Please contact the Parish Office for arrangements regarding Baptisms, Funerals, and Quinceañeras For Sacraments of Matrimony, please contact the Parish Office six months prior to the date of the wedding St. Thomas More Catholic Church Sunday, December 9, 2018 SCHOOL STAFF 2510 So. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803 (626) 284-8333 Website: stmcatholicalhambra.org School Office: (626) 284-5778 Fax: (626) 284-3303 Principal: Judy Jones (ext. 128) Secretary: Mary Helen Lazo, (ext. 129) School Website: stthomasmorealhambra.org Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM Closed Noon to 1:00PM Saturday 8:00AM - 1:00PM Sunday Closed PARISH OFFICE (RECTORY) HOURS Office Hours starting November 1 st EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATIONS WEEKLY LITURGIES Saturday Vigil Reconciliation 5:00PM Saturday: 4:00-4:45PM Sunday English 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 12:30PM Daily: Mon-Sat 10:45AM Spanish 8:30AM Holy Day Masses 8:30AM, 7:00PM TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm — The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading — I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11). Gospel — The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth (Luke 3:1-6). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: 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, Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — Sube a la altura, Jerusalén; contempla a tus hijos gozosos porque Dios se acordó de ellos (Baruc 5:1-9). Salmo — Grandes cosas has hecho por nosotros, Señor (Salmo 126 [125]). Segunda Lectura — Que su amor siga creciendo más y más y se traduzca en un mayor conocimiento y discernimiento (Filipenses 1:4-6, 8-11). Evangelio — Juan proclama un bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados (Lucas 3:1-6). LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 35:1-10; Sal 85 (84):9-14; Lc 5:17-26 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-3 o Lc 1:39-47 Jueves: Is 41:13-20; Sal 145 (144):1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Eclo 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15-16, Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Domingo: Sof 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Fil 4:4-7; Lc 3:10-18 PARISH STAFF Office: (626) 284-8333 Fax: (626) 282-4459 Pastor: Fr. Thai Le (ext. 116) [email protected]Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Jeremiah O’Neill Deacon Couple: Rogelio and Emilia Garcia [email protected](626) 705-1072 Safeguard the Children Contact: Mae Ho (ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected]Director of Religious Education: Mae Ho (ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected]Liturgy & Music Coordinator: Sr. Andrea Johnson (ext. 137) [email protected]Accounting Manager: Lucy Lai (ext. 110) [email protected]Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator: Francisco Ramos [email protected]Assistant Coordinator: Gabriella Ramos (ext. 135) Parish Secretary: Lucia Alcantar (ext. 141) [email protected]Parish Receptionist: Mimi Lewis Thank You! Gracias! Collections for 12/3/18 5:00 PM $630.00 7:30 AM $1,079.00 9:00 AM $1,641.00 10:45 AM $736.00 12:30 PM $1,482.00 By mail/online $470.00 Bldg Fund $425.00 Special Projects Fund $135.00 Total $6,598.00
Transcript
Please contact the Parish Office for arrangements regarding Baptisms, Funerals, and Quinceañeras
For Sacraments of Matrimony, please contact the
Parish Office six months prior to the date of the wedding
School Office: (626) 284-5778 Fax: (626) 284-3303 Principal: Judy Jones (ext. 128) Secretary: Mary Helen Lazo, (ext. 129) School Website: stthomasmorealhambra.org
Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM Closed Noon to 1:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM - 1:00PM
Sunday Closed
PARISH OFFICE (RECTORY) HOURS Office Hours starting November 1st
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the
splendor of glory from God (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm — The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy
(Psalm 126). Second Reading — I am confident that the one who began a good work in
you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11).
Gospel — The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth (Luke 3:1-6).
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: 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, Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18
LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — Sube a la altura, Jerusalén; contempla a tus hijos gozosos
porque Dios se acordó de ellos (Baruc 5:1-9). Salmo — Grandes cosas has hecho por nosotros, Señor (Salmo 126 [125]). Segunda Lectura — Que su amor siga creciendo más y más y se traduzca en un
mayor conocimiento y discernimiento (Filipenses 1:4-6, 8-11). Evangelio — Juan proclama un bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón
de los pecados (Lucas 3:1-6).
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Is 35:1-10; Sal 85 (84):9-14; Lc 5:17-26 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19;
Lc 1:26-3 o Lc 1:39-47 Jueves: Is 41:13-20; Sal 145 (144):1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Eclo 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15-16, Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Domingo: Sof 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Fil 4:4-7; Lc 3:10-18
PARISH STAFF
Office: (626) 284-8333 Fax: (626) 282-4459 Pastor: Fr. Thai Le (ext. 116) [email protected] Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Jeremiah O’Neill Deacon Couple: Rogelio and Emilia Garcia [email protected] (626) 705-1072 Safeguard the Children Contact: Mae Ho (ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected] Director of Religious Education: Mae Ho (ext. 139) or (626) 457-5302 [email protected] Liturgy & Music Coordinator: Sr. Andrea Johnson (ext. 137) [email protected] Accounting Manager: Lucy Lai (ext. 110) [email protected] Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator: Francisco Ramos [email protected] Assistant Coordinator: Gabriella Ramos (ext. 135) Parish Secretary: Lucia Alcantar (ext. 141) [email protected] Parish Receptionist: Mimi Lewis
Thank You!
Gracias!
Collections for 12/3/18
5:00 PM $630.00 7:30 AM $1,079.00 9:00 AM $1,641.00
10:45 AM $736.00 12:30 PM $1,482.00
By mail/online $470.00 Bldg Fund $425.00
Special Projects Fund $135.00 Total $6,598.00
Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 Page 2
Tree of Giving December 1 - December 16
‘Tis the Season! Please stop by and select an organization's card from the Tree of Giving. Wrap your gift, attach the tag, and put it under the tree. If your gift is cash or check, place it in a sealed envelope with the name of the organization written on the outside and turn it in to the rectory. We must receive all gifts by December 16 to ensure delivery before Christmas. If you have any questions, please call the STM Secretary at
(626) 284-8333 x141. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Advent Penance Service Schedule 2018
Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 Reflections
Hello!
I see families are decorating their homes, and they look nice. Why do we decorate during this time of year? Be-cause the Christmas Season has an enormous positive impact on many people. For Christians; we celebrate the birth of the world Savior. With that in mind, we want to prepare and make our home looks nice with various decorations to welcome Him into our homes. What better way to celebrate than with impressive decorations for our families and guest? Preparation and decorations are how we express our joy — a large celebration honors and values others.
The Second Sunday of Advent reflects this spirit of preparation. We read how John the Baptist called out in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” In other words, the listeners need to do something, to change their ways of life so to welcome the Infant Child, the Savior of the world. The words of John the Baptist reminded the people that someone important was coming, and they needed to be ready. In other words, clear His path and light the way to show he is welcome.
When we prepare, we reorient our direction—change our thoughts and actions that might have distanced us from Our Lord, His Church, and Sacraments for years. I hear some people confidently say, “Since God is everywhere, I don’t need to go to Church. I can pray at home, at work, or wherever’s convenient!” That’s an arrogant point of view: Is God a guest in your heart, or a servant? While there are times and places for one-on-one prayer and meditation with God, Mass is the celebration of God’s love, and the Church is where that celebration happens.
John the Baptist calls for us to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Weekly, we prepare by letting go of our material lifestyles and greed so that we can attend mass to prepare for, and celebrate, the light of the world – Our Savior. During the rest of the week, we hope for strength, a good job, financial stability, happiness, and so forth. While such hopes are not sinful, they are all finite and fragile; they can come and go at any time. Instead, we must prioritize our faith in God. God is not finite! God is not fragile! To prioritize God means that we must acknowledge we depend on God for our existence. God is our hope and our light from the start of each day to the end. Daily life can twist and turn in all directions. Only faith in God and trust in the Holy Spirit will direct us in the right direction.
Heading in the right way means turning towards Him and thinking about Our Lord during the Advent Season. When John the Baptist preached in the desert, many people chose to come to listen to him. Other folks chose to stay behind for work, leisure, and other rea-sons. For those who came out to see him and repent, they were baptized and changed their lives forever. The Advent Season is a time for us to abandon our material lives. Advent is a time to try something new by putting ourselves in a place that God can touch and communicate with us. Miraculous change only requires our willingness and humility to accept something new.
We put effort into preparing our homes for the Christmas Season because we want to show hospitality to our families and guests. We also need to prepare our souls. What are the thoughts and attitudes that we have been holding within us for years, preventing us from seeking God’s grace and forgiveness? Negativity and arrogance make it difficult for God to dwell inside us. Let’s come to His celebra-tion and prepare for Jesus by filling our hearts with daily prayers and Sacred Scriptures.
God bless!
Fr. Thai Le
POINSETTIAS DONATIONS If you wish to donate poinsettias (any size, any color), to help decorate the altar and church for the Christmas season, please do so, no sooner than Saturday, December
15 and no later than Saturday, December 22. Please leave the plants on the counter in the children’s room to the right of the altar. Do not place the plants on the altar. If you wish to make a monetary donation for plants or flow-ers, please use the flower envelopes, which you will find in the pews and at the stand at each side door. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Thank you, students and parents, for your gener-ous donations! Your contributions and donations of 2 Good Samaritans, we have delivered 114 Goody Bags to the Homeless on Thanksgiving Night. Also, thanks to Deacon Rogelio and his family, friends. Our time and presence made a huge positive im-pact on life of the homeless to celebrate Thanksgiv-ing Day. Blessings and Appreciation from St. Thomas More Youth Ministry; in collaboration with Cristo Rey’s Youth Ministry.
Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 Reflections
¡Hola!
Veo que las familias están decorando sus casas y se ven bien. ¿Por qué decoramos durante esta época del año? Porque la temporada navideña tiene un enorme impacto positivo en muchas personas. Para los cristianos; Celebramos el nacimiento del salvador del mundo. Con eso en mente, queremos preparar y hacer que nuestro hogar se vea bien con varias decoraciones para darle la bienvenida a Él en nuestros hogares. ¿Qué mejor manera de celebrar que con decoraciones impresionantes para nuestras familias e invitados? La preparación y la decoración son la forma en que expresamos nuestra alegría: una gran celebración honra y valora a los demás.
El segundo domingo de Adviento refleja este espíritu de preparación. Leemos cómo Juan el Bautista gritó en el desierto: “¡Preparen el camino del Señor!”. En otras palabras, los oyentes deben hacer algo, cambiar sus formas de vida para dar la bienvenida al Niño, el Salvador del mundo. Las palabras de Juan el Bautista les recordaron a las personas que venía alguien importante y que necesitaban estar listos. En otras palabras, despeja su camino y enciende la manera de demostrar que es bienvenido.
Cuando nos preparamos, reorientamos nuestra dirección: cambiamos nuestros pensamientos y acciones que nos podrían haber alejado de Nuestro Señor, Su Iglesia y Sacramentos durante años. Escucho a algunas personas decir con confianza: "Como Dios está en todas partes, no necesito ir a la Iglesia. ¡Puedo orar en casa, en el trabajo o donde sea conveniente! "Ese es un punto de vista arrogante: ¿Es Dios un invitado en tu corazón o un sirviente? Si bien hay momentos y lugares para la oración individual y la meditación con Dios, la misa es la celebración del amor de Dios, y la Iglesia es donde ocurre esa celebración.
Juan el Bautista nos pide que “preparemos el camino del Señor”. Semanalmente, nos preparamos dejando ir nuestros estilos de vida material y codicia para que podamos asistir a misa para preparar y celebrar la luz del mundo: nuestro Salvador. Durante el resto de la semana, espera-mos fuerza, un buen trabajo, estabilidad financiera, felicidad, etc. Si bien tales esperanzas no son pecaminosas, todas son finitas y frágiles; Pueden ir y venir en cualquier momento. En cambio, debemos priorizar nuestra fe en Dios. ¡Dios no es finito! ¡Dios no es frágil! Darle pri-oridad a Dios significa que debemos reconocer que dependemos de Dios para nuestra existencia. Dios es nuestra esperanza y nuestra luz desde el comienzo de cada día hasta el final. La vida diaria puede girar y girar en todas las direcciones. Solo la fe en Dios y la confianza en el Espíritu Santo nos dirigirán en la dirección correcta.
Dirigirse de la manera correcta significa volverse hacia Él y pensar en Nuestro Señor durante la temporada de Adviento. Cuando Juan el Bau-tista predicó en el desierto, muchas personas decidieron venir a escucharlo. Otras personas optaron por quedarse para el trabajo, el ocio y otras razones. Para aquellos que salieron a verlo y se arrepintieron, fueron bautizados y cambiaron sus vidas para siempre. La temporada de Adviento es un momento para que abandonemos nuestras vidas materiales. El Adviento es un momento para probar algo nuevo poniéndonos en un lugar que Dios pueda tocar y comunicarse con nosotros. El cambio milagroso solo requiere nuestra disposición y humildad para aceptar algo nuevo.
Nos esforzamos en preparar nuestros hogares para la temporada de Navidad porque queremos mostrar hospitalidad a nuestras familias e in-vitados. También necesitamos preparar nuestras almas. ¿Cuáles son los pensamientos y actitudes que hemos estado teniendo dentro de no-sotros durante años, que nos impiden buscar la gracia y el perdón de Dios? La negatividad y la arrogancia hacen que sea difícil para Dios vivir dentro de nosotros. Vayamos a Su celebración y preparémonos para Jesús llenando nuestros corazones con las oraciones diarias y las Sagradas Escrituras.
¡Dios bendiga!
P. Thai Le
A Message from Parish Sunday School
What does it mean to be “People of Advent?” Our stu-dents learned that Advent is a time when we look forward to the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel who is God-with-us. Jesus comes to be a human being with us, to live among us, to save us from our sins and to teach us how to love God and one an-other. Being “People of Advent” means being “People of Hope” because Jesus gives us the hope of eternal happiness with God so we look forward to and prepare for Jesus’ coming among us.
Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 Page 5
Please Pray for the Sick
CURRENT EVENTS
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS
Sunday Breakfast
Sponsored by
Join us for Breakfast in the Hall
The Proud Parents of STM’s Third Grade Students
Coffee and Donuts
Fr. Jeremiah O’Neill A George Astacio L Antonio Lipsun Brianna Ayestas M Danilo Magsino B Carla Baker Jean Miceli Harlene Breaux Cheryl Morten Steven Brown N Gloria Natividad Tod and Rose Marie Brown Mario Nieto C Rita Campanella John Ng Celia Carmona P Fernando Parra Erik M. Casillas R Ramon Ramos Joan Cervantes Virginia Reyes Leah Grace Cisneros Salvador Reynoso Lupe Cortez Laura Rico Rosalba Covarrubias Armando & Maria Rivera Catalina Cruz Domenic Rizzi Mary Louise Cruz Mike Romano D Julio Diaz S Mason Saldaña Jesus M. Dulay Francisco Sanchez F Donna Finochio Violeta Sangalang Louis Finochio Sisi Shum G Ramona Garcia Dylan Silva Ricardo Gutierrez Brian Soumakian Carolina Guzman T Jennies Tiu H James Householder V Walfrido Verendia I Selvia Inado Therese Huyen-Duong Thi Vu J Michael Jardes W Janny Wong Dennis James Johnson Jennifer Wong Gary Jones Maria Wong Vasquez L Andrea Leija Z Christine Zampese David Lindsey
Saturday, December 8, 2018 5:00PM Confirmation Mass/Class Church
Sunday, December 9, 2018 8:30AM -2PM Coffee & Donuts Hall
10:30AM -Noon Religious Education Classes School Monday, December 10, 2018
9:30AM Legion of Mary Ministry Center 7:00PM RCIA Class Ministry Center 7:30PM Youth Band Practice Church
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 9AM - 9:30AM Our Lady of Wisdom Prayer Group Church
7:00PM Grief Support Ministry Center 7:00PM English Choir Practice Church
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 9AM - 9:30AM Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Church
7:00PM No Bible Study Ministry Center Thursday, December 13, 2018
1PM-2PM Mission Circle Ministry Center 6:30PM-7:30PM Youth Nights Ministry Center
8PM-9PM Spanish Choir Practice Church Friday, December 14, 2018
9AM - 1PM Eucharistic Adoration Church Saturday, December 15, 2018
5:00PM Confirmation Mass/Class Church Sunday, December 16, 2018
8:30AM -2PM Coffee & Donuts Hall 10:30AM -Noon Religious Education Classes School
Saturday, December 08, 2018
8:30 AM Fr. Andrew Winny Ho† Carlos I. Estrada† No Confessions
5:00 PM Fr. Thai Patrick Yiu† Winny Ho†
Sunday, December 09, 2018 7:30 AM Fr. Ray Carmen Delgado† Teresita Gallardo† 9:00 AM Fr. Thai Pacita Bilog† Hong Lee Lai†
10:45 AM Fr. Thai Nidia Manrique† Rafael Garcia, Sr.† 12:30 PM Fr. Andrew Parishioners of STM
Monday, December 10, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Thai Felicidad Sumang Abuan†
Tuesday, December 11, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Ray Parishioners of STM
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Thai Rebecca Zamorano† 7:00 PM Fr. Thai Rebecca Zamorano†
Thursday, December 13, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Donovan Parishioners of STM
Friday, December 14, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Donovan Blanca Altamirano†
Saturday, December 15, 2018 8:30 AM Fr. Andrew Winny Ho†
No Confessions
5:00 PM Fr. Thai Patrick Yiu† Ann Grespan & Pastor Family
Sunday, December 16, 2018 7:30 AM Fr. Tha Teresita Gallardo† 9:00 AM Fr. Thai Manuel Payan†
10:45 AM Fr. Lorenzo Juan Garcia: Healing 12:30 PM Fr. Andrew Elfida Herrera†
