Dear Brothers & Sisters,
“Happy New Year” — No matter what circumstances we may find ourselves in during this time of pandemic, the grace of God can transform them into encounters of Joy. One encounter of Joy is counting down the 12 Days of Christmas, in preparation of the Epiphany of the Lord on January 6th as the three Wisemen came to give homage, bearing gifts to the newborn King of kings, Jesus Christ.
This New Year of 2021 is dedicated in a special way to the paternal care of St. Joseph, as Pope Francis stated in his apostolic letter Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”). What a gift to our Church to have a year dedicated to the fatherhood of St. Joseph! Be sure to read the apostolic letter which expounds upon the qualities of the fatherhood of St. Joseph as an icon of God’s Fatherly love for us. During this Christmas Season and the New Year, let’s reflect on how St. Joseph placed himself at the service of his vocation as husband and father with “a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home” (PC, 1).
As we make our New Year resolution (s), let us do it in light of St. Joseph and the resolutions and sacrifices he made as he said yes to God’s call and vocation. St. Joseph was obedient to God the Father as he acted on each message sent to him by God and he always said ‘Yes’ in every situation and circumstance. As Catholics, that is what our New Year’s Resolutions should emulate. Even if we fall short of our Resolutions, we get to renew them over and over again during Advent and once again during Lent as we resolve to break bad habits by forming good habits. We renew them again, on Easter, we profess our Baptismal Promise Resolutions and yet again when we go to confession, we “firmly resolve with the help of God’s grace to sin no more.”
If you want to make this year the best year of your life, I highly recommend not only to have a deep personal relationship with Jesus, but to get to know St. Joseph by reading Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde. May God’s blessings be upon you during the Christmas Season and throughout the New Year.
Christmas blessings to all,
Fr. John L. Poncini, Pastor
Masses for This Weekend ~ Outdoors
Reservations are recommended (click here to reserve).
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- Saturday @ 4:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 8:00 AM at St. Nicholas (Courtyard)
- Sunday @ 10:00 AM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 12:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 4:00 PM at St. William (Tent behind Hall)
- Sunday @ 4:00 PM (French-speaking) at St. Nicholas (Courtyard)
We will continue to Livestream Sunday Mass at 11:00am for those at home.
Please check our homepage often for future updates.
Upcoming Event
The Power of Compassion, Kinship, Tenderness
Speaker: Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J.
Join us Tuesday, January 12 at 7:30 pm (virtual via zoom) as Fr. Greg shares what he has learned in three decades working with marginalized populations at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles – that love is the answer.
Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. is the founder of Homeboy Industries, a successful gang intervention and re-entry program.
REGISTER HERE in advance for the Zoom Link
Water-wise Stewardship at St. William
We are replacing the strip of lawn along El Monte on the St. William campus with colorful, drought-tolerant, low maintenance plants to conserve water, save money, and add beauty.
CONSIDER MAKING A GIFT IN HONOR OF A LOVED ONE
- In Loving Memory of a loved one
- A gift to welcome the New Year!
Several generous parishioners have provided most of the funding. Please put us over the top by sponsoring a plant. They range in price from $15 to $150. Consider the cost of coffee or lunch with a friend.
Drive-Thru Confessions
Every Saturday in St. William Parking Lot: 2:30PM – 3:30PM
Help Our Families Give Our Children a Catholic Education
ST NICHOLAS SCHOOL ANNUAL APPEAL SUPPORTING TUITION ASSISTANCE
Please help us to reach our goal of $150,000! You my Give Online or mail a check to St. Nicholas School, 12816 El Monte Rd, Los Al.tos Hills, CA 94022, C/O The Development Office
Please contact Cheryl Caligaris at 650-941-4056 Ext 202 or ccaligaris@stnicholaslah.com for more information about St. Nicholas School.
Help Us Continue Our Mission
Now you can give online, by check, or send a text!
- Use your phone and TEXT the word GIVE to 650-200-2585 and follow the prompts.
- Donate ONLINE ~ make a one-time donation or setup a recurring gift
- Hand deliver or mail your CHECK to St. Nicholas & St. William at 473 Lincoln. Ave., Los Altos, CA 94022