St. Catherine of Siena Parish follows Jesus by welcoming all, sharing our gifts, and giving glory to God.

La parroquia de Santa Catarina de Siena sigue a Jesús dándole la bienvenida a todos, compartiendo nuestros dones y dando gloria a Dios.

“He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there and a great

number of people from all over. . .” Luke 6:17

St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church

. Martinez . California . February 17 . 2019 .

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Anthony Huong Le, Parochial Administrator ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Deacon Albert Dizon Deacon David Holland dcnadizon@yahoo.com dcndholland@yahoo.com

Jessica Griswold, Principal Mea Auld, Pre-School Director Saint Catherine Elementary School mauld@csdo.org jgriswold@csdo.org scpreschool@comcast.net 925-228-4140 925-229-2255

Pauline Porter Andrea Watkins Rite of Christian Initiation Director Religious Education for Adults (RCIA) Safe Environment Coordinator stcathmtz@yahoo.com drestcath@yahoo.com

Paul Holland Jennifer Holland Co-coordinators, Youth Group and Confirmation Program paulh@cfcsoakland.org jenniferdevita@gmail.com

Troy Killorn Karen Glen, ,Bookkeeper

Director of Music Ministry bkprstcath@yahoo.com

Sylvia Lloren Mary Cook Secretary Bulletin stcathmtz@yahoo.com bulletinsubmissions@gmail.com ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

CHURCH LOCATION: 606 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

PARISH OFFICE AND 1125 Ferry Street, MAILING ADDRESS: Martinez, CA 94553-1720 TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-2230 / 925-228-1318 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stcmtz.org PARISH EMAIL: stcathmtz@yahoo.com SUBMISSIONS: bulletinsubmissions@gmail.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

OFFICE HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-1PM & 2 PM-5 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

GRAMMAR SCHOOL: 604 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-228-4140 / 925-228-0697 SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://school.stcatherinemartinez.com/~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

PRE SCHOOL: 1125 Ferry Street, Martinez, CA TELEPHONE / FAX: 925-229-2255 / 925-229-2474

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

SAFE ENVIRONMENT: www.virtusonline.org ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BAPTISMS: Registration is mandatory two months prior to Baptism. Parents & Godparents are required to attend a manda-tory Baptism preparation class before reception of the Sacrament.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

MARRIAGES: Arrangements and mandatory preparation need to be arranged at least eight months prior to the wedding.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

FUNERALS: We recommend using Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services at 925-932-0900. A representative will contact the parish office to coordinate your arrangements.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

BULLETIN SUBMISSIONS: To place an announcement in the bulletin, email request to: bulletinsubmissions@gmail.com. The deadline for requests is no later than noon on Fridays one week prior to the date of the bulletin in which the announcement is requested to appear.

EARLY DEADLINES: Closely watch early deadlines imposed by the publisher and plan ahead accordingly. Submissions for Feb 24 has passed. Next deadline for bulletin: All items must be submitted by Fri, Feb 22 by noon for Mar 3.

PARISH & SCHOOL STAFF

SATURDAY: 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM

SUNDAY: 7:00 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM English 12:30 PM Spanish

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

WEEKDAYS: 8:00 AM (Thursday is a Communion Service) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

HOLY DAYS: 8:00 AM, 12:10 PM and 7:00 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -

ADORATION: Fridays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

RECONCILIATION: Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Altar Servers Jack Watkins.…...……………………………….925-957-0437 Art and Environment TBD…………………..…………………………925-228-2230 Bingo Don Brocca …………………………………….925-858-7330 Catholic Youth Organization - CYO Gina Marks………………………….………… 925-817-9429 Communications Eugene Dizon……………………….………… 925-370-8143 Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Viviana & Marty Magee……………… ………... 925-228-6460 Faith Formation - Religious Education (PreK-8th Grades) Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 Finance Council Don Brocca...925-229-4158 and Dennis Koller...925-335-9395 Grief Ministry/Card Ministry Mary Cook (in assoc with Legion of Mary)……. 925-229-2665 Guadalupe Society Guadalupe Cruz………………………………... 925-997-2432 Hospital/Sick/Homebound Tom Greerty (in assoc with Legion of Mary)…... 925-228-4387 Hospitality Mary Cook (in assoc with Stewardship)……… 925-229-2665 Ignite Cindy Buscaglia……………….………………... 925-787-8396 Italian Catholic Federation - ICF Tom Cook……………………………………... 925-229-2665 Knights of Columbus - K of C Rik Silva………………………………………….925-334-2429 La Communidad Latina Lucia Cruz……………………………………… 925-348-2620 Lectors Carlos Melendez……………………….………... 510-385-0506 Legion of Mary Bobby Kiefer…………………….……………. 925-658-1442 Loaves & Fishes Denice Silva…………………………………….. 925-372-0740 Maintenance Troy Killorn.……………………….…………... 925-228-2230 Mary Help of Christians - MHC Margarita Flores……………………………….. 925-812-1279 Pastoral Advisory Council Karen Glen….925-788-7716 & Karen Sandri….925-370-7997 Respect Life Linda Easterday ……………………….……….. 925-372-3845 Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - RCIA Pauline Porter/Karen Glen……………………... 925-228-2230 Safe Environment for Children Project - SECP Andrea Watkins………………………..Ext 30 925-228-2230 SECP: No More Secrets - Survivor Outreach Sherrie Hammon………………………………..925-372-6091 San Lorenzo Ruiz Community - SLRC Esther Concepcion….………………………… 925-381-1835 Social Awareness Anne Crisp …………………………………... 925-356-8822 Spark (young adult group ages 18 years to 35 years) TBD ….………………………………………… 925-228-2230 Stewardship Karen Glen……………………………………..925-788-7716 Sociedade Portuguesa Rainha Santa Isabel - SPRSI Annette Liberty……………………… ……… 925-228-8428 St. Vincent de Paul Society - SVdP Karen Glen …………………………………….. 925-788-7716 Ushers James McLaughlin………………………………. 925-228-1051 Young Ladies Institute - YLI Peggy Aiello-Hagerthy …………………………925-228-2628 Youth Group/Confirmation (High School 9 to 12 Grades) Paul & Jenny Holland…………………………….925-890-6229

Before serving or continuing in your ministry, com

plete the Diocesan required Safe Environm

ent for Children Project T

raining @ w

ww

.virtusonline.org . Thank you.

MINISTRIES/ORGANIZATIONS CONTACTS

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 17, 2019

SACRED ART & MUSIC IN WORSHIP

Saint Irenaeus said many centuries ago, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” There has been a longing in my heart that has recently been awakened through music and art. It is not sufficient to consider art merely decorative, or music en-tertaining; it is life sustaining. In Isaiah 38:16 King Hezekiah says, “my spirit is still alive- fully recovered with a fresh infusion of life!” Art and music have infused those dark and dry parts of my spiritual life that were depressed, doubtful, and sometimes disconnected. Music and art came to me as teachers later in life. I am con-stantly amazed at the absolute beauty and creativity of God and feel humbled by that. In Isaiah 48:6-7, he says, “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So, you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’ Music and art reveal new things to me every day. That mystery speaks to me through a piece of art, a stained-glass window, or a Gregorian chant. It is as if I am hearing the song for the first time or seeing something new in a piece of art. It is familiar and mysterious at the same time. I learned how to worship in an Evangelical church. It felt like I was at a concert and didn’t know the band or any of their songs. People were rocking out, raising their hands, and there I was standing pretty still afraid to move. I am not sure when it happened, but at one point I let go of pretense, closed my eyes, and listened with my heart. The lyrics and the melody were exactly what I needed to hear, and I raised my arms upward as if I was reaching to God, hands open ready to receive. I remem-ber feeling awkward and uncomfortable, and at the same time I felt joy and connection. As time passed, I began to experience the Holy Spirit in a new way. Coming back to the Catholic Church continues to be a homecoming. It is more natural and comfortable for me to sing

WORSHIP

To facilitate a transforming

encounter with God as we come together

in worship.

DISCIPLESHIP

To empower a community of Christian people walking together as disciples of Jesus in

order to share His good news.

STEWARDSHIP

To create a culture in the parish rooted

in gratitude and generosity.

HOSPITALITY

To form a joyful family community that reaches

out and receives one another as

Christ reaches out and receives us.

FACILITIES

To assure that our Church and facilities testify to the greater

honor and glory of God.

hymns from my childhood, and I absolutely love the simplicity of an Alleluia or Amen. I am learning that God wants my time, my attention, my love, and my vulnerability. This surrender and praise bring Him glory. If I raise my hands or sing quietly while kneeling it doesn’t matter to Him. He wants my heart and my full participation. He wants me to join in community with my very own crackling voice. St. Augustine said it perfectly, “How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears, distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face – tears that did me good.” In the Catechism of the Catholic Church “The Musical tradi-tion of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy.” The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often accompa-nied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops this tradition: “Address. . . one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart.” “He who sings prays twice.” (1156) Do we treasure our musical tradition? Do we make melody to the Lord with all our heart? The Catechism states “that music is greater even than that of any other art.” I cannot discount the profound affect art has had on my life. In fact, the beauty of the Catholic Church is what I could not live without. All Catholic art—which includes, visual art, iconography, sculpture, decorative arts and architecture. I cannot imagine a faith life without the richness of her art. Henri Nouwen, a priest and prolific writer on the spiritual life recounts a story of being stunned by the power and beauty of Rembrandt’s, The Return of the Prodigal Son. He said, “It’s beautiful, more than beautiful…it makes me want to cry and laugh at the same time… I can’t tell you what I feel as I look at it but it touches me deeply.” He continued to say… “I felt drawn by the intimacy between the two figures, the warm red of the man’s cloak, the golden yellow of the boy’s tunic, and the myste-rious light engulfing them both. But, most of all, it was the hands, the old man’s hands, as they touched the boy’s shoulders that reached me in a place where I had never been reached before.” When I look at the stained-glass of St. Dominic in our church, I am curious, when I look at the limp body of crucified

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

The 100th day of school was celebrated this past week. Mrs. Wilkinson and her first grade class dressed up for the occasion. Pictured right with Mrs. Wilkinson are: Amelia Copenhaver, Alinday Finley, Jack Moore, Vida Argenal, Camila Murillo, Olivia Ramos, Dustin Lagrille, Isaiah Preciado, Zoey Zimmerman, Austin Briley, and Philip Plevin. Not pictured: Tyler Mallo, Logan McLean, Gary Wareckiy. Students in both kindergarten and first grades

enjoyed many 100 themed activities and fun. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students ventured off campus for a day of learning at the California Academy of Science in San Francisco. While there, they learned about coral reefs and rain forests; and were able to see a very cool albino alligator! Special thanks to our amazing parent chaperones and drivers. Without their help these special field trips would not be possible. On Friday, students had a blast while sending off STEM rockets they created at PE. Pictured below: Left: Roman Gadek; Right: Roman Gadek, Xander Becker, Alexis Zuniga, Madeline Bell, Sakura Kouzo-Ballard, Emma Weatherbee, Gia Mallo, Emma Low, Ava Nygard, Ryleigh Fugate, Angie Gomes, and Addy Cooley. —Diana Corsetti, SCS Teacher Contributor

ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL NEWS: A LUMEN CHRISTI ACADEMY SCHOOL

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Christ, I am horrified when I look at Michelangelo’s Pieta of Mary holding her dead son, I am filled with compassion and sorrow. Art captures my attention; it gets me out of my head and fills me with curiosity and creativity. It makes me want to pray and praise. As Nouwen says,“It reaches me in places I have not been reached before.” Author Gary Thomas of Sacred Pathways – Discover your Souls Path to God, explains that “Sight affects us perhaps more than any other sense. As much as a third of our cerebral cortex, which is the highest level of our brain, is devoted to visual processing. Researchers have even found that sight can be used to affect our will, which has a direct bearing on our commitment to live out our faith.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church also states, “Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation; evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God – the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ, who “reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of His nature,” in whom “the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” This spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most Holy Virgin Mother of God, the angels, and saints. Genu-ine sacred art draws man to adoration, to prayer, and to the love of God, Creator and Savior, the Holy One and Sanctifi-er.” (2502) May we ponder the invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ as we read Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” —Cindy Buscaglia

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

100 DAY OF SCHOOL

DIOCESE OF OAKLAND 24 HOURS FOR THE LORD All are invited to spend time with

Our Lord in Adoration & Confessions during a 24 hour opportunity

Beginning 5:00 PM March 8 through 5:00 PM March 9

During the 24 hours visit one of these participating churches near you:

Holy Spirit—Fremont Immaculate Heart of Mary—Brentwood

St. Bonaventure—Concord St. Catherine of Siena—Martinez

St. Joan of Arc—San Ramon St. Mark—Richmond St. Patrick—Rodeo

Opening Mass with Bishop Barber FRI, MAR 8 @ 7:30 PM

Holy Spirit Church 37588 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

Closing Mass SAT, MAR 9 @ 5:30 PM St. Joan of Arch Church

2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd. San Ramon

QUESTIONS? info@DivineMercyOak.org

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION WITH CLERGY MONDAYS 6:30PM Parish Center ~ St. Gabriel Room

WORSHIP

To facilitate a transforming

encounter with God as we come together

in worship.

Lenten Soup Supper FRI. MAR 8, 6 PM

in the parish hall; then, followed by @ 7 PM in St. Catherine Church

“Stations of the Cross for Priests” led by Yolanda Rodrigues

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dinner in Parish Center Library SAT. MAR 9, 5:30 PM

followed by @ 6:30 PM in the Church “Do Not Waste Your Sufferings”

Speaker: Yolanda Rodriguez

Beneath His Cross Apostolate “Praying for Priests— A Time for Healing” THU. MAR 7, 6:30 PM in St. Catherine Church

Speaker: Yolanda Rodriguez

I G N I T E 3 - DAY E V E N T

RSVP 925- 787- 8396

C o n t a c t C i n d y B u s c a g l i a o r e m a i l : I G N I T E S C S @ G M A I L . C O M

What are indulgences? The official definition of an indulgence is this: “An indulgence is the remission in the eyes of God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose culpable element has already been taken away.” the best way to understand this definition is to look at sin and its effects upon us. When we sin we need forgiveness. Forgiveness is offered to us freely through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If our sin is grave then we deserve eternal punishment. Confession eliminates this eternal punishment. Confession also forgives the guilt of our smaller sins. However, just because we have been forgiven does not mean that our attachment to that sin is eliminated also. For example, if someone

confesses, with true sorrow, that they have been using foul language on a daily basis, then God will forgive them completely for all the times in the past that they have used foul language. However, this forgiveness does not necessarily mean that they have completely and totally broken the habit of sin. There is a good chance that, upon leaving the confessional, if they trip and fall down, they will be immediately tempted to use foul language. So what does this illustrate? It illustrates that we need not only forgiveness but also the grace to completely and totally detach ourselves from the habit of sin and the unhealthy attachment we have to sin. This is hard! It takes true conversion; but, this is the reason for an indulgence. The Church, specifically the Pope, has the authority on earth to unlock the storehouse of grace in Heaven and let the faithful know that if they perform certain acts of piety, faith, and devotion, they can be assured of the fact that God will pour down His graces upon them to help them enter more deeply into a complete detachment to all sin. So, for example, if someone spends at least a half an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament they can receive a plenary indulgence as long as they also go to Confession and Communion within seven days before or after and offer prayers for the intention of the Pope. When this is done, they receive a plenary (or full) indulgence. This means that every grace they need is available to them to completely detach from sin and to live in a perfect state of grace. Therefore, if they went to confession, received the indulgence, and fully opened their heart to this grace through their conversion and love, then, if they were to die at that moment, they would go straight to Heaven. The most important thing to understand is that indulgences are simply another way of receiving the outpouring of grace that our God wishes to bestow upon us! This grace is given specifically for the purpose of detaching from our tendency to sin. And, it is for certain, that every grace we are given from God is necessary and should be sought out and received with much anticipation and gratitude. https://mycatholic.life/catholic-question-and-answer/

Q: A:

PLEASE NOTE: The 10:30 am

Sunday Mass is the Family Mass.

Students from the school, religious education, and

youth group will hosts three of the

four weeks.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT

SCS VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

Sat, March 30 Holy Mass @ 4:30 pm

followed by Reception @ 5:30 pm in Parish Hall

DISCIPLESHIP

To empower a community of Christian people walking together as disciples of Jesus in

order to share His good news.

SAVE THESE DATES! ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA

FEAST DAY CELEBRATION Commemorating 146 years of Faith &

Celebrating 70th Anniversary of Our School

Friday, May 3, 2019 & Saturday, May 4, 2019

How can we grow closer to God and deepen our faith? Pray the Rosary, go to Mass often, read stories of the saints, study the Church’s teachings, participate in retreats and in Adoration, read the Scriptures (and daily reflections on the Scripture), set aside quiet time for personal prayer each day, etc. The more you are able to immerse yourself in these activities the better. Another essential way of deepening your faith is to grow in charity. Faith and charity go hand in hand; and one will strengthen the other. Small things make a big difference in our faith life. For example, look for opportunities to show love to others, to pause and simply smile at someone, or to say a kind and uplifting word, or why

not go out of your way to help someone. This could be simply opening the door for someone, helping someone with homework, cleaning up at home, etc. Our daily life presents us with numerous opportunities for charity. All we need to do is look for these opportunities, no matter how small they may be, and make the good choice to act on them. As we grow in faith, we don’t “feel” like we are growing. As a matter of fact, we may actually feel like God is not as near as before. This happens when we rely upon our feeling and emotions too much. For example, perhaps you have had the wonderful opportunity to go on an exciting and inspiring retreat. Retreats can give us a “spiritual high.” We can leave a retreat, sometimes, feeling closer to God than ever before. We can make new resolutions, be filled with joy, be excited by life and then, within a few weeks, we’re back to our old self looking forward to our next re-treat so that we can have that feeling again. All this is good. And retreats, including the spiritual high, are very helpful ways of growing in faith. But what we need to know, for the long term, is that feeling close to God is not the same as being close to God. Sometimes, God will take away our good spiritual feelings for a time so that He can help us strengthen our commitment to Him. It is primarily our commitment to Him that will deepen our faith. If we only fol-low Him because we feel like following Him, are we really committed? But if God takes away some of those initial good feelings and we remain just as committed as before, then we know that we are on the right path. In that case, we can be certain that our faith is being deepened. Pray much, learn your faith, try to live a life of charity and your faith will grow even if it doesn’t always feel that way. https://mycatholic.life/catholic-question-and-answer/

Q: A:

Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere.

CALLING ALL EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST & ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO

SERVE IN THIS MINISTRY

An additional date has been scheduled for this Mandatory Training If you did not attend the recent training

sessions you have one more chance to do so

THU, FEB 21 @ 7:30 PM in the Church

LET OUR ADORATION NEVER CEASE!

“The Church and the world have a great need for the Eucharist. Jesus awaits us in this Sacrament of love. Let us take the time to celebrate and contemplate the fullness of our faith.” -- Saint Pope John Paul II

• Select an hour or two on any Friday from noon to 5:00 PM • Sign-up on the schedule in the vestibule of the church on the

counter near the Msgr. Deans room-the Chapel on Fridays. • Preferably two at a time per hour for coverage and safety. • A minimum of five parishioners for an hour each week will pro-

vide complete coverage. • Come, sit, kneel, pray, and enjoy His presence..

JOIN HIM, WON’T YOU?

FEBRUARY 10, 2019 CONTRIBUTIONS

Sunday Collection $4,956.00 Maintenance $ 10.00 K of C December Crab Feed $ TBA

Thank you for your continued generosity!

REMEMBER ST. CATHERINE PARISH IN YOUR WILL & LIVING TRUST

PARISH STEWARDSHIP

SAT 2/16 4:30 Peggy Clemens † SUN 2/17 7:00 Int. Catherine Saeturn—Birthday 8:30 John De Vito † 10:30 Antonio Da Conceicao † 12:30 Int. St. Catherine of Siena Parish MON 2/18 8:00 Loretta Reposa † TUE 2/19 8:00 Laureano Rosete † WED 2/20 8:00 Int. St. Catherine of Siena School FRI 2/22 8:00 Antonio Da Conceicao † SAT 2/23 8:00 Ricky Banal † 4:30 Rose Delchini † SUN 2/24 7:00 Rudy Bautista † 8:30 Bratten & Swieszcz Families † 10:30 Noni de Bettencourt † 12:30 Int. St. Catherine of Siena Parish

INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Call the Parish Office for Mass intentions.

STEWARDSHIP

To create a culture in the parish rooted

in gratitude and generosity.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS—NEW & CONTINUING —

VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED DIOCESAN SAFE

ENVIRONMENT TRAINING. ALL VOLUNTEERS!

If you are new to ministry or have been involved but have NOT yet completed the REQUIRED Diocesan training, NOW is the time to get it done. VIRTUS training is available online at the Diocesan Website: https://www.oakdiocese.org/. Log on to complete this training today. Your completion will be recorded with the Diocese and accessible to the administrators at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

A LIVE TRAINING SESSION IS SCHEDULED TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT 6:30 PM

in the Parish Center library Please register online at the following link: https://www.virtusonline.org/mytraining/live_registration.cfm or email Karen Glen

at stcatherinebk@gmail.com for assistance.

St. Catherine Parish offers deepest sympathy and prayers for the family; and, the repose of the soul of

Alfredo Bautista

who entered eternal life.

Support

Our

School

See’s Easter Candy Fundraiser

March 20 through April 3 See a St. Catherine

student or call school

BOX TOP BLITZ! Help support St. Catherine School by

saving Box Tops. Now through Feb 28 put your trimmed Box Tops in plastic

bags and deposit on the vestibule counter in the rear of the church. Did you know that every Box Top is worth 10 cents? This is an easy way to earn money for the school. Every bit helps. Thanks.

YOU CAN HELP! “Feed the hungry,

Shelter the Homeless”

MOUNTAIN VIEW FAMILY SHELTER

St. Catherine Parish is scheduled to serve dinners at Mountain View Shelter from

TUE, MAR 26 to FRI, MAR 29 • PLAN one weekday dinner meal for approximately 30 family shelter residents • PURCHASE food for your meal. If reimbursement is desired, contact Anne Crisp at 925-787-0857 • PREPARE your meal either at home or at the shelter. A large kitchen is available. • PRESENT your meal at 6 PM, • SERVE dinner, VISIT with the residents, and assist

with clean-up chores. Please Volunteer! Team up with family & friends. Contact Anne: annecrisp@yahoo.com, 787-0857

S S . V P Thank you for your generosity! Your contributions are very much appreciated. There are many who need our help with food and supplies; and your donations make all the difference. Please remember to deposit

only non-perishable non-expired canned and/or boxed foods as well as personal care items such as toothpastes, toothbrushes, soaps, etc. into the barrels in the rear of the church. Lately, we are low on cake mixes and frostings since we are helping families celebrate birthdays. It is a joy to see a child’s face when they pick out their own flavor of cake. Come see for yourself! If you are interested in volunteering with SVdP, please call 925-788-7716.

B D C C L

Docents are Volunteer Educators who guide groups through the Cathedral. They facilitate dialogue that help visitors experience the his-

tory, art, architecture and beauty of the Cathedral; as a volunteer docent, you’ll be a vital part of the Cathedral’s mission “to know Christ better and make Him better known.” A O :

ctlcathedral.org/get-involved/bearers-of-light

¡UN REGALO PARA TI! Como muestra de nuestro amor y aprecio por su apoyo y amor, le ofrecemos una suscripción de FORMED valorada en $1,800.00 como re-galo de Navidad y Año Nuevo. FORMED es una revolucionaria plataforma digital biligual (en inglés y en español) que ofrece una gran

cantidad de información y entretenidas charlas de audio, libros electrónicos, futuras películas, documentales y programas de estudio basados en videos católicos confiables como Catholic Answers, Sophia Press, Knights of Columbus, Ignatius Press, Saint Paul Centre y más. Hay dos formas de usar FORMED. 1. Vaya a https://formed.org Ingrese el código de acceso: XPTJK8 . Ingrese su correo electrónico y cree una contraseña (la necesitará para iniciar sesión más adelante). 2. 2. Descargue la aplicación FORMED en su teléfono inteli-gente e inicie sesión con el código de acceso: XPTJK8.

Que Dios los bendiga a todos y a todos los que tu amas.

HOSPITALITY

To form a joyful family community that reaches out

and receives one another as

Christ reaches out and receives us.

AUCTION RAFFLE TICKET ORDER FORM Grand Prize: $1,000 . Second Prize: $500 . Third Prize: $250

I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER ______ BOOKS OF RAFFLE TICKETS COST $20 EACH BOOK = TOTAL ENCLOSED: $______

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL

NAME: ________________________________________ EMAIL: ________________________________________ PHONE: _______________________________________

YOU NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN. PLEASE TURN IN YOUR COM-PLETED TICKET STUBS TO THE ST. CATHERINE SCHOOL OFFICE BY FEB 18, 2019. TO SUBMIT THIS FORM, PLEASE CONTACT:

CARRIE GADEK 925-813-1217 CARRIEGADEK@ATT.NET CHANGAL WILBUR 510-377-2687 CHANTALWILBER@YAHOO.COM RONNIE SEDER 209-640-8606 RONNIEB2007@COMCAST.NET

PLEASE CLIP & INCLUDE WITH CHECK TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE

During Lent, beginning on Fri, Mar 8 at 6 PM in the Parish Hall, a simple soup supper is served to all

who attend. Stations of the Cross, the Last Seven Words of Christ, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament follows in the church at 7 PM. If you and/or your group want to prepare soup for one of these Fridays, please call and arrange with Bob Jimison @ 925-370-8369. Thanks.

SOUP

A GIFT FOR YOU! As a token of our love and appreciation for your support and love, we are offering you a subscription of FORMED valued at $1,800.00 as a Christmas and New Year gift. FORMED is a bilingual (English and Spanish) revolutionary

digital platform that offers a wealth of information and enter-taining Catholic audio talks, eBooks, feature films, documen-taries, and video-based study programs from trusted providers like Catholic Answers, Sophia Press, Knights of Columbus, Igna-tius Press, St. Paul Center, and more.

There are two ways you can use FORMED. 1. Go to https://formed.org Enter Access Code: XPTJK8 (case sensitive). Enter your email and create a password (you’ll need

this to login later.)

2. Download the FORMED App to your smartphone and login with Access Code: XPTJK8 May God bless you all and those you love.

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” —Leviticus 19:33-34

FINAL DAYS TO GET YOUR DINNER & RAFFLE TICKETS !

More than a union based on romantic love or mutual fulfillment, marriage goes back to the very essence of what it is to be human – and reflects a design placed in our hearts by God Himself. This feature can be enjoyed through the SCS Access: Go to internet explorer and click http://formed.org. enter code: XPTJK8 (case sensitive)

MARTINEZ MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE NEWEST EXHIBIT: “AMEN!”

Display open until March 1005 Escobar Street, Martinez

You will experience a meaningful display of some of the local Martinez churches

including St. Catherine. More info: www.martinezhistory.org

Week-at-a-glance dates, times, and locations are taken from the web site calendar: www.stcmtz.org. If further clarification is needed, please

contact the parish office at 925.228-2230 extension 0. Sunday, 2/17 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM PH Breakfast—SPRSI serves 2:00 PM CH Baptisms Monday, 2/18 St. Simon, pray for us. 8:30 AM PC Parish Office Closed—Holiday 6:30 PM PC Scripture Reflection with Clergy 7:00 PM PH Guadalupe Society Meeting Tuesday, 2/19 St. Belina, pray for us. 6:00 PM CH Choir Rehearsal 6:30 PM PCL Virtus Live Safe Environment Training 7:00 PM PH YLI Meeting 7:30 PM CH Spanish Choir Rehearsal Wednesday, 2/20 St. Wulfric, pray for us. 5:00 PM PH Children’s Choir Rehearsal 6:00 PM CH/SC Faith Formation PreK-8th Grades 6:15 PM PC 206 RCIA Meeting 6:30 PM PCL Legion of Mary Ministry Meeting Thursday, 2/21 St. Peter Damian, pray for us. 6:30 PM PCL ICF Meeting 6:30 PM PH Cub Scout Meeting 7:30 PM PH EME Mandatory Training Friday, 2/22 St. Peter, pray for us. The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle 12:00 PM CH Adoration 5:00 PM CH Benediction Saturday, 2/23 St. Polycarp, pray for us. 9:30 AM PCL SVdP Food Distribution 3:00 PM CH Reconciliation Sunday, 2/24 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 AM PH Hospitality—Acquistapace Family 2:00 PM CH Baptisms 3:00 PM PH Cub Scout Blue & Gold event set-up 3:45 PM PCL Confirmation Preparation Class 4:00 PM PH Cub Scout Blue & Gold event 6:00 PM PCL Youth Group

CH = Church RC = Rectory SC = School PH = Parish Hall YD = School Yard YS: Youth Shack PC = Parish Center PCL: Parish Center Library

WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE

FACILITIES

To assure that our Church and facilities testify to the greater

honor and glory of God.

What is the Magisterium? Jesus promised His disciples, before He ascended to Heaven, that the Holy Spirit, His Advocate, would come and lead us into all truth. He promised that He would be with us until the end of time. The Magisterium is one way this happens.

The reason we need the Magisterium is that Jesus, while on earth, did not (and could not) address every question of faith and every moral question that would arise in our minds and hearts. When we look around today at our world and our culture we find many new questions of faith and morality coming forward. For example, what sort of new medical technology is permitted? Is cloning okay? Is it okay for scientists to do research on embryonic stem cells? What about modern social issues that come up like gay marriage or so called “same sex civil unions?” Or regarding our faith, how do we reconcile our belief that God created the world with theories of evolution? These are all questions that were not directly addressed by Jesus. On one hand we can say, “No, Jesus did not address them.” But on the other hand we can say, “Yes, Jesus continues to address these ques-tions every day!” How do we say this? That is what the Magisterium is. The Magisterium is simply another way of saying that Jesus Himself, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is still alive and active in this world. Specifically, the Magisterium refers to the way that Jesus is alive and active in our world regarding all our contemporary questions that come up in the area of faith and morality. Jesus does answer the questions of evolution and crea-tion that scientists bring up. Jesus does answer moral questions about civil unions, cloning, embryonic stem cell research and much more. How does He do this? Through the Pope and the Bishops when they teach in union with the Pope. The Catholic Church believes that when the Pope, or the Pope with the Bishops, teaches something as true, it is indeed true. And, if we want to be in union with Jesus we must believe it! This is a way of Jesus helping us each and every day to sort through the many difficult questions that arise in our modern world. Jesus gives us the Pope and Bishops to guide us into what is true. When we believe this, stay in union with them and let them guide us, we are, in fact, letting Jesus Himself guide us. —https://mycatholic.life/

Q: A:

“Go up to the moun-tains, bring wood and

rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glori-fied,” says the Lord.

IGNITE FORMED MINI-SERIES Presence—The Mystery of the Eucharist

Movie Study Part Three of the Series Saturday, Apr 13, @ 5:30 to 8:00 PM

Parish Center Library. Pizza provided. Donations accepted. Explore the truth & beauty of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist from its origins.

“But, we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God has distributed to us.” —2 Corinthians 10:13

Forget the headlines for a blessed minute. Stop attending to pop-up dramas of breaking stories, and avert your eyes from news flashes that dazzle with the world’s misery and villainy. We know human nature like the back of our hands, because we know the contents of our own hearts: how petty we can be, how self-serving and critical. The difference between the evil geniuses of the globe and us is often a matter of reach and op-portunity, or one too many grievances that finally topple our humanity and make the descent to darkness all the more com-pelling. Resist self-righteousness! Today's readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26 “Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.”

Generations still seek a sign. But sometimes we look for signs in the wrong places. Jesus must still heave a sigh whenever we’re blind to the divine inklings all around us. When the brokenhearted take heart and the hard-hearted show some mercy—those are signs that God has gotten through. Let’s give God—and each other—the benefit of the doubt. Today's readings: Genesis 4:1-15, 25; Mark 8:11-13 (335). “The Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking Him for a sign from heaven, to test Him.”

Big floods tend to produce stories. Folks can recall much about the “flood of 2008 or 1996 or 1956 . . . .” People in biblical times had heard flood stories, too. But the flood Genesis described was the Big One, the flood to end all floods—almost. God was angry and decided all of creation was pretty much corrupt; and, the only solution was to wipe it all out. But in an almost human way God left the door open a crack. Noah got to be the ark that preserved a righteous few, including handy mat-ing pairs of all creatures in order to repopulate the earth once the waters receded. So God’s wrath was not final. There’s always the possibility of return to God, constantly offered. When the waters of despair, regret, and cynicism threaten to inundate you, remember there’s a dove on the way. Today's readings: Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; Mark 8:14-21 (336). “Then the Lord said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation.’ ”

Our journey toward health, wholeness, and conversion stretch-es across the span of our lives and, ironically, doesn’t prevent our deaths. But the more fully we embrace life and live in God’s Spirit, the less significant our deaths become. Dying is just part of the process toward life in Christ. For a time we will see as in a mirror—through a glass darkly. But if we follow Jesus’ instruc-tion of forgiveness and love, we will eventually see clearly—even with our eyes closed and even beyond our deaths. Today's readings: Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22; Mark 8:22-26 (337). “The man looked up and said, ‘I can see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ ”

Peter Damian was a Benedictine 11th-century monk who is frequently described as an austere and holy man. He loved the study of scripture and was extremely devoted to his monastic life. But his holiness and moral clarity brought him to the atten-tion of more than one pope and he often was called upon to settle contentious debates within the church. With great cour-age, Peter called the church to moral reform, confronting issues of simony (buying or selling of church jobs) and clerical abuse of power. Though he was never officially canonized, most people of his time considered him a saint and he was named a doctor of the church in 1828. Let him inspire your study and devotion today. Today's readings: Genesis 9:1-13; Mark 8:27-33 (338). “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

For a chair to get its own feast day, it’s got to be a pretty special chair. Today’s is just that, because Saint Peter himself, the very first pope, sat upon it. The relic in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a wooden throne, which Pope Benedict XVI described as a “symbol of the special mission of Peter and his successors to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity." Ponder that our Church’s leaders stand in a line going all the way back to the apostles, and pray for each one who holds this esteemed position. Today's readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19 (535). “Upon this rock I will build my church.”

We can be sure that the practice of venerating the relics of saints began very early in the Church. The first evidence for it comes from a letter dated around 150 A.D. concerning the martyrdom of Polycarp. The letter relates that following Polycarp’s execution the Romans refused the Christians his body, deciding rather to burn it. The Christians then gathered together his bones, Church fathers related, “being more pre-cious than the most exquisite jewels, and more purified than gold.” They put these bones in a place of distinction where they would gather together and revere them, especially on the anniversary of Polycarp’s martyrdom. Remember the sacrifices of Christian martyrs and give yourself wholeheartedly to a life of faith. Today's readings: Hebrews 11:1-7; Mark 9:2-13 (340).“They kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.”

An enemy is defined as someone who’s against you. The word springs from the Latin “inamicus”—literally, “not friend.” If someone’s not interested in being your amigo, why should you be amicable in return? While contrary to instinct, loving enemies is one of the hallmarks of following Jesus, who chooses to lay down His life even for the sake of those who are killing Him. Is it risky to open your arms to an enemy? Yes: see crucifixion, above. But if we refuse to love those who hate us, what makes us any different from those who hate? Today's readings: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthi-ans 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38 (81). “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

WED, FEB 20, 2019 It’s all part of the process

SUN, FEB 17, 2019: SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Good news in bad times

MON, FEB 18, 2019 Seek signs of mercy

TUE, FEB 19, 2019: Looks like rain SAT, FEB 23, 2019 MEMORIAL OF POLYCARP, BISHOP AND MARTYR Living memory

FRI, FEB 22, 2019: FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF PETER THE APOSTLE The chair has the floor

SUN, FEB 24, 2019: SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Love without distinction

READINGS & REFLECTIONS FOR THE WEEK THU, FEB 21, 2019: MEMORIAL OF PETER DAMIAN, BISH-OP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Courage to do what is right

Olvídate de los titulares por un bendito minuto. Deja de asistir a los dramas emergentes de historias de última hora y evita los destellos de noticias que deslumbran con la miseria y la villanía del mundo. Conocemos la naturaleza humana como la palma de nuestras manos, porque conocemos el contenido de nuestros propios corazones: cuán pequeños podemos ser, cuán egoístas y críticos somos. La diferencia entre los genios malvados del mundo y nosotros es a menudo un factor de alcance y oportun-idad, o una de las muchas quejas que finalmente derrocan a nuestra humanidad y hacen que el descenso a la oscuridad sea aún más convincente. ¡Resistid la justicia propia! Lecturas de hoy: Jeremías 17: 5-8; I Corintios I5: 12, 16-20; Lucas 6:17, 20-26 (78). "Bienaventurados ustedes que ahora lloran, porque se reirán".

Las generaciones siguen buscando una señal. Pero a veces buscamos señales en los lugares equivocados. Jesús todavía de-be tener un suspiro cuando estemos ciegos a los indicios divi-nos que nos rodean. Cuando el corazón quebrantado se anima y el corazón muestra algo de misericordia, esas son señales de que Dios ha superado. Demos a Dios, y unos a otros, el benefi-cio de la duda. Lecturas de hoy: Génesis 4: I-I5, 25; Marcos 8: 11-13 (335). “Los fariseos vinieron y comenzaron a discutir con Jesús, pidiéndole una señal del cielo, para probarlo.”

Grandes inundaciones tienden a producir historias. La gente puede recordar mucho sobre la "inundación de 2008 o 1996 o 1956 ..." Las personas en los tiempos bíblicos también habían escuchado historias de inundaciones. Pero la inundación que Génesis describió que fue la Gran inundación, la inundación para terminar con todas las inundaciones, casi. Dios estaba enojado y decidió que toda la creación era bastante corrupta y la única solución era acabar con todo. Pero de una manera casi humana, Dios dejó la puerta abierta un poco. Noé llegó a ser el arca que preservaba a unos pocos justos, incluyendo parejas de todas las criaturas para repoblar la tierra una vez que las aguas retrocedieran. Así que la ira de Dios no fue definitiva. Siempre existe la posibilidad de volver a Dios, constantemente ofrecido. Cuando las aguas de la desesperación, el arrepentimiento y el cinismo amenazan con inundarte, recuerda que hay una paloma en el camino. Lecturas de hoy: Génesis 6: 5-8; 7: 1-5, 10; Marcos 8: 14-21 (336). “Entonces el Señor le dijo a Noé: 'Ve al arca, tú y toda tu casa, porque he visto que solo tú eres justo delante de mí en esta generación. ""

Nuestro viaje hacia la salud, la integridad y la conversión se extiende a lo largo de nuestras vidas e, irónicamente, no evita nuestras muertes. Pero mientras más abrazamos la vida y vivi-mos en el Espíritu de Dios, menos significativas serán nuestras muertes. Morir es solo parte del proceso hacia la vida en Cris-to. Por un tiempo veremos como en un espejo, a través de un cristal oscuro. Pero si seguimos las instrucciones de perdón y amor de Jesús, eventualmente veremos claramente, incluso con los ojos cerrados y más allá de nuestras muertes. Lecturas de hoy: Génesis 8: 6-13, 20-22; Marcos 8: 22-26 (337). “El hombre levantó la vista y dijo: 'Puedo ver a la gente, pero se ven como árboles, caminando. ""

Peter Damian fue un monje benedictino del siglo XI que a menudo se describe como un hombre austero y santo. Le en-cantó el estudio de las Escrituras y fue extremadamente devoto a su vida monástica. Pero su santidad y claridad moral lo lleva-ron a la atención de más de un papa y él lo había llamado para resolver debates polémicos dentro de la iglesia. Con gran cora-je, Pedro llamó a la iglesia a la reforma moral, confrontando los problemas de la simonía (compra o venta de empleos de la igle-sia) y el abuso administrativo del poder. Aunque nunca fue can-onizado oficialmente, la mayoría de las personas de su tiempo lo consideraban un santo y fue nombrado doctor de la iglesia en 1828. Déjelo inspirar su estudio y devoción hoy. Lectura de hoy: Génesis 9: 1-13; Marca: 27-33 (338). “No estás pensando como Dios lo hace, sino como lo hacen los seres humanos”.

Para que una silla tenga su propio día festivo, tiene que ser una silla muy especial. Es solo eso, porque el mismo San Pedro, el primer papa, se sentó en él. La reliquia de la Basílica de San Pedro en la Ciudad del Vaticano es un trono de madera, que el Papa Benedicto XVI describió como un "símbolo de lo muy especial de Pedro y sus sucesores para atender el rebaño de Cristo, manteniéndolo unido en la fe y en la caridad". Los líderes de nuestra iglesia se colocan en una línea que se remon-ta hasta los apóstoles, y oran por cada uno de los que ocupan esta posición estimada. Lecturas de hoy: 1 Pedro 5: 1-4; Mateo 16: 13-19 (535). "Sobre esta roca edificaré mi iglesia".

Podemos estar seguros de que la práctica de venerar las reliq-uias de los santos comenzó muy temprano en la iglesia. La pri-mera evidencia de ello proviene de una carta fechada alrededor de 150 D.C. sobre el martirio de Policarpo. La carta relata que después de la ejecución de Policarpo, los romanos rechazaron a los cristianos su cuerpo, decidiendo más bien quemarlo. Luego los cristianos reunieron sus huesos, relacionados con los padres de la iglesia, "comienzan más preciosas que las joyas más ex-quisitas, y más purificadas que el oro". Pusieron estos huesos en un lugar de distinción donde se reunirían y los venerarían, espe-cialmente en el aniversario del Martirio de Policarpo. Recuerda los sacrificios de los mártires cristianos y entrégate de todo corazón a una vida de fe. Lecturas de hoy: Hebrewa II: I-7; Marcos 9: 2-13 (340). "Se guardaron el asunto para sí mismos, cuestionando qué signifi-caba resucitar de entre los muertos".

Un enemigo se define como alguien que te está agaistando. La palabra brota del latín "inamicus", literalmente, "no amigo". Si alguien no está interesado en ser tu amigo, ¿por qué deberías ser amigable a cambio? Si bien es contrario al instinto, amar a los enemigos es una de las características de seguir a Jesús, quien elige dar su vida incluso por aquellos que lo están matan-do. ¿Es arriesgado abrir tus brazos a un enemigo? Sí: ver la cru-cifixión, arriba. Pero si nos negamos a amar a quienes nos odi-an, ¿qué nos hace diferentes de los que odian? Lecturas de hoy: 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; I Corintios 15: 45-49; Lucas 6: 27-38 (81).“Ama a tus enemigos, haz el bien a los que te odian.”

20 FEB 2019 Todo es parte del proceso.

17 FEB 2019 SEXTO DOMINGO EN TIEMPO ORDINARIO Buenas noticias en los malos tiempos.

18 FEB 2019 Busquen señales de misericordia.

19 FEB 2019 Parece lluvia.

23F EB 2019 MEMORIAL DE POLICARPO, OBISPO, MARTYR Memoria viva

22 FEB 2019 FIESTA DE LA PRESIDENCIA DE PEDRO EL APÓSTOL La silla tiene su valor.

24 FEB 2019 SÉPTIMO DOMINGO EN EL TIEMPO OR-DINARIO Amor sin distinción.

Lecturas y Reflexiones de la Semana 21 FEB 2019 MEMORIAL DE PETER DAMIÁN, OBISPO, DOC-TOR DE LA IGLESIA Coraje para hacer lo correcto

$500 Donated toSt. Catherine ofSiena for every

completedtransaction

Chuck Barberini“JUST ASK CHUCK”

REALTOR - CalBRE #01324660

925-963-6606www.ChuckBarberini.com

chuck@chuckbarberini.com

If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert!24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY!

FREE Shipping

FREE Activation

NO Long Term Contracts

Solutions as Low as

$19.95a month

✔Ambulance✔Police ✔Fire✔Friends/Family

CALL NOW! 800.809.3352 GPS Tracking w/Fall DetectionNationwide, No Land Line Needed

EASY Set-up, NO Contract24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA

MDMedAlertSafe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide!

This Button SAVES Lives!As Shown GPS, Lowest Price Guaranteed!

Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.Support Your Church & Bulletin.

Free professional ad design & my help!email: kwiatkowskim@jspaluch.com

Call Marcy Kwiatkowski925.239.1401

www.jspaluch.com

Get this

weekly bulletin

delivered by

email - for FREE!Sign up here:

https://www.jspaluch.com/BulletinSubscribe.aspx

Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

913130 St Catherine of Siena Church

Muir Oaks Veterinary Hospital

1180 MuirRoad, Martinez

372-9200

Melody Herder-Jimison, D.V.M.

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-231-0805

Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and

connect with yourCatholic Community

with OneParish!

Download Our Free App or Visit

MY.ONEPARISH.COM

Come Sail Awayon a 7-night CatholicExotic Cruise startingas low as $1045 per couple

Brian or Sally, coordinators860.399.1785

an OfficialTravel Agencyof Apostleshipof the Sea-USA

CST 2117990-70

Thank you for advertising inour church bulletin.

I am patronizing your businessbecause of it!

Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad”and Present It The Next Time YouPatronize One of Our Advertisers

✂

2099 Reliez Valley Rd., Lafayette, CA 94549

925-935-3311www.oakmontmortuary.com

FD 875 COA 619

The Most Complete

Online National

Directory of

Catholic ParishesCheck It Out Today!

925-228-5242www.erniesplumbingandsewer.com

Lic# 802333Since 1965

Plumbing Trenchless Sewer ReplacementDrain Maintenance & Septic Service Water Heaters

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEKRedwood - Cyclone Fencing - Patio - Decking

Sells Everything to Build Everything!Sells Everything to Build Everything!

PPiinnoollee ((551100)) 772244--88775533 999900 SSaann PPaabblloo AAvvee..WWaallnnuutt CCrreeeekk ((992255)) 992277--44666622 22445500 CCaammiinnoo DDiiaabbllooBBuurrlliinnggaammee ((665500)) 440011--33550000 11441100 BBrrooaaddwwaayyCCoonnccoorrdd ((992255)) 668866--11773344 22223311 MMoonnuummeenntt BBllvvdd..

Connolly & Taylor Chapel

Serving the Martinez Catholic Community Since 1921Full Service Cremation & Burial

“Let’s Keep the Tradition”925.228.4700

www.connolly-taylorchapel.com4000 Alhambra Avenue | Martinez, CA FD 154