Saint Mel Catholic Church / Norco, CA
Pastor: Rev. Gerardo Mendoza
Became Pastor on July 1, 2013 / First term completed
June 30, 2019. 2nd term approved by Bishop Barnes.
Parochial Vicar: Rev. James Onyenuni M
1st term started Feb 2019, term 3 yrs.
Deacon: Joe Vela
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Holy Week Service Schedule (see 4/14/19 Bulletin)
Holy Thursday Mass (4/18/19) : 7:30 pm Bilingual
Holy Friday (4/19/19) : Noon -- Stations of the Cross English / 3pm Spanish
7:30 pm Passion of Christ - Bilingual
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil Mass 8 pm Bilingual
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Daily Bible Readings: Go to Devotions under Worship menu
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Catholic Daily Reflections
https://catholic-daily-reflections.com/daily-reflections/
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Go to bulletin section of this web for more info
Check bulletin for info on:
Youth Ministry, Healing Retreats, World Youth Day
See below for location of our church + map, contact us phone and other info
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Devotion to Sacred Heart of Jesus
O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing
I adore you, I love you and with a lively sorrow for my sins
I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make my humble,
patient, pure and wholly obedient to your holy will. Grant,
Good Jesus that I may live in you and for you. Protect me
in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions, give me
health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing
on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Divine Mercy Sunday
Sunday April 28th.
From the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938), is said to have been personally visited by Jesus.
According to her diary, which was listed on the Index of Forbidden Books for more than 20 years, an image was revealed to her of the risen Lord, from whose heart shone two rays, one red (representing blood) and the other “pale” (symbolizing water), with the words “Jesus, I trust in you” at the bottom. Faustina wrote in her diary that Jesus told her, “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish.”
It had been Jesus’ own wish, she wrote, to establish a feast day: “I [Jesus] desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls. . . . I am giving them the last hope of salvation; that is, the Feast of My Mercy.”
Among the practices associated with the devotion are its novena, the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy (a series of prayers organized similarly to a rosary), the Hour of Great Mercy (a time of prayer traditionally celebrated at 3 p.m.), and the plenary indulgence granted to those who receive the Eucharist and celebrate reconciliation on Divine Mercy Sunday.
click on this for devotion prayers
https://centrefordivinemercy.org/3-oclock-prayer-chaplet
Start Mercy Sunday Novena on Good Friday April 19th.
Also go to front of church for free pamphlets and prayer cards for Mercy Sunday
Lenten Season Begins on Ash Wednesday Mar 6
What is Lent?
Lent is the forty-day liturgical season of fasting, special prayer and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. The name “Lent” is from the Middle English “Lencten,” meaning spring; its more primitive ecclesiastical name was the “forty days,” “quadragesima” in Latin or “tessaracoste” in Greek. The number “forty” is first noted in the Canons of Nicaea (A.D. 325), likely in imitation of Jesus’ fast in the desert before His public ministry (with Old Testament precedent in Moses and Elijah). By the fourth century, in most of the West, it referred to six days’ fast per week of six weeks (Sundays were excluded).
It is suggested that we make a sacrifice of some things we like e.g., Popcorn, Ice cream, candy, beer, entertainment, going out to dinner, etc on Monday through Saturday. Note: Sunday doesn't count as Lent. Whatever we sacrifice we should stick to it or don't do it. We then offer up our sacrifices for our sins and the world. We can offer up lots of things such as a family rosary or prayer night, a family charity projects, visit the sick, help poor people, etc.
.. Ash Wed Mass Schedule: 8 am English 5:30 pm English
.. 12 Noon Ash Distribution
Black Fast on Ash Wed and Good Friday BLACK FAST is a rigorous form of fasting which, in its most classic form, was limited to one meal per day, not taken before evening, and excluding all flesh meat, ... All animal meat (called abstinence). All fish is ok to eat. Soup with meat or meat juice not ok. All this to give our deepest respect to Jesus Dying on the cross. Bread and water with coffee or tea ok for morning and afternoon then a full dinner ok (but no meat). Note: Pastries are not considered bread.
Age rules for fasting: Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat (and items made with meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. Every person between the age of 18 and 59 (beginning of 60th year) must both abstain and fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Note: Fasting is eating less and abstinence is not eating animal meat.
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LET'S WELCOME FR JAMES TO ST MEL !!!
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Marriage Workshop; March 9th -- see events page
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WELCOME BISHOP BARNES
Bishop Barnes came to visit on Jan 23, 24. Celebrated
mass, spoke to youth, dinner with ministers.
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WORLD YOUTH DAY - 17 Jan2019
St Mel Life Teen Group returned from Panama trip
See photos of trip on Youth page
Photos from St Mel Youth Group - Panama Trip January 2019
See Youth
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WHAT'S COMING
* ALPHA IS COMING TO ST MEL ON 16 JAN, 6:30 PM IN THE HALL
See Events for more info / Vea Eventos para mas informacion
MINISTRY LEADERS
You are invited to add any announcements and events to the St Mel web
Please call or email Gil Bastien
H (951) 734-5125
gbastien3@ca.rr.com
What's New
New-- Free Pamphlets & Holy cards in front of church
Mini Library for Hall planned
Parking Lot Redo complete
New Solar System for Sanctuary working great (cost savings)
Grotto for the Unborn (front corner of Church) - Boy Scout project
Changed to LED lights (cost savings)
Church roof upgrade complete
New fans in hall / nice and cool now
New Fridge in St Peter's room
New Air Conditioner in Church working great
New bulletin board outside of Church (north side)
Also, like our Facebook Page (click here)
ALPHA
The new Alpha session is almost here! Start off the New Year with a renewed commitment to your relationship with Christ. Our first meeting will be Wednesday, January 11th. We will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Child care will be provided. Please join us for dinner and bring a friend!
¡La nueva sesión de Alpha esta casi aquí! Comience el nuevo año con un renovado compromiso para mejorar su relación con Cristo. Nuestra primera reunión será el miércoles, 11 de enero. Comenzáremos con cena a las 6:30 p.m. en el salón parroquial. Se proveerá cuidado de niños. ¡Por favor acompáñenos