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December 20, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Advent
It’s a pretty humbling question that Elizabeth
asks herself when Mary comes to call: “[H]ow
does this happen to me,” she mused, “that the
mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke
1:43). Paraphrasing it, we can all ask it of ourselves as well. Indeed, how does it happen that
my Lord, the Christ, should come to me? Or to
any or all of us? It’s difficult to remove ourselves
from the events of the moment, but when we
look beyond all of the commercial trappings of this great holiday to consider what it is that we are really celebrating this
week—the holy day, the commemoration of the word made
flesh—it can take our breath away.
BUT TRUE
“Blessed are you among women,” Elizabeth said (Luke
1:42), and certainly blessed are all of us at the coming of our
Lord and Savior. In looking for joyful imagery, we need look
no further than the infant John stirring in his mother’s womb
at the sound of Mary’s voice. Was he doing the rhumba? Was
he high-fiving the world? Who can say? But it’s fun to picture
the scene, and when was the last time we leapt for joy that
Jesus is our God? From the mouths of babes there is much to
learn. So, too, sometimes, from the babe waiting to be born.
Micah tells us that the Lord God is Peace, and so we
have come to believe. Hebrews tells us that we have been
consecrated in Jesus—once for all—and so we have come
to believe. And the Luke passage concludes with Elizabeth’s
words to Mary, “Blessed are you who believed that what was
spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled” (Luke 1:45).
Firm in our belief, let us celebrate this day, and let us claim
that blessing as our own.
Today’s Readings: Mi 5:1–4a; Ps 80:2–3, 15–16, 18–19; Heb 10:5–10; Lk 1:39–45
20 de diciembre de 2015
Cuarto Domingo de Adviento
Es una pregunta humillante la que Isabel se
hace cuando María llega a visitarla: “¿Quién soy
yo,” se pregunta ella, “para que la madre de mi
Señor venga a visitarme?” (Lucas 1:43). Podemos
hacernos la misma. ¿Quiénes somos para que el
Señor, el Cristo, venga a mí ? O ¿a cualquiera de
nosotros o a todos? Es difícil removernos de los
sucesos de este momento, pero cuando miramos
más allá de esta gran fiesta para considerar
lo que estamos celebrando esta semana –este
santo día, la conmemoración del Verbo hecho carne– nos
quedamos atónitos.
ES VERDAD
“Bendita eres entre las mujeres” (Lucas 1:42), dice Isabel y
ciertamente, benditos somos todos nosotros por la venida de
nuestro Señor y Salvador. Al buscar unas imágenes de alegría,
no tenemos que ir más allá del bebé Juan moviéndose en
el vientre de su madre al oír la voz de María. ¿Bailaba una
rumba? ¿Se estremecía de alegría? Quién sabe. Pero es muy
agradable imaginarse la escena y, ¿cuándo fue la última vez
que saltamos de alegría porque Jesús es nuestro Dios? De
la boca de los bebés podemos aprender mucho. Y algunas
veces, también del bebé que espera nacer.
Miqueas nos dice que el Señor Dios es Paz y eso hemos
llegado a creer. Los hebreos nos dicen que hemos sido
consagrados en Jesús –una vez por todas– y por eso somos
creyentes. Y el pasaje de Lucas concluye con las palabras
de Isabel a María, “Dichosa tú, que has creído, porque
se cumplirá cuanto te fue anunciado de parte del Señor”
(Lucas 1:45). Firmes en nuestro credo, celebremos este día y
escuchemos esa bendición como si fuera nuestra.
Lecturas de hoy: Mi 5:1–4a; Sal 80:2–3, 15–16, 18–19; Heb 10:5–10; Lc 1:39–45
Copyright © 2015, J. S. Paluch Company, Inc., 3708 River Road, Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158, 1 800 621-5197. With Ecclesiastical Approbation.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
500 East Travis Street
Luling, Texas 78648
Rev. Howard Goertz, Pastor
Deacon Paul Easterling
Patricia Gonzales, Administration
Marilyn Williams, Religious Education
Haurora Ordonez, Youth Ministry
Leonardo Cruz, Custodian
SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday: 5:30 pm (English)
Sunday: 8:00 am (Spanish) & 10:00 am (English)
Reconciliation (Confession): Saturday 4:45 pm–5:15 pm & Wednesday after 8 am Mass
DAILY MASS SCHEDULE
Tuesday: 6:30 pm
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 am
24-hour Adoration: Begins Thursday 8:00 am - Concludes Friday 8:00 am
PARISH OFFICE: 830-875-5354
FAX: 830-875-3533
Office Hours: Mon. & Fri. 9 am – 1 pm * Tues. Wed. & Thurs. 8 am - 1 pm ~ 2 - 5 pm
PARISH HALL: 830-875-9052
PARISH RECTORY: 830-351-5043
PARISH EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]
ESTABLISHED IN 1879
St. John the Evangelist
REFLECTIONS
Page 2
WISHING YOU A SAFE &
BLESSED 2015 CHRISTMAS !
FAMILY LIFE
Family life is sacred, but it is not without trial. Perhaps
this is the most important message we can glean from today’s readings. If Jesus, Mary, and Joseph can trip up
sometimes—can disconnect—then we shouldn’t find it
surprising when such things happen to us as well. And
parents everywhere (children, too) can probably relate
to—and take some solace in—the Gospel’s account of
Mary and Joseph after Jesus explained why he stayed behind in the temple. They heard his words, Luke tells us,
“But they did not understand what he said to them” (Luke
2:50). Amen! Nevertheless, Jesus does go back home
with them, and continues to thrive under their care.
**********
REFLEJOS
On behalf of:
Rev. Howard Goertz, Deacon Paul Easterling
& St. John’s Staff and Volunteers
Holiday Church Office hours:
Thursday, December 24 & Thursday, December 31
8 am - 1pm
Friday, December 25, 2015 & Friday, January 1, 2016
Closed All day
ADVENT PENETENTIAL SERVICE
ST. MARY CHURCH , LOCKHART
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
BEGINS AT 7:00 PM
(Last opportunity before Christmas)
2015 MARRIAGE RECOGNITION CERTIFICATES
VIDA FAMILIAR
La vida familiar es sagrada, pero no faltan las dificultades. Este puede ser el mensaje más importante que encontramos en las lecturas de hoy. Si Jesús, María y José pueden tropezar de vez en cuando –desconectarse– entonces
no nos debe sorprender cuando eso mismo nos ocurre a
nosotros también. Y los padres dondequiera que estén
(hijos también) pueden ver el parecido –y hasta consolarse– con el relato bíblico que habla de María y José después de que Jesús les explica porqué se quedó atrás en el
templo. Escucharon sus palabras, nos dice Lucas, “pero
ellos no comprendieron lo que les acababa de decir” (Lucas 2:50). ¡Amén! Sin embargo, Jesús sí se va con
ellos para la casa, y continúa creciendo bajo su cuidado.
BURNING OF SANCTUARY LIGHT
DECEMBER 2015
FOR FAMILY
Offered by: Arnulfo & Janie Barrientes
Marriage recognition certificates signed by Bishop Joe
Vazquez are available for couples married 5, 10, 15 and so on,
in increments of 5. Please notify the Church Office if you celebrated an anniversary this year (2015). Father Howard will
hand out Marriage Recognition Certificates on the Feast of the
Holy Family of Jesus Mary and Joseph, December 26 & 27.
WEEKLY OFFERINGS REPORT
Weekend of December 12 & 13, 2015
Collections
1st Collection ............................................................ $3,942.35
Children’s Collection ..................................................... $73.00
Feast of the Immaculate Conception............................ $215.00
Total ......................................................................... $4,230.35
Needed Weekly ....................................................... $4,198.54
over weekly needed……….. .... +$31.81
Diocesan Collection
Retirement Fund .......................................................... $889.33
Other Collections
Votive Candle .............................................................. $215.00
Parking Lot Donation (Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Hale) ...... $1,000.00
With God All Things are Possible!
Fourth Sunday of Advent
page 3
ST. JOHN’S BULLETIN BOARD
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Sunday Breakfast ........................................................ Sundays
This Sunday, December 20 Knight of Columbus will host Sunday
Breakfast. Sunday Breakfast is served in the Parish Hall after both
the 8 am and 10 am Mass. No Sunday Breakfast next Sunday,
December 27.
Christmas Flowers, December 19 & 20
A special collection for Christmas Flowers, Church and Altar
Decorations will be taken up at all three Masses.
Práctica del coro (español) ............................................ Jueves
Práctica del coro (español), cada Jueves a las 6 de la tarde en la
casa de la parroquia, 400 S. Pecan.
Altar Care (Altar Society) ........................................... Fridays
Altar Care this Friday, December 18 Gloria Quinn and Janie
Gonzales. Next Friday, December 25 Suzie Flores.
NO 24-HOUR ADORATION
WILL BE HELD
DECEMBER 24 - 25, 2015
DEC. 31, 2015 - JAN. 1, 2016
Feast of the Holy Family, December 26 & 27
Next weekend is the Feast of the Holy Family and our parish will
take up a special collection for family services within our diocese.
Please be generous in supporting this much needed service.
** ADVENT SEASON 2015 **
ST. JOHN’S ALTAR SOCIETY
COME PREPARE THE WAY
FOR THE LORD!!
Sunday, December 20, 2015
after 10 am Mass, complete altar & tree decoration…….
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
after 8 am Mass, decorate altar with poinsettia plants…….
** CRE CHRISTMAS 2015 **
St. John’s CRE Nativity Pageant, Christmas Eve,
Thursday, December 24 at the 5:30 pm Children’s
Mass. All of the children of our parish are invited to
participate as cast members or in the Children’s Christmas Choir. Both groups will be required to attend practices.
Children’s Choir practice will be held on Sunday, December 20
immediately following the 10 am Mass, in the choir loft of the
Church, with a final practice on Thursday, December 24 at 10 am.
Nativity Pageant practice with the actual pageant cast on Sunday,
December 20 at 11 am and a dress rehearsal will be held on Thursday, December 24th at 10 am. Costumes will be provided.
Luling ISD Winter Break, December 21, 2015—January 4, 2016.
NO CRE Classes will be held December 23 & 30, 2015. CRE
Classes will resume Wednesday, January 6, 2016.
SOLEMNITY OF MARY,
THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
(HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016
MASS: 8:30 AM
VIGIL MASS, THURSDAY, DEC 31, 2015 * 6:30 PM
2015 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
(Thursday, December 24 & Friday, December 25)
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24th 5:30 pm
Eucharistic Ministers: Tina Conley & Rachel Mikesh
Lector: Judi Guthrie
Altar Servers: AnaMaria Reyes & Kailyn Knox
Hospitality: Felix Bienek & Lilian Weber
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24th 11:00 pm
Eucharistic Ministers: Cruz & Debbie Nuñez
Lector: Juan Rios
Altar Servers: Malachi Ybarra & Mark Montalbo
Hospitality: Robert & Suzanne Hochstein
THURSDAY, DEC. 25th 8:00 am (Spanish)
Eucharistic Ministers: Guadalupe Castillo & Juanita Cruz
Lector: Irma Rios
Altar Servers: Leonardo Reyna & Amy Angel
Hospitality: Gus Bernal & Jorge Ochoa & Tony Cruz
THURSDAY, DEC. 25th 9:30 am (English)
Eucharistic Ministers: Cynthia Hunter & Vikki Gonzales
Lector: Sam Chapa
Altar Servers: Shyla Bujnoch & Trey Von Dohlen
Hospitality: Sotero & Rebecca Ramirez
December 20, 2015
December 26 & 27
Sat. 5:30 pm
Lectors
Michelle Levesque
Eucharistic Ministers
Paul Mikesh
Rachel Mikesh
Sun. 8:00 am
Elisa Gonzales
Hortencia Villanueva
Delfina Rodriguez
Sun. 10:00 am
Robert Natal
Martin Pratka
Sharon Pratka
Sat. 5:30 pm
Altar Server
Carson McNabb
Sun. 8:00 am
Elvia Palacio
Christian Rodriguez
Sun. 10:00 am
Laruen Vick
Valerie Bermudez
Sat. 5:30 pm
Hospitality Ministers
Lane Zumwalt
Julian Sepulveda
Sun. 8:00 am
Juan Reyes
Angel Alba / Tony Cruz
Sun. 10:00 am
Evelyn Hernandez
Eric Lugo
GET A SUBSTITUTE IF YOU CAN NOT BE PRESENT!!!
**FOR YOUR INFORMATION**
Baptisms:
One class is required for parents and sponsors! The next English Baptismal Class will
be Sunday, January 17, 2016 at 11:30 am in Classroom 1.
Bautizos
Se requiere que los Papás y Padrinos asistan a una Clase de Bautismo. El próximo clase
de Bautismo es 10 de enero de 2016 a 11:30 am en el cuarto 3.
Marriage
A six-months to one-year notice is required, please call the Church office to meet with
the Pastor.
Bodas
De 6-meses a un año de antemano. Llama a la Oficina.
Quinceañera Celebration
A six months to one-year notice is required, for a Quinceañera the family must be
registered in the parish and the 14 year old must be already enrolled and attending CRE
Classes to be eligible to celebrate in the church. Please call the Church Office to meet
with the Pastor.
Celebrando Tus XV Años
Registrate con 6-meses de antemano y haz una cita con el Sacerdote.
Ministry to the Sick
When a parishioner is hospitalized, in nursing home or homebound please contact the
Church at (830) 875-5354, so that arrangements can be made for them to receive the
sacraments.
Ministerio de los enfermos
Comunicate con la Oficina a 830-875-5354.
Healing Service (Anointing of the Sick)
On the 2nd Saturday of the Month immediately following the 5:30 pm Mass.
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) English & Spanish
Saturdays from 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm and Wednesdays after 8 am Daily Mass.
St. John’s Website
Please visit our website: www.stjohnluling.com
St. John the Evangelist
Saturday, December 19
Readings: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25
Mass: 5:30 pm Denis Dittmar† (Dot Harrison)
Sunday, December 20 “4th Sunday of Advent”
Readings: Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45
Mass: 8:00 am Para La Parroquia
10:00 am Rev. Jerry Smith†
Monday, December 21 “St. Peter Canisius” (Winter begins)
Readings: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45
No Mass
Tuesday, December 22
Readings: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56
No Mass (Father is hearing confessions in Lockhart)
Wednesday, December 23 “St. John of Kanty”
Readings: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66
Mass: 8:00 am Terri Frerich (SI) (Jane Goertz)
Isabella Perez-De Leon (Joe & Rose De Leon)
Thursday, December 24 “The Vigil of Christmas”
Readings: 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]
Mass: 5:30 pm For the Children of the Parish
10:30 pm Christmas Carols
11:00 pm For the Parish
Friday, December 25 “The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)”
Readings: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]
Mass: 8:00 am Para La Parroquia
9:30 am Larry & Dedee Morgan (SI) (Joe & Cynthia Hunter)
Saturday, December 26 “St. Stephen”
Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22
Mass: 5:30 pm Dcn. Dub & Priscilla Hargraves (SI) (Henry & Lillian Weber)
Sunday, December 27 “The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph”
Readings: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6,
9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52
Mass: 8:00 am Para la Parroquia
10:00 am Rev. Howard Goertz (SI) (Jane Goertz)
Serenity Acosta, Shannon Brandom, Rev. Robert Becker,
Dwight Belden, Nicole Bujnoch, Emily Burke, Jaime & Teresa
Calderon, Karen S. Cardenas, Walley Casarez, Sophia Castillo,
Bill Chapman, Lincoln Contreras, Pablo Corpus, Marilyn
Cryder, Richard DeVere, Dario & Reina Flores, Diana Flores, Gilbert “Beto”
Garcia, Rosemary Garcia, Nemesio Gomez, Francisca Gonzales, Jesse M.
Gonzales, Joel Gonzales, John Gonzales, Paul Gonzales, Michael Hebert,
Adeline Heintschel, John Houeye, Taylor Hudgins, John J. Hyatt, Elizabeth
Idrogo, Jerry Kidd, Carmen Leal, Jimmy Ledesma, Jr., Arturo Magallanez,
Jimmy D. McIntoch, Juanita Mendoza, Shelley Meyers, Diana Miranda, Jean
Netardus, Lucy Oliva, Isabel Orona, Alex Rodriguez, Antonia Rodriguez,
Leticia Rodriguez, Vicente Salinas, Eligia Salas, Tim Stanley, Renee
Spencer, Kathy Starch, Virginia Suarez, Andres Valdez, Melissa Weiss,
Monique Williams and Tyreese Williams.
St. Vincent De Paul
Society
Vehicle Donation
Program
Tax Deductible
Free Vehicle Pick-Up
1-888-317-7837
TONY’S PAINT &
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830/875-3979
401 E. Fannin
Luling, Texas
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bathes in an ADVERTISED shower
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The Knights of Columbus
Meeting 3rd Tuesday of Every Month
@ St. John’s Parish Hall - Fellowship Beginning
at 7 PM -- Meeting at 7:30 PM
SPACE AVAILABLE
To Advertise Here...
Contact DONNIE TAYLOR
today at (800) 833-5941
[email protected]
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drives to work
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For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-833-5941