December 18, 2011

Church: 837 Tennent Avenue, Pinole CA 94564 School:1961 Plum St., Pinole CA 94564 (510) 724-0242, Fax 724-9886 Office: 2100 Pear St. Pinole CA 94564 (510) 741-4900, Fax (510) 724-9185 Hours: Mon. - Thur. 9:00 am - 7:30 pm, Fri. 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

www.sjcpinole.org Saint Joseph Parish

Hail, Full of Grace! The Lord is with You.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (Cycle B)

First Reading — I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16) Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 89) Second Reading — To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever. (Romans 16:25-27) Gospel — Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:26-38)

Daily Readings December 19 to 25 Cycle II (Weekday) Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79 Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Midnight: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18[1-5, 9-14]

Reflections

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One of the most important ways to prepare for the coming of the Lord at Christmas is to make a good Confession. This week, in our deanery, you have three opportunities to do so. Monday evening at St. Patrick, Rodeo; Thursday evening at St. Callistus, El Sobrante; and Friday evening here at St. Joseph. Extra Confessors will be on hand to assist at each of these parishes.

This celebration of the Sacrament of Penance is officially called Communal Reconciliation with Individual Confession. A Service of the Word, similar to the beginning of Mass, is held, followed by individual Confession and Absolution. This does not mean that we tell our sins publicly. Confession is still done confidentially to an individual priest by an individual penitent. It does mean, however, that we acknowledge our sinfulness as a community by coming together, hearing God’s Word, reflecting on our sins, and praying for one another, as well as forgiving one another.

Sin is not simply a private affair. As one cancer cell threatens the whole body, one sin, even a sin of thought committed alone, affects the Body of Christ. Our sins offend God; they also offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. Having a communal Reconciliation service enables us to express this fact more fully than when we go to Confession on a Saturday afternoon. Even Saturday individual Confessions, however, are acts of the Church. The priest represents the Church reconciling us to Christ and to one another. He stands for the whole community and acts in the person of Christ.

Our preparation for Confession should include an examination of conscience. You can now find an examination on the internet. Prayer books and catechisms also contain them. A thorough examination can be made without any book or other aid. The first thing to do is to pray to the Holy Spirit for help. Then simply recall whatever bothers your conscience. Usually the big things stand out. If there is a trend in your conduct that leads you away from God and neighbor, try to figure that out.

Then you can start with: How do I love God? How do I love my neighbor? How do I love myself in the proper way? The 10 Commandments are a skeleton which gives some of the details of love of God, self, and neighbor. The seven Capital Sins are another outline of things that can go wrong: Pride, Greed, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth. Our Confession should be more than a grocery list of sins. It should try to get to the heart of our rebellion against God. An abiding hatred of someone or an unwillingness to forgive are important matters to consider.

Going to Confession is like going to the doctor. We tell the doctor as best we can what is wrong with us. Or we ask for his help in discovering what is wrong. We should try to tell the priest as best we can what is wrong with us. If we need help, we should ask. The priest is there only to serve us and to help Jesus heal us. Before we go to the priest we should have a good idea of what it is we would like to get from the Confession.

Christ is the Divine Physician. He has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so that he can bring us pardon and peace. We should use the Sacrament well.

The Act of Contrition can be one we memorized as children. We can also make up our own. A short one is:” O my God, I am sorry for all my sins because they offend you whom I love and hurt others whom you love. With your help I will try not to do them again.” After Confession we should take some time to give thanks to God. We should also complete our penance as soon as possible. Your Pastor, Father Paul Schmidt

Fr. Paul Schmidt

The Communal

Reconciliation

with

Individual

Confession

PARISH RECONCILIATION SERVICE Communal Reconciliation with Individual Confessions Friday, December 23 Church, 7:00 pm St. Patrick Church - Monday, December 19 St. Callistus Church - Thursday, December 22

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Friday, December 30 Masses: 7:30 & 9:00 am

NEW YEAR’S EVE Saturday, December 31 Morning Mass - 8:00 am Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm (English) 7:00 pm (Spanish) MARY, MOTHER OF GOD NEW YEAR’S DAY Sunday, January 1, 2012 Masses: 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 am; 12:30 & 5:30 pm EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Saturday/Sunday, January 7/8 Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm (English) 7:00 pm (Spanish) Sunday: 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 am; 12:30 & 5:30 pm BAPTISM OF THE LORD Monday, January 9 Masses: 7:30 & 9:00 am

CHRISTMAS EVE Saturday, December 24 Morning Masses - 5:00 & 8:00 am 5:00 pm Family Mass 7:00 pm Spanish Mass 11:30 pm Christmas Carols

CHRISTMAS DAY Sunday, December 25 12:00 am Midnight Mass 7:00, 8:30, 10:30 am & 12:30 pm - No evening Mass -

St. Joseph Parish

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

PARISH CENTER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Thursday, December 22: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

Friday, December 23: CLOSED Monday, December 26: CLOSED

Monday, January 2: CLOSED

Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 17 5:00 pm Paul Younis † 7:00 pm Parishioners of St. Joseph † Sunday, December 18 4th Sunday of Advent 5:00 am Victor Roque, Jr. † 7:00 am Amado & Juana Fronda † 8:30 am Deborja Family (Thanksgiving) 10:30 am Serafina Moreno Discar † 12:30 pm Manuel Jacinto 5:30 pm Pedro Entrolizo † Monday, December 19 5:00 am Pedro Espinola † 7:30 am Teresa & Manuel Jimenez †

9:00 am David & Juana Castrillo (52nd Anniversary) Tuesday, December 20 5:00 am Maria Mestre † 7:30 am Maria & Santiago Petrache † 9:00 am Agnes Cavalli †

Wednesday, December 21 St. Peter Canisius 5:00 am Virgilio Santos † 7:30 am Virgilio Santos † 9:00 am Dr. Lauro Palisoc Family (Thanksgiving) Thursday, December 22 5:00 am Domingo Tampol

7:30 am Saveth Soun † 9:00 am Jim Ihli † Friday, December 23 St. John Kanty 5:00 am Victor Roque † 7:30 am Jose & Aniceta Talao † 9:00 am Victoria Ortiz †

Saturday, December 24 Vigil of Christmas 5:00 am Anita (Thanksgiving) 8:00 am Milagros Mestre Bolano † 5:00 pm Angel Rodriguez † 7:00 pm Dr. Lauro Palisoc Family (Thanksgiving) Sunday, December 25 Nativity of the Lord 12:00 am Parishioners of St. Joseph

7:00 am Maria & Santiago Cortez † 8:30 am Fahey Family (Deceased Members) † 10:30 am Mercedes Chua † 12:30 pm Sofia Izon †

Our Week at St. Joseph’s

Please Pray for Our Sick Relatives & Friends

Parish Calendar Sunday, December 18 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH 8:00 am 7:00 AM Choir Practice - PC 9:30 am RCIA - PC Monday, December 19 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH 6:00 pm Cantor Practice - CH 6:00 pm Emmaus Peer Ministry - SC 7:30 pm Advent Series “Eucharist” - PH 7:30 pm Asociación Guadalupana Rosary- PC Tuesday, December 20 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH Wednesday, December 21 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH 9:30 am Our Mother of Perpetual Help - CH 7:30 pm Asoc. Guadalupana Prayer Group - PC 8:30 pm Cantor Practice - CH Thursday, December 22 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH 6:30 pm Simbang Gabi Practice - CH 7:30 pm Family Choir - PC Friday, December 23 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH 5:30 pm 8:30 AM Choir Practice - PC 6:00 pm Children’s Choir - PC 7:00 pm Communal Recollection Service - CH Saturday, December 24 5:00 am Simbang Gabi - CH Sunday, December 25 12:00 am Midnight Mass - CH 8:00 am 7:00 AM Choir Practice - PC 10:30 am 12:30 PM Choir Practice - PC

CH - Church, PH - Parish Hall, PC - Parish Center, SC - School

Fred Alegre, Bernabe R. Bernardo, Albert Bernas Sr., Mariano Berona, Robert Biakcin, Allison Bishop, Aubrey Brown, Angelo P. Bueno, Karen Cartwright, Karl Castrillo, David Castrillo, Consuelo Carig, Sharon Chilson, Gilbert Chua, Leonard de la Cruz, Yolanda Dilisindro, Ester Dimalanta, Tina Ditta, Arnaud Duhart, Mary Louise Duhart, Socorro Duran, Juanita Estrellas, Anita G. Ferrer, Cornelio Ferrer, Anita Gallano, Teresita Gallardo, Joshua Garrido, Ernie Garlit, Rose Marie Goke, Fabiola Gonzales, Larry Gonzales, Edwina Grunseth, Joe Gutierrez, Sally Hansen, Lawanda Hubbard, Nodia Jergenson, Bill & Pamela Jones, James Jones, Kelli Kierstead, Carmen Kruger, Joan Kunze, Zoe Inciong, John Lauderdale, Shamisa Lauderdale, Leslie Lawless, Jessica Lawless, Ron Macdonald, Imelda F. Magat, Al McFarlane, John Montano, Emily Murella, Maria Phuoc Nguyen, Helen Nielsen, Angelica Nodia, Enriqueta Nool, Monina C. Nuguid, Lisa Paine, Elet Pagmanua, Rosana M. Parajes, Christian G. Pascual, Letecia Poblete, Gloria M. Purification, Fr. Sonny Ramirez, Alani Ramos, Cora Ramos, John Salumbides, Corinne Schultz, Juan Spampinato, Paul Squillace, Arlene Surges, Hortense Swing, Fe A. Tamparong, Joaquina Tapayan, Jeffrey Tayag, Jesus Tayag, Flor R. Tolentino, Liviu Tomutsa, Keytoen Townsend, Abraham S. Trinidad, Luzviminda F. Trinidad, Buenaventura Ugarte, Julita Varquez, Melissa Villaruel, Mike Viterie, Vincetta Ward, Anna Gracie Webb, Julie Wee, Pam White, James Wong, Jeremy Teekz Yenpasook, Anastasia Yoon & Barbara Zybach. If a name should remain for the month of January, please call the office at (510) 741-4900

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

REFLECTION: How can I make known to others the Incarnation of Christ? © J. S. Paluch Co.

Religious/Youth Formation YOUTH, Grades 7 to 12

CONFIRMATION: Candidates— if you are assigned to go to St. Anthony’s Dining Room for December, please follow all the instructions you received for this project! For the Confirmation retreat: candidates must be at St. Joseph Church on Friday, January 6 at 3:30 pm. The busses leave the church for Mission Springs at 4 pm. Our next class is on Sunday, January 22 at 3 pm in the gym. YOUTH MINISTRY: Thank you to everyone who brought delicious food to the YM Christmas potluck! The next 2nd Sunday youth Mass is Sunday, January 8th. Please check in for attendance after the last song ends. Our next class is Monday, January 9 at 6:30 pm. The theme will be “A New World.” Questions, please contact Teena Posas, youth ministry director 741-4900 ext. 210.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY: The next 2nd-Sunday youth Mass is Sunday, January 8th. Please check in for attendance after the last song ends. Our next class is Wednesday, January 11 at 6:30 pm.

SAC PREP YM MEETING: We are sending letters home to families whose children in grades 7 to 12 are eligible to prepare this year for First Reconciliation (confession) and/or First Communion. The Sac Prep YM family meeting will be on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:45 pm in the gym. This meeting is for students and at least one parent. We ask that families park in the school lot and walk in, because of the faith formation class traffic pattern. Questions, please contact Teena Posas, youth ministry director 741-4900 ext. 210.

LOS ANGELES YOUTH DAY 2012: We have been attending Youth Day since 2003. This annual event is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the Anaheim Convention Center. Almost 16,000 high school age youth and chaperones from California and throughout the United States participate in a rally, morning and afternoon workshops, and Mass. Details for Youth Day itself can be found at www.recongress.org. This March 21-24, 2012 trip is for St. Joseph youth already confirmed or currently in the 2nd year Confirmation class. Young adults in their 20s and 30s can also go on this trip provided they have completed Safe Environment for Children Training and Live Scan fingerprinting. For more details about Youth Day, please contact Teena Posas, youth ministry director 741-4900 ext. 210 or teenap@sjcpinole.org.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD The Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be on a break and will resume January 8th and 22nd at the 10:30 and 12:30 masses. Through the winter and spring seasons we will have children’s liturgy every other week at the 10:30 and 12:30 masses. Have a Merry Christmas!

FAITH FORMATION, Grades 1 to 6 We concluded our Faith formation classes for the fall last Tuesday and Wednesday with our Christmas celebrations. I wish for all of you to have a blessed Christmas season we will see you the week of January 3 and 4.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS This week in RCIA we will finish our classes on the Mass/Eucharist. We will be on break until Sunday, January 8th. Have a wonderful Christmas break.

It’s the Story of the Whole World! It’s Your Story!

THE CATHOLICISM PROJECT Monday, January 9, 7:30 - 8:30 pm

St. Joseph Church Come and discover the rich heritage of the Catholic Church in an epic movie. The Catholicism project reveals the truth, beauty and richness of the Faith in an unprecedented way. This magnificent project, hosted by Fr. Robert Barron, journeys all over the globe, exploring the living culture of the Catholic Church, from the lands of the Bible, to the great shrines of Europe, to the shores and heartland of America, to the mysteries of Asia, to the rich landscapes of Latin America, to the beating heart of Africa - and beyond. Witness the passion and glory of the faith that claims over a billion of the earth’s people as its own. Learn what Catholics believe and why, by exploring the art, architecture, literature, music and all the treasures of the Catholic tradition. CATHOLICISM is filmed on-location and in the streets, illustrating the splendor of the global Church - all in original, high-definition cinematography. This is not to be missed!

Faithful Stewardship Ministry Program & Events

WALK FOR LIFE 2012 Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 12:30 pm

Civic Center Plaza (Polk St., SF) The rally will be at the Civic Center Plaza from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. After the rally, we will begin walking from Civic Center Plaza and

will process down Market Street to end at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. Transportation arrangements coordinated by St. Joseph Respect Life Ministry will be published soon.

Advent Series: “EUCHARIST” Monday, December 19, 7:30 - 8:30 pm; Parish Hall

A DVD series on the “source and summit of the Christian life.” In the last presentation, Adoration, Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio offers practical ways we can grow in our devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Afterwards, join us for Christmas Caroling.

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS Remember your loved ones this Christmas season by offering poinsettias in their honor.

Write their names on the donation envelope and drop it in the collection basket or send it to the parish center. Names of honorees will be printed in the bulletin after Christmas. Suggested donation is $12 for each pot of poinsettias. Plants can be taken home after the Feast of Epiphany.

Faithful Stewardship

Sunday, December 11 & Immaculate Conception PLATE/MAILED-IN: $15,382.50 EFT: $ 785.00 Total: $16,167.50 Religious Retirement: $ 4,665.00

Thank you for your generous contributions.

~ WORD OF LIFE ~ In the eyes of the world those who are in the last stages of life are somehow diminished in their humanity and should be eliminated. We must see them through God’s eyes and recognize that each and every person is created in his image and likeness and that we are all connected to God and to each other. We are our brother’s keeper and our sister’s helper. Cain who forgot he was his brother’s keeper ended up becoming his executioner. ‘Thou shall not kill’ is God’s law and it is written in our hearts by our Creator. ~Cardinal Seán O’Malley, Archbishop of Boston

Come early, 10 minutes before Mass, Media Ministry has prepared something for you!

Let us all come to Mass 10 minutes early. One thing we can do is to prayerfully recollect before the Mass. This Christmas season, we will provide a brief media presentation before Mass that will review parts of the Mass and set a prayerful tone for the liturgical celebration to follow. The media ministry has been working to enhance our worship. After the Christmas season, these videos will be evaluated, before future plans are made. If you have skills in this area, you are invited to join. We also need volunteer operators who will play the short video before Mass. Please contact Imelda at (510) 334-3267 or email at ib_barnes@comcast.net.

ST. JOSEPH SENIORS Seniors attention!

A vitally important meeting of ours will be on Thursday, January 5, 2012. A fellow parishioner, Roland Esquivias, will talk to us. He is with the Public Utilities Commission. He has money saving information of freebies and discounts that are available for seniors and the disabled. He will share this information with us. We will start with an 11:00 am Mass in our church, and then move over to the Parish Hall for our potluck and Mr. Esquivias’ informative address. Bring a dish to share. Don’t miss it. All are welcome.

The casino trip you’ve all been waiting for is on Thursday, February 2, 2012. We are going to Thunder Valley Casino near Sacramento. The bus will leave the church parking lot at 8:30 am and return about 4:30 pm. The bus ride will cost $25. At the casino we get back $15 in slot or match play, and a $5 food voucher. This is our once a year wild time. So hurry to the Parish Center to sign up for our fun and frolicking madcap attempt at getting rich. All are welcome.

REDHAWK CASINO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2012

Casino bus trip sponsored by PTG of St. Joseph School $35/person with $10 casino chips back Bus will depart from SJC at 9:00 am

Raffle and drinks on the bus 4 hours play time

Bus will depart from Redhawk at 3:00 pm For more information:

Rodette Cono Ruiz: dette0420@yahoo.com, (707) 688-9027 Joyce Timbang: jctimbang@sbcglobal.net, (510) 459-6255

ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB FEED January 13 at 7 pm & January 14 at 6 pm

Salesian High School, 2851 Salesian Ave, Richmond $40/person. Tickets & information: 234-4433 ext. 1126