Current Bulletin
Weekend of Dec. 14 & 15, 2019
Third Sunday of Advent
Mass Schedule
Barona:
Mass: Tuesday through Friday. Rosary at 7:45 AM, Mass at 8:00 AM.
Weekends: Saturday, 5:00 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM.
Confessions: Saturday, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Adoration: 1st Thurs. of the month (6:00 PM) and 1st Fri. of the month (8:00 AM).
Viejas:
Weekends: Sunday, 10:00 AM.
Confessions: By appointment.
Sycuan:
Weekends: Sunday, Noon.
Confessions: By appointment
PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM
Gilbert Rodriguez, Carol Lane, Sue Kierig, Martha Boone, A. J. Samot, Angelo Samot, Donna Berardi, Secora Nelson, Daniel Vicaldo, Kash Osuna-Sutton, Anthony and Diana Pico, Dolly Albano, Ray Mayor, Mike Montes, Bobbie Turner, Helen Cadiente, Berniece Marrujo, Mae Guerrero, Susanna Gotell, Agnes Ruiz, Deacon Bill Clarke, Rosario Ravasco, Minerva Mayor, Michele Nikas Beaman, Richard Nikas, Purita Amparo, Wendy Reyes, Alicia Castro, Debbie Gonzalez, Barbara Reeves, Nancy Rourke, Anthony Harut Haurutuynian, Gina Lloyd, Bobby Curo, Abraham Pascual
Please check prayer list and add names as desired.
Mass Intentions – December 15, 2019
Weekend masses:
Sunday, 8:00 Barona – Mel and Buddy Curo
Sunday, 10:00 Viejas – Community of Viejas
Sunday, 12:00 Sycuan – Community of Sycuan
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHEDULE
Barona – Thursdays, 2:45 p.m & 4:00 p.m.
Viejas – Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Sycuan – Every other Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Masses
4:00 PM – Sycuan
6:00 PM – Viejas
10:00 PM – Barona
Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day Mass, Barona,
8:00 AM mass
Tuesday, December 31, - New Year’s Eve mass, Barona, 5:00 PM mass
2020
Wednesday, January 1– New year’s Day Mass, Barona,
9:00 AM mass
Sunday, January 12– Children’s Mass, All reservations
PHOTOS FROM THE VIEJAS MISSION CHURCH 80TH ANNIVERSARY:
https://bktparish.com/viejas-mission-church
The third Sunday of Advent is rose (pink) because pink symbolizes joy, the joy that Jesus is almost here. When parents get ready to bring a new baby home, they typically paint the baby’s room pink or blue. They do this out of joy for to baby’s arrival. In the same way, the priest wears pink and we light a pink candle to represent the joy we feel to welcome Jesus in Christmas.
Father in Heaven, we know that you love all your people. Your love brings the gift of joy to our hearts. We think of all the unhappy children in the world today. We ask you to bring a little joy to their hearts this Christmas. Thank you for the joy we feel as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Amen.
‘Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand.’ Be resolute in following the Lord, whether convenient or difficult.
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES and SISTER SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 1-800-553-3321
Joyfully Waiting for the Lord
Reflection on the 3rd Sunday of Advent
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called the “Gaudete Sunday.” As Christmas Day gets closer and closer, we are also getting excited and joyful. However, the readings today do not only emphasize the spirit of joy, but they also propose some attitudes on how should we prepare for the Lord’s coming.
In the First Reading, we heard of the prophet Isaiah saying, “Be strong, fear not! Here is your God… who comes to save you.” And those who would be ransomed by the Lord will be crowned with everlasting joy. We, Christians, are being saved in and by Christ. His offer of salvation is a gift which must be acknowledged with much joy. But this joy seems to have disappeared now. Christianity and salvation is no longer felt as God’s gift, but a burden to one’s living. We need to go back to the original joy which was brought about by the salvation which is offered to us by Christ.
In the Second Reading, the Letter of James tells us of another attitude which is one of patience. “Be patient… until the coming of the Lord.” Since we do not know the exact time of the Lord’s (second) coming, it is but fitting to expect it more patiently.
But this value runs counter to the value that the present world teaches. For instance, globalization and internet value instantaneity and quickness. Things which come to us instantly and quickly are being considered as good. But things which come too slow are simply bad and useless. In these cases, patience cannot be considered as a value. This could have an effect to our attitude toward the Lord’s coming because we need to patiently wait.
In the gospel, we heard of John who seemingly doubt whether Jesus is the person whom he and his disciples should expect. John has the reason to think or feel that way because he was expecting more of a fiery Messiah. But John patiently attempts to reflect and discern if Jesus is truly the Messiah. In the end, he acknowledges that indeed Jesus is. In today’s world, the numbers of doubters are rising. In fact, more and more people want to dissociate Christ from the Christmas celebration. They want to appear that what we do during Christmas season is just a mere holiday devoid of Christ. But we Christians are well aware that we cannot separate Christ from Christmas. It is his birth which we remember in this joyous season.
The readings tell us of the proper attitude while waiting for the Lord’s coming. We are expecting a very important person who offers us the most precious gift, that is, salvation. And thus we cannot afford to simply forget and doubt him. He deserves to be waited with joy, and patience.
Be patient! Be strong!
Trust in God
Happy Gaudete Sunday