Parish UPDATE: Sunday, April 21

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

2.  THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY:

• Saturday, April 20: Next in the Desire of the Nations movie night series. We will continue the series on India at 6:30 pm. Let us learn about the history and cultures of the places our parishioners come from. Please, tell and bring your friends. 
• Sunday is Fourth Sunday in EASTER.   
• CicLaVia is being run this Sunday. Venice Blvd will be closed from about 10 am to 3 pm. If you live on the south side of Venice Blvd., please make arrangements to crossover safely to church and back home without unnecessary hassle. More information is at this link: http://palmsla.org/2013/04/ciclavia-coming-palms/
• VESTRY MEETING: Sunday, April 21 following the 10 am Mass.

3. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca, Robby, Kay, Tom, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk. 
• God's guidance for the City officials and Law Enforcement agencies of Watertown, Boston and also for suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. 
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work and the challenges of life.
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents and businesses
• Our Confirmation candidates: Yasmine, Natasha, Kevin, Audrey, Michelle.

4.  UPCOMING EVENTS: 

• Our parish's leadership meeting: Saturday, April 27 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Venue: Cathedral Center, 840 Echo Park, Los Angeles. 
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from. 
• BIBLE STUDY: Thursdays at 7 pm at the church.
• EVENSONG: Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 pm in the Chapel.
• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith

5.  EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org. 

See you at Mass 

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org & on Facebook

Parish UPDATE: April 7

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all for making Holy Week and Easter glorious and soul-lifting. Thanks for the prayers, the flowers, the conversations and the devotion to God and ministries of this parish.
• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

2.  THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, APRIL 7:

• Desire of Nations movie night at 6:30 pm. We'll continue the Story of India series. Please, tell and bring a friend.
• Sunday is Second Sunday in EASTER.  
• Confirmation Class in St. Cecilia room (upstairs) immediately following the 10 am Mass. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.     

3. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Sandra, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk. 
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling autism.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

4.  UPCOMING EVENTS: 

• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from. 

• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith
• Sunday, Easter 3: Venerable Fred Erickson preaching at the 10 am Mass.

5.  EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org. 

See you at Mass 

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org & on Facebook

Happy Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen indeed

Blessings of the Eastertide season.

Fr. Vincent
www.stmarypalms.org

Holy Saturday & Easter Sunday

HOLY SATURDAY, EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 30

• Morning Prayer will be prayed at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Parish Work Day begins after Morning Prayer - around 9:20 am. We will prepare the chapel, the church, St. Joseph Hall for the Easter Vigil rite and the Easter Sunday festive potluck brunch.
• Easter Vigil rite begins at 8 pm with the lighting of the new fire in the new plaza. This service includes the procession with the paschal (Christ) candle, the singing of the Exsultet, readings recalling our history, the Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom, renewal of baptismal vows, receiving of Holy Communion.
• You may ring extra bells during the singing of the Gloria at this service.

4. EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31

• FOR THIS SUNDAY, FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ADVENTIST REFORMED CHURCH, CORNER OF FARIS DR AND TABOR AVE.
• Mass starts at 10 am
• Following Mass, join us for our festive potluck brunch

See you at Mass. 

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

HOLY WEEK ADVISORY

Beloved of God and of this parish:

A FRIENDLY REMINDER:

1. MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 28:

• Morning Prayer will be prayed in the Chapel at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning. 
• Mass for the day will be at the Maundy Thursday proper liturgy beginning at 7 pm
• The proper liturgy includes the washing of feet, the procession with the sacrament to the Altar of Repose, stripping of the main Altar and keeping a prayerful vigil at the Altar of Repose at least through 10 pm
• There will be spiritual and devotional materials for your use as you watch. You may take these home with you.
• Bring a bell or gong to ring during the Gloria. 
• Please, observe and maintain meditative silence around the chapel and church.

2. GOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 29

• Morning Prayer will be said at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] will be prayed at 12 pm in English and Spanish.
• The Proper Liturgy will begin at 7 pm. This rite includes: veneration of the cross, the praying of the Solemn Collects and communion from the pre-sanctified gifts. 
• Please, keep and maintain prayerful and meditative silence in the church and chapel.

3. HOLY SATURDAY, EASTER VIGIL, MARCH 30

• Morning Prayer will be prayed at 9 am. There is NO Mass in the morning.
• Parish Work Day begins after Morning Prayer - around 9:20 am. We will prepare the chapel, the church, St. Joseph Hall for the Easter Vigil rite and the Easter Sunday festive potluck brunch.
• Easter Vigil rite begins at 8 pm with the lighting of the new fire in the new plaza. This service includes the procession with the paschal (Christ) candle, the singing of the Exsultet, readings recalling our history, the Easter sermon of St. John Chrysostom, renewal of baptismal vows, receiving of Holy Communion.
• You may ring extra bells during the singing of the Gloria at this service.

4. EASTER SUNDAY, MARCH 31

• FOR THIS SUNDAY, FREE PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE ADVENTIST REFORMED CHURCH, CORNER OF FARIS DR AND TABOR AVE.
• Mass starts at 10 am
• Following Mass, join us for our festive potluck brunch

May God richly bless your (and our) Lenten observances.

Fr. Vincent

www.stmarypalms.org

Parish UPDATE: March 24

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, March 24

• Service begins at 10 am with the first part of the liturgy in our new plaza.
• Led by the cross, acolytes and thurifer, we will process around our block going north on Faris Dr, turning right onto Exposition Dr. and right again on Watseka Avenue, singing special music for the day and waving palm branches - signs of victory. 
• In place of the traditional Gospel reading, three Cantors will sing the Passion Gospel.  Congregation is advised to sit for the Passion Gospel until the Cantor cues us to stand at the "arrival on Golgotha" and then to devoutly kneel at the "giving up of the spirit".
• This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is best to plan for and make every effort to spend this week in church with all the special liturgies on Maundy Thursday [7pm]; Good Friday [7pm]; Easter Vigil [8pm] and Easter Sunday [10 am and 1 pm]. 

2.  HELP NEEDED FOR MAUNDY THURSDAY, MARCH 28. 

• We encourage you to bring flowers on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28 to help decorate the meditation garden/Altar of Repose in readiness for Maundy Thursday

3. HOLY WEEK AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Holy Week and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm
• GOOD FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] at Midday 
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession before Easter.
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson, [all certified Spiritual Directors], if you have questions.

4.  NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 31

• EASTER SUNDAY. Mass begins at 10 am. You have fasted and observed Lent for forty days, now come let us celebrate the joy of Easter. Post-Mass refreshment is potluck.Please, sign up on the provided Sign-Up sheet so we have a count of who is bringing what food in order to avoid duplications.

5. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. We are running a very tight budget and we count on all pledges to help sustain the ministries of this parish. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
• to all parishioners for sustaining the ministries of this parish and for striving to grow in discipleship, in our baptismal vows and in helping spread the good news of God in Jesus Christ
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

6. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Worship Committee meeting: Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 am
• Parish Work Day: Saturday, March 30 beginning with Mass at 9 am. 
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from. 

• Next Confirmation Class is Sunday, April 7. Class meets after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.

• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith.

• Special Offerings for Lent: 
  • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem.
  • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well. 

7. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Sandra, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk.
• Archbishop Justin Welby, as he begins his ministry as 105th Archbishop of Canterbury
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling cancer. diabetes and Alzheimers.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

8.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent

Parish UPDATE: March 17

Beloved of God and of this parish:

1. THIS WEEKEND AT ST. MARY, Sunday, March 17

• The Fifth Sunday of Lent (formerly known as Passion Sunday)
• Mass begins with the singing of the Great Litany in procession within the nave of the church. Join us in praying for the needs of our world and the church.
• Vestry Meeting following the 10 am Mass
• Movie Night: Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 pm. We'll continue the series on India. Please, tell and bring a friend.

2. NEXT SUNDAY: MARCH 24

• Service begins at 10 am with the first part of the liturgy in our new plaza.
• Led by the cross, acolytes and thurifer, we will process around our block going north on Faris Dr, turning right onto Exposition Dr. and right again on Watseka Avenue, singing special music for the day and waving palm branches - signs of victory. 
• In place of the traditional Gospel reading, three Cantors will sing the Passion Gospel.  Congregation is advised to sit for the Passion Gospel until the Cantor cues us to stand at the "arrival on Golgotha" and then to devoutly kneel at the "giving up of the spirit".
• This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is best to plan for and make every effort to spend this week in church with all the special liturgies on Maundy Thursday [7pm]; Good Friday [7pm]; Easter Vigil [8pm] and Easter Sunday [10 am and 1 pm]. 

3. LENT AT ST. MARY

There are many opportunities for spiritual and christian formation available for your use this Lent and I would like to encourage you to make use of these. Here are a few.

• TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS:  Evening Prayer at 7:00 pm
• THURSDAYS : Bible Study at 7 pm. We are currently studying the Book of Nehemiah. Everyone welcome. We are done by 8 pm. We meet in the home of Shay and Belinda Sharma.  
• FRIDAY: Stations of the Cross [Via Crucis] at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm. Last in the series will be Friday, March 22.
• FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAYS:  Desire of the Nations Movie Night at 6:30 pm.  We'll be watching movies from or about the various countries our families come from.
• Pick up a booklet for daily meditations in Lent. These are available in the chapel area and at no cost to you.
• Attend Daily Mass
• Consider making an appointment for Sacramental Confession before Easter.
• Explore the services of a Spiritual Director. Talk to Fr. Vincent or Julia Bergstrom, Fr. (Br.) Derek Ford, SSF, Fr. Anderson, [all certified Spiritual Directors], if you have questions.

4. VERY SPECIAL THANKS: 

• to all who strive month by month to be current on their pledges. We are running a very tight budget and we count on all pledges to help sustain the ministries of this parish. God richly replenish and bless all you give to help build his kingdom.
  
• to all parishioners for sustaining the ministries of this parish and for striving to grow in discipleship, in your baptismal vows and in helping spread the good news of God in Jesus Christ
• to our benefactors and ministry partners. You can always make a secure and safe donation to the parish online at our website www.stmarypalms.org 
• to our youth for their determination to grow in discipleship and in relationship with God and us

5. UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Training of New Acolytes: Saturday, March 16 at 3:30 pm in the church. 

• Los Angeles [ASICS] Marathon: Sunday, March 17. Our very own Stephanie Zynda is running. Please, keep her and all runners in your prayers and cheer especially for Stephanie and Michael.

• Worship Committee meeting: Saturday, March 23 at 9:30 am

• Parish Work Day: Saturday, March 30 beginning with Mass at 9 am. 

• Next Confirmation Class is Sunday, April 7. Class meets after Mass in St. Cecilia room. Of your charity, please pray for our confirmation candidates: Kevin, Natasha, Audrey, Michelle and Yasmine and for their sponsors: Jojo, Inez and Daphne.

• Easter Sunday: March 31. Mass begins at 10 am. You have fasted and observed Lent for forty days, now come let us celebrate the joy of Easter. Post-Mass refreshment is potluck. Please, sign up on the provided Sign-Up sheet so we have a count of who is bringing what food in order to avoid duplications.

• NEWCOMERS CLASS: Meets every second Sunday after Mass in the Chapel. Just show up. Meetings last for 45 minutes. Learn about our faith, our church, the ministries of this parish and how to grow your own faith.

• Special Offerings for Lent: 
  • Good Friday collection to support the work of the church in Jerusalem.
  • Flowers for Easter. Please, consider making a donation for flowers for Palms Sunday as well. 
  • Help needed for Maundy Thursday. We encourage you to bring flowers on Wednesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 28 to help decorate the meditation garden/Altar of Repose in readiness for Maundy Thursday.

6. OF YOUR CHARITY, PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Continued healing for Bianca Mussenden, Robby, Anthony Joseph, Gerda, Bea, Sister Rosina, OSH, Margaret Gottschalk.
• Pope Francis as he begins his ministry as Pope and Roman Catholic Bishop of Rome
• All who are searching for meaningful work and relationships
• All who are battling cancer. diabetes and Alzheimers.
• God's comforting and strengthening presence for all who are overwhelmed with work
• Our students Vincent, Larry Jr, Simone, Obed, Natasha, Yasmine, Jeffrey, Audrey and Michelle.
• Our Palms community that it would be safe for all residents
• All who are being prepared for baptism at Easter.

7.   EXTRA NEWS

• For news from or about the Diocese of Los Angeles, please, go to to www.ladiocese.org
• For news about or from Palms, please, go to www.palmsla.org
• For news about the EXPO Line extension, please, go to www.buildexpo.org

See you at Mass.

Fr. Vincent