The First 90 Days!
It doesn't seem possible that I have been working as Pastoral Associate at Holy Family for almost three months! Time has gone by so quickly, especially because each day is completely different, bringing its own particular set of joys and challenges. I love being here in this warm, extraordinarily hospitable and open parish. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming...thank you for making me feel part of the family so quickly.

Many people have asked how I spend my time! Here in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the role of Pastoral Associate is to act as a "generalist" and to support the life and development of the parish spiritually and organizationally. What this translates into is that I do a lot of different things! To give you a sampling of what I do, some of my activities include chairing the Solar Energy and Centennial Committees, coordinating the Offertory Program, and participating in the Finance Council, Parish Council, Voluntarism Study Group and the Strategic Planning Committee, as well as a number of other committees. I spend time with our staff supporting them in their work. I have visited some of our homebound elderly and sick, attended a number of school functions, given several blessings, preached, and called Bingo and sold snow cones at the Parish Fiesta (lots of fun!!!). I have met with quite a few parishioners or chatted with them on the phone.

Life is busy and challenging, and I am enjoying it enormously. Thank you to Monsignor Connolly, Fr. Niall, Fr. Jose, Connie and all of our staff, ministry leaders, volunteers and parishioners for having made my first 90 days so rewarding and energizing!

Cambria Smith
Pastoral Associate

The Advent Wreath -
Significance, Symbolism and Sharing
The holidays are a time of faith, family, gifts and of course delightful decorations. Along with the greenery of the season, one familiar yet distinctive decoration is the Advent wreath. This lovely symbol of the Advent season is more than just a decoration of greenery, flowers and candles; it has a significance that underlies the entire meaning of the season, our belief in the coming Messiah.

This significance explains its prominence in the Church. The wreath is placed in a visible location, usually near the altar or lectern. Week after week, families will gather around the wreath and lead the assembly in prayer. This visible participation by church members with the entire assembly, not before or after Mass but as an integral part at the beginning of the Mass, heightens our awareness of the coming Messiah into the life of the Church.

The wreath begins with the evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life; laurel signifying victory over persecution and suffering; pine, holly and yew - immortality; cedar - strength and healing; pinecones, nuts, and pods - life and resurrection. The circular structure of the wreath symbolizes an eternity, the everlasting life which the Messiah promises our souls.

Within the wreath are four candles representing the four weeks of the Advent season. There are three purple candles, symbolizing expectation - prayer, penance and preparation for the coming Messiah and one rose candle, traditionally lit on the third Sunday, also known as Gaudete Sunday (Latin for rejoice), symbolizing joy and hope.

From the first week of Advent, where one candle is lit, to the fourth week, where all four are lit, the progression of time is revealed in seeing all four candles, each with its differing length. The lighting of each candle over time symbolizes the increasing anticipation and hope of the coming Messiah, the Light of the world.

Holy Family invites you and your family to be a part of the lighting of the wreath each Sunday, even if you are not up on the altar physically lighting the candle, you can pray along with the family who does so and reflect upon the coming celebration of the Messiah's birth. Consider having a wreath at home, as well, so that everyday during Advent you can reflect on our Lord's coming into the world, not just once on Christmas day but today and everyday.

If you and your family would like to be a part of sharing the Light with the community of the Holy Family Church, please contact Dodie at 626-403-6143 or dmreifer@holyfamily.org.

 

Reaching Out
to Women of Faith
A new ministry has been formed called The Women's Connection. The hope is to reach out to women of all ages and provide a forum for their concerns as women, sisters, wives, partners, mothers, aunts and grandmothers, as great grandmothers, students, workers and keepers of the faith.

The ministry is for women, by women. The chair is Carlotta DeFrancisco and the leadership team members are Laurie Amaya, Faith Dymek, Mary Hannon, Jennifer Hess-Pearson, Nancy Lawrence, Diane Sternal and Anne Yee. Frank Ponnet is the staff liaison.

The first event is a Lenten Retreat for Women with Joyce Rupp: Discovering Your Hidden Treasures on Sunday, March 1, 2009. Ms. Rupp will do a book signing from noon to 12:45 p.m. The retreat will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

The retreat will include prayer, time for quiet reflection and sharing in small groups. Most of all, the retreat will be about recognizing, accepting and celebrating the marvelous human beings we are and deepening our relationship with the One who has called us into being.

Joyce Rupp is a member of the Servants of Mary community; she is a nationally known author on women's spirituality and a recognized retreat leader. Many of her books are in the Holy Family Bookstore.

Invitations and registration for the retreat will be soon and registration is limited. For more information or to provide suggestions on future topics, etc., contact Carlotta DeFrancisco, Chair, at wsc@holyfamily.org.