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.

BAPTISM Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Arrangements must be made a month in advance. Parents must attend two preparation sessions.

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.

CLERGY

Parish Administrator Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Raphael Nguyen Parochial Vicar Rev. Quyen Truong Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Brendan Hankins Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos

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

Filipino Mass: 5:30PM, First Saturdays, October-June. Holy Days: 4PM 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—1:30 PM Monday through Friday: 9 AM—12 Noon; 1 PM — 4:30 PM; 6 PM - 8 PM

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

Stewardship of Treasure

2016 2015 52-Weekly Required Budget

November 20th $18,258.03 $23,833.39 $22,987 National Needs $ 4,391.00 $ 4,640.00 November 27th $19,328.18 $28,677.44 Thanksgiving-St. Vincent de Paul $ 3,357.00 $ 3,109.00

TODAY- Sunday, December 4th, the Knights of Columbus are hosting a pancake and sausage breakfast after the 7:30am, 9am and 10:45am Masses.

Join with your fellow parishioners! Come and bring your family and friends!

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary—December 8th

is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Mass Schedule is as follows: Wednesday, December 7th: Vigil at 4PM (English) 7PM (Spanish) Thursday, December 8th: 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM (English) 7:30PM (Vietnamese)

Commitment Card

Thank you to those who have already returned their “Commitment” card, which was sent to all Parishioners

along with the Parish’s Annual Report. If you have not already done so, we appreciate your

prayerful consideration, and request that you return the card as soon as possible. This information allows us to

effectively plan for our Parish needs.

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection on December 10-11

Your gift in the collection offers needed assistance for prescription medications, nursing care, and also helps the congregations implement long- term retirement strategies to ensure quality eldercare for thousands of elderly religious sisters, brothers, and religious order priests who worked for many years for little, if any, pay.

Please be generous. THANK YOU!

PREPARE THE WAY

Saint John the Baptist appears on the scene today as Advent enters its second week. The mysterious consumer of locusts and wild honey, John echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah as he calls for repentance in the face of the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. The rhythms of the Christian life are often confounding. Each year we meet the Baptist and hear his calls for repentance. Each year we see him pointing to the one who is coming after him, the Lord Jesus. Yet each year the words and actions of John the Baptist echo anew in our hearts, because we have fallen into old sinful traps again and again. Advent gives us the opportunity once again to turn away from our sinful ways and embrace the gospel way of life. John the Baptist invites us to prepare the way for the Lord, in whom we place our hope. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Justice shall flower in his days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. Psalm 72:7-8

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

Monday: 7AM Mrs. Concepcion Rull (d) 9AM James D. Kellard (d) Tuesday: 7AM Mariane Gonzalez 9AM Acyla and Fely Barroque Wednesday: 7AM Robert Buchholz (d) 9AM Esther Perez Doran (d) 4PM James Frohlich (d) Thursday: 7 AM Apolonio Nuval (d) 9AM Neale Jones 12PM For the Parish 6PM Nieves Asidera (d) Friday: 7 AM Dennis O’Donnell (d) 9AM Guillermo and Braulio Barroque (d) Saturday: 9AM Elidoro Romero (d) 4PM Rose Gustafson (d) 7PM Evelia Garcia (d) Sunday: 7:30AM Thomas Andres (d) 9:00AM For the Parish 10:45AM Dolores Antino (d) 12:30PM Josef Braksator (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Spanish RCIA, Room C, 6PM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM TUESDAY CCW Tea Party Committee, Room B, 10AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM SRE for 7 & 8, Parish Center-downstairs, 7PM SRE Confirmation I, Parish Center-upstairs, 7PM Pastoral Council, Rooms B&C, 7PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM WEDNESDAY Bereavement Ministry, Room B, 9:45AM Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 10:45AM Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM Knights of Columbus, Parish Center, 6PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 7PM THURSDAY Faith Alive, Room A, 10AM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM RCIA, Room 201-Parish Center, 7PM St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM FRIDAY Divine Mercy, St. Faustina Study, Room C, 1:45PM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Baptism Preparation-Spanish, Room B, 7PM Baptism Preparation-English, Room C, 7:30PM SATURDAY Spanish Choir, Room C, 5PM SUNDAY Library is open, Room C, 8:45AM

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 He shall bring justice for the afflicted; the earth shall overflow with the knowledge of the LORD.

Psalm 72: Justice shall flour ish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9 Glorify God by living in harmony with one another, welcoming each other as Christ welcomed you.

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 Produce good fruit worthy of your baptism; repent, for the reign of God is near.

We Remember

Gerard Wyss, Robert Young and Ann Ivins who entered their new and eternal life in Christ.

Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever.

Christmas Flower Dedications

We will be accepting donations of Poinsettias (preferably red) in memory of your loved ones to help decorate the Church and the Parish Center for Christmas. Please bring the Poinsettias to the Parish Office by Wednesday, December 21st.

A GIANT THANK YOU TO

The Knights of Columbus and the Hispanic Prayer Group for hosting the St. Nicholas Thanksgiving Dinner for over 300 people!

Great big hugs to all VOLUNTEERS who worked for days to prepare food, serve the attendees and work on Thanksgiving Day. God bless you all!

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

School of Religious Education

Check us out on Facebook!

Bible Study—Bible Study will meet at 6pm on the following Tuesdays: 12/6, 12/13. We will then resume again in January. (NOTE: If you have missed a Confirmation I or II Class, you may attend a Bible Study to make up for your absence.)

Our next Coffee and Donuts is on Sunday, Dec. 11th, from 9:30am to 12:45pm.

Go to the Parish Center (kitchen) and check-in with Betty Farrell.

Santa Claus will be visiting C & D!

Teen/Family Choir is looking for singers and musicians. For more information, please call the SRE Office, 837-7676. Teen/Family Mass is on Christmas Eve, December 24 at 4pm. We are looking for volunteers to participate in the Christmas Eve Pageant, which will start at 3:30pm. Your teachers will be asking you to signup. There are NO speaking parts!

PLEASE NOTE: The SRE Office will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 9am to 1:30pm. Classes will be held

in the afternoon as usual.

Elementary Classes will meet Monday—Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6, 7, at 4:15pm.

Junior High Classes will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7pm downstairs in the Parish Center.

Confirmation I Classes will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7pm upstairs in the Parish Center.

During the week of Dec. 4th, the SRE Students will be learning about St. Nicholas, our Patron Saint, and also Advent and the Immaculate Conception.

Santa Claus will be visiting Coffee and Donuts on Sunday, Dec. 11th. All children (from ages 1 to 99+) are invited to the Parish Center to wish him a Merry Christmas! Youth Group and Confirmation Students will be hosting that morning!

Our Angel Tree, is located in the transept alcove on the small parking lot side of the Church. We encourage parishioners to take an angel and purchase a gift for the person listed on the back of the angel. Gifts will be donated to South County Outreach, Obria Medical Clinics (formerly Birth Choice), and other charitable organizations. In order that the gifts may be delivered in time for Christmas, please bring them to the parish office during regular office hours no later than Monday, December 12th. We thank you for your cooperation and generosity!

Library Hours: The library will be open every Sunday, 8:45am to 12:45pm and the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm-4pm.

We are located in Room C—behind the Parish Office. Freebie cart with books, DVDs, rosaries, etc.

The Angel Tree

The Angel Tree is now up (in the alcove on the small parking lot side of the Church).

Please pick an angel from the tree and purchase a gift for the child or adult as described on the back of the angel. You may bring the gift, unwrapped please,

to the Parish Office no later than Monday, December 12th.

This allows sufficient time to distribute the gifts. Donated items are given to South County Outreach,

Obria Medical Clinics, and Micah’s Way. Thank you for your generosity!

2017 Calendars Calendars for 2017 will be in the Church Vestibule. Supplies are limited, so please be mindful that others would also like a

Calendar and take just ONE per household. We once again thank

O’Connor Mortuary for their generous gift of calendars to the

Parishioners of St. Nicholas!

Catholic Nuns Trapped in the Pacific During World War II

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange have recently published the first- person journals that their Sisters kept in the North Solomon Islands during the war. In this 300-page book, the Sisters tell of their journey, of their lives in hiding after Pearl Harbor, and of their high-risk rescue by the U.S. Navy! “Trapped In Paradise: Catholic Nuns in the South Pacific 1940-1943,” may be a perfect gift for a Veteran or those interested in military history. Cost $15.95—book guide included. Proceeds will go to provide mental healthcare for Veterans.

Sisters of St. Joseph website: www.csjorange.org

December 4, 2016 Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday Missals Have Arrived!

If you ordered a Sunday Missal for Cycle A, which began the First Sunday of Advent, November 27th, they have arrived and you can pick them up in the Parish Office.

If you would still like to purchase a missal, the cost is $5.00 (shipping and handling costs included) and can be picked up in

the Parish Office while supplies last!

Hispanic Group Events

All Parishioners are invited to these Hispanic Group events:

Monday, December 12—Our Lady of Guadalupe: 6AM Procession from the Parish Center 6:30AM Mananitas 7AM Mass 8AM Reception in the Parish Center following Mass

Friday, December 16—Las Posadas 6:30PM in the Parish Center—everyone is invited to join us!

Masses and events are in Spanish.

Area Advent Penance Services

Wednesday, December 14 at 7PM at St. Nicholas Monday, December 19 at 7PM at Santiago de Compostela

Tuesday, December 20 at 7PM at San Francisco Solano Wednesday, December 21 at 7PM at St. Kilian

PARISH OFFICE STAFF

Parish Liturgical Secretary: Cate Wolski Business Manager: Irma Contreras Receptionist/Records: Karen Falagrady Ministry to Sick & Homebound: Barbara Price Director, Youth Ministry: Gwen Wieser Director, Religious Education: Gwen Wieser SRE Secretary/Admin Assistant: Alfonso Lopez Music Ministry: Emett Loera Plant Supervisor: Steve Burton

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (949) 837-7676 VIETNAMESE MINISTRIES: (949) 837-1090, Ext. 116 Sr. Maria Loan Tran, LHC: (949) 837-1090, Ext 137

The Feast of St. Nicholas, our parish’s Patron Saint, is this Tuesday, December 6th. St. Nicholas, also known as “Nikolaos of Myra,” was a fourth century Saint and Greek Bishop of Myra.

PLEASE NOTE: Bulletin Articles Deadlines!

Due to the holidays, the Bulletin publishing company has required that our bulletin information be submitted much earlier

than normal. If you have an article you need in the bulletin, please note the following deadlines:

Bulletin Date Articles due to the Parish Office

December 25 December 12th by 9AM

January 1st December 19th by 9AM

Any articles submitted past due dates will not be published!

HELP WANTED! More volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet every other Tuesday after the 9AM Mass. We will be cleaning this week on Tuesday, December 6th. Come join us!

For more information: Phoebe at 949-855-9263.

PEACE IN THE WOMB RALLY Christmas Caroling Day Saturday, December 10—9am to 12 noon at the Southeast corner of La Paz Road and Chrisanta Drive—across the street from Planned Parenthood.

Come join us as we sing Christmas Carols in an effort to encourage Mothers to give life to the innocent babies in their wombs as the Blessed Mother Mary did for her child, Jesus. Bring your family and friends.

FOOD BOXES for Senior Citizens over 60 years

Community Action Partnership of Orange County is collaborating with St. Nicholas and local churches to provide

monthly food boxes for Seniors over age 60. Following are income guidelines:

Family Size Monthly Income 1 $1,287.00 2 $1,736.00 3 $2,184.00 4 $2,633.00 5 $3,081.00

Registration and distribution of the boxes will occur: Friday, December 16th, 9:30am—11:30am

(Bring Photo ID!) Lutheran Church of the Cross

24231 El Toro Rd., Laguna Woods (in the back parking lot).

If you are interested, call 949-837-4673 by December 13th, to add your name to the list.

St. Nicholas Advent Penance Service—12 Priests Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00PM

Sacrament of Reconciliation here at St. Nicholas Saturday, December 17th at 9:45AM and 3:00PM

Tuesday, December 21st at 9:45AM Saturday, December 24th at 9:45AM

Christmas/New Year’s Mass Schedule

Saturday, December 24th—Christmas Eve Daily Mass at 9AM

Solemnity of the vigil of the Nativity of the Lord:

4:00 PM, (English), SRE Family Mass with Teen/Family Choir Note: 3:30PM Christmas Pageant and Christmas Carols.

6PM, (English), with St. Nicholas Parish Choir and String Quartet (Prelude at 5:40PM)

8PM, Vietnamese Community Mass in the Church 8PM, Spanish Community Mass in the Parish Center 10:30PM, with St. Nicholas Chorale and oboe & flute

(Prelude at 10:10PM)

Sunday, December 25th—Christmas Day 7:30AM, with Cantor and Piano 9:00AM, with Cantor and Organ

10:45AM, with St. Nicholas Chorale 12:30PM, with Cantor and Organ

5:00PM, Vietnamese Community Mass

Monday, December 26th—Day after Christmas Regular Weekday Mass Schedule: 7AM and 9AM

Saturday, December 31st—New Year’s Eve Regular Schedule of Masses: 9AM, 4PM and 7PM (Spanish)

Sunday, January 1st—New Year’s Day Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

Regular Sunday Mass Schedule: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM and 5:00PM (Vietnamese)

If possible, please carpool to alleviate parking and traffic problems at holiday Masses.