Pastor: Rev. Philip J. Panackal Deacon: Bill Cleavelin (361-208-2146) Sacristan: Jerry Knesek Secretary: Ann Clarke DRE: Michele Hoelscher (361-244-2138) Music Director: Vic Benys Bookkeeper: Anna Ramos EDGE: J. T. Tovar Plant Manager: Gary Clarke Custodians: Andrea Peña, Yolanda Tobòn LIFETEEN: Rachel Unterbrink Holy Day Vigil @ St. Thomas: 7:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Thomas: 5:30 PM Sunday Masses @ St. Thomas: 8 AM & 11 AM Weekday Masses @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Patrick: 4:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Patrick: 8:00 AM First Friday Mass @ St. Patrick: 8:00 AM Confession: 30 Minutes before Masses or by appointment Saint Paul speaks of the “stewardship of God’s grace” to which he was called. Like Saint Paul, each of us is to be a steward of God’s grace. A steward is one who is entrusted with something that belongs to another. The steward bears responsibility for what is entrusted to him or her. Saint Paul understands that his encounter with the Lord and his faith in Jesus Christ carry with them a sacred responsibility, to bring the news of salvation to all. We too have been blessed with much, including the gift of faith, and are called to be good stewards of all with which we have been entrusted. We do this by nurturing a faithful and faith-filled heart, responding to God’s grace through the attitudes and actions that make up our daily lives. We do this as well by sharing our faith and the impact of faith with others, so that they may be drawn to our Lord. This is a sacred responsibility, a blessing, a privilege. BEARING GIFTS The magi brought gifts to the baby Jesus. What gifts do you bring to the Lord? You might have the gift of patience or understanding and bring this gift in your interactions with others. You might have a talent for bringing new ideas and creative insights into situations at home, work, parish, or your city. You might have a gift for helping people to work together for a great cause or purpose. All of these gifts have been given to you by God, to be used for God’s purposes, for God’s greater glory. All of these are glimpses of God’s grace, and like Saint Paul, you are called to be a good steward of them, as a sign of Christ’s life within you. You bring your gifts to the Lord by using them well, sharing them generously and responsibly in caring for others and for all of creation. Today’s Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish in Robstown, Texas and Saint Patrick Mission in San Patricio, Texas DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS • 16602 FM 624 • Robstown, Texas 78380 Phone: 361-387-1312 or 361-387-7842 • Fax: 361-387-9311 Website: www.christon624.com • Email: [email protected]Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Transcript
Pastor: Rev. Philip J. Panackal Deacon: Bill Cleavelin (361-208-2146) Sacristan: Jerry Knesek Secretary: Ann Clarke DRE: Michele Hoelscher (361-244-2138) Music Director: Vic Benys Bookkeeper: Anna Ramos EDGE: J. T. Tovar Plant Manager: Gary Clarke Custodians: Andrea Peña, Yolanda Tobòn LIFETEEN: Rachel Unterbrink
Holy Day Vigil @ St. Thomas: 7:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Thomas: 5:30 PM Sunday Masses @ St. Thomas: 8 AM & 11 AM Weekday Masses @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Patrick: 4:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Patrick: 8:00 AM First Friday Mass @ St. Patrick: 8:00 AM
Confession: 30 Minutes before Masses or by appointment
Saint Paul speaks of the “stewardship of God’s grace” to which he was called. Like Saint Paul, each of us is to be a steward of God’s grace. A steward is one who is entrusted with something that belongs to another. The steward bears responsibility for what is entrusted to him or her. Saint Paul understands that his encounter with the Lord and his faith in Jesus Christ carry with them a sacred responsibility, to bring the news of salvation to all. We too have been blessed with much, including the gift of faith, and are called to be good stewards of all with which we have been entrusted. We do this by nurturing a faithful and faith-filled heart, responding to God’s grace through the attitudes and actions that make up our daily lives. We do this as well by sharing our faith and the impact of faith with others, so that they may be drawn to our Lord. This is a sacred responsibility, a blessing, a privilege.
BEARING GIFTS
The magi brought gifts to the baby Jesus. What gifts do you bring to the Lord? You might have the gift of patience or understanding and bring this gift in your interactions with others. You might have a talent for bringing new ideas and creative insights into situations at home, work, parish, or your city. You might have a gift for helping people to work together for a great cause or purpose. All of these gifts have been given to you by God, to be used for God’s purposes, for God’s greater glory. All of these are glimpses of God’s grace, and like Saint Paul, you are called to be a good steward of them, as a sign of Christ’s life within you. You bring your gifts to the Lord by using them well, sharing them generously and responsibly in caring for others and for all of creation.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission Parishioners 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle †Ottie Zieger by Charlie & Jean Chapman
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 8:00 AM: Parishioners 11:00 AM: †Gregorio D. Longoria by Domingo & Lydia Longoria
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2020 — No Mass
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 12:05 PM: †David Sanchez Jr. by Tom & Sandra McWha
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 12:05 AM: †Herman Morales by Yolanda Peña & Family
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 12:05 PM: †Caitlynn Prukop by Karen Vaughan
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 12:05 PM: †Geneva Strmiska (AOB) by David & Susie Tajchman
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission Parishioners 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle †Jim & †Pat Juranek by the Cortino Family
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 8:00 AM: Parishioners 11:00 AM: †Herman Morales by Yolanda Peña & Family
Please Pray for ...
All the homebound, sick and suffering of our parish. Please call/email the rectory office to include a person on the 2020 PRAYER LIST
Saturday, 5:30 PM: Tony Arredondo, Kelly Dunn Sunday, 8:00 AM: Deacon Bill, Josie Blevins, Yolanda Hominick Sunday, 11:00 AM: Paul & Melana Silva, Barbara Rychetsky, Volunteers
Saturday, 5:30 PM: Weldon Riebschleager, Danny Kurtz, Owen Cerny, John Freeman, Tony Arredondo, Randy Jendrzey Sunday, 8:00 AM: Michael Rektorik, Benjamin Gwynn, Tom Schumacher, Ruben Mendiola Sunday, 11:00 AM: David Custer, W. W. McClendon, Tim Brown, Darrell Dusek
USHERS for JANUARY 11-12, 2020
“They opened their treasures and offered him
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
- Matthew 2 : 11b
10 THINGS THAT MAKE FOR A GREAT CATHOLIC FAMILY
Today’s families come in all shapes and sizes. Amid all those differences, one thing is certain: maintaining a strong family takes a lot of time, energy and work—oh, and a good dose of prayer! Looking at who we are through the eyes of our faith, we see that, although we may not be the image of the perfect family every day, we are holier, indeed “greater,” than we think. The 6th thing that can make for a great Catholic family is “Make Mistakes.”
Great Catholic Families — #6 “Make Mistakes”
As Catholics, we believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God . . . but this doesn’t mean that we are gods. The older we get, the more we realize how human we all are. We let each other down. We fail. We sin. And yet, to thrive as individuals and as a family, we have learned that there is a fine line between making a mistake and believing that you are a mistake. God does not make mistakes. We are each created with dignity and we are all special in God’s eyes. Great Catholic families know that shame is hard to undo once it’s done. Even the biggest mistakes require a healthy dose of patience and love in order to ensure that they don’t become weak spots in an otherwise strong family.
FAITH BUILDER: Take some time together to bury old mistakes and genuinely move on from them.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Great Catholic Families — #7 “Forgive Each Other (A Lot)”
While Jesus commands us to forgive “not . . . seven times, but seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22), forgiving a family member can be tough to do even once. We try to teach our kids to take responsibility for their actions, admit when they are wrong and apologize. (I’m sorry I broke your toy, lied about the mess, ate your fries, etc.) But forgiveness requires an act of faith and trust. Parents: When you’re wrong, admit it and seek forgiveness, even if that means delivering a sincere apology to a toddler. Your kids will see that forgiveness is not automatic and must be sought in order to be received. Children: Forgiveness isn’t a weapon to be wielded. When your parents or your siblings sincerely seek your forgiveness, give it. There is no greater feeling than that of genuine forgiveness wiping a slate clean and allowing a family to start again with one another.
FAITH BUILDER: Experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a family. Attend a Reconciliation Service in your parish.
From the Desk of Fr. Philip Our Sunday Visitor
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 4 - 5, 2020
Altar Flowers: Call the parish office to donate flowers for the altar.
Altar Servers: Please contact Paul Silva (361-726-6374) if you would like to be an altar server and need information and/or have questions.
A.P.O.S.T.L.E.: Scripture Discussion Class meets on Sundays from 9:15-10:30 AM in the K.C. Building.
Baptism Class: Call the parish office to register for this class. All paperwork must be completed before attending class or scheduling Baptism. See website for more information.
Bulletin: Bulletin announcements are due on Monday by 1:00 PM.
CDA Court #2290: Meet on January 27, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Hall.
KC #9318: Meet on January 6, 2019 at 6:30 PM in the K.C. Bldg.
SALT Youth Music Ministry: Meet on Sunday before Mass. Practice every Tuesday from 7:30-9:00 PM in the Church.
Walking with Purpose: Meet on scheduled Fridays in the I.C. Hall or foyer from 9:30-11:30 AM.
Divine Mercy: Every Friday at 11:45 a.m. before noon Mass.
Rosary: Every Thursday at 11:40 a.m. before noon Mass.
INTRODUCTION Word traveled quickly. What had originally been known only to Mary, then to Joseph, and soon shared with intimate friends like Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, was revealed to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth, and now to foreigners—the magi from the east. Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior, has been born. Let us rejoice, for his saving presence has been made manifest to all. A light shines for all to see, revealing God’s glory and drawing people from all over. In Isaiah the light is in Jerusalem, the holy city, attracting kings and caravans. In the Gospel, the light is in the sky over Bethlehem, attracting magi from the east. Paul preaches that the light shines equally for all, Jews and Gentiles, “copartners” in the promise of salvation. Let us listen today for all the foreign places and peoples, enabling us to sing, “every nation on earth will adore you.”
REFLECTION The light of salvation is intended to attract everyone across the face of the earth. The passage from Isaiah we hear today was written after the Babylonian captivity when the Chosen People were allowed to return to Jerusalem. At first “your sons . . . and your daughters” are invited (60:4), but then people from Midian, Ephah, and Sheba are welcomed. These descendants of Abraham had separated from the Chosen People before they were held captive in Egypt. In the Gospel, the star that the magi saw at its rising must have been visible outside Judea, leading them from foreign lands to the east. Paul tells the people of Ephesus that “Gentiles are coheirs . . . copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:6). Salvation is not restricted to one people, one region, or one era. Gold and frankincense are brought as gifts in both the first reading and the Gospel, but in the Gospel the magi add myrrh. Myrrh is often used for anointing, but it also could relieve pain or perfume a body, so we also see it offered to Jesus on the cross (Mark 15:23) and used to anoint his body in the tomb (John 19:39). Jesus is both king and victim, and the gifts he is given reflect both roles. Like the magi, we also have the opportunity to come seek the Lord. It is a journey we make throughout our lives, looking for the Lord’s presence in the world, in our lives, in ourselves. Like the magi, who return home a different way, encountering the Lord often leads us to change course.
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:
How has an encounter with the Lord led me in a new way? Am I willing to change my route in the future? From the Pastor’s desk
LITURGY OF THE DAY INFORMATION CORNER
St. Thomas the Apostle/St. Patrick Mission Website: www.christon624.com
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE 12/21-22 Regular Collection: $13,049.25 (89 Env. & 35 Loose Cks.) 12/30 Money Counters: Dorothy Faas, Jean Chapman
ST. PATRICK MISSION 12/21 Regular Collection: $251.46 (5 Env. & 2Loose Ck.) 12/30 Money Counter: Dorothy Faas, Jean Chapman Thank
You!
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND
Father Philip will be leading a 14-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land from October 12-25, 2020. Places that will be visited are: Egypt, Jordan and Israel. The cost per person is $3,750.00 and includes flights, transportation, hotel accommodations, breakfast, dinner and tour guide. Please contact the parish office at 361-387-1312 for registration and for more information if you are interested in going on this pilgrimage. Fr. Philip
O F F E R I N G S
Great Catholic Families — #8 “Remember Ritual”
Family rituals or traditions help us define who we are and what we believe. Praying before dinner, lighting the candles at Advent, singing a special birthday song are all ways we express the unique bond that is our family. The best of family traditions are passed on for generations. Setting up grandma’s Nativity scene each Christmas is a way of keeping her spirit alive and a way for one generation to connect with the next.
FAITH BUILDER: Bring back a family ritual that has fallen out of practice and notice the fruits of renewing this tradition.
From the Desk of Fr. Philip Our Sunday Visitor
2020 ENVELOPES
Your 2020 Box of Contribution Envelopes have arrives and can be picked up from the tables in the foyer of the church. Please check your box and make sure everything is correct. If your cannot find your box, please contact the parish office. Thank you for your contributions to St. Thomas the Apostle.
005888 St Thomas the Apostle Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-833-5941
SAWYER-GEORGEFUNERAL HOME
“Our Family Serving Your Family”
(361) 242-320512497 Leopard St.
Office Hours By Appointment
387-3616 Fax 387-3504SAMUEL C. HARTMAN, M.D.
Family PracticeInfants, Adolescents, Adults
13725 Northwest Blvd. #230Northwest Regional Medical Plaza
