Parish UPDATE: Sept. 16

Beloved of God and of this parish:

THANK YOU....

Again for your hard work in putting everything in place over the past few months and especially last weekend for the celebration of our Patronal Feast. I have heard only good reports from all who joined our regular worshiping community. May Almighty God replenish abundantly all the resources you spent on building up his kingdom with such generosity. Thanks to Russ for the magnificent photos of the patronal feast. Ave Maria! Ora pro nobis! 

PARISH FORUM

All too soon, another month is here. I will need your help. Apart from the regular items on the Parish Forum agenda: finances, decisions taken by Vestry, - what area of Spiritual or Christian Formation would you suggest we focus on at the Parish Forum scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 23? What weighs on your heart that you would like us - as a faith community - to address? Please, send me an email by return address or speak to any Vestry member by Sunday, Sept. 16 so we can plan accordingly. 

Here are my suggestions:

• Earthquake preparedness - [for September]
• Medicaid & Medicare Plans (for October or November)
• Advance Directives (October)
• Youth Formation [for September]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY

Planning meetings have intensified as we have drawn closer to the event date. In the past two weeks, eight of our neighbors have joined our parish team in six planning meetings for this event. Our neighbors are excited and I hope and pray we are too.

Here is an update:

• Councilman Paul Koretz's office is picking up all the departmental fees - over $400
• Most of the grocery shops  and businesses in our community have been invited to make cash or food donations or donate prizes towards the raffle draw. To qualify for the raffle draw, bring your business card. 
• Fliers have been posted in many apartment buildings, condo units, homes and on many street light posts in our community.
• Event has been posted on our Facebook page. "Like" us, the event and SHARE on your Facebook page too if you have that access.
• Planning meetings are held on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm in front of the church near the new sign board. 
• Volunteers are still needed to help with setting up and taking down among others
• Food is potluck.
• Updates will be shared as they become available. In the meantime, pray for God's blessing on this outreach project of our parish and our neighborhood.

VESTRY MEETING

The Vestry will meet in regular session on Sunday, September 16 following the 11 am Mass. All Vestry members, please endeavor to attend Mass, get your reports ready and be ready to work at 11:15am.

EXTRA NEWS

1. For news about Palms and the upcoming Neighborhood Council elections, please go to http://palmsla.org/
2. For news about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please go to www.ladiocese.org
3. For news about the EXPO Line extension to Santa Monica, please go to http://www.buildexpo.org/

I am always grateful for your commitment to living and spreading the good news of God in Jesus Christ, for strengthening our parish community with your prayers, time, talent and treasure and above all for being a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 

My prayer is that all of us would be strengthened in faith to "not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ  Crucified, manfully to fight under His banner against sin, the world, and the devil; and continue Christ's faithful soldier and servant until your life's end."

See you at Mass with your friends, your hopes and dreams.

God's abundant blessings be on you, your work, your family and loved ones and, your vocation as disciple of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

Patronal Feast alert!!

This day marks the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our parish's patronal feast.


MASS IS AT 1 PM.

There is NO Mass at 10 am


See you at Mass at 1 pm

Fr. Vincent

Parish UPDATE: Sept. 9

Beloved of God and of this parish:

Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone for the hard work in planning and preparing for our parish's patronal feast. Here are some reminders:

• keep praying for the clergy, leadership and all members of this parish - our two congregations.
• Saturday, September 8: We will meet after the 9 am Mass to begin setting up the church and St. Joseph Hall for the Sunday celebration. In the church, we will need help with dusting windows, pews, altar area and narthex. In St. Joseph Hall and patio, we will need help setting up tables in a previously arranged format. Please, see Fr. Vincent if you have questions.
• Sunday, September 9. Actual day for the FIESTA!!!!!  The following persons need to be here at Church by 12 pm for a brief rehearsal: 
• Clergy
• Eucharistic Ministers - Mauricio; Joanna
• Greeters:  Stephanie Z; Samantha; Peter B
•  Ushers: Robby; Jojo; Denise; Anthony J
• Thurifer: Anthony Y
• Crucifer: Raul
• Torch Bearers: Alex and ??
• Lectors: Arturo and Peter B
• Parking: 
  • Parking on the street.
  • Additional parking is available at the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement parking lot off Tabor. From the 10 Freeway heading West (towards Santa Monica), please, exit on National Blvd., go left under the Freeway, - there is NO LEFT TURN on Exposition Blvd, so make a left turn on Clarington, another left turn on Tabor, stay on Tabor until you past Faris Dr.; the church parking will be to your right. 
  • From National Blvd heading East, go through the lights Palms Blvd, stay on Exposition Blvd, make a right turn on Tabor. Parking will be to your left.
  • From Exposition Blvd, heading West. Stay on Exposition until you go past Bagley, Cardiff, Watseka and make a left turn on Tabor. Parking will be to your left.
  • More parking is available at the Watseka Parking structure in Culver City, just south of Venice Blvd. This is a free 2-hour parking and only two blocks away from the church. If you intend parking here, please plan on arriving early and walk the 10 or 12 minutes to the church. 
  • IN ALL CASES, PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO LOCK YOUR CAR. 

Help with Sunday, Sept. 9:

• If you are bringing food, please know that we will be serving from your dish - we do not have lots of pans and pots. Please, remember to take your pots, pans and other dishes with you when you leave.
• We will need help to complete setting up for Sunday. If you can help, please plan on arriving at 11:30 am.
• REMEMBER, the Mass begins at 1PM and NOT 10 am
• The service will be bilingual,  so please, follow the service in the language that is more accessible to you. 
• If you are so inclined to, ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to assist your prayers this week.

For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to www.ladiocese.org

For news about the Palms Neighborhood, please go to www.palmsla.org and look out for opportunities to serve our community.

See you at Mass on Saturday and Sunday.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

PRESS RELEASE: ST. MARY PATRONAL FEAST

http://culvercityobserver.com/News/newsmain_view.php?editid1=575

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Bishop Catherine Roskam to Celebrate Patronal Festival at St. Mary Episcopal Church By Stephen Hadland Observer Publisher Bishop Catherine Roskam, the retired Suffragan Bishop Diocese of New York and one of the most prominent female religious leaders in the country, will officiate at this week’s Patronal Festival at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Palms. The day of celebrations, marking the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will begin with a Mass in English and Spanish at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 9. The service will include hymns in Spanish and English, under the direction of Mr. Mark Kennedy, Parish Organist and Choir Director. The celebrant, Bishop Roskam, was consecrated a bishop in 1996, becoming the first woman bishop in the state of New York and the fourth woman bishop in the Episcopal Church. She is co-founder of the Carpenter’s Kids, a partnership between the Diocese of New York and Central Tanganyika which now enables over 6000 AIDS orphans in Tanzania to go to school, and All Our Children, an initiative in support of public education in the U.S. She also founded the Global Women’s Fund of the Diocese of New York dedicated to educating women in the developing world, with priority given to women seminarians. Bishop Roskam is also a nationally-known consultant on church growth, congregational development, and in multi-cultural ministry. In 2006, she was named by New York Magazine as “The most prominent female religious leader in the city.” During an interview with the Culver City Observer, Bishop Roskam was very approachable and down to earth. Although retired, Bishop Roskam said she is still fighting for the causes she believes in. She also said she really enjoys visiting parishes in Southern California where she now resides. The special feast to celebrate the birthday of the Mother of Jesus Christ is “a time for praise and thanksgiving in honor of Mary’s personal sanctity and vocation,” said church officials. “Mary is the foreshadowing of the hope and salvation as expressed in the perfect love of her Divine Son. The special celebration encourages all to strengthen relationships with God and one another as each seeks to connect with and live out the Light of Christ in daily living.” Following Mass will be a reception in the church parish hall.  Bishop Roskam will lead a discussion on “The Dignity of Every Person.” St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 3647 Watseka Avenue, Palms, just north of Venice Boulevard. Everyone is welcome. For additional information, please contact via email at stmarythrive@gmail.com or telephone (310) 558-4124.

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

www.stmarypalms.org

... ""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 _____________________________________

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

www.stmarypalms.org

 

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

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

www.stmarypalms.org

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