FEBRUARY 9, 2020

St. Mary Catholic Church www.stmary-wc.org 925-891-8900

Dear Friends, Today we begin our preparation for the Annual Bishop’s Appeal. The theme is “Rebuild My Church,” and it reminds us that we are constantly growing as a Faith community, and we need to work at building and improving our ministries and services to one another. The money col-lected from each parish in the coming year will be used for specific ministries in the Diocese of Oakland: Reli-gious Education programs, Pastoral Ministries, Catholic Schools & Parishes in need, Seminary Formation, and Priests’ Retirement. These are the re-stricted uses of the funds collected. None of the Appeal is used for debt payments or legal claims. In the coming weeks you will be receiving information in the Bulletin and a letter will be sent by the bishop to each household of registered parish-ioners. Please look carefully at this information and pray about your deci-sion to donate this year. You are encouraged to spread your donation over a 10-month period by making a pledge, either to write a check each month or to have the money automatically charged to a credit or debit card. The goal for St. Mary Parish remains as last year: $60,900.00. Last year we only reached 60% of the goal. I am hoping we can reach and even exceed the amount for this year. Any funds over the goal are returned to the parish for our unrestricted use, and that “rebate” is not assessed or taxed by the diocese. So please prayerfully consider donating to this Appeal, and read the information carefully. May the Lord bless our involvement in the ministry and work of the diocese and of our parish community. Father Fred

ORGANIZATIONS CYO, Jerry Florence stmarycyo.wc@gmail.com 510-504-5954 Charismatic Prayer Group, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Eucharistic Adoration, Mary Johnstone 954-7205 Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Ministry, Elena Gaoiran 525-7089 Finance Council, Brian Mulligan 210-1031 Homebound Ministry, Helene Vizcarra 891-8936 Hospital Ministry, Angeles Ron 856-8780 Knights of Columbus, John Cuddihy 286-4515 Respect Life Ministry, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Rosary Makers, Ana Lau 256-4428 St. Vincent de Paul, Barb Erickson 937-2817 Walking with Purpose, Laura Lencioni 997-4379

MASS TIMES Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. & 12:05 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m.

Sundays 6:30 a.m. * 8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m. * 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Spanish

6:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

DEVOTIONS

Eucharistic Adoration Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

First Fridays: all night Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Fatima Devotion: First Saturday Hispanic Holy Hour: Other Saturdays

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturdays 9:00 a.m.

(at the end of 8:30 Mass)

PARISH OFFICE

2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596

OFFICE HOURS

8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday

Sign up for adoration hours at

adorationpro.org/maryca

Lent starts on February 26. As usual, St. Mary’s Council of the Knights of Columbus will be host-ing Lenten Suppers on the Fridays of Lent. Mark your calendars now to attend the Stations of the Cross in the church at 6:00 pm and then come over to the gym at 6:30 for supper. Tick-ets will be sold after Mass on Sundays and in the parish office. It helps a lot with planning if you can buy your tickets ahead of time instead of at the door.

DATE TIME MASS INTENTION

02/08 4:30 pm The People of St. Mary Parish

02/09 6:30 am The McGill Family (L)

8:00 am William Reynolds

9:30 am Patti McKenzie

11:00 am Teresa Sanchez Villa

1:00 pm Faustino Torres

6:00 pm Alex Quanbeck

02/10 6:30 am Bonnie Armstrong (L)

12:05 pm Ward Bebb

02/11 6:30 am Natalie Johnstone (L) B’D’

12:05 pm P. K. Frick

02/12 6:30 am Ben Cooper

12:05 pm Purificacion Callejas

02/13 6:30 am Alison McGee

12:05 pm Tammy Brandt Brown

02/14 6:30 am Allain Capinpin

8:15 am St. Mary School Community

12:05 pm John Finbarr Hayes

02/15 8:30 am Jorge Castro (L)

MASS SCHEDULE

GOD’S CALL The person who has been “saved,” who has “heard the good news of salva-tion,” still lives in an un-saved world, a world sadly

oblivious to the presence of God. Today’s read-ings outline how the disciple is present in the world. The outline begins with Isaiah: “Share your bread . . . shelter the oppressed . . . clothe the na-ked” (Isaiah 58:7). Those who hear the word of salvation are not insensitive to the urgent needs of others. Then Paul reminds his flock that he brought Christ to them not in eloquence or wis-dom, but by being with them in the “weakness and fear” of their daily lives (1 Corinthians 2:3). Finally, Jesus tells his disciples to go out into the gloom and darkness of the streets of the world and let God’s light shine through their good deeds. We disciples don’t save the world. To the extent, however, that we have heard the word of God and been awakened to God’s presence, we may spread that word and bring that presence to others. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Staff and Administration Website: www.stmary-wc.org

Parish Office 891-8900 Fax 934-1358 Fr. Fred Riccio, friccio@stmary-wc.org Pastor 891-8900 Fr. John Blaker, 891-8900 In residence Ana Lau, alau@stmary-wc.org Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, abaker@stmary-wc.org Bookkeeper 891-8911

Faith Formation

Mary Kerfs, lifeteen@stmary-wc.org Administrative Assistant 891-8939 Tim Mannix, RCIA & tmannix@stmary-wc.org Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921 Austin Pisciotto apisciotto@stmary-wc.org Grades 4-8 891-8944 Maureen Tiffany mtiffany@stmary-wc.org Grades K-3 891-8942 Heather Abraham, habraham@stmary-wc.org Confirmation 891-8934

School

Office 935-5054 stmary@st-mary.net Website: www.st-mary.net Alumni: stmaryalumni@st-mary.net Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054 Advisory Council Joel Williams, President 768-6711 Parents Club Shannon Crvarich, Co-President 949-973-8046 Lisa Kavanagh, Co-President 768-9890

Allison Flamez Margarita Caracas Elsa de Rossi Monica Jara Ana Alvarez Isabel Castillo Susana Jaime Maria Vargas Anthony De Cristoforo Rosalinda Reyes Annabelle Semira Joseph Suta Jeanine Gordon Christine Pollnow Jake Johnston Bill Clark Art Coombes Diane Hewson Tyler Coolie Clarissa Gutierrez Julia Rodriguez

Fred & Emilia Sohn Raul Gonzalez

Helen Budde Raquel Zittel

Dominador Hontucan Quinn Gurnett

Oralee Floria Henry Escano

Mary McLoughlin Angela Regan

Beverly Regan Josefina Zabat

Audry Robinson Loretta Holmes

Nancie Campi Bob Bussani Betty Baker

Victor Miguel Barrios Carol Erikson

Nydia Pajarillo Danyel Sheets

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR February 10-16

FF = Faith Formation Center SA = St. Anthony Rm. (near parish hall) SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room ST = St. Therese Room

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 7:00 PM Walking with Purpose/FF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/SA 8:30 AM Walking with Purpose/FF 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/SA 7:00 PM Faith Form. 6th-7th-8th Gr/FF 7:30 PM Choir Practice/Church WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 6:45 PM Encounter Youth Group/SE 7:00 PM Charismatic Prayer/FF-SM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/Church 7:00 PM Young Adults/FF-SP 7:00 PM Lay Apostolate/FF-SM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/SA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15 8:00 AM Men’s Prayer Group/FF-SM 9:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/Chapel 9:30 AM Rosary Makers/FF-ST SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 11:00 AM Hispanic Faith Form./FF 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church

January 22, 2020 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children “A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and asso-ciation, from every family and from the heart of every believer.” —Pope Saint John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, No. 100 To: All Priests, Deacons and Laity of the Diocese of Oakland and to all people of good will As we approach the 25th anniversary of Pope Saint John Paul II’s Evangeli-um Vitae, I would like to invite you to take a stand defending the lives of the unborn. I invite you to participate in the efforts throughout our Dio-cese to help defend every child’s fundamental right to life. We are called to be a voice that calls out to mothers and fathers struggling with a diffi-cult pregnancy to know they have support and an alternative to abortion. This Lent please consider participating in the peaceful and prayerful 40 Days for Life Vigils at the Walnut Creek and Concord Planned Parenthood locations. The vigils will take place from Ash Wednesday, February 26, until Palm Sunday weekend, from 7am until 7pm daily, ex-cept Sundays. Bring your family, invite a friend, or gather a group from your parish. And as you pray for Life, I ask you to continue to pray for our Church in the Diocese of Oakland. Please visit 40DaysforLife.com/walnut-creek or 40daysforlife.com/concordca Thank you for your prayerful consideration. May our Blessed Mother continue interceding for you and your loved ones. With the assurance of my prayers and blessing, I am Yours sincerely in Christ, The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber, SJ Bishop of Oakland

Is it closet-cleaning time in your house? St. Vincent de Paul could use your gently-used items to help the needy. Please save them and bring them over March 12-16, when the truck from the SVDP Thrift Store will be here in our parking lot accepting your donations. Thank you!

Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology

OPEN HOUSE February 19 - February 21

Are you discerning graduate studies in Philosophy or Theology? Come join us at the SEE DSPT 2020 from Feb. 19 - 21 in Berke-ley. You'll have the opportunity to visit our classes, meet faculty and students, and get the information you need about our academic, communal and spiritual life. Regis-tration opens Jan. 1, 2020 at dspt.edu/see-dspt-2020.

Catholics@Work, Tuesday, Feb. 11

Meet Fr. Burke Masters, Chaplain to the World Champion

Chicago Cubs “Swinging for the fences” defines the ultimate success in baseball. As Catholics, it can be seen as a vivid and hopeful image of our desire to hit a home run for heaven. Fr. Masters provides spiritual coach-ing to the Cubs in the hard effort to achieve success in the rarefied environment of Major League Baseball. He is also director of adult formation for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. A lifelong baseball fan and former minor league player, he volunteered to be the Cubs’ chaplain in 2013, via Catho-lic Athletes for Christ. Join Fr. Masters, and your col-leagues, Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville. He will celebrate Mass at 6:30am, followed by breakfast and the program at 7am, conclud-ing at 8:15am. Catholics@Work is a ministry of the Oakland Diocese bringing en-ergized lay and clerical people, to discuss vital faith-based pro-grams and challenges we all face. Please register at: catholicsatwork.org

Christ said in the garden of Gethsemane, “Won’t you spend an hour with me?” Join us for our worldwide effort in the upcoming 40 Days for Life. Our prayer vigil takes place in front of Planned Parenthood, 1357 Oakland Blvd., in Walnut Creek. Join us to pray peacefully for the sanc-tity and dignity of the unborn, offering women in a crisis pregnancy re-sources and options. We are there from 7 am-7 pm every day except Sundays, from Ash Wednesday (Feb. 26) until April 4 before Holy Week. To join our prayer vigil or find out more about it, please contact friendsforlifetrivalley@gmail.com or Carolyn Regan: 935-683-0431.

LET’S KICK OFF OUR VIGIL Sunday, February 23, 7:00 PM, St. Mary Gym

FEATURED SPEAKER: FR. JAMES MOORE, OP

HELP SAVE LIVES IN WALNUT CREEK!

To sign up for prayer hours, please go to:

40daysforlife.com/walnutcreek Vigil hours: 7 am to 7 pm, Mon-Sat, February 26-April 4

AUCTION ITEMS INCLUDE Giants, A’s & Warriors tickets, Float session,

Dinner by Fr. Fred, Dinner by Fuget About It

Order forms available in parish office & church vestibule

LITTLE SAINTS Kinder - 3rd Sunday 9:30am - 11:00am

ROCK 4th - 5th Grade Thursday 4:00pm - 5:30pm

BLAST 6th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm

EDGE 7th - 8th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm

CONFIRMATION Call for info

YOUTH GROUP 9th - 12th Grade Wednesday 6:50pm - 8:30pm

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office 925-891-8939 Lifeteen@stmary-wc.org Sunday– Thursday 8:30—5:30pm

Catequesis en espanol Ages 6-13yrs Sunday 11:15am - 12:45pm

Disciples in Training

Faith Formation

Youth Ministry

THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church

YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12) Sunday, February 9, 2020

Please con nue to pray for all families preparing their children to receive First Communion!

There will be no 4th & 5th Grade Rock Session on Thursday, February 13, due to Presidents’ Day holiday

SAVE THE DATES! SMC Vacation Bible School - June 22nd - June 26 Young Neighbors In Action (High School Retreat) - July 5 - July 10 Steubenville NOR CAL (9th - 12th graders) - July 29 - Aug. 2

SAVE THE DATES June 22-26

† CALLING ALL TEEN AND ADULT VOLUNTEERS † Contact our office to find out how YOU can put your faith into action this summer through volunteering at one or more of these awesome events!

We need YOUR help!

Ni siquiera nos podemos ima-ginar el mundo sin sal y sin luz; ambos son importantes para la vida humana. La sal da sabor a la comida y la luz incrementa la visibilidad. Por esta razón, nuestro compromi-so al discipulado cristiano por medio del bautismo debe dar sabor y luz al estilo de Cristo. El discipu-lado siempre debe llevar al discernimiento del cómo se relaciona la persona con Dios y con los demás. En las lecturas, especialmente el Evangelio, Jesús dice claramente que si la sal pierde su sabor, no sirve pa-ra nada. Advierte claramente a sus discípulos con la siguiente catequesis: “Ustedes son la sal de la tierra. Si la sal se vuelve insípida, ¿cómo se le devolverá el sabor? Ya no sirve para nada y se tira a la calle pa-ra que la pise la gente.” (Mateo 5:13). Enseguida, también dice: “Ustedes son la luz del mundo.” (Mateo 13:14). ¡Vaya compromiso el que se tiene al ser discípulo de Jesús! Ahora, la pregunta es: ¿Qué clase de sabor doy? ¿Soy persona amargada, egoísta, que donde me presento cambia el ambiente y la conversación por la negatividad que perciben los demás en mí; o por el contrario, soy sal y luz en la familia, trabajo y comu-nidad. No debemos olvidar que Cristo es la sal y la luz para todos. “‘Parece poca cosa’ pero el Señor ‘con pocas cosas nuestras hace milagros, hace mara-villas’; por lo tanto, es necesario tener esta actitud de ‘humildad’ que consiste en buscar solamente ser sal y luz.” (Papa Francisco). Pero, ojo, no se puede ser sal y luz sin relación personal con Cristo que es sal y luz en mí. ©LPi

Invitación a vivir un Cursillo para Hombres

El Cursillo se inicia con un encuentro de tres días, durante el cual, en un clima de fraternidad y alegría, aprende uno:

- A conocerse mejor (encuentro con sí mismo), - A experimentar la presencia y el amor de Jesucristo

(encuentro con Dios), - A descubrir todo el bien que puede aportar una co-

munidad cristiana atenta y afectuosa (encuentro con los demás).

El próximo Cursillo está programado para el 22 al 25 de Mayo. Para más información, llamar a Damaris Ramírez (510) 931-8300 o a Yolanda Olmos (510) 697-3845

FECHAS IMPORTANTES

Febrero 9, Clase 11:15am

Febrero 16, Clase 11:15am REUNION DE PADRES

925)357-3048 jcain@stmary-wc.org

Retiro Formación de Discípulo

"Venid a mí todos los que estáis fatigados y sobrecargados, y yo os daré descanso" Mateo 11:28

Febrero 20-23,2020

YOUTH RETREAT CENTER 1977 Reliez Valley Road Lafayette, CA 94549

Padre Rafael Chávez

Para más información: Ángeles, 925-856-8780

MÁS TARDE . . . Él que espera hacer una gran cantidad de obras buenas de inmediato, nunca hará nada. —Samuel Johnson