Message from Father Rafael, Holy Week and Easter schedule, "Mother Ireland" event this Sunday afternoon

A message from Father Rafael De Avila y Romero,  Pastor:

Easter 2016

One more year, we are about to celebrate the great festivities of our Christian faith: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Holy Week tells us that there is always hope, joy and thankfulness.  Holy Week reminds us, that through generosity, the shadows of death or despair vanish from our lives.  Holy Week shows us that God, our Father, always takes care of the most excellent outcome of his hands - us!

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,  God our Father is telling us that the light is shining over us, that life is blooming and hope never vanishes.

Easter time tells us that we, mankind, are one just as one the Bread and Wine - the Body and Blood of Christ - are one.  We are always united, not uniformed.  We are the beautiful and colorful tapestry brought to new life by the Resurrection of Christ.  HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL.


Un ano mas estamos por celebrar las grandes fiestas de nuestra fe cristiana: la Pasion, Muerte y Resurreccion de nuestro Senor Jesucristo. La semana santa nos dice que siempre hay esperanza, alegria y agradecimiento. La semana santa nos recureda que a traves de la generosidad las sombras de la muerte o de la deseperacion se desvanecen de nuestras vidas. La semana santa nos muestra que Dios, nuestro Padre, seimpre esta cuidando el fruto mas excelente salido de sus manos: NOSOTROS.

Por medio de la muerte y resurreccion de Jesucristo, Dios nuestro Padre nos esta diciendo que la luz esta brillando sobre nosotros que la vida esta floreciendo y que la esperanza nunca desaparece.  

El tiempo de Pascua nos dice que nosotros, la humanidad, somos uno asi como el Pan y el Vino - el Cuerpo y Sangre de Cristo - son uno. Nosotros estamos siempre unidos, no uniformados. Nosotros somos la bella y colorida tapiceria que ha obtenido la nueva vida por medio de la Resurreccion de Cristo. FELICES PASCUAS DE RESURRECCION PARA TODOS.

Holy Week and Easter schedule for Sacred Heart Parish.  Please join us!

PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY MASS

Sacred Heart Church, Olema
March 19    7 p.m.           (Espanol)
March 20    9 a.m.
March 20   10:30 a.m.     (Espanol)


St. Mary Magdalene, Bolinas
March 20    10:30 a.m.

HOLY WEEK - PASCHAL TRIDUUM

Sacred Heart Church, Olema
Holy Thursday   March 24    8 p.m.      Mass of the Lord's Supper
                                                              (Bilingual) and
                                                              Washing of the Feet

Good Friday      March 25    9 a.m.      Morning Prayer
                                             5:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross
                                             6 p.m.      Good Friday Liturgy (Bilingual) 

Holy Saturday/
Easter Vigil        March 26   9 a.m.         Morning Prayer
                                             8 p.m.        Mass (Bilingual)
 

EASTER SUNDAY MASS

Sacred Heart Church, Olema
March 27      9 a.m.
                     10:30 a.m. (Espanol)

St. Mary Magdalene, Bolinas
March 27      9 a.m. and 11 a.m.      
      

 "MOTHER IRELAND"

 A FUNdraiser for Sacred Heart Parish and the Dance Palace

Don't miss our church fundraiser this Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m.  Storytelling,  Celtic music, Irish dancing, Irish coffee and treats, and a silent auction.  It will be a grand time!

Here's the flyer with more details....

 Happy St. Patrick's Day 

Four-leafed clovers apparently exist but are rare, so if you find one,  you're in luck.  Why?

According to legend, the first leaf is for Faith, the Second is for Hope, the third is for Love and the fourth is for luck!  

Lenten events, Harvest Jams, Job Postings

HARVEST JAMS

The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of San Rafael are selling their gift-wrapped handmade jams -  Peach, Apricot, Bumbleberry and Pear-Plum - from their convent in Terra Linda.   This is the last of the Harvest Season and as soon as these are gone, they're gone.  Perfect for hostess or thank you gifts and even better for your own breakfast muffins or toast.

Available in the convent lobby 

During daytime hours

530 Blackstone Drive in Terra Linda

415.479.4964

srdol@motherofgodcarmel.org

BREAKFAST WITH THE IRISH CONSUL GENERAL

Join the members of the Catholic Marin Breakfast Club for Mass, breakfast and a talk by Irish Consul General Philip Grant.

$15

7 a.m. Friday March 4

St. Sebastian Church

Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Bon Air Road in Greenbrae

415.461.0704 (between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) 

or email sugaremy@aol.com

WALK THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS

7 p.m. Fridays during Lent

at:

St. Patrick Church

114 King St. in Larkspur

415.924.0600

St. Sebastian

373 Bon Air Road in Greenbrae

415-461.0704

St. Isabella

One Trinity Way in Terra Linda

415.479.1560

SAINT RITA'S LENTEN SOUP AND LECTURE SERIES

7 p.m. March 8

Saint Rita Catholic Church 

100 Marinda Dr. in Fairfax 

415.456.4815

JOB POSTINGS

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is looking for a manager of payroll.
Applicants must have a Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration or equivalent work experience, comprehensive knowledge of payroll systems and five years of payroll experience.  Certified Payroll Professional preferred.   Apply to Patrick Schmidt at schmidt.patrick@sfarch.org

The San Francisco Archdiocese of San Francisco's Department of Catholic Schools hosts a Jobs Fair for Marin County teachers of pre-school through Grade 8 for school year 2016 - 2017. 

10 a.m. to 12 noon 

Saturday,  March 19 

St. Hilary School in  Tiburon

LENTEN REFLECTION

"The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord's mercy motivates us to do better." - Pope Francis

Lenten Events in Marin Parishes

Walk the Stations of the Cross

7 p.m. Fridays during Lent

at: 

St. Patrick Church
 114 King St. in Larkspur 
415.924.0600

St. Sebastian Church
 373 Bon Air Road in Greenbrae  
415.461.0704

 

St. Isabella Church
 One Trinity Way in Terra Linda  
415.479.1560

Saint Rita's Lenten Soup and Lecture Series

Rev. Msgr. Harry Schlitt, president of San Francisco's God Squad Productions will discuss "Mercy in the Eucharistic Liturgy (the Mass)"

 7 p.m. March 1

Saint Rita Catholic Church

100 Marinda Dr. in Fairfax

415.456.4815

Nazareth House Auxiliary Annual Day of Recollection

Join retreat master Fr. Brian Costello as he discusses the New Testament. Bring a bag lunch.  Coffee, tea and dessert will be provided. The day ends with Mass and blessings. 

9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 2

245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael

Suggested donation is $10.

RSVP: Peggy Walker at 415-453-9305

St. Sebastian Lenten Bus Pilgrimage

Deacon Cris Sandoval leads a special day visiting three San Francisco monasteries, celebrating Mass in one of them, venerating the relics of Saints Francis and Clare, the True Cross and the Holy relic of St. Jude. The day concludes with a walk through one of the Bay Area's Jubilee Holy Door to obtain the Papal Indulgence. 

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday March 5

Departing and returning to St. Sebastian Church

373 Bon Air Road in Greenbrae

Please bring a bag lunch.

$30

RSVP ASAP: 415.461.0704

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Family Potluck

The Marin Irish American Club presents an evening of Corned Beef and Cabbage, Celtic Music, Irish dancers, Irish Soda bread contest, children’s activities and prizes, and raffle. No host bar.

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 6

St. Isabella Parish Hall
One Trinity Way in Terra Linda

$10 Guests

RSVP to Rose Feeney at 415-515-9116

or rose.feeney@comcast.net

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone comes to Marin 

Join the Archbishop as he speaks on his role as Archbishop.

6 p.m. Thursday March 10

Star of the Sea

180 Harrison Ave. in Sausalito

RSVP: staroftheseamensclub@gmail.com

  

Save the Date - March 20

Palm Sunday Brunch

A fundraiser for St. Mary’s Church

March 20

 Nicasio

Save the Date - March 20

“Mother Ireland”

A fundraiser for Sacred Heart Parish

And

The Dance Palace

Featuring award-winning storyteller Neshama Franklin, Irish coffee, dancing and music

$10

Are you in need of prayers or a Holy Mass?

“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”  Matthew 18:19

If you would like the parish to agree with you in prayer for the needs of yourself or a loved one or a special intention or if you would like to request to have a Mass said for a sick or departed loved one at either Sacred Heart or St. Mary Magdalene Church, please contact the office. It Is our privilege to pray with you.

Lenten reflection:

“In fact, only Divine Mercy is able to impose limitations on evil; only the almighty love of God can defeat the tyranny of the wicked and the destructive power of selfishness and hate.”

Pope Benedict, 2008

Alert: Wednesday (2.24.16) Mass cancelled

 MASS CANCELLATION NOTICE

Father Rafael has announced that Mass on Wednesday morning, February 24, has been cancelled for building maintenance.  

Weekend Masses are not affected and Wednesday morning Masses will resume on March 2.

NEED PRAYERS?

"If two you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, 

it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven." -  Matthew 18:19

If you would like members of our parish to remember a loved one with you at an upcoming Mass or join you in for prayers for the sick,  departed, or your special intentions, please call the office and request a Mass or prayers.  We are happy to do this.

MILESTONE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Married couples: Are you celebrating a 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- etc anniversary this year? Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone invites you to be recognized at a special Mass followed by a reception.

10 a.m. Saturday February 20

Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

1111 Gough St. San Francisco

$20

Registration required

415.614.5680 or www.anniversarymass.info

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS and SWEET TREATS NEEDED!

Are you a great baker or candy or jam maker?  Know someone who can help donate beautiful, fun or useful gifts?  Ken Eichstaedt invites parishioners to help with "Mother Ireland", a joint fundraiser for Sacred Heart and the Dance Palace on March 20. Contact Ken at 415.515.9423.

LENTEN LECTURE AND SOUP SERIES

Enjoy soup with fellow Marin Catholics and the chance to reflect on a Lenten lecture entitled "Year of Mercy, Year of Living Connectedly", presented by Rev. Kenneth Weare, Ph.D,   Pastor of Saint Rita Church and Adjunct Professor of Social Ethics, USF.  All are welcome.

7 p.m. Tuesday February 23

St. Rita Catholic Church

100 Marinda Dr. , Fairfax

RSVP: 415.456.4815

LENTEN REFLECTION

"Worshipping is stripping ourselves of our idols, even the most hidden ones, and choosing the Lord as the center, as the highway of our lives." - Pope Francis

New Mass in Spanish on Sunday and Fundraiser Help Request

 New Mass in Spanish: 10:30 a.m. on Sundays

Father Rafael is delighted to announced that he will celebrate Mass in Spanish every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church.  The new Mass begins this Sunday, February 14 and will be in addition to the existing Mass in Spanish at 7 p.m. on Saturday.  Everyone is welcome.

 Wanted: Sweet Treats and Gift Items 
for Sacred Heart Fundraiser on March 20

The bakers and candy makers of Sacred Heart Parish have a well-deserved reputation for whipping up terrific treats for our famous Bake Sales. 

And now we need to rally the troops. Sacred Heart is hosting a "Mother Ireland" fundraiser on March 20 with an amazing storyteller who will keep you enthralled and Irish coffee, music and dance to keep your lights heart.  "It's going to be a great event," says Ken Eichsteadt who is asking for support in two areas.

The Bake Sale table is in need of lr fabulous fudge,  choice cookies and  cupcakes, beautiful breads, and pretty pies.  If you have even modest talent in the kitchen,  please share your specialty at the Bake Sale. 

We also need really wonderful gift items for the Silent Auction table.  Have any lovely items to share or know an item you can get donated?  There's an eager silent auction table waiting for them at the fundraiser.

  Please call or email him as soon as you can to let him know what you can bring.

415.515.9423 

 ken.eichstaedt@aecom.com

This week's Lenten reflection  

"Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life..."
-- Pope Benedict XVI

2016 - Celebrating The Extraordinary Jubliee Year of Mercy

THE EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE OF MERCY

This December, Pope Francis declared 2016 as “The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy”.  

He intends it to be a wonderful year of mercy toward others and for each of us through diligent labor for the Church and wants us to live it intensely in our Church. 

The Pope further declared that seven churches in the Vatican and Italy, the ones that traditionally constitute the pilgrimage of the Seven Church Walk, would be considered “Jubilee Churches”. 

In conjunction with this announcement and the Pope's wishes, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone announced that four Bay Area churches, including St. Raphael in San Rafael, will also serve as "holy doors of mercy". 

According to the Catholic Monitor, "passing through the doors of any of the four pilgrimage sites is a ritual act symbolizing one's desire for reconciliation with God for which  one's desire for reconciliation with God for which pilgrims may receive a plenary indulgence".  It must also be accompanied by the Sacrament of Confession, the Sacrament of the Eucharist and prayer for the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff.

(The forgiveness of sins is separate from punishment for the sins. As defined by Catholic Online, a  plenary indulgence removes all of the temporal punishment of sin.)

The Catholic Monitor notes that if one cannot make the pilgrimage to St. Raphael, the Pope allows Catholics to fulfill another Papal condition such as carrying out a work of mercy, in person,  such as caring for the sick or the imprisoned and saying a prayer for the intentions of the Pope and, at the minimum, an “Our Father”, concluding  the time of prayer with “Merciful Jesus, I trust in You.”

St. Raphael Church is located at 1104 Fifth Avenue in San Rafael.  Call 454.8141 or go to www.saintraphael.com for hours.  

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday, February 10, marks the first day of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.  Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Olema.

According to Catholic Online, Lent is derived from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting.  

As we are reminded us during the application of ashes - "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return -  the dust symbolizes the dust from which we were made. It also symbolized penance and the grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

Ash Wednesday is a great opportunity to consider what you will want to give up for Lent.

Did you know? Ashes are made from the burnt palm fronds from the previous year's Palm Sunday Masses, christened with holy water and scented with incense. 

Did you know? Lent marks 46 days before Easter Sunday.

Daily Mass Readings 

Can't make daily Mass? You can keep up with the Readings, at home or away, with this calendar:

Feb 8. Monday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

1KGS 8:1-7, 9-13 and PS132:6-7, 8-10 and SEE MT 4:23 and MK 6:53-5

Feb 9. Tuesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

1KGS 8:22-23, 27-30 and PS 84:3, 4, & 10 and PS 119:36, 29 b and MK 7:1-13

Feb 10. Wednesday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Ash Wednesday JI 2:12-18 and PS 1:3-4, 6 ab, 12-14, 17 and 2 COR 5:20 to 6:2 and SEE PS 95:8 and MT 6:1-, 16-18

Feb 11 Thursday after Ash Wednesday

DT 30:15-20 and PS 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 and MT 4:17 an LK 9:22-25

Feb 12 Friday after Ash Wednesday

IS 58:1-9a and PS 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 and SEE AM 5:14 and MT 9:14-15

Feb 13 Saturday after Ash Wednesday

IS 58:9b-14 and PS 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and EZ 33:11 and LK 5:27-32

October Events

October is here and Sacred Heart parishioners are invited to participate in these various opportunities throughout the Archdiocese.  Happy autumn!

Cafe Cantante

Enjoy local musicians and talented parishioners, a mariachi band, delicious food and more

Saturday, October 3

6 to 10 p.m.
St. Raphael Church
1104 5th Avenue, San Rafael
415.454.8141 or www.straphael.com

$15 per person

Blessing of the Animals

 Bring your pets - from dogs and cats to mice and birds and snakes -   for a "Blessing of the Animals" celebration in observance of the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi.  Pet can't come? Bring his photograph.

Saturday, October 3 at 9:30 a.m.
St. Sebastian Church

373 Bon Air Road at Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Greenbrae

415.461.0704 or www.sebastian94904.com

or
Sunday, October 4  at 2 p.m.
Church of St. Isabella
1 Trinity Way, San Rafael
415.479.1560 or www.stisabellasparish.org
or
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Sunday October 4 at 4 p.m.
3 Oakdale Ave., Mill Valley (Church parking lot)
415.388.4190 or www.mountcarmelmv.org

or 
Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.  
St. Raphael Church
1104 5th Avenue, San Rafael
415.454.8141 or www.straphael.com

 Friends of the Poor Walk / Run
Saturday, October 10 at 9 to 10 a.m.
St. Raphael
1104 - 5th Ave., San Rafael
415.454.8141 or www.saintraphael.com

2015 Public Square Rosary Crusade in Novato

St. Anthony of Padua invites you to join parishioners for a Mass and Rosary for our nation.

Saturday, October 10 

Rosary at noon

Mass to follow

or

St. Anthony of Padua 

1000 Cambridge St., Novato
415.883.2177 or www.saint-anthonys.com

Save the Date - St. Vincent de Paul Auxiliary Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon
Wednesday, October 14
1000 Cambridge St., Novato
415.883.2177 or www.saint-anthonys.com

Rosary Rally 2015: A Call to Prayer

Keynote speakers:

Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

Deacon Robert F. Ellis, National Coordinator, World Apostolate of Fatima, USA

Reverend Arturo Albano, Rector, Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption

Saturday, October 10 

10 a.m. 

Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral

11:15 a.m. 

Procession to  UN Plaza at Market and 7th Streets, San Francisco

12 noon

Rally with the presence of the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of World Apostolate of Fatima

12:50 

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 

 415.272.5380 or www.rosaryrallysf.com

 

The Archdiocese of San Francisco's Inaugural Retreat for Adults 

A daylong event for adults 18 to 40 (single, married, with or without children) from Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo to discover and share their gifts with each other.  

• Mass with Archbishop Cordileone

• Opening Talk by Bishop Robert McElroy

* Interactive Workshops

* Concert featuring the Scythian band with Irish, gypsy, dancing music

Saturday, October 24

9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

St. Mary's Cathedral Conference Center, San Francisco

Register at www.sfarchdiocese.org/yamcon2015

 Let There Be Light: Dinner and Auction

A Benefit Campaign for St. Raphael Church to improve lighting at the St. Raphael Church and Mission with a gourmet dinner, raffle prizes, live auction

November 14 from 6 to 10 p.m.
$125 per person
St. Raphael
1104 - 5th Ave., San Rafael
415.454.8141 or www.saintraphael.com

Tour the Holy Land: an 11-day Pilgrimage

offered by Catholic San Francisco

Join Fr. Dennis Day of Spokane as he leads visits to Caesarea •  Capernaum • Cana • Dead Sea •Jericho • Jerusalem •  Mt. Carmel • Nazareth • Sea of Galilee and more...

November 8 - 18, 2015

 $3,199. + $729 per person

415.614.5640


St. Isabella invites you to Reboot! Live!
 with
Chris Stefanick, internationally-renowned speaker
and
Jon Niven, Catholic recording artist

Learn how to rediscover God and the life for which you were made at a fun, inspiring, and practical experience for anyone 12 years and older.  Apply the beauty and genius of the Gospel to every aspect of your life, from prayer and spirituality, to work, dating, marriage, parenting, heath and more.

 Thursday November 19 from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

Church of St. Isabella

1 Trinity Way, San Rafael 

$19 

Preregister at www.stisabellasparish.org

Know a musician who wants a paid part-time job?

St. Anselm Catholic Church in Ross is seeking a part-time Music Director who will engage the congregation and enhance the church services with a good music program. Requirements include proficiency in organ, piano, voice, voice directing  and a broad knowledge of Catholic Church music. 

Salary commensurate with experience. 

Send resume and cover letter to:

Pastor, PO Box 1061, Ross, 94957 or email to 

fr.shaji@saintanselmo.org