FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
We know that God is faithful. We trust that God’s love is unwavering. Our faith tells us this is so. Yet, few of us wouldn’t be immensely gratified for some sort of concrete assurance of God’s presence. So, the question becomes: How can we better sense God’s faithful and abiding love? In today’s Gospel, Mark offers us an answer. In the words of Jesus we are told to “take heed, watch and pray.” What this admonition suggests is that it remains for us to be awake and alert to God’s presence. It is up to us to open our eyes and take notice. Look for God’s presence in the ordinary, everyday things of life. Practice kindness, compassion and mercy—any grace-full gesture is a revelation of God’s presence. And, don’t forget to take a little time each day for prayerful moments dedicated completely to God.
ANNUAL OFFERTORY COMMITMENT
The interim report from the Stewardship Committee indicates that 389 households responded with pledges totaling $462,488.00. Last year, 270 households responded with pledges totaling $442,312.00. Thank you for your willingness to make a commitment to support your parish. It is on the basis of these numbers that we plan for the next year.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
You are invited to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at a special Mass on December 9th, at 12:00 Noon. There will be no 7:30 AM Mass.
GUADALUPE FILM
Fr. Gary, O.F.M., is currently planning to produce a film on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you think you might be interested in helping with this production, please contact Fr. Gary here at the Old Mission, at 682-4713, ext. 168.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Senior High Youth Ministry: The AfterMass meets today from 12:30-1:30 PM in the San Roque Parish Hall. FREE FOOD will be provided. PAUSE meets Thusday from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Youth Room.
Junior High Ministry: Our Sunday fellowship, SHINE, meets today in the Youth Room from 2:30-4:00 PM. SHINE will not meet next Sunday, December 8th, due to the Parish Convocation. Our weeknight fellowship, RISE, meets on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 PM. Hope to wee you there!
Confirmation: Our first Sunday evening Confirmation meeting is TONIGHT in the Parish Social Rooms from 7:00-8:30 PM.
Young Adult Ministry: Don’t miss our “Eighties Flashdance” on Saturday, December 7th from 7:00-10:00 PM at Serra Hall.
NEW PARISH CENSUS
Please pick up a card at the back of the church. You may drop the completed card in the collection or return it to the parish office. Thanks!
STEWARDSHIP: FIRST FRUITS BACK TO GOD
Sunday Offering: November 24 15,220.50
Campaign for Human Development 1,628. 00
TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Please join us for our beautiful candlelit Taize Prayer Around the Cross liturgy. Take time with us in prayerful contemplation on the mystery of God’s most gracious gift—Jesus Christ. Come away and rest in Christ.
LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS 2003: FEB 28 - MARCH 2
Don’t miss out on this! Mark your calendars and make your hotel reservations immediately! Don’t miss out on this year’s Congress featuring over 265 workshops. Truly, there is something for everyone! Beautiful, uplifting liturgies are planned. Daily noon time concerts and evening performances promise to be entertaining and inspiring. The topics addressed will range from spirituality and personal development to theology and catechesis. For information on the workshops, speakers, and events, pick up a registration guidebook from the Parish Office. Please note, the Parish does not have a block of rooms this year; you will need to make your own hotel reservations.
THANK YOU ST. BARBARA PARISH
“I am writing to personally thank all of you on behalf of the Transition House staff and most certainly on behalf of our clients. Your Church has truly been a blessing to the families, and in particular, the children here at Transition House.” Jacob Andrade
“Thank you for the generous World Mission Sunday contribution...I am most grateful for your generous missionary spirit of prayer and personal sacrifice.” Rev. David John Ayotte
“Peace and all good to you who are associates of St. Francis Center! We are grateful for your generosity and unconditional love.” Br. Regan Chapman, O.F.M.
REMEMBER A LOVED ONE AT CHRISTMAS
You are invited to donate white poinsettias in the name of a loved one, living or deceased, which will be used in decorating the church for Christmas.
SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR THE RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS
On December 14th, parishes all across the country will take up the 15th annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. By so doing, we honor the fidelity of the over 60,000 elderly religious sisters, brothers and priests who have given their lives in service to God and the Church. Let us give generously.
PARISH CONVOCATION
Plan to attend our Parish Convocation next Sunday, December 8th, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Serra Hall. We seek your input regarding the vision, mission, goals and objectives the Pastoral Council has delineated to take us through the next three years. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL “BLANKET SUNDAY”
Next weekend, members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be in front of the church to receive blankets for the homeless in our community. Cash donations to further their work with the poor are welcome.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas. Join us in a festive celebration of her feast day on Thursday, December 12, at 5:30 PM. We will begin with a beautiful liturgy, including the recitation of the Rosary using Pope John Paul’ II’s Mysteries of Light. Following, we will indulge in a fabulous Mexican dinner with all the trimmings on the front portico.
FEAST OF ST. BARBARA
Please join us for a beautiful Mass honoring our patron saint on Wednesday, December 4th at 12:00 Noon. There will be no 7:30 AM Mass.
ADVENT GIVING TREE
Each year we have the opportunity to reach out to the poor in our community through our “Giving Tree.” Beginning today, you are invited to take a gift tag ornament from the tree, purchase a gift, secure the tag to the unwrapped gift and place it under the tree. The St. Vincent De Paul Society and Catholic Charities will distribute the packages to those in need. Please note that we must have your gift by Sunday, December 21st. If you are unable to meet that date, you are invited to take your gift directly to Catholic Charities at 609 East Haley St.
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS CRECHE
We need your help on Saturday morning, December 14th to set up the outdoor Christmas Creche. Please call Owen Guitteau, 682-4474. We also need Christmas shepherds to watch over the creche each night in two hour shifts from 8:00 to midnight. Call the office.

CHRIST THE KING
Matthew’s Gospel is peppered with images of separating. What is most striking about the description in today’s Gospel is the basis for judgment that Matthew suggests will be operative on the Last Day. Undoubtedly, Matthew intends his readers to be mindful of what Jesus said earlier about who will be blessed in the Reign of God. Those beatitudes are echoed here in the identification of the lowly, simple acts of goodness and righteousness by which one “enters” into the reality of God’s Reign. Like the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus teaches about who will be blessed in heaven, Matthew wants us to know that we, the disciples of Jesus, will be held accountable for whether or not we act with love in simple everyday ways. For those still not clear about where “the power and the glory” of God’s Reign is revealed, this passage says clearly and directly that it is whenever and wherever the disciples perpetuate Jesus’ mission of mercy and compassion.
ANNUAL OFFERTORY COMMITMENT
The interim report from the Stewardship Committee indicates that 392 households responded with pledges totaling $468,432. 00. Last year, 270 households responded with pledges totaling $442,312.00. Thank you for your willingness to make a commitment to support your parish. It is on the basis of these numbers that we plan for the next year.
PARISH CONVOCATION
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our Parish Convocation on December 8th, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Serra Hall. We seek your input regarding the vision, mission, goals and objectives the Pastoral Council has delineated to take us through the next three years. We hope to see you there.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Senior High Youth Ministry: PAUSE will not meet this Thursday. HAPPY THNAKSGIVING! Today the AfterMass meets in the Youth Room at 12:00 Noon.
Confirmation: Sunday, December 1st is our first Sunday evening Confirmation meeting. Parents and sponsors are welcome. We will be gathering from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Parish Social Rooms.
Junior High Ministry: Our Sunday fellowship, SHINE, meets today in the Youth Room from 2:30-4:00 PM. Our weeknight fellowship, RISE, meets every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 PM. See you there!
College Ministry: Please call Andrew, 682-4713, ext. 118, if you have ideas or you are interested in helping to get this new ministry started.
Young Adult Ministry: Don’t miss our “Eighties Flashdance” on Saturday, December 7th from 7:00-10:00 PM at Serra Hall. Admission is only $5.00 at the door, but RSVPs are appreciated.
NEW PARISH CENSUS
We ask all parishioners to fill out a new census card if you did not do so during the picture-taking sessions for the new directory. Please pick up a card at the back of the church. You may drop the completed card in the collection or return it to the parish office. Thanks!
STEWARDSHIP: FIRST FRUITS BACK TO GOD
Sunday Offering: November 17 $9,908.50
Thank you for your continuing support!
TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Please join us for our beautiful candlelit Taize Prayer Around the Cross liturgy. Take time with us in prayerful contemplation on the mystery of God’s most gracious gift—Jesus Christ. Come away and rest in Christ.
LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS 2003: FEB 28 - MARCH 2
Mark your calendars and make your hotel reservations immediately! Don’t miss out on this year’s Congress featuring over 265 workshops. Truly, there is something for everyone! Beautiful, uplifting liturgies are planned. Daily noon time concerts and evening performances promise to be entertaining and inspiring. The topics addressed will range from spirituality and personal development to theology and catechesis. For information on the workshops, speakers, and events, pick up a registration guidebook from the Parish Office. Please note, the Parish does not have a block of rooms this year; you will need to make your own hotel reservations.
CAN YOU HELP SERVE THANKSGIVING DINNER AT TRANSITION HOUSE?
Transition House Homeless Shelter needs volunteers to work in two to three hour shifts preparing and serving Thanksgiving Day dinner. People are welcome to donate food (preferably already cooked and ready to serve). Call Xochitl (Sochee) at 966-9668, ext. 115.
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Thirty-four million people in America live in poverty—including one in six children. TODAY, we will take up a special offering for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which responds to the Church’s call to bring a lasting end to poverty. Your support will help low-income people as they work together to solve community problems, increase educational opportunities, and create jobs.
GUADALUPE FILM
Fr. Gary, O.F.M., is planning to produce a film on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you think you might be interested in helping with this production, please contact Fr. Gary at 682-4713, ext. 168.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL “BLANKET SUNDAY”
Cold winter nights are not far off. On December 8th, members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be in front of the church to receive donations of new or nearly-new blankets for the homeless in our community. Cash donations are also welcome.
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
Please join us for our Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 AM. We invite you to bring non-perishable food items which will be blessed and distributed to those in need. You are also invited to bring an item from your Thanksgiving Day table to be blessed. A special offering will be taken up for the St. Vincent De Paul Society’s ministry among the poor.
FEAST OF ST. BARBARA
Please join us for a festive Mass honoring our patron saint on Wednesday, December 4th at 12:00 Noon. There will be no 7:30 AM Mass.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
You are invited to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at a special Mass on December 9th, at 12:00 Noon. There will be no 7:30 AM Mass.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Join us for our festive celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We will begin with a beautiful liturgy, including the Rosary with the Mysteries of Light. Then, we will have a fabulous Mexican dinner with all the trimmings on the portico. Come and enjoy!

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Today’s parable is about much more than using our native abilities. The parable is addressed to Christian disciples, and the charge of the master is nothing less than the whole mission of the Church—living and spreading the Gospel. The wherewithal for conducting the mission is symbolized by the huge cash amounts. The servants are mandated to work with those amounts until the master returns. Two of the servants double what they have been given. The third does what seems, on the surface, to be a pretty responsible thing. He keeps the talent safe and returns it intact to the master. Knowing that the master expected more, the servant tries to justify his action by citing fear of the master. He must have thought that it was better to risk the consequences of disobeying the master than to risk losing the original deposit by “working with it” in ways that just might fail. This story is actually a wake-up call for those of us who think we are doing God’s will when we simply preserve intact what we have been given, rather than venturing it in ways that will enable the talents (the faith) to grow. Pope John XXIII caught the drift when, at a moment when many were preoccupied with keeping the deposit of faith secure, he called for a new venture of renewal and dialogue in our life of Christian discipleship and mission.
ANNUAL OFFERTORY COMMITMENT
The preliminary report from the Stewardship Committee indicates that 275 households responded with pledges totaling $325,000.00 Last year, 270 households responded with pledges totaling $442,312.00.
PARISH CONVOCATION
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our Parish Convocation on December 8th, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Serra Hall. We seek your input regarding the vision, mission, goals and objectives the Pastoral Council has delineated to take us through the next three years. We hope to see you there.
GUADALUPE FILM
Fr. Gary, O.F.M., is currently planning to produce a film on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you think you might be interested in helping with this production, please contact Fr. Gary here at the Old Mission, at 682-4713, ext. 16
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
High School Students: No meeting today because Andrew is at a continuing education course this weekend. On Thursday, PAUSE meets in the youth room from 7:00-9:00 PM for movie night.
Confirmation: Please return your interview scheduling sheets or call Andrew to schedule an appointment, ASAP!
Junior High Ministry: No meeting today. Andrew is at a continuing education course this weekend. Our weeknight fellowship, RISE, now meets every Thursday from 6:30-8:00 PM.
College Ministry: Please call Andrew, 682-4713, ext. 118, if you have ideas or you are interested in helping to get this new ministry started.Young Adult Ministry: Don’t miss our “Eighties Flashdance” on Saturday, December 7th from 7:00-10:00 PM at Serra Hall. Admission is only $5.00 at the door, but RSVPs are appreciated.
NEW PARISH CENSUS
We ask all parishioners to fill out a new census card if you did not do so during the picture-taking sessions for the new directory. Please pick up a card at the back of the church. You may drop the completed card in the collection or return it to the parish office. Thanks!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
*Beginning Experience: The Beginning Experience for those divorced, separated, or widowed is a weekend process designed to be a time of closure on the past and a new beginning in the present. The next Beginning Experience Weekend is November 15-17th at the Old Mission. Please call Margie Sharpe at 965-4884 for more information.
*Catholic Charities Annual Mistletoe Ball: Friday, November 22nd. Give yourself a holiday experience and help those less fortunate in the process. Please call 965-7045 for information.
*Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 PM, at the First United Methodist Church, Anapamu and Garden Streets. Please call 963-3579 for information
TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Please join us for our beautiful candlelit Taize Prayer Around the Cross liturgy. Take time with us in prayerful contemplation on the mystery of God’s most gracious gift—Jesus Christ. Come away and rest in Christ.
LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS 2003: FEB 28 - MARCH 2
Mark your calendars and make your hotel reservations immediately! Don’t miss out on this year’s Congress featuring over 265 workshops. Truly, there is something for everyone! Beautiful, uplifting liturgies are planned. Daily noon time concerts and evening performances promise to be entertaining and inspiring. The topics addressed will range from spirituality and personal development to theology and catechesis. For information on the workshops, speakers, and events, pick up a registration guidebook from the Parish Office. Please note, the Parish does not have a block of rooms this year; you will need to make your own hotel reservations.
FIRST FRUITS BACK TO GOD
Sunday Offering: November 10 $10,674.00
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
CAN YOU HELP SERVE THANKSGIVING DINNER AT TRANSITION HOUSE?
Transition House Homeless Shelter needs volunteers to work in two to three hour shifts preparing and serving Thanksgiving Day dinner. People are welcome to donate food (preferably already cooked and ready to serve). Call Xochitl (Sochee) at 966-9668, ext. 115.
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Thirty-four million people in America live in poverty—including one in six children. Next weekend, we will take up a special offering for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which responds to the Church’s call to bring a lasting end to poverty. Your support will help low-income people as they work together to solve community problems, increase educational opportunities, and create jobs.
ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN
Parents and families of gay and lesbian Catholics are invited to a support group meeting. New Meeting Date: Thursday, November 21st at 7:30 PM. These meetings are informal and confidential. For further information, please call Kathie and Joe at 687-4338.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL “BLANKET SUNDAY”
Cold winter nights are not far off. On December 8th, members of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be in front of the church to receive donations of new or nearly-new blankets for the homeless in our community. Cash donations are also welcome.
THANKSGIVING DAY MASS
Please join us for our Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 AM. We invite you to bring non-perishable food items which will be blessed and distributed to those in need. A special offering will be taken up for the St. Vincent De Paul Society’s ministry among the poor.
FROM THE JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMITTEE
Everyday, 31 million people, 12 million of them children, go hungry or are at risk of hunger. What can you do? Contact your congressional representative to vote for TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families). You can also help at the Food Bank or Transition House. The next Justice and Peace Committee meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 20th, after Taize Prayer (7:15 PM) in the Social Rooms.
FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING
Reading I: Ezekiel 34:11-21, Reading II: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, Gospel: Matthew 25: 31-46

This week’s description of the last judgment goes further that any other. This final judgment determines what counts in the end. It is not success or how perfectly a person has developed. In the end, the judgment is about love for the poorest, the no-accounts, the ones easy to miss. It is not about doing good or charitable things for a cause or out of a sense of duty. What counts is doing real, practical good out of genuine love. Jesus tells us that when we do this, we are truly serving Jesus and the reign of God.

When have you felt “left out,” and when have you felt accepted?

When during this past month did you see another hungry, naked, thirsty, sick, in prison? How did you respond?

Describe a time when helping others was your way of living this Gospel.

As a Church, as a parish community, and as individuals, whom do we easily pass by?

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
For those of us who live in the age of electricity, Matthew’s parable does not make its point as easily as it did when he wrote. In the first century, nightfall brought black-outs. People used oil lamps that were somewhat unpredictable in their homes and to find their way on the road. Taking no extra oil when one went out would have been an act of extreme foolishness. Most people would not have gone out into the night so unprepared. The point of this parable is the same as other parables: what we do in the here and now prepares us for the unknown arrival of God’s reign. We will either be prepared to meet the Risen Christ or foolishly not.
GUADALUPE FILM
Fr. Gary, O.F.M., is currently planning to produce a film on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. If you think you might be interested in helping with this production, please contact Fr. Gary here at the Old Mission, at 682-4713, ext. 168.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
High School Students: Today we are gathering at the San Roque parish hall from 12:30-1:30 PM, following the 11:30 Mass (FREE FOOD!) On Thursday, PAUSE meets in the youth room from 7-8:30 PM. See you there!
Confirmation: Please return your interview scheduling sheets or call Andrew to schedule an appointment sometime this month, ASAP!
Junior High Ministry: SHINE fellowship meets from 2:30-4:00 PM on Sundays in the youth room. Our weeknight fellowship, RISE, will meet next Tuesday, November 19th, from 6:30-8:00 PM in the youth room. See you there!
College Ministry: Future meetings will await greater interest. Please call Andrew, 682-4713, ext. 118, if you have ideas or you are interested in helping get this new ministry started.
Young Adult Ministry: Mark your calendars and don’t miss our “Eighties Flashdance” on Saturday, December 7th from 7-10:00 PM at Serra Hall
NEW PARISH CENSUS
We ask all parishioners to fill out a new census card if you did not do so during the picture-taking sessions for the new directory. Please pick up a card at the back of the church. You may drop the completed card in the collection or return it to the parish office. Thanks!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Beginning Experience: The Beginning Experience for those divorced, separated, or widowed is a weekend process designed to be a time of closure on the past and a new beginning in the present. The next Beginning Experience Weekend is November 15-17th at the Old Mission. Please call Margie Sharpe at 965-4884 for more information.
Catholic Charities Annual Mistletoe Ball: Friday, November 22nd. Give yourself a holiday experience and help those less fortunate in the process. Please call 965-7045 for information.
Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 PM, at the First United Methodist Church, Anapamu and Garden Streets. Please call 963-3579 for information.
FIRST FRUITS BACK TO GOD
Sunday Offering, October 27th $11,335.00
Sunday Offering, November 3 $10,090.50
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Please join us for our beautiful candlelit Taize Prayer Around the Cross liturgy on Wednesday, November 13th at 6:30 PM in the church. You are invited to take thirty minutes out of your busy week to join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM for prayerful contemplation on the mystery of God’s most gracious gift—Jesus Christ. Come away and rest in God. You will be glad you did!
LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS 2003: FEB 28 - MARCH 2
Mark your calendars and make your hotel reservations immediately! Don’t miss out on this year’s Congress featuring over 265 workshops. Truly, there is something for everyone! Beautiful, uplifting liturgies are planned. Daily noon time concerts and evening performances promise to be entertaining and inspiring. The topics addressed will range from spirituality and personal development to theology and catechesis. For more information on the workshops, speakers, and events, you can pick up a registration guidebook from the Parish Office. Please note, the Parish does not have a block of rooms this year; you will need to make your own hotel reservations.
BREAD FOR THE WORLD
Several years ago, St. Barbara Parish elected to become a Bread for the World Covenant member. We have pledged to support the Bread for the World organization in all its endeavors to advocate for poor and hungry people. Next weekend, at all of the Masses, we will celebrate “Bread for the World Sunday” by reciting our covenant together.
CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Thirty-four million people in America live in poverty—including one in six children. On November 24th, we will take up a special offering for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which responds to the Church’s call to bring a lasting end to poverty. Your support will help low-income people as they work together to solve community problems, increase educational opportunities, and create jobs.

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Biblical scholars have noted that Matthew’s description of the tensions between Jesus and the Pharisees reflects the situation of his own community—a situation that involved open hostility between official Judaism and the young Christian sect. The Pharisees become the symbol of all that Matthew wants the leaders of his own Christian community to avoid—a clue, perhaps, that even within the early Christian community the problems of hypocrisy in the Church’s leadership were not entirely unknown. Unfortunately, this particular Gospel has often been taken out of its context and used to feed anti-Semitism. This was not Matthew’s intention. Matthew used the clashes between Jesus and the Pharisees as a means to challenge the authorities of his own community, and by extension, the leaders of today, to more authentic leadership.
OFFERTORY PROGRAM
This week, you will receive a brochure containing information regarding the nature of the Parish Offertory Program, our budget for the current year, our current giving patterns, and financial giving recommendations. We ask that you study the brochure and note the financial giving recommendations that are categorized by personal income so that they are fair to all. At Mass next weekend, you will be asked to indicate your weekly commitment. If you have not used envelopes in the past, please begin to do so. It is important for us to know how many members of our Parish are actively involved in offering their financial support. Please prayerfully consider your spending priorities, see where our Parish is placed within them, and then adjust them as you deem necessary based on our obligation to support the work of God. Thanks.
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
¨ High School Students: Meet at San Roque TODAY after the 11:30 Mass (FREE FOOD!) Our PAUSE group meets on Thursday from 7-8:30 PM.
¨ Confirmation: Please return your interview scheduling sheets or call Andrew to schedule an appointment ASAP!
¨ Junior High Ministry: “AfterMass” is now SHINE fellowship and meets from 2:30-4:00 PM on Sundays in the Youth Room. Our weeknight fellowship, RISE, meets this Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Youth Room. See you there!
¨ College Ministry: Please call Andrew, 682-4713, ext. 118 if you have ideas or are interested in helping get this new ministry started.
¨ Young Adult Ministry: Stay tuned!
NEW PARISH CENSUS
We ask all parishioners to fill out a new census card if you did not do so during the picture-taking sessions for the new directory. Please pick up a card at the back of the church. You may drop the completed card in the collection or return it to the parish office. Thanks!
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive: Tuesday, November 5th from 2:00-5:00 PM at Serra Hall. Give the gift of life!
NAIM, The organization for Widows and Widowers: Mass, short business meeting, and “White Elephant” sale on Sunday, November 10th. Please call Anne Marie, 967-5465 for information.
Catholic Charities Annual Mistletoe Ball: Friday, November 22nd. Give yourself a holiday experience and help those less fortunate in the process. Please call 965-7045 for information.
Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 PM, at the First United Methodist Church, Anapamu and Garden Streets. Please call 963-3579 for information.
FIRST FRUITS BACK TO GOD
Sunday Offering, October 20th $ 8,575.00
World Mission Sunday Offering $ 1,333.00
Sunday Offering, October 27th $11,335.00
Thank you for your continuing generosity!
TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS
Please join us for our beautiful candlelit Taize Prayer Around the Cross liturgy on Wednesday, November 6th at 6:30 PM in the church. You are invited to take thirty minutes out of your busy week to join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM for prayerful contemplation on the mystery of God’s most gracious gift—Jesus Christ. Come away and rest in God. You will be glad you did!
FROM THE PEACE AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE
The Parish Peace and Justice Committee supports Prop. 46, which will provide housing of several types: multifamily housing—some portion of which must be reserved for low income families for at least 55 years, low and moderate income home ownership projects, farm worker housing—rental and owner occupied, student housing for low income students, supportive housing projects providing health and social services, primarily for seniors and disabled persons.
THANK YOU ST. BARBARA PARISH
Dear Fr. Vince,
We gratefully acknowledge your generous donation...Because of you and St. Barbara Parish, there is help and hope for women in need...There is life because of what you help us to do: babies live, women heal, and families blossom...Many lives have changed because of the work done through Villa Majella over these twenty years. You are a major part of that change, a change that affects more than one generation. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Villa Majella, a heartfelt thank you!
June M. Guadagno, Executive Director