1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

May 3, 2015 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
A praying, learning and caring Catholic community
MISSION STATEMENT
We are a praying, learning and caring community
fulfilling the mission God gives us in baptism
by our worship in faith, by our witness in hope and by our service in love.
Praying through the Sacraments,
Learning through Religious Education,
Caring through Pastoral Care.
Father Lawrence M. Purcell, Pastor
lmpurcell@nativitycatholic.org; 858-756-1911, ext. 4
Deacon Jim Walsh
jwalsh@nativitycatholic.org; 858-367-0114
Parish Office Mailing Address: Post Office Box 8770
Nativity School Mailing Address: Post Office Box 9180
6309 El Apajo Road
Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067
(858) 756-1911; FAX: (858) 756-9562; www.nativitycatholic.org
Page Two
Church of the Nativity
May 3, 2015
Fifth Sunday of Easter
See what love
the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
-- 1 John 3:1
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Please join us in singing the Psalm Response:
I
H
will praise you
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Lord,
in
H
the
Nevertheless, you might think, who wants to be pruned,
even metaphorically? Who wants God snipping away? It’s
hard to be pruned. There is a dying in that. But that is the
ongoing story of Easter: dying and rising, pruning and
bearing more fruit. God is there pruning us to bring out
life, to make us life bearers and life givers. The Father
continues snipping away, separating us from our
selfishness, our self-centeredness, and all those things
we hold on to that do not give us life: resentments, old
grievances, desires for getting even.
God is about life, committed to an abundance of life—not
just life today but eternal life. That’s the divine plan. Are
we part of it?
—James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
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as - sem - bly
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ple.
REFLEXIONEMOS SOBRE
LA PALABRA DE DIOS
REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD
Hearing Jesus’ words, “I am the vine, you are the
branches,” sounds comforting at first. But then comes
“and my Father is the vine grower” (John 15:1). The task
of the vine grower is to prune and pruning can be tricky.
The danger is cutting the main vine and not the branches,
or cutting the branches that carry this year’s fruit and not
the old ones from last year. But Jesus tells us that it is the
Father who is out there with the pruning shears, not some
careless hired hand. He is cutting away the dead wood,
and cutting back the good branches so they bear even
more fruit.
H
En un principio las palabras de Jesús, “Yo soy la vid,
ustedes los sarmientos” (Juan 15:5) resultan
consoladoras. Pero también escuchamos estas otras: “y
mi Padre es el viñador” (Juan 15:1). La tarea del viñador
es podar y esto puede ser un asunto delicado. El peligro
radica en cortar la vid y no las ramas, o cortar las ramas
nuevas que darán las frutas este año en vez de las ramas
del año pasado, que ya dieron su fruto. Pero Jesús nos
dice que la podadora está en manos del Padre y no en
las de un empleado descuidado. El Padre corta la
madera podrida y poda las ramas buenas para que den
aún más fruto.
Así y todo pudieras preguntarte que quién quisiera ser
podado, aun metafóricamente. ¿Quién quiere que Dios
ande recortando? Es difícil la experiencia de ser podado.
De cierta manera se muere un poco en eso. Pero ésa es
la historia constante de la Pascua: morir y resucitar, ser
podado y dar más fruto. Dios anda por ahí podando para
dar más vida, para que nuestra vida dé fruto y ofrezca
frutos. El Padre sigue podando a fin de separarnos de
nuestro ego, de nuestro egoísmo y de todas esas cosas
que no nos permiten renacer a una vida nueva:
resentimientos, querellas y deseos de venganza.
Dios es el Dios de la vida, de una vida en abundancia y
no sólo de la vida presente, sino de la vida eterna. Ése es
el plan divino. ¿Somos parte de ese plan?
—James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
Derechos de autor © 2014, World Library Publications.
LIVING GOD’S WORD
Jesus tells us: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you
want and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). Which words of his are calling you to life?
Ask him to help you to trust in the Father and surrender to what the Father wills for you.
Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
Page Three
Church of the Nativity
May 3, 2015
Congratulations to our Teens!
This Sunday, we are witnessing the sacrament of Confirmation on our teens.
These young men and women have completed a very full program of spiritual
preparation.
We have good reason to be proud of our teens. The time and energy they have
put into their spiritual preparation for Confirmation testify to the maturity of
their Catholic faith. I invite you to read their moving testimonies displayed in
The Commons.
One of the several formal commitments of faith these teens have made is a
self-evaluation of what they understand about the structure of the Roman
Catholic Church.
They marked each of the following questions as: 1) very; 2) somewhat; or 3) not “important to me.”
The Roman Catholic Church:
•
traces its history to the original church founded by Jesus Christ;
•
has unity and universality, one church around the world led by the Bishop of Rome;
•
has an unbroken 2000 year tradition dating back to Jesus Christ and the apostles;
•
preserves and interprets the Sacred Scriptures;
•
is led by the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and by Bishops as successors of the apostles;
•
articulates doctrines of Jesus Christ as clearly defined truths from the Sacred Scriptures;
•
has a clear moral code, teaching what is right and wrong, good and evil;
•
celebrates the sacrament of the Eucharist every day as well as on the Lord’s Day;
•
provides the grace of Jesus Christ through the seven sacraments;
•
honors heroes and heroines in the faith who are called saints;
•
has communities of consecrated men and women bound by vows;
•
has an extensive system of education from grade schools to universities;
•
has international and national organizations of Catholic Charities.
The “next generation” of Catholics – our teens – are giving us a good example of faith. How would you
rate each of these aspects of our Church as important in your life?
God bless you – Fr. Lawrence Purcell, Pastor
Page Four
Church of the Nativity
May 3, 2015
MASS INTENTIONS
MAY 2 — MAY 8
SATURDAY
5:00 pm
Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14
Thomas Conzemius, RIP
SUNDAY
7:30 am
Betty Crawford, RIP
9:00 am
For All Parishioners
10:30 am
Gerald La Flamme, RIP
MONDAY
8:00 am
Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26
Norma Walter, Special Intention
TUESDAY
8:00 am
Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13ab, 21;
Jn 14:27-31a
Maura Sheppard, Special Intention
WEDNESDAY
8:00 am
Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8
Doris Taylor, RIP
THURSDAY
8:00 am
Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11
John Remick, RIP
FRIDAY
8:00 am
Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17
Debbie Mast, RIP
HOLIEST FLOWER
Mary is the lily in God’s garden.
—St. Bridget of Sweden
TODAY’S READINGS
First Reading — Barnabas reported to the apostles how
Saul had seen the Lord on the way (Acts 9:26-31).
Psalm — I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your
people (Psalm 22).
Second Reading — This is God’s commandment: that
we may believe and love (1 John 3:18-24).
Gospel — I am the true vine; whoever remains in me will
bear much fruit (John 15:1-8).
The Call to Worship is by Noel Rawsthorne, born
1929: O sing unto the Lord a new song, let the
congregation of saints praise him; let them praise his
name in the dance, let them sing praises to him with
tabret and harp. Let the saints be joyful in glory, O sing
unto the Lord a new song.
The Offertory is Bow down your ear, O Lord and hear
me by Johann Sebastian Bach
The Communion at 7:30 and 9 begins with Cantate
Domino by the Italian composer Giovanni Francesco
Anerio (1567-1630), who held many choirmaster posts in
Rome, as well as Verona and the Polish court; he died on
his way back from there to Rome. The text is from Psalm
149: O sing unto the Lord, sing a new song, O praise him
the company of the saints. Rejoice ye Israel now in him
your maker, and children of Zion be joyful in the Lord your
King. O let us praise his name with dancing, with timbrel
and harp sing praises. Let the saints be joyful in praising
him, let us praise him, and be joyful in glory.
The second piece is an Ave Maria by Jacob (also
known as Jaques) Arcadelt, (1507-1568) who was a
Franco-Flemish composer of the Renaissance, active in
both Italy and France. In early 1542 he made the
acquaintance of Michelangelo, but his settings of two of
that artist's sonnets were received with indifference;
indeed, from Michelangelo's letters on the topic, he
probably considered himself unmusical and incapable of
appreciating Arcadelt's work. Michelangelo paid Arcadelt
with a piece of satin suitable for making into a doublet. He
left Italy in 1551 to return to France, where he spent the
remainder of his life.
The Communion at 10:30 begins with the Arcadelt
Ave Maria (above) and continues with a favorite anthem
by John Rutter (b.1945) commissioned in 1980 by the
Texas Choral Directors' Association. The words are from
the childrens' hymn by F.S. Pierpoint (1835-1917). For
the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the
love which from our birth over and around us lies; for the
beauty of each hour, of the day and of the night, hill and
vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of
light; for the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent,
child, friends on earth and friends above, for all gentle
thoughts and mild; for each perfect gift of thine, to our
race so freely given, graces human and divine, flowers of
earth and buds of heaven. Each section is followed by the
refrain Lord of all, to thee we raise this our joyful hymn of
praise.
The second piece is a setting of the Regina Coeli by
Antonio Lotti: Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia! For he
whom you have borne, Alleluia! Has risen as he said,
Alleluia! Pray to God for us, Alleluia! Lotti was born either
in Venice or Hanover (and consequently credited with
dual nationality) around 1667. He gradually gained status,
first as an organist and by 1733 as acting choirmaster at
St. Mark’s in Venice, the basilica adjacent to the very
symbol of that city, the Doge’s Palace.
Page Five
Church of the Nativity
Parish Baptisms
We welcome into our parish family
through the waters of Baptism the following:
Andy Theodore, Jr.
Child of Frederica Yang and Andy Chao
Colin James
Child of Kathleen and Michael Hauck
Cambree Ray
Child of Ashley and Brian Hayek
Lila, Dean and Jack Kaffka
Children of Phan and Andy Kaffka
Cole, Connor and Kylie Kaminsky
Children of Lynde and Gregory Kaminsky
Ella and Anna Kaminsky
Children of Nikola and Gary Kaminsky
John Philip
Child of Elizabeth Larsen
Drew Michael
Child of Brooke and Ian Leedy
Charles Vincent
Child of Stefanie and Vincent Navarra
May 3, 2015
WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS
Please join us for a Brunch/ Lunch
Solana Beach Crush
437 S. Hwy. 101, Suite 112
Solana Beach, 92075
Meet on Sunday, May 17, 2015
at 12:15 pm, $25.00 per person.
Deadline for reservations:
Thursday, May 14th!
Pat Smart (858) 259-7794 or
Mary Lou Matthews (858) 481-6255
Welcome Newcomers
to Nativity!
Sunday, May 17th
The Nativity Samaritans will host
our Newcomers Event in the Parish Commons after
the 9 o'clock and 10:30 Mass on Sunday, May 17th.
Please plan to come and get better acquainted as you
enjoy home-made goodies provided by the Nativity
Samaritans.
Jack Keenan
Child of Julie and Michael Swansen
Join Us …
Registration means “signing up”
to have your current name(s),
addresses, telephone number and
email on file in the church office.
If you would like to become a registered parishioner at
Church of the Nativity, please contact Nicole Steele at
858-756-1911 or nsteele@nativitycatholic.org.
Average Expenses Per Week:
$ 22,166
Last Weekend’s Offering:
$ 18,249*
Active Parishioners
Inactive Parishioners
Envelope Usage
1186
53
801
Please pray for our benefactors who include
Nativity in their wills and remainder trusts.
* This amount includes those contributing through the
Faith Direct program.
You may now make a contribution to Nativity Parish online at www.faithdirect.net.
Those who enroll can log on to the secure website of Faith Direct at any time to
view their account, make changes and make special gifts. For assistance or
information email: info@faithdirect.net.
Please visit www.thenativityschool.org
to learn about our annual fundraiser.
♦
♦
♦
Silent Auction - Open NOW!
Live Auction at May 9th Event
Support our parish initiative as we
GO GREEN and raise money for
solar panels for our church and
school. Electricity is one of our
biggest expenses!!
All are welcome to join us May 9, 2015
as we celebrate our community at a
private VIP concert in the exclusive
Star Lounge (former Sports Arena).
Please contact Kara Guthrie at
karalynchguthrie@gmail.com for more
information.
Page Eight
Church of the Nativity
LORD'S DAY MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm
Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 & 10:30 am
May 3, 2015
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION
Classes meet September through June
PRESCHOOL THROUGH 8TH GRADE
Contact: Patti Smiley, 858-756-1911, ext. 6
Preschool - 6th Grade:
Sundays, 8:50 - 10:05 am at The Nativity School
Junior High:
Sundays, 5:00 - 6:15 pm in the Commons
RCIA and Youth Minister: Mike James,
mjames@nativitycatholic.org, 858-756-1911, ext. 5
Religious Education: Patti Smiley,
psmiley@nativitycatholic.org, 858-756-1911, ext. 6
Music Director: Paul Batchelor,
pbatchelor@nativitycatholic.org, 858-756-1911, ext. 102
The Nativity School: Margaret Heveron, Principal
mheveron@thenativityschool.org, 858-756-6763
Bookkeeper: Jackie Marin,
jmarin@thenativityschool.org, 858-756-6763
Administrative Assistant: Nicole Carlin Steele,
nsteele@nativitycatholic.org, 858-756-1911
Office Hours: Monday - Friday
8:30 am to 2:30 pm
In honor of Mother’s Day, there will be no class for ALL
grades next Sunday. Families are encouraged to
attend Mass together. Classes will resume May 17.
Pastoral Council: Carl Bobkoski, Jane Boler, Kevin Flanagan,
Cindy Hesse, Mimi Johnson, Kathy Klink.
Sunday’s topic will be “The Resurrection of Jesus – Part
2”. All freshmen-seniors meet from 5 - 6:15pm in the
Commons. Friends are always welcome.
Finance Council: Jeff Brandon, Chair
Michael Conway, Chic Dohoney, Jim LaGrossa,
Catherine Lorenz, Earl Parker, Carolyn Wilkinson, Joe Wilkinson
Safe Environment Coordinator: John Marin
Call the Parish Office - 858-756-1911
PASTORAL CARE
Nativity Samaritans: Patti Smiley, 858-756-1911
Childcare: Attended care is provided in the play room off
the Commons during 9:00 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses.
Holy Communion for the sick:
For the homebound upon request, 858-756-1911
Widows and Widowers:
Mary Lou Matthews, 858-481-6255
Monthly Luncheons - September through June
Men of Nativity: Meet First Thursday of the month
6 - 8 pm in the Parish Commons
Tim Van Damm, 617-501-3950
Small Christian Communities - Faith Sharing Groups
See Deacon Jim Walsh or contact Kathy Alameda at
858-756-9755 or kathyalameda1@gmail.com
SACRAMENTS
Baptism: After last Sunday Mass - Juan Carlos & Cecilia Brito
858-756-2115 or baptism@nativitycatholic.org
Marriage: Saturdays, 10 am or 2 pm
Wedding Coordinator: Georgiana Strate, 858-755-7459
Anointing of the Sick: Encouraged for anyone critically ill,
for the elderly, or prior to major surgery
HIGH SCHOOL
Contact: Mike James, 858-756-1911, ext 5
High School Youth Group (9th - 12th Grade)
Meet Sundays from 5:00 to 6:15 pm
There will be no class on May 10 for Mother’s
Day. Teens should spend that time with or doing
something nice for their mothers instead!
HIGH SCHOOL CONFIRMATION
Contact: Mike James, 858-756-1911, ext 5
Congratulations to these teens who will be
Confirmed at the 12 noon Mass on Sunday, May 3rd:
Sydney Acierno, Isabel Aguirre, Jack Allred,
Andrea Bell, Blake Booker, Dallas Booker,
Grace Busby, Courtney Chamberlain, Patrick Collins,
Seamus Comerford, Natalie Creede, Patrick Dohoney,
Meaghan Harrington, Christopher Hermes,
Brody Hoffman, Kayla Javier, Nathalie Kourie,
Austin Lee, Connor McCroskey, Scott Melbourne,
Timmy Melbourne, and Justice Roshala
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RCIA)
Contact: Mike James, 858-756-1911, ext 5
Next session begins in the Fall.
Please contact Mike James for more information.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION & BIBLE STUDY
Reconciliation: Saturday, 4:15 pm in the Chapel
Eucharist:
Weekday Mass: Monday - Friday, 8 am in the Chapel
Centering Prayer Group: Saturdays, 9 am in the Chapel
Contact: Dixie Welsh, 858-756-1911
Eucharistic Adoration: Every Friday after 8 am Mass
Perpetual Help Novena: Tuesdays, after 8 am Mass
Rosary: Weekdays, after 8 am Mass in the Chapel
Little Rock Scripture Study for Adults
Let the Word of God influence your Busy Life.
Monday Mornings 9:15-11:00 am
Develop a fuller experience of Christian community,
Contact: Kathy Klink 858-756-1328