Thanks to all who walked or supported walkers in the Hunger Walk.  Please don't forget to visit the FAM website and learn about ways you can further support this important local ministry during the holiday season at http://www.family-assistance.org/  or call 949-492-8477. 

The Annual Thanksgiving Feast will be held at the San Clemente Community Center on November 24th.   You can volunteer to bring food items for the feast or help with the serving.  If you have a junior high student looking for service hours, this is a great opportunity for them to serve others. 

If you are interested in adopting a family for the holidays, you can contact Family Assistance Ministries or visit http://www.brightfutures4kids.org/adopt_2010/adopt.php, to get the name of a family to support during the holidays.

Parents of Student Preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Please make sure you read the flyer sent home by Miss Nelson carefully and mark your calendars for the dates of upcoming Faith Forum meetings and the January 24th and February 14th sessions that will assist you in preparing your child for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  Please note carefully the family option for First Eucharist which is different from past years.  Further explanations and information about all the particulars of the actual parish celebration of these two sacraments will be shared with you at the parent sessions.

Counting the days...
Advent begins in just three weeks.  With all the preparations for Thanksgiving Day, it's easy for the season of Advent to sneak up on us.  Yet, this time of preparation is important.  It's a time for us to get ready to more fully celebrate God who came to us as one of us and who continues to be present to us.  Here are two ways your parish would like to help you and your loved ones prepare for the birth of our Lord:

 Advent Wreath Gathering & Blessing
On Sunday, November 28, we will light the first of four candles on our parish Advent wreath.  At 10am, parish families are invited to assemble their own Advent wreaths to take home and continue the celebration of the season.  All materials including candle will be available here at church.  The gathering will conclude prior to the 11 am Mass with a blessing of the wreaths.  This is for EVERYONE!!  Families with children, couples, singles etc.  Six children are needed to participate in the blessing ritual.  Contact Caylin Wade at caylinandgary@cox.net  if you would like to volunteer. Suggested wreath donation: $5

Prepare for Christmas in just six minutes a day
The "Little Blue Book" for the season of Advent will be available for every parish household on the weekend of November 27 & 28, the First Sunday of Advent.  Offering a brief daily prayer and reflection for each day of Advent, this book is one in the very popular series of "Little Books" from the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan.  It's simple, yet engaging, and will help you pray scripture and learn more about Catholic traditions, practices, and customs.  The book is yours to take and keep; if you'd like to defray its cost, the suggested donation is $1 per copy.  There will be no special collection of these donations; simply add it to your regular Sunday offering.