Parish News

Fr. Mark's Spiritual Pilgrimage is Underway 

It’s not too late to join the weekly gathering that reflects upon the spiritual questions raised by William Paul Young, author of “The Shack” and short clips from his video production, “Restoring the Shack.” Each evening consists of prayer, video clip, reflection related to the chapter under discussion, and voluntary sharing. Join us every Tuesday at 6:45 pm for hospitality. The sessions begin at 7:00 pm and conclude at 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Books are available through Amazon and Kindle. Come for the journey, travel the distance, and stretch your Catholic imagination!
 

Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent

Stations of the Cross are prayed on the Fridays of Lent at 7:00 pm in the church. This devotion began as a practice by pilgrims, who would travel to Jerusalem to retrace the final journey of Christ to Calvary. Eventually, for those who were unable to make that journey the practice took the form of the 14 stations found in most Catholic Churches.

Following the Gospel reflections and soup suppers on March 24 and 31, Fr. Mark will lead Stations of the Cross. These particular evenings will be different then the traditional stations and based on reflections. March 24 – Praying the Stations for Today’s Disciples; March 31 – Praying the Stations with Pope Francis.
 

Soup Suppers and Lenten Reflections with Fr. Mark 

Join Fr. Mark for his homemade soups on March 24 and March 31 at 5:30 p.m. in the Hall. Fr. Mark will serve two homemade soups as we take part in a Lenten reflection on the coming Sunday’s Gospel reading. Please call the Parish Office at (562) 438-3826 to RSVP so Fr. Mark knows how much soup to prepare.

March 24 - Gospel Reflection: “Jesus offers living water to a woman who dares to ask.” Soups du Jour: Butternut Squash & Carrot Ginger
March 31 - Gospel Reflection “Born blind? We all are. But there’s hope for a cure.” Soups du Jour: Lentil Curry & Tomato Basil

Following these evenings, Fr. Mark will lead the Stations of the Cross in the Church at 7:00 pm. These particular evenings will be different then the traditional stations and based on reflections. March 24 – Praying the Stations for Today’s Disciples; March 31 – Praying the Stations with Pope Francis.
 

Evening Prayer Experience – March 30

Holy Week: Walking with Jesus. All are invited to a Virtual Reflective Prayer Experience on Thursday, March 30, from 6:45–8:00 pm, presented by Sister Paulynne. We will explore the themes of the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil through prayer, song and intercessions. Bring a candle to the service as we will celebrate Christ, our Light. Please contact the Parish Office at (562) 438-3826 to register. You will receive an e-mail link to the Zoom prayer service. Let us journey with Christ, our Hope and Life!
 

Lenten Confession – April 1

Confessions will be held on Saturday, April 1, 3:30-4:30 pm in the courtyard (Extended time with an additional priest.). Confessions will not be held on Holy Saturday, April 8.
 

Sacred Scripture Study and Holy Mass – April 5

A new study series from Threshold Bible Study featuring The Mass is underway. Author Stephen J. Binz says, “Worship of God in the Mass is the most distinctive activity of Christ’s Church, the summit toward which all its activity is directed and the font from which its life flows.

From the procession to the altar and the Sign of the Cross to the final blessing and sending forth, the eucharistic liturgy of the Church is a mosaic of words, images, and actions drawn from sacred Scripture. Explore the biblical foundations of each part of the Mass and learn how the saving truths of Scripture are made present for us in the eucharistic liturgy.”

The 50+ Scripture Study meets every other Wednesday at 8:30 am in the Seton Room. The next meeting is April 5. For more information, contact Ted Flood at (562) 706-6048. Books are available through Amazon.com and Twenty-third Publications.

Wednesday Night Bible Study – April 12

The next session of our Wednesday Night Bible Study will be Wednesday, April 12, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Hall. The group is studying The Bible and the Virgin Mary. Our sessions include fellowship, prayer, videos provided by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and discussion of scripture. All parishioners are welcome to attend. For more details, contact Robert Cordova at (562) 438-3826.
 

2023 Together in Mission Campaign

Archbishop Gomez recently invited all Catholics to make their annual commitment to the 30th Anniversary of Together in Mission Annual Appeal. This year’s theme of “Shine His Light” and St. Bartholomew has been asked to raise $64,814.

We look forward to the continued generosity of our parishioners, who enabled us to exceed last year’s parish goal. Last year, St. Bartholomew exceeded its campaign goal for Together in Mission, and the overage was returned to the parish.

If you and your family have not had the opportunity to make your pledge, I ask that you complete a remit envelope card found in the pews, or make your pledge online by visiting www.timgive.org. Your gifts to Together in Mission ensure that every Catholic living in the Archdiocese has a parish to celebrate their faith and access to Catholic school education. You are living your faith through your actions when you support Together in Mission.

Please prayerfully consider your pledge with the information that was mailed to your home, a pledge envelope found within the pews, or online at www.ourmissionla.org/give. If you write a check, please make it payable to Together in Mission. Thank you for your generosity!
 

Ministry Scheduler Pro

The parish has purchased new software to organize and streamline scheduling for its liturgical ministries. This past month has been the pilot test for this software. On Nov. 1, all scheduling will move to this new platform. Liturgical ministers are encouraged to download the Mobile App “Ministry Scheduler Pro” from the App Store or Google Play. To activate your account, enter ‘St. Bartholomew’ for your church and your full name. The App will go to a new screen that displays your Username and (temp) Password.

After resetting your Password, click on the My Schedule tab to view upcoming assignments that can be downloaded to your calendar. Ministers will receive an e-mail reminder on the Monday prior to an upcoming weekend assignment. If you need a sub, click the ‘Request Sub’ link. Volunteers with the same service preferences will receive an invitation to ‘Volunteer Now.’ When the assignment has been filled, those same volunteers and the requestor will receive notification of the change in status. Links to tutorial videos and a more detailed “Web Terminal Guidebook for Volunteers” are available at https://www.ministryschedulerpro.com/all-resources.
 

VIRTUS Reminder

All clergy, staff and volunteers who previously participated in the VIRTUS training “Protecting God’s Children” are required to be re-certified every four years. Recertification must take place on/or before the expiration date on the participant’s last certificate.

Protecting God’s Children Training

Year of Training   Recertification Year
2018                     2022
2019                     2023
2020                     2024
2021                     2025
2022                    2026

If you have been re-certified, a copy of your training certificate needs to be submitted to the Parish Office. Participants need to keep their original VIRTUS Certificate(s). If your certification has expired, the Parish Office has a list of trainings being held in this region.

“Keeping the Promise Alive,” a 90-minute training, is for participants whose certificates are still current. If the expiration date on your certificate goes past 30 days, you will be required to retake the 3-hour “Protecting God’s Children” training.
 

Faith Formation Playlist 

The St. Bart Faith Formation Program is pleased to present a collection of resources in a Faith Formation Playlist for exploring your faith. How would you like to deepen your faith and become closer to God? Choose the resources from the Playlist Menu that fit your interest and schedule. Participate independently or engage with your parish community. Questions? Contact Kellie De Leo at (562) 438-3826, Ext. 250 or [email protected].
 

Requesting Anointing of the Sick
If Someone in Your Family Becomes Seriously Ill
 
Please contact us at (562) 438-3826 as early on as possible for the Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament is not intended to be last rites; rather, we should think of it as Our Lord’s special presence and companionship in this serious time of need.

Anointing may take place in the home, at the hospital or medical care facility and received more than once. Our Parish will aim to offer the sacrament at a Sunday Mass on a quarterly basis. If someone should die without anointing, remember that it is like Baptism in that the desire to receive is sufficient and the Lord cares. God Bless.