Immaculate Heart of MaryCatholic ChurchDecember 29, 2019

PO Box 130, 411 Ware St, Groom TX 79039Phone & Fax: 806-248-7584 / Cell Phone: 806-316-4146

Parish Email: immaculateheartgroom@gmail.comWebsite: immaculateheartgroomtx.com

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

"Over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection." —Colossians 3:14

Holy Family Sunday can be depressing for people whose families are anything but holy. Christmas can be depressing for people whose families are broken, alienated, hurt, fearful, unforgiving, or bitter. Nevertheless, today's Christmas celebration of holiness and family is a sign of hope.

The Lord will keep His promises to our families. He wants all in our families to be saved (see 1 Tm 2:4), that is, forgiven, freed, and holy. Although we do not have to accept His grace, His infinite and unconditional love is so strong that even the most hardened sinners continue to surrender their lives to the Lord. Consequently, with hopeful confidence:•Forgive by God's grace and God's standards (see Col 3:13).•"Honor your father and your mother" (Ex 20:12; see Sir 3:2ff).•Serve your brothers and sisters.•"Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord" (Col 3:18).•"Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them" (Col 3:19).•"Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged" (Col 3:21).

Let each of us be the first or next in the family to be holy. Other family members will follow. Then, we will all die or meet Jesus returning to earth. Finally, we will have a great family reunion in heaven, and, if the Lord has His way, not one member of our family will be missing. Prayer: Father, by the graces from this Christmas, make my family holy in every aspect of its conduct (see 1 Pt 1:15).

Parish Council ChairAltar Society President

DREBookkeeper

PastorFinance Council Chair

RCIAYouth Director

Bulletin

Arokia Raj SamalaRodney BohrTabitha EggemeyerKathleen Barkleystaci.kotara@gmail.com

Jason EugeaJoannie KlingNicole KuehlerSherri Wieberg

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

"Over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection." —Colossians 3:14

Holy Family Sunday can be depressing for people whose families are anything but holy. Christmas can be depressing for people whose families are broken, alienated, hurt, fearful, unforgiving, or bitter. Nevertheless, today's Christmas celebration of holiness and family is a sign of hope.

The Lord will keep His promises to our families. He wants all in our families to be saved (see 1 Tm 2:4), that is, forgiven, freed, and holy. Although we do not have to accept His grace, His infinite and unconditional love is so strong that even the most hardened sinners continue to surrender their lives to the Lord. Consequently, with hopeful confidence:•Forgive by God's grace and God's standards (see Col 3:13).•"Honor your father and your mother" (Ex 20:12; see Sir 3:2ff).•Serve your brothers and sisters.•"Wives, be subordinate to your husbands, as is proper in the Lord" (Col 3:18).•"Husbands, love your wives, and avoid any bitterness toward them" (Col 3:19).•"Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged" (Col 3:21).

Let each of us be the first or next in the family to be holy. Other family members will follow. Then, we will all die or meet Jesus returning to earth. Finally, we will have a great family reunion in heaven, and, if the Lord has His way, not one member of our family will be missing. Prayer: Father, by the graces from this Christmas, make my family holy in every aspect of its conduct (see 1 Pt 1:15).

Mass Schedule

Information

Pray for Our Sick

Family Chalice Program

Saturday.................................5:30pmSunday...................................8:30am

Monday, Thursday, Friday..........7:30amWednesday..............................6:00pm

Confession: Saturday.........................4:30-5:15pmSunday...........................7:55-8:15am or by appointment

1st Wednesday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament................7:00pm-10:00pm

Brandi Sustaire, John Detten, Emma Detten, Tammy Bivens, Celeste Connelly, Shamara Husemann, Bill Becker, Charleen Weller, Leonard Koetting, Alina Becker, Anna Marie Wink, Shirley Burgin, Matthew Gary Britten, Doris Britten, Phillip Ollinger, Dee Martinez, Shane King, Portia Thurman, JoAnn Britten, Kenny Weller, Ann McNabb, Joe Homer, Kenny Babcock, Herminia Ollinger, George “Jiggs” Britten, Cobb Britten, Luke Acker, Doug Acker, Dorothy Weller and Tatum Stephens.

December 29..................Donna BarnettJanuary 5.............................Nick BohrJanuary 12...................Bill & Linda BohrJanuary 19..........Rodney & Michele BohrJanuary 26.............Mike & Marla Britten

Marriage Preparation: Contact Father Raj at least six months in advance.

Baptism: Call the rectory for an appointment.

Communion: Anyone unable to come forward for communion, let Father Raj know before Mass. Those ill or homebound, please contact Father Raj to arrange for communion to be brought to your home.

Mass IntentionsSaturday, December 28..............5:30pmIsabel Severina Spiriti by Mike & Marla Britten

Sunday, December 29................8:30amIsabel Severina Spiriti by Mike & Marla Britten

Monday, December 30................7:30amIsabel Severina Spiriti by Mike & Marla Britten

Tuesday, December 31..............6:00pm New Year’s Eve Vigil Mass - Parish Family Wednesday, January 01.............9:00am New Year’s Day Mass - Parish Family

Thursday, January 02.................7:30am Eugene Fangman by Mike & Marla Britten

Friday, January 03.....................7:30am Eugene Fangman by Mike & Marla Britten Saturday, January 04.................5:30pm Eugene Fangman by Mike & Marla Britten

Stewardship Reports12/22/19 Stewardship ReportIndividual $1,830Loose $ 226Children $ 40TOTAL $2,096

12/22/19 Building FundIndividual $1,140Loose $ 12TOTAL $1,152

12/25/19 Christmas Stewardship ReportIndividual $4,215Loose $1,289Children $ 136TOTAL $5,640

Liturgical Ministers AnnouncementsThe children’s program will be on Sunday, January 5th. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am followed by a Parish Potluck.

The Sunday morning Bible study will begin on January 12th, studying the book of Mathew. All are welcome, even if you have never joined before. We will be studying one chapter every two weeks, it’s very easy and enlightening. Please contact Jason Eugea at 806-335-6805 to have your book ordered.

Birthdays & AnniversariesDecember 29.....................Tony Treadwell Macie Britten Ingram, and Andrew Britten A: John & Lori ConnellyDecember 30..........A: Art & JoAnn BrittenJanuary 1..............Tanner Paul Britten and Cody KlingJanuary 3.................Nick Weinheimer and Whitt Ward A: Coby & Lainie EilenbergerJanuary 4..................Sherrie Wieberg and Daniel Hinson

Saturday, Dec 28, 2019 at 5:30pmServers: Jackson and AlexLector: Nick KuehlerExtraor. Com. Ministers: Kevin Brown and Jan Britten

Sunday, Dec 29, 2019 at 8:30amServers: Derek and RyanLector: Marcia ConradExtraor. Com. Ministers: Marla Britten, Barbara Homer and Sandie Hickey

Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 at 6:00pmServers: Phineas and SaffronLector: Jason EugeaExtraor. Com. Ministers: Marla Britten and Tabitha Eggemeyer

Wednesday, Jan 1, 2020 at 9:00amServers: Lector: Kay BrittenExtraor. Com. Ministers: Michele Bohr

Saturday, Jan 4, 2020 at 5:30pmServers: Owen and HughLector: Kay BrittenExtraor. Com. Ministers: Kevin Brown and John Connelly

Sunday, Jan 5, 2020 at 11:00amServers: Derek and RyanLector: Cliff BrittenExtraor. Com. Ministers: Susan Britten, Melanie K Britten and Tabitha Eggemeyer

Saturday, Jan 11, 2020 at 5:30pmServers: Stephen and TuckerLector: Ron KuehlerExtraor. Com. Ministers: John Connelly and Jan Britten

Sunday, Jan 12, 2020 at 8:30amServers: Damon and WesleyLector: TYM SundayExtraor. Com. Ministers: Joannie Kling, Nicole Kuehler and Vanessa Eugea

Church Cleaning for JanuaryNeysa Friemel, Julie Friemel, Jessica Britten, Carolyn Brooks, Joannie Kling, Jan Britten, Tonda Torres, Laura Kuehler, Barbara Homer, Doris Homer, Kathleen Barkley, Adela Kotara, Staci Kotara, Melanie Hinson and Karen Brown

JANUARY 1ST - "HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD" "They went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger; once they saw, they understood what had been told them concerning this Child." —Luke 2:16-17 : For a moment, put aside the centuries of religious interpretation of the Nativity, and picture the scenario through the lens of 21st century Western culture. A modern couple denied civil conditions for birth might well be furious over this injustice. They would likely be planning a lawsuit against the "hospital" that sent them away (see Lk 2:7). The visitors at the manger might well be eager lawyers rather than humble shepherds! Scripture tells us that Mary reflected in her heart about the injustices she, Joseph, and her Child were required to endure (Lk 2:19). Such reflection can sometimes lead people to self-pity, anger toward God, or bitterness. However, Mary embraced her situation and humbly "treasured" these events (Lk 2:19). Mary's holiness led her to strive to see all things from God's perspective instead of a human one. Mary thereby proved herself a member of God's family, for God the Father also embraced His Son's lowly birth into the human condition (Gal 4:4). Many crosses await us in 2020. Right now, make a New Year's resolution to "treasure" all the crosses that come into your life and see how the Lord will use them to transform your world.

Prayer: Father, look kindly on us and grant us peace (Nm 6:26).

Your parish council would like for you to check out our parish website. If you have not seen it in the past, you will be impressed by the simplicity, intuitiveness, and beauty of it. You can begin your day with reflections from Bishop Robert Barron, see the days mass readings, and find information about our parish, and events and articles from around the diocese. The various parish organizations have begun to update information on theirspecific pages. You can see minutes from the past parish council meetings and get information on what is happening in each organization. You can see electronic versions of the bulletins throughout the year. If you have any questions about the website, contact Tabitha Eggemeyer or Jason Eugea.

Visit: immaculateheartgroomtx.com

December 29.....................Tony Treadwell Macie Britten Ingram, and Andrew Britten A: John & Lori ConnellyDecember 30..........A: Art & JoAnn BrittenJanuary 1..............Tanner Paul Britten and Cody KlingJanuary 3.................Nick Weinheimer and Whitt Ward A: Coby & Lainie EilenbergerJanuary 4..................Sherrie Wieberg and Daniel Hinson