Friday, August 29, 2003
Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, our nation celebrates Labor Day, which calls attention to the value we ascribe to work and the worker. The Church also has a long tradition of upholding the value of work as the way by which one participates in God’s creative power. The Church considers work to be a basic human right, essential to human fulfillment. This week, as we thank God for the work we have, let us pray for all those who do not have meaningful work.

I hope that all of you are planning to come to the Cabrillo Arts Center on the beach to say your farewells to Fr. Vince on September 8th, from 4:30 – 8:30 PM. Il Signore Ti accompagni, Padre Vincenzo!

Mark your calendars now for our annual celebration of “St. Francis Days.” We will begin on the vigil of his feast day, Friday, October 3rd, with the “Transitus,” the beautiful story of the passing of St. Francis from this life to eternal life. The Blessing of the Animals will take place at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 4th. Solemn Mass in honor of St. Francis will be 4:00 PM on that day. Finally, our annual Parish Picnic will be held at Tucker’s Grove on October 5th, starting at 1:30 PM. Be sure to come out and welcome Fr. Richard Juzix, our new pastor.

Special blessings to all students and teachers embarking on a new year!

Love, Pat
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Dear Parishioners,

As summer begins to wane, we turn toward gearing up for all the activity of another school year. Last weekend, John Vasellina, St. Raphael/St. Barbara Youth Minister, outlined the youth and Confirmation program for junior and senior high school students. You will find the schedule elsewhere in the Bulletin. We are truly looking forward to this new partnering venture. Andrea Roe, our Elementary Religious Education Coordinator, has mailed registration materials to last year’s families. If you do not get one, or you are new to the elementary program or the youth program, please stop by the Parish Office and pick up a registration packet.

The parish “Safeguard the Children” Committee has been studying church and secular documents in order to educate themselves in aspects of child abuse. They have included a sheet of policies already in place, and newly established, that will enhance our protection of the children in our care. In addition, they have been planning a presentation by Cecilia Rodriguez from CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Mediation) that will take place in November. The entire parish community is encouraged to attend. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

Blessings!
Pat
Thursday, August 14, 2003
Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, we are happy to welcome John Vasellina, St. Raphael’s Youth Minister, who will speak at all of the Masses. As you learned last week, we will be partnering with St. Raphael’s for our junior and senior high youth ministry and Confirmation programs. John will be at a table outside after the Masses to answer your questions and to register junior and senior high schoolers. Please give him a warm welcome.

Many thanks to those of you who came to our Eucharistic Ministry training session on Saturday. Our Parish Mission Statement points to the Eucharistic liturgy as the heart and soul of this Parish. It is in the Eucharist that we receive the very life of Jesus Christ by which we are transformed and sent forth to transform the world.

I invite you to consider joining us on our next pilgrimage to Italy and Sicily from April 27th—May 15th, 2004. We will, of course visit Rome and Assisi as well as other shrines and historical sites. More specific information will be available soon.
Have a great week!
Love, Pat
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Dear Parishioners,

This weekend is “Missionary Appeal Weekend.” We are privileged to have with us Fr. Frederick Byaruhanga, from the Kabale Diocese in Uganda. Fr. Frederick tells me that his diocese is in the extreme southwestern corner of the country, about 280 miles from the capital city of Kampala. There are approximately 600,000 Catholics in the region. Fr. Frederick is asks for our help in supporting their rural development programs, including health care and education. The diocese is currently constructing an orphanage to provide care and shelter to children whose parents have died of AIDS. Please be as generous as possible.

We have some late-breaking news on the youth ministry front. For many years now, St. Barbara’s has struggled to create a viable Parish youth ministry program. Over the course of this past year, we conducted several brainstorming sessions with Andrew and some of our young adults to get ideas on what we might do. We decided to approach St. Raphael’s to see if we could combine with their already-viable program. They welcomed us with open arms! Beginning this September, our junior high, senior high, and Confirmation students will join the St. Raphael’s group. As a Parish, we will participate by sending volunteers to help, and monetary support. Next weekend, John Vasellina, St. Raphael’s Youth Minister, will speak at all of our Masses. We are really looking forward to this new cooperative venture. Please pray for its success. Also, I am so pleased to announce that Andrew Gafvert has accepted a position in the Parish Office as the Pastoral Staff Assistant. He is becoming well-versed in all aspects of the “business end” of the Parish.

Love, Pat