ST.

COLUMBA CATHOLIC CHURCH

December 22, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Advent

SAN DIEGO

Pastors Corner
FINDING JOY IN TRUSTING GOD
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to save the world. The great story of Christmas centers on Jesus, but His parents, Mary and Joseph, are also worth our attention. Marys full cooperation in Gods plan was revealed in the bible. Josephs role in the Christmas story is portrayed in the gospel today. He was betrothed to Mary when he learned that she was with child even before they lived together. He was a righteous man who had a good relationship with God. By law, Mary is considered to have committed adultery and deserved the punishment of death, and yet Joseph was unwilling to expose her to shame so he decided to divorce her quietly, until God intervened in a dream to make His divine plan realized. The child of Mary was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit. So Joseph took Mary as his wife and fulfilled Gods plan, and he became the foster father of Jesus, taking care of him and protecting him with all his love and strength. Joseph followed Gods will and put aside his own plan. He trusted God for his life and future so he set aside his personal wishes in order to become Gods instrument. In contrast, Ahaz, the king in the story of the first reading, would not trust in God because he believed more in human and military power to save his kingdom. Unlike Joseph, Ahaz was not open to the wonder of Gods love and would not trust Him, and this led to his destruction. Joseph was able to behold the glory of God

Christmas Schedule
Tuesday, December 24th 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm, 10:00 pm Wednesday, December 25th 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am No 5:30 pm Mass Rectory closed: Dec. 25 & 26 No Bingo Dec. 27

Greening of the Church

Join us this evening, December 22nd, after the 5:30 pm Mass as we green the church for Christmas. Refreshments to follow in the parish hall. All are welcome!

Mass Intentions for the Week

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23 7:00 amME Donors Intention TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24 7:00 amME Intentions of Fr. Mario Elias 4:00 pmME Angie Foldavari 5:30 pmEC Alfred J. & Dorothy Tortora 10:00 pmME Int. of Manuel & Ma. L. Antonio WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25 7:30 amEC Nerlita & Natividad Barrera 9:30 amME Ron Zeunges 11:00 amME People of the Parish THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 7:00 amME Virginia Reyes FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27 7:00 amME Candy Lane SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28 8:00 amME Shawn Kavaney 5:30 pmME Int. of Cesar & Fidela Areilla & family SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 7:30 amJL Richard Hudjohn 9:30 amME Flo Kloberdanz 11:00 amME Asuncion Organo 5:30 pmEC People of the Parish
EC=Fr. Edward Corcoran, ME=Fr. Mario Elias, JL=Fr. Justin Langille

in his own arms through the birth of Jesus. He found joy in trusting Gods plan for his life. He was able to behold the fulfillment of what Isaiah the prophet foretold, The virgin shall

conceive and give birth to a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel. As we sometimes say, Man proposes but God disposes. There is more joy in trusting God than relying on human wisdom because God knows what is best for us.
PLEASE PRAY for the following who are ill, their families and those who care for them: Nettie Caldwell, Marlena Daniels, Donna Brozovic DeLaTorre, Debra Drake, Thomas Dunne, Bruce Elizondo, Gigi Esguerra, Frank Klementich, Jay Koppelman, Alfred Lucas, Carolina Monserrat, Bill Moore, Doris Oliver, Dot Proulx, Luther Ramos, Bob Riggs, Gloria Riggs, Steve Romero, Chris Sirca, Julie Turek, Divina Villar

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 22, 2013

Readings for the Week

Mon: Tues: Wed: Mal 3:1-4,23-24/Lk 1:57-66 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8-12,14,16/Lk 1:67-69 Vigil: Is 62:1-5/Ps 89:4-5,16-17,27,29/ Acts 13:16-17,22-25/Mt 1:1-25 Night: Is 9:1-6/Ps 96:1-3,11-13/Ti 2:11-14/ Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12/Ps 97:1,6,11-12/Ti 3:4-7/ Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10/Ps 98:1-6/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1-8 1 Jn 1:5-2:2/Mt 2:13-18 Sir 3:2-7,12-14/Ps 128:1-5/Col 3:12-21/ Mt 2:13-15,19-23

Thurs: Fri: Sat: Sun:

Christmas Blessings to all of you from Fr. Mario Elias, Deacon Bill Vasquez, and the entire St. Columba staff.

Giving Tree
Stop by our Matthew 25 Giving Tree in the vestibule of the church and pick up an envelope. All donations will be sent to Fr. John Tasto in Tijuana, Mexico for the support of his school and parish. Make checks payable to St. Columba. Thanks for supporting this worthy program.

New Years Eve Party!

Tuesday, December 31st 7:00 amMidnight
(Dinner at 8:00 pm)

BYOB

2014 Wall Calendars

Parishioners are welcome to take home a 2014 calendar found at the entrances of the church. Please limit one per family.

Everyone is welcome to ring in the New Year right here at St. Columba. There will be a DJ playing music through the decades and a catered dinner. Tickets: $40 each (adults only). Tickets available this weekend after the 9:30 am Mass. For more information call, (858) 2773863.

Bake Sale - Today!

Please stop by the parish hall after the 7:30 & 9:30 Masses to pick up your goodies. Thank you for supporting our Cub Scouts!

Thank You Students!

A special thanks to the students of St. Columba School for their wonderful encore Christmas performance for our parishioners last Friday.

Confirmation Classes
Now is the time to register if you are a Catholic high school student in grade 10 or higher who wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes begin January 7th, 6:458:00 pm. For questions and to register, please call Robin Keator at (858) 277-3861.

Christmas Poinsettias
Thank you to the many parishioners who made donations in honor of or in memory of a loved one with a flower offering. Your donations will be used for the beautiful poinsettias which decorate the church during the Christmas season. A list of donors can be found on the bulletin board in the vestibule of the church.

School News
VONS shoppers: Thank you for supporting St. Columba School by shopping at Vons. In order for St. Columba School to continue receiving credit from VONS you need to pay for your groceries with a debit card, check, or cash. The use of a credit card will not generate funds for our school! Thanks for. Box Tops for Education: Please continue to send in your Box Tops found on various products. This is a yearround fundraiser for St. Columba School. Thank you to the many parishioners who support this program! Tuition Assistance Fund: Year-round fundraiser. There are yellow envelopes in your monthly envelope set as well as in the pews. Thank you for your on-going generosity.

The Gift of Generosity

This holiday season, we thank everyone who has supported St. Columba this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions and look forward to support from all of our members in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to look into our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Visit http://www.stcolumbachurch.blogspot.com or contact the church office for more information.