St. Nicholas Parish
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.
CLERGY
Pastor:
Senior Priest:
In Residence
Visiting Priest
Visiting Priest
Visiting Priest
Visiting Priest
Deacon
Spanish Deacon
Pastoral Intern
Rev. Richard Delahunty
Rev. Michael Mai Khai Hoan
Rev. Timothy MacCarthy, Retired
Rev. Msgr. Colm Conlon
Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Gibson
Rev. Msgr. John Campbell
Rev. Gerald Walker
Wayne Thompson
Luis Gallardo
Phuong Nguyen
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. in Spanish
Sunday: 7:30 A.M., 9:00 A.M., 10:45 A.M., 12:30 P.M.,
and 5:00 pm in Vietnamese.
Monday through Friday: 7:00 A.M., and 9:00 A.M.
Saturday at 9:00 A.M.
Filipino Mass: 5:30 P.M. First Saturdays, October-June.
Holy Days: 4PM Vigil; 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM, and
7:30PM (Vietnamese)
RECONCILIATION [Confession]
Saturday 9:45-10:15 A.M., and 3:00-3:45 P.M.,
or by appointment.
BAPTISM
Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00 P.M.
Arrangements must be made a month in advance.
Parents must attend two preparation sessions.
MARRIAGE
Arrangements must begin at least three 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 9:00 A.M. Mass.
DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION
Wednesday evenings at 7:30 P.M.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.
Parish Office Hours: Sunday: 8:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.
Monday through Friday: 9A.M. -12 Noon; 1P.M. - 4:30P.M.;
6P.M. - 8P.M. Saturday: 9A.M. - 12 Noon
February 8, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
HEALING MINISTRY
During Jesus’ ministry “he cured many who were sick with
various diseases, and he drove out many demons.” This is the
case in today’s Gospel. Jesus fulfills the vision of Psalm 147:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Jesus knew, however, that he couldn’t possibly heal all the
illness in the world. No matter how many people he cured or
how many hours he ministered, there always would be more
suffering people like Job who craved his healing touch. His
primary mission was not to rid the world of all suffering. His
“purpose” was to preach the coming of the reign of God that
heals, yes, but ultimately transcends and transforms earthly
suffering. With Paul, Jesus could have said, “Woe to me if I do
not preach” that good news. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
St. Valentine’s Day Celebration
Saturday February 14
following the 9AM Mass
in the Parish Center
The Parish and School of Religious
Education Offices
will be closed on Monday, February 16,
in observance of the
Presidents Day Holiday.
The Homeschooling Ministry invites all parishioners
to celebrate St. Valentine's Day,
Saturday, February 14th.
Mass at 9:00 and reception
in the Parish Center immediately thereafter.
Please contact Paul Gerrard at 949-699-0162 or
[email protected] to rsvp.
One Mass will be celebrated at 9AM on
Monday, February 16th.
World Marriage Sunday— Sunday, February 8th
PLEASE NOTE…
Covered California & MediCal
Free Enrollment Assistance
Open Enrollment ends Sunday, February 15.
Catholic Charities of Orange County provides free Enrollment
Assistance to those who qualify for health insurance.
Enrollment Counselors are available at:
South County Family Resource Center, 23832 Rockfield Blvd,
Suite 270, Lake Forest—Mondays from 1PM to 4PM.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 1100 So. Center St., Santa
Ana—Wednesdays from 5PM to 8PM.
St. Norbert Church, 300 E. Taft Av, Orange—Saturdays from
9AM to 1PM.
Camino Health Center Clinic, 30300 Camino Capistrano, San
Juan Capistrano—Thursdays from 4PM to 7PM and
Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM.
World Marriage Day honors husband and wife as head of
the family, the basic unit of society. It salutes the beauty
of their faithfulness, sacrifice and joy in daily,
married life.
Prayer for our Marriage
Heavenly Father, we thank You for your tremendous gift of the
Sacrament of Marriage. Enable us to grow in our intimacy with
You and with each other. Teach us the beauty of forgiveness so
we may become more and more one in heart, mind and body.
Strengthen our communication with each other, and help us
become living signs of your love. Help us to be examples of
commitment, love and service to our families and children.
Make us a sign of the unity which Jesus prays for at the Last
Supper. We open ourselves to the guidance of your Holy Spirit,
who empowers us to love in Jesus’ name and walk in His
footsteps. A men.
Stewardship of Treasure
“Stewardship is not about our generosity; it is our response to God’s generosity.”
February 1st
2014
2015
$23,174.28
$25,147.12
52-Weekly Required Budget
$22,987.00
February 8, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Calendar This Week
Monday:
7AM Marie Liberty Duncom (d)
9AM Dorothy Caswell (d)
Tuesday:
7AM Thesla Drew (d)
9AM Anthony Gastelo (d)
Wednesday:
7AM Marion Booth Rogers (d)
9AM Janet Brick (d)
Thursday:
7AM Jack Burke
9AM Anne Duffy (d)
Friday:
7AM Eduardo Volpi (d)
9AM Judy McCarthy (d)
Saturday:
9AM Alice Go (d)
4PM For the Parish
7PM Serafin Ramos
Sunday:
7:30AM Bernice Niehaus (d)
9:00AM Aldo Moffa (d)
10:45AM Mrs. Myrna Centeno (d)
12:30PM Frances Kainz
MONDAY
Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM
Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM
Finance Council, Conference Room, 6PM
Faith Alive, Room C, 7PM
Hispanic Rosary, Church, 7:30PM
TUESDAY
Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM
Spanish Tallers Oracion, Room B, 7PM
7th & 8th SRE Classes, Parish Center downstairs, 7PM
Confirmation II, Parish Center upstairs, 7PM
St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM
WEDNESDAY
Monthly Day of Adoration of Holy Eucharist, Church, 9AM
ESL Classes, Rooms B&C, 9AM
Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 10AM
Library Ministry, Room C, 2PM
Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM
St. Vincent de Paul, Room C, 6PM
Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7:30PM
Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM
THURSDAY
Faith Alive, Room A, 10AM
Hispanic RCIA, Room B, 6:30PM
Hispanic Council Meeting, Room C, 6:30PM
RCIA, Rooms 201-204, 7PM
St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM
Teen Choir, in Church Choir Loft, 7:30PM
FRIDAY
We Remember
All our recently-deceased Loved Ones,
who entered their new and eternal life in Christ.
Our Parish condolences are extended
to their families.
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Fr. Dick, Bible Study, Room 201, 9:45AM
Divine Mercy, Room C, 1:45PM
Parish Faith Formation, Parish Center 1st floor, 6:30PM
Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM
SATURDAY
Hispanic Group—Tamale Prep, Kitchen, 9AM
Homeschool Ministry-St. Valentine’s, Parish Ctr, after 9am Mass
Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM
SUNDAY
Regular Sunday Mass Schedule
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Job finds life on earth to be drudgery; he is filled with
restlessness.
Psalm 147:
Praise the Lord, who heals the
brokenhearted.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. I have become
all things to all, to save at least some.
Gospel:
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus cured many who were sick with various diseases.
Sunday:
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time;
World Marriage Day
Tuesday:
St. Scholastica
Wednesday: Our Lady of Lourdes; World Day of the Sick
Thursday:
Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday
Saturday:
St. Cyril and St. Methodius; Valentine’s Day
The St. Nicholas Welcoming Committee
will be at coffee and donuts after the
9AM and 10:45 AM Masses
Sunday, February 8th.
All newcomers to the parish are invited to join us to get
acquainted with other newcomers and to learn about the
many Parish Ministries. Come join us!!
February 8, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
School of Religious Education
ATTENTION: Parents of Special Sacrament
Students: Meeting—Saturday, February 21 at 10AM
All students and at least one parent must attend this
meeting on Saturday, February 21 at 10AM in the Parish
Center. We will be discussing First Communion and the
students will make their First Reconciliation
(Confession) at this time. If you have questions, please
call the SRE Office, 837-7676.
***
THIS WEEK…
SRE Elementary Classes will meet F eb, 9, 10, 11, in the
Parish Center at 4:15PM.
7th & 8th Grades and Confirmation II Classes will
meet on Tuesday, February 10 at 7PM in assigned
classrooms.
Check us out on Facebook!
Teen/Family Choir:
Rehearsals in February on
Thursdays, February 12th and 26th and
Mass is on Saturday, February 28 at 4PM.
After the Teen Mass on Feb 28, we’ll have dinner in the
Parish Center immediately following Mass.
Please join us and bring a friend!
Coming Events/Important Dates:
Ash Wednesday: Febr uar y 18—the beginning of Lent—
what will you do for Lent this year?
Coffee & Donuts: Sunday, Mar ch 8—9:30AM to 12:30PM,
Check-in with Betty in the Parish Center.
Parish Mission: Monday, Mar ch 16 at 7PM. All teens ar e
invited to attend this first night of the Mission—a great
opportunity for all of us to continue to prepare for Easter!
Youth Day: Mar ch 12—Registration forms are available at
the SRE Office; call Gwen, 837-7676, if you want to attend.
Living Stations of the Cross: Fr iday, Mar ch 27 at 7PM. We
need volunteers for this. Dates of rehearsals to be announced.
PLEASE NOTE: In observance of President’s Day,
celebrated on Monday, February 16, we will not have
Elementary Classes on that day only!
Tuesday and Wednesday classes will meet at usual.
Save the Date…
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration—
Saturday, March 14th from
2PM to 7PM in the Parish Center
Music, dancing, sing-alongs, great food and drink—
schedule of events to follow. Plan to join your parish
family for a great day in the continuing celebration of
St. Nicholas’ 50th Anniversary!
Our Monthly Day of Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
begins this Wednesday, February 11, at the 9AM Mass
and continues until just prior to the
9AM Mass on Thursday, February 12.
We invite and encourage you to spend some time with Our
Lord in the presence of the
Blessed Sacrament - praying especially for
the strengthening and unity of Christian family life and for
vocations to religious life and the priesthood.
For more information about any of these activities,
call Gwen at 837-7676.
Asian Dispensation for Ash Wednesday Fasting
This year, Ash Wednesday, February 18th, also
happens to be the eve of the Lunar New Yearthe Year of the Goat.
Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Orange, as a
spiritual benefit for those observing the Lunar New Year,
has approved:
♦ The transfer of the obligation of “fasting and
abstinence” of Ash Wednesday, February 18, to the
Wednesday of the following week (February 25).
♦ The transfer of the obligation of abstinence on the
First Friday of Lent (February 20) to the Monday,
Tuesday, or Thursday of the following week.
(February 23, 24 or 26).
Note: All Catholics, 14 years or older, are expected to
abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of
Lent. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are expected to
fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means
having only one full-size meal. Two smaller meals are
permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to
one’s needs, but eating solid food between meals is not. By
the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the
Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the evening of
Holy Thursday. All the faithful and catechumens should
undertake serious practice of these three traditions.
February 8, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
A Condensed Overview of
“The Letters of John”
Fr. Dave Gruver, Senior Pastor at St. Edwards, (and
previous Pastor for 12 years at Santiago de Compostela),
will be our featured speaker on
Monday, February 23 & Tuesday, February 24, from
7PM to 9PM in the Parish Center, Rooms 201-204.
Fr. Dave will cover why the Letters were written, and
for whom they were written and provide other
interesting facts. Although Fr. Dave describes himself
as “not a Bible Scholar, but a Bible Dabbler,” he is a
renowned speaker and presenter! Please come join us
for this wonderful opportunity to learn about the letters
from John, as we continue to celebrate 50-years of
service and ministry at St. Nicholas Parish.
Invite your friends and neighbors!
Our Lenten Journey
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th
LENT is a journey, at once “sacred” and “immense.” During
these forty days, we are invited to cooperate with God’s graces
and to confront, not shy away from, the big questions of meaning
and commitment. The key principle to hang onto is that God is
with us every step of the way, beginning with Ash Wednesday
and culminating in the agony and joy of Holy Week. How
sacred and immense (and intense) is this pilgrimage.
(Bishop Robert F. Morneau “Not by Bread Alone.”)
Ash Wednesday Masses on February 18 are:
7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 5PM, 6:30PM and
8PM in Vietnamese
(ashes only dispensed during the Masses)
To assist you on your Lenten Journey we offer:
PRAYER
Daily Mass: Monday through Friday at 7AM & 9AM;
Saturdays at 9AM.
Morning Prayer: Monday through Saturday at 8:45AM
Monthly Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:
Second Wednesday of the Month beginning at the 9AM Mass and
concluding prior to the 9AM Mass on the Second Thursday.
Stations of the Cross: on Fridays during Lent at 9:45AM,
7:30PM and 8:30PM in Vietnamese.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confessions):
Saturday 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3PM to 3:45PM
Parish Lenten Penance Service:
Thursday, March 26 at 7:30PM
Parish Mission: March 16-18 in the evenings at 7PM with
Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A.
ALMSGIVING
St. Vincent de Paul: helping those in need in our community.
Knights of Columbus: 40-Cans for Lent
Operation Rice Bowl: Benefitting Catholic Relief Services
(bowls available next weekend, February 14 & 15 in the Church)
Do you feel called to serve as an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
to the altar on Sunday and/or to the sick?
Class will be held on Saturday February 28th from
8:30AM to 3:30PM in Rooms A and B
(behind the Parish Office Building).
If you feel called, please pick up a registration form in
the Parish Office. Please fill it in and return to the
Parish Office no later than February 19th, to the
attention of Barbara Price, Coordinator.
For Adults
The Sacrament of Confirmation, in which we receive the
fullness of the Holy Spirit into our lives, will be offered to
adults who have not been confirmed on
Saturday, April 25th, within the 4:00PM Mass.
If you are 18 years of age or older, baptized and
regularly attend Mass and receive the Eucharist,
we invite you to come to five Saturday sessions
in preparation for the Sacrament.
They will be held from 10AM to 11:30AM,
beginning Saturday, March 14, in Room A
[the building behind the Parish Office].
Registration forms are available in the Parish Office.
If you wish more information,
please call Gloria at 768-7228.
St. Nicholas Parish Senior Singles
We will be gathering for lunch at Mimi’s Café
at 27430 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel,
on Friday, February 13 at 12:30PM.
All seating reserved. RSVP—Dolores: 472-3580.
Day Trip on Wednesday, April 29th:
Our Senior Singles will be joining with the
Polish Club of Laguna Woods for a Day Trip:
First Stop: to view Stykas largest mounted painting in the
world showing the “Walk to Crucifixion,” with a narrated
presentation.
Second Stop: to view a large stained glass “Last Supper,”
with presentation.
Third Stop: Lunch at the “Polka,” Polish restaurant.
Fourth Stop: is the Griffith Park Observatory.
Cost: $85.00, including entry fee, transportation & meal
Mail check to: PCLW, 811-Q Via Mendoza,
Laguna Woods, CA 92637; or call Irena at 206-9122.
This trip is open to all Parishioners!
February 8, 2015
RESERVE THESE DATES
FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MISSION!
Our annual Parish Mission will be in the evenings
starting Monday, March 16th through
Wednesday, March 18th
On March 15th, Fr. McCarthy will be at
all the Masses to personally invite all
Parishioners to attend!
Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., an experienced
teacher, administrator, retreat director and parish
mission preacher, will be with us to discuss
The Sacraments:
The Treasures of Our Faith.
Be sure to mark the dates on your calendar!
A third time Jesus said, “...do you love me?”
Lenten Retreat for Adults
at the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center
On Tuesday, February 24th, 5:30pm – 9pm,
or Wednesday, February 25th, 9:30am-12
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Did you know...Air Collision
Over Leisure World
Two Marine Corps Skyhawk jet bombers
were traveling from New York to the El Toro Marine
Corps Air Station on a rain-fogged Sunday, January 22,
1967, when they collided. Part of a 10-plane squadron,
the two bombers were approaching the El Toro base after
the first six planes landed safely. One of the plane’s
radios malfunctioned so the planes were flying wingtipto-wingtip, with one attempting to guide the other to the
landing strip when they collided. One St. Nicholas
Parishioner wrote, “It was a terrible stormy Sunday. Bad
as it was, the Mass was crowded. My family of four
children, husband and myself were up in the choir area.
Suddenly at the very end of Mass, we all heard a loud
crash above us over the church.”
Rev. Otto E. Sporrer, having just completed his final
blessing at the Mass, drove to the scene after one of his
parishioners, Gracian Bidart, stepped into the Sacristy to
alert him of the plane crash. “The volunteer firemen
from El Toro were the first men on the scene,” Rev.
Sporrer recalled. “They laid down two hose lines by me,
and only one man was available to man the line.” A
Navy Chaplain for some 23 years, Rev. Sporrer’s service
training kicked-in and he joined the firefighters. He
hadn’t taken the time to change after Mass, and with a
soaked cassock, he proceeded to help fight the fires.
Please call or email for more details and to RSVP
714-557-4538 or [email protected]
2927 S Greenville St., Santa Ana, CA 92704
Knights of Columbus
Wheelchair Fund for Veterans
THIS WEEKEND!
This year, our local chapters are providing wheelchairs for
needy veterans in Orange County. The St. Nicholas
Council of Knights of Columbus is asking for your
support in funding the purchase of wheelchairs for
these vets.
A $150 donation purchases a wheelchair to a veteran who
is in need of such a medical device but who does not
qualify to get one through the Veteran Administration in a
timely manner. The delivery of a wheelchair to a person
without mobility improves the quality of life for the entire
family. It is estimated that each wheelchair we deliver
impacts an average of 10 people in a positive way.
We will be accepting donations in any amount
after all Masses this weekend.
Thanks for your support!
Firemen sift through debris. Four residents and one pilot
were killed, and three other residents were hospitalized.
Fiery fuel spewed over a 300-foot area and plane debris
crashed into two buildings. Courtesy O.C. Register Photo by Clay
Miller
THE PARISH LIBRARY
We are CLOSED February 8th; OPEN February 15th.
We are open the first & third Sunday of the month.
FREE book cart, pamphlets, rosaries, prayer cards!
As Lent nears, we have books to read—such as:
“Joy of Lent” by Pat McDonough
The Library Hours: Sunday 10AM to 12:30PM &
Wednesday, 2PM to 4PM.
The Library is located behind the Parish Office in Room C.