COURTESY BEFORE & DURING MASS

This is a friendly reminder to please do your best to refrain from talking before and during any Mass or other liturgical assembly. This is especially directed at all Ministers who are gathering in the vestibule area. Please keep your voices down in respect for those who come to church for quiet contemplation before Mass. 

It shall be the responsibility of the Hospitality Minister (Usher), if present, to ensure that a quiet atmosphere is maintained. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEEDFUL AND ILL:

Catherine Blanchard, Meg Smart, Rose Cruz, Susie Boka, Victor Boka, Mary Cho Sabol, Richard Murphy, Dorthy Steburg, Velma Baker, Janet Wilkinson, Virginia Michaels, Bob Baker, Guadalupe Pina, Mary Denny, Sidney Epstein, Janet Carter, Norene Ferrari, Vince Ferrari, Marianna Cruz, Suzy Van Camp, Juli Vasper, Susan Sabol, Rene Strader, Doug Vasper, Bill Monsimer, Bernadine Reid, Mary Pritchard, Glenn Miller, Theresa Bowles, Arthur McTavish, Connie Koptis, James Gordon, Richard Dolata, Jeffery Hangholt, Cecelia Wingate, Kathy Marshall, Nancy Hathaway, Ann Stefanowich, Joe Rice, John Cava, Jim Wiseman, Shirley Hangholt, Dr. Ronnie Bentley, Harold Nelson, Elizabeth Peterson, Audrey DeWitt, Arleen Dolnick, Mary Lou Robillard, Elizabeth Peterson, Manny Rivera, Julie Bler, Roy Schaefer, Joan Healy, Steve Packard, Janet Carter,Ted Carter, Gloria Dunham, Lisa Geilhausen, Karen Renish, Bill Tyne, Rose Murray, Consuelo Villamar, Jack Anderson, Betty Ambrose and Lisa Geilhausen.

PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF OUR PARISHIONERS AND FOR OUR RECENTLY DECEASED:

Rev. Stanley Jazbec, Francka Jazbec, Evelyn Reid, Lowell Reid, Alberta Aracdi, Ralph Aracdi, Bill Todd, James Tuffley, Leo Blanchard, Ken Skahill, Michael Patz, Justine Cable, Irene Garcia, Margaret Eschmann, Jim Hoch, Thelma Ohse, Aruelia Barraza, Joel Reed, Diega Lombardi, Karen Malone, Jerry Blair, Clement Kahler, Maude Philips, Agnes Fuerst, Isle Mistal, Josephine Walker, Simeon Morganite, Roy Earl Dixon, Sara O’Neill, Mel Benson, Melsy Yrizarry, Kristopher Gregory, Eva Villalun, Geraldine Warner, Patricia Heersema, Cecil James, Anna Belle Deuel, Lorraine Schaefer, Rozann Drzal, Kathryn Uhrlaub, Patricia Heersema, Barbara Kramer, Ziola Preciado, Dominador Ochoa, Remy Ochoa, Barbara Ozon, Jim Sweeney, Connie Sweeney, Marie Barrett, Sr. Mary Michael, Alice Glass, Delores Roybal, Sharon Prosperis, Ray McCray, Audrey Renish, Ramon (Craig) Renish, Helen Fitch (Sabol), George Milemore, John Watson, John Bentley, Evelyn Snell, Lavern Fagan, Ann Lucero, Cheryl Palermo, Evelyn Pinney, Laurelee Pinney, Rita Kutek, Stewart Denny, Audrey Murphy, Gil Craton, Kathy Licher, Alexis Schoffstall, Mary Louise Schoffstall, John Barta, Guadalupe Bueno, Wesley Furqueron, Dorothy Uvaas, Jim Wiseman, Ronnie Renish, Fr. Aloysius Lucking,  Ken Eschmann, Ann Stefanowich,and Christine Olson.

REMEMBER THOSE WHO KEEP US FREE

Please remember our brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and all over the world who need your prayers so much.

Pray for their safe return and for their

families that their anguish may be eased.

FOR TRAVELING CATHOLICS

There is a free service for Catholics who are traveling and looking for a Mass. 

For nationwide Mass times and locations, call:

1-800-627-7846.

Or check on the internet at: Masstimes

LOST AND FOUND

Did you lose a Rosary about a year ago?

One was found near Wal-Mart.

Call 365-4490 to describe it and claim it from the party who found it.

EWTN TELEVISION MASS

If for any reason you are unable to get out and attend Mass,

EWTN broadcasts Mass on their network every day.

You can see Sunday Mass and all weekday Masses at 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 am.

Daily Masses are repeated at 4:00 p.m.

CHOIR NEWS

St. Christopher’s Choir.

New members are ALWAYS welcome.

Let’s see how many pews we can fill this year!

For information call Bernadine Reid at 365-4733.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Please visit

Poems & Prayers

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION:

Our next First Friday Holy Hour is on

December 4th. after morning Mass.

There will be prayers,

devotion, and Benediction.

All are invited.

BULLETIN DEADLINE

If you have an article for the bulletin, your information needs to be received by noon the previous Monday.

Call bulletin editor Glenn Miller at 364-3957, or e-mail.

PARISH BREAKFAST AND DOUGHNUT SOCIAL

⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂

DOUGHNUT SOCIAL

The next social is Sunday December 6th after morning Mass. We have coffee, juice and pastries in the Community Center. This is an opportunity to meet someone new, or renew a friendship. Please support this important community building social event.

PARISH BREAKFAST

There is no parish breakfast in December due to the Christmas season.

⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂ ⁂

 HEALING RETREAT 

If you have emotional or spiritual wounds as a result of a past abortion, please consider attending the upcoming Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreat on December 4-6. The retreat is a safe place to experience God's love, forgiveness and compassion. Please contact Mary Huber at 90-214-3324 for information. This as a Pro-Life Catholic Ministry.

THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST

Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010 as the ''YEAR OF THE PRIEST.'' 

The purpose of this special declaration is to focus on the missionary identity of the priest and his mission to sanctify, teach and govern.

During this year, the Pope will also proclaim St. John Vianney to be patron saint of all the world's priests. At present he is patron of only parish priests.

St. John Vianney is widely known to Catholics as the Cure (Parish Priest) of Ars who won over the hearts of his villagers in France by visiting with them, teaching them about God and reconciling people to the Lord in the confessional.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the death of this 19th century saint who represents a ''true example of a priest at the service of the flock of Christ,'' the Pope said. 

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS AND PRIESTLY VOCATIONS

Heavenly Father, please grant to Your Faithful servants the grace and strength to carry out Your mission for the Church each day. 

Keep our priests close to You and continue to inspire them to serve others in Your holy name. 

Please help to inspire men who are called to a priestly vocation to answer Your call and participate in the fullness that You have planned for them. 

AMEN  

OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CEMETERY

This cemetery is the first Catholic cemetery to be consecrated for service to the faithful of the Diocese of San Bernardino. It is centrally located in the city of Colton. It offers ground burial in both single lots and in double-depth lawn crypts. Burial of cremated remains is also available. Our Lady Queen of Peace also offers family estates and family mausoleums. All Souls Mausoleum, located with the cemetery, is available for above-ground entombment, both inside and outside. Funeral liturgies (including Mass), attended by up to 150 people, may be conducted in the Mausoleum Chapel.

Further information may be obtained for planning prior to need by calling 877-833-7526. For immediate need, call 909-796-9351. The cemetery is located at 3510 Washington St., Colton CA 92324. The office of Catholic Cemeteries offers a pre-paid funeral plan. Call 877-833-7526 for information.

SENIOR HOUSING AVAILABLE

St. Bernardine Plaza is a senior housing apartment complex for low-income seniors located in downtown San Bernardino. The project is financed under a program by the Dept. Of Housing and Urban Development. It is open to all applicants whose head of household is at least 62 years of age, or if the applicant is 18 years or older and has a physical disability that requires a special unit modified for a wheelchair.

For further information, contact the Office of the Bishop at 909-475-5110, and ask for information about St. Bernardine Plaza.

LECTOR FORMATION

The diocese is holding a Lector certification course to be held on six Wednesday nights in September-October in San Bernardino. Contact Deacon Miller if you are interested.

DDF - DIOCESAN DEVELOPMENT FUND (updated 5-29-09)

Every year, each parish in the Diocese must donate to the DDF. This fund is used for the expenses and improvement of the entire Diocese and is essential in order for our church to exist and serve its people. All parishes benefit from the DDF. We are a universal church. Here is a first quarter update for St. Christopher:

Year-----Goal-------Paid------Rebate/Shortage

2006---$11,000---$12,360---= +$1,360

2007---$11,900---$11,738---= - $162

2008---$13,000---$12,125---= - $875

2009---$13,100---$11,342---= - $1758

61 out of 270 registered families have pledged for 2009. Thank you very much to the families who have made a pledge for 2009. The average pledge is $213.40 Still 37 families who made pledges in 2006-2008 have not made a pledge for 2009. If we do not meet our goal, the parish must make up the shortage from the general fund. Any amount that exceeds our goal will be rebated to the parish. Please consider making a pledge today, no matter what the amount, and remember to follow through with your pledge.

SPECIAL DDF COLLECTIONS

Effective at the beginning of July 2009, every fourth Sunday of the month a second collection will be taken for the Diocesan Development Fund (DDF). Please give generously.

Fr. Ignatius Pastor 

HIGH DESERT PREGNANCY CLINIC NEEDS DONATIONS

The clinic is in need of donations of gently used maternity clothing and baby clothing suitable for children up to age 24 months. Equipment, formula and disposable diapers are always welcome, as are monetary gifts. Also, the clinic is looking for volunteers that would like to work with women and men facing problems related to pregnancies. The clinic gives free pregnancy tests and counseling. We are located at: 56669 29 Palms Hwy, Suite D, Yucca Valley. Call 369-8512. Ask for Laura Jensen, Executive Director, or Mary Anne Braham, RN,C. We would also appreciate your prayers.

HI DESERT PREGNANCY CENTER FUND RAISER

Please be sure to return your "Baby Bottle Boomerang" bottles ASAP. 

They do not have to be full. 

Thank you everyone who has donated to this important community service. 

Contact Mary Anne Braham or Gloria Dunham for information.

SMALL FAITH COMMUNITY FORMING AT ST. CHRISTOPHER 

We are excited to have a Small Faith Community beginning in St. Christopher of the Desert Parish. Our meetings will consist of Faith Sharing, Prayer and Service. We will meet at our house (the DunhamÍs) beginning Wednesday September 9th at 7:00PM. We can discuss a permanent day and time best for everyone at the first meeting. A prayer group is very important for our spiritual growth and general well-being. Our Blessed Mother has asked us to form prayer groups, especially in this, our time. Please call me if you have any input or questions.

Gloria Dunham 760-366-9143, 7745 Elwood St, Joshua Tree.

FROM THE DEACON'S DESK

KNOW YOUR SAINTS - Rose Philippine Duchesne (8-29-1769 to 11-18-1852) November 18th

Rose was a Catholic nun. She was born in Grenoble, France and died in St. Charles, Missouri. She founded the first houses of the Society of the Sacred Heart in America. She was educated by the Visitation nuns, entered the order, and saw its dispersion during the French Revolution. Rose was dedicated to helping ''heathen'' souls in distant lands, and the neglected and poor at home. In 1818 ''Mother'' Duchesne set out for America with four companions. She ended up with Jesuit Priests in Kansas and helped them to educate Native Americans at a Christian community. The Indians knew Rose as ''the woman who prays always.'' Rose was canonized by Pope John Paul II on July 3, 1988.  

God Bless You,

Deacon Glenn

RETROUVAILLE MARRIAGE PROGRAM

Do you feel alone?

Are you frustrated or angry with each other?

Do you argue or have you stopped talking altogether?

Retrouvaille helps couples through difficult times in their marriages. The program has helped 1000’s.

For confidential information about the program or to register for the next program, call Jan or Pete Lauder at 714-871-5953. Their web site.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed to help with breakfasts on the third Sunday of each month, and also to provide lunch dishes for funeral receptions in the hall. There are sign-up sheets in the vestibule of the church.

COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY:

EACH ITEM DONATED MAKES A DIFFERENCE

We are in need of any kind of cereal such as Cheerios and Wheaties. We also need peanut butter (large or small jars), canned fruit, canned tuna, baby food (any type) spaghetti noodles and sauce, ramen noodles, canned soup, vegetables, and oatmeal.

Please donate only new items or items that are within their expiration date. We cannot use old or expired food. We also accept super market gift cards. These cards are used by the pantry to purchase items that are on sale. We do not give the cards to patrons. If you wish to donate perishable items such as fresh fruit or vegetables, please deliver them directly to the food pantry after 7:00 a.m. any Wednesday morning.

The pantry is located at Faith Lutheran Church, 6336 Hallee Rd. Joshua Tree. Call Deacon Glenn at 364-3957 or 810-9419 (cell) for further information regarding the pantry. Remember, each item you donate makes a difference in someone's life.

It is through your donations, people of St. Christopher parish, that the community pantry is able to continue to serve the needy of our community. God Bless You.

If you have questions, contact pantry president Glenn Miller at 364-3967.

RECYCLING PROGRAMS

Please keep donating your empty or obsolete cartridges and toner. There is also a box for old cell phones in the vestibule of the church. Thank you.

So far, the ink-jet printer cartridges that you have turned in for recycling have brought in a total of $929.08 for the parish. Thank you all for participating. Please keep donating your empty ink-jet cartridges. The box is on the table in the vestibule of the church. 

MINISTERS, ALTAR SERVERS PLEASE READ!

REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE A LECTOR, MINISTER OF HOLY COMMUNION, OR ALTAR SERVER AT ST. CHRISTOPHER’S, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PICK UP A SCHEDULE AND TO FIND YOUR OWN REPLACEMENT IF YOU CANNOT SERVE ON A SCHEDULED DAY.

All ministers with e-mail addresses should receive a schedule and roster via e-mail if you have given your address to Deacon Glenn.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA IN-HOME DEVOTION

The special statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be in the home of Joe Ballinger from November 29th to December 6th. The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. Call 1-760-418-5740 for intentions.. For information, and to schedule this devotion for your home, call Rose Murray at 365-7490.

PRISON MINISTRY

Thank you to all who have so generously donated reading materials and other items to the prison ministry. Thanks to your generous giving, we now have an abundance of articles to use. We are overwhelmed! At this time, we ask that you discontinue donating until further notice. God Bless You. If you have questions, contact: 

‣Rae & Steve Packard, 

‣Marj Harwood, 

‣Mary Knoblauch.

WHEELCHAIRS AVAILABLE

All Medicare recipients should be aware that if they suffer from conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease or respiratory disorders and have difficulty walking or using a standard wheelchair, they may be eligible to receive an electric wheelchair paid for by Medicare. For information on eligibility, call Gregory at 800-810-2877.

<center>