Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 300 Fulton Street ▪ Redwood City, CA 94062 Tel. (650) 366-3802 ▪ Fax: (650) 366-1421 [email protected] [email protected] ▪ www.mountcarmel.org

Second Sunday of Lent February 25, 2018 Parish Center Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 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 Kids’ Place (Pre-School): (650) 366-6587 Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Ulysses D’Aquila Deacon: Rev. Mr. Thomas J. Boyle Principal: Teresa Anthony Administrative Assistant: Ivette Meléndez Director of Religious Ed.: Magdalena Hernández Youth Confirmation: Judy Draper Director of Music: Bianca Remlinger Spanish Music Ministry: Andrés García Pre-School Director: Maureen Arnott Development Director: Nori Jabba

If God is for us, who can be against us? — Romans 8:31b Si Dios está a nuestro favor, ¿quién estará en contra nuestra? — Romanos 8:31b

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.

Notes from the Pastor

Notas del Párroco

People very correctly hold their leaders, whether Church leaders or political leaders, to a high standard. The feeling is that if you have been entrusted with a position of authority over others, you have a special obligation to look after those people’s interests and to be an example of good behavior. Sadly, throughout human history, those in power have too often been corrupt, using their influence and their position for their personal gain and oppressing the very people who look to them for guidance and justice. In one of the Old Testament readings this week the Prophet Isaiah addresses the leaders of Sodom and Gomorrah, two places whose names have become synonymous with wickedness. He admonishes these leaders to “Wash yourselves clean! Cease doing evil! Learn to do good! Promote justice in your land! Help those who have been wronged! Do what you can for the poor, especially widows and orphans.” He also encourages them saying, “If you set things right, God will forgive all the bad you have done. But if you continue in your evil ways, God (who is just) will eventually punish you.” Jesus speaks in a similar way to the Pharisees who were the religious leaders of his day. They had set themselves up as the spokesmen of Moses, but did not practice what they preached. They imposed all sorts of regulations on the people, but did little to help them. Instead, they were preoccupied with their places of honor, their status and their privileges. These are the same criticisms that the faithful today aim at leaders of the Church, and very often these criticisms are deserved. Certainly those of us in religious life need to call ourselves to account, daily asking whether we are being real shepherds and servants of the people because that’s what we promised when we took our vows. But in spite of corruption in all human institutions, we don’t want to say, for example, “I’m not going to vote or participate in elections because politicians are liars and cheats.” That’s a cop-out because we have to exercise our rights as citizens if we want a more just society to come about. Likewise with our religion: If we say, as some do, “I don’t come to church because some of the parishioners are hypocrites, or I don’t care for our bishop, or I don’t agree with some Church teachings,” then we cut ourselves off from a rich source of spiritual wisdom and consolation. Our Catholic faith is a conduit of God’s grace, and the Church, the Body of Christ, is always guided by God’s Holy Spirit. Are some of the Church’s members, including its leaders, less than perfect? Of course! But we’re all sinners in need of repentance and reconciliation. And that’s why we gather each Sunday, not just as individuals, but as a people, God’s pilgrim people making our way through the perilous ups and downs of history, but always moving steadily towards the Promised Land of heaven.

Correctamente quisiéramos que nuestros líderes, ya sean de la Iglesia o líderes políticos, se mantienen a un estándar alto. Si a uno se le ha confiado una posición de autoridad sobre los demás, esa persona tiene la obligación de cuidar de los intereses de su gente y ser un ejemplo de buen comportamiento. Lamentablemente, a lo largo de la historia, los que tienen poder con demasiada frecuencia han sido corruptos, utilizando su influencia y su posición para su propio beneficio, y oprimiendo a las personas que supuestamente están sirviendo. En una de las lecturas de esta semana, el profeta Isaías se dirige a los líderes de Sodoma y Gomorra, dos lugares cuyos nombres se han convertido en sinónimos de iniquidad. Él amonesta a estos líderes a "¡Lávense a sí mismos! ¡Deja de hacer el mal! Aprende a hacer el bien! ¡Promueva la justicia en su tierra! ¡Ayuda a los que han sido perjudicados! Haz lo que puedas por los pobres, especialmente las viudas y los huérfanos". También los anima con estas palabras:" Si arreglas las cosas, Dios perdonará todo lo malo que has hecho. Pero si continúas en tus malos caminos, Dios (que es justo) finalmente te castigará". Jesús habla de manera similar a los fariseos que fueron los líderes religiosos de su tiempo. Se habían establecido como portavoces de Moisés, pero no practicaban lo que predicaban. Impusieron todo tipo de regulaciones a la gente, pero hicieron poco para ayudarlos. En cambio, estaban preocupados con sus lugares de honor y sus privilegios. Estas son las mismas críticas que los fieles a veces apuntan a los líderes de la Iglesia, y a menudo estas críticas son merecidas. Nosotros que estamos en la vida religiosa necesitamos preguntamos diariamente si estamos siendo verdaderos pastores y siervos del pueblo, porque eso es lo que prometimos cuando hicimos nuestros votos. Pero a pesar de la corrupción en todas las instituciones humanas, no queremos decir, por ejemplo, "No voy a votar ni a participar en las elecciones porque los políticos son mentirosos y tramposos". Eso es una excusa porque tenemos que ejercer nuestros derechos como ciudadanos si queremos una sociedad más justa. Del mismo modo con nuestra religión: si decimos, como algunos lo hacen, "No voy a la iglesia porque algunos de los feligreses son hipócritas, o no me importa nuestro obispo, o no estoy de acuerdo con algunas enseñanzas de la Iglesia". Así nos separamos de la fuente de sabiduría espiritual y consuelo. Nuestra fe católica es un canal de la gracia de Dios, y la Iglesia, el Cuerpo de Cristo, siempre esta guiada por el Espíritu Santo de Dios. ¿Son algunos de los miembros de la Iglesia menos que perfectos? ¡Por supuesto! Pero todos somos pecadores, y todos necesitamos arrepentimiento y reconciliación. Es por eso que nos reunimos cada domingo, no como individuos aislados, sino como el pueblo peregrino de Dios, sometiéndonos a los peligros y altibajos de nuestra vida, pero moviéndonos por fin hacia la Tierra Prometida del cielo. P. Ulises

Fr. Ulysses

Today’s Second Collection is for

Archdiocesan Annual Appeal 2018 It’s now time to begin our campaign for 2018. Our assessment for this year is $72,821. This Archdiocesan tax supports all those many offices, ministries and charities that individual parishes alone cannot cover. These include the Marriage Tribunal, support of retired priests and nuns, and financial help to our Catholic Schools.

Women’s Club Invita on Come and spend a fun evening with your friends!

Wed. March 7th 6:30pm (Doors Open 6:30pm – dinner served at 7:00pm)

St. Patrick's Day Celebra on Raffle, Fun Games and Door Prizes. Women over 21 invited. $20 Proceeds to benefit Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish

ELECTRONIC DONATIONS

VANCOPAYMENTS.COM is an

A grateful thanks to all those who supported last year’s Archdiocesan Appeal. Through your generosity, we were able to collect the money we were assessed.

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. ThankYou, God rew ard your generosity .

Our Second Collection today is to jump start our Campaign. Hopefully we can begin the year with at least $3,500 as we work toward our goal. There will be plenty of brochures at the entrance of the Church.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School

Please consider what you might do to help us meet our obligation. Thank you and may God bless you with abundance and his Divine Providence.

Next Week Second Collection The second collection next week will be for our Parish Facilities.

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY

If someone in your family is homebound, lives nearby and is unable to attend Mass, but would like to receive the Eucharist, please contact Julie O’Leary at (650) 361-8681. Communion ministers are needed to bring the Eucharist to homebound parishioners. Please call Julie O’Leary if you would like to participate in this worthy ministry.

is still accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year. To schedule a private tour call (650) 366-6127.

Water for our Sister Parish in Tanzania!

We have raised about half of the money ($10,000) that our Sister Parish needs to build an underground cistern. This cistern will hold rain water collected from the roof of the church. During this season of Lent, please consider a donation for this worthy project which will help the village in times of drought. If you write a check, make it out to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, adding Sister Parish in the memo line. Thank you.

Saturday, February 24, 2018 05:00 PM Dick Gracie † Sunday, February 25, 2018 08:00 AM Flora Robles † 10:00 AM Huan Phan † 12:00 PM Eliseo Alvarez † 05:00 PM Pro-Populo Monday, February 26, 2018 8:15 AM Flora Robles † Tuesday, February 27, 2018 8:15 AM Souls in Purgatory † Wednesday, February 28, 20178 8:15 AM Recently deceased of our parish † Thursday, March 01, 2018 8:15 AM Matthew Smith † Friday, March 02, 2018 8:15 AM Jim Ellis † Saturday, March 03, 2018 8:15 AM Pro Populo

THIS WEEK AT MT. CARMEL

Sunday, February 25, 2018 CCD Classes 8:45 a.m. School Children’s Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Church Girl Scouts 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Old Chapel Confirmation Session 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Church/School Monday, February 26, 2018 Grupo Carismático (Mesa Directiva) 7:00 p.m. Parish Center Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Men’s Basketball 8:30 p.m. Large Hall Wednesday, February 28, 2018 CCD Classes 6:30 p.m. School Scripture Study 7:00 p.m. Old Chapel Grupo Carismatico 7:00 p.m. Large Hall Thursday, March 01, 2018 CCD Classes 6:30 p.m. School Good Grief 6:00 p.m. Old Chapel School meeting 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Small Hall Friday, March 02, 2018 School event 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Large Hall Saturday, March 03, 2018 School event 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Large Hall

Sunday:

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Second Sunday of Lent; Penitential Rite for Candidates for Full Communion Monday: of the second week of Lent Tuesday: of the second week of Lent Wednesday: Purim (Jewish observance) begins at sunset Thursday: of the second week of Lent Friday: Abstinence; First Friday; World Day of Prayer Saturday: St. Katharine Drexel; First Saturday

GOOD GRIEF MINISTRY

The loss of every loved one creates many changes, challenges and 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.

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? ______

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 [email protected] 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 February 25, 2018 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 6 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS