-
DECEMBER 27, 2020
St. Mary Catholic Church www.stmary-wc.org 925-891-8900
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples.”
- Lk 2:30-31
-
WE ARE GOD’S HOLY FAMILY The scriptures of Israel are filled with many stories of barren couples who were mi-raculously granted the gift of children by God. Surely the best known among these is the first reading from today, from which Luke took inspira-tion when he recounted the miraculous birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the more miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph. In each instance, we are given examples or role models of those who trusted in God. More than examples of those who trust, they are models of self-surrender. They abandoned their own presuppositions and prej-udices about the workings of the world and turned their lives over to belief in a God who can make life grow where none ought to; a God who can turn death around into a new and unimagined life; a God who can, today, take a tiny child of humble parents in an insignificant town and make him into a light for all the world. This is what we, as God’s holy family, are called to do each day: to trust not in ourselves and the way we think things should be, but to open our-selves and surrender ourselves in faith to a God of endless promise. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
Wishing you all a Blessed and Joy-Filled 2021
Our Prayers for this coming year are with all of you.
The Faith Formation/ Youth ministry team
There will be no class for Little Saints January 3. Little Saints resumes on January 10.
Encounter will begin again on January 5 and EDGE on January 6. Look for notification as the time to
resume classes gets closer.
Dear Friends,
A very blessed Feast of the Holy Family to all of you and your loved ones, and to our entire Parish Family of St. Mary. I hope everyone had a wonderful – although different – Christmas celebra-tion, and that the presence of Jesus remains in your heart and in your life every day.
Today’s Gospel story of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is one of prophecy and praise for this Newborn King. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to be “presented” and dedicated to God as their first-born son, according to Jewish custom. There they encounter both Simeon and Anna, each to speak God’s praises over what this Child will become.
Let us reflect on the presence of our Savior in our lives, especially these days. May we seek His blessing and His grace that we may be protected from all harm and live each day in thanksgiving and praise for the gift of the Son of God to each of us.
Have a blessed week. Father Fred Mary, Mother of God
Helping a friend, volunteering for the church or school event, shoveling the sidewalk — all of these actions require a yes. Be-coming your parent’s medical power of attorney, resigning from a job or accepting a new one — our lives require yes af-ter yes. Each one sets us up for even more choices. On January 1, we celebrate Mary as Mother of God. This title is monumental. It elevates a simple girl from Nazareth to the most highly revered woman in all creation. And it all started with a simple yes! But it didn’t end there. Being free from sin doesn’t mean being free from temptation. Mary had countless opportunities to say yes or no to God throughout her life. She is an example for us on the power of graced perseverance! Whatever your reso-lutions or decisions in the coming year, ask for Mary’s intercession to say yes.
UPCOMING SECOND COLLECTIONS January 3 Parish Maintenance January 10 Seminary January 17 Grotto Grounds January 31 St. Vincent de Paul
-
PRAY FOR THE SICK
Staff and Administration Website: www.stmary-wc.org
Parish Office 891-8900 Fax 934-1358 Fr. Fred Riccio, [email protected] Pastor 891-8900 Fr. John Blaker, 891-8900 In residence Deacon Paul Turek [email protected] Ana Lau, [email protected] Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, [email protected] Bookkeeper 891-8911
Faith Formation
Maureen Tiffany [email protected] Director of Faith Formation 962-5808 Mary Kerfs, [email protected] Administrative Assistant 891-8939 Austin Pisciotto [email protected] Coordinator K-Grade 6 891-8944 Jethro Castillo [email protected] Youth Minister Grades 7-12 891-8920 Heather Abraham, [email protected] Coordinator Confirmation 891-8934 & Community Service Tim Mannix [email protected] RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921
School
Office 935-5054 [email protected] Website: www.st-mary.net Alumni: [email protected] Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054
DATE INTENTION
12/27 Karin Lisboa
The People of St. Mary
Mary Ann McGill
Cecelia Cody
Christina Chacon Barba
12/28 Andres Ochotorena
12/29 Vickie Gomez (L)
12/30 Vito D’Addabbo
12/31 Intentions of Fil-Am Ministry
01/01 The People of St. Mary Parish
01/02 Beverly Regan (L)
Allison Flamez Monica Jara Ana Alvarez Isabel Castillo Susana Jaime Rosalinda Reyes Jeanine Gordon Christine Pollnow Jake Johnstone Diane Hewson Clarissa Gutierrez Julia Rodriguez Fred & Emilia Sohn Raul Gonzalez Raquel Zittel Quinn Gurnett David Toy Ana Lopez Dominador Hontucan Oralee Floria
Mary McLoughlin Angela Regan Beverly Regan Josefina Zabat Audry Robinson Loretta Holmes Nancie Campi
Betty Baker Carol Erikson
Nydia Pajarillo Danyel Sheets
Beth Wainwright Robin Wood
Billy Silva Mary Kennedy Marcella Hatch Cheryl LaMarre Marissa Magno
Jim Crowley Ed Regan
A NEW BEGINNING
It’s never too late to change your ways, You can always start anew,
Discard those habits you’re tired of And fashion a whole new “you.”
Don’t consider the past a waste of time, Just learn from your mistakes. But if you want to forge ahead,
A change is what it takes. So start right now and set new goals;
Decide what you want to do. Be patient and take one step at a time, But be sure to see each one through.
For as each step is finished And you add it to the next,
You soon will see that you have built A stairway to success.
Frances Gregory Pasch (Salesian Inspirational Books)
-
Rosaries as Decorations
Question: I’ve seen peo-ple hang rosaries over the rear-view mirrors in their cars and a few of them wear them around their necks. Is it OK to do that?
Answer: The practice of hanging a rosary or a reli-gious medal off of the rearview mirror of one’s car is a fairly popular custom across many cultures. While there is no particular rule approving or condemning this practice, we should also be mindful of the respect and reverence due to religious objects and devotional items (i.e. sacramentals).
An important point to consider would be the reason why one chooses to place a rosary or religious medal in our cars. Is it a reminder of the protection and inter-cession of Mary and the saints? Does it encourage us to be mindful of God’s presence, even in such a mun-dane task as driving? Is it an outward expression of our more private devotions?
One advantage of having a rosary or religious medal in our cars is that it can also serve as a reminder to pray when we travel, asking for protection for our-selves and for other motorists or commuters. Certainly, invoking the protection and prayers of the saints is a wonderful practice for families, helping to reinforce our belief in the communion of saints and the care and concern we owe to one another. ©LPi
Reflecting on God’s Word On Christmas we celebrate God becoming human, when the face of creation was changed. We ponder that great mystery of the Incarna-tion: Jesus is true God and truly human. The divine has entered into communion with the human in the body and soul of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas is not a single day, however, but an entire sea-son. Today, the Sunday after Christmas, we ponder the Holy Family. What difference does this mystery of the Incarnation make for families? Jesus came to bring together the children of Israel into a new fami-ly, a family united not by blood but by faith in him. So in today’s Gospel we see some of the first mem-bers of that family. Luke’s Gospel has been called the Gospel of Jesus as the compassion of God, the Gospel of prayer, the Gospel of the Holy Spirit; we can also think of it as the Gospel of family. He first introduces us to Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, parents of John the Baptist. Then we meet Mary and Joseph. Today we meet two other family members, Simeon and Anna, not related by blood, but only by faith in the promises of the God of Israel. Each sees in the child Jesus the glory of Israel and the light for the Gentiles. Christmas reminds us that by baptism into Christ we are now part of God’s family. As God’s family, “God’s chosen ones,” as Paul reminded the Colossians (3:62), we are to put on heartfelt compassion, kind-ness, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one an-other and forgiving one another. —James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
If you know someone who is elderly, frail, and isolat-ed, find ways to be a pres-ence and a support. Drop a greeting card in the mail. Make a “how are you?” phone call. Go by with homemade goodies. Offer
to run errands or drive to doctor visits. Take the family over and do yard work or other chores. Copyright © 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
-
La Sagrada Familia La Navidad es familia, es calor de hogar, es pureza de cora-zón. La Liturgia nos ayuda a recordar la belleza de este tiempo y enfocamos nuestra mirada en la Sagrada Familia. La familia es llamada, ahora más que nunca, a ser valorada y enriquecida con lazos de co-
munión. Debe estar cimentada en la fe. Como ejem-plo de esa fe tenemos a Abraham, Simeón y Ana. Ellos supieron cumplir sus deberes de fe y confianza plena en Dios, bendiciendo y alabando a Dios por tener la oportunidad de recibir a Jesús en sus brazos: “Ahora, Señor, ya puedes dejar que tu siervo muera en paz, como le has dicho. Porque mis ojos han visto a tu Salvador.” (Lucas 2:29-30) La familia es un don de Dios. El Papa Francisco en diferentes ocasiones ha dicho lo siguiente sobre la familia: “En su camino familiar, ustedes comparten tantos momentos inolvidables: las comidas, el descan-so, las tareas de la casa, la diversión, la oración, las excursiones y peregrinaciones, la solidaridad con los necesitados… Sin embargo, si falta el amor, falta la alegría, y el amor, el amor auténtico nos lo da Jesús”. Y añadió en otra de sus frases: "Cuando nos pre-ocupamos por nuestras familias y sus necesidades, cuando entendemos sus problemas y esperanzas... cuando sostienen la familia, sus esfuerzos repercuten no sólo en beneficio de la Iglesia; también ayudan a la sociedad entera.” La familia de estos tiempos es llamada a valorar y vivir una Iglesia doméstica au-téntica, donde el centro sea Jesús. ¿Es tu familia como la de Nazaret? ©LPi
María, Madre de Dios
Ayudar a un amigo, ofrecerse para ayudar en un evento en la iglesia o en la escuela, pa-lear la nieve de la acera—todas estas acciones requieren un “Sí.” Aceptar tomar deci-siones médicas a nombre de los padres, renunciar a un trabajo o aceptar un tra-bajo nuevo—nuestras vidas requieren un “sí” una y otra vez. Cada uno de esos “sí” abre ante nosotros nuevas opciones. El día 1°de enero celebramos a María como Madre de Dios. Este título es monumental; eleva a María de una sencilla joven de Nazaret a la mujer más vene-rada en toda la creación. Y todo empezó con un sim-ple “sí.” Pero no terminó allí. El ser libre de pecado no quiere decir estar libre de tentaciones. María tuvo innumerables oportunidades de decirle “sí” o “no” a Dios a lo largo de su vida. Ella es un ejemplo para nosotros del poder de la perseverancia asistida por la gracia. Cualesquiera que sean nuestras resolu-ciones o decisiones en este próximo año, pidamos la intercesión de María para decir “sí.”
Lunes: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Sal 124 (123):2-5, 7b-8: Mt:13-18 Martes: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 5b-6; Lc 2:22-35 Miércoles: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Sal 96: (95)7-10; Lc 2:36-40 Jueves: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Sal 96 (95):1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Viernes: Nm 6:22-27; Sal 67 (66):2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gál 4:4-7; Lc 2:16-21 Sábado: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Domingo: Is 60:1-6; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ef 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
¿CUAL ES LA VENTAJA DE PERTENECER A LA FAMILIA DE DIOS?
QUE PUEDES LLAMAR “PAPI” AL CREADOR DEL UNIVERSO.”
-
Locally owned & operatedLic #1056357
Kitchen CabinetUpgrade in 1-5 Days
1-Day Wood Restoration
• Refacing • Roll-Outs •Custom Cabinet • More
925.979.8194www.kitchentuneup.com
$29.95/Mo. billed quarterly• One Free Month• No Long-Term Contract• Price Guarantee• Easy Self Installation
Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608
Medical Alert System
Get this weekly bulletin delivered by email - for FREE!Sign up here:
www.jspaluch.com/subscribe
Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.
Serving Concord and the surrounding area since 1958
Cremation and Burial Services
4125 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521
925-682-4242 • www.ouimetbrothers.com
FD1006
Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.Support Your Church & Bulletin.
Free professional ad design & my help!email: [email protected]
Call Marcy Kwiatkowski925.239.1401
www.jspaluch.com
913092 St Mary Church
SeeYour Ad
in CCOOLLOORRCall J.S. Paluch Today!1.800.231.0805
www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-675-5051
Call us for your transportation needs!
Wheelchair • Gurney Medical Appointments
Dialysis • Hospital DischargesLong Distance Transports
Dispatch: (925) 428-2790Hours: Mon-Sat
4:00AM-10:00PM
Mention this ad/parish for a 15% Discount.
WILLS &LIVING TRUSTS
DAVID T. HORNSBYAttorney at Law
(925) 938-0883
800 S. BROADWAYSUITE 301
WALNUT CREEK, CA94596
www.davidthornsby.com
Catholic Cruises and Toursand The Apostleship of the Seaof the United States of AmericaCatholic Cruises/Tours to Worldwide Destinations
Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email
www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com
Take yourFAITHON A
JOURNEY.
(CST 2117990-70)
H U L L’ SWalnut Creek ChapelFD250 • COA538 • CR196
FUNERAL DIRECTORSCrematory On Site
Family Owned &Operated Since 1892
All Facilities are onsite
925-934-54001139 Saranap Ave.
Walnut Creek, CA
“Serving the Catholic
Faith Since 1892”
Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and
connect with yourCatholic Community
with OneParish!
Download Our Free App or Visit
www.MY.ONEPARISH.com
/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 150 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages false /GrayImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages false /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /MonoImageResolution 600 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 2.00000 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects true /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false /PDFXNoTrimBoxError true /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile () /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False
/CreateJDFFile false /Description >>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice