St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish . Martinez . CA Feb. 11, 2018 . Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Catherine of Siena Parish follows Jesus by welcoming all, sharing our gifts, and giving glory to God.
Fr. Anthony Huong Le, Parochial Administrator ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
Deacon Albert Dizon Deacon David Holland [email protected] [email protected]
Fr. Anthony Huong Le Pre-School Director Saint Catherine Elementary School Saint Catherine Pre-School [email protected] [email protected] 925-228-4140 925-229-2255
RCIA Andrea Watkins Parish Office Director Religious Education [email protected] Safe Environment Coordinator [email protected] Michael Chio
Director of Music Ministry Diana Palmer
Bookkeeper Sylvia Lloren Safe Environment Coordinator Secretary [email protected] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
CHURCH LOCATION: 606 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
PARISH OFFICE AND 1125 Ferry Street, MAILING ADDRESS: Martinez, CA 94553-1720 TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-2230 / 925-228-1318 PARISH WEBSITE: http://parish.stcatherinemartinez.com/ PARISH EMAIL: [email protected] SUBMISSIONS: [email protected]
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OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-1PM & 2 PM-5 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
GRAMMAR SCHOOL: 604 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-4140 / 925-228-0697 SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://school.stcatherinemartinez.com/~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
PRE SCHOOL: 1125 Ferry Street, Martinez, CA TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-229-2255 / 925-229-2474
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SAFE ENVIRONMENT: www.virtusonline.org ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BAPTISMS: Registration is mandatory two months prior to Baptism. Parents & Godparents are required to attend a manda-tory Baptism preparation class before reception of the Sacrament.
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MARRIAGES: Arrangements and mandatory preparation need to be arranged at least eight months prior to the wedding.
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FUNERALS: We recommend using Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services at 925-932-0900. A representative will contact the parish office to coordinate your arrangements.
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BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS: To place an announcement in the bulletin, email request to: [email protected]. The deadline for requests is no later than noon on Fridays one week prior to the date of the bulletin in which the announcement is requested to appear. Please submit requests in advance of the event date and the deadline. Submissions should be brief and will be edited and approved by parish clergy before being published. Allow ample time for the approval process. Every attempt will be made to include the submission when requested; though, not all submissions are guaranteed placement. Marketing flyers/announcements must have approval in the form of a signature from the Pastor, Principal, or Deacon before posting on the premises; and fundraisers must have the name of the designated beneficiary of the proceeds; as well as followed by a gratitude submission which includes the amount of profits raised. The kiosk bulletin board outside the hall is for the parish use for Diocesan, Parish, School, and group announcements.
EARLY DEADLINES: Closely watch early deadlines imposed by the publisher and plan ahead accordingly. The next deadline for submissions in the bulletins for the weekend
Feb 24/25 all items must be submitted by FRI FEB 16 noon
Please direct your inquiries to the email above. Thank you.
PARISH & SCHOOL STAFF SAT 2/10 4:30 Ernest Fio † SUN 2/11 7:00 Int.St.Catherine of Siena Parish & School 8:30 McLoughlin & Curtyn Families † 10:30 Living & deceased members of SPRSI Council #112 12:30 Dolores & Joe Cardenas † MON 2/12 7:30 Antonio Copiaco † TUE 2/13 7:30 Joe Gomes † WED 2/14 8:00 Jim & Mary Conran † FRI 2/16 7:30 Int. Augusto Ferrriols SAT 2/17 7:30 Irene Conrady † 4:30 Walter & Michael Narodzonek † SUN 2/18 7:00 Arthur, Blanche & Richard Brouette † 8:30 John De Vito † 10:30 Katherine & Francis Rose † 12:30 Int.St.Catherine of Siena Parish & School
For intentions call the Parish Office
February 4, 2018 CONTRIBUTIONS
Weekly Offering $5,430.00 Maintenance $ 5.00 Fulfilling the Promise $ 66.00 Solemnity of Mary $ 40.00 SCS Education Fund $1,453.00
F
Thank you for your continued generosity!
PARISH STEWARDSHIP
INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
During Lent, beginning on Fri, Feb 16 at 6 PM in the Parish Hall, a simple soup supper, pre-pared by individuals or ministry groups, is served to all who attend. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Reflection, and Stations of the Cross follow in the church at 7 PM. If you and/or your group want to prepare soup for one of these Fridays, please call Bob Jimison at 925-370-8369. Thank you.
SOUP
YOUNG ADULT GATHERING will be held on SUN, FEB 11 at noon in downtown Martinez. All aged 18 to 35 years are welcome to come for lunch, team building, and spiritual nourishment as we discuss the first FORMED lecture of our
series. For meeting details and to RSVP contact Rosemary Cook at [email protected] or [email protected]. Thanks.
FEBRUARY 14—MARCH 25 Through prayer & fasting,
peaceful vigils & community outreach you can help life!
40daysforlife.com/walnutcreek
From the Desk of the
Parochial Administrator
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
What makes one become unclean? Leprosy or sins? Dear Brothers and Sisters, What makes one become unclean before God, leprosy or sins? Once upon the time, many thought that leprosy made a man unclean and, therefore, unfit for worship of God and being in the community. Leprosy once was a major concern for the Israelite people. In the book of Leviticus, leprosy is considered serious enough to exclude lepers from being part of the community. A person with this skin disease shall be declared unclean and must be separated; he must make his abode outside of the camp, away from the community (see Lv. 13). One unintended and surely unfortunate consequence of this is that the suffered was cast out from the community and his families, and condemned as an unfit member. For many, leprosy became an obvious punish-ment due to sin committed. Something similar once happened here in the United Sates. In the early 19th century, it was believed that leprosy was highly contagious. Therefore, leprosy patients were quarantined. They were isolated and eventually shipped off to an island. Ac-cording to American Leprosy Missions, in 1866, a leper colony was founded on the Kalaupapa peninsula of the island of Molo-kai in modern day Hawaii. Until, in 1873, Dr. Armauer Hansen of Norway discovered that leprosy was caused by a germ (Mycobacterium leprae). It was not hereditary, a curse, or from sin. Even with this discovery, social stigmas had been deeply stamped on the minds of many. Sadly, it became true in the minds of the lepers, as well. As the book of Leviticus sug-gested, the patient should declare himself: “Unclean;” then, he must stay outside and away from the community. Nobody should get close or touch him. Out of fear many have inten-tionally avoided contact with the lepers. After all who would want to associate with the punished and unclean? The Lord Jesus does not see it this way. Leprosy does not make a person unclean and, therefore, unfit for God and the
community. He said: “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immo-rality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them” (Mt 15:18-20). In other words, sins make us all unclean before God. However, the question becomes: How should we approach the unclean then? Do sins make us unfit for God and one an-other? As our wounded nature often dictates we run away from the unclean as far as possible for our own good. Our sense of righteousness will convince us that we are somehow better, and no way should associate with these unclean sinners lest we are identified with them. After all, superiority makes us feel secure in our own little world. Who does not want to think “I am not like them?” Our Lord Jesus shows us a better way in this regard. The Gospel of St Mark recalls an amazing encounter between Jesus and a leper, supposedly the unclean one: “A leper came to Jesus and kneeling down begged Him and said, "If You wish, You can make me clean." Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand, touched him, and said to him, ‘I do will it. Be made clean.’ The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean” (1:40-42). Three verbs describe perfectly how Jesus approached the leper: Moved, stretched out, and touched. He was moved with compassion for the man. He does not just see the appearances, but rather the beautiful image made according to His own with an inviolable dignity. He felt his pains, his isolation, his despair. And He heard the unfathomable cry buried deep down under-neath the rotten skins on his body. In Jesus, God has made Himself visible and available so that we are inspired to call on to Him for help, so did the leper. When that calling-out takes place, we give God permission to stretch out His hands and touch our wounds. Then, we are made clean by His act of love and mercy. Truly, sins make us all “unclean lepers” before God, but they do not make us unfit for His love and compassion. On the contrary, God loves us even though we are sinners. He looks upon us as beloved sons and daughters to whom He would be willing to have His Son die on our behalf to the point! May God help us all to love like Him.
Yours in Christ, Fr Anthony Le
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PASTORAL COUNCIL
Last Sunday, at the 10:30 AM Mass, Fr. Anthony commissioned the members of the Pastoral Council in their service to our church. Pictured are: (top) Fr. Anthony Huong Le, Timothy Mc Loughlin, Deacon Albert Dizon, Pauline Porter, Gina Marks, (front) Joy Belleza, Karen Sandri, Karen Glen, and Marissa Perez. Not pictured; Larry Schweinfurter. To get to know them, you can read their biographies on website.
Faith Sharing A lifelong Catholic, my religion has always been important to me. As a young child, I was not fortunate enough to attend parochial school. While attending CCD classes at St. Clement School, I longed to be part of the private school and learn in a faith filled community. Many years
later, I got my wish. One day during Mass at St. Isidore Church the Faith Formation Director announced they were looking for volunteers to be Faith Formation teachers. Rather reluc-tantly, I signed up and began teaching and preparing second graders for reception of First Holy Eucharist. Almost immediately, I felt like I met my calling. I looked forward to Tuesday afternoons when I could share bible stories and teach youngsters about Jesus’ unconditional love for His children. Soon after, I switched majors in graduate school from psychology to education with my goal being to teach in a Catholic school. The Lord led me to St. Catherine’s three years ago when I was hired as the third grade teacher. From my first day here, the school community and staff welcomed me and made me feel right at home, like family. Since that time, I have never doubted that I am exactly where God wants me to be. It is a privilege to be a teacher and a Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharistic here at St. Catherine. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my love for Jesus with others and prepare them for a Faith filled life. —Diana Corsetti
St. Catherine School News
Community service is alive and well at St. Cathe-rine of Siena School. During Catholic Schools week, each of our classes found a way to give back to the community. Kindergarten through second grade students made placemats for Meals on Wheels
homebound senior citizens. (pictured above) Raking leaves and picking up trash kept our enthusiastic 3rd and 4th grade stu-dents busy on Monday. (pictured below) Ms. Knapp’s class (5th) showed their school pride by various cleaning projects all around our school while the 6th and 7th graders lent a helping hand at the preschool. The beautiful voices of our 8th graders serenaded local seniors at Martinez Senior Center. Our students know how to give back! —Diana Corsetti
OPERATION RICE BOWL
This Lent our faith community will be joining millions of Catholics across the country by participating in CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl. Your family is invited to pick up a Rice Bowl
packet after Masses beginning on Ash Wednesday and join in this simple, yet powerful Lenten practice. CRS’ Rice Bowl invites us to pray with our families and communities, fast in solidarity with those who are hungry, learn about our others around the world, and give sacrificial contribu-tions to help those in need. Visit orb.crs.org for home resources. Please return your Rice Bowls to the collection baskets at Easter.
Workshop on END-OF-LIFE ISSUES Join us to feel confident living out your Catholic Faith when faced with
major healthcare decisions
WED, FEB 21 @ 1—2:30 PM Immaculate Heart of Mary
THU, FEB 22 @ 7—9 PM St. John Vianney
SAT FEB 24 @10 AM-12 PM St. Lawrence O’Toole, Oak
SAT MAR 10 @10 AM-12 PM St. Joseph Basilica, Alameda
A - FREE -
2018 Bishop’s Appeal
SCS Goal Summary: Parish Goal: $23,000.00 Funds Raised: $ .00 Remaining: $ .00
% of Goal Raised: 0%
The 2018 Bishop’s Appeal is a direct appeal to the people of the Diocese, to ask for a pledge or a gift to supplement the ministry budget.A detailed breakdown of the diocesan budget can be found on the home page of the diocesan website: www.oakdiocese.org. Without the financial support of our diocesan family through the Bishops’ Appeal, thousands throughout Alameda & Contra Costa counties, could not be served. The Appeal is an opportunity for each Catholic household to help further the mission of the Church. It is a chance for all parishes & missions of our diocese to join together in support of vital ministries.
The ladies of the YLI send a very big thank you to Father Anthony, all attendees, and contributors who helped make the Forever Young Fashion Show and Luncheon a great success. Thank you to Anne Mobley at the White Rabbit for all her beautiful fashions. Thanks to all. We did not want
to delay any further in our thanks, however, as soon as the accounting is complete and the amount of our profits are known, they will be posted in the bulletin with our thanks once again.
What significance do the bells have in the Catholic Church, if any? When the priest enters from the sacristy at daily Mass, a bell rings, during the consecration, bells are rung three times, and a large church bell rings on the hour from the belfry. Are there any particular meanings? PART I. The General Instruction of the
Roman Missal (GIRM) refers to bell ringing in No. 150: "A little before the consecration, when appropriate, a server rings a bell as a signal to the faithful. According to local custom, the server also rings the bell as the priest shows the host and then the chal-ice." The text makes it clear that ringing a bell at the consecration is an option, not an obligation. Since the GIRM's presumption is that Mass is celebrated in the local tongue, the use of the vernacular, in itself, cannot be used as a reason for the abolition of the bell ringing. There may be other good reasons, but they should be weighed carefully. A long-standing custom should not just be swept away unless more is to be gained by dropping it than re-taining it. The birth of the custom of a signal bell at the consecra-tion, probably during the 13th century, had more to do with the recitation of the canon in a low voice than to the language of the Mass as such. It may also have been inspired by changes in church architecture in which the people were more physically separated from the altar by the choir — and in some cases a sig-nificant number of faithful were impeded from seeing the altar during Mass. Thus, the use of the bell became necessary. Some centuries later the bell was also rung at other moments such as the Sanc-tus and before Communion. Certainly the practical reasons for ringing the bell have all but disappeared. Yet, it can still serve a pur-pose as an extra aid to call attention to the moment of the consecra-tion, as a jolt to reawaken wandering minds and a useful catechetical tool for children and adults alike. In an age when people are ever more in thrall to audiovisual means of communication, and less atten-tive to abstract discourse, it seem strange that we set about re-moving those very means that, as well as forming part of our tradition, could prove most effective in transmitting a message of faith. A similar argument could also be made regarding the de-cline in practices such as the use of incense during Mass. The Holy See has maintained the practice of ringing the bell at the consecration in St. Peter's Basilica, although it has an excellent sound system. I also had the experience of a parish that restored the use of the signal bell after many years without it. Not only were there no complaints but the general reaction was very posi-tive from all age groups. Answered by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University.
PART II. Church Bells by Benedictine Monks of Buckfast Abbey One of the most striking features of our churches is a tower, or even several towers. Although height and richness of workman-ship characterize chiefly buildings belonging to what is called the Gothic style, even the older churches and basilicas seldom lack so conspicuous an ornament. A tower is like a finger point-ing heavenwards, reminding men of their supernatural destiny and forbidding them to be so engrossed in the pleasures and cares of earth as to forget their only true home. Nor are church towers of recent origin. Already in the fifth century a tower is part of the structure of the basilica, or, at least, stands in close prox-imity. This is the case at Ravenna, and an ancient mosaic of St. Mary Major in Rome shows two churches or basilicas having each a round tower. But towers are not meant solely for orna-ment. From their lofty chambers there floats down upon the city or the countryside the melodious harmony of bells, calling men to worship within the sacred building, and expressing, as well as dead matter may, the sentiments both of joy and sorrow which alternately sway human hearts. For full article please see: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=3665
Q:
A:
Palm Sunday-Passion of the Lord
MARCH 24: 4:30 PM MARCH 25: 7 AM, 8:30 AM,
10:30 AM, and 12:30 PM
Good Friday MARCH 30: 7:30 AM—Prayer Service 12:10 PM & 6 PM—Lord’s Passion and
Veneration of the Cross 9 PM—Tenebrae with Communion
HOLY WEEK 2018
Stations of the Cross Exposition/Reflection/Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament & Benediction Fridays in Lent at 7 PM in the Church
LET OUR ADORATION NEVER CEASE!
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday Feb 14 8 AM, 12:10 PM, 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM
EXPERIENCE FORGIVENESS
Communal Celebration
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Monday, March 19 at 7 PM
St. Catherine of Siena Parish & School
LENT 2018
Holy Thursday MARCH 29
7:30 AM Morning Prayer Service 7:00 PM—BILINGUAL MASS
OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Easter Sunday APRIL 1
7 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM
Holy Saturday MARCH 31: 7:30 AM—Prayer Service
Easter Vigil 6:45 PM—Begins in Yard
PRAY AND WORSHIP TOGETHER
Divine Mercy Novena Beginning Good Friday, March 30,
5 PM & continuing daily at 6 pm until Mercy Sunday, April 8, 3 PM Mass
Altar Servers Jack Watkins.…...……………………………….925-957-0437 Art and Environment Beth Churchill………..…………………………925-200-6300 Bingo Don Brocca …………………………………….925-858-7330 Catholic Youth Organization - CYO Gina Marks………………………….………… 925-817-9429 Children’s Liturgy of the Word Debbie Frieberg………………………….……. 925-212-7465 Communications Eugene Dizon……………………….………… 925-370-8143 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Viviana & Marty Magee……………… ………... 925-228-6460 Faith Formation - Religious Education (PreK-8th Grades) Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 Finance Fr. Anthony Huong Le……………………….… 925-228-2230 Grief Ministry Mary Cook……………………….…………….. 925-229-2665 Guadalupe Society Guadalupe Cruz………………………………... 925-997-2432 Hospital/Sick/Homebound Tom Greerty/Legion of Mary..…….…………… 925-228-4387 Italian Catholic Federation - ICF Tom Cook……………………………………... 925-229-2665 Knights of Columbus - K of C Sean Carroll……………………………………..925-595-6263 La Communidad Latina Lucia Cruz……………………………………… 925-348-2620 Lectors Deacon Albert Dizon……………………….….. 925-370-8143 Legion of Mary Bobby Kiefer…………………….…………… 925-658-1442 Loaves & Fishes Denice Silva…………………………………….. 925-372-0740 Maintenance Larry Schweinfurter……………………….…… 925-228-2581 Mary Help of Christians - MHC Margarita Flores……………………………….. 925-812-1279 Pastoral Advisory Council Karen Glen….925-788-7716 & Karen Sandri….925-370-7997 Respect Life Linda Easterday ……………………….……….. 925-372-3845 Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA Fr. Anthony Huong Le……………………….… 925-228-2230 Safe Environment for Children Project - SECP Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 SECP: No More Secrets - Survivor Outreach Sherrie Hammon………………………………..925-372-6091 San Lorenzo Ruiz Community - SLRC Esther Concepcion….………………………… 925-381-1835 Social Awareness Anne Crisp …………………………………... 925-356-8822 Stewardship Karen Glen…925-788-7716 & Mark Poyadue…925-324-1261 Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel - SPRSI Annette Liberty……………………… ……… 925-228-8428 St. Vincent de Paul Society - SVdP Karen Glen …………………………………….. 925-788-7716 Ushers James McLaughlin………………………………. 925-228-1051 Young Ladies Institute - YLI Gerri Alexandra ……………………………… 925--698-7644 Youth Group/Confirmation (High School 9 to 12 Grades) Deacon Dave Holland………………………….. 925-372-7015 Young Adult Group (ages 18 years to 35 years) Rosemary Cook………………………………... 925-229-2665
Before serving or continuing in your ministry, com
plete the Diocesan required Safe Environm
ent for Children Project T
raining @ w
ww
.virtusonline.org . Thank you.
MINISTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS CONTACTS
Week-at-a-glance dates, times, & locations are taken from the web site calendar: http:/parish.stcatherinemartinez.com/parish-calendar
Sunday, 2/11 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:00 AM PH Hospitality—YLI 12:00 PM off site Young Adults—18-35 yrs.—Meeting 2:00 PM CH Baptisms 3:45 PM PCL Confirmation Prep Class 6:00 PM PCL Youth Group—High School Monday, 2/12 St. Buonfiglio, pray for us. 7:00 PM PCL Stewardship Committee Meeting 7:00 PM PC Respect Life Ministry Meeting Tuesday, 2/13 St. Catherine de Ricci, pray for us. 9:00 AM CH Art & Environment decorating 6:00 PM CH Choir Rehearsal Ash Wednesday, 2/14 St. Valentine, pray for us. 8:00 AM CH Ash Wednesday Mass 12:10 PM CH Ash Wednesday Mass 2:30 PM CH School Choir Rehearsal 5:30 PM CH Ash Wednesday Mass 5:30 PM CH/SC/PH Religious Ed—PreK to 8th Grade 7:30 PM CH Ash Wednesday Mass Thursday, 2/15 St. Walfrid, pray for us. 6:30 PM PCL ICF Meeting 7:00 PM CH Lectors’ Meeting Friday, 2/16 St. Daniel, pray for us. 12:00 PM CH Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00 PM PH Lenten Soup Supper 7:00 PM CH Stations of the Cross Saturday, 2/17 St. Alexis Falconieri, pray for us. 9:30 AM PCL SVdP Food Distribution 3:00 PM CH Reconciliation Sunday, 2/18 First Sunday of Lent 10:00 AM PH Knights of Columbus Pancake Bkfst CH = Church RC = Rectory SC = School PH = Parish Hall YD = School Yard YS: Youth Shack PC = Parish Center PCL: Parish Center Library
WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE
SATURDAY: 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM
SUNDAY: 7:00 AM 8:30 AM Children’s Liturgy of the Word 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Spanish ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
WEEKDAYS:* 7:30 AM Except Wednesday
WEDNESDAY: 8:00 AM *Note: Thursday is a Communion Service ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
HOLY DAYS: 7:30 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:00 PM If Wednesday:: 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:00 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
ADORATION: Fridays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -
RECONCILIATION: Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
LITURGY SCHEDULE
UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF CALIFORNIA (UCCC) a state-wide, student-run organization aims to unify Catholic college students through fellowship and faith development.
UCCC 2018 will be hosted at UC Berkeley February 16-19—a weekend of inspiring keynote talks, small
group discussions, and a trip to the Oakland Cathedral For more info visit the website: UCCC2018.com.
For those who still require training, there is a live VIRTUS Safe Environment session scheduled St. Stephen Parish Hall in Walnut Creek on SUN FEB 18 @ 11 AM facilitated by Annette Roux. All volunteers must complete
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READINGS & REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK
Fans of Maria Muldaur recall the song “Midnight at the Oasis” and its incongruous line about sneaking off to a desert frolic amid the cacti. Ouch! A better reason to head out to the de-sert is to drink from the still and empty silence. It’s one of those thin places where the veil between you and God be-comes rapidly transparent. But you don’t need arid terrain to meet your Maker. Find some local still space and visit there often. Today's readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1; Mark 1:40-45 (77). “[Jesus] remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.”
Everyone experiences difficulties at some point in their lives. No matter how fortunate a person may be, going a lifetime without adversity is next to impossible. The early Church from time to time went through trials of a different sort: hostility, persecution, and the general tension of living in a world that did not share its beliefs. These days there is still friction between a life of faith and an increasingly skeptical world. The response of some is to condemn that world rather than engage it. On this score, however, contemporary Christians can learn from the first ones, who saw in trials the opportunity to grow in virtue and develop their faith. Today's readings: James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13 (335). “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encoun-ter various trials.”
As any baker can tell you, a small amount of leaven—yeast—goes a long way, working its effect on a much larger mass of dough. For this reason Jews of Jesus’ age saw the fermentation process brought on by leaven as a metaphor for a corrupting influence, something that in excess was in danger of overflowing its container. Jesus warned His disciples to be on guard against the “leaven” of leaders—religious or political—who sought to manipulate the people by exercising authority beyond proper boundaries. Jesus had a healthy skepticism about authority not grounded in humility and respect. And that’s a wise attitude, history teaches us. Today's readings: James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21 (336). “Guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
From the time many of us were kids, our Lenten practice began with giving something up. This is the core of an ancient tradi-tion of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. In the words of fifth-century Doctor of the Church Peter Chrysologus: “When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy,
show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. . . . Let us use fasting to make up for what we have lost by despising others.” Today's readings: Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (219). “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites who show others they are fasting.”
Some multiple-choice questions require no research whatsoev-er. When Moses sets life and death before the people and asks them to choose, the right answer is not obscure. When he like-wise offers them blessings and curses, we know for sure which we would prefer. So why does human history so often swerve into the “death and curses” lane anyway? Because these options don’t always come with truthful labels. Death-dealing situations arrive disguised as necessary evils, and curse-laden choices are sugarcoated with false promises. Discerning the true nature of things requires the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Today's readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25 (220). “Today I have set before you life & death, blessings & curses.”
Lent is just getting under way, a good time to carefully consider one of its key traditions: fasting. What can fasting mean in our health-conscious culture? The fasting of Lent is not about eating less for its own sake. In the Book of Isaiah, God addresses the mistake of settling for the outward trappings of penance. “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free?” We’re encouraged to fast by sharing our bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless into our own homes. Now that’s some serious fasting! Today's readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15 (221) “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
Imagine if seven of the leading citizens of New York, London, or Paris suddenly left it all behind and headed to the hills to dedicate their lives to God. That is how the Servite Order was founded in 13th-century Florence, a city flourishing with cul-ture, trade, and political and religious intrigue. In 1240 seven noblemen of the city decided to withdraw from urban life to a solitary place for prayer and service of God. In their monastery they led a life of prayer, work, and silence while in the active apostolate they engaged in parish work, teaching, preaching, and other ministries. God calls all of us to service and prayer; at the end of the day, these are the actions that ennoble us all. How will you serve? Today's readings: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32 (222). "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.”
https://preparetheword.com/takefiveforfaith/this_month
WED, FEB 14, 2018: ASH WEDNESDAY; DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE A day for lovers of mercy and kindness
SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SUN, FEB 11, 2018: Walk into the desert
MON, FEB 12, 2018: Time to go to trial
TUE, FEB 13, 2018: Rise up in faith
THU, FEB 15, 2018: Discernment is a gift
SAT, FEB 17, 2018: MEMORIAL OF THE SEVEN HOLY FOUNDERS OF THE SERVITE ORDER, RELIGIOUS How can I be of service?
FRI, FEB 16 2018: DAY OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE
