SPRING 2014
Happy 60th Birthday, OLG!
El Cajon, CA
In the spring of 1954, the new parish of Our Lady of Grace was founded on 6.5 acres of land bought from the Fletcher family. First
pastor Fr. Lucian Lauerman celebrated the first Mass in an old airplane hangar on the property on May 30, 1954.
Amid the building boom that occurred in the surrounding neighborhoods of Fletcher Hills and San Carlos, the parish itself also erected
its infrastructure. By September 1957, OLG School opened its doors to grades one through four. Two months later, the first Mass was
celebrated in the first permanent church structure on the grounds (now Lauerman Hall). That building served as the church until May 2,
1970, when the first Mass was celebrated in the present building.
The parish will mark the 60th birthday with various events throughout the coming months. Launching the activities is a family event
on Saturday, May 10 from 7 to 10 p.m. in Moloney Center. The “OLG Birthday Dance Fiesta” will feature live music from “Breezin
Band of San Diego,” dance instructors and Mexican street food. Watch the weekly parish bulletin and The Parishioner for updates on
other upcoming festivities.
The actual anniversary will be acknowledged at Mass on Friday, May 30 and at the Masses that weekend. Coincidentally, Bishop Cirilo
Flores will be here that weekend as well to celebrate the Ascension of the Lord and Confirmation at the Sunday, June 1 Mass at 5:30
p.m.
Page 2
Pastor’s Corner
Step into the Desert
Dear parishioners,
No doubt, all of us have been to or travelled through a desert at one point or another in our lives. I recently
read something about deserts that made me think about the desert of the Lenten journey:
Deserts can be places of beauty but also of danger. Anyone journeying into them needs to take
measures to safeguard themselves. Jesus spent some time in the desert. Right after his baptism the
Spirit of God drove him into the desert, where he spent 40 days – like the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness – facing down Satan
and wild animals and beginning the journey of his ministry. He was ready and also protected, for angels waited on him. In these
early weeks of March, we take the first steps into the desert of the Lenten journey. God puts us there, but God will also accompany
us and welcome us at the end. What old temptations and beasts of your soul will you guard against? (Used with permission from
Prepare the Word, ©2014, www.PrepareTheWord.com)
On this Lenten journey, let us hold one another in prayer:
Lord Jesus, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. During this Lent, lead us by your Holy Spirit to live more faithfully
in Christian freedom. Through prayer, increased charity and the disciplines of this sacred season, draw us closer to you. Purify the
intentions of our hearts so all our Lenten observances give you praise and glory. Grant that through our words and actions, we may
be faithful messengers of the gospel message to a world in need of the hope of your mercy. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Peter M. McGuine
Pastor
Interested in
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Parishioner?
Please contact:
[email protected]
for more
information.
Please pray for our parishioners
and their family members who
are serving in the military. May
God keep them safe and return
them home to a Nation at peace.
The Parishioner Staff
Editor...........................................Kathy Wilson
Associate Editor........................Lesley Bradley
Graphics Designer......................Robert Gomez
Contact: [email protected] or the OLG
rectory at (619) 469-0133
Page 3
OLG: 60 Years Strong
Page 4
about what goes on behind the scenes of that ancient ritual.)
Francis: Pope of a New World
by Andrea Tornielli
200 pp.
Publishers: Ignatius Press.
Before reading this short but fascinating biography our new Holy
Father, I did not know:
- that when he was 17, Jorge Mario Bergoglio – the future
Pope Francis – felt affection for a girl from the local Catholic
Action group in his Buenos Aires, Argentina neighborhood
and was seriously considering proposing marriage. But one
day in 1953, as he was preparing to join her and other friends
on a picnic, he changed his mind at the last minute and went
to his parish church for, as he put it later, “no apparent reason
other than I simply wanted to.” There he found a priest he had
never met before and decided to go to confession. During that
confession, he “discovered” his vocation to the priesthood. It
would be another seven years before he acted on that decision
by entering the Jesuit order and eventually was ordained in
1969.
- that under the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus, Jesuits
are prohibited from seeking to be bishops. But, thanks to his
keen ability to spot individual talent and spirituality, Pope
John Paul II overrode that rule and chose Padre Jorge Mario
Bergoglio to belong to the college of bishops, thereby laying
the groundwork that would eventually lead to the election of
the first Jesuit pontiff.
- that on the eve of his election to the papacy, Cardinal Bergoglio
reported sleeping “like a baby” and was so certain that he
would not be elected that he had prepared his Holy Thursday
homily that he planned to deliver upon his return home. He
had booked his flight home from Rome and was looking
forward to an appointment he’d made with representatives of
the Buenos Aires Jewish community.
These are just a few of the anecdotal gems to be found in Francis,
Pope of A New World, written by Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican
correspondent for the Italian newspaper La Stampa who specializes
in books about the papacy.
Not in my lifetime – and I can claim the distinction of having
lived (so far) during the reigns of eight popes – have I seen
such widespread commentary about a pontiff, generated literally
from the first moment of his election. (Tornielli’s account of the
weeks and days leading up to and immediately following Francis’
ascension to the Chair of Peter is the most revealing I’ve ever read
The reaction of the world’s news media to Francis’ somewhat
“un-popelike” activities from the moment he stepped out onto that
balcony the night of March 13, 2014 has been, to put it mildly,
interesting to watch. Tornielli rightly notes that the reporting has
been mostly positive, even enthusiastic, about a man who eschews
many of the trappings usually associated with this highest of all
religious offices. After all, who ever heard of a pope greeting
the cheering throng gathered in St. Peter’s Square with a simple,
“Good evening,” then asking them to bless him before he imparted
his first papal blessing upon them? Or try to find another newlyelected pontiff declining the use of the chauffeured Vatican limo
to return to the residence used by the College of Cardinals during
the papal conclave, opting instead to ride in the bus with his fellow
cardinals? And who can forget the news photo of Pope Francis in
his new white cassock paying his own hotel bill at the residence?
Then there’s the phone call he made to the man who delivered his
newspapers in Buenos Aires to cancel his subscription, followed
by his meeting with the Jesuit Father General to accept his offer
of Jesuit support.
The author notes that some cynics have questioned the authenticity
of the new pope’s actions, wondering whether or not these were
merely good public relations moves amid the Church’s various
recent scandals. Tornielli’s book often reads more like a novel than
a biography, but she has taken pains to authenticate her material
and shows that Francis’ “acts” of simple human kindness and
humility have been a part of who the man is since his childhood.
In 1929, Francis’ family emigrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina
from a small Italian village to join other members of the family
who had settled there a few years earlier. The future pope’s father,
Mario, met and married Regina Sivori, an Argentine with Italian
roots, in 1935. One year later, on December 17, 1936, Jorge
Mario Bergoglio was born – the eldest of five children. He recalls
learning to speak Italian as a young man thanks to his grandparents
who never adapted to Argentina’s dominant language, Spanish.
He learned to cook from his mother, who needed help in the
kitchen because she had difficulty standing for long periods of
time following a temporary paralysis she incurred giving birth to
her youngest child. Francis used this talent many years later as
a bishop, cooking for his students with whom he lived as rector
and faculty member of Colegio Maximo, a Buenos Aires parochial
college where he had received his degree in philosophy. When
asked how good a cook he is, he told the author: “Well, I never
killed anyone with my food!”
The future pope’s family was not well off, nor did they lack the
necessities. His sister recalled that the Bergoglios were “poor with
dignity.” She believes that Jorge Mario’s frugality stems from those
childhood years when “nothing was thrown out as Mama succeeded
in salvaging worn-out clothing by sewing and patching.”
Prior to entering the Jesuit seminary, Jorge became gravely ill and,
at age 21, was in danger of dying from a lung infection. Eventually,
he had to undergo the removal of the upper part of his right lung.
Tornielli reveals that it was Jorge’s mother who had reservations
about his desire to become a priest. She remained cool to the idea
almost up to the day of his ordination when, according to Francis,
she knelt down before him at the end of the ceremony to ask for his
first blessing.
See Catholic Bookshelf, Page 5
Page 5
But the question remains: Is Francis purposely carrying out these acts
of simple reverence and concern for the poor to send a message? The
author concludes that he is sending a message but not one that he
just thought up as he ascended to the Chair of Peter. On the contrary, working for and living
among the less fortunate has been a pattern of his whole priestly life, particularly when he was
Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
Catholic Bookshelf
Continued from Page 4
Cardinal Bergoglio’s ultimate commitment to steer the Roman Church to, as he calls it, “a Church
of the poor,” came during the few seconds when the results of the vote to elect him pope were
announced in the conclave. Here is his account of what occurred: “Cardinal Claudio Hummes of
Sao Paolo, a dear, dear friend, turned to embrace me amid the applause and, as he hugged me he
said, ‘Do not forget the poor.’” The pope continues, “That word stuck in my head; the poor, the
poor. Then immediately I thought of Francis of Assisi. Then I thought of the wars…and Francis
is the man of peace. And so the name Francis came to my heart: Francis of Assisi. For me he is
the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and safeguards Creation. He is the man
who gives us this spirit of each, the poor man…Oh, how I wish for a Church that is poor and for
the poor!”
Based on what I learned in this wonderful little book, I wouldn’t bet against him succeeding.
Jesus’ “Downward Mobility” and the “Good Life”
By Rosemary Johnston
Like millions of other viewers around the globe, I spent several
nights in February watching the Olympic events unfolding in
Sochi, replete with innumerable advertisements. While some
elicited a smile, others were disconcerting.
weakness, from glory to ignominy. The whole life of Jesus of
Nazareth was a life in which all upward mobility was resisted.” In
the reign of God, he explains, the poor are the messengers of the
good news.
I was taken aback by the Cadillac advertisement entitled “Work
hard.” It depicted a smug, arrogant guy surrounded by all the
accouterments of upward mobility. He suggested that the key to
success is to take less vacation time and to wallow in American
consumerism and superiority. “It’s pretty simple,” he said as he
unplugged his $75,000 electric powered Cadillac. “You work
hard, you create your own luck, and you gotta believe anything is
possible. As for all the stuff, that’s the upside of only taking two
weeks off in August. N’est-ce pas?” (translated as “Isn’t it so?” or
“Isn’t that the truth?”)
The three temptations of upward mobility, as outlined by Nouwen
in this jewel of a book, are the temptation to be relevant, the
temptation to be spectacular, and the temptation to be powerful.
The Cadillac actor embodied all of these temptations in his arrogant
narrative.
The ad triggered a firestorm of online commentary and provided
a stark contrast to the “downward mobility” of Jesus described in
the gospels as well as the truly “good life” outlined in the eight
Beatitudes. Spiritual writer Henri Nouwen, in one of his lesser
known books The Selfless Way of Christ: Downward Mobility and
the Spiritual Life, suggests that the idolatry of “upward mobility”
has become the new “true” religion. “The great paradox which
scripture reveals to us is that real and total freedom is only found
through downward mobility,” he wrote. “The Word of God came
down to us and lived among us as a slave. The divine way is indeed
the downward way.”
Jesus, he points out, “moved from power to powerlessness, from
greatness to smallness, from success to failure, from strength to
Jesus invites us to resist these temptations and to empty ourselves
of these desires so that we may be more available to serve others.
For people of faith, this is the truly “good life.” “The basis of
all ministry is the experience of God’s unlimited and unlimiting
acceptance of us as beloved children, an acceptance so full, so total
and all-embracing, that it sets us free from our compulsion to be
seen, praised and admired and frees us for Christ, who leads us
on the road to service,” Nouwen wrote. What a counter-cultural
message that is!
This downward mobility in order to truly experience the good life
God has in mind for all of us does not mean we should abandon
a desire for excellence in the utilization of our God-given gifts,
irregardless of our chosen careers. But it does suggest a different
yardstick by which we measure our success. “How blest are the
poor in spirit: the reign of God is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3) N’est-ce
pas?
Page 6
VOLUNTEERS
The OLG Arts and Environment ministry thanks all the volunteers who helped decorate the church for
Christmas, and those who donated financially to the effort, including the Knights of Columbus for the fresh
greenery garlands and Glenn Wilhite and Brickman Landscaping for the poinsettias.
Help is also needed to decorate for Easter. We will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Holy Saturday, April 19. This is a
great opportunity for confirmation candidates, youth group members and OLG School parents to earn service
hours. High school age and above, please. Make sure to bring your service hour forms to be signed!
Please email Kathy Wilson at [email protected] to sign up to help or for more information.
Interfaith Shelter
By John Campbell, shelter coordinator
This year Our Lady of Grace hosted the
Interfaith Shelter Jan. 4-18. As in previous
years, the parish community was fantastic
with the support it gave our less fortunate
but very deserving brothers and sisters.
We had 11 guests every evening. Among
them were a married couple and a single
man who quickly transitioned to more
permanent housing within days of arriving
at OLG. There was another young man
who without the availability of our shelter
housing would not have been able to start
his new job and keep it. All of our guests were very grateful for so
much good food and a safe and cheerful
place to rest and recuperate. It took an
average of 20 volunteers each night to
serve as hosts, servers, attendants and
greeters. Hot meals were provided every
evening and nearly everything was eaten!
We had several father-son teams helping
and a couple of very special families who
contributed very generously of their time
helping at the shelter for several nights.
Thank you to everyone who participated
and please remember to pray for our
guests. “To love God and neighbor is not something
abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means
seeing in every person and face of the Lord
to be served, to serve him concretely. And
you are, dear brothers and sisters, in the
face of Jesus.” – Pope Francis, on a visit
last May to a homeless shelter.
Editor’s Note: Pope Francis continues to
make economic justice a priority, speaking
frequently on poverty and homelessness. In
December he met with Canadian sculptor
Timothy Schmalz, who created the work
entitled “Homeless Jesus.” The artwork
was mentioned in an article by parishioner
Rosemary Johnston in the fall 2013 issue of
The Parishioner. At their meeting, Schmalz
showed the pontiff a scaled down model of
the sculpture, which depicts a man asleep
on a park bench with a blanket covering all
but his bare feet that bear the piercing of
crucifixion. The piece has elicited strong
responses for its unsettling resemblance
to the reality of homelessness today and
it was rejected by some churches for not
depicting an “appropriate” image of
Jesus. Pope Francis blessed the statue and
commissioned another life-size version of
the piece; plans are to install it in Rome
near a busy street corner where a homeless
woman died last year, just blocks from St.
Peter’s Square.
More than 140 people were blessed with prayers for spiritual and physical well-being at the annual Healing Mass on
Feb. 7. Those in attendance, as well as Fr. Peter and Fr. Tim, then enjoyed a luncheon in Moloney Center that was put
on by the Catholic Women’s Club.
Page 7
VOLUNTEERS
OLG Fall Festival Promises Family-Friendly Event
By Tom Dean
The program committee for the annual OLG Fall Festival reports that the activities being planned for the three-day event in September
will appeal to all ages, with special focus on family entertainment.
“Our team is working very hard in putting together an event that will ensure a good time in a safe environment for every member of the
family,” said Antonio Rosselli and Wes Ciesielski, this year’s co-chairs. “We’ve selected a theme, ‘Country Jamboree,’ which gives us
a wide latitude for games, food and entertainment that we think will be wholesome and fun while helping raise funds for the parish,”
Rosselli said.
The festival is scheduled to open after the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Thursday evening, Sept. 18, with bingo games and a dinner in Moloney
Center, and will end Saturday night, Sept. 20 with a raffle drawing. OLG School will be off on Friday so that families can enjoy the
rides, entertainment and other activities. Mass schedules will not be affected, although the festival will observe a “silent hour” during
the Saturday evening Mass.
Ciesielski noted that parishioners are encouraged to mark these dates on their calendars and are reminded that the event is open to
everyone, not just OLG members. “If we all spread the word among friends and families, especially those in the El Cajon and East
County area, we can greatly improve the chances of having the most successful festival ever,” he said.
A highlight of the festival is the Talent Show, to be held Friday and Saturday in Moloney Center. This is a great opportunity for talented
parishioners of all ages to showcase their abilities to the whole OLG community. Among the performers at last year’s festival were
singers, dancers and musicians on a variety of instruments. Family acts of parents with their children are welcome as well as group acts
or solo children or adults. Appropriate attire is required – no revealing costumes.
Besides looking for acts to perform onstage in the parish hall, the organizing committee is seeking musical bands to play outdoors during
the fair. Organizers will screen the acts in advance, beginning in August.
For more information and registration forms for the talent show and musical entertainment, please contact Deb Renick at 462-2958
or [email protected]. For more information or to volunteer for the festival itself, please call Mary Cloward at 463-1129 or Carol
Bonanno at 589-2978. Even if you can’t help on the festival weekend, there’s plenty of work to do in advance, so please lend a hand!
Moloney Kitchen Ambassadors
By Nettie Aguinaldo
The Kitchen Ambassador Committee was initiated a year ago after the renovated “Gallagher’s Kitchen” was completed in Moloney
Center. The committee is comprised of representatives of all the major parish organizations that use the kitchen. Guidelines were
initiated to insure that the kitchen remains clean and in top condition throughout the heavy use it gets, without overburdening parish
maintenance staff.
Each group is responsible for its own cleanup after functions. When a private event is held, such as a funeral reception, a member of the
Ambassador Committee is there to greet the attendees and follow up throughout the cleanup, to ensure that the facility’s users leave it
as spotless as they found it.
Another function of this committee is to assist in making sure that cleaning supplies are readily available and that all equipment is
working well and any necessary repairs are reported in a timely manner.
Additionally, the Knights of Columbus generously band together every three or four months to give the kitchen a detailed cleaning,
particularly around the stove and ovens.
“Gallagher’s Kitchen” is a very busy area of the parish all year long. By working together in this way parish organizations and individual
parish families are all able to enjoy it.
Page 8
ORGANIZATIONS
What is the International Catholic Families Cooking Up?
By Carmen Rafferty-Howlett
The International Catholic Families group thanks outgoing president Dr.
Andy Alongi for his many hours of service and welcomes Tony Rosselli as
this year’s president. He and his wife, Rosa, are very involved in many OLG
organizations and activities. They both are very instrumental in organizing
ICF’s sausage and meatball sales. Tony’s experience in restaurant management
means he’s not only a great Italian cook, but also adept at orchestrating a
major food sale event.
On March 16, join us for the annual St. Joseph’s Table event, an Italian tradition
that began many centuries ago in Sicily. During a great famine, the villagers
prayed to St. Joseph for help and their prayers were answered. With the end
of the famine a special feast of thanksgiving was held in commemoration
of the saint. The very wealthy helped prepare a huge celebration with many
special dishes and then fed the poor, sick and homeless. At OLG, the ICF
celebrates this tradition and honors St. Joseph (whose feast day is March 19),
with a pasta dinner in Moloney Center. Various homemade breads and the
traditional donut-like dessert called sfinge will also be offered. Proceeds will
go to the OLG Food Pantry fund.
ICF
members
Nettie
Bob Thomas and Fe
Aguinaldo,
Medy
DelaCruz check on what’s
Delgado, Marina Malvar,
cooking. Wes Ciesielski
Trini Toledo and Lillian
and Ron Gardner help
Valencia pause in their
with a lumpia sale.
food preparation efforts.
Longtime member Tony
Rosselli is the group’s On the first Sunday of every month we offer coffee and donuts for sale. In February we supplemented the
new president.
donuts with a Filipino food sale that included chicken adobo, pancit and lumpia. Don’t forget that you
can also now pre-order for any of the Filipino food sales. Nettie Aguinaldo has taken on the challenge of
organizing and manning this continuing event.
In February we held our corporate communion, where we celebrated Mass together and then went out to brunch. We look forward to a
trip to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev. April 21-23. As of mid-February, there was still room for more participants. We thank Rosa Rosselli
and Debbie Renick for their hard work planning this trip.
The ICF appreciates parishioners’ ongoing support of our fundraising efforts for a variety of parish programs such as Holiday Angels,
the food pantry and Interfaith Shelter, as well as college scholarships and other parish needs.
We welcome you to join us at our regular meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in Moloney Center. Even though our
name is International Catholic Families you don’t need to be a family to join. We are always looking for new members - couples, singles
or otherwise. Stop by and join us at our next meeting and enjoy a dinner on us!
Knights of Columbus
By Reese Pettinger
The Frances Cabrini Council of the Knights of Columbus has
continued to serve Our Lady of Grace and our community. As
always, the Knights emphasized their principles of charity, unity,
fraternity and patriotism. Through acts of service, both large
and small, we continue to strive to improve our little slice of the
world.
As part of our Saturday Knights program, many council volunteers
conducted a thorough cleaning of Gallagher’s Kitchen in Moloney
Center in November and February. We will continue to conduct
periodic intensive cleanings of the kitchen to keep it in top shape,
supplementing the regular cleanup done by groups or individuals
following their usage of the kitchen.
The Knights were very involved in holiday festivities and events
during this Christmas season. Knights assisted with the Christmas
dinner dance fundraiser, including ticket sales, coordinated
by Brother Gregg Degan, and manning the beer and wine bar.
Additionally, Brother Jim Johnson led the charge for the Christmas
greenery sales, which decorated many parishioners’ homes as well
as the church.
Brother John Campbell led the Knights’ involvement in the
Interfaith Shelter in early January. Volunteers helped in assisting
and ministering to several homeless families of our community,
regardless of faith. Without doubt, many lives were touched
through their selfless efforts.
Supporting our younger members of OLG parish, Brother Mike
Retz and other Knights coordinated the annual Free Throw Contest
and barbeque at the school on Jan. 16. The winners at the school
level advanced to district, followed by the chapter and state levels.
Five of our OLG students made it to the state level this year!
See Knights, Page 9
Page 9
ORGANIZATIONS
Catholic Women’s Club
By Tommie Lenox
In Genesis 12:2 we read that we are blessed to be a blessing. In
the Catholic Women’s Club, our growing membership is blessed
with prayers, fellowship and friendship as we find opportunities
to bless and support OLG with service and fundraisers.
The Women’s Club was one of many organizations that helped
make the Holiday Angels program and the Interfaith Shelter
such a success this winter. Another tradition is the luncheon
we sponsor every year after the Healing Mass. Amid festive
Valentine’s Day decorations, more than 140 attendees enjoyed
a delightful assortment of salads, sandwiches and desserts
prepared and served by the ladies in the pink shirts on Feb. 7 in
Moloney Center. The Catholic Women’s Club recently presented Fr. Peter with
Our Bagel and Bread Sundays, bunco events and bake sales new altar cloths and priests’ vestments.
continue to raise money for parish needs. In 2013, the Catholic
Women’s Club donated $10,394.38 to the Moloney Kitchen Remodel Fund and since January we have added more than $1,500 to the
fund. Don’t miss our Spring Bake Sale scheduled for April 27. Proceeds from this will enable us to do even more for the parish.
Among our most recent acquisitions for OLG were two beautiful new altar cloths and four vestments used for daily Mass. Plans are in
motion to purchase Sunday vestments for our dedicated priests.
We offer many thanks to the loyal parishioners who attend and support all of our fundraisers. You are the key to our success, blessing
us to be a blessing in many ways as we serve the needs of our parish and beyond.
Save the third Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. for our club meetings as we gather for fun, fellowship and service. Don’t forget to
watch the bulletin for special events and speakers. There is always something exciting happening. As the hymn says, “All are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.”
55 Plus Club
Knights
Continued from Page 8
By Mary Cloward
The 55 Plus Club will have a luncheon in Moloney Center every month through June:
on Tuesday, April 1, Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, June 3 before we take a summer
break.
February’s lunch had a valentine theme and in March we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day
by the wearing of the green. In April we will welcome Easter and in May we’ll enjoy
spring flowers. The June theme as we anticipate summer will be “Here today, gone to
Maui.” Hawaiian dancers from the group Hula for Jesus will entertain that day.
Typically, more than 150 guests attend the lunches for great food and a chance to
socialize with parishioners, friends, family and new acquaintances. We play bingo
and at least 15 door prizes are
awarded. The door prizes are
gift cards purchased through
the school scrip program. Lunch is $7 per person and
reservation forms can be
found in the bulletin stands in
church or in the rectory if you
did not make a reservation at
the previous luncheon. For more information please
call Mary Cloward at 4631129.
Other areas where our council has
proudly made an impact on our parish and
community include:
- Sponsoring a family of six in this past
season’s Holiday Angel program
- Cleaning of the Marian Grotto
- Repair of the overhead shade for the
OLG School kindergarten
Are you interested in helping to serve
our parishioners, our parish, and our
community? Have you considered the
Knights of Columbus? Our cornerstone
values are charity, unity, fraternity and
patriotism, and we strive to apply those
values to improving the world around us.
We need your experience, talent and energy.
We recognize that individual families are
the first priority for every Knight, and each
Knight gives as much of his time as he
feels is appropriate. For more information
on joining, please call Chris Jones at (207)
751-7128 or the rectory at 469-0133.
OLG SCHOOL
Page 10
Annual Schoolwide Learning Expectation Presentations
During the last quarter of their education
at OLG School, the eighth graders create
their mastery presentations, in which they
articulate their progress in achieving their
schoolwide learning expectations (SLE’s).
These expectations were compiled by
all stakeholders of the school and parish
approximately 12 years ago.
As a member of the parish, please consider
offering time to serve as a panelist for our
eighth graders. Presentations will be held
during the morning hours on Friday, March
28; Monday, March 31; and Friday, April
4. More specific information, a sign-up
sheet, and a list of our SLE’s are available
By Principal Susan Hause
on our website at www.olg.org. As you will
see, our presentations are staggered during
different time frames because of facility
availability. Check any and all time slots
that you are available. The specific room
location will be provided at check-in the
morning of the presentations.
A good deal of energy in this process
comes from the panelists who attend these
presentations and question and affirm these
young people on their way to high school.
Much work has gone into this project on the
part of the students and teachers. Please,
no children should be in attendance. This
is a very demanding exercise for the eighth
graders.
I’m sure your
time will be
meaningful,
and I’m also
sure that you
will come away
with a greater
appreciation
of these young
people and the Mrs. Susan Hause
programs that are OLG School Principal
part of our parish school’s nearly 60 years
of religious formation and educational
excellence.
OLG School Development
By Kelli Balistreri, development director
Our Lady of Grace School opened its
doors with four classes in September of
1957, celebrating the first graduation of 48
students in 1962. Founded by the people
of the parish, Fr. Lucian Lauerman, and
the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, the
Fletcher Hills elementary school quickly
became known for exceptional academics
and commitment to the faith community.
The tradition of excellence carried on with
Msgr. Thomas Moloney and the Sisters
of Mercy, then Msgr. Michael Gallagher
(who retired in 2013), and now, Fr. Peter
McGuine. Students were blessed with
parents and members of the parish who
gave much of their time and energy to the
needs of the school - serving as volunteer
librarians, lunch cooks, teacher’s assistants,
sports coaches and instructors of manners
and etiquette. The students served on the
altar for morning Mass daily, and gave back
to their parish in many ways. And now, in
2014, not much has changed.
OLG remains the vibrant faith and school
community of years past. Academically
strong and service oriented, students are
challenged by both curriculum and a call
to serve. Each year, classes choose an
agency for which to devote their time and
earned resources. A learning opportunity
close to home brings meaning and purpose
to “giving back.” Students continue their
service to their parish as well, where more
than 90 percent of the families call home.
Many current parents are OLG School
alumni, sharing their memories and history
with the next generation.
One of the greatest challenges that
Catholic schools face is meeting the
needs of every student in an environment
of limited resources. Our Lady of Grace
School works hard to ensure a healthy
stewardship of resources, enabling the
addition of curricular enhancements to
engage students in unique ways. Students
continue to grow in the classroom with the
integration of technology in the everyday
lesson. Teachers are committed to these
responsibilities with much dedication and
enthusiasm, as the students of today are the
workforce and citizenry of tomorrow.
The gift of a Catholic elementary education
is priceless, and the quality of the product is
evident. Graduates from Our Lady of Grace
School continue to populate the Catholic
high schools and prove to be successful
wherever they choose to continue their
secondary education, public or private. It
is the foundation that they receive within
the gates of OLG that makes the difference.
Personal responsibility and respect for thy
neighbor are paramount, hallmarks of a
faith-based education. This sentiment
shared by Class of 1962 graduate Ernest
Ewin echoes the same: “Reflecting on my
Catholic education, I recognize the moral
and spiritual foundation that has provided
the critical baseline in my life’s journey.”
Our Lady of Grace School is committed to
this mission.
Page 11
OLG SCHOOL
Inside the Arcades
By Melissa Ahrens
Spring is now abloom and with a new
season come new events that fill us with
anticipation. First, the OLG School
students would like to thank everyone
who helped make winter’s events possible.
Without you we certainly wouldn’t have
had such an unforgettable semester.
Catholic School’s Week passed by in a
flash. The week focused on strengthening
our faith and helping those suffering
through difficult times. It was an exciting
Melissa Ahrens
week filled with many activities, including
a canned food drive for the less fortunate. It demonstrated the
great achievements we can reach when the school comes together.
Catholic School’s Week ended with Grandparents’ Day, a personal
favorite of many students. We had a beautiful Mass, refreshments,
and got to share our accomplishments with our grandparents.
On another note, the eighth grade students took their high school
entrance exams and on Feb. 14 they got to relax at the Valentine’s
Day Dance with the seventh graders. They ate a delicious meal and
danced the afternoon away.
Many exciting things have passed and many are coming our way.
We are looking forward to Multicultural Week. Each year, every
class has the opportunity to learn and teach other classes about a
new culture and its customs. This helps us to appreciate that all
cultures are one of a kind. Another event that we’re eager for is
the Talent Show put on by grades five through eight. We already
enjoyed the younger grades’ talent show very much and are
excited for this next one. It is such a pleasure to see and appreciate
everyone’s God-given talents.
Lastly, the big school fundraiser, the Spring Gala, will soon be
upon us! The theme this year is Havana Nights. This annual event
helps the classrooms get supplies that are needed. The gala not
only provides aid for our school but is a fun and memorable event
for our parents and the adults of the parish. Remember to go on
April 5, experience the Havana Nights and support the school.
OLG School Grandparents Day
Page 12
YOUTH
Junior High and High School Youth Group, Young Adult Ministry
By Doris Hertzig, youth coordinator
The OLG Youth Ministry is busy this time of year. Many members recently joined the
youth of St. Martin’s in La Mesa to hear Fr. Don Calloway, a Marian priest who told
them how his life as an East County youth had been heading down the wrong road,
before he converted to Catholicism and eventually was ordained a priest. The talk was
both funny and moving, and Fr. Don was very relatable to the teens. Many parents also
stayed and enjoyed the talk as well.
On Friday, March 21 the youth will present the Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. in the
church.
We have a big fundraiser coming up on Saturday, March 29 in Moloney Center
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This dinner and silent auction helps teenagers raise money to
attend leadership camp and the Steubenville Youth Conference this summer on the
University of San Diego campus. Youth group members will be outside the church Youth group members recently enjoyed a
exits all throughout the month of March selling tickets for this fantastic dinner, which talk by Fr. Don Calloway on his conversion
from troubled teen to priest.
will feature many recipes from the popular Catholic Women’s Club cookbook. Tickets
are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Come and support the youth!
Synergy Youth Day is April 26 at Cathedral Catholic High School. Confirmation candidates receiving the sacrament this year will be in
attendance; other high school students are welcome as well. Registration forms are in the Youth Room and Faith Formation Office. The
confirmation candidates and their sponsors enjoyed an afternoon of reflection and prayer earlier this month, with the Rite of Calling to
Continuing Conversion at the 5:30 p.m. Mass on March 9.
The Spring Retreat is May 2-4. Registration packets can be picked up at the Youth Office and Faith Formation Office in mid-March.
New Life meets every Sunday night until Easter weekend, in the youth room from 6:30-8:15 p.m. Check the calendar in the youth room
for more details.
Escape Junior High Youth Group Calendar
Friday, April 4 - meeting in the Youth Room 6:30-8 p.m.
Friday, April 11 - Sky Zone, Chula Vista $15, permission slip and waiver required
Friday, May 2 - meeting in the Youth Room 6:30-8 p.m.
Friday, May 9 – rock climbing at Solid Rock Gym 6-8 p.m. $15, permission slip and waiver required
Second Year Confirmation Candidate Calendar
Saturday, April 26 – Synergy Youth Day, Cathedral Catholic High School, registration required
Tuesday, May 6 – immediate preparation, 6:30-8 p.m. Meet in church.
Tuesday, May 13 – immediate preparation, 6:30-8 p.m. Meet in church
Saturday, May 31 – immediate preparation for candidates and sponsors, communal reconciliation and confirmation rite walk-through,
9-11:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 1 – Confirmation Mass, 5:30 p.m. Candidates check-in at Moloney Center at 4:50 p.m., assemble for group photo
The Diocesan Young Adult office has been sponsoring events throughout the county. In February the Theology on Tap series was hosted
at Fuddruckers in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center. The last speaker, Jacquie Francois, drew nearly 200 young adults. Check out the
diocesan website at www.yamsd.org for details. Here’s a brief rundown of upcoming events:
Sunday, March 16 and 23 – Lenten bible study, Guardian Angels parish, Santee, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 and 29 – Supper Saturday, with Mass at Santa Sophia, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 – MEGA Adoration, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, downtown San Diego, 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26 – “Mass is So Boring” talk by Fr. Stan Fortuna, Santa Sophia, 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 – Three Sisters Waterfall Hike, 10 a.m., meet at Santa Sophia
Saturday, April 12 – “Wide Awake V” Day Retreat for 18- to 25-year-olds, University of California San Diego Newman Center, 9 a.m.3:30 p.m. Are you just existing and going through the motions? Are you wondering if there is more to life than just this? Then “wake up”
and join other 18- to 25-year-olds to be fed and grow deeper in your relationships with Christ. The day retreat will include spirit-filled
speakers, silent reflection, small group discussion, powerful music and a chance for adoration and confession. Cost is $5 for students and
$10 for young adults. To register go to www.yamsd.org or contact Carrie at [email protected] or (858) 490-8260.
Friday, April 25 – Praise and Worship Concert with “The Thirsting,” Our Mother of Confidence Hall, 7-9 p.m.
Page 13
Fr. Peter and the youth group have enjoyed some meaningful discussions together. Fr. Tim has also joined the youth group
for its vocations panel night.
Prayer Quilt Ministry
By Maretta Clauson
The OLG Prayer Quilt Ministry is approaching its eighth
anniversary this spring. In that time we’ve fulfilled nearly 1,900
requests for quilts from people in need of comfort and prayer. Additionally, we have provided many prayer squares for military
personnel deployed to combat theaters. These small squares fit
in a legal size envelope and a uniform pocket. We also have
emergency prayer squares available when time doesn’t allow a
recipient to wait for an entire quilt to be sewn, blessed and tied. The standard quilts and the military and emergency prayer squares
are available by simply filling out a request at the rectory or after a
Mass when quilts are being tied and blessed. Make sure to include
your telephone number so that we may contact you when the quilt
is scheduled to be blessed.
home. They are easy patterns with the pieces cut, ready to sew,
packed in a ziplock bag. When the top is completed, you return it
to the quilt group for finishing.
In your prayers, please ask that your Prayer Quilt Ministry continue
to provide this ecumenical outreach in our area, nationally and
internationally. We depend on your prayerful and financial support
for a successful ministry. Donations can be made through online
giving on the parish website. We also welcome contributions of
100 percent cotton fabric and JoAnn’s Fabric Stores gift cards,
available through the school’s scrip sales. You are the tie that
binds.
When the quilts are ready to be tied, we ask parishioners to stop
by the tables after Mass and knot a tie while saying a prayer
for the recipient. It takes only a few moments. The thank you
notes we get indicate that the people who receive the quilts are
overwhelmed by the number of prayers that go into each quilt
and by the feelings of peace, comfort and even pain relief. We
appreciate all those parishioners who stop by, particularly the
parents of young children who bring them to the tables to pray
for someone in need. You are teaching them the power of
prayer for people who request God’s comfort and warmth. God
lends an especially attentive ear to those children’s prayers.
We have begun to send small, heart-shaped pillows to local
hospitals to comfort breast cancer surgery patients. We also The OLG Prayer Quilt Ministry is busy making comfort pillows for
have occasional workshops to make kits for people to take recovering breast cancer patients and quilt top kits for home use.
Page 14
Repentance as Joy; Forgiveness as Freedom
A Preview of Deacon Ray’s Lenten Presentation
By Deacon Ray Arnold
Let’s take a fresh look at the sacrament of Reconciliation; not as a change in how the sacrament is celebrated, but perhaps with a new
perspective. It represents a chance to enter into God’s mercy and unconditional love and focus on His desire for us to be conformed to
His Son and saved, rather than a self-focus on our guilt and our propensity to fail and sin again and again.
We will also reflect on the power of forgiveness in our lives - not the forgiveness God always grants sincere penitents, but rather the
freedom that comes from our asking forgiveness from those whom our actions (sins) have harmed. In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus reminds
us that if we “recall that your brother has something against you…go first and be reconciled…then bring your gift to the altar.”
So, while penance is given to us by our confessor, and often involves prayers or reading of Scripture, it seldom involves reconciling
with “our brother.” Freedom of Forgiveness will cover concrete ways to seek forgiveness and help restore health into our relationships
broken by our sin.
Editor’s Note: Please be sure attend Deacon Ray’s talk on this pertinent Lenten topic on March 11 or 15; see page 16 for details.
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Page 15
Welcome, New Parishioners!
Matthew Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. Ted Payne
Milo Rose and family
Julien Gardella
Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Saputo
Angela Dilay
Chris Aguirre
Cynthia Gish
Eric Ahumada family
Barbara Kiryakoza family
Antolette Gimpaya
Sean Adams family
Henry Ong
Michael West family
Carol Slaughter
Bobbi Sparks and family
Carlos and Ellen Garcia
Bryson English family
Anthony and Suzanne Calman
Larry and Patty Duarte
Chris Swiec family
Gary and Diane McSweeney-Hill
Lou Crow
Andrew Lewis family
Belle A. Joseph
Antonio and Maria Orosco
Redentor and Liza Herrero
Jerry Baydo
Hermelinda Preal
Roberto and Lindsey Renovales
Tom and Meghan Brady
Angela and Mark Bottini
Jack and Myrna Schat
Hector Roman
Ed Seguin
James Moralez
Katie Larson
Gabriella Acuña
Guadalupe Medrano
Baptisms
Andrew Patrick Dixon, Jr.
Walker Christian Malaty
Jacob Michael Riedinger
Brooklyn Riley Adamos
Michael Francis Watters
Joseph Thomas Gustafson
Ryan Matthew Fribourg
Save the Dates!
Sunday, March 16 – Fr. Peter McGuine will retire at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after nearly 27 years of service as a
chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. There will be a ceremony at the 5:30 p.m. Mass, followed by a wine and cheese
reception in Moloney Center. All are invited.
Monday, March 17-Thursday, March 20 – Parish Lenten Mission. (Please see details on page 16.)
Saturday, March 29 – Youth Group fundraiser “A Taste of OLG,” Moloney Center, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 5 – OLG School Spring Gala fundraiser. Please see school website at www.olg.org for details.
Saturday, May 10 – Food and dancing to live music to celebrate OLG’s 60th birthday, Moloney Center, 7-10 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 20 – Parish festival.
Saturday, Dec. 7 – Annual Christmas Dinner Dance fundraiser, Moloney Center.
Page 16
Lent, Holy Week and Easter Schedule
Fridays of Lent – March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11
Fish Dinners in Moloney Center, 5-7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus; see parish bulletin for meal prices
Stations of the Cross, 7 p.m.
Lenten Presentation
“Repentance as Joy; Forgiveness as Freedom” - Deacon Ray Arnold, presenter
March 11, 7-8 p.m. in the church
March 15, 9-10 a.m. in Moloney Center (repeat presentation)
Lenten Parish Mission
“A Lenten Pilgrimage with St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis” - Rev. Kerry M. Abbott, OFM Conv, presenter
March 17-20, 7-8:15 p.m. in the church
Fr. Kerry Abbott is a member of the Conventual Franciscans of California, Province of St Joseph of Cupertino. A native
Californian, he has earned degrees in Business Management, Philosophy, Divinity, Canon Law and International
Civil Law. After retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain in 2011 at the rank of Lt. Col. after nearly 24 years of
service, Fr. Abbott served for two years as the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese for the Military Services. A
resident of Olympia, WA, he provides sacramental ministry within the Archdiocese of Seattle. This fall, he will attend
the Institute for Continuing Theological Education at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
Sacrament of Penance
Mondays, 6 p.m.; Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.; and Saturdays, 4 p.m.
Note: No confessions on April 17 and 19
Lenten Penance Service
March 19, 7 p.m.
Please see the bulletin for additional Penance Services at neighboring parishes
“With Strings Attached”
A concert of music composed specifically for orchestral strings featuring the combined orchestras of the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra
and San Diego’s School of Creative and Performing Arts
March 29, 1 p.m. in the church
.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion – April 13
Masses with the Blessing and Distribution of Palms
5:30 p.m. vigil; 7:30, 9 and 11* a.m.; 5:30 p.m.
*Please gather on the grass outside the main entrance of the church for the Blessing of Palms.
Holy Thursday – April 17
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, 7 p.m.
Followed by prayer before the Blessed Sacrament until 10 p.m.
Good Friday – April 18
Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.
Outdoor Stations of the Cross, 12 p.m. Weather permitting, please gather in front of the church.
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
With Veneration of the Cross and distribution of Holy Communion, 3 and 7 p.m.
Soup and Bread Supper in Moloney Center, 4-7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. No charge; donations accepted.
Holy Saturday – April 19
Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, 8-10 p.m.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord – April 20
Masses with the Renewal of Baptismal Promises - 7, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 a.m.