St. Thomas Aquinas Church Iglesia Católica Romana

1501 South Atlantic Boulevard Monterey Park, California 91754

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph – December 31, 2017

2017 Year-End Non-Profit Donation

At this time of the year, many individuals select non-profit organizations to make last mi-nute donations that qualify as a 2017 tax dona-tion. Our parish qualifies as a non-profit organi-zation. We have many outstanding operational expenses and special projects which these do-nations can be applied to. Please consider our parish as a recipient of your valuable year-end donation.

Feast Of Mary, Mother of God

*Not a holy day of Obligation

Monday, January, 1, 2018 9 AM Mass

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS!

We welcome all who celebrate with us at St. Thomas Aquinas, whether you are a visitor, longtime resident, or new arrival in our parish. If you are not yet a REGISTERED member of our parish, or if you have a new address or tele-phone number, please come to the Parish Office to fill out a Registration Form or submit the bot-tom portion of this form and drop it into the col-lection basket.

[ ] New Parishioner [ ] Update Information

Name:________________________________

Address:______________________________

City:____________________ Zip:__________

Phone:________________________________

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 1st in observance of the New Year holiday.

In Appreciation… Our parishioners, their family, friends and visitors were able to enjoy a blessed and beautiful Christ-mas mass last week due to the many vol-unteers and staff members who

worked diligently and joyfully to make our Church environment inviting and meaningful. The musicians, choirs, liturgy and environ-ment teams spent countless hours in prepara-tion for our special Christmas season. Many of our parishioners donated toward the cost of decorations, flowers and Christmas trees. Thank you to all who were involved in making our Christmas season environment, masses and events as special as they were. It is truly recognized and appreciated.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017

Free 2018 Catholic Calendars Each family is invited to pick up one free 2018 Catholic calendar which contains important liturgical information. They are lo-cated at all church entrances. These calen-dars were generously donated by Guerra Gutierrez Mortuary.

First Friday January 5, 2018

12:00 PM–6:00 PM

Eucharistic Adoration 6:00 PM–Rosary 6:45 PM–Benediction 7:00 PM–Mass Our First Friday adoration start time has been moved to

12 PM. Sign up sheet can be found in front of the tabernacle.

STA Bible Study Looking for answers?

Do you feel something is missing in your life? Do you think some changes are needed in your life? Do you have a desire to know God more clearly? Please come to STA Bible Study on 1/10/18. We will focus on Jesus’ words and deeds as we study the Gospel of Mark. The goal is not for us to collect information, but to imitate Jesus. Please join us at 6:30 PM, in the church.

Restroom Renovation Update Dear Fellow Parishioners, As of today we have $77,146 in the bank for the Restroom Renovation project. Our cur-rent estimate for this project is $80,000 but could be higher since the wheelchair accessible codes for restrooms have been changed. The architect is currently designing the final plans to be submitted to the City of Monterey Park. Once approved, the Archdiocese will submit the plans to different contractors for estimates. It may take a few months to get to the final decision but at least the project is on track, thanks to the support of many parishioners, and we are very grateful. Our Honor Wall is also on schedule. We hope to attach the first set of tiles to the wall in a few weeks but there will be space for future tiles. If you did not select your tile yet, there will be opportunity in the future. It is a great way to honor your loved once or just to say thanks to the Lord for all the blessings you have received. If you want to donate or purchase a tile, please stop by the office and see any mem-ber of the Restroom renovation committee and they will be glad to help you. Once again, thanks for your generous contribution.

Restroom Renovation Committee

2017 Tax Donation Statements

You may obtain your 2017 tax donation statement by completing an application which can be found in the parish office and at our church entrances. Return your completed appli-cation to the parish office or collection baskets. Statements will be processed after Janu-ary 8th. Please allow 7-10 working days to have your statement completed. Thank you for your continued financial support, it is truly appreciat-ed!

Winter Church Hours For safety and security reasons, our church will be opened Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – Dusk. Those wishing to meditate or individual devotion may use the outside Our Lady of Gua-dalupe or Divine Mercy Shrines.

SCHOOL NEWS

STA Parish School wishes you a Blessed New Year!

As the new year is upon us, let us give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings we have received and for those that are yet to come. With every new year comes new decisions and celebrations. As you prepare to plan for the new year and reflect on the decisions you will need to make, allow me to make a suggestion that can be a blessing in disguise. Have you ever considered providing your child with a Catholic school education? Did you know…

• Catholic education provides all students with top quality education

• Catholic schools in the Archdiocese have a graduation rate of 98%

• College acceptance rates are much higher than the average school throughout the state

At St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, parents and teachers work together as partners to create an environment that allows students to develop and excel in all aspects of life. In addition, STA School provides teachers who are caring, dedicat-ed, and passionate about preparing all chil-dren towards future success. We invite you and your family to come visit our school to discuss how we can be of service to you. Open House will be Friday, February 2, 2018. Please save the date, we look for-ward to seeing you there! Dr. Gloria Castillo Principal

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017

Religious Ed and Confirmation Programs in Session

Jan. 7th @ 9 AM All Confirmation and Religious Educa-tion classes will resume January 7, 2017 at 9 AM. We look forward to welcoming all our stu-dents and their families.

New Year’s Prayer God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time. Loyola Press

2017 Together In Mission Parish Goal: $34,300 Amount Paid: $15,335 Amount Outstanding: $18,965 Thank you to all who paid your Together In Mission pledge payments. It is not too late to make a donation to the 2017 Together In Mis-sion appeal, donations will be processed up till 01/15/2018. Envelopes can be found at church entrances. Your generous and thoughtful re-sponse is very much appreciated. May the Lord continue to bless all of you who reach out to help those less fortunate, within our own Arch-diocese.

KEEP IN PRAYER

• Ruben Piedra Felicitas Pimentel • Michael Preciado Daniel Ramirez • Esther Ramirez Desiree Ramos • Jean Rashoff Jessie Marie Reyes • Andrew Rivera Armendo Rivera • Jose Rivera Lydia Robles • Gerry Rodriguez Mary Rodriguez • Gabriel Roque Urista Roque • Joey Salgado Anselmo Sanchez • Betty Sanchez Eduardo Sanchez • Elizabeth Sanchez Elpidia Santillan • Celia Sells Mariann Scott • Lisa Sesti Michael Shaw • Mary Tafaya Gary Tahara • Scotty Tamkin Manuel Tapia • Irene Taylor Beatriz Terminal • George Tommy Beatriz Torres • Juanita Trejo Antonio Ureno • Frankie Uribe Al Valdez • Lorenzo Valdez Emily Vallarta

READ & REFLECT ON THE SCRIPTURES

DECEMBER 31—JANUARY 7

Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1- 6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40[22,39-40] Monday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Friday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23 -28 [23, 31-34, 36, 38] Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2017 5:30 PM In memory of Alfonso Berumen Gonzalez SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2017 8:00 AM In memory of Rosie Muniz, requested by Evelyn Muniz In memory of Joe Saragueta, requested by Bea Saragueta For the health of Jose Rivera, requested by Lydia Rivera 11:30 AM In celebration of Camilio and Sara Cabllero’s Anniversary In memory of Carmelita Rosario 1:30 PM For all STA Parishioners MONDAY, JANUARY 1, 2018 9:00 AM For all STA Parishioners TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2018 8:00 AM For all STA Parishioners WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018 8:00 AM For all STA Parishioners (Chinese Mass) THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018 8:00 AM In memory of Elden, Rogelio, and Raymond Macatangay FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2018 7:00 PM For all STA Parishioners SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 2018 8:00 AM For all STA Parishioners 5:30 PM In memory of George Esquer, requested by Dora Esquer

Sunday, December 31st 4 PM– Fantasy Folk Dance– Hall

Monday, January 1st 12 PM– Chinese Community– Hall

Tuesday, January 2nd 7 PM-Ping Pong– Hall

Wednesday, January 3rd 7 PM-Youth Legion of Mary-Copy Rm. 7 PM-Folk Dance-Hall Thursday, January 4th 7 PM– Ping Pong– Hall 7 PM– Curia Mtg-Mtg Rm

Thursday, Continued 7:30 PM– Cursillo Mtg– Copy Rm. Friday, January 5th 7:30 PM– St. Teresa Grp– Dining Rm. 7:30 PM—Family Fellowship—Hall Mtg Rm.

Saturday, December 30th 9 AM– Cantonese Legion of Mary-Copy rm 10 AM-Mandarin Legion of Mary– Dining rm 10:30 AM–Chinese Communi-ty Mass– Church

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017

Parish Information

Parish Office: (323) 264-4447

Chinese Ministry Office: (323) 264-4448 General Email: sta91754@gmail.com Parish Website: STAMPK.ORG Fax: (323) 264-2524 Hall Rental: (323) 264-4447 ext. 102

Parish Staff

Fr. John Kyebasuuta—Pastor stapastor@gmail.com Ext. 108

Fr. Peter Wei Cao—Associate Pastor sta.assocpastor@gmail.com Ext. 106

Lorraine Melendez—General Manager stamanager1@gmail.com Ext. 103

Linda Almaguer—Parish Secretary sta91754@gmail.com Ext. 102

Sherry Hsu—Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 104

Jessie Wang—Chinese Ministry Staff stachinese@gmail.com Ext. 105

Safeguard The Children Carmen Austria—626-993-4933

School Information

School Office: (323) 261-6583

Gloria Castillo – Principal Email: principal@stampkschool.org

General Email: info@stampkschool.org Website: stampkschool.org

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH DECEMBER 31, 2017

Religious Education Information

Office: (323) 264-1338

Sr. Rocio Nieto – DRE

Email: stareligioused@gmail.com

IN GRATITUDE TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED OUR PARISH with your contributions on:

December 23rd/24th: $4,924.50 Christmas Eve/Day: $7,546.00

Faith Direct-Online Giving Link: membership.faithdirect.net/CA779

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN DID YOU KNOW?

Human trafficking and technology

Teenagers spend a lot of time online, mak-ing them prime targets for human traffickers. Using online ads that promise money and adventure in exciting, glamorous cities, traffickers attract young women and girls. Parents should be aware of the serious dangers online, and monitor what their chil-dren’s online activity – sites they visit, social net-works they may belong to, and who they are con-necting with online. For a copy of the VIR-TUS® article “Human Trafficking and Sex Tourism with Children and Technology,” visit https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/free_article.cfm?free_articles_id=887, or call (213) 637-7508.

Mass Schedule

Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM (English)

Sunday 8:00 AM (English) 9:30 AM (Chinese) 11:30 AM (English) 1:30 PM (Spanish)

Monday 7:00 PM (Chinese) Tuesday 8:00 AM (English) Wednesday 8:00 AM (Chinese) Thursday 8:00 AM (English) Friday 8:00 AM (English) **1st Friday ONLY 7:00 PM**

Saturday 8:00 AM (English) Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 PM