St. Mary Church Mary Catholic St. THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER APRIL 18, 2021 Dear Friends,

We hear again in today’s This is our last week for Faith Formation Sessions. Gospel from John about We are so grateful to those who helped us with appearing to the Apostles af- our groups this year. Virtual Faith Formation ter His Resurrection, giving started as a challenge, but ended as a marvelous them a greeting of peace, but experience for all of us, and we learned a lot. challenging them because of Vacation Bible School 2021 their reluctance to believe. Registration has begun for both teen helpers and camp- We, too, are given that same challenge: to ers. Check the website as well believe in the power of God in raising Jesus as email and Flocknote for from the dead, and of our own calling to live in registration information. the newness of life which Christ gives to us all. We are planning for the last week of July. At this time we will host ONE session in the morning from May the grace of the Spirit guide us in living out 9:30 to 12:30. The cost will be $75.00 per our Faith, and witnessing our belief that Jesus IS camper with scholarships available. risen, alleluia! If you would like to help, please call Maureen Father Fred Tiffany at 891-8939 or 962-5808. Please leave a message.

Peter saw Jesus after the Resurrection. He listened as Jesus told the disciples all that had been written about him in the scriptures, all that he had said and done when he was ministering among them. Peter heard how Jesus had ful- filled all in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms. Jesus, the Messi- ah, had come to be among them to bring them peace, to offer forgiveness of their sins. Peter shared this Good News with the crowds who gathered to hear him tell the sacred story, the story of God’s love, poured out in Jesus the Christ and offered to the whole world. All who hear and believe are offered new life, life in which God’s love is perfected in them. Are you listening? Are you ready to share in this abundant new life?

NOT WHAT WAS EXPECTED. Have you ever waited for something for so long you began to think it might never happen? Your graduation day, or the day of your marriage, or the birth of a child, perhaps. The Israelites had waited for centuries for the coming of the Messiah. Yet when Jesus, the long-awaited Anoint- ed One came, many failed to believe in him. He wasn’t what they expected. The Messiah was supposed to be a strong, powerful commander of armies, not humble, compassionate, and suffering. After his resurrec- tion, Jesus appeared to the disciples and explained all that he had said in his time with them, opening their minds to what had been written in the scriptures so that they could accept his suffering and death and re- joice in his resurrection.

GOD’S LOVE IN FLESH AND BONE. While the disciples had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, his crucifixion and death had left them fearful and confounded. The news of the empty tomb and his ap- pearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus added to their confusion. It seems that at first, Jesus’ presence with them did not alleviate their uncertainty. In fact, they were “startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost” (Luke 24:37). Jesus saw that they needed physical proof that it was he who stood among them. They needed to see the nail marks in his hands and feet, to see God’s love in flesh and bone, in one who ate among them. Only when their fear and confusion had been quelled, could they hear the story, the sacred story of how the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead. Only when they were filled with the peace of Christ, would they be ready to witness, to share the sacred story with others. We, too, are invited to hear the sacred story and to perceive God’s love for us in Jesus Christ. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Staff and Administration INTENTIONS Website: www.stmary-wc.org DATE TIME LOCATION INTENTION

Parish Office 891-8900 04/17 4:30 pm Drive-in Joy & Ted Todd (wed. ann.) Fax 934-1358 Fr. Fred Riccio, [email protected] 04/18 9:00 am Drive-in The People of St. Mary Pastor 891-8900 Fr. John Blaker, 891-8900 11:00 am Drive-in Peggy Brunwin In residence 1:00 pm Drive-in Chris Hudson Deacon Paul Turek [email protected] Ana Lau, [email protected] 04/19 12:05 pm In church Ruth Mellinger Office Manager 891-8908 Aileen Baker, [email protected] 04/20 12:05 pm In church Phyllis Ruth Conway Bookkeeper 891-8911 04/21 12:05 pm In church Chris Hudson Faith Formation 04/22 12:05 pm In church Special Intention Maureen Tiffany [email protected] Director of Faith Formation 962-5808 04/23 12:05 pm In church Aurora Jimenez (L) Mary Kerfs, [email protected] 04/24 8:30 am In church Florencio Jimenez Administrative Assistant 891-8939 Austin Pisciotto [email protected] Coordinator K-Grade 6 891-8944 FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN 1577-1622 - Feast Day: April 24 Jethro Castillo [email protected] Youth Minister Grades 7-12 891-8920 Born in Sigmaringen Heather Abraham, [email protected] (Germany), Mark Roy stud- Coordinator Confirmation 891-8934 ied philosophy and law at & Community Service the in Tim Mannix [email protected] Breisgau. After tutoring RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator 891-8921 young aristocrats and travel- School ing Europe with them, he be- gan practicing law in , Office 935-5054 where he quickly became [email protected] Website: www.st-mary.net “the poor person’s lawyer.” But, disillusioned over Alumni: [email protected] other lawyers’ behavior, he gave up the law to Garrett Padia, Principal 935-5054 follow a vocation in religious life. As an ordained Capuchin named Fidelis, he was renowned for his holiness, preaching and leadership. He was superi- or at several houses before being invited to east- Allison Flamez Loretta Holmes ern to call Protestants back to Catholi- Susana Jaime Nancie Campi cism. This mission, complicated by the politics of the Rosalinda Reyes Betty Baker time and hatred of the Catholic Habsburgs, be- Jeanine Gordon Carol Erikson came increasingly dangerous and led to his murder Jake Johnstone Danyel Sheets by opponents. He was canonized in 1746.

Diane Hewson Beth Wainwright Copyright © 2021, USCCB, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Clarissa Gutierrez Robin Wood Fred & Emilia Sohn Billy Silva Raul Gonzalez Mary Kennedy “What made the holy apostles and Raquel Zittel Cheryl LaMarre endure fierce agony and bitter torments ex- David Toy Marissa Magno cept faith, and especially, faith in the resur- Ana Lopez Ed Regan rection? What is it that today makes true fol- Dominador Hontucan Annabelle Semira lowers of Christ cast luxuries aside, leave Oralee Floria PRAY FOR Mary Ann McGill pleasures behind and endure difficulties and Mary McLoughlin Maryann Moran THE SICK pain? It is a living faith that expresses itself Angela Crane Bibiana Christman through love. It is this that makes us put aside Beverly Regan Carmen Bardges the goods of the present in the hope of future Josefina Zabat Pat O’Rourke Audry Robinson Marina de Castilla goods. It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future.” —St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Confession & First Communion FATIMA/ST. JOSEPH VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Reclaiming the Family through Fathers Question: Do children need to re- Saturday, May 1 6:30 - 10:30 am Pacific Time ceive the Sacrament of Reconcilia- Feast of St. Joseph the Worker and First Saturday tion before their First Communion? Our Lady of Fatima is a beacon of Answer: For centuries the Catholic hope and light for these times, and Church has taught that a person St. Joseph has a prominent role to needs to be in a state of grace play in the ongoing battle for mar- (free from mortal sins) in order to riage and the family. This conference worthily receive the Eucharist. To for men and women presents solutions that end, Catholics should make an to the first steps in rebuilding the do- effort to celebrate the Sacrament mestic church by reclaiming the voca- of Reconciliation any time they recognize the need tion of fathers. for the sacrament (and in keeping with the precept of Three virtual talks: the Church that asks that we celebrate this sacrament • St. Joseph and the Longing for a Father in Culture at least once each year). Today by Fr. David Guffey, CSC, National Direc- In the case of children preparing for their First tor of Family Theater Productions and producer of Communion, the Code of Canon Law is very clear that the movie Pray: The Life of Patrick Peyton. they should also celebrate the Sacrament of Reconcil- • The Seven Principles of St. Joseph’s Spirituality for iation before receiving the Eucharist for the first time: Fathers by Devin Schadt, co-founder of The Fa- “It is the responsibility, in the first place, of parents thers of St. Joseph, author and speaker. and those who take the place of parents as well as of • Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway, the pastor to see that children who have reached the MIC, best-selling author and acclaimed speaker. use of reason are correctly prepared and are nour- After the talks, the National Blue Army chap- ished by the divine food as early as possible, pre- lain, Fr. Ronan Murphy, will lead a Consecration to St. ceded by sacramental confession” (Canon 914). Joseph, followed by First Saturday Devotions and Ho- While some might question the significance of the ly Mass in reparation to the Immaculate Heart, ending Sacrament of Reconciliation — especially in the case with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and enrolment in the of children who might not fully understand the reality Brown Scapular. of sin or the meaning of the sacrament itself — a Registered conference attendees will receive free child’s “First Confession” can be a wonderful time for streaming of the movie Pray: The Life of Patrick Peyton families to reflect together on the quality of their re- and other perks. For more details and to register, lationships, how they put their faith into practice, and, visit Reclaimingthefamily.com when it is possible, to celebrate the sacrament as a family. In the end, the celebration of these two sacra- ments marks important moments in the spiritual jour- GET READY TO WALK! neys of children and we hope their “First Confession” and “First Communion” help instill in them a love of From May 9 to May 15, join the sacraments of the Church. ©LPi hundreds of people around the Bay Area in a virtual 5k walk to support the work of Cancer Support READINGS FOR THE WEEK Community. Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29- 30; Jn 6:22-29 Join a team, create a team, or just spend the time on Tuesday: Acts 7:51 — 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, your own meditative stroll. Or bike or swim or run or 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 climb your way to 5k! You can even participate in- Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a; doors on a treadmill or stationary bike. How you Jn 6:35-40 participate is up to you!

Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Cancer Support Community provides free services Jn 6:44-51 and support for cancer patients and their families. Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Register today at www.hopewalkbayarea.net or Jn 6:60-69 contact Carol Louisell at [email protected] Sunday: Acts 4:8-12; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, or 925-324-6385 to find out how your company can 28, 29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18 sponsor the walk. NO LO QUE SE ESPERABA San Fidel de Sigmaringa - 1577-1622 Día de Fiesta: 24 DE ABRIL ¿Alguna vez te ha to- cado esperar algo Marcos Rey nació en Sigmaringa durante tanto tiempo (Alemania) y estudió filosofía y que llegaste a pensar leyes en la Universidad de Fri- que eso nunca podría burgo en Brisgovia. Luego de ser suceder? Tal vez el tutor de unos jóvenes aristócra- día de tu graduación, tas y de viajar con ellos por Eu- de tu boda, del naci- ropa, él empezó a ejercer la miento de un hijo. Los israelitas habían esperado por abogacía en Alsacia, en donde siglos la llegada del Mesías. Sin embargo, cuando se convirtió rápidamente en “el abogado de los Jesús, el tan esperado Ungido, llegó, muchos no cre- pobres”. Pero, desilusionado por la conducta de otros yeron en él; pues él no era lo que habían esperado. abogados, dejó de lado la abogacía y siguió su Se suponía que el Mesías sería fuerte, un poderoso vocación a la vida religiosa. Luego de ordenarse co- comandante de ejércitos; no alguien humilde, compa- mo Capuchino y de tomar el nombre de Fidel, fue sivo y sufriente. Después de su resurrección, Jesús se muy conocido por su santidad, su prédica y su lide- apareció a los discípulos y les explicó todo lo que razgo. Fidel fue superior de varios conventos antes había dicho durante el tiempo que estuvo con ellos, de ser invitado al este de Suiza para llamar a los abriendo sus mentes a lo que estaba escrito en la Es- protestantes de regreso al catolicismo. Esta misión, crituras para que pudieran aceptar su sufrimiento y complicada por la política de la época y por el odio muerte, y regocijarse en su resurrección. hacia los católicos de Habsburgo, se tornó cada vez más peligrosa y fue lo que causó que sus opositores lo asesinaran. Fidel fue canonizado en 1746. EL AMOR DE DIOS EN CARNE Y HUESO Copyright © 2021, USCCB, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Aunque los discípulos llegaron a creer que Jesús era el Mesías, su crucifixión y muerte los había dejado temerosos y confundidos. La noticia del sepulcro vacío y su aparición a los dos discípulos en el camino de Emaús aumentaron su confusión. Parece que, al prin- cipio, la presencia de Jesús con ellos no hizo que dis- minuyera su duda. De hecho, ellos estaban “asustados y aterrorizados pensando que estaban viendo a un fantasma” (Lucas 24:37). Jesús se dio cuenta de que necesitaban una prueba física que les demostrara que era él quien estaba en medio de ellos. Ellos necesitaron ver las marcas de los clavos en sus manos y pies, para ver el amor de Dios en carne y hueso, en uno que comía en medio de ellos. Sólo cuando su Padre Pancho “Eso sí eliminaría algunos pasos en la aspersion de miedo y confusión se habían calmado, pudieron escu- agua bendita, pero dudo que el obispo apruebe.” char la historia, la historia sagrada de cómo Cristo sufriría y resucitaría de entre los muertos. Sólo cuan- LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA do se llenaron de la paz de Cristo, estarían listos pa- Lunes: Hch 6:8-15; Sal 119 (118):23-24, 26-27, ra dar testimonio, para compartir la historia sagrada 29-30; Jn 6:22-29 con otras personas. Nosotros también estamos invita- Martes: Hch 7:51 — 8:1a; Sal 31 (30):3cd-4, 6, dos a escuchar la historia y a percibir el amor de 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab; Jn 6:30-35 Miércoles: Hch 8:1b-8; Sal 66 (65):1-3a, 4-7a; Dios por nosotros en Jesucristo. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Jn 6:35-40 Jueves: Hch 8:26-40; Sal 66 (65):8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51 Viernes: Hch 9:1-20; Sal 117 (116):1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59 Sábado: Hch 9:31-42; Sal 116 (115):12-17; Jn 6:60-69 Domingo: Hch 4:8-12; Sal 118 (117):1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18 Locally owned & operated See Lic #1056357 HULL’S Kitchen Cabinet Your Ad Walnut Creek Chapel Upgrade in 1-5 Days FD250 • COA538 • CR196 1-Day Wood Restoration in FUNERAL DIRECTORS • Refacing • Roll-Outs • CCOOLLOORR Crematory On Site Custom Cabinet • More Call J.S. Paluch Today! Family Owned & 925.979.8194 Operated Since 1892 www.kitchentuneup.com 1.800.231.0805 All Facilities are onsite 925-934-5400 1139 Saranap Ave. Call us for your Walnut Creek, CA transportation needs! “Serving the Catholic Medical Alert System Wheelchair • Gurney Medical Appointments Faith Since 1892” billed quarterly $29.95/Mo. Dialysis • Hospital Discharges • One Free Month Long Distance Transports • No Long-Term Contract Dispatch: (925) 428-2790 • Price Guarantee Hours: Mon-Sat Grow in your faith, • Easy Self Installation 4:00AM-10:00PM find a Mass, and Mention this ad/parish connect with your Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608 for a 15% Discount. Catholic Community with OneParish! Get this weekly bulletin delivered by email - for FREE! Download Our Free App or Visit Sign up here: www.MY.ONEPARISH.com www.jspaluch.com/subscribe

Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

Take your FAITH FD1006 Serving Concord and ON A the surrounding area since 1958 JOURNEY. (CST 2117990-70) Cremation and Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America Burial Services WILLS & LIVING TRUSTS Catholic Cruises/Tours to Worldwide Destinations 4125 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94521 Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email DAVID T. HORNSBY [email protected] 925-682-4242 • www.ouimetbrothers.com Attorney at Law www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com Grow Your Business, Advertise Here. (925) 938-0883 Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help! 800 S. BROADWAY SUITE 301 email: [email protected] www.jspaluch.com WALNUT CREEK, CA Call Marcy Kwiatkowski 94596 925.239.1401 www.davidthornsby.com [email protected]

913092 St Mary Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-675-5051