24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 837-1090; FAX (949) 837-9510; www.st-nicholaschurch.org

School of Religious Education: (949) 837-7676

Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith

through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord.

We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds. Adopted July, 1996

BAPTISM Contact the Parish Office for Baptism scheduling and information.

MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DAY 24-hour adoration begins the second Wednesday of the month at the 9:00AM Mass.

DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM; Vietnamese—2nd Wednesday of the month at 8PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.

CLERGY

Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Quyen Truong Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Charbel Grbavac Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM, 7:00PM in Spanish Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM, and 5:00PM in Vietnamese. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM and 9:00AM Saturday: 9AM

Filipino Mass: 5:30PM, First Saturdays, October-June. Holy Days: 4PM Vigil, 7PM Spanish Vigil, 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM, and 7:30PM in Vietnamese.

RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday: 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3:00PM to 3:45PM or by appointment.

Parish Office Hours: Sunday: 8:30 AM—1:30 PM Monday through Friday: 9 AM—12 Noon; 1 PM — 7:00 PM;

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stewardship of Treasure

2018 2017 52-Weekly Required Budget

August 26th 19,026.49 $17,733.01 $25,856.00

Dear Parishioners,

In the Gospel today Jesus is challenged by the Pharisees and some of the experts of the Law about His disciples not following the Law. In the Jewish faith as in the Catholic faith exists hundreds of laws. These laws exist to assist us in being the best that we can be; however, when we are only concerned about the letter of the law, we lose focus and miss the spirit or the point of the law. Remember that Moses delivered the Ten Commandments from which come all of the other laws which help us to follow these ten commandments. When Jesus was questioned about which of these was the greatest, he gave the response; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” If we follow these two commandments, all others will be practiced automatically. Sometimes we get caught up in following traditions which may be started from following the law but with time these traditions can be outdated and not be practical or applicable to current times. This is where we have to go back to the law and determine if we are simply following the letter of the law or are we following the spirit of the law. The spirit of the law is far more relevant than the letter of the law. As we look at the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ response to the question which is the greatest commandment, I pray that we may reflect on their meaning in our lives as individuals and as a faith community. The laws of the church and of our government are meant for us to better live God’s commandments. We must not lose focus on what the spirit of the law is all about. Our customs and traditions can often lead to a distraction from God’s law to love Him above all and to love our neighbor as our self, remembering that we are created in the image and likeness of God and therefore are created to be good and loving to all we meet. Fr. George

Pastoral Services Appeal 2018

Thank you to all who have already participated in the PSA this year. If you did not receive

information about the PSA in the mail, there are brochures and pledge envelopes available in the

Church or in the Parish Office.

# Participating families: 368 Amount of pledges: $154,173

Payments received: $128,414.05

Once we reach our diocesan goal of $111,000, all monies over that amount

will be returned to St. Nicholas to help pay for the parking lot project.

Council of Catholic Women General Meeting

Friday, September 7th

Our speaker will be Jim Pacelli, who will speak on the Knights of Columbus. Social time is 9:30AM and

the meeting begins at 10:10AM. Please bring your coins for “Water for Life,” can tabs for Ronald

McDonald House, and pasta and sauce for Caterina’s Club.

If you have any questions, call Lynn at (949) 830-2920.

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

— CHURCH CLEANING —

More volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month after the

9AM Mass. If you can contribute an hour or two of your time, it would be appreciated! Our next church cleaning is

Tuesday, September 4th.

Call: Phoebe at (949) 855-9263 with any questions.

The School of Religious Education and the Parish Office are closed on Monday,

September 3rd for Labor Day. There is only one Mass at 9AM.

We will not have a 7AM Mass that morning.

Monday: 9AM Sr. Mary Phuongthao La Tuesday: 7AM Foster Andersen and Darlene Perak (d) 9AM Rita Keller (d) Wednesday: 7AM Linda Chong (d) 9AM Msgr. Otto Sporrer (d) Thursday: 7AM Victoria Rodriguez (d) 9AM Mung Nguyen Friday: 7AM All Souls 9AM Trang Le Saturday: 9AM Ruben Castro (d) 4PM Doug Sachman 7PM 30th Wedding Anniversary of Roman and Juanita Gomez Sunday: 7:30AM For the Parish 9:00AM Deak Rines (d) 10:45AM Richard Bloemberg (d) 12:30PM Mary Miano (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Hispanic Rosary, Church, 7PM

TUESDAY ______________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Knights of Columbus, Room 104/105, 6PM Devotions and Benediction, Church, 7PM Certification Basica Curso, Room 201, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM

THURSDAY Red Cross Blood Drive, Parish Center-1st Floor, 8AM Faith Alive—Faith Sharing, Room A, 10AM Hispanic RCIA, Room B, 6PM RCIA Class, Room 201, 7PM Hispanic Council, Room C, 7PM

FRIDAY CCW Meeting, Parish Center-1st Floor, 10AM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM

SATURDAY Wedding, Church, 1PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM

SUNDAY Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 11AM Library OPEN

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us? Psalm 15 The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord. Second Reading: James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 Religion that is pure is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction. Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

We Remember

Carmela Convertino and Rosanna Maboloc

who entered their new and eternal life in Christ.

Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever.

The St. Nicholas Library

The Library is OPEN!

The Library is open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, from 8:45am—12:45pm.

We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office. Freebie Cart: Rosaries, prayer cards and more!

Mass Intentions for the Week

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sacred Cloths of the Passion Presentation and Exhibit

Come to St. Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, September 5th to see an extraordinary presentation of the Sacred Cloths of the Passion including; the Shroud of Turin (Jesus’ Burial Shroud), the Sudarium of Oviedo (Covered Jesus’ head on the cross), and the Tunic of Argenteuil (Jesus 'seamless garment).

Two Live Presentations: 8:45AM and 6PM Passion Exhibit: 8:30AM-8PM

1042 Temple Terrace, Laguna Beach Contact Lisa at (949) 494-9701 for more information.

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The next Bible Studies will be September 11th and 25th at 6:30PM.

Teen/Family Mass on September 29th at 4PM.

Check out Facebook and Instagram for more activities coming up like Kidsfest, Pennies

from Heaven, movie nights, etc...

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @stnickym

What is Alpha?

Alpha is: • A practical introduction to the Christian

faith that gives guests an opportunity to explore the meaning of life.

• Fun, relaxed and totally non-pressured (that’s probably why over 19 million people around the world have already done it!).

• Where you listen, learn, discuss, and discover. Ask anything.

• A place where no question is off limits. How does it work? Each Alpha session begins with food, followed by a short talk looking at a different aspect of the Christian faith. After that, there is a time or discussion in a friendly small group. What is the cost? There is no charge for the Alpha course.

We’re all searching for more:

What is the point of life?/ Why is there suffering in the world?/ What happens when we die?/ Is forgiveness possible?

Sign up for the first Alpha Session which

starts on Thursday, Sept. 13th either in the Parish or SRE Offices.

YOUTH MINISTRY 2018 – 2019

Registration for Elementary and High School Religion Classes are

NOW OPEN!

IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY… COME TO THE SRE OFFICE and sign up for Religious Education. Classes are beginning to fill up and we will not be able to honor your request for a specific day if you don’t come in soon. Come to the SRE Office in the Parish Center Mondays through Thursdays to register from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4:30pm.

1st through 6th grades: Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday 4:15pm to 5:30pm 7th & 8th grades: Tuesday evenings, 7pm to 8:30pm Confirmation I and II Classes: Alternate Tuesdays, 7pm to 8:30pm

IMPORTANT CONFIRMATION NEWS

Confirmation preparation is a two-year program directed toward preparing high school students to deepen their faith commitment culminating in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students may join Confirmation I in their ninth, tenth or junior year of high school. Classes are held on alternate Tuesdays, beginning at 7PM and ending at 8:30PM. Students attending Catholic Schools must enroll and complete both years (Confirmation I and II) in order to be confirmed.

For more information, stop by the SRE office or call (949) 837-7676.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands…” -Psalm 100

Teen/Family Choir Needs YOU You’re invited to join the Teen/Family Choir—we sing at the Saturday, 4PM Mass once a month from September to May. Our practices are held every other Thursday evening from 7:30PM to 9PM in the Choir Loft. If you’re in junior high, high school, like to sing or play an instrument and want to be with a group of friendly people, and celebrate the Mass in a joyful way, the Teen/Family Choir is looking for you! Please call the SRE Office at (949) 837-7676 or come up to the choir loft on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 7:30PM.

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH “Adult Faith Formation” PRESENTS TWO CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDIES:

“The GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN” – a twelve-week study meeting on Monday evenings, in the St. Nicholas Parish Hall, to include: live class teaching, Catholic approach to the reading and interpretation of the biblical text, open class Q and A, along with the biblical history of doctrines and dogmas as taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Starting Monday, September 10, 2018, at 7:00 P.M. Room 201

“The BOOK OF REVELATION” – a twelve-week study meeting on Thursday mornings, in the St. Nicholas Parish Hall, to include: live class teaching, introduction to the Catholic approach to the reading and interpretation of this “Apocalyptic” book (in accordance with teaching of the Magisterium Office of the Catholic Church), and open class Q and A.

Starting Thursday, September 13, 2018, at 10:00 A.M. Room 201

For information relative to course content, biblical source material, Bible editions, etc. Please call: AL GUEVARA at (714) 848-1624.

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Nicholas Parish presents its 19th Annual

Saturday, Oct. 13th, 2018 1:00PM-7:30PM

Dancing, singing, good food, drinks and friends. Join your parish family—Invite your friends & loved ones. All proceeds from this event benefit the

St. Nicholas’ School of Religious Education.

Opportunity drawing held at 7:30PM $2,500 grand prize

(Total of $3700 in prizes) *winner does not need to be

present to win* Hourly Attendance Prizes of $50

“drawn from Grand Raffle tickets”

Oktoberfest Opportunity Raffle Tickets

The Oktoberfest Opportunity Raffle tickets have been mailed out this last week. The Oktoberfest is our main fundraiser for the School of Religious Education. Your support of our SRE Program by making a donation for the tickets is much appreciated. The winners of the raffle will be announced at the end of the Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 13th at 7:30PM (The winner does not need to be present). Please see the related post below for additional information regarding the Oktoberfest. Thank you for your prayers and support of our kids.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Lk 4:16-30, or, for Labor Day, any readings from the Mass “For the Blessings of Human Labor,” nos. 907-911

Tuesday: 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-37

Wednesday: 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15, 20-21; Lk 4:38-44

Thursday: 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6; Lk 5:1-11

Friday: 1 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40; Lk 5:33-39

Saturday: Mi 5:1-4a or Rom 8:28-30; Ps 13:6; Mt 1:1-16, 18-23 [18-23]

Sunday: Is 35:4-7a; Ps 146:7-10; Jas 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37

CHOIR RECRUITMENT MONTH

NOW IS A GREAT TIME FOR YOU TO BECOME A PART OF THIS EXCITING AND REWARDING WEEKLY LITURGICAL MINISTRY, FOR THE 2018-2019 SEASON. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES US THAT A

CHOIR ISNT JUST A LUXURY, IT’S A NECESSITY! PARISHES NEED CHOIRS. OUR CHOIR NEEDS YOU.

SIGN-UPS FOR ALL CHOIRS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AFTER ALL MASSES EVERY WEEKEND IN AUGUST. PLEASE SEE EMETT IN THE CHOIR LOFT, TAKE A TOUR OF THE LOFT, PEEK INSIDE THE PIPE ORGAN CHAMBERS, AND

SIGN UP! MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO IS SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING ONLY THEIR VERY BEST TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

REHEARSALS BEGIN IN MID-SEPTEMBER. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. DEADLINE TO JOIN IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH. BUT, PLEASE DON’T WAIT… COME UP TO THE CHOIR LOFT TODAY, SPEAK WITH EMETT,

AND JOIN NOW!

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH CHOIR 9:00AM

Our Parish Choir (SATB), under the direction of Emett, (our music director and accompanist),

rehearses on THURSDAY evenings from 7:15 to 8:45PM. Repertoire consists of all music styles: ancient, traditional, and contemporary. Present

membership stands at 46. (Some musical experience is necessary for membership in this choir.) Our goal is to recruit 7 new members.

ST. NICHOLAS CHORALE 10:45AM

Our Chorale (SATB), under the direction of Mary Ester, and accompanied by Emett,

rehearses on TUESDAYS evenings from 7:15 to 8:45PM. Repertoire also consists of all styles of music. Present membership stands at 23. Our

goal is to recruit many more voices.

The Unity Group will again host our 8th annual “United to Celebrate” dinner on Saturday, September 15th at 5PM in the Parish Hall. If you haven’t experienced this traditional festivity, we encourage you to come and enjoy the rich diversity of St. Nicholas Parish. Food, fun, and fellowship are guaranteed.

There is no charge but we encourage donations for our Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which helps the needy in our area.

September 2nd, 2018 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Come join us! Inquiry classes leading to reception into the Catholic Church or the return to the faith will begin on Thursday, September 6th, 2018, at 7PM, in Room 201 in the Parish Center.

Call Betty Farrell at (949) 400-6875

The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross

invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday, September 6th—7:45am to 7:45pm at St. Nicholas Church in the

Parish Center.

To schedule appointments call one of the following: 949-831-0208, 949-581-5503, 949-350-3282

Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment for faster service!

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Gregory the Great; Labor Day Friday: First Friday Saturday: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. — James 1:21b