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Christmas Ornament Sales
Once again, the Community Group is selling custom-designed Christmas ornaments. These keepsakes feature replications of church statuary, stained-glass windows, etc. While 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions were not minted due to the pandemic, there is backstock of gift-boxed ornaments from past years.
Previously priced at $15 each, these one-of-a-kind mementos are being sold for $10. If your personal collection is missing a year or two, or if you are looking for a unique stocking stuffer, visit their sales table in the Parish Hall after all Masses. The Community Group has sold out of replacement Advent candles for Advent wreaths. Proceeds are used to support the Community Group’s ministry of feeding the homeless.
Advent Small Group Faith Sharing Study
All parishioners are invited to attend a Advent Small Group Faith Sharing Study, Around the Advent Circle 2022. The study began on Tuesday, Nov. 29, and will continue on Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm through Dec. 20. If you are interested in attending, contact Kellie De Leo in the Faith Formation Office at (562) 438-3826 or kdeleo@la-archdiocese.org.
Blessing of the StrawStraw for decorating in-home Nativity scenes will be blessed at the Vigil Mass on Dec. 10. The straw will be located under the colonnade between the Church and Parish Hall. Small plastic bags will be provided to carry the straw home at all weekend Masses.
Coffee and Donuts – Dec. 11Join us for Fellowship! Coffee & Donuts will be offered in the Parish Hall after the 8:00 am, 9:30 am and 11:00 am Masses this Sunday. The Wednesday Night Bible Study is hosting. Donations are free will and support their ministry. Please be generous. Thank you & God Bless!
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Dec. 12Please join us — once again — in our festive celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, at the regular weekday Mass on Monday, Dec. 12, at 8:00 am. We will honor Our Lady, and the conversion of the Aztec nation to Christianity after her appearance to Juan Diego, with a bi-lingual Mass accompanied by live Mariachi music and a complimentary breakfast. Come enjoy tamales, Mexican pastries, and champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) after Mass in the Parish Hall. The Mariachi group will also play at the breakfast.
Scripture Study on the Eucharist – Dec. 14The 50+ Scripture Study has started a thematic study series on the Eucharist. New members are welcome to join at any time. Participants will enrich their understanding of this sacrament and deepen their appreciation of its great gift. The study booklet, Eucharist, features excerpts from the Old Testament, the gospels, and New Testament letters. Through this exploration, participants will discover how the Eucharist unites the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of our lives as an offering in union with Christ.
The 50+ Scripture Study meets every other Wednesday at 8:30 am in the Seton Room. The next meeting is Dec. 14. For more information or to join the group, contact Ted Flood at (562) 706-6048.
Wednesday Night Bible Study – Dec. 14
The next session of our Wednesday Night Bible Study will be on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Parish Hall. The Nov. 23 meeting has been cancelled. The group is currently 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.
Advent Almsgiving to the PoorAs a form of almsgiving during the season of Advent, we invite you to bring food or grocery gift cards for the poor. These should be placed in the empty crèche on the altar. As Christ is our Bread of Life, so too, we help to feed our needy brothers and sisters. These will be distributed to the poorer parish communities on the westside of Long Beach. May the Christ-child bring you abundant blessings for your generosity.
Christmas PoinsettiasSpecial envelopes are in the pews to assist in underwriting the cost of poinsettias, which decorate the altar at Christmas and throughout the Christmas Season. Memorial and honorary donations may be listed on the back of the envelopes. Thank you for your generosity!
Decorating the Church for Christmas – Dec. 18On Sunday, Dec. 18, volunteers are needed at 12:00 noon to decorate the interior of the Church for Christmas. Many helping hands are needed to remove the Advent décor and replace it with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, poinsettias, and the Nativity scene. Questions? Please contact Brian Archambault.
Celebrate the New Year with a Virtual Prayer Experience – Dec. 29
All parishioners are invited to a virtual Reflective Prayer Experience on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 6:45 pm hosted by Sr. Paulynne. Let’s ring in the New Year of 2023 and offer gratitude for blessings received during 2022! Make this date your New Year’s Resolution. Bring a candle with you for our prayer experience together. Please call the Parish Office at (562) 438-3826 to register. You will receive a Zoom e-mail link to the prayer service.
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 2026If 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 KDeLeo@la-archdiocese.org.
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.
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