Parish Update: 1/30

Beloved of God and of this parish: 

Here is a "digest" read of what made news in our parish this week and will be making news in the coming weeks:

A. THE 91ST PARISH AGM:

Thanks to all who helped make our parish's Annual General Meeting successful. I would like to encourage all of us to rededicate our lives and talents to partnering God in his purpose for the world and ourselves by becoming more active in our shared ministries. May God bless our dedicated lives, our offering of ourselves as we live our shared ministries in our homes, our communities and in our parish. "One mission, different gifts"; "One Master, many disciples".

B. THIS SUNDAY, JAN. 30

During coffee-hour, we will have a conversation around the book "Living a Eucharistic Spirituality". If you have not already bought your copy of that book, it costs only $3. Copies would be available on Sunday. If you already have a copy, please read up on that book so we can have a lovely conversation.

C. RUMMAGE STORAGE:

Many of you have heard that we are in need of storage space as we begin collecting good rummage towards our end-of-year fund-raiser. We have a plan to erect a new storage shed in the backyard of the rectory to use for this purpose. WE HAVE A DONATED STORAGE SHED WITH ALL OR MOST OF THE NEEDED MATERIALS FOR COMPLETE INSTALLATION. 

All we need are: (1) people in our parish community with skills in installing such storage sheds to serve as the lead team. (b) If need be, to schedule parish work days to support the lead team in putting the storage shed together. If we do it by ourselves, we can save between $400 and $500 and help strengthen our common life. If you can help with this project, please let Fr. Shamo know.

D. SIGNAGE IN FRONT OF CHURCH:

This coming week will be the last week for submissions re: texts and design for re-doing the parish signage above the front entrance door. Please, let Fr. Shamo have your submission by Sunday, February 6.

See you at God's banquet table.

Fr. Shamo

www.stmarypalms.org

Parish Update: Jan. 16

Beloved of God and of this parish:

An update of happenings in the parish:

1.  BIBLE STUDY: 

Every Wednesday at 7pm in the chapel. Currently studying The Letter of James. Join us if you can. No papers to write and no questions considered inappropriate. Bring your own Bible though. We are usually done by 8pm.

2. CLOSURE OF VENICE BLVD: 

The marathon will be going through Venice THIS SUNDAY. Venice Blvd. will be closed from 4am to 11am. Please, find alternate routes to get to church. Don't miss your appointment with God.

3. NOTICE FOR ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: 

Notice is hereby given to all that the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING of this parish will be held on SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010 in St. Joseph Hall following Mass. This is constitutionally mandated by State and Church authorities. Please, endeavor to attend. A full agenda will be sent next week by email and posted also on the parish website. Food will be provided by the Church. If you would like to help, please, talk with Fr. Shamo or Phyllis Thomas in the parish office

4. UPDATE ON CHALICES: 

We are in the process of acquiring one of the two chalices to be consecrated by the Bishop Diocesan during his Canonical Visitation to the parish on April 10. Cost of the first chalice is about $200 excluding the cost of engraving the name of the donor or the one in whose honor the chalice is donated. This is far cheaper than what others are paying for similar products. 

 

5. CANONICAL VISITATION by Bishop Diocesan, J. Jon Bruno: April 10, 2011

Basis for Canonical Visitation: Re-established by the Council of Trent [16th Century]  

Patriarchs, primates, metropolitans and bishops shall not fail to visit their respective dioceses either personally, or if they be lawfully impeded, by their vicar-general or visitor; if unable on account of its extent to make the visitation of the whole diocese annually, they shall visit at least the greater part thereof, so that the whole shall be completed within two years, either by themselves or their visitors. Of the purpose of visitation the Council says: But the principal object of all the visitations shall be to lead men to sound and orthodox doctrine by banishing heresies, to maintain good morals, and to correct such as are evil; by admonition and exhortation to animate the people to religion, peace, and innocence, and to put in vogue whatever else may be dictated by the prudence of the visitors for the benefit of the faithful, as time, place and opportunity shall permit.

Right of Visitation: The right of visitation belongs to all prelates who have ordinary jurisdiction over persons in the external forum.      Source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15479a.htm

6. VESTRY MEETING:

Next scheduled Vestry Meeting is Sunday, January  16 following Mass. Please, share your concerns with your Vestry members or Wardens. Remember that Vestry meetings are open meetings unless otherwise designated as closed. Take active part in your parish.

7, SERVING THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 16:
Eucharistic Ministers: Kozetta Garnett [1] & Peter Marinkovich [2]
Thurifer: Peter Braganca
Lector:  Elliott Ryder
Prayers of the Faithful:  Bea Boggess
Usher:  Robby Igodan

See you at Mass.

Fr. Shamo

Mayor Villaraigosa at Iman Center: Jan. 5

I am forwarding this email to you in the hope that you might be able to attend this meeting or spread the word about it . See the attached flier for more details.

I plan on attending and would like to encourage you to attend as well.

Fr. Shamo

Forwarded Message:

Come meet the Mayor and ask him questions about his efforts in our neighborhood!  Food and beverages will be provided.  Please come arrive at 6:30 pm so the meeting can promptly start at 7pm.  Please RSVP back with number of people who  plan on attending so we can make sure we have seats for everyone.

Thanks!
--
Natasha Ericta

Palms Neighborhood Council, Residential Representative

palmswest@palmsla.org

New Year wishes

Beloved of God and of this parish:

As the year 2010 draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to THANK each and everyone of you, for your faithfulness, generous giving, commitment and dedication [among others] to :  

• [the cause of] the God whose incarnation [and epiphany] we celebrate at this time,
• the mission and ministries of this parish. Your generosity and hardwork makes our common life and shared witness possible,
• our collective striving towards the rebuilding of God's reign so all shall enjoy the grace of justice, dignity, transformation, healing, spiritual growth and wholeness,
• our desire to keep the fire of faith burning and transforming the lives of our youth and children as they face the challenges of this and their generation.

As a faith community and as individuals, let us begin another year [2011] in hope and renewed zeal to grow in loving service to God. As you dream your biggest dream for yourself and your family, please remember to dream one more dream for God so together we can help birth and sing a new community into being. 

Have a blessed and fruitful New Year. See you all at Mass.

Fr. Vincent Shamo

Vicar

www.stmarypalms.org

2010 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE:

2010 CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

1. Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24: Carol singing begins at7:30pm. Mass begins at 8pm.

2. Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25: Mass at 10am

3. First Sunday after Christmas , December 26: Mass at 10am; followed by potluck brunch. Bring some food to share.

4. Christmas week: Morning Prayer at 8:45; Mass at 9am

5. Friday, December 31: Morning Prayer at 8:45am; Mass at 9am

New Year's Eve: No Mass BUT Church will be open from 9pm to 12amfor private prayer and meditation

6. Saturday, New Year's Day: Mass of the Holy Name at 9am.

FR. VINCENT SHAMO

Announcing New Programs at St. Mary

Here are some new programs currently running at St. Mary:

1. Bible Study on Wednesday from 7 - 8pm in the Chapel. Class is completing work on the Book of Nehemiah.  Now reading Chapter 12.  Class open to all who are interested in learning more about God's redeeming and unconditional love for humanity. Join us if you can.

2. Want to know more about your faith and how to live the christian life. Join us at our new Discipleship and Newcomers class after the 9am Mass on Saturday.

3. Presently considering offering the following additional programs based on interest:

• Martial Arts for teens on weekdays after school ending before 5pm
• Hispanic/Latino Mass on Saturday at 5pm
• Community Meal and Conversation featuring a Speaker on issues of current interest. 

The Parish of St. Mary in Palms is beyond denominationalism.

Have questions? Call Fr. Shamo at 310-558-4124 or post a comment on this blog. 

Parish Update: 12/19

Beloved of God and of this parish:

Here is an UPDATE of what is making news in our parish this week and will be making news in the coming weeks.

1. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19: [THREE EVENTS]

This is the last Vestry meeting of the year. Vestrymembers are encouraged to attend MASS that day and stay for the meeting.

• It is time to renew our COMMITMENT to God, our family and our non-parish community. It would be helpful if we have all pledge/commitment cards by the First Sunday of Christmas so  we can complete the budget process by year's end. If you have not already received your pledge/commitment card, please talk with Phyllis after Mass on Sunday or arrange to have your card sent to you in the course of next week. Please, remember to pick your box of pledge envelopes after Mass on Sunday. Our pledges and commitments make the ministries of this parish and mission to partner with God in the rebuilding of lives and his world possible. God generously gives us his Son to be our redeemer, let us give generously to support his reign and his work in our lifetime. We are grateful for your commitment to this cause to the glory of God. 

• Decorating for Christmas: If you can help with decorating the church in readiness for Christmas, show up during the week between Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks for any help you can give.

• During coffee-hour, we will celebrate the 82nd birthday of Gerda Morinaka. Please, surprise and congratulate her if you can.

2. CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE:

• MASS on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24 will be at 8pm

• MASS on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 will be at 10am

• MASS on First Sunday after Christmas Day will be at 10am to be followed with our signature potluck brunch. Please, bring whatever you can by way of main dish, desserts, gifts for the children of the parish and a joyful spirit. 

• NEW YEAR'S EVE: Friday, December 31. Church will be opened from 10pm to Midnight for private prayer and meditation. The sacrifice of the Mass will not be offered during this period.

• NEW YEAR'S DAY: Saturday, January 1. MASS of the HOLY NAME will be offered at 9am. 

Please, plan on attending as many of the above events as you can and bring your friends to join in the celebrations. NO CELEBRATION IS COMPLETE AND JOYOUS WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS.

3. COMING EVENTS IN JANUARY 2011:

• Sunday, January 2: Second Sunday after Christmas Day

• Sunday, January 9: First Sunday after the Epiphany (Baptism of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST). The youth of the parish will lead the Offertory and Presentation of the Gifts with the traditional gifts presented by the wisemen (wise-persons). It is time to support our children in their spiritual formation as we each present out life as gifts to God.

• Sunday, January 16: First Vestry meeting of 2011 and time to hear our audit reports in preparation for the annual Parish General Meeting. 

• Sunday, January 23: Our ANNUAL PARISH GENERAL MEETING. The first in the potluck-brunch series. We need someone to coordinate this event - setting up, designing meeting hall with appropriate signage, food and to encourage active parish-wide participation. It will look good on your resume as Events Organizer or Coordinator. If you can help, please, call Phyllis in the parish office ASAP.

• Sunday, January 30: Our first PARISH FORUM for 2011. We will have conversations around the book:"Living a Eucharistic Spirituality" by Oscar Lukefahr, C.M. If you have not already bought your copy, buy your copy now for ONLY$2. See Phyllis or Fr. Shamo. 

4: THANK YOU

In spite of global and economic challenges that faced us and many in 2010, all of us have remained faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, generously supported the ministries of this parish and the reign of God. Our individual and collective prayers, our presence at Mass and parish events, our faithfulness have transformed many lives; your parish leadership team and me personally are grateful for your witness. Let us strive even much more harder in this discipleship project in the coming year.

See you at Mass with your life-enhancing stories, your anxieties and a willing attitude to permit God to transform these to his honor and glory. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY, ALWAYS!!

Fr. Shamo

www.stmarypalms.org