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. Filipino—1st Saturday of the month Novena and Rosary Devotion from October-June after the 4PM

CLERGY

Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Martin Tran Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Brendan Hankins Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos Deacon Carlos Pineda 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

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—12:30 PM; Monday through Friday: 9AM– 12Noon; 1PM– 5:15PM

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH

December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

Dear Parishioners, On this Third Sunday of Advent, we continue to hear about John the Baptist. John was sent to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus and in fact he had pointed Jesus out as the one who was sent to save the world. This week we hear John questioning Jesus’ disciples about who Jesus is. John is in prison and he begins to question whether or not Jesus was the Messiah. We are sometimes like John when we begin to doubt who Jesus is. Like John we are able to point the way to Jesus but sometimes when trials come our way we begin to question. This season of Advent is a time for us to prepare ourselves spiritually to meet the Lord Jesus as we remember His birth and look forward to His second coming. As we have heard from John, we prepare ourselves to meet Jesus by reflecting on our sinfulness and repent as we experience our call to conversion and a closer walk with Jesus. The best way to prepare spiritually is to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Our parish penance service is this coming Wednesday Dec. 18, at 7:00 p.m. We will have many priests present to hear confessions and administer absolution. Please plan on coming to this service to prevent missing the opportunity before Christmas. As we move into the second half of Advent, I pray that we may all experience the light, hope, and love of Jesus, and I pray especially for those who struggle spiritually during this time. This is a time of hope, peace, and light and many people in the world need extra grace from God during this time. During this week, we experience the Winter Solstice when our days will begin to lengthen. As the light of day lengthens we also recognize the light of Christ coming into the world on Christmas Day. Fr. George

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time November 3, 2019 Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

Cold and Flu Season

We are entering into another cold and flu season and it is important for all of us to be mindful of our own health and those around us. It is advised that we all be diligent about washing our hands and if we are not feeling well to not be out in public where we may be spreading our germs. During this time, I remind you to be conscientious especially during the sign of peace at Mass. If someone is not willing to hold hands during the “Our Father” or shake hands at the sign of peace, please respect their decision and simply voice your wish for peace. Beginning last weekend, we will not distribute the Precious Blood at communion time temporarily during the cold and flu season. This also gives me the opportunity to remind everyone that Jesus is fully present; body and blood in the Host as well as the cup, so we are receiving the full reality of the Eucharist even if we only receive the Host.

Monday: 7AM Anthony F. Piccione, Jr. (d) 9AM Jose Garcia (d)

Tuesday: 7AM Madge Hammond (d) 9AM Ed Booth (d)

Wednesday 7AM Peter Thuy Vu (d) 9AM Maria Miano (d)

Thursday: 7AM Thomas Loodus, Jr. (d) 9AM Denny Kouri (d)

Friday: 7AM Fr. Elford Wanke (d) 9AM Barbara Debolt

Saturday: 9AM Virginia Gutierrez 4PM Raul & Rosita de la Barra 7PM Antonio Gallardo (d)

Sunday: 7:30AM David Hamil (d) 9:00AM Yong Sik Choi (d) 10:45AM For the Parish 12:30PM Dorothy Karpowski

We Remember All our recently deceased, especially Daniel Scott Kennen and Shawn Smith 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.

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM SRE, Parish Center, 1st Floor, 4:15PM New Life Filipino Group, Small Hall, 5:30PM Hispanic Rosary, Church, 7PM Hispanic Marriage Encounter, Room C, 7:00PM

TUESDAY SRE, Parish Center, 1st Floor, 4:15PM St. Nicholas Corale, Small Hall, 7:00PM Confirmation I, Upstairs, 7PM 7th/8th Grade, Parish Center, 7:00PM Teen Choir, Choir Loft, 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY Charismatic Prayer, Room A, 9:45AM SRE, Parish Center, 1st Floor 4:15PM St. Vincent de Paul, Room A, 6:00PM Knights of Columbus, Rooms 104 & 105, 6:30PM Devotions and Benedictions, Church, 7:30PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM

THURSDAY Faith Alive, Room A, 9:45AM Hispanic RCIA , Room B, 6PM RCIA in Parish Center - 1st Floor & Kitchen, 7PM Teen Choir in Church, 7:30PM St. Nicholas Parish Choir, Small Hall, 7PM Hispanic Council, Room C, 7:00PM

FRIDAY Little Company of Mary Associates, Small Hall, 7:00AM Las Posadas, Parish Center, 1st floor & Kitchen, 5PM Baptism Preparation, Room C, 7PM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room B, 7PM

SATURDAY Hispanic Choir, Room B, 7PM

SUNDAY SRE Confirmation II, Parish Center, 8PM RCIA, Room B , 9AM Liturgy of the Word, Room A, 10AM Baptism, Church, 2PM Library CLOSED

Mass Intentions for the Week

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — The barren deserts will rejoice and flower (Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10). Psalm — Lord, come and save us (Psalm 146). Second Reading — Be patient, for the coming of the Lord is as sure as the rain (James 5:7-10). Gospel — Tell of what you hear and see: The blind regain their vision, the crippled their movement, the deaf their hearing (Matthew 11:2-11). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

Confirmation/Youth Ministry Leaders – We will have a Confirmation ll Class on Dec. 22 at 9am, followed by 10:45am mass. After this class on the 22nd, our next Conf. II class will be on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 at 9am. Teen/Family Mass is on Christmas Eve Dec 24 at 4PM. Choir rehearsals for this Mass will be on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 19th at 7:30pm in choir loft. Christmas Eve Pageant will take place at 3:30pm, before the 4PM Christmas Eve Mass. Please join us and celebrate the birth of our Savior together! Rehearsals for the pageant will be on Tuesday, 12/17 and Thursday, 12/19 at 6:30pm in the church.

Starting this week, SRE students continue to learn about Advent and the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They will have advent calendars to help guide them. SRE Classes will meet this week: Elementary Classes will meet this Monday through Wednesday, December 16 through Dec 18 from 4:15pm to 5:30pm

Junior High Class will meet on Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm-8:30pm

Confirmation l classes will meet on Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm – 8:30pm

Confirmation ll class will meet on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 9am followed by 10:45am Mass

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @stnickym YOUTH MINISTRY

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP

PRAYER GROUP

PRAISE AND WORSHIP PRAYER GROUP WILL NOT MEET IN THE MONTH OF

December, 2019.

QUESTIONS: PHOEBE 949 855-9263

The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross

...invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday,

Jan. 16, 2020—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!

Teen/family choir at Villa Valencia on Sunday dec 8. Some 20 residents sang along with the choir in singing familiar Christmas carols.

Simbang Gabi Mass St. Nicholas Parish Church December 22, 2019 (Sunday) @ 6:30p.m. Celebrant: Rev. George P. Blais, Pastor Simbang Gabi literally means “AN EVENING MASS”, It begins during the Advent Season, (Dec 14 – 22) culminating at the Christmas midnight mass. It is a Novena of Masses celebrated for nine consecutive Days as a spiritual preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Feel the spirit of Christmas by joining us at 6:30 pm for the Simbang Gabi Mass, December 22, 2019

October 27, 2019 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

CHURCH CLEANING

Volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet on the JANUARY 7, 2020, after the 9:00 am Mass. Next cleaning will be on February 5th,2020.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Call Barbara Amico at (949) 233-2631, or Email: 4boccegirl@gmail.com

Teen Choir Rehearsal:

Tuesday, Dec. 17th &Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 pm in The Choir Loft, we will be singing at the 4PM Christmas Eve Mass.

On Tuesday, Dec. 24th, the Christmas Eve Pageant will be performed at 3:30pm – before the 4:00pm Mass. Volunteers are needed to participate in the non-speaking roles. Please call the SRE Office at 949-837-7676 if you’d like to help. Practices for this are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30pm in Church.

A Musical Celebration

Christmas Songs for the Spirit and Soul

FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT

December 22nd at 3 PM Lutheran Church of the Cross

24231 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, CA 92637

We will be accepting donations of Poinsettias in memory of a loved one to help decorate the Church and Parish

Center for Christmas. Please bring the flowers to the Parish Office between

December 20 and 23. Thank you for your generosity

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a wheelchair

this weekend.

This event is

to provide

wheelchairs for Veterans in Orange County.

SENIOR SINGLES LUNCH

We will gather for lunch on Friday Dec. 20, 2019 at 12:30 at 19th Hole, 24112 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills.

Reservation Required

RSVP Joan Petrime (949) 855-8755 New members are invited and welcomed. Friendship with the love of God in our hearts.

December 15, 2019 Third Sunday of Advent

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Penance Service Wednesday Dec. 18th at 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Vigil Masses Tuesday Dec. 24th 4:00 p.m. with Christmas pageant beginning at 3:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Spanish in the Hall, 8:00 p.m. Vietnamese, 11:00 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 25th Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. only. Thursday and Friday, Dec 26th and 27th, NO 7:00 A.M. MASS, 9:00 a.m. Mass only. New Year’s Day is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Wednesday Jan. 1, 9:00 a.m. Mass only. There will be no 7:00 A.M. MASS ON Wed. Thurs, or Fri. Jan 1—3. Only the 9:00 Mass on these days. Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to all.