Friday, August 31, 2012

Parish Update: Sept. 2


Beloved of God and of this parish:

REMINDER:
Our Quiet Day, to be led by Br. Derek, SSF is STILL scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 1,  beginning with Mass at 9 am and finishing before 12 pm. It is time to prepare ourselves spiritually for the feast and to strengthen our relationships with God and one another in prayer.

UPDATE ON PATRONAL FEAST
  • painting of the church will be completed tomorrow.
  • a brief rehearsal on Sunday following Mass, for all who have been assigned to perform special tasks at the patronal feast Mass. Stay if you can.
  • the rugs which were put in the church last week have had to be removed because they impacted the acoustics of the church. Sorry.
  • the paving of the front entrance of the church and proposed sitting area [plaza] has been deferred until after the Palms Neighborhood Council vote next month.
  • Sunday, Sept. 2:  
    • Please, sign up if you have not already signed up to bring some food for the patronal feast. We are expecting about 100 people to attend the patronal feast Mass and post-Mass refreshment. We certainly can do with some more food. Your help would be most appreciated.
    • Saturday, Sept. 8:  
    • we will meet following the 9 am Mass to set up the church and St. Joseph Hall for the patronal feast on Sunday, Sept. 9. Please, join us in getting the church ready for our feast. we can do with some help.
    • Fr. Vincent invites you to join him in praying the rosary - in the chapel - after the work party, to ask for divine favor and blessings on our patronal feast; for all who are coming to Christ for the first time; for the congregation that will worship with us on Sunday and for Bishop Catherine Roskam, our Guest Celebrant and Homilist.
Sunday, Sept. 9:
  • All who are performing special ministries at the patronal feast - Eucharistic Ministers, thurifer, Crucifer, ushers, greeters, lectors - must please, endeavor to be in church by 12 pm for a brief walk-through of the service. We will be ready to begin at 1 pm prompt.
UPDATE ON THE NEIGBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY:
  • Date: Saturday, September 29 from 11 am to 3pm
  • Our first planning meeting (yesterday) was very successful. Fliers will begin to appear in our neighborhood beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 4.
  • Our next planning meeting is Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 pm near the front entrance of the church.
  • Volunteers are still needed to help with planning children's activities and food including finding 2 grill masters. Talk to Fr. Vincent - after Mass.
EVENING PRAYER AT ST. MARY
Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm,  a group of parishioners led by our own Kevin, meet in the chapel to pray Evening Prayer. We'd like to explore this prayer opportunity to bring our community to prayer on a more regular basis. If you plan on joining us in prayer or would like to share thoughts and ideas, please talk to Kevin after Mass on Sunday.

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent
... ""Every Christian needs a half hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour." - Saint Francis of Sales "
P _____________________________________

Friday, August 17, 2012

Parish UPDATE: August 19


Beloved of God and of this parish:

UPDATE ON IMPROVING FRONT OF THE CHURCH
Work is on-going and expected to be finished by the end of August in readiness for our patronal feast on Sept. 9.

VESTRY MEETING
The Vestry will meet in regular session this Sunday, August 19 following the 10 am Mass. If you have concerns or issues that need to come before the Vestry, please talk to one of your Vestry members.

UPDATE ON NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY
(a) On Saturday, September 29, we will block off Faris Dr. between Charnock and Hannum Avenues for a neighborhood block party.
(b)  we are in the process of securing the needed approval of 51% of residents on Faris Dr. between Charnock and Hannum to go ahead with the project. We are confident we will get this. The Palms Neighborhood Council, the Neighborhood Watch Committee and our neighbors on Faris, Hannum and Charnock Dr. are helping with the planning. Food will be potluck.
(f) The office of our Councilman Paul Koretz have pledged some financial support.

Please, talk to Fr. Vincent to find out how you can help with this block party.

EVENSONG AT ST. MARY
Last Tuesday at 7:30 pm a group of parishioners led by our own Kevin, met in the chapel to pray Evensong. We'd like to explore this prayer opportunity to bring our community to prayer on a more regular basis. If you plan on joining us in prayer or would like to share thoughts and ideas, please talk to Kevin after Mass on Sunday.

PATRONAL FEAST, SUNDAY, SEPT. 9
Sandra Dyson would give us an update as it becomes available. For now, talk to her after Mass to find out how you can help with preparations and plans to make this event successful. 

Our very own Fr. (Br) Derek, SSF will lead our parish-wide Quiet Day on Saturday, Sept. 1 to prepare us for the patronal feast. Please, mark your calendar, bring your friend and do not disappoint Br. Derek. We will begin with Mass at 9 am and finish before Noon. 

I thank God everyday for you and your loved ones, for the ministries and mission of this parish, and for our shared witness in this project and in our community. Let us mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice.

PARISH FORUM
Our next Parish Forum is scheduled for Sunday, August 26 following the 10 am Mass. A complete agenda for that meeting will be sent in next week's Parish UPDATE.

WORK ON THE EXPO LINE - PALMS AND NATIONAL BLVD

For current work status, please click on http://www.buildexpo.org/pdf_uploads/cons_3m4c2gbe9n.pdf and note the construction work scheduled for Monday, August 20 ff.

OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS
1. For current news about the Diocese of Los Angeles , please go towww.ladiocese.org
2. For current news about Palms, please go to www.palmsla.org

OF YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR
  • all who make the ministries of this parish possible with their treasure, time and talents
  • all who have recently lost their jobs
  • full recovery for Councilman Bill Rosendahl
  • all who are discerning various vocations in the church and in our community and God's will in their lives
  • all young people as they prepare to return to school especially for Vincent and Simone.
  • all who are struggling financially and having to make hard decisions between providing food, healthcare for themselves and their families or doing without these
  • our Moslem brothers and sisters in this holy month of Ramadan. May God's peace reign in our hearts and, together may we all rejoice and celebrate the diversity of God's creation. 
OUR COMMITMENT
Guided by the examples of Jesus Christ and supported by the presence of the Holy Spirit, let us strive each day to strengthen our relationships with God and one another in the bond of love and peace.

See you at Mass. Bring a friend.

Fr. Vincent
 
... ""Every Christian needs a half hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour." - Saint Francis of Sales "

Friday, August 10, 2012

Parish UPDATE: August 12


Beloved of God and of this parish:

UPDATE ON IMPROVING FRONT OF THE CHURCH
Debora Shuger and I met the Project and Policy Committee of the Palms Neighborhood Council on Monday, August 6, presented and made a strong case for funding. Our request for $1500 was approved at Committee level. The full Council will meet on Wednesday, Sept 5. Meantime, we are filling out the necessary paperwork to aid the process. Thanks to all who supported us with prayer, you helped make it happen. Keep praying, we still have work to do.

On another note, we were reminded of the Neighborhood Council's resolution to encourage use of native plants in Palms for new projects. I met with Charles Miller, Chair, Transportation and Safety Committee - who also oversees the Native Plants project - yesterday on site. We looked at possibilities, our choices were confirmed by Grow Native Nursery in Westwood as appropriate. I will have computer print-outs for the Vestry meeting on Sunday, August 19 and for the Parish Forum, Sunday, August 26. Your input would be most appreciated.

UPDATE ON NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY
(a) On Saturday, September 29, we will block off Faris Dr. between Charnock and Hannum  for a neighborhood block party.
(b) I met with Lead Officer Ceja, Pacific Division, LAPD yesterday. We agreed the best times would be 11 am to 3 pm so it can free some parking up to 10 am and after 3 pm. This arrangement would help us make a better case. 
(c) I have parishioners working on a flyer and signature collection; we need the approval of 51% of residents on Faris Dr. between Charnock and Hannum to go ahead with the project. We are confident we will get this.
(d) The Outreach Committee of the Palms Neighborhood Council has agreed in principle to support this party. A formal request will be considered at its meeting in early September.
(e) Representatives of the Neighborhood Watch Committee and our neighbors on Faris, Hannum and Charnock Dr. are helping with the planning. Food will be potluck.
(f) The office of our Councilman Paul Koretz have pledged some financial support.

Please, talk to Fr. Vincent to find out how you can help with this block party.

PAINTING THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH
Mr. Anthony Joseph, our Junior Warden is currently collecting estimates and work will start once we have a selection and Vestry approval.

OUTREACH TO CHEVIOT HILLS
Beginning next Monday, we will be passing out flyers in Cheviot Hills, announcing the ministries of this parish, inviting people to church and especially the Patronal Feast on Sunday, Sept. 9. If you can help with this project, please talk to Fr. Vincent.

FEAST OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY
Wednesday, August 15 marks the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This being an important feast for Anglo-Catholics, our plan is to have an Evening Mass on this day at 7 pm if there is a strong support (attendance) from parishioners. Please, talk to Fr. Vincent if you plan on attending this Mass and as always, bring your friends. We need to have a decision by end of Mass on Sunday, August 12.

EVENSONG AT ST. MARY
Last Tuesday at 7:30 pm a group of parishioners led by our own Kevin, met in the chapel to pray Evensong. We'd like to explore this prayer opportunity to bring our community to prayer on a more regular basis. If you plan on joining us in prayer or would like to share thoughts and ideas, please talk to Kevin after Mass on Sunday.

PATRONAL FEAST, SUNDAY, SEPT. 9
Sandra Dyson would give us an update as it becomes available. For now, talk to her after Mass to find out how you can help with preparations and plans to make this event successful. 

Our very own Fr. (Br) Derek, SSF will lead our parish-wide Quiet Day on Saturday, Sept. 1 to prepare us for the patronal feast. Please, mark your calendar, bring your friend and do not disappoint Br. Derek. We will begin with Mass at 9 am and finish before Noon. Watch out for more details on this event in next week's update.

Under a separate cover, you will receive the flyer for the event on September 9. Please, feel free to make additional copies and distribute. It is our patronal feast, let us celebrate with a joyful heart and spirit.

I thank God everyday for you and your loved ones, for the ministries and mission of this parish, and for our shared witness in this project and in our community. Let us mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice.

OF YOUR CHARITY PLEASE PRAY FOR
  • all who make the ministries of this parish possible with their treasure, time and talents
  • all who have recently lost their jobs
  • all who are discerning various vocations in the church and in our community and God's will in their lives
  • all young people as they prepare to return to school
  • all who are struggling financially and having to make hard decisions between providing food, healthcare for themselves and their families or doing without these
  • our Moslem brothers and sisters in this holy month of Ramadan. May God's peace reign in our hearts and, together may we all rejoice and celebrate the diversity of God's creation. 
OUR COMMITMENT
Guided by the examples of Jesus Christ and supported by the presence of the Holy Spirit, let us strive each day to strengthen our relationships with God and one another in the bond of love and peace.

See you at Mass. Bring a friend.

Fr. Vincent

... ""Every Christian needs a half hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then he needs an hour." - Saint Francis of Sales "