4th Sunday Advent/Christmas schedules

My awesome administrative assistant, Bernard, gathered 4th Sunday of Advent / Christmas schedule information from many of the parishes and most especially from Dorothy Carlson and the volunteers of Holy Spirit Parish who did much of the work. From all their efforts, here are the schedules for the 4th Sunday of Advent to Christmas transistion from all 52 of our parishes. If you're looking for a parish to celebrate in, please contact them to confirm their schedule in case it may have changed. If you're doing the weekend marathon at your parish, then you can compare your schedule with some of these schedule and either cry or rejoice.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 4:30p (English Saturday)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bi-Lingual; Bishop McGrath principal celebrant)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Spanish)

Catholic Community at Stanford University
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 10:30a (English)

Chinese Catholic Community
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 2:00p (Tri-lingual)
Christmas Day Masses
• Midnight (Tri-lingual)
• 3:00p (Mandarin)

Christ The King
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (Vietnamese)
• 7:00p (Multilingual)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:30a (Spanish)
• 10:00a (English)
• 12:00p (Vietnamese)

Church of the Ascension
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Church of the Resurrection
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Church Of The Transfiguration
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 10:00a (English)

Five Wounds
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bilingual)
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (Portuguese)
• 12:00p (Portuguese)

Holy Cross
Christmas Eve Masses
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Italian)
• 6:00p (Spanish)

Holy Family
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:30p (Saturday)
• 8:00a
• 9:30a
• 11:15a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:15a (English)

Holy Korean Martyrs
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Korean)
• 10:30a (Korean)
• 1:00p (English)
• 2:30p (English)

Holy Spirit
Christmas Eve Masses
• 3:00p (English)
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:30p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)

Most Holy Trinity
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (Vietnamese)
• 6:00p (English)
• 8:00p (Spanish)
• 10:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)
• 12:30p (Tagalog)

Our Lady Of Guadalupe
Christmas Eve Masses
• 7:30p (English)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)

Our Lady Of Peace
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:30p (Spanish)
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (English)
• 5:00p (English)
• 6:30p (Spanish)
• 8:00p (English)

Our Lady Star of the Sea
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:15a (Spanish)
• 10:45a (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 6:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Bilingual)
• 9:00a (Bilingual)

Queen Of Apostles
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Sacred Heart (Saratoga)
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Sacred Heart Of Jesus
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 5:00p (English Saturday)
• 6:30p (Spanish Saturday)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Spanish)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Spanish)
• 9:00a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)

Saint Anthony
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:45a (English)

Saint Athanasius
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (English)

Saint Brother Albert Chmielowski
Christmas Eve Masses
• 9:00p (Polish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Polish)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (Polish)
• 12:30p (Polish)

Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 Masses)
• 6:00p (Youth)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 12:00a (Bilingual)
• 7:15a (English)
• 8:45a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:15p (Spanish)

Saint Christopher
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 6:30a
• 8:00a
• 9:30a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 Masses)
• 5:45p (Children)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Clare
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:45a
• 9:00a
• 10:30a (Family)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 2:00p (Cantonese/Mandarin)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:30p (Family)
• 8:00p
• 10:00p (Portuguese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Chinese)
• 7:45a (English)
• 10:30a (Family)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 1:30p (Cantonese)
• 3:00p (Mandarin)

Saint Cyprian
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)

Saint Elizabeth
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• 12:00a (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)

Saint Frances Cabrini
Christmas Eve Masses
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Francis Of Assisi
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:30p (English)

Saint John the Baptist
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:30p (English)
• 7:00p (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 9:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:30p (English)
• 4:45p (Vietnamese)
• 7:00p (English)

Saint John Vianney
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Spanish)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)

Saint Joseph (Mountain View)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 7:00p (Indian)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Multilingual)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:30a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)
• 1:00p (Spanish)

Saint Joseph of Cupertino
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Julie Billiart
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• mdnight (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (Bilingual)

Saint Justin
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 10:30a
• 12:15p
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (Family)
• 10:30p Carols
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint Lawrence the Martyr
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 8:00a
• 10:00a
• 12:00p
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:30p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 12:00p (English)

Saint Leo The Great
Christmas Eve Masses
• 7:oop (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Spanish/English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (Spanish)

Saint Lucy
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:15p (Saturday)
• 7:00a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:15p
• 7:30p
• 9:30p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight
• 7:00a
• 9:00a
• 11:00a

Saint Maria Goretti
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:30p (English)
• 7:30p (Spanish)
• 9:30p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 6:30a (Vietnamese)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:00a (English)
• 12:30p (Spanish)
• 3:00p (Vietnamese)

Saint Martin (Sunnyvale)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (Vietnamese)
• 8:00p (English)
• 10:00p (Spanish)
Christmas Day Masses
• 8:00a (English)
• 10:00a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Martin of Tours
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:00a
• 8:30a
• 10:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a

Saint Mary (Gilroy)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 11:00p (Bilingual)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:15a (English)
• 9:45a (Spanish)
• 11:30a (English)

Saint Mary Of The Assumption Croatian Mission
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Croatian/English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (Croatian)

Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Los Gatos)
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (2 masses)
• 6:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:30a (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:15a (English)

Saint Nicholas
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 9:00a
• 11:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 9:00a (English)
• 11:00a (English)

Saint Patrick Proto-Cathedral
Christmas Eve Masses
• 3:30p (Vietnamese)
• 5:30p (Vietnamese)
• 7:30p Bilingual (English And Spanish)
• 9:00p (Vietnamese)
• 11:00p (Vietnamese)
Christmas Day Masses
• 7:00a (Vietnamese)
• 8:45a (Vietnamese)
• 10:30a (English)
• 12:00p (Spanish)
• 5:00p (Vietnamese)

Saint Simon
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 5:00p (Saturday)
• 7:30a
• 9:00a
• 10:45a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:30a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint Thomas Aquinas
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English - at Saint Albert the Great)
• 5:00p (English - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 6:00p (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 8:00p (Spanish - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (Gregorian - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 7:30a (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 9:00a (English - at Saint Albert the Great)
• 9:00a (Spanish - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 10:30a (English - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)
• 10:30a (English - at Our Lady of the Rosary)
• 12:00p (Gregorian - at Saint Thomas Aquinas)

Saint Thomas of Canterbury
4th Sunday of Advent Masses
• 9:00a (English)
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 10:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)

Saint Victor
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 8:00a (English)
• 9:15a (English)
• 10:45a (English)
• 12:15p (English)

Saint William
Christmas Eve Masses
• 5:00p (English)
• 8:00p (English)
• 11:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• 9:00a (English)
• 10:45a (English)

Santa Teresa
4th Sunday Advent Masses
• 7:00a
• 10:00a
Christmas Eve Masses
• 4:00p (English)
• 6:00p (English)
• 9:00p (English)
Christmas Day Masses
• midnight (English)
• 7:00a (English)
• 9:30a (English)
• 11:30a (English)

Sample Intercessions for December 17, 2006

Third Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 17, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• 60 Iraqis were killed and 220 were hurt in one car bomb in Baghdad Tuesday morning.
• 43 US troops have been killed in Iraq so far in December. The total number of US military casualites since the beginning of the war in 2003 is 2,933.
• A Philadelphia high-school student commits suicide at school. Suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among those 5-14 years old. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those 15-24 years old. Over 30,000 people in the United States die by suicide every year.
• The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally known as "Gaudete" Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice." The Sunday's opening antiphon and the second reading inspire this title.
• December 21 is the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
• Hanukkah continues through the week while Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi continue through December 24.

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
Shout for joy, for God is in our midst!
Therefore, let us make our requests known to God.

Reader:
For the Church
whose strength and courage is the Lord: [pause]
May God renew us in his love
and sing joyfully because of our care for one another.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For all nations
among whom the Lord dwells: [pause]
May they soon cry out with joy and gladness
that war is ended and peace begun.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those who cannot rejoice,
who have lost their home, their job, their hope in life: [pause]
May the peace of God which is beyond reason
guard their hearts and minds in Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those most in need this season,
without the basics of food, clothing, or dignity: [pause]
May we share with the person who has none
during this season and all throughout the year.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and those who care for them,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May the good news of John the Baptist
lead them through their dark night
to the healing light of Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they be gathered into the eternal dwelling of God,
rejoicing in the Lord always.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
You are near, Lord, closer to us even than our own breath.
And yet we wait in expectant hope for your coming.
Free our world from all fear and anxiety,
and hear the prayers and petitions of your people,
for you have baptized us with the fire of your Holy Spirit
and given us a joy that can change the world.
We ask this in your holy name, Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

Christmas in the Ballroom - December 17, 2006

Ann Assarsson & Friends proudly present the 4th Annual Christmas in the Ballroom! They invite you and your family to join them for hot cider and cookies as we celebrate the traditional music of the season! This year’s concert will take place at the beautiful and newly renovated San Mateo County History Museum! Leave holiday stress behind and surround yourselves with the charming sights and sounds of “Christmas in the Ballroom!”

Christmas in the Ballroom

Sunday, December 17, 2006, 7:30p
San Mateo County History Museum

2200 Broadway, Redwood City

Ann Assarsson, soprano

Ivy M. Depner, soprano

Kristen Sharpley, soprano

Andrew Roberson, baritone

Paul Ziller, tenor

Trond Gilbert, piano

General Admission - $10
includes hot cider and cookies

To reserve tickets, please contact Ann at (650) 704 4211.

Santa Clara Chorale Holiday Concerts - December 9 and 10, 2006

I'm a proud Alto II member of the Santa Clara Chorale, a local choir made up of people of all ages who love to sing. There are also several music ministers from our parishes who participate in the chorale. We sing three concerts during the year as well as other shorter performances at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph's "Season of Hope" (December 14, 2006) and other venues in the Santa Clara County...even on the radio! (We'll be live on KBAY 94.5 this Saturday around noon broadcasting from Christmas in the Park, downtown San José.)

The Chorale is proud to present its annual Holiday Concert, this year titled, "Comfort and Joy." My first encounter with the Chorale was attending one of their holiday concerts at the invitation of Ray Crisologo, one of the Chorale members and music director at Saint Lawrence the Martyr. This year's concert will be even more fun with drums, flute, and organ in the beautiful Mission Santa Clara de Asis on the campus of Santa Clara University. You'll even get a chance to sing some favorite Christmas carols and holiday songs. Please come join us, rain or shine, for this fun holiday event.

Santa Clara Chorale Holiday Concert

Comfort and Joy

Saturday, December 9, 2006, 8:00p

Sunday, December 10, 2006, 4:30p

Mission Santa Clara

500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara

on the campus of Santa Clara University

$20 General Admission

$15 Seniors over 60

$15 SCU Faculty and Staff

$5 Students 18 and under

Purchase tickets online, by phone at 408-369-1289,

at the door, or through this Word document

The Santa Clara Chorale offers the community the opportunity to grow musically and perform regularly in programs that bring significant choral music from the past and present to growing audiences in the beautiful Mission Santa Clara setting. Since its beginnings in 1963, the Chorale has performed in numerous locations in the Bay Area and carried its music abroad in several concert tours, most recently in the summer of 2006 to Prague, Salzburg, and Vienna. If you'd like to audition, click here. We rehearse Monday nights at Santa Clara University.

Season of Hope free concert series

The 11th annual performance series located in the 200-year-old Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph offers nourishment for your spirit by presenting a soul-satisfying multicultural musical event for everyone to enjoy during the holiday season. This event is a wonderful collaboration between various arts organizations and the San José Cathedral Foundation’s Office of Social Ministry. By fostering the spirit of hope all through the year, the Cathedral provides food, shelter, medical care, and a job search program to those in need, regardless of race or creed, crossing all cultural boundaries.

Performances are free and scheduled for December 12-23, 7:00p and 8:00p each evening.

• December 12, 2006: San José Youth Chamber Orchestra, Barbara Day Turner, Advisor, Susan Stein, Director
• December 13, 2006: Castillero Middle School, David Finch, Music Director, Michelle Crivello, Dance Director
• December 14, 2006: Santa Clara Chorale, Thomas Colohan, Music Director
• December 15, 2006: San José Youth Symphony Philharmonic Orchestra, Yair Samet, Conductor
• December 16, 2006: Presentation High School, Yanos Lustig, Director
• December 17, 2006: Steinway Society of the Bay Area, Martan Mann, Pianist
• December 18, 2006: Leland High School Chamber Choir and Orchestra Presents Schubert’s “Magnificat”, Rian Rodriguez, Director
• December 19, 2006: Harpers Hall Celtic Harpists, Verlene Schermer, Director
• December 20, 2006: Cathedral Basilica San José Fire Department Choir, Julie Wind, Director, Maranatha Hope of Glory Soloists, David Wells, Director, Interfaith sing-a-long carols and narration of the Nativity story
• December 21, 2006: Patric Nikolas, Award Winning Jazz Pianist, International Russian Music Piano Competition, Vice President
• December 22, 2006: Jennifer Muhawi, Opera Sopranoist, Holiday Carols with Pianist James Ramsey
• December 23, 2006: Bella Sorella Opera Duo, Susanna Uher Jimenez and Nava Dague Jimenez

Sample Intercessions for December 10, 2006

Second Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 10, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• James Kim of San Francisco was found dead in the Oregon wilderness after leaving his stranded car to find help for his wife and two children.
• Typhoon Durian hits the Philippines, the fourth typhoon in four months, killing an estimated 1000 people and leaving 67,000 homeless.
• Hundreds of civilians and military continue to be killed by bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan.
• A San José father kills his two-year-old daughter by giving her a lethal dose of a date-rape drug.
• December 10 is International Human Rights Day.
• December 12 is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a solemnity in the city of San José.
• Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 15.
• Las Posadas begins on December 16.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) and Saint Lucy (December 13).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights.
Let us cry out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Reader:
For the Church,
partners in proclaiming the Gospel,
bearers of God's crown of glory: [pause]
May we cry out at the top of our voice
and proclaim the strong and gentle presence of God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For world and church leaders,
shepherds of people entrusted to their care,
overshadowed by the splendor of God: [pause]
May they cry out from the mountaintops
and proclaim the end of slavery to war, prejudice, and injustice.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For those robed in mourning and misery,
left homeless or hopeless by natural disater,
left orphaned and widowed by tradegy: [pause]
May they be wrapped in the cloak of justice,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For prophets and revolutionaries
and all unafraid to let their voice be heard: [pause]
May they cry out in the desert of apathy
and proclaim the swift coming of the Lord
who does not delay his promise.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying and all in need who look to us
to speak a word of comfort,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May Our Lady and Mother strengthen their hearts
with the promise of God's mercy.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they see the salvation of God.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
Father, you sent your Son to lead us on the straight path.
Complete the good work begun in us,
for you have promised to lead us in joy
by the light of your Son's glory,
with mercy and justice for company.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, Emmanuel,
God with us, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) provides a free email reflection for liturgical musicians based on the Sunday readings for any members of the association. Parish members may then reprint the reflection for use in their own parish. Below is a sample of one of the reflections.

If you would like to receive these email reflection, consider joining NPM or getting your pastor or music director to join. Check the NPM website for more information and join today! If you are already a member of NPM and want to begin receiving these email reflections, contact Kathleen M. Haley, Membership Services Director, at haley@npm.org.


Second Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2006

“A voice of one crying out in the desert:
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.”
Luke 3:4b

Reflection

Do you ever feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness? I sure do sometimes, for any number of reasons on a given day. However, this Sunday’s Gospel reading strikes me in a new way today.

Perhaps we are called to be “voices in the wilderness.” We are often so caught up in our work as ministers that we forget that it is all about Jesus. Perhaps we are to use our voices to say, “It is not about me, it is about Jesus,” especially at this time of the year.

We pastoral musicians proclaim the Lord to others. When we work to get ourselves out of the way – our likes and dislikes, our egos, even our “favorite songs” – we more clearly point the way to Jesus. We “prepare the way of the Lord” by supporting our assemblies in singing God’s praise. Pointing the way toward the Lord is just the kind of reminder we need during our busy Christmas preparations.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we prepare the way and make clear the path for you to come among us soon, help us keep our focus on you.

Jim Wickman
Pastoral Associate for Liturgy
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Washington, DC

Copyright © 2006, National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Sunday Word for Pastoral Musicians is a weekly service of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, 962 Wayne Ave., Suite 210, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone (240) 247-3000. Fax (240) 247-3001. E-mail npmsing@npm.org. Parish members of NPM may reprint this material for use in their own parish.

Theology on Tap - Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 10, 2006

Are you curious about the truth behind Our Lady of Guadalupe? This Theology on Tap lecture presented by Sr. Gloria Inés Loya of the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley and Lupita Vital of the Hispanic Ministry, Diocese of San José, will delve into the mystery of Our Lady of Guadalupe and provide insight into some of our sacred beliefs about her. Prepare to be enlightened!

Theology of Tap

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Sunday, December 10, 2006
3pm - 5PM (en Español)
6pm - 8PM (In English)

Acapulco Restaurant

1299 Lawrence Expressway, Santa Clara

(Between El Camino Real and Benton Street)

Free Admission
Must be 21 or over to attend

For more information and directions visit
www.TOTSILICONVALLEY.COM

International Human Rights Day - December 10, 2006

December 10th is the 2nd Sunday of Advent and the International Human Rights Day (established by the United Nations in 1948). While there are many areas in which we can focus our worship on that Sunday, at least two seem most urgent:

• the concerns about detainee abuse and torture by our own government, and
• concerns about the people of the Darfur region of Sudan.

To help you plan for your worship, the Santa Clara County Council of Churches offers these links and good worship resources for your consideration and use. We also encourage you to invite worshipers on December 10th to sign the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement of conscience.

DARFUR: Click here for excerpts of prayers for Darfur by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others. Click here to sign up to receive more resources for prayers for Darfur.

HOLY CROSS: Click here to download resources from the Sisters of the Holy Cross for this Sunday.

ACTION: Go here to view the "Torture is a Moral Issue" statement from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, sign online, and download copies to distribute in worship on December 10.

DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: To read the full text go here.

LECTIONARY BASED WORSHIP RESOURCES and SERMON NOTES for December 10 which focus on detainee abuse, including Call to Worship, Prayer of Confession, Litany for Human Rights are included below. These come from the Presbyterian Church. More can be found here.

Call to Worship
One: This is a time to prepare for the One who is and is to be.
Many: Eternal God, help us get ready.
One: This is a time to shine a light into the dark corners.
Many: Help us know your truth.
One: This is a time to open our eyes and our hearts.
Many: Help us care about your people.
One: This is a time to make crooked ways straight and rough places smooth.
Many: Help us help enact your justice.

Introduction to the Prayer of Confession
Today is Human Rights Day. The day marks the United Nations General Assembly's adoption, on December 10, 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of human rights. The commemoration was established in 1950 when the United Nations General Assembly invited all states and interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.

Torture is a human rights violation. On this Human Rights Day, we pray for justice and healing for people throughout the world who have been tortured. We pray for people who inflict torture, for they too are tormented. We pray for ourselves, confessing all we have done or left undone that may have contributed to the suffering of our sisters and brothers. We pray in the name of the One who was tortured, died, and rose to save us all. I invite you to pray together.

Prayer of Confession (Unison)
God for all peoples, we pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who endure torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. In their pain may they experience your presence and care, binding their wounds and providing support.

We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who inflict torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. May they experience your presence and care, binding the wounds that they receive as they wound others. Open them to see the dignity of each person. Strengthen them to seek ways to break free from violence.

We pray for our brothers and sisters throughout your world who authorize torture physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Break the hold of fear and anger upon them. Inspire them to seek other ways to advance their causes.

We pray for ourselves, confessing our responsibility for acts of torture that violate our sisters and brothers and degrade us and our values. Guide us to know about torture, care about torture, and act to end torture. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection reveal that your love is indeed stronger than torture and fear.
(Time of silence for personal prayer and confession)
Amen.

Words of Assurance (based on Malachi 3:1-4)
Those who confess their sins will receive God's mercy, and their transgressions will be no more.
For God's love in Jesus Christ cleanses and purifies, melting away all that is imperfect so that we may live as God intends.

Passing of the Peace
One: In Christ we have been forgiven, freed, and made whole. Let us witness to God's gift of peace by sharing it with friends, neighbors, even enemies. The peace of God be with you.
Many: And also with you.

Litany for Human Rights
One: Someone is shouting in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord; make a straight path for God to travel! Every valley must be filled up, every hill and mountain leveled off. The winding roads must be made straight, and the rough paths made smooth (Luke 3:4-5)."

Many: God of justice, your messenger calls us to prepare your way, to make your paths straight.
One: But the world is not ready to receive you. The roadway is choked with the material possessions of people who have become rich from the labor of those who are denied access to resources because of their race, ethnicity, gender, class, or nationality.

Many: God of peace, your messenger calls us to prepare your way.

One: But fearful threats exist. The highway is barricaded with armaments. The valleys are filled with land mines that kill innocent children, women, and men.

Many: God of compassion, your messenger calls us to prepare your way.

One: But not everybody will be free to greet you. Some languish in prison or under house arrest. Some endure torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Many: Many women are imprisoned in their homes, abused by their husbands and without means of escape because they are denied legal and economic recourse. Many children are chained in sweatshops or sold into prostitution.

One: How then shall we prepare the way?

Many: In the name of God and for the sake of God's people, we proclaim in word and deed that all human beings are born with fundamental human rights.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will strive to guarantee the dignity and worth of the human person and the equal rights of all.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will work for a world in which human beings enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want.

One: How shall we prepare the way?

Many: We will work for a world where no one is ever subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

All: Then we will go out in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before us shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. And every valley shall be filled, and the crooked shall be made straight, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

One: Let us take a moment of silence to remember those whose human rights are being denied or whose worth as children of God has been denied for any reason.

(Moment of silence)

All: Amen.
---

Sermon notes based on the Lectionary:
The need to prepare for the gift of salvation is the theme and the goal of this day's lectionary passages. Written in diverse circumstances for diverse audiences, they all point to the need to be ready for the power of God that brings truth to light, instills compassion, and overcomes injustice and sin. In other words, these passages point to God's promise given to all people in Jesus Christ.

December 10 is both the second Sunday in Advent and Human Rights Day. If we follow Karl Barth's dictum to preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, we cannot help but take note of what Scripture has to say to the daily reports of human rights abuses throughout the world.

This year the headlines and our consciences lead us to focus on one class of abuses in particular: torture. This is not because torture is the most pressing abuse of human rights — the most pressing abuse is the one being perpetrated right now and right here, wherever you are. However, torture is a fundamental issue because it systematically denigrates the image of God that is stamped on each individual. It also violates God's command not to take advantage of those who are at our mercy, and certainly prisoners are completely at our mercy. It is irrelevant whether or not they are our enemies; God still commands us to treat them as human beings, even to love them. Torture undoes this command.

Thus, we focus on torture because it is an urgent issue of our day, because it is fundamental to our faith, and because it is a case study in how to approach sin, including social sins. This approach is summarized as Know, Care, Act.

Know: The first step in being able to act to end the horror of torture, or any sin, is to know what is going on and not turn away. The song of Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79) speaks to God's intention "...to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." Of course, Zechariah is foretelling John the Baptist's mission, which perhaps is the mission of all of us who prepare the way for the One who is and is still to come.

One reaction the preacher might be wise to anticipate is how difficult it is for people to hear the message that torture has not only been inflicted by our enemies, but also by those employed by or allied with the United States. This revelation causes dissonance for believers. How could this happen on our watch? How widespread is the abuse? Is it a matter of isolated incidents, or is there systemic abuse that points to a policy of torture? Before we can end torture we need to acknowledge what is happening. This is uncomfortable in part because in a free society we all bear some complicity. …

Stopping torture is not a "feel good" issue. It runs counter to much of the secular, sentimental lead-up to Christmas. Again, it is important for the preacher to acknowledge how hard it is to hear about torture. It is equally important to look at the painful realities because knowing helps create empathy that can lead to action.

To know is the first step in preparing the way for God's gift of salvation.

Care: Of course, it is not enough to know about atrocities. We must also care about those who suffer. One way for a preacher to help people care is to allow the voices of the survivors and those who have worked to end torture to speak for themselves. Examples of short quotes can be found among the resources at www.no2torture.org, a Christian-based organization. Additional quotes are available in many news sources almost daily. With some introduction and music, these quotations can serve as the core of a sermon that is an interpretation of Luke 1:79, and they resonate with Paul's word in the Epistle commending those who "share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Philippians 1:7)."

It is important to lift up our concern not only for the survivors of torture, but also for those who condone or inflict torture. They too are harmed by the act. Torture degrades those practice it; thus, if we wish to show compassion for our troops, we must ensure that they have explicit orders to refrain from cruel, unusual, and degrading treatment in all circumstances. Lack of clarity must never be construed as implicit permission to torture. In addition, torture enrages the families and friends of those who are tortured, creating an impetus for retaliation that puts our troops and our security at greater risk. Support for our troops and our nation requires that we never act in ways that are contrary to the basic tenets of our faith.

To know is to care; to care is to act on behalf of those who are harmed.

Act: Fortunately, the Word of God never leaves us with condemnation or despair, but leads us to face even the grim reality of torture so that we might experience healing. The lectionary passage in Malachi poetically articulates this tough but grace-filled process, describing the renunciation of sin as a purifying fire where layers of our old self are melted away by God's love. This is painful. It hurts to lose our outer, protective shell that prevents us from knowing or caring. God melts away our layers of denial so that we may better absorb God's saving love.

This process may break our hearts as the pain of those who suffer touches us. But God does not leave us broken; out of brokenness come healing and wholeness. In the end, to know and to care, motivates us to act and there is much we can do. The preacher can leave the congregation on a note of hope.

…

Of course, our ultimate hope is in the saving power and love of God, who gives "light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and guide[s] our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:79)."

--
resources provided by Diana Gibson, Codirector, Santa Clara County Council of Churches

Filipino Lectionary Online

SAMBUHAY is a Filipino Sunday lectionary that can now be accessed via the Internet for a yearly subscription. This might be useful for your lectors who serve at Filipino Masses.

To access the missalette via the Internet, log on to www.rome67ad.com and you will find the button of SAMBUHAY Online on the left side of the page. Choose what kind of language/dialect you want. Then, you will be shown the available Sundays and Solemnities to be downloaded. Before you can download, you will be asked your username and password. Thus, it is better to pay the subscription beforehand so that you can access the published missalette anytime.

Subscription to SAMBUHAY is PhP 12.00 (about $0.25 USD) per issue/per edition. Subscription to English Edition costs PhP 984.00 (about $20 USD) while Tagalog Edition costs PhP 840.00 (about $17 USD) for one year subscription.

SAMBUHAY, the Sunday Missalette, is a pastoral ministry of the priest and brothers of the Society of St. Paul to aid you in your liturgical services. The Society of St. Paul is a congregation of religious Brothers and Priests whose primary apostolate is to spread the Good News through the Modern Media of Social Communication. Found in 28 countries worldwide, they reach out to people of all ages with materials for the nourishment of both the spirit and mind.

Blessing of Travelers

Don't forget to bless your travelers during this time of year!

(Adapted from the Book of Blessings, "Blessing of Pilgrims")

Loving and gracious God, you always show mercy to those who love you,
and you are never far away from those who seek you.
Remain with your servants as they travel far from home,
and guide their way by the light of your Word.
Shelter them with your protection by day, give them the light of your grace by night,
and as their companion on their journey, bring them to their destination in safety.
May they see your face in everyone they meet,
and know the depth of your love on every road they walk.
At the end of their journey, may they return to us once again
with renewed faith and hearts full of joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Blessing of Brains" and Surviving Comps

This time of year, students are stressing not just about the holidays but also about final exams, papers, and tests at the end of the fall quarter. Here are two things that might help your students feel supported during this time of year.

Two summers ago, I was in the same boat, stressing over comprehensive exams. It was one of the most academically and pyschologically difficult things I had to do. After I got through it, I thought no one should have to stress like that alone. So I put together a little web site called "Surviving Comps" that has some tips that helped me get through my comps.

When I was a campus minister at UCLA and at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, we would do a "blessing of brains" on the Sunday before finals. These were always the best-attended Masses of the year. Consider doing a "blessing of brains" at an upcoming Sunday gathering or youth group meeting. You can even make up little card or bookmarks with this prayer for the students to take home.

A Blessing of Brains

God, Creator of all things and of human intellect,
bless these students with orderly thinking,
curiosity for the work of your creation,
and a creative spirit in their studies.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, help them remain focused.
Give them eyes to see the connections between their study
and its value for life and service to others.
Energize them and get their brains working.

Send your Holy Spirit upon them
to give them flexibility of thought and expression,
good memory and calm nerves,
the ability to organize their thinking
and comprehend theories and facts
that they may express them with flair and clarity.
May your Spirit help them
to overcome moments of discouragement
and to rejoice in their accomplishments.

God our Wisdom, in whom we live, move, and have our being,
bless your sons and daughters.
Bless their brains and every part of their lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Ask Sister Mary Martha

"Let us be a church that is not gloomy and without joy. We should be able to laugh."

That's what our diocesan Pastoral Plan says. So here's one fellow blogger who knows how to find the hilarious in the holy things of our Catholic life. I love how she makes the saints real down to earth people (even if they were known for levitating). Ask Sister Mary Martha says, "Life is tough. But Nuns are tougher. If you need helpful advice just Ask Sister Mary Martha. She'll help you. Just don't expect any sympathy."

My kind of sister....

But remember, this is the Internet. Don't be surprised if she isn't really a nun. And if her/his kind of humor doesn't suit you, then take her/his advice, and "give it up for the poor souls in purgatory."

Classifieds (non-liturgy): office manager

Let's face it. Sometimes working for the Church doesn't pay all the bills. Here's an announcement from a friend that might help you or someone you know.

General Contractor Office Manager position
Donatelli Castillo Builders Inc., in San Jose is seeking an office manager to support a medium size construction office. Duties include:

• Administration
• Payroll
• Bookkeeping, A/R, A/P
• Knowledge of construction accounting
• Well versed in Windows environment including Word, Excel, Act, American Contractor.

Full time position, benefits. Fax resume to 408-289-8714, attention Chris Donatelli, or email chris@dcbuild.com.

Let us remember...the liturgical leaders

As we mark the 43rd anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium today, December 4, please remember the following liturgical leaders in your prayers. Below is their date of death and location of ministry.

Thanks to Gary Feldhege, music editor for Liturgical Press, for beginning and maintaining this annual remembrance.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

• Virgil Michael, OSB +1938 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Estelle Hackett, OP +1948 Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids, MI
• Michael A. Mathis, CSC +1960 University of Notre Dame
• H. A. Reinhold +1968 Sunnyside, WA / Diocese of Pittsburgh
• Leonard Doyle +1970 Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN
• Tom Carroll +1971 Liturgical Conference/Archdiocese of Boston
• Bob McGill +1973 Diocese of Fort Worth, TX
• Martin B. Hellriegel, P.A. +1981 Archdiocese of Saint Louis
• Ernst Langenhorst +1983 Diocese of Fort Worth, TX
• Urban Gertken OSB +1987 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Jane Marie Murray, OP +1987 Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids, MI
• Eugene Walsh, SS +1989 Archdiocese of Baltimore
• Larry Gully +1990 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Shawn Sheehan +1990 Liturgical Conference /Archdiocese of Boston
• Robert Hovda +1992 Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
• Theophane Hytrek, OSF +1992 Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI
• Mark Searle +1992 University of Notre Dame
• Michael Marx, OSB +1993 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Mary Perkins Ryan +1993 Liturgical Conference
• Jacques Berthier +1994 Taizé Community, France
• Jan Vermulst +1994 Composer
• James Dunning +1995 North American Forum for the Catechumenate
• Jerome Theisen, OSB +1995 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Frank Winkels +1995 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Robert Edward Kreutz +1996 Composer
• Elmer Pfeil +1996 Archdiocese of Milwaukee
• Omer Westendorf +1997 Composer
• Sue Seid Martin +1998 Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
• Michael H. Hay +1999 Archdiocese of Chicago
• Norita Lanners, OSB +1999 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• John B. O'Donnell +1999 Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada
• Leon Roberts +1999 Composer
• Leonard Sullivan +1999 Archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan / National Liturgy Office, Canada
• Gerard Farrell, OSB +2000 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• William Heidt, OSB +2000 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Bill Leonard, SJ +2000 Liturgical Conference / Boston College / Archdiocese of Boston
• Cecile Gertken, OSB +2001 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Ted Marier +2001 Archdiocese of Boston
• John Joseph O'Flaherty +2001 Diocese of London, Ontario, Canada
• Ade Bethune +2002 Newport, RI, Diocese of Providence
• Patrick Byrne +2002 Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario / National Bulletin on Liturgy, CCCB
• Godfrey Diekmann, OSB +2002 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Nicholas Doub, OSB +2002 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Peter Mazar +2002 Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, IL
• Mary Anthony Wagner, OSB +2002 St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, MN
• Mary Elizabeth Bagnell +2003 Diocese of Brooklyn / Diocese of New Hampshire
• Aelred Tegels, OSB +2003 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Paul L. Cioffi, SJ +2004 Georgetown University
• Denis Hurley, OMI, +2004 Archbishop of Durban, South Africa
• Frank Kacmarcik, Obl.S.B. +2004 St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Clarence Rufus J. Rivers +2004 Diocese of Cincinnati, OH
• Kenneth Edward Untener +2004 Bishop of Saginaw, MI
• James F. White +2004 University of Notre Dame
• William J. Deering +2005 Diocese of Evansville, IL
• Brother Roger Schutz +2005 Taizé Community, France
• Frederick R. McManus +2005 Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. / Archdiocese of Boston
• Nancy J. Bannister +2006 National Association of Pastoral Musicians
• Teri Dlugosch +2006 Diocese of Saint Cloud, MN
• Aidan Kavanagh, OSB +2006 Saint Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN
• Francis Kline, OCSO +2006 Mepkin Abbey, Moncks Corner, SC
• Bartholomew Sayles, OSB +2006 Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, MN
• Mary Luke Tobin, SL +2006 Sisters of Loretto, Nerinx, KY
• Aloysius John Wycislo +2006 Diocese of Greenbay, WI

Pope Benedict XVI prays "in their shoes"

Pope Benedict XVI just completed a controversial trip to Turkey. In the wake of his comments about Islam made during an academic conference and the protests that followed, his visit carried much more meaning. The Pope's actions and statements with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, seem to have brought us one step closer to reconciliation with not only the Church of Constantinople but also with the Islamic people. (The following clip quoted from Reuters.)

His first visit to a mostly Muslim country, held under tight security for fear of protests by nationalists and Islamists, was highlighted by a series of conciliatory gestures culminating in a stop on Thursday afternoon in Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque.

"The Pope's dreaded visit was concluded with a wonderful surprise," wrote daily Aksam on its front page.

"In Sultan Ahmet Mosque, he turned toward Mecca and prayed like Muslims," popular daily Hurriyet said, using the building's official name.

His gestures, including support for Ankara's bid to join the European Union and praise for Islam as a peaceful faith, seem to have persuaded the Turks to move beyond the tension following his speech quoting a Byzantine emperor as calling Islam violent....

Catholic officials also presented the mosque visit, where Benedict stood in silent prayer while Istanbul Grand Mufti Mustafa Cagrici prayed aloud, as a key moment of reconciliation.

"I would compare the Pope's visit to the mosque to Pope John Paul's gestures at the Western Wall," said veteran Vatican mediator Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, referring to Pope John Paul II's prayers at Jerusalem's Western Wall in 2000.

"Yesterday, Benedict did with the Muslims what John Paul did with the Jews."

Read more about this on Rocco Palmo's Whispers in the Loggia, a Roman Catholic news blog, by clicking here and here. He also has some great pics of the Pope's visit.

Connecting Scripture and Social Ministry: Catholic Charitites

Many of you in San José will know Elizabeth Lilly from liturgical, catechumenate, justice, and pastoral circles. She is now more actively working with parishes to help them foster and support their justice activities through her role with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. Because she is a liturgist at the core, she has been working on helping parishes make the connection between liturgy and justice clearer. Part of her motivation comes from the United States Bishops’ 1993 document, Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish.

The most important setting for the Church’s social teaching is not in a food pantry or in a legislative committee room, but in prayer and worship, especially gathered around the altar for the Eucharist. It is in the liturgy that we find the fundamental direction, motivation, and strength for social ministry. Social ministry not genuinely rooted in prayer can easily burn itself out. On the other hand, worship that does not reflect the Lord’s call to conversion, service, and justice can become pious ritual and empty of the Gospel.

Below she offers us some bulletin reflections that you can use each week that connects God’s story found in the Sunday readings with our story found in the real-life events of a person affected by the work of Catholic Charities and gives information on how you can become part of this story by proclaiming the Gospel in concrete ways in Santa Clara County.

Here is the same text as a Word document that you can download and reprint.

Thanks go to Elizabeth Lilly
Director, Community and Parish Partnerships
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
408-325-5262
elilly [at] ccsj [dot] org

Sunday Reflections and Social Ministry
Winter 2006 - 2007

For weekly bulletins, faith sharing groups, prayer at meetings, bible study, lectors, outreach actions, anywhere the word of God calls us to act with charity and justice.

December 3, 2006
“I will raise up for David a just shoot; he will do what is right and just in the land.” Jeremiah 33

Catholic Charities story: A teen age victim of human trafficking was placed in a foster home in Fall 2006. Another teen refugee asked for and received an additional year to complete high school graduation requirements, so great was her determination to succeed.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Become a foster parent for an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor. Click here for information or contact Coleen Gulbraa at 408-325-5159.


December 10, 2006
“And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value….” Philippians 1

Catholic Charities story: Teens from a gang impacted neighborhood in San Jose were able to relax and enjoy each others company on fieldtrips sponsored and supervised by staff at our Washington United Youth Center program.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Connect with youth in a safe and fun environment at the Washington United Youth Center on First Street in San Jose. Contact Tony Rodriguez at 408-938-6731.


December 17, 2006
“Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none And the one who has food should do likewise.” Luke 3

Catholic Charities story: Homeless for seven years, James now lives in a Charities Housing apartment. He also works part-time at the front desk of the complex and receives support from a Catholic Charities case manager.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Assist our Housing Case managers by finding creative ways to share your gifts. Some examples are going to church or a movie together, teaching English or cooking or resume writing, donating clothes or gift cards. North county: Filipa Rios, 650-941-4219; East side: Raymond Estrada, 408-678-4477.


December 24, 2006
“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” Luke 1

Catholic Charities story: John can now get outside his care facility to take a “trip around the neighborhood” when his Friendly Visitor realized that being outside was what he was missing.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Visit an elderly person one hour a week, keep a record of the visits and work with our Friendly Visitor Volunteer Coordinator, Jeanette Miskimon, 408-325-5151.


December 25, 2006
“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” Luke 2

Catholic Charities story: Sheryl, a single mother with a disability, was able to move into her own apartment when our Housing Services case manager was able to match her need with a subsidy program.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Help in our office keeping listings current, scheduling appointments, conducting a satisfaction survey. Join the Shared Housing program. Contact Chelo Lund at 408-325-5209.


December 31, 2006
“Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Luke 2

Catholic Charities story: At Delia Garcia’s day care in San Jose, preschool children gain a healthy love of books through our Raising A Reader program.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Help in the preparation of books and materials, English and Spanish, visit day care centers with annual survey, or assist with workshops and training. Raising A Reader program coordinator, Mike Honey, 408-283-6150 x244.


January 7, 2007
“Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.” Isaiah 60

Catholic Charities story: St. Lawrence parish is assisting a large refugee family from Somalia with clothing and household goods to ease their settlement in the USA.

Catholic Charities opportunity: To learn how a parish can sponsor a refugee family contact Archana Sharma at 408-325-5215.


January 14, 2007
“To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” 1 Corinthians 12

Catholic Charities story: Bertha overcame depression because of a continuum of services she received as a CalWorks participant in our Behavioral Health Services and now leads a support group for participants who have suffered domestic abuse.

Catholic Charities opportunity: What is your gift? Many clients of Catholic Charities benefit from the personal attention of our volunteers. Call Rosa Chan-Astacio, 408-325-5228, rchanastacio@ccsj.org.


January 21, 2007
“The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” Luke 1

Catholic Charities story: Eastside Senior Center recently celebrated its 40th anniversary providing variety of programs, including a nutritious lunch and tax preparation assistance for low-income seniors in the Alum Rock area.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Assist with recreation, computer lab, escorted transportation, dances and more. Contact Milton Cadena at 408 251-0215.


January 28, 2007
“If I give away everything I own…but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthains 13

Catholic Charities story: St. Francis of Assisi parish is a site for Day Break, our program for homebound older adults whose caregiver needs a break during the day.

Catholic Charities opportunity: Provide companionship to clients helping with activities and programs, including arts and crafts, and story telling. Frances Kiernan, 408-270-4900.

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and the Opening Prayer of Vatican II

On November 22, 1963, the same day that John F. Kennedy was shot and killed, 2147 bishops voted to approve the first document of Vatican II. Four bishops opposed it. Two weeks later, on December 4, 1963, Pope Paul VI promulgated Sacrosanctum concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy.

If you do anything with liturgy and have never read the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, then consider it your "Advent duty" to read it. There are only 130 paragraphs (or articles) with the most foundational articles right at the beginning. Each day of Advent, read five or six articles--this will take you just a few minutes each day. Then reflect prayerfully on these, laying aside any of your pre-conceptions, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts.

Begin your reading and reflection with the following prayer written by Pope John XXIII for all the bishops to pray at each session of Vatican II.

Opening Prayer of Vatican II

We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name.

Come to us, remain with us,
and enlighten our hearts.

Give us light and strength
to know your will,
to make it our own,
and to live it in our lives.

Guide us by your wisdom,
support us by your power,
for you are God,
sharing the glory of Father and Son.

You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favor.

Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.

As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you
and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants.

You live and reign with the Father and the Son,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

World AIDS Day - December 1, 2006

Let us remember...that we are in the holy presence of God
when we are in the presence of those living, suffering, and dying with AIDS.

Here is a reflection I wrote two years ago on December 1 about "waiting and what if."

And here are a list of resources for prayer, information, and action on AIDS.

Fr. Angelo D'Agostino, SJ: an "angel" for orphans with AIDS

Here is an inspiring and challenging story for you on World AIDS Day. Fr. Angelo D'Agostino, SJ, physcian, psychiatrist, and Georgtown Jesuit priest, spent the last 15 years advocating for Kenyan orphans and newborns with AIDS, sometimes defying unjust laws that put capitalism before compassion. Fr. "D'Ag," as some called him, died on November 20, 2006 at the age of 80.

Read about him here.

Hat-tip to Fr. Jim Tucker of Dappled Things.

Classifieds (non-liturgy): medical assistant/front office

Let's face it. Sometimes working for the Church doesn't pay all the bills. Here's an announcement from a friend that might help you or someone you know.

Medical Assistant and/or Front Office Receptionist
Pediatric Associates, a dual-location pediatric practice located in the Almaden Valley and Good Samaritan Hospital areas, is in search of someone that would be interested in part or full time work as a medical assistant and/or a front office receptionist. Past medical office experience is preferred, but as long as someone is mature and is willing to be a hard-worker and team-player, we'd be happy! We offer fair pay, good benes for anyone working 30+ hours per week, great working conditions, and lots of little perks. Our docs are fantastic too!

Please contact the office manager, Debbie Harris, and make sure you tell her that you know Diana Macalintal from the Santa Clara Chorale.

Debbie can be reached by email at dmtgiorgi[at]hotmail[dot]com. You can also fax your resume to her attention at (408) 356-6296. Make sure that you reference Diana Macalintal and this website on your email message or fax cover sheet.

Planning for the Liturgical Year

Creighton University and Roc O'Connor, SJ, have put together an extensive online liturgical year planning process. Check it our here.

Sample Intercessions for December 3, 2006

First Sunday of Advent, Year C
December 3, 2006

Things, events, and news items to keep in mind:

• Click here for the readings of the day.
• Over 200 civilian Iraqis were killed by car bombs and other attacks in the last week.
• The temperature in Santa Clara County has dropped below freezing during the last several nights. Naval Armories in the county have begun their winter homeless shelter, housing 250 homeless persons each night.
• The Church begins its Advent season and a new liturgical year.
• December 7 is the 65th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
• December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation.
• On December 8, the diocese will honor Mary in the Immaculate Conception and in Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Celebrating their patron’s feast day this week is Saint Nicholas Parish (December 6) and Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish (December 8).

The following are just samples meant to inspire your work. Use them as ideas for your own assembly's intercessions. Read 10 Principles for Writing Intercessions and How To Write Intercessions to help you write your own.

Presider:
The signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars
tell us that Christ is near.
Let us raise our heads and offer our prayers,
for our redemption is at hand.

Reader:
For the Church,
remembering God became human,
remembering Christ’s death on the cross,
remembering victorious resurrection: [pause]
May we remember that God is ever faithful.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For leaders and peoples in every land,
frightened of the things to come,
perplexed by the signs of chaos,
burdened by the anxieties of daily life: [pause]
May they be vigilant and strong in Christ.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the hungry and homeless,
anxious for their daily needs,
unsheltered in the cold,
powerless against the darkness: [pause]
May they be safe and dwell secure.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For our parish community,
mindful of the apostles’ instructions,
striving to please our God,
blessed with many gifts: [pause]
May we increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the sick and the dying,
waiting for comfort
waiting for results,
waiting for a cure, including those we now name…: [pause]
May Mary strengthen their hearts with the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

For the dead,
loved ones whom we miss this season,
forgotten ones who died alone,
innocent ones caught in the crossfire of violence,
including those we now name…: [pause]
May they dwell securely in the house of the Lord.
Come, Lord Jesus…hear our prayer.

Presider:
God, our Justice,
you sent your Son to become one of us, one with us,
that we might be one with you.
Make us blameless in holiness and hear our prayer
that our world may be ransomed by the coming of Emmanuel,
Jesus, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.

Catechumenate Support Group - December 7, 2006

Wow! What an event-full November! I hope most of you were able to participate in the Faith Formation Conference a few weeks ago. If you did, you heard Bishop McGrath’s terrific homily encouraging us to be risky in our faith. And just a week later, about 80 folks from all over the region came to share Vino & Vespers with the board members from the North American Forum on the Catechumenate.

With these two events, we continued to focus on the two key factors that catechumenate ministers like you named earlier this fall:

1. Do a better job with mystagogy (here's mystagogy even your mother could do)
2. Catechize the assembly about the rites to get them more involved (here's a handout you can copy to catechize your parish about the Rite of Acceptance).

Some of the topics that came up during Vino & Vespers deserve some further conversation. Let's get together and talk about some of these things:

• How do you know if the catechumens know enough? When are they ready to move to the next stage?
• How do you catechize on the “gray” areas? What’s the difference between “doctrine” and other important Catholic stuff?
• What are we doing to evangelize people in their 20s? What could we do better?
• What are some effective ways of involving the pastor in the rites and the preparation for the rites?
• What did you experience at the Faith Formation Conference and how has it affected you and your ministry?

Everyone who attends the meeting will receive a FREE copy-ready master of a bulletin insert that explains discernment and “readiness” for initiation which you can give to the assembly.

Get some practical answers to these and your other questions at the next Catechumenate Support Group Meeting.

Catechumenate Support Group

Thursday, December 7, 2006

12:30p - 2:00p

Chancery Offices, Third Floor

900 Lafayette Street, Santa Clara

Bring your lunch and your own questions to ask!

RSVP with Bernard Nemis at 408-983-0126

or online here

Other Catechumenate Support Group dates for the year:
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p, Saint Mary (Gilroy)
Thursday, March 22, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p
Thursday, June 7, 2007, 12:30p – 2:00p

If your parish would like to host one of these gatherings, please contact Diana Macalintal at 408-983-0136.

Retreat for Filipino Priests - January 15-19, 2007

The Filipino values of pakikisama, kapakumbabaan and family centeredness coupled with the Filipinos’ innate desire for God have become their strong cultural values through the years, even in the varied places in which they have settled. These values are Benedictine values etched in the Rule of Saint Benedict since the sixth century. Let us explore these values together within the context of the monastic community’s daily life of liturgical prayer and how they live out the Rule in a contemplative desert environment. It will also be a time for rest, recreation with Filipino themed movies, and perhaps just being together longer in fellowship and prayer.

Retreat for Priests
Mga Paring Pinoy (Filipino Priests) to the Desert
Jan. 15 – 19, 2007

Saint Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo, CA

www.valyermo.com

Led by Fr. Matthew Rios, OSB

Room, board, and tuition:
Private room: $300

Shared room: $250 per person

Fr Matthew Rios earned his masters degree in theology with a concentration in Liturgy and a minor in Monastic Studies at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary in Collegeville, MN. He is the current Novicemaster of the community. His previous work included teaching at various colleges in Manila and, being a Certified Public Accountant, was an Internal Revenue Service Auditor in the Philippines.

To register: Download this registration form (Word doc.) or call (661) 944-2178 for reservations.

Gospel of Luke - December 15, 2006

You are invited to a spectacular and dramatic presentation of scripture, light, and movement when Michael Reardon and Patrick Lane bring the Gospel of Luke to our community. This is a profoundly moving and totally captivating work of faith, making the Scripture come alive in a fresh way, with music, lighting, and costuming, proclaimed in the oral tradition of the early church.

Gospel of Luke

Friday, December 15, 2006

7:00 pm
Saint Christopher Church
1576 Curtner Avenue, San Jose

This special event will last approximately two hours, and there is no charge for admission.

Michael and Patrick have traveled around the world with this prayerful and powerful ministry of proclamation, and there will be an opportunity to meet them after the performance.

Top-10 List: What Youth Want

On November 10, 2006, youth and youth ministers from all over the Bay Area came together for a Youth Summit to be inspired, challenged, and renewed in their faith.

At the Summit, the youth came up with their own Top-10 List of what they want from their Church. Check out the list here.

Want to add your own entries to the list? Use the comment link below.

Pope Benedict XVI on World AIDS Day

Pope Benedict XVI made the following remarks last Sunday on the feast of Christ the King.

"This coming December 1 marks World AIDS Day. I wish greatly that this occasion promotes an increased responsibility for the care of this illness, together with the pledge of avoiding each instance of discrimination toward the many stricken with it. Calling the comfort of the Lord upon the sick and their families, I encourage the many initiatives that the Church maintains in this area."

Some cheese for Christmas please

In case you weren't listening to Sam and Lissa on 94.5 KBAY on Wednesday morning, November 22, at 8:50a, here's what you missed. (The alto voice is me.)

Alicia Swanson wrote the great lyrics. Sara Folchi is the awesome soprano. We were invited to help promote the Santa Clara Chorale. Come hear us sing on December 9 and 10 at the Santa Clara Mission and on December 14 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph.

Diocesan Wedding Anniversay Mass - February 3, 2007

25 and 50+ Silver and Golden

Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Aniversario de Bodas de Plata y Oro
February 3, 2007 / 3 de Febrero, 2007
10:00 am
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph / Catedral de San José
80 South Market Street, San José

Couples celebrating Silver (25 years) and Golden (50 years or more) Wedding Anniversaries are invited to the celebration. / Las parejas que celebran su Aniversario de Bodas de Plata (25 años) o de Oro (50 años o más) están invitados asistir a la celebración.

Each couple will receive a certificate signed by the Bishop. A reception follows the Mass. / Cada pareja recibirá un certificado firmado por el Obispo y están invitados a la recepción.

For information call / Para su información llame: Sylvia Blanch, 408-983-0128.

Use the form below to register, or click here for a form in Word or a pdf form.

Anniversary Mass Registration Form
Misa de Aniversario Hoja de Registración
Registration deadline: January 25, 2007

Please print names exactly as you wish them to appear on the certificate. / Por favor escriba su nombre como quiera que esté en su certifidado.

Husband's First Name / Nombre del Esposo


Wife's First Name / Nombre de la Esposa


Last Name / Apellido


Anniversary being celebrated / Años de Aniversario


Street Address / Domicilio


City / Ciudad


Zip Code / Codigo Postal


Phone / Número de Teléfono


E-mail Address / Correo Electrónico


Parish / Parroquia


Number of Guests Attending* / Número de Invitados**

*For more than 6 guests, call / **Si tiene mas de 6 invitados llame (408) 983-0128.

We would like our certificate in English.
Nos gustaría nuestro certificado en Español.

We need handicapped parking/seating.
Necesitamos asistencia/estacionamiento para incapacitados.

For American Sign Language Interpretation, call Sylvia at (408) 983-0128.

Donations are optional. Please make check payable to Diocese of San José. / Las donaciones son opcionales. Por favor haga el cheque al nombre de Diócesis de San José.

Mail donations to / Envie donaciones a:

Diocese of San José, Office of Pastoral Ministry
Attn: Sylvia Blanch (Anniversary Mass)
900 Lafayette Street, Suite 405
Santa Clara, CA 95050-4966

Sylvia Blanch from the Office of Pastoral Ministry will contact you to confirm your registration. Please make sure all your information is correct before submitting this form.

What Makes A Parish Catholic?

Find out the seven characteristics of a Catholic institution here [via Ideas for the Whole Community].