St.St. RaymondRaymond CatholicCatholic ChurchChurch 12348 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90242 Phone: 562-923-4509 Fax: 562-869-3359 Website: http://SaintRaymond.org Email: [email protected]

MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm

Sunday: 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am (English) 1:00 pm (Spanish), 5:30 pm (Life Teen)

Weekdays: Monday-Friday 6:30 & 9:00 am

Saturdays: 8:00 am

Holy Days of Obligation: As Announced

CONFESSIONS

Saturdays: 3:45 - 4:45 pm or call the Parish Office for an appointment with the priest on duty

HOLY ORDERS & RELIGIOUS LIFE

Please call 213-637-7248

Please see page 2 for details for:

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

The Lenten Prayer of St.

CONFIRMATION & EUCHARIST O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit MARRIAGE of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday: 10 am to 6 pm Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of whole- Saturday: 10 am to 3 pm ness of being, humble-mindedness, patience and Sunday: 9 am to 12:30 pm love. Our Parish Priests Fr. John Higgins, Pastor O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of Fr. Manase O.C.D., Associate my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are Fr. O.C.D., In Residence blessed now and ever and forever. Amen. Fr. Etienne Khumbah, In Residence

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT FEBRUARY 18, 2018 Page Two St. Raymond February 18, 2018

PARISH STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Parish Office 562-923-4509 PASTORAL TEAM Parish School 562-862-3210 Fr. John W. Higgins, Pastor Religious Education Office 562-862-6959 Fr. Michael Manase O.C.D., Associate Pastor Claudia Rodarte-Villagrana, School Principal Parish Web Site: http//SaintRaymond.org Sr. Paula Strohfus, C.H.F., Director of Religious Education Parish Email Address: [email protected] Sandy Gallegos, Director of R.C.I.A. Danette Buckley, Director of Liturgy School Web Site: www.straymondschool-downey.org Jennifer Quinones, Director of Youth Ministries School Email Address: principal@straymondschool- (Confirmation and Edge Programs) Downey.org

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Youth Ministry: [email protected] Erik Landesfeind, Parish Administrator Laura Larios-Varela, Secretary Elaine Kunkel, Bulletin Editor Joan Lueke, Parish Records SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN Armando & Rosa Beltran, Facilities Staff

PRIESTS IN RESIDENCE / FAMILIES FIRST COMMITTEE Fr. Ambrose Kadambukatt, O.C.D. Chaplain, St. Francis Hospital AVOIDING GOSSIP Fr. Etienne Khumbah Our natural inclination is to discuss concerns and problems with the people in our lives, but it can be easy for these discussions to slip into gossip. When gossip BAPTISM: One Sunday a month. Call Parish Office to make ar- gets out of hand, it can damage reputations and create rangements for class and Baptism.. division and fear, without any discussion of how to re- & CONFIRMATION: Please call our Par- solve the problem. Teaching your children to avoid gos- ish, School, or Religious Education offices to learn about education sip and focus on truth starts at home—as always, parents opportunities for the reception of these sacraments. We also have an lead by example. Try not to gossip about rumors or other initiation process for adults seeking Baptism in our Church! people, and teach your children to seek solutions when MARRIAGE: Arrangements should be made at least six months prior there is a problem rather than just talking about it. to anticipated wedding date. For a copy of the VIRTUS article “How Do I Avoid the SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: In the event of serious illness or Gossip Swirl?” email [email protected] or call medical emergency, anointing of the sick may be arranged by contact- ing the Parish Office. Make an appointment to come by before a sur- (213) 637-7227. gery. For particular help you may call Assistance Ministry at (213) 637-7650

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

ALTAR SERVERS…………………………………..…………………...Danette Buckley 923-4509 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER………………..………….. & Sarah Flores 923-7335

ALTAR SOCIETY…………………………………………..…………….Danette Buckley 923-4509 MARRIAGE NULLITY……………………..………….. .…Fr. John W. Higgins 923-4509 BAPTISM ……………………………………………...………….…Laura Larios-Varela 923-4509 MEN’S PRAYER GROUP ………………………………..Fr. John W. Higgins 923-4509

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP.……….….. Jill Lavey 923-5819/Elaine Kunkel 531-9620 MUSIC DIRECTOR (ENGLISH)……….……………………..….……Jose Soto 923-4509 CONFIRMATION (High School).…...……………...……...... Jennifer Quinones 923-4509 MUSIC DIRECTOR (SPANISH)…………………...... …….Jose Soto 923-4509 CRECIMIENTO MATRIMONI.ALES………..………….Juan Antonio Reyes 310-720-0987 MOVIMIEENTO FAMILIAR CRISTIANO….Mr. & Mrs. Salvador Larios 862-9879

DETENTION MINISTRY………………..……,,…….……Sr. Teresa-Los Padrinos 940-8712 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/CATECISMO..……………..Sr. Paula Strohfus 862-6959 DIVINE MERCY MINISTRY………………………………………………Larry Wysocki 927-1482 RELIGIOUS RECOGNITION FOR YOUTH………………..…..Diane Garcia 862-8309 EDGE MINISTRY (Middle School)….……………………...Jennifer Quinones 923-4509 RCIA – ADULTS & TEENS……………………………………..Sandy Gallegos 923-4509 FINANCE COUNCIL…………………………………………………………. ….Ray Lavey 923-4509 RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY ………………...…………………..Annette Lopez 397-9765 GUADALUPANOS…………………………………………………………...... Vidal Reyes 754-3028 SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN/Families First…………..……………... ……………………. HALL & ROOM RENTALS.…………………………..…………Park Place Catering 866-5464 SCHOOL & SCRIP-GIFT CERTIFICATES.…………………….School Office 862-3210 HAND MAID MINISTRY………………………………………………………....Kathi Bode 923-3142 SENIOR CITIZENS……………………………………………Sr. Paula Strohfus 862-6959 HEALTH MINISTRY………………………………………...……………………………………………………... SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL………………….………Paul Iacovitti 923-4509 ITALIAN CATHOLIC FEDERATION…………………………..………..Perry Shurko 804-0230 SPANISH BIBLE STUDY……………………………………………Connie Ochoa 928-7291 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS…………………………………………….……... Steve Perez 519-1442 TIJUANA ORPHANAGE………………………………………Irma Landesfeind 862-8837 LEGION OF MARY.………………………………………...…………..…...Gloria Gallardo 291-1462 WEDDING COORDINATOR (English)….….………...……… Tami Shilling 869-3260 LITURGY COMMITTEE/LITURGICAL MINISTRIES……...….Danette Buckley 923-4509 WEDDING COORDINATOR (Spanish)………… Laura Larios-Varela 923-4509 LITURGICAL MINISTRIES/SPANISH………....…,Marcial & Blanca Espinoza 869-3661 YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY.…………………..…………… …...Amber Cavazos 291-6111

First Sunday of Lent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Three From our Pastor, Fr. John Higgins

Look around in Church today. Is it as full today as it was on Ash Wednesday? Probably not. It's the same all over the world. There are some folks who come to Church for what they think is "good luck" or "because my mom told me to" or other things that really don't matter. They were given ashes and an admonition. Some listened (probably you) and some just wanted dirt on their head. The message that they missed is repeated in today's Gospel: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

To repent means to turn from one to another, leaving behind the things that keep us from a solid life in God and in His Kingdom. For most of us it's a lifelong process. We repent and fail and repent and fail. But we keep going, no matter how many times we fail. There are some who simply give up. They think "Well, I know I'm going to sin, so I may as well start now!" There are others who can't accept the fact that God really does forgive them. So they continue to worry about past sins and this keeps them from moving forward. There are those who have bought into the secular thought of "Well if you aren't hurting anyone, it's OK to do it." I have actually heard people defend incest saying "Well, if they're adults and they both consent what's wrong with it? Who am I to judge what they do?" These folks have rejected God's authority and natural law in favor of their own self will or their lack of real morality. It's my tiny opinion that this comes from the rejection of authority, which is flagrant in our culture today. It has saturated our entire society. The rejection of God's law and even secular law, the rejection of authority even in the family is prevalent in our society. We have huge examples of our Federal Government ignoring its own laws, states ignoring federal law, even people in cities who are in positions of power ignore laws and get away with it due to "favors" or "bribes". With the breakup of many families, parents don't respect each other and allow their children to disrespect themselves. I once watched a woman at a doctor's office try to talk with the receptionist while her little boy kept punching her in her back and legs. She said "Please stop" several times and the boy continued. He knocked over a magazine rack and the woman ignored it and gave him money so that he would sit down and be quiet for a few minutes. Then he called her by her first name and told her to "shut up". Where did he learn this? Who knows? But our society is full of examples of people who simply have no respect for other people.

But there is hope. I've also seen people who had deep respect for others. I see this regularly at our Parish, in our Parish School, our Religious Education, and Confirmation/Youth Ministry programs. Of course, there are exceptions, but that's normal. There are two things I've learned over my many years. First, if you want respect you have to be a respectable person. Second, respect is a sign of a well-integrated personality and a sign of good morality (not the only one, but one of many).

Do we respect ourselves? Do we respect the teaching of the Church? Do we respect God and His Commandments? Do we respect people who deserve our respect? Do we withhold respect for people when they have shown by their actions that they don't deserve that kind of respect? These are good things to ask ourselves on this, the first Sunday of Lent.

Do we respect what Jesus said in the Gospel?

HAVE YOU REMEMBERED . . . PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC.

Your parish in your will or trust? For fur- For inquiries and discernment processes, We are interested in what you have to ther information, contact the Parish contact the Archdiocesan Office for Voca- say. If you have comments, suggestions, Office. Our correct legal title is: The Ro- tions at 213-637-7248, or see their web- praise, or constructive criticism, you man Catholic Archbishop of Los An- site www.LAVocations.org. You may contact the Pastor and he will get it geles, A Corporation Sole for can also contact any priest or to the appropriate person. Please send or leave a note to the Parish Office at- the Benefit of: St. Raymond religious at tention Fr. John Higgins or email him at Church (or School). St. Raymond Parish. Please pray for and encourage vocations. [email protected] Page Four St. Raymond Catholic Church February 18, 2018

LIFE IN OUR PARISH COMMUNITY

PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FOR We are delighted you’ve come to our parish, and we hope you’ll find a home with us. Being a registered member allows us PRESIDENTS’ DAY to better serve you; you can register by calling (562) 923-4509 or HOLIDAY going online to http://SaintRaymond.org. If you move or change your phone number, please call the MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 parish office at (562) 923-4509 to let us know.

BULLETIN INFO: The bulletin deadline is Friday, 6 pm, nine days prior to issue date. Please fax, email, or deliver your input, THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT de PAUL in writing, to the parish office. Our fax number is (562) 869-3359 Wednesday, February 28th, 7 pm and email address is [email protected]. In St. Patrick’s Room All notices are subject to available space and may be edited.

The St. Raymond Conference meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Come and

help us reach out to our many neighbors

in need. Sunday, Febru- ary 18, 12:30 pm MASS & BRUNCH Sponsored by the Italian Catholic Federation First Friday, MARCH 2nd at 9:00 DONATION $15 am Includes lunch & 1 Free Bingo Card Our monthly Seniors Mass will be followed by BIGGER CASH PRIZES! New Bingo Cards Brunch. Live entertainment featuring Tadero. For Tickets call: We hope to see you all there. Perry Shurko (562) 804-0230 Charlene Drobeck (562) 928-1937 Lenten Reconciliation Bilingual Service

At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church Tuesday, March 6th, 7:00 p.m. RED CROSS SPRING BLOOD DRIVE Sunday, February 25th, 9am-3pm What a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for the com- ing of Holy Week, by joining with our faith community in prayer MAKE APPOINTMENTS AFTER MASS and reconciliation. Sign up in the Gathering Space after all masses Please note that this will be our only communal reconcili- or schedule your life-saving appointment online at red- ation service. There will be no opportunities for Reconciliation on crossblood.org using sponsor code: stray. Holy Saturday. Please avail yourself of this penitential sacrament Make sure you eat a well-balanced meal that at this special liturgy or on Saturdays from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. day, drink plenty of fluids, and get enough rest before you donate. Bring your photo I.D. For more info call Jill Lavey at 923- Friday Nights in Lent 5819 or Barbara Niewola at 928-7263. 6:00 pm Stations in English

6:30 pm Mass in English

7:30 pm Stations in Spanish

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Wednesday, February 27th 4:00 pm

Our group is for cancer survivors and those who are deal- ing with cancer treatment and its aftermath. Join us in St. Patrick’s Room of the new hall to pray, laugh and share with those who understand what you are going through. Loved ones are also invited. Call Jill (562) 923-5819 or Elaine (562) 531-9620 for more information or just to talk. First Sunday of Lent St. Raymond Catholic Church Page Five

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIS WEEK AT ST. RAYMOND

Mon/Thurs. FEB. 19/22: No Classes — Presidents’ Day

Sun. MAR. 4: SUNDAY SACRAMENT CLASS for Team CALENDAR 2 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in large hall. STUDENTS FOR THE WEEK OF February 19, 2018 ONLY.

Mon/Thurs. MAR. 5/8: RE-REGISTRATION FROM 5:30 MONDAY, February 19 PRESIDENTS’ DAY -6:30 pm in large hall (for students with last names A-Z) 7:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - Church currently attending Rel. Ed. Classes now and their sib- lings. A BAPTISM CERTIFICATE WILL BE NEEDED FOR ANY NEW SIBLING BEING REGISTERED. This is TUESDAY, February 20 for students attending grades 1-5 in September 2018. 10:30 am Monthly School Mass - Church 6:00 pm Legion of Mary - STR Sun. MAR. 11: SUNDAY SACRAMENT CLASS FOR 6:00 pm EDGE 1 Class - Library Team 1 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. STUDENTS ONLY. 6:00 pm EDGE 2 Class - SJR 7:00 pm Confirmation Classes - Classrooms, SPR, OH

WEDNESDAY, February 21 MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL 6:30 pm Legion of Mary - SJR 7:00 pm Life Teen & 11 am Mass Choir Rehearsal - STR SACRAMENT PROGRAMS

Sun. FEB. 25: PANCAKES WITH THE PRIESTS. Only THURSDAY, February 22 $5.00 a ticket. Please come join us for 3:00 pm St. Raymond School - MGH-KS 5:30 pm Spanish Mass Choir Practice - SPR Life Teen Friendship Sunday. There will 6:00 pm ACC: Adult Confirmation Class - MGH-PS be eggs, sausage, pancakes, drinks, 7:00 pm English Choir Practice - SPR music and a lot of smiles. TICKETS WILL 7:30 pm Crecimiento Matrimonial - OH BE SOLD ON FEB. 11, 18 and 25th OUT- 7:30 pm Young Adults Downey 20-30 - SJR

SIDE ALL MASSES and the DAY OF THE EVENT.

Sun. FEB. 25: Sunday class at 4pm FRIDAY, February 23 10:00 am Hand Maids Ministry - SPR Sun. FEB. 25: Life Night after 5:30 pm Mass 6:00 pm Girl Scouts Meeting - STR 6:00 pm English Stations of the Cross - Church 6:30 pm English Mass - Church 7:30 pm Spanish Stations of the Cross - Church

SATURDAY, February 24 2:00 pm Arthritis Support Group - SPR

SUNDAY, February 25 8:00 am Pancakes With the Priests - MGH-KS 9:00 am Red Cross Blood Drive - MGH-PS 9:30 am RCIA Adults - SPR 12:00 pm RCIA Teens - SPR 1:30 pm English Marriage Encounter Meeting - SPR 4:00 pm Sunday Confirmation Class Year 1 - STR 4:00 pm Sunday Confirmation Class Year 2 - OH Transitional Kindergarten thru 8th Grade 4:15 pm Life Teen Choir & Band Rehearsal - Church 6:30 pm Jugadores Anonimous - STR Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 am - 3:30 pm 6:30 pm Gamanon - SPR

Call 562-862-3210, ext 2001 for information 6:30 pm Life Teen Life Night - MGH

www.straymondschool-downey.org

INTERESTED IN RENTING OUR HALL? New Student Registration If you are interested in renting the St. Raymond’s hall for an event, 2018 – 2019 School Year call PARK PLACE CATERING at (562) 866-5464.

Application packets are now available in the school Or http://parkplacecatering.com/htms/contactus.html office. Students enrolling in TK (transitional kindergar- ten) must be 4 by September 1, 2018. Kindergarten HINDSIGHT must be 5 years old by September 1, 2018. God’s presence is not discerned at the time when it is upon us, but afterwards, when we look back. —John Henry Newman Page Six St. Raymond Catholic Church February 18, 2018

ABOUT OUR MINISTRIES RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONGRESS Theme: “Rise Up!” March 16 through March 18

Amber Cavazos This 3-day Congress is open to all who wish to learn more Ministry Leader about the Catholic faith or seek personal growth. The fee Thursdays 7:30 pm is 480 and covers admission to all three days of work- In St. Room in the School shops )tickets are required), exhibits, concerts and litur- gies.

Ways to register: Online: www.recongress.org/2018/ Please Pray for our Sick Call: (213) 637-7348 or (213) 637-7301 Healing Father, lay your hands on those who suffer, especially:

Email: [email protected] Rosemarie Ronquillo Peter Lofy Blanca Amador Imanda Ong James Montoya Sandra Corona Anthony Samonte John Volak Mario Gladin Virginia Sandoval Dawnie Frize Gigi Morales Lilia Barrayo Frank Maldonado Bertha Leichtamer Luis Rios, Jr. John Avila Lisa Owens Weekly Stewardship Report Rita McCurdy Julie Sinco Sulema Campas For the weekend of February 10th & 11th Helen Gonzales Estella Lizama Alan Stoops Ellen Mascaro Emma Rojo Teresa Estrada Total Mass Collections: $ 9,456.00 Esther Gasporra Fred Rabina Elvira Barrios Second Collection: $ 1,982.00 Leah Huber Isabella Aving Steve Hernandez Total Donations: $11,438.00

Alicia Casillas Patty Behrendt

Weekly Donation Goal: $13,000.00

To include the name of an ill loved one in Prayers of the Faithful Weekly Income vs. Budget: - $1,562.00 $ during weekend Masses or the bulletin, call the parish office Monthly Income vs. Budget: $ 172.00

(562) 923-4509. Names will be included in the bulletin for a few weeks. Weekly donations breakdown by Mass

Online Giving $ 2,014.00 Your Name______Phone______Saturday 5:00 pm $ 1,127.00 Person praying for, type of illness: Sunday 7:00 am $ 1,320.00

______9:00 am $ 1,568.00 11:00 am $ 1,655.00 ______1:00 pm $ 814.00 5:30 pm $ 957.00

MASS TIMES ALTAR SERVERS EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS LECTORS

Feb. 24 - Saturday Morck (DC); Kunkel (DH); Rojo; Rojo Gordillo; Famulare 5:00 pm Feb. 25 - Sunday Buckley (DC); Murano (DH); Alva; McCa- Nelson; Nelson 7:00 am be; Martinez; Montoya; Ordanes

9:00 am Bohol (DC);Shurko (DH); Rubio; Saito; Harmon; Humbert Bohol; Eidinger; Shilling

11:00 am Kelly (DC); Naranjo (DH); Duarte; Swan; Tan; Naranjo Hernandez; Misawa; Rojas

1:00 pm Molina (DC); Espinoza (DH); Martinez; Rodriguez; Rangel Garcia; Gonzalez; Sandoval; Garibay

5:30 pm Life Teen Ministers Life Teen Lectors ADVERTISING Page Eight St. Raymond Catholic Church February 18, 2018

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT FEBRUARY 18 2018

February 17 & 18 Follow-up Sunday Last weekend, Archbishop Gomez invited all Catholics to make their annual commitment to the 2018 Together in Mission Appeal. If you and your family have not had the opportunity to make your pledge, I ask that you complete a pledge card found in the pews, or make your pledge online by visiting archla.org/give. Your gifts to Together in Mission ensure that every Catholic living in the Archdiocese has a parish to celebrate their faith and access to a Catholic school education. You are living your faith Theme: Reform your lives! through your actions when you support Togeth- er in Mission. QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Thank you in advance for your generosity. What is the one area of your life which you most want to “reform” as you get ready to embrace the Gospel?

OUR COMMON MISSION ...

We, the Catholic Community of St. Raymond, Youth Question: How can you make loved and chosen by God through Bapsm, Lent a time for growing in faith?

share responsibility for connuing the mission of Jesus. Children Question: What can you do We are called to be a loving and caring community whose during Lent to be more like Jesus? members enable and support the gis given to each by the Holy Spirit in order to be true sisters and brothers in Christ.

We are sent to make Christ visible in our world through worship, proclamaon of the Word, and service to ALL.

OO Mon. Feb. 19 6:30am NO MASS, HOLIDAY 9:00am Emanuel Tioseco † Tues. Feb. 20 6:30am Lil Villarreal † FRIENDSHIP SUNDAY 9:00am Emanuel Tioseco † Wed. Feb. 21 6:30am Haley Marie SantaCruz, Bd ICF Bingo Luncheon 9:00am Remedios Garrido † Next Sunday, February 25, 2018 Thurs. Feb. 22 6:30am Nicolas Gapuz † 9:00am Brandon Tioseco, Bday Youth Ministry Fri. Feb. 23 6:30am Elizabeth Sinclair † 9:00am Janet Beauchamp

Sat. Feb. 24 8:00am Colleen Wildey Weekly Adoration of The 5:00pm Maria Zuleta † Sun. Feb. 25 7:00am Carmelo Agis † Blessed Sacrament 9:00am Alex Martinez †

11:00am Evnan Olmedo, Birthday MONDAYS, 7:00 — 8:15 pm 1:00pm Vicente Hernandez † Please join us in our 5:30pm St. Raymond Parishioners Communal Prayer!