St. Raymond Catholic Church

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MASS S

CHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass:

5:00 pm

Sunday:

7:00 am, 9:00 am,

11:00 am (English)

1:00 pm (Spanish),

5:30 pm (Life Teen)

Weekdays:

Monday-Friday

6:30 & 9:00 am

Saturdays:

8:00 am

Holy Days of Obligation:

As Announced

CONFESSIONS

Saturdays: 3:45 - 4:45 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays: 8:30-9:00 am

or call the Parish Office for an appointment with the priest on duty

Please see page 2 for details for:

ANOINTING OF THE SICK ANOINTING OF THE SICK

BAPTISM BAPTISM

CONFIRMATION & EUCHARIST CONFIRMATION & EUCHARIST

MARRIAGE MARRIAGE

HOLY ORDERS & RELIGIOUS HOLY ORDERS & RELIGIOUS

LIFE LIFE

Please call 213-637-7248

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday: 10 am to 6 pm Saturday: 10 am to 3 pm Sunday: 9 am to 12:30 pm

Our Parish Priests

Fr. John Higgins, Pastor Fr. Paul Thomas, Associate Pastor

Fr. Ambrose, In Residence

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVE

NT

DECEMBER 13, 2015

St.

Raymond

Catholic

Church

St.

Raymond

Catholic

Church

12348 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90242

Phone: 562-923-4509 Fax: 562-869-3359

Website: http://SaintRaymond.org Email: [email protected]

ST. RAYMOND PARISH

A joyous place filled with warmth and good friends,

A peaceful place filled with trust and love,

A place where everyone feels welcome,

A safe place to grow and learn,

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ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Erik Landesfeind, Parish Administrator Laura Larios-Varela, Secretary Elaine Kunkel, Bulletin Editor Joan Lueke, Parish Records

PASTORAL TEAM

Rev. John W. Higgins, Pastor Rev. Paul Thomas, Associate Pastor

Marc Nuno, School Principal

Sr. Paula Strohfus, C.H.F., Director of Religious Ed. Sandy Gallegos, Director of R.C.I.A.

Danette Buckley, Director of Liturgy

Lupe Salgado, High School Confirmation/Youth Ministry

P A R I S H O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

Page Two St. Raymond Catholic Church December 13, 2015

ALTAR SERVERS………..………..Kathi Bode 923-3142 MARRIAGE NULLITY………..…………...…Fr. John W. Higgins 923-4509 ALTAR SOCIETY………..……….Danette Buckley 923-4509 MEN’S PRAYER GROUP ……….…Fr. John W. Higgins 923-4509 ANGEL TREE………Lupe Salgado 923-4509 MUSIC DIRECTOR (ENGLISH)……….………..….……Jose Soto 923-4509 BAPTISM ………...………….…Laura Larios-Varela 923-4509 MUSIC DIRECTOR (SPANISH)………....…….Uri Ceballos (818) 429-1583 CANCER SUPPORT GROUP.……….…..Jill Lavey 923-5819/Elaine Kunkel 531-9620 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/CATECISMO..………..Sr. Paula Strohfus 862-6959

CONFIRMATION (High School).…...………...……...Lupe Salgado 923-4509 RELIGIOUS RECOGNITION FOR YOUTH………..…..Diane Garcia 862-8309 DETENTION MINISTRY………..……….……Sr. Teresa-Los Padrinos 940-8711 RCIA – ADULTS & TEENS………..Sandy Gallegos 923-4509 DIVINE MERCY MINISTRY………Larry Wysocki 927-1482 SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN/Families First…………..…Elaine Kunkel 531-9620 FINANCE COUNCIL………. ….Ray Lavey 923-4509 SANDWICH PROGRAM………..Silvia Larson 818-9445 GUADALUPANOS………...Laura Larios Sr. 862-9878 SCHOOL & SCRIP-GIFT CERTIFICATES.……….School Office 862-3210 HALL & ROOM RENTALS.………..…………Park Place Catering 866-5464 SENIOR CITIZENS………Sr. Paula Strohfus 862-6959 HAND MAID MINISTRY………....Kathi Bode 923-3142 SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL………..………John Quirk 923-4509 HEALTH MINISTRY……….Jill Lavey 923-5819/Elaine Kunkel 531-9620 SPANISH BIBLE STUDY………Connie Ochoa 928-7291 ITALIAN CATHOLIC FEDERATION………..………..Perry Shurko 804-0230 SPANISH PRAYER GROUP……….………Ezequiel Ponce 500-6002 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS………... Mario Mendoza 622-1803 TIJUANA ORPHANAGE………Irma Landesfeind 862-8837 LEGION OF MARY.……….…...Olivia Hernandez 884-9513 WEDDING COORDINATOR (English)….….………...……… Tami Shilling 869-3260 LITURGY COMMITTEE/LITURGICAL MINISTRIES……...….Danette Buckley 923-4509 WEDDING COORDINATOR (Spanish)………...………. 923-4509 LITURGICAL MINISTRIES/SPANISH………....…,Marcial & Blanca Espinoza 869-3661 YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY.………..……… Francisco Sandoval 291-6111 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER………...………..Jacob & Sarah Flores 923-7335 YOUTH MINISTRY……….….………..Lupe Salgado 923-4509

BAPTISM: One Sunday a month. Call Parish Office to make arrangements for class and Baptism..

FIRST COMMUNION & CONFIRMATION: Please call our Parish, School, or Religious Education offices to learn about education opportunities for the reception of these sacra-ments. We also have an initiation process for adults seeking Baptism in our Church!

MARRIAGE: Arrangements should be made at least six months prior to anticipated wedding date.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: In the event of serious illness or medical emergency, anointing of the sick may be arranged by contacting the Parish Office. Make an appointment to come by before a surgery.

P A R I S H S T A F F

CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office 562-923-4509 Parish School 562-862-3210 Religious Education Office 562-862-6959 Parish Web Site: http//SaintRaymond.org Parish Email Address: [email protected] School Web Site:www.straymondschool-downey.org

School Email Address: [email protected]

Youth Ministry: [email protected]

PRIEST IN RESIDENCE

Fr. Ambrose Kadambukatt, OCD Chaplain, St. Francis Hospital

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Third Sunday of Advent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Three

Desde el escritorio del Padre

From our Pastor

Fr. John Higgins

CELEBRA

Este domingo, Dios canta y se regocija por

nosotros. Leemos hoy en Sofonías que Dios “se

llenará de júbilo por tu causa, como en los días de

fiesta” (Sofonías 3:18). Sabemos mucho de cantar en

festivales. Ya nuestros oídos resuenan con los cantos

y villancicos que anticipan la época navideña.

Pablo nos recuerda la fuente de este doble

regocijo: Dios, tu poderoso salvador, está en medio

de ti (en palabras de Sofonías). Por ser así, nos dice

Pablo, podemos alegrarnos y estar en paz. No

tenemos que inquietarnos, porque la paz de Dios

custodiará nuestros corazones y pensamientos.

Un villancico antiguo representa la Navidad

como “el día de mi baile” y nos urge a tomar parte en

el baile. ¿Por qué todo el regocijo? Porque “el Señor

está cerca” nos recuerda Pablo (Filipenses 4:5).

Entonces apunta a la otra razón para el baile: el

amanecer de la promesa de paz, la paz que

sobrepasa toda inteligencia, y que ya está al

alcance de la mano.

Año Jubilar de la Misericordia

Tercer Domingo de Adviento

El Papa Francisco eligió inaugurar el Año Jubilar de la Misericordia el pasado martes porque el 8 de diciembre marca el quincuagésimo aniversario de la clausura del Concilio Vaticano II. El Papa Francisco nos recuerda que el Concilio inauguró una fase en la historia de la Iglesia. El Espíritu llamó a la Iglesia a derrumbar muros que la habían hecho una fortaleza por mucho tiempo, y a proclamar el Evangelio en un modo nuevo y más accesible. El Papa Francisco cita a san Juan XXIII declarando la “preferencia por la medicina de la misericordia” de la Iglesia, y al beato Pablo VI proponiendo “al Buen Samaritano como nuestro modelo de discipulado” (Misericordiae Vultus, 4). El Papa Francisco añade: “la misericordia de Dios es el corazón palpitante del Evangelio” y que esa misericordia debe “alcanzar la mente y el corazón” de cada discípulo (MV, 12). En el Evangelio de hoy, tres veces se pregunta “¿Qué tenemos que hacer?” El Papa Francisco diría: Imita a Jesús, quien vino no empuñando el juicio de fuego que Juan el Bautista anunciaba, sino en su lugar sanando, siendo compasivo, perdonando —¡misericordia!

CELEBRATE

This Sunday, God rejoices

and sings because of us. We read in

Zephaniah today that God “will sing joyfully because

of you, / as one sings at festivals” (Zephaniah 3:18).

We know plenty about singing at festivals. Already

our ears are ringing with the songs and carols that

anticipate the Christmas season.

Paul reminds us of the source of our own double

rejoicing: God is the mighty savior who is in our

midst (in Zephaniah’s words). Because this is so,

says Paul, we can rejoice and be at ease. We don’t

have to worry, for God’s peace will stand guard over

our hearts and minds.

A medieval carol depicts Christmas as “my

danc-ing day” and urges us to enter into the dance. Why

all the merrymaking? Because “the Lord is

near,” as Paul reminds us (Philippians 4:5).

He then points to another reason for the

danc-ing: the dawn of the promise of peace, the

peace beyond all understanding, that is now

within our grasp.

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Third Sunday of Advent

Pope Francis chose to inaugurate the Jubilee Year of Mercy last Tuesday because December 8 marks the fifti-eth anniversary of the closing of Vatican II. That council, Pope Francis reminds us, inaugurated a new phase in the Church’s history. The Spirit called the Church to tear down the walls that for far too long had made it a fortress, and to proclaim the gospel in a new, more accessible way. Pope Francis quotes Saint John XXIII in declaring the Church’s preference for “the medicine of mercy,” and Blessed Paul VI in proposing the Good Samaritan as our model for discipleship (Misericordiae Vultus, 4). Pope Francis adds that God’s mercy is “the beating heart of the Gospel,” and that mercy “must penetrate the heart and mind” of every disciple (MV, 12). Three times today’s Gospel asks, “What should I do?” Pope Francis would say: Imitate Jesus, who came not wielding the fiery judg-ment that John the Baptist had threatened, but instead im-parting healing, compassion, forgiveness—mercy! —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

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Page Four St. Raymond Catholic Church December 13, 2015

L I F E I N O U R P A R I S H C O M M U N I T Y ! ! !

We’re delighted you’ve come to our parish, and we hope you’ll find a home with us. Being a registered member allows us to better serve you; you can register by calling (562) 923-4509 or going online to http://SaintRaymond.org.

If you move or change your phone number, please call the parish office at (562) 923-4509 to let us know.

BULLETIN INFO: The bulletin deadline is Friday, 6 pm, nine days prior to issue date. Please fax, email, or deliver your input, in writing, to the parish office. Our fax number is (562) 869-3359 and email address is [email protected]. All notices are subject to available space and may be edited.

Check Your BLOOD PRESSURE!

Sunday, December 13th

Come to the hall between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm Remember it’s the silent killer, so don’t take any

chances with your life!

THE MYSTERY OF GOD

By Bishop Robert Barron

One of the newly ordained bishops for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Bishop Robert Barron, has produced another of his excellent video series, called “The Mystery of God.” We will be showing this series of 6 topics beginning in mid-November. Please take the time to experience this wonder-ful presenter and the topics he covers in this new series. There will be a discussion after the viewing. JOIN US!

Mondays in St. Patrick’s Room

DECEMBER 14th: The God Who is Love

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

POSADA NAVIDEÑA

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 7 pm

El grupo de oración, los invita a una posada navideña. Únete a nuestra parroquia para festejarle a nuestro señor Jesús, su nacimiento y disfruta de la rica comida y antojitos navideños, empezaremos a las 7:00 pm en la iglesia de St. Raymond, viernes 18 de diciembre. también te recordamos que todos los viernes tenemos el grupo de oración en la Iglesia a las 7:00 pm. ven y Dale gracias a Dios por el regalo de la vida y que te de la Fortaleza y felicidad de seguir este camino de nuestras vidas.

The Spanish Prayer Group invites you to a traditional posada on Friday, December 18, at 7:00 pm. We will start at church. Come and enjoy our traditional food of this season. We would also like to remind you, that we have our prayer group every Friday at 7:00 pm.

Advent Reconciliation Service

Tuesday, December 15th, 7 pm

Advent Reconciliation Service will be held at St Raymond’s, Tuesday December 15th at 7 pm. Please use this special night to join your fellow parishioners in prayer. We will have extra priests on hand for individual confessions.

CHRIS

T

St Raymond’s 9 am, 11 am, & 5:30 pm Choirs present. . .

“This is X-mas!”

A Musical putting Christ back into Christmas.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th at 7 pm

Monsignor Gipson Hall

FREE ADMISSION

(We will be collecting donations of items to fill back-packs for our homeless.)

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS

Second Collection This Weekend

Please give to those who have given a lifetime

.

This fund helps senior Catholic sisters, brothers and order priests. Your gift helps furnish medications, nursing care, and more.

POZOLE & BAKE SALE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20th

Youth Ministry will be selling Pozole and having a bake sale in the MGH Hall immediately following all Masses on December 20th until 3 pm. Small bowl will be $3.00 and large bowl $5.00 for the Pozole. Come have a warm bowl of some delicious Pozole and purchase some yummy

baked goods. From all the Youth at St. Raymond, we

wish you a Merry Christmas.

To all who helped with our annual Holiday Boutique (from the baked goods, to the set up and take down, the helpers and vendors) we could not have done it without you.

From the Religious Education Office and Seniors of St. Raymond, THANK YOU.

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SATURDAY, December 19

7:00 am Secular Order Discalced Carmelites - OH

11:30 am Secular Order Discalced Carmelites - SJR

Third Sunday of Advent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Five

CALENDAR

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 14, 2015

FRIDAY, December 18

7:30 am Sandwich Outreach Ministry - OH

11:00 am Sandwich Ministry Thank You Lunch - MGH-KS

11:00 am Hand Maid Ministry - SPR

11:00 am School Prayer Service - Church

7:00 pm Spanish Prayer Group - Church

7:30 pm ICF General Meeting - MGH-KS

7:45 pm Spanish Prayer Group - OH

THURSDAY, December 17

3:30 pm Religious Education - Classrooms, SJR

6:00 pm Religious Education - Classrooms, OH; SJR

7:00 pm New Mystery-Sitios de Jerico - Convent Chapel

7:00 pm Spanish Bible Study - STR

7:00 pm English Choir Rehearsal - SPR

7:00 pm Crecimiento Matrimonial - OH

WEDNESDAY, December 16

3:30 pm School Christmas Concert - MGH

6:00 pm Spanish Prayer Group - SJR

6:30 pm Life Teen Choir Rehearsal - STR

7:00 pm School Christmas Concert - MGH

SUNDAY, December 20

9:00 am RCIA Adults - SPR

11:15 am Children's Liturgy of the Word - OH

1:15 pm Spanish Children’s Liturgy of the Word - OH

2:00 pm Convivio Familiares - OH

4:30 pm Life Teen Choir Rehearsal - Church

6:30 pm Jugadores Anonimous - STR

6:30 pm Gamanon - SPR

7:00 pm Parish Christmas Musical - MGH

TUESDAY, December 15

8:00 am School Concert Practice - MGH

7:00 pm Advent Reconciliation Service - Church, MGH

MONDAY, December 14

6:00 pm Religious Education - Classrooms, OH, SJR

6:30 pm Spanish Prayer Group - Convent Chapel

7:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - Church

7:00 pm RCIA Adults - SPR

7:00 pm ACC-Archdiocesan Event - STR

7:00 pm Theology of the Body (Spanish) -MGH-PS

7:30 pm Spanish Prayer Group - OH, SJR

THIS WEEK AT ST. RAYMOND

INTERESTED IN RENTING OUR HALL?

If you are interested in renting the St. Raymond’s hall for an event, call PARK PLACE CATERING at (562) 866-5464.

Or http://parkplacecatering.com/htms/contactus.html

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Dec. 14-Jan. 3: No classes

Mon. Jan. 4: Classes resume

Have a Blessed Christmas from your Religious Education family!

We invite you to celebrate Christmas with your family

at St. Raymond Catholic Church

Christmas Eve– Vigil Masses

Thursday, December 24th

5:00 pm - Family Mass with School Choir

9:30 pm - Christmas Carols with Adult Choir

10:00 pm - Bilingual Vigil Mass with Adult Choir

Christmas Day Masses

Friday, December 25th

7:00 am - Cantor Lead 9:00 am - Adult Choir

11:00 am - Life Teen & 11 am Combined Choir

There will be no 12 am Misa de Gallo en español, 1:00 pm Spanish Mass or 5:30 pm Mass Christmas Day.

Christmas

Schedule 2015

On behalf of the anonymous poor and your

con-ference of St. Vincent de Paul, we want to take this

op-portunity to extend our heartfelt thanks for your most gen-erous donations for the Thanksgiving baskets.

Once again, St. Raymond parish has answered the call of charity. You were able to provide 31 dinners for families that otherwise might not have been able to enjoy the holiday.

We also want to give a big thanks and a round of applause to St Raymond School! This parish

makes our ministry of charity so much easier

on each of us. We couldn’t do it without you.

Blessings to each and every one of you. You are all true disciples of Christ!

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MASS TIMES ALTAR SERVERS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS LECTORS

Dec. 19 - Saturday

5:00 pm 2 NEEDED Wiese (DC); Kunkel (DH); Coco; Kingma; Kingma; Villarreal; Oroopeza Lewis; Oropeza

Dec. 20 - Sunday

7:00 am Hernandez, E.; Horta, D. Hernandez, J. Buckley (DC); Sinco (DH); Ledesma; Le-desma; Igtanloc; Kikuchi; York Ebegbulen; Leon; York

9:00 am Urzua, V.; Urzua, S.

Urzua, G. Zavala, J. Lacey (DC); Moy (DH); Mendez; Aleman; Rodriguez; Aguilar; Bombay Orozco; Luke

11:00 am Barrios, R.; Barrios, R. Noboa, S.; Lopez, V.

Duarte (DC); Swan (DH); Vargas; Musus; Misawa; Noboa; Noboa

Duarte; Vargas 1:00 pm Vera (DC); Garcia, C. (DH); Ramos; Valle;

Valle; Castro Servin; Garcia, A.

5:30 pm Youth Servers Youth Ministers Youth Lectors

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ABOUT OUR MINISTRIES

DOWNEY 2030

Y o u n g A d u l t M i n i s t r y

Thursdays, 8:00 pm, MGHall

Hello Young Adults, Are you between the ages of 18-35? Do you read the Bible and understand it? Join us every Thursday at 8 pm in the Msgr. Gipson Hall to learn more about your faith. We meet to discuss current events in the Catholic Church and we connect the Bible with what’s going on today. We also meet afterwards for din-ner, so please make sure you come with an empty stom-ach.

Join us every Thursday to study the Bible, hang out, have dinner. Bring an open mind, a positive attitude and an appetite.

Weekly Stewardship Report

For the weekend of December 5th & 6th

Total Mass Collections: $11,695.00

Second Collection: $ 1,755.00

Total Donations: $13,450.00

Weekly Donation Goal: $13,000.00

Weekly Income vs. Budget: $ 450.00

$

Monthly Income vs. Budget: $ 450.00

Weekly donations breakdown by Mass

Saturday 5:00 pm $ 2,310.00 Sunday 7:00 am $ 2,272.00 9:00 am $ 2,593.00 11:00 am $ 2,268.00 1:00 pm $ 600.00 5:30 pm $ 1,648.00

HANDMAIDS MINISTRY

Fridays, 11:00 am

It’s time to get knitting and crocheting again! The Hand-maids Ministry will be gathering together again on

Fri-days in St. Patrick’s Room. Come to knit or crochet

prayer shawls and items for those who need comfort.. Questions? Feel free to call Kathi Bode (562)923-3142.

TUESDAY BINGO NIGHTS

The friendliest game in town! Would you enjoy good company, a good time and a chance to win some money with payoffs of up to $250 and Powerball up to $1,000? Then come to the Knights of Columbus Hall on Tuesdays for Bingo Nights.

Early Bird games start at 6 pm, regular games at 7 pm.

STRENGTH AND COURAGE

Prayer infuses the weak with strength and the fainthearted with courage.

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Third Sunday of Advent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Seven

AROUND OUR SAN PEDRO REGION & OUR ARCHDIOCESE

OFFICE FOR VOCATIONS

http://www.LAVocations.org

This website is geared to those interested in voca-tions to the priesthood and religious life. It includes information on discernment resources, links to reli-gious communities’ websites, frequently asked questions, priests’ testimonials, links to vocational videos, and various prayers.

Mary and Joseph Retreat Center

5300 Crest Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

9th Annual Nativity Exhibit: “The Animals at the

Stable” with Ellen Mintz. Sunday, December 6 to

Monday, December 21

(various hours)

“Jesus our brother, kind and good, was humbly born in a stable rude. And the friendly beasts around Him stood, Jesus our brother, kind & good.” Every year during our Nativity Exhibit we experience new and different ways to look at the celebra-tion of the Birth. This year we are featuring the animals whose presence at the stable reminds all of their place in our World. From St. Francis' first celebration of the Christmas Mass with live animals and a manger for his altar to the English carol, The Friendly Beasts, both traditional and usual animals have popu-lated nativity sets. Please join us this year for our annual ex-hibit and see what creatures come to the stable. Call in ad-vance for docent tours and field trip reservations. Donations requested for docent led tours. Make our exhibit a Christmas Tradition with friends and family. Admission is free - Our Christmas gift to you!

Printable pdf flier with Tear-off: http://www.maryjoseph.org/ pdfs/12-6%20Nativity%20clr%20web.pdf

Las Posadas with Marlene Velazquez.

Sunday, December 20, 4:00 to 6:00pm.

In California, Christmas has been enriched with many elements from the Hispanic culture including music, food, piñatas and the Posada journey. Join us for a symbolic commemoration of Las Posadas as Mary and Joseph search for lodging on their journey to Bethlehem. We will have a piñata for the children as well as snacks and refreshments for all. Cost: Adults $5, chil-dren 4-12 $2, chilchil-dren under 4 free.

Printable pdf flier with Tear-off

http://www.maryjoseph.org/pdfs/12-21%20Las%20Posadas% 20tear%20web.pdf

For online registration:

https://e-giving.org/Registration_v2.5ViewEvent.asp? evntid=28770

For reservations or more information contact the Mary & Joseph Retreat Center 310-377-4867 http://www.MaryJoseph.org

DOWNEY MEALS ON WHEELS

Offers delivered meals to Downey residents Monday through Friday for those who are aged, chronically

or temporarily ill, or disabled.

Volunteers are especially needed

Two volunteers are assigned to each of five routes to deliver the meals each day.

To sign up for your Meal Delivery, or to Volunteer, please call (562) 622-5636 or visit

www.DowneyMealsOnWheels.org.

SIMBANG GABI

Friday, December 18th at 7 pm

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Downey

Please join us for this beautiful cultural Christmas cele-bration. Our Hispanic Community has been a great help in putting this celebration and reception together.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS

Registration Now Open for 2016 Congress,

Thursday, February 25, through Sunday,

February 28, 2016

Sponsored by the Office of Religious Education, the Re-ligious Education Congress draws 40,000 participants over the course of this internationally-acclaimed four-day event. The annual Youth Day brings together 15,000 youth from all over Southern California and be-yond. Congress’ international presence continues to grow, with participants attending from over 14 different countries. For Congress 2016, there will be 312 work-shops available to choose from, covering a vast range of topics and interests from spirituality and personal devel-opment to biblical studies, theology, and catechesis. Congress 2016 is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 (Youth Day); and Friday, February 26, through Sunday, February 28, 2016, with the theme “Boundless

Mercy.” Over the weekend, participants will enjoy Morning Praise, workshops, evening liturgies, and a vari-ety of prayer experiences with internationally-renowned leaders in the areas of liturgical music and

wor-ship. Noontime and evening concerts offer additional opportunities for praise and worship. For more informa-tion and registrainforma-tion, please access: http://

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Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2015

With joy you will draw

water at the fountain of

salvation.

— Isaiah 12:3

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — Shout for joy! Sing joyfully! Be glad and exult! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty

savior (Zephaniah 3:14-18a).

Psalm — Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 12).

Second Reading — Rejoice! The Lord is near. Make your requests known to God (Philippians 4:4-7).

Gospel — John tells his hearers to share their possessions with the needy; be honest; do not threaten or accuse others falsely (Luke 3:10-18).

NEXT SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS

Readings for our prayer & reflection this coming week:

Mi 5: 1-4a; Ps 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Heb 10: 5-10; Lk 1: 39-45

Page Eight St. Raymond Catholic Church December 13, 2015

F O R Y O U R S P I R I T U A L E N R I C H M E N T

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN

/ FAMILIES FIRST COMMITTEE

Keep holiday parties safe for children:

Wine, cocktails and spiked eggnog may make your holidays festive, but they’re no party for young chil-dren. Children often accidentally drink alcohol after holiday parties, by sampling partially empty glasses and what’s left in the punch bowl. Ingesting as little as 3 ounces of hard liquor potentially can be fatal to a child weighing 25 pounds. Alcohol causes blood sugar levels to drop, which can lead to confusion, seizures or even comas. Clear away all glasses and other alco-holic containers immediately as soon as guests leave after your holiday party. Keep the poison control cen-ter phone number programmed in your phone and posted on your refrigerator: 1-800-222-1222

For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650

Please Pray for our Sick

Healing Father, lay your hands on those who suffer, especially:

Peter Lofy Don Barrios

Anna Marie Emmi Louie Sanchez

James Montoya Lilian Nuñez

Easton Harlan John Volak

Gwen Schroeder Augustina Roman

Ted Shilling Sulema Campas

Lucia Persico Lilia Barrayo

Frank Maldonado Mary Blomgren

John Wehrly Nick Villarreal

Gayle Sheldon Richard Dunsay

If a family member is ill and you would like their name included in the Prayers of the Faithful during weekend Masses or the bulletin, call the parish office (562) 923-4509. Names will be included in the bulletin for a few weeks.

Your Name___________________________________ Name of person we are praying for, phone, and what type of illness or surgery: _______________________ _____________________________________________

“THE LORD IS IN YOUR MIDST”

Both today’s reading from Zephaniah and the

responsorial psalm exult that “the LORD is in your midst.”

They proclaim the presence of God among the people of Israel and foretell the core of our faith in the Incarnation. God is not far off. God’s love was manifested in Jesus’ coming as a human person and is present here and now in us. John the Baptist also proclaims the coming of Christ into our midst and reminds us that our lives must change if we are to be ready to welcome the Messiah at his coming.

These scriptures are not unlike the bells that seem to surround us at this time of year. They call us to rejoice. They call us to worship. And they call us to change. One bell in particular, the Salvation Army bell, reminds us that not everyone has experienced God’s saving presence yet. There are many who suffer while others wallow in abundance. “What should we do?” John the Baptist calls us to respond to their need. He calls us to change our ways so that Christ’s saving presence can truly be manifested “in our midst.”

“WHAT SHOULD WE DO?”

One way to discover what we should do this Ad-vent is to pray the Our Father with extra sincerity and attentiveness. We pray, “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done.” We commit ourselves to a spirit of trust and for-giveness and ask to be kept from temptation. As we get ready for the coming of Christmas it is good to ask our-selves what God’s will is for us, whom we are called to forgive, and how we are tempted. What should we do so that God’s kingdom might come into our lives more fully this Christmas?

How would John the Baptist reply to us if we asked him, “What should we do?”

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Third Sunday of Advent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Nine

F O R Y O U R L E N T E N S P I R I T U A L I T Y

Reflecting on God’s Word

’Tis the season for bell choirs and brass renditions of beloved carols. Church

musi-cians are rounding up trumpeters and French horn players to rehearse for Christmas

liturgies. What would a Christmas television special be without pealing bells in the

clos-ing sequence? The joyful sounds of brass instruments herald the good news that the

Lord of the universe has entered into human history once and forever in the poor infant

Jesus.

There is another kind of bell that seems to follow us wherever we go at this time of

year—the Salvation Army bells. They remind us that not everyone has experienced the

good news of salvation yet. There are many who suffer while others wallow in

abun-dance. Today’s scriptures remind us that the Lord is with us to save us from our

sinful-ness, so that justice, love, and peace might reign at last in the world. Then all God’s

people will be able to rejoice.

—Virginia Stillwell

The Lord is Near

Historical records indicate that the birthday of our Savior was not celebrated in

any significant way for at least the first three centuries of the church’s existence.

Nowa-days, Christmas is considered the most important holiday in the year, and for reasons

that have gone far beyond its true religious significance. Many of our most treasured

customs, such as the decorated tree, greeting cards, and the exchange of Christmas

presents, only date back to just over a century ago. Christmas has become more

com-plicated ever since. Now, with changing times, many of us have begun to refocus not

only

why

we celebrate Christmas, but

how

, so as to be in harmony with the meaning of

Christ’s birth. Saint Paul assures us that “The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5) and urges

us to stop our worrying, knowing that God will bring the gift of peace to our hearts, a

peace beyond human understanding. Like the crowds surrounding John the Baptist in

today’s Gospel, we may say, “What should we do?” (Luke 3:10). John’s answer holds

true today: Share with others, act justly, and be satisfied with what we have. Only then

can “Emmanuel” truly be, as the name means, “God with us.”

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OUR COMMON MISSION ...

We, the Catholic Community of St. Raymond, loved and chosen by God through Baptism,

share responsibility for continuing the mission of Jesus.

We are called to be a loving and caring community whose members enable and support the gifts given to

each by the

Holy Spirit in order to be true sisters and brothers in Christ.

We are sent to make Christ visible in our world through worship, proclamation of the Word,

and service to ALL.

Page Twelve St. Raymond Catholic Church December 13, 2015

UPCOMING SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ….

On the following weekends we will have a second collection to sup-port these designated activities:

December 13 - Retirement Fund for Religious December 20 - Parish Maintenance Fund December 27 - Together in Mission

FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY

St. Raymond School

Weekly Adoration of The

Blessed Sacrament

At St. Raymond Church

MONDAYS, 7:00 — 8:15 pm

Please join us in our Communal Prayer!

Theme:

John baptized with water,

but the Messiah will baptize with

the Holy Spirit and with fire.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

How can you live the promise

of your Baptism each day?

Youth Question:

What do you

re-member from stories about your

Baptism? What does your Baptism

mean to you now?

Children Question:

Why is it so

im-portant to keep promises which you

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 13, 2015

Mon. Dec. 14 6:30am Irineo Samante † 9:00am Juanita Romo † Tues. Dec. 15 6:30am Pancha Yniguez † 9:00am Amada Guttierez †

Wed. Dec. 16 6:30am Marcela & Urbano Santiaguel †

9:00am Noemi Molina, Birthday Thurs.Dec. 17 6:30am Luis & Ofelia Montano

9:00am Alfred Lio, Birthday Fri. Dec. 18 6:30am Emiliano Sanchez †

9:00am Cathy Bates, Birthday Sat. Dec. 19 8:00am Lucille Roda Olmedo Pastor †

5:00pm Lili Allen, Birthday Sun. Dec. 20 7:00am Leslie Encinas, Birthday

9:00am Diane Strofus † 11:00am Raul Rodriguez † 1:00pm Teresa Losada †

5:30pm John Horny †

In today’s Gospel John the Baptist says, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise…”

Christmas is a time of love and gift giving…please share your abundance by giving a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that those who do not have clothes and food can share in the blessings of Christmas.