THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP

“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Mary is the perfect role model for living a stewardship lifestyle. She listened to God and said “yes” to His invitation to be the Holy Mother of His son. She also trusted in the God’s providence on a daily basis. As we start a new year, take time every day to listen to how God is calling you; trust that He has a

better plan for you than you could ever imagine.

This week’s Mass Collection: $ 14,593.87 Online Giving: $ 716.00

God bless you super abundantly for your generosity!

THE PRAYER CORNER For the sick: Lilia Ramirez, Peggy Godsil, Christine Banuelos, Lukas Arriaga

& Socorro Garcia

For the dead: Fr. Terry Fulton, Manny Gomez, Jose Rios, Joyce Terry, Carmelita Andrews, Ernest Martinez, Jr., Clarita Felix, Steven Iannone, Jim Welsh, David Mullins, Ed Cain, Gloria Concepcion, Gemma Moore, Mamerta Serrano, Maria Klein, Cathy O’Neil, Floyd Davis, Jayson Morelos, Beth Giraud, Jimmy Wong, Helen VanRuiten, Jerry Dill

For the military: Jonas Abad, Jr., Robert Harter, & Lester Paclibar

MAKE YOUR DONATION ONLINE When you give online, your gift will be transferred conveniently and securely from your bank or credit card account directly to the church. Access your account any time you like - you’re in complete control. Also, when you have set up your donation online, even when you’re on vacation, your weekly donation to the parish is taken care of. Call Al Llenos at (916) 647-4538 if you need help setting up your online ac-count OR go to our parish website www.smgcc.net. Thank you.

WALK FOR LIFE Come join us for the Walk for Life in San Fran-cisco this January 21, 2017. The Respect Life Ministry is taking bus reservations in the Narthex for those who will be going to the Walk for Life. Seating is $25 per person. There is some financial

assistance available for Youth and Seniors. Come out for the glory of God; pray and walk with us and proclaim the message of God’s LOVE and LIFE. For more information about the walk itself, see www.walkforlifewc.com .

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT EXAM FOR INCOMING FRESHMEN – SATURDAY, JANU-ARY 21, 2017 Eighth graders interested in attending CB in the 2017-18 school year are required to take the placement exam on Saturday, January 21 from 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Online applications are due on January 19, 2017. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information at (916) 733-3690 or visit the CB website at www.cbhs-sacramento.org.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY PEDIATRICS PEDIATRIC MEDICAL CENTER OF SACRAMENTO

7501 Hospital Drive, Suite 203 9291 Laguna Springs Drive, Suite A Sacramento, CA 95823 Elk Grove, CA 95758

Tel. (916) 681-1130 Tel. (916) 714-9777

www.sacramentovalleypediatric.com

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CORNER

CHILDREN’S COAT DRIVE

Please start getting those old children's coats together, or if you feel it in your heart to purchase new ones this winter season. We will be collecting them in designated barrels in the church. Thank you to those who have already donated. FOOD BANK DONATIONS

Thank you to those who have donated food throughout the year. Please continue to use the Elk Grove Food Bank barrels. Your gen-erosity makes a difference in the lives of needy families. JANUARY 14TH CRAB FEED DINNER TICKETS

Only a few tickets left! GOLF TOURNAMENT On April 29th The Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Golf Tournament Fundraiser to benefit cancer victims. Please contact Brother Sam Cole at (916)956-7777 or email at samcole3@msn.com

if you would like to help participate in planning and organizing. You do not have to be Knight to be part of this event. BASKETBALL FREE THROW CONTEST The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a basketball free throw contest for girls and boys 9-14 years old on January 22, 2017 (Sunday) at 2 PM at St. Paul's Church, Florin Road. Please sign up at the vestibule if interested. Questions? Please contact Bro. Sal Lira at (916) 895-1153. Thank you.

Phone: (916) 714-1155 Fax: (916) 405-3434 Email: audrey@cchhs.net www.CUSTOMCAREHHS.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES

Gabino Salazar Lic. # 122087

Home & Business Services

Specializing in Painting, Tile,

Crownmolding, etc., Free Estimates. Satisfaction Guaranteed

Telephone # 916-683-5982 Cell Phone # 916-224-8259

VALLEY ARBOR

CARE, INC. Tree trimming, removal, stump

grinding, planting, etc.

Mauricio: 916-685-0840 valleytreesvc@aol.com

CERTIFIED ARBORIST WE-6555A CONT#794178

8430 Elk Grove Florin Road Elk Grove, CA 95624-9450

Tel: (916) 689-0467

Fax: (916) 689-1147 Philhouse (916) 689-0930

GINELLE’S BAKERY

A Filipino-American Bakery Mon.-Sat. : 6 am—8 pm

Sunday: 6 am—6 pm 9015 Bruceville Rd. Suite 120

Elk Grove, CA 95758 (916) 627-2993 (916) 583-7376 Fax

www.ginellesbakery.com

Phone: (916) 714-1155 Fax: (916) 405-3434 Email: audrey@cchhs.net www.CUSTOMCAREHHS.com

8700 Bradshaw Road Elk Grove, CA 95624 (916) 647-4538 Tel (916) 647-4539 Fax

www.smgcc.net

Pastor: Fr. Mervin P. Concepcion Email: pastor@smgcc.net Pastor’s emergency ext. 208

Administration: Al Llenos - Business Manager admin@smgcc.net Religious Education: Sr. Concepcion Cambaya cff@smgcc.net Parish Pastoral Council: John Nguyen & Linda Dublin council-chair@smgcc.net Finance Council: Bill Klaproth finance-chair@smgcc.net

Liturgy: Pat & Ann Hanna liturgy@smgcc.net Stewardship: Erwin Jordan stewardship@smgcc.net Capital Campaign: Gil Albiani capital@smgcc.net

Parish Center & Office

"We, the People of St. Maria Goretti Parish are called by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God through prayer, praise, sacraments and education in order to build the church and share the message of love, justice, and forgiveness in service to all."

MISSION STATEMENT

Weekend Masses: Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m.

Weekday Masses: Monday & Tuesday 7:00 a.m. Wednesday & Friday 7:00 p.m.

(First Friday of the month, Holy Hour

& Benediction after 7:00pm Mass)

SACRAMENTS:

Reconciliation - Saturday at 3:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday by appointment only.

Baptism - Please call the office at (916) 647-4538 to obtain information, preparation of necessary documents before the date of baptism can be scheduled.

Marriage - Engaged couples must contact the office to setup an appointment with the pastor to begin preparation of necessary documents at least 6 months prior to the wedding date.

Anointing of the Sick/Communion

to the Sick & Homebound - Please call the office at (916) 647-4538 to receive the above sacraments.

LITURGICAL SCHEDULE

STEWARDSHIP PRAYER

Praised are you, O God, our loving creator

and giver of all good gifts. Bless our par-

ish, strengthen our faith, and grant us

the spirit of Christian stewardship so

that we may give generously of our time,

talent, and treasure in worship and

prayer, and in spreading Your kingdom

here in our Church and throughout the

world. This we ask through Jesus Christ,

Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit, one God

now and forever. Amen.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD - JANUARY 1, 2017

PARISH REGISTRATION AND CHANGE IN CONTACT INFO

We welcome new families to our Parish. Upon receipt of this form, we will mail you the parish registra-tion form to complete. You may place it in the offertory basket or mail to:

St. Maria Goretti Parish Center 8700 Bradshaw Road Elk Grove, CA 95624

Or you may fax it to

(916) 647-4539

01/01/2017

New to St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church Community Recently moved or changed phone number / email

Name: ____________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ Zip: ______________

Phone: ___________________ Email: ___________________________

Fill out and deposit in the Offertory Basket. Thank You!

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD January 1, 2017

"He was called Jesus"

Daily Quote from the early church fathers:

By Christ's faith, hope, and love we are purified, by Bede the Vener-

able, 672-735 A.D.

"He therefore received in the flesh the circumcision decreed by the law, although he appeared in the flesh absolutely without any blemish of pollution. He who came in the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3) - not in sinful flesh - did not turn away from the remedy by which sinful flesh was ordinarily made clean. Similarly, not because of necessity but for the sake of example, he also submitted to the water of baptism, by which he wanted the people of the new law of grace to be washed from the stain of sins... "The reason 'the child who was born to us, the son who was given to us ' (Isaiah 9:6), received the name Jesus (that is, 'Savior') does not need explanation in order to be understood by us, but we need eager and vigilant zeal so that we too may be saved by sharing in his name. In-deed, we read how the angel interprets the name of Jesus: 'He will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). And without a doubt we believe and hope that the one who saves us from sins is not failing to save us also from the corruptions which happen because of sins, and from death itself, as the psalmist testifies when he says, 'Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases' (Psalm 103:3). Indeed, with the pardoning of all of our iniquities, all our diseases will be com-pletely healed when, with the appearance of the glory of the resurrec-tion, our last enemy, death, will be destroyed... We read that circumci-sion was done with knives made of rock (Joshua 5:2), and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). And by Christ's faith, hope and love the hearts of the good are purified not only in baptism but furthermore in every devout action. This daily circumcision of ours (that is, the contin-ual cleansing of our heart) does not cease from always celebrating the sacrament of the eighth day. (excerpt from HOMILIES ON THE GOS-

PELS 1.11)

taken from dailyscripture.net

Reflection: Like the shepherds, we wish to remember the incarnation event “glorifying and praising God” and with Mary we “keep these things, reflecting on them in our hearts.” Like Mary, we must assume a con-templative stance toward God’s marvelous deeds of salvation. God revealed the divine will and plan to Mary for her part in the plan of salvation; she responded with a yes that she contemplated throughout her life. Christmas reveals God’s will for our salvation and asks of us our contemplative yes. When we wish each other “Happy New Year” as Christians, we are really wishing each other a grace-filled year of responding to God’s revelation and a year of contemplating what we have seen and heard so that we can come to understand life with more depth and insight. May our “Happy New Year” be a pledge to, like the shepherds and Mary, embrace in joy and peace God’s presence to us and in us. (Living Liturgy, p.32)

Vincentian Meditation: “Give me a man of prayer and he will be capable of anything. He may say with the apostle, ‘I can do all things in him who strength-

ens me.” –St. Vincent de Paul- (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p.

110)http://new.svdpusa.org/members/ProgramsTools/Tools/Spiritu

alityFormation/Vincentian-Reflections

Scripture: Luke 2:16-21 Meditation: What's the significance of a name? For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not ac-knowledge someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name

expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish male child was named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people (Genesis 17:10-12). It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his posterity.

Jesus - the eternal Son of God who was born of a woman to become our Savior In fulfilment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). This name signifies Jesus' identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins and free us from death, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son became a man to offer up his life as the atoning sacrifice to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The son that Mary bore is both God and man - the "Word who was God" (John 1:1) and who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). That is why Mary is not only called the mother of the Christ (the Greek word for Messiah in Hebrew) but also the mother of God or Theotokos in Greek which literally means "God bearer."

Jesus - the name above every other name In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring us grace (the gift of God's favor), mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apos-tle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).

The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on their lips, the name of Jesus. Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his name? "Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name. For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross. Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your greater glory."

Psalm 67 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, [Selah] 2 that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. [Selah] 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. 7 God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sun. Jan 1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (Holy Day of Obligation) 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Mass 9:00 a.m. NO CFF Classes 1:15 p.m. NO CFF Classes Mon. Jan 2 OFFICE CLOSED 7:00 a.m. Mass 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice, 8 a.m. Choir Tue. Jan 3 7:00 a.m. Rosary/Mass 5:00 p.m. Choir Practice, 12 Noon Choir Wed. Jan 4 6:30 p.m. Rosary/Perpetual Help Novena and Mass 5:30 p.m. CFF Classes Thurs. Jan 5 5:00 p.m. Choir Practice, 5 p.m. Choir 6:00 p.m. Choir Practice, 10 a.m. Choir 7:00 p.m. RCIA Fri. Jan 6 5:00 p.m. Children’s Choir Practice 6:30 p.m. Rosary / Mass Sat. Jan 7 3:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:00 p.m. Mass

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK 2017: JANUARY 8 - 14 National Migration Week 2017 occurs January 8–14 with the theme, "Creating a culture of encounter," which offers an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants,

including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme also draws attention to Pope Fran-cis' call to create a culture of encounter, and to look beyond our own needs and wants to those of others around us.

In the homily given at his first Pentecost as pope, he emphasized the importance of encounter in the Christian faith: "For me this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others."

With respect to migrants, too often in our contemporary culture we fail to encounter them as persons, and instead look at them as others. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious of their intentions. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as children of God who are worthy of our atten-tion and support.

Learn more about the services and programs available through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and find parish re-sources at the link below as we pause and reflect on National Migra-tion Week.

Visit the website of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops for prayer and policy resources at http://www.usccb.org/about/

migration-and-refugee-services/national-migration-week/index.cfm

PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND, A Once in a Lifetime Experience. Join Fr. Mervin Concepcion for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. For more information, you may contact: Patty and Ron Suter (916) 916-835-1458; psuter1@frontiernet.net;

ronsuter@frontiernet.net , or Fr. Mervin Concepcion at (916) 647 4538 or email at pastor@smgcc.net.

Good Shepherd Parish present - LIVING YOUR FAITH Join Sister Anne Shields as she Inspires us in Practical ways to Live our Catholic Faith in our Daily Lives. JANUARY 13TH & 14TH, Friday, Evening 7 - 8:30 PM, Saturday, Morning 11 AM - 3 PM.

GRIEF SUPPORT SESSIONS St.Joseph's Ministry of Consolation (St. Joseph Catholic Church, Elk Grove) will be offering seven weekly grief support sessions on Mondays begin-ning, January 9 until February 20th. We are pre-sent for those grieving the loss of a loved one or

other significant loss in one's life. This ministry takes place in the context of faith, and is caring, supportive, and compassionate. We will be meeting in the Renwald Room from 6:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. ,. For more information, please contact Marilyn Petruska at 685-3207 or Mary Ellen Trapp at 893-8863.

PRAYER FOR A BLESSING ON THE NEW YEAR O sacred and adorable Trinity, hear our prayers on behalf of our holy Father the Pope, our Bishops, our clergy, and for all that are in authority over us. Bless, we beseech Thee, during the coming year, the whole Catholic Church; convert heretics and unbelievers; soften the hearts of sinners so that they may return to Thy friendship; give prosperity to our country and peace among the nations of the world; pour down Thy bless-ings upon our friends, relatives, and acquaintances, and upon our ene-mies, if we have any; assist the poor and the sick; have pity on the souls of those whom this year has taken from us; and do Thou be merciful to those who during the coming year will be summoned before Thy judg-ment seat. May all our actions be preceded by Thy inspirations and car-ried on by Thy assistance, so that all our prayers and works, having been begun in Thee, may likewise be ended through Thee. Amen.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY January 18 - 25, 2017 Jesus prayed for his disciples that they would be one. In light of our Lord's desire for unity among his people we join together as the North State Ecumenical Conference (NSEC) and Diocese of Sacramento.

EVENTS FOR WEDNESDAY - January 18, 2017

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Workshop

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1300 N Street, Sacramento, CA

5:00 PM - Dinner (followed by Procession at 6:30)

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament 1017 11th Street, Sacramento, CA

7:00 PM - Worship Service

St. John's Lutheran Church 1701 L Street, Sacramento, CA

For more info. at - http://www.nsec.org/WPCU2017Registration.php Or Contact Al Llenos - admin@smgcc.net - (916) 647-4538

(Registration, Workshop and Dinner are FREE!)

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

January 1, Sunday, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Num 6:22-27; Ps 67:1-8; Gal 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

January 2, Monday, Memorial of Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops and doctors 1 John 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; John 1:19-28

January 3, Tuesday, The Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 John 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-12; John 20:1-8

January 4, Wednesday, Memorial of Elizabeth Ann Seton (Americas) 1 John 3:7-10; Ps 98:1-9; John 1:35-42

January 5, Thursday, Memorial of John Neumann (Americas), Vigil of Solemnity of Epiphany. 1 John 3:11-21; Ps 100:1-5; John 1:43-51

January 6, Friday, Solemnity of Epiphany Isa 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-13; Eph 3:1-6; Matt 2:1-12

January 7, Saturday Optional memorial of Raymond of Penya-fort, priest 1 John 3:22-4:6; Ps 2:7-12; Matt 4:12-25