October 5, 2008 December 7, 2008

November 17, 2019 Thirty-Third

Sunday in Ordinary Time

MAILING ADDRESS: 1949 Cullen Blvd., Houston, Texas 77023 P.O. Box 230287, Houston, Texas 77223 Off: (713) 236-9977 Fax: (713) 236-0073

Web Page: www.cccgh.com OFFICE HOURS: Monday ...................... Closed Tuesday ..................... 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday ................ 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Thursday ................... 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Chapel Opens at 5:30 pm Friday ........................ 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

PASTORAL STAFF: Rev. Jorge Alvarado, Director .................. Ext. 105 Rev. John Paul Bolger, CC Assoc. Dir….... Ext. 120 Rev. Francis A. Frankovich, C.C……………Ext. 106

Director Emeritus: Rev. Richard Paulissen, M.M. r.paulissen@yahoo.com

OFFICE STAFF: Alicia Driscoll, Administrative Assistant………….....… Ext. 102

Aleida Hinojosa, Administrative Assistant to Director….. Ext. 101

Luz Carina Carbajal, Receptionist…………………………Ext. 100 Ann Martinez, English Ministry…………….…..…………... Ext. 103 Joe Lopez, Security/Maintenance……………….…….… Ext. 111 Gloria Morales, Hispanic Ministry Assistant……….…... Ext. 104 Alfonso Ramirez, Security/Maintenance………………….Ext. 111 Margaret Colunga, Data Management………..…...…….. Ext. 110 Mela Gutierrez, Bookstore Assistant…………………….. Ext. 113 Noris Redondo, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator…......… Ext. 109 Skip Davey, Administrator…………..………….……….…. Ext. 108 Bookstore Manager…………………………………………….Ext. 112

MARRIAGE & ANNULMENTS PREPARATION:

Deacon Michael Garcia…...…………………………………….Ext. 114

ENGLISH MINISTRY: Ann Martinez, Coordinator ……………………………... Ext. 103

HISPANIC MINISTRY:

Noris Redondo, Coordinator………………………….…... Ext. 109 Gloria Morales, Assistant….………………………….…... Ext. 104

BOOKSTORE HOURS Tuesday……..10:45 am - 2:00 pm Wednesday….10:45 am - 2:00 pm Thursday…. 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Not open after Mass Friday……….10:45 am - 2:00 pm and 5:30-7:30pm Sunday Mass Only

REGULARLY SCHEDULED MASS AND EVENTS MONDAY: CENTER AND OFFICES CLOSED TUESDAY: 12:00 Noon - English Mass/ Chapel WEDNESDAY: 12:00 Noon Spanish Mass/Main Sanctuary

Prayer Teams are available after ‘Asamblea’

10:00 - 11:00 am First Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration

THURSDAY: 6:00 - 7:00 pm Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel

7:20 - 7:30 pm Praise & Worship Main Sanctuary 7:30 pm - Mass, Main Sanctuary 2nd Thursday of Each Month before Mass Blessing of Salt, Water and Oil FRIDAY: 12:00 Noon - English Mass 7:30 pm Spanish Mass

8:30 - 9:30 pm First Friday Eucharistic Adoration SATURDAY: 8:30 am Mass for Life - Chapel

SUNDAY: 9:00 - 10:00 am Eucharistic Adoration 9:30 - 10:00 am Liturgy of the Hours (Chapel) 10:00 - 10:30 am Praise & Worship Main Sanctuary 10:30 am - Mass Main Sanctuary Nigerian Mass: 2nd Sunday 1:00pm Main Sanctuary Fellowship upstairs in fellowship hall after Mass Vietnamese Mass: 2nd Sunday 3:00 pm room 111

Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick Please call for an appointment SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Sunday……….....9:30 am - 10:20 am Wednesday…….11:00 am - 11:50 am Thursday……….6:30 pm - 7:20 pm Friday…………...6:30 pm - 7:20 pm or by appointment

Prayer Intentions Avelina Estebanes, Frances Munoz, Pedro Lopez, Nathan Olivo,

Carmen Garcia, Paul Alaniz, Ramon Hernandez Angelea Martinez, Teresa & Lola Castillo, Helen Paxtot, George Castillo, Annette Sal-dana, Chris Ramirez, Kimberly Gonzalez, Manuel Saldana, Linda

Adornetto, Fr. Mark Goring, John Martinez, Jesse Flores, Fr. George Olsovsky, Al Colunga, Dcn Michael Garcia, Joe Sierra, Di-ane Smith, Samantha Cruz, Kourtney Ruiz, Michael Trajan, Zacha-ry Colunga, Alisha Rivera, Julieta Hernandez, Teresa Morales, Ector

Mata, Phocion & Cheryl Park, Toni Ford, Epifania Denbo, Mary Ann Colunga, Fr. Greg Gregory, Theresa Valadez, Ivonne Rodri-

guez, Matilda & Robert Gonzales, Bernadette Garza, Eunterio Flo-res, Fr. Francis Frankovich, Conchita Bruno, Omar E. Pena, Adam

Sanchez, Gus Kemp, Nora Elizondo, Ruben Granados, Chris & Marco Lopez, Carmen Velasco, Adrianna Lopez, Victorio Rangel,

Sandi & Bobbi Embesi, Humberto Isassi III, Alyssa Martinez, Gloria Castro, Dorita Martinez, Victor Villarreal, Suzanne Elizondo, Joshua Castro, Monica Garcia, Preston Lewis, Rudy Reyna, Catalina

Rivera, Javier Lazo, Elsie Cobb, Mary Hood, Dcn Gerald DuPont, Jesus Lopez, Elijah Mondragon, Barbara Ryan, Virginia Gonzalez,

Sandra Longoria, Alyssa Hernandez, Rita Ochoa, Roger & Martha Sherman

In Memoriam † Carol Bean † Freddy Rios † Margaret Guevara † Marcus Magallon † Joe Bontke † Maria C. Rodriguez † Donila Escobar † Blasa Zepeda

Readings f or the Week of December 22, 2019 Monday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Wednesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Thursday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Friday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

OFFICE, STAFF, MASS, & RECONCILIATION INFORMATION

MASS FOR LIFE Every Saturday 8:30 am Followed by a Rosary at Planned Parenthood located

at 4600 Gulf Freeway

Next Baptism and Baptism Class Date: January 19, 2020 Time: 12:30 - 1:30

Required Documents: Birth certificate & pre-registration form must be brought to class Please call the office & speak with Luz for more

information and to pre-register on or before:

January 10, 2020 713-236-9977

Office hours are Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

THIS WEEK AT THE CENTER… THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2019

Feast of the

Holy Innocents Saint of the Day for December 28

Herod “the Great,” king of Judea, was unpopular with his people because of his connections with the Romans and his religious indifference. Hence he was in-secure and fearful of any threat to his throne. He was a master politician and a tyrant capable of extreme brutality. He killed his wife, his brother, and his sister’s two husbands, to name only a few. Matthew 2:1-18 tells this story: Herod was “greatly troubled” when astrologers from the east came asking the wherea-bouts of “the newborn king of the Jews,” whose star they had seen. They were told that the Jewish Scriptures named Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah would be born. Herod cunningly told them to report back to him so that he could also “do him homage.” They found Jesus, offered him their gifts, and warned by an angel, avoided Herod on their way home. Jesus escaped to Egypt. Herod became furious and “ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” The horror of the massacre and the devastation of the mothers and fathers led Matthew to quote Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamenta-tion; Rachel weeping for her children…” (Matthew 2:18). Rachel was the wife of Jacob (Israel). She is pictured as weeping at the place where the Israelites were herded to-gether by the conquering Assyrians for their march into captivity. Reflection: The Holy Innocents are few in comparison to the genocide and abortion of our day. But even if there had been only one, we recognize the greatest treasure God put on the earth—a human person, destined for eternity, and graced by Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Innocents are the Patron Saints of: Babies www.franciscanmedia.org

SALE! 15% off of ALL Merchandise

in the CCC Bookstore! Effective through the month of

DECEMBER MANY NEW ITEMS Cards ~ Rosaries ~

Jewelry, Bibles and New Children’s Items

www.cccgh.com ENGLISH MINISTRY, YOUTH AND NEWS www.cccgh.com

Breaking Bread Homeless Ministries

News From The Streets…

Precious

By Mary Martha Primerano The bus station in our city is laden with individuals

who seem to have given up in life. On any given day, you will find groups of men and women there, desperate for a handout. For this reason, we normally do not stop at the bus station. We know we would be wiped out of food in a matter of sec-onds. But today, we chose to stop down the block where we asked a kind gentleman if it was okay to park in the alley near-by. He smiled and gently said, “Yes, of course—it should be no problem.”

We parked, and people began to make their way to our cars for food, groceries, and prayer. After a few minutes, one pretty young lady approached us. She was well dressed and didn’t appear to be in need. I smiled at her and asked if she would like some food or toiletries. She said no to both, but said she would like some prayer. I was touched by her sincerity. The woman said her name was Precious, so right then and there, under Highway 59 at the Pierce Elevated, we prayed for Precious. We prayed that God would open good doors for her, and of course, close any doors that needed to be shut. When we finished, she said thank you and quickly walked away, wiping tears from her eyes.

Precious is one of God’s children who needed some encouragement. And that’s exactly what we gave her. As the old song says, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.” People like Precious are why we are placed on this earth. We are called to be a light for her and many others in a very dark world.

If interested in volunteering please contact:

Walt Primerano 713.661.7167 or

Mary Primerano (12/22) Nicholas Garza (12/22) Emmanuela Emeakoroha (12/22) Angelina Garcia (12/22) Curtis Strauss (12/22) Ana Gaitan (12/22) Juan Reyes (12/22) Norma Flores (12/22) Bibian Uzoma (12/23) Diana Chapa (12/23) Juan Arredondo (12/23) Dianne Gongora (12/24) Maria A. Amaya (12/24)

Michael Sundholm (12/24)

Jonie Sowl † (12/25) Elizabeth Hinojos (12/25) Linda Mejia (12/25) Sabrina Martinez (12/25) Cynthia Galaviz (12/26) Maria Onuigbo (12/26) Peter Blessinger (12/26) Juan Fuentes (12/26) Abigail Moncevaiz (12/27) Juanita Esquivel (12/27) Vinson Villarreal (12/27) Jose Leon, Jr. (12/27) Elias Pallares (12/27)

SAVE THE DATES

Mass For Life Jan.4 8:30 am

Seminario de Vida 4 de Ene 8:00 am

NTL Seniors Prayer Group Jan. 7 10:00 am

DIG for TEENS Jan. 8 7:00 pm

Caminando Con Jesus 9 de Ene 7:00 pm

Crecimiento 1 y 2 9 de Ene 7:00pm

Faith in the Fire Retreat Jan. 11

& 12 Details soon

Fire Night - Foundation Series Jan. 14 7:30 pm

The Great Adventure Bible Study

Jan. 14 7:00pm

Men’s Meeting - Jan. 17 7:00 pm

UPCOMING EVENTS, RETREATS at THE CCC, AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE AND MORE

THE GREAT ADVENTURE BIBLE STUDY ~ STORY OF SALVATION ~

START DATE: TUESDAY JANUARY 14 TUESDAY NIGHT FOR 24 WEEKS

TIME: 7:00PM TO 9:00PM NO REGISTRATION FEE: FREE

Register at www.ccrno.org or CCRNO + P.O. Box 7515 + Metairie, La. 70010-7515

PAGINA 6 IV DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO, CICLO A 22 DE DICIEMBRE DEL 2019

JESÚS NACERÁ DE MARÍA, DESPOSADA CON JOSÉ,

HIJO DE DAVID

San Mateo 1,18-24. La Encarnación del Hijo de Dios.- A las puertas ya de la celebración de la Navidad este cuarto domingo de Adviento nos permite asomarnos al misterio de la Encarna-ción. Y como en el ciclo dominical propio de este año litúrgico leemos especialmente el Evangelio según san Mateo, el texto central de hoy nos habla de la Encarnación como lo hace este evangelista, es decir, más desde la perspectiva de José que de la de María. El relato más conocido, el de la Anunciación, se halla, como sabemos, en el texto de san Lucas. Nuestra oportunidad esta vez es mirar a Mateo, o mejor dicho, mirar cómo Mateo introduce el misterio de la Encarnación desde la óptica de José. También aquí, como en el caso de Lucas, interviene un ángel, aunque no se da su nombre. El mensaje del ángel es importante en cada una de las palabras. Pido que atendamos muy bien a ellas, porque mi impresión es que no solemos captar unas reso-nancias fundamentales de la revelación que recibe José, y estas resonancias nos ayudan grandemente en la comprensión del mis-terio del Niño que ha de nacer y en la comprensión también de la misión absolutamente singular de José. "María, tu Esposa, Dará a Luz un Hijo".- El mensaje central está en esta frase: "María, tu esposa… dará a luz un hijo." La clave está en dos cosas: primera, la reafirmación de que María es verdadera esposa de José; segunda, las condiciones en que ese Niño viene al mundo: "ella ha concebido por obra del Espíritu Santo." Estos dos puntos contienen lo esencial. Los dos elementos del mensaje del ángel no se contradicen. No aparece ahí que ella es menos esposa porque el hijo venga del Espíritu Santo ni tampoco aparece duda de que el niño tenga tal origen único por que ellos vayan a convivir. Muy al contrario, las dos cosas se reafirman: "no dudes en recibir a María tu esposa, porque ella ha concebido por obra del Espí-

ritu Santo." Ese PORQUE está en el texto griego original y muestra que no hay oposición sino reafirmación. Lo primero que concluimos entonces es que el Espíritu Santo NO reem-plazó a José. Es bastante impropia en ese sentido la expre-sión piadosa que llama a María "Esposa del Espíritu Santo," a pesar de que tal expresión tiene su modo de entenderse rectamente. Si leemos a Mateo, decididamente algo así no cabe. María no tiene dos esposos. El ángel viene a decirle precisamente que la acción del Espíritu Santo lo confirma a él en su condición de esposo único, y en cierto modo, perpe-tuo, de la Santísima Virgen María. Esposo y Padre Virginal.- El ángel confirma a José, de par te de Dios, en su misión y vocación de verdadero esposo de María, y por consiguiente de verdadero padre de Jesús. Así como María no es menos madre por engendrar virginalmente, José no es me-nos padre por recibir sobre el amor que tiene a María una bendi-ción de gracia como Dios no le ha dado a nadie más. Y pronto José deberá actuar como verdadero padre. No hemos de llamarlo "padre putativo," expresión que significa "el que se pensaba que era padre," ni tampoco "padre adoptivo," como indicando "el que educa hijos ajenos." José es padre virginal por que Dios hace papás a algunos de una manera y a otros de otra. Obrando como auténtico papá debe darle un nombre a su hijo, el hijo que ha recibido desde su condición de amor virginal con María. El mo-do como José llegó a ser papá fue a través de la unción del Espí-ritu Santo actuando en el amor de él y su esposa, pues la concep-ción de Cristo no sucedió en una persona soltera sino en una mujer desposada, y el desposado con ella se llama José. El Espí-ritu obró, pues, no solamente en el cuerpo de ella sino, incluso antes, en la relación entre ellos. Por eso José es modelo eximio de esposo y de padre y por eso Jesús le obedece como a imagen en esta tierra del Padre de los cielos.

P. Nelson Medina F., O..P

“VA A ENTRAR EL SEÑOR, ÉL ES EL REY DE LA GLORIA”

PAGINA 7 22 DE DICIEMBRE DEL 2019

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Sal 25 (24):4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lc 1:57-66 Martes: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Sal 89 (88):2-5, 27, 29; Lc 1:67-79 Miércoles: Vigilia: Is 62:1-5; Sal 89 (88):4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Hch 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Noche: Is 9:1-6; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 11-13; Tit 2:11-14; Lc 2:1-14 Aurora: Is 62:11-12; Sal 97 (96):1, 6, 11-12; Tit 3:4-7; Lc 2:15-20 Día: Is 52:7-10; Sal 98 (97):1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Jueves: Hch 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Sal 31 (30):3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Viernes: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Sal 97 (96):1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Sábado: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Sal 124 (123):2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Domingo: Eclo 3:2-6, 12-14; Sal 128 (127):1-5; Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

Actividades de la Comunidad Hispana