PARISH NEWS

CELL PHONES

Remember to leave all cell phones in your car or turn off all audible alarms when entering the church. Thank you.

Dress Guidelines for Mass

Out of respect for Our Lord and your neighbor, it is requested that men and women, boys and girls, dress modestly. Please avoid short shorts, tank tops, halters, bare midriffs, tight-fitting clothes, etc. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

NOTE FROM PASTOR

Join us on Facebook. Our Facebook Group: All Souls Young Adult Ministry

Are You Being Called To Become
A Deacon?

There will be an information meeting for all men who are interested in finding out more about becoming a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Members of the Archdiocesan Diaconate Formation Office will be there to explain the role of the deacon in the Church, the diaconate formation program, and answer questions that you might have. Men must be between the ages of 30 and 60 years to enter the diaconate formation program. Your wife is strongly encouraged to attend with you and feel free to invite your pastor as well. If you have any questions about these upcoming meetings, please call the Diaconate Formation Office at (213) 637-7383. If you want to be first make yourself servant of all. (Mt. 20:27) Diaconate Formation Office Archdiocese of Los Angeles 3424 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90010 (213) 637-7383

School Dual Immersion Program

School Dual Immersion Language Program: Please Keep All Souls School In Your Prayers! The Goal is to re-open for the 2012-2013 school year as a “Dual Language Immersion” School Mandarin / English Spanish / English Message from the Principal . . . Dear friends and parishioners, The All Souls School Principal and Board Members wish to express our deep gratitude to all the parishioners that attended and to the parish ministries for their beautiful banners and signs, as well as their loving support and sponsorship of the food sales during our Open House last Sunday! School Office Open 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. M-F 626-282-5695 www.ascschool.org

L.A. diocese opens bilingual schools:

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/05/3677718/bilingual.html

Special Blessing for Infants

Presentation and Special Blessing for Infants will be done on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month during the 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon mass. Please call the parish office.

LEGION OF MARY

COME AND JOIN THE LEGION OF MARY Every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Teachers’ Lounge or Hall Conference Room.

HOLY WATER

As many of you know, our Holy Water dispenser in the Church was broken beyond repair. We understand the need of the Holy Water in our community and so we have purchased holy water containers that will be available to you at the Parish Center front office. You can bring empty bottles to the office and they will be refilled.

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE PRIESTHOOD?

Maybe you have unanswered questions, or would like some information. A discernment group for those interested in the priesthood takes place at: Assumption BVM Church, 2640 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA. 91107 We meet on the Third Tuesday of each month. Call Fr. Gerard O’Brien, 626-792-1343.

BIBLE STUDY

Fr. Joseph Dass will be holding a Bible Study Class every Thursday at 7:15pm. It will be held at the Front Hall. All are invited!

ST. VINCENT’S PANTRY

welcomes your donations. Here is a list of a few items they can use: Oat Meal Mixed Vegetables Tuna Peas Spaghetti Pasta Boxes Carrots Rice Green Beans Beans Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup PLEASE CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE ITEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

The next food distribution will be on
February 16th. If you are in need,
please call (626) 281-0466 and ask
for extension 235 to get in the distribution list.

EL GRAN MILAGRO

It’s a movie in Spanish with English subtitles that helps us to understand the celebration of the mass. It is a Family movie in 3D. Check out the following website for movie locals www.elgranmilagro.com.

Need your help...

A non-profit Vietnamese Catholic organization needs a pick up truck for their ministry. If you have a truck in fair condition and can donated it, please contact the Pastoral Center Office.

A NOTE FROM MONSIGNOR O’TOOLE My dearest friends at All Souls, as some of you know I recently suffered a “stroke” and was hospitalized for awhile at Huntington Hospital. Since then I have relocated to Nazareth House in Los Angeles to continue my rehabilitation efforts. I want to express my sincerest gratitude for all your prayers and well wishes. Let us continue to pray for one another. Nazareth House is a nice facility, but there is truth in the statement ‘there is no place like home’. I do not have a phone line so please do not call the facility, and there is great distance between Alhambra and Culver City so, a card or note is always welcomed. May God continue to bless you all. Msgr. William O’Toole Nazareth House 3333 Manning Ave. Los Angeles, California 90064

BEATIFICATION OF
POPE JOHN PAUL II
MAY 1, 2011

CLICK =>

Pope beatifies John Paul II before 1.5M faithful. Pope Benedict XVI praised John Paul for turning back the seemingly "irreversible" tide of communism with faith, courage and "the strength of a titan, a strength which came to him from God."

Word of God

Do you often wonder what the Word of God has to tell you? or How can you more fully understand the Sunday Gospel? Come, bring your Holy Bible and let’s read it together and share in fellowship. Thursdays from 9:30am to 10:30am and Mondays from 7:00pm to 8:00pm with Sister Eileen in the Pastoral Center.

THE SUNDAY MASS
PASSIONIST COMMUNICATIONS

A televised Sunday Mass is now airing on ABC Family from 6:30am to 7:30am each Sunday morning. THE SUNDAY MASS is produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers and is available nationally on local affiliates. Additional information on www.TheSundayMass.org

DISASTER RELIEF
FOR JAPAN

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church is responding to victims of he massive Tsunami in Japan. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion of your check, please write: Japan Tsunami.

TO EVERYTHING . . .

“TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON AND TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN” “A TIME TO BE BORN" INTO CHRIST THROUGH BAPTISM’ Madilyn Cecilia Ambrocio Bianca Cardinali Evelyn Castro Mikayla Ashley Gallardo Jared Ko Ava Alexa Perez Francisco Anthony Miranda Ramos Santiago Jose Rodriguez “A TIME TO DIE” Mary Valencia 1-19-2011 . PLEASE PRAY FOR ... THE ILL OF OUR PARISH, OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND RE-OPENING OF ALL SOULS SCHOOL . .

The.WORD.among.us
with Sister Eilene Berg

Do you often wonder what the Word of God has to tell you? or How can you more fully understand the Sunday Gospel? Come, bring your Holy Bible and let’s read it together and share in fellowship. Thursdays: from 9:30am to 10:30am and Mondays: from 7:00pm to 8:00pm with Sister Eileen in the Pastoral Center.

VOCATION CORNER
FORMATION FOR PRIESTS
AT ST. JOHN’S SEMINARY

The professors and seminarians at St. John’s Seminary sent their Christmas greetings to all of us at All Souls, and they asked for our support, especially in prayer. St. John’s Seminary is the official institute providing quality formation for future priests in our Archdiocese. If you wish to make a donation for St. John’s, you can send it directly to their address, or leave your check in the collection, or bring it to the parish office. We will collect and send them together. Make it payable to St. John’s Seminary. Their address is: 5012 Seminary Rd., Camarillo, Ca. 93012-2500 Vocations for Priesthood, please contact: Father Alex Aclan (909) 629-9495. FrADAclan@la-archdiocese.org

MASS INTENTIONS

The office assistant will help you Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to reserve a Mass Intention for your loved ones. RESERVATIONS ARE MADE IN PERSON ONLY. NO MAIL OR TELEPHONE RESERVATION. • Only six (6) masses for the one person who is requesting the mass intention in the course of 6 months. • Please come as soon as you can for the date desired as the calendar gets full quickly. • 2011 BOOK IS NOW OPEN FOR MASS • INTENTIONS!

Please notify ...

Please notify the Parish Office of a death or illness in your family. We rely on you to provide us with this very important information.

Two Thousand Rosaries All are invited to help us pray two thousand Hail Mary’s the first Saturday of every month; 8 a.m.—8:00 p.m. in the patio area. There will be a break at 5:15 p.m. and will continue after our 5:30 p.m. vigil Mass.

ALTAR SOCIETY MINISTRY

If you would like to be part of this Ministry, call Aida Gonzales (626) 282-0260

SPECIAL PROJECTS REPORT:

Now as we near our Centennial celebration of All Souls Church in 2012 we must begin to plan for this wonderful occasion. Some of the projects that are in the works are described briefly below. We will update you with the proposals to the following projects and we will continue to use the funds from the 2nd Collection. Pending Projects: - Preparation for the 2012 celebration of All Souls Beautification walkway leading from the Church to Hall. - Planting of tree’s and plants along walkway. - Patio Renovation and beautification. - Church Bathroom renovation. - Hall Bathroom Restoration.

Hospice . . .

Companion Hospice is now recruiting volunteers for our upcoming training program. Volunteers can become a needed friend to someone during the last Part of their journey. Volunteers can also relieve tired caregivers for short periods of time, or help with errands and shopping. Assignments will be in YOUR geographical area. Become a member of our team, whose goal is to promote quality of life and comfort measures. Each applicant will receive 16 hours of orientation and training from our professional team. Training will be held on four Saturday, starting October 9-30th. Conveniently located off the 210 FWY, at 320 N. Halstead St. Suite 100, Pasadena, CA. 91107. Call today and make a real difference in someone’s life. To request an application, or Learn more, call Cecelia Rudar, SGV Volunteer Coordinator, 877-303-0692 or e-mail her at companionhospice.com

HAVE YOU REMEMBERED
YOUR PARISH
IN YOUR WILL or ESTATE PLANNING ?

You may wish to name the parish as a beneficiary on an insurance policy or other financial instrument. Our correct legal title is: ALL SOULS CHURCH 1500 W. Main St. Alhambra, CA. 91801 Thank you for your consideration!

Space is needed . . .

Space is needed for items left over from November’s Rummage Sale that we would like to keep for our next sale. If anyone has room in their garage for these items, please call the Parish Office at (626)281-0466.

All Souls Parish Hall Rental

Please call or visit our Parish Office during regular business hours if you are interested in renting the Parish Hall You will be given an application.

odds "n" ends

We have accumulated many different items that people have forgotten in the pews: eyeglasses, keys, rings, earrings, pins, bibles, etc, etc, etc. If you would like to recover your lost items, please come by the Parish Office to describe what they look like and see if we have them.

The Vatican: Pope Benedict XVI Issues
His First Social Encyclical, "Caritas in
Veritate" ("Charity in Truth")

Pope Benedict XVI has issued his first social encyclical, "Charity in Truth." Find it at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/ documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-inveritate_en.html (If you choose to print it out, it runs 50 pages.)

DISCOVER A WORLD OF GOOD THINGS!
JOIN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS!

Being a Knight is more than fellowship; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. All Catholic Men over the age of 18 are invited to Discover the opportunities that await them in the Knights of Columbus. Today, the All Souls Parish Knights of Columbus will be out in front of the Church with applications and information, and to answer any questions. For more information, please contact David D. Hernandez at 626-975-4336. 1. I don't have time to join another organization; why should I join the Knights of Columbus? As a Knight you can choose the projects with which you wish to be involved in within your own community. What is more, the Order is dedicated to family life and the many benefits it offers. From insurance to scholarships to service and social activities and programs, all are open to the whole family. 2. What are the requirements? Membership requirements are that he be a practical Catholic gentleman, who is 18 years of age or older. 3. What is a practical Catholic? A practical Catholic is one who is in union with the Holy See and who practices the precepts of the Catholic Church. 4. Explain what Degrees are. There are four degrees within the Knights of Columbus. Each degree ceremony imparts a lesson on the Order's core virtues of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. 5. Do I have to purchase Insurance to become a member? No; unlike many fraternal organizations one does not become a member by purchasing insurance. In the Knights of Columbus a man has to be a member before he may avail himself of the insurance benefit. Purchasing insurance is optional, however; the life insurance and long-term care insurance products offered by the Order are not only competitively priced, they are among the most solid and highly rated products available anywhere. Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best, the leading independent agencies that rate insurance companies, give K of C insurance their highest ratings.

PRAY FOR PRIESTS

“It is first of all necessary to let the Blessed Virgin take one by the hand to contemplate the Face of Christ: a joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious Face.” - Pope Benedict XVI Please Pray for Priests Dear Lord, We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry. We pray that Mary will guide your priests to follow her own words,“ Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5). May your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. May the Blessed Mother’s own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross. May your priests be holy, filled with the fire of your love seeking nothing but your greater glory and the salvation of souls. Amen. Saint John Vianney, pray for us.

Prayer For All Military Personnel

O, God kindly watch over those exposed to the dangers of military life. Give them such strong faith that nothing may ever lead them to deny it or fear to practice it. Fortify them by your grace against the contagion of bad example, so that, preserved from vice and serving you faithfully, they may be ready to meet death if it should come. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, inspire them with sorrow for sin and grant them pardon. Mary, our Mother, be with them in battle, and should they be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, obtain for them the grace to die in the love of your divine Son. St. Joseph, pray for them. Amen

Attention Traveling Catholics

For nationwide Mass times and locations, call 410.676.6000 or go to www.Masstimes.org on the internet.

Did You Know?
Text Messaging: Know the Warning Signs

Monitoring your child’s Internet browsing and cell phone use are important and challenging aspects of being a parent. In keeping track of your child’s text messaging, with its dizzying array of coded abbreviations and symbols, there are some codes that every parent should keep his/her eyes open for. These are codes that kids use to warn others that their parents are around or that they use to talk about sex, drugs, or to arrange a meeting. For example: “KPC” means “keeping parents clueless,” and “LMIRL” means “Let’s meet in real life.” A helpful tutorial for parents is located at: www.mahalo.com. Type: “How to understand your kids’ text messages” in the search box. For particular help, you may call Assistance Ministry at 213 637 7650.

Community Wedding:

Are you a couple who are married by law but not by the Church? Or perhaps you are living together but would like to get married? You could bless your relationship with this important sacrament, the sacrament of marriage, in a communal ceremony at our parish. A general meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. Please come to the meeting where all your questions will be answered.

Centennial Reunion Committee
Now Forming

Join in on the fun in planning and coordinating reunion events leading up to the Centennial Celebration of All Souls. All Souls will celebrate 100 years in 2012. Committee is now forming, if you are interested, please send your contact information to allsoulsreunion@yahoo.com. If anyone has website experience, we would love to hear from you.

All bulletin and pulpit announcements are to be turned in on every Wednesday and 2 weeks in advanced, for all ministry leaders have a calendar of their activities and it’s expected of them to give us the announcement they want published. The bulletin and pulpit announcements must have the time, place, description of activity and their own personal telephone number, since we cannot and do not have the information that the ministry leader have and we cannot take charge of their responsibility. The announcements are to be written by the ministry leaders exactly as they want it to be printed on the bulletin. Announcements may be turned in by writing to the Pastoral Center by fax (626. 281.21 63), e-mail (allsoulscc@sbcglobal.net) or by filling out the bulletin form personally at the Pastoral Center; never over the phone. Most importantly, refrain from giving our priests pulpit announcements 5 minutes before celebrating Mass, especially if it involves having a special guest as a speaker. If the announcement is turned in to the office on the same week that you want it to be published it will not be printed. The final bulletin draft is finished every Monday, and we cannot be deleting and adding announcements at the last minute to accommodate you. That is why we need those 2 weeks, since it also needs Fr. Modesto’s approval. Should any ministry leader have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Silvia Martinez, Bulletin Editor, at the Pastoral Center during regular business hours. Thank you.

Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick

If you know of anyone in the parish who is homebound and would like to receive Holy Communion, please notify the Pastoral Center and a Eucharistic Minister to the Sick will bring Holy Eucharist. Pastoral Center hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 A.M.–9:00 P.M. Saturday 9:00 A.M.–8:30 P.M. Sunday 8:30 A.M.–2:30 P.M.

Stewardship/Offertory Program Continues

If you have not used envelopes or checks in the past, please begin to do so. It is very important for us to know how many members of our parish are actively involved in offering their financial support. God’s gifts to us are bountiful and unconditional. Recognizing the many blessings God gives us, we are called to return our gifts as an act of gratitude and trust in God, who will provide for us. May the Holy Spirit guide you and your family as you discern what you can contribute. This charitable generosity provides for many programs, while providing for basic facility maintenance and ongoing costs such as salaries, insurance, property tax and utilities.

Adult Citizenship Class!!!

A new citizenship class is here! Every Wednesday, from 9:15 AM—11:15 AM in the Pastoral Center. For more information please contact Colleen Mackenzie at (626) 282-8861.

Statement Regarding Abuse

This parish is a safe place for children. The priests fully support reporting any abuse of children immediately . By law, we are mandated reporters. If there is reasonable suspicion of abuse we must report it, and will gladly do so. However, the Sacrament of Confession is a sealed conversation. Nothing can be revealed about anything that is said in Confessions. If there is a case of abuse with a minor, it must be told to a priest OUTSIDE of Confessions. If the abuser is employed by the Archdiocese, please call the hotline number for the abuse of minors: (800)355-2545.

“Bella” The Movie

The “Deacon Modesto M. Perez Council”. (Knights of Columbus) is having a fund raiser. There will be a viewing of the movie “Bella” “A true love story about a man who wants to live a life of integrity and sacrifice everything for family and others.” Please check out the website for this extraordinary film Go to: www.bellathemovie.com (it is important to go see it in the theaters this weekend, if possible!

Early Identification is Crucial
By Michael J. Bland, Psy. ., D. Min,
“ Thus has the lord of Hosts said “dispense true justice and
practice kindness and compassion to one other.”
-Zechariah 7:9

Child sexual abuse is a reality in our society and within our church. While we may not be able to eliminate this reality from our society, our from our Church, as caring adults we have the ability to recognize questionable behaviors and to identify possible symptoms or behaviors displayed by children who may have been sexually abused. Awareness and education can be major steps in identifying potential abuse. Such awareness and education can help in minimizing the long-term affects of sexual abuse, if not the reality of sexual abuse it self. Sexual abuse may not be considered as any sexually related behavior between two or more people were there is an imbalance of power. This can include adult-child, older child-younger child, or any situation where the other person is forced to participate. Sexual abuse is the offenders’ misuse or abuse of power and control. It may be accomplished through grooming processed such as force deception, bribery, blackmail, or any other means that gives the offender an upper hand. The abuse behaviors may rang from peeping, exposing genitals, fondling, oral/anal/ vaginal sex, showing or talking pornographic pictures of a child, or any other sexual behavior. The term “consensual” implies that the other person freely agrees to do something. Both people involved must be mentally competent (of equal inelegance and not under the influence of the alcohol or drugs) to freely agree or give consent. There is no thing as a child or young person giving consent. That means the older person cannot excuse his or her behavior by saying the child agreed to it. The initial effects of childhood sexual abuse have demonstrated that children who have been sexually abused present with a host of initial psychological symptoms and behaviors. These consist of depression, guilt , anxiety, fear, learning difficulties, sexualized behavior, aggressiveness, and self-destructive behavior. It can also cause damaging spiritual effects when the offender is a priest or another religious leader. Sexual victimization may profoundly interfere with and alter the development of attitudes toward self, sexuality, and trusting relationships during the critical early years of development. Most of the research focuses on the possible long-term psychological effects of childhood abuse by comparing adult survivors with non-abused controls. Reviews of the literature indicate that psychological problems in adulthood associated with childhood sexual abuse history include fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self esteem, tendencies toward substance abuse, and difficulty with close relationships. Those with a reported childhood sexual abuse history also have high rates of post–traumatic stress disorder compared to non-sexual abuse victims. In addition, adults with a reported history of childhood sexual abuse have more unexplained medical problems and use more medical services than non-abused individuals. The effects of child sexual abuse are even more profound when children are victimized by fathers or stepfathers and when the victimization involves force and genital contact. Reactions of family members and others to the disclosure of the sexual abuse may also influence victims’ reactions and recovery. Early identification of sexual abuse in victims appears to be crucial to the reduction of suffering in abused youth and to the establishment of support system for assistance in pursuing appropriate psychological development and healthier adult functioning. As long as disclosure continues to be a problem for young victims, then fear, suffering and psychological distress will, like the secret, remain with the victim. Michael J. Bland, a consultant to the Virtus Programs, is a clinical professional counselor in Oak Lawn, IL and works part-time for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office of Assistance Ministry as the clinical and pastoral coordinator. This article is the copyrighted property of The National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc., all right reserved, and is reprinted here with permission. For more information about VIRTUS@Online or other VIRTUS services, visit www.virtus.org or call (888) 847-8870. This weekly series of features stories, commentary and analysis is compiled and edited by an advisory group to the Media Relations Office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, through which the articles are distributed. For particular help, contact the Office of Assistance Ministry, (800) 355-2545 or (213) 637-7650.

Inspirational
Catholic CDs and Brochures

Look for our display stand in the lobby of church containing these CDs: English Titles • How to keep your kids Catholic-Ken Hensley • Why a Protestant pastor became Catholic-Dr. Scott Hahn • Da Vinci Code Exposed – by Matthew Arnold • The Passion of Christ applied to your life-Fr. John Corapi • Seven Reasons to be Catholic-Dr. Peter Kreeft Spanish Titles • El Codigo DaVinci Expuesto-Jesse Romero • Como Evangelizar-Jesse Romero • El Papado-Felix Duran • La Eucaristia-Padre Juan Rivas Brochures: Top Ten Questions Catholics Are Asked (English and Spanish) Why does the church teach that? (English only) We ask for a donation of $3.00 per CD and $.50 per brochure. Checks can be made payable to All Souls Catholic Church. Donations will be used towards the purchase of additional materials.

What is the Eucharistic Adoration Visit?
It is the meeting of our soul and all our being with Jesus?

It is the creature meeting his Creator;/ The disciple before the Divine Master. The patient with the Doctor of souls;/ The poor one appealing to the rich One; The thirsty one drinking at the Font;/ The weak one presenting himself to the Almighty; The tempted one seeking a sure Refuge;/ The blind one searching for the light; The friend who goes to the True Friend;/ The lost sheep sought by the divine Shepherd; The heart led astray who finds the Way;/ The foolish one who finds Wisdom; The bridge who finds the Spouse of the soul;/ The nothing who finds the All; The afflicted who finds the Consoler;/ The youth who finds life’s meaning; It is the shepherds at the manager, Magdalene at the house of Simon, Nicodemus who arrives by night. It is the holy conversations of the Samaritan, of Zacchaeus, of Philip and of all the apostles with Jesus, especially during the last week of his earthly life and after the resurrection. One approaches Jesus as the Mediator between God and humanity, as the Priest of the Father, as the Victim of expiation, as the Messiah come to the earth, as the Word of God, the Shepherd, the Way and Truth and Life, the Savior of the Word.

RCIA & INQUIRY SESSIONS

Do you need some Catholic faith enrichment? Do you have questions about what it is to be Catholic? What do I do if I am interested in learning more about the Catholic faith? What are the Sacraments of Initiation? For more info, please contact Sister Eilene at 281-0466; ext. 211

“WHEELS OF HOPE”

Do you Know someone who has been deprived of their ability to walk due to illness or disease? If so, “Wheels of Hope” can help your loved ones regain their independence with a power wheelchair or scooter. For Eligibility info. Please call (866) 631-3028.

MESSAGE FROM SISTER EILENE BERG, IHM
ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF HER JUBILEE
50 YEARS IN GOD’S SERVICE

Dear All Souls Parish Family, I was born in Erskine, Minnesota, baptized 15 days later on the Feast of Light, the Transfiguration; Eilene means light. I attended summer “K” where our 18 year old teacher whom we all loved, had us memorize, “All Things Bright and Beautiful.., the Lord God made them all.” In September she joined the Benedictines; I wanted to be like her. God was planting the seed. On May 6, while in first grade, I made my First Holy Communion. My grandmother taught me to wear out a pair of shoes to get to Mass and every school day began with a wonderful sung Mass so I never wanted to miss a day. Twelve years later in California, after two blessed years of Novitiate in Montecito, CA, I began a life of teaching. These years included seventeen in elementary grades at Holy Spirit in Los Angeles, Holy Family in Visalia, O. L. of Mt. Carmel in Montecito, St. Mary’s in Apple Valley, St. Adelaide in Highland, E. San Bernardino, and St. Luke’s in Temple City. Finally, it was my turn to study full time so as to receive my BA and “life” teaching credential. Twenty-four years followed in the desert where I taught for eight years at St. Therese in Palm Springs, became DRE for one, accepted the DRE task at St. Joseph’s in Barstow and completed fourteen years as Director of RCIA and acting Pastoral Associate. In the summer of ‘79, I attended the first RCIA Workshop ever offered in the U.S. at USD. I was privileged to be invited to three “RCIA Revisited” workshops at Malibu, Estes Park, CO, and Phoenix, which I found most valuable m my work with “inquirers,” and candidates for Christian Initiation. For my Silver Jubilee I was blest to travel to Rome where I met Pope John Paul II eye to eye in his Pope mobile and exclaimed, “Holy Father!” Then on to Assisi, and Madrid where we visited our Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters who are now awaiting the beatification of three of the Sisters in October. In the Holy Land we visited the Garden of Gethsemane where I was delighted to be the lector. Other highlights were the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan, Bethlehem, Nazareth, and Jacob’s well. Recently, I enjoyed a great opportunity, a Lay Preaching course at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. I felt prepared by the “Bible Institute,” and lecturing since 1975. The good Lord opens so many doors and His work brings me a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. Presently, as we celebrate God’s faithfulness through my 50 years in the Immaculate Heart Community, I plan to continue praying with you at Holy Mass, Adoration Chapel, or Prayer Group. I will be volunteering in RCIA, Bible Study, and Harvest Festival. See you there!!! Finally, I thank each one of you for your “Santa paciencia, holy patience” with me for the last fifteen years here at All Souls. You shared yourselves in our preparation for your children’s or your own Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and First Reconciliation. We persevered together as we prepared to celebrate your loved ones entrance into eternal life. We have often prayed together, worked together, celebrated together, and now let us always remember, as Christ said, to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Sister Eilene Berg, IHM Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, September 12, 2007.