The statements of three men recently ordained to the priesthood reveal some strikingly similar sentiments.
One man said, “When I first told my family and friends that I was entering the seminary, none was surprised. They told me, ‘Oh, we expected that.’ I was shocked.”
Another said, “Mrs. Graham, my third grade teacher, told me that I was going to be a priest. I remember thinking, ‘How does she know?’ ”
A third added, “I’ve always had the feeling God was touch-ing me on the shoulder, saying, sometimes gently and some-times not, ‘I want you.’ ”
OUR DIVINE MISSIONToday’s readings remind us that all vocations are divinely
inspired. Similar to the way Jesus has been sent by God on his divine mission, John the Baptist is also sent from God. He came for a very specific task, to speak for the Light. John the Baptist is not the Light, he is only a witness to speak for the Light.
What about us? We have all been chosen specially by God to do something. How can we find out what that something is? Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in the second reading offer a way: Be happy. Pray. Be thankful. Avoid evil. And never try to suppress the Spirit that directs our lives as we witness to the good news of Christ and anticipate his glorious coming as well.
Even Jesus used the resources given to him by his Father to find his way. The words of the prophet in today’s first read-ing were first spoken in regard to the restoration of Zion, but when Jesus finds them and speaks them they refer to his own divine mission.
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,” Jesus will say (Isaiah 61:1).
And you can imagine friends, family, teachers of Jesus responding: “We already knew that.”
14 de diciembre de 2014 Tercer Domingo de Adviento
Los testimonios de tres hombres recientemente ordenados sacerdotes revelan ciertos sentimientos sorprendentemente similares.
Un hombre dijo: “Cuando le dije por primera vez a mis familiares y amigos que iba a entrar al seminario, ninguno se sorprendió. Me dijeron: ‘Ah, suponíamos que lo harías’. Me quedé atónito”.
Otro dijo: “La Sra. Graham, mi maestra de tercer grado, me dijo que iba a ser sacerdote. Recuerdo haber pensado: ‘¿Cómo sabe eso?’ ”
El tercero agregó: “Siempre he tenido la sensación de que Dios estaba tocando mi hombro y decía, algunas veces amablemente y otras no, ‘te quiero a ti’”.
NUESTRA MISIÓN DIVINALas lecturas de hoy nos recuerdan que todas las vocaciones
son inspiradas de manera divina. De la misma forma que Jesús ha sido enviado por Dios en su misión divina, Juan Bautista también es un enviado de Dios. Vino a cumplir una tarea muy específica, dar testimonio de la Luz. Juan Bautista no es la Luz, es sólo un testigo que da testimonio de la Luz.
¿Qué hay de nosotros? Todos hemos sido elegidos especialmente por Dios para hacer algo. ¿Cómo podemos averiguar qué es? Las palabras de Pablo en Tesalonicenses en la segunda lectura ofrecen un camino: Vivan alegres. Oren. Den gracias. Absténganse del mal. Y nunca impidan la acción del Espíritu que dirige nuestra vida mientras damos testimonio de la Buena Nueva de Cristo y anticipamos su gloriosa venida.
Incluso Jesús usó los recursos que su Padre le había dado para hallar su camino. Las palabras del profeta en la primera lectura de hoy se pronunciaron por primera vez respecto de la restauración de Sión, pero cuando Jesús las encuentra y las pronuncia éstas aluden a su propia misión divina.
Jesús dirá: “El espíritu del Señor Dios está sobre mí” (Isaías 61:1).
Y puedes imaginar a los amigos, familiares y maestros de Jesús respondiendo: “Ya lo sabíamos”.
Lecturas de hoy: Is 61:1–2a, 10–11; Lc 1:46–50, 53–54; 1 Tes 5:16–24; Jn 1:6–8, 19–28
COLLECTION
Sunday Collection: $13,555.35 Black Bag Collection: $ 2,544.00
Tercer Domingo de Adviento 14 de diciembre de 2014
Vivan siempre alegres, oren sin cesar. — 1 Tesalonicenses 5:16
Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Baptism Classes / Clases de Bautismo The next English & Spanish Baptism classes (2 classes) will be on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. English Baptisms are Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. Mass and Spanish on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at the Noon Mass. Please sign up at the Church Office and bring the child’s Birth Certificate. Los proximos Clases de Bautismo en Ingles y en español (2 clases) serán el Jueves, 8 de emero de 2015 -7:30 p.m. Bautismos serán en Ingles, el Sabado, 10 de enero de 2015 a las 5:00 p.m. y en Español, Domingo, 11 de enero de 2015 a las 12:00 p.m. Inscribase en la oficina y por favor de traer la acta de nacimiento de el/la niño/a
LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Sal 25 (24):4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Mt 21:23-27 Martes: Sof 3:1-2, 9-13; Sal 34 (33):2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19, 23; Mt 21:28-32 Miércoles: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Sal 72 (71):1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Jueves: Jer 23:5-8; Sal 72 (71):1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Viernes: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Sal 71 (70):3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lc 1:5-25 Sábado: Is 7:10-14; Sal 24 (23):1-4ab, 5-6; Lc 1:26-38 Domingo: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Sal 89 (88):2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lc 1:26-38
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE December 24th - Christmas Eve: 6 pm Christmas Vigil Mass 10 pm Christmas Night Mass
December 25th - Christmas Day: 10 am Christmas Day Mass 12 pm Christmas Day Mass (Spanish)
Bulletin Announcements Deadline Due Dates Deadline Issue Date December 17th Bulletin for December 28th December 22nd Bulletin for January 4th
Contribution Envelopes / Sobres de la contribución
By now you have received your contribution envelopes for November 30, 2014 thru January 25, 2015. Includes Dated envelopes are for each Sunday, 2nd Collections, or for special occasions. Please use them accordingly.
Dentro de estos dias usted ya deberia de haber recibido sus sobres de la contribución de el 30 de noviembre, 2014 hasta el 25 de enero, 2015. Los sobres tienen las feches para los domingos y segundas Colectas, otros son para las ocasiones especiales. Por favor úselos.
This is the last weekend to support Prison ACTS Ministry by purchasing a ham / turkey breast for Christmas. Pick-up will be Friday, December 19th at the Parish Hall kitchen from 12 Noon to 7:00 P.M.
Retirement Fund for Religious Please give generously to today’s second collection, the Retirement Fund for Religious, to ensure that the elderly Catholic sisters, brothers and religious order priests receive the care they deserve.
Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos Le rogamos que haga un donativo generoso en la segunda colecta de hoy, el Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosso para asegurar que los heermanos, hermanas y padres ca-tolicos reciban el cuidado que tanto merecen.
To add or remove someone on the prayer list, call: St. John’s Prayer Line-Joyce Chiasson, 713-410-4247 St. John’s Prayer List-Church Office, 281-331-3751
Pray for the Sick / Rezen por los Enfermos
Anna Aguilar, Roma Aleman, Margie Algeria, Mike Alridge, Abelardo Alvarado, Cathelina Araujo, Sabastian Arredondo, Lorena Arreola, Polly Aucoin, Mary Ayala, Gooch Baccigalopi, Rita Barales, Art Barborak, Jr., Victor & Rosa Becerra, Rita Blanco, Kelly Bolander, William Bolfing, Cameron Brantley, Marian Briones, Joy Bryant, Norma Bustamante, Rudy Bustos, Rosendo Butrion, Olga Caballero, Mary & Joseph Canales, Chuck Cannon, Dolores Cardenas, Angelina Colburn, Juanita, Ralph & Rose Castro, Ron Cook, Anabellah Collins, Karen Collins, Hannah Cole, Ronnie Coleman, Wilmer Comeaux, Frank Cortese, Helen Crevier, Jason Cortez, Gary Cunningham, Jesse Davila, Teresa Davison, Mercedes DeLaO, Daniela Delgado, Roy Delgado, Ludwina Dennis, Victor De La Cruz, Brad & Leanne Dennis, Catherine DeWitt, Lorenzo & Maria Diaz, Leanne Doud, Consuelo Espinosa, Richard Esslinger, Patti Estes, Aurora Estrada, Mike Farmer, Benny Flores, Melodye Franks, Antonio Fonseca Jr., Ignacio, Katrina, Narciso, Giselda, Edna, Jocselyne, Rosie, Sara, Diana & Sammy Garcia, Carol, Lucy, Melissa & Ray Garza, Felix, Terri, Valerio Gonzales, Joann, Jesus Gomez, Larry Grimes, Kiley Grassmuck, Alice Groff, Mary Gutierrez, Ray Guzman, Glenda & Jacob Hamblen, Dorothy Hansen, Stephen Hayes, Douglas & Ralph Hernandez, Betty, Gary & Cindi Hill, Lea Heinrich, Victor Huerta, Peggy Huff, Bethany Hunt, Donald Hutchinson, James Janik, Virginia Jones, Jeanette Juarez, Jean Kacz, Roxanne Kascak, Don King, Sidney, Cheryl, & Mary Knape, Mark Kowalski, Wilfred Krause, Sarah Kurusz, Theresa Lansing, Eunice Lay, Nancy LeBlanc, Mary LeCompte, David & Lupita Llanes, Tim Lawless, Vira Leroy, Andrew & Troy Lewis, Madeline Liescheski, Mary Light, Joshua, Joe, Louisa & Palmira Lopez, Rodrigo Lozano, Jo Belle Lucas, Betty Macik, Emmanuel Maira, Mary Makosky, R. J. Mata, Jordan Matejowsky, Matilde, Betty Matula, Beatriz & Felicia Martinez, Eric Marquette, Debbie Mayville, Luis, Lupe & Marisa Medina, Efrain Mendoza, Mary Leah Miller, Debbie Milner, Justin Minton, Michael Mogford, Meagan Montemayor, Jesse Montgomery, Dolores, Malena & Linda Morales, Sarah T. Moreno, Joe & Lonnie Muniz, Joe Murillo, Derrell Naschke, Joe & Mark Navarro, Blanca Nino, Nikki Orsak, Josue M.Ortiz, Henry Palomarez, Jr., Kathy Parks, Belinda /Mitchell Patton, Albert & Cecilia Perez, Chelsea Pesek, Felicitas Ponce, Janet Pounds, Jose Prudente, Sierra Pryor, Stephanie Pucek, Mercedea Ramirez, Erick & Alfredo Reyes, Mickey Rohan, Julia Romero, Angeles Romo, Raymond Ruiz, Rafael & Frankie Salazar, Rosemary Sanchez, Al Santos, Betty Segel, Segura/Guzman Family, Tony Silva, Lauren Smart, Robert Smith, M/M Pedro Solis, Robert Spadt, Chase Steele, William Stone, Rosalie Stringer, Ivan Stavinoah, Jack Sullivan, Laura Summerville, Andrew & Gwen Susce, Kevin Sustaita, Shirley Tacquard, Minerva Tellez, Chris Trojanowski, Linda Trout, George & Angie Valdez, Juan Valdez, Sr., Leah VanBeveren, Margaret & Vicky Vasquez, Clarence Veltman, Leopolo Villa, Enrique, Kim & John Villarreal, Lillian Vincent, Joyce Walden, Richard Ward, Ethan Willis, Stella Whitlock, Michael Wollam, Sylvia Young, Anthony Zajack, Patsy Zumwalt, Anne Zygiel
Pray for Vocations Crucifix Schedule 5p.m. Dec 20 Henry & Catherine Liescheski 8a.m. Dec 21 Russell & Debbie Darrow 10a.m. Dec 21 Tanya, Adam Allen & children Isabella & Blaise 12p.m. Dec 21 Fidel Y Gloria Barrios
To participate, Contact Polly Aucoin, Tel: 281-388-1046
Rosario a la Virgen de Guadalupe Familia Reyes / 713-259-1853
Rosario: sabado / 20 de diciembre, 2014 / 6:00 P.M.
Coronilla de La Divina Misericordia 12/14/14: Familia Reyes / Coronilla:sabado, 20 de diciembre /6 pm
Eucharistic Adoration For information call Denise at 281-585-5436 or Remie at 281-331-2567
Para mas información llame a Denise/281-585-5436 o Remie Cuello / 281-331-2567.
The 2015 Flower Calendar is now avail-able at the Church’s entrance.. You may sign up for flowers on the altar in honor
of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. or in memory of a loved one. The cost is $35.00 for each request.
Students- win Cash in CDA Education Contest Catholic and Non-Catholic students 4th through 12th grades are eligible to participate in the CDA 2015 Educa-tion Contest using the themes “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself” or “Be A Good Neighbor.” Categories to enter are Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art, Music and Photog-raphy. All entries must be contestant’s own original work and creation and reflect one of the two themes. Get the Forms and Rules for each category. Request the elec-tronic version from Frances Schneider: [email protected]. Deadline is January 30 (postmarked or received by). Contest Awards and Prizes /There are 60 local prizes: 3 winners for each Division & Category: First - $15 (goes on to State Contest); Second - $10; Third - $5. 1st place local winners are sent to the state contest. 1st place state win-ners go to the National Contest and are eligible for prizes in each division and category: First $100, Second $50, Third $25
Altar Server Training / Pizza Party
Attention Altar Servers. We are having a training session / pizza party for all current Altar Servers and for anyone who may be interested in being an Altar Server. It will be on Sunday, December 21st at 4:00 p.m. in the Church. If you have any questions, please call Larry & Beth Nelson @ 281-331-6415. We hope to see you there.
CDA Meeting Catholic Daughters will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 17 in the Parish Hall. Join us for the rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Office of Vocations / Oficina de Vocaciones 713-652-8239
Men’s Discernment Retreat will be held at St. Mary’s Seminary on January 2-4, 2015, giving men 18 years or older an inside experience of seminary life and serious discernment toward priesthood.
A one-day visit to the Carmelite Monastery on January 4, 2015 for women 18 years and older, connecting us with these Sisters who pray for our Church and Archdiocese.
Retiro de Discernimiento de hombres en el Seminario de St. Mary el 2-4 de enero de 2015, dándoles hombres de 18 años o más una experiencia interior de vida del seminario y serio discernimiento hacia el sacerdocio.
Un dia de visita al Monasterio Carmelita el 4 de enero de 2015 para las mujeres 18 años y más, conectándonos con estas Hermanas que oran para nuestra Iglesia y Archidiócesis.
NICOLE BROUSSARDAbogada de Inmigracion / Immigration Attorney
17300 El Camino Real, Houston 281-947-2291www.nicolebroussard.com
Primary Eye Care Center2800 S. Gordon St., Alvin281-331-8681
EYE EXAMSGLASSESCONTACTSwww.PrimaryEyeCareCenter.org • Dr. Suzanne M. Correale, O.D.
Located nextto McDonalds
MICHAEL A. CULLING, ATTORNEY20130 Hwy. 6 • Manvel, TX
