St. Mary Church • www.stmary-wc.org •

925-891-8900

MASS TIMES Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. & 12:05 p.m. Saturday 8:30 a.m. Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m. Sundays 6:30 a.m. * 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. * 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Spanish 6:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. DEVOTIONS Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (First Fridays all night) Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fatima Devotion First Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturdays 9:00 a.m. (at the end of 8:30 Mass) PARISH OFFICE 2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596 OFFICE HOURS 8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday Next week’s Second Collection is for Parish Maintenance. Thanks for your support! Time of Preparation This life is the time of our preparation for our future state. Our souls will continue for ever what we make them in this world. —John Tillotson, Archbishop of Canterbury

Dear Friends, “Happy New Year to You!” Well, at least a new Liturgical year. We have traveled full-circle once again, beginning the Season of Advent once again. This great time is a time set aside for us to prepare our minds and hearts to receive the Lord Jesus, to remember his humble birth, and to praise God for sending His Son to free us from sin, to heal us and teach us, and to guide us into the ways of peace. As the days get more and more busy for all of us, let us try to set aside some time each day for a quiet prayer. This could be sitting quietly over a cup of coffee or tea (my usual suggestion), or reading a short passage from Scripture and reflecting on it (our Advent booklets are a great source for this), or simply relaxing for a moment in the presence of our Loving God. May this Advent help all of us grow closer to Christ and to one another. May we witness that we are disciples of Christ and servants in His name to one another, and especially to the poor and needy in our midst. May God bless you! Father Fred

Be Prepared It’s that simple. As this Advent season opens before us, the Lord Jesus summons us to stand ready for his coming. At this time of year much of our attention is focused on being prepared for the details that accompany the holiday season. We purchase gifts; we decorate our homes, inside and out; we prepare foods that we eat only during the holidays; we write and send Christmas cards; we attend holiday concerts; we prepare either to welcome family and friends into our homes or arrange for visits to their homes. We really can’t escape the details that make up the season. Perhaps this Advent is a time to attend to all those details with a different spin. As we prepare to celebrate the feast of Christmas, why not be deliberate about acknowledging the presence of the Lord as we go about these tasks? The Lord often comes to us in wonderfully surprising ways. Let us be prepared. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

As for me, I love to go regularly to worship the Lord in Adoration! I find peace, security and love with Jesus. I am so happy alone with Jesus even though other adorers are with me in the same room. I can contemplate and listen quietly to Jesus. The feeling is almost indescribable!

Eucharistic Adoration

Phyllis Leone

ORGANIZATIONS CYO, Jerry Florence [email protected] Charismatic Prayer Group, Jim Crowley Catholic Divorced, Widowed & Separated, Char Buckman Eucharistic Adoration, Mary Johnstone Finance Council, Brian Mulligan Gabriel Project-Hotline Homebound Ministry, Helene Vizcarra Hospital Ministry, Angeles Ron Immaculata Guild, Arlene Verdugo Knights of Columbus, Bill Clark Pastoral Council, Chris Watson Respect Life Ministry, Jim Crowley Rosary Makers, Ana Lau St. Vincent de Paul, Brian Kavanagh

510-504-5954 944-0359 932-5054 954-7205 210-1031 800-910-0191 891-8936 640-8146 933-6215 932-1167 314-1355 944-0359 256-4428 937-2817

MASS SCHEDULE

Staff and Administration Parish Office Fr. Fred Riccio, Pastor Fr. Ben Wonganant, Parochial Vicar Fr. John Blaker, In residence Ana Lau, Office Manager Aileen Baker, Bookkeeper

891-8900 Fax 934-1358 [email protected] 891-8900 [email protected] 891-8900 891-8900

DATE

TIME

11/26

4:30 pm

Richard Segalas (L) B’D’

11/27

6:30 am

Marianne Meinbress (L)

8:00 am

Tommy Doherty

9:30 am

Tom Wainwright

11:00 am

Clare Homan

[email protected] 891-8908 [email protected] 891-8911

Faith Formation Austin Pisciotto, Administrative Assistant Tim Mannix, RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator Doug Talmadge, Director of Youth Ministries Maureen Tiffany, Director of Faith Formation Heather Abraham, Director of Middle School Phil Battaglia, Youth Music Coordinator

[email protected] 891-8939 [email protected] 891-8921 [email protected] 891-8939 [email protected] 962-5808 [email protected] 891-8934 932-5504

School Office Website: Alumni: Tracey Schmidt, Principal Advisory Council Karen Redwood, President Parents Club Jennifer Millette, Co-President Lynne Kenny, Co-President Kids Club Vicki Schwartz

935-5054 [email protected] www.st-mary.net [email protected] 935-5054 408-332-6879

11/28

11/29

11/30

12/1

12/2

12/3

MASS INTENTION

1:00 pm

The People of St. Mary Parish

6:00 pm

Bob Houk

6:30 am

Attila Bardos (L)

12:05 pm

Eugene Sanchez

6:30 am

Michael Gallagher (L)

12:05 pm

Lim Liong Kang

6:30 am

Edward Sobarzo (L) & Maria (dec.)

12:05 pm

Rodolfo Cadote

6:30 am

Peggy Houk

12:05 pm

Mark & Stella Kristich

6:30 am

Chona Bussani (L) B’D’

8:15 am

St. Mary School Community

12:05 pm

Harvey Thommes (L) B’D’

8:30 am

Ted Papenfuss (L)

Advent

296-0117 954-7865

Soon, the angels will be singing,

938-5114

Soon will come the starry night When a Savior King lies sleeping

Yolanda Rangel PRAY Susie Hutchins FOR Pat Roland THEM Deacon James Pearce Michael Lund Christopher & Daniel Moradi Mayah Pisciotto Josephine Velasco Harry Prudhomme Mike Sterrett Gail Case Dorothy Langguth Jacob & Katherine Pollnow Dominador Hontucan Ashley Ng

Carter Ankey Wrapped in Glory’s golden light. Mary Jean Alexander Elizabeth Michenfelder Once more comes sweet absolution, Colin Worster Carmel Roubal The prophecy of ancient deeps, Carol Erikson Rosalie Jacoby Ann Hirsch As Heaven’s choir proclaims His birth, Lindsay Davis Forgiveness, in a manger, sleeps. Vidya Ramanan Katie Gebler Sheila Deignan Bob Bussani Jack Meinbress Bea Lotz Salesian Inspirational Books

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR November 28-December 4 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/OS 12:30 PM Walking with Purpose 101/FF 6:30 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/SE 7:00 PM Lead Like Jesus/SJ 7:00 PM Faith Form. 6th Gr./FF 7:00 PM Faith Form. 7th-8th Gr/Gym 7:30 PM Choir Practice/Church WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 9:00 AM Scripture Study/FF 7:00 PM Magnificat Prayer/FF-SM 7:30 PM Charismatic Prayer/FF-SM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 4:00 PM Faith Formation 4th-5th Gr/SE 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/Church 7:00 PM Young Adults/OS

ADVENT GIVING TREE During the Advent season, parishioners are invited to take a gift tag from the Advent Giving Tree in church. The gifts will be donated to support the St. Vincent de Paul conferences at St. Peter Martyr in Pittsburg and St. Paul in San Pablo. To donate a gift for a child, please take an ornament off the tree and return it back under the tree taped to an unwrapped gift. Final collection of the gifts will be on December 19.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 7:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/Church

If you would like your child to be a part of our yearly pageant, please email Cathe Cracknell at [email protected]. This will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Mandatory rehearsal will be in the church at 9:30 on December 23. The deadline for sign-ups is Friday, December 15.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 8:00 AM Men’s Prayer Group/OS 9:00 AM Eucharistic Adoration/FF-SP SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 9:15 AM Faith Formation K-3rd/FF 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church 7:00 PM Quest Youth Group/Gym FF = Faith Formation Center SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room OS = Our Space

Introducing the Innovative Classroom! At St. Mary School we are changing the way teachers teach and the way students learn and engage in the curriculum. Thanks to the generous donations from parents, parishioners, and friends to our auction fund-a-need, we can begin to make our vision a reality. In this first phase, classrooms will be redesigned with the most cutting edge interactive projectors, updated sound equipment, and magnetic board white walls that create a dynamic, innovative learning environment for our students. We are very excited that we will be able to upgrade two classrooms with the funds and hope to raise additional funds to be able to outfit more classrooms as the year progresses.

This year, the annul children’s Mass on December 24 is at 3:00. We are looking for children who would like to be a part, both readers and actors. The parts consist of Mary, Joseph, Angel Gabriel (4th grade and above), Innkeepers, Wise Men (3rd grade and above), Angels and shepherds (kindergarten and above), Readers (3rd grade and above).

From Cosmo to Catholic

Calling All Women! Magnificat SOTI, a Ministry for Women, invites you to join them at a Prayer Breakfast December 3, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm St. Mary Church-Parish Hall 2039 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Walnut Creek (Please note change in time and location!) Please join us to hear Christine Watkins, a well-known speaker, author, spiritual director and television host, who will inspire us as she tells us of her salvation from life as an atheist to a life centered in Christ through her physical and spiritual healing by Jesus through His Mother, Mary. Tickets are $25 - $30 after Nov. 26. Go to www.magnificatsoti.org for information and tickets or call Jennifer at 503-709-8449 for reservations.

Former writer for Cosmopolitan magazine, Sue Ellen Browder is silent no more as she tells her eye-opening account of how the original 'Feminist Movement' was secretly taken over by abortion advocates who now use it to promote abortions. At the direction of her superiors, she made up stories with fictional people to push the false narrative of a "Sex in the City" lifestyle as the single woman's path to personal fulfillment. Come to at the Catholics At Work breakfast meeting, Tuesday, December 13 at Crow Canyon Country Club in Danville from 7:00am 8:15am, where you will hear how this one-time Cosmo writer managed to find her way back to God's reality, the Catholic Church, and true freedom . Optional Mass celebrated at 6:30am on site. All are welcome. For more information or registration: www.CatholicsAtWork.com Walk-Ins are Welcome.

Disciples in Training

Faith Formation Youth Ministry LITTLE SAINTS Kinder - 3rd Sunday 9:15am - 10:45am

THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12)

Catequesis en espanol Ages 6-13yrs Sunday 11:15am - 12:45pm

Welcome to the first Sunday of Advent!

ROCK 4th - 5th Grade Thursday 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Our Faith Formation/Youth Ministry departments are geared up to lead our young people into a time of reflection and preparation.

BLAST 6th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm

All Classes K-12 have resumed! Happy Advent!

EDGE 7th - 8th Grade Tuesday 7:00pm - 8:30pm CONFIRMATION Call for Info YOUTH GROUP 9th - 12th Grade Sunday 7:00pm - 9:00pm Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Office 925-891-8939 Lifeteen.stmarywc@ gmail.com Sunday– Thursday 8:30—5:30pm

UPDATE! Our EDGE/BLAST ministries have been steadily supplying “Jeans 4 Teens”, but even with the great generosity of so many families, we are far from our goal of 2000 pairs of Jeans. We will be reaching out parish-wide and to all other ministries to help us as our middle school youth step up to help others! If you or someone you know can help us out, please bring your lightly used or new jeans to our Faith Formation Office or leave in the “Jeans 4 Teens” Baskets in the church vestibule. ANNOUNCEMENT ! Sunday December 11 Immediately following the 6pm youth Mass, our youth band will host a free Christmas concert! Hot Cocoa and treats will follow afterward. EVERYONE is welcome!

Estar Preparado Debes estar preparado. Es así de simple. Al comenzar este tiempo de Adviento, el Señor Jesús nos llama a estar preparados para su venida. En esta época del año, gran parte de nuestra atención se centra en estar preparados para los detalles que acompañan las fiestas. Compramos regalos; decoramos nuestro hogar por fuera y por dentro; preparamos comidas especiales para esta época; escribimos y enviamos tarjetas de Navidad; asistimos a conciertos navideños; nos preparamos para recibir a los familiares y amigos en nuestro hogar o para visitarlos en sus hogares. No podemos ignorar los detalles que forman parte de este tiempo. Quizás este Adviento sea un tiempo para prestar atención a todos esos detalles con un enfoque diferente. Mientras nos preparamos para celebrar la fiesta de Navidad, ¿qué tal si reconocemos plenamente la presencia del Señor mientras realizamos estas tareas? El Señor muchas veces viene a nosotros de formas maravillosamente sorprendentes. Estemos preparados.

¡Celebremos Juntos La Navidad! El Grupo de Teatro La Voz de Cristo te invita a celebrar La Navidad con la presentación de la obra de teatro:

La pastorela

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Tiempo de Preparación Esta vida es el tiempo de preparación para nuestro estado futuro. Nuestras almas continuarán siendo por siempre lo que hacemos de ellas en este mundo.

Ven y comparte con nosotros nuestra posada parroquial y nuestras tradiciones Navideñas. Trae a toda tu familia y amigos y celebremos juntos el nacimiento de Cristo.

—John Tillotson, Arzobispo de Canterbury

La Segunda Colecta del próximo domingo será para el mantenimiento de las instalaciones parroquiales. Gracias por su apoyo.

Catequesis

Sábado 17 de Diciembre a las 6:30 de la tarde en el Gimnasio No te la pierdas. ¡Te esperamos! Habrá comida, piñatas y regalos para los niños

¡Peregrinación Guadalupana 3 de diciembre!

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes:

Is 4:2-6; Sal 122 (121):1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Martes: Is 11:1-10; Sal 72 (71):1-2,     7-8, 12-13, 17; Lc 10:21-24 Miércoles: Rom 10:9-18; Sal 19 (18):8-11; Mt 4:18-22 FECHAS IMPORTANTES Jueves: Is 26:1-6; Sal 118 (117):1, 8-9, 19-21, Noviembre 27 No hay clase 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Diciembre 4 No hay clase Viernes: Is 29:17-24; Sal 27 (26):1, 4, 13-14; Diciembre 11 Clase 11:15 am Mt 9:27-31 Sábado: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Sal 147 (146):1-6; Reunió n de Padres Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Domingo: Is 11:1-10; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Janet (925)357-3048 - [email protected] Rom 15:4-9; Mt 3:1-12