Word Pro - 12 - 17 - 17 Web Bulletin December 17, 2017
The Time of Reckoning is the First Advent of Christ, by Cyril of
Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"Being God by nature, the Only Begotten [Jesus Christ the Son of
the Father] is the Holy of Holies, and he sanctifies all creation
and so originates from the Holy Father with the Holy Spirit
proceeding from him and sending in the power from above to those on
earth who recognize him. How was he sanctified? For he is God and
man equally; he gives the Spirit to creation but receives the
Spirit on account of being human...Acceptable' is that year in
which we were received, when we took kinship with him, having our
sins washed away through holy baptism and becoming partakers of the
divine nature through the sharing of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:4).
Or 'acceptable' is the year in which he revealed his glory through
the divine miracle attesting the message. We received the time for
salvation gladly... the day of reckoning is none other than the
time of his dwelling among us in which the reckoning has been given
by him to those believing in him through the promise in hope... For
the Savior himself said, 'Now is the judgment of this world, now is
the prince of the world cast out' (John 12:31). The time of
reckoning, then, is in this manner, when Christ illuminated the
world." (excerpt from Commentary On Isaiah 5.5.61.1–3) (c) 2017
Servants of the Word
Mass Intentions for the Week
Monday December 18: 8:00 AM † Bridget Cosme ~ Legion of Mary
Tuesday December 19: 8:00 AM † Ralph Bassett ~ Barbara
Bassett
Wednesday December 20: 7:00 PM † Roger Bautista, † Ben Colletti, †
Felix De Leon, Sr.
† Bo Yong Lee, † Gabae Son Hwang, † Peter Tau Nguyen, † Ofelia
Rivas Pena, † Floyd and † Norma Pansano,
† Jeanette Pella, † Joaquina Bautista, † Lupe Armenta, † Kyle
Abalos, † Muriel Abalos, † Benjamin Abalos, Sr.
Healing: Ron Ausmus Birthday: Emily Wade
Thursday December 21: St. Peter Canisius
8:00 AM † Jeffrey Coovert ~ Bonnie Coovert
Friday December 22: 8:00 AM † Christopher Cisneros ~ Family
Fourth Sunday of Advent Saturday December 23 5:00 PM † Israel
Salinas ~ Connie Stephens
Sunday December 24 8:30 AM Knights of Columbus 11:00AM Parishioners
of St. Paul the Apostle Church
5:00 PM Christmas Vigil Mass Manuel Bustos ~ Family 12:00 AM
Christmas Day Mass at Midnight ~ Parishioners of St. Paul the
Apostle Church
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ministers of the
Altar
Saturday 5:00 PM December 23 Lector: Gaby Maraist EMs: S. and O.
Bienia, K. Maraist, J. Davis Sunday 8:30 AM December 24 Lector:
Viola Ayala EMs: N. Schultz, O. Herrera, A. Hodges, Luz Garcia
Sunday 11:00 AM December 24 Lector: Gary Robinson EMs: R. Munoz, C.
Lapuz, T. Barker, S. Haines Sunday 5:00 PM December 24 Christmas
Vigil Mass Lector: Gaby Maraist EMs: L. Lopez, S. Parker, D.
Adoptante, TBA 12:00 AM Christmas Day Mass at Midnight Lector:
Anita Cisneros Ems: Gary and June Robinson, Sam and Leanora
Apiado
Home Visits: P. Martinez, J. Robinson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to all who showed up to prepare and clean the nave for
the Advent/Christmas season.
It takes many hands to do the Lord's work.
May God bless your service. Debbie Rodriguez, Sacristan
From Father Joseph Nguyen,
Administrator
Are We Here to Preach or to Testify for the Truth?
One of my sisters is a nun for the Servants of the Blessed
Sacrament Order in Vietnam. In growing up, I found myself listening
to her preaching whenever she had a chance to stop by to visit
family. When I began to study for the priesthood in the Diocese of
Corpus Christi, she encouraged me to try to balance three
exercises—Spiritual Exercise, Intellectual Exercise, and Physical
Exercise. During my studies in the seminary, they taught us to
balance these exercises together with Human Formation.
Throughout my studies, both in Vietnam and in America, I have
heard, learned, and been touched by many good homilies, lectures,
and lessons; but have I seen myself changed? Of course, I have seen
myself change through time, but slowly since I’m a slow learner.
These homilies, lectures, and lessons come alive in me because they
are not just preaching, but rather, they testify for the
Truth.
John the Baptist came not to preach but to testify for the Truth.
Have you ever testified for the Truth in your life? Just as I’ve
been changed from listening to the testimonies in the form of
homily, lecture or lesson, I’ve been changed by the example of how
some people live their lives.
Preaching uses words. But words without deeds become dead. Words
and deeds are like the two wheels of a bike that brings preaching
alive. Testimony is composed of both words and deeds. Have you
yourself preached or testified in your Christian life? How would
you introduce Christ to others? Do you preach to them or do you
testify to them by the example of how you live a Christian life?
Preaching or testifying to others while we are waiting to celebrate
his first coming and waiting for his second coming is a decision.
What is your decision?
Readings for the Week
Monday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Tuesday:
Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17;
Lk 1:5-25 Wednesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38
Thursday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a;
Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Friday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1,
4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Saturday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10,
14; Lk 1:57-66 Sunday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27,
29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38
No Evening Devotions this Monday night due to the Advent Penance
Service
beginning at 6:00 PM in the church.
December 17, 2017
Religious Education FMI Call the Religious Education Office at 937-
6908
Let the children come unto me, and do not hinder them; for
the
kingdom of God belongs to such as these . Mark 10:14,16
Give In the True Spirit of Christmas
to a child who may not receive anything. Please take an angel or
two from our Angel Tree in the vestibule of the church.
After shopping, do not wrap your gift. Instead, put it in a gift
bag unwrapped and tie the angel to the handle. Then put the bag
under the tree when you next come to mass.
The deadline for bringing gifts is Sunday, December 17th so that
families will be able to pick up gifts on December 19th.
FMI Call Margie at 739-9677 or Deacon Frank Rodriguez at
937-6908.
RCIA
Are you a non-Catholic going to Sunday Mass with your spouse and
enjoying the bond of shared worship? Is the Liturgy of the
Eucharist a mystery but something you take on faith?
Our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program can help
you or someone you know learn more about our faith. Formation
classes will meet every Sunday morning about 9:40 AM (after the
8:30 AM Mass) in the Community Room. FMI call the Religious
Education office, or the instructors Gary Robinson at 361-548-4152
or Barbara Bassett at 944-5767.
Celebrate or Remember
an occasion such as an engagement, an anniversary, a birthday, or
someone you have loved and lost by having one of the large vigil
lights in the church lit for a week.
Come in to the office or contact us at 937 - 3864 or by email at
[email protected] to schedule your special week.
The offering for the Chapel Vigil Lights is $6 and the Infant Jesus
light is $3 per week.
Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the
courage to ask the blessings of heaven. - Georg C.
Lichtenberg
For Your Christmas Meal
Substitute your family’s names and memories in the following and
make the prayer a surprise and special memory for everyone at your
table this year.
Dear Lord, I thank you for the memories that we have shared around
this table over the years.
We laughed when little Jesse, who was only 3, asked “what’s
missed-your-toe?” instead of mistletoe.
We were filled with joy as we sang Christmas carols to the men and
women in the nursing home last Christmas. Father, the joy on their
faces showed us that we were supposed to be there.
Lord, snuggling with my little girl while watching “Charlie Brown
Christmas”, has always been special to me.
You have given me such an awesome family and the memories make each
approaching Christmas so wonderful! I am excited what memories will
be made today!
Bless this food to our bodies, Father. We love You and thank You
for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Amen
A CCD teacher asked her class, "What was Jesus' mother's name?" One
child answered, "Mary."
The teacher then asked, "Who knows what Jesus' father's name was?"
A little kid said, "Verge.
"Confused, the teacher asked, "Where did you get that?" The kid
said, "Well, you know, they are always talking about Verge n'
Mary.''
December 17, 2017
All Teens are Invited to Life Teen who are in Grades 9 -12 even if
you are already Confirmed!
Sundays from 7 - 9 PM in the Hall
12/17 Life teen and Confirmation 2
The Big White Elephant - The goal for this night is for the teens
to spend time in community and exchange Christmas gifts. This night
will also give the teens an opportunity to participate in and
practice charity through a service project in the season of giving.
There will be no class after this one until we meet again on
January 7th. Merry Christmas!
12/20 Confirmation 1
No Class Merry Christmas! We will meet again on January 10,
Life Teen Retreat January 27- 28 at Zephyr Camp up at Lake Corpus
Christi Sign up Now! All teens are invited. Bring a friend. The
retreat is titled Chaos. Its goal is to invite teens into a
relationship with God and encourage them to allow Him to transform
their chaos into a life grafted into Him..
FMI: Call Youth Ministry Director Cathy Fichtel 937-5875 (If no
answer, please leave a message)
For Youth in
6TH, 7TH, and 8TH Grades Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in the Parish
Hall
12/20 No EDGE Merry Christmas! We will meet again on January
10.
FMI: Call Youth Ministry Director Cathy Fichtel 937-5875
(If no answer, please leave a message)
This Week’s Calendar of Events Sunday, December 17 8:30 AM Mass
9:30 AM R.C.I.A. Class - Community Room 11:00 AM Mass 4:30 PM
Women's Faith Sharing - Community Room 6:00 PM Mass 7:00 PM Life
Teen and Confirmation 2 - Hall
Monday, December 18 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Mission of Mercy
Clinic - Hall 6:00 PM Legion of Mary - Room A 6:00 PM Advent
Penance /Service
Tuesday, December 19 8:00 AM Mass 7:00 PM Life Teen Book Study -
Room 3
Wednesday, December 20 8:30 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet - Chapel
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Christus Spohn CareVan Women’s Services 6:00 -
6:45 PM Confession 7:00 PM Mass 7:00 - 8:00 PM Confirmation 1 -
Charlie Room 7:00 - 8:30 PM EDGE - Hall
Thursday, December 21 Parish Offices Closed for Staff Christmas
Celebration
8:00 AM Mass 6:00 PM Women's Bible Study - Community Room 7:00 PM
Men's Bible Study - Room 4
Friday, December 22
8:00 AM Mass Parish Offices Closed for Christmas Holiday
Saturday, December 23 8:00 AM Communion Service 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Confession 5:00 PM Vigil Mass
Help Wanted
Our parish is in partnership with St. Peter’s by the Sea UMC and
Lord of Life Lutheran Church to distribute food through the CC Food
Bank to over 200 needy families here in Flour Bluff.
465 Families were served last month which tells you why a lot of
help is needed on the distribution day.
The next food distribution date will take place on Thursday,
December 28th from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. More information and sign-up
sheets are on the table in back of church. Please, volunteer to
help if you can!
St. Paul’s Garden Club
We work Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to keep parish garden
areas beautifully maintained. If you would like to help, just
show up. Donations of plants, such as perennials, shrubs and
grasses, are always welcome and we are also in need of garden soil
and mulch. Monetary donations are always welcome. FMI contact Pat
Macias at 937 - 9209.
Catholic Charities Flour Bluff Food Pantry and Clothes Closet
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Wednesdays 9:00 AM –
2:00 PM
For assistance or questions please call our office at
929-6077.
We are so blessed with the generosity of our parish family. We do
not need donations of clothing at this time. We appreciate the out
poring but at this time our closets are full.
December Needs: peanut butter, canned soups/stew,
canned meat, canned Tuna, and breakfast cereal,
---
“The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby,
needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other
child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it
gets.
Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the
Incarnation.”
- J.I. Packer
Mission of Mercy Mobile Clinic
medical care for the uninsured will next be at St. Paul’s
Monday, December 18, from 9 AM – 3:30 PM
For appointments call 361-883-5500 Monday through Friday from 9 AM
to 5 PM.
Please note:
The Family Christmas Party has been canceled due to
Christmas carol practice for all who are participating. Spend some
family time this Christmas and remember “Jesus is the Reason for
the Season.”
Sister Claudia
Immaculate Conception $1,610.00 Retirement Fund for Religious
$1,630.86
In December, a portion of your tithes will be given to the Timon’s
ministries, Mission of Mercy Mobile Clinic and our Works of Mercy.
A second collection will be taken up for the Retirement Fund
for
Religious.
The Pilgrim Rosary
This Sunday at 2:00 PM the Pilgrim Virgin and the Rosary will be
here at the parish in Room A.
The Blessed Mother can be your very special guest for a birthday,
anniversary, quinceñera, retirement, or any special occasion by
having the Pilgrim Rosary at your home. FMI call 739-6087
Legion of Mary
Do you want to serve God more but don't know how? Do you want to
grow closer to Jesus and his Mother? Do you want to be Jesus to
others? Do you want to deepen your spiritual life?
All practicing Catholics, 18 and older, men and women, single or
married are invited to come to the Legion of Mary meetings held on
Mondays at 6:00 PM in Room A. Prayers and service are the order of
the meeting. Call Luz Garcia at 353-4233 for more information
.
If you would like to be notified of a death in your parish family,
e-mail the parish office at
[email protected] so that your name and email address can
be included in the contact group.
Treasures From Our Tradition
Last week, we looked at a form of nativity scene called a presipio,
characterized by framing the crèche of Jesus with a vast array of
personalities and a rich geographical context. The tradition was
carried to the New World, and finds very rich expression in Latin
America today.
The In Europe the presepio was reserved mostly to the homes of
wealthy nobles and great churches, in Latin America it was claimed
by the poor and expressed the skills of native artisans. In Mexico,
you can still find clay figures in every village market. In a way,
the native people took the religion of Spanish rule and baptized it
with their Indian culture by surrounding the crib of Jesus with
local geography and people. In Brazil, where Christmas falls in
summer, the figure of the baby Jesus is wrapped in gold and gems,
and set on a hillside surrounded by flowers and animals of all
kinds. Sometimes there is a double presepio, presenting both
Nativity and Crucifixion.
In some places in Latin America, even non-religious people take
care to have a presepio in the home, sometimes dedicating one whole
room in the house or apartment to the scene. Some cities have
markets where people from the countryside sell plants and
figurines. In Cuzco, churches and families provide hot chocolate
for the children of the poor who come down to help create the
nativity scenes. In Paraguay, the baby Jesus grows—the small infant
who arrives on Christmas Eve is replaced at New Year with a toddler
Jesus who holds in one hand the globe and in the other a cross. Few
Christmas traditions have the vitality and variety of presepios and
crèches honoring the Nativity.- Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S.
Paluch
Substitutes are occasionally needed in the Adoration Chapel for one
hour slots from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday.
Please call Luz Garcia at 739 - 6087 if you can help.
Advent Penance Service Tomorrow Monday, December 18
6:00 PM In Church
Great Homilies are Lived, Not Preached.
Today, in the cutest voice, my 8-year-old daughter asked me to
start recycling. I chuckled and asked, "Why?" She replied, "So you
can help me save the planet." I chuckled again and asked, "And why
do you want to save the planet?" Because that's where I keep
all my stuff," she said.
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have
it
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessed candles are available anytime from the Altar and Rosary
Society’s candle stand in the Church vestibule for a $3 donation.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Third Sunday of Advent
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
December 17, 2017
Please remember those who live in need of our prayers:
John Adams, James Armstrong, Ron Ausmus, George Ayala, Aiden Bacon,
Tamra Bacon, Mary Ann Benes, Irma Biano, Marjorie Boxwell, Angela
Brenz, Manuel Buentello, Manuel Bustos, Patsy Cano, Ann Carson,
Rena Fay
Casanova, Don Casey, Kathy Casey, Petra Cisneros, Scott
Clark,
Mike Cooksey, Trey Cunningham, Jacqueline Dancy, Nelda DeLeon,
Marcy Diaz, Remy and Lidia Ducote, Gloria Eden, Margie
Eickleberry, Mark Eickleberry, Grace Escobedo, Bertha Faz, Leo John
Finnegan II, Jenny Fuentes, Amanda Garcia, Fred Garcia, Lea Garza,
Joe Luis Garza, Grace Geeding, Margarita Gonzalez,
Raymond Greger, Perla Guerrero, Ruthie Heath, Jimma Hertzler, Amy
Hinkel, George and Olivia Holt, Larry Johnson, Stephen Libby,
Juanita and Steve Lusson, Patricia Mancillas, Jerry McKamie, Bettie
Mitchell, Cynthia Mora, Wes Morales, Julia Muniz, Sterling Murphy,
Bryan Okvist, Lupe Ortiz, Robert Palace, Ernie Pena, Jason Pena,
Rhoda Philby Palmer, Terri Philemon, Gloria Perez, Ben Raney, David
Rohde, Hector Riojas, Thalma Riojas, Butch and Jeanie Russell,
Margo Taylor, Gloria Vargas, Homero Vera, Elizabeth
Villarreal, Elvia Vinca, Dodie Wondolowski
To add or remove someone from this list please notify the parish
office at 937-3864
or
[email protected]
.
Please Help the Hungry
Bring nonperishable food items for our Food Pantry and put them in
the grocery cart in the church vestibule before any mass.
Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation
A Simpler Christmas
Forget the “ideal” Christmas complete with snow, carols,
angelically-behaved children, and the perfect presents, food, and
decorations. Put the emphasis on Jesus.
If there is a Christmas chore or activity that you hate, either
stop doing it or stop complaining. If you still do it and you still
complain, don’t expect sympathy!
If you dread writing and mailing Christmas cards, don’t bother. If
you want to greet people in a simpler way, use Internet sites such
as catholicgreetings.org and send e-cards with a few clicks of your
mouse.
If you are hosting a Christmas dinner for family and friends, don’t
do everything yourself. Tell the people living with you they can
all pitch in—assign tasks if necessary—and ask guests to bring
their favorite dish.
Don’t spend what you don’t have. Set a dollar limit and stick to
it.
Consider a family gift exchange, or donate to a favorite charity in
honor of friends and family. Place gifts under a parish or
community giving tree. Give coupons representing your gifts of time
and talent to those you love. Buy gifts that are faith-related from
your parish bookstore.
Create your own traditions: make a Christmas nativity scene; light
Christmas candles; go with the family to Midnight Mass; read the
Christmas stories out loud (in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2);
help serve dinner in a shelter.
Don’t do anything to excess: gift-giving, partying, drinking,
eating.
Don’t fight with family, particularly over who does or does not go
to church; don’t bring up old grudges. - Copyright © 2011, World
Library Publications. All rights
reserved.
heart for Christmas. Pray more, go to confession, read the
scriptures, attend Mass. - Copyright © 2011, World Library
Publications.. All rights reserved.
December 17, 2017
December 17, 2017
