Rejoice!

Rev. Nick Hien Nguyen, SVD    

In the midst of mourning and misery, the prophet Baruch encouraged us to strain our eyes for the splendor of glory from God. In the midst of our own daily struggles and helplessness, we must continue to believe that God loves us. The prophet Baruch encouraged us to stand upon the heights and recognize that God is still with us. God still remembers us. "God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that [we] may advance secure in the glory of God." (Baruch 5:8). We might continue to ask one of the most beautiful and profound question ever put upon human lips, “What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:5)

In today Gospel, St. Luke started out by reminding us that Israel was being occupied by foreigners and administrated by local oppressive leaders and puppets. Albeit it was a time of hardship for everyone, especially the poor and marginalize, a hopeful and promising voice raised out of the desert calling the people to "prepare the way of the Lord, [because everyone] shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:5-6). Hope, Joy, and Salvation will be upon those who are waiting and trusting in the Lord.

As we cross into the second week of Advent, time is getting closer at hand for us to prepare our inner self, prepare our body which St. Paul called "the Temple of the Holy Spirit", so that the Son of Man who loves us so much can reside and remain within us. God has promised to send His Son to be among us, let us be reverence to and welcoming Him.

華埠&洛城共同消息

1. 教宗本篤十六世在他的第一篇通諭《天主是愛》中提醒我們向孤兒、寡婦、囚犯、病人以及所有有需要的人實行愛德 。愛德的服務, 如同舉行聖事, 和宣講天主的聖言一樣, 都是教會內在的本質和任務 。（Deus Caritas Est, 22, 25) 請支持將臨期的愛德運動。

2. 今日彌撒中的第二次奉獻是為教會退修人士Retirement for Religious。

3. 聖誕節快到了﹗為幫助大家妥當準備自己﹐迎接救主耶穌的誕生﹐團體將有修和禮儀﹐希望大家能積極參與﹗
    12月10日(星期天)  2:00-3:00PM  洛城聖瑪利小堂
    12月17日(星期天)  11:15     AM   華埠聖瑪利堂﹔彌撒隨後

4. 十二月二十二日（星期五）欣逢杜崇實神父晉鐸五十週年金慶。當天晚上將有晚宴為神父慶祝。晚宴費用每位成人$25﹔學生$20﹔老人$15﹔4-12歲兒童$10 (另設兒童桌)﹔3歲或以下免費。請於12月17日(下星期日)前購票報名﹐報名請聯絡鄧杜淑妍 Eileen 202-390-0868 或 江國富Vincent 301-762-8455或蔡素燕Rosa 301-468-6127或王雲鳳 Tiff 301-455-4998。我們將邀請杜神父的一些知交好友﹐如果您有意贊助﹐請洽詢聯絡人。

5. 12月24日,將臨期第四主日的聖誕夜和12月25日, 將舉行三臺彌撒.

6. 因12月25日(聖誕日)和1月1日(元旦)是瞻禮日,日間都有舉行彌撒.故這兩個星期一沒有晚間彌撒. 1月8日將恢復每星期一晚間7:00在傳教中心.

7. 二00七年元旦是天主之母節,也是世界和平日.當日早上10點在華埠聖瑪利天主之母堂St. Mary Mother of God有聯合彌撒;之後有聚餐,希望大家能踴躍參加.

華埠消息 .

1. 團體將於聖誕節前夕,12/24(星期日)晚上舉辦聖誕節慶祝活動; 6:00pm 將有一家一菜聚餐和聖誕節節目及9:00子夜彌撒.聖誕日12月25日(星期一)上午11:30am在教堂舉行聖誕日彌撒.

2. 團體每月需超過＄4000才可維持正常的開支。上週(12/03)的主日奉獻﹕$932.00