1640 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone (510) 843-2244 Fax (510) 843-2730 Email: info@stjosephtheworkerchurch.org

www.stjosephtheworkerchurch.org

Parish Office Hours Tuesday -Friday

9:00 am to 6:00 pm Closed 12 Noon—1:00 pm

for Lunch Saturday

9:00am—1:00pm

Mass & Confession Schedule

SATURDAY Mass: 8:00 am

SUNDAY Mass 8:00am

Confessions 9:15 am until last penitent has

confessed. Mass 9:30am

Mass (Spanish) 11:00am

MONDAY-FRIDAY Mass: 7:30 am

WEDNESDAY

EVENINGS Adoration of the Blessed

Sacrament 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Confessions 6:00-6:45 pm

STAFF

Rev. Kenneth Nobrega

In Residence Rev. Raphael Okitafumba

Deacon José Manuel Pérez

Permanent Deacon

Gloria Maldonado Parish Secretary

Elizabeth Oishi Comly

Parish Events Coordinator

MINISTRIES

Baptism/Bautismos Deacon José Manuel Pérez

Platicas: Tercer Martes, 7:00 pm

Lectors/Lectores

Remy Bravo Seay (English) Erika Guerrero (Español)

Eucharistic Ministers

Tita Brodt (English) Ruben Araujo ((Español)

SUMMONED BY GOD As Christmas draws near, Advent’s scriptures lure us into a world of dreams, signs, wonders, and the miracle of the virgin birth. Too often we allow the great stories of our faith, the ones that are most familiar, simply to wash over us. Today’s Gospel account of the events leading up to the birth of the Lord reads like a present-day soap opera. Yet Joseph’s courage, even in the midst of what must have been an incredibly con-fusing time, provides a model for us. Each week, we are summoned by God to embrace the way of goodness and truth through the proclamation of God’s holy word. Like Joseph, we are called to do as the Lord commands us. As we stand at the threshold of Christmas, let us have the courage to be open to whatever it is that the Lord will require of us as we celebrate the miracle of Bethlehem. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2016

They shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

— Matthew 1:23

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — You will be given this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:10-14). Psalm — Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory (Psalm 24). Second Reading — God has called us to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7). Gospel — The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. He shall be Emmanuel, “God is with us” (Matthew 1:18-24).

December Mass Intentions (Requested By)

Sun Mon Thur Fri Sat

18 19 22 23 24

8:00am 11:00am 7:30am 7:30am 7:30am 8:00am

In thanksgiving to St. Jude for blessing received. (Flora Madlock) +Javier Diaz & Ignacio Diaz (Gerardo Cipres) In thanksgiving to Anthony of Padua for blessing received. (Flora Madlock) +Carolina Hutton (Lucy Boykin) +Imara J. Hutton (Lucy Boykin Fr. Paul Coleman

From The Desk of Father Kenneth Nobrega This Week at Saint Joseph the Worker Church

Wednesday Evening Holy Hour, Confessions and Rosary Prayer Group

Every Wednesday evening, we have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 6:00 – 7:00pm with Confessions

available from 6:00 – 6:45pm. The Rosary & Devotion Prayer Group meets at 7:00pm

following the Holy Hour. – All are welcome.

“The Spirit of Holiness” It is the final Sunday of Advent, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, yet because of the calendar in this year of 2016, Christmas is still a full week away. We may ask ourselves if we are prepared for Christmas, but that question may focus on the wrong things — we may be thinking of deco-rations and Christmas gifts and Christmas dinners. However, the question we should be asking is “Are our souls ready for Christmas?” That should be the most important part of our Advent preparation. Is God present within us? Are we ready to welcome Christ? Do we acknowledge our need to be prepared for Christ’s Second Coming? In his letter to the Romans, the Second Reading, St. Paul uses the phrase “the Spirit of holiness.” Paul, and in a more important way Christ Himself, calls us to holiness. Holiness is more than what we do; it has everything to do with what we are. It has to do with our very identity. Holiness is characterized by our relationship with the Lord. We are waiting for Christ, but the reality is that Christ is waiting for us. God loves us; knowing and re-sponding to that love is holiness. St. Joseph the Worker is a beacon of light where God’s people can find beautiful prayer, reconciliation and healing. In gratitude for all of God’s love and blessings, please prayerfully consider how you may financially sup-port and bless our holy mission in Christ. May God bless you for your generosity. Fr. Kenneth Nobrega

CHRISTMAS EVE December 24th @ 5:00pm December 24th @ 11:00pm

Christmas Carols with our Choir followed by (12:00am) Christmas Midnight Mass.

CHRISTMAS DAY December 25th @ 8:00am, 9:30am and

11:00am (Spanish)

NEW YEAR’S DAY – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.

Saturday, December 31st, 2016 at 5:00pm Sunday, January 1, 2017 -

8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am (Spanish)

Christmas & New Year’s Mass Schedule

Sant’ Egidio Community The Community of Sant’ Egidio meets every Thursday at 7:00pm for prayer in our church chapel. All are invited to join for prayer and for some Christian fellowship.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Tuesday: St. Peter Canisius; Winter Solstice Thursday: St. John of Kanty Friday: The Vigil of Christmas Saturday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Upcoming Events For Your Calendar

First Friday Devotion—January 6, 2017 6:00pm Adoration 6:30pm Litany of the Sacred Heart Prayers 6:45pm Benediction 7:00pm Mass

Special Sunday Vigil Mass offered for healing. Saturday, January 14, 2017

5:00pm Mass - Mass intention will be offered for “healings” of all those present. Following the Mass, Fr. Kenneth Nobrega will pray over individuals for healings and for deliverance from spiritual oppression. Please invite your family and friends.

GETTING EVEN The only ones you should try to get even with are

those who have helped you. —Anonymous

CHRISTMAS CHILDREN It is good to be children sometimes, and never better

than at Christmas. —Charles Dickens

Miércoles al anochecer: Hora Santa, Confesiones, Grupo de Oración

El miércoles, Miércoles, 21 de diciembre tendremos Adoración al Santísimo de 6:00 p.m. a 7:00 p.m.

Las confesiones son de 6:00 p.m. a 6:45 p.m. El grupo de oración comienza el rosario a las 7:00 p.m. y continúa con otros devocionarios. Todos son bienvenidos.

Del Escritorio del P. Kenneth Nobrega Cuarto Domingo de Adviento

18 de diciembre de 2016 A quien pondrán el nombre

de Emmanuel, que quiere decir Dios-

con-nosotros. — Mateo 1:23

Acontecimientos próximos en nuestra Parroquia:

Misa de Navidad El 24 de diciembre 5:00pm El 24 de diciembre 11:00pm Canciones de Navidad con nuestro Coro seguido por (12:00) Misa de medianoche de Navidad. El 25 de diciembre 8:00am, 9:30am y 11:00am (español)

Día de Año Nuevo Horario de Misa - Solemnidad de María Madre de Dios

el sábado, 31 de diciembre de 2016 a las 5:00 pm.

El domingo; 1 de enero de 2017 - a las 8:00am, 9:30am

11:00 am (español).

LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — La señal del Señor es que la virgen estará embarazada y dará a luz un hijo varón (Isaías 7:10-14). Salmo — Va a entrar el Señor: Él es el Rey de la Gloria (Salmo 24 [23]). Segunda lectura — Jesús, descendiente de David biológi-camente, fue establecido el Hijo de Dios en poder. (Romanos 1:1-7). Evangelio — María, la comprometida de José, quedó em-barazada por obra del Espíritu Santo (Mateo 1:18-24).

“El Espíritu de Santidad” Es el último domingo de Advenimiento, el Cuarto domingo de Advenimiento, aún debido al calendario en este año de 2016, la Navidad está todavía a una semana. Podremos preguntarnos si estamos listos durante la Navi-dad, pero aquella pregunta puede concentrarse en las cosas incorrectas — podemos pensar en decoraciones y regalos de Navidad y Comidas de Navidad. ¿Sin embargo, la pregunta a la que deberíamos preguntarnos es, “están nuestras almas listas durante la Navidad?” Debería ser la parte más importante de nuestra preparación de Advenimiento. ¿ Está Dios presente dentro de nosotros? ¿Estamos listos a dar la bienvenida a Cristo? ¿Reconocemos la necesidad de estar listos para la Segunda venida de Cristo? En su carta a los romanos, la Segunda Lectura, San Pablo usa la frase “el Espíritu de santidad.” Pablo, y de un modo más importante Cristo Él mismo, nos llama a la san-tidad. La santidad es más que lo que hacemos; es lo que somos. Esto tiene que ver con nuestra misma identidad. La santidad es caracterizada por nuestra relación con el Señor. Esperamos a Cristo, pero la realidad consiste en que Cristo nos espera. Dios nos ama; saber y responder a aquel amor son la santidad. San José Obrero es un faro de luz donde el pueblo de Dios puede encontrar hermosas oraciones, reconciliación y sanación. En gratitud por todo el amor y las bendiciones de Dios, por favor considere con oración cómo puede apoyar financieramente y bendecir nuestra santa misión en Cristo. Que Dios los bendiga por su generosidad. P. Kenneth Nobrega

Próximos Eventos El viernes, el 6 de enero de 2017, Misa de Devoción de

los Primeros Viernes. 6:00pm Adoración al Santísimo-6:30pm Letanía de las oraciones al Sagrado Corazón-de Jesús.-6:45pm La exposición del Santísimo y bendición-7:00pm misa Votiva en honor al más Sagrado Corazón de Jesús

El sábado, el 14 de enero de 2017, 5:00pm misa de Vigilia. (La misa será ofrecida para 'sanaciones' para

todos aquellos presentes) Después de misa, P. Kenneth Nobrega rezará sobre indi-viduos por aquellos sufriendo con problemas físicos, mentales, emocionales y espirituales. Todos los Católicos y cualquier persona de la buena voluntad que desea las sanciones de Dios son invitados a asistir. Orará sobre los individuos por las sanidades y por la liberación de la opresión espiritual. Por favor invite a su familia y amigos.

LOS SANTOS Y OTRAS CELEBRACIONES Domingo: Cuarto Domingo de Adviento Martes: San Pedro Canisio; Inicio del invierno Jueves: San Juan de Kanty Viernes: La Nochebuena Sábado: La Natividad del Señor (Navidad)

AJUSTAR CUENTAS El único con el que debes tratar de ajustar cuentas es

con aquél que te ha ayudado. —Anónimo

1640 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone: (510) 843-2244 Fax: (510) 843-2730 - Email: info@stjosephtheworkerchurch.org

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] 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 [1-5, 9-14]

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Jue 13:2-7, 24-25a; Sal 71 (70):3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lc 1:5-25 Martes: Is 7:10-14; Sal 24 (23):1-4ab, 5-6; Lc 1:26-38 Miércoles: Cant 2:8-14 o Sof 3:14-18a; Sal 33 (32):2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lc 1:39-45 Jueves: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lc 1:46-56 Viernes: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Sal 25 (24):4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lc 1:57-66 Sábado: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Sal 89 (88):2-5, 27, 29; Lc 1:67-79 Domingo: Vigilia: Is 62:1-5; Sal 89 (88):4-5, 16-17, 27 29; Hch 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Noche: Is 9:1-6; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 11-13; Tit 2:11-14; Lc 2:1-14 Aurora: Is 62:11-12; Sal 97 (96):1, 6, 11-12; Tit 3:4-7; Lc 2:15-20 Día: Is 52:7-10; Sal 98 (97):1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION By now, the first Christmas carols are heard in the home, but usually not yet in church. What is a “carol” anyway? Originally, a carol was any kind of communal song sung at a festival such as a harvest. By the thir-teenth century or so, carols were associated with household celebrations. “Carol” comes from the Old French carula, meaning a circular dance. Carols were-n’t for church, since the language of liturgy was Latin and the carols were in the common language. Their characteristic sound comes from medieval chord pat-terns, and they often have strong refrains for everyone to sing. Even in the churches of the Reformation, car-ols didn’t make it into church services until the 1870s or so, since there was a preference for psalms. Angli-cans resisted popular carols; most of our beloved carols came via the Methodists, an offshoot of the Church of England. The Catholic Church generally didn’t admit carols to liturgy either, but we didn’t make laws against them. We are told that the beloved carol “Silent Night” comes from Catholic Austria and a harried parish mu-sic director. Joseph Mohr, the priest of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, had written the words in 1816, but offered them to his music director, Franz Gruber, when the church’s organ broke. Mohr asked him to write a melo-dy that could be played on guitar as a prelude to Mass. Gruber finished the tune just hours before midnight Mass in 1818. The people were shocked to hear a gui-tar in church, but were charmed by the sweet lullaby. The church was swept away by a flood in the 1990s and the village later relocated, but the townspeople have set up the “Silent Night Memorial Chapel” at the site. Today the carol is in print in some three hundred languages. How wonderful that the pipe organ broke on that night! —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE La tradición mexicana de las Posadas se acompaña de las tradicionales piñatas. Aunque hay piñatas de ani-males y caricaturas, la piñata original es una estrella con siete picos. La piñata llegó al continente con los misioneros agustinos procedentes de España, mismos que la habían recibido de italianos; y éstos, a su vez, la obtuvieron de Marco Polo quien conoció decoraciones de animales coloridos en China. El asociar la piñata con las Posadas viene de la cultura Náhuatl quienes celebraban a Huitzilopochtli (dios de la guerra) del 17 al 26 de dic-iembre. Estos ponían cazuelas de barro decoradas con listones y plumas sobre palos en el templo. Al romper-las, tesoros y alhajas caían a los pies de su dios. Los misioneros mezclaron las dos costumbres para la catequesis. La estrella de siete picos representa al diablo y los 7 pecados capitales, mientras que la venda en los ojos es la fe en Cristo. El acto de pegarle a la piñata son nuestros esfuerzos cristianos a pesar de las desorientaciones que trae la vida. Romper la piñata es estar bañado con la gracia del Espíritu Santo y recibir los dones de Dios. —Fray Gilberto Cavazos-Glz, OFM, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

PARA PEDIR POSADAS ¿Eres tú José? ¿Tu esposa es María? Entren, peregrinos; no los conocía.

Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos; reciban esta mansión.

Aúnque es pobre la morada, la morada, se la doy de corazón.

—Tradicional