St. Paul Catholic Church

Look around most Catholic churches, and you will discover an image of John the Baptist, often in the old baptistery, or in a window near where the font is or was located. He has two feast days in the calendar: one commemorating his birth, and the other his death. There are only three nativities in our calendar: for Jesus, for Mary, and for the Baptist. John’s birthday is reckoned according to the schedule given in Luke’s Gospel of the angel’s announcement to Mary.

The angel tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in the sixth month of pregnancy, and so Mary hastens to help her. Reckoning Christmas as December 25, we count backwards nine months to March 25 for the Feast of the Annunciation. Then we count forward three months to June 24 for John the Baptist’s birth. Halfway to Christmas, his nativity gives ample reason for rejoicing in the summer, and his symbols of fire and water are used playfully in bonfires and dives into the sea. Even at the polar opposite of Christmas in the calendar, the energy of Christ’s birth in the Incarnation provides cause for rejoicing.

Thank you to the generous parishioners who took a card from the Jesse tree to sponsor a child for Christmas.

The deadline is December 9 All unwrapped gifts, together with the coded card that you took from the Jesse tree should be returned. May God bless you for your kindness.

Blessings,

Ja'net Blea

• Personally designed and homemade lanterns only, purchased lanterns allowed but will not be judged.
• The lantern should be attached to a 3 to 4 foot pole to comfortably be carried.
• No candle or fire lit device allowed.
• There will be three (3) winners – 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prizes
• Please arrive in Church no later 6:15pm on December 15, 2018

Hosted by the Bereavement Ministry, the annual “Mass of Remembrance” was held on Monday, November 12th at 7:00am, as we remember and pay homage and respect to those of our parish community who have left this earthly life during the past year.

Click here to see photos

The Hispanic community of St. Paul extends a cordial invitation to all members of this parish, to the celebration of the Virgin de Guadalupe on December 12th.

The celebration begins with the traditional Mañanitas at 6:00 am and a short reenactment of the history of the apparitions of the Virgin. At the end you are invited to go to the parish hall where we offer coffee, chocolate and bread.

The evening, Mass will be at 6:00 p.m. During the mass children will offer flowers to the Virgin. At the end of Mass you are invited to head over to the parish hall where we will be offering some appetizer. There will be some dance (folklores) during the reception.

Thank you for your participation.

In Preparation For The Coming Of Our Lord, Jesus Christ
"Simbang Gabi"

Annually various St Paul Ministries are called together to lead and prepare our parish community during Advent. To prepare ourselves as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas as well as the return of Jesus at the second coming. 
 
You too, have the opportunity to join fellow parishioners during these nine days of prayer, worship, and fellowship in waiting, watching, and celebration. The nine-day Novena starts on December 15^th; Novena at 6:30pm, Mass at 7:00pm, with a festive reception following each evening.
 
The origin of the Advent Novena “Simbang Gabi” traces its roots in Mexico when in 1587 the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Sorio, to hold Christmas Mass outdoors as the Church could not accommodate the large crowd. During olden times the pre-dawn mass is announced by the ringing of the church bells.
 
The Advent Novena tradition of Simbang Gabi continues to this day. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members, but also because it is the time when our faith is intensified. It is a spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
 
To see the flyer click here.

Questions? Call the parish office 381-5200

October Meeting Notes:

The meeting opened with a prayer for :When we Struggle with the Church”

St. Paul parish proceeded with the presentation from Radio Santissimo Sacramento: Night of Praise on October 27, 2018. It was a concert for a cause and all the songs were spiritual. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed after the event.

St. Lorenzo celebration was well attended. Bishop Weigand was the main celebrant.

Fr. Abraham Chacko and his group will be using the church for Mass on Sunday afternoons from 4:30- 5:30pm.

The final report on the finances of the last Parish Festival was given by Dale Yamamoto.

The SMUD retro fit is ongoing at the present time.

Fr. Joyle suggested movable or portable book shelves for the Glory and Praise books at the back of the pews near the wall. All the music books, Spanish missal and binders will be placed on the racks to keep the pews clean and tidy.

Instructions will be given to those parishioners receiving the Vocation Cross and Ministers to the Sick and Homebound. They are encouraged to sit up front.

Guidelines and instructions will be posted by Fr. Joyle.

Fr. Michael Vaughan is the newly appointed Vicar General for the Diocese of Sacramento. He is also the dean of Southern Suburbs Deanery.

Roger Tafoya invited all veterans and their families to attend Mass on November 10 at 9:00am There will be a special blessing for past and present veterans

The meeting concluded with a final blessing by Fr. Joyle, the next meeting will be November 19.

For the greater glory of God​​​​​​​

Winter is fast approaching and it becomes a difficult time for those who call the streets their home. Our Social Justice Ministry is once again collecting socks for the homeless.

You can leave your donations in the bins at the entrances of the church, or drop them off at the rectory office during office hours. God bless you for your generosity.

Our deadline is December 16th.

Vocation Cross Pray Program provides excellence opportunity for families to pray at home for all level of Vocations and teaches children to appreciate the value of Priesthood and Consecrated Life. 

Family can sign up to receive the Vocation Cross from St. Paul and pray at home during the following week. Family will spend less than ten minutes each day praying the scripted prayers included in the package then returns the Cross to church at the following Saturday or Sunday Mass. 

St. Paul currently has six Vocation Crosses which can accommodate six families per week. 

Please contact the following coordinators to receive your Vocation Cross, Click here to view a downlaodable flyer.

Saturday - 4PM Mass:        Lenard Pennisi
Sunday - 7:30AM Mass:     Billy Monteagudo
Sunday - 9:00AM Mass:     Paul Pham
Sunday - 11:00AM Mass:   Ja'net Blea

Or go to:  http://www.stpaul-florin.org/vocation-committee 

or call the office at 916-381-5200.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few" Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

 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