Saint Dunstan Catholic Church The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph December 28th, 2008 - Bulletin
		My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all the peoples.
		— Luke 2:30-31

	As I sit here and write this for the last bulletin of the year, it is difficult to believe that a New Year’ is upon us. And being that it is a new year we make all kinds of resolutions for our general well being; being more attentive to our health, to exercise, watch our diet, and so on. And we should take care of our bodies. I’ve noticed an increase in advertising for all kinds of exercise equipment. By and large they each require a twenty minutes workout three times a week to get the best results. From the ads the participants look very healthy and the program apparently succeeds. Would the same apply for spiritual exercises? Would spending twenty minutes in prayer three times a week make us healthier and stronger in faith? As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family we are called to prayer. The family at Nazareth was the ideal family because of the presence of Jesus there. The same can be true of every family. God can make it a channel of grace if we spend time as a family in prayer. As the liturgy for baptism makes clear the parents are the first teachers and the best teachers of faith for their children. The responsibility of handing on the faith cannot be left only to teachers in school or CCD classes. The parish is a partner with parents in the faith formation of our children. We all have a responsibility to awaken in our children a sense of the sacred and help children recognize God’s presence in the world about us. We have the duty to inculcate in them that faith and worship of God is a fundamental part of being human. Spending time as a family, in our Fathers house, is important for the faith formation of all families.
	The St. Dunstan Youth Core Team meets a few times each month to plan events ranging from religious to social themes. Any high school students who are Confirmed in the Catholic Church and interested in participating in the Youth Core Team should contact Aly Garcia, Youth Minister Intern at 692-4872 or stdunstanyouth@att.net The priests and staff of the parish wish all our parishioners and their families a happy new year, 2009. We pray that our community of faith will be blessed with a year of grace and mercy, good health and happiness. WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK AT ST. DUNSTAN PARISH Tuesday, December 30th Novena in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament after the 8am Mass No CCD today Wednesday, December 31st New Year’s Eve Thursday, January 1st No Bible Study today New Year’s Day, rectory closed Friday, January 2nd Rectory closed First Friday holy hour at 4 pm in the church Saturday, January 3rd First Saturday holy hour at 7 am in the church Retrouvaille meets in the convent RCIA at 9 am in the rectory Monday thru Saturday Morning Prayer in the church at 7:15 am Monday thru Friday Rosary recited in the church at 7:40 am ST. DUNSTAN GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP – NOW IN ITS 4th SUCCESSFUL YEAR If you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a loved one, please join the St. Dunstan Grief Support Group for ongoing sessions to help process your grief and loss issues. For more information please call Barbara Cappel, L.C.S.W. at 692-7543 or Carol Hensley at 692-1488. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Last year the Society of St. Vincent de Paul served over 76,000 meals to the hungry and homeless in San Mateo County. Volunteers are needed to help serve at our Homeless Help Centers in South San Francisco and San Mateo. Learn more at the SVdP Volunteer Orientation on Tuesday, January 6th at 1:30 pm at the San Mateo District Office. Volunteers are also needed to answer helpline calls and for computer data entry. Call Lisa at 373-0623 to reserve a spot at the volunteer orientation. The priests and staff of the parish Help us feed the hungry! BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS: Those who wish to attend the Baptism Preparation Class should call the rectory well in advance to register. Classes are held on the 1st Saturday of the month at 10:30 am and the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30 pm in the convent, 1111 Magnolia Avenue. Archbishop Neiderauer has determined that in accordance with the practice of neighboring dioceses, the obligation to attend Mass on January 1, 2009, The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God is dispensed. It is not a holy day of obligation. WALK FOR LIFE WEST COAST 2009 Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 24, 2009. Join upwards of 25,000 pro-lifers for the 5th annual Walk For Life in San Francisco as we peacefully proclaim our message that abortion hurts women and we all deserve better than abortion. For more information visit the website at www.walkforlife.com. To volunteer or to arrange busses contact us at 415-586-1576 or email questions to info@walkforlifewc.com. Friday, January 2 is the First Friday of the month. There will be a Holy Hour in the church from 4-5 PM followed by Mass at 5:10 PM. Saturday, January 3 is the First Saturday of the month. There will be a Holy Hour of Reparation from 7 to 8 AM in the church followed by Mass at 8 AM. If any of your loved ones have been hospitalized, we ask that you please call the rectory to let the priests of the parish know so that they are able to visit them. The hospitals do not inform us when one of our parishioners has been admitted, so it is up to their family members to let us know. Thanks for your help! SUPPORT FOR SENIORS Is there a senior in your life whose safety and care need monitoring? Licensed therapists, social workers, registered nurses and gerontologists work together to help elders stay at home by providing a range of care solutions, counseling and home care services. Sliding scale fees. Call 650-592-9325 for more information. -Catholic Charities CYO PRAYER-DISCUSSION GROUP Would you like to try a faith-sharing group that includes a blend of praise, song, scripture, petitions, talk, etc.? This group meets on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 pm .at Marymount Green Hills Retirement Center. Call Fran or Joe Sigona at 692-2466. St. Dunstan Women’s Club Past Presidents Bingo Luncheon Sunday, January 11 at 11 am St. Dunstan Parish Center $30 per person We will serve lunch, drinks and dessert. There will be 10 games of bingo and some wonderful raffle prizes. There is no charge to our past presidents for lunch and bingo. Invite your family and friends to this enjoyable event. Kindly RSVP by Friday, January 9 to Lynne at 255-5307. Last weekend’s Regular Collection: $7,549.00 Last weekend’s Parish Maintenance & Development Fund Collection: $4,854.00 Thank you for all your support! SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Monday: Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas St. Thomas Becket Tuesday: Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas Wednesday: Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas St. Sylvester I New Year’s Eve Thursday: The Octave Day of Christmas The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God World Day of Prayer for Peace New Year’s Day Friday: St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen First Friday Saturday: The Most Holy Name of Jesus First Saturday to those who served as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers this weekend: Saturday, December 27th 5 PM Lector: J Ryan Eucharistic Ministers: J &L Clothakis, F Axiaq, C Orfino, R&C Fry Altar Servers: Sheker, Sheker, Cabarse, DeGuzman Sunday, December 28th 7 AM Lector: B. Penner Eucharistic Ministers: B Rogers, M Wyman, P Livingston Altar Servers: Sosa, Bertin, Jackson, Doyle 8:30 AM Lector: E. Linak Eucharistic Ministers: D Lawson, M Ocafrain, J Lilles, L Bates, P Lucero, M Leland Altar Servers: Uchi-Tabaloc, Abello, Colarusso, Fernando 10 AM Lector: J. Sigona Eucharistic Ministers: F Sigona, G Maldonado, K Whitfield, L Raquel, K Burns, P Maloney, T Herbeck Altar Servers: Burns, Burns, Whitfield, Whitfield 11:30 AM Lector: J. Roensch Eucharistic Ministers: B Tiamson, T Dizon, C Caimotto, R Barrera, C Cannizzaro, B Santos Altar Servers: Wilkom, Valdez, Barrera, Restivera 5 PM Lector: J. Costa Eucharistic Ministers: P &M McLaughlin, H Santana, K Phelps, F Gutierrez, B Cappel Altar Servers: Yee, Celio, Chavez, Chavez Special thanks to all of our ushers for their dedicated service at our weekend Masses. Mass Intentions for the Week December 28, 2008 thru January 3, 2009 Sunday  7:00 am For Parish 8:30 am Angela Brillante 10:00 am The Gulli Family (liv/dec) 11:30 am James Muscat Jr 5:00 pm Mary & Bill Murphy Monday 6:30 am Stanley Mohr 8:00 am Tito Caputo 5:10 pm Leonard Mankowski Tuesday 6:30 am Carol Depew (living) 8:00 am Paul Tsih 5:10 pm Dylan Cappel Wednesday 6:30 am Frank Agius 8:00 am The Griffin Family 5:10 pm Monica Agius & John M. Agius Thursday 6:30 am Janet Mahoney 8:00 am Dylan Cappel 5:10 pm Special Intention Friday 6:30 am Martha Costa 8:00 am Joe & Paula Galea 5:10 pm Tony Santora Saturday 8:00 am Cesare Bernardo 5:00 pm Nelda Sabbadini We pray for the sick members of our parish family and for those who care for them: Madison Kitz, William Dill, Ted & Eileen Damian, Pat Saracini, Bill Barca, Helen & Vicky Noceti, Irene Thommen, Kyong Cruz, Ciera Whipple, Dorothy Rives, Elsie Noceti, Steve Bacho, Eva Caprini, Mary Farr, Barbara Modica, Karen Shirley, Jose Conrado Vasquez, Henry & Lucy Garcia, Frances Snyder, Jack & Rene Sagrafena, Mrs. Larry Duggins, Antoinette Ramos, Joe Hamilton, Pauline & Joseph Burgio, Noralee Gelhaar, Geraldine Feehan, Martin Hidalgo, Norman Roos, Lyle Dibbs, Gloria Giannini, Maxine Coutts, Anna Mae Stewart, Jonathan Cerezo, Nick Cannuli, Kathy Montiel, The Yakaitis Family, Susan Silvera-Dunn, George Rodriguez Jr, Nafal Jweinat, Michael Coffaro, Diedra Bradshaw, Irma Sweeny, Charlene Spediacci, Esther Litton, Jan Diamond, Viola Burdick, Ronald Reyes, Josephine Muscat, Patricia O’Neill, Virginia Ryan Rogers, Michael Wisherop, Helen Maternia, Elsie Clark, Bernice Malloy, Wayne Devora, Beverly Buhs, Rita Gilmore, Marisa Hosea, Marcella Mahoney, Judy Marks, Rita Bartolo, Michael Hovan, Gerda Altherr, Stephen Petinak, Richard Castro, Donald Clancy, Dan Bray, Rene Tiamson, Dondon Pasco, Dotty Mardiloff, Robert Weldon, Doug Baldwin, Joseph Conrad Rodriguez, Raymond Reudy, Mona Pasco, Rick Trecartin, Doris Spiteri, Mike Casella & Mike Phipps We pray for the deceased members of our parish family.