My dear friends in Christ, This is our final preparation week for the celebration of Christmas! Are you still with us? What sort of things have you experi-enced during this journey? What are the challenges that you have encountered during this time? These reflection questions are very critical and very important. As I said before we can be weighed down by many forces during these weeks of preparation and we can end up crawling towards the finish line without any more strength and the spirit to get there. During the last two Sundays, we have been hearing the voice of John the Baptist challenging us to repent and to prepare the way for the Lord. This seems to be a very difficult reality considering the personality of John. His appearance is somewhat re-ceived with some sarcasm or cynicism. He was filthy and with tattered clothes. He was coming out from the wilderness with a message from God. At first people were questioning who he was. In fact the authorities asked him, “Who are you?” Those who finally listened were saved and those who didn’t went astray. John’s mission was certain and his message was clear. John’s message and the message of Advent is about the Good News, Jesus Christ! In the gospel today, the angel appeared to Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Through her a son will be born to “save his people.” The prophet Isaiah in the first reading today foretold this plan of salvation, ”Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmauel”. I would like to share with you this story that I believe will help us understand the meaning of Christmas. It was Christmas time! The parish priest of a middle class community received a visit from his parishioners. They came in one by one in different boxes with colorful wrappings and ribbons. A son of a bakery owner handed him a package, to which the priest said, “Ah, I know what’s inside even without opening the box!” And smelling it, he said: “These are chocolate cakes.” A gift from a meat shop owner was given, and the priest said: “I know its contents.” Smelling again, he remarked: “these are my favorite homemade sausages.” Then came a present from a wine store owner, and the priest said: “I’m sure I know again what is inside! It’s wine! He sniffed the box, but he couldn’t figure out the scent. It didn’t smell like wine. So he shook it but couldn’t hear the bottles changing. Then some fluid gushed out from the box, and he tasted it….again….then again! It didn’t taste like wine. Very much intrigued, he opened the package and there inside the box was puppy. God sent us a gift this Christmas. We cannot presume to know its value unless we open our hearts to receive it with gratitude. Gift giving my friends should not be converted into a game of guessing, but an occasion of appreciating. The gift within eve-ry gift is the opportunity to discover-----not only the content, but the sacrifice of the giver. May you celebrate this Christmas with peace, joy and love! Christmas is not just a beautiful memory that we simply remem-ber. Rather, it marks the fullness of the love of God to us that we should always be kept alive in our hearts and lives. Psalm 24 invites us, “Let the Lord enter!” For those who won’t be here on Christmas day, A MERRY CHRISTMAS! In peace and gratitude, Fr. Geoffrey

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2013

They shall name him Emmanuel, Which means “God is with us.”

— Matthew 1:23

MASS INTENTIONS December 21, 2013 - December 28, 2013

Saturday, December 21 5:00 pm + Ramon La Torre

Sunday, December 22 8:00 am + Nicasio Estacio 10:00 am + Rosalina Cabardo 12:00 pm Spe.Int. - Jason Cachola 6:00 pm For the People Monday, December 23 5:30 am - Simbang Gabi 8:00 am Spe.Int. - Mary Yip Tuesday, December 24 5:30 am - Simbang Gabi 8:00 am + Vincent & Mary Nguyen 5:00 pm 8:00 pm 12 midnight Wednesday, December 25 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm NO 6:00 pm MASS Thursday, December 26 8:00 am + Consolacion Mayuga Friday, December 27 8:00 am + Pureza Juan Saturday, December 28 8:00 am Spe.Int. - Jesus Carpio 5:00 pm For the People

Please pray for the sick… Ester Acda, Johnny Ang, Saturnino Angeles, Reynaldo Antonio, Susana Aquino, Alma Arreglado, Rachel Austria, Gay Badillo, Cecilia Barrera, Francisco Barrera, Victoria Bantugan, Epifania Bundang, Franklin Calub, Jr., Gold Cantolino, Maria Castro, Cuadras, Aurea Dacanay, Ofelia de Guzman, Theresa De Rivera, Bert Dimaano, Ange-les Dingcong, Bernardo Dingcong, Roberto Dingcong, Theresa Diola, Ramona Dizon, Alice De Loyola, Fely de Jesus, Albert Doble, Cezar Domingo, Elpidio Dorotheo, Edilberta Enriquez, Enrique Escalante, Juanita Estrellas, Mina Fernando, Emerita Fulinar, Leticia Garces, Lenie Gutierez, Linda Hernandez, Rosario Ilustre, Reynaldo Joachico, Erlinda Kasilag, Francesca Kelsey, Tessie Lacandazon, Mori Lacson, Gregorio Lintao, Sr., Arthur Macapagal, Lisa Mananquil, Ruth Marquez, Theresa Martinez, Saturnina Mayo, Janet McCulley, Zeny Mesa, Vic-tor Montoya, Florentina Morales, Roquita Padua, Esperanza Paz, Marlen, Peralta, Orlando Peralta, Benita Quin-tong, Cora Ragasa, Lita Raposas, Oliver Rasul, Elaine Resurreccion, Leo Reyes, Felix & Marcie Rivas, Char-maine Rivera, Eufenia Rivera, Anita Sacdalan, Epifania Santos, Bill Sarati, Fe Segundo, Jose Segundo, Virginia Sosongco, Joseph Thompson, Leonard Torres, Deity Trocino, Emmeline Velayo, Pio Verdan, Lydia Villacorta, Delfin Villaflor, Joe Yumang, Milad Zayat.

*Please call the parish office @510-471-7766, if you have someone to add or delete to the Sick List.

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — You will be given this sign: The vir-gin shall conceive and bear a son (Isaiah 7:10-14). Psalm — Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory (Psalm 24). Second Reading — God has called us to belong to Je-sus Christ (Romans 1:1-7). Gospel — The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-24). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Wednesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25]

Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Thursday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab,16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Friday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5;

St. Anne School of Faith Formation (Grades 1- 8)

R E M I N D E R CHRISTMAS BREAK - December 23 to January 2

NO CLASSES – School is closed. Classes resume Monday, January 6, 2014 WE WISH ALL A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS

and BLESSED NEW YEAR 2014 !!

ST ANNE SCHOOL OF FAITH FORMATION

CCD Children’s Stewardship Envelopes Bailey Medeiros: I helped set the table. Jonathan Daluz: Treasure Giving $5.00. Francis: Treasure Giving $1.00. Aaliyah Ramirez: I I helped my Mom sort out homework for her students. Tyler: I made sure my brother & sister didn’t fight. Kristin: I folded the clothes. Elysia Delgadillo: I helped my Aunt with the Christmas tree. Noah Leguidleguid: I fixed the Christmas tree & donated $.80¢. Daniel: I asked my parents if I could play after I did my homework. Elijah Ramirez: I put away my sister’s books. Leah Banquil: Treasure giving $2.00. Lawrence Camat: I helped with cleaning. Brihanna Cabanag: I massaged my Mommy’s back. Emil Mendoza: Treasure giving $3.00. Sean Tamayo: Helped fix my Mom’s bed & donated $1.00. Ashley: Took care of my cousins.

St. Anne Youth Ministry St. Anne Youth Ministry is on winter break for the remainder of the calendar year. The next Youth Ministry meeting will be Monday, January 13, 2014! Los Angeles Catholic Youth Day Payments are now being accepted for any high school student or young adult who would like to attend the annual Los Angeles Catholic Youth Rally scheduled March 12-15, 2014. This is an OUTSTANDING way to experience the Young Church of Today on a larger level…over 20,000 young people participate in Youth Day every year. We have 22 spots available. If you’d like more information about the trip, please email the Youth Ministry Office at stayouthminis-try@sbcglobal.net

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS “SERVING OUR CHURCH, COMMUNITY & COUNTRY.”

Merry Christmas to all the Knights and St. Anne Pa-rishioners.

December 16 to 24, 5:30 AM. Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses) Knights will usher and help at the Parish hall.

January 12 – 1:30 PM. Third Degree Exemplification at Holy Spirit Church in Fremont.

January 18 – Knights Choir sings at 5:00 PM mass.

January 25 – 12:00 PM Walk for Life, San Francisco

For information contact: Roland Nimis, Grand Knight

RNimis@yahoo.com or 510-487-8232

THE PARISH OFFICES

WILL BE CLOSED

DECEMBER 25 & 26, 2013

CHRISTMAS A young mother, her eyes shining with fatigue, who is arranging her hair; a father who finds himself alone with his pretty wife and baby, straightening the stable to make himself useful in some way; shepherds who bring cheese and perhaps also some curdled milk; sheep who look at their shepherds while bleating; a donkey who is eyeing his manger changed into a cradle; an adorable swaddled baby whom one calls Sav-ior, Christ and Lord: This is the manifestation of the goodness and the tenderness of God. This is the most fantastic birth in the history of humanity, the one which changed the face of the world! This is how far God humbled and compromised himself with us! This is Emmanuel!

—From God’s Word Is Our Joy, Vol. 1 by Lucien Deiss, CSSp, copyright © 1998, World Library Publications. p. 73

Sunday, December 22, 2013 THIS WEEK AT ST. ANNE Monday, December 23 5:30 & 8:00 am 9:00 am - Wedding Anniversary, CH 9:30 am - Legion of Mary, CR #103 7:30 pm - Lectors, CH Tuesday, December 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 am - Simbang Gabi 8:00 am - Mass 5:00 pm - Children’s Christmas Mass 8:00 pm - Mass 12:00 - Midnight Mass Wednesday, December 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 pm NO 6:00 PM MASS Thursday, December 26 8:00 am - Mass, CH 7:30 pm - Lopez Choir, CH 7:30 pm - KofC Squires, CR #104 7:30 pm - Unity Choir, CR #106 Friday, December 27 8:00 am - Mass, CH 10:00 am - Lectio Divina, CR #103 6:00 pm - Legion of Mary, CR #103 7:00 pm - Divine Mercy, CR #104 7:30 pm - Concert, CH 7:30 pm - Fit Club, SH Saturday, December 28 8:00 am & 5:00 pm Mass, CH 9:00 am - Lectio Divina, CR #104 10:00 am - Individual User, CR #103 11:00 am - Individual User, SH 6:15 pm - Charismatics, CR #104 7:00 pm - El Shaddai, CH Sunday, December 29 8:00 & 10:00 am, 12:00, 6:00 pm- MASS, CH 11:00 am - Indonesian Community, CR #102 1:00 pm - Children’s Choir, CR #103 1:30 pm - Polish Community, CH & #104 7:30 pm - Divine Mercy, CH 7:30 pm - Fit Club, SH

FINANCE CORNER Weekly Collection Goals Immaculate Conception - December 9, 2013

$1,697.41

Interested in knowing more about the Catholic faith?

Are you an adult who… is interested in being baptized Catholic? �� was baptized in another Christian tradition and

would like to explore what being Catholic is all about?

�� was baptized Catholic as a child, but has not cele-brated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eu-charist?

If you answered yes to any of the above, please con-sider joining our ongoing Inquiry sessions for chance to ask questions, learn more about us and about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process by which adults join the Church. No commitment re-quired. For more information, call the parish office at 510-471-7766 or email:

stanneadultfaithformation@gmail.com

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: St. John of Kanty Tuesday: Vigil of Christmas Wednesday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Thursday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins; Boxing Day (Canada) Friday: St. John Saturday: The Holy Innocents

EMMANUEL To name someone or something means that we have a relationship with that entity. Family names identify us with our heritage; nicknames denote familiarity or a special bond. In the Old Testament, the meaning of a name ran deep. It identified one’s mission, even one’s very being. The amazing name “Emmanuel” was first uttered by Isaiah as he described to the frightened King Ahaz the prom-ised one who would come to redeem the people. Emmanuel is not a frightening philosophical name, such as Omnipotent, Omniscient, Almighty. It does not connote distance and tran-scendence. It does not generate reverential fear. The name Emmanuel implies closeness and intimacy and compassion. Emmanuel is the name given to the one who is coming. It means “God is with us.” God is entrusted to the care of a virgin, who will bear this child. Only God would be so com-passionate to draw so near, to be so available and vulnerable. Only God could love this well.

Copyright © J.S. Paluch Co.