You will be pleased to know that Corpus Christi helped to provide new shoes for seventy-six children at the annual St. Joseph Hospital ‘Motel Kids Christmas Party’ on December 6th. Celebrated at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Orange, the children were feted with numerous gifts, food, magic, song and lots of love. Our annual support of this endeavor is made possible through our use of the FIRST HOUR by which we set aside 1/40th of each weeks Stewardship/Offertory to provide for our Hands Across the County outreaches and other charitable services. Thanks for your generosity that enables the parish to be generous in your name!

The Los Angeles Times ran an interesting article two Sundays ago that elaborated on the ‘211 system’. The article said it is like 411 or 911 except you use it when you’re in such financial distress that you don’t have enough money or perhaps even a place to live. ‘This is a consumer guide for the nouveaux poor, individuals and families who find themselves in financial peril.’ The 211 system is described as a clearing-house of information about resources that are available and information on how to navigate the system. The 211 system does not provide direct aid, it is a referral and information resource.

Just a reminder for those who are looking ahead into 2009, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25th and concludes with the start of the Triduum celebration of Holy Thursday – Good Friday – Holy Saturday, with Easter on April 12. A reminder that we will not be celebrating any Baptisms or First Eucharists during this season. For those of you who like to plan ahead…please make a note. Thanks.

December 31st: (Wednesday) Mary, Mother of God, New Year’s Eve, 5:00 p.m. Mass
January 1st, 2009 (Thursday) Mary, Mother of God, New Year’s Day, 8:00 a.m. Mass

The Parish Offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 31st and Thursday, January 1st and Friday, January 2nd.

The annual Evening of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, 566 South Glassell Street. Bishop Tod, along with leaders of other denominations will share the evening. For more information please call 714-282-3006. Thanks.

Calling all Moms, Don’t Miss Out! – Corpus Christi MOPS is Now Enrolling for Spring Session The purpose of MOPS is to nurture, support and encourage mothers of preschoolers in a faith-based group. Our Corpus Christi MOPS chapter is inviting all mothers (with at least one child between the ages of newborn through kindergarten) to enroll for our spring session. We meet at Corpus Christi every other Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for an evening of dinner, crafts and speakers sharing on relevant topics for busy mothers. Our first spring meeting is January 27th. The fee is $80. For additional information, call Beth Bell at (949) 362-0494. Please note, childcare is not available.

If you are a Registered Parishioner and have been using envelopes during 2008, our Parish Office will be happy to provide you, beginning mid-January, with a written statement of your financial donations to our weekly Financial Stewardship/Offertory, the Building Fund and second collections. Pastoral Services Appeal pledges will be acknowledged via the Diocese of Orange. Unless you are Registered and have been using envelopes we do not keep track of individual/loose checks or cash. We do send out letters of gratitude and acknowledgement for any financial gifts over $250, but we do not keep records of donors who are not registered/using envelopes. For a statement, please call Susie at 389-9008. We always get a flurry of these requests as April 15 draws near….so, to avoid any delays…please make your requests as early as possible beginning in mid-January. Thanks!

Our neighbor, St. Timothy Church in Laguna Niguel is offering a Divorce Recovery Workshop entitled: : Parenting Challenges and Solutions: How can I be the best mom or dad to my 6-year-old, my preteen, my teenager as a divorced parent? In this three-week group we will gather for support, wisdom and practical and creative solutions. Join us on Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in room 8 on January 15th, 22nd and 29th. For questions about location or to sign up, please call Kelly Klaus @ 949-292-7281.

The first meeting of the Book Club for 2009 will be January 5, 7:00 PM, Room 4. Please join us for a discussion of The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir by John Grogan.

In this time of celebration and Christmas joy, a troubled or lost pregnancy can be devastating and overwhelming. Just a reminder that our Elizabeth Ministry volunteers are always prepared to lend a compassionate heart in your time of pregnancy uncertainty or loss. For more information please contact Janice Neeson at 448-9029. Be well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR…Farewell 2008….Hello 2009!!!!

lds.org
submitted by Suan A.

Significant events during 2008 made for a historic year for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The following are some of the more noteworthy events that transpired during the year:

Church Leadership

The year began on a somber note with the passing of 97-year-old President Gordon B. Hinckley on Sunday, 27 January. Thousands of people, both Latter-day Saints and friends of other faiths, waited for hours in the cold wintery weather to attend the viewing of this beloved prophet. His funeral was attended by approximately 20,000 people in the Conference Center.

President Hinckley served as president of the Church from 1995 to 2008. He oversaw rapid progress in the building of temples worldwide and the number of missionaries serving full-time missions. The Church grew considerably during his administration and now numbers more than 13 million members worldwide.

President Hinckley’s first counselor, Thomas S. Monson, became the 16th president of the Church on 3 February. President Monson had served as first counselor to President Hinckley since March of 1995. As President Monson noted in his address at President Hinckley’s funeral, the two had been friends for a long time. “We were friends long before either one of us was called to be a general authority of the Church, and we have served side by side for over 44 years in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and in the First Presidency.” Serving with President Monson in the new First Presidency are President Henry B. Eyring as first counselor and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf as second counselor.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson was called as a new apostle in April. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, another member of the Quorum of the Twelve, passed away in December at the age of 91.

Publishing and Church History

In 2008 the Church launched a landmark literary project – the publishing of the inaugural volume of the “ Joseph Smith Papers.” Joseph Smith was the first prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Marlin K. Jensen, Church historian and recorder, has called the Joseph Smith Papers Project “the most significant Church history project of this generation.” This unprecedented compilation, published by The Church Historian’s Press, will eventually comprise 30 volumes, including journals, correspondence, discourses and written histories, as well as legal and business documents.

Sometime during 2008 the 140 millionth copy of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ was distributed, passing another milestone in the book’s history. Since it was first published in 1830, the Book of Mormon has been taken worldwide by over a million missionaries. It is currently available in 107 languages.

Temples

The dedication and announcement of temples continued throughout the year. The first temple dedicated by President Monson as president of the Church was the Rexburg Idaho Temple in February. Three other temples were dedicated during the year – Curitiba Brazil in May and the Panama City Panama and Twin Falls Idaho temples in August. In November, the Mexico City Mexico Temple was rededicated.

The Rome Italy Temple was among nine temples announced in 2008. Others included three in Arizona – Gila Valley, Gilbert and Phoenix – as well as Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Kansas City, Missouri; Cordoba, Argentina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Trujillo, Peru.

Protecting Marriage

Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church encouraged members in California and Arizona to support broad-based coalitions to define marriage as between and man and a woman. Both ballot measures passed in November.

Humanitarian Efforts

The Church was active in humanitarian efforts including, for example, providing relief to victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters such as the flooding in Myanmar. The Church sent dozens of semi-truck loads of supplies to the Gulf Coast to aid those affected by Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike. Many other humanitarian efforts were conducted worldwide.

Commemorating the Priesthood Revelation

On 9 June 2008, thousands packed the Salt Lake Tabernacle to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the revelation in June 1978 to extend the lay priesthood to men of all races. Church leaders and members, including many who are African American, spoke to those attending the gathering. A video was also produced to celebrate the event.

Correcting Misconceptions

In response to an address given by Elder M. Russell Ballard, many more Latter-day Saints in 2008 began using the Internet to share and discuss their faith with others. The address by Elder Ballard was published in the Church’s Ensign magazine.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir

And in 2008 a new director was appointed to lead the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Dr. Mack Wilberg was named as its director in March by Mac Christensen, president of the choir. Wilberg replaced former director Dr. Craig Jessop, who led the choir for over eight years.

December 27-28, 2008
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3 Hebrews 11:8-19 Luke 2:22-40

Okay, how about a holy card with Mary looking exasperated and at wits end after spending a day doing laundry and tending to her infant son? How about a painting of Joseph and Mary having an argument while the infant Jesus wails aloud? What sort of conversation did Mary and Joseph have when they inadvertently left the young Jesus in the temple? Oh to be a fly on the wall of that one as they hurried back to Jerusalem! Ever wonder about the conversation Mary and Joseph had when they had to flee to Egypt or return to Israel? How about the anguish in Joseph’s face and voice when he discovered his beloved Mary was pregnant and he was not the father….did he cry, did he yell, did he question? We do know he was thinking of divorcing her…until the angels intervened. Our traditions of Christmas mask the vividness of human life with a warm glow and sweetness that is deceiving. Indeed, if our own relationships and families do not measure up to the pictures and images portrayed of the Holy Family we can easily think of ourselves as failures. Our celebration of the Holy Family is not about reinforcing the sweet vignettes developed by pious painters and writers. That Mary and Joseph wrestled with life issues is not up for doubt. Their sanctity is not that they looked sweetly at each other or never dealt with serious issues or concerns. What is of value is that they found strength and support in each other as they faced each new perplexing challenge. That they had to be open to the unexpected is obvious (uh, somewhat unusual pregnancy, birth in the stable, fleeing to Egypt, etc.) That they responded to each challenge is equally apparent. This weekend we bless and highlight the variety of ways in which the ‘Holy Family’ is manifested in 2008. Single parents, struggling to do right by your kids…you are a HOLY FAMILY. Two parents, confused and perplexed as your kids grow and confound you…you are a HOLY FAMILY. Two people in relationship, struggling to figure each other out, trying to forgive, trying to be honest, trying to be open….you are a HOLY FAMILY. You grandparents raising the grandkids, you adopting and foster parents, you unique family units struggling to make ends meet and do right for each other and those who depend on you….YOU are a HOLY FAMILY. As we honor the Holy Family we do not simply measure ourselves against the pious images of Mary, Joseph and Jesus….rather we acknowledge those to whom we turn when the world is cold, when our day has been miserable, when life has kicked us in the teeth and we have been rejected and betrayed by our own actions and that of others. We acknowledge our FAMILY…whatever family to which we belong that allows us to get through each day…for that is OUR HOLY FAMILY!

Thank you for joining with us as we continue the Christmas Season with our celebration of all things family. To all who made our Christmas celebrations safe, beautiful and uplifting…THANK YOU! As always, Bulletins are available as you depart, while the calendar year comes to a close, life keeps on humming here at Corpus Christi. Special thanks goes to those who donated all the beautiful poinsettias…thank you for your generosity and good taste. As the New Year dawns, may it find you in good health, with fresh hopes and abundant possibilities. As you were loved throughout 2008, as we enter 2009 remember, you are still loved. FKB