St. Paul Catholic Church

The cause of church unity is commended to Christians for prayer and action every year around this time. This week is not so much to focus on the many divisions within the Christian family, but on bonds of faith and mission. Even though Christians have always shown an inclination to fracture, spin off, and mutate into new expressions, recent history shows some new points of convergence and agreement.

Catholics are more firmly rooted in the word of God, for example, and many Protestants are more likely to celebrate Communion than in years past. Some denominations are merging and pooling resources, and people from various traditions are collaborating on projects.

The call of this week is to be mindful of the diversity of our traditions and customs while treasuring what we hold in common. The old advice to “lighten up” is good medicine, because sometimes our differences are delightful and amusing. If someone says, “Let us pray,” a Catholic might close the eyes, bow the head and fold hands; a Protestant reach out and clasp hands with the person in the next chair; and someone belonging to an Orthodox tradition might stand up with eyes wide open.

Each has taken a different path, but the goal is always the same. This is a week not for focusing on the well worn paths of divergence, but for mutual delight in a common goal.

Spring 2019 Marriage Preparation Program

This preparation program called UNITAS is used in our parish. It has been implemented in many different locations throughout the country and had proven to be a success. This program provides the couples with:

Information—to help you succeed in you marriage

Faith Formation—an essential ingredient for your journey toward sacramental marriage.

Supporting Group—to build connections and grow with our parish.

Couples are provided with an excellent workbook and informational materials that are used during the program.

They can be used as a reference later in marriage to reinforce lessons learned during the class.

Registration:

The registration form is available at the Rectory Office, or it can be downloaded from our website:   www.stpaul-florin.org 

Fee: Registered parishioner - $50, Non-parishioner - $80 per couple

Registration needs to be completed by January 23rd

Program begins:

Monday January 28 through February 24th from 7- 9:30pm at St. Paul Church. It is a weekly program and all sessions have to be attended for certification.

Questions: contact Paul Pham at paulpha@gmail.com

California State Council

Men: Are You Ready to make a change?

If you’re too busy to participate in Knights of Columbus Council activities right now, but want to be a member, then on-line membership is for you! California commu- nities need strong Catholic men to answer the call to lead with faith, protect our families, serve others and defend our values.

All practical Catholic men, 18 years and over can join the Knights of Columbus on-line in a simple streamlined process:

eMembership available at www.knights.net.

Find our about what Knights do in California at www.californiaknights.org

Message from Bishop Soto……

Tuesday, January 22nd 2019 marks the 46th anniversary of the lamentable 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Decision, Roe v Wade. In prayerful observance I designate January 22 2019 as a Diocesan Day of Reparation.

I ask the clergy and laity to join me in cooperating with God’s redeeming grace in these ways:

Jan. 19./20: clergy are asked to pray and preach for a merciful end to abortion and a revived promotion of the gospel of life, and encourage all to observe the January 22 Diocesan Day of Reparation.

Jan 22: all are asked to observe this Day of Reparation through fasting, prayer, penance and works of mercy. Helping at food distribution enters, visiting the sick or imprisoned and assisting at shelters for women and families in need. For those able to fast it is recommended that they limit themselves to one full meal. Those choosing to abstain may refrain from eating meat or anything normally consumed as part of their daily routine.

Jan 22/23: all are invited to attend the 12:10pm Cathedral Mass.

Jan. 26: all are encouraged to participate in the Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco. More information about schedules, speakers, travel and related events can be found at www.walkforlifewc.com.

May our prayers, acts of penance, public witness and works of charity on these days help restore a culture of life to our country so marred by the Court decision of Roe v Wade. May the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary bring us into fuller communion with the merciful mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bishop Jaime Soto

Our Bereavement Ministry mission is to assist families in both spiritual and corporal ways to aid in the loss of a loved one.

The ministry participates in vigil service, the burial mass and in providing comfort and a place for family members to meet and remember their loved ones.

The Bereavement Ministry provides desserts and salads to supplement food the family provides at receptions following the funeral of members of their families. The ministry is reaching out to parish members to join with this ministry and help provide the desserts and salads needed for these receptions.

Volunteering to help requires providing a dessert, or salad to feed approximately 5 people

Members are normally only solicited to provide food once a month.

The support volunteers providing food are greatly appreciated by the families of deceased members, and is a vital part of the corporal work of mercy to bury the dead.

If you would like to join this vital ministry please call the rectory office (916)381-5200.

Angelo Mendoza: (916) 682-6938 (R) 761-6565 (C)

Mike Vasquez (916) 804-2502 (C),

Credit card: Dylan Pletcher: (916) 296-5739 or

Funeral & Memorials November 1 - October 31

Your prayers are requested for the families and friends of St. Paul Parish whose funerals or memorial Masses were celebrated during the 2018-2019 church year.

Eternal rest grant them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!

Taeko Tekverk	Edward Shunney	Dorothy Olivera
Tanner Dixon

 To honor the sacrifice and service of our veterans and active duty members of St. Paul Catholic Church, Father Joyle blessed the mounted board in the South vestibule on Saturday, November 11, 2017.

We pay tribute to all men and women in uniform both in the past and the present.

Families may bring a 3” x 5” photo of active duty military members to be placed in the Prayer Board.

Contact Roger Tafoya at (916) 936-3810 with any questions.

Click here to see the photo album.

 Please pray for the following Active Duty members of our families
serving in the Armed Forces