Notes from the Pastor

Transcription

1 St. James Catholic Church Seguin, TX December 21, 2014 December 28, 2014 Notes from the Pastor **Family Reflection Time on the Gospel The Gospel according to John, which we hear on Christmas in the Mass during the day, uses poetry and imagery to describe the earthly experience of the Incarnation from a theological perspective. Not only is God born in human form today, but this birth is s symbol of a cosmic reality. The Second Peron of the Trinity the Word, which came into human form in Jesus has always existed. The Word is there in the very beginning. The Word connects God and humanity. The Word collaborated in creation, and now the Word enables redemption and will bring all to fulfillment in God at the end of time. ON THE WAY HOME FROM MASS: In this Gospel we hear that Jesus, the Word was with God from the beginning and that Jesus was God. I wonder what that means. LIVING THE WORD: As you guests over to your home this Christmas, consider hosting a special Christmas prayer. Place as many candles as you can on your table and around the space where you will gather. Turn off all the lights in the house. Have someone hold a small candle as you read this Gospel. As you read, have someone begin lighting the candles, one by one. Sit or stand together in the candlelight for a while and enjoy God s peace. You may want to sing a song about light in the darkness, such as Christ, Be Our Light ( Christ be our light, shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness.. ) or O Little Town of Bethlehem. **Honoring your financial obligations to St. James Parish I would like to ask all of you to please take time to evaluate your financial giving over the past year. If serving God is your highest priority, then it should show in the way you spend your money. Each of us should study our finances in light of our priorities. This is the idea of budgeting: studying what we spend in order to spend wisely for that which is important. Our giving is an expression of our love. It indicates how much we love God and how much we want the church to accomplish its work. We reap in proportion to our sowing. If we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly. To reap bountifully, we must sow bountifully. If you have been financially generous over the year, God bless you. If not, you still have the opportunity to help in God s work. Be generous as God has been generous to you. **Thank you Seguin HS HOSA club for donating canned goods to our pantry. Mass Intentions December 22 December 28 MONDAY 12:15 PM +Connie Mueller TUESDAY 12:15 PM +Buzzy & Evelyn Maurer,+Michael Ritchie +Willard Mueller 4:00 PM +Harry Boos, +Connie See +Hugo Winsauer 4:15 PM +Edwin Darilek 6:00 PM +Edward Weilbacher, +Irene Nelson, +Larry Morawietz 12:00 AM +Cliff Mooney, +Chris Seidenberger +M/M Nguyen Van Chuc & family 9:00 AM +Roger Scheel, +Day Van Le +Beverly Scheel FRIDAY Mass at OLG 5:00 PM +Dorothy Broz, +Le Roy Van Booven +Harold & Rita Bulgerin 8:00 AM +Fred Rohde, +Mel Ammerman +Jenna Patek 10:00 AM St. James parish family 12:00 PM +Edwin Darilek, +Connie Mueller +James Sopher, +Juan Saldana, Sr. Music 4:00 PM Richey/Leopold/Robertson 4:15 PM Tashya Cook/Richard Cook 6:00 PM Tashya Cook/Richard Cook 12:00 AM Adult Choir 9:00 AM Mike Jessen/Mary Garcia 5:00 PM Adult Choir 8:00 AM Kathy Matalik/Desiree Supulver 10:00 AM Tashya Cook/Richard Cook 12:00 PM Life Teen Readings For The Week Monday First Reading: 1 Sm. 1:24-28 Gospel: Lk 1:46-56 Tuesday First Reading: Mal. 3:1-4, Gospel: Lk. 1:57-66 Wednesday First Reading: 2Sm. 7:1-5 Gospel: Lk. 1:67-79 Thursday First Reading: Is. 52:7-10 Second Reading: Heb.1:1-6 Gospel: Jn1:1-18 Friday First Reading: Acts 6:8-10 Gospel: Mt. 10:17-22 Saturday/Sunday First Reading: Sir. 3:2-6,12-14 Second Reading: Col. 3:12-21 Gospel: Lk. 2:22-40

2 FOURTH AND ADVENT/FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Mass Intentions December 29 January 4, 2015 MONDAY 12:15 PM +Clifford D. Mooney TUESDAY 12:15 PM Bill & Dottie Domer & family 4:00 PM +Frank Richard 6:00 PM Helen Pickard (BD) 9:00 AM +Christine Seidenberger Olga, Susan & Claire (BD s) FRIDAY Mass at OLG 5:00 PM +Beverly Scheel, +Harold Lievens +M/M Nguyen Huy Hein 8:00 AM +Mel Ammerman 10:00 AM +Fred Rohde, +Mary Ann Boos +Elaine Stauber 12:00 PM St. James parish family 5:00 PM Vietnamese Mass Music 4:00 PM Cook/Robertson 6:00 PM Eithne Goetz/Mary Garcia 9:00 AM Kathy Matalik/Desiree Supulver 5:00 PM Tashya Cook/Michelle Robertson 8:00 AM Kathy Matalik/Desiree Supulver 10:00 AM Adult Choir 12:00 PM Life Teen Readings For The Week Monday First Reading: 1 Jn. 2:3-11 Gospel: Lk. 2:22-35 Tuesday First Reading: 1 Jn. 2:12-17 Gospel: Lk. 2:36-40 Wednesday First Reading: 1 Jn. 2:18-21 Gospel: Jn. 1:1-18 Thursday First Reading: Nm 6:22-27 Second Reading: Gal. 4:4-7 Gospel: Lk. 2:16-21 Friday First Reading: 1 Jn. 2:22-28 Gospel: Jn. 1:19-28 Saturday/Sunday First Reading: Is. 60:1-6 Second Reading: Eph. 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel: Mt.2:1-12 Flowers are donated in loving memory of: Harold & Rita Bulgerin Mel Ammerman Charles J. & Julia Tousek Edwin Darilek Charlie& Mary Mikes Irene Nelson LCDR Edward L. Weilbacher Elizabeth Siddall Walter Maurice Bishop Helen Schofield Bishop Edward Joseph Sedlacek Uvaldo E. Robles Kimberly Frances Sedlacek John J. Vetter Marguerite Bishop Creighton Betty Magner Edna Vetter Rawlinson Vincent Garcia Stanly & MInnie Stopak Harold Lievens Max & Elizabeth Zoboroski A.F. Tony Pogor Helen Elizabeth Fleming W.F. Reeder family E.J. & Justine Pogor Frances Schroeder M/M Harry Boos, Jr. Clifford D. Mooney M/M Nguyen Van Chuc & family Day Van Le M/M Nguyen Van Hein M/M James Marical M/M Nguyen Tran Khanh & family Leroy Reiley Phero Nguyen Van Hung Bert Scheel M/M Nguyen Van Hung Hilda Scheel Mary Rose Pfullmann Allen Scheel Roger & Beverly Scheel Max Schuchardt Ernest Plant Bubba Bauer Smith & Bauer families LaVerne Mikesh Henry & Viola Mikesh Howard Massey Louie & Annie Wendel Dennis Zuber Thomas & Annie Hubka James Sczech Galen Sparky Sczech Robert Pop Sczech Bennie Wisniewski Ted Schraub, Jr. Geroge & Vivian Grein Marvin Massey Martin & Adela Molina David Molina Charles, Patrick & Edmund Patek Pete & Vera Dlugosch Willard & Connie Mueller Ben & Margaret Dlugosch Phillip & Lorene Dlugosch Jake Mueller, Sr. Ernie & Rita Alsobrooks Don Squires Mike Squires Patricia Edwards Carson Joe & Henrietta Nevlud Mary & Werner Kautz Evelyn & Fred Villeneuve Jerry Broz, Sr. Dorothy Broz Dan Neinast, Jr. Herman Schneider & Clara Schneider Michael Havel Henry Just & Minnie Just Selma Neinast Henry Zvesper & Eleanor Zvesper Pauline Hahn Anton Schneider& Loretta Schneider Florence Neinast Edwin Just & Olivia Just Dan L. Neinast Rivera Martinez families Patsy Ideus Erhard & Nora Reininger Bobby & Lydia Taft Alice Milloy Helen Taft Ramos Reyes families Charles & Michael Beall Bender-Miller-Mize families Deacon George Beinke Ed & Zell Kronke Hugo Winsauer Alfred & Hilda Grein

3 St. James Catholic Church Seguin, TX December 21, 2014 December 28, 2014 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Monday, 12/22 6:30 PM Vespers-Church Tuesday, 12/23 12:00 PM Parish office closed at Noon Wednesday, 12/24 Parish office closed Christmas Eve Masses at 4PM, 4:15PM, 6PM 11:30 PM Adult Choir Christmas Cantata Thursday, 12/25 Parish office closed Mass at Midnight and at 9AM Friday, 12/26 No Mass at St. James/Parish office closed Sunday, 12/28 Second Collection: St. James School Wednesday, 12/31 12:00 PM Parish office closed at Noon Thursday, 1/1 Parish office closed for New Year Friday, 1/2 Parish office closed for New Year Sunday, 1/4 Second Collection: Relief Fund 10:00 AM RCIA Dismissal 4:30 PM Vietnamese Confessions 5:00 PM Vietnamese Mass In Sympathy We extend our condolences to Michelle and Clint Hartmann and family on the loss of her father, Gene L. Roberts, Sr., who passed away December 13, Please keep them in prayer. PRESIDER SCHEDULE Dec. 24 Dec p.m. Fr. Greg 12 a.m. Fr. Dennis 4:15 p.m. Fr. Dennis 9 a.m. Fr. Greg & Fr. Dennis 6:00 p.m. Fr. Greg Dec. 27 Dec p.m. Fr. Dennis 8 a.m. Fr. Dennis 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. Fr. Greg Dec. 31 Jan. 1 4 p.m. Fr. Dennis 9 a.m. Fr. Greg 6 p.m. Fr. Greg Jan. 3 Jan. 4 5 p.m. Fr. Wasser 8 a.m. Fr. Wasser 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. Fr. Dennis Opportunities for Reconciliation this week Mon., Dec p.m. Fr. Greg Tue., Dec a.m.-12 a.m. Fr. Greg & Fr. Dennis Altar flowers for December 27 & 28 are given In Loving Memory of LeRoy Van Booven And in Celebration of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Rafael & Teresa Serralta Thank you for your continued support & generosity. Stewardship for the weekend of 12/14/14 MASS OFFERING: $9, CHILDREN S: $66.97 BUILDING FUND: $40.00 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: $1, RETIRED RELIGIOUS: $ The Sanctuary Candle is offered December 20 December 27 in loving memory of M/M Nguyen Van Chuc & family December 27-January 3 For Seminarian Ryan Kapavik THANK YOU! Many THANKS to the Knights of Columbus for assisting at the funeral of Deacon George Beinke. Thank you to the Hospitality Committee for hosting our annual Advent luncheon last Sunday, it was nice to see so many of you attend. Christmas/New Year s Mass Schedule Dec. 4PM, 4:15PM (in the hall), 6PM. December 25, Christmas Day Midnight 9AM No Mass on Dec. 26 `````````````````````````````````````````` New Year s Eve/Day Dec. 4PM & 6PM Jan. 9AM No Mass on Jan. 2 Have a safe and blessed New Year!

4 Advent Vespers Join us for our last Advent Evening Prayer this Monday evening, Dec. 22, at 6:30 p.m. We will have a 20-minute prayer followed by a very short presentation on Jesus in the Gospels. Monday, Dec. 22 6:30 p.m. Advent Evening Prayer Who is Jesus in Luke s Gospel? Enter into the Christmas Story We invite all children to dress as one of the Nativity Story figures at all Christmas Masses. Christmas Eve Masses at 4 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 6 p.m. Christmas Mass at Midnight at 12 a.m. Christmas Day Mass at 9 a.m. Choose any Christmas Mass and come dressed to represent Joseph or Mary or an angel or a shepherd or a king. No age limit. Babies can represent the Christ Child. Anyone (even grown-ups) can participate. This Christmas get into the spirit of the season in a new way! Elementary Religious Education News Christmas Break Religious education classes (Pre-K 5th grade) resume on Sunday, Jan. 11. Have a Blessed Christmas! Family Faith Formation The topic for our January sessions of Family Faith Formation is The Call: Are You Listening? (Vocations and Holy Orders). All families are invited to participate in this intergenerational session and learn something new about the Sacraments of Vocation and Service. Cal Leopold, OSF / cleopold@saintjamescc.org St. James Coffee House Sunday, Jan. 18 We Are One in Christ Come for a conversation during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. What do Christian churches have in common? How are they different? How are Seguin churches working together for the good of our community? 9:10-9:50 a.m. or 11:10-11:50 a.m. Thanks to Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller for providing coffee at our December and January Coffee Houses. We have extended our Catholic Life Raffle due date in order to give families an opportunity to sell tickets over the Christmas holidays. All Catholic Life raffle tickets, stubs, and money are now due Friday, January 9. If you need extra tickets, please contact the school office. We appreciate your support in this fundraising project, especially since the school receives 100% of the money for all tickets sold. Also, thank you for all your prayers for the Domer family. Both the church and school office have information about where to receive updates and/or give donations. Wishing you all a joyful Merry Christmas and a safe and very blessed New Year! From all of us, St. James parish and school staff.

5 St. James Catholic Church 510 South Camp St., Seguin, TX Dear Leaders of Ministries, We respectfully request the honor of your presence at the Pastoral Council Ministries Service Mass and Dinner. The Pastoral Council is extending the invitation to everyone helping in any ministry. Please join us for Mass in church and for dinner in the parish hall. There will be two celebrations: 1. Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. for the following ministries: Religious Education and Formation Programs (RCIA, Religious Education, Family Faith Formation, Baptism Preparation) Youth Ministry Ministry to the Sick Liturgy Committee Finance Committee Blood Drive Property Management Committee Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Adoration Unitas Hospitality Committee Bereavement Church Art & Environment Festival Committee Parish Prayer Chain Cemetery Music Rosary Sacristans St. Ann s Circle, ACTS Core Altar Servers Ushers Lectors / Commentators 2. Thursday, January 22, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. for the following ministries: Catholic Daughters Knights of Columbus We pray that you will find time to be present for Mass and dinner. For those of you that serve on more than one ministry please attend one event. Please RSVP on or before December 31, Sincerely, Pastoral Council Members Jackie Etlinger and Linda Kay RSVP to the Church office , Jackie Etlinger , or Linda Kay Pro-Life News Planned Parenthood is building a MEGA abortion facility in the Medical Center at 2140 Babcock. This 2 story, 20,000 sq. ft. building will provide abortions for the south, west, and central Texas area. The CEO Jeffrey Hons has promised 2,800 abortions a year at this new location. It s scheduled to open in January. This is unthinkable! Right now, the major Pro-Life groups are working quickly to stop the completion of this building from every angle possible, but they need your help. All of these contractors were lied to and never told that this would bean abortion center. Many contractors and workers want out! If you come out to the sidewalk and pray for these folks you can change their hearts! Please commit to saying one Rosary a month on the sidewalk at 2140 Babcock. That is a very, very small commitment that could end up changing many, many people s lives. In this Advent season, we eagerly anticipate the birth of Jesus. In the spirit of protecting the unborn, please come out and pray. Feel free to pass this on to your Respect Life Ministry Members. (Or other Ministries such as prayer groups, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, and Men s and Ladies clubs.) Why not plan an event with your group to pray all together? Where: sidewalk 2140 Babcock When: any time Mon-Fri 7 a.m. 5 p.m. Parking: The closed Cha Cha s (a little ways down the street on Babcock) is the best option. If you park in the neighborhood behind the new Planned Parenthood, you CANNOT be on the grass unfortunately, that means you will be sticking out into the street.

6 FOURTH AND ADVENT/FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY Remember In Prayer. Bill & Dottie Domer, Dr. Mark Bennett, Rosemary Pfullmann, Otto Radtke, Frances Altherr, Richard Sullivan, Tom Hayden, Joyce Elliott, Harold Tschirhart, James Taft, Gene Janak, Demetrio Perez, Ray & Mary Zanyi, Maria Wood, Mike Stoffel, Barbara Fitzpatrick, Catherine Cannon, Wayne Marek, Amelia Saldivar, Clara Bohuslav, Tony Duron, Mary Dickerson, Henry Walleck, Lisa Roth, Priscella Cornetta, Janene Spring, Erna Winsauer, Audrey Hettinger, Richard Perysn, Zack Hunter, Cheri Koch, Melinda Fuller, John Cuellar, Margie Fagan, Bill Blundell, Refugio Lopez, Jr., Bennie Kaulfus, Sandra Puentes, Mary Evans, Angie Becka, Cheryl Tovar, Richard Cornetta, Teenie Vogel, Lillia Pape, Walter Tillemann, Kenneth Houghton, Alys & Hal Husel, Trexler family, Jim McMahon, Tracie Read, Kevin Kelso, Samuel Helmle, Jr., Chuck Rudd, Patricia Wiesner, Patsy Forshage, Charlie McMain, Sue Koons, Leroy Kessler, Pat Hagan, Christina Martinez, Bernice Van Booven, Larry Feazel, JoAnn Nelson, Beulah Miller, Josephine Moravits, Mike Perales, Tina Watson For I will restore your health; I will heal your injuries- Jer. 30:17 Military Prayer List LT Kristofer Kalstad TSGT Carlo Carmona SGT Nicodemus C. Seaboy MAJ Christopher Wells GSGT Christopher J. Garcia PFC Shane Hartmann CSM Bret Wiegmann Specialist Steven A. Cervantes LCPL Brian Shaw LCPL Zachary Klinger LCPL Jorden Rongish OSMC Jeremy P. Rodriguez CAPT Eric Dvorak LT Kendall Kalstad TSGT Dianne Carmona SGT Scott Kessler SGT Don Pezzatta LCPL Stevie Ray Leos CAPT Blake Wiegmann PFC Brian McKinney 1LT Charles Gamero John Bender CAPT Daniel Jeanes PFC Noah Rios SGT Jordan Folmar May God bless our military personnel and their families for all they do for our country, please keep them in your prayers. To add a name to our Military prayer list, call the church office. Life Teen and Edge Next Gathering: Wednesday, January 7 at 7:00 P.M. First gathering of spring semester Come one, come all to St. James Ministries Fair at our Coffee House on February 15. Enjoy refreshments, participate in a silent auction, there will be door prizes. Meet members of St. James ministries. Look forward to seeing you there! SPONSORS FOR THE WEEK: Hope for the Future Support Catholic School Education at the 6 th Annual Khaki & Plaid Gala, Homecoming 2015; 6:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Ballrm A. This fundraising event allows Hope for the Future to provide tuition assistance to less fortunate families wanting to enjoy a Catholic School education in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. Reserve your seats today at hopeforfuture.org call Dr. Antonio Flores & Goetz Funeral Home Youth Ministry... Thank you for all your special work this Advent Season. You have worked hard at announcing the love come down at Christmas time! Advent Angels Bingo at Hacienda Oaks Live Nativity Change for Holy Childhood Parish Office: Parish Web site: stjameschurch.faithweb.com