Saint Nicholas was honored this past Sunday with a visit from a special guest from the Basilica de Guadalupe in Mexico City — a traveling statue of the Virgen de Guadalupe with a retinue of colorful pilgrims. Here are just a few highlights from this exciting experience.

Father Cooper started his Thanksgiving Day homily by asking us if we’d thanked anyone today, and to imagine what it would be like if we were grateful every day for the roof over our heads and the people in our lives.

Father Vladimir blessed the wine and bread we’d brought to Mass; now we will have truly blessed Thanksgiving dinners!

Happy Thanksgiving from the parish family of Saint Nicholas.

This past Sunday was the day before Veterans Day. Father Cooper blessed and prayed for those veterans in attendance who truly exemplify John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay his life down for his friends.” Thanks and God’s blessing on these gentlemen.

We marked Saint Nicholas of Myra’s 80th anniversary on October 6th, & you can find many pictures here in our Gallery. We also took a few short videos of the music & confirmands & a little liturgy.

Today’s gospel was Luke 16:19-31. Father Cooper challenged us to think of what a “neighbor” is in our modern world, & how we can help someone who is starving like Lazarus. It might be someone starved for food, but also for our friendship. It could be a difficult family member that we’ve written off.

He also asked us to think of how we can love others how God loves, which requires us to try to think like God. In short, how can we be more Godlike in love and action to everyone, even difficult people?

Several of us attended the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s in Palms last Sunday. Father Cooper concelebrated Mass with their rector, Father Vincent Shamo, and the retired Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Bishop John Taylor & several other rectors from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles also concelebrated. Thanks to Amy Ellis & Kellie Adan for the pictures [the very last one was taken by Bishop Taylor].

We will be creating a new photo directory of our parishioners for 2020. Your pets are welcome! The photos will be taken in February.

​You can fill out a paper form at the back of the church & give it to parish administrator Lynn Nelson if you are unable to complete this online form.

Our English and Spanish speaking parishioners come together as one to celebrate a bilingual Mass for Pentecost. It is a wonderful way to commemorate the apostles’ encounter with the Holy Spirit & our mission of spreading the gospel to all...no matter what language they speak.

Father Michael & Father Vladimir both gave inspired & moving homilies, & we got to add another little soul to Christ’s church with the sacrament of baptism!

Very, very early in the morning on May 3, Father Cooper & members of our vestry met with children of incarcerated parents in our own church parking lot. They provided food, water, & prayer for participants in the Get on the Bus program, which takes kids (& spouses) of inmates up to visit their moms & dads in prison.

Some of these children hadn’t seen their parent in over five years, as the journey to Susanville is long and expensive for them. Get on the Bus provides the transportation, which is in turn paid for by generous donations.

Thanks especially to Jennifer & Pat for assisting in this service to children & their families.

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28

Father Cooper asked on Good Shepherd Sunday how we hear Jesus in our own lives. Some of us hear him through the homilies and through prayer, and even the words of our families and friends.

Father suggested that if we want to hear Jesus more fully, we challenge ourselves to read scripture every day. An easy way to do this is to check out the daily readings in the lectionary, which can be found for free here.

How much closer can you be to Christ if you take up this practice for the rest of Easter?