Faith & Service. through. Liturgy Formation Community Evangelization FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT. St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station, TX

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1 St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station, TX in Faith & Service through Liturgy Formation Community Evangelization Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday 5:30 PM Sunday 8:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 5:30 PM Daily Mass Schedule Mon 7:00 AM Communion Service Tues through Fri 7:00 AM Wed and Fri 7:00 AM, 12:15 PM First Saturday 8:00 AM Confession Schedule Wed and Fri 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Saturday 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM DECEMBER 24, 2017

2 DECEMBER 24, 2017 CLERGY Fr. Albert Laforet, Jr. PASTOR x 103 fralbert@stabcs.org Dcn. Dave Mayes dmayes@stabcs.org Dcn. Frank Ashley fashley@stabcs.org Dcn. Ron Fernandes rfernandes@stabcs.org Dcn. Mark Olivieri molivieri@stabcs.org Dcn. Pat Moran pmoran@stabcs.org ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Leanne Lewis Gomez Business Administrator x 102 business@stabcs.org Barbara Phillips x 101 Parish Administrative Assistant parishadmin@stabcs.org Sandi Ainsworth Receptionist & Secretary x 1000 reception@stabcs.org Lucy Douglas Bookkeeper x 116 bookkeeper@stabcs.org Shannon Rother x 109 Communications Coordinator communications@stabcs.org Katy Weir x 108 Publications Coordinator publications@stabcs.org Jeff Gore x 180 Director planning@stabcs.org Facility Planning & Development Ephraim Alvarez Coordinator Maintenance x 181 maintenance@stabcs.org Ramiro Tirado Maintenance Attendant Laura Schultz Custodial Attendant x MINISTRIES & APOSTOLATES Diana Jetter Pastoral Associate x 170 liturgy@stabcs.org Brett Adams Admin. Assistant x 171 minadmin@stabcs.org Deacon Dave Mayes Adult Coordinator Darren Seibert Director of Formation Maureen Edwin Formation Office Assistant Luci Bodiford Coordinator Children s Ministry dmayes@stabcs.org x 160 formation@stabcs.org x 163 medwin@stabcs.org x 161 children@stabcs.org Chris Haberberger Coordinator Middle School Ministry x 162 youth@stabcs.org Marilyn Scamardo Music Coordinator x 175 music@stabcs.org CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Direct Line: Becky Smith Director Pamela Harris Admin. Assistant x 117 stacdc@stabcs.org x 120 stacdc@stabcs.org Christmas and New Year s Mass Schedule Sunday, December 24 : 5:00 PM & 7:30 PM Mass for Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation) Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day): 10:00 AM Mass for Christmas (Holy Day of Obligation) Monday, January 1 (New Year s Day): 12:00 PM Mass Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Luke 1:38 Our Advent time is almost over. We have watched in hope for the coming of Christ at the end of time. We have seen the presence of Christ and God s Kingdom among us wherever justice and peace triumph over violence and alienation. Now we focus on Mary and the intimacy of birth. Carrying any child requires courage, faith and trust. Every mother wonders about the future of her child. God transforms all of human history by becoming human through Mary s Yes! Like her, will we allow the very fullness of God s love to fill us and our world this year? Do we have her faith, her courage and her trust? Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Come and spend time with Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist and allow Him to transform your life. Everyone is welcome at any time! Two or more adorers per hour is a blessing and is requested to help ensure Jesus is never left alone should an emergency arise. If you are interested, please complete the form online. Adorers Needed: *Co-Adorers Most Needed: Thursday 3 AM Monday 5 PM, Tuesday 2 PM, Sunday 1 PM *Co-adorers are the same as Adorers. Two Adorers are needed each hour. Adoration will resume on Monday, January 8, following the 7:00 AM Communion Service. Chapel Lamp burns for a special intention.

3 St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station, TX YEAR OF GRACE December 25 Blessing before a Christmas Stable by Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. Lord Jesus, as I kneel before your manger in adoration, let my first Christmas word be: thank you. Thank you, Gift of the Father, for coming to save me from my sins. Without you I do not know even how to be human. The characteristics of your human body express the divine person of God s Son... Thank you for that saving revelation in your sacred humanity. As the Christmas liturgy proclaims, in Christ man restores to man the gift of everlasting life. Thank you for coming as one like myself to save me from myself. You come as a baby because babies are irresistible and adorable. You come as a baby because you want our first impression of God incarnate to be that of one who does not judge May I never be attracted to the allurements and charms of the world. May I love you always, at every moment, with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. May the tenderness, the dependency, and the mercy that you reveal in your infancy become the hallmarks of my life. Newborn Saviour, the very silence of your incarnation proclaims that the answer to the misery, the strife, and the meaninglessness of life cannot be found within us. You alone are the Answer. As I kneel before you, eternal King, I surrender to you all my selfishness, self-absorption, self-indulgence, self-righteousness, self-assertion, and self-exaltation. Even as I adore you on this night of your birth, rid me of the nagging desire to be adored O Emmanuel, may the assurance of your unfailing Presence be for me the source of unending peace. May I never fear my weakness, my inadequacy, or my imperfection. Rather, as I gaze with faith, hope and love upon your incarnate littleness, may I love my own littleness, for God is with us. Longed-for Messiah, your servant Saint Leo the Great well wrote that in the very act of reverencing the birth of our Saviour, we are also celebrating our own new birth. From this night on may my life be a dedicated life of faith marked by holy reliance, receptivity, and resoluteness The beauty of your holy face bears the promise that your Father will provide for us in all things. This Christmas I renew my trust in God s goodness, compassion, and providence. I long for the day when you will teach us to pray Our Father. May your Presence, Prince of Peace, bless the world with peace, the poor with care and prosperity, the despairing with hope and confidence, the grieving with comfort and gladness, the oppressed with freedom and deliverance, the suffering with solace and relief. Loving Jesus, you are the only real joy of every human heart. I place my trust in you. Oh divine Fruit of Mary s womb, may I love you in union with the holy Mother of God. May my life be filled with the obedience of Saint Joseph and the missionary fervor of the shepherds so that the witness of my life may shine like the star that leads the Magi to your manger. I ask all this with great confidence in your holy name. Amen. MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS Saturday, December 23 5:30 pm Kenneth & Betty Peddicord Sunday, December 24 8:30 am Parishioners of STA 11:00 am Jennifer Vo 5:00 pm Keith & Michael Ebanks 7:30 pm Parishioners of STA Monday, December 25 10:00 am Polzer & Fritsch families living and deceased Tuesday, December 26 9:00 am Communion Service Wednesday, December 27 9:00 am Mary Hue Nguyen-Pham Thursday, December 28 9:00 am Urban Michael Thress Friday, December 29 9:00 am Bob Albanese Saturday, December 30 5:30 pm Nelida Angulo Sunday, December 31 8:30 am Tommy Lebeck 11:00 am Parishioners of STA 5:30 pm Cleo Stockton MASS READINGS FOR THE WEEK Fourth Sunday of Advent 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday evening, The Nativity of the Lord Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Monday, The Nativity of the Lord Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday, Saint Stephen, The First Martyr Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-3, 4-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday, Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord / Saint Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday, Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Col 3:12-21; Lk 2:22-40 CONFESSION SCHEDULE Wednesday & Friday Saturday 11:30 AM - Noon 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

4 DECEMBER 24, 2017 SACRAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS Sacrament of Baptism Required Documents: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas Baptismal Application 2. Copy of the child s birth certificate 3. If parents are not registered members of St. Thomas Aquinas, a letter of permission for baptism from home parish 4. Copy of one of the parent s baptism certificate 5. Baptism prep class certificate of attendance for both parents and godparents (dated within the last 2 years) 6. If godparents are not registered members of St. Thomas Aquinas, a letter from home parish indicating that they are practicing Catholics and are qualified to serve as godparents 7. Godparent Covenant form for both godparents All Baptism documents must be received in the office before a Baptism date can be set. Godparents: Godparents must be practicing Catholics living according to the norms of the Church, if married, must be in a valid marriage. Married couples serving as godparents must be married by the Catholic Church. Godparents must have received all the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Baptism Prep Class: Parents and godparents must attend a Baptismal Preparation class prior to the Baptism. Classes are held the last Sunday of each month from 1-3 PM in room (Register online). Sacrament of Marriage Please start the process at least 6-9 months prior to the desired wedding date. The first step in the preparation for your marriage is to obtain a baptismal certificate. One party must be Catholic. Once you have the required documents, a meeting with a clergy member will be made by contacting reception@stabcs.org or calling the parish office. It is imperative that a date for your wedding be arranged with clergy prior to booking any venues as the preparation may require additional time. The standard required marriage preparation programs are: FOCCUS (Register online at WeShare - typically the last Sunday of each month at 2pm) Together in God s Love Weekend Retreat or Sponsor Couple program Natural Family Planning Introduction sessions For more details/requirements, visit stabcs.org and click on the Sacraments tab. For assistance with the Ministry Schedule, contact minadmin@stabcs.org. All Parish Offices will be CLOSED December 22 - January 2. Faith Formation resumes January 14 SURPRISE! Your Parish Christmas Gift is Perfectly Yourself. Hope You Can Join Us at the Book Study... Parish Book Study: Discover God s Dream For You in Matthew Kelly s Perfectly Yourself Do you ever get the feeling that you are not enough? Not smart enough, not beautiful enough, not loved enough, not rich enough, not good enough... We all have these feelings from time to time, usually because we re comparing ourselves to others. But God doesn t compare you to anybody else. He wants to help you become the person he created you to be perfectly yourself! Meets Thursdays beginning January 11 at 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM. Register online! STAY will head to Waco the weekend of February 2-4 to attend the 2018 Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference! The weekend will include: Dynamic Speakers, Praise & Worship, Fun Activities, Mass, Adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation, and more! REGISTER ONLINE! When: February 2-4 What Time: Meet at St. Thomas Aquinas at 4:30 PM Where: Waco, TX (Staying at Waco Comfort Suites North) Cost: $ On the anniversary weekend of the Roe vs Wade Supreme Court

5 St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station, TX COMING SOON TO STA Church offices closed December 22 January 2 Adoration Resumes January 8 Phase 1 of the Parking Lot Expansion Project Begins January 8 Women s ACTS January Lock In For Life (Youth) January decision, Cornerstone and STAY will gather together for a lock-in to pray for, to learn about, and to celebrate life. The first half of the night will begin at St. Thomas Aquinas where we will hear powerful talks about all aspects of being pro-life, pray for an increase in the love of the person and the respect for the dignity of all human life, and have some fun playing games and getting to know one another. Beginning around 12:15 PM, we will head to Grand Station Entertainment in College Station to celebrate life as a church community! Grand Station will be closed to the public from 12:30 to 5:30 AM, and the teens from Cornerstone and STAY will have unlimited bowling, mini-golf, laser tag, soft drinks, music, a one-hour pizza buffet, and access to many of the arcade games. When: Friday, January 19, to Saturday, January 20 Registration begins at 7:00 PM and the lock-in will end at 6:30 AM Saturday morning. Where: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish and Grand Station Entertainment in College Station, TX. Cost: $20.00 (Please bring payment and fill out the form online and bring it to church before date or at check-in.) We will need MANY drivers to make this event successful. Please consider volunteering to serve as a driver for the event. Sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion starts January 14. We will meet in the Parish Activity Center at 3:00 PM and will be done at 4:00 PM. If you still didn t return documents needed (Registration, Baptismal Certificate, Parent Acknowledgement letter, verification of 1 year prior Faith Formation letter from a parish if not St. Thomas Aquinas), please do so now. These documents and all requirements can be found on our website under Aquinas kids sacramental preparation and they can be sent to the Faith Formation Assistant Maureen Edwin at faithadmin@stabcs.org or dropped at the church office. St. Thomas Aquinas Feast Day Celebration January 28 DCYC: Fully Alive (Youth) February 2-4 World Marriage Day February 10 STEWARDSHIP For unto us is born this day a Savior! In response to so great a love, only the gift of my whole self will do. You have given us Yourself, dear Lord; in love and thanksgiving, I commit myself afresh to You. The best and most effective way to increase your financial stewardship to the parish is through online giving. Please call or the parish office if you need help setting up your WeShare account. The Sacrificial Offering Report was not available at the time of publication.

6 DECEMBER 24, 2017 SAVE THE DATE "Holy Guacamole! It's World Marriage Day" February 10 6:45 PM - 11:00 PM St. Thomas Aquinas 10th Women s ACTS Retreat January 18-21, 2018 Childcare will not be provided, so make arrangements early. Tickets are $65 per couple and go on sale on WeShare beginning January 1. You will not want to miss this evening of fun! OUTSIDE THE PARISH 2nd Annual RED-C Family Retreat: January 5-6 at Saint Anthony s in Bryan Children's programs will be offered along with nursery care for those five and under. More details and registration on redcradio.org/ registration. The goals of the weekend retreat are to strengthen your faith, to renew yourself spiritually, to build purpose in your prayer life, and to build lasting friendships with your church community. Please prayerfully discern if you are being called to attend. There will not be another opportunity until the following year! Registration forms are available online (printable) and in the parish office. Thank You! Thanks to all who participated in the Giving Tree whether by cutting tags, buying, carting or sorting gifts. A special thanks to Kristin McAleer and Becky Paradowski for organizing this service project. With everyone s generous gifts, 600 individuals will have a brighter Christmas! The Giving Tree serves these needs through the following agencies: St. Vincent DePaul, CHI St. Joseph, Catholic Charities, Project Gabriel, Project Matthew, and HeadStart programs based in the CSISD elementary schools. Hiring Babysitters! AQUINAS BOOKS & GIFTS SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! Tuesday 10 AM - 2 PM Wednesday 12:45 PM - 2 PM; 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (when faith formation classes meet only) Friday Saturday 10 AM - 12 PM; 12:45 PM - 2 PM After the 5:30 PM Mass Sunday After all Masses

7 St. Thomas Aquinas, College Station, TX Sunday, December 24 AND CHRISTMAS EVE No Faith Formation, resumes Sunday January 14 9:45 am Coffee and Donuts, PAC Monday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday, December 26 Wednesday, December 27 No Faith Formation, resumes Sunday January 14 Thursday, December 28 Friday, December 29 Saturday, December 30 Sunday, December 31 9:45 am Coffee and Donuts, PAC This Week at STA