Holy Day of Obligation Schedule: Vigil: 7:00PM Holy Day: 8:15AM, 7:00PM
Devotions: Rosary & Divine Mercy after the 8:15AM daily Mass
Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Saturdays after the 8:15AM Mass
Meditation Chant Service First Wednesday at 7:30PM
Baptisms: Thank you for baptizing your child, please consider a saint’s name when naming your baby. By appointment only. Please contact the office.
Marriages: Engaged couples: Thank you for considering a Catholic Marriage blessed by God in the Holy Sacrament of Matri-mony. Six months of preparation is required by the Catho-lic Church. Please phone the office to schedule an ap-pointment 6 months prior to the proposed wedding date.
Welcome to Our Parish
Registering in a parish is a declaration of your desire to be a part of a Catholic community and a commitment to the life of the parish family. Being a registered parishion-er makes things easier when it is time for infant baptism, school registration, weddings, funerals, affidavits and when asked to be a baptismal or confirmation sponsor. We can only do this if you are a registered, active and contributing member in the parish. Please call, visit the office or go online to our website to register.
Prepare for the Sacraments
To Participate in Our Ministries Contact
Join Us In Worship
Second Sunday of Advent Page Three
Tweet From Pope Francis Faith becomes tangible when it finds its expres-sion in love and, especially, in the service of our brothers and sisters in difficulty. 12/4
St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Gift Appeal
This is the last weekend to pick up a tag from the Christmas trees in the Church. Each tag is marked with a child’s gender and
age or something needed by a local organization. Please take a tag and buy a gift or a gift card for some-one in need! Leave your gift, unwrapped and with the tag attached, either in the church near the tree or in the parish office no later than Wednesday, December 13th.
G reetings my good friends,
Last Sunday, Jesus challenged us all to ''be alert'' and ''watch'' for we don’t know the hour or the moment the Lord will enter our lives. Our Advent journey is all about watching, waiting, and changing for the good. Every year, we are challenged to repent of our sins, to make ourselves whole once again, and to be ready and prepared for the coming of the Lord into our lives. It is easy just to think about it, or even say, ''I am going to change today.'' But how often we fall back into our old habits and sin again! Why not, this year take action, do something concrete in your lives and change just one thing for the good. Rather than spending all your time reflecting on your failures, pick one and transform it into something beautiful and pleasing to God.
The Prophet Isaiah, in the first reading today, is encouraging the Israelites not to lose hope in God, that despite their sinfulness, the Lord has the power to forgive them of all their failures. God wants to be in good relations with all His people, despite their guilt and negative feelings, and the same is true for us. God is willing to fill in all our valleys of doubt and fear with forgiveness, respect, love, and truth. St. Peter tells us that God is very patient. He is the God that is willing to wait, ''not wishing that any should perish,'' (2 Peter 3:9) but He welcomes us into His arms when we repent of our sins. For our God, ''one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.'' (2 Peter 3:8)
Isaiah begins the reading today with those caring words of our God, ''Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) Never feel abandoned or rejected because of your sinfulness. Our God wants to pour out comfort upon us all, the very comfort which we all need in times of stress, loss, sadness, and rejection. Through the words of God, Isaiah comforted the Israelites in their exile and led them back to Jerusalem and their salvation.
In the same way, Isaiah's words come to life in the Gospel. The one whose voice cries out in the desert, preparing the Way of the Lord through repentance of one’s sins, is John the Baptizer, to whom we are introduced to today. His message is similar to that of Isaiah to the captive Israelites. We all have to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. John offered Baptism and forgiveness of sins. His task was to prepare the Way of the Lord, Jesus Christ, into our midst. His voice resounds in our hearts and minds today, challenging us to turn away from our sins, accept forgiveness, and follow in his path to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
''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.'' (Mark 1:7-8)
Jesus, Son of God, is here with us today as we celebrate the Holy Mass. His Holy Spirit is being poured out upon us because His comfort and concern for our well-being is paramount.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, why not be open to the power of forgiveness in your life. Maybe you need to ask for forgiveness from another, or forgive someone you are not at peace with. Just do it!
T hanks to the Knights of Columbus for organizing the Blood Drive. We had 17 parishioners
participate in this life saving activity. The Knights also did a beautiful job on the Christmas tree in the school yard. We had a beautiful tree lighting after the 5:00PM Mass last Saturday.
We are blessed to have so many cultures represented in this parish, and that they share their traditions with all of us. Consider attending the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, and the traditional Filipino celebration of
Simbang Gabi on December 16.
Please continue to pray for all the sick of the parish, especially those listed here in the bulletin. For those of you who are unemployed and looking for work, let us as a parish pray for more jobs. Remember miracles happen when we pray from the heart to our God.
Welcome to any visitors here this weekend, and to those of other faith traditions: you are all blessed in the eyes of God.
To all of you who are homebound, to those who live in other cities, to all our seniors, God bless you, and we all love you.
Love, Fr. Gerard
Senior Christmas Celebration & Sing Along
Sunday, December 10 2:00PM
Monsignor Crean Hall
Page Four WELCOME TO ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CHURCH December 10, 2017
Sign-in Now!
FORMED
FORMED, a revolutionary online plat-form, provides free access to the best
Catholic audio talks, movies, eBooks, and video-based studies from trusted providers. This is now available, on a trial basis, to our parishioners at no charge to them. Go to formed.org and register using the parish code WCPJRY.
LGBT Resources The Holy Family LGBT program provides a supportive environment for LGBT individuals, and their parents.
It meets at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena on Wednesday nights. Please call: (626) 792-1103
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bundle Sunday
December 10, from 8:00AM-1:30PM
Bring your usable clothing, furniture, books, small appliances and household goods to the
school parking lot. For larger items call (800)974-3571 or (323)224-6280 for free pick-up. Thank you!
Senior Boutique Sunday, December 10
Msgr. Crean Hall
Get your Christmas shopping started at the Senior Boutique of lovingly handmade items. Stop by be-tween 8:00AM and 11:00AM and find the perfect gift for each person on your list.
Rose Parade & Champagne Brunch
The Knights of Columbus will once again hold its annual New Year’s Champagne Brunch and Parade viewing on Monday, January 1,
2018. enjoy the Rose Parade in comfort and style. Tick-ets are available now!
Retirement Fund For Religious December 9-10
Across the United States, hundreds of religious communi-ties lack financial resources sufficient to meet the retire-ment and health-care needs of aging members.
Lack of Funds Many elder religious worked for years for small stipends, leaving a large gap in retirement savings. At the same time, fewer religious are able to serve in compensated ministry.
Rising Costs Like many Americans, religious communities face the monumental challenge of funding eldercare.
Please give generously -Thank You!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day Tuesday, December 12
Mass: 7:00PM
Reception follows in Msgr. Crean Hall
On December 12, 1531, the Virgin Mary ap-peared to Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin,
and asked him to gather flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill, which was normally barren, especially in December. Juan followed her instructions and he found Castilian roses, not native to Mexico, blooming there. The Virgin arranged the flowers in Juan's tilma, or cloak, and when Juan Diego opened his cloak before Archbishop Zumár-raga, the flowers fell to the floor, and on the fabric was the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Simbang Gabi Saturday, December 16
Mass: 6:30AM
Reception to follow in Msgr. Crean Hall
Please join the Filipino Community in cele-brating Simbang Gabi. Simbang Gabi origi-
nated in 1669, during the early days of Spanish rule over the Philippines as a practical compromise for farmers, who began work before sunrise to avoid the noonday heat out in the fields. Priests began to say Mass in the early mornings instead of the evening novenas more common in the rest of the Hispanic world. This cher-ished Christmas custom eventually became a distinct feature of Philippine culture and became a symbol of sharing.
Christmas Poinsettias
The Environment Committee would appreciate donations of red and white poinsettia plants in honor of your loved ones. Various sizes are needed and appreciated. Please leave them in the Baptistery area on the weekend of December 23-24.
PLEASE GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO OUR NEW RCIA MEMBERS:
Susan Montgomery and Cynthia Kim Dooley! Last Sunday at the 9 am Mass, Susan was accepted as a Cate-
chumen and Cynthia as a Candidate for the Full Com-munion of the Catholic Church. Our newest member, Mindy Mc Crillis, hopes to go through the Rite of Wel-come in the coming months.
Second Sunday of Advent Page Five
Joy Jordanne Lopez Yvonne Lonero Alex Martinez James McCarthy George McDonnell Anita Mendez Vera Mercurio Ed Miller Kaye Miller Angela Moguel Hermenegildo Moguel, Jr. Joaquin Montalván Tim Murphy Juanita Nacu Victor Nunez Mary Crean O’Brien Diana Perez Jack Pidgeon Rose Mary Hanson Posey Diane Price Gil Ramirez Michael Rufo Esteban Sanchez Raul Sanchez Meilani Sandan Bernice Santillan Luz Saucedo James Smith Jordan Strong Trevor Thomson Mary Coombes Trisler Mary Tracy Morgan Underwood Joe Valenzuela Tom & Susan Watson Raquel Zamora
...Those Who Have Died
Jeanette Acosta David Beaubien Nayiri Bedrossian Gustavo Beltran Lori Berberian Christopher Berubè Pacita Bilog Ron Brenner Macrine Brown Estella Calimag Ryan Carrasco Dominique Caton Rhia Chung Allie Clark Patrick Cronin Amy Denila Terri David Pablo De Leon Anthony Deloso Barbara Dimick Louise Dockey Irene Dungo Tom Feeney Mary Ferguson Peter Gadd Martha Gibbs Monica Gonzales Helen Green The Grimm Family Ed Grohe Marie DeMarco Grotewiel Eva Guerra Father Roddy Guerrini Alice Guizot Pearl Haggins Delphine Haze Arthur Hintz Jolene Hoffman Holcomb Family Valerie Joen Wally Johnson Norma Jugo Howard Kim Baby Morgan Klotz The Kronnen Family Joyce Lannin
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…” (2 Peter 3:10)
Advent is a time of preparation. Is your estate plan prepared?
For information on how to include Assumption in your estate plan,
We invite all parishioners to come and see the outstanding life of faith and learning at your parish school. Bring family and friends to our annual Open House on Sunday, January 28, from 10:00AM to 12:30 PM. This is a great day for past, present and future school families to come together to celebrate the bless-ings of Assumption School and to experience our dynam-ic Catholic school environment.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 28th. We look forward to seeing you!
Follow us on Twitter. twitter.com/abvmpasadena
Check out the school webpage for admission information and dates and times of school tours: school.abvmpasadena.org/admissions/
Women’s Retreat: March 2-4, 2018 Save this weekend to refresh and enrich
your Lenten journey.
Sacred Heart Retreat House, Alhambra Experience a weekend of — Prayer • Silence • Reflection
Our retreat theme is “Streams of Grace and Mercy”. This theme is so rich in connecting with our Lord that the Retreat team wanted to continue it for another year. I encourage you to reserve your room early in January or even now!
For Information contact: Cheryl Harlow: Contact is easiest thru email/text: [email protected] or call my home land line: 626/794-7813 (no texting)
Christine O'Brien: Email/text: [email protected] or cell phone/text (213) 952-2821
PLEASE PRAY FOR…
Page Six WELCOME TO ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CHURCH December 10, 2017
Faith Formation News Society of St. Vincent de Paul Assumption Conference
This is the last weekend the Christmas gift giving trees will be up in the church. Please be sure to return your gift by
Wednesday, December 13, so we have time to sort and distribute them before Christmas. This year we are sup-porting:
• Assumption parish and school families • St. Vincent de Paul Friends-in-Need • Hispanic American Airborne Association children • Norma Coombs school children (Across the street
from the church) • Professional Child Development Associates of Pasa-
dena • Reading Partners Pasadena • Sacred Heart, Altadena parish families • Our Lady of Victory, Los Angeles parish families
The birth of Jesus has changed our world. We have been called to wait and watch for the last few weeks. Although we have had some time to ponder the meaning of Jesus’ birth, it will be here soon whether we are ready or not. How can we make the traditional and practical preparations for the coming Christmas holiday experienc-es of “grace”? Who are the “prophets” among us who proclaim the presence of God in our midst?
If you know someone who needs assistance, please refer them to our hotline: (626)657-0836. If you would like to make a monetary donation to be used in helping those in need, please use the Assumption-SSVdP tan envelope provided in the pew. Remember too, 100% of your dona-tion serves the needy and the poor.
Faith Formation & Teen Confirmation
Faith Formation: Sunday, December 10
9:00AM-Class 9:00AM Parent Session-MMA
11:00AM Faith Formation Family Mass-Church
Sunday, December 17 9:00AM-Class
9:00AM-Pre-K Christmas Party-MMA
Teen Confirmation: Monday, December 11-7:00PM-Year I
Monday, December 18, -7:00PM-Year II
Gifts and Caroling for Two Palms Residents
We will be wrapping special presents for the residents of Two Palms Nursing Center. The Holiday cheer doesn’t stop there! We’re bringing the festivities to Two Palms as we go Christmas carol-ing on December 16th from 10:00 to
12:00pm. All parents and siblings are welcome to join us!
For Local Immigration Resources: Visit :http://thenextamerica.org/
The Archdiocese has created a website with information and resources for those interested in the issue, and for those who need help. Visit :http://thenextamerica.org/
Ministry Schedule December 16-17
5PM Sat Lectors:
K. Lund M. Lund
EM E. Franco P. Franco B. Gregg K. Holtz D. Norton T. Lauerman M. Pupo
7:30AM Lectors:
G. Williams N. Williams
EM J/M. Feser R. Vasquez D. Polchow J. Clyde R. Henry L. Garcia P. Walker
9:00AM Lectors:
C. Benitez D. Benitez
EM V. Garciano P. Stork S. Stork M. De George M. Conway J. Casares E. Vidimos
11:00AMLectors:
P. Au L. Paszkie-wicz
EM C. Merino C. Rios C. Jacobs J. Gatti M. Serafin B. Deriada A. Au
5:00PM Lectors:
M. Divic W. Haggins
EM T. Auzenne C. Cruz S. Mason W. Ligutom J. Mangubat M. Soriano G. Ronquillo
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers: If you see that there are not enough Eucharistic Ministers at a Mass you attend (there should be seven), please step-up and volunteer!
Young Adult Ministry
Are you looking to get more involved in the par-ish? Yearning for com-munity? Or know a young adult, especially one coming back for the holidays? Come check out our community, we meet every Wednes-day at 7pm in the Com-
munity Center! We especially want to invite young adults to our Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 27 at 7pm in Msgr. Crean Hall.
Calendar of Events Sunday, December 10 Retirement Fund For Religious Collection Coffee & Donuts-MCH-Cub Scouts Senior Boutique-MCH Bundle Sunday-School Parking Lot 9:00AM Faith Formation Classes-Various Rooms 9:00AM Parent Session-MMA 11:00AM Faith Formation Family Mass-Church Monday, December 11 5:45PM Girl Scout Troop 15211-CC/LR 6:00PM Girl Scout Troop 6151-MCH 7:00PM Confirmation Year I-Various Rooms 7:00PM Intercessory Prayer Group-Church Tuesday, December 12 9:00AM Senior Group-CC/LR 10:00AM Mary, A Biblical Walk ...Rectory/Upstairs 5:30PM Girl Scout Troop 5001-3rd Grade Classroom 7:00PM Cub Scouts-MMA 8:00PM Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration-MCH Wednesday, December 13 7:00PM ABVM Young Adult Ministry-CC/LR 7:00PM Knights of Columbus Meeting-MCH 7:30PM Boy Scout Troop 31-MMA Thursday, December 14 9:00AM Senior Group-CC/LR 6:00PM Girl Scout Troop 6251-MMA 7:00PM RCIA-Rectory/Upstairs 7:00PM Society of St. Vincent de Paul Meeting-MCH Friday, December 15
Saturday, December 16 6:30PM Simbang Gabi Mass-Church Sunday, December 17 Coffee & Donuts-MCH-5th Grade Class 9:00AM School Family Mass-5th Grade-Church 9:00AM Faith Formation Classes-Various Rooms 9:00AM Faith Formation PreK Christmas-MMA 1:30PM Baptism-Wilcox-Church
CC-Community Center MCH-Msgr. Crean Hall MMA-Msgr. Moretti Auditorium
abvmpasadena.org
WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE and INTENTIONS Saturday, December 9 5:00PM Roberto Diokno, R.I.P. Sunday, December 10 Second Sunday of Advent 7:30AM For the People 9:00AM Mary Aguilar, R.I.P. Ron Ross, R.I.P. Josephine & Hermann Zimmerl, R.I.P. Kathy Valentine, R.I.P. 11:00AM Jeanette Acosta, Health Intention 5:00PM For the Fire Victims Monday, December 11 St. Damasus I-384-Early Pope 8:15AM John Tromba, R.I.P. Tuesday, December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe-Patron of Americas 8:15AM Tim Tregarthen-Birthday Blessings Wednesday, December 13 St. Lucy-304-Patron of Eye Diseases 8:15AM Lourdes Caballa, R.I.P. Thursday, December 14 St. John of the Cross-1591-”Mystical Doctor” 8:15AM Communion Service Friday, December 15 8:15AM Consolacion Santos, R.I.P. Ricardo Machon, Sr. R.I.P. Saturday, December 16 6:30AM Michael Mina, R.I.P. 8:15AM Floren & Desiree Giessinger, R.I.P.
Today’s Readings
Isaiah 40:1-11 2 Peter 3:8-14
Mark 1:1-8
Next Sunday’s Readings
Isaiah 61:1-11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-28
Priest & Musician Mass Schedule for Next Week
Saturday, December 16 5:00PM...Fr. Denis Maher (Trevor Thomson) Sunday, December 17 7:30AM…Fr. Gerard (Gabriel Reyes) 9:00AM...Fr. Gerard (Lesh Group) 11:00AM…Fr. Meissen (Ralph Mohutsky) 5:00PM…Fr. Alan (Trevor Thomson)
DID YOU KNOW? Practice situational awareness as part of your holiday travel plans At Christmastime, families come together to spend this blessed season surrounded by their loved ones, and for many families, this involves some travel. Parents with young children who are hitting the roads or the airways should be practicing situational awareness to ensure their children’s safety. Situational awareness means staying alert and knowing what is going on around you. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and know where your family members are at all times. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by your phone or other electronics—it only takes a minute for a child to disappear from your eyesight. For more holiday travel tips, visit http://www.catholic.org/travel/story.
Christmas Schedule Change
“The Nativity of the Lord Mass During the Night” will begin at 11:00PM
