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“If we are absolutely grounded in the absolute love of God that protects us from nothing even as it sustains us in all things, then we can face all things with courage and tenderness and touch the hurting places in others and in ourselves with love.” – Jim Finley
As we journey toward the start of Advent, we hope that you and your families continue to see the silver linings in our pandemic situation: we are coming full circle. Just as we waited with the disciples in the Upper Room after Pentecost, so now are we awaiting the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. There are many ways that we can occupy our time as we wait; being idle can be stressful sometimes, especially for young children. However, we can make this advent a time to be together, cherish our family life and the domestic church that we have built for ourselves, and look toward a Christmas filled with joy and hope; maybe not exaclty what we expected this year, but beautiful and graceful nonetheless. We remain blessed in so many ways, as a community and as a family.
Mothers of Monica (MOMs) Did you need an Advent boost from Our Mother, Mary? We will be embarking on an Advent Journey together as a group. Check out the Mothers of Monica (MOMs) Ministry page for more information and to register!
Advent Small Groups:
Time is running out to register for your group! We also have an opportunity for a drop-in session each Wednesday during VIrtual Holy Grounds. To find out more information and to register, check out the Advent Small Groups page!
Advent Morning of Reflection: How to Have a Merry Mystical Christmas
Jim Finley, our beloved former trappist Monk, will once again present an Advent Morning Reflection! Please note that this will be an exclusive zoom event - one day only! It will not be available afterward as a recording and it will not be broacast anywhere! Click Here to Find Out More Information and to Register!
Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family! God bless,
The Faith Formation Team:
Suzette Sornborger, Director Dominik Gnirs, Assoc. Director
Highlights
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BAPTISM ☩ CONFIRMATION ☩ EUCHARIST
These are the Sacraments of Initiation into the Church
RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Has your soul been yearning for more? Do you seek wisdom and knowledge beyond this world? Interested in following Christ? Contact: . -
Children's Liturgy of the Word: Thank you Gasper Family, for inviting our young ones and their families to pray with you online for the children’s dismissal. Click Here for the Mass Portal.
Calendar
Faith Formation Age 3-Grade 8
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Families Sharing Faith @ Home
The Joy of Waiting in HOPE
At this time of year, hope calls out in news ways as we struggle during this pandemic time. We hope for a cure to the coronavirus, we hope for those who are suffering and we wait in hope for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. These desires call us to wait in joyful hope! How can we see this time as a fruitful experience? How can we help our children see beyond the gifts of Christmas and see the gift of each other?
Start small with simple prayer habits:
- Pray for the person whose gift you are wrapping.
- Use prayer symbols to remind you to stay focused on the season, dust off your Advent Wreath, create a Jesse Tree, prepare homemade ornaments and cards.
- Invite your family to pray for specific relatives that you may have traveled to see during the holidays but are not able to due to COVID.
Activity: Place your manger scene in your traditional place in the house. Spread out all the characters throughout the house and everyday move a few characters a little closer to the manager so that by Christmas all the figures will be in their appropriate places within the manger scene. Imagine what their journey may have been. How does your advent journey reflect their journey to the manger?
For more information or questions contact Suzette Sornborger at
Confirmation
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Confirmation Process
Our confirmation team continues to accompany the teens through their journey to the sacrament.
Registration is closed for this year.
For more information please go to Teen Confirmation. Contact Dominik Gnirs, (213) 804 7261
We look forward to sprinting ahead with you!
Adult Faith Formation
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RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults began on Aug. 24.
Sandra shared, "For us (who experienced) RCIA, like so many others, this past year has been full of adjustments and uncertainty. When Easter came and went, how or when we'd receive our sacraments was unknown, but I always knew it'd happen exactly as God planned. I'm so happy to have finally been Baptized and received communion. As predicted, it happened as He saw fit -- under the sky He made, in the warm summer air, surrounded by the love and grace of our resilient community at St. Monica. For this moment and every step along the way, I'm grateful."
For more information or questions, contact Suzette at .
Catholic Conversations
Catholic Conversations will be back in early 2021 - stay tuned for more information!
Check out the Catholic Conversations page for past recordings, upcoming events, speaker bios, and more!
Click Here for the Catholic Conversations page!
Reflections with Jim Finley
Advent Morning Reflection with Jim Finley Saturday, Dec. 5 | 9:30 a.m. | Conducted via Zoom
Access the Archived video of Jim Finley's last Monring Reflection by clicking below:
Click Here to Watch the Video.
Gather + Pray + Grow in Christ
'From Wild Man to Wise Man:' A Communal Reading on Male Spirituality
Beginning Sep. 23. Click the link above, or contact Dominik at or (213) 804-7261.
Click Here for the Communal Reading page!
Thomas Merton Group
We will continue to meet via Zoom. Contact Markus Hoffman for details at for more information.
Christian Meditation
We have joined another WCCM group on Tuesday evenings via Zoom for meditation — the facilitator is a former member of our group who now resides in Orange County and leads a group at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Long Beach. Others interested are welcome to join should email: .
Click here for the Christian Meditation page!
Women of St. Monica
The women will be meeting every Wednesday evening for an hour of faith sharing, prayer, and reflection.
Click here for the Women of St. Monica page!
Mother's of Monica (MOMs) Ministry
Being a mom is one of the most rewarding vocations, but it can also be emotionally taxing, in both good and harmful ways. Mother's of Monica (MOMs) is a weekly gathering of moms from all walks of life, backgrounds, and circumstances. Come be fed so you can feed! - Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Click here for the Mother's of Monica (MOMs) page!
Fishers of Men
The Fishers of Men group is still meeting at their regular time via Zoom meetings, sharing faith and breaking into small groups to have conversations about their journey. Contact Lloyd Fredericks at (310) 493-0933, if you would like to participate.
Click here for the Fishers of Men page!
Scripture Encounter
Contact Dominik Gnirs at for more information on the next installment of Scripture Encounter!
Mass
Mon - Fri: 6:30a, 8:00a, 12:10p
Saturday: 8:00a, 5:30p
Sunday: 7:30a, 9:30a, 11:30a
1:15p, 5:30p, 7:30p
Confession
Mon - Fri: 5:30-6:00p
Sat: 4:30-5:00p
contact us
St. Monica Catholic Community
725 California Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310-566-1500 Contact Us
St Monica Schools
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