Calendar. 20 8:30a Coffee Hour, Sunburst Room. 7p Parish Reconciliation, Church

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1 Page Two Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 Calendar :30a CLW, Sunburst Room 10:30a RCIA, Library/ RE Office 10:30a Sunday School, Music Room :30a Coffee Hour, Sunburst Room 7p Parish Reconciliation, Church Parish Office Closed 6:30a Altar Society, Church 8:30a Lively Seniors 6:30p Adoration with Benediction, Church 7:30p ROCCC, Sunburst Room Christmas Eve 5p Children s Christmas Eve Mass 7p Christmas Eve Mass 9p Christmas Eve Mass We pray for our sick parishioners that they may know the healing of Christ. Maria Justo Jane Walsh Tom Cooper Sandra Smith Teresita Blazon

2 St. Francis Xavier We Have to Wait for the Lord Page Three Today, while celebrating the last Sunday of Advent prior to the Feast of Christmas Day, we can associate with the greatest joy of the Blessed Virgin Mary who awaited the coming of Baby Jesus into the world. The long-awaited king is born in modest circumstances with no earthly power or show. Our faith tells us to prepare ourselves for Him. We have to be prepared so we are ready to receive Him. He came once and He will come again. In the first reading Prophet Isaiah invites King Ahaz to choose faith and God will offer him any sign he wishes. When the king refuses, God himself gives him the sign of a savior to be born. In the Gospel we are told about the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Joseph receives a sign and is informed in a dream that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. God tells him that he is part of the divine plan of salvation to be the Father of Jesus so as to give him the throne of David. Joseph, who is specifically chosen by God to be His instrument, has faith in God and enters fully into the mystery and assumes the role of a parent to guide the family. What is the spirit of Christmas for us today? It is about us entering fully, receiving Jesus and by making for all who are sad, empty in their lives, who are depressed and discarded by others. Once, the fourth grade students of a school put on a short Nativity play during the time of Christmas. Among the actors was a boy who was larger in size, yet kind at heart who wanted to be a shepherd and carry the sheep on his shoulder; but because of his size, the teacher made him the innkeeper to drive out Mary and Joseph, a role he reluctantly agreed to play. As the play went on Joseph came in and pleaded to the innkeeper for some room. The little innkeeper loudly told them there is no room and they must leave. Mary turned to Joseph and started crying. This made the innkeeper boy turn back and instead of moving away angrily as outlined in the play, he surprised everyone and said softly to Mary and Joseph, Look, there is no room here in the inn but you can take my room and have all the privacy you need. True the play went off track but it showed the spirit of Christmas, that there is room for every one if we choose to give it. Similarly, Jesus who had no room saw that we all would secure room in his birth. Now the poor, lame, blind, lepers and all who seek room will find a room with the babe of Bethlehem. After all the preparations of Advent we are ready to receive Jesus, and with Jesus we will receive all the members of St. Francis into one family. Let us join together to receive every member of our community and wish them a Merry Christmas. Wishing you all a blessed Merry Christmas and the joys of an eventful 2017 New Year. My prayers, Your Fr. Benny Readings for the week of Dec. 18, 2016 Sunday: Is 7:10-14/Ps 24:1-6/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24 Monday: Jgs 13:2-7,24-25/Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14/Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14/Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4,23-24/Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5,8-12,14,16/Lk 1:67-79 Mass Intention December 18, 2016-December 24, 2016 Sunday: Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: People of St. Francis Xavier Tony Francis & Nenita Valerio Peter Nolan Charles & Marie Galvan Estella, Jesus & Charles Galvan, Jr. Amparo & Adolfo George People of St. Francis Xavier

3 Page Four Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

4 St. Francis Xavier Be a Chef for the Day! Page Five Do you make one very special something? The Feast of Ten Tables Needs You! We are looking for friends who like to cook and could host a table at this year s Feast. You only need to make one thing that can be served in small portions to 350 people. If you are interested please contact Rita in the Parish Office at 818/ or rita.recker@sfxburbank.com. This year s Feast is Sunday, January 22, St. Francis Xavier is currently offering tours of our school. Please call 818/ for more information or to schedule a tour.

5 Page Six Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016 Become a Member of Our Parish Please include your name, address, and address and we will add you to be a member of our church. Name: Address: Phone Number: DID YOU KNOW? Set guidelines for holiday visits to ensure your child s safety Your holiday plans may include spending a few nights at a family member or friend s house, possibly with all the kids piling into a few rooms to sleep. Before you go, remind your kids about their body boundaries and what to do if someone violates those limits. Explain which areas are okay for others to touch and what areas are off limits. Inform the child that any areas that would be covered by underwear or swimsuits are off limits. For more information on helping a child establish boundaries, a copy of the VIRTUS article Teaching Boundaries, jvienna@la-archdiocese.org or call DIRECTORY OF MINISTRIES Annulments Deacon Jaime Baptism Bereavement Ministry (Funerals) Children's Liturgy of the Word Confirmation Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick (818) First Eucharist (Grades 1 & 2) Marriages Pastoral Ministry to the Sick (818) Quinceñera R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Reconciliation by Appointment Peace & Justice Ministries (818) Interested in engaging in the spirituality of Justice call Food Pantry Environmental Stewardship Advocacy Formation & Leadership Program Community Outreach