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 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
THE MEANING OF OUR BAPTISM
Lent is the time of year that we devote to scrutinizing our lives in the light of our baptism into the death and
resurrection of Jesus. Today’s readings are a nice shorthand catechism of what our baptized lives mean. As Noah
passed through the waters of the flood to a covenant with God, so did we enter into a covenant, a promised
relationship with God through our baptism. The psalm reminds us that if we truly keep the covenant, the way of life
God expects us to follow will not be a burden, but a source of love and truth. Peter’s letter gives one explanation of
what our baptism means: it is an appeal that we make to God for a clear conscience. How do we obtain this clear
conscience? The words that Jesus proclaims immediately following his temptation show us the way: “Repent and
believe in the gospel.” It might be a good spiritual exercise to keep these readings before us throughout the entire
season of Lent, a means to help us return to a life lived in our baptismal promises. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
A Condensed Overview of
Pancake Breakfast
“The Letters of John”
Next Sunday, March 1, the Knights of Columbus are
having a pancake and sausage breakfast
after the 7:30AM, 9AM and 10:45AM Masses.
Please plan to attend this parish event
with your family and friends.
Proud to be Catholic—Living Our Faith
PSA Appeal
As an extension of our parish membership, we are also a
member of the Diocese of Orange. This dual Catholic
citizenship makes us an integral part of all diocesan
activities as we come together in support of Catholic
Education, charitable services for the needy and the
sacramental life of our Church through clergy formation
and support and so much more. Every household is
encouraged to show that they are Proud to be Catholic by
supporting the work of our Church and participating in
this appeal. No gift is too great or too small! Once we
have met the goal of $97,000 for our parish’s share for
diocesan services, your donations will be returned
to our parish for our own use.
We thank you in advance for your generosity!
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!
THE PARISH LIBRARY
We are CLOSED February 22; OPEN on March 1
We are open the first & third Sunday of the month.
Lent is not about self-denial—it is a time of love and
peace by helping the needy and volunteering!
FREE book cart, pamphlets, rosaries, prayer cards!
The Library Hours: Sunday 10AM to 12:30PM &
Wednesday, 2PM to 4PM. W e need volunteers!
The Library is located behind the Parish Office in Room C.
Stewardship of Treasure
“Stewardship is not about our generosity; it is our response to God’s generosity.”
February 8th
2015
2014
$19,208.55
$17,650.16
52-Weekly Required Budget
$22,987.00
February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
Parish Calendar This Week
Monday:
7AM Anne Duffy (d)
9AM Rev. Howard Lincoln
Tuesday:
7AM Les Johnson (d)
9AM Agatha Trinh Luu
Wednesday:
7AM Fortino Jimenez (d)
9AM Special Intentions
Thursday:
7AM Friar Alphonsos Mary Timossi
9AM Eleanor Winkleman (d)
Friday:
7AM Denise Munoz
9AM Helen Sweeny (d)
Saturday:
9AM Betty Meier (d)
4PM For the Parish
7PM Maria Luisa Galvez
Sunday:
7:30AM Warren Benjamin (d)
9:00AM Thesla Drew and Family (d)
10:45AM Deceased Members of the Di Domenico
Family
12:30PM Nelly Amezcua (d)
We Remember
All our parishioners
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.
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading: Genesis 9:8-15
I will set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the
covenant between me and the earth.
Psalm 25: Your ways, O Lor d, ar e love and tr uth to
those who keep your covenant.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
The water of the flood prefigured baptism, which saves
you now.
Gospel: Mark 1:12-15
Jesus was tempted by Satan, and the angels ministered
to him.
MONDAY
Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM
Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM
Micah’s Way, Kitchen, 6PM
Opera Rehearsal, Small Hall, 6:30PM
Faith Alive, Room C, 7PM
Fr. Dave Gruver—Letters of John, Parish Center-2nd Floor, 7PM
Spanish Rosary Group, Church, 7:30PM
TUESDAY
Religious Education for Elementary, Parish Center, 4:15PM
Unity Group, Room C, 6:30PM
Spanish Tallers Oracion, Room B, 7PM
7th & 8th SRE Classes, Parish Center downstairs, 7PM
Confirmation II, Parish Center upstairs- Room 204, 7PM
Fr. Dave Gruver—Letters of John, Parish Center-201-203, 7PM
St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM
WEDNESDAY
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
Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7:30PM
Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM
THURSDAY
St. Vincent de Paul, Room C, 7:30AM
Faith Alive, Room A, 10AM
Hispanic RCIA, Room B, 6:30PM
Hispanic Council Meeting, Room C, 6:30PM
RCIA, Rooms 201-204, 7PM
Teen Choir, Church Choir Loft, 7:30PM
St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM
FRIDAY
Fr. Dick, Bible Study, Room 201, 9:45AM
Little Company of Mary, Small Hall, 10AM
Divine Mercy, Room C, 1:45PM
Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM
SATURDAY
RCIA Retreat, Small Hall, 8:30AM
Eucharistic Ministry Training, Rooms A&B, 8:30AM
Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM
Teen Dinner, Parish Center, following the 4PM Mass
SUNDAY
Regular Sunday Mass Schedule
Hungering
for a better Life…
CRS Rice Bowl
Our journey with CRS Rice Bowl begins in Tanzania,
where a simple soybean is changing lives.
What actions can you take this Lent to change lives —
at home and around the world?
February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
School of Religious Education
Check us out on Facebook!
ATTENTION:
Teen/Family Choir:
THIS WEEK…
Rehearsal on Thursday, February 26th at 7:30PM and
Mass is on Saturday, February 28 at 4PM.
Teen dinner in the Parish Center immediately
following Mass. Please join us and bring a friend!
SRE Elementary Classes will meet on
February 23, 24, 25, in the Parish Center at 4:15 PM.
Coming Events/Important Dates:
7th & 8th Grades will meet on Tuesday, February 24 in
the Parish Center, downstairs, at 7PM.
Confirmation II classes will meet on Tuesday,
February 24, in the Parish Center, upstairs, at 7PM.
Coming Soon…
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration—
Saturday, March 14th from
2PM to 7PM in the Parish Center
Music, dancing, sing-alongs, great food and drink.
Plan to join your parish family for a great day in the
continuing celebration of St. Nicholas’ 50th
Anniversary!
Schedule of Events:
2:00PM
2:30-3:15PM
3:15-3:45PM
3:45-4:30PM
4:30-5PM
5:00-5:45PM
5:45-6:15PM
6:16-7PM
7PM
Food Service starts
“The Whooligans” Band entertains
Anair Academy of Irish Dance
“The Whooligans” Band entertains
Anair Academy of Irish Dance
“The Whooligans” Band entertains
Guest Participation (Fr. Dick & others)
“The Whooligans” Band entertains
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.
Did you know….
Biography of Rev. Monsignor Otto E. Sporrer
♦ Born in Buffalo, NY on January 6, 1912. His father was a
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
“Pot o’Gold Drawing”
♦
♦
Collection for
The Church in Latin America/Eastern Europe
♦
NEXT WEEKEND—February 28 & March 1
This collection supports Catholic organizations that
provide food, shelter, medical care, catechesis, marriage
and family life programs and companionship for the
lonely in a region that is still struggling .
Your donations help to restore the strength
of the Churches in those regions.
Please give generously to the collection.
Visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections to learn more.
♦
♦
♦
German immigrant. He had two sisters, Katharine and
Elisabeth. He developed an interest in vehicles: planes,
model trains, automobiles, boats and bikes when, around
the age of 3, due to curiosity, burned his hand on a
motorcycle exhaust pipe.
Family moved to Alhambra, CA, when he was 9 years old.
Graduated from high school in Alhambra.
Although he had already enrolled at Loyola for college, he
decided at the last minute that he wanted to become a
priest. He was accepted to a junior seminary, St. Joseph’s
College in Mountain View, CA, for four years of study.
Spent six years at the “major seminary” in Menlo Park,
CA. Became interested in photography.
Was ordained in 1938 at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Los
Angeles, his home diocese.
Appointed to St. Agnes Parish in LA as his 1st assignment.
Transferred to St. Monica’s “at the beach” where he taught
school and did parish work. Was the victim of an armed
robbery at the parish rectory. The perpetrators ultimately
were tried and sentenced to life in prison with the help of
his testimony.
Joined the Armed Forces as a Navy Chaplain during WWII
and later assigned to the Marines during the Korean War.
He spent nearly 23 years in the military. As a Chaplain he
organized and ran the library on the ships where he served.
Retired from the Navy and assigned the job of creating St.
Nicholas Parish by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
(1965). Shepherded St. Nicholas for 22 years, retiring as
Pastor in 1987. In 1981 he had been invested as
“Monsignor” by the Diocese of Orange.
April 10, 1988, celebrated 50th Anniversary of Ordination.
Resided at St. Nicholas until his death, Sept. 5, 1993 at age
81 when he departed to his heavenly home.
February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
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.
The Knights of Columbus are again sponsoring a
“40 Cans for Lent” Food Drive during the 40 days of Lent.
This is an effort to increase awareness of our
weekly food drive at St. Nicholas Parish.
The goal is for each parishioner to contribute one can of nonperishable food each day during Lent, or 40 cans sometime
during the Lenten season. Your contributions can be made
weekly when you come to Mass. Barrels will be placed
outside the entrances to the Church. Please join the Knights
of Columbus in this worthwhile effort.
Monetary donations are always welcome!
This food Drive was very successful last year and we are
hoping for a similar response this Lent. During 2014,
St. Nicholas Parish donated 13,672 pounds of non-perishable
food. It was a wonderful accomplishment and we hope to
equal or surpass that amount this year!
LENT IS HERE: Time for
Spiritual Spring Cleaning!
The Council of Catholic Women invite
you to join us as we rediscover the
purposes of Lent and its many benefits.
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.
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.
Program conducted by: Louise Allard & Ruth DeVoge
Social time begins at 9:30AM;
the meeting starts at 10:10AM.
Please remember to bring pennies for Water for Life,
can tabs for Ronald McDonald House and
cosmetics for the prison ministry.
Questions? Call Louise at 916-4138
PLEASE NOTE and PLAN AHEAD…
ARTICLES FOR THE BULLETIN
For Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, the Bulletin publishing
company has REQUIRED that our bulletin information be
submitted earlier than normal. If you have any articles that
you need in the bulletin during the months of March/April,
please note the FINAL SUBMITTAL DATES below:
Bulletin Date
March 29
April 5
Article Due Date to Parish Office
Tuesday, March 17th by 10AM
Monday, March 23rd by 12 PM
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
will be held Sunday, March 8th,
at 2PM in the Church
Who may receive the Sacrament?
Those suffering from chronic/acute illnesses.
Those preparing for hospitalization or surgery.
Those preparing for a medical procedure or treatment.
Those experiencing mental or emotional stress.
Those living with recurring illnesses or disabilities.
Those living with a terminal illness or on hospice care.
Those of a mature age or in frail health.
Why should you receive the Sacrament?
The Anointing of the Sick conveys several graces and imparts
gifts of strengthening in the Holy Spirit against anxiety,
discouragement, and temptation, and conveys peace and
fortitude. These graces flow from the atoning death of Jesus
Christ, for “this was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet
Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.’”
(Matt. 8:17)
February 22, 2015
First Sunday of Lent
Did you know...Religious Education at St. Nicholas — Currently…
Today the School of Religious Education (SRE) has a brand new building, Msgr. Otto
Sporrer Hall, completed in 2009.
There are a total of 250 elementary students and 145 junior/high schoolers in the current SRE program. There
are 45 students in Confirmation I and 49 in Confirmation II including Vietnamese students. Confirmation is
scheduled for April 25, 2015, at the 4PM Mass.
There are 34 second-graders preparing for their First Communion. The Special Sacraments class (3rd through
10th grade) has an enrollment of 28 students. There are currently 3 students in RCIC.
The elementary pupils are taught by 27 teachers and aides and the junior and senior high students by 16
teachers.
For the last 4-5 years, the SRE program has also included summer Vacation Bible School for children in
Kindergarten through 6th grade. Junior High students and older are encouraged to help.
Our Lenten Journey
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 A lone.”)
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): Saturdays 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 in the Church)
40 Days for Life: Sponsored by the St. Nicholas Right to Life group.
Note: All Catholics, 14 years or older, are expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during 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.
40 Days For Life—February 18th to March 29th
This Lent we invite you to participate in the 40 Days for Life worldwide Campaign. We will pray the Rosary outside of
the Planned Parenthood facility located at La Paz Road, at the corner of La Paz and Chrisanta, Mission Viejo. Our
parish will host this weekly prayer each Thursday at 12 noon from February 19 through March 26. Please join us!