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 — 4:30 PM; 6 PM - 8 PM

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

September 24, 2017 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stewardship of Treasure

2017 2016 52-Weekly Required Budget

September 17 $18,556.19 $17,812.23 $25,856.00

Come to the Parish Library!

The Library is open on Sundays, 8:45am to 12:45pm,

and the last Wednesday of the month, 2pm to 4pm.

We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office.

Freebie cart—books, rosaries, prayer cards, etc.

PASTORAL SERVICES APPEAL THANK YOU to the families that have returned their PSA Pledge Cards.

To date we have received the following: Pledges: $171,626 (69% of expanded goal) # Families: 414 families (41% of goal of 1000 families) Payments: $146,331.91

We have reached our Diocesan goal of $104,000 and all donations over that amount will be returned to St. Nicholas to be

used exclusively for our parking lot and lighting project.

We are currently at 69% of our expanded goal of $250,000.

There is still time to make your pledge/donation. No amount is too small, and will be appreciated!

We ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation.

You may drop your pledge card or donation envelope in the collection basket, mail it, or bring it to the Parish Office. THANK YOU!

Save the Date!

Installation Mass for our new Pastor, Fr. George P. Blais,

on Saturday, October 7th at the 4pm Mass.

Parishioners are invited to the 4pm Mass on Saturday, October 7th, where Fr. George will be installed as Pastor of St. Nicholas Church

by Bishop Vann of the Diocese of Orange.

A Reception for Fr. George will be held in the Parish Center following the Mass, and

refreshments will be served in the Parish Center after all Masses on

Sunday, October 8th.

CALL UPON THE LORD The very first line of today’s first reading summons us to seek the Lord and to call upon God. This sentiment is echoed in the refrain for today’s responsorial psalm: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him” (Psalm 145:18a). Saint Paul is the embodiment of someone who constantly sought the Lord. In the excerpt we read today from his letter to the Philippians, we find Saint Paul toward the end of his life, a life he describes as completely consonant with Christ. He writes, “For to me life is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). To find out what it means to live life completely in accord with Christ we need look no further than today’s Gospel. There we find that God’s love and mercy are immeasurable for all those who seek and call upon the Lord. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

The Welcoming Committee will be in the Parish Center

on Sunday, October 1st, after the 9AM and 10:45AM Masses.

All newly registered parishioners are invited to come and enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast!!

Next Sunday, October 1st, the Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Pancake and Sausage Breakfast after the 7:30am, 9am and 10:45am Masses.

Come to the Parish Center with your family and friends for a delicious breakfast!

St. Nicholas Council 10590

September 24, 2017 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday: 7AM Charles Johnson (d) 9AM Marisa and Gustavo Peniche (d) Tuesday: 7AM Ann Anderson (d) 9AM Brian Jay Teodoro Castor (d) Wednesday: 7AM Hung Vu 9AM Asuncion Gallardo (d) Thursday: 7AM Ann Neville (d) 9AM Hung Vu—50th Birthday Friday: 7AM Lucy Locanas 9AM Lorraine Callison (d) Saturday: 9AM Sophie Tustaniwsky (d) 4PM Stanley Mudge (d) 7PM Mario Jose Luis Dominguez Sunday: 7:30AM For the Parish 9:00AM Margaret Galasso (d) 10:45AM Lenor Jacinto (d) 12:30PM Joseph Rinaldi (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM Bible Study, Rooms 201-204, 7PM

TUESDAY Spanish RCIA, Room A, 6PM IPM Theological Formation Class, Parish Center, 6:30PM Unity Group, Room B, 6:30PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall 7:15PM

WEDNESDAY Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Bible Study, Rooms 201-204, 10AM Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7PM St. Vincent de Paul, Room A, 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 RCIA, Parish Center-Room 201, 7PM St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM Teen/Family Choir, Church Choir Loft, 7:30PM

FRIDAY Divine Mercy-St. Faustina Study, Room C, 9:45AM Little Company of Mary Group, Small Hall, 10AM Oktoberfest Dancer’s Practice, Rooms 201-204, 6PM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Praise & Worship Prayer Group, Room B, 7:30PM

SATURDAY Confirmation I & II Retreat, Parish Center, 12PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 5PM

SUNDAY Library is OPEN, Room C, 8:45AM

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9 Turn to the LORD, who is generous in forgiving.

Psalm 145: The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

Second Reading: Philippians 1:20c-24, 27a Live your lives in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16a The last will be first, and the first will be last.

We Remember

Dominico Ngoc La who entered his new and eternal life in Christ.

Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord,

and may your light shine on them forever.

Our Lady of La Vang Shrine at Christ Cathedral

At the request of the Vietnamese Community in the Diocese of Orange, after much prayer and thoughtful deliberation, Bishop Vann has agreed to the construction of a shrine in honor of Our Lady of La Vang on the Christ Cathedral campus with the understanding that it will be funded primarily by the Vietnamese Catholic communities in our diocese.

If you have devotion to Our Lady of La Vang and want to participate in this

campaign with the Vietnamese community in our parish, your gifts are most welcome and much appreciated.

If you are interested in making a donation, you may bring it to the Parish Office.

May God, through the intercession of Our Lady of La Vang, richly bless you and your family.

September 24, 2017 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

School of Religious Education

Check us out on Facebook!

Exciting events scheduled for September through November: Saturday, Sept. 30: Combined Mini-Retreat for Conf I & II students, 12pm to 5pm. Tuesday, Oct 3 at 5:30pm: Bible Study resumes. Tuesday, Oct 3 at 7pm: Conf I classes begin. Tuesday, Oct 10 at 7pm: Conf II Classes begin. Saturday, Oct 14: KidsFest in Small Hall, 3pm to 6pm. (Set-up time is at 1pm.)

Teen/Family Choir Rehearsal: Sept. 28 at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft. First Teen/Family Mass is: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 AT 4PM.

Turn off the lights; turn up the music! St. Nicholas Youth Group is going Cosmic Bowling… Saturday, October 28th, Forest Lanes, 5:30pm check-in time. $20/person—includes shoe rentals, bowling and food! Sign-up at SRE Office or call 837-7676 to reserve a spot.

All SRE Elementary Classes meet next week: Monday, Oct 2, Tuesday, Oct 3, Wednesday, Oct 4,

in the Parish Center from 4:15pm to 5:30pm.

7th & 8th Grades: Tuesday, Oct 3, downstairs in the Parish Center from 7pm to 8:30pm.

Confirmation I begins on Tuesday, upstairs in the Parish Center, Oct 3 at 7pm to 8:30pm.

Each year, students have to re-register for the SRE faith formation classes. If your children attended last year and

you have not re-registered them for this year, you MUST do so, before classes start.

We will not accept any registrations after the third week of classes unless it is a transfer from another parish.

Plan to attend the “Kidsfest” on Saturday, Oct 14 from

3pm to 6pm. Drop the kids off at the Small Hall to enjoy games, face painting and prizes. While they’re there, you

can go over to the Parish Center to enjoy a few hours at our annual Parish Oktoberfest — our main SRE fundraiser.

SAVE THE DATE Saturday, September 30th — 12:30pm to 4pm,

in the Parish Center. Confirmation I and II — 1/2 Day Retreat,

ending with Teen Mass at 4pm.

OKTOBERFEST RAFFLE TICKETS!

Our annual Oktoberfest Opportunity Raffle Drawing tickets have been mailed and we hope you will take a chance to win a

prize and support the School of Religion while you’re at it! We depend on the generosity of our

parishioners to assist our SRE faith formation program. Thank you and we hope you stop in to enjoy a cool drink,

good food, music and dancing at the Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 14, from 1PM to 7:30PM.

Mater Dei Lettermen’s Club 8th Annual Putting Tournament: Wednesday, October 18th, 7:30am to 11am at Mile Square Golf Course in Fountain Valley. Proceeds from the event support student-athletes, male or female who receive need-based financial aid.

Cost: $65/person; includes buffet breakfast. Hole sponsorships: $175. Online sign-up at: www.materdei.org/lettermensclub

Pray for Catechists

Catechists are positive role models who help children grow in faith and spirituality. Their gift has tremendous value—because through their actions and words, they spread the Gospel throughout the world. Please pray for our catechists.

Catechist Prayer

O God, our Heavenly Father, you have given us the gift of these catechists to be heralds of the gospel to our parish family. We lift them up to you in thanksgiving and intercede for them concerning their hopes and needs. May we be attentive to the

presence of your Word in them, a Word that lifts up and affirms, calls forth and challenges, is compassionate and consoles. We pray that our parish family will always be

blessed with those who have responded to the call to share in Christ’s prophetic mission as catechists. May we, too, be open to the universal call to service that Christ addresses to all of his disciples, contributing our gifts to the communion of faith, the

Church. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

GOD IS CALLING YOU! A vocation—marriage, priesthood, religious life, etc. — is a call to love and every baptized person has one! But perhaps, you’re feeling a tug to give your heart to Jesus exclusively, sitting at His feet like Mary Magdalene, or perhaps you’ve wondered what life is like as a cloistered nun? If you’re a single Catholic woman between the ages of 18-38 years, we invite you to spend a day of discernment with the Cloistered Dominican Nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery in Menlo Park. Contact Sr. Joseph Marie, O.P., at vocations@nunsmenlo.org, or visit our website: http://nunsmenlo.org/discernment-days/ to learn more or to register for our “Come and See Days” on Saturday, 10/21/17 or Saturday, 1/20/18 from 8am to 5:30pm. This is a free event!

September 24, 2017 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Are you a caregiver for someone with memory loss? Come to a discussion group.

If you are a family caregiver or a friend of a person with dementia, this informal meeting offers resources for problem solving, education information, as well as emotional support. It is a place where people can share their experiences and feelings and hear from others in similar situations. You are not alone on this journey! We are meeting at the Diocese of Orange Pastoral Center, Mercy Center—Room 1D, on Wednesdays, 2pm—3:30pm on September 27, October 25, November 15 & December 20. The meetings are free of charge and co-sponsored by Alzheimer’s Orange County.

For more information: Patty Mouton, 714-349-5517.

THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP PRAYER GROUP

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

HELP WANTED!

More volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We meet every other Tuesday after the 9AM Mass. If you can contribute an hour or two of your time, it would be appreciated!

Our next church cleaning is Tuesday, October 3rd. Call: Phoebe at 949-855-9263 with any questions.

The Knights of Columbus are having a

Membership Drive THIS weekend, September 23-24, and will be outside

the Church after Mass to answer any questions.

Coming Soon! Wills and Trusts Week: October 16-21

Take steps to protect those you love with a new or updated estate plan. Through proper planning, the legacy of love and

care that you leave for your family and friends can be encouraging and even inspiring. The Orange Catholic

Foundation will share how to create or update your estate plan with a will or trust and information to consider when

developing your plan. On Tuesday, October 17th from 9:30am to 11:30am,

St. Nicholas Parish will host a Wills and Trust seminar. During the session, local Catholic estate planning attorneys will answer questions regarding estate taxes, probate, trusts,

guardianship, selecting a personal representative, and steps on how to create or update your own plans.

Families will be offered a complimentary consultation to be used within 6 months.

Come to Faith Alive-Faith Sharing!

The Faith Alive-Faith Sharing group meets weekly on Thursdays, 10AM to 11:30AM in Room A. All parishioners are invited to join the group to study the

scriptures for the upcoming Sunday Masses.

Parishioners are invited to attend a Book Study starting at 9:45am on Friday, October 6 through November 17, in Room 201 of the Parish Center.

Parishioners Beth Perak and Mary Anderson will lead discussion on the book, “Rediscover Catholicism” written by Matthew Kelly. Copies of the book will be provided to participants.

Is your child going away to college? Did you know?

Almost every major secular college campus has a Catholic presence through the

Newman Centers, which are places on campus that provide pastoral and ministry services to the

Catholic student population. At a Newman Center, a student can find their family—their

home away from home. For more information, go to the Newman Centers website:

www.newmanconnection.com

September 30th is the Feast Day of St. Jerome, the patron Saint of librarians, Biblical scholars, archaeologists, students and translators. St. Jerome is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

September 24, 2017 Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Nicholas Parish presents its 18th Annual

Saturday, October 14th — 1:30pm to 7:30pm.

Dancing, singing, good food, drink and friends. Join your parish family, and invite your friends and loved ones. All proceeds

from this event benefit the St. Nicholas’ School of Religious Education.

Opportunity Drawing held at 7:30pm. $2,500 GRAND PRIZE! (With a total of $3700 in prizes.) * Winner need not be present to win.

Hourly Attendance Prizes of $50.

Holiday Boutique Weekend of October 21st and 22nd.

The St. Nicholas Sewing Group is having a Holiday Boutique as a major fundraiser for the Council of Catholic Women Charities on:

Saturday, October 21 after the 4pm Mass and on Sunday, October 22 after the

7:30am, 9am, and 10:45am Masses. We’ll have Christmas decorations, children’s

clothes, baby items, quilts, lapghans, household items, crochet & knitted caps/scarves/ponchos,

and much more! Come start your Christmas shopping early!

PARISH OFFICE STAFF

Parish Liturgical Secretary: Cate Wolski Business Manager: Irma Contreras Receptionist/Records: Karen Falagrady Ministry to Sick & Homebound: Barbara Price Director, Youth Ministry: Gwen Wieser Director, Religious Education: Gwen Wieser SRE Secretary/Admin Assistant: Alfonso Lopez Music Ministry: Emett Loera Plant Supervisor: Steve Burton

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (949) 837-7676 VIETNAMESE MINISTRIES: (949) 837-1090, Ext. 116 Sr. ThuHuong Nguyen, LHC (949) 837-1090, Ext. 137

ADULT CATHOLIC SCRIPTURE STUDIES

St. Nicholas Church will begin two Bible Studies programs!

Study ONE: The Book of “Acts of The Apostles.”

already started and will be on Wednesdays, from 10am—11:30am. Come as you are able.

Study TWO: “Lectio: Eucharist, Discover ing The Mass in the Bible.”

Starting Monday, September 25th from 7pm—8:30pm.

Both of these Bible Studies will be held for 10 weeks, with classes meeting in rooms 201-204 of the Parish Center. Come join us as you are able!

All parishioners, beginners through advanced Bible students, are invited to participate.

For additional information call: 714-848-1624.

Council of Catholic Women General Meeting on Friday, October 6th

Our speaker will be Don DiMaggio, Parishioner, presenting on “The Fruits of the Spirit.”

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

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

the prison ministry, pasta/sauce for Catarina’s Club. Questions: Call Lynn at 949-830-2920.