24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 www.st-nicholaschurch.org Parish office (949) 837-1090 • School of Religious Education (949) 837-7676 Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord. We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds. Adopted July, 1996 RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) * Wednesday: 5:00PM Saturday: 9:00AM BAPTISM Contact the Parish Office for Baptism scheduling and information. MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial. *Confessions are currently being held in the Parish Center lobby, with both Fr. George and Fr. Martin available. CLERGY Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Martin Tran In-Residence Bishop Thanh Nguyen Visiting Priest Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Gerardo de Santos Deacon Carlos Pineda Deacon Chau Tran Deacon John Selig MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Friday: 9AM (English) Saturday Vigil: 4PM (English) 6PM (Spanish) Sunday: 7:30AM, 9AM, 11AM (English) 5PM (Vietnamese) Holy Day Vigil: 4PM (English), 6PM (Spanish) Holy Days: 7AM, 9AM,12PM (English) 7PM (Vietnamese) First Saturday of the Month: 8:00AM PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Sunday: 8:30AM - 12:30PM; Monday - Friday: 8:30AM - 12:30PM, 1:00PM - 5:00PM ST. NICHOLAS PARISH September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
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24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 www.st-nicholaschurch.org
Parish office (949) 837-1090 • School of Religious Education (949) 837-7676
Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith
through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord.
We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds. Adopted July, 1996
RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) * Wednesday: 5:00PM Saturday: 9:00AM BAPTISM Contact the Parish Office for Baptism scheduling and information. MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial.
*Confessions are currently being held in the Parish Center lobby, with both Fr. George and Fr. Martin available.
CLERGY
Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Martin Tran In-Residence Bishop Thanh Nguyen Visiting Priest Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Gerardo de Santos Deacon Carlos Pineda Deacon Chau Tran Deacon John Selig
September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners, Last week, we heard from the beginning of Chapter 7 of Mark’s Gospel about the challenge of recognizing the “spirit” of the law and not be like the Pharisees who focus mainly on the “letter” of the law. Traditions are often man-made and do not come from God. This week, Mark continues in this same chapter by describing a healing event by Jesus as the deaf-mute man is cured of his ailments. Jesus touches the man’s ears and tongue and pronounces the word “ephphatha”, which means “be opened.” With this action, the man is cured, and he can hear clearly and speak without an impediment. This ephphatha rite is part of the Sacrament of Baptism. The one being Baptized has their ears and their mouth touched so that they will hear the word of God and proclaim this word with their mouth. Today is a good time to reflect on this gift that we received in Baptism and proclaim the goodness of the Lord that we hear spoken to us from Scripture and from the Lord Jesus. Jesus instructed the people not to say anything about His miraculous healings; however, the more He gave these instructions, the more word spread about Him. He knew human nature would take over and that they would speak boldly about Him and that is what He wants of us. As we hear his word through our open ears and faith, let us all proclaim loudly and clearing His saving message of Love. Fr. George P. Blais
September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
TODAY’S READINGS Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saturday: 4PM Jean Andres Pedro R. Madrid 6PM Rob Schmieder Agnes Scott
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Col 1:24-2:3; Ps 62:6-7, 9; Lk 6:6-11, or, for Labor Day, any readings from the Mass “For the Blessing of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911 Tuesday: Col 2:6-15; Ps 145:1b-2, 8-11; Lk 6:12-19 Wednesday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6 Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 or 1:18-23 Thursday: Col 3:12-17; Ps 150:1b-6; Lk 6:27-38 Friday: 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14; Ps 16:1b-2a, 5, 7-8, 11; Lk 6:39-42 Saturday: 1 Tm 1:15-17; Ps 113:1b-7; Lk 6:43-49
Mass Intentions September 5-September 11
January 13th, 2019 The Baptism of the Lord September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Saints of the week and Special Observances
Sunday: Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: Labor Day; Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year 5782) begins at
sunset Wednesday: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Thursday: USA: St. Peter Claver, Priest Saturday: Patriot Day; Blessed Virgin Mary
We Remember
All our recently deceased especially Betty PagenKopp and Stan Riggs who entered their
new and eternal life in Christ.
Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Our monthly day of adoration is the second Wednesday of the month starting after the
9:00AM Mass until the following morning at 8:45AM.
DEVOTIONS
2nd Wednesday of the month 7:00PM (English) and 8:00PM (Vietnamese)
September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Offices will be closed on Monday, September 6th in observance of
Labor Day Holiday. There will be a 9:00a.m. Mass.
Offices will re-open on Tuesday, September 7th at 8:30a.m.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank parishioners of St. Nicholas Church for their generous contributions. Without you we would not be able to continue our person-to-person ministry to the less fortunate of our community. Thank you for helping us help others!
WHY YOU SHOULD OPPOSE SB 380
SB 380 seeks to expand access to assisted suicide in CA by reducing the waiting period from 15 days to 48 hours, removing the patient attestation and ending the sunset, thereby enshrining the End of Life Option Act in CA law without any formal review.
Removes the Sunset Date Early ABX2 15 (The End of Life Option Act) was implemented in 2015 providing specific reporting
requirements for the Legislature to review and make a determination on the effectiveness of the law by 2026. SB 380 would terminate the 2026 sunset date. The Legislature should not end ABX2 15's evaluation timeline due to the risk of incomplete data collection. This is especially dangerous during
a time of global pandemic.
Reduces the Waiting Period Reduces the 15-day waiting period to 48 hours for patients and loosens the requirements on
determining whether a patient is of sound mind during this period. Less time reduces the chances that the patient will be able to receive referrals for care, mental health interventions, or even just
time to adjust to a terminal prognosis.
Critical Data Missing Data for patients using assisted suicide is “incomplete”. We do not know how many patients using this law are MediCal recipients, receive palliative and hospice care, how many choose to end their
lives for financial reasons, how many who are depressed receive mental healthcare, and how many patients may be abused or coerced into making decisions they don’t want. Most importantly, doctors are not required to ask WHY a patient is asking for life-ending drugs in time to offer
referrals, additional care, and appropriate interventions.
Widens the Health Equity & Disparity Gap plaguing California's communities of Color People of color tend to have less access to quality end-of-life care, suffer greater pain, have less
support from healthcare providers, and their families may not be cared for. Because of these inequities, assisted suicide is far more attractive to them as a solution. They are also more likely to
feel forced into assisted suicide.
For more information on SB 380 go to: NoOnSB380.org
St. Nicholas Church welcomes students back to SRE classes!
Open Enrollment for School of Religion classes is
August through September, please sign up early. Classes will begin
in October and will be held in the Parish Center.
We offer classes for 1st to 11th grade, First Communion and Confirmation.
Please bring a copy of Baptismal and First Communion Certificate when registering.
Visit the SRE Office M-F 9:00am to
12:00pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Please call if you have any questions
Open Registration- Registration for Confirmation 1 and 2 is now open through September for the 2021-2022 academic year. Enrollment is open to all high school age students. Stop by the SRE office Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm to register and/or pick-up or drop-off registration forms. Confirmation preparation is a 2-year program and any student who wishes to be confirmed must register for and complete both years of preparation. You may also call the SRE office with any questions pertaining to registration at 949-837-7676 during normal business hours. Confirmation Orientation Dates- Orientations for this year’s confirmation classes will take place on Monday, September 13th for Confirmation 1, and Monday, September 20th for Confirmation 2. Orientations will be held at 7 pm downstairs in the parish hall. Attendance is MANDATORY for BOTH PARENTS AND STUDENTS. Drop-Ins are welcome for registration, but please come early if you intend to register the day of.
Please keep an eye out for further announcements regarding important dates for Confirmation and Youth Ministry in the coming weeks, or feel free to check the Ministry’s Google Calendar (link available on the parish website).
January 13th, 2019 The Baptism of the Lord September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
St. Nicholas Parish Introducing
FORMED. The Catholic Faith. On Demand.
Registration and introductory information will be coming soon. Please watch the bulletin for future updates.
Knight of Columbus Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast after
the 7:30am, 9:00am and 11:00am Masses this Sunday. This is the major event for the Knights of Columbus and
your patronage would be most appreciated. Please plan to attend with
your family and friends.
January 13th, 2019 The Baptism of the Lord September 5, 2021 Twenty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The Great Commissioning! Matt. 28:16-20 (Being Disciples of Christ) “Go, therefore and make disciples from all Nations.” At the end of Mass the Priest or Deacon dismiss us. One of the dismissals is, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.” Have you ever wondered why they do this? Through our Baptism we share in that commissioning of the first disciples, to go out after Mass, to bring the “Good News” we just heard to everyone we meet. We are to witness to others through our word and deed the message of Jesus. Then when from your living example, someone inquires about our faith, invite them to the RCIA process to learn more about it. It’s amazing how many times people tell us they have wanted to learn about the Catholic faith but have been waiting for someone to ask them! Is someone you know waiting for an invitation? Ask and tell them you would be happy to journey the faith with them by their side and also praying for them. If you don’t know of someone right now that’s ok too; please add your prayers to ours for people to hear God’s word calling them and to answer it. Sessions begin on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 7PM in Room 201 in the parish center. Please call Betty Farrell at 949.400.6875.
CHOIR IS BACK!!!
Now is a great time for you to become a part of this exciting and rewarding liturgical ministry, for the 2021-2022 season. The Church teaches us that a CHOIR isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity! Parishes NEED
choirs. Our adult choirs need YOU.
OUR 9:00am PARISH CHOIR (SATB), under the direction of Emett, (our music director and accompanist), rehearses on THURSDAY evenings from 7:15 to 8:45. Repertoire consists of all musical styles: ancient, traditional, and contemporary. Present membership stands at 40. (Some musical experience is necessary for membership in this choir.) Our goal is to recruit 10 new members.
OUR 11:00am CHORALE (SATB), under the direction of Mary Ester, and accompanied by Emett, rehearses on TUESDAYS from 7:15 to 8:45. Repertoire also consists of all styles of music. Present Membership stands at 25. Our goal is to recruit many more voices.
Sign-ups for ALL choirs are being accepted after all Masses every weekend in AUGUST. Please see Emett in the choir loft, take a tour of the loft, peek inside the pipe organ chambers, and sign up! Membership is open to anyone who is seriously interested in contributing their very best to the Glory of God.
REHEARSALS begin in mid-September. Pre-registration is required. DEADLINE to join is Sunday, September 5th. But, please don’t wait….come up to the choir loft today, speak with Emett, and JOIN NOW!
PARKING LOT
ETIQUETTE As we increase in the amount of activity at the parish, I wish to encourage all drivers to observe the parking lot signs. Watch your speed - 5 miles per hour, do not enter the parking lot through the exit lane at the light, park in designated spots only – not in the red zone, golf carts in designated spots only. We have many elderly and children walking, so please watch for all pedestrians and give them the right of way. Please continue to be safe and patient as you maneuver the parking lot. Thank you for your cooperation.
Fr. George P. Blais The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary September 8th
