T L he usual understanding of all these readings is to see them as a meditation on temptation and resistance to temptation, which is always a good introduction to the Lenten Season. Adam and Eve want to know what no human being can know--they want to know what God knows--they want to know it ALL. Don’t we all? Faith is nice, relationship is nice, but we want explanations! Paul does a philosophical meditation on sin and its consequences as they relate to humanity and to Christ. The Gospel shows us that “knowing the Bible,” is not enough to be a decent person, for we can always find reasons in the words therein to justify our desires, our excesses, or our hatreds. So, what was it that enabled Christ NOT to use the Bible to justify His own “druthers?” What did He have that Adam didn’t? Well, we all know from faith that He had a good head start! But, let’s think about this as we move into Lent...what is it that we need to be the decent person we know God wants us to be? And let’s pray for it. Fr. Bill Axe a manera que comprenden estas lecturas es de verlas como una meditación sobre la tentación y la resistencia a la tentación, lo cual es siempre una buena introducción al Tiempo de la Cuaresma. Adán y Eva quieren saber lo que ningún humano puede saber- quieren saber lo que Dios sabe- lo quieren saber TODO. ¿También nosotros, verdad? ¡La fe es buena, la relación social es buena, pero queremos explicaciones! Pablo nos da una meditación filosófica sobre el pecado y las consecuencias relacionadas con la humanidad y con Cristo. El Evangelio nos enseña que “conociendo a la Biblia,” no es suficiente para ser una persona decente, puesto que siempre encontramos razones en las palabras para justificar nuestros deseos, nuestro exceso, o nuestros odios. Entonces, ¿qué es lo que le permitió a Cristo NO usar la Biblia para justificar Sus preferencias? ¿Qué es lo que Él tenía que Adán no tuvo? Bueno, ¡por medio de la fe sabemos que Él tenía una ventaja! Pero, pensemos sobre esto al comenzar la Cuaresma… ¿Qué es lo que necesitamos hacer para ser la persona decente que Dios quiere que seamos? Y, recemos para lograrlo. -Padre Bill Axe Would you like to add family members who are sick to our Sick List? Please call the Parish Office: (323) 935-8127 May God bless our Parishioners, Amen. ¿Te gustaría agregar un nombre a nuestra Lista de enfermos? Por favor de llamar a la oficina parroquial: (323) 935-8127. Que Dios bendiga a nuestros feligreses, Amén. -Allie Smith -Anabel Manriquez -Angelica Amezcua -Arlasha Allen -Barbara Harvey -Bertha Antee -Billy Paul -Charley Johnson -Christina Paul -Constantino Perez -Cornell DeClouette -Darwin Varela -Della Walker Denise, Theresa and Marie Guillian -Devina Molette-Ford -Dominique Barksdale -Edith Bell -Edwin Raland -Edwin Rivas -Elsa Perez -Elvia Herrera -Florence Baker -Gabriel y Miralda Tahan -Georgie Davis -Giovanni Garcia -Gladys Arellano -Gladys Green -Glen Arellano -Gloria Sanguillen -Guadalupe Morales -Henre Dorsey -Jack & Michael Stokes -Jaime Rubalcava -Juanita Rubalcava -Lauren Lafargé -Linda, Joseph, -Lorraine Duperon -Maria Perez -Mariana Reynoso -Mario Ojeda -Martha Dorsey -Maura Fitzgerald -Michelle Porter -Monica Mellon -Norma Barker -Oscar Barbosa -Pamfilo Velasquez -Patrick Fitzgerald -Paula Dupre Moore -Peggy Anderson -Rafael Segura -Raymond Almeida -Rene Hunton -Rita N. Ashe -Ronald Mayberry -Rose Thierry -Roy Cunningham -Sergio Villanueva Flores -Sevarina Legaspi -Sheri Marshall -Silvia Esquivel -Sylvia Smyles -Teresa Casaus -Timothy Akens -Virginia Gadison “Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies.” - St Ambrose To build and foster a Christian Community that offers the opportunity to experience God God’s ’s unconditional love and acceptance to all who come into contact with it. T Crear y alimentar una comunidad cristiana que ofrezca la oportunidad de experimentar el amor incondicional de Dios y la aceptación a todos con quienes nos encontremos. L he first reading might tempt us to exonerate ourselves from bad behavior “The Devil made me do it!” While not denying the importance of the devil’s temptation, the Christian tradition has always laid the blame for sin squarely on the shoulders of Adam and Eve. While evil forces might provide the occasion of our turning away from God, no demonic power can force us to do anything against our will. Temptation is something we give in to. a primera lectura nos podría tentarnos es librarnos de la mala conducta diciendo que “¡el diablo me hizo que lo haga!” Mientras que no negamos la importancia de la tentación del diablo, la tradición Cristiana ha culpado el pecado a Adán y a Eva. Mientras que las fuerzas malignas nos pueden dar tentaciones para alejarnos de Dios, no hay un poder demoniaco que nos pueda hace que hagamos algo en contra de nuestra voluntad. La tentación gana cuando la dejamos que gane. At the same time, sin has made our wills so feeble that we cannot resist temptation without God’s grace. As Lent begins, let us remember that our sins are our own responsibility and that we need God’s grace in order to use that freedom well. May your Lent be a time of growth. Al mismo tiempo, el pecado ha debilitado nuestra voluntad que no podemos resistir a la tentación sin la gracia de Dios. Al empezar la Cuaresma, recordemos que nuestros pecados son nuestras propias responsabilidades y que necesitamos la gracia de Dios para que usemos esa libertad bien. Que la Cuaresma sea un tiempo de crecimiento. Have a great week, Sr. Karen Que tengan una semana agradable, Hermana Karen Together in Mission 2014: Second Commitment Sunday Unidos en Misión 2014: Segundo Domingo de Compromiso We thank all of those who have responded by mail or during our in-pew solicitation last Sunday. We have 21 new families and 107 registered families who pledged. Thanks! This year we are stressing the importance of participation. It is our hope that we will receive a pledge form from all active households in our community. Each of us is called to share his or her gifts in support of the Church. We must first support our parish and then our Archdiocese and the Church throughout the world. Together in Mission is the most effective way to support ministry outside of our parish boundaries. As always, what you give should be given in gratitude and thanksgiving of what God has given to you. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. Our goal this year is: $33,632.50. Les agradecemos a todos quienes han respondido por correo o durante la solicitud que se hizo el domingo pasado. Recibimos 21 nuevas familias y 107 solicitudes de familias registradas . ¡Gracias! Este año estamos remarcando la importancia de la participación. Tenemos la esperanza de recibir un sobre de compromiso por cada familia . Cada uno de nosotros estamos llamados a compartir nuestros bienes. Primer, debemos dar apoyo a nuestra parroquia y luego nuestra Arquidiócesis y la iglesia alrededor del mundo. Unidos en Misión es la manera más efectiva de apoyar los ministerios más allá de los límites de nuestra comunidad parroquial. Como siempre, lo que usted dé debe ser dado en agradecimiento y gratitud por lo que Dios le ha dado a usted. Gracias por su consideración en oración a esta petición y por su generosa respuesta. Nuestra meta este año es de $33,632.50. “With each contribution show a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of Joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For the Lord is one who always repays and he will give back sevenfold” -Sirach 35:8-10 Week ending Sunday, March 2 $ 8,687.00 Week ending Sunday, February 23 $ 8,062.80 Week ending Sunday, February 16 $ 6, 818.80 ON LINE GIVING IS NOW AVAILABLE! "Da siempre con el rostro radiante y consagra el diezmo con alegría. Da al Altísimo según lo que él te dio, y con generosidad, conforme a tus recursos, porque el Señor sabe retribuir y te dará siete veces más" -Eclesiástico 35, 8-10 ¡La donación electrónica ya está disponible! Monday Soup Supper Schedule Place: Parish Hall Time: 7:00 p.m. March10— Hospitality Guest speaker, Fr. Mark Villano “The Extraordinary in the Ordinary” March 17— Faith Formation Guest Speaker: Reverend Vanessa Mackenzie “Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times” March 24— Choir & Eucharistic Ministers Guest Speakers: Eddie and Michelle Hilley “The Last Supper” March 31— Lectors Guest Speaker: Fr. Stan Bosch Penance Service April 7 at 7:00 p.m., in the Church The Easter Triduum 2014 Holy Thursday, April 17 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s Supper (bilingual) Good Friday, April 18 12:00 Noon: Meditation on the Passion 1:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross 3:00 p.m. English Service 6:00p.m. Solemn Service (Spanish) Holy Saturday, April 19 7:00pm The Great Easter Vigil (Bilingual) Easter Sunday, April 20 8:30am and 10:00am English 7:00am and 12:15pm Spanish We will not have Mass at 5:30 p.m. Horario de las Sopas Pobres Lugar: Salón Parroquial Tiempo: 7:00 p.m. 10 de marzo—Hospitalidad Con el Padre Mark Villano “Lo extraordinario en lo ordinario” 17 de marzo—Formación de la fe Con la Reverenda Vanessa Mackenzie “Mujeres ordinarias en tiempo extraordinarios” 24 de marzo— Coro Con Eddie y Michelle Hilley “La Última Cena” 31 de marzo—Lectores Con el Padre Stan Bosch Servicio de Penitencia / Confesiones 7 de abril a las 7:00 p.m., en la Iglesia Triduo Pascual 2014 Jueves Santo, 17 de abril 7:00pm Misa de la Cena del Señor (bilingüe) Viernes Santo, 18 de abril 12:00pm Meditación en la Pasión- Padre Bill 1:30pm Estaciones de la Cruz (inglés) 3:00pm Servicio Solemne (inglés) 6:00pm Viacrucis Viviente (español) Sábado de Gloria, 19 de abril 7:00pm La Gran Vigilia Pascual (bilingüe) Domingo de Pascua, 20 de abril 8:30am y 10:00am Inglés 7:00am y 12:15pm Español No tendremos Misa de 5:30 p.m. Lenten Boxes for the Trinitarians Cajitas de Cuaresma para los Trinitarios 100% of what you give in these Lenten “mite boxes” will go to the aid of Catholics suffering some sort of persecution in India, Syria, and Egypt. The Trinitarian Fathers, which is the Religious Community to which Fr. Bill and Fr. Frank belong, has a network of missions that do outreach in those regions. In India, they are working in Orissa and Assam with Christians who were forced out of their homes and villages, where their churches, homes and stores were burned by radical Hindu groups, and they had to live like animals hiding in the forests. We have a mission there, now, that helps to feed the poor, we’ve rebuilt a school, a church, and we are in the process of building houses in safer areas for them. The Holy Father, last week, asked our General if we would use our resources to gain aid for the Christians in Syria, where the civil war has destroyed not only the infrastructure of the nation, but also the “trust” that religious groups once had in each other. This has resulted in vicious persecution of Catholics, nuns are being held hostage. And Pope Francis has asked our community and a couple of others to see what we can do to raise funds for the work that needs to be done there. And, in Egypt, the radical Islamists have burned churches--some that dated to the 4th century, and homes and businesses of Christians. Some of this money will go to our effort in Egypt, too. We thank you for what you can do. The suffering Church thanks you for your aid. 100% de lo que ustedes dan de las cajitas durante la Cuaresma serán para ayudar Católicos que son perseguidos en India, Siria y Egipto. Los Padres Trinitarios, la congregación donde pertenecen los padres Bill y Frank, tienen una red de misiones que ayudan en estas regiones. En India, ellos están trabajando en Orissa y Assam con Cristianos quienes son sacados a la fuerza de sus casas y pueblos, y sus iglesias y tiendas han sido quemadas por grupos hinduistas radicales, y han tenido que vivir como animales escondiéndose en los bosques. Nosotros tenemos una misión ahí, ahora, que ayuda a darle de comer al pobre, construimos una escuela, una iglesia, y estamos en el proceso de construir casas en lugares más seguros para ellos. La semana pasada el Santo Padre le pidió a nuestro Superior si podemos usar nuestros recursos para ayudarle a los Cristianos en Siria, donde la guerra civil ha destruido no sólo el esqueleto de la nación, pero también la “confianza” de grupos religiosos que una vez se tenía. Esto ha resultado de persecuciones de Católicos, donde las monjas son secuestradas. Y el Papa Francisco le ha pedido a nuestra comunidad y a un par de otras de ver cómo podemos hacerle para recaudar fondos por el trabajo que se debe hacer ahí. Y, en Egipto, los islamitas radicales han quemado iglesias- algunas que fueron construidas en el siglo IV, como también casas y negocios de Cristianos. Alguna parte de este dinero también será para ayudar en Egipto. Les damos las gracias por lo que pueden hacer. La Iglesia sufriente también les da las gracias por su ayuda. GRAND DANCE with Special Guest los pasteles verdes Gran Baile del Recuerdo CON los pasteles verdes March 15, 2014 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM $ 20.00 per person (Includes 3 tacos, soda or water) Babysitting will be available for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years old. ($3.00 per child) 15 de Marzo del 2014 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM $ 20.00 por persona (incluye 3 tacos y soda/agua) Tendremos cuidado de niños Costo: $3.00 por niño/a (Edad de 3-11 años) Hosted by our Hispanic Community TAQUIZA Y CANTINA CONFIRMATION STUDENTS WILL BE HAVING A FOOD FAST The CRS Food Fast is a 24 hour retreat for youth. On March 21 & 22 the youth and Confirmation groups will be participating in the Catholic Relief Service’s Food Fast. During our 24 hour retreat they will be fasting in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world who struggle with poverty and hunger. We ask that you pray for them and please consider sponsoring them with a donation to assist the poor through Catholic Relief Services as we journey with the poor around the LOS JOVENES DE CONFIRMACION TENDRAN UN AYUNO El Food Fast de CRS es un retiro con ayuno de 24 horas para jóvenes. Con sus oraciones, ayunos y donativos, los jóvenes se unirán a nuestros hermanos y hermanas de todo el mundo que luchan contra el hambre. El 21 y 22 de marzo participara el grupo de Confirmación en un Food Fast de Catholic Relief Services. Se unirán a luchar con la pobreza y el hambre. Les pedimos que recen por nosotros mientras caminamos con los pobres de todo el mundo. Los invitamos a unirse en oración y les pedimos que patrocine a los candidatos durante este retiro con un donativo para ayudar a los pobres a quienes Catholic Relieft Serveces asiste en sus necesidades. Bilingual Stations of the Cross Viacrucis Bilingüe Every Friday of Lent in the Church at 7pm Cada viernes de Cuaresma a las 7pm en la iglesia March 15—7AM Choir, Contact Deacon Ricardo "NOBODY CAN DO EVERYTHING BUT EVERYBODY CAN DO SOMETHING" English Thank you Tere Director of our Religious Ed Ministry, volunteer teachers Eva and her sister Ana, the First Communion Mothers and Fathers and their children (there were about 35 volunteers) for such an out pouring of love, compassion and commitment to our Saturday S.H.A.R.E. guests. These saints do- nated the food, made the sandwiches, desserts, fruit, jello and home made rice pudding, prepared the bags, moved the produce and used items. All the while teaching their children by example about caring and showing kindness and compassion for someone in need. It was awesome to see our weekly volunteers Concepcion and Laura interacting with our first time volunteers showing them how to make the sandwiches, fill the bags and where to place the pro- March 22—Religious Ed, Contact Tere duce and clothing. We thank God our provider for the sending these saints when we were most in need of encouragement and refueling. Amen such an uplifting difference in a life and this is the gift that you don't have to go out and ."purchase." You can start to practice this as you walk in and out of church wishing your As we journey towards church family member a Resurrection Sunday let us "Happy Sunday." consider touching a life for Jesus by reaching out When you see any of our to make a difference by Nonagenarians thank doing small acts of kind- them for paving the way ness for the people we for us. meet during our daily travels. Your smiles are Thank you for your the perfect gift to give support. away. It can make oh CALM IS AN INFECTIOUS LA CALMA ES UN ESTADO { STATE OF MIND MENTAL CONTAGIOSO When a child is out of control, yelling, or hitting, avoid the temptation to react in a similar manner, and instead cultivate composure and respond with a calm, controlled tone of voice. Often, the child will mimic your attitude and begin to calm down as well. For a copy of the VIRTUS® article, “Yelling and hitting --- is there a difference?” email [email protected]. Cuando un niño o niña está fuera de control, gritando o golpeando, evite la tentación de reaccionar de manera similar, y en su lugar mantenga la compostura y responda con calma, con un tono de voz controlado. Por lo regular, el niño copiará su actitud y comenzará a calmarse también. Para solicitar una copia del artículo de VIRTUS®, “Yelling and hitting ---is there a difference?” (Gritando y golpeando, ¿existe alguna diferencia?) escriba a [email protected]. DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY VOCATIONS TRANFIGURATION LENTEN REVIVAL Have you ever thought about becoming a Sister? Single Catholic women ages 18 - 40 are invited to a Religious Vocation Discernment Retreat with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul March 28-30, 2014 in Los Altos Hills, California (Bay Area). If you would like to know more about attending this discernment retreat, contact Sister Lisa Laguna, D.C. at 650/949-8890,213-210-9903, or [email protected]. www.DaughtersOfCharity.com. MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND The love of your spouse is a gift from God. This February give each other a Valentine gift of a Marriage Encounter weekend that will keep your love growing and your relationship connected and closer all year long. Our next weekend is March 28-30, in Torrance. Reserve your spot today! Other weekends in 2014 are August 8-10 and November 7-9. Visit www.ilovemyspouse.net for more details or contact Sarah and Jacob Flores at (562) 923-7335 or Vinny and Tanya Calingasan at (424) 777-9963. FREE SERVICES AT THE LIBRARY Baldwin Hills Library provides access to online homework help, computers, and free homework printing for students in grades K-12. We also provide live demonstrations on how to use computers Monday - Thursday 3:00-5:00 pm Baldwin Hills Library—2906 S La Brea Avenue (323) 733-1196 [email protected] “RECEIVE YOUR GIFT, THE FIRE OF THE LORD” You are invited to a two day Lenten Revival at Transfiguration Church. 2515 W. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Los Angeles, C.A. 90062 (Parking at 4001—3rd Avenue) Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 3:00—6:00 pm and Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the 12:15 pm Mass. Minister Floy Hawkins from St. Brigid Catholic Church will be our guest speaker. Minister Hawkins is a dynamitic charismatic speaker full of the fire of God. She has conducted many missions, retreats and revivals throughout the Archdiocese. Music by Chris Nuño, accompanied by the Youth and Young Adults. For more information you may call the Rectory Office at (323) 291-1136. De Mujer a Mujer Tenemos una oportunidad para que todas las mujeres de la parroquia se reúnan y tengan una buena conversación espiritual y de fe. Nos reunimos cada primer y tercer lunes del mes, de 10:30 a.m. a 12:30 p.m. en el Salón San Martín de Porres. Con Josie Broehm. Woman to Woman An opportunity for all women in the parish to meet, discuss relevant topics of interest and enjoy lively conversation. Meeting every first and third Monday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the San Martin de Porres Room. With Josie Broehm. Pastoral Staff Directory Saturday March 8 ╬ Sábado 8 de Marzo 5:30 p.m. Our Parish Family Pastoral Office (323) 935-8127 (voice) (323) 743-8127 (text messages) - Standard Rates Apply Sunday March 9 ╬ Domingo 9 de Marzo Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 / Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17 / Rm 5:12-19 / Matthew 4:1-11 7:00 a.m. Nuestra Familia Parroquial Faith Formation (323) 933-0963 Diácono Ricardo Recinos (323) 935-1308 St. Agatha's Web: www.stagathas.org - 8:30 a.m. Our Parish Family - 10:00 a.m. Mark Domingue † - Requested by Sandra Domingue 10:00 a.m. Stephen Lloyd † - Requested by Sandra Domingue 10:00 a.m. Anthony Honoré † - Requested by Sandra Domingue 12:15 p.m. pleaños) Jose de Jesus Ramirez (Feliz Cum- 5:30 p.m. Our Parish Family - Monday, March 10 ╬ Lunes 10 de Marzo Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18 / Ps 19:8-10, 15 / Matthew 25:31-46 6:30 p.m. Our Parish Family - Tuesday, March 11 ╬ Martes 11 de Marzo Isaiah 55:10-11 / Psalm 34:4-7, 16-19 / Matthew 6:7-15 6:30 p.m. Nuestra Familia Parroquial - Wednesday, March 12 ╬ Miércoles 12 de Marzo Jonah 3:1-10 / Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 / uke 11:29-32 8:00 a.m. Sr. Karen Collier x227 Sr. Karen’s e-mail Fr. Bill Axe x223 Fr. Bill’s e-mail Emergency Contact Dn. Ricardo Recinos x230 Dn. Ricardo’s e-mail Enrique Reyes x224 Enrique’s e-mail Teresa Amezcua x241 Teresa’s e-mail Gricelda de la Cerda x 290 Gricelda’s e-mail Emmanuel Montenegro x221 Emmanuel’s e-mail Maggie Arellano x240 Youth Ministry’s e-mail Eddie Hilley (323) 935-2853 Eddie’s e-mail Parish Life Director [email protected] Priest Ministry [email protected] (323) 938-6964 Spanish Pastoral Ministry [email protected] Business Manager [email protected] Director of Faith Formation [email protected] Faith Formation Assistant [email protected] Receptionist [email protected] Youth Ministry [email protected] Music Ministry [email protected] Our Parish Family - Thursday March 13 ╬ Jueves 13 Marzo Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 / Ps 138:1-3, 7-8 / Matthew 7:7-12 6:30 p.m. Servicio de Comunión Friday, March 14 ╬ Viernes 14 de Marzo Ezekiel 18:21-28 / Psalm 130:1-8 / Matthew 5:20-26 6:30 p.m. Our Parish Family - Next Sunday Readings -Second Sunday of Lent March 16, 2014 Genesis 12:1-4 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22 2 Timothy 1:8-10 Matthew 17:1-9 Submit a bulletin Announcement To be approved by Sr. Karen Collier: [email protected] Fax: 323-939-3547 Att: Sr.Karen (Bulletin) Pastoral Office Hours Monday - Friday • Lunes - Viernes 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Saturday • Sábado 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:30 pm Sundays @ the Placita Office Mass Times / Tiempos de Misa Mon: 6:30pm (En) Tues: 6:30pm (Sp) Wed: 8:00am (En) Thurs: 6:30pm (Sp) Fri: 6:30pm (Bl) Sat: 5:30pm (En/Vigil) Sun: 7:00am (Sp), 8:30am (En) 10:00am (En/Gospel) 12:15pm (Sp) 5:30pm (En) Confession / Confesiones Saturday/Sábado: 4:40pm