SHOULD WE LEAVE JESUS BECAUSE OF JUDAS? It can be difficult for us to appreciate how the scandal of Judas might have been seen from the perspective of the early Church. Jesus had a very important reason for choosing 12 persons to be the foundations of His Church. Centuries before Jesus, the descendants of Israel (the grandson of Abraham) were known as 12 tribes, each tracing its ancestry back to one of the 12 sons of Israel. Those 12 sons were the 12 Patriarchs or “fathers” of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. So, when Jesus was laying the foundations for His Church, He very deliberately chose 12 men from all his disciples to be those foundations as His apostles. Those men were hand-picked by Jesus after a night of intense prayer (Lk 6:12-16). They followed Jesus and lived with Him for close to three years, hearing Him preach, witnessing His miracles and receiving countless blessings from Him. So it would be natural to expect that those 12 apostles, the foundations for the Church Jesus was establishing, would be great examples of how to follow Him. Except many times the apostles gave us a very poor example. They sought earthly honors and rewards (Mk. 10:35-45). They rejected the sufferings of the Cross (Mt. 16:21-23). When Jesus went to pray for strength in His agony in the garden, His three closest apostles didn’t pray with Him, but fell asleep (Mt. 26:36-46). That same night, Simon Peter three times denied he even knew Jesus (Mt. 26:69-75). Then, on Good Friday when He was being crucified, all the apostles abandoned Jesus except for John (John 19:25-27). And then there was Judas Iscariot, 1/12 of the apostles who had been hand-picked by Jesus. Judas was a thief who loved money (John 12:4-6). He betrayed Jesus to His enemies, to be tortured and crucified, for 30 pieces of silver (Mt.26:14-16). What crime could be worse than that? Should the early followers of Jesus have been scandalized by the criminal actions of 1/12 of the leadership of the early Church? Should they have said, “Judas shows that the church is not holy, Jesus obviously made a big mistake in picking him, and we cannot trust the leaders of this church and we should leave it?” Or to put it simply, should they have left Jesus because of Judas? Why did Jesus pick Judas as an apostle, knowing full well that he would betray Him? Why did Jesus pick so many weak and unreliable persons to be the foundations of His Church? Maybe Jesus wanted us to know that the
strength of His Church does not come from those He picked to be its leaders, but that strength comes from Him in spite of the weaknesses of those leaders! Anybody who abuses a child is betraying Jesus, who identified very much with children and spoke up for them (e.g. Mk 10:13-16, Mt 18:1-6, Mt 25:40). Those who abuse children are very much following the footsteps of Judas. We must be vigilant in protecting our children and we must pre-vent any child abuser from putting more children at risk. But we should not leave Jesus because of Judas.
In Texas, if you suspect a child or other vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, the law requires that you report it promptly to the proper authorities (Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services 1-800-252-5400). If you suspect abuse or neglect connected with any St. Patrick parish activity, please also let me know at 956-722-6215. You may also call Mr. Romeo Rodriguez, Jr., the Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of La-redo, 956-764-7825. Or you may contact Melinda Sepulveda, the Safe Environment Coordinator for the Diocese, 956-764-7868. May God guide us to provide a safe environment for those who are most vulnerable.
“And the King will say to them, “Whatsoever you do to the least of My brothers, that you do unto Me.” -Mt. 25:40
4 | St. Patrick Catholic Church
PARISH AND MINSTRY NEWS MINISTRY LEADERS
ADORATION Ariel Gomez (956) 740-9567
BEREAVEMENT Lucy Cardenas (956) 763-9145
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Dody Foster (956)723-6119
HOSPITAL E. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Angeles Guajardo (956) 436-2540 ALTAR SOCIETY Karla Torres (956) 722-6215 ALTAR SERVERS Marilu Gorecki (956) 625-8300
LECTORS (English) Jo Ann Otero (956) 285-1925
MUSIC Lupita Chapa (956) 763-6724 USHERS (English) Luis Lopez (956) 206-3639
MEN’S CLUB Dennis Eveland (956) 286-2118
JAIL MINISTRY Eduardo/ Gina De la Miyar - (956) 237-3226 Rodolfo/ Maru Portillo (956) 235-4382
Consider having a Mass said for a birthday, anniversary, or
memorial for someone special. There are still dates available for 8AM, & 12PM Masses on Sundays
and Weekdays at 7AM. Please come by the parish office
during regular business hours to reserve your date and time for
a Mass intention.
Serve our Lord, Serve your Parish Are you looking for a way to
become involved? Do you feel a
calling? Do you have a special
talent you would like to share
with the parish? Anyone
interested who would like to
share their time & talent with
any of the various ministries and groups we have
here at St. Patrick’s are encouraged to contact
any of the ministry or group leaders for more
information.
PARISH & MINISTRY NEWS
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members
of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and
physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing
presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illnesses, make
broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special
people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking
you for all your gifts. We ask this through Lord Jesus who healed
those who believed. Amen
Adolfo De Luna
Aurora Gonzalez
Jesse Rodriguez
Alex de la Garza
Norma S. Martinez
Clara Barrera
Elvia Garza
Alberto Rubio
Aquilina Zulaica
Alfonso Guajardo
Sylvia Laurel Vela
Mona Moore Hachar
Thomas Foster Rosario Flores Garcia
Baby Graciela Bernal
Frances Rizo
Dora L. Singer
Adolf Puig
Francisco Velasquez
Gilbert P. Sanchez
Javier Compean
Rudy Gonzalez Jr.
Blanca Jasso
Ma Antonieta Canales
Diana Treviño Garcia
Gloria Gnz. Carranza
John Hammond
Willie Dickinson
Randy Blair
Rene San Miguel
Juan Montes
Please make your pledge to
support the Catholic Sharing
ministries of our Diocese.
Pledge forms and more
information are available in the
church and at the office.
Attention Parishioners! Due to a high request of needed prayers for the sick and space constraint, we need your help updating our cur-rent list that is announced in our weekly bulletin. If you’ve placed a
name on the prayer list , please contact the Parish Office to give us an update on the person’s status.
Thank you and God bless!
St. Patrick’s Men’s Club will have a meeting on
September 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room #11. Hope you can
attend. Thank you!
PARISH AND MINISTRY NEWS
6 | St. Patrick Catholic Church
From the Finance Council: As required by the Diocese of Laredo, the Annual Parish
Financial Report must be made available to parishioners. It includes the following: 1) Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2018,
2) Profit & Loss Statement FYE June 30, 2018 and 3) Budget for new fiscal year 2018-2019. These reports will be posted in the
parish office from August 20-24, 2018 during regular business hours and you are welcome to stop by and view.
Save the date: Saturday, October 13th, 2018
Event: Our Grand Jamaica Time: 4pm-9pm
Hope to see everyone there! Blessings!
The Bible and the Virgin Mary
The Bible and the Virgin Mary, part of the St. Paul Center’s Journey Through
Scripture series, unveils the mystery of Our Lady that is
woven into the fabric of Sacred Scripture. Twelve visually stunning lessons convey the beauty of the doctrine and devotions
surrounding Mary, bringing them to life in a powerful, new way. Based on Scott
Hahn’s Hail, Holy Queen and presented by dynamic speaker Matthew Leonard, this study has something for everyone from the newly confirmed
to the fully engaged cradle Catholic. Classdates: Every Thursday from Sept. 27th - Dec. 20th Class time: 7PM - 8:30PM Workbook required - $20 cost per workbook (couples can share workbook) Number of classes: 12 Registration Deadline: Wednesday September 19th To register please fill out a registration form on parish website. For more information please contact Carlos Guzman at (210)316-5950 or [email protected]
St. Patrick Church Annual Raffle Saturday, October 13th, 2018
Donation $5.00
Raffle Prizes
1st Prize: 2018 Hyundai Tucson
2nd Prize: 75” Smart TV
3rd Prize: $1000 Master Card Gift Card
4th Prize: Apple IPad
5th Prize $400 Master Card Gift Card
6th Prize: $ 300 Master Card Gift Card
7th Prize $ 200 Master Card Gift Card
8th Prize: $100 Master Card Gift Card
* Raffle will take place Saturday at 9:00 p.m. after Jamaica. *
Father Anthony would like all Ushers to attend a special meeting on
Tuesday, September 11th at 7:00pm in Room #11.
SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 15TH
There will be an Altar Society
meeting on Tuesday, September 11th at 7:00
p.m. in Room #3. New members are welcome to attend.
Blessings!
EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry kick off will be on Sunday, September 9
th, 2018 from 3:30pm to
5:30pm in the Parish Hall. 6th
-8TH
middle school teens welcome from any parish. Join us for Food,
Games, Faith, and fun!
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Mandatory Parent/Student meeting Monday, September 10th, at 7pm,
in the church. Confirmation classes are on
Monday evenings, 6:55pm to 8:15pm.
Religious Education 1st thru 5th Grades
First Day of Classes
Saturday, September 22nd, 2018
9AM to 11AM.
There is a parent meeting after you drop your child in class.
See you Saturday, September,22nd at 9AM
Life Teen is youth ministry for high school teens we meet every Sunday at 7pm to 9pm in the Parish hall. Registration is always open and FREE for all to join regardless of registered parish. This year we do require paperwork that must be completed by the parent or guardian to attend, you can fill it out in the parish office or at the sign in table each week. This paperwork will be active for the school year. Parents and Teens please sign up for text or email notifications by Texting splteen to 84576. EDGE is youth ministry for middle school youth we meet the 2
nd Sunday and 4
th Sunday of each month. Our Kick
Off Sunday is 9/9 at 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the St. Patrick Basketball Courts. Registration is always open and FREE for all to join regardless of registered parish. This year we do require paperwork that must be completed by the parent or guardian to attend, you can fill it out in the Parish Office or at the sign in table on Sunday. This paperwork will be active for the school year. Parents and Teens please sign up for text or email notifications by Texting edgesp to 84576.
Life Teen and EDGE Dress Code for all of our events:
“Psalms 139:14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.” With God’s words guiding our hearts we will dress accordingly-
• Yoga, Leggings, Volleyball, spandex shorts or pants are not allowed with-out something on top of them Example: Long top that goes to the fingertip or shorts finger-tip length.
• Shirts must have sleeves to cover shoulders, cover your entire back of torso and entire front of torso. We prefer T-shirts to be worn.
• Shorts must be fingertip length and should not be worn to mass.
• We will carry ourselves with honor and dignity- all while having fun!
Mass at 10 :00 A.M.
Del párroco, P. Anthony Mendoza
Santo Tomas More
¿DEBEMOS DEJAR A JESÚS POR JUDAS? Puede ser difícil para nosotros apreciar cómo el escándalo de Judas podría ser visto desde la perspectiva de la iglesia primitiva. Jesús tenía una razón muy importante para elegir a 12 personas para ser los pilares de su iglesia. Siglos antes de Jesús, los descendientes de Israel (el nieto de Abraham) eran conocidas como las 12 tribus, cada huella de sus antepasados se remonta hasta una de las tribus de las 12 tribus de Israel. Los 12 hijos fueron los 12 patriarcas o "padres" de la nación de Israel, pueblo elegido de Dios. Por lo tanto, cuando Jesús fue estaba haciendo la fundacion para su iglesia, muy deliberadamente escogió a 12 hombres para ser sus discípulos y así formar las fundaciones como sus apóstoles. Aquellos hombres fueron escogidos por Jesús, después de una noche de intensa oración (LC 6:12-16). Siguieron a Jesús y vivieron con él por cerca de tres años, escuchando y predicando, fueron testigos de sus milagros y recibieron incontables bendiciones de él. Los apóstoles estaban con Jesús estableciendo las bases de la Iglesia. Algunas veces los apóstoles nos dieron un muy mal ejemplo. Ellos buscaban honores y recompensas terrenales (Marcos 10:35-45). Rechazaron los sufrimientos de la Cruz (MT. 16:21-23). Cuando Jesús fue a orar pidiendo fortaleza en su agonía en el huerto, sus tres apóstoles más cercanos no oraban con él, quedaron dormidos (MT. 26:36-46). Esa misma noche, Simón Pedro negó tres veces a Jesús diciendo que no lo conocía (MT. 26:69-75). Luego, el Viernes Santo cuando él estaba siendo crucificado, todos los apóstoles abandonaron a Jesús excepto Juan (Juan 19:25-27). Y entonces Judas Iscariote, 1/12 de los apóstoles que había sido llamado por la por Jesús. Judas era un ladrón que amaban el dinero (Juan 12:4-6). Él traicionó a Jesús para ser torturado y crucificado, por 30 piezas de plata (Mt.26:14-16). ¿De qué crimen podría ser peor que ese? ¿Debieran los primeros seguidores de Jesús escandalizarse por las acciones criminales de 1/12 de la dirección de la iglesia primitiva? Si ellos han dicho, ¿Judas mostro que la iglesia no es Santa, Jesús obviamente cometió un gran error en escogerlo y no nosotros no podemos confiar en los líderes de esta iglesia y debemos abandonarla?" O diciendo simplemente, habían dejado a Jesús por Judas? ¿Por qué Jesús escogió a Judas como apóstol, sabiendo muy bien que él lo traicionaría? ¿Por qué Jesús escoge tantas personas débiles y poco confiables que los cimientos de su iglesia? Tal vez Jesús querían que nosotros supiéramos que la fortaleza de su iglesia no depende de lo haya él escogió para ser sus líderes, si no que la iglesia recibe la fortaleza de Jesús a pesar de las debilidades de sus lideres no viene de el y no de las debilidades de esos líderes! Alguien que abusa de un niño es traicionar a Jesús, que se identificó mucho con los niños y habló con ellos ellos
(por ejemplo Mk 10:13-16, Mt 18:1-6, Mt 25,40). Los que abusan de los niños son muchos siguen los pasos de Judas. Debemos estar atentos en la protección de nuestros hijos y debemos evitar que cualquier abusador del niño poniendo a más niños en riesgo. Pero no debemos de dejar a Jesús por causa de Judas. En Texas, si sospecha que un niño u otra persona vulnerable está siendo abusado o descuidado, la ley requiere que usted reportarlo inmediatamente a las autoridades competentes (Texas Departamento de la familia y los servicios de protección 1-800-252-5400 ). Si usted sospecha que abuso o negligencia relacionados con cualquier actividad de la parroquia de St Patrick, también
hágamelo saber a 956-722-6215. También se puede llamar Sr. Romeo Rodriguez, Jr., el Coordinador de asistencia de víctimas de la diócesis de Laredo, 956-764-7825. O puede contactar a Melinda Sepulveda, el Coordinador de medio ambiente seguro para la diócesis, 956-764-7868. Que Dios nos guíen para proporcionar un ambiente seguro para aquellos que son más vulnerables.
"El Rey responderá: «En verdad les digo que, cuando lo hicieron con alguno de los más pequeños de estos Mis hermanos, Me lo hicieron a Mí.»"
AVISOS Y EVENTOS
Movimiento Familiar Cristiano Católico U.S.A
Te invitamos a ser parte del Nuestra Gran Familia
del MFCC-USA ciclo 2018-2019!
Este Movimiento es una agrupación de Familias Catolicas que unen sus
esfuerzos para promover los Valores humanos y
Cristianos de la Familia, nuestra guia y ejemplo a
seguir la Sagrada Familia. Las Reuniones son cada 15 dias de Sept-Mayo
y Toda la Familia es Bienvenida a las Reuniones!!
Contamos con Encuentros Conyugales, grupos de hijos e hijas, servicio de Madres solas
responsables de su familia. Para Mayor Información :
Presidentes Gabriel y Carmen 956-775-9854/898-2090
Vice presidente Santiago y Lupita 956-231-7167/231-7168
