St. Monica Catholic Community News

Posted on December 13, 2007

Stay Awake!

This past Sunday I was the deacon at the children’s Mass. The beautiful children with their curious eyes were full of energy singing and praying like 40-year old Catholics. It was very moving and I was filled with joy. This is Church. This is what it is all about, introducing all of them to Jesus, the lord and giver of love. After Mass, I helped out in the auditorium making advent wreaths to take home with them to remind them everyday of the arrival of Jesus. The families were gathered at tables involving their children in the process of making their wreath. Questions were asked about the various symbols of the wreath and answers followed immediately. The reward was a chocolate treat. Over and over again at the mass and while they were making their wreaths, they were reminded to “Stay Awake.”

One little girl told me it was hard to stay awake when she was tired. She related that she often fell asleep in the car on the way home. I reminded her that when you are young, like she is, and old, like I am, we often need more sleep than other people. I explained that when we are awake, we need to pay close attention to what is going on around us. She said yes, I know you are old because I see your face is cracking. It was time for me to move to another table because I was laughing so hard.

After I left the hall, I began to think about how easy it is to be distracted about what goes on around us. Like children, we have many distractions in our life. I know that when my parents died I was very distracted and certainly was not awake. When my son was into drugs, my wife and I were not awake to anything around us for months. When I was laid off, it took a month for me to concentrate on anything else other than finding a job. In reality, this is when we are vulnerable, this is when we fall asleep and cannot stay awake. The solution is to trust completely in God and remove the distraction as fast as possible. My wife and I sought help when I was laid off and this gave us the opportunity to “Stay Awake” and stay on course.

If you are suffering or need help with problems, do not delay – seek help. We have many ministries in Pastoral Care that can help. Give me a call and together we will find help. Deacon Jerry at (310) 566-1530.

Posted on November 30, 2007

High School Open House

Last year's freshman class of approximately 180 students was welcomed with t-shirts that read, "Mariners Class of 2011" on the front and "Part of the Family" on the back. On Saturday, December 8th, from 1-4 PM, SMCHS will welcome prospective students and their families to its Open House in the hopes of adding even more members to the Mariner family. The day is designed to showcase the spiritual, academic, and co-curricular programs SMCHS proudly offers. The event will feature presentations on curriculum, student life, tuition assistance, and will include a parent panel discussion. The academic departments, alumni association, athletic teams, campus ministers, guidance counselors, and representatives from the performing arts will all be available to answer questions and share their experiences. Campus tours will be lead by members of the faculty, student government, and campus clubs/organizations. Teachers will be in their classrooms providing demonstrations of lesson plans and educational technology such as interactive whiteboards known as Smartboards. In visits to elementary schools whose graduates attend SMCHS, Open House has been promoted as a priceless opportunity to experience, firsthand, the sense of family and exceptional programs that make SMCHS the right fit for spiritual, academic, and social development during the formative high school years.

All are welcome - please join us and find out why we are so proud of our school community. For more information, please contact Mrs. Michele Rice, Director of Admissions, at (310) 394-3701 x405. Complete information on the admissions process, including the ability to download student applications, is available on the SMCHS web site, www.stmonicahs.org under Admissions.

Posted on November 21, 2007

Month of Rememberance

This Friday, November 30, we conclude our Month of Remembrance with a special Mass of Remembrance for all who have died in this past year. All are welcome and invited to attend this liturgy which will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Church to remember all of our beloved dead. You are invited to bring photographs of your deceased loved ones to be remembered in this liturgy. These photographs will be honored within our liturgy and you will be able to take them home with you following the Mass.

Posted on November 8, 2007

Important Questions About the Clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal

Cardinal Roger Mahoney recently answered 18 important questions pertaining to the sexual abuse scandal. You can download these questions and answers by clicking on this link: Clergy Sexual Abuse Questions (PDF)

Posted on October 18, 2007

Stewardship of Finances Appeal

Stewardship has become a tradition for the community of St. Monica. Simply stated, stewardship is our response to God in gratitude for the blessings we have received. For the past 9 years, we have encouraged one another to be grateful stewards of this community and to thank God by pledging a share of household finances, personal time and talent, and/or some form of prayer. This month we highlight the need for responsible financial stewardship. Next week we will hear from Msgr Torgerson about the importance of stewardship in our lives and for our community. All parishioners will be given an opportunity to make a pledge indicating their personal level of weekly or monthly commitment.

St. Monica currently has over 9000 registered households, yet more than one half of these households made no recorded gift last year. While some people prefer to give cash anonymously, we are all called to give thoughtfully, rather than what happens to be in our wallets at the time of the collection.

Every pledge, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. For those who are doing all you can, thank you. However, we cannot operate our parish on the work and donations of only a small percentage of our membership. We each have a responsibility to thoughtfully consider our circumstances and commit what we can. Please respond generously when you receive your pledge form.

St. Monica Finance Council

Posted on October 4, 2007

Fall Festival Winners!

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS:

Raffle Prize Winners

2007 Toyota Prius – Don and Joyce Lensch

$1,000 – Trevor Rodrigues

$500 – Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Avalos

Quilt – Mike Smith

Santa Monica Idol Winners

Adult Division

Harrison Crenshaw and Karla Carrillo (tied for 1st)

Andrew Karl (runner-up)

Junior Division

Dorian Gomez (1st)

Annie Reznik (2nd)

Garianna Geiselman (3rd)

Posted on October 4, 2007

A Call to Family

What is a family perspective?

There are four elements that touch the heart of contemporary family life and, in a sense, define it. Incorporating a family perspective into church life means understanding and utilizing these four elements, in a dynamic balance, when planning, implementing, and evaluating any and all ministries.

First Element: A Christian Vision of Family Life

This is the foundation. Because Christians enter into a covenant of love with Jesus Christ, we are called to act with a consciousness of Christ’s presence in our family lives. A family striving to place Christ at its center becomes the most basic Christian community: a domestic church. Although it may struggle at times, it will strive to communicate eff ectively, love deeply, forgive frequently, and share its values with one another. It will also be lifegiving: bringing children into the world and rearing them responsibly; developing the potential of all its members; handing on values and traditions. The Christian family will respond to a call of service in society and church by modeling love, generosity, hospitality, and caring and by reaching out to others in need.

Second Element: The Family as a Developing System

A family perspective assumes that an individual lives, not in isolation, but connected to others by relationships. Familial relationships are among the most important in our lives. Ministry with any individual, insofar as it is designed to facilitate change or conversion, inevitably has an impact on his or her system of relationships. Moreover, that very same relationship system will strongly influence a person’s capacity for ministering and being ministered to.

Third Element: Family Diversity

American Catholic families no longer fit into one simple mold. In addition to the normative nuclear family model, there are single-parent families; families of divorce; situations of unemployment, mobility, mixed religion, cultural and racial diff erences. A family perspective names and celebrates the uniqueness of each family. It seeks to build on each family’s strengths and to help each one meet its distinct challenges.

Fourth Element: Partnership between Families and Institutions

Families deal regularly with a variety of public and private institutions, systems, governmental agencies, programs, etc. in an attempt to meet their needs. A family perspective strives to build a working relationship or partnership between families and other entities that participate in family responsibilities. Such entities -- including parishes and schools -- must not only respect the primary responsibility families have for the wellbeing of their members, but also enable families to fulfill that responsibility. Families want and deserve to be treated with respect as trusted partners.

Conclusion

These four elements, taken as a whole, form a lens through which both church and society are urged to view the contemporary family.

The full scope of a “family perspective” can be found in the publication A Family Perspective in Church and Society available from the United States Catholic Conference, Office for Publishing and Promotion Services, 3211 Fourth Street N.E., Washington, D.C.20017. (800) 235-8722.

Posted on September 27, 2007

Catholic Social Teaching Month

Next week will begin the Church’s observance of Catholic Social Teaching Month. Throughout October, there will be information on Catholic Social Teaching. Next weekend, the parish Catholic Social Teaching Committee will be on hand in the Duval Patio with resources on the social teaching values of the Catholic Church. There are seven key themes of Catholic Social Teaching: this year we will focus on “Call to Family, Community, and Participation.” The homilies on October 6 and 7 will focus on this theme which encompasses supporting families and communities that seek the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Posted on September 13, 2007

SAFEGUARD OUR CHILDREN

Our church and schools are working hard to comply with requirements outlined by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People". A copy of the charter is kept in the pastoral center office for access by any parishioner.

We all have a role regarding our children’s safety. How can we help our kids to be safe when we are not with them? There are many common sense things we can teach them to give them the confidence to handle themselves and reduce dangers that can confront them. A few such tips are: 1) Don’t take shortcuts. 2) Use well-traveled streets. 3) Don’t go to movies or playgrounds alone. 4) If separated from a parent in a shopping area, go to the nearest cashier. 5) If approached for directions by an adult, step back, tell them “I don’t know” and walk away. Adults should be asking other adults for directions, not children.

For any concerns or questions about church or school safety practices, contact Daphne Bass, Chairperson of our Safeguard the Children Committee, (310) 829-2805 or Mike Mottola, Parish Administrator, at (310) 566-1519.

Posted on September 6, 2007

Remembering the 9/11 victims and families

This week on Tuesday is the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001 when thousands of people from all walks of life died. Let us remember them and their families in prayer and continue to in our communities, country, in countries where unrest and war are taking scores of lives every day. We have three Masses on Tuesday at 6:30 am, 8:30 am, and 12:10 pm.

Posted on September 6, 2007

Msgr. Craig Cox - St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo

Msgr. Craig Cox, new rector at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, will be preaching at all the Masses this weekend on preparation for the priesthood at our archdiocesan seminary. Our parish community sponsors a discernment group for men considering a priestly vocation. It meets on the 1st Friday of the month in the Pastoral Center. Contact Phil Tirone at 310-453-1901 for more info.

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