We continue collecting baby good donations. There are setup playpens inside each church entrance. A list of items is printed and available near the playpens

for your convenience. Donations may be made anytime during the month. All donations are for moms in a crisis pregnancy and go to Sacramento Life Center or Bishop Gallegos Maternity Home. We thank those who have donated already for your support and care for the unborn. God bless your family.

JANUARY 23, 2023

Most precious Lord, You dwelt within the womb of your dear mother, sancfying the womb, and elevang the dignity of all human life. I pray today for the full legal protecon of every unborn child. I also pray that every heart that supports abortion will be changed so as to experience the freedom that comes from living in the Truth. I offer to You, this day, all my sufferings and sacrifices to help atone for every violation against human dignity commied through acts of abortion. Please bring healing, hope, and freedom to all. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

(https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/january-22-day-of- prayer-for-the-legal-protecon-of-unborn-children-usa-memorial/)

This Thanksgiving, as we reflect with gratitude for the many blessings God has given us, Catholics throughout our Diocese are invited to visit scd.org to view the 2022 Annual Catholic Appeal “Report of Gratitude.” See how, together as Catholics, parishioners have made a real difference to those in need. This year, more than 380,000 individuals and families, were helped by 18 Northern California charities that received funds from the Appeal.

The 2022 Appeal is approaching $4.3 million in commitments so far. Our parish receives 25% of any gift made by parishioners here. If you have not yet participated, prayerfully consider a donation. No contribution, no act of charity is ever too small or insignificant. Envelopes are available here at the parish, org donate online at scd.org.

A spiritual Adoption program is coming to St Paul. It begins next weekend, Oct 23. Its goal is to save lives of unborn children. Each parishioner will have the opportunity to ‘spiritually’ adopt a child who was newly conceived this month. We name this child and we begin praying for it each day for nine months. We pray that the baby will be born in nine months because we know the most dangerous place to live these days is in the womb. Miscarriage, premature birth and abortion are responsible for the death of over 3000 babies each day. Our prayers are really needed. In next week’s bulletin you will find an insert page about this parish program. You are encouraged to spiritually adopt an unborn baby, name that baby and then pray daily for birth in nine months. With our prayers, more children will survive and be born as God intended when he created them. We’ll even have a baby shower in June. God bless you for helping save lives of an unborn child. (Respect Life Ministry—John & Lynn Bertaut)

In today’s world, Catholics are called to support unborn children and their mothers so that no woman feels she has no choice but abortion. Do you know someone facing an unexpected or difficult pregnancy, in need of prenatal care, or support with young children? Share the Options for Pregnancy helpline: 877-398-7734, staffed by Options United trained call responders, or visitwww.optionsforpregnancy.com This critical support service connects women and families to the 170+ pregnancy centers and other life affirming resources across the state, but it can only be provided with your help. The bishops in all twelve of our California dioceses have endorsed this pioneering service and are united in asking you to prayerfully consider making a monthly donation of any size at www.optionsunited.com/one

CRAB FEED

The Knights of Columbus, Mother Seton Council 6922 are hosting their annual Crab Feed on Saturday, February 25th. After a two-year hiatus, the event will once again be an indoor sit-down event.

To-Go orders will also be available for purchase if you cannot join us.

We are planning a very nice evening, with the doors opening promptly at 5pm. There will be a one-hour social hour to allow participants to mingle with friends and check out our wonderful raffle prizes.

The cost of the event is $65 per person and the menu will include crab topped by prawns, served with cocktail sauce, a fresh green salad, pasta with red sauce, clam chowder, and garlic bread.

Our crab feed is considered one of the best in the valley and has taken place for over 20 years now. Please make plans to join us.

Tickets will go on sale after all masses starting January 21st. However, we have an even easier way for you to get your tickets you can make your purchase electronically by contacting Brother Knight David Rangel by calling or texting him at (760) 985-5374. You can also email him at [email protected].

Only 200 tickets will be sold so get your tickets early as we do anticipate tickets will sell out. Thank you.

COAT AND BLANKET DRIVE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MOTHER SETON COUNCIL, 6922

The Knights of Columbus are collecting both new and used coats and blankets in support of the homeless of our community. The Collection Drive will start on Sunday, January 8th, the Feast of the Epiphany. We are asking parishioners to drop off new or used coats and blankets after every mass through January 29th. The Knights will then distribute these to community homeless shelters to aid those in need. As the Three Wise Men brought gifts to our Lord in honor of his birth, we ask that you please drop a gift that will truly benefit those in need. Thank you and God Bless you.

We thank our parishioners who had signed up to be a member of the team headed by John and Lynn Bertaut. If you are still interested to join it, you are still welcome. Soon the team will have a meeting and then update us with their whole year program. Please contact John and Lynn or the office for details and to leave your contact information. The contact information is on the first page of this bulletin. Give life a chance.

The diocese of Sacramento is offering Spiritual Direction, Counseling, Retreats for Healing to help you out and to deal with the horrific experience of abortion. It is called the PROJECT RACHEL MINISTRY. Many women who had undergone this process felt better in their life ever since. The contact information is advertised below.

Do not lose your hope.
There are church services in our diocese that are willing to extend their assistance to you for free. They will be ready to talk to you and give you many options to make your life better. If you are planning to opt for abortion, we can assure you that that is not the last resort to make your life better. You cannot solve a problem or mistake by doing another mistake in your life. The Sacramento Life Center has been for the past 50 years embracing lives of pregnant women who at one point decided to opt for abortion. Their lives were never been the same again and their right decision to keep their babies made them a better person. They do not only help to save the baby but also help the future mothers to undergo a psychological assistance to cope up with the fear of making the right decision that is choosing LIFE. To know more of their services kindly go to this link: https://saclife.org/ You may e-mail them also: [email protected] or call them: (916) 451-4357 or you may drop by at the center with this address: Sacramento Life Center, 2316 Bell Executive Ln., Sacramento, CA 95825. All calls and information about yourself are CONFIDENTIAL.

Another option: you may also contact the Gabriel Project at 800-910-0191 as another option.

To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.”

Saint Joseph is held up as a model of such work. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior ofthe world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.” 

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joseph-the- worker

May is Mary’s month! And during May, throughout the Catholic world, special devotions honor the Virgin Mary. “May Crowning” is a traditional Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May and it recognizes Mary as Queen of heaven and earth. Since medieval times, there has been a correlation between Mary and the month of May. May is considered the season of the beginning of new life. “May Crowning” marks a new spiritual season. Our Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, lifted us right out of the last long, cold days of winter and firmly planted our hearts in the warm and promising soil of spring.

During the Holy Mass on May Crowning day, a wreath of flowers and herbs is placed on the statue of Mary. The act of crowning is rooted in the view of Mary as the Queen of Heaven. The event is of particular significance as it relates to the Champion Shrine history because, when Our Lady appeared to the young Belgian immigrant woman, Adele Brise, in 1859, she identified herself as the “Queen of Heaven.”

A cherished age-old tradition of reverence, the crowning of Mary at the Champion Shrine is in keeping with the “Order of Crowning” which attributed the queen symbol to Mary because she was a perfect follower of Christ, who is the absolute “crown” of creation. “She is the Mother of the Son of God, who is the messianic King. Mary is the Mother of Christ, the Word Incarnate... ‘he will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; the Lord will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Lk 1:32-33).

Elizabeth greeted the Blessed Virgin, pregnant with Je- sus, as ‘the mother of my Lord’ (Lk 1:41-43). Mary is the perfect follower of Christ. The maid of Nazareth consent- ed to God’s plan; she journeyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God’s Word and kept it in her heart; she remained steadfast in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the Cross; she persevered in pray- er with the Church. Thus, in an eminent way she won the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:8), the “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10), the “crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:4) that is promised to those who follow Christ (“Order of Crowning,” NCCB, 1987).

ST. PAUL’S RELIGIOUS GOODS STORE (GIFT SHOP)

Parish members and guests please take the time to visit our gift shop during this Lenten season. Many new items have been added to our inventory which will be including items to nourish your journey through Lent, and items for baptisms, first holy communion, confirmation and RCIA. We welcome you all in after every mass. Look forward to seeing everyone. Thank you.

CAMP NURSES NEEDED

Camp Pendola is looking for Nurses to serve at Camp Pendola during our summer camp weeks in June and July. If you are able to serve for the week your camper can attend Camp Pendola in exchange. For dates please check https://www.pendola.org/overnight-camp.html and contact Jennifer Campbell at (916)733-0135 or [email protected] for more information.

CAMP COUNSELORS NEEDED

The most wonderful camp in all the world is looking for the most wonderful staff! We looking for Camp Counselors for both our Day Camps and Overnight Camps. If you are looking for a summer job that will create lifelong memories for you this is the job for you! We are looking for fun, faith filled, caring and energetic applicants to fill our summer camp positions! Learn more about the posi- tions and apply at www.pendola.org/employment or contact Jennifer Campbell with questions at (916)733-0135 or [email protected]

We have added 2 new electric Candle Shrine at the back for the altar of Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. The white candles or the Memorial Candles of the new racks are now available for sponsorship for your loved ones. We have 14 of them. You may contact the office for listing. We will again putting the name(s) of your loved one (s) on a sticker label right in front of a Memorial Candles.

Being baptized and confirmed do not end just there. We are not just passive Christians but are expected to be active Christians. Do you remember the parable of the talents? God is expecting us to make use of those talents and not just keep or bury them on the ground. We are called to grow in our faith by our participation in the work evangelization. One of the ways in which we can do this is to join a ministry or two to bear fruits in our faith. It would be a blessing on our part and also on the church. It is a way of serving the church and God too. Whatever we re- ceived as a blessing, we return it as a blessing too in the ministries.

On the first page of this bulletin you can find the different areas of the ministry of our church. Find one that befits your charisma and call the respective chairperson to join.

DONUTS AND COFFEE!

We miss the coffee and the donuts. The Knights of Columbus Council #6499 will do DONUTS SUNDAY after the 7:30 am and 9:00 am Masses. This is also to promote a healthy and safe socialization among parishioners.

We thank those who already stepped up in signing up for this Sponsorship Program. May God bless you and your families.

If this gift in kind program interests you, please contact the parish office during regular business hours for more information.