In recent weeks, we have reviewed how the Churches of East and West have enriched one another, and this past Thursday’s solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was born in the Eastern Church. It is a gift from the ancient Church of Jerusalem, a commemoration of the death of Mary, and a feast charged with a deep sense of the Resurrection. Mary, the first disciple, is the first to share fully in Christ’s victory over death. In the tradition of the East, August 15 is the “Dormition of the Theotokos,” or the “Falling Asleep of the God bearer.” There is no shadow of death or gloom in the theology, since this is seen as a transformation of Mary’s life into a heavenly and immortal existence. There is a sense in the tradition that she who made earth heavenly and exalted the human race by her faithfulness is glorified today.

A persistent legend among Orthodox Christians tells how all the disciples, except Thomas, who was preaching in India, were present at Mary’s death and burial, and sat by the tomb for three days. On the third day, Thomas saw Mary’s body rising to heaven. She greeted him as “my friend,” and he was escorted by angels to proclaim her assumption to the others, who then realized her tomb was empty. Thus Thomas, the one who expressed doubt at the resurrection of Christ, received a gift from Mary: the chance to proclaim resurrection faith to the disciples.

Fr. Benedict DeLeon retired from the Diocese of Sacramento after 38 years of faithful pastoral service. He was the first deacon and priest to come out of St Paul and was ordained by Bishop Quinn on March 22, 1980. His family has been one of our earliest parishioners of the establishment of St. Paul as a parish.

Fr. Ben celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at St Paul, his famaly's home parish. He and his siblings; Philip, Daniel, Jane and their families along with all parishioners in attendance, Sunday August 11th at 9am, joined him on this momentous day. Unfortunately, one sibling, Sister Marlene could not make it to California but her prayers and well wishes was with Fr. Ben.

After Mass everyone was invited to a simple breakfast for a morning of good fellowship in the Rev. Nicholas Duggan Hall. Breakfast was supported by the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters, benefactor by the DeLeon Family. As usual, with a DeLeon Family event, it was a grand fellowship experience.

St. Paul is Blessed to have Father Benedict and the DeLeon Family a part of our Faith Community as dedicated parishioners for many generations. They are one of the many families in our parish who we honored and celebrated this past year's, 25th Anniversary with "Our Heritage, Our Legacy, Our Destiny."

Eternal rest grant unto Benedict & Praxedes DeLeon, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.  May their soul and the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen

Click here to view the photos of the Mass of Thanksgiving

Donation: $25.00 Tickets

Tickets are sold after Masses or call Guily Fontillas @ (916) 769-5444 or call the Rectory Office at 916-381-5200

St Paul Catholic Church

8720 Florin Road

Sacramento, CA 95828

Rectory hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Our Miraculous Infant Jesus of Prague Committee invites you to join us for a Dinner/Dance

When: June 8, 2019

Time: 5-11:00pm—Dinner served at 6:00pm

Where: St, Paul parish hall

Attire: Semi-formal

Donation: $25.00 (including drinks)

Call Minda: (916) 837-8527 or Romy (916) 599-7195

Bishop Francis Anthony Quinn, Seventh Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento from 1979 to 1993, passed from this life into eternal life on March 21, 2019, at the age of 97. Ordained a priest in 1946, Bishop Quinn served in the San Francisco Archdiocese in several capacities before his episcopal ordination as an Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco in 1978. In 1979 Bishop Quinn was selected to come to Sacramento.

Bishop Quinn’s episcopal motto, “Love God, love one another,” defined his long life and selfless ministry. He reached out to the people in the twenty counties of Northern California comprising the Diocese of Sacramento, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, with compassion, humility, and dedication. He was a gifted and consummate communicator. He strived to understand and connect with everyone with whom he came in contact, including the media. He was sought out for his intelligence and keen insight on moral, social, and political issues.

He had a particular concern for those in need, especially those living on the margins. He was well-known by the homeless on the K Street Mall, where he would frequently walk in the early evenings, ministering to them in both practical and spiritual ways. He was a beloved figure throughout the vast Sacramento Diocese and a most welcome visitor to the more than 100 parishes and many ecumenical and inter-religious events.

In his annual visits to confer the sacrament of Confirmation, he had a profound and lasting influence on the youth of the Diocese. His sincerity and affable nature conveyed a genuine love and concern of young people and their families. When he retired in 1993 and became Bishop Emeritus, he dedicated the next thirteen years to ministry with Native Americans in and around Tucson, Arizona.

Returning to Sacramento in 2007, he resided at Mercy McMahon Terrace Assisted Living, where he ministered to fellow residents.

Bishop Quinn was pre-deceased by his brother Donnell in 2015. He is survived by his sister-in-law Betty Quinn, nieces Joanne (Harry) Hansen and Donna Bradshaw, and numerous grandnephews, grandnieces and their families.

Many people supported the Bishop with their prayers, kindnesses, service, and friendship, especially his devoted friends Anita Martin and her family; his long-time personal secretary Jean Tamaki; and his attentive friend Ernest Barbeau. The entire Diocese of Sacramento, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, were touched by his love, affection, and servant leadership.

His vibrant presence will be deeply missed. Bishop Quinn received loving care from the dedicated staff of Mercy McMahon and Snowline Hospice. The Quinn family and Bishop Jaime Soto, current Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, express their appreciation and admiration for the staff’s ever-attentive care and support.

The parish is updating its software and we are asking all our parishioners to please update their family information..

1832 forms have been mailed out to all registered parishioners, ONLY 180 to date returned!!—if you did not receive a form please pick up a form as you leave Mass today.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to keep our parish data base current, with your address, telephone number and email.

Please complete the form, you can drop it in the collection basket at Mass, or mail it to the office.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate you taking the time to complete the form so we can update our records. God bless!

The Rectory Office will be closed:

Monday—December 24, Christmas Eve

Tuesday—December 25—Christmas Day

Monday—December 31, - New Years Eve

Tuesday—January 1, - New Years Day

Reverand Nicholas Duggan Hall

The Pastoral Council recommended that the Parish Hall be renamed in honor of Father Duggan.

Father Joyle approved the renaming of the Parish Hall to REV. NICHOLAS DUGGAN HALL.

Thank you to everyone for your generous donation for the renaming of the Parish Hall and improvements to the hall.

We are still open to receiving your donations, please enusre you note and designate it for the "renaming & improvements" or just note it with "Fr. Duggan" and we will designate the funds exclusively to it.

Fall 40 Days for Life -
Come pray for just an hour and save a LIFE!

The Fall 40 Days for Life prayer vigil began on September 26 in hundreds of cities around the world, including several in our Diocese. Christians will pray and offer assistance on the sidewalk, Monday - Friday, from September 26th to November 4th. This life-saving, peaceful, prayerful ministry is endorsed by Bishop Soto who encourages all Catholics to participate. By God's grace close to 15,000 women worldwide have changed their minds, choosing LIFE for their children rather than abortion because of people praying at the sidewalk.

The Sacramento vigil will be held at the FPA Abortion Clinic at 2322 Butano Drive, Sacramento. Other 40 Days for Life locations within the Diocese of Sacramento include Redding, Chico, Vallejo, Fairfield and Yuba City. Please visit 40daysforlife.com for more information about each site.

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

November 11th - Veterans Day

A Special Blessing for all past and present Veterans at the 9:00am Mass.
We would like to invite all our veterans and their families to attend, and for our veterans to wear their uniforms.

Famlies may bring a 3”x5” Photo of :
“Active Duty” military members to be placed in the Prayer Board, mounted in the South vestibule.

We wish to honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best and sacrificed so much to keep our country safe when called upon to serve.
God bless all our troops may he watch over them.

Monday, November 12th

The Rectory office will be closed in observance of the Veterans Day Holiday

Monday, November 12th—Mass of Remembrance

Mass at 7:00pm to remember our parishioners who have died this past year.

Thursday, November 22nd – Thanksgiving Day

Mass will be at 9::00am. Half of the collection today will be given to Loaves and Fishes