The Church of the Nativity

Photographs by Charlene Dorman
210 Oak Grove Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
tel: (650) 323-7914
fax: (650) 323-3231
www.nativitymenlo.org
www.nativityschool.com
The Church of the Nativity
MASSES
Sundays 08:00, 09:30, 11:30 AM and 05:00 PM
Saturdays 08:00 AM and 05:00 PM (Vigil)
Weekdays 07:30 AM and 05:30 PM
Holy Days 07:30 AM, 05:30 and 07:30 PM
BAPTISMS 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month
(contact rectory 2 months in advance)
PASTOR
Rev. Msgr. Steven D. Otellini
PAROCHIAL VICAR
Rev. John Mary Chung
PASTOR EMERITUS
Rev. Clement Davenport
PERMANENT DEACONS
Rev. Mr. Dominick Peloso
Rev. Mr. Thomas Kelly
WEEKEND ASSISTANTS
Rev. Kevin Gaffey
Rev. Paul Maillet, S.S.
Rev. Gladstone Stevens, S.S.
WEDDINGS Saturdays 11:00 AM and 02:00 PM
(contact rectory at least 6 months in advance)
SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Mrs. Monica Hickam • (650) 804-2390
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturdays 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Opus Dei priest)
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM (parish priest)
(also by appointment)
24-hour Eucharistic Adoration
The Third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
FIRST READING
Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in
the Lord must be your strength!
Nehemiah 8: 2-4, 5-6, 8-10
PSALM
Let the words of my mouth and the thought
of my heart find favor before You.
27 January 2013
Psalms 19
“He said to them, ‘Today this Scripture
passage is fulfilled in your hearing.’”
SECOND READING
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into
one body.
Luke 4: 21
1 Corinthians 12: 12-30
GOSPEL
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the
Spirit.
Light and Truth, Simon Dewey
Calendar
Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21
SCHEDULE OF MASSES
AND INTENTIONS
WEEK OF 27 JAN - 02 FEB
SAT 05:00 PM Priest’s intentions
SUN Masses
MON-FRI
MON-FRI
SAT
07:10 AM
05:10 PM
07:40 AM
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Morning Prayer
27 JAN
(Sunday)
07:30 PM
Holy Hour for Priests
28 JAN
(Monday)
09:00 AM
07:30 PM
07:30 PM
07:30 PM
Bible Group
RCIA
Legion of Mary
St. Vincent de Paul Society
(Tuesday)
06:00 PM
Cenacles of Life Rosary
Priest’s intentions
MON 07:30 AM Alice Sinnett
05:30 PM † Carmen Campos
TUE 07:30 AM † Rosemarie Tornincasa
05:30 PM † Miriam and Rolly Somer;
† Tom Del Sarto
WED 07:30 AM † Paul Sinnett
05:30 PM Catalino Agor, Jr.
29 JAN
THU 07:30 AM Walter George
05:30 PM † Marie Masuda
30 JAN
(Wednesday)
07:00 PM
Confirmation Class
31 JAN
(Thursday)
11:00 AM
06:00 PM
The Thursday Group
Perpetual Help Novena
1st 01 FEB
(Friday)
First Friday
1st 02 FEB
(Saturday)
06:15 AM
First Saturday
Men’s Spirituality and Prayer
Group
Confessions
(Opus Dei priest)
Confessions
(parish priest)
FRI 07:30 AM Ray Schaaf
05:30 PM † Ralph and Marie Charkins
SAT 08:00 AM † Marie Firenzi;
† Bob Simonds
Please pray for those in need of physical or spiritual healing
10:00 AM 12:00 PM
03:30 PM 04:30 PM
Lent begins in
three weeks.
Ash Wednesday is
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
2nd
Parish Office Hours
09:00 AM-04:00 PM
Monday-Friday
Electronic giving is offered
through our website
www.nativitymenlo.org
or call the parish office
for a paper form
SPECIAL COLLECTION
There will be a second collection at all Masses
this week for St. Patrick’s Seminary.
PARISH OFFERINGS
WEEK OF
11-12 JAN
TOTAL:
$10,237
Annual Appeal Progress:
2012 Appeal Goal:
GOAL MET!
$117,100
Saints and Observances
SOLEMNITY, FEAST, MEMORIAL • OPTIONAL MEMORIAL • OTHER
28 JAN (Monday):
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, Doctor of the Church
(1225-1274)
Educated by Benedictine monks at Monte
Cassino, and at the University of Naples,
his works (e.g., Summa Theologica) are
seminal to the thinking of the Church. Pope
Leo VIII commanded that his teachings
be studied by all theology students. He
was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church
in 1567.
31 JAN (Thursday):
SAINT JOHN BOSCO, Priest (1815-1888)
Born in Becchi, Italy, John devoted his priestly life
to children. He was ordained in 1841, and by 1846
he had befriended 800 difficult boys. He founded
a religious society, now known as the Society of
St. Francis de Sales (Salesians), which spread
worldwide. He also helped found the Daughters
of Our Lady Help of Christians who work with
poor girls.
INFANT JESUS OF PRAGUE PRAYER SOCIETY
The group meets on the 17th of each month to begin a novena,
in the Church at the statue of the Infant. All are invited to join
us. If you have any questions please call Anne Delaney, SFO at
650/323-9333.
CENACLES OF LIFE PRAYER GROUP
Our Nativity rosary prayer group continues to pray to end the
culture of death. All are invited to come! We pray two rosaries
together and offer up a fast each week. We meet at 06:00 PM in
the church each Tuesday evening.
Ministry and Group News
SPIRITUAL WARFARE CONFERENCE
Nativity will again be hosting a spiritual warfare conference at the
Sobrato Pavilion (Nativity School) on Saturday, 23 February
2013. It begins with Holy Mass at 08:00 AM, coffee and donuts,
and the first talk is at 09:15 AM. The last conference session is
over at 04:00 PM. This conference is very popular with over 500
people registered at the last one. This year the principal speakers
are Father Gary Thomas, the exorcist from the Diocese of San
Jose, and Deborah Lipsky who has recently written a book
about her seven years as a devout satanist and eighteen years as a
member of an occult. Having recently converted to Catholicism,
she is anxious to get the word out about the
spiritual warfare that is present even in our own
community. As always, this will be a joyful event,
rubbing shoulders with fellow soldiers. Books will
also be sold, including Mrs Lipsky’s book and St.
Joseph Communications will also be present (they
have done several interviews with her on Catholic
Radio). You need to sign up early for the less
expensive price (by 14 February 2013). Flyers
are around the church to mail in registrations. Or you can signup
on line at www.heartsoflove.biz. Coffee, donuts, and lunch
(your choice of lunch is part of the registration) are included in
the price of registration. Tell your friends about this. The speakers
will assist us in discerning how the evils affect us, our family
and community. For questions, call Deacon Dominick Peloso,
650/269-6279.
TUESDAY FAITH STUDY CLASSES
Our continuing education on the Catholic Faith will continue
on Tuesday, 05 February 2013. We will be studying the DVD
series “The Creed,” appropriate for this Year of Faith. In these
twelve classes, Dr. Sean Innerst will take us into the beauty of
the Apostle’s creed. He will show how it tells the entire story of
salvation, how our happiness is God’s goal, what God’s “innermost
secret” is, the role angels play in aiding us, and how it is a road
map for our faith journey. The classes will be held on Tuesday
mornings at 09:30 AM and repeated again in the evening at 07:00
PM. It runs for 12 weeks, ending on 07 May 2013 (two weeks
off for Holy Week and Easter). There is a workbook to purchase
(approx. cost is $25). All classes are held in the O’Hare Center
behind the church. To sign up, call Deacon Dominick Peloso,
650/269-6279.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Please come to visit our Lord during the week,
as the church is open 24x7 and He awaits you.
Also, everyone is encouraged to sign up for one
hour. This will ensure your weekly meeting with
Jesus. You may sign up for any hour. Please consider the following hours which currently have
no one assigned. Our Lord wishes to speak with you, and you
have much to say and ask of Him:
WED: 12:00 PM (noon - Prayer Partner)
Pregnant? Need Help? Please contact
the Juan Diego Society (408/258-2008),
the Gabriel Project (800/910-0191) or
Community Pregnancy Center (650/964-8093).
Please call 650/269-7794 for more information or to sign up.
You have never strayed too far for the Father’s forgiveness and grace.
Announcements
OUR PARISH FAMILY
Please keep all of our newest members in your prayers,
as well as those who have preceded us to the Father.
BAPTISMS
MARRIAGES
NEW PARISHIONERS
DEATHS
LOST AND FOUND
FOUND: • Key and alarm fob for a GM vehicle
Call 650/323-7914.
Glasses not collected are donated to the Lions Club and all other
items are donated to St. Francis Center, St. Anthony’s or St.
Vincent de Paul Society.
SPECIAL COLLECTiON
This weekend the 2nd collection will be for St. Patrick’s
Seminary and University. For over a century, St. Patrick’s in
Menlo Park has been preparing men for the Roman Catholic
priesthood. At a time when well-prepared priests are needed
more than ever, we are blessed with a record enrollment of 112
men. With great blessings and opportunities, however, come great
challenges. We need your support so that we can continue to
provide outstanding academic programs and increase seminarian
housing. Your generous donation is greatly appreciated.
We invite you to see our faith and mission in action by visiting our
historic campus, chapel, library, and grounds. To arrange a tour
please contact Lauren John at 650/348-4811 or email: lauren.
[email protected]. St. Patrick’s Seminiary is located at 320
Middlefield Road, Menlo Park. www.stpsu.org.
Checks for all special collections should be made out to the
Church of the Nativity. In the memo line write the appropriate
reference for your donation, for example: St. Patrick’s Seminary
and University.
GOOD FOOD AND GOOD MUSIC!
Join us for the Nativity Men’s Club 2013 Crab Cioppino Feast.
Tickets are on sale for the Men’s Club Crab Cioppino Dinner on
Saturday, 09 February 2013 at Nativity School in the Sobrato
Pavilion. The dinner will include Dungeness Crab Cioppino,
pasta, salad; sourdough bread, and dessert. The tickets are
$45.00 per person. In addition to the best Crab Cioppino dinner
anywhere, there will be live music. All tickets must be purchased
in advance. Seating is limited. Seating will be assigned so we
must have the names and payment of everyone in your party at the
same time. Reservations are being taken until 30 January 2013,
or until the seating capacity is reached, whichever comes first.
Drop off your form and payment at the school or parish office. If
you have any questions, please contact
Erik Kingham at 415/305-5866 or
[email protected].
RESTORATION OF SILVER CANDLESTICKS
AND CRUCIFIX
The beautiful set of antique silver candlesticks and crucifix,
which is one of the greatest treasures of Nativity Church, is in
need of repair and restoration. Some of the candlesticks and the
crucifix were damaged in the 1989 earthquake. There was some
repair work done which did not completely address the problems,
nor deal with dents and internal supports. We have contacted a
respected silversmith in San Francisco who will undertake a
complete restoration. The cost per candlestick and crucifix is
$1,300. If you are interested in sponsoring one of them, please
contact Msgr. Otellini.
Dear Monsignor Otellini,
Thank you very much for the generous World Mission Sunday
2012 contribution of $9427.88 from the people of the Church of the
Nativity.
On World Mission Sunday, your parish joined Catholics throughout
the world, call to be “missionaries of faith” through prayer and
participation in the Eucharist, and by generous sacrifice.
Again, I am most grateful to you for encouraging the missionary
spirit of prayer and sacrifice among your parishioners. Know that
you and they remain in my prayers and in the prayers of the people
in the Missions.
Sincerely,
Genevieve Elizondo, Archdiocesan Mission Director
In The Community
NATIVITY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: TODAY!
Nativity School invites you to a special Open House for parents of
prospective students and their children (grades K-7) on Sunday,
27 January 2013, from 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM at the school, 1250
Laurel Street, Menlo Park. Come to see the magnificent displays
and exhibits and meet our faculty and staff. Tours by appointment
are also available. Visit our website: www.nativityschool.
com.
APPLICATION TO NATIVITY SCHOOL
Nativity School is currently accepting applications for grades
K-7. Please call the school office, 650/325-7304, to request an
application or visit our website at www.nativityschool.
com > “Admissions.” Nativity School, mindful of its mission to
be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any
race, ethnicity, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights,
privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded to or made
available to students at this school. Nativity School does not
unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national
and/or ethnic origin, age, sex or disability in administration of
educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan
programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
THE HOLY FATHER’S
PRAYER INTENTIONS
From the Holy See
Each month His Holiness Benedict XVI asks for general and
missionary prayer intentions.
For February 2013, the Holy Father’s prayer intentions are:
General:
Migrant Families
That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties.
Missionary: Peace
That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in
building a peaceful future.
In The Community (cont’d.)
22ND WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
The Archdiocese of San Francisco invites you to our Celebration
of the 22nd World Day of the Sick at the Cathedral of Saint
Mary of the Assumption, 1111 Gough Street at Geary, San
Francisco, on Saturday, 23 February 2013 at 12:00 PM. Please
come and bring a friend who is sick for a “special time of prayer
and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church
and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the
face of Christ who by suffering, dying and rising, achieved the
salvation of mankind.” (John Paul II). Hosted by the Order of
Malta, Western Association USA, San Francisco in honor of Our
Lady of Lourdes.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS
There will be an anniversary Mass this year honoring all those
couples who are celebrating an anniversary of marriage during
2013 that is a multiple of five years (5, 10, 15, etc.), particularly
those of 25 years or more. The Mass will be celebrated by
Archbishop Cordileone at 10:00 AM on Saturday, 02 February
2013, at Saint Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San
Francisco. It will be followed by a reception. All are welcome.
For more information contact murphyj@sfarchdiocese.
org or call 415/614-(5586 or 5505).
TELEVISED SUNDAY MASS
A televised Sunday Mass is now airing on ABC Family from
06:30-07:00 AM each Sunday morning. THE SUNDAY MASS is
produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers out of New York
City and is available nationally on local affiliates. Too early for
you? Tape it, Tivo it, or watch it on-line. For more information
consult the website at www.TheSundayMass.org or call us
at 1-800-THE-MASS.
CHILDRENS BOOKS NEEDED
Samaritan House Medical Clinic in San Mateo is collecting
children’s books to use in the literacy program they have set
up. Nativity is now a drop-off point for collecting new or used
children’s books for this program. There is a blue bag in the
O’Hare Center (next to the TV) where they can be dropped off
on Sundays or you may bring them to the rectory during the week.
MOVIE: FRAY MARTIN DE PORRES
Please join the Dominican Laity Corpus Christi Chapter on
02 February 2013 at 06:15 PM in the O’Hare Center, for the
showing of the movie “Fray Martin De Porres” in honor of the
50th anniversary of his canonization. The movie will begin after
the 05:00 PM Mass. They will have a relic of St. Martin De
Porres, which will be available for veneration after the Mass. All
are welcome.
AID FOR SYRIA
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is accepting
donations to aid the people of Syria. “The impact of the fighting
on the humanitarian situation has increased significantly since
December. People have been killed or wounded and tens of
thousands have fled their homes, leaving behind most of their
belongings. The ICRC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC)
continue to help those most affected.” If you would like to
help the people of Syria, you may make a donation by going to
www.icrc.org/eng. On the left hand side of the page click
on “Make a Donation” then on the page that comes up choose
“Syria” and follow the steps to complete your donation.
FAITH IN ACTION
Have you received hope, comfort and love at a time in your life
when you needed it most? Do you feel it’s time to give to others the
blessings you have received? There are hospice patients and their
loved ones in Menlo Park and nearby that would benefit greatly
from your companionship and encouragement. VITAS volunteers
are trained in how to work with hospice patients and their families.
Volunteer assignments suit your schedule and your location. Find
out more about our amazing caring VITAS Volunteers by calling
Steve Maraccini at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 415/8744410 or email: [email protected].
“Go and make disciples of all nations.”
www.rio2013.com/en
PREPARATION FOR CONFESSION
We should take advantage of the great blessing of the Sacrament
of Reconciliation as often as possible, and particularly in the
upcoming holy season of Lent. The following is taken from
the 1962 edition of My Sunday Missal as an examination of
conscience in preparation for making a good and thorough
confession.
In My Duties to God: Neglect of morning or evening prayers
... Superstitious practices ... Consulting fortune tellers ...
Receiving sacraments sacrilegiously ... Against faith by willful
doubts concerning any article of the Creed or by reading or
circulating irreligious books ... Against hope by despair,
murmuring or presuming on God’s Mercy ... Against charity
by willfully rebellious thoughts against God, or His Law or
by omitting good works through fear of others. Irreverence
towards God, His Name, His church ... cursing or swearing ...
False, unlawful and unnecessary oaths ... Breaking lawful vows
... Neglecting Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, or performing
unrequired servile work.
In My Duties to My Neighbors: Insulting or neglecting parents
... Failing to send children to religious schools when possible
... Bad example ... Neglect of home, trade, professional, civil
service duties ... Ignoring the spiritual and corporal works of
mercy ... Any violent act ... Causing hard feelings ... Revenge
... Refusing reconciliation ... Inducing others to sin. Stealing ...
Possession of ill-gotten goods ... Cheating ... Culpable delay in
paying lawful debts ... Lying ... Perjury ... Fraud ... Slander or
detraction or rash judgments ... Failure to support my Church.
In Relation to Myself: Obstinacy ... Sloth ... Desiring or
yielding to sensuality, impurity, gluttony, drunkenness ... Rage,
envy, impatience, jealousy ... Failure to fast or abstain ... Failure
to make my Easter Duty ... Waste of time, money or talents.
Pro-Life Information
PRO-LIFE CORNER (SAN MATEO PRO-LIFE)
This month marks 40 years of legalized abortion in America.
This has caused the loss of more than 55,000,000 lives. For
perspective, that is more loss of American lives than occurred
in all the world wars added together! One fourth of our citizens
under 40 are dead, and the survivors know it. No surprise, then,
that our youth are pro-life.
Why the high rate of abortion? Contraception! Really.
Statistically, throughout the world, wherever contraception
increases, abortion increases. Why? For one thing, the
contraceptive mentality sees the child, not as the gift that s/
he is, but as a “failure” of contraception. Since all types of
contraception have a “failure” rate, when it occurs, the easiest
way out is abortion. So the contraceptive mentality encourages
selfishness and lust, while having children encourages people to
live unselfishly and virtuously.
Contraception is immoral and intrinsically evil (Catechism
#2399, 2370).
While it entices single people into the sin of fornication, lured
by the “Safe Sex” slogan, it also ensnares married couples not
only with a false sense of security, but entices them into the sin
of adultery as well. Contracepting couples have a divorce rate
of 50%.
Contraceptive drugs poison the person (such as with cancer,
strokes, infertility, death) and pollute the planet (hormones
from women on contraceptives have been found in waterways
around water treatment plants, causing mutations in the fish
there).
This year, let’s do the right thing. Let’s end contraception and
have abstinence outside of marriage and natural family planning
within marriage.
PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION
What do you do when you return to the pew after receiving Holy Communion? If you’re reading the back of the bulletin anyway, read
these! These prayers come from the 1962 edition of My Sunday Missal:
Prayer Before a Crucifix (also imparts a Plenary Indulgence if recited after Communion)
O good and dearest Jesus, before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with the most fervent desire of my soul I pray and beseech Thee to fix
deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true sorrow for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment, whilst with
deep affection and grief of soul I reflect upon and ponder over Thy five most Precious Wounds, having before my eyes the words of
David the prophet concerning Thee, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all my bones.” Our
Father, ... Hail, Mary, ... Glory Be ... (for the Holy Father’s intentions).
What Shall I Give Thee?
I have received into my heart Jesus Christ, His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. I begin this day, as a day in Heaven. He is in
my soul the Divine Infant in the crib, the growing Boy at Nazareth, the Apostle acclaimed by the crowds on the roads of Galilee, the
Miracle-Worker Who performed such prodigies, the Martyr Who completed His Sacrifice on Calvary.
And now, O good Master, what shall I give Thee in exchange for Thy visit ... ? I would like to pray to Thee with the burning words
of Thy Mother and her court of Heaven, but I feel riveted to earthly things ... I would like to offer Thee courageous loyalty to my
Baptismal Vows and Confirmation Graces but alas, I have so often been disloyal ... I would like, at least, to have a desire for the
Christian life, but I allow myself to be discouraged by my failures ... O good Jesus, I have nothing to give Thee, and Thou hast given
Everything; Thous hast given Thyself to me. I can only join my poor voice in the chorus of praise to Thee, rising out of all the works
of Thy Creation here on earth ... With fifteen hundred millions now living on earth, I shall praise Thy Mercy! May our voices unite
with the billions of those who inhabited the earth before us, and out of whose dust the beauty of Nature perpetually rises to praise Thy
Glory! May an infinite concert of voices from cottages and palaces, from fields and forests, from towns and deserts, from workshops
and cathedrals, from earth and from heaven, from time and from eternity, arise to give my thanks unto Thee. Amen.