SANTA CLARA CATHOLIC CHURCH

323 S “E” St., Oxnard, 93030 — (805) 487-3891 www.santaclaraparish.org

Fourth Sunday of Lent Sunday, March 6, 2016

A SUNDAY FOR REJOICING

T oday’s Gospel story of the prodigal son is a favorite of many. We can identify with all the major figures and their crisscross of emotions. The father’s initial grief over his

young son’s avarice is turned to relief at his return. The son’s grief over his loss of fortune, family, and friends is turned to delirious joy at the sight of his father. We understand the eldest son’s bewilder-ment over his father’s generosity. For the older son, virtue seems not to be its own reward. For all his honorable toil and loyalty, there seems to be no celebration. The father, however, is prodigal in his forgiveness and mercy. He expects the same generosity from his older son. He wants all to rejoice when the lost one is found. This is a Sunday for rejoicing. It’s time to pause, consider, and encourage one another. We are the prodigal children heading home. We are the elder siblings waiting with the eager Father, who scans the horizon. In Christ Jesus we are reconciled to the Father and one another. In his death and resurrection, we have passed over. We are a new creation. In this we rejoice. Copy-right © J. S. Paluch Co.

POPE FRANCIS’ THEOLOGY OF SIN FOR YEAR OF MERCY

S inners are those individuals who have the humility and sense of woundedness to admit they are weak and in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Pope Francis believes

one can be a great sinner but not fall into corrup-tion. Pointing to the examples of Zacchaeus, Mat-thew, the Samaritan Woman at the Well and Nico-demus, the Holy Father says their sinful hearts were open to God’s mercy: “Their sinful hearts all had something that saved them from corruption. They were open to forgiveness, their hearts felt their own weakness, and that small opening allowed the strength of God to en-ter. When a sinner recognizes himself as such, he admits in some way that what he was attached to, clings to, is false.” In order to place us in a position to admit our attachment to what is false, Pope Francis undertakes a basic catechesis on the nature of sin. This is urgently needed in Western culture — so heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung to be in a state of denial about the objective reality of sin and dangerously attracted to embracing the demonic shadow. It shouldn’t surprise us that as a consequence of his formation as a Jesuit, Pope Francis has no problem talking in stark and explicit terms about

P S O P Rev. Marco A. Or z, Pastor

Rev. Frank Cubas, Associate Pastor Rev. John Fahey, Re red

S H M

Saturday Vigils 5pm & 7pm Spanish 6:30am, 8am, 10am, 12pm Family

Mass, 5pm Youth Mass & 7pm Spanish

W H M Monday-Saturday 8am

C Fridays 6:30pm

Saturdays 3pm, or by appointment

A B S Every Friday Family Holy Hour 7-8pm

C H

Every day 6am—8pm (closed on certain holidays)

A S

Parish Office (805) 487-3891 Emergency only (805) 890-5400

P O H

Monica Gu errez, Admin. Secretary Monday thru Friday 8am—9pm

Saturday 8am—4pm Sunday 8am—2pm

Office of Catechism Le y (805) 330-8217

Youth Ministry/Confirma on

Pete Rydberg (805) 487-1988

RCIA Program Jerome Be encourt (805) 302-1663

Santa Clara Elementary School

Mrs. Do y Massa, Principal 324 S. E Street, Oxnard CA 93030

(805) 483-6935

the evil represented by our sins. The first week of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises commences with a meditation on the catastrophic damage caused by angelic and human sin. Pope Francis, likewise, wants us to truly look at the dark reality of sin in the light of God’s mercy, because without God’s mercy such knowledge would be overwhelmingly harmful. He wants us to take responsibility for our sin. When asked why we are sinners, Pope Francis answers very simply: “Because of original sin,” our nature “is wounded by original sin”: “It’s something we know from experience. Our humanity is wounded; we know how to distinguish between good and evil, we know what is evil, we try to follow the path of goodness, but we often fall because of our weaknesses and choose evil. This is a consequence of original sin ... something that actually happened at the origins of mankind.” The Holy Father doesn’t pull his punches about the evil nature of our sin compared to the goodness of God. Our sins not only wound us and damage our relationships — our sins also “displease God,” and we should be displeased with what dis-pleases God. Quoting the Church Fathers, Pope Fran-cis writes that knowing our sins displease God should shatter our hearts: “The Church Fathers teach us that a shattered heart is most pleasing to God. It is the sign that we are conscious of our sins, of the evil we have done, of our wretchedness and of our need for for-giveness and mercy.” This is why Pope Francis views our sin from the perspective of the ancient tradition of the Easter Exultet, with its shocking praise of Adam and Eve’s catastrophic sin as a felix cul-pa (“happy fault”). The Holy Father knows that an honest knowledge of our sin and our need for God’s mercy will lead us to experience the love of “so great, so glorious a Redeemer.” By Deacon Nick Donnelly; Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/pope-francis-theology-of-sin-for-the-year-of-mercy/#ixzz41bSDaFVD .

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — God’s people enter the promised land, observe the Passover, and eat of the produce of the land (Joshua 5:9a, 10-12) or 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a. Psalm — Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 34) or Psalm 23. Second Reading — We are now ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) or Ephesians 5:8-14. Gospel — We must rejoice when our brother who was dead in sin repents and comes back to life (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) or John 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38].

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1 -16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17- 18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40- 53 Sunday: Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11; Alternate readings (Year A): Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]

SCES NOW ENROLLING

S anta Clara Elementary, your parish school, is now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year for

Transitional Kindergarten (4 year olds) through 8th grade. Applications are available in the school office, Monday-Friday 8:00am-3:30pm. A Catholic education gives your child the faith and knowledge to succeed in life. Do you want your child to have an advantage for life? Do you want a school where faith and knowledge come together? Then, Santa Clara Elementary School in Oxnard is your answer. Santa Clara Elementary School, established in 1901, has 115 years of academic excellence. We have faith-based curriculum, credentialed/Master Degree teachers, fine arts, physical education, computer edu-cation in each classroom, a Computer Lab, Sacramen-tal preparation, spiritual retreats, Christian service opportunities, weekly school Masses and financial as-sistance. For more information, go to our website, www.scesoxnard.org or call (805) 483-6935.

ROSARY RALLY FOR GOD’S MARRIAGE

P lease join the 2016 Public Square Rosary Crusade in support of Tra-ditional Marriage. We

must ask God to save America through the Rosary of His Most Holy Mother and through the in-tercession of St. Joseph. Join us in praying for our nation on March 19, 2016 at 12:00 noon. The local Public Square Rosary Rally will take place in front of the Government Center on the corner of Tele-phone and Victoria. Please contact Ventura Rivas at 805-444-8135 for more information.

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU

T hank you to everyone who support-ed the Parental Notification petition and signed this important measure

as we protect young teenage girls from abortion and sexual abuse. A special thanks to the Knights who assisted in gath-ering signatures. Our church collected 385 signatures!

UPCOMING SPECIAL COLLECTION

“A men I say to you, whatever you did for one of these last broth-ers of mine, you did for

me” (MT 25:40). Today, we are re-minded that Jesus identified himself with our poorest brothers and sisters. The Catholic Relief Services Collec-tion serves Jesus in the victims of hu-man trafficking, those who suffer from unjust laws, and those who need pastoral care and humanitarian assistance across the globe. Through supporting today’s collection, you help Jesus in disguise. Please be generous.

MARIAN SHRINE PILGRIMAGE

A pilgrimage to Portugal, France, and Spain is being directed by Dn. Leonard Lacbain and Fe

Lacbain for eleven days from May 18-May 29, 2016. The trip includes stops in Fatima, Lourdes, and Barce-lona. Tour program includes round-trip air fare from Los Angeles including all taxes and fees, 10 nights hotel accommodation in first class properties, services of Tour Escort and sightseeing as outlined by itiner-ary. All inclusive land and air price per person (sharing a twin/double) is USD $3,996.00. Make your reservations soon—space is limited. For more information or to make a reservation please contact Fe Lacbain at 805-444-1621 or 805-981-4785.

LENTEN SOUP Wednesdays of Lent 5:00-7:00PM

School Auditorium

C ome and join us every Wednesday at our Lenten Soup Supper. Bring your own bowl and spoon,

and your donation will go to support an institution or ministry that takes care of the poor or homeless. March 9th St. Vincent de Paul Society

Knights of Columbus & Men of Promise

March 16th Hispanic Ministry DONATE to Together in Mission!

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WEEKDAY 8AM MASS INTENTIONS INTENCIONES 8AM MISA ENTRE SEMANA

MONDAY, MARCH 7 Gorgonia & Pedro Vea-Death Anniversary

Heyam Uy-Deceased Dr. Rolando Ortiz Velarde-Deceased Jessica Marie Fox-Death Anniversary

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 Procopio Berrer (15)-Death Anniversary

Oscar Loya Jr.-Birthday

FRIDAY, MARCH 11 Hazel B. Glaudé-Deceased

Peralta-Moraza Family-Health & Wellbeing

SATURDAY, MARCH 12 Glenn Velo-Deceased

Sisenando A. Simeon-Special Intention Peralta-Moraza Family-Health & Wellbeing

SUNDAY, MARCH 6 MASS INTENTIONS INTENCIONES DE MISA DOMINICAL

5:00 PM SATURDAY VIGIL MASS Warren Oscar Trinidad-Deceased

Gloria Jean Bethke-Death Anniversary Anh La-Special Intention David Klang-Birthday

Domingo A. Ramos-Death Anniversary

7:00 PM SATURDAY VIGIL MASS Isabel Ochoa-Difunto(a)

Jose Molina-Difuntos Alfredo Evangelista-Cumpleaños

Jessica Marie Fox-Aniversario Difunto(a)

6:30 AM SUNDAY MASS Anthony Kim-Health & Wellbeing Angela Kim-Health & Wellbeing

John & Diane Shim-Health & Wellbeing

8:00 AM SUNDAY MASS Bruce W. Albertson-Deceased

Karen Mayer-Health & Wellbeing Pastor Oandasan Giron-Deceased

Diane Jablonski-Health & Wellbeing

10:00 AM SUNDAY MASS Peter Herinckx Family-Deceased

Bruce Alderson -Deceased Yolanda Morton-Special Intention

Eliza Lopez-Deceased Diane Michelle Arnold-Deceased

Grace Dayrit-Thanksgiving Don Ellis-Deceased/Birthday

12:00 PM SUNDAY MASS Kailyn Polina Barcena-Birthday Eileen Abelle Estrada-Birthday

Joe J. Villa & Esther C. Villa-Deceased/Birthday Tom Ragan & Family-Special Intention

Antonio Rocha-Deceased Maria Luz Rocha & Family-Thanksgiving

5:00 PM SUNDAY MASS Jessica Marie Fox-Death Anniversary

7:00 PM SUNDAY MASS Guadalupe Jose Hernandez-Difunto(a)

Donaciano Vega-Difunto(a) Isabella Marie Perez-Acción de Gracias Jessica Marie Fox-Aniversario Difunto(a)

Gabriel Lagunas-Cumpleaños

LENTEN PENANCE CROSSES

A s a reminder, Penance Crosses are posted on both sides of the church

(near doors). The Virgin Mary side has crosses in English and the St. Joseph side in Spanish. We have penances for adults at the top of the crosses and penances for children at the bottom.

UN DOMINGO PARA ALEGRARSE

P ocas parábolas del Evangelio son tan queri-das por el pueblo cristiano como la del hijo pródigo.

Nos podemos identificar con todos sus personajes, y con las emociones que se entrecruzan entre ellos. El dolor del padre por la avaricia y desconsideración de su hijo se con-vierte en alegría al verlo regresar. El dolor del hijo por haber perdido todo lo que tenía –dinero, fami-lia, amigos– se convierte en alegría delirante al ver como su padre lo recibe. Pero también comprende-mos el desconcierto del hijo mayor ante la generosi-dad de su padre. Para el hijo mayor, la virtud no es su propia recompensa. Ha trabajado duro, y ha sido un hijo leal, pero eso no se celebra con fiestas ni banquetes. Pero su padre es un padre pródigo, y prodiga su perdón y su misericordia. Y espera que su hijo mayor tenga esa misma generosidad. Quiere que todos se regocijen porque el que estaba perdido ha sido hallado. Este es un domingo para alegrarse. Es día de hacer una pausa, y de considerarnos y alentarnos unos a otros. Porque todos somos hijos pródigos, en el camino de regreso al hogar de nues-tro padre. Y debemos también ser hermanos mayo-res, pero hermanos mayores que esperan junto con el padre ansioso, mientras vislumbra el horizonte. En Cristo Jesús nos vemos reconciliados, con Dios Padre, y con nuestros hermanos. En su Muerte y Resurrección hemos pasado de la muerte a la vida. Somos una nueva creación. Y esto nos llena de alegría. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE

C uaresma es tiempo de reconciliación por me-dio del perdón. En este espíri-tu, el Papa san Juan Pablo II

pidió perdón por pecados cometidos por la Iglesia. Uno de estos pecados es la manera como América fue cris-tianizada. La relación del latino con la religión católica ha sido entre bue-nas intenciones y antagonismos. Gra-cias a Dios, ¡somos cristianos! Lamentablemente, nues-tro bautizo, en la mayor parte de los casos, fue en agua bendita y sangre indígena a la vez, ya que América fue evangelizada con cruz y espada. Los pobres misioneros que con fatiga, predicaron en nuestras tierras venían acompañados por hombres

poderosos en busca de riquezas. El filósofo romano-español Séneca (siglo I) afirmaba: "la religión es al-go que para la persona común es verdad, para el sabio es falso y para el poderoso es útil". A su vez, el romano-judío Pablo de Tarso declara que en Cris-to, Dios ha revelado que la persona común y necia derribará la falsedad de los sabios (1 Cor 1:18-31). El latino creyente reconoce que su fe nació del dolor de la conquista y no niega los abusos clericales, pero confía en el Evangelio reconciliador.—Fray Gilberto Cava-zos-Glz, OFM, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

LECTURAS DE HOY

Primera lectura — El pueblo de Dios entra a la tie-rra prometida (Josué 5:9a, 10-12) o 1 Samuel 16: 1b, 6-7, 10-13a. Salmo — Haz la prueba y verás qué bueno es el Señor (Salmo 34 [33]) o Salmo 23(22). Segunda lectura — Ahora somos embajadores de Cristo (Corintios 5:17-21) o Efesios 5:8-14. Evangelio — Debemos celebrar cuando nuestro her-mano se arrepiente y vuelve a la vida (Lucas 15:1-3, 11-32) o Juan 9: 1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38].

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Lunes: Is 65:17-21; Sal 30 (29):2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Martes: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Sal 46 (45):2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Miércoles: Is 49:8-15; Sal 145 (144):8-9, 13cd- 14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Jueves: Ex 32:7-14; Sal 106 (105):19-23; Jn 5:31 -47 Viernes: Sab 2:1a, 12-22; Sal 34 (33):17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Sábado: Jer 11:18-20; Sal 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40- 53 Domingo: Is 43:16-21; Sal 126 (125):1-6; Fil 3:8- 14; Jn 8:1-11; Lecturas alternativas (Año A): Ez 37:12-14; Sal 130 (129):1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b- 45]

ENTRENAMIENTO DE VIRTUS

H abrá un entrenamiento de VIRTUS el 4 de marzo en el auditorio de Santa Clara Ele-mentary School (324 S. E Street, Oxnard) de

6-9PM. No es necesario anotarse en avanzado. La clase será en español, y esta abierta a feligreses de Santa Clara y otras parroquias. Si tiene preguntas llame a Sr. Estela a 487-3891 x 299.

IGLESIA CATÓLICA DE SANTA CLARA

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Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma — Marzo 6, 2016

COLECTA ESPECIAL

“Y o les aseguro que, cuando lo hicieron con el más insignificante de mis hermanos, con-

migo lo hicieron” (Mt 25:40). Hoy se nos recuerda que Jesús se identificó con los más pobres de nuestros her-manos y hermanas. The Catholic Re-lief Services Collection sirve a Jesús en las víctimas del trafico humano, en los que sufren por leyes injustas y en los que nece-sitan cuidado pastoral y asistencia humanitaria en todo el mundo. Al apoyar a la colecta de hoy, esta-rás ayudando a Jesús con otro rostro, ¿le ayuda-rás? Por favor, sé generoso.

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SOPA CUARESMAL Miércoles de Cuaresma 5:00-7:00PM

Auditorio de la Escuela

Ú nase con nosotros cada miércoles en nuestra So-pa Cuaresmal. Traiga su propio plato hondo, cu-

chara, y con su donación monetaria apoya a los mas pobres y necesitados. Cada noche tenemos muchos tipos de sopas/caldo. Marzo 9 St. Vincent de Paul Society

Knights of Columbus & Men of Promise

Marzo 16 Ministerio Hispano

H ay cruces Penitenciales a los lados de la igle-sia. Las cruces del lado de la Virgen son en in-

glés y el de San José en español. Las penitencias de los adultos están en la parte de arriba y las peni-tencias de los niños están en la parte de abajo.