Santa Teresita's Monthly Newsletter

December 11, 2012 Volume 2, Issue 5

The Spirit of Upcoming Events

Why is Christmas celebrated with so Sunday, December 16th much joy each year? Pope Benedict re- 3:00pm flects that during Christmas we are not Posadas Prayer and Celebration simply celebrating an abstract mystery All are welcome to come join us in this nor just a great season. Rather, “At first day of the Christmas Novena. Christmas, we remember something Beginning in St. Joseph’s Chapel very concrete and important for man, In the darkness of the night of Bethle- something essential for Christian faith, a hem, a great light was truly lit: The Tuesday, December 18th truth that St. John summarized in these Creator of the universe incarnated Mayfield Senior School Christmas few words: "The Word was made flesh." himself, uniting himself indissolubly Concert for our Residents with human nature, to the point of really being "God from God, light Monday, December 24th 7:30pm Christmas Vigil Mass from light" and at the same time, man, true man...he has incarnated No himself freely to make us truly free, free to love him.” (Christmas Reflection December 17, 2008) Tuesday, December 25th, 10:30am Let us love Christ freely this year! Solemnity of Christmas Mass ’ Gift The morning of November 6, 2012 dawned upon the grounds of Santa Thursday, December 27th Teresita and the empty Good Shepherd 11:00am Cottage, waiting for its new family to Christmas Meal and Entertainment for move in. Today was the day we cele- the Residents of Santa Teresita brate the feast of Saint Nicholas, but it was also the day for the Good Shepherd Cottage’s licensing inspection. Many Thursday, January 10th preparations had been made and many 8:00 a.m. prayers prayed. We all waited with ea- “Cataract Surgery 2013” by ger expectation for the inspector to ar- Dr. Andrew Phillips rive. As she completed her tour of the LIFE Breakfast in Madonna Hall

grounds and greeted the current resi- RSVP (626) 256-3059 dents at Bethany, the inspector was amazed by our joyous anticipation to open the doors of the Good Shepherd Saturday, January 12th 1:30-3:00pm Cottage. The results: St. Nick provided 819 Buena Vista Street, Santa Teresita Open House us with a great gift: the news that we Duarte, CA 91010 | 626-359-3243 will soon be moving into our new home! RSVP (626) 408-7802 www.santa-teresita.org

Catechetical Corner

“What does ‘Christ’ mean?” : A Time of Fruitful Waiting

The word "Christ" comes from the Holy Mother Church blesses trivial and mundane stuff that occu- Greek translation of the Hebrew word us with various liturgical seasons pies so much of our “empty” spaces for Messiah, which means throughout the year. We are now full of time. This time of waiting is "anointed". It became the name proper to only because he ac- swing into the time of Advent. From meant to bear fruit in our lives. It is complished perfectly the divine mis- latin roots (Ad: to and Veni: Come), a time in which we are privileged to sion that "Christ" signifies. (CCC Advent is a time of waiting. As each of prepare a special place in our hearts 436) Jesus' messianic consecration us has experienced even in the small and in our lives for the coming of reveals his divine mission, "for the things of life, waiting can be long and Christ. Think of a family preparing name 'Christ' implies 'he who sometimes torturous. However, the for the birth of a new child. A new anointed', 'he who was anointed' and waiting of Advent should be filled with room is prepared, names are 'the very anointing with which he was joy. Yes, there is a sense of impatience planned and many other concrete anointed'. The one who anointed is in our longing, but a joyful impatience. preparations are made. Each of us the Father, the one who was anointed We are longing ardently for the com- are called during this time of year to is the Son, and he was anointed with ing of Our Savior whom we know will make concrete preparations for the the Spirit who is the anointing.'" His eternal messianic consecration was come because He has promised it! Yet, Birth of Christ into this world. He revealed during the time of his our waiting must not be a time that we will come afresh into our lives in the earthly life at the moment of his bap- fritter away, filling it with the measure with which we have made tism by John, when "God anointed preparations for Him. Are you pre- Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy paring your heart for Christ? Spirit and with power" (Acts 10:38), "that he might be revealed to Is- rael" (Jn 1:31) as its Messiah. His works and words will manifest him as "the Holy One of God" (Mk 1:24).” (CCC 438) Christ’s great messianic work is to free people from the slavery of sin and to lead them to union with the Father. We celebrate the beginning of this messianic work on Christmas day.

alike to fill the grounds of Santa Teresita Fantasia Fun! with joyful laughter and conversation. As the entertainers performed their musical As the sun dawned upon the scores, we were even able to enjoy a beginning of the day of Fantasia, there short, spontaneous performance by our were great hopes that the clouds would little elves (teen volunteers). All the break for the day of festivities. The hard work that went on behind the scene clouds in the sky did not disperse, but was evident by the simple joy and re- blessings as well as water were rained laxed atmosphere that surrounded each down upon all that gathered this year for area of activity. Near the mid-day, the Fantasia. We joyously moved to a dryer clouds did break for a while and even the place and the fun began. The children car show continued. Thank you to all enjoyed their annual Christmas our faithful volunteers and to each of you decorating and the fudge was a hit. The who attended this year’s Fantasia. Your hamburgers and hot dogs sizzled as the presence is what makes our yearly Festi- Cotton Candy was spun and the Korean val so uniquely special. food dished out. Young and old gathered