Saint Joseph parish December 7, 2014 www.sjcpinole.org

Reconciliation Saturday:

3:30-4:30 pm (English) 6:15- 6:45 pm

(Spanish & English) Fridays during advent:

After the 7:30 am & 9:00 am Masses 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Church: 837 Tennent Avenue, Pinole CA 94564 School:1961 Plum St., Pinole CA 94564 (510) 724-0242, Fax 724-9886 Office: 2100 Pear St. Pinole CA 94564 (510) 741-4900, Fax (510) 724-9185 Hours: Mon. - Thur. 9:00 am - 7:30 pm, Fri. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Second Sunday of advent (Year b) First Reading — The rugged land shall be made a plain;

the rough country, a broad valley. (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11) Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your

salva on. (Psalm 85)

Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness,

hastening the coming of the day of God. (2 Peter 3:8-14) Gospel — I have bap zed you with water; he will bap ze

you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:1-8)

DAILY READINGS DECEMBER 8 TO 14

Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9, 10-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19: Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Mass Times Daily Mass: 7:30 am 9:00 am First Friday: 7:30 pm Saturday: 8:00 am (Vigil) 5:00 pm (en español) 7:00 pm Sunday: 7:00 am 8:30 am 10:30 am 12:30 pm (Youth) 5:30 pm

Masses for the Feast of the

Immaculate Conception

sunday, December 7 7:00 pm

Vigil Mass in Spanish

Monday, December 8 7:30 am & 9:00 am

12:10 pm & 7:30 pm Holy Day of Obligation

Mass in honor of our lady of guadalupe

saturday, December 13 7:00 pm - Bilingual

Reception to follow in the School Gym

Priests & Deacon

PASTOR Fr. John Direen

Eucharistic adoration during advent:

Fridays following the 9:00 am Mass Benediction at 6:30 pm

Deacon Dn. Les Miyashiro

Parochial vicars Fr. Eddie Castañas Fr. Peter Son Vo

Reflections

“HE WILL

BAPTIZE YOU

WITH THE

HOLY SPIRIT”

(Mk 1:8)

“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1:42-45). Our Blessed Mother has an eminent role in our salvation, and therefore in the season of Advent. This week we have the joy of celebrating her unique vocation from God, who calls her to be the Immaculate Conception, the new Eve, referred to in the Book of Genesis: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel” (Gen 3:15); and calls her to be the Mother of our Lord as we see in the Gospel of Luke, and in the Book of Revelation, who we have come to know as Our Lady of Guadalupe: “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth” (Rev. 12:1-2).

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8th, Monday) is a Holy Day of Obligation. We will celebrate a vigil Mass in Spanish on Sunday at 7:00 PM, and our Masses on Monday will be in English at 7:30 & 9:00 AM and 12:10 & 7:30 PM. This solemnity celebrates the infallible doctrine of our Catholic faith that Mary was conceived without sin, just like the first Eve, so that fulfilling God’s plan for our salvation she would be a worthy vessel for our Lord Jesus Christ, the new Adam, to become human. His conception by the power of the Holy Spirit we celebrate on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, March 25th. We celebrate our Blessed Mother’s birthday on September 8th, and of course the birthday of our Lord on Christmas Day. We celebrate the fact that Mary does not follow the example of the first Eve, rather she reverses original sin by doing the will of the Lord at every moment of her existence.

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12th, celebrates her apparitions to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac in Mexico from December 9th-12th, 1531, which resulted in her miraculous image on his tilma (cloak) as described in the Book of Revelation. This event also resulted in the conversion of millions of people who came to know through our Lady of Guadalupe that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Our parish will celebrate this feast at a bilingual Mass next Saturday at 7:00 PM, followed by festivities at our school gym. Please plan to join us and take part in this rich liturgical and cultural celebration.

Today’s readings on this 2nd Sunday of Advent includes us in the mission of St. John the Baptist who helps us to prepare the way of the Lord. Isaiah foretold the effect of his ministry: “Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Is 40:5). St. Peter admonishes us: “But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace” (2 Pt 3:13-14). We do well this Advent and every day of our lives to prepare to be with our Lord in glory. Please be sure to get your copy of Living the Mass, which our stewardship committee is distributing to all, free of charge, throughout Advent and at Christmas. Once you get your copy, please read it! You can be certain that it will enrich your experience of celebrating Eucharist, the primary way in which we respond to our Lord’s gift of salvation. As St. John the Baptist said: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mk 1:7-8). Baptism with water is the beginning of our journey. The Holy Spirit completes the process of conversion only with our full participation. What do the authors of Living the Mass mean when they ask: “Are you a practicing Catholic?” vs. “Are you practicing your baptism?” (pg. xii). Please login on our parish website and participate in our online discussion. Blessed Advent.

Fr. John

Fr. John Direen Pastor

Irma Aguirre-Florero, Caridad Alvarez, Lisa Amdahl, Julissa Ando, Charito Antaran, Rachel Austria, Victoria Barthell, Elaine R. Baxter, Isabel Benavidez, Bernabe R. Bernardo, Felisa R. Bernardo, Edward Borja Jr., Maria Brawand, John Byrne, Pablo Cabasa, Carlena Calderon, Veronica Cañas, Catalina Caoile, Lily L. Cardeñas, Karen Cartwright, Kevin Castain, Maria Castillo, David Castrillo, Juanita Castrillo, Karl Castrillo, Sharon Chilson, Kathy Cichon, Donna Cowen, Colleen Cronin, Rick Cuaresma, Jack Davis, Donna Day, Violet De Borja, Kim Determan, Ester Dimalanta, Mary Louise Duhart, Hector & Leonila Duque, Hilario Duque, Anita Ferrer, Wil Figueira, Gina Gaceto, Gilbert Garcia, Jose M. Gonzalez, Rene Hagen, Susan Kay Harville, Buenaventura Hermosa, Bobby Hernandez, Jesus Hernandez, Ley Ibasco, Gordon Jee, Patricia Johnson, Willie Johnson, Bill & Pamela Jones, Zoltan Kraynik, Joan Kunze, Joseph Lanigan, Cecelia Lasley, Leslie Lawless, Jessica Lawless, Christopher Longmire, Carol Lujan, Nathan Madigan, Imelda F. Magat, Myrna Manlongat, Mario Maningas, R.J. Mann, Rose Mares, Shelly Marquez, Victoria Marquez, Glenn McLaughlin, Anela Malani Medalle, Flocita Mendoza, Aurora Millado, Yolanda Monsano, Becky Montayre, Sean & RoseMary Moore; Cari Mora, Dino Mora, Olive Myers, Jasmine Naraja, Melanie Naraja, Maria Phouc Nguyen, Francois Njike, Angelica Nodia, Enriqueta Nool, Monina Nuguid, Jose Oliquiano, Jaime Pacheco, Robert C. Pacificador, Lisa Paine, Christian G. Pascual, Joyce Peterson, Leticia F. Poblete, Dominic Prado, Gloria M. Purificacion, Carmen Lujan Quintanilla, Arlene Ramos, Josie U. Ramos, Lyan I. Recacho, Agnes Reyes, Gaudencio G. Rivera, Nichey Isabel Rivera, Allan Roben, Aria & Adrian Robinson, Gary Rondeau, Jerry Rondeau, Susan Rondeau, Jose Ruloma, Nemesio Salvador, Dolores Salvatore, Joe Salvatore, Carlina Santos, Rose Marie Shramick, Edith Sedano, Ronald Joseph Snell Jr, Eller Sunga, Rizalina Supnet, Fe A. Tamparong, Jeffrey Tayag, Jesus Tayag, Sandy Thompson, Cesar R. Tolentino, Flor Tolentino, Liviu Tomutsa, Keytoen Townsend, Abraham Trinidad, B. Jay Trinidad, Bernard Trinidad, Gerry Ursua, Nicole Van Bibber, Javier Van Cleave, Mary Vanderzwan, Rosie Vidal, Vincetta Ward, Anna Webb, Pam White, Brittany Ziegler, & Jerry Zivney

Our Week at St. Joseph’s

Please Pray for Our Sick Relatives & Friends

We welcome the new

members of our faith community:

Rosalind Parangan Smith

Luciano Rodolfo Mendoza

Andre Raiden Bautista

Katelyn Ann Clark

Marlaina Gabrielle Gumpal

O’Connor

Congratulations!

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, Dec. 6 St. Nicholas, Bishop 5:00 pm Damaso Tria † 7:00 pm Isidoro & Amalia Gomez † Sunday, December 7 7:00 am Anthony Nghia & Maria Ban † 8:30 am Ana Nguyen 10:30 am Francisca Martinez † 12:30 pm Parishioners of St. Joseph 5:30 pm Roque V. Ebalo, Jr. (Birthday) 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Mon, Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception, B.V.M 7:30 am Emma Fortich-Kirby (50th Birthday) 9:00 am Concepcion Gonzalez † 12:10 pm Fortunata Roble † 7:30 pm Parishioners of St. Joseph Tuesday, December 9 St. Juan Diego 7:30 am Teofilo S. Santiago † 9:00 am Petra Rodriguez † Wednesday, December 10 7:30 am Herminigilda Calopez 9:00 am Jose M. Gonzalez † Thursday, Dec. 11 St. Damasus I, Pope 7:30 am Milagros Poncela † 9:00 am Cloty Rivera † Friday, Dec. 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 7:30 am Lillys Cwalina † 9:00 am Amin & Nahida Alhaik† Sat, Dec. 13 St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 8:00 am Elam & Claire Goundar (Thanksgiving) 5:00 pm John Schwartz † 7:00 pm Maria Reyes (For Guidance & Health) Sunday, December 14 7:00 am Tony Leingang † 8:30 am Tony Rivera † 10:30 am Virginia Madamba Ayalin 12:30 pm Florencio & Celedonia De Leon † 5:30 pm Parishioners of St. Joseph

PARISH CALENDAR Saturday, December 6 8:00 pm Immaculada Concepcion Convivio - PH Sunday, December 7 7:00 am Simbang Gabi sweatshirt sales - outside CH 8:00 am Breakfast w/ Santa Christmas Faire - SCH 8:00 am 7:00 AM Choir Cantors Rehearsal- PC 9:30 am RCIA - PC 10:30 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word - PH 3:00 pm Confirmation Retreat Parent/Student Meeting - SCH 3:30 pm Youth Mass Choir Practice - CH Monday, December 8 6:30 pm Youth Ministry - SCH 7:30 pm Asociación Guadalupana Rosario - PC Tuesday, December 9 6:30 pm Faith Formation - SCH 7:00 pm Spanish Youth Choir (Coro Juventud) - CH 7:30 pm Cursillo Men’s Reunion - PC Wednesday, December 10 9:30 am Our Mother of Perpetual Help - CH 10:30 am Scripture Study - PH 11:00 am Charismatic Prayer Group - PC 11:30 am Bereavement & Caring Ministry Mtg. - PC 4:45 pm Faith Formation - SCH 6:30 pm Middle School Ministry - SCH 6:30 pm Faith Formation - SCH 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 81 - PH 7:30 pm Asoc. Guadalupana Prayer Group - PC 7:30 pm Scripture Study - Alex Clark Room Thursday, December 11 5:30 pm Children’s Choir Practice - PC 7:00 pm 7:00 AM Choir Rehearsal - PH 7:00 pm 8:30 & 10:30 AM Choirs Practice - CH 7:00 pm Liturgy Committee Meeting - PC 7:30 pm Family Choir Practice - PC Friday, December 12 9:45 am Friday Adoration - CH 6:00 pm Girl Scouts #33316 Meeting - PH 7:30 pm Spanish Choir Practice - PC Saturday, December 13 10:00 am Combined Music Rehearsal for Midnight Mass - PH 1:00 pm El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Meeting - PC 4:00 pm Children’s Choir Rehearsal - PH 8:00 pm Virgen de Guadalupe Convivio - SCH Sunday, December 14 7:00 am Hospitality - Flores de Mayo - PH 7:00 am Simbang Gabi sweatshirt sales - outside CH 8:00 am 7:00 AM Choir Cantors Rehearsal- PC 9:30 am RCIA - PC 10:30 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word - PH 10:30 am 12:30 PM Choir Practice - PC 3:00 pm Confirmation Class - SCH 3:30 pm Youth Mass Choir Practice - CH 6:30 pm Cub Scout Pack 693 - PC

CH - Church, PH - Parish Hall, PC - Parish Center, SCH - School

Religious/Youth & Adult Formation

FAITH FORMATION, GRADES 1 TO 6 Here we are in the first week of Advent. I hope you all have a blessed and joyful Advent season. Christians are such lucky people, although life may bring us trial and tribulation. We have comfort and joy knowing that we are not alone; we have our Lord to walk us or carry us through those hard times. We also have each other (community) to uplift and support one another. Remember people who do not know Christ or have forgotten him, experience the Lord through each one of us. Our families, students, friends and strangers need to see our passion & joy especially during this season. Blessings to you all, RoseMary

Dec. 9/10 – Safe Environment class and Service Project Dec. 16/17 – Class on Advent/ Christmas Carols and

cookies & drinks Dec. 23/24 – No class/ Christmas Break Dec. 29/30 – No class/ Christmas Break January 6/7, 2015 - Regular class

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD Please join us through the Advent Season and bring your children to “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” on Sundays at 10:30 am Mass. They may love it and want to attend all the time, wouldn’t that be fabulous.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS Dec. 7 - Eucharist and the Mass 1 Dec 14 - Eucharist and the Mass 2 Dec. 21 - No Class/ Christmas Break Dec. 28 - No Class / Christmas Break January 4, 2015 - Regular class (Prayer)

St. Joseph School

DIAMOND BLVD. CONCORD, CA 94520

YOUTH, GRADES 7 TO 12 COLD WEATHER DONATION DRIVE: Please help us support the less fortunate who reside in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. We are asking for donations for children or adults. They are in need of new socks; knit scarves; clean, gently used or never used knit caps, beanies, mittens, and gloves. These items must be in good shape and clean: sweaters, hoodies, jackets, coats; shoes for men, women or children. This drive takes place Monday, December 1 to Friday, December 19. Bring your items to the Parish Center during office hours, or come by one of our classes for grades 7th to 12th. Items will be delivered to St. Anthony’s the morning of Monday, December 22.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY, GRADES 7 & 8: We invite all families to support our Cold Weather Donation Drive. Our next class is Wednesday, December 10 at 6:30 pm in the Gym. Our class potluck for MSM only is on December 10 while Faith Formation is in classes. Please bring a finger food that does not require forks. Please no junk food or candy.

YOUTH MINISTRY (1ST YEAR, GRADES 9 TO 12): We invite all families to support our Cold Weather Donation Drive. Our next class is Monday, December 8 at 6:30 pm in the Gym. If you missed the Retreat Information meeting on December 1st, please contact Teena as soon as possible for all the materials she provided about your child’s retreat. Questions, please contact Teena Posas, youth ministry director at 741-4900 ext. 210 or teenap@sjcpinole.org.

CONFIRMATION CLASS (2ND YEAR): We invite all families to support our Cold Weather Donation Drive. On Sunday, December 7 we will have the Retreat Information meeting for candidates and parents in the Gym from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Families can attend the weekend Mass of their choice. DUE for this class: your entire finished Brown Bag project; retreat permission slip and payment. Bring your books and folder to class. We will also have the Poppin Popcorn fundraiser items for the families who participated. Our next class is on Sunday, December 14 at 3:00 pm in the Gym. DUE at this class: your reading of Chapter 6 Morality. Class assignments: C3 offertory & ushers; C1 in choir. On Saturday, December 27 the class of C2 is serving at St. Anthony’s Dining Room in San Francisco. In order to go, candidates from C2 must turn in forms at BART and bring food donations, according to the packet instructions we will give in class. Questions or you need the packet, please contact your teachers ASAP.

Enrich your faith every single day! Tune your radio to AM1260 all day, every day to learn more about your Catholic faith. Every hour brings something new. Pray, learn, laugh,

cry, ask, discern, rejoice, meditate, call-in, listen, seek, find! Try it...we think you’ll like it! Listen at 1260 AM

PRAYER INTENTIONS OF POPE FRANCIS For the month of December

Universal Intention - Christmas, hope for humanity That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will. Evangelization Intention - Parents That parents may be true evangelizers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith.

Ministry Programs and Events

Please Remember Our Loved Ones Currently Overseas in the Military, and Their Families: Shawn Betschart, Army; Darryl Jason Garcia, Army; Christine Massey, Army; Rebecca Sabatini, National Guard; and Carlo Spampinato, Marines.

MUSIC MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENT An invitation is extended to those who are and those who are not (yet) in the Music Ministry at St. Joseph Church, to offer their gifts of singing or music to Our Lord Jesus Christ, on December 24th, Christmas Midnight Mass. Saturday practices are already under way, the next two rehearsals will be on Dec. 13 and 20 in the Parish Hall, from 10 am to noon. For more information, please contact Ed Combong, Music Coordinator at edc@sjcpinole.org, phone 510-375-5481.

GRIEF MINISTRY WORKSHOPS The holidays can be a painful and confusing time for families and individuals who are grieving. It is ok not to feel good. Come and meet other grieving families preparing for a ‘BLUE CHRISTMAS’ due to the loss of a loved one to death. All are welcome.

Workshop Facilitator: Fr. Padraig Greene

Thursday, Dec. 11, 7:00 pm: Coping with the holidays, Good Shepherd Parish, 3200 Harbor Street, Pittsburg

Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:00 am: Surviving suicide during the holidays, Queen of Heaven Funeral Center, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette

YOUR ADVENT GIFT: “LIVING THE MASS” This year St. Joseph Parish is giving you an inspirational book to enliven your faith and energize our community as part of the One Book, One Parish program from Loyola Press. Now available in the Parish Center and in the Church after weekend Masses are FREE copies of “Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life” by Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki. You may take one in English or the Spanish translation. For those who want to explore the meaning of this book in a deeper way, we are facilitating an on-line book discussion at: www.sjcpinole.org

Homemade Pancakes French Toast Eggs

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Naughty or nice, all are welcome to enjoy the Christmas Faire, 5th Annual Breakfast with Santa this Sunday, December 7 at the School. Seating will be available between 8:00 and 11:00 am. Our hot breakfast will fill you up with Christmas cheer and put you in the Holiday spirit. Santa will be there to hear secret Christmas wishes from young and old! Pictures with Santa are by donation.

Tickets: $7/Adult and $4/Child (6-10) Special: $20 for 2 Adults & 2 kids (6-10)

Kids in Kindergarten & younger and seniors 85 & over are FREE! All proceeds benefit The Knights of Columbus.

Our delicious menu includes:

Adults don't feel left out -- We will have local vendors to showcase seasonal crafts, baked goods and holiday apparel!!!! Lots of fun for the whole family…Come have breakfast with Santa! See ya all...Ho Ho Ho!

Sausage Tater tots Fruit Cup, Pastries,

Coffee & Juice

BEREAVEMENT & CARING MINISTRY The monthly meeting is on Wednesday, December 10

11:30 am in the St. Joseph Parish Ctr. - St. Therese Room Do you need emotional or spiritual support?

Then you would want to contact us!! We are the B & C (Bereavement/Caring) Ministry.

If you need a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear, with a private appointment in a safe and confidential

environment, please call : Suzanne, 510-384-1398; or Dorie, 510-799-6137; or Rose, 510-778-4129

ST. JOSEPH SENIORS Date: Thursday, January 8, 2015

Time: Mass will be at 11:00 am in the Church.

A catered lunch and Fr. John Direen's talk will follow in the Parish Hall.

St. Joseph Seniors will host a catered lunch for January's get-together. No pot luck dishes are necessary. Come and enjoy a delicious meal catered by the Artisan Kitchen & Café. This a real treat. Fr. John will speak to us after lunch. His topic is his "Road to the Priesthood." This is the time when we get to know our new Pastor. It's sure to be enlightening and fun. Seniors, come join us. All are welcome.

CELEBRACIÓN DE LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE Misa Bilingüe

Saturday, December 13, 7:00 pm Presider: Monsignor Antonio Valdivia

The Asociación Guadalupana invites the community of St. Joseph Church in Pinole to the bilingual Mass celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After the Mass please join us for a dinner and entertainment in the School Gym.

La Asociación Guadalupana invita a la comunidad de la Iglesia San José en Pinole a la misa bilingüe en honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe. Sábado 13 de diciembre, 7:00 pm. Después de la misa, sírvanse acompañarnos al gimnasio de la Escuela.

Faithful Stewardship John the Baptist’s call to repentance is echoed in the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship: “Christians must beg God for the grace of conversion: the grace to know who they are, to whom they belong, how they are to live — the grace to repent and change and grow, the grace to become good disciples and stewards.”

Thank you for your generous contributions. The Second Collection this week is for the Building Fund.

Advent Season / Christmas Events

PARISH GIFT GIVING PROGRAM Gift Giving Weekend, December 20 - 21

This year is rapidly coming to an end and that brings us to our traditional St. Joseph Parish Gift Giving Weekend when all the gifts must be brought to the Church! The dates of the 20th & 21st are very important because on Monday, December 22 all of “Santa’s Helpers” will be assembling those nice presents to be ready, with only three days to spare before Christmas! We have a Christmas tree in the Church decorated with tags bearing a description of an individual whom you would wish to “gift.” There are tags for boys & girls, toddlers, teenagers, moms & dads, the elderly, the homebound, and our Parish Sisters. After you select a tag and buy a gift please be sure to attach the tag securely to the outside of your wrapped package. Bring the present to Mass on Gift Giving Weekend and place it under the tree. The gifts will be picked up from the Parish Hall by the family members the following afternoon of Dec. 22. Thanks to all who generously participate in this Ministry!

ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS Bishop Michael Barber, SJ, Presider

Sun, Dec. 14, 5:30 pm at the Cathedral of Christ the Light Come and join Bishop Barber for a festive service of Nine Lessons & Carols, which will include music written for choir, brass ensemble, organ and congregation. A reception will follow the service. Free admission. Online registration is required, go to this link:

www.ctlcathedral.org/visit/creche14/2014-lessons-carols

SIMBANG GABI Advent Dawn Mass

December 16 to 24 at 5:00 am in the Church Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo is a 200-year-old tradition in the Philippines. In keeping with this Advent tradition, the parish is offering this 9-day early morning Novena of Masses to prepare ourselves spiritually for Christ’s coming. We ask for your valued support to keep this Advent tradition going, by purchasing “Simbang Gabi” sweatshirts outside the Church after all morning Masses this Sunday, December 7 and next Sunday, December 14.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Remember your loved ones this Christmas Season by offering poinsettias in their names/memory. Write their names on a donation envelope and drop

it in the collection basket or bring it to the Parish Center. Names of honorees will be printed in the bulletin after Christmas. The suggested donation is $10/flower pot.

FLOWERS OFFERING This weekend’s church flowers were donated for by Mireya Rodriguez in celebration of La Purisima

and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos 13 y 14 de deciembre

Done a los que donaron su vida. Las Hnas. Elizabeth Mary, Carolyn y Bridget –y 35 mil hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes de órdenes religiosas ancianos como ellas– han ofrecido su vida en servicio a los demás. Muchos han trabajado durante años recibiendo salarios bajos, lo cual ha dejado a sus comunidades religiosas sin ahorros suficientes para su jubilación y sus cuidados geriátricos. Su donativo al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos proporciona fondos para recetas médicas, enfermeros y más. Sean generosos. Para entregarlo a su parroquia: Haga su cheque pagadero a St. Joseph Parish.

Sunday, Nov. 23 Plate/Mailed-in: $12,379.21 EFT: $957.50 Total: $13,336.71

Catholic Charities Campaign for Human Development: $5,305.50

Sunday, Nov. 30 (includes Thanksgiving Day) Plate/Mailed-in: $17,751.35 EFT: $957.50 Total: $18,708.85

St. Vincent de Paul: $7,375.75

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Second collection next weekend, Dec. 13-14 Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

Sisters Elizabeth Mary (left), 79; Carolyn (center), 99; and Bridget (right), 96, have each served for more than 60 years as members of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They — and some 35,000 senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests

like them—have offered their lives in service to others. Many worked for years for small stipends, leaving their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious provides funding for prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Please be generous, over 93 percent of donations aid senior religious. Checks should be made payable to St. Joseph Parish. www.RetiredReligious.org