24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 837-1090; FAX (949) 837-9510; www.st-nicholaschurch.org

School of Religious Education: (949) 837-7676

Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith

through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord.

We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds. Adopted July, 1996

BAPTISM Contact the Parish Office for Baptism scheduling and information. MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DAY 24-hour adoration begins the second Wednesday of the month at the 9:00AM Mass.

DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM; Vietnamese—2nd Wednesday of the month at 8PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction. Filipino—1st Saturday of the month Novena and Rosary Devotion from October-June after the 4PM

CLERGY

Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Martin Tran Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Brendan Hankins Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos Deacon Carlos Pineda MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM, 7:00PM in Spanish Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM, and 5:00PM in Vietnamese. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM and 9:00AM Saturday: 9AM

Holy Days: 4PM Vigil, 7PM Spanish Vigil, 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM, and 7:30PM in Vietnamese.

RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday: 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3:00PM to 3:45PM or by appointment.

Parish Office Hours

Sunday: 8:30 AM—12:30 PM; Monday through Friday: 9AM– 12Noon; 1PM– 5:15PM

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH

December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners,

On this Fourth Sunday of Advent our time of preparing is coming to a close and our Gospel reading points to the birth of Jesus. We hear about the role of Mary and Joseph in the birth of Jesus. Neither one of them understood the message of the angel; however, they both did what the angel had asked.

Many times in our life, we may not understand what God wants from us, but we can look to Mary and Joseph as examples in order to be humble servants of the Lord and accept His will. They both had a significant role in bringing the child Jesus into the world on that first Christmas night and we can follow their example in being vessels to bring Jesus into our daily life.

This Fourth week of Advent is a very short week because the Christmas season begins on Tuesday evening this week with our Christmas Masses. The Christmas season will continue until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 12th. Christmas is when the Light of Christ entered the world and this light comes to us each time we receive the Eucharist in Communion. As we hear at the end of every Mass, I pray that we may all go forth into the world proclaiming the Gospel message and being the Light of Christ for all that we meet.

Fr. George

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time November 3, 2019 Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Cold and Flu Season

We are entering into another cold and flu season and it is important for all of us to be mindful of our own health and those around us. It is advised that we all be diligent about washing our hands and if we are not feeling well to not be out in public where we may be spreading our germs. During this time, I remind you to be conscientious especially during the sign of peace at Mass. If someone is not willing to hold hands during the “Our Father” or shake hands at the sign of peace, please respect their decision and simply voice your wish for peace. Beginning last weekend, we will not distribute the Precious Blood at communion time temporarily during the cold and flu season. This also gives me the opportunity to remind everyone that Jesus is fully present; body and blood in the Host as well as the cup, so we are receiving the full reality of the Eucharist even if we only receive the Host.

Monday: 7AM Donna Gerard (d) 9AM Mary Piccione (d)

Tuesday: 7AM Jackie Shepard (d) 9AM Warren Falcelli 4PM Arlene Duell (d) 6:15PM Joyce Will (d) 7PM Patrocinia Ramos (d) 11PM Steven Wontrobsky

Wednesday 9AM Mass for the Parish 11AM John Hoang & Mary Tran (d)

Thursday: 9AM Maria Gutierrez Friday: 9AM Anna Switzer (d) Saturday: 9AM John Gushue (d) 4PM Mass for the Parish 7PM Jesus Garcia, Gracia de la Torre & Lupe Garcia (d)

Sunday: 9:00AM Madelien Aviles (d) 10:45AM Robert Burton (d) 12:30PM Frank Hernandez Family

We Remember All our recently deceased, especially Susan Puig, who

entered her new and eternal life in Christ. Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord,

and may your light shine on them forever.

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM New Life Filipino Group, Small Hall, 5:00PM Pastoral Council, Room C, 6:30PM Hispanic Rosary, Church, 7PM

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY Faith Alive, Room A, 9:45AM Hispanic RCIA , Room B, 6PM Hispanic Council, Room C, 7:00PM

FRIDAY Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room B, 7PM

SATURDAY Hispanic Choir, Room B, 7PM

SUNDAY Liturgy of the Word, Room A, 10AM Library CLOSED

Mass Intentions for the Week

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — You will be given this sign: The virgin shall conceive and bear a son (Isaiah 7:10-14). Psalm — Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory (Psalm 24). Second Reading — God has called us to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7). Gospel — The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-24). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All

rights reserved.

The St. Nicholas Library

The Library is open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, from 8:45am—12:45pm. We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office.

There will be NO classes during the weeks of December 22 and December 29.

SRE Classes will resume in 2020, starting:

Elementary Classes on Monday, January 6, 2020 Junior High 7/8th Classes on Tuesday, January 28

Confirmation l Class on Tuesday, January 14 Confirmation ll Class will meet on Sunday, January 5

at 9am

Dear SRE Families,

You are all invited to attend the Dec. 24, Christmas Eve Pageant at 3:30pm in the Church.

This re-enactment of The Nativity will be presented by our SRE Students and Immediately

following the pageant, we will celebrate the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass at 4pm. Please join us and celebrate the birth of our Savior together as

family.

.

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @stnickym YOUTH MINISTRY

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Sacred Heart Sisters invite you to learn more about the Liturgy of the Hours. Also known as the Divine Office, it is prayed by all consecrated religious. We can pray with and for the Church, especially during this year of prayer in the Diocese of Orange. Join the Sisters on January 8th 2020 6:30 pm – 8:30pm to learn about the Liturgy of the Hours. Please RSVP by January 6th.

For more information or to RSVP, call 714-557-4538 or email: retreatcenter@sacredheartsisters.com

It’s a great New Year’s Resolution! 2927 S Greenville St. Santa Ana, CA 92704

www.sacredheartsisters.com

CHURCH CLEANING

Volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet on JANUARY 7, 2020, after the 9:00 am Mass. After that, our next cleaning will be on February 5th,2020.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Call Barbara Amico at (949) 233-2631, or Email: 4boccegirl@gmail.com

The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross

...invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday,

Jan. 16, 2020—7:45am to 7:45pm at St. Nicholas Church in the Parish Center.

To schedule appointments call one of the following: 949-831-0208, 949-581-5503, 949-350-3282

Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment for faster service!

Confirmation/Youth Ministry Leaders – TODAY - Confirmation ll Class on Dec. 22 at 9am, followed by 10:45am mass.

After this class on the 22nd, our next Conf. II class will be on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2020 at 9am.

Christmas Eve Pageant will take place at 3:30pm, before the 4PM Christmas Eve Mass. Please join us and celebrate the birth of our Savior together!

Watch Facebook and Instagram for upcoming events in January 2020!

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Teen Choir :

We will be singing at the 4PM Christmas Eve Mass.

On Tuesday, Dec. 24th, the Christmas Eve Pageant will be performed at 3:30pm – before the 4:00pm Mass. Volunteers are needed to participate in the non-speaking roles. Please call the SRE Office at 949-837-7676 if you’d like to help.

We will be accepting donations of Poinsettias in memory of a loved one to help decorate the

Church and Parish Center for Christmas. Please bring the flowers to the Parish Office.

Thank you.

A Musical Celebration

Christmas Songs for the Spirit and Soul

FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT

Today December 22nd at 3 PM

Lutheran Church of the Cross

24231 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, CA 92637

Please join Andrea Formato and Melanie Pedro, together with accompanist Grant Rohr, for an enjoyable afternoon of holiday cheer and spiritual rejuvenation through beautiful music and

Christmas TV and Online Mass for the Homebound Will someone you love be unable to join us at church this Christmas? Heart of the Nation will celebrate

Christmas Mass on TV and online.

TV Mass on December 25 KDOC Channel 56 at 9:00 a.m.

Online Christmas Mass Christmas Mass will also be online throughout the day at www.HeartoftheNation.org

For those who can attend at church, TV or online liturgy does not fulfill the Christmas Mass obligation.

December 22, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Advent

SIMBANG GABI

(Evening Mass) St. Nicholas Parish Church Laguna Woods, California

December 22, 2019 (Sunday) @ 6:30p.m. Celebrant: Rev. George P. Blais, Pastor

Simbang Gabi literally means “AN EVENING MASS”, It begins during the Advent Season, (Dec 14 – 22) culminating at the Christmas midnight mass. It is a Novena of Masses celebrated for nine consecutive daysas a spiritual preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Feel the spirit of Christmas by joining us at 6:30 pm for the Simbang Gabi mass December 22,2019(Sunday). Join and listen to the singing of the Holy Rosary Philippine Chamber Chorale. Light refreshments will follow the celebration in the Sporrer Hall (Large Hall) Any questions or for more information contact: Del Moses (714)931-0820 or Mary Ann Puzon (949)294-5625

ST. Vincent de Paul

“The Society of St. Vincent de Paul thanks the parishioners of St. Nicholas Church for their generosity that has enabled us to assist those in need this year. There are many in our area in danger of becoming homeless, especially women with children and elderly individuals. Vincentians make home visits and review the situation of these neighbors to determine the appropriate assistance. We share information about food pantries and helpful agencies. With your help, we prevented evictions, utility cut-offs, etc. On December 28s and 29nd , the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will have a second collection at all Masses. We appreciate your generosity.”

*If you are interested in learning more about the Society, you may email Joan Grampp at jgrampp428@gmail.com.”

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE OF MASSES:

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th 3:30pm Children’s Christmas Pageant 4:00pm Mass with Teen/Family Choir

5:45pm Musical Prelude 6:15pm Mass with (9am) Parish Choir & String Quartet

7:00pm Mass in Spanish (Parish Center) 8:00pm Mass in Vietnamese (Church)

10:30pm Musical Prelude 11:00pm Mass with (10:45) Chorale and Organ

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th 9:00am – Mass with Organ and Cantor

11:00am – Mass with (10:45) Chorale and Organ