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Polidoro da Lanciano, Holy Family with an AngelDear Faith Family of Our Lady of Grace, Praised be Jesus Christ…now and forever!
Growing up my family would start the decora ng a few days before Christmas and I was in charge of the na vity scene. Each year I would try to see if I could get different materials for the scene to be different so that meant a trip to the Flower District in Downtown LA. My dad’s side of the family would always come over on Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day was reserved for my mom’s side of the family. The days a er Christmas were marked with le overs, fi g-uring out some of the new toys or games, and just hoping the break would not end. These holiday memories always had and have a big footprint, even now during the pandemic. That is why I wonder about placing the feast of the Holy Family between them. Won’t family be put into the shade, even if the shopping and decora ng have to be curtailed this year, if people adhere to Covid-19 cau ons. How can we make room for Holy Family Sunday, red or not, curtailed or not? May-be by looking at what we would miss if we ignored this feast, especially the Gospel.
First, what this “feast” for? The Presenta on in the Temple, portrayed in our Gospel, will be celebrated on February 2nd, using the same Gospel reading. Thus the “historical” significance of this event is reiterated later when it can have full significance. It is as if the Church has something besides chronology in mind when it puts this reading right a er Christ-mas. What would that be? The spiritual content of this Mass.
1. This Sunday contains one of the few descrip ons of the Holy Family in all scripture. Their appearance here empha-sizes how important family care is for children and for all human beings. Mary and Joseph seem hesitant but have exquisite care for the baby Jesus.
2. Look at the important words of Simeon, which interpret the Na vity for us, though they may not seem to: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,
according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salva on,
which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revela on to the Gen les,
and glory for your people Israel.
Obviously, these words refer to the baby born just a few days ago, these words underline the Christmas story. The child brings peace; he is a fulfillment of the Lord’s word that a Messiah would come; he is an entrance of the Word into the whole world, not just to part of it: he is sent to Gen les as well as to Israel; he is a revela on, and he is a glory. Don’t we need this kind of interpreta on? Why ignore it?
3. There is not only Simeon, but also Anna. We are told she had done Advent fas ng and prayer in the temple un l she was 84 years old! At last, poignantly, she begins to speak about the child, addressing everyone who had been awai ng redemp on. Isn’t she a symbol of the Advent we have just been through: pa ent wai ng and learning?
These are only three of the quiet beau es found in the Gospel this Sunday. They celebrate family, they bring out spiritual quali es of the birth of Our Lord.
What if we let this Sunday quietly unpack Christmas and our lives for us?
Christmas Blessings!
Querida Familia de Fe,
Alabado sea Jesucristo... ¡ahora y para siempre!
Como niño mi familia me pedía que les ayudara a decorar el Belén unos días antes de Navidad. Cada año intentaba ver si podía conseguir diferentes materiales para que la escena fuera diferente, así que eso significaba un viaje al Distrito de las Flores en el centro de Los Ángeles. El lado de mi padre de la familia siempre venía en la cena de Nochebuena y el día de Navidad estaba reservado para el lado de mi mamá de la familia. Los días después de Navidad estaban marcados con so-bras, averiguando algunos de los nuevos juguetes o juegos, y con la esperanza de que el descanso no terminara. Estos recuerdos de vacaciones siempre tuvieron y enen una gran huella, incluso ahora durante la pandemia. Por eso me
pregunto por colocar la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia entre ellos. No se pondrá a la familia a la sombra, incluso si las compras y la decoración enen que ser recortadas este año, si la gente se adhiere a Covid-19 precauciones. ¿Cómo podemos hacer espacio para el Domingo de Sagrada Familia, cansado o no, restringido o no? Tal vez mirando lo que extrañaríamos si igno-ramos esta fiesta, especialmente el Evangelio.
Primero, ¿para qué es esta "fiesta"? La Presentación en el Templo, retratada en nuestro Evangelio, se celebrará el 2 de fe-brero, u lizando la misma lectura evangélica. Por lo tanto, el significado "histórico" de este evento se reitera más adelante cuando puede tener plena importancia. Es como si la Iglesia tenga algo más que la cronología en mente cuando pone esta lectura justo después de Navidad. ¿Qué sería eso? El contenido espiritual de esta Misa.
1. Este domingo con ene una de las pocas descripciones de la Sagrada Familia en todas las Escrituras. Su apariencia aquí enfa za lo importante que es el cuidado familiar para los niños y para todos los seres humanos. María y José parecen vac-ilantes, pero enen un cuidado exquisito por el niño Jesús.
2. Mira las palabras importantes de Simeón, que interpretan la Na vidad por nosotros, aunque no parezcan: Ahora, Maestro, puedes dejar ir a tu servidor en paz,
según su palabra,
porque mis ojos han visto tu salvación,
que preparaste a la vista de todos los pueblos, una luz para la revelación a los gen les, y gloria para su pueblo Israel.
Obviamente, estas palabras se refieren al bebé nacido hace unos días, estas palabras subrayan la historia de Navidad. El niño trae paz; él es el cumplimiento de la palabra del Señor de que un Mesías vendría; él es una entrada de la Palabra en todo el mundo, no sólo a parte de ella: es enviado a los gen les, así como a Israel; él es una revelación, y él es una gloria. ¿No necesitamos este po de interpretación? ¿Por qué ignorarlo?
3.No sólo está Simeón, sino también Anna. ¡Se nos dice que había hecho ayuno y oración de Adviento en el templo hasta los 84 años! Por fin, conmovedoramente, comienza a hablar sobre el niño, dirigiéndose a todos los que habían estado es-perando la redención. ¿No es un símbolo del Adviento por el que acabamos de pasar: la espera y el aprender a ser pa-cientes?
Estas son sólo tres de las bellezas que se encuentran en el Evangelio este domingo. Celebran a la familia, reparten las cuali-dades espirituales del nacimiento de Nuestro Señor.
¿Y si dejamos que este domingo desempaquete silenciosamente la Navidad y nuestras vidas por nosotros?
¡Bendiciones de Navidad!
As we continue to Celebrate the 75 years of Grace throughout the upcoming year, Our Lady of Grace faith community is invited to walk together in our faith journeys and
let Mother Teresa's words of wisdom help shape us in our own faith formation. Please pick up your free copy of the Dynamic Catholic book titled, “Do Something Beautiful for God”. Follow us on Flocknotes and Social Media for a year long of faith
formation based on the daily reflections of this book.
A lo largo del próximo año continuamos celebrando los 75 años de Gracia en nuestra parroquia. Le invitamos a que juntos caminemos con las palabras de sabiduría de la Madre Teresa para moldearnos en
nuestra propia formación de fe.
Recoja su copia gratuita del libro, "Haz algo hermoso para Dios". Síguanos en Flocknotes y Redes Sociales durante un año de formación de fe basada en las reflexiones diarias de este libro.
The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace.—Mother Teresa
Top Picture is the very first class of students that received the Sacrament of Confirma on at Our Lady of Grace in 1948.
Bo om picture shows an image of two dogs. Perhaps pets of the friars?
Top picture is the very first sign of Our Lady of Grace School. The pictures below show the material that was going to be used to begin the construc on.
Events & Engagements at Our Lady of Grace School
Now AccepƟng ApplicaƟons for the 2021-2022 School Year for Preschool - Grade 8: Do you have a child not currently at OLG whom you would like to enroll for the 2021-2022 school year? The new student applica on packets are available in the school office for pick up during school hours, or packets may be downloaded from the “Who We Are” sec on of our school website. Please let your interested friends and family members know these materials are available for them. Thank you.
New Preschool Program: Did you know that our parish school now has a PRESCHOOL program serving our community? Licensed for 15 students, our program is off to a GREAT start. Space is available for immediate start. Call the school office for more details at 818-344-4126, ext 331.
Lions Emergency Community Fund: There are many in our community who have been severely impacted with reduced hours at work or even lay-offs as a result of the COVID-19 virus and the na onwide response. Our development office is spearheading a special campaign called Lions Emergency Community FUND to help OLG families whose lives have been turned upside down literally overnight. This campaign will seek to provide immediate and temporary tui on relief and funds for basic needs like groceries and rent. So many in our community are blessed, and I would ask those who can to please give generously to this fund. If you would like to make an immediate gi , checks may be made payable to Our Lady of Grace School with a note in the memo line that reads, “Lions Emergency Community Fund.”
Parish Center & Prayer Garden Schedule
Please take note that our Parish Office and
Prayer Garden will be closed from
Thursday, December 24, 2020 through
Monday, January 4, 2021
Daily Mass times will remain the same at
8am Monday-Saturday. Our office will resume to our regular
business hours on
Monday, January 4th 2021.
Our Lady of
Grace Parish Staff wishes you and your families a Blessed
Christmas Season and Happy New Year!!!
Poinsettia's in Honor and Memory of:
(we apologize if we have inadvertently missed any names)Felix Davy Annette Davy Jerome Davy Sany Rosado Patrick Lawlor Esther Pavlovid Phil Foster Ravol Armendariz Marilou Aguirre Meselino M. Rodriguez Jackie Carabantes Mildred Elmo Salvatore Elmo Lorraine Morgese Frances Bytron Lorraine Zaff Jane Hughes Linda Morillo Roy Lainez Anses Joseph
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Fabre Boyadjian Family Fabre Family Margaret Guinard Lucie Boyadjian Juan Rosales Victor Manuel M. Antonia Rosales Ivonne Najera Clarence Eisenreich Gladys Eisenreich Don Piccolo Virginia Piccolo Tony Piccolo William R. Wallman Josephine Coltrata Harou Ueyama Gregory Higgins Sakamoto Family Lucia Matias George Pdegracz Ildefonso Delen Norma Dixon Bonnie Cooley Jean Cramer Eva Munier Michael Munier, Sr. Michael Munier, Jr. Anna Joseph Anses Joseph, Sr. Ernest Joseph
Mr. & Mrs. William Noctor David Chavarria
Mrs. Vincent Ebert Walter & Cecelia Moran Anelino Lantin Irene Lantin Joven Junio Gloria Casas Maximino Siapustco Ella Cavin Lucian Ernest
Nazarena DeStefano Palma Liboria Pomposo
Eulogia Salmeron Pomposo Evelyn Barachina
Marie Woods Homer Woods
Manuel Eduordo Carillo Maria C. Escobedo Ramon Hurtado Electerio Gurrala Mr. & Mrs. Jim Salgado Mr. & Mrs. Jose G. Lopez Mrs. Vincent Ebert Maggie Chavarria Bennie Najar Wayne Summa Alex & Lucy Chavarria Marjorie Pike
Patricia Ubersax Victoria Wilson
William & Mary Jane Riethmiller Jean Arrighi
Eva Bengar Grace Cihanowyz Geraldine Cronin Patrick Dehne Jean Louis Deleznne Ruth Doxsee
William Ford III Kathleen Getchius Stanley Houlberg Karol Howard Eufemia Jacon Michael Kriste Ann Lynch
Mary Ann McGaughney Christopher Morneau Judy Morrissey Patricia Pomposo Cecilia Villines Michelle Vitalie Kirk Theresa Woods Jose Cadenas Joseph Gillespie Jason Kendziera Valerie Klein Gene Lew Lucia Maldonado Ann Mata Giovanni Negron Robert Slater Mathew Sophos Roger Walton
Mass Schedule /
Horario de Misas
Sunday / Domingo:
8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00 am (Spanish)
Saturday / Sabado:
8:00 am and 4:00 pm (Vigil Mass)
Weekdays: / Misa Matutina:
8:00 am (Parish Center)
Eucharistic Adoration /
Adoracion Eucaristica
Every Friday:
Exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament
after 8:00 am Mass
(Parish Center Courtyard)
Sacrament of Penance /
Confesiones
(Christmas & Lent times may change)
Friday: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Contact the Parish Center to
arrange for:
Baptism ♦ Marriages ♦ Visits to the Sick
♦ Religious Education
♦ New Parishioner Registrations
For updates please follow any of these links listed below /Para actualizaciones de nuestra parroquia síganos en cualquiera de estos enlaces a con nuación:
Flocknotes: Text OLGRACE to 84576 Facebook @ OurLadyOfGraceEncino
Instagram @ olgencino
Youtube @ OurLadyofGraceEncino
• For Faith Direct dona ons please go to hƩps://
membership.faithdirect.net/CA771
• Text to Give to 818-351-2632
Feast of the most Holy Family First Reading: SIR 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm: PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5. Second Reading: COL 3:12-21
Gospel: LK 2:22-40
Daily Mass Readings
Lecturas de la Semana
Monday, December 28, 2020 First: 1 JN 1:5—2:2 Psalm: PS 124:2-3, 4-5, 7CD-8 Gospel: MT 2:13-18 Tuesday, December 29, 2020: First: 1 JN 2:3-11 Psalm: PS 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 5B-6 Gospel: LK 2:22-35 Wednesday, December 30, 2020: First: 1 JN 2:12-17 Psalm: PS 96:7-8A, 8B-9, 10 Gospel: LK 2:36-40 Thursday, December 31, 2020 First: 1 JN 2:18-21 Psalm: PS 96:1-2, 11-12, 13 Gospel: JN 1:1-18 Friday, January 1, 2020 First: NM 6:22-27 Second: GAL 4:4-7Psalm: Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Gospel: LK 2:16-21 Saturday, January 2, 2020 First: 1 Jn 2:22-28 Psalm: 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Gospel: Jn 1:19-28