishop Calvo
W , D 25—C D 8:00 AM English Mas 10:00 AM English Mass 12:00 PM Bilingual Mass English/Spanish
T , D 26 1:00-6:30 PM Adoration concluding w/Benediction 3:00 PM Divine Chaplet of Mercy 5:30-6:30 PM Confessions
W , J 1, 2020 S M M G 12:00 AM B M (E /S )
M I Saturday, December 14
8:00 5:00
† Robert Callahan † Robert Callahan
Sunday, December 15—Third Sunday of Advent
7:30 9:30
11:30 4:15 6:00
People of St Thomas Aquinas Cathedral †† Chester and Lena Green † Weldon Upton Donald Robb, Jr †† Encarnacion & Macedonio Ramirez
The Knights of Columbus are hos ng a pancake breakfast in Righini Hall this Sunday, a er the 7:30, 9:30, & 11:30 AM Masses. All are welcome! TOILETRY DRIVE The Good Shepard Closet is in need of all toiletries to help the less fortunate in our community. Dona on bins are available in the church ves bules for your convenience.
CHRISTMAS WISH TREE The Senior Ministry is reaching out to you for help in locating individuals to be included in this year’s Wish Tree Program. This program gives us an opportuni-ty, with the help of our parish community, to try and make the Christmas Season a little brighter for the less fortunate, ill or home bound individuals in the Parish with a much needed item/gift or personal wish. Too often the Christmas Season is difficult & lonely for the those who are easily forgotten. If, should you know anyone that we might be able to include in this
year’s project, contact Stephanie: 775-240-2858, ED: 775-240-0328 or drop a note in the Poor Box, Bookstore, Collection Basket, or mail to the Parish office with your name and contact information as a sponsor, plus the individual’s first name, age, primary issue & a gift suggestion(s). A Ministry volun-teer will contact you for any additional needed information.
WELCOME HOME! WE’VE MISSED YOU! AWAY FROM THE CHURCH? THINKING ABOUT RETURNING? WONDERING HOW TO GO ABOUT IT? LANDINGS IS FOR YOU! Landings offers a safe place to land, a place of confidentiality, for asking questions, sharing and reconnecting with your Catholic Faith. The program provides the opportunity to meet weekly in a small group to explore the Faith together. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE LANDINGS PROGRAM AT OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS PARISH. We have been thinking of you, praying for you, and are missing you. We want to welcome you back to the Church. For more information visit: https://olsparish.com/welcome-home-a-ministry-for-return-catholics or email us at [email protected].
JOB OPPORTUNITY The Pastoral Ethnic Ministry Office has an open position for an Administrative Assistant (Spanish Speaking). Qualified applicant will assist in all secretarial and administrative functions. This position will also provide assistance and support to other members of the diocesan pastoral staff as well as communicate effectively with parish leadership. This is a full-time position and includes occasional evenings and weekends. Please submit application & resume to Mary Jean Snow by January 7, 2020. For a complete job description and application visit: www.renodiocese.org/employment.
WEST COAST WALK FOR LIFE Saturday, January 25, 2020
$35 per seat. Everyone is invited (minors must be accompanied by a parent). Departing from the Cathedral at 6:00 AM. Returning to Reno around 9:00 PM. Please bring a brown sack lunch. Snacks & water will be provided. We’ll stop for dinner on the way back to Reno. TO PURCHASE A SEAT ON THE BUS, PLEASE STOP BY OR CALL THE PARISH OFFICE. ONLY 15 SEATS LEFT!
IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE, AN ANONYMOUS DONOR WILL COVER THE COST OF YOUR TICKET.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 6:30 PM Advent Reconciliation Service
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24— CHRISTMAS VIGIL 4:00 PM Children’s Mass 6:00 PM Spanish Mass 9:00 PM Vigil Mass with Bishop Calvo
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25—CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 AM English Mas 10:00 AM English Mass 12:00 PM Bilingual Mass English/Spanish
ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONFERENCE JANUARY 3&4 AT THE NUGGET CASINO CHRIST OUR LIGHT HAS COME! ¡CRISTO, NUESTRA LUZ, HA VENIDO! Regardless of your ministry with children, adult, or pastoral councils, the conference has tools for deepening adult faith. Registration forms/flyers are available in the vestibules. Registration fee for the first 50 parishioners will be paid by the Parish. Only 3 sponsored spots left! You may also register online at: reno-diocesan-conference.org.
CONFERENCIA ANUAL DIOCESANA 3 Y 4 DE ENERO EN EL NUGGET CASINO ¡CRISTO, NUESTRA LUZ, HA VENIDO! CHRIST OUR LIGHT HAS COME! La conferencia ofrece herramientas y recursos para para profundizar la fe adulta. Formula-rios para inscribirse están disponibles en las entradas de la iglesia. ¡La inscripción de los primeros 50 feligreses será pagada por la Parroquia. ¡Solamente quedan 5 espacios disponibles! También puede registrase en línea: reno-diocesan-conference.org.
THE DIOCESAN RESPECT LIFE COMMISSION IS COSPONSORING 3 PRESENTATIONS BY DOCTOR GRETCHEN MARSH AT THE ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. THE SCIENCE POINTS TO LIFE: THE MEDICAL LOGIC OF CATHOLIC SEXUALITY (PART A): Criticism of the Church’s teaching on sexuality usually attacks it as being unscientific, archaic, and against women. A family physician had the “lightbulb turned on” when she really studied the science & said the only logical thing to do was to enter the Catholic Church and devote her practice to its teachings. In the first of a two-part presentation, get up to speed on the basic science of the Church’s teaching with the backdrop of history, Theology of the Body, and hu-man physiology. THE SCIENCE POINTS TO LIFE: THE MEDICAL LOGIC OF CATHOLIC SEXUALITY (PART B): Medical advances of applied Catholic teaching on sexuality are even catching the attention of Harvard Medical School and the CDC. In this second part of a two-part presentation, Dr. Marsh will draw upon actual patient cases to demonstrate the medical superiority of a Catholic approach to family planning, women & men’s health, and scientific investigation into human physiology. THE SCIENCE OF LIFE: CATHOLIC SOLUTIONS TO INFERTILITY: Infertility is not a diagnosis but a sign of underlying disease. NaProTechnology, a reproductive science aligned with Catholic teaching, seeks to diagnose and treat in order to restore normal health and allow conception to occur naturally. This approach results in healthier outcomes for all–men, women, & children. Contrast this with artificial reproductive technologies such as IVF which creates artificial cycles & results in higher risk pregnancies, 8 fetal wastages per 1-full term pregnancy, and 800,000 frozen human embryos. The Catholic approach restores hope & preserves the dignity of those suffering with infertility. TO REGISTER VISIT: www.reno-diocesan-conference.org.
S M Vigil-Saturday 5:00PM Sunday 7:30, 9:30, 11:30AM, 4:15PM & 6:00PM (Misa en español) W M 12:10PM (Monday); 7:00AM (Friday) 8:00AM (Saturday) 7:00AM & 12:10 (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) R 11:35AM (Tuesday through Thursday) C Thursday 5:30-6:30 PM; Saturday 3:00-4:30PM or by appointment M Contact Parish Office at least six months prior to se ng date B Contact Parish Office at least two months prior to se ng date A Contact Parish Office A B Thursday 1:00-6:30PM D M Thursday 3:00PM M M P Monday 1:00PM L T S 775-240-0328 — [email protected] 94 E Glendale, Sparks, next to Juicy’s at S. McCarran Blvd Open: Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 11:00-5:00PM & Saturday 10:00-5:00PM
P R P -A H M . WWW.HOPEAFTERABORTION.ORG. HELP LINE, NONJUDGMENTAL & CONFIDENTIAL: 775-324-4325.
Date 1st Collection 2nd Collection 2nd Collection To Benefit November 28 December 1 December 8 December 9 December 15 December 22 December 25 December 29
$1,438 $5,364 $6,979 $1,912 $ $ $ $
- $2,603 - - $ - - -
Thanksgiving Payment to Loan No 2nd Collec on Immaculate Concep on Feast Re rement Fund for Religious No 2nd Collec on Christmas No 2nd Collec on
Third Sunday of Advent—Today’s Missal Pages #26-28
LET US PRAY FOR… / OREMOS POR… US Servicemen & Women, Mario Saucedo y José E. Almaguer, Catherine Ewers, Celia Guillen, Douglas Todd,
Josue Alvarez, Marty Ocava, Evelyn Andrade, Ed Kolesar, Joe Garcia, Caridad Rafa, John Dearborn, Patti Beer, Richard & Sally Ramm, Fr Chris, Manuel Estevez, Heather Miller, Jose Hernandez, James Czeck,
Gary Blount, Katrina Strauss, Jovita Mendoza, Patty Tellez, Rafael & Sayra Gutierrez, Anna Buchanan, Ed, Maria & Rick Slaughter, Patrick Coyne, Margarita Aguirre, Charlie & Linda Gill, Kristen Monibi,
Douglas Dolbow, Kriss, Zenaida & Kevin Janoski, John & Vangie Elordieta. †José Antonio Álvarez-Davalos
