8700 Bradshaw Road Elk Grove, CA 95624 916-647-4538 Tel 916-647-4539 Fax www.smgcc.net Pastor - Fr. Sylvester Kwiatkowski [email protected]Parish Deacon - Deacon Gary Brys [email protected]Business Manager - Angela Robertson [email protected]Religious Education (CFF) - Sr. Rosabel Sare, [email protected]Youth & Young Adult Coord. - Andrea Vasquez Tejada [email protected]Parish Pastoral Council - Linda Dublin council-[email protected]Finance Council - Felipe Martin finance-[email protected]Liturgy - Deacon Gary Brys [email protected]Stewardship - Ray Patron [email protected]Capital Campaign - Gil Albiani [email protected]Parish Center & Office Weekend Masses: Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. Weekday Masses: Monday & Tuesday 7:00 a.m. Wednesday & Friday 7:00 p.m. First Friday (monthly): 7:00 p.m. Mass, Holy Hour & Benediction. SACRAMENTS: Reconciliation - Saturday at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday by appointment only. Baptism - Call the office at 916-647-4538 to schedule an appointment with Father before a date of baptism can be scheduled; and obtain information, preparation of necessary documents. Marriage - Engaged couples must contact the office to setup an appointment with the pastor to begin preparation of necessary documents at least 6 months prior to the wedding date. Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Sick & Homebound - Please call the office at 916-647-4538 to receive the above sacraments. LITURGICAL SCHEDULE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 15, 2019 PARISH REGISTRATION AND CHANGE IN CONTACT INFO We welcome new families to our Parish. Upon receipt of this form, we will mail you the parish registra- tion form to complete. You may place it in the offertory basket or mail to: St. Maria Goretti Parish Center 8700 Bradshaw Road Elk Grove, CA 95624 Or you may fax it to 916-647-4539 12/15/2019 New to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church Community Recently moved or changed phone number / email Name: ____________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________ City: _________________________________ Zip: ______________ Phone: ___________________ Email: ___________________________ MISSION STATEMENT "We the People of St. Maria Goretti Parish, are called by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God through prayer, praise, sacraments, and education in order to share the message of love, justice, forgiveness in service to all, and to build the Church." STEWARDSHIP PRAYER Praised are you, O God, our loving creator and giver of all good gifts. Bless our parish, strengthen our faith, and grant us the spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give generously of our time, talent, and treasure in worship and prayer, and in spreading Your kingdom here in our Church and throughout the world. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
First Friday (monthly): 7:00 p.m. Mass, Holy Hour & Benediction.
SACRAMENTS: Reconciliation - Saturday at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday by appointment only.
Baptism - Call the office at 916-647-4538 to schedule an appointment with Father before a date of baptism can be scheduled; and obtain information, preparation of necessary documents.
Marriage - Engaged couples must contact the office to setup an appointment with the pastor to begin preparation of necessary documents at least 6 months prior to the wedding date.
Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Sick & Homebound - Please call the office at 916-647-4538 to receive the above sacraments.
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 15, 2019
PARISH REGISTRATION AND CHANGE IN CONTACT INFO
We welcome new families to our Parish. Upon receipt of this form, we will mail you the parish registra-tion form to complete. You may place it in the offertory basket or mail to:
St. Maria Goretti Parish Center 8700 Bradshaw Road Elk Grove, CA 95624
Or you may fax it to
916-647-4539
12/15/2019
New to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church Community Recently moved or changed phone number / email
"We the People of St. Maria Goretti Parish, are called by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God through prayer, praise, sacraments, and education in order to share the message of love, justice, forgiveness in service to all, and to build the Church."
"They shall obtain joy and gladness" Matthew 11:2-11
Dear Parishioners, On December 14
th, I am celebrating
the 30th anniversary of my arrival in
Belarus, Soviet Union to my new assignment and parish. After 2 months of intensive training with my pastor (who was ordained underground) I was able to
learn how to work under extreme circumstances including learning their language, which is different from the Russian I had learned. I didn’t know when I arrived that I would soon be pastor of 4 parishes. Here I was, 28 years old and only 6 months after my ordination! However, great joy came to the town because the people will now have Christmas with a priest for the first time since 1961. I am very happy our Penance Service last Tuesday evening was so well attended. I want to say thank you to Deacon Gary for his “directing traffic,” our musicians who prepared beautiful contemplative music, to all my fellow priests who were able to hear confessions and the parish ladies who prepared such a great dinner for the priests. I am aware that not everyone was able to attend the Penance Service because of personal circumstances. For this reason, I would like to invite you to ADDITIONAL HOURS FOR CONFESSION ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20
th FROM 4 to 6 PM.
On Friday, December 20
th, we will have a special
celebrant for the Simbang Gabi Holy Mass at 5:30AM. Bishop Jaime Soto will be here to celebrate with us. Joyful Sunday: The Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. The word “gaudete” is derived from the Latin word “gaudium,” joy and “gaudeo,” to rejoice or be glad. Gaudete Sunday occurs eight to thirteen days before Christmas and the nearness of this major feast is reason for great joy. Joyful Color: Rose represents joy and maybe used as the liturgical color for Gaudete Sunday. Violet remains the official color for the Season of Advent, the Third Sunday included because all of Advent has a penitential tone, a time of conversation, reparation and forgiveness. Gaudete Sunday offers a one-day respite to look ahead to the joyful celebration of the Nativity.
God bless you, Fr. Sylvester
Personal Notes:
There is somebody using my name sending emails asking for Gift Card —IT IS NOT ME, it is a scam.
During the Advent Season, I cannot accept any form of sweet baked goods or candies. I can, however, accept your prayers for my intentions.
TODAY — Sunday, December 15th
Parish Breakfast - $6.00per person NEW $15 for the Family (Immediate)
8:30 AM Until Noon
Menu: Pancakes / Scrambled Eggs / Sausage Orange Juice / Coffee and Fellowship
NEW: Chocolate Chip Pancakes for kids
Sponsored by Knights of Columbus - - - - - -
Blood Pressure Clinic
TIME: After 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses WHERE: Parish Office
The health ministry focuses on health promotion and disease
prevention, while living and teaching the values of our Catholic Faith.
We commit our health and educational activities that will strive to
enhance the wellbeing of body, mind, and spirit of parishioners and the
surrounding community.
Christmas Schedule at St. Maria Goretti
Simbang Gabi / Misa de Gallo
Mon December 16-24 5:30 a.m. Holy Mass
Additional Confession Hours
Fri December 20 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Parish Concert & Sing-Along
Sun December 22 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Mass Celebrations
Tues December 24 5:00 p.m. Family Mass & Children’s Pageant
7:30 p.m. Youth Choir
10:00 p.m. Holy Mass (Vigil)
Wed December 25 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass
10:00 a.m. Holy Mass
End of Year Thanksgiving Mass
Tues December 31 12 :00 Noon Holy Mass, Exposition
of The Blessed Sacrament & Rosary
New Year’s Day
Wed January 1, 2020 10:00 a.m. Holy Mass
SIMBANG GABI 2019 (Misa de Gallo)
Looking for a special way to “prepare the way for the Lord” this Christmas? Join your parish family as we celebrate the next nine days in honor of the nine months that our Blessed Virgin Mary carried our Savior Jesus Christ in her immaculate womb.
DECEMBER 16-24 Rosary starts at 5:00 a.m.
Novena prayer at 5:20 a.m. Mass at 5:30 a.m.
Fellowship and breakfast follow after mass
To donate food/supplies, please contact Maria Marquez at (916) 479-3452
Third Week of Advent Time
Sunday, December 15th
Is 35:1-6A, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mat 11:2-11
Monday, December 16th
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17A; Ps 25:4-5AB, 6 and 7BC, 8-9; Mat 21:23-27
Tuesday, December 17th
Gen 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4AB, 7-8, 17; Mat 1:1-17
Wednesday, December 18th Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mat 1:18-25
Fri. Dec 20 5:30 a.m. Holy Mass, Simbang Gabi/ Misa de Gallo 4 pm-6 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation 7:00 p.m. Holy Mass
Sat. Dec 21 5:30 a.m. Holy Mass, Simbang Gabi/ Misa de Gallo 3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation (One Hour Only) 5:00 p.m. Holy Mass
FORMED
Everybody knows the story of Santa Claus, the red – suited figure who lives at the North Pole and distributes gifts to good children every Christmas Eve. But is there any histori-cal evidence on which this jolly old character is based? Was there a real Santa Claus? In Saint Nicholas: The Real Story, distinguished historian and archaeologist, Mark Wilson answers these questions. Kids will enjoy Nicolas: The Boy Who Became Santa availa-ble at formed.org.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Busy / Stressed / Need a break? Stop by the Adoration Chapel
Simply rest in the Presence of Jesus. He will refresh you!
The Chapel is open every day
RESPECT LIFE CORNER
Advent is a joyful anticipation in the finals days of Mary”s “unplanned” pregnancy and our vigil awaiting the Lord”s return in glory. Our liturgical readings sequentially lead us to Christ’s birth. We hear about miraculous conceptions in the lives of Elizabeth and Mary and the joy of John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth’s womb. We see statues of Joseph leading the pregnant Mary on a donkey to Bethlehem. In these days of Advent, the whole world awaits the birth of an infant, who will take away the sins of the world. We journey with the pregnant Mary and await the day the prophets foretold. Our liturgical observance conveys a subtle pro-life message as we wait with expectation. As we live these Advent days, be sure to celebrate life!
For the sick: Almighty and Eternal God, You are the everlasting health of those who believe in You. Hear us for Your sick servant for whom we implore the aid of Your tender mercy, that being restored to bodily health, may they give thanks to You in Your Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Ellen Vlastelin, Johnny Dell, Louie Contreras, Ron Suter
For the dead: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Fr. Terry Fulton and James Hesterworth
NOTE: submit names on a month-by-month basis by calling the Parish Office at 916-647-4538 no later than the last Monday of each month.
MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE
Online giving gift contribution transfers expediently/securely from your bank or credit card account directly to the parish. You manage your account conveniently at any time. You can set up your account. Online Giving by completing the
VALLEY ARBOR CARE, INC. Tree trimming, removal, stump
Filipino-American Bakery Mon.-Sat.: 6 am - 8 pm Sunday: 6 am - 6 pm
9015 Bruceville Rd. Suite 120 Elk Grove, CA 95758
916-627-2993, FAX 583-7376
the FLOWER SHOP
Flowers for every occasion!
Vanessa Truong 916-956-4647
FREE DELIVERY OVER $100
6880 65th Street, #20 Sacramento, CA 95828
www.sacflower.com
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP
“You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)
Patience is another one of those things many of us struggle with. We want things to go according to our plan and our schedule. Any change brings anxiety and fear. Through dai-ly prayer we better align ourselves with God’s will and His plan, which is far better than anything we can come up with on our own.
CATHOLIC FUNERAL & CEMETERY SERVICES of the Diocese of Sacramento
Plan Your Pre Need Services with the Diocese of Sacramento starting at less than $99 a month.
Caring for Families in Our Community
St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center FD2263
6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820 916-452-4831
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CORNER
Officers’ meeting every first Tuesday. General meeting every third Tuesday.
Grand Knight: Sam Cole, phone: 916-587-8787 or e-mail: [email protected]. CHILDREN’S COAT DRIVE - It’s that time of year to collect gently used Children’s coats, or if you feel it in your heart, purchase new ones. Coats are collected every week in designated barrels in the Parish Center.
ATTORNEY AT LAW CBN 272776 Free Initial Consultation
Stay connected with St. Maria Goretti parish by downloading the “myParish” app using the video at https://vimeo.com/219570148. It is as simple as texting ‘App to
88202’ or come into the Parish Office for assistance.
