24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 837-1090; FAX (949) 837-9510; www.st-nicholaschurch.org

School of Religious Education: (949) 837-7676

Our Parish Mission Statement St. Nicholas Parish is a Catholic community, celebrating our faith

through the Sacraments, Liturgy, Prayer and Service. We strive to nurture family life and to create one body out of many in the Lord.

We share the Good News with people of all ages, cultures and faith backgrounds.

BAPTISM English: Fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM. Spanish: Third Saturday of the month at 11AM Vietnamese: Second Sunday of the month at at 2PM.

MARRIAGE Arrangements must begin at least six months in advance with a priest of the parish.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call Parish Office in an emergency. Special Service celebrated in fall/spring as announced.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS At the death of a family member, please call the Parish Office at your earliest convenience to plan for the Mass of Christian Burial.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION DAY 24-hour adoration begins the second Wednesday of the month at the 9:00AM Mass.

DEVOTIONS & BENEDICTION Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM; Vietnamese—2nd Wednesday of the month at 8PM. Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Benediction.

CLERGY

Pastor Rev. George P. Blais Parochial Vicar Rev. Quyen Truong Visiting Priest Rev. Msgr. John Campbell Visiting Priest Rev. Gerald Walker Visiting Priest Rev. Brendan Hankins Visiting Priest Rev. Jack Sewell Visiting Priest Rev. Chin Dang Deacon Wayne Thompson Deacon Chau Tran Deacon Gerardo De Santos

MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 4:00PM, 7:00PM in Spanish Sunday: 7:30AM, 9:00AM, 10:45AM, 12:30PM, and 5:00PM in Vietnamese. Monday through Friday: 7:00AM and 9:00AM Saturday: 9AM

Filipino Mass: 5:30PM, First Saturdays, October-June. Holy Days: 4PM Vigil, 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 6PM and 7:30PM in Vietnamese

RECONCILIATION (Confession) Saturday: 9:45AM to 10:15AM and 3:00PM to 3:45PM or by appointment.

Parish Office Hours: Sunday: 8:30 AM—1:30 PM Monday through Friday: 9 AM—12 Noon; 1 PM — 7:00 PM;

Saturday: 9 AM—12 Noon

St. Nicholas Parish

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Stewardship of Treasure

2018 2017 52-Weekly Required Budget

March 18 $20,376.05 $20,120.12 $25,856.00 Due to an early bulletin deadline, collection information for March 25th will be in a future bulletin.

Dear Parishioners, A warm welcome to all of our parishioners and visitors on this Easter Sunday. “He is risen Alleluia!” “It is true; Alleluia, Alleluia!” These two phrases are ancient greetings of the early Christian community in the days after the resurrection. They are still used by many of the Eastern Rite and Orthodox Catholics today. When they meet one another, these words of greeting really express the great joy of the Easter season and this greeting takes place throughout the 50 days of Easter. Today we celebrate with great joy the gift of our salvation that we receive through the birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus marks the event when Jesus opens the graves of all and welcomes believers into eternal life. As we have completed our days of Lent, we look forward with great joy at God’s love for us that is revealed in and through Jesus. These days of the Easter season give us the opportunity to be grateful for the gift of our salvation. During the Easter season, our first readings on Sundays are all from the Acts of the Apostles. They are a history of the early church and remind us of how the early church was formed. I pray that throughout this Easter season, we may realize that God loves us and invites us to journey through this life with our thoughts and sights on eternal life with Him. On behalf of myself, Fr. Quyen, our Deacons and parish staff, I wish a blessed Easter day and Easter season to all of our parishioners and visitors of St. Nicholas.

Fr. George

Pastoral Services Appeal 2018

Thank you to all who have already participated in this year’s PSA. If you did not receive information about the PSA in the mail, there are brochures and pledge

envelopes available in the Church or in the Parish Office.

Once we reach our diocesan goal of $111,000, all monies over that amount will be returned

to St. Nicholas to help pay for the parking lot project.

We will have an update on our progress after Easter!

For parishioner and visitor convenience, extra Easter envelopes are available in the pews for Easter Offerings.

Easter Lily Donations…

Thank you to all the Parishioners who donated Easter Lily plants to help decorate the Church for Easter. We appreciate your generosity!

NEXT Sunday, April 8th, the Knights of Columbus

are hosting a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

after the 7:30am, 9am and 10:45am Masses. This is a major fund-raising event for the Knights of

Columbus and we welcome your patronage. Come enjoy breakfast with your family and friends!

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Monday: 7AM Michael Andera (d) 9AM Carl Fox Tuesday: 7AM Fr. Juan Caboboy 9AM Funeral Mass for Joseph De Grace Wednesday: 7AM John Patrick Healey (d) 9AM Andre Thimens (d) Thursday: 7AM Arthur John Schmieder (d) 9AM Freddie Mendoza (d) Friday: 7AM John E. Burke (d) 9AM Joan Hays Schaffer (d) Saturday: 9AM All Relatives and Friends 4PM Alexander Kessels (d) 7PM Gracia de la Torre (d) Sunday: 7:30AM For the Parish 9:00AM Kimberly Kouri (d) 10:45AM Diane del Prete (d) 12:30PM Alice Papsidero (d)

Parish Calendar This Week

MONDAY Sewing Group, Small Hall, 8AM Spanish Rosary, Church, 6:30PM TUESDAY CCW Tea Party Committee, Room B, 10AM Spanish RCIA, Room C, 5:30PM St. Nicholas Chorale, Small Hall, 7:15PM WEDNESDAY Charismatic Prayer Group, Room A, 9:45AM Knights of Columbus, Room 101, 6PM Devotions and Benediction, Church, 7PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 7PM Filipino Choir, Small Hall, 8PM THURSDAY Faith Alive—Faith Sharing, Room A, 9:45AM Hispanic Council, Room C, 6:30PM RCIA, Parish Center—2nd Floor, 7PM FRIDAY Book Study-”In His Spirit”, Room 201-Parish Center, 9:45AM SATURDAY First Saturday Devotions, Room B, 9:30AM Adult Confirmation Preparation, Room C, 10AM Tea Party—Council of Catholic Women, Parish Center, 12PM Hispanic Choir, Room C, 4PM SUNDAY Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast, Parish Center, after the 7:30AM, 9AM and 10:45AM Masses. Library is closed.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen. Psalm 118: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. (1) Second Reading: Colossians 3:1-4 All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven. Or (2) Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Christ our Passover is sacrificed; therefore let us celebrate. Gospel: John 20:1-9 Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb.

We Remember

All of Our Beloved Dead who entered their new and eternal lives in Christ.

Grant to all our dearly departed, eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on them forever.

The St. Nicholas Library...

The Library is open the 1st & 3rd Sundays of the month, 8:45am—12:45pm. We are CLOSED on Easter, April 1st.

We are located in Room C, behind the Parish Office. Freebie Cart: Rosaries, prayer cards and more!

Wordnet Productions presents “The Word in the World” — week of April 1st: “Struck by God: Resurrection” — Fr. Mike...

Challenges us to take the risk—-and the joy—of believing in our Risen Savior, Jesus.

TCT (Direct TV-377) - now on Sundays, 4am–-record it!! (TCT is on Channel 205 in Laguna Woods Village.)

Or go to www.wordnet.tv—Program Archives, or YouTube: Wordnet Productions Channel.

Please note:

The Parish Office will be open Easter morning from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

School of Religious Education

Check us out on Facebook!

We hope that everyone has a joyous and Happy Easter! Enjoy the next week off. We’ll resume Bible Study on

Tuesday, April 10th at 6pm in the Youth Ministry Room and Confirmation II Class will meet on Tuesday, April 17th.

Also in April

Bible Studies: April 10, 17, 24 at 7pm in the Youth Ministry Room.

Pizza and Movie: Friday, April 13th in the Youth Ministry Room. Title of movie and meeting time to be announced.

Homeless Shelter Dinner: We’ll take dinner to the shelter in Laguna Beach. More information to be announced.

Teen/Family Mass on Saturday, April 28th. Choir Rehearsals on Thursdays, April 12 and 26 at 7:30pm in the Choir Loft.

EASTER BREAK...this week! There will be NO classes on Monday through

Wednesday, April 2-4. Classes resume on Monday, April 9. Confirmation I & Jr. High will meet on Tuesday, April 10.

The SRE Office will be closed on Monday, April 2nd and open on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 3rd and 4th.

Easter Blessings to all!!!

INFORMATION for Parents of First Communicants: There will be a parent meeting on Wednesday, April 18

at 7pm in rooms 201-204 in the Parish Center. One Parent or guardian must attend.

REMINDER to Confirmation Candidates: Priest interviews start on Monday, April 9. If you haven’t

called to make an appointment with the parish Priests, call SRE, 837-7676, ASAP—that means NOW!

CRS Rice Bowl

We’ve changed lives this Lent, thanks to those who participated in the CRS Rice Bowl!

If you have been participating in the Rice Bowl program for Lent, please be sure to turn them into the SRE Office

during the week of April 1st or before. You may also turn them into the Parish Office.

Thank you for participating in this worthwhile endeavor!

Oktoberfest and Irish Festival News The annual Oktoberfest and Irish Festivals are always

great fun and are important fundraisers for our School of Religious Education. We greatly appreciate those who have donated their time to help at these events! Several volunteers are needed to help with the organization and management of future Oktoberfest and Irish Festivals.

Specifically, 3 people are needed for the following: To schedule/supervise workers to decorate the Parish

Center on the morning of the events and to un-decorate in the evening at the end of the event.

To schedule and supervise workers to set up the stage, dance floor and beverage booth before the events and to break down and put away these same items at the end of the event. Also, to purchase and pick up some supplies.

To schedule workers for ticket, raffle and beverage sales on the day of the events, and to supervise these areas during the events.

If you are willing to volunteer in any of these three areas, or if you would like additional information, please call

Chuck Wieser at 949-240-0242.

Scholarship Opportunity

The Knights of Columbus are offering a $500 scholarship (tuition assistance) to a member of the parish attending a Catholic High School during the 2018-19 school year. The application and additional information are available on-line from the St. Nicholas Parish website: https://st-nicholaschurch.org, or from the SRE Office. Look for Knights of Columbus under “Ministries,” and open to find “HS Scholarship App.” Submit your completed application to the Parish Office or the SRE Office before May 1st.

Day of Retreat for Young Women

Want to learn more about living your Catholic faith as a young (ages 18-38) single woman in today’s culture?

Janua Caeli is for you! Janua Caeli Retreat Day is on April 21st from 8am to 5:30pm.

All meals provided — suggested donation $20.00; some lodging available.

Theme: “Fullness of Grace: How to Receive an Overabundance of God’s Gifts.”

Retreat Master: Rev. Quan Tran, Priest, Diocese of Orange, and founder of Fullness of Grace, a Ministry

aimed at helping Catholics and other Christians grow in their spiritual life. This one-day retreat includes talks, confession

and opportunities for one-on-one spiritual guidance, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass and the Divine Office prayed

with the Dominican Nuns, and more! For information/registration: www.opnunsmenlo.org or via email to Sr. Joseph

Marie, O.P., at vocations@opnunsmenlo.org

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Council of Catholic Women General Meeting on Friday, April 13th

Our speaker will be Al DiNicola, a member of the guild promoting the

beatification of Fr. Vincent R. Capodano. Social time starts at 9:30am and

the meeting begins at 10:10am in the Parish Center. Please bring your coin donations for “Water for

Life,” can tabs for Ronald McDonald House, pasta/sauce for Caterina’s Club.

Questions: Call Lynn at 949-830-2920

HELP WANTED!

Volunteers are needed to help in the cleaning of the Church. We clean on the first Tuesday after the 9AM Mass.

If you can contribute an hour or two of your time, it would be appreciated! We also need a few strong men!!

Our next church cleaning is Tuesday, April 3rd. Call: Phoebe at 949-855-9263 with any questions.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Monday: Monday within the Octave of Easter Tuesday: Tuesday within the Octave of Easter Wednesday: Wednesday within the Octave of Easter Thursday: Thursday within the Octave of Easter Friday: Friday within the Octave of Easter; First Friday; Julian Calendar Good Friday Saturday: Saturday within the Octave of Easter; First Saturday

PARISH OFFICE STAFF

Parish Liturgical Secretary: Cate Wolski Business Manager: Irma Contreras Receptionist/Records: Karen Falagrady Ministry to Sick & Homebound: Barbara Price Director, Youth Ministry: Gwen Wieser Director, Religious Education: Gwen Wieser SRE Secretary/Admin Assistant: Alfonso Lopez Music Ministry: Emett Loera Plant Supervisor: Steve Burton

SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (949) 837-7676 VIETNAMESE MINISTRIES: (949) 837-1090, Ext. 116 Sr. ThuHuong Nguyen, LHC (949) 837-1090, Ext. 137

Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

Spring 2018 Session—Beginning: Week of Apr. 21-26 Sat: 11am, Sun: 1:30pm, Wed: 7:00pm or Thurs: 9:15am

These classes, offered at St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, are given over a 10-week period, will greatly

intensify your spiritual life and your desire to go to Heaven.

St. Peter Chanel Church, 12001 E. 214th St., Hawaiian Gardens.

This program and all materials are FREE. Donations are accepted. Meetings are 2 to 2.5 hours. Register:

www.spcomv.com, or call 562-924-7591.

The St. Nicholas Senior Singles...

are gathering for lunch on Friday, April 20th at

The 19th Hole, 24122 Moulton Parkway, in Laguna Woods.

Reservations are REQUIRED. RSVP: Joan at 949-855-8755.

New members are invited and welcome! Friendship with the love of God in our hearts!

Are YOU called to be a SISTER? Come and see April 20-22.

Single Catholic Women ages 18-40 are invited to a Religious Vocation Discernment Weekend Retreat with the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Los Altos Hills — Need a ride from L.A.? Reserve a place in the carpool!!

Walk with us...talk with us...pray with us...ask your questions. Come and experience our life of prayer, community and service.

For Information: Sr. Lisa Laguna, D.C.— 605-949-8890 or 213-210-9903, or by email srllaguna@doc1633.org.

REGISTER ONLINE: Daughters-of-Charity.com/retreats/

South County Outreach

We thank the Parishioners of St. Nicholas Church for your donations of food items to

South County Outreach. Your non-perishable food items are most appreciated.

Our most needed items are: Peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, pasta (penne, bow tie, shells),

pasta sauce (all flavors), all Chef Boyardee (all sizes), canned tuna or chicken, canned soups, canned chili, cereal and cereal bars, oatmeal, canned fruit, canned

corn and other canned vegetables. NO FROZEN OR REFRIGERATED ITEMS!

You may place your donations in the barrels outside the Church on weekends.

THANK YOU!

April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

TODAY—EASTER SUNDAY, April 1

7:30AM Mass—with Cantor 9:00AM Mass—with Choir 10:45AM Mass—with Choir 12:30PM Mass—with Cantor 5:00PM Mass—Vietnamese

Baptism Preparation Team

I am looking to enhance our Baptism preparation procedures. Currently, we have one dedicated parishioner who has been preparing our parents and God-parents to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. I would like to have a larger team; therefore, I am requesting for any interested parishioners to contact me if you would be interested in assisting in developing a Baptismal preparation procedure, or being part of this important team to prepare our parents and God-parents on the meaning and gift of this sacrament which welcomes new members to our Catholic family. If you have been part of a Baptism preparation team either at St. Nicholas or at another parish, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me so that we can begin our discussion and planning to expand this very important ministry in the life of the Church.

Fr. George P. Blais

JOB OPENING...at St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas Parish has an opening for a part-time Bulletin Editor and Liturgical/Administrative

Secretary for the Parish.

High School or college degree, with similar job-related experience required. Proficiency in

computer skills, including Microsoft Office software, and Publisher.

Needs to meet deadlines and work cohesively with Parish departments and ministry leaders.

If interested, please provide resume and information to:

Fr. George P. Blais at the Parish Office, or email to: info@st-nicholaschurch.org

Would YOU

like to serve God as an Altar Server?

If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server, pick up a Registration Form

in the SRE Office. Qualifications: Must be in 5th grade or higher;

received First Communion; registered in SRE classes; able to serve at one of the parish

Masses as scheduled; able to attend training sessions. Return your completed form to the

SRE Office, Attention: Fr. Quyen.

Attention Parishioners

We are STILL in cold/flu season, and we ask that those that are ill, refrain from coming to Mass.

It is not a sin to miss Mass if you are sick! Please do not be offended

if other parishioners do not offer their hand during the Sign of Peace or at the Our Father.

Thank you for your compassion!

Sunday, April 8th is Divine Mercy Sunday

Parishioners are invited to celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Nicholas Church on Sunday, April 8th at 3PM.

This is a very special Sunday when the Divine Floodgates from Heaven are wide-opened and Jesus

offers us the total forgiveness of all sins and punishment to any soul, who goes to Confession and

receives Him in Holy Communion, on that day.