Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

Today’s gospel compares the final judgment to a shepherd separating sheep from goats. In this parable, the shepherd distinguishes the sheep not by the curl in their woolly coats, but by their merciful actions. The sheep are people who have fed the hungry, given drink to people who are thirsty, sheltered the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned.

The vision of final judgment is scarier than those that say the sun will grow dark and the stars will fall from the sky. After all, what can any of us do when the earth quakes or the moon vanishes? The terrible thing about the works of mercy is that any of us can do them but many of us neglect them.

Three times the parable of the sheep and goats repeats the six actions which God requires of the just, acting as a teacher to drum these simple, basic expectations into our heads. To us who hear this parable, the repetition makes the demands of mercy very clear. However, in the story neither the just who inherit God’s kingdom nor the unjust whom the Son of Man condemns know when they saw Jesus in need and did or didn’t help him.

No one in the parable recognizes that Jesus identifies with the least among them. In becoming one of us, God’s Son identifies with all of us. How we treat the least among us becomes the measure of how we treat God’s Son. This theology reiterates the two great commandments that make love of God and love of neighbor inseparable. It is also the scriptural root of the Catholic social teaching to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Matthew places this parable just before Jesus’ passion in the flow of the gospel narrative. In his passion Jesus himself becomes the least among us, suffering the kind of execution aimed to shame and subdue rebellious slaves. Sunday’s parable invites us to recognize Jesus in all those who suffer.


Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

This weekend we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. Jesus usually avoided applying titles to himself, but his friends never tired of trying to pin their titles on Jesus. Each title we use for Jesus tells us something about him, but we have never completely captured Jesus with our titles because he is always more than we can express. Titles are powerful tools we use to connect with others. The power of titles also applies to the “is like” titles which we often use because they are ways to assist us in knowing other people. We are fond of using “is like” titles for people close to us such as, “…is like a mother to me,” “…is like a son to me,” “…is like a brother or sister to me.” Because Jesus is like no one else in our experience, we use our special “is like” titles for him to draw close to him, to help us understand him, and learn in the process that Jesus gives these very titles new meaning. Just before we begin the season of Advent—the season that celebrates God’s drawing so very close to us—we celebrate our desire to draw close to God.

Last Sunday, in one of our religious education classes, the class was drawing pictures about giving thanks to God. This Thursday we will celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday. I mentioned to the class that the more thanks we give to God, the more good gifts from God we notice. One of the students asked, “Like what?” Fortunately another child in the class had a really great hat on her head and I was able to say, “Well, like that great hat.” I really do believe that the more thankful we are the more good and goodness we find. Do you think the opposite is also true?

Thanks are due to David Potter who has helped on the search committee for a Parish Music Director. Thanks to the folks from San Roque who joined with a few of our parish choir who sang with each of the candidates last Thursday; and thanks to the members of our pastoral council who listened to all the music offered. With a lot of good help and prayers we are nearing a good conclusion to the selection.

So now it’s time to start looking for the Advent Wreath; it’s probably with all the Christmas decorations. Take a deep breath and while you have a few moments of silence, remember thankfulness for the fulfillment of our desire and God’s desire to draw close.

Peace and all Good,
Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M., Pastor


PARISH CALENDAR

November 24 Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 AM
November 26-27 St. Vincent de Paul Annual Blanket Drive
November 27 First Sunday of Advent
November 29 Pastoral Council Meeting at 7:00 PM
December 2 First Friday Party after 7:30 AM Mass
December 4 Feast of Saint Barbara
December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception


DO YOU KNOW…

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching
Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. The key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition are:

Life and Dignity of the Human Person. The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation. The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.

Rights and Responsibilities. The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.

Options for the Poor and Vulnerable. A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Solidarity. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.

Care for God’s Creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.


Today’s Readings

First Reading—Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
I will rescue my scattered sheep.
Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Second Reading—1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
As in Adam all die; so too in Christ all shall be brought to life.
Gospel—Matthew 25:31-46
Whatever you did to the least ones, you did to me.

Attention Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors

A new Ministry Schedule for November 1st through December 23rd is now available. Please pick up your copy in the Sacristy, the Parish Office or the Porter’s Office. The schedule is also posted on the Parish website (www.sbmission.org).
...and
Please put your name on the special sign-up sheet in Sacristy if you’d like to serve at one of the Christmas Masses. If you’re going to be in town, WE NEED YOU!

Summer Pilgrimages

Fr. Daniel Barica will lead a pilgrimage to Spain and France from May 7-19. Please call LW Travel, (310) 320-9514 for more information.
Fr. Jack Clark Robinson will lead a pilgrimage to Ireland and England from June 26-July 8. Please call Bernice Anfuso at 963-6521 for more information.

Let Us Pray for the Sick

Giulio Infuso
Zoe Kazali
Anne Lano
Steenie Medina
Alfred Parziale
Betty Pitman
Mary Ann Jenquin
Pat DeBerry

May they find strength and comfort in our prayers.



Ministry to the Sick and Homebound

If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Today is the date for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Collection. Across the country today, millions of Catholics are taking Jesus’ concern for the poor to heart by supporting this campaign. In its 35th year as a program of the Catholic Church, CCHD is our nation’s largest private funder of self-help, low-income controlled projects directed at changing the conditions that cause poverty. Your gifts foster self-sufficiency and help build community.

CCHD has given hundreds of thousands of people the tools to take charge of their own lives and create a better future. Please give generously to CCHD today. You can also visit www.povertyusa.org for ways to help.

Youth Ministry

Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. For information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.

The Catholic Church Welcomes You!

Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more info.

Project Recovery Annual Blanket Drive November 26th & 27th

Next weekend St. Vincent de Paul Conference St. Barbara Parish will hold its Annual Blanket Drive for Project Recovery Detox Center. The Detox Center helps adults free themselves of their dependency on alcohol and hard drugs. To help Project Recovery defer some of their operating costs, we welcome donations of new or used blankets. We will have a table near the steps of the church for accepting blankets and monetary contributions.

Transition House Thanksgiving Dinner

The residents of Transition House are depending on the local churches who support the homeless shelter to provide their Thanksgiving dinner. Individuals are asked to donate the following foods:

1 whole roasted turkey
10 servings of mashed potatoes and gravy
10 servings of prepared stuffing
10 servings of salad & salad dressing
2-1/2 dozen dinner rolls
1 pumpkin pie & 1 can of whipped cream

Also, several people are needed to help serve the dinner. Please call Xochitl (Sochee) Ortiz at 966-9668 as soon as possible to let her know what you can donate. God bless you for your generosity.

Recycle Sight

Donate used and old eyeglasses to the Lions Sight and Hearing Center. For information, call 569-8264.

We Welcome our Newest Parishioners

Gabina Gomez and Adrian Topete
Audree Hashibe

Catholic Charities Mistletoe Ball

Catholic Charities of Santa Barbara kicks off the local holiday season on Friday, December 2nd, with the Mistletoe Ball—an elegant dinner, dance and auction at Bacara Resort. The proceeds of this 13th annual ball go directly to Santa Barbara area people of all faiths who are most in need. Please call 965-7045 for information and tickets. Organize a table of parishioners for a great time...and a great cause.

Always Our Children

The Catholic support group for Parents of Gay and Lesbian Children from the Santa Barbara and Ventura areas usually meets on the 4th Tuesday of every other month. Due to Thanksgiving holiday, we will meet on the 5th Tuesday (November 29th) at 7:30 PM.

This is a safe and comfortable environment where you can share your feelings and fears, and ask questions. The meetings are informal and confidential. For more information, call Kathie and Joe Schneider at 687-4338.


Prepare for Next Sunday’s Liturgy
First Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Gospel Reading: Mark 13:33-37

Reflection on Next Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word

Advent literally means “coming.” This coming refers to the first coming of Jesus as a baby in Nazareth, his coming into the hearts of faithful Christians throughout the ages and his final coming in glory at the end of the world. Christians in the first century looked for Christ to return soon to establish once and for all God’s reign of justice, peace and love. The parable we hear in Mark’s Gospel encouraged the early Christians not to grow careless. Advent is a time of joyful expectation. Jesus will come again. He will not forget his own. Keep looking!

Life Focus

- Describe an experience that continually helps you renew hope in your life.
- How do you show hope in your daily life?
- Relate a recent experience of God’s presence. How were you able to find God in the experience?
- What ways do you use to bring God into your life every day?

Getting in the Parish Bulletin

For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.


Stewardship Ministry

Sunday, November 13th $9,470.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


Traveling? Don’t forget to go to Mass.
For nationwide Mass times and locations, visit www.MassTimes.org.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

The talent the gospel parable talks about is an amount of money, not a personal ability or aptitude. One talent is equal to 6,000 denarii. One denarius was a day’s wage for the ordinary worker in Jesus’ time.

The word talent, although it refers to an amount of money, is the same word in English that refers to our personal abilities and gifts—to all our natural endowments and the qualities our families have nurtured in us. All of us have some artistic, athletic, and musical ability; some of us have distinctive gifts in various areas of capability. One can teach, another administer, another inspire others.

Both the first and second servants in the gospel received amounts of money equal to the earning of one or more lifetimes. This fact and the double meaning of the word talent urge us who hear the parable to identify the money amounts with all that God entrusts to us in giving us life, unique gifts, and family and friends whose lives we share.

We each have life without having caused ourselves to be. Our ancestors have invested themselves in relationships and efforts that bring us to be. Jesus invested his life in the human race, identifying with us totally until death, suffering through death to give us life. How do we use these extravagant down payments on ourselves? Today’s parable calls us to multiply the gifts entrusted to us.


Today’s Readings

First Reading—Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 128
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Second Reading—1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Brothers and sisters, you are the children of light.

Gospel—Matthew 25:14-30
To all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance.


At the Liturgy, Be the Church
Know the Awesome Responsibility you Share for Making This Liturgy!

Do not hide;
do your private praying in the other
hours of the week.
Welcome one another;
be at peace with one another.
Sit together.
Sing songs from your heart.
Do not be afraid to show
in your eager attention
that you are hungry for God’s Word
when the readers read,
hungry for Christ’s Body and Blood
when you come forward
in Holy Communion.
Give thanks and praise to God
by your attention
in the Eucharistic prayer.
Keep your eyes open to one another
and do everything you can
to build up the Church,
the Body of Christ.

- Cardinal Roger Mahony


Do You Know …Why We Drink from the Cup

Most adult Catholics in this country grew up receiving communion under the sign of bread alone. We enthusiastically accept the Body of Christ, a comfortable concept to embrace. “Body,” after all, brings to mind mostly positive things. Bodies hug us, touch us, kiss and comfort us. Bodies hold us and soothe us and wipe away our tears. We are bodies—bodies that work and run and dance, bodies that laugh and sing, feast, embrace and lie down at night weary for rest. We like our bodies or we don’t, but they are ours, they are us, they are home. We find power and strength in receiving and being the Body of Christ.

“The Blood of Christ” is not so comfortable an image. Who wants to embrace that? We are usually only aware of blood when it has been spilled. We encounter it because of injury or violence or other invasive action. Blood is not something we want to reach out for and embrace the way we reach out to embrace a body. We do not call ourselves “the Blood of Christ.” Yet the Church’s tradition bids us drink of the Cup of Salvation each time the Eucharist is celebrated. The cup is for us a sign of both total giving and of feasting joyfully at the table of the Lord.

Old habits are hard to break, comfort hard to disarm. Some of us are afraid of germs. Others are fearful of promoting the consumption of alcohol, especially among our children. Most of us simply don’t want to get intimate with the strangers in the pews around us by drinking from the same cup that they do. Yet the Church beckons us to the cup as a holy sign of festive delight and of life poured out. In this most radical of sacramental actions, the truly radical commitment of discipleship shines through.

Drinking from the cup proclaims that we graciously celebrate because we are unafraid of one another, bonded together with Christ in sacrifice, in a holy pouring out of the entirety of our lives. As Christ’s blood was spilled and continues to be spilled in the martyrs of our day, we too spill our lives for the sake of the reign of God. But, we do so together. We proclaim at each Eucharist that we are one in the Lord and in the work he accomplishes through us. Bound together in the sharing of bread and wine, body and blood, we ourselves become Fruit of the Vine, Christ our Lord.


PARISH CALENDAR

November 15 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM
November 19 Baptisms at the 4:00 PM Mass
November 19-20 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Special Collection
November 24 Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 AM
November 26-27 St. Vincent de Paul Annual Blanket Drive
November 29 Pastoral Council Meeting at 7:00 PM


Ministry to the Sick and Homebound

If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.


Let Us Pray for the Sick

Giulio Infuso
Zoe Kazali
Steenie Medina
Alfred Parziale
Anne Lano
Betty Pitman
Mary Ann Jenquin
Pat DeBerry

May they find strength and comfort in our prayers


The Catholic Church Welcomes You!

Are you thinking about returning to actively practicing your faith? If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, know you are in our prayers. We invite you to explore your faith and your future with the Catholic Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more info.



Stewardship Ministry

Sunday, November 6th $11,587.00
Solemnity of All Saints $ 905.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


Catholic Campaign for Human Development

Poverty in America is on the rise—37 million Americans live below the poverty line. But one by one people are joining local community groups to break the cycle of poverty, and Catholics across our country are part of that change. Join in solidarity with the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to end poverty one community at a time. Please support next weekend’s collection, and respond to the Church’s call to bring a lasting end to poverty across our nation.

Your generosity helps low-income people solve their community problems. PUEBLO, a CCHD-funded group here in Santa Barbara, is able to address the issues of immigrant rights, living wage, affordable housing, public transportation, childcare, and health care because of you. CCHD is committed to helping people find permanent solutions to the problem of poverty, but they cannot help others without your support. Make a difference. Be generous to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the collection on November 19th and 20th.



Attention Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors

A new Ministry Schedule for November 1st through December 23rd is now available. Please pick up your copy in the Sacristy, the Parish Office or the Porter’s Office. The schedule is also posted on the Parish website (www.sbmission.org).
...and
Please put your name on the special sign-up sheet in Sacristy if you’d like to serve at one of the Christmas Masses. If you’re going to be in town, we need you!


Summer Pilgrimages

Fr. Daniel Barica will lead a pilgrimage to Spain and France from May 7-19. Please call LW Travel, (310) 320-9514 for more information.
Fr. Jack Clark Robinson will lead a pilgrimage to Ireland and England from June 26-July 8. Fr. Jack invites anyone who is interested in this trip to attend his informative meeting at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 17, in the Assisi Lounge. Please call Bernice Anfuso at 963-6521 for more information


Youth Ministry

Senior High “LifeTeen Mass” takes place Sunday evenings at 5:30 PM at our partner parish, St. Raphael’s. It is followed by “LifeNight” at 7:00 PM. The Junior High Youth Ministry “Tobiah Club” meets at St. Raphael’s on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:45 PM. For information, please contact St. Raphael Parish Youth Minister, John Vasellina at 964-3466, ext. 1.

You Can Save Your Marriage

Is your marriage in trouble? Do you want to save it? If so, the Retrouvaille (pronounced ‘re-tro-vi’) is a program designed to provide the communication tools needed to put suffering, troubled marriages back in order. The program begins with a private, honest weekend where you will be able to rediscover each other, examine your life together and develop new, more effective techniques of communication. For more information and class schedules, please call Paul and Marisa Montgomery at (805) 642-4023.



Consider Remembering Your Parish in Your Will or Trust

For more information, please contact H. Richard Closson, Archdiocesan Director, Trust and Estate Programs (213) 637-7472, HRClosson@la-arch-diocese.org. The correct legal title for our parish is:
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles,
A Corporation Sole for the Benefit of St. Barbara Parish

Don’t Give us Money!

Catholic Charities is holding its annual Mistletoe Ball on Friday, December 2nd, at the Bacara Resort and Spa. Save the date and consider getting an end-of-year tax write-off by donating things you may have but don’t use: a week in your vacation home, a trip, tickets to sporting events, the theater or concerts, jewelry, spa packages, wine collections, etc. Please call Nikki Rickard at 563-2810. And, well, you can always consider donating money, too!

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 9:15 AM. Our mission is to help and to serve the poor. Call 687-7547 for more information.

Secular Franciscans

Secular Franciscans are a community of Catholic men and women who seek to pattern their lives after Christ in the spirit of St. Francis. This international order was founded by St. Francis of Assisi almost 800 years ago. For more information, please contact Bob Carman at 964-1042.

Recycle Sight

Donate used and old eyeglasses to the Lions Sight and Hearing Center. For information, call 569-8264.

Prepare for Next Sunday’s Liturgy
Solemnity of Christ the King

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

Reflection on Next Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word

Next Sunday’s description of the last judgment goes further than 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 serving Jesus himself.

Life Focus

- When have you felt “left out” and when have you felt accepted?
- When this week 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, whom do we easily pass by?

Don’t forget to go to Mass.

For nationwide Mass times and locations, visit www.MassTimes.org.

Give thanks to GOD!

Getting in the Parish Bulletin

For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this parable, Matthew is addressing the delay until Christ comes again. The question for us, then, is how do we deal with the delay? Matthew is suggesting an issue beyond vigilance—that we must also be prepared. We can’t comfortably fall asleep and await the bridegroom’s return. We are living in a crucial time of spending our lives being open to Christ’s comings in the here and now. We must actively seek our bridegroom, and at the same time have the long-range vision that Christ is seeking us.

We rarely, if ever, view our daily Christian living in light of the final coming of Christ. But his final coming is, in fact, the context which gives meaning to our daily behavior and our ongoing hope. If we are not ready at the Second Coming of Christ (with its accompanying judgment), we can’t count on anyone else to cover for us. We are provided now with all we need (for example, wisdom, invitation to vigilance, warnings about preparedness) to be ready when Christ comes. The real challenge is that we don’t think of this as merely a future event that won’t happen in our own lifetime. We don’t know when Christ will come again! And so gospel living requires that we act each day as if this were the day when our bridegroom will come and invite us to the feast.

Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
— Matthew 25:13


Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Last weekend I mentioned the image of honeycombs. The wax of the honeycomb has been a treasured source of wax for candles that both give light and smell good, too. The honey from the honeycomb is a wonderful source of sweetness. The image in our gospel this weekend is oil, specifically in the lamps of the wise and foolish virgins. Five of the virgins are considered wise because they took oil for their lamps. The other five are foolish because they did not take any oil for their lamps. Oil in this parable or allegory represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It is not a frenzied way of life full of anxiety. One who is faithful can sleep, relax and live a life of fulfillment. This is not something that can be put off and assembled in a hurry. Faithful preparedness is not something that can be borrowed from another. Every day is a gift of God who gives us everything that is good.

This weekend is our Time, Talent and Treasure commitment weekend. Thank you all for the time that you took during the past week to reflect on returning to God some of what God has given to you by sharing yourselves and your gifts. Just another reminder that we will have a gathering on Saturday morning, January 21st, for everyone who is continuing in a parish ministry or interested in a parish ministry. It will be a time to learn more about particular ministries. It will also be a time to celebrate a bit together and to meet every one else who helps our parish become more and more the gospel images of a leaven in the dough and the pearl of great price.

Whenever we take the time to reflect on what God has given us, the goodness of God of becomes clearer to us. The memories that we treasure return to our minds to fill our hearts again with a sense of joy. At the same time we trust that we are in the process of creating memories to be treasured in the future. It’s a bit like celebrating Thanksgiving a little early.

Thank you for your generosity, helping to make church happen.

Peace and all Good,
Fr. Richard Juzix, O.F.M., Pastor


PARISH CALENDAR

November 15 Baptism Class at 6:30 PM
November 19 Baptisms at the 4:00 PM Mass
November 19-20 Catholic Campaign for Human Development Special Collection
November 24 Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10:00 AM
November 26-27 St. Vincent de Paul Annual Blanket Drive


Today’s Readings

First Reading—Wisdom 6:12-16
Wisdom is easily discerned by those who love her.

Responsorial Psalm—Psalm 63
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Second Reading—1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.

Gospel—Matthew 25:1-13
Stay awake! You know neither the day nor the hour.


Do You Know ...

When your heart beats, it draws blood into it, and then sends it to the lungs to take on oxygen. Then the blood is pulled back into the heart and finally sent back through your body to keep you alive. If the heart only took blood in and didn’t send it back out, it wouldn’t do you much good.

The liturgy is something like a heart. It draws us in when we have been depleted of spiritual energy. It links us to Christ, who revives our spirits and gives us strength. Then it sends us back out into the world.

The sending forth is the final section of the Eucharist. We call it the dismissal, but that’s a word that can easily be misunderstood. Dismissal can sound like simply the end of a gathering.

The dismissal from Eucharist is more than that. The formula of dismissal in Latin is Ite, missa est. Our current translation is, “Go, the Mass is ended.” Translated literally, the Latin means, “Go, it is the sending,” or “Go, you are sent.” The very word we commonly use for our Sunday worship— the Mass—comes from this dismissal. The Mass is for mission; it strengthens us to send us out again.

When we are dismissed from the liturgy, we are sent forth to carry on the work of Christ in the world. We respond, “Thanks be to God.” That almost sounds as if we’re just grateful it’s over! What it really means is that we are grateful to God for entrusting this sacred mission to us and for strengthening us through the Eucharist to be able to carry it out.

Before the actual dismissal, we hear announcements for the week. The announcements come at this point in the liturgy because they should be telling us ways that we can carry on our mission during the week. Here we receive the information we need for our “assignments” for the Lord. Then we pray for God’s blessing before we are formally sent out on mission.

In most parishes, we actually conclude with a final song that accompanies the procession of the ministers through the assembly. That means that the liturgy is not over until the song is finished. It is unfortunate to see so many people leaving early. Some leave during Communion itself. Others leave as soon as the song begins. Basic courtesy and respect for the Lord and for our brothers and sisters requires all of us to stay in our places, singing until the final song is concluded.

Even then, we don’t have to make a mad dash for the parking lot. Most of us could linger a bit with one another to share our joy in the Lord. Then we go forth to bring Christ to all those we meet throughout the week.


Let Us Pray for the Sick

Giulio Anfuso
Zoe Kazali
Julia Carr
Steenie Medina
Alfred Parziale
Anne Lano
Betty Pitman
Mary Ann Jenquin
Pat DeBerry

May they find strength and comfort in our prayers


Ministry to the Sick and Homebound

If someone you know is not able to come to Mass, or would like a minister to take Communion to their home, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Also, with the permission of the person who is ill, we are happy to include their name in the Prayer of the Faithful and list it in the bulletin.


At the Liturgy, Be the Church
Know the awesome responsibility you share for making this liturgy!

Do not hide; do your private praying in the other hours of the week.
Welcome one another, be at peace with one another.
Sit together. Sing songs from your heart. Do not be afraid to show in your eager attention that you are hungry for God’s Word when the readers read, hungry for Christ’s Body and Blood when you come forward in Holy Communion.
Give thanks and praise to God by your attention in the Eucharistic prayer.
Keep your eyes open to one another and do everything you can to build up the Church, the Body of Christ.
- Cardinal Roger Mahony


Summer Pilgrimages

Fr. Daniel Barica will lead a pilgrimage to Spain and France from May 7-19. Please call LW Travel, (310) 320-9514 for more information.
Fr. Jack Clark Robinson will lead a pilgrimage to Ireland and England from June 26-July 8. Fr. Jack invites anyone who is interested in this trip to attend his informative meeting at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 17, in the Assisi Lounge. Please call Bernice Anfuso at 963-6521 for more information.


We Welcome our Newest Parishioners

Sue Ford
Cynthia and Patrick Murphy


Meet Kirk Borchardt!

On October 23rd, we celebrated the Rite of Welcoming for Kirk Borchardt. Kirk is now a Candidate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process and in preparation to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist! He and his wife, CeCe, registered as parishioners when they moved to Santa Barbara in l998, and their two children, Ryan and Riley, have been baptized here. We are pleased that Tim Townsend has volunteered to be Kirk’s sponsor in this process and we look forward to his being received into full communion with the Catholic Church.


Attention Young Adults!

When a disaster occurs, have you ever asked yourself, “What could I do? I’m just one person.” After the Katrina disaster, Laura Purcell spent the weekend gathering and filling a truck with needed items and drove the truck to Louisiana. Come listen to her story and join in a conversation, “Sharing our Blessings—Reflections on Katrina,” at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 8th, at the Santa Barbara Pastoral Center (4032 La Colina Road). Please bring a non-perishable food item for the needy in our own area. For more information or directions, call Kelly at 682-1508, or go to BridgeSantaBarb@aol.com.


Attention Eucharistic Ministers & Lectors

A new Ministry Schedule for November 1st through December 23rd is now available. Please pick up your copy in the Sacristy, the Parish Office or the Porter’s Office. The schedule is also posted on the Parish website (www.sbmission.org).
...and
Please put your name on the special sign-up sheet in Sacristy if you’d like to serve at one of the Christmas Masses. If you’re going to be in town, we need you!


Stewardship Ministry

Sunday, October 30th $ 9,821.00
Franciscan Missionary Union $ 1,500.00

Thank you for your continuing generosity!


Thank You, St. Barbara Parish!

“On behalf of Cardinal Mahony, I wish to thank you for your most generous donation of $10,356.20 to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. In the name of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, your donation will be equally shared with the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Diocese of Biloxi, our local Catholic Charities for resettlement purposes, and Catholic Charities USA. May your most generous response to this national need be rewarded as only the Lord can do in His compassionate care of you. “
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Monsignor Royale Vadakin, V.G.


Don’t Give us Money!

Catholic Charities is holding its annual Mistletoe Ball on Friday, December 2nd, at the Bacara Resort and Spa. Save the date and consider getting an end-of-year tax write-off by donating things you may have but don’t use: a week in your vacation home, a trip, tickets to sporting events, the theater or concerts, jewelry, spa packages, wine collections, etc. Please call Nikki Rickard at 563-2810. And, well, you can always consider donating money, too!


The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 9:15 AM. Our mission is to help and to serve the poor. Please call 687-7547 for more information.


Catholic Campaign for Human Development

In the Los Angeles Archdiocese this year alone, twenty low-income controlled organizations working to end poverty received $450,000 in funding. Your generosity last year enables these groups to fight slum landlords, advocate for workers’ rights, provide affordable housing for low-income families, and ensure safer neighborhoods for all. You are helping them help themselves out of poverty and into hope. Please continue your journey with them and give generously to the collection on November 19th and 20th.


Recycle Sight

Donate used and old eyeglasses to the Lions Sight and Hearing Center. For information, call 569-8264.


Prepare for Next Sunday’s Liturgy

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30


Reflection on Next Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our attention is drawn more and more to the end of our lives and the accounting we must give for our use of God’s gifts. Jesus’ parable speaks for itself. The faithful servants are generously rewarded because they were responsible and used what was given to them. Our relationship with God is not a cold business deal. But God expects us to show gratitude for the gifts given us and for God’s confidence in our mature sense of responsibility by using these talents.

Life Focus

V What are the most important gifts you have been given?

V For one or two of the most important gifts, describe how you are showing gratitude for them.

V If your life ended today, what from your life would you be most pleased to set before God?

V For what gifts do you need to show more gratitude? How will you do so this week?


Traveling? Don’t forget to go to Mass.

For nationwide Mass times and locations, visit www.MassTimes.org.


Getting in the Parish Bulletin

For Parish announcements, call Laura in the Parish Office (682-4151). Please contact Mission Publishing at (888) 253-4358 for business ads.