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.

BAPTISM Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Arrangements must be made a month in advance. Parents must attend two preparation sessions.

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

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

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

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

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

CLERGY

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Stewardship of Treasure 2017 2016 52-Weekly Required Budget December 17 $24,909.11 $27,136.41 $25,856.00

Dear St. Nicholas Parishioners,

This last Sunday of Advent the focus shifts to preparing for the birth of the Lord. We hear about Mary, who is the instrument that God uses to bring Jesus into the world. Mary doesn’t understand the message of the Angel; however, she knows that it comes from God and she wants to be the obedient servant. She proclaims: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” It is important for all of us to have this same humility. As Mary is the vessel to bring Jesus into the world, may we also be God’s instruments today and always in bringing Jesus into our world.

This year, we do not have a full fourth week of Advent because today is also Christmas Eve. On the first Christmas night, our world received the greatest of all gifts from God. For God is Love, and He loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son into the world to teach us what His Love is. Jesus is the manifestation of God’s love and we are to follow His example and bring His love into the world.

On behalf of the entire Parish Staff of St. Nicholas, I wish you all a very Blessed and Holy Christmas Day and season. Remember that we celebrate the Feast of Christmas not just for one day, but until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is on January 8th.

Fr. George

Windows in our Confessional Doors

I have wanted to put windows in our confessional doors since I arrived at the parish, and kept putting it off; however, the time is right to complete this task. The purpose of this is twofold: it will help to let those coming to confession, where there is a line, see if someone is in with the priest, and it will be a sign of transparency and security for the penitent and the priest. In this season of giving, a very generous offer from one of our parishioners to assist in paying for a specific project was brought to my attention and so we will be completing this task in the next couple of weeks. We will also be getting new round tables for the downstairs large hall so that we do not need to keep moving them from the upstairs hall. Thank you to this parishioner for this special gift and to all who help to support our parish. Fr. George

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017 The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. —Luke 1:35

A Prayer For Christmas

Lord of light, shine on us; Lord of peace, dwell in us; Lord of might, protect us;

Lord of love, enfold us; Lord of wisdom, enlighten us.

Then, Lord, let us go out as your witnesses,

in obedience to your command; to share the good news

of your mighty love for us in the gift of your son,

our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

—Eleventh Century Latin Hymn

PLEASE NOTE:

The SRE Office will be closed December 26—29. The Parish Office will have limited office hours on

Tuesday, December 26th through Friday, December 29th, and is open from 9am to 12 Noon only.

The Parish Office will be closed in the evenings. The Parish Office will have regular office hours on

Saturday, December 30th (9am—12pm) and Sunday, December 31st (8:30am-1:30pm.)

For parishioner and visitor convenience, extra Christmas Offering envelopes will be available in the pews for Christmas donations.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Second Collection — Next Weekend

There will be a second collection next weekend, December 30-31, for the St. Vincent de Paul Society,

which supports the most needy in our community with rents, utilities and other urgent necessities.

Thank you for your generosity!

December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday: 8AM Linda Legenza 10AM Rose Bohom (d) 12PM Sushoba Leo Tuesday: 7AM Mary Rose Lachica Tana (d) 9AM Raul and Rosita de la Bravo (d) Wednesday: 7AM Hui Fang Chang (d) 9AM Joyce Refoy (d) Thursday: 7AM James Miller (d) 9AM John Glenn (d) Friday: 7AM Frank Hernandez (d) 9AM Margaret Carney (d) Saturday: 9AM David and Joyce Rabinon 4PM For the Parish 7PM Jesus Garcia Vargas (d) Sunday: 7:30AM Anna, Henry and John Schiefer (d) 9:00AM Sr. Brigid Carey (d) 10:45AM Charles John Ward (d) 12:30PM Salvador Abad (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord—Masses are at 8am, 10am and 12 noon.

TUESDAY No planned activities.

WEDNESDAY St. Vincent de Paul Committee, Room A, 7PM Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM

THURSDAY Faith Alive-Faith Sharing, Room A, 10AM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM

FRIDAY Divine Mercy-St. Faustina Study, Room C, 9:45AM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM

SATURDAY Praise & Worship Prayer Group, Room B, 7:30pm Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM

SUNDAY Library is Closed.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance.

Psalm 89: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27 To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever.

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.

We Remember

Pastor Nelson who entered her new and eternal life in Christ.

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

Council of Catholic Women General Meeting on Friday, January 5, 2018

Social time starts at 9:30am and the meeting begins at 10:10am in the Parish Center.

Please bring your donations of pennies for “Water for Life,” can tabs for Ronald McDonald

House, pasta/sauce for Catarina’s Club and cosmetics for the prison ministry.

Wordnet Productions presents

“The Word in the World” — week of December 24: “ChristMass” — Fr. Mike asks us to join him in gratitude

to God for sending Jesus to us in such a down-to-earth way, teaching humility.

TCT (Direct TV-377) - now on Sundays, 4am–-record it!! (TCT is on Channel 205 in Laguna Woods Village.)

Or go to www.wordnet.tv—Program Archives, or YouTube: Wordnet Productions Channel.

PROPER UNDERTAKING

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven.

—Georg C. Lichtenberg

December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

School of Religious Education

Check us out on Facebook!

COMING IN JANUARY 2018

Tuesday, January 2, we will be going to the Laguna Beach Homeless Facility to prepare and serve dinner to the guests who frequent the facility. For more information, call Gwen at 949-837-7676.

Teen/Family Choir Rehearsals: Thursdays, January 11 & 18 at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft. Teen/Family Mass on January 27 at 4pm.

Bible Study will resume on Tuesday, January 9th, at 6pm in the Youth Ministry room. Join us and discover how the Bible can help you NOW—in your everyday life.

Confirmation II Classes begin on Tuesday, January 16 at 7pm.

The School of Religion will not have classes during the weeks of 12/24 and 12/31.

Please note the startup of classes for January 2018: Elementary Classes will resume on Monday, January 8.

Confirmation I Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 9.

Confirmation II Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 16.

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN SCHEDULE FOR 7/8 GRADE CLASSES:

Junior High (7 & 8 Grade classes) will resume on Tuesday, January 23.

Important Notice for all parents of students who will be receiving their First Reconciliation (Confession). There is a mandatory meeting on Monday, January 8, 2018, at 7pm in Rooms 201-202 in the Parish Center. First Reconciliation is

planned for Saturday, January 27 at 10am. Parents and students, please meet in the Parish Center.

The School of Religion Staff, Catechists and volunteers wish all our families and their loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus,

may you be adorned with His love, graced with His peace and filled with His presence.

The St. Nicholas Teen/Family Choir entertained the residents of The Wellington Senior Living Facility with Christmas Carols on December 17th.

December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Come to the Parish Library! The Library is open on Sundays, 8:45am to 12:45pm. We are closed on these Sundays: December 24 & 31.

Starting January 7th, 2018, the Library will only be open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, 8:45am—12:45pm, and

we will no longer be open on Wednesday afternoons. We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office.

We have a cart of free items: rosaries, prayer cards, etc.

Bulletin Date Articles Due By

December 31st December 15th—Past Due

January 7th, 2018 December 20th—Past Due

Please note early Bulletin deadlines! With holidays and Publisher requirements, articles

for our bulletin have EARLY DEADLINES! Articles submitted after the required “Due Date”

will not be published in the bulletin.

Parishioners enjoyed the

Council of Catholic Women Christmas Party on December 8th, which featured festive decorations,

beautifully wrapped Christmas presents, great food and

Mrs. Claus and her Merry Elves!

THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP PRAYER GROUP

Come join us in praise, worship and for healing prayers, on Friday, Dec. 29th at 7:30pm in Room B. All are welcome! Questions: Phoebe—949-855-9263

The Knights of Columbus & The American Red Cross

invite you to a Community Blood Drive on Thursday, January 18—7:45am to 7:45pm

at St. Nicholas Church in the Parish Center.

To schedule appointments call: Rod: 949-831-0208, Paul: 949-581-5503, Peggy: 949-500-0826 or

Omar: 949-616-8514 Walk-ins are welcome or make

an appointment for faster service!

Save the Date!

The Knights of Columbus will again be sponsoring a FREE bus ride to the 2018 March for Life in LA on Saturday, January 20th, 2018.

All those interested in attending should contact Bill White, KOC, at 949-859-6203, to reserve a seat. The bus will leave the Church parking lot at approximately 9:45am, the morning of January 20th. For more information, see posters available in the Church and Parish Center, or contact Bill White.

You Can Help Your Marriage. “Retrouvaille”

Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi) has helped tens of thousands of couples at all stages of disillusionment or

misery in their marriage. This program can help you, too. For confidential information about, or to register for, the program beginning with a weekend, January 19-21, 2018,

call 714-306-6469 or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.

Registration need by January 16th.

Sunday, December 24, 2017 – Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Schedule 4pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, December 23rd.

Sunday Masses at 7:30am, 9am, 10:45am, 12:30pm Note: We will not have a 5pm Vietnamese Mass.

Christmas/New Year’s Mass Schedule, 2017 Solemnity of the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord — December 24

4:00pm, (English) SRE Family Mass with Teen Choir [3:30pm Christmas Pageant and Christmas Carols.]

6pm, (English), with St. Nicholas (9am) Choir with String Quartet [Prelude at 5:30pm]

8pm, Vietnamese Mass in the Church 8pm, Spanish Mass in the Parish Center

10:30pm with St. Nicholas (10:45am) Chorale with oboe & flute [Prelude at 10:00pm]

Monday, December 25, 2017 Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord:

8:00am, with Cantor and Piano 10:00am, with St. Nicholas Chorale 12:00 Noon, with Cantor and Organ

Sunday, December 31, 2017 — Feast of the Holy Family: Masses at: 7:30am, 9am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 5pm Vietnamese

Monday, January 1, 2018 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God:

Masses at 9:00am and 11:00am. (Not a Holy Day of Obligation in Diocese of Orange.)

If possible, please carpool to alleviate parking/traffic problems at Masses. Please do not park at the Lutheran Church across the street, as they have services as well!

Christmas Flower Dedications We deeply appreciate the many donations of Poinsettias in memory of your loved ones

which decorate the Church and the Parish Center for Christmas.