Called to Serve

December 2012 | Quarterly Newsletter of Mission San Luis Rey Parish

Mark Your Calendar
12.21 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 12.21 Midnight Prayer Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament 12.24 (all in Serra Center) Christmas Eve Mass 4pm Childrens Mass 7pm Family Mass 10pm Family Mass (Spanish) 12:00 Midnight Mass 12.25 Holy Day of Obligation 7am Mass Chapel 9am Mass Serra 11am Mass Serra 12.29/12.30 Regular Mass Schedule 1.1.2013 Holy Day of Obligation Mary, Mother of God 10am Serra (2013 Year of Faith Calendar on last page)

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is one of the great choral celebrations of Christmas. The service was first celebrated in the King's Chapel in England in 1918. The structure of it is nine bible readings interspersed with carols that tell the story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus.

Join us tonight in the Serra Center, Friday December 21st at 7pm as the
Samoan Choir, Shepherds Choir and Sunday Night Ensemble present an evening of music, readings, prayers, hymns and community singing. Did you know St. Francis of Assisi was an enthusiastic champion of Christmas, the birthday of his leader and Lord, his inspiration and companion? In 1223, St. Francis created the first Christmas crib so that the people around the Italian village of Greccio could have a first person experience of the incarnation of Jesus.

Continued on page 2...

From Fr. Adrian:

As a gesture of solidarity towards all who have suffered the pain of loss in Connecticut and Oregon last week, there will be an all-night 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 Rosary Glorious Mysteries Adoration/Quiet Prayer Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries Adoration/Quiet Prayer Rosary/Benediction Rosary Mysteries of Light Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Preparation for Mass Mass for the Victims and Families

vigil tonight, before the Blessed Sacrament beginning at Midnight and

ending with Mass at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, December 22. Our vigil will take place in the Parish Chapel. Hot drinks will be available throughout the night in the Parish Dining Room. A book of condolence from the people of San Luis Rey Parish will be opened for signing. The following is the schedule: Vigil of Prayer for those who died in Newtown, Connecticut 12:00 Tonight, Midnight Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar of the Parish Chapel. 12:30 Readings and Prayers of Intercession 1:00 Rosary Sorrowful Mysteries 1:30 Adoration/Quiet Prayer 2:00 Rosary Joyful Mysteries 2:30 Adoration/Quiet Prayer

The Field Trip Please dont cry, were okay. We went on a field trip today. A secret place where theres fun to be had And the principals with us, so we wont be bad. Its full of toys and rainbow slides, Cotton candy and high cloud rides. A funny zoo full of different things. I even saw a man with wings. Were not alone so dont you fear. Were chaperoned by Jesus, here. Its really nice so I think Ill stay And hold your spot til your field trip day. I know Christmas is here And theres toys to be given, So please tell Santa that Im here in heaven. Submitted by an OMMS Student

STORY OF ST. FRANCIS AND CHRISTMAS Continued

You are invited to come Christmas Eve to the Family Mass at 4pm, Serra Center. See the story of St. Francis and the creation of the Christmas creche put on by our youth and school children. Our own Nativity scene which rests under our Christmas tree is a visible reminder of that night when our Savior was born. May we never forget to see in our hearts the little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin. May we too embrace Him with all of our love as did St. Francis. FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

Food For Thought- a Holiday Story

Shared by Nathan McWeeney Youth Leadership Coordinator

From an anonymous mother.For weeks, my son Nicholas

had been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Those in the front row- center stage held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although the teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood - the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "CHRIST WAS LOVE" And, I believe, He still is.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, as we are bathed in the new radiance of your incarnate Word, the light of faith, which illumines our minds, may also shine through in our deeds.

ALL CHILDREN INVITED

All children attending the 4pm Christmas Eve Childrens Mass on December 24th are encouraged to dress as Angels and Shepherds..

FAMILY PRAYER
For the Gift of Faith

Looking for simple ideas on how to make a quick costume?

For shepherds, think long striped dress, a
fabric belt tie about six inches wide, and simple dark cloak. You can also put plain, loose trousers under the dress. Grab a tea towel for the headdress. Long haired wigs and fake beards can add to the magic. Dont forget a walking stick with a paper mache crook on the end.

Angel costumes are similar. Choose a

simple smock style dress or nightgown in white. It should be long enough to cover your childs shoes. Gold glitter on paper wings and a halo made of wire hanger and paper complete the set.

O God our Father, by the light of the Holy Spirit, lead us to be thankful for the gift of faith, and by that gift may we grow in our relationship with Jesus, your Son, and be confident witnesses to Christian hope and joy to all we meet. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

2013 Calendar of Events Year of Faith Events are in BOLD. Please watch parish calendar and bulletin for changes. January Untold Blessing Retreat (10-24) Knights Chili Cook Off (11) Serenity Retreat (25-27) Knights Recycling Project (26) February OMMS Variety Show (7) Fr. Peters Married Couples Retreat (8-10) Prayer Day on Forgiveness (11) Ash Wednesday (13) Gods Extravagant Love Retreat (14-16) Knights Annual Shrimp Fest (15) Religious Education Congress (21-24) March OMMS Science/Art Fair (7) OMMS Spaghetti Dinner & Book Fair (14) Lenten Communal Reconciliations (TBD) Palm Sunday (24) Easter Triduum (28-30) Easter Sunday (31) April th Last Day of RE [7 -Pre-Conf.] (30) May Flores de Mayo (4) Confirmations (5) th Last Day of RE [Pre-K-6 ] (5) Knights Mothers Day Serenade (11) Ascension of the Lord (9) Santa Rita (TBD) First Communions [English & Spanish] (18) Pentecost (19) Corpus Christi (Guamanian Celebration) (30) June OMMS Spring Program (5) Old Mission Pow Wow (8-9) th OMMS 8 Grade Graduation (11) Last Day of School for OMMS (14) Old Mission Founders Day (15) July Christmas in July Carnival and Fair (13-15) August Mission Heritage Ball (17) San Luis Rey Procession (23) September Las Fiestas Patrias (16) San Lorenzo Ruiz (22) October St. Francis Transitus (3) St. Francis Feast Day (4) St. Francis Day (5) White Sunday () Da De Los Muertos [Old Mission] (27) Da De Los Muertos [Parish Altars] (27- Nov. 2) November All Saints Day (1) All Souls Day (2) Knights Spaghetti Dinner (TBD) SCC Thanksgiving Pot-Luck (TBD) Thanksgiving Day (28) December Advent Begins (1) Mission Christmas Concert (6) Advent Communal Reconciliations () Our Lady of Guadalupe (12) OMMS Christmas Program (TBD) Simbng Gabi (TBD) Las Posadas (TBD) Christmas Eve (24) Christmas Day (25)

Revised 12/21/12 (ch)