24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 837-1090; FAX (949) 837-9510; www.st-nicholaschurch.org

School of Religious Education: (949) 837-7676

Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith

through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord.

We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds.

BAPTISM Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Arrangements must be made a month in advance. Parents must attend two preparation sessions.

MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DAY 24-hour adoration begins the second Wednesday of the month at the 9:00AM Mass.

DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM; Vietnamese—2nd Wednesday of the month at 8PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.

CLERGY

Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Quyen Truong Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Brendan Hankins Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM, 7:00PM in Spanish Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM, and 5:00PM in Vietnamese. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM and 9:00AM Saturday: 9AM

Filipino Mass: 5:30PM, First Saturdays, October-June. Holy Days: 4PM Vigil, 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM and 7:30PM in Vietnamese

RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday: 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3:00PM to 3:45PM or by appointment.

Parish Office Hours: Sunday: 8:30 AM—1:30 PM Monday through Friday: 9 AM—12 Noon; 1 PM — 4:30 PM; 6 PM - 8 PM

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

September 10, 2017 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Stewardship of Treasure

2017 2016 52-Weekly Required Budget

September 3 $23,005.06 $22,644.40 $25,856.00

Hurricane Harvey $11,696.94 THANK YOU!

Lector Ministry Training

God is calling faithful who are in love with Sacred Scripture to proclaim His Word!

If you can read, you may be the “voice for God.”

Any confirmed, practicing Catholic registered in this parish are invited to join all currently active lectors for

Lector Ministry training. Our next training date is:

Tuesday, September 12 at 7pm in Church.

Contact Peggy O’Donnell to reserve your place: 949-500-0826 or peggyopeace@gmail.com

Second Collection For Mission Cooperative THIS WEEKEND, September 9-10

Elise Frederick will be speaking at all the Masses on September 9—10, on behalf of

Mission Doctors Association as part of the Diocese of Orange Mission Co-op Program.

Mrs. Frederick served with the sister program, “Lay Mission Helpers,” together with her husband

and young children for three years in Thailand, returning to Los Angeles in 1981. Working with Mission Doctors, she now meets with Bishops and

Sisters who run the hospitals and clinics around the world who are asking for more faith-filled medical professionals who provide direct patient care and

training for local health professionals.

Since 1959, Mission Doctors Association has made it possible for Catholic Doctors and their families to

share their gifts and live their faith at mission hospitals in Africa, Asia, Latin America

and the Pacific. A mission of healing and partnership of hope,

Mission Doctors Association invites us to keep all the Mission Doctors in our prayers.

Please consider generously supporting the lifesaving work of Mission Doctors Association.

For more information: www.missiondoctors.org

UNITED WE CELEBRATE DINNER

The United We Celebrate Dinner will be NEXT Saturday, September 16th, at 5PM in the Parish Center.

Parishioners are invited to share ethnic dishes prepared by our diversified community while meeting members from

various ministries. Donations will be accepted for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

St. Nicholas Senior Singles

We will be gathering for lunch on Friday, September 15th, at 12:30pm at Mimi’s Café—Wine Room, 27430 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel.

All seating reserved. RSVP: Dolores at 472-3580.

New members are wanted and welcomed! “Friendship with the love of God in our hearts.”

Come to the Parish Library!

The Library is open on Sundays,

8:45am to 12:45pm, and the last Wednesday of

the month, 2pm to 4pm.

We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office.

Freebie cart—books, rosaries, prayer cards, etc.

PASTORAL SERVICES APPEAL THANK YOU to the families that have returned their PSA Pledge Cards.

To date we have received the following: Pledges: $168,751 (68% of expanded goal) # Families: 408 families (41% of goal of 1000 families) Payments: $142,254.13

We have reached our Diocesan goal of $104,000 and all donations over that amount will be returned to St. Nicholas to be

used exclusively for our parking lot and lighting project.

We are currently at 68% of our expanded goal of $250,000.

There is still time to make your pledge/donation. No amount is too small, and will be appreciated!

We ask you to prayerfully consider making a donation.

You may drop your pledge card or donation envelope in the collection basket, mail it, or bring it to the Parish Office. THANK YOU!

September 10, 2017 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday: 7AM Sarah Rodriguez (d) 9AM Mary Bolano (d) Tuesday: 7AM Miguel and Dora Bravo (d) 9AM Thomas and Maria Whie (d) Wednesday: 7AM Joseph Can Vu (d) 9AM Arthur Balata (d) Thursday: 7AM Julie Laverns 9AM Mark and Dina Friday: 7AM Frank Hernandez (d) 9AM Sally Rout (d) Saturday: 9AM Jason Mickael Caduff (d) 4PM For the Parish 7PM Jesus Salvador Sunday: 7:30AM In Thanksgiving 9:00AM Catherine Donovan (d) 10:45AM Mary Triebold (d) 12:30PM Maurice Sevilla (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM TUESDAY Spanish RCIA, Room A, 6PM IPM Theological Formation Class, Parish Center, 6:30PM Lector Training, Church, 7PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall 7:15PM WEDNESDAY Eucharistic Adoration, Church, beginning at 9AM Mass Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Bereavement Ministry, Room B, 10AM Devotions & Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM THURSDAY Faith Alive-Faith Sharing, Room A, 10AM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM RCIA, Parish Center-Room 201, 7PM St. Nicholas Choir, Small Hall, 7:15PM Teen/Family Choir, Church Choir Loft, 7:30PM FRIDAY Divine Mercy-St. Faustina Study, Room C, 9:45AM Oktoberfest Dancer’s Practice, Rooms 201-204, 6PM Hispanic Bible Study, Small Hall, 7PM Baptism Preparation—Spanish, Room B, 7PM Baptism Preparation—English, Room C, 7:30PM SATURDAY Baptisms-Spanish, Church, 11AM United We Celebrate Dinner, Parish Center, 5PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 5PM SUNDAY Library is OPEN, Room C, 8:45AM

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Warn the wicked, trying to turn them from their ways.

Psalm 95: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Second Reading: Romans 13:8-10 Owe nothing to anyone, except mutual love.

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20 If two agree about anything for which they pray, it shall be granted to them.

We Remember

Gordon Lawler, Barbara Smith, Doris Borg, Alicia Avila and Rosemary Pampuro

who entered their new and eternal lives in Christ.

Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever.

HATE NOT I will permit no one to narrow and degrade

my soul by making me hate them. —Booker T. Washington

Parishioners are invited to attend a Book Study starting at 9:45am on Friday, October 6 through November 17, in Room 201 of the Parish Center.

Beth Perak and Mary Anderson will lead discussion on the book, “Rediscover Catholicism” written by Matthew Kelly.

Copies of the book will be provided to participants.

September 10, 2017 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

School of Religious Education

Check us out on Facebook!

Exciting events scheduled for September through November:

Sept. 17 at 10am: Meeting in Youth Ministry Room. Saturday, Sept. 23: 5K Walk/Run sponsored by SVdP. Sept. 30: Combined Mini-Retreat for Conf I & II students, 12pm to 5pm. Tuesday, Oct 3 at 5:30pm: Bible Study resumes. Tuesday, Oct 3 at 7pm: Conf I classes begin. Tuesday, Oct 10 at 7pm: Conf II Classes begin. Saturday, Oct 14: KidsFest in Small Hall, 3pm to 6pm. (Set-up time is at 1pm.)

First Teen/Family Choir Rehearsal: Sept. 28 at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft. First Teen/Family Mass is: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 AT 4PM. Turn off the lights; turn up the music! St. Nicholas Youth Group is going Cosmic Bowling… Saturday, October 28th, Forest Lanes, 5:30pm check-in time. $20/person—includes shoe rentals, bowling and food! Sign-up at SRE Office or call 837-7676 to reserve a spot.

Registration for ALL grades, First through Confirmation, is still open. Come to the SRE Office in the Parish Center, 2nd floor, to register. The sooner, the better! Our office hours are: 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30pm, Monday through Thursday.

First week of Elementary Classes: Monday through Wednesday, Oct 2, 3, 4 from 4:15pm to 5:30pm.

Junior High (grades 7/8): Tuesday, Oct 3, 7pm to 8:30pm.

Confirmation I begins on Tuesday, Oct 3 at 7pm to 8:30pm. Confirmation II begins on Tuesday, Oct 10 at 7pm to 8:30pm.

PLEASE NOTE: Parent Meetings are scheduled for: Elementary Parents: Monday, Sept 18 or Wednesday, Sept 20 at 7pm, Parish Center downstairs. Parents may pick one of these dates to attend. Confirmation I & II Parents: Tuesday, Sept 19 at 7pm, Parish Center downstairs.

Parent meetings are an important part of your child’s faith formation and parents are expected to attend. Call the

SRE Office with any questions, 949-837-7676.

NOTE: Class room assignments/schedules for the whole year will be mailed to parents.

OKTOBERFEST RAFFLE TICKETS!

Our annual Oktoberfest Opportunity Raffle Drawing tickets have been mailed to all parishioners. Your generous donation of $25 for a book of chances or $2 per ticket would be appreciated. This annual event is the main fundraiser for the School of Religion’s faith formation program. Winner need not be present — we will notify you by phone and/or mail. Be sure to come on October 14 and enjoy the music, dancing, good food/drink and visiting with your friends and family.

Sunday, September 10th, is Grandparents Day!

GOD’S WATCHERS In the ancient world watchmen were extremely important people. They kept communities safe, and were there to alert them to any impending danger or attack. Before locks, alarms, and security systems, watchmen were the protectors, the safety measure. So when the Lord charges Ezekiel as a watchman today, it is a weighty charge. So weighty, we learn, that if Ezekiel fails to sound the alarm for those around him and they perish in a state of wickedness, Ezekiel will be held responsible! This profound connection between God’s will on earth and in heaven is repeated in today’s Gospel, where Jesus instructs us that we are to be the security force, the watchers placed on alert that nowhere in the Body of Christ, the church, will there be any two members of the one Body who are not reconciled. Scripture tells us that Jesus reconciled all things in heaven and on earth through the blood of his cross. But we are given the mission to continue that reconciliation on earth as in heaven through our ceaseless efforts to be, as Paul would write, ambassadors of reconciliation. Let us not get too comfortable thinking that we are responsible only for keeping our own lives from the path of wickedness and disagreement. We are also held accountable for the lives of the members of Christ’s body around us. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

Wordnet Productions presents “The Word in the World” - week of September 10th:

“God’s Women: Widow of Zarepath.” Fr. Mike teaches trust in God even when things seem

hopeless. Respect and care for the elderly, too.

TCT (DirecTV-377—now on Sundays, 4am—record it! (TCT is on Channel 205 in Laguna Woods Village.) Or go to www.wordnet.tv—Program Archives or

YouTube: Wordnet Productions Channel.

September 10, 2017 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Basic Certification Class R210A—Spiritual Formation,

Institute For Pastoral Ministry (IPM)

St. Kilian will be hosting one of the courses required for Basic Catechist Certification, R210A, and has invited parishioners

from area parishes to participate.

Saturday, September 30th and Saturday, October 7th, from 9am to 5:30pm in the Parish Center. Instructor: Lisa Nollette Tuition: $40

Register at www.rcbo.ipm or on the St. Kilian website: http://www.stkilianmissionviejo.org/.

Questions: Mary Mack at St. Kilian—949-586-4440 or mmack@stkilianchurch.org.

WANTED: CRAFTERS

St. John Neumann Catholic Church, in Irvine, is having its first craft fair, November 17 and 18, "Crafted Blessings,"

and is looking for crafters interested in participating. Please contact Kathy Durocher, if you are interested:

949-559-4271, sonzrus@gmail.com

Shop! Eat! Support Catholic Charities of Orange County!

You can have a private catered lunch, VIP Wine/Cocktail Tasting, Entertainment and more! You can win $40,000 in prizes, including gift cards to more than 55 stores! Your support will be going to help Catholic Charities of Orange County. Tickets for this extravaganza being held on October 7, 10am to 8pm, at the Outlet’s Mall in San Clemente, are now on sale for $35.00 at SHOPOSC.com/Tickets. Show your support for Catholic Charities of Orange County by purchasing a ticket for $35.00 ($25 goes to Catholic Charities.)

There is a reason for each of us to be here—alive—the young and the old, the weak and the strong, the sick and the healthy. Our community of faith should be a place where we protect and comfort each other when faced with the issue of suicide. This week, we celebrate reasons to live—today and every day.

Let’s be honest, life can sometimes feel overwhelming and challenging. Sometimes events can leave us feeling worthless, abandoned, or isolated. The Church seeks to be a caring community that focuses on the hope that, in God’s time, life’s challenges can be overcome and bad feelings will subside. Through connections within our own community, we can find the strength to live out each day as God gives it. If that living ever becomes unbearable for any one of us, we should know how to access and provide connections and support, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, (TALK) a free, confidential crisis line available 24/7, anywhere in the U.S.

Faith. Hope. Life. — is a reminder that God loves you and knows your struggles. Even when you walk through the valley of the shadows and feel that you don’t have the strength to face another day, God is with you. God can give you help through friends, loved ones, co-workers, members of your faith community, your priests, and professionals such as counselors, therapists and doctors. They can be God’s heart and God’s listening ear when you feel most troubled and alone.

If you know someone (including yourself) who needs help with the difficult challenges of life, has lost hope or withdrawn from others, feels trapped like there is no way out, or has no will to go on, reach out. Let others help. It could make all the difference. Where there is help, there is hope.

Resources for help: ♦ National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24 hours): 1-800-273TALK (8255); ww.suicidepreventionlifeline.org ♦ Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Hotline (24 hours): 1-877-727-4747 ♦ New Hope Crisis Counseling Answerline: 714-639-4673

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

We have two wonderful marriage encounter weekends coming up for you! Each of them will be at a hotel in Orange County. The first one is September 22-24. The next one is November 10-12. So if you would like to put that spark and romance back in your marriage that may have gone out, just sign up for one of these weekends.

For more information, please call John and Maggie at 714-873- 5136 or Jim and Cheryl at 949-551-9156 or if you prefer, you may sign up online at www.ocwwme.org.

National Day of Prayer World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day (9/10), the weekend of September 9-10, the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention invites faith communities across the nation to pray for those whose lives have been touched by suicide.

On this Faith-Hope-Life Day, we pray for emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. It’s time to break the silence around suicide and help all who struggle.

Please join us. Because, where there is faith there is hope, and where there is hope there is life. So Faith-Hope-Life Day, let’s be there—in person, with care, with prayer.

September 10, 2017 Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Nicholas Parish presents its 18th Annual

Saturday, October 14th — 1:30pm to 7:30pm.

Dancing, singing, good food, drink and friends. Join your parish family, and invite your friends and loved ones. All proceeds

from this event benefit the St. Nicholas’ School of Religious Education.

Opportunity Drawing held at 7:30pm. $2,500 GRAND PRIZE! (With a total of $3700 in prizes.) * Winner need not be present to win.

Hourly Attendance Prizes of $50.

Save the Date — Holiday Boutique Weekend of October 21st and 22nd.

The St. Nicholas Sewing Group is having a Holiday Boutique as a major fundraiser for the

Council of Catholic Women Charities on: Saturday, October 21 after the 4pm Mass and on

Sunday, October 22 after the 7:30am, 9am, and 10:45am Masses.

We’ll have Christmas decorations, children’s clothes, baby items, quilts, lapghans, household items,

crochet & knitted caps/scarves/ponchos, etc. Come start your Christmas shopping early!

Friends of the Poor 5K Walk/Run Sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society

September 23rd starting at 8AM Huntington Beach-State Beach

21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Tower 15, at Beach Blvd and Pacific Coast Highway.

We invite you to support us with your participation or donation by registering at www.fopwalk.org. All proceeds benefit SVdP — Orange County.

Pasta Dinner TONIGHT after the 4PM Mass!

The Knights of Columbus will be serving a Pasta Dinner after the 4PM Mass TODAY, Saturday, September 9th, in the Parish Center. The dinner will include: pasta, sausage, garlic bread, salad, dessert and beverage.

Adults— $10; under age 12—$5. Family pricing available.

Come and enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow parishioners! St. Nicholas

Council 10590

PARISH OFFICE STAFF

Parish Liturgical Secretary: Cate Wolski Business Manager: Irma Contreras Receptionist/Records: Karen Falagrady Ministry to Sick & Homebound: Barbara Price Director, Youth Ministry: Gwen Wieser Director, Religious Education: Gwen Wieser SRE Secretary/Admin Assistant: Alfonso Lopez Music Ministry: Emett Loera Plant Supervisor: Steve Burton

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (949) 837-7676 VIETNAMESE MINISTRIES: (949) 837-1090, Ext. 116 Sr. ThuHuong Nguyen, LHC (949) 837-1090, Ext. 137