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Advent Wreath Prayer, Week 2:
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us share that peace with everyone we encounter, especially those who need it most. Amen.
Source: Dynamic Catholic
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UPCOMING MEETING & EVENTS
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December 4 - Donut Sunday after morning Masses
December 6 - 7pm, Advent Retreat, Atomic Habits of Prayer click here
December 8 - Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary,
Holy Day of Obligation. Mass Times 6:30am, 8:30am and 7pm. Rosary at 12pm (Noon)
December 8 - 6pm, Grief Support Meeting, Holy Family Room click here
December 11 - 6pm, Ladies Christmas Dinner, register here
December 12 - 7-8pm, Parish Reconciliation
December 13 - 10-11am, Visiting Ministry, Rectory Conference Room
7pm, Advent Retreat, Atomic Habits of Prayer click here
December 14, 8:30am Mass, with Bishop Cantu for his annual school visit
December 14, 7-8pm, Confirmation Retreat Meeting
December 16 & 17 - 6-8pm, Christmas Lights drive through at Saint Simon
December 20 - 7:30pm, Christmas Concert presented by the Cal Arte Orchestra featuring JS Bach Brandenburg Concertos Nos 2 & 5, Manfredini Concerto for Two Trumpets and Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s ‘Messiah’.
December 21 - 7pm, Advent Retreat, Atomic Habits of Prayer click here
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Join Fr. Brendan for an Advent Retreat, “Atomic Habits of Prayer“, Tuesdays, December 6, & 13 and concluding on Wednesday, December 21 as he discusses the books, Atomic Habits and Armchair Mystic. His desire is to help us develop the habit of listening prayer. He will share the science behind the formation of habits and how to lose old bad habits and make new ones. Then he will apply this science to the tradition in our Church of mystical prayer including meditation and other forms of contemplation. More info & last week's session click here
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SAINT SIMON IN THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE
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Our beautiful Saint Simon float and Parish School Cheer Squad participated in the Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade last Sunday. Thank you to Phillip Stewart for his work on the float and to the Bolivar and Cardoza Families for providing glow sticks for the children. Be a light to the others during Advent Saint Simon Saints!
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OUR AUCTION NEEDS YOUR DONATIONS!
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The Auction Committee is looking for donations (including but not limited to sports event tickets, vacation home rentals, experiences, raffle items, auction parties or underwriting to secure these items) as well as general underwriting sponsorships. Attached is the donation form. Please consider becoming a donor or sponsor today. Questions can be directed to auction@stsimon.org. Thank you in advance for your generosity! More info and forms here and online sponsorship link click here
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HELP NEEDED FOR REFUGEE LUNCH - DEC 17
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Outreach & Social Justice Lunch for Refugees - Saturday, December 17, 2022
Before the pandemic, Saint Simon Parish helped Catholic Charities host a Christmas dinner for refugee minors and their Foster Families from around the local area and this year it is back! We will be preparing a lunch and serving the food for the Refugee minors and their Foster Families (approx. 65 people). This is an opportunity to meet the refugee children, hear their stories, and help them celebrate Christmas.
How you can help:
- Shop for the lunch
- Prepare food for the lunch
- Serve the lunch
Serve as a family or come as an individual, all are invited to volunteer.
Click here for Engage to sign up to help.
To learn more about Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement and Foster Care programs click here
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2ND COLLECTION - RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT FUND
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Help aging religious. Senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have devoted their lives to prayer, service, and works of mercy. Most ministered for little or no pay. Today, their religious communities do not have enough retirement savings. Your gift to today’s Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps to furnish medications, nursing care, and other necessities. Please give generously via the envelopes or online
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ROSARY - DECEMBER 8, 12PM
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December 8, 12pm - Rosary honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
An initiative to hold a public women’s rosary that originated in Columbia has taken off worldwide with interested women connecting. We would like to join this group by reciting the rosary out loud at Saint Simon Church. Please join us at noon in honoring Mary on her feast day. More info here or contact Jean Rosseau jmr3290@aol.com
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GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP - DECEMBER 8, 6PM
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The next meeting is on December 8, 2022 at *6pm* in the Holy Family Room (note: time changed as Mass is at 7pm). The meetings are open to anyone experiencing grief or loss facilitated by Gavin Corn. More info here and email here if you would like to register to attend.
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LADIES CHRISTMAS DINNER - DECEMBER 11, 6PM
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All ladies of Saint Simon Parish are invited to celebrate the season on Sunday, December 11. Join us for Mass at 5pm and then dinner in the Parish Center. *Please bring a wrapped Christmas Ornament for our traditional Ornament Exchange* Register click here and if you can help volunteer, please sign up on Engage. Thank you.
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BABY CLOTHES / LAYETTE COLLECTION
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We continue to collect NEW baby items and clothes size 0-6 months for local families in need. Please leave your donations in the bassinet in the vestibule of the Church on Saturday or Sunday. Thank you in advance for your contributions to this joyful ministry. Questions? Contact Penny Osorio at PROsorio@aol.com.
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ST VINCENT de PAUL CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
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Christmas Giving Tree this year is a Gift Card collection helping 120 families in Mountain View
This year, SVdP will be helping local families by giving them gift cards - this is instead of specific items chosen from the giving tree. We welcome any donations of Target or Safeway gift cards. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Please mark all donations and checks for St. Vincent de Paul. You can put them in the basket or send them to the Parish Office at the Rectory. If you have questions, please email or call Rose Mary Becker at wpbecker@att.net or 650 941 9673.
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DO YOU NEED GIFT CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS?
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With Christmas approaching, will you be purchasing some gift cards for friends, family or colleagues? You can help Saint Simon by ordering them from our Scrip Program. We have been phasing out our inventory, but there are still some gift cards available "on demand" and we have a list of gift cards here or email for a PDF list here - the ones we don't have in stock can be ordered from many different retailers.
How to order - please email PROsorio@aol.com. We'll do our best to set you up for all your gift giving needs. Thank you for your support!
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If you are homebound and cannot attend Mass and would like Communion brought to you, or if you are lonely and would just like a visit, please call Doris DeFranco at 408-739-0974 to schedule a visit.
Are you interested in visiting someone who needs uplifting? Please join this wonderful Ministry, our next meeting is on Tuesday, December 13th, 10-11am in the Rectory Conference Room. More info here
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry continues to make new shawls and lap blankets monthly. The shawls are made with many prayers and loving thoughts attached. Do you know someone that needs the comfort of a shawl or lap blanket? Please contact us and we can arrange a pick-up time or delivery. If you would like to join our ministry or have any questions please contact Rose Mary Becker at wpbecker@att.net or call 650 930-0044.
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SILENT ACTING FOR CHRISTMAS EVE & EPIPHANY
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Sr. Mary-Han is looking for children to participate in silent acting out the Gospel/Christmas story during the Gospel at Christmas Eve Masses - 3pm & 5pm and for the Epiphany Masses, Sunday, January 8, 2023, 7:30am, 9am, 11:15am and 5pm.
There will be a short rehersal and costume fitting. All details and to sign up are on Engage.
Questions? Please contact Sister Mary-Han at mhnguyen@stsimon.org or 650-880-1432.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH
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Christmas Lights Drive Thru!
December 16 & 17, 6-7:30pm
Come and wave at our community driving by and enjoy some hot chocolate and treats!
Christmas Party after 5pm Youth Mass
December 18, 6-8pm, Parish Center Gym
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The students of Saint Simon attend the community Mass at 8:30 am each Wednesday. We are joined virtually each week by the students of Saint Patrick in San Jose. This past Wednesday, several of their students were able to join us in person. The students from Saint Patricks presented Saint Simon with thank you notes for our partnership with them and the financial support for their STEM program. It is a gift to be able to be able to celebrate with Saint Patrick School.
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DECEMBER EVENTS AT SAINT SIMON
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ADVENT WITH SR. REBECCA - SPIRIT~JOY
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“Preparing for the Birthing of Jesus in our Lives”
Walking the Sacred Path of Feelings with Mary, Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth during Advent. Thursday mornings on Zoom.
Dec 8 & 15 10:30-11:30am
Email spiritjoysus@gmail.com for the Zoom Link
New song, "We Are All Divine". Check it out here!
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS FOR VETERANS
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Thank you and God bless you for your very generous donations for the veterans! Your response was overwhelming with 200 pairs of socks, 65 each of undershirts and briefs, 25 hats, and many nice sweatshirts, sweatpants, and tee shirts. Thank you to the person who made the beautiful knit caps! They will keep people warm during the cold weather and are very much appreciated.
The VA Hospital was extremely appreciative. In the words of the Volunteer Service Coordinator, “The vets are going to be very happy!” St. Vincent de Paul Society
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OUR PARISH LIFE GROUP (PLG) NEWS
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This week's $100 Cash Calendar Raffle Winner is:
Peter Sorich Congratulations!
You can purchase cash calendar raffle tickets here
Thank you for your support!
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Last chance to complete the Synod Survey here
Bishop Oscar Cantu wants to hear from all Catholics in Santa Clara County, including those no longer practicing their faith. Please take the time to give your feedback. Responses are anonymous.
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Christmas Concert ~ Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill Christmas In Ireland Concert, December 18, 2-4pm, St William Church. More info here
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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ON TUESDAYS
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Eucharistic Adoration is on Tuesdays in the Chapel 9am-2pm with Benediction at 2pm. For more information, contact Judy Chin here
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Saint Simon Parish Baptism preparation is held on the second Thursday of every month via zoom. Please contact Fr. Thuc to register here.
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Diocesan Virtual Marriage Preparation Retreat Dates for 2022-23:
1/21/2023, 3/25/2023 and 5/20/2023.
For in person retreats, click here or email us here
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If you know someone that is considering becoming Catholic, Fr. Chris has commenced the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) journey for adults with the RCIA team. Meetings are every other week on Thursdays 7-8pm. For more information, you can contact Fr. Chris here.
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Please pray for Carmen, Kevin Gillette, Phil Cassidy, Tim Cronin, Martin Gutierrez, Wesley Johnston, Catherine Kim, Eli Ecsery, Mary Laidlaw, Larry Thompson. If you would like someone to be added to our Prayer list, please email here.
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This week's Mass Intentions, click here.
To request a Saint Simon Mass Intention,
use the online form here. $10 suggested donation.
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December - For volunteer not-for-profit organizations
We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.
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ONLIVE GIVING - SAFE & SECURE
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THANK YOU for financial support. Please prayerfully consider increasing your gift by 10% to help us meet growing needs and increasing costs, especially with inflation. Please also consider establishing a recurring method of donating each month if you are not already doing so. You can make your recurring gift through our St Simon Online Giving System click here
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Refresh your browser!
A reminder to refresh your browser to make sure you are getting the most up-to-date information on our website. www.stsimon.church
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The Second Week of Advent Represents: Peace and Preparation
Candle Color: Purple
Candle Name: Bethlehem Candle
During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and work on becoming better-versions-of-ourselves in preparation for Jesus’ coming. We remember the journey Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
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