Welcome to Christ the King!

Transcription

1 From Fr. John Kim In 12 days, we will celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, and this is the reason why we designate the third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete is taken from the introduction for this Sunday, which comes from Philippians 4:4-5: Gaudate in Domino semper or Rejoice in the Lord always. What does joy bring each one of us in general? Happiness, isn t it? We all want to be happy in this world and the next. Then what would be the secret of happiness? Perhaps this illustration will be able to give us a glimpse. Once a shepherd sent his son to a wise man to learn the secret of happiness. When he arrived at the beautiful castle where the wise man lived, the boy told him he wished to know the secret of happiness. However, instead of explaining the secret to him, the wise man handed him a spoon filled with oil, saying, 'Take a look around the palace. As you go around, carry this spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill. The boy began to move around the palace. As he did so he kept his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was. Well, asked the wise man, what have you seen? The boy was embarrassed, and confessed that he had seen nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil that the wise man had entrusted to him. Well then, said the wise man, go back and observe the marvels of my world. You cannot trust a man if you don't know his house. Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all the beautiful furniture and works of art that adorned the rooms of the castle. Then he visited the garden, with its magnificent fountain and beautiful flowers and shrubs, admiring the taste with which everything was laid out. On returning to the wise man, he related in detail everything he had seen. But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you? asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon, the boy saw that the oil was gone. Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you, said the wise man. The secret of happiness lies in the ability to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil in the spoon. The boy understood immediately what the wise man was saying. A shepherd may like to travel, but he should never forget his sheep. The secret of happiness consists in being faithful to one's commitments and responsibilities while at the same time enjoying life. What are our ultimate commitments and responsibilities? Love God, and love our neighbors. While we are anticipating the joy of Christmas, let us continuously focus on our commitments and responsibilities. I believe that this is the secret of true happiness. Welcome to Christ the King! Thank you for joining us at Christ the King Catholic Church. We are happy to have you with us today, and hope that you feel welcome. Our parish is a very busy community of faith. Are you new to the Catholic Church? Have you been away from the Church for some time? You are invited to worship with us. Contact our parish office if you would like to learn more about the Catholic faith, discuss plans for marriage or baptism, or schedule a chat with Fr. John. If you would like to become a member of our parish, you can register online, or pick up a form in the office. We look forward to seeing you again soon! Page 1

2 Please pray for... Mass Intentions Stewardship THE SICK Margaret Boyle Verlon Browning Rosalie Brunkenhoefler Betty Canava Jose Collazo Mark Edwards John Forney Fr. Edward Frazer Silvia Garcia Ernesto Guardiola Pura Guardiola Lorenzo Guzman, Sr. Hanna Haisler William Harlow Mary Huckabee Bobby Hutchins Sarah Kroll Easton Lopez Josh Loving Anna Marie Lozano Marianne Luby Ken Murray Jesus Olivarez, Jr Elena Ornelas Anna Paruzinski John Paruzinski Isabella Ramirez Irene Reyes Agrippin Rod Rodriguez Azusena Rodriguez David Rodriguez Leon Savard David Schiefelbein Lena Trevino Robert Trevino Stephanie VanSickler Virginia Vasquez SERVICE MEMBERS Phillip Aiello David L. Gomez Deana S. Gomez Matt Jakircevic Reggie Jamo Jason Piper Wilbert Witt After 30 days, names will be removed from the lists. Call the church office to extend the date. Saturday, December 12 5:00pm Pro Populo Sunday, December 13 8:00am Joseph C. Homerly 10:30am John Antunes 5:00pm John Paul II Healing Center Monday, December 14 8:00am Lloyd Guinen Wednesday, December 16 8:00am MaryAnn Scarborough Thursday, December 17 6:30pm Bobbi Guinen Friday, December 18 8:00am Henry Guinen Deceased Christmas Flower Offering Parish-wide Penance Service Tuesday December 15 (no Mass) Other Penance Services in the Temple Deanery are listed in this bulletin and on the CTK website. November 15 Received $13,682 Goal $14,500 Difference ($818) Loan Balance $182,076 It is more blessed to give than it is to receive. Acts 20:35 This Week s Second Collection Retirement Fund for Religious Envelopes are located in the pews and in your monthly mailing. Offerings made in memory of a loved one will help purchase poinsettias to beautify the altar and sanctuary. The names will be listed in the Christmas bulletin. Place your envelope in the collection basket or return to the Parish Office. The bulletin deadline is Dec. 13. Page 2

3 Year of Mercy The Gospel today is very clear! Everyone is asking John the Baptist: What should we do? (See Luke 3:10-18) That is the perfect question as we wait for Jesus Christ to come the second tie. Let us be found doing the Corporal Works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, visiting the prisoners, burying the dead and giving alms to the poor. Who needs my second coat or blanket or boots? Who needs a tithe of my food budget, of my time, of my conversation? Who needs to hear good news? How can I proclaim it by word and by deed? Third Sunday of Advent Waiting in Joyful Hope Faith Formation ADULT Adult Confirmation Christ the King would like to congratulate Edgar Gallaga, Maricela Marin, Katelyn Robinson, Luis Ruelas, Amy Salgado, Andrew Sosa, who received the Sacrament of Confirmation by the Most Reverend Bishop Joe Vasquez on Saturday, December 5th at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda. The Liturgy was a celebration including 173 adult Confirmandi with 20 parishes participating throughout the Austin Diocese. May the fire which hovered over the disciples as tongues of flame burn brightly in their hearts and make them glow with pure light! At Mass, after praying the Lord s Prayer, we hear... as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This prayer reminds us that during Advent, we wait in joy, in hope, and in anticipation for the wonderful event we are about to experience the feast of Christmas, the coming of Christ into our lives in new ways, the return of Christ in glory at the end of time. As the Church, we wait during Advent and look forward to celebrating the fact that God loves us so much that he sent his Son into the world to save us. This waiting is far from empty; rather, it is full of the hope that God promises us as we prepare for Christ in the feast of Christmas. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults We welcome this weekend our RCIA participants celebrating the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens. These adults are attending weekly classes and have completed the first Rite the Rite of Acceptance and are now declaring their intention to the Church. And the Church in turn, carrying out its apostolic mission, accepts those who intend to become its members at the Easter Vigil. Take a moment to visit all RCIA candidates pictures on display in the Narthex and pray that they may find in our community signs of unity and generous love. YOUTH SNL Christmas Party - December 13 The John Finch band will play a concert for our SNL Christmas party! We ask students to bring a love offering of at least $2 to help offset the band s expenses. Teens are encouraged to bring their friends! It will be a family friendly event, so everyone is invited to join the youth group in celebrating Advent. NO SNL Over Christmas Break We will not have SNL on Sunday, December 20 & 27, or January 3. Enjoy the break! DCYC - January 29 thru 31 Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference registration is now open! The youth conference will be held in Waco the weekend of Jan 29th- 31st. Registration is $60, which covers meals, supplies and entrance fees. Lodging is an additional cost; some financial credit will be given to Turkey Trot volunteers. Details and the Parental Consent Form are on the CTK website under Youth/Young Adult. Please return the form with payment by December 22. Page 3

4 Advent & Christmas Schedule Feast of the Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation Tuesday, December 8 8:00 a.m. English Mass 12:00 p.m. English Mass 6:30 p.m. Bilingual Mass with Blessing of Divine Mercy Portrait Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass Friday, December 11 10:30 p.m. Holy Rosary 11:00 p.m. 11:40 p.m. Mariachi 11:40 p.m. 11:58 p.m. Matachines 12:00 midnight Spanish Mass Parish-wide Penance Service Tuesday, December 15 (no Mass) Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24 No Confession 5:00 p.m. English Mass Bilingual Mass 11:30 p.m. Christmas Carol Concert 12:00 midnight English Mass Christmas Mass Friday, December 25 10:30 a.m. English Mass Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, Joseph Saturday, December 26 No Confession 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, Joseph Sunday, December 27 8:00 a.m. Spanish 10:30 a.m. English 5:00 p.m. English Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God Holy Day of Obligation Thursday, December 31 No Confession 6:30 p.m. Bilingual Vigil Mass 11:00 p.m. Vigil English Mass followed by a reception in the Christus Center Penance Temple Deanery Services Penance Services Friday, December 11 St.Mary in Temple Tuesday, December 15 Christ the King in Belton Wednesday, December 16 St. Luke in Temple Wednesday, December 16 St. Monica in Cameron Thursday, December 17 Holy Family in Copperas Cove Friday, December 18 St. Steven in Salado Sunday, December 20 Church of the Visitation in Westphalia Monday, December 21 St. Paul Chong Hasang in Harker Heights English, Spanish & Korean Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God Holy Day of Obligation Friday, January 1 10:30 a.m. English Mass Page 4

5 Around the Parish Joyful Hearts Mothers Group Dec Arusha's Coffee and book discussion, 7:00pm For more info, contact Sarah Spellman Clerical Endowment Christmas Cards are on sale now in the parish office. Both the individual who donates and the person who is remembered shares in: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered monthly by Bishop Vasquez The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered monthly by the CEF director Daily remembrances by diocesan seminarians and the Nuns of the Monastery of St. Clare. Project Angel Tree God bless everyone who took an angel from the Angel Tree! Each angel represents a child of an incarcerated parent. Thank you for providing Christmas for these children. Please return your wrapped gifts with the angel tag attached no later than weekend of December 19 & 20 to the parish office or under the Christmas tree in the Narthex. Women's Ministry meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14, at 10:00 a.m. in the Christus Center followed by the Christmas luncheon. For more info, call Maria Ornelas at Christmas Carol Concert December 24 Please join the King s Chorus for a Christmas Carol Concert and Carol Singing 11:30 p.m. to midnight in the sanctuary then celebrate the Birth of Our Savior with Christmas Midnight Mass Decorate the Sanctuary December 23 at 9:00 a.m. We need volunteers to help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas. This requires LOTS of manpower, so if you can spare a couple of hours, we would greatly appreciate it! Questions? Call Taddy Maddox CTK Office Directory OFFICE HOURS Monday... 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday... 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday - Friday... 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed for lunch... 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday - Sunday... closed OFFICE TEAM Administration Nora Collazo... ncollazo@ctkbelton.org Esther Murillo... emurillo@ctkbelton.org Sacramental Coordinator Elida Castro... sacraments@ctkbelton.org Accounting Marty Seger... mseger@ctkbelton.org Business Coordinator Krista Kaulfus... communication@ctkbelton.org RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Director of Catechesis & Formation Krissie Lastovica... klastovica@ctkbelton.org Religious Education Assistant, K - 4th grades Marcie Gonzalez, RE... mgonzalez@ctkbelton.org Religious Education Assistant, 5th - 8th grades Teresa Hays, RE... thays@ctkbelton.org Director of Youth Ministry Abby Riley... ariley@ctkbelton.org Director of Sacred Music Pam Fette Finance Council Chair... Tom Blair Pastoral Council Chair... Margaret Donohoe Contact the parish office for social needs such as bereavement, illness, Eucharist to the homebound, births, etc. For weddings, contact the office six months prior to the desired wedding date to schedule a consultation. For baptisms, register to attend a preparation class. Misa de Sanacion Padre Victor Mayorga 14 de Diciembre Cristo la Iglesia Rey Católico, Santuario Reciban una cordial invitacion para venir a pasar una buena tarde y recibir sanacion del señor Jesucristo, por medio de la misa de sanacion que va a ser ofrecida por el Padre Victor Mayorga. Page 5

6 Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us your face and we will be saved. Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money; the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things; made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief. Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman: If you knew the gift of God! You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified. You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error: let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God. Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord, and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed, and restore sight to the blind. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. Page 6

7 THIRD Christ the King Catholic Church Belton 13, Page 7