Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 300 Fulton Street ▪ Redwood City, CA 94062

Tel. (650) 366-3802 ▪ Fax: (650) 366-1421 Udaquila@mountcarmel.org imelendez@mountcarmel.org ▪ www.mountcarmel.org

Parish Center Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mass Schedule Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (Español), and 5 pm Saturday: 8: 15 am and 5:00 pm Vigil Mass Monday to Friday 8:15 am Reconciliation/Confession Saturday 3:30 –4:30 pm

Baptisms / Bautismos Call parish at least two months in advance. Llame a la parroquia a lo menos dos meses antes. Weddings / Bodas Call parish at least six months in advance. Llame a la parroquia a lo menos seis meses antes.

Mission Statement Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish is a Christ-centered community in the Roman Catholic tradition. We try to share the Good News of salvation with others. As a diverse community, we value and respect individual differences. As God’s people, we gather in the Spirit to pray, to celebrate the sacraments, to teach, to learn, to console, to rejoice, to minister and to renew our faith with one another.

First Sunday of Lent March 10, 2019

Parish Phones Parish Center Office: (650) 366-3802 Pastor’s Office: (650) 306-9583 Religious Education Office: (650) 368-8237 Mt. Carmel School Office: (650) 366-6127 Mt. Carmel Pre-School: (650) 366-6587 Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Ulysses D’Aquila Deacon: Rev. Mr. Thomas J. Boyle Principal: Dr. Deborah Farrington Administrative Assistant: Ivette Meléndez Director of Religious Ed.: Magdalena Hernández Youth Confirmation: Judy Draper Director of Music: Bianca Remlinger Pre-School Director: Maureen Arnott

Muy a tu alcance, en tu boca y en tu corazón, se encuentra la salvación.

— Romanos 10:8

The word is near you, in your mouth and in

your heart. — Romans 10:8

This past week we celebrated here at Our Lady of Mount Carmel three separate Ash Wednesday services, the first at 8:15 a.m., then second at 12 noon, and the third at 7:00 p.m. All of of these Masses were packed. They certainly brought more people in to this church than you would ordinarily see on an average weekday, and in the case of the evening bilingual service, a great deal more people than at a usual Sunday Mass. Whatever the reason, it’s always a good thing to see so many people at church. Most Catholics, even those who do not regularly participate, somehow feel that they should make an appearance on these special holy days, particularly Ash Wednesday, Easter Sunday and Christmas. One thing that never fails to astonish me is how at the conclusion of the evening Ash Wednesday liturgy, those who have come in late, who have perhaps missed the entire service, will anxiously rush forward to receive the ashes on their foreheads. Every year that this happens, I always look eagerly into the faces of those who approach me, wondering what it is that has drawn them to our church, and what is in their minds and hearts. Of course I can’t say for certain, and maybe each person has a different reason, but I do believe there is a general yearning on most people’s part for the purification and the repentance that these ashes signify. The holy day of Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent, answers to some very primal and basic need of the human soul: a need to turn inward, to take an inventory of oneself, and to reflect on those aspects of our lives and behaviors that call out for change and conversion. Friends and parishioners of mine who have gone through 12-Step recovery programs have told me this is how it works. For those hopelessly trapped by addictions to alcohol or drugs or other unhealthy behaviors, there is a moment in which one finally hits bottom. At this point it is either somehow change, or die. One must acknowledge one’s helplessness, one’s inability to go it alone, and then yield to a Higher Being, to God, owing that rebirth comes from above. Those same parishioners and friends have told me that their recovery came about because they discovered that God alone was the way and that in partnership with God, anything would be possible. After all, God is not a harsh taskmaster. God loves us; we are his children, and if we turn to Him, God will pour into us the strength to overcome any obstacle and he will give us the power to vanquish any sin that may tempt us, if only we open ourselves to his mercy. So as we enter this season of Lent, let us experience the next forty days as a period of purification, renewal and growth in spirit, preparing us for that great Easter Mystery of Christ’s Resurrection, a resurrection in which he wishes us all to share. Father Ulysses.

La semana pasada celebramos aquí tres servicios separados del Miércoles de Ceniza, el primero a las 8:15 a.m., el segundo

a las 12 del mediodía, y el tercero a las 7:00 p.m. Se llenó la iglesia en todas estas misas. Al menos trajeron a más personas al templo de lo que normalmente verías durante la semana, y en el caso del servicio de la noche, mucha más gente que en una misa dominical. Cualquiera sea la razón, siempre es algo bueno ver tanta gente en la iglesia. La mayoría de los católicos, incluso aquellos que no participan regularmente, de alguna manera sienten que deberían venir para estos días especiales, particularmente el Miércoles

de Ceniza, el Domingo de Pascua y la Navidad. Una cosa que nunca deja de sorprenderme es cómo, al final de la noche, aquellos que llegaron tarde, que tal vez faltaron a todo el servicio, se apresuran ansiosamente hacia adelante para recibir las cenizas en sus frentes. Cada año que sucede esto, siempre miro los rostros de quienes se acercan a mí, preguntándome qué es lo que los ha atraído a nuestra iglesia, y qué hay en sus mentes y corazones. Por supuesto, no puedo decirlo con certeza, y quizás cada persona tenga una razón diferente, pero sí creo que hay un anhelo general por parte de la mayoría de las personas por la purificación y el arrepentimiento que estas cenizas significan. Miércoles de Ceniza, que es el comienzo del tiempo litúrgico de la Cuaresma, responde a una necesidad muy primordial y básica del alma humana: la necesidad de volverse hacia adentro, hacer un inventario de uno mismo y reflexionar sobre esos aspectos de nuestra vida y comportamiento que necesitan un cambio y conversión. Amigos y feligreses míos que han pasado por los programas de recuperación de 12-Pasos me han dicho que así es como funciona. Para aquellos atrapados desesperadamente por las adicciones al alcohol o las drogas u otros comportamientos no saludables, hay un momento en el que uno finalmente llega al fondo. En este punto es solo cambiar, o morir. Uno debe reconocer su impotencia, su incapacidad para ir solo, y luego rendirse a un Ser Superior, a Dios, sabiendo que el renacimiento viene de lo alto. Esos mismos feligreses y amigos me han dicho que su recuperación se produjo porque descubrieron que solo con Dios se puede mejorar, y que con Dios todo sería posible. Después de todo, Dios no es un maestro duro o estricto. Dios nos ama; somos sus hijos, y si nos volvemos a Él, Dios derramará en nosotros la fuerza para superar cualquier obstáculo, y nos dará el poder para vencer cualquier pecado que pueda tentarnos, si tan solo nos abrimos a su misericordia. Entonces, al entrar en esta temporada de Cuaresma, experimentemos los próximos cuarenta días como un período de purificación, renovación y crecimiento espiritual, así preparándonos para el gran Misterio Pascual de la Resurrección de Cristo, una resurrección en la que Él desea que todos compartamos. Padre Ulysses.

Notes from the Pastor Notas del Párroco

Next Week’s Second Collection Our Second Collection will be for our Liturgy Fund.

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal of 2019. We are now collecting for this year’s Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Our assessed tax is $78,542.98 or 20% of last year’s income. This money is used by the Archdiocese to fund many ministries such as Restorative Justice (jail ministry), the Marriage Tribunal, support for retired priests and nuns, legal help for immigrants, and other vital ministries. We ask you to please take one of the AAA brochures from the church and consider what you might do to help us make our 2019 Appeal by the end of the year. Thank you for you generous support of our parish.

ELECTRONIC DONATIONS VANCOPAYMENTS.COM is an agency created to facilitate the process of donations, if you wish to make your donations to the Church electronically or by Credit Card, please see our website, www.mountcarmel.org press Donate and follow the easy instructions. May God reward your generosity.

Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is requesting donations of eye glasses for the homeless. There will be a basket in the vestibule of the church to put them in. Thank you for your help.

MEN’S CLUB Fergal O’Boyle’s famous annual St. Patrick’s Day feast, this Thursday, March 14, from 6 pm - 9 pm in the

Small Hall. U2 should be there. The menu includes:

Corned Beef and Cabbage Shepherd’s Pie Irish Soda Bread

Choc. Stout Cake & Apple Cake

Sister Parish in Tanzania

We have received news that the cistern at St. Francis Xavier parish in Tanzania is now under construction. Please consider, during this Lenten Season, a contribution to help complete the work. This cistern will provide water year-round to a community often plagued by drought. If you have questions, please contact Lucinda Dei Rossi at (650) 366-9604.

Today’s Second Collection is for our Religious Education Program. It supports our School of Religion, including classes for First Communion, preparation for Confirmation and our Adult Education Program (RCIA). It also covers the Children’s Liturgy, Youth Retreats, and the training of catechists.

Tax season The time is now! If you would like your tax

statement for your charitable donations to the Church, please request it by contacting Ivette

Melendez at imeldez@mountcarmel.org or at (650) 366-3803.

Saturday, March 09, 2019 5:00 PM Marguerite Corman † Sunday, March 10, 2019 8:00 AM Francis Romano † 10:00 AM Salvador Manuel † 12:00 PM Bertha Garcia † 5:00 PM Pro - Populo Monday, March 11, 2019 8:15 AM the sick of our parish Tuesday, March 12, 2019 8:15 AM Paul Territo † Wednesday, March 13, 2019 8:15 AM Charles Warren † Thursday, March 14, 2019 8:15 AM Joe Huan Pham † Friday, March 15, 2019 8:15 AM souls in Purgatory † Saturday, March 16, 2019 8:15 AM Leonora M. Muega †

THIS WEEK AT MT. CARMEL Sunday, March 10, 2019 CCD Classes 8:45 AM School Children’s Liturgy 10:00 AM Church Cub Scouts 8 to 3 PM Large Hall Confirmation Class 5:00 PM Church/Large Hall Monday, March 11, 2019 Grupo Carismático (Mesa Directiva) 7:00 PM Old Chapel Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Men’s Basketball 8:30 PM Large Hall Wednesday, March 13, 2019 CCD Classes 6:30 PM School ICF Meeting 7:00 PM Parish Center Grupo Carismático 7:00 PM Large Hall Thursday, March 14, 2019 Men’s Club 6:00 PM Small Hall Good Grief 6:00 PM Old Chapel CCD Classes 6:30 PM School

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: First Sunday of Lent; Rite of Election; Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion; Rite of Sending; Daylight Saving Time begins; Girl Scouting Sunday Monday: of the First Week of Lent Tuesday: of the First Week of Lent Wednesday: of the First Week of Lent Thursday: of the First Week of Lent Friday: of the First Week of Lent Saturday: of the First Week of Lent

Welcome Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish

Registration Form The following confidential information will be entered in our parish data system. It is only for the purpose of knowing and serving you better.

Name (s): ______________________________

Address: _______________________________

City:_________________ zip:______________

Telephone:_____________________________

e-mail:_________________________________

Others in your household:________________

Number of adults over 18 years of age: _____

Number of children under 18 years of age: ___

Would you like a parishioner number in order to register your donations? _____

GOOD GRIEF MINISTRY The loss of every loved one creates many changes,

challenges and much pain. “Good Grief”, an ongoing support group, meets every Thursday at

the Parish Center, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. We care, We share. Do come,

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL

#919128

300 Fulton St.

Redwood City, CA 94062

CONTACT PERSON

Ivette Meléndez, Bulletin Editor: 650-366-3802

Fr. Ulysses D’Aquila, Pastor: 650-306-9583

EMAIL ADDRESS

imelendez@mountcarmel.org

SOFTWARE

Microsoft ®Publisher 2007

Adobe®Acrobat®X

Window7®

PRINTER

Toshiba e studio 3055c

TRANSMISSION TIME

By 11:00 a.m. On Wednesday

SUNDAY OF PUBLICATION

March 10, 2019

NUMBER OF PAGES SENT

1 through 6

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS