Thursday, December 26, 2002

Dear Parishioners,

Christ has come! May the blessings of this most holy season be yours in abundance! Our celebration of Christ’s birth was glorious! We are grateful to so many people who selflessly contributed their time and energy toward this most holy event. Thank you to Joan Curran, Corrado Reginatto, and Elias Dorado for their many hours of sacristan duties which helped make our liturgies flow so beautifully. We thank Dr. Keith, the choir, and the cantors for leading us in song and providing wonderful music. We thank our lectors and eucharistic ministers who served us with such joy. Thanks to Brian Carter and his team of ushers for their care. We thank Bob and Claudia Chyla and all the acolytes for their altar ministry. Many thanks to Carol Parkus and the liturgy environment team for their beautiful and inspiring decorations in the Serra Chapel and inside and outside of the church. Thanks also to all of you who donated poinsettias. Thanks to Anthony Dal Bello for the trees. Thank you to the dedicated crew who put together the outdoor creche; and thanks to Hart’s Therapeutic Riding Academy for letting us borrow their sweet animals. Thank you to our shepherds who faithfully keep watch over the manger each night. Many thanks also to everyone who so graciously donated gifts to be given to the poor. Thanks to Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent De Paul Society for delivering them.
Happy New Year! Love, Father Vince


Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Dear Parishioners,

Peace and all Good! The blessings of this beautiful season be with you! With this Fourth Sunday of Advent, we bring the season of preparation to a close! With Mary, we eagerly await and expect the birth of the child who embodies God’s incarnational entry into the world. Our Christmas liturgies will be filled with all the joy and beauty we can muster to welcome God’s Son!

Then, on New Year’s Eve, we will usher in 2003 in solemn splendor! We will begin with joyful prayer at 11:00 PM., followed by a grand New Year’s Eve party on the front portico. Don’t worry, we have plenty of heaters for this outdoor reception. Hope your New Year’s Eve celebration includes the Mission!

In the New Year, we will begin our “Landings” program for fully initiated Catholics who wish to return to the Church. Why not invite friends or relatives back home to our Church? Please watch the Bulletin for details.

Finally, many thanks to so many of you who donated gifts for our Giving Tree. The St. Vincent de Paul Society will see that they make someone’s Christmas a little brighter!
Christmas Peace! Fr. Vince


Dear Parishioners,

On behalf of the Pastoral Council and Fr. Vince, many thanks to all who participated in our Parish Convocation. By means of the “Appreciative Inquiry” method, we are working toward accentuating and building on the positive as we move forward into the future. We realize that we covered a tremendous amount of material in a very short time! For those unable to attend and for those of you who may have further reflections you wish to share, please do not hesitate to give us your written comments.

Thanks also to all who made our celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe so wonderful. Very special thanks to Kathy Valenta and her dedicated crew for the fabulous Mexican dinner!

Our Advent Sacrament of Reconciliation liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, December 19th, at 7:00 PM in the church. Several confessors will be available. What better way to “make straight the way of the Lord.” Please join us in celebrating the gift of God’s unconditional forgiveness!

We are also looking forward to the annual Christmas caroling and Blessing of the Christmas Creche that will take place on December 21st at 7:00 PM on the front steps of the Mission. This event, along with our beautiful outdoor trees are ways in which we share the everlasting light of Christ with the larger Santa Barbara community.

I invite all of you to consider attending Mass on Christmas Day this year. The Masses are glorious and far less crowded! As a special message to parents, I particularly invite you and your children to the 12:00 noon Mass. There will be a special Children’s Liturgy of the Word with the retelling of the Christmas story as a part of the Mass.. And this year, we are pleased to have Bishop Curry as the presider.
Make your plans now to join us for our annual New Year’s Eve Prayer Vigil and gala party starting at 11:00 PM. on December 31st.
Everlasting joy! Pat
Friday, December 06, 2002
Dear Parishioners,

Peace and all Good! One of the central figures of our Advent journey is Mary, the Mother of God. Mary stands in our midst as an example of patient waiting and joyful expectation for the coming of the Lord. During Advent, we commemorate two major Marian feasts. We will celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 9th (this year) with a beautiful Mass at 12:00 Noon. As the Immaculate Conception, Mary is the patroness of the United States and of the Franciscan Order. Then, on December 12th, we keep the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We will celebrate with a candlelit procession and Rosary at 5:30 PM, followed by a delicious Mexican dinner. In the midst of all the hurrying about and shopping, these two feasts of Our Lady will help bolster our spiritual focus.

Please mark your calendars for our Advent Sacrament of Reconciliation liturgy on Thursday, December 19th. What better way to “prepare the way of the Lord?”

Finally, thank you to all who have made their annual pledge to the parish. Your new commitment began with the First Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday of the new Church Year. If you have not yet filled out a pledge card, you will find them at the doors of the church. The incarnation of God began with love; you continue that love with acts of selflessness and generosity.

I hope to see you at the Parish Convocation this afternoon from 2:00-4:00
Love, Father Vince