CHURCH FR. MICHAEL ROCHA (Pastor) OF SAINT FR. FRANCISCO A. GARCIA (Associate Pastor) MARK DEACON JOSEPH GIRARD

940 Coeur d’Alene Ave., Venice, CA 90291 (310) 821-5058 FAX (310) 821-7031 E-mail:info@st-mark.net · website:www.st-mark.net

Parish Staff Maintenance/Mgr. Antonio Rodriguez ...... 821-5058 Rectory Care Sandra Perez .............. 821-5058 Rec./Church Care Catalina Blasi .............. 821-5058 Secretary Gabriela Bravo ............ 821-5058 Secretary Blanca Meza ............... 821-5058 Liturgy Altar Servers Joan Horne.................. 463-9017 Altar Society Chris Putziger.............. 396-3265 Eucharistic Ministry: To the Sick (Eng) Fr. Francisco Garcia ... 821-5058 To the Sick (Esp) Romeo Santos ............ 973-4129 In Church Mary Ann Welchhance 821-6612 Joan Horne……………463-9017 Ministry of the Word English Terri Ong ..................... 560-0979 Spanish Erick Yela .................... 463-9080 Wedding Coord. Gabriela Bravo ............ 821-5058 Quinceañera Coord. Gabriela Bravo ............ 821-5058 Music Music Director Maeve Cummings ....... 902-0109 Adult Choir Valerie Vinnard ... 323-804-7720 Spanish Choir Alex Venegas ...... 213-675-0564 Organist/Pianist Mark Balling……..310-478-8836 Greeter Cherry Lappin ............. 821-5058 Ushers Steve Gunning (Eng) .. 906-9035 Parish School Principal Mary Ann McQueen .... 821-6612 Secretary Mary Ann Welchhance 821-6612 Secretary Maria Donaldson……...821-6612 Religious Education Director Judy Girard…..822-1201 ext 249 Office Secretary Maria Acosta...822-1201 ext 250 Confirmation George Martin.822-1201 ext 248 R.C.I.A. Susan Lewis…822-1201 ext 247 Parish Organization Bereavement Ministry Fritz Hirt ................. 765-3772 wk .............................. 827-1585 hm Guadalupanas Isaias Flores ................ 391-5085 Knights of Columbus Lupe Garcia................. 505-3990 Power House of Prayer Barbara Kennedy ........ 823-9387 Prayer Group (Esp) Javier Hernandez ........ 735-7013 Legion of Mary Lorene Ross……...…..306-2796 Cursillo Group George & Frances Martin ........... .................................... 572-1242 Youth Ministry Youth Ministry (Eng) .................................... 822-1201 Youth Ministry (Spa) Fabiola Andrade……...945-6044

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Closed 12:00pm - 1:00pm Sunday Masses: Saturday (Vigil) 5:30 pm Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am 12 noon (Spanish) & 5:30 pm Daily Masses: Monday - Saturday 8:00 am Holy Day Masses: 8:00am, 12:15pm & and 7:00pm (Bilingual) Eucharistic First Monday of the month Adoration : 8:30am to 8:30pm Confessions: Saturday 4:30 - 5:15 pm Baptism: 3rd weekend of each month. Contact 821-5058 Marriage: 6 months notice is required. Contact 821-5058 for an appointment. Anointing of Sacrament for the sick is The Sick: celebrated upon request. Contact 821-5058 Holy Eucharistic Communion is given upon request. for the Sick: Contact 821-5058

2nd Sunday of Advent Saint Mark Church December 8, 2013

Pastor’s Corner

On this 2nd Sunday of Advent we are a little closer to Christmas. There will be many events happening in the days ahead here at St. Mark’s to which you are invited, namely: December 12th: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe 7pm Mass with Mariachi Music. Reception in hall to follow. December 15th: Filipino celebration of “Simbang Gabi” at the 5:30pm Mass. Reception in hall to follow. December 16th: Advent Penance Service. 7:00pm. December 21st: Christmas Concert 7:00pm Please mark your calendars. You have been officially invited to all of these celebrations. A couple of weeks ago I concluded my “State of the Par-ish” address with the announcement that my term as your Pastor would be coming to an conclusion at the end of June 2014. Even though I had already made it know to numerous parishioners some were “shocked, saddened and disappointed” by this announcement and left with many questions. I will try to answer your questions now. Shortly after Cardinal Mahony became the Archbishop in 1985, upon the recommendation of the Priest Council, he imple-mented the policy that new Pastors would be given terms. A pastor is given a term of 6 years with a possible second term of 6 years. I am completing my second term of 6 years and thus I am termed out after 12 years. At the conclusion of 12 years, and if the pastor is under 65 years of age (I am under 65 years of age thank you very much), then he must move. A pastor over 65 years of age is allowed to remain pastor until he retires at age 75. I must now go through the Archdiocesan process for a new assignment. Presently all priests who are termed out, priests who might wish to become a pastor, pastors who simply wish to go to a different parish will shortly be receiving a list of “Parish Openings.” There will also be parishes listed where the present pastor is retiring. Once the list has been posted all interested priests, including myself, will review that list and then request profiles of parishes where we might be interested in becoming the pastor of that community. We are allowed to submit 3 preferences to the Priest Personnel Board. Prior to making a decision representatives from the Priest Personnel Board will hold a “hearing” in the parish that will be receiving a new pastor. The purpose of the hearing is to allow parishioners to express their hopes and needs for their parish and the parish’s future pastor. The hearing is not to complain about the old pastor. In the past Personnel Board members have stated that most parishioners are practically asking for Jesus to be their new pastor. I am presently waiting for the list of available parishes to be posted where there is an opening for a new pastor. The process is challenging and emotional. It is not easy to leave a community where you have shared in the lives of people for many years. It was difficult enough to leave my former assignments where I had been the Associate Pastor. I am not looking forward to the day I will have to leave my first assignment as a Pastor, namely, St. Mark’s. Please pray for me.

Father Michael Rocha

FROM OUR PASTOR

La Esquina del Párroco En este segundo domingo de Adviento, estamos un poco más cerca de Navidad. En los próximos días en San Marcos habrá muchos eventos a los que ustedes están invitados: Diciembre 12: Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Misa a las 7.00pm con música de Mariachi. Habrá una recepción en el Salón Parroquial después de la Misa. Diciembre 15: Celebración Filipina de"Simbang Gabi" en la Misa de 530pm. Habrá una recepción en e Salón Parroquial después de la Misa. Diciembre 16: Servicio Penitencial de Adviento a las7:00 Diciembre 21: Concierto Navideño a las 7.00pm Por favor marquen sus calendarios. Han sido invitados ofi-cialmente a todas estas celebraciones. Un par de semanas atrás termine mi "Estado de la Parro-quia" con el anuncio que mi mandato como su Pastor esta llegando a su termino al final de junio 2014. Aunque ya se lo había hecho saber a numerosos feligreses algunos estaban "sorprendidos, tristes y decep-cionados" por este anuncio y los dejo con muchas preguntas. Voy a intentar responder a sus preguntas. Poco después de que el Cardenal Mahony fue nombrado Arzobispo en 1985, por recomendación del Consejo de Sacerdotes, el implementó la política que se concedería a los pastores nuevos términos. A un pastor se le da un plazo de 6 años con un posible segundo mandato de 6 años. Yo estoy terminando mi segundo mandato de seis años y por lo tanto yo estoy completando mis 12 años. Al término de 12 años, y si el pastor es menor de 65 años de edad (yo soy menor de 65 años de edad, muchas gracias), entonces se debe mover. A un pastor de más de 65 años de edad se le permite seguir siendo pastor hasta que se retira a los 75 años. Ahora debo ir a través del proceso Arquidiocesano para una nueva misión. Actualmente todos los sacerdotes que finalizan su tér-mino, los sacerdotes que deseen ser pastores o a los pastores que sim-plemente desean ir a una parroquia diferente pronto recibirán una lista de "Parroquias que tienen Vacantes". También habrá listas de los pas-tores que se retiran. Una vez que la lista se ha publicado todos los sacerdotes interesados, incluyéndome a mí, revisarán la lista y luego solicitar perfiles de parroquias que esten interesados en ser pastores de esa comunidad. Nos permiten presentar 3 preferencias a la Junta de Personal de Sacerdotes. Antes de tomar una decisión representantes de la Junta de Personal de Sacerdotes tendrán una "audiencia" en la pa-rroquia que recibirá a un nuevo pastor. El propósito de la audiencia es permitir a los feligreses expresar sus esperanzas y necesidades de su parroquia y del futuro pastor de la parroquia. La audiencia no es para quejarse del pastor que se va. En el pasado los miembros de la Junta de Personal miembros han dicho que la mayoría de los feligreses pi-den prácticamente que Jesús a sea su nuevo pastor. Actualmente estoy esperando la lista de las parroquias dis-ponibles donde hay una vacante para un nuevo pastor sea publicada. El proceso es desafiante y emocional. No es fácil salir de una comuni-dad donde usted ha compartido en las vidas de la gente durante mu-chos años. Fue bastante difícil dejar mis trabajos anteriores donde había estado de Pastor asociado. No estoy mirando al día en que voy a tener que dejar mi primera parroquia como Pastor, a saber, San Mar-cos. Por favor oren por mí.

Padre Michael Rocha

2nd Sunday of Advent Saint Mark Church December 8, 2013

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

SPIRITUAL LIFE SPIRITUAL LIFE

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

LEGION OF MARY Are you striving towards holiness and spiritual growth? Join the Legion of Mary on Tuesday’s at 7:00pm in the school. For information call: Lorene Ross at 310-306-2796

VISITS TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND If you or anyone you know is in need of receiving the sacra-ment of the anointing of the sick or is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion please call the rectory to schedule at 310-821-5058.

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 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: 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 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: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

Lunes: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Ef 1:3-6, 11 -12; Lc 1:26-38 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Is 40:25-31; Sal 103 (102):1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Jueves: Zac 2:14-17 o Apo 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-38 o Lc 1:39- 47, o cualquier lectura del Común de Santa María Virgen. Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Sal 80 (79): 2ac, 3b, 15- 16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Domingo: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Sal 146 (145):6-10; Stgo 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Start your Christmas season with an evening of great music at St. Mark’s Church. The 10:30 a.m. Adult choir will be presenting a Christmas concert in the church on Saturday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m. Take a break from Christmas shopping and delight in the beautiful sounds of the season! Sing along to some of your favorite Christmas carols and enjoy the musical talent of our wonderful choir. Donations are welcome.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS A parishioner writes, “As a Catholic school student from grades K-12, I was formed to be the person I am by many religious brothers and sisters, and I am forever grateful.” Show your thanks for the senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who made a positive difference in so many lives. Please give generously to this week’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious.

FONDO PARA LA JUBILACION DE RELIGIOSOS Uno de los feligreses escribe, “Como estudiante católico entre los grados K a 12, fui formado por muchos hermanas y her-manos religiosos para ser la persona que soy, y estaré agrade-cido para siempre.” Muestre su agradecimiento a las herma-nas, hermanos y sacerdotes de ordenes religiosos quienes marcaron la diferencia en tantas vidas. Sea generoso en su donativo a la colecta de esta semana para el Fondo para la jubilación de Religiosos.

Dec 7 5:30pm Gracie Garcian Dec 8 7:30am William Rock † 9:00am Virginia Romo 10:30am People of the Parish 12:00pm Andrea Herrera † 5:30pm Steven Ridgeway † Dec 9 8:00am Tammy R. Smith Dec 10 8:00am Ryan Kain † Dec 11 8:00am Tammy R. Smith Dec 12 8:00am Tammy R. Smith † Dec 13 8:00am Maurice DuBois † Dec 14 8:00am Tammy R. Smith

Sat, Dec 14 5:30pm Msgr. John Morales Sun, Dec 15 7:30am Fr. Tom King 9:00am Fr. Michael 10:30am Msgr. John Morales 12:00pm Fr. Altuna 5:30pm Fr. Michael

2nd Sunday of Advent Saint Mark Church December 8, 2013

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-10). Psalm — Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever (Psalm 72). Second Reading — Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you (Romans 15:4-9). Gospel — Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near (Matthew 3:1-12).

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — Brotará un retoño del tronco de Jesé. Juzgará a los pobres con justicia y herirá al violento con el látigo de su boca (Isaías 11:1-10). Salmo — Que en sus días florezca la justicia y la paz abunde eternamente (Salmo 72 [71]). Segunda lectura — Vivan en perfecta armonía unos con otros. Por lo tanto, acójanse los unos a los otros como Cristo los acogió a ustedes, tanto circuncidados como gentiles (Romanos 15:4-9). Evangelio — Juan Bautista predica, “Arrepiéntanse, porque el reino de los cielos está cerca” (Mateo 3:1-12).

This Week at St. Mark’s Dec. 9 - Dec 15, 2013 Mon. Meditation & Gentle Stretching 6:30pm - School Please Call to Reserve (310)822-1201 Bible Study 7:00pm - School Spanish Leaders 7:00pm - School Tues. Jr Hi RE 6:30 PM - School Legion of Mary Eng & Sp 7:00pm - School Communion & Liberation 7:00pm - Hall Wed. Choir Rehearsal 7:00pm - Church Thurs. Bible Study 11:00am - RE Office Meditation & Gentle Stretching 6:30pm - School Spanish Youth Group 7:00pm - Hall Spanish Prayer Group 7:00pm - Church Fri. 8:00am Mass Sat. 8:00am Mass Sun. 3rd Sunday of Advent Early Childhood 9:00am Children’s Liturgy 9:00am

An Advent Evening The St. Mark RCIA team has planned a special evening of prayer, reflection and hospitality for this Wednesday evening December 11 in the school. Come, bring a friend, make new friends. The evening will begin with a light supper and des-serts at 6:30pm. All are welcome. Adult Confirmation Registration for adults who wish to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation continues through December 17. Please call the Religious Education Office for information at 310-822-1201. Rite of Welcome St Mark is pleased to welcome the first year teen Confirma-tion candidates who officially entered the Confirmation pro-cess last Sunday. We keep them in our prayers as they take this journey of faith.

2nd Sunday of Advent Saint Mark Church December 8, 2013

SAFE GUARD THE CHILDREN

PROTEGIENDO A LOS NINOS

Ensure a safe road trip this holiday Taking the kids on a road trip to visit relatives and friends is a holiday tradition for many of us. Here are two tips that can help you get there and back as safely as possible:

1. Ensure that all occupants of any vehicle are properly se-cured and that there are no large or heavy items in the vehicle that may injure the occupants at any sudden stops.

2. A single parent travelling with children should ensure that permission from the other parent is readily available for au-thorities (this is to prevent one-parent abductions). This is especially important for air/train or cross border travel.

For particular help you may call Suzanne Healy, director of Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650 or Helene Hickey at 310-821-6612.

ST. MARK SCHOOL

Garantice un viaje seguro en estos días festivos Llevar a los niños en un viaje para visitar a familiares y ami-gos es una tradición en días festivos para muchos de nosotros. He aquí dos consejos que pueden ayudarle a ir y regresar lo más seguro posible: 1. Asegúrese de que todos los ocupantes del vehículo estén protegidos adecuadamente y que no haya objetos grandes o pesados en el vehículo que puedan lesionar a los ocupantes en paradas repentinas. 2. Si una madre o un padre va a viajar sola(o) con sus hijos debe de asegurarse de tener un permiso del cónyuge para pre-sentarlo a las autoridades (esto es para evitar un secuestro parental). Esto es especialmente importante si van a viajar por avión, tren o si van a cruzar una frontera. Para obtener ayuda puede llamar a Suzanne Healy, directora del Ministerio de Ayuda al (213) 637-7650 o llame a Helene Hickey 310-821-6612.

Prinn & Nieto Hernandez Family Matt, Maria, Thomas & Marcos

Dear Parishioners,

The students are busy working with Ms. Frontera in preparation for the Christmas concert

scheduled for Thursday, December 19 at 6:00 pm.

Each grade is planning their themed concert costume and musical piece.

On Friday, December 20

the faculty will be providing a pancake breakfast for the students.

The entire school community will be attending school in pajamas and enjoying a morning of breakfast and

Christmas-themed activities.

We welcome inquiries regarding our program. You can contact us at (310) 821-6612 or by email at

principal@stmarkschool.com.

Have a great week! Mary Ann McQueen, Principal

* * * Saint Mark School ♦Educating Children in the Way, the Truth, and the Life♦

Transitional Kindergarten through Grade 8 * * *