St. Mary Catholic Church www.stmary-wc.org 925-891-8900

Dear Friends, On this feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we gather to-gether as a parish family to celebrate the goodness and the love of our God in sending us Jesus as our Savior and Lord. As we continue to hear the echo of Christmas hymns and songs, may we focus on the reason and the meaning of this Holy Season. Jesus, the Son of God, has come to bring us the love and salvation of God. He is our Messiah. He is our Lord. He is our Brother who came to teach us, to heal us, and to save us from our sins. Let us pray always for the gift of Jesus’ peace and love to enter our hearts, to guide our lives, and to bring us to witness these gifts to the world. May the Spirit of God fill us with peace and help us to care for one another always. May the goodness of the Lord fill us as we conclude this calendar year and begin our New Year with Faith and Love for all. Father Fred

“‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you.’” 725 kilo-meters. That’s the distance on modern roads from Bethlehem to Cairo. Assuming one covered 40km a day on foot — ambitious for two young par-ents and their infant son — the journey would take well over two weeks. Of course, the Holy Family didn’t have modern roads. They would travel through wilderness, fear bandits, run low on water, and cross the vast Sinai Peninsula in a re-verse of their forefathers in Exodus. Here, in struggle and sacrifice, are the beginnings of the forging of the Holy Family. “Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod.” Large Jewish commu-nities existed in most major cities of the ancient Mediterranean world, after the collapse of their kingdoms chronicled in the Old Testament, and Joseph could likely find work as a carpenter. All the same, today’s Gospel re-minds us that the first formational years of Jesus as a babe-in-arms were spent in a strange land. The members of the Holy Family were foreigners, outsiders, immigrants. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God took on our humanity. He is in solidarity with our own trials and difficulties. On the feast of the Holy Family, we honor the special place of the family within society. We are invited, too, to recall those families who share in the struggles of the Holy Family in a particular way. We pray for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. We pray for all parents who sacrifice their own well-being and comfort so their children may have a better life. ©LP

ORGANIZATIONS CYO, Jerry Florence stmarycyo.wc@gmail.com 510-504-5954 Charismatic Prayer Group, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Eucharistic Adoration, Mary Johnstone 954-7205 Finance Council, Brian Mulligan 210-1031 Homebound Ministry, Helene Vizcarra 891-8936 Hospital Ministry, Angeles Ron 856-8780 Knights of Columbus, John Cuddihy 286-4515 Respect Life Ministry, Jim Crowley 944-0359 Rosary Makers, Ana Lau 256-4428 St. Vincent de Paul, Barb Erickson 937-2817 Walking with Purpose, Laura Lencioni 997-4379

MASS TIMES Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. & 12:05 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m.

Saturday Vigil Mass 4:30 p.m.

Sundays 6:30 a.m. * 8:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m. * 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Spanish

6:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.

DEVOTIONS

Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fridays 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (First Fridays all night)

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Fatima Devotion: First Saturday Hispanic Holy Hour: Other Saturdays

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturdays 9:00 a.m.

(at the end of 8:30 Mass)

PARISH OFFICE

2051 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Walnut Creek, CA 94596

OFFICE HOURS

8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday

This weekend’s second collection is for the charitable works of St. Vincent de Paul.

Thank you for helping us reach out to those in need.

DATE TIME MASS INTENTION 12/28 4:30 pm The People of St. Mary Parish

12/29 6:30 am The People of St. Mary Parish

8:00 am Domenic Di Natale

9:30 am Leah & Jim Howley

11:00 am Andres Ochotorena

1:00 pm Faustino & Susanna Torres

6:00 pm John Boelte

12/30 6:30 am Vito D’Addabbo

12:05 pm Teresita Tolentino

12/31 6:30 am Albert Paul

12:05 pm Adoracion Delgado

7:00 pm In thanksgiving for the blessings of 2019

01/01 10:00 am Manuela Caneja & Maria Dianito

12:05 pm The People of St. Mary Parish

01/02 6:30 am Abel Perez

12:05 pm Tammy Brandt Brown

01/03 6:30 am Joe Rivera (L)

12:05 pm Annie Ten

01/04 8:30 am Roger Dellamotta

MASS SCHEDULE

PRAY FOR THE SICK

Staff and Administration

Parish Office 891-8900 Fax 934-1358 Fr. Fred Riccio, friccio@stmary-wc.org Pastor 891-8900 Fr. Dante Tamayo , frdante@stmary-wc.org Parochial Vicar 891-8900 Fr. John Blaker, 891-8900 In residence Ana Lau, alau@stmary-wc.org Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, abaker@stmary-wc.org Bookkeeper 891-8911

Faith Formation

Mary Kerfs, lifeteen@stmary-wc.org Administrative Assistant 891-8939 Tim Mannix, RCIA & tmannix@stmary-wc.org Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921 Austin Pisciotto apisciotto@stmary-wc.org Grades 4-8 891-8944 Maureen Tiffany mtiffany@stmary-wc.org Grades K-3 891-8942 Heather Abraham, habraham@stmary-wc.org Confirmation 891-8934

School

Office 935-5054 stmary@st-mary.net Website: www.st-mary.net Alumni: stmaryalumni@st-mary.net Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054 Advisory Council Joel Williams, President 768-6711 Parents Club Shannon Crvarich, Co-President 949-973-8046 Lisa Kavanagh, Co-President 768-9890

Allison Flamez Margarita Caracas Elsa de Rossi Monica Jara Ana Alvarez Isabel Castillo Susana Jaime Maria Vargas Anthony De Cristoforo Rosalinda Reyes Annabelle Semira Joseph Suta Jeanine Gordon Christine Pollnow Wayne Alba Mary Alba Jake Johnston Bill Clark Art Coombes Diane Hewson

Tyler Coolie Clarissa Gutierrez

Julia Rodriguez Fred & Emilia Sohn

Raul Gonzalez Helen Budde Raquel Zittel

Dominador Hontucan Quinn Gurnett

Oralee Floria Henry Escano

Mary McLoughlin Angela Regan

Beverly Regan Josefina Zabat

Audry Robinson Loretta Holmes

Nancie Campi Bob Bussani Betty Baker

A New Chance

There’s so much to be thankful for As we start this brand-new year. We have a God who loves us so And will free us from all fear.

Seasons come and seasons go, Sharing their own true beauty, While Heaven’s sun, moon, and stars Perform their accustomed duty.

Every day will be a gift of love; A new chance to smell each flower. So, as we travel through the year, Give God the glory—He’s the Power. M. Elaine Fowser Salesian Inspirational Books

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR December 30-January 5

FF = Faith Formation Center SA = St. Anthony Rm. (near parish hall) SE = St. Elizabeth Hall (Conf. Rm.) SJ = St. Joseph Room SM= St. Michael Room SP = St. Peter Room ST = St. Therese Room

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31 7:00 AM Men of St. Joseph/SA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 7:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group/Church 7:00 PM Young Adults/FF-SP FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 7:00 PM Hisp. Choir Practice/SA SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 8:00 AM Men’s Prayer Group/FF-SM SUNDAY, JANUARY 5 10:30 AM RCIA/FF-SJ 4:00 PM Band Practice/Church

New Year’s

Tues., Dec. 31 Daily Masses: 6:30am and

12:05pm Vigil Mass: 7:00pm (bilingual)

Wed., Jan. 1- Mary, Mother of

God (Holy Day) Masses: 10:00am & 12:05pm

There will be NO Eucharistic Adoration

Jan. 2 - Jan. 4. Adoration will

resume on Thursday, January 9.

Parish offices will be closed Dec. 31-Jan. 1

for New Year’s.

Q. If God is eternal and infinite, how can He have a mother? Why don’t we call Mary just the mother of Jesus?

A. The title of “Mary, Mother of God” can be con-fusing. We aren’t implying that Mary existed from eternity or that she is divine herself. We aren’t pro-moting some kind of Marian superpowers. The Church has fought for this title throughout the centuries for one simple reason: Christ’s identity is at stake. As the Church grew in the early centuries, theologians wrestled with what it meant for Jesus to be both God and man. Many distortions of his identity began to emerge. One of these was propagated by a man named Nestorius. Nestorius and his followers denied that Jesus’ human nature and his divine nature were inseparable. Following that logic, Mary could have only conceived Jesus’ human nature. But people don’t give birth to a “nature.” They give birth to a whole person. For Jesus, his whole person is both human and divine. In 431 A.D. the Council of Ephe-sus denounced Nestorius. The bishops affirmed that Jesus is both fully hu-man and fully divine and proclaimed Mary Theotokos. Translating the Greek to English, that means “God-bearer.” Note that this isn’t “God-generator” or “God-creator.” Mary bore Jesus, God and man, in her womb and gave him birth. She is mother to the whole person, the whole Jesus, and therefore Mother of God. ©LPi

St. Mary Church has subscribed to the online software Adora-tion Pro for Eucharistic Adoration scheduling in the chapel. The link for scheduling is adorationpro.org/maryca. You can schedule for weekly adoration or even if you are visiting. For adoration hours, contact Mary Johnstone (mleejohn@comcast.net). For help with Adoration Pro soft-ware, contact Cecil D'Souza (cecildsouza@hotmail.com)

THE VINEYARD St. Mary Church

YOUTH MINISTRY (K-12) Sunday, December 29, 2019

St. Mary Youth Ministries will be on Winter Break December 23 - January 6.

Sessions resume on Tuesday, January 7.

At our last Little Saints K-3rd family gathering, Faith Formation families made Christmas ornaments, decorated cookies and played some Christmas-themed games! Families also turned in their wrapped Christmas gifts to be donated to

families in need. Thank you to all those who participated in this community service! We are looking forward to seeing you in the New Year!

We would like to thank all of our catechist volunteers, office angels, and those of you in the SMC

Community who have supported the Faith Formation and Youth Ministries in some way.

We are grateful for your continued dedication and time

spent in helping us to provide Christ-centered experiences for families and children of this Parish!

We pray that you receive many blessings

in the New Year!

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Sal 96 (95):7-10; Lc 2:36-40 Martes: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Sal 96 (95):1-2, 1-13; Jn 1:1-18 Miércoles: Nm 6:22-27; Sal 67 (66):2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lc 2:16-21 Jueves: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Viernes: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Sal 98 (97):1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Sábado: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Sal 98 (97):1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Domingo: Is 60:1-6; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ef 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

FECHAS IMPORTANTES Diciembre 29, NO HAY CLASE

Enero 5, NO HAY CLASE

925)357-3048 jcain@stmary-wc.org

Seguimos en Navidad y hoy la Liturgia hace hincapié en la importancia de la familia. La familia siempre ha sido vivero de esperanza y alegría por el amor de los esposos y el cuidado que deben brindar a sus hijos. La familia es una pequeña comunidad que tiene su origen en la oración y la vocación cris-tiana. Es desde ahí que la semilla nace para el sacerdocio, la vida religiosa, el matrimonio y los hombres y mujeres laicos comprometidos que sirven a la Iglesia y en la sociedad. Los consejos que se dan en las lecturas de hoy son luz que debe iluminar el hogar y debemos practicarlos durante el año. El libro de Sirácide dice así: “El Señor honra al padre en los hijos y respalda la autoridad de la madre sobre la prole.” San Pablo lo resume de la siguiente manera: “Que en sus corazones reine la paz de Cristo, esa paz a la que han sido llamados, como miembros de un solo cuerpo.” En el Evangelio se ve cómo actúan José y María para proteger a su hijo: “‘Levántate, toma al niño y a su madre, y huye a Egipto.’” Consejos del Papa Francisco para la familia: "A los recién casados les doy siempre este consejo: 'Reñid lo que queráis. Si vuelan los platos, dejadlos. Pero nunca acabéis el día sin hacer las paces. ¡Nunca!'” "Para hacer las paces no hace falta llamar a las Naciones Unidas, que venga a casa a hacer la paz. Basta un gesto pequeño, una caricia: 'Bueno, adiós, hasta mañana'. Y mañana se comienza de nuevo”. ¿Qué te inspira de estos consejos? ¿Qué harás tú por tu familia? ©LP

La Correspondabilidad Diaria El GPS de Dios nunca falla

Yo uso el GPS donde quiera que voy, y me sirve bien la mayor parte del tiempo. Sin embargo, a veces me lleva a un lugar que no existe. Luego están esos momentos en que es-toy a punto de girar, y el hombre dentro de mi te-léfono grita: "¡Señal del GPS perdida!" O "¡Cambio de ruta!" El problema es que, cuando el área no me es familiar, no tengo más opción que escuchar. Podría intentar llegar adonde voy por simple intuición o de-tenerme para mirar un mapa , pero no confío en mi sentido de dirección. ¡Y no he comprado un mapa en casi una década! Muchas personas se mueven por la vida sin ninguna dirección. Se encuentran constantemente cambiando de ruta y preguntándose cuándo llegarán a un desti-no final satisfactorio. Lo que necesitan es una brújula y un compañero para el viaje. Sin embargo, no tienen idea de cómo obtener ninguno de los dos. La oración puede servir como una brújula, y nos conecta con un compañero para el viaje. Vivir en la corresponsabi-lidad diaria es imposible sin la oración. Si contamos con nuestra propia voluntad y creemos que podemos ser fructíferos sin el contacto diario con lo Divino, po-demos encontrarnos buscando direcciones más que avanzar hacia un destino. Dios, a través de la oración, nos ayudará a ver todo lo que tenemos como regalo. Dios, a través de la oración, nos alejará del material-ismo y el egoísmo hacia la libertad y la generosidad. Incluso cuando caemos en pecado, el camino de re-greso es más claro. La señal de GPS de Dios nunca se pierde en realidad. —Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS ©LPi