Mass Schedule: Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 5:00 pm

Weekday Mass: Mon.— Fri. 8:00 am Tues. 8am is a communion Service Tues. & Thurs. 5:30pm Holy Day Masses: 5:30 (eve. before), 8AM, 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM

Centering Prayer Group Thursdays 9:30am Centennial Hall

Sacrament of Reconciliation/ Confessions: Sat. 4-4:45 PM Penance Services at announced times.

Sacrament of Baptism: Prep. Class required Call Parish Office

Sacrament of the Sick: Anytime Upon Request Sacrament of Marriage: Six months notification prior to the desired date.

97 Shady Lane, P.O. Box 1061, Ross, CA 94957-1061

Church Office: 415-453-2342 Fax: 415-453-8713

Clergy: Fr. Jose Shaji, Pastor ext. 15 email: Fr.Shaji@saintanselm.org

Deacon Bernard O’Halloran Deacon Edward Cunningham Deacon Robert Meave Parish Coordinator ext. 11 Ann Carroll Roggenbuck Parish Secretary ext. 10 Sissy Ratto Religious Ed.: ext. 20 Nick Case, D.R.E. St. Anselm School: 415-454-8667 Fax: 415 454-4730 Kim Orendorff, Principal Email: info@SaintAnselm.org Parish Website: www.SaintAnselm.org School website: www.StAnselmSchool.com St. Vincent de Paul Help Desk: 415 454-3303 Are you a registered parishioner? Call us today to check.

St. Anselm Catholic Church

November 29, 2015 First Sunday of Advent

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love that you may be blameless in holiness; conduct yourselves so as to please God.

(1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2)

St. Anselm’s Parish is a Catholic community formed by families, individuals and clergy that worship together, celebrate the sacramental life of the Church, and seek to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ

everyday. We welcome, serve, and educate.

Individual Confessions at St. Anselm Every Saturday, 4-4:45pm Thurs, Dec. 24th, 10am -11:30am Christmas Eve Masses Thurs., Dec. 24th

4:00 pm Children’s Choir 6:00 pm Religious Ed. Children’s Choir 9:00 pm Adult Choir Christmas Day Masses Friday, Dec. 25th

8:00 am Ensemble Christmas Music 10:00 am Adult Choir Music (No evening Mass) New Year’s Eve Mass Thurs, Dec. 31st, 2015 5:30pm New Year’s Day Mass Friday, Jan. 1st, 2016 8:00 am, 11:00 am (No evening Mass)

Dear Parishioners, We are in the first Sunday of Advent. Today, the Church invites us to begin a journey, the journey of the liturgical year. We begin this journey with Christ. Dur-

ing this coming liturgical year we celebrate the whole of his life. We begin with the Advent season, the time of preparation for the birth of Christ at Christmas. We con-tinue with his public life after his baptism in the river Jordan. We commemorate his passion, death and resur-rection. We celebrate Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles and Mary gathered in prayer. We continue to reflect on his teachings, his parables and the miracles he worked during the rest of the year. We begin with the season of Advent. It is a time when we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the birth of Christ. This is also a busy time for everyone, with time spent in shopping and celebrations. During this busy time, may we not lose focus on what we are truly cele-brating; the birth of Jesus who came to bring in abun-dance, life, peace, joy and hope. I would like to thank the Spiritual Life Committee for inviting Mary Romo to St Anselm Church. She gave a wonderful Advent reflection on Saturday, November 21. After the 5:00 pm Masses last Saturday and Sunday, we had a wine and cheese reception in the parish Hall. It was a lovely gathering letting parishioners meet one another and share conversation. I would like to thank the Hospi-tality Committee for organizing it. Thank you! Yours sincerely, Fr. Jose Shaji, Pastor

Christmas Flower offerings may be made “In Memory of” or “In Honor of” a loved one. Please clearly print any names on the ‘flower offertory envelopes,” found in the pews. Names will be printed in the Christmas Mass Bulletin. Another wonderful gift idea is to have a Mass said for the intention of someone on your gift list. Pick an available Mass date, we will send them a card with the Mass time, their name will be printed in that week’s bulletin and read aloud at that Mass. It’s a beautiful spiritual gift!

St. Anselm School – Gingerbread House Workshop & Wreath Sale

Help support St. Anselm School by purchasing a Gin-gerbread House or a Wreath for the holidays.

On Nov. 29 & Dec. 6 St. Anselm School will be selling Christmas Wreaths for $25 after 8:00a.m. and 10:00a.m. Masses. Also, on Dec. 6th in Centennial Hall, celebrate the Christmas season by decorating your very own Gingerbread House, or purchase a “to-go” house to decorate at your leisure. Space is limited so sign up soon! The Gingerbread House Workshop will have two seatings, 11:00a.m. and 1:00p.m. in Centennial Hall. The cost for each house is $45.00 and no more than two people per house ($5.00 for each additional person). To reserve a house please go to: http://stanselmschool.com/gingerbread-houses.html

The first Sunday of Advent is this Sunday Prepare for this spiritual season by taking time to jot down some ideas on how well you can spend these 26 days of Advent. You may include spiritual items (like where and when you plan to pray each day) …..practical (your gift list)…..personal (sending a Christmas card to someone who wouldn’t expect it) & ….charitable (doing something for the poor or for someone who has suffered a loss)…

Remember to set up your Advent wreath. Light a candle each Sunday praying for Hope (purple),

Love (purple), Joy (pink), Faith (purple), and Peace (white in the center)

surrounded by ever-greens (representing eternity) throughout the season.

December Evening of Reflection – Images of Mary: On Tues., Dec 8th, at 7:30 pm in Centennial Hall, Sr. Celeste Arbuckle will present an evening of reflection on “Mary, Mother of Light.” Sr. Celeste is the San Francisco archdiocesan director of religious education and youth ministry. Those attending are encouraged to bring an art piece or statute of Mary, which will be used in reflecting on the image of light that Mary brings to us in our lives today by connecting us with Jesus. Questions? Email Mo Dear at modear3@comcast.net.

As a community we ask God’s blessing for the ill: Mark Gardner, Garth Stanton, Peter Johansing, Nancy Johansing-Hall, Eithne Kilty, Megan Pavelka, Quonnella Lee, Steve Leland, Luke Mennino, Michael Mason, Chanel Pommier, Jennifer Fitzsimmons, Marjorie Manko, Flora Thompson, Tina Hunerberg, Kevin Irvine, Jeanne Borden, Dylan Jewell, Kevin Lubinger, Caroline Eliot, Frankie Caza, Christopher Goward, Vincent Boyle, Margaret Formichi & Connie Sume. For the repose of the souls: Joe McGarry & Dorothy Marion Hernon For those serving in the military: Adam Dear, Robert Ernest Gebhardt, Tyler Lopez, Alex Boatwright, Sean Courtz & Eliza-beth Baumsteiger

St. Anselm Church Stewardship Registered Parishioner Families 2015= 1555

Last Sunday Collection (Envelope & Loose): $6,569 Average Envelope & Loose for Oct.. 2014 $4,8115/wk Average Envelope & Loose for Oct. 2015 $4,789 /wk Credit Card Giving Parish Pay Oct. 2014: $8,505/ mo. Credit Card Giving Parish Pay Oct. 2015: $7,697/mo

Parish Pay Credit Card Fees Oct. 2015 = ~5% *Please log on to Parish pay and update your CC expiration date! Second Collections: 1st Sunday of the month: School next 12/6 Campaign for Human Development $1,293 5th Sunday St. Vincent de Paul next 11/29 Centennial Building and Maintenance next 12/19

Tithing, according to the Old Testament a guideline for giving was a “tithe” or tenth of total property or income. Tithing is a voluntary systematic contribution of sup-port. Best way to be systematic is electronic monthly giving!

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11;Lk 3:1-6

Mon. Nov. 30 8:00 am Dinka & John Velcich (D)

Tues. Dec. 1 8:00 am 5:30 pm

Communion Service Johnny Haynes (D)

Wed. Dec. 2 8:00 am Int. of the White Family

Thurs. Dec. 3 8:00 am 5:30 pm

Int. Sr. Rosina Conrotto & PBVM Sisters

Dino Ratto (D)

Fri. Dec. 4 8:00am John & Dinka Velcich (D)

Sat. Dec. 5 5:00 pm Adrienne Stroub (D)

Sun. Dec. 6 8:00 am 10:00 am 5:00 pm

Jack Lagomarsino (D) Parish People Judy O’Connell Allen (D)

MASS INTENTIONS ST. ANSELM HOLIDAY BAZAAR: Join us for the first annual St. Anselm Holiday Bazaar, Monday, December 7th, 2:30 – 4:30pm at Centennial Hall! This fun event will feature various vendors selling beautiful holiday gifts, as well as our inaugural Spirit Sale of St. Anselm-branded clothing. One of the featured vendors is St. Anselm parent Gitte Cieply’s mother Ulla Thomsen, who will be selling her gorgeous jewelry for adults and children. Our Spirit Sale will include St. Anselm-branded socks, spandex shorts, baseball caps, and Christ-mas ornaments. We’ll have hot chocolate and cookies, so bring the whole family and enjoy some Christmas shopping in support of St. Anselm School! This event is supported and or-ganized by the PTG.

ADOPT-A-FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE

Next weekend, Dec. 5th-6th, se-lect a gift request ornament from the Christmas Tree in the front vestibule of Church. Return wrapped gifts to church by Dec. 12th-13th. Help spread Christmas Cheer to others in need.

On December 5-6 the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious will be taken. Your gift will help defray some of the costs needed to care for our elderly religious and relieve the genuine financial crisis in many religious congregations. Whatever you give will be greatly appreciated. Please be generous. Most importantly, please remember in your prayers the more than 630 women and men religious living and serving in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.

When was my last confession? There will be a Penance Service at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, De-cember 16th, at St. Anselm Church. The Service will include a brief reading and reflection, fol-lowed by an opportunity for individual confes-sions. As Pope Francis has stated, if a lot of time has passed since your last confession, “Don’t lose even one more day. Go. When your confession is over, you’ll leave free, great, beautiful, forgiven, clean, happy -- this is what’s beautiful about con-fession.” Encourage others to attend!

St. Anselm Church Calendar of Events

TOYS FOR TOTS– Sun. Dec. 6th 1-4pm Bring an un-wrapped new toy or game. Log Cabin, 20 Veterans Pl, Memorial Park, San Anselm. Come for Christmas Cheer: cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, crafts, ornaments, cards, Santa, fire truck, firemen & Us Marine Corps! Hosted by American Legion Post & Aux. Units 179 2015 San Francisco Engaged Encounter

Marriage Preparation Programs for the Engaged Register at 415 269-8620 www.sffamilylife.com or www.marriageforlifesf.com or www.SFCatholic.com email: sfcath@gmail.com 1 day classes are held at the S.F. Archdiocese $200 lunch incl. 12/19, 1/30, 3/19, 4/30 & 6/4.

Christmas Volunteer Opportunities - Consider these simple ways to bring comfort and joy to your neighbors in need this Christmas: Fulfill a child’s wish for a gift from the St. Anselm Adopt-a-Family Christmas Giving Tree, lead Christmas –themed activities for children and seniors, sponsor a disabled adult to a holiday meal, give a $25 gift card to Target for Catholic Charities children and families to enjoy a memorable Christmas. Visit chaoliccharitiessf.org/all-opportunities to see the full list or call 415 972-1297 or email volun-teer@catholiccharitieiessf.org

“WE CAN BE HEROES” ADVENT EVENT! Saturday, December 5, 9:00am to 3:00pm St. Hilary Church, Tiburon Two Sessions & Lunch Included We are blessed to have internationally acclaimed Catholic speaker Tom Peterson come to St. Hilary for a day of talks, motivation, fun and inspiration. Tom will share how we all can be heroes, every day, to those around us. Session I: “Our World Needs Catholic Heroes” Session II: “Confession Ignites the New Evangelization” Reg-ister via St. Hilary parish website, or www.HeroesAdventEvent.Com if you can attend only part of the day, that is just fine also! World Wide Marriage Encounter Weekends: www.sanfranciscowwme.org or call 650-350-1469. Vallombrosa Retreat Center Menlo Park.

SAVE THE DATE Nov. 30 Adult Faith Class 6:30pm –8pm Centennial Hall Dec. 2 1st Communion Workshop 7-8pm Church/Hall Dec. 3 RCIA 6:30 pm—8:30pm Centennial Hall Dec. 4 Adopt-a-family tree arrives in Church Vestibule Dec. 5 CYO Mass for all players & coaches 5:00 pm Church Dec. 6 Gingerbread house building and Wreath Sale Hall Rel. Ed. Reconciliations grades 3-6 9am –10am Church

Events Near St. Anselm Parish

Suicide Prevention and Community Counseling: Hotline volunteers are available. You matter. We love you! In Crisis? Call 415 499-1100, Grieving? Call 499-1195.

News of St. Anselm Parish

Mark Your Calendars Our January through December calendars often control our lives. They are filled with social en-gagements, birthdays, anniversaries, medical and dental appointments, obligations and commitments of one type or another. Then there is the calendar of the Church. Sun-day, the 29th of November, marks the beginning of the Church year, the first Sunday of Advent and the start of the Year of Mercy. The Advent wreath with its four candles and the violet colored vest-ments lead up to the birth of Jesus. The season ends on January 10 with His baptism. January 11 marks the beginning of Ordinary Time and ends on February 9, the day before Ash Wednesday. This season’s name can be some-what misleading, perhaps suggesting that “ordinary time” means simple or common place. However, this is not so. It just refers to the 33 or 34 weeks of the calendar in which no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ is celebrated. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, with its six weeks leading up to the celebration of the Paschal Mysteries and con-cluding on May 15 with Pentecost Sunday. Ordinary Time resumes on the 16th, continuing to November 16, the end of the Church year and the conclusion of the Year of Mercy. Now, just as our personal calendars serve as a continual reminder of all that is going on in our lives, so the calendar of the Church should also assist us not only to focus on what God has done for us but also to prompt us to ask ourselves what we have done in return. It is one thing to get caught up in the Christmas season and our gift lists but quite another to pause in wonder at the gift of God that is the Christ child. The Easter sea-son and the return of Spring dazzles us with the flowering of nature and the renewal of life; the forty days of Lent and the Pascal Mysteries confront us with Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, the empty tomb a silent promise of our own eventual victory. The calendar of the Church has its periods of Or-dinary Time, but in our own lives, when we con-sider all that God has done for us, there can never be ordinary time! May the calendar of the Church be a continual reminder that we are called to be a thoughtful, prayerful, grateful people, living lives of love and service in His name. Deacon Ed Cunningham

Bulletin Number: 513520 Church Name and Address: St. Anselm 97 Shady Lane PO Box 1061 Ross, CA 94957-1061 Telephone: 415-453-2342 Contact Person: Ann Roggenbuck Email: info@saintanselm.org Software MS Publisher 2007 Windows 7 Printer HP Laser Jet Professional CM 1410 Series PL6 Transmission Time: 9:30am Tuesday Number of Pages sent: 6 (including information page)