We are faced with strong and disturbing readings today that hold a certain fascination, since they seem at first glance to be blueprints for future inevitable wars and hardship. A fundamentalist interpretation focuses on this aspect. Yet we hear them at our Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, which infuses them with hope and optimism. Rather than dreading the future, today’s liturgy assures us that God is with us in all of life’s inevitable trials, and that we have a role in shaping the outcome of human history. Occasionally, some Christians have attempted to decode these readings for an exact measure of the world’s end, but they have thus far been disappointed.

“Nothing lasts forever” is a lyric from a Broadway show. Stars fall from the sky, leaves wither and fall, mountains wash into the sea, human projects and governments totter and collapse with great regularity. Today’s liturgy opposes this idea as incomplete, reminding us that Christ has made a permanent change in human history, and that life in him is life forever. Rather than inviting us to throw in the towel, today’s liturgy strengthens us for acts of goodness and grace in our families, communities, and world.

All Souls Envelopes can be found at the back of the church. If you would like to write the names of your deceased loved ones on the envelope and return it, all envelopes will remain on the altar for the month of November

The Knights of Columbus invite all parishioners to join with them to peacefully pray to end abortion.

We will participate in the 40 Days for Life Campaign on Friday, November 1st from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on the public sidewalk in front of the Family Planning Associates abortion business, located at 2322 Butano Dr. Sacramento.

We pray that with God’s help, we will put an end to abortion.

For more information about 40 Days for Life please visit their website:

https:/www,40daysforlife.com/local-campaign/sacramento/

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

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.

• 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 15th

Nov 1st—All Saints Day - This is a Holy Day of Obligation

Mass: 8:00am in English

6:00pm in Bilingual

Nov 2nd– All Souls Day

Mass: 8:00am in Bilingual

4:00pm Mass - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
 

Hosted by the Bereavement Ministry, the annual “Mass of Remembrance” was held on Monday, November 11th at 6:30pm, 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

Help contribute to the St. Paul Building Fund to help us reduce our Diocesan Loan for the Religious Education Center.

We are planning another Bus Trip—we are going to Feather Falls Casino:

Date:                   November 7, 2019
Boarding Time:    8:45am
Departure Time:  9:00am
Location:             St. Paul Parking Lot
Cost:                   $25.00
Refund:               $17.00 coupons
                            $3.00 food coupon

For more information call:

• Emililia Dones: 849-5617
• Naty Fontillas 363-7541
• Norma Bolante 688-8769
• Paz Cajucom 599-9166
• Rose Basos 381-3845

"Let Us Come Together In Prayer"
In Preparation For The Coming Of Our Lord, Jesus Christ

"Simbang Gabi - Posada"

The origin of the Advent Novena “Simbang Gabi” traces its roots in Mexico when the Pope granted the petition of Fray Diego de Sorio to hold Christmas Mass outdoors in 1587 as the Church could not accommodate large crowds. During olden times, the pre-dawn mass is announced by ringing of church bells.

"Posada"is a Spanish word for “inn” and the Posadas Navideñas, which recall events leading up to the Nativity of Jesus, are a centerpiece of Christmas traditions in Mexico. There is usually at least one Posada taking place in a neighborhood of every town every night between the 16^thand 24^thof December.
 
As One Catholic Faith Community, St Paul Ministries and other different Religious groups are called together to lead and prepare our parish community during the time of Advent, every year.  
 
Parishioners are encouraged to come and join the nine days of prayer, worship, and fellowship in waiting, watching, and celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas as well as HIS second coming.

This annual 9-day Novena and Mass celebration starts on December 15^th and ends December 23rd.  The event highlights with Novena at 6:30 pm followed by the Mass at 7:00 pm, and of course, a festive reception is always a part of the celebration each night.  This brings and unites the two major national customs into these nine days of religious observance. 

The Advent Novena tradition of “Simbang Gabi” and “Posada” customs continue strongly to this day in our parish. It is a significant custom not only because it strengthens relationship 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.
 
Questions? See the poster for more information or call the parish office (916) 381-5200

Thanksgiving Day—Mass will be at 10::00am.

We invite you to bring an item from your Thanksgiving meal to be blessed. Items should be placed on the steps in front of the altar.

Loaves and Fishes ask for help in providing basic needs for people experiencing homelessness!

Winter Needs List:

Seasonal: Sleeping bags, tarps and blankets, jackets and coats, umbrellas and rain ponchos. Hats, gloves and scarves,

General: Toilet paper, travel sized toiletries, tooth brushes and toothpaste. Disposable razors, Brushes and combs, backpack, bicycle locks, Flashlights and batteries. Sewing kits, Gift card

Adults: Socks and underwear, shoes, reading glasses, feminine hygiene products

Children: Diapers, underwear and socks, bottles and sippy cups, baby food and juices.

• Lectors (Ministers of the Word)
• Hospitaility Minsiters
• Eucharistic Minisiters
• Adult Alter Servers
• Ministers to the Sick and Homebound
• Bereavement Ministry

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 items for the homeless.

This year we will be collecting scarves, gloves, mittens and especially chapsticks.

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.

Faith in Action
Faith, Family, Community and Life
 

As Knights of Columbus, we are called to serve our family and our God. The first principle of our Order is Charity, at home with our families or in our communities. This is a critical part of our Knights of Columbus mission. Have you ever wondered, “How can I make my community better?” Individuals can do great things on their own but when Knights of Columbus members come together as one, we accomplish great things, positively shaping our community by addressing the needs of its citizens.

 
Our council conducts a number of activities which serve our communities. These include:

• An annual Basketball Free Throw Competition which allows for an athletic outlet for our youth aged 9 to 14. This activity is usually conducted in the first quarter of every year so if you have children or grandchildren that might be interested, please keep an eye out in a future bulletin for the date, once it is confirmed.
•  
• We provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are members or our parish. Information on how to apply should be released right after the first of the year so if you have a graduating senior, please keep this program in mind.
•  
• We are currently in the middle of accepting non-perishable food items for our annual Thanksgiving Basket Drive. We will be distributing at least 200 hundred baskets to needy families this Thanksgiving. Please being a donation to drop off at the church.
•  
• We help our local area by sponsoring an Adopt a Street. Twice a year we clean up a stretch of Florin Road near the parish. This is an activity open to all volunteers so please keep an eye out for our future date. 
•  
• We have an annual Fireworks Booth and parish members get a discount so if you celebrate our country’s Independence Day with fireworks, please consider stopping by.
•  
• Our annual Crab Feed is just around the corner, scheduled for FEBRUARY 8^th, 2020 so please save the date. Tickets will be going on sale towards the end of November.

We have a number of other activities currently being discussed such as a Disaster Preparedness Activity and a Soccer Challenge for our youth. As you can see, we are extremely involved in our community. We encourage all young men, aged 18 or older to become a Knight and help us with these activities. You don’t have to do them all but if you see one or two that you like, we encourage you to get involved as we are ALL called to serve others. James 2: 14-18 states:

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?

So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. 
 
As Knights, we put our Faith into Action. What a beautiful way to model God’s calling to our families. So get involved, become a Knight today. If you would like to know more about the COMMUNITY programs we are currently involved in or programs that could possibly coordinated, please reach out to us at mothersetoncouncil6922@gmail.com Thank you. 


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Knights of Columbus - ID Drive          THANK YOU!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who dropped a donation for our Intellectual Disability Drive, held the weekend of October 12^thand 13^th. With your help, we were able to raise over $1,700, all of which will be going to Camp ReCreation, which strives to increase the awareness and acceptance of persons with developmental disabilities in the greater community. They have been serving those with developmental disabilities since 1983 and are located in our local area. Please take an opportunity to visit their website at www.camprecreation.orgto read about the wonderful work they do. God bless you all.

And finally…

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Annual Thanksgiving Baskets Drive

Our council is in need of your assistance as we plan to provide Thanksgiving Baskets for 200 Families in Need.

This is an undertaking that can only be accomplished with the support of fellow parishioners. We are currently collecting non-perishable food items to aid in us in our campaign.

Your donations can be left in the bins in the entranceways to the Church when you come to Mass.

Please help us make the season a little brighter for those in need.

Thank you!

 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