FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Not even the “Son of God” was exempt from being tempted! We can expect no less in our lives. Temptation, then, is not necessarily a sign that we are great sinners; rather, temptation is an occasion for us to affirm our fidelity and faithfulness to God. Satan tempted Jesus with a style of living that must certainly have been attractive to him personally. It would be to anyone. But, each of the temptations was a temptation to infidelity, to faithlessness. All of those attractive things that were offered, things that seem so good, are, in fact, evil when choosing them means being unfaithful to the kind of life to which God calls not only the Messiah but every one of God’s people. We, too, are tempted time and time again by so many things that seem so good. We are tempted by so many opportunities that seem to promise to increase our wealth, our comfort, our social acceptability, our power. All seemingly so easy to do, yet all so faithless, all so foreign to what we are called to be. In the desert, Jesus did not debate with Satan; he did not try to match wits with Satan. Jesus simply said “No.” Faithfulness. Fidelity to what he knew was God’s design, that was Jesus’ strength in the desert. It will be ours as well.

WELCOME TO ST. BARBARA PARISH!

In imitation of Jesus Christ, we welcome all people to worship and celebrate God’s all-inclusive love with us. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your life, we thank you for choosing to be here with us today.

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Reading I: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Reading II:
Philippians 3:17-4:1; Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
One of the key themes in Luke’s gospel is glory. As Jesus is transfigured, Moses and Elijah appear “in glory.” When the apostles awake, they see only Jesus’ “glory.” Moses and Elijah reveal that Christ’s passage would be through suffering to glory. The voice of God identifies Jesus as God’s chosen son, and commands the apostles to listen, to listen to what Jesus has just announced—his approaching death and resurrection. In this passage, the glory of God will be revealed. Relate an experience of having to do something difficult or unpleasant that helped another person. Describe a time you stopped to listen closely to another person. Relate an event that enabled you to carry on through a difficult time. What are some “mountaintop” experiences in your life? What experience these past two weeks helped you see God working in your life? Describe a hardship you experienced that made you a better person.

STEWARDSHIP: FAITH IN ACTION

February 22nd $10,251.00
Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Don’t forget to use your contribution envelopes.
If you are not receiving envelopes, call 682-4151.

PARISH CALENDAR
February 28 Altar Server and Adult Acolyte
Installation at the 4:00 PM Mass
March 2 Lenten Small Church Communities
March 3 Taize Prayer Around the Cross, 6:30 PM
Justice and Peace Meeting, 7-8:30 PM
Adult Confirmation Process, 7:30 PM
March 5 Stations of the Cross, 12:00 Noon
March 7 Christian Initiation Rite of Sending
at the 10:30 AM Mass
March 13-14 Catholic Charities Food Drive
March 19 St. Joseph’s Day Mass and Dinner

ROSARY FOR PEACE

Saturday mornings after the 7:30 AM Mass.

FATHER RICHARD AND SCOTTISH DANCE
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) will be beginning classes again here in Santa Barbara on Thursday evenings because a fully certified Scottish Country Dance teacher has moved into town…me. Eileen Gray, who has been teaching classes in Santa Barbara for a long while will be teaching a beginners’ class and I will be teaching a class for experienced dancers.
I’ve pursued the credential for a number of reasons. I enjoy dancing. Scottish Country Dancing is a social dance form that historically has no class distinctions. All folks, rich, poor, and in between danced the same dances, often together. The form is in itself social, everyone dances with everyone. Dancing with a consistent partner is a breach of etiquette. The music is joyful and lively and so are the dance steps. While the music is definitely Scottish, the dancers represent every nation in the world. So folks don’t need to be Scottish, they don’t need to have partners, just comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes. I have found it much easier to create community on the dance floor than by talking about it. It is a wonderful break for me to do something that includes more of me than just my brain. Lastly, I have a talent for dancing and teaching.
This is not an advertisement for the class, but a “heads up” for you, my parish family. Of course you are all most welcome to consider coming. But be forewarned…the purpose of the class is not just to learn, but to prepare for dances and Balls as well.

LENT: THE HOLY SEASON OF RENEWAL“Each year, you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, our God, and of willing service to our neighbor.” (From The Lenten Preface)

FAITH SHARING GROUPS Tuesday mornings from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, and evenings from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. The six-week Lenten Small Church Community reflections on the Sunday Readings invite us to grow in our ability to see ourselves, one another, and our world through the eyes of God. Call the Parish Office if you are interested in participating.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be prayed each Friday during Lent at 12:00 noon, beginning February 27th. Join us as we recall and meditate on Jesus’ journey from his condemnation to his burial in the tomb.

TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS resumes this Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This type of contemplative prayer and song leads us to God in and through the image of Christ crucified.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence. All Catholics 14 years and older abstain from meat and eat sacrificially on those days. Each Friday during Lent is a day of abstinence on which Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are asked to eat sacrificially.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN DONATION BOXES are available in the church today. Community Kitchen is a non-profit organization that exists solely to feed the hungry and homeless of Santa Barbara. Every year, more than 350 volunteers serve over 110,000 hot, nutritious meals. Try the “Community Kitchen Diet:” fill your donation box with the money you save by cutting down and simplifying your meals during Lent.

TOGETHER IN MISSION, the annual appeal to help support the poorest parishes and schools in the Archdiocese needs your support (envelopes in the pews).

CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD DRIVE
Help support Catholic Charities food bank! Catholic Charities will be here after Masses on the weekend of March 13-14. Any and all non-perishable food items you can donate will be greatly appreciated. Please plan to give generously

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Over many months, the Pastoral Council has been looking into establishing a bereavement ministry in partial fulfillment of our stated parish objective to establish a “Service in Time of Need” ministry. We now come to you to ask those of you who feel called to this ministry to step forward. We are in need of an overall coordinator(s) and volunteers willing to make pastoral visits to those grieving the loss of a loved one. Please call the Parish Office if you are interested.

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Nothing in the gospel is more difficult than this—to love our enemies, to do good to those who mistreat us, to lend without any expectation of return. Jesus became our model for such unconditional love and mercy when he was being nailed to a cross. But how easy it is, how “natural” some would say, to want to retaliate against those who have hurt us.

We find this tendency in our personal lives, even in our homes. We want to get even with others. If our children hurt us in some way, even just by being ungrateful, we sometimes find ourselves saying (or at least thinking) “That’s the last favor I’ll do for you!” or, “Just wait until the next time you want me to do something for you!” But God’s mercy challenges us to a much higher standard. And then there’s that frightening phrase in The Lord’s Prayer when we ask God to forgive us in the same way that we forgive others!

In both routine and complex interactions with others, we have lots of opportunities to practice this demanding imperative. Will it be our best self or our worst self that responds? All of our encounters are opportunities to become more like Jesus who was able to say by the end of his earthly life: “Father forgive them, they know no what they do” (Luke 23:34). Ask God for the grace to be able to put the heroic love of Jesus and the infinite mercy of God into practice in our own time and situations

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Reading I: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Reading II:
Romans 10:8-13; Gospel: Luke 4:1-13

The temptation of Jesus in the desert, as told by Luke, was not the first time Jesus was tempted, nor would it be the last. But Luke, like Matthew, uses these three temptations in a powerful way to depict the frequent experiences of Jesus. He struggled with the difficult possibilities open to him in carrying out his mission right up to the agony in the garden. As a human being he was always free to choose his path. But Jesus was also conscious of his loyalty and relationship with God. Nothing will deter Jesus from establishing the Kingdom of God. His deepest trust is to follow God’s plan and to carry out his mission according to that plan and none other. Jesus rejects Satan and places his trust in the guidance of God, no matter where that might lead. Describe a time in your life when you asked for proof of God’s care for you. Recall an incident when you chose to accept or get out of an everyday hardship in your life. Tell of a time when a temptation revealed something to you about God or yourself. Relate an experience from your life when you wondered whether God cared for you or not. What besides “bread” satisfies the hungers in your life?

STEWARDSHIP: FAITH IN ACTION

February 15th $9,687.00
Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Don’t forget to use your contribution envelopes.
If you are not receiving envelopes, call 682-4151.


PARISH CALENDAR
February 20-22 Religious Education Congress
February 23 Pastoral Council Meeting, 7:00 PM
February 24 Lenten Small Church Communities
February 25 Ash Wednesday, services held at
7:30 AM, 12 Noon and 7:00 PM
February 28 Altar Server and Adult Acolyte
Installation at the 4:00 PM Mass
March 2 Lenten Small Church Communities
March 3 Taize Prayer Around the Cross, 6:30 PM
Adult Confirmation Process, 7:30 PM


ROSARY FOR PEACE

Saturday mornings after the 7:30 AM Mass.


ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN!Parents and families of gay and lesbian Catholics are invited to a support group meeting on Thursday, February 26th, at 7:30 PM in Santa Barbara. These meetings are informal and confidential. For more information and/or directions, call Kathie and Joe at 687-4338.


DEAR PARISHIONERS,
The great cycle of Lent through Easter to Pentecost is about to begin, and in the spirit of the cycles of our life with God and each other here is the second half of my wandering thoughts on Communion.
The Communion of the Mass is one of the three great processions during each Mass. The first great procession is the Gospel Procession. It may be the shortest, but it is not the least significant. By the time we come to the Gospel, God has called the Church to gather and we have responded in coming together to form Church. And so, Jesus Christ, the head of the Church is already with us. But the Gospel procession symbolically marks the personal and very real presence of the Word-Made-Flesh and the Gospel is proclaimed. The Gospel Procession marks in a special way, Jesus entry among us.

The second great procession is the Offertory Procession. Most of the preceding parts of the Mass are God’s speaking to us by way of God’s word in Scripture, Jesus’ presence in the Gospel, and the homily applying what we have heard to how we live. The Offertory is our response to God in offering the gifts, the fruits of our work, the fruits of our hands and the fruits of our lives, symbolized by bread and wine and our monies. The money is set aside for ministry, and the bread and wine are set aside for worship.
The third great procession is the Communion Procession. God receives our gifts of worship and thanks and returns our gifts so changed by the power of the Holy Spirit that our gifts have become the very real presence of Jesus, the Lord.

These processions describe our entire lives with God. God has first loved us, first speaks to us, first calls to us. God consistently breaks into our lives in more ways than we can ever know…the Gospel Procession! Our lives are filled with Gospel Processions. Some we recognize and respond to. Each of our responses is in a way an Offertory Procession. And in all of our responding to God and offering to God and to any of our brothers or sisters, we find we have received the real presence of Christ, become the real presence of Christ…a Communion.

Gospel (God’s initiative)—Offertory (our human response)—Communion (the Presence of our Risen Lord) is a constant cycle in our life as members of the Christian Faithful. While the cycle of the Church’s Liturgical Year is central to our public worship of God, it is by no means the only cycle in our lives together. God now calls us together into the cycle of celebrating repentance, turning our hearts back to God, and celebrating new life. Cycles within cycles . . . Wow! What wondrous mysteries!

Blessings,
Fr. Richard


TOGETHER IN MISSION ANNUAL APPEAL
Together in Mission will provide financial support to 32 parishes and 46 schools in most need within the Archdiocese. Many thanks to those who have already responded with donations or pledges. Our fundraising goal for this year’s appeal is $60,807. If you have not yet made a donation or pledge, please prayerfully consider doing so. Thank you for your generosity.


OPEN HOUSE TO HONOR FR. VIRGIL
You are invited to an Open House to honor Fr. Virgil Cordano, celebrating his 85th birthday. Come to the Old Mission Friars Lounge anytime between 1:00 and 5:00 PM Sunday, February 29th, to share your birthday wishes to him. Questions? Call (805) 682-4713.


LENT: THE HOLY SEASON OF RENEWAL
Each year, you give us this joyful season when we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with mind and heart renewed. You give us a spirit of loving reverence for you, our God, and of willing service to our neighbor. (From The Lenten Preference)

FAITH SHARING GROUPS begin on Tuesday, February 24th, in the morning from 10:00 AM -11:30 AM, and in the evening from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. The six-week Lenten Small Church Community reflections on the Sunday Readings invite us to grow in our ability to see ourselves, one another, and our world through the eyes of God. Sign-up sheets are located at the back of the church. Please note that for this first meeting, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes early.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS will be prayed each Friday during Lent at 12:00 noon, beginning February 27th. Join us as we recall and meditate on Jesus’ journey from his condemnation to his burial in the tomb.

TAIZE PRAYER AROUND THE CROSS will resume on Wednesday, March 3rd at 6:30 PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This type of contemplative prayer and song leads us to God in and through the image of Christ crucified.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN DONATION BOXES
Will be available in the church on Ash Wednesday and on the First Sunday of Lent. The Community Kitchen is a non-profit organization that exists solely to feed the hungry and homeless of Santa Barbara. Every year, more than 350 volunteers serve over 110,000 hot, nutritious meals. Try the “Community Kitchen Diet:” fill your donation box with the money you save by cutting down and simplifying your meals during Lent.

TOGETHER IN MISSION:
The annual appeal to help support the poorest parishes and schools in the Archdiocese needs your support (envelopes in the pews).

LENTEN OBSERVANCES
ASH WEDNESDAY: Masses on Ash Wednesday, February 25th, will be at 7:30 AM, 12:00 Noon, and 7:00 PM in the main church. Lenten ashes will be distributed at each Mass.

FAST AND ABSTINENCE:
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast and Abstinence. All Catholics 14 years and older abstain from meat and eat sacrificially on those days. Each Friday during Lent is a day of abstinence on which Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are asked to eat sacrificially.

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

In ancient times, blessings and curses were not taken lightly. People believed that the very words of a blessing or curse actually began the process. Today’s First Reading and the Gospel speak of blessings and curses (woes) in ways that are unfamiliar to us in this time and place. Nevertheless, the message is as valid today as it was then. Jeremiah speaks of those who trust God and cherish God’s law as blessed—they will thrive in hard times and will be the source of life for others. Those who do not trust in God and respect God’s law will be cursed—they will barely survive and will lack any power of fertility. Jesus’ message seems, at first glance, to contradict this notion. Those whom Jesus calls blessed are the ones whose lives are barely eked out, and those threatened with woes are the ones who seem to be blessed. In fact, Jesus and Jeremiah are saying the same thing: if you choose God, you will be blessed; on the other hand, if you choose human standards, you will succumb to the woe. In other words, if we are swayed by and give in to strictly human values that are not consistent with God’s reign, we will ultimately be cursed. Contrarily, if, in spite of difficult circumstances, we are faithful to God—trusting God and living by God’s law—we will be greatly blessed.


SEVENTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
Reading I: Samuel 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23; Reading II:
1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Today’s reading from Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain,” a parallel of Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount,” contains the revolutionary command: love your enemies. Reacting with violence only breeds more violence. The Christian way rises above getting even: “Do good to those who hate you…Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Luke’s Jesus tells his listeners to be compassionate. God has already withheld judgment from us. The reward for our compassion will be beyond measure. Think of an experience in your life when someone mistreated you or someone you love. What was your reaction to that person? How could you have better dealt with this same situation? Describe a person whom you find it almost impossible to forgive or love. Describe the feelings you cannot change toward this person. Without trying to change the feelings, how can you begin the process of forgiving? Which of these is the hardest for you to do and which is the easiest: forgiving others, loving your enemies, not judging others, turning the other cheek, or giving willingly without expecting anything in return?


STEWARDSHIP: FAITH IN ACTION

February 1st $11,456.00
Thank you for your continuing generosity!

Don’t forget to use your contribution envelopes.
If you are not receiving envelopes, call 682-4151.


PARISH CALENDAR
February 15th Baptisms at the 9:00 AM Mass
February 20-22 Religious Education Congress
February 24 Lenten Small Church Communities
February 25 Ash Wednesday, services held at
7:30 AM, 12 Noon and 7:00 PM


ROSARY FOR PEACE
Saturday mornings after the 7:30 AM Mass.


ALWAYS OUR CHILDREN!
Parents and families of gay and lesbian Catholics are invited to a support group meeting on Thursday, February 19th, at 7:30 PM in Santa Barbara. These meetings are informal and confidential. For more information and/or directions, call Kathie and Joe at 687-4338.


DEAR PARISHIONERS,

Two weeks ago, Fr. Joe Scott and Ana Reza from St. Mark’s Parish in Isla Vista spoke of their gratitude at having received “Together in Mission” funds to support their parish ministries. Last weekend, Cardinal Mahony talked to us about this year’s “Together in Mission” campaign. There are 32 parishes and 46 schools that are simply not able to survive without our assistance. Many of you made a commitment to the annual campaign last week, and we are most grateful. Today we will again take a few moments after the homily to allow those who were unable to pledge last weekend the opportunity to do so. All money collected during this five-month campaign is placed in a special account and given only to the 32 parishes and 46 schools in need. In addition, parishes that exceed their fundraising goal will receive a refund of the overage. This year, the Pastoral Council and pastoral staff have decided that any money returned to us will be given to our sister Franciscan parish, St. Francis of Assisi.
I wish to draw your attention to our up-coming Lenten faith-sharing process, “Lenten Longings,” that will begin on February 24th. During the six weeks of Lent, we will gather in small groups to dwell on God’s Word as it comes to us in and through the Lenten scripture readings. Our desire or longing is to broaden our own scope of vision in order to see ourselves, one another and the world with the eyes of God through the gifts of faith, hope and love, which God has given us in abundance. I encourage you to sign-up to participate in this Lenten renewal experience.
Finally, the Religious Education Congress takes place this coming weekend. Fr. Richard and the entire parish staff will be going. If you have not registered and would like to go, you can register on-site. Hope to see you there!

Blessings,
Pat


TOGETHER IN MISSION ANNUAL APPEAL
Together in Mission provides financial support to 32 parishes and 46 schools in the Archdiocese that simply could not continue in ministry without our help. Our fundraising goal for this year’s appeal is $60,807. Many thanks to all those who have already responded with donations or pledges. If you have not yet made a donation or pledge to Together in Mission, please consider doing so today. Thank you for your generosity.


YOUTH NEWS
Confirmation
On Sunday, March 7, meet in the hall at St. Raphael’s at 5:00 PM, followed by Mass, dinner, and classes until 9:15 PM.

Senior High Youth Ministry:
Meets Tuesday evenings from 7:15 – 9:00 PM in the St. Raphael Parish Center. All high school age youth are welcome.

Junior High “Tobiah Club” Youth Ministry:
Our next meeting is Thursday, February 19th from 7:00-8:45 PM in the St. Raphael Parish Center.


ADULT CONFIRMATION
The formation process for adults seeking to complete Christian Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:30 PM. Confirmation will take place at St. Raphael Church on Saturday, April 17th. Call the Parish Office to register.


LENTEN SMALL CHURCH COMMUNITIES
Sign up to participate in our six-week Lenten Small Church Community gatherings, beginning Tuesday, February 24th. Taking part in a small church community is a wonderful way to respond to the call to deepen our prayer life during Lent. Sign-up sheets are located at the back of the church for both morning (10:00 to 11:30 AM) and evening sessions (7:00 to 8:30 PM). Other opportunities for prayer during Lent will be Taize prayer on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and the Stations of the Cross at 12:00 Noon each Friday.


OPEN HOUSE TO HONOR FR. VIRGIL
You are invited to an Open House to honor Fr. Virgil Cordano, celebrating his 85th birthday. Please come to the Old Mission Friars Lounge anytime between 1:00 and 5:00 PM on Sunday, February 29th, and join Fr. Virgil for some cake and to share your birthday wishes to him. Questions? Call (805) 682-4713.


POLISH SPOKEN HOLY MASS
The Polish American Arts Association of Santa Barbara invites all who would like to participate in a Polish spoken Holy Mass to Holy Cross Church (1740 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara) on Saturday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. Samples of homemade Polish cooking will be served after Mass. To learn more about the Polish American Arts Association, call Magdalena, 884-0048.


RITUAL OF ROSES AND CANDLE LIGHTING
Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara will be holding a ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Barbara, Fellowship Hall, 21 East Constance Avenue at 3:00 PM on Sunday, February 22nd, to honor those who have died within the past year. They are inviting family and friends to attend this Ritual of Roses and Candle Lighting “...to acknowledge and celebrate the life or your loved one who has died in the past year.”


INCIDENCE OF ABUSE STATISTICS
As was noted in The Tidings, in the coming weeks the Archdiocese will be releasing further information and statistics about the incidence of clergy sexual abuse of minors in Los Angeles. When released, we will make that information available to all interested parishioners. Also, watch for a national report on the extent of clergy sexual misconduct with minors, known as the “John Jay Study,” that will be released on February 27th.


MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER RETREAT
Valentine’s day means roses, chocolates and romance, but why not go to a deeper level and recapture that love you felt when you were dating and first married? Come experience a Marriage Encounter Weekend! The next weekend in Ventura County is April 23-25. Contact Amber and Felix Masci at (805) 581-1670 or email afmasci@earthlink.net for more information.

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
All three of today’s readings point to God’s call to all of us to actively participate in bringing about God’s reign. Isaiah was a man of “unclean lips,” yet he hears God call and he responds, “Here I am, send me!” Saul experiences God’s call when he is on his way to persecute the Church. Though Saul felt unworthy of the name, “apostle,” he learned to accept who he was and went on to steadfastly preach the Gospel as the Apostle Paul. Peter hears God’s call while Jesus is in his boat proclaiming the Word of God. Peter, too, recognizes his own sinfulness. Nevertheless, Jesus asks Peter to grow a bit more, to “push out into deeper waters.” Because Peter obeys Jesus’ words, he catches a tremendous amount of fish—a sign of the extraordinary response to Peter’s future mission. Like Isaiah, Paul and Peter, we are flawed and sinful. Fortunately, the results of God’s call do not depend on our personal holiness or state of perfection. We must not let a sense of unworthiness keep us from proclaiming the Good News in word and in deed.


SIXTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME
Reading I: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Reading II:
1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20; Gospel: Luke 6:17,20-26

The “beatitudes” and “woes” in today’s Gospel should be looked at together because they balance one another. The poor should not be too easily identified with a social class, for the poor are not just the economically poor, but also the lowly and oppressed who seek God’s will. On the other hand, the rich are not condemned just because they are rich. But their riches can easily make them independent, not needing God or others. And they can begin to believe that they have a right to what they own, that they don’t have to notice the poor around them. We are promised happiness and fullness, but we are challenged to keep ourselves humble and our lives simple. Jesus preaches poverty because poverty forces us to trust totally in God. We have to realize that the Kingdom holds the ultimate value. Imagine yourself happy. Where are you? Who is with you? What are you doing? What are you feeling? Speak of an apparent misfortune, “bad luck” or disaster. What was the hidden blessing? Describe a time in your life when you felt poor or deprived. What impact do the words of Jesus have on these feelings? What are the things money can’t buy? How can your life be simpler? How can you depend more on God? How can you begin to notice poor people?


STEWARDSHIP: FAITH IN ACTION
February 1st $10,197.50

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


PARISH CALENDAR
February 8th Together in Mission Appeal
February 15th Baptisms at the 9:00 AM Mass
February 20-22 Religious Education Congress
February 25 Ash Wednesday, services held at
7:30 AM, 12 Noon and 7:00 PM


ROSARY FOR PEACE

Saturday mornings after the 7:30 AM Mass.

TOGETHER IN MISSION ANNUAL APPEAL
Together in Mission is our opportunity to reach beyond our own parish boundaries and to come together as a spiritual family to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are most in need, in support of 32 parishes and 46 schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Many thanks to all of those who have already responded with either one-time donations or pledges. Our parish goal for this year’s Appeal is $60,807. Our hope is that each household will contribute according to their means. If you have not yet made a pledge to Together in Mission, please consider doing so today.


YOUTH NEWS
Confirmation
Tonight, Sunday, February 8th, is Spirit Night for all candidates and their sponsors from 7:30-9:00 PM at St. Raphael Church.

Senior High Youth Ministry:
Meets Tuesday evenings from 7:15 – 9:00 PM in the St. Raphael Parish Center. All high school age youth are welcome.

Junior High “Tobiah Club” Youth Ministry:
Our next meeting is Thursday, February 19th from 7:00-8:45 PM in the St. Raphael Parish Center.


ADULT CONFIRMATION
The formation process for adults seeking to complete Christian Initiation through the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin Wednesday, March 3rd at 7:30 PM. Confirmation will take place at St. Raphael’s Church Saturday, April 17th. Please call the Parish Office to register.


DEATH WATCH
Kevin Cooper is scheduled to be executed by the State of California Tuesday morning, February 10th. Evidence and eyewitness testimony raise serious doubts as to Cooper’s guilt. Guilt or innocence notwithstanding, the Catholic Church opposes the use of the death penalty, holding that all human life is a precious gift of God, and that criminals can be punished and society can be protected without using the death penalty. Contact our Governor today and ask him to exercise his authority in ending this practice. Let us pray for Kevin Cooper and all victims of violence.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Phone: 916-445-2841
FAX: 916-445-4633
Email: governor@governor.ca.gov


LENTEN SMALL CHURCH COMMUNITIES
Mark your calendars and sign up to participate in our six-week Lenten Small Church Community gatherings beginning on Tuesday, February 24th. This year we will be using “Lenten Longings,” a small group guide put out by Renew International. We have this resource available in the office should you wish to see it. Sign-up sheets are located at the back of the church. You may sign up for a morning session (from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM) or an evening session (from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM). All groups will gather at the Mission. Taking part in a small church community is a wonderful way for us to respond to the call to deepen our prayer life during Lent. Other opportunities for prayer during Lent will be Taize prayer on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and the Stations of the Cross at noon each Friday.


YOUNG ADULTS
Join Bridge Building of Santa Barbara, a Spirituality Program for Young Adults, this Thursday, February 12th at 7:00 PM at Bishop Diego Center (4032 La Colina Rd., Santa Barbara). For more information, call (805) 682-1508 or email dugancsj@aol.com.


OPEN HOUSE TO HONOR FR. VIRGIL
You are invited to an Open House to honor Fr. Virgil Cordano, celebrating his 85th birthday. Please come to the Old Mission Friars Lounge anytime between 1:00 and 5:00 PM on Sunday, February 29th, to extend your birthday wishes. Questions? Call 682-4713.


POLISH SPOKEN HOLY MASS
The Polish American Arts Association of Santa Barbara invites all who would like to participate in a Polish spoken Holy Mass to Holy Cross Church (1740 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara) on Saturday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. Samples of homemade Polish cooking will be served after Mass. To learn more about the Polish American Arts Association, call Magdalena, 884-0048.