St. Cornelius Church 5500 Wardlow Rd., Long Beach, CA 90808

(562) 421-8966 www.stcorneliuslb.org

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

December 12th

5:00 a.m. Las Mananitas

6:00 a.m. Mass (Bilingual)

8:00 a.m. Morning Mass

5:00 p.m. Evening Mass

The music will be provided by Mariachis

If you would like to donate roses for this

celebration, please contact Mariana at (562) 857-8522 or bring

them to the church on December 11th.

PASTOR’S CORNER 1 1

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

FORGIVENESS By: Fr. Mike Gleeson, Pastor

PASTOR’S CORNER 1

Hearing confessions is a ministry that Fr. George and I love to do. It is the place where we help people like no oth-er. It is a great privilege to be an instrument of God’s mercy and forgiveness. There are no limits to God’s forgiveness. As Isaiah reminds us: I will separate you from your sins as far as the east is from the west. Though your sins be like scarlet I will make them as white as snow. In St. Luke’s Gospel chapter 15 we have the three parable of God’s mercy; - The Lost Sheep - The Lost Coin - The Prodigal Son The Prodigal Son is one of the greatest stories ever told. It tells us everything we need to know about God’s mercy. I love the part that states: “While he was still a long way off, the father caught sight of him. Deeply moved he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” All this indicates that the father was waiting and yearning for his sons return. God has the same attitude towards us. Henri Nouwen’s book; The Return of the Prodigal Son is an excellent read on this subject. The words of absolution are as follows; God, the Father of Mercies Through the Death and Resurrection of his son.

Has reconciled the world to himself And sent the Holy Spirit among us For the forgiveness of sin Through the ministry of the Church May God give you pardon and peace And I absolve you from your sins. In the name of the Father, And of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Seeking forgiveness is one side of the coin of mercy. The second is granting forgiveness to others. We are called to emulate God’s mercy and forgiveness. We pray in the “Our Father—Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Not being able to forgive is like a spiritual cancer that prevents us from loving the people we want to love. When we resent someone we become their slave. When we forgive we experience a peace and tranquility like no other: it is truly liberating. Once I was in prayer with two priests. We shared the three major hurts of our lives. Then we forgave. When I returned to the parish I didn’t talk about the experience. However, people said to me, “Father you are different...what hap-pened?” They could see that my whole being had been transformed. That is what happens when we forgive. PENANCE SERVICE On Tuesday, December 11th at 7 p.m. we will be having a Penance Service. We will have several visiting Priests. It would be appreciated if you come when we have the help.

Siempre Adelante,

Fr. Mike

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WEEKEND MASSES Saturday, December 15 5:00 p.m. Fr. George Reynolds Lector: Fritzi Osenbrunner Sunday, December 16 8:00 a.m. Fr. Bill McLean Lector: Ed Barwick 10:00 a.m. Fr. Mike Gleeson Lector: Bert Howard 12:00 Noon Fr. George Reynolds Lector Marife Zarate 5:00 p.m. Fr. Mike Gleeson Lector Frank Schmidt

MASS INTENTIONS † = Indicates Deceased

Sunday, December 09 8:00 a.m. The People of St. Cornelius The Priests of St. Cornelius 10:00 a.m. †Brian Tempel †Judy Klenk 12:00 Noon Mack Aoga (Birthday) Joseph Aoga (Birthday) †Mercedes Gonzalez 5:00 p.m. The Deacons of St. Cornelius †Fernando Sanchez Monday, December 10 8:00 a.m. Dr. Desiree Crusade Lance Edwall 5:00 p.m. †Francisco Herrero Grace Grano Tuesday, December 11 8:00 a.m. Marion Dougherty George & Tricia Mora 5:00 p.m. Souls in Purgatory Wednesday, December 12 6:00 a.m. Cortez Family 8:00 a.m. Keith Bell The Bell Family 5:00 p.m. †Kevin Cohen †Chris Hogan Thursday, December 13 8:00 a.m. People of St. Cornelius Deacons of St. Cornelius 5:00 p.m. George Mora Tricia Moran Friday, December 14 8:15 a.m. †Anthony Bonvino The Bonvino Family 5:00 p.m. †Anthony McNeeny Kevin Cohen Saturday, December 15 8:00 a.m. Marion Dougherty Lance Edwall 5:00 p.m. †Jose Reyes †Armida Hallstrom Sunday, December 16 8:00 a.m. †Jim & Marc koblensky †Priscilla Cruz 10:00 a.m. †Brian Tempel †Fernando Capitulo 12:00 Noon †Marjorie Miller †Walter Benton †Johnny Jose 5:00 p.m. Alan Daurio George & Tricia Mora

LITURGY

PRINCE OF PEACE PAGEANT The 46th Annual “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant will be held this weekend Dec 7th, 8th and 9th, at 7:00pm through a joint effort of St. Cornelius and five of our neighboring churches. The pageant is an outdoor event featuring over a dozen separate visual preserva ons with living statues and live animals depic ng the prophe-cy and birth of Jesus Christ. There are many par cipa ng musical groups that will also provide live music during this event. The pageant is open to the pub-lic and free of charge. Enjoy a pleasant evening stroll and take in each scene, or you can drive the en re route as am-ple parking will be provided. We hope to see you there.

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FAITH AND FICTION St. Cornelius Book Discussion Group The next mee ng of the book club will be held on December 10 at 7:30pm, in the school library. The book we will be discussing is “Barking to the Choir” by Gregory Boyle. You are welcome to join us. For more info, call Katy Ellis at 607-1100.

ADULT FAITH & SPIRITUALITY

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY In today’s Gospel John the Bap st urges us to “Prepare the way of the Lord,” and this is what Ad-vent is all about. We are called to help prepare the way of the Lord by making the real meaning of Christmas come alive in our own hearts, in our fami-ly and to reach out to those in need. Is there a family you know who needs assistance? Please have them call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and poor to celebrate Christmas. 562-421-8011.

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK For The Sick Who Have Asked To Be Remembered In Prayer:

Marcey McConnell Flood Lance Edwall Elizabeth Cannata Adam & Carla Mars Sandee Bradley DJ Barwick Peggy Hasse Dolores Lounsbury Peggy Pen s Walter Bordeaux Ghusn Mhawji Martha Burris Frances Boudreau Lee Hicks Julienne Aoga Sio Patolo Kasiano Alai Fiu Iosefo Aoga Mulitalo Mikaele Patricia Wolfe Samuel McCarthy Sherill S llwell Jonathan Kolp Frank Novak Jean Wells Karen Gingras Alvin York Jack Alva Cooper Greg & Laurie Kelly Diane Reed Larry Gaudy Jill Lesko Dave Wills Henry Sarnecki Bob Early Jenni Rojas Paxton Thompson Rosa C. Lopez Diaz Salvador Diaz Rosa M. Vivar Anna Salinas Dennis Meza Jessica Ortega Erin Miskelly Roman Romo Jesus Palacios Jim Kline Carna Ahmadzai Marta R. De Quiros Fernando J. Rodriguez Anna Coles Ruben Diaz Kathy Statlander Sharon Barre Olivia Howard Jan Wynn Carlos Jaramillo

Jessica Rigsby Cliff Richard John Cutler Alberto J. Smith Anita Digregorio Nadine Roberts Deb Sanders Carmen Bernales Ronald Collins Kenny Collins William Priest Harry Lacave Nanda Wijetunga Bret Has ngs Leo Lucie Jeffrey Newon Gerry Wooldridge Florence Dissman Peter Gutherie Janine Schonert Pedro Caceres Ron Hoffman Rowan Haynes Michael Cu er Tina Cruz Jana Arevalos Tom Maguire Audrey Longaberger Madeline Carleton Marilyn Wissler Mary Sturgeleski Al S llwell Michael Chu Pat Perez Alejandrina Lopez Kathy Anderson Ray Sanchez Dorothea Jakubowski Kimmi Stephens Richard Digney Kyndal Dasenbrock Bengie Mendoza Kimberly Baca John Triesch Ida Griffin Arieanna Cramer Marta Veliz Anita Bendo Ari Robledo Mar n Sudders Kathleen Hauck Luis Serrano Tim Bowers Kevin Weelborg Carlo Jamarillo

PRAYER LIST O en mes family members and friends call us to ask

that we pray for individuals during a trying health issue. Most of the me they do not call back to let us know if the person is well. Please contact the Rectory if your

loved one can be removed from the Prayer list.

PRECIOUS LIFE CENTER Deacon Rich is doing a drive for the Precious Life Center in Los Alamitos for items needed for the res-idents. A list of the items requested can be found at all church exits. Your gifts can be left in the “Precious Life” box in the back of the church or giv-en to Deacon Rich. Thank you.

Thank You The Edwall Family would like to thank the parishioners of St. Cornelius Church for all

your thoughts and prayers, masses and cards during this me of illness. Your prayers will

con nue to help bring improvement and healing. God Bless you all.

Lance Edwall

4 YOUTH MINISTRY RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Early Childhood Christmas Pageant The children in the Early Childhood program will be presen ng their annual Christmas program Sunday, December 16th, a er the 10:00 am mass. Prepare to be charmed and entertained! Please join us in the church as they present the true meaning of Christmas. Refreshments imme-diately following program in the small hall.

Las Posadas The students in the religious educa on program will be par cipa ng in a tradi onal Las Posadas Join the journey as we follow along with Mary and Joseph as they search for shelter. All parish-ioners are invited to join us on this journey, Thursday, December 20th, 3:45 PM, star ng in the church.

EDGE Night Junior High Edge Night will be held on Thursday, December 20th, in the Large Hall, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Join us as we explore the hidden meaning of several popular Christmas songs. All sixth, seventh and eighth graders of the parish are welcome to join us for a fun, faith-filled night of fellowship.

CONFIRMATION NEWS Confirma on Year 1 Class: Next Class is Sunday, December 9th, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Please dress appropriately for Mass Celebra-

on. Deposit ($100) for Retreat Due on this day. Please make check payable to "St. Cornelius" write your child's name on the memo line.

Confirma on Year 2 Class: Next Class is Sunday, December 16, 9:00 am – Noon Since we will be a ending 5:00 pm Mass on Satur-day, we won't be a ending Noon Mass on Sun-day. Candidates will be dismissed at Noon. Balance for Retreat Due on this day. Please make checks payable to "St. Cornelius" write your child's name on the memo line.

People For Others (PFO) News December 2018 Potluck luncheon: Friday, December 14, 2018. Time: from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. PFO will provide ham, turkey, desserts, drawing of Christmas bas-kets, December’s birthday bags to take home, and other prizes. Music and entertainment will be pro-vided by: The Ukulele group. St. Cornelius’ parish-ioner Norma Duffy plays the ukulele in this group of 20-25 people. PFO Mass & Rosary: Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. We pray the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. PFO Mee ng: Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 8:35 a.m. (a er the 8:00 a.m. mass.) We hope to see you at all three ac vi es!

THE LOS ANGELES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS RE Congress is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the world. The four-day event is held at the Anaheim (Calif.) Conven on Center and is spon-sored by the Los Angeles Office of Religious Educa-

on. Youth Day (March 21, 2019) – Congress opens on Thursday with a day-long event for high school youth. This is an opportunity for students – not only from the Los Angeles Archdiocese but throughout California and the western states – to come togeth-er and share in Liturgy, workshops, entertainment and to experience the energy of a Youth Day Rally. Congress days (March 22 –24, 2019) The remaining three-day weekend is open to adults and young adults and offers more than 200 speakers pre-sen ng over 300 workshops, in addi on to lunch me entertainment, evening concerts, 16 Lit-urgies in a variety of characters, the Exhibit Hall and much more. Free Exhibits (open to Registrants on-ly) – One of the perks of Congress is the Exhibit Hall – held Friday through Sunday – showcasing over 200 companies ranging from religious art to music, and from publishing houses to educa onal ins tu-

ons, in addi on to our own represented Archdioc-esan ministries. Informa on is available online, www.recongress.org or in the Religious educa on Office.

5 COMMUNITY NEWS 5

RESPECT LIFE NEWS & NOTES On this day of the Feast of Immaculate Concep-

on, let us rejoice in the Glory of our Heavenly Mother and all that she does when we say,

“Hail Mary Full of Grace…”

Presented by St. Lawrence Martyr

January 11, 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Learn how to speak up in defense of life!

The Power of 7 – Effec ve Pro-Life Replies to 7 Common Pro-Abor on Arguments.

AGM co-founders Sylvia Aimerito and Lori Rae Mar n will be presen ng this powerful, pro-life tu-torial. Event is presented by the Respect Life Team

at St. Lawrence Martyr.

SCHOOL NEWS Now Accep ng Applica on for 2019-2020 St. Cornelius School is now accep ng applica-

ons for the 2019-2020 school year. Transi onal Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten applica ons are due to the school office by January 31. Chil-dren applying for Transi onal Kindergarten must be 4 years old by September 1, 2019. Chil-dren applying for Kindergarten must be 5 years old by December 1, 2019. Kindergarten appli-cants will be screened for readiness. Please call the school office at (562) 425-7813 or drop by to pick up an applica on packet. Applica ons are also available on the school website at www.stcornelius.net. Open House, School Tours, and Pancake Breakfast Please join us on Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 9 a.m. to noon for the annual Open House, school tours and pancake breakfast. The annual book fair will also be held in the Diehl Family Li-brary from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Pancake Breakfast ckets are $7.00 presale or $8.00 at the door. Tickets may be purchased from any student athlete or the school office. Breakfast includes; pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee. Fiesta 2018 The Fiesta Commi ee is happy to announce the Fiesta total for 2018 is $69,3463.00.Thank you for your con nued support of Fiesta and Catholic educa on. No Bingo Due to the Christmas holiday there is no Bingo on December 21 or 28.

7 COMMUNITY NEWS

Christmas Schedule—2018 PENANCE SERVICE

Tuesday, December 11th 7:00 p.m. - St. Cornelius— Visi ng Priests Available

Saturday, December 15th a er 8:00 a.m. Mass and 4:00p.m.—4:45p.m.

Monday, December 17th 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of Refuge

Tuesday, December 18th 7:00 p.m. - St. Joseph's Friday, December 21st a er 5:00 p.m. Mass

Saturday, December 22nd a er 8:00 a.m. Mass and 4:00 p.m.—4:45 p.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE MASS SCHEDULE Monday, December 24th - Christmas Eve

3:30 p.m. Samoan Choir - Church (Music program begins at 3:00 p.m.) 3:30 p.m. Children's Choir - Large Hall

5:30 p.m. Organist & Cantor 10:00 p.m. Adult Choir - (Music program begins at 9:30 p.m.)

Tuesday,. December 25th - Christmas Day

8:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. There will be no evening Mass

NEW YEAR’S EVE MASS SCHEDULE Monday, New Year’s Eve 8:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, January 1, 2018 New Year’s Day

8:00 a.m., & 12:00 Noon No Evening Mass