12300 Reina Road • Bakersfield, California • 661-587-3626www.setoncatholicchurch.org

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH BAKERSFIELD, CA

ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH

BAKERSFIELD,

High School Youth Ministry Confirmation ONE Retreat is Saturday/Sunday JAN 6-7. For more information, please check out our NEW Youth and Young Adult Ministry website - seasyouth.org or contact Megan Pruett at 587-3626- or mpruett@setoncatholicchurch.org.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God While January 1 has long been a Holy Day of Obligation, it is no longer observed as such in this region of the United States. There will be the regular 7 AM Mass on that Monday for those who wish to observe this day.

End of Year Contributions

Your Christmas and end-of-year contributions are important to the ongoing ministries and functioning of our parish family. Please be generous before year’s end to our Building Fund. We thank you and all who contributed this past year to St. Elizabeth Seton Church. We are blessed by your love and support!

4th Sunday of Advent Readings 2 Samuel 1-16—”The kingdom of David shall endure forever before the Lord.” Romans 16:25-27— “The mystery kept secret for long ages has now been manifested.” Luke 1:26-38—“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.”

Christmas Readings Isaiah 9:1-6: The people in darkness have seen a great light. Titus 2:11-14: The grace of God has appeared. Luke 2:1-14: She gave birth to her firstborn son.

Mass Intentions for the Week

Prayers for Healing…

Larkie Barnett, Peter Shaw, Gary Rohr, Margaret Jones, Linda Garza, Beth Yepez, Joan Wehr, Jennifer Wold, Jessica Lopez, Julie Fleming, Paul Clarksean, Lori Goodwin, Frank Najar, Patty Waye, Lupe Palomo, Abigail Bezdek, Becki Whitson, Lisa Uyeoka, Michael Horne, Kyle LaMoureaux, Caroline Russell, Richard & Tracy Garcia, Cookie Smart, Mike Rigby, Josephine Re-condo, Bob and Clobeaut Laszacs, Mike and Maureen Buckey, Patrick O’Mullan, David Marcus, Keelin Kaslow, Cindy Watson, Megan Gustafson, Les White, Gregory Ma +Rest in Peace: Let us pray for all the members of our parish family who have returned to the Lord this past year. We miss them and remember them in our Masses and personal prayers. May they experience the joy of seeing Christ face-to-face. May those who mourn their loved ones find peace this Christmas!

SAT 12/23 4:30 pm Int. of Parishioners

SUN 12/24 7:30 am +Mary Fondacaro

9:30 am +Mary Mardesich

(Children) 3:00 pm Int. of children everywhere

6:00 pm +Paulina Mangalindan 10:00 pm Int. of Parishioners

MON 12/25 8:00 am +Candido Costa 10:00 am Jesus “Chuy” Hernandez TUE, 12/26 7:00 am +Arlene Urbani Quinn

WED 12/27 7:00 am +Ricky Perez

THU 12/28 7:00 am Int. of Fidelia Enaife

FRI 12/29 7:00 am +Robert Pahls

Congratulations! The following children celebrated the

Sacrament of Baptism.

Hazel Frances Holtermann Taylor Audrey Davis

Juliana Isabelle Collier Zackary Ryan Johnson

Scott Joseph Maner Braelynn Nicole Langley

Leandra Cantu Henry Anthony Benavidez

Samuel Hunter Hurley Ronin Alexander Nunez

Franstonburt Benjamin Obispo Owen William Toone

The following couples celebrated the

Sacrament of Marriage:

Raul Gamez & Leanna Perales Robert Owens & Patricia Dill Ryan Toone & Monica Doiron

Kevin Wheeler & Courtney Sherman

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT & CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 23, 24, 25, 2017

We wish all of our parishioners a

blessed and peaceful

Christmas!

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church~ Every Christmas and New Year we reach out and extend a greeting of peace to our loved ones and friends. Sadly, that peace seems to have escaped us once again in 2017. It’s been a difficult year filled with tragedies against innocent people, natural disasters and conflicts between nations. It’s easy to lose hope. Yet, Christmas is here again with its never-ending promise of something new and wonderful! Under the most difficult social and political circumstances, our loving God took flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary in the small, insignificant village of Bethlehem. More than a children’s tale, this event marks the beginning of our salvation. In a profound way, God entered human history in the person of a small child—a child who is honored as our Lord and God. When I think about this event of 2017 years ago, I can only believe that God is still capable of working through our sinful human history—bringing about his Kingdom of justice, love and peace in ways that only the eyes of faith can discern. With our faith in Christ Jesus, we can act in ways that bring fulfillment to our world. Living with the faith that Christ is present—even in the midst of hopelessness—can give us courage to face each challenge. May this Christmas renew within each of us a certainty that all will be well.

Christ the Savior has been born! A Blessed Christmas to all! Msgr Perry

OneLifeLA 2018 Please join us for this year's OneLifeLA on Saturday, January 20. Our parish has chartered two buses to Los Angeles to peace-fully protest abortion and to support the sanctity of life. We will be leaving St. Elizabeth's parking lot at 8 a.m. and will re-turn at approximately 7 p.m. To secure a seat, payment of $20 adult, $10 child (under 18 years) will be accepted at St. Elizabeth's church office. This includes breakfast bag and water. Mark your calendar! Any questions? Please call Julie Black at 979-0306.

OFFICE HOURS

December 25& 26 Parish office closed.

December 27-29

Office opens until noon.

No Confessions: Friday, December 29.