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

Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2015 Parish Center Hours Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Parish Staff

Pastor: Rev. Ulysses D’Aquila - 306-9583 Deacon: Rev. Mr. Thomas J. Boyle - 366-3802 Principal: Teresa Anthony - 366-6127 Development: Nori Jabba - 366-8817 Kid’s Place: Maureen Arnott – 366-6587 CCD: Magdalena Hernández - 368-8237 Youth Ministry: Kendra & Jason Rickwald - 918-0815 Youth Confirmation: Paula Martinez – 366-6194 Director of Music: Bianca Remlinger - 366-3802 Spanish Music Ministry: Andres Garcia -366 -3802 Administrative Assistant: Alba Canelo – 366 -3802

Mass Schedule Sunday:

8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (español), and 5pm Saturday: 8: 15 am and 5:00 pm Vigil Mass Monday to Friday 8:15 am Reconciliation/Confession Saturday 3:30 –4:30 p.m.

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

You might remember that in the year 2004 some archaeologists in the Holy Land discovered a large cave which they claimed had been used by John the Baptist and his followers. The cave or cistern was very large with steps leading down to an underground well. Drawings on the walls of the cave depicted a man wearing animal skins with a staff, plus scenes from John the Baptist’s life and his death by beheading. The archaeologists also found shards of many small jugs that they believed were used in the baptismal ritual for which John was known. It seems that John the Baptist was a member of that mystical Jewish sect called the Essenes, the same people who produced the famous Dead Sea Scrolls. John’s message of repentance for sins and his call to conversion and baptism must have been extremely powerful because, according to the Gospels, thousands of people were traveling out to the desert from the surrounding villages and from the city of Jerusalem to hear John preach and to be baptized by him. And we also know that John, just like Jesus, had gathered around himself a great number of fervent disciples who even after his death remained faithful to John the Baptist’s memory. I suppose that at this distance in time, it’s difficult for us to imagine the stir and commotion caused by the presence of these holy men, first John the Baptist, and then Jesus himself. What exactly was it that the people were yearning for? What did they come to see or hear? Why did they submit to John’s baptism of purification? I’m not positive that I know the answer, but I do believe that at all times and in all places we humans have felt at the core of our beings that things aren’t right in the world, and that things aren’t right with us. We want to disburden ourselves of guilt, to feel cleansed of our sins, and to know that we are on the right course in our lives. For those of us who have experienced that terrible sensation of emptiness, that malaise, and for all of us who have questioned the value and meaning of life, we know very well what those disciples of John and then Jesus were seeking. This is what Jesus offered then, and it’s what he offers believers today: forgiveness of sin, healing of body and soul, purpose and meaning, and finally the hope of eternal life in the next world. That’s why John the Baptist called his followers to repentance, for repentance is how we prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming, by purifying our hearts and clearing the road of our life from every obstruction and obstacle that would prevent his timely arrival at our door. And when we “make the road straight,” we begin to see the light up ahead and to discern our true destination. Particularly in this season of Advent we should more than ever commit ourselves to living in such a way that we are open and ready to receive our Lord Jesus when he comes. So let us not become discouraged; and let us rejoice that God has chosen us to be his people, to live in his love, his hope, and his promise of life without end.

En el año 2004 algunos arqueólogos en la Tierra Santa descubrieron una gran cueva que según ellos había sido utilizado por Juan el Bautista y sus seguidores. La cueva o cisterna era muy grande, con escaleras que conducían a un pozo subterráneo. Dibujos en las paredes de la cueva representaban un hombre vestido en pieles de animales, además de escenas de la vida de Juan el Bautista y su muerte por decapitación. Los arqueólogos también encontraron fragmentos de muchas pequeñas jarras que creían fueron utilizados en el ritual de bautismo por el cual Juan el Bautista era conocido. Parece que Juan el Bautista era un miembro de una secta judía mística llamada los esenios, los mismos que produjeron los famosos Rollos del Mar Muerto. El mensaje de Juan de arrepentimiento por los pecados y su llamada a la conversión y el bautismo debe haber sido muy potente, ya que, según los Evangelios, miles de personas estaban viajando al desierto de Jerusalén y de los pueblos alrededores para escuchar su predicación y ser bautizado por él. Y también sabemos que Juan, al igual que Jesús, se había reunido en torno a sí un gran número de discípulos fervientes, que incluso después de su muerte se mantuvo fiel a la memoria de Juan el Bautista. Supongo que a esta distancia en el tiempo, es difícil para nosotros imaginar la conmoción causada por la presencia de estos hombres santos, primero Juan el Bautista, y luego Jesús. ¿Qué fue lo que la gente estaba anhelando? ¿Por qué vinieron a ver o a escuchar a él? ¿Por qué se someten al bautismo? No estoy seguro, pero creo que en todo momento y en todo lugar hemos sentido en el núcleo de nuestro ser que las cosas no están bien en el mundo, y que las cosas no están bien con nosotros. Queremos desbordar a nosotros mismos de la culpa, sentirnos limpios de nuestros pecados, y saber que estamos en el camino correcto en la vida. Para aquellos de nosotros que hemos experimentado esa terrible sensación de vacío, del malestar, y por todos los que han puesto en duda el valor y el sentido de la vida, sabemos muy bien lo que esos discípulos de Juan y luego Jesús estaban buscando. Esto es lo que Jesús ofreció entonces, y es lo que ofrece a los creyentes hoy en día: el perdón de los pecados, la sanación del cuerpo y alma, propósito y significado, y, finalmente, la esperanza de la vida eterna en el mundo venidero. Es por eso que Juan llamó a sus seguidores al arrepentimiento, por que el arrepentimiento es como nos preparamos para la venida de Cristo, mediante la purificación de nuestros corazones y al despejar el camino de nuestra vida de cada obstáculo. Cuando seguimos el buen camino, podemos ver la luz por delante y discernir nuestro destino. Sobre todo en este tiempo de Adviento debemos más que nunca comprometemos a vivir de tal manera que estamos abiertos y listos para recibir a nuestro Señor Jesucristo cuando venga. Así que no nos desanimamos; y alegrémonos de que Dios nos ha escogido para ser su pueblo, para vivir en su amor, su esperanza, y su promesa de una vida sin fin.

Fr. Ulysses

YOUTH MINISTRY Come one, come all, Sunday December 13th following the 5pm mass, from 6pm-8pm in the Small Hall. We will be hosting our Youth Ministry Christmas Anticipation Party, the third Sunday of Advent. We will have pizza and other sweet treats, join in games, fellowship and faith. We hope to see you there!

CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY MASS Children of the school and parish (grades K-5) are invited to participate in the Entrance Procession at the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Mass. Children will dress in costumes (they will be provided) and carry ornaments or birthday cards in the entrance procession before the mass begins. You must be able to meet in the back of the church at 3:30 pm on December 24th. If you are interested in participating, please email Karen Samons at [email protected] with your child’s name and grade. Please response by Friday, December 18th so we will be able to have an accurate head count. GOOD GRIEF MINISTRY CANDLE CEREMONY On Thursday, December 17, 2015 from 6:00 —8:00 p.m. , will have a candle ceremony in remembrance of our love one. All are welcome. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We care. We share. Do come.

Schedule of Christmas and New Year Thursday, December 24, 2015 Vigil of the Nativity of Jesus 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Mass 10:00 p.m. Evening Mass Friday, December 25, 2015 Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Mass & 12:00 p.m. Misa en Español New Year’s Day ~ Friday, January 1, 2016 Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (a holy day of obligation) 10:00 am Morning Prayer followed by Solemn Mass and Holy Hour.

A Blessed Christmas to you all! Fr. Ulysses and the Staff of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church

OLMC WOMEN’S CLUB The OLMC Women’s Club would like to thank all of the wonderful women of our parish that have supported our gatherings throughout the year. Because of you, the OLMC Women's Club has been able to purchase Easter decorations, new chalices and will be helping with new decorations for Christmas. Please mark your calendars for our next dinner Feb. 3rd at 6:30pm in the Small Hall. Have a joyous Christmas and New Year!

PARISH COLLECTION ENVELOPES 2016

El Jueves 17 de este mes es nuestra Posada Parroquial a las 6:30pm. Iniciaremos frente a la Iglesia. Rezaremos el Rosario y pediremos posada alrededor de la cuadra. Al finalizer el rezo tendremos recepción en el Salón grande y Habrá piñatas para los niños. Toda la comunidad está invitada.

For those of you who are regular users of the Parish Collection Envelopes, please note that they are now available in the Parish Office.

ARCHBISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL 2015 Thank all of you who have contributed to the Archbishop Annual Appeal. Our assessment for 2015 is $64,500. To date we have received 59,840. Our balance $4,660. Please consider how you can help us meet our goal.

Intenciones de Misas de la semana Saturday, December 12, 5:00 PM Irene Carlson † 7:30 PM Extra Mass Our Lady of Guadalupe Sunday, December 13: 8:00 AM Sis and Ray Torres † 10:00 AM Dina Sandrini † 12:00 PM(Español)Javier Mendez&Maria de Jesus Arroyo † 5:00 PM Augusto Saguin † Monday, December 14, 8:15 AM Don Ferrando † Tuesday, December 15, 8:15 AM Father Louis Liberati,SDB † Wednesday, December 16, 8:15 AM June Fones † Thursday, December 17, 8:15 AM Mildred Washington (int.) Friday, December 18, 8:15 AM Special Intentions Saturday, December 19, 8:15 AM June Fones †

This week at Mt. Carmel

Sunday, December 13: CCD Classes 8:45 am

School

R.C.I.A. Session 9:00 am Children’s Liturgy 10:00 am Guadalupe Feast 12:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Christmas Party 5-8pm.

Chapel Chapel Church/LH S/H

Monday, December 14: Carismáticos (Directiva) 7:00 p.m. Sch. Brownies 4-5:30 p.m.

O. Chapel S. Hall

Tuesday, December 15: School Christmas Program

3-8pm LH/CL

Men’s Sports

8:30 pm L. Hall

Wednesday, December 16: Grupo de Oración (Carismáticos) 7:00 pm Thursday, December 17: Good Grief Posadas Set Up Men’s Club

L. Hall

6:00-8 pm O. Chapel 5:00 pm L. Hall 6:30 PM S. Hall/K

Friday, December 18: Ensayo Coro (Español)

7:00 pm

P. Center

SAINTS AN SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday:

Third Sunday of Advent

Monday:

St. John of the Cross

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY If someone in your family is homebound, lives nearby and is unable to attend Mass, but would like to received 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.

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

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