Parish UPDATE: January 5

Beloved of God and of this parish:

Here is what is making news in our parish:

1. THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY - SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

• Second Sunday after Christmas. 
• Christian Education Time: Report from Diocesan Convention + "A thrill of hope" video.  
• Thank you for your pledge and for making the ministries and mission of this parish possible. Many pledges are still outstanding. Please, let us have your pledge card NOW.
• Thank you all for making our ministries and mission possible in 2013. Let's work together to make 2014 a year of faithful stewardship. 

2.  FEAST OF EPIPHANY AT ST. MARY - Monday, January 6

• Masses at 9 am AND 7 pm

3.  CHANGES IN OUR SUNDAY LITURGY:

• Morning Prayer now begins at 9:40 am
• Bell will toll at 9:50 am announcing Mass. Please, observe Meditative Silence in the Chapel and the Nave after the bell is tolled and until the beginning of Mass.
• Following the Dismissal at the end of Mass, please, leave the Nave or Chapel area quietly allowing Meditative Silence for those wishing to spend more time in prayer. We all need time for prayer.

4.  NEW STAFF AT ST. MARY

• Vestry has approved the hiring of Ms. Rebecca Merwin as Parish Administrator to replace Phyllis Thomas who retired at the end of December 2013. Rebecca will be in the office beginning Monday, January 6 in a part-time position. We are arranging a time for parishioners to officially meet and greet her.
• Vestry has approved the hiring of Ms. Ledy Hernandez, an independent contractor, as our Parish Book-keeper to replace Ms. Marsha Vargas. Ledy begins work on Saturday, January 4.   

5. PAINTING OF ST. JOSEPH HALL

• With funds made possible by a donor and labor provided by members of the TRY GOD GROUP of AA, we will begin re-painting St. Joseph Hall from Monday, January 13. We expect work to be finished by January 17.

6.  UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Classes on Christian Meditation to be led by Julia Bergstrom. Sign-up sheet is in St. Joseph Hall or talk to our very own Jojo or Julia.
• Annual Parish General Meeting: Sunday, January 26, following the 10 am Mass. More details soon. 

7.  OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE, PRAY FOR:

• Fr. Connor Lynn as he moves to Davis, Northern California on January 4. Pray for safety in travel for him, Anthony Y and Dahn.
• Pray also for all travelling at this time especially Fr. Federico [to Mexico] 
• Healing for Bianca, Gerda, Anthony,  Ben Shamo, Kate, Betty Moreno, Arlene.
• Our youth: Larry Jr, Simone, Jeffrey, Natasha, Yasmine, Obed, Audrey and Michelle.

8. For news about:

• the Diocese of Los Angeles, please click on www.ladiocese.org
• the Expo Line construction, please, click on www.buildexpo.org
• the Palms Neighborhood Council, click on www.palmsla.org

See you at Mass.