SECOND COLLECTION TODAY FOR ST. VICTOR’S DEVELOPMENT FUND

Today’s second collection is for St. Victor’s Development Fund, which assists with the never-ending repairs and projects on the parish grounds.  Thank you for your generosity.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration

Please join us this Sunday, December 7^th, at the 12:15 P.M. Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Catechumens – Welcome - Candidates

This Sunday, December 7^th, at the 9:15 A.M. Mass, we celebrate the Rite of Acceptance into the Catechumenate and Rite of Welcome of Candidates (already baptized) preparing for Confirmation and Eucharist.  These Rites celebrate the assembling publicly for the first time those who have completed the period of inquiry. They now declare their intentions to join the Church and we the Church accept their intentions and desire.  We mark them with the Sign of the Cross, asking them to walk with us in a new way of life.  We ask them to reflect more deeply upon the Word of God.  We pray for them: “For all of these we give thanks and praise to the God who has led them by various paths to oneness of faith.  You are welcomed in the name of Christ.”

Immaculate Conception – Holy Day of Obligation

Belief in the Immaculate Conception asserts that God preserved Mary from all sin from the moment of her conception, thus preparing a pure vessel for the Incarnation of the Son. This belief is not expressly contained in the Scripture, but it enjoys a widespread following in the Church’s tradition.  Although the Immaculate Conception of Mary has been affirmed since the earliest centuries of Christianity, it was not formally proclaimed a dogma of the Church until 1854.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Monday, December 8^th, is a holy day of obligation.  Masses at St. Victor’s will be celebrated at 6:30, 8:00 and 11:00 A.M. and 7:30 P.M.

Parish Adult Communal Reconciliation Service

All parishioners are invited to an Adult Parish Reconciliation Service this Wednesday, December 10^th, at 7:30 P.M. in the Church.  The service will include scripture readings, time for reflection and individual confession and absolution.  Come and experience the sacrament of Reconciliation in a community setting during this season of Advent. 

SCRIPTURE READINGS

DECEMBER 13-14, 2008

ISAIAH 61:1-2, 10-11

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-24

JOHN 1:6-8, 19-28

PLANNED GIVING NOTES

A Charitable Trust Can Increase Your Income!

The IRS allows you to use a charitable trust to increase your income and reduce your taxes.  The trust is especially useful for highly appreciated assets (real estate or securities).  The trust can also be used to help loved ones with income after you have gone, but keep the principal from being spent unwisely.

If you want to know more about this, the Diocese can provide free assistance.  Call Robert Serventi @ 983-0168, or write to him at: 900 Lafayette St., Suite 301, Santa Clara, CA 95050.

OLIVEWOOD HANDCRAFTED ITEMS FROM THE HOLY LAND will be available to purchase after all Masses this weekend, December 6^th & 7^th. The olivewood carving industries has evolved as a cultural tradition of Christians over many centuries.  Many Holy Land Christians in the Bethlehem area alone rely upon income generated from this art form, carved by the local craftsmen.  Less than 2% of the population in that area is now Christian, as many families are now leaving the area to find relief from the difficult conditions of their homeland. Please help protect this very important culture and industry.

Christmas Altar Flower Donations Needed

Donations for the Altar Society Flowers may be made in our CHRISTMAS FLOWERS envelopes located on the table in the vestibule of the Church.  Your contribution will help defray some of the expenses used for beautifying the Church at this special time of the year.  Please make checks payable to St. Victor’s Altar Society and place these envelopes in the collection basket or take them to the Rectory Office.  Thank you.

Simbang Gabi

MARK YOUR CALENDARS. St. Victor’s Parish Community will celebrate Simbang Gabi (pre-dawn worship), also called Misa de Gallo (rooster Mass) from December 16^th-24^th.  (Please see today’s bulletin insert for all the details.)

THANK YOU AND REMINDER

The Catechetical Ministry Office THANKS all those who ordered items from the Cherrydale Farms Fund Raiser that supports the religious education programs for all of St. Victor’s children.  Your generosity is appreciated. 

Orders must be picked-up this Thursday, December 11^th, from 2:30-8:00 P.M. in the parish hall.

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU also to all those who are still faithfully fulfilling their Catholic Foundation and ADA payments for the year.  Please mail payments directly to the appropriate address, as they will soon be closing their books for 2008.

IMPORTANT USHERS MEETING

There will be an important ushers meeting on Tuesday, December 9^th, at 7:30 P.M. in Room 7 of the School.   All ushers are asked to attend this meeting in preparation for Christmas.

Mass Intentions for the Week  

 
BULLETIN ARCHIVE