1100 Santa Cruz Avenue Menlo Park, CA 94025 Tel: 650-323-1755 Fax: 650-561-3755 Email: office@straymondmp.org Website: www.straymondmp.org

MISSION STATEMENT

St. Raymond Parish is a community united by our Catholic Faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. We seek communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through ongoing personal and communal conversion to Christ and a deeper commitment to the mission Jesus gives each of us to preach the Gospel. The Sacred Scriptures and sacraments of the Church sustain us. We dedicate ourselves to Truth and strive to grow in love of God and neighbor through community, prayer, study, and service, as we work by grace to build up in one another and share freely with others the abundance of magnificent gifts God has given us.

VISION STATEMENT St. Raymond Parish is a family. As disciples of Jesus, we are “children of God” and “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Jesus himself says, “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50). We welcome all to belong to our Catholic family and to inherit with us in Christ the mission to preach the Gospel!

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 25, 2016

Grounded in Faith, Growing to Serve

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Weekend Mass Saturday Vigil: 5:15 pm

Sundays: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, & 6:00 pm Weekday Mass

Monday thru Saturday: 8:15 am Holy Days: 6:00 pm Vigil, 8:15 am,

12:10 pm, & 6:00 pm Confession

Saturday: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday: 30 minutes before Mass

or by appointment Anointing of the Sick

First Thursday of every month following the 8:15 am Mass

or by appointment Eucharistic Adoration

Saturday: following the 8:15 am Mass Morning Prayer

Monday thru Saturday: 7:25 am Office of Readings

Monday thru Saturday: 7:40 am Rosary

Monday thru Saturday: Before the 8:15 Mass

Bible Study Tuesday: 11 am in the Parish Center

Legion of Mary Tuesday: 9:15 am in the Parish Center

Choir Practice Wednesday: 7 pm in the Church

Spirituality for Busy Families Sunday: 9 am in the Parish Hall

Pastor: Fr. Christopher Fadok, O.P.: cfadok@straymondmp.org Parochial Vicar: Fr. Reginald Martin, O.P. Permanent Deacons: Deacon Tom Kelly: tfk@yahoo.com Deacon Charles Seagren, O.C.D.S.: cseagren@straymondmondmp.org

THE PASTOR’S CORNER

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace. Today’s Gospel is the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man. In light of this memorable parable, we might ask ourselves: does Jesus teach us it’s a bad thing to be rich? Does it matter how you make your money, or what kind of person you are? The parable doesn’t tell us how the rich man made his money or anything about his character. It just says that he “received what was good” in his lifetime. It doesn’t say that God was the source of his wealth— that God blessed him with riches—and the problem is that he was ungrateful. The story doesn’t say he was evil, an insider trader who got his money making unethical investments at the expense of others, or that he owned sweatshops and paid his employees less than a living wage. It doesn’t even say he had more than he should have compared to others like Lazarus. So what did the rich man do to deserve his final torment? Nothing. The answer is: nothing. He didn’t do anything. He simply ignored the desperate man at his doorstep. How many times did he go out for business or pleasure, return home, and ignore the miserable man being licked by dogs right at his doorstep? The rich man didn’t do anything evil—at least we’re not told he did. He simply ignored the poor man, and that put him on the other side of the unbridgeable chasm in the next life. What about Lazarus? How did he get to be so poor? Was he just born into the 95% of his society that was poor in Jesus’ time? Was he too lazy to work? Or was he injured while working and no longer able to make a living? Was he born blind or did he have some other physical limitation? Was he mentally ill or called possessed and cast out by those who knew him? Jesus doesn’t tell us Lazarus was good or evil. Lazarus is just a poor man at the door, passed by and unnoticed – one of the invisible poor, ignored by the rich man. Of all the parables Jesus tells us, whether they’re about women who knead dough, farmers who plant seeds, or shepherds who tend sheep, this is the only story in which a person is given a name. The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is unlike our world. We know the names of the rich and famous, while the poor have no names. But in Jesus’ world, it’s the rich man who has no name; the poor man has a name. His name is Lazarus, which means, “the one God helps.” God notices the unnoticed. God treats the unimportant as the most important. God comforts those in misery the world ignores. God knows the names of the poor and he cherishes them. Today Jesus says, “Wake up! You still have time. The poor, the beloved of God, are right at your doorstep.” And that’s a good place to look—to find and respond to those in need, those who require our time and attention. Of course, there are those we help through the St. Raymond Homeless Family Fund and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. But there are all kinds of poverty at our doorsteps, aren’t there? There are all kinds of need right here, close by. Maybe it’s a struggling spouse, a sick

Fun Fact Last Sunday, Father Christopher met with a delegation

from the Vietnamese government . The delegation wanted to discuss Christianity & freedom of religion in America.

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parent, or a neighbor whose mother has Alzheimer’s disease or cancer. It could be the children who come for religious education, hungry for truth, who need a vibrant church full of faith to give them hope and love. Let’s keep our eyes open. Everywhere we look, there is Lazarus at our doorstep. Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord! Fr. Christopher, O.P.

Annual Fall Family Picnic The Fall Family Picnic is this Sunday, September 25th. Grab some friends and join this fun event. There will be BBQ, a DJ, Human Hamster Ball, rock climbing wall, water slide, jumpy

house, and many other fun activities. The event starts at 11 am and ends at 4 pm. Hope to see you there!

Annual Rosary Rally-October 8th This year’s event will begin with a solemn celebration of Mass at 10:00am at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption.

We will then process to UN Plaza for the Rally while praying the Rosary, ending with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Archbishop hopes and prays that as many of you as possible will take the time to join with him in this special day of prayer. Our families, parishes, country and world have much need of prayer, and the Blessed Virgin Mary is the surest of intercessors in Heaven.

Spirituality for Busy Families resumes this Sunday at 9 a.m. in the Parish Center. All are welcome!

Mass Intentions

Saturday, September 24, 2016 5:15 p.m. Puz & Harold Nelson (68th Anniversary) Sunday, September 25, 2016 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Sergio & Angela Maestrini † 10:00 a.m. St. Vincent de Paul Society 6:00 p.m. St. Raymond Parish Monday, September 26, 2016 8:15 a.m. Salvator Ferrara † Tuesday, September 27, 2016 Saint Vincent de Paul 8:15 a.m. Maurice Galvez † Wednesday, September 28, 2016 8:15 a.m. Maria Geniali † Thursday September 29, 2016 Saints Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael, Archangels 8:15 a.m. Joan Briggson (Birthday) Friday, September 30, 2016 Saint Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church

8:15 a.m. Those Friars who have left the Western Dominican Province & the Order of Preachers

Saturday, October 1, 2016 St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Dr. of the Church 8:15 a.m. Claire O’Neill † & Joseph Morrow †

HOMELESS FAMILY FUND

This Week’s Readings Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Psalm 146:7-10 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Luke 16:19-31

MINISTRY COORDINATORS Liturgical Altar Servers Bonnie Morey Altar Society Elizabeth Haynes Extraordinary Ministers Charles Seagren Lectors Charles Seagren Prayer & Faith Formation Bible Study Charles Seagren Children's Liturgy Debbie Pinkston Confirmation/Youth Minister Christine Augulis Couples Bible Study Camilo Colorado Legion of Mary Bobbie Seagren RCIA Fr. Christopher Fadok, O.P. Religious Ed Stephanie Virag Social Outreach Homebound & Sick Bobbie Seagren Homeless Family Fund Sally Cesario St. Vincent de Paul Bob Caletti Parish Community Seniors Together Lisa Casentini, Karyn Leahy, Ginny Tendrup, & Jill Latham Mother’s Ministry Sarah Gonzalez & Jill Koziol Finance Council Mike Latham, Cat Westover, Maureen Hamer and David Mount Pastoral Council Lori Mirek lmirek@hotmail.com Barbara Murphy murphystroth@yahoo.com Mike Brown brownm@sfarch.org Chris Terndrup chris.terndrup@ravenswoodsolutions.com Christine Augulis caugulis@straymondmp.org Karyn Leahy leahyfamily@msn.com Tim Connors tim@connors.org

In October 1990 the Homeless Family Fund was established by a group of parishioners who wanted to assist those in our community who needed help with housing. We have one goal....to help families move out of a shelter into a place to call home or to help those who are teetering on the verge of homelessness because they have become delinquent in rent payments. A very modest goal to be sure, but we fill a need for very desperate people. Rents have escalated beyond what any of us would have thought possible...over $3,000 for a one bedroom apartment, upwards of $9,000 just to be able to move. Recently we learned that in our own backyard of East Menlo Park and East Palo Alto, approximately 1,000 students are homeless. And, we wonder why their test scores are low? Unfortunately there are many groups and organizations asking for donations and as a result, the contributions to our Homeless Fund have diminished to an all time low. We are quickly becoming unable to help those who have been relying on us for assistance. We understand that people can't give to everyone who asks. If you can't donate to our fund, we do ask that you pray to Our Lord that somehow, someway the St. Raymond Homeless Fund will be able to continue to assist those families who need our help. Thank you and may God bless you. Please make your donations payable to St. Raymond Homeless Family Fund. They may be placed in the collection basket, sent to the parish office or through the St. Raymond website (e-contributions).

Next Week’s Readings Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Luke 17:5-10

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Announcements/Coming Events

Still time to register for Religious Education & Confirmation! — Don’t

miss out on any more! Visit www.straymondmp.org or see Page 4 for more information. Spirituality for Busy Families begins this week. See Page 2 for more information. Fall Family Picnic on this Sunday, September 25. See Page 2 for more information. Mother’s Ministry—First meeting of the year this Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30pm. See Page 4 or flyer for further detail. Blessing of the Animals—In honor of St. Francis, bring your pets to be blessed next Saturday, October 1 at 10am in the Rose Garden. Volunteers to Bring Communion to the Homebound needed—see Page 4 for more information. Annual Rosary Rally—October 8th. See Page 2 or check the bulletin boards for more information.

As a parish community we pray for the sick among us: Lynn Bacon, Roger Barth, Kayte Roach, James Roach, Bernice D’Arcy, Joan Briggson, Margaret McSweeney, Javier Ramos, Juan Esteban Gonzalez Marin, Karen Lundberg, Catherine Matsakis, Rufina Villalobos, Diane Mojtehedi, and Ruth Dye.

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Meditation on Today’s Readings

The Assyrians are at the gates. All nations have fallen before them. But the complacent are having a party. They stretch out comfortably on their couches as though nothing is wrong. They will lose everything, even the Holy Land. The rich man in the parable is having a good time too. He isn’t especially evil, he just doesn’t notice. He doesn’t give a thought to the poor man at his gate, or to the fact of Judgment. He is exiled as well – from the bosom of Abraham. And even in the torment of Hades he doesn’t get the point. He tries to treat Lazarus as a servant, wanting him sent here and there. With all the distractions in our lives, sins of omission are easy to commit. Being oblivious is no excuse. By the grace of God, may we notice our brothers and sisters who are invisible, forgotten or unwanted. Christ will appear at the end of time, but he is here in our midst right now. Often he wears a distressing disguise. Let us practice the art of noticing him and serving him even in unexpected places.

Religious Education & Confirmation Awesome First Day of Classes!(Pre-K-6th Grade) Sunday, September 18th was a great first day of classes for Religious Education PreK-6th grade. The St. Raymond Campus was buzzing with families. The Religious Education team was excited to meet the students in their classes and looking forward to a great year! Not registered yet? To renew or register for Religious Education please go to The St. Raymond website at www.straymondmp.org and click the Religious Education link. This year we will be accepting Pre-K (4/5 year olds) into the kindergarten class. If you would like to sign up your Pre-K student or kindergarten student choose the number "0" on the registration form. Blessing of the Pets To honor the love of pets that St. Francis had we are going to be having a Blessing of the Pets on Saturday, October 1st at 10:00am in the Rose Garden. Please bring your pets and come to celebrate together. If you have any questions about Religious Education for Pre-K through 6th grade please contact Stephanie Virag via email at svirag@straymondmp.org or via phone at 650-323-1755. Questions about Confirmation can be directed to Christine Augulis at caugulis@straymondmp.org. Thank you for signing your child(ren) up for Religious Education at St. Raymond!

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Volunteers Needed for Communion Ministry to the Sick and Homebound

Jesus calls each of us to visit the sick: “I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:31-46). Bringing Holy Communion to the sick is both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy. In this service, you minister to the whole person – body, mind, and soul. You serve as an ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), the Catholic Church, and St. Raymond Parish. In bringing the Body and Blood of our Lord to the sick, you are an instrument of evangelization by your actions of love, kindness, and comfort.

If you feel called to this ministry, please contact Ronnica in the parish office at 650-323-1755 or via email at office@straymondmp.org to set up a time for training in this rewarding ministry.

Come as you are to Thrive! Calling all Moms! Already longing for the less chaotic days of summer? Need some time to reflect?

Join us for an evening of sharing and reflection with other mothers at our first Mother’s Ministry event at St. Raymond Parish on September 27, 2016 at 7:30pm in the Parish Youth Center.

Sr. Lilly Fitzpatrick, O.P. of Immaculate Conception Academy will come share her colorful, unique and oftentimes unconventional life story of running marathons (literally, she has run 8 with a personal record of 3 hours and 31 minutes in Oregon), traveling around the world, and landing in San Francisco all the while trying to stay grounded. Wine, water and appetizers will be served! Also, join Mother’s Ministry on Facebook to stay up to date on events! Contact Sarah Gonzalez (bergersb@gmail.com) or Jill Koziol (jill.koziol@gmail.com), co-leaders of Mother’s Ministry for more information!

Mass Intentions are available through 2017 at the Parish office Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. You can also

schedule a Mass over the phone by calling (650) 323-1755.

The Dominican

Corner

Lawrence (Lorenzo) Ruiz was born in Manila of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother, both Christians. Thus he learned Chinese and Tagalog from them and Spanish from the Dominicans whom he served as altar boy and sacristan. He became a professional calligrapher, transcribing documents in beautiful penmanship. He was a full member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary under Dominican

auspices. He married and had two sons and a daughter. His life took an abrupt turn when he was accused of murder. Nothing further is known except the statement of two Dominicans that "he was sought by the authorities on account of a homicide to which he was present or which was attributed to him." At that time three Dominican priests, Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo and Miguel de Aozaraza, were about to sail to Japan in spite of a violent persecution there. With them was a Japanese priest, Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, and a layman named Lazaro, a leper. Lorenzo, having taken asylum with them, was allowed to accompany them. But only when they were at sea did he learn that they were going to Japan. They landed at Okinawa. Lorenzo could have gone on to Formosa, but, he reported, "I decided to stay with the Fathers, because the Spaniards would hang me there." In Japan they were soon found out, arrested and taken to Nagasaki. The site of wholesale bloodshed when the atomic bomb was dropped had known tragedy before. The 50,000 Catholics who once lived there were dispersed or killed by persecution. The superior, Antonio, died after some days of torture. Both the Japanese priest and Lazaro broke under torture. But both were brought back to courage by their companions. In Lorenzo's moment of crisis, he asked the interpreter, "I would like to know if, by apostatizing, they will spare my life." The interpreter was noncommittal, but Lorenzo, in the ensuing hours, felt his faith grow strong. He became bold, even audacious, with his interrogators. The five were put to death by being hanged upside down in pits. They were allowed to hang for three days. By that time Lorenzo and Lazaro were dead. The three Dominican priests, still alive, were beheaded. In 1987, Saint John Paul II canonized these six and 10 others, Asians and Europeans, men and women, who spread the faith in the Philippines, Formosa and Japan. Lorenzo Ruiz is the first canonized Filipino martyr.

—From AmericanCatholic.org

TRY…...E-Contributions Sign up online via our website not only for your Sunday offerings, but also St. Vincent de Paul, the Homeless Family Fund, and the Fall Drive. Go to www.straymondmp.org click on the “Quicklinks” at the top right of the website, and then click “Donate” to be taken to our E-contribution website. There, you’ll see very easy sign up instructions for this free service.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Sunday Collections $4,796.00

E-contributions $1,100.00

TOTAL $5,896.00

Contributions for September 18, 2016

Sacristan Needed “There prepare for us" (Mark 14:15). Jesus called his disciples to prepare a room for the Last Supper--the first celebration of Mass. Our parish St. Raymond needs a leader for Mass preparation. Called "Sacristan," this is a part-time, paid position at the heart of our

community, making the celebration of Mass possible. Training is of course available. The Sacristan leads set-up and clean-up for the 8:15 am daily Mass (with days off); for the Saturday 5:15 pm Vigil Mass; for Sunday Masses at 8 am, 10 am, and 6 pm (in short, all weekend Masses); and for all Masses on Holy Days of Obligation, Ash Wednesday, and the Triduum. St. Raymond has a strong and vibrant Altar Society who will support the sacristan in every way. If you or someone you know may be interested, please contact Fr. Christopher at 650-323-1755 or cfadok@straymondmp.org. Thank you!

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MARRIED COUPLES: Would you attend a seminar to enhance your job or to increase your salary? Why not give your marriage the same attention? Enhance your good marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend! The next Marriage Encounter Weekend is November 11-13, 2016 at Vallombrosa Center, Menlo Park. For more information visit our website at: sanjosewwme.org or contact Ken & Claranne

at applications@sanjosewwme.org or 408-782-1413.

Two Special New Holy Cards for the month of October are available on the tables at the entrances of the church. October is the month of the Holy Rosary!

   

St. Raymond Church Mother’s Ministry 2016-2017 Calendar

Come as you are to thrive! Our theme for the year is mindfulness, being present and mindful of ourselves, our spouses, our families, and the world around us as women and as mothers. Topics will include empathy, forgiveness, and values,

specifically related to raising our children in the church.

Tuesday, September 27th @ 7:30pm Parish Youth Center

“The 4 Agreements to Make with Yourself”

Wednesday, October 26t h @ 7:30pm TBD location

“Raising Children in Today’s Church”

Tuesday, November 15th @ 7:30pm TBD location

“Establishing Faithful Family Traditions”

Saturday, November 19th Parish Youth Center

Family Friendly Volunteering—Thanksgiving bags with Small but Mighty

Tuesday, January 24th @ 7:30pm TBD location

“Making Space for Mindfulness in the Everyday”

Sunday, February 12th @ 11am Parish Youth Center

Family Friendly Volunteering—Valentine making for children at a local shelter

Saturday, March 18th @ 9-12pm TBD location

Busy Moms Retreat

Sunday, May 14th @ 11am (following the 10am mass) Mother’s Day Celebration

Please mark your calendars and join us for fellowship—more details to come on individual meet-ups. Join our Facebook group at http://bit.ly/2d4SSm3 or email

Sarah Gonzalez bergersb@gmail.com or Jill Koziol jill.koziol@gmail.com for more information.