St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Rev. Howard Goertz, Pastor Deacon Paul Easterling Patricia Gonzales, Administration Sandra Salinas / Marilyn Williams, Religious Education Haurora Ordonez, Youth Ministry Gloria Riojas, 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: stjohn_luling@att.net

ESTABLISHED IN 1879

500 East Travis Street Luling, Texas 78648

REFLECTIONS

REASON TO REJOICE

Dark violet is used throughout Advent to express its character

as a season of spiritual preparation for Christmas and “the com-

ing of the Lord.” But on the Third Sunday of Advent, formerly

known as Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday, rose may be

added to the liturgical environment. The entire liturgy is infused

with a spirit of rejoicing.

Today’s first reading and Gospel proclaim the reality of God’s

saving work in our midst. Isaiah exuberantly describes the idyl-

lic transformation of all creation as a result of God’s presence

in the midst of the people. In the Gospel, Jesus connects

Isaiah’s prophecy with what is happening in his own ministry.

In addition to the list of healings from Isaiah (the blind, the

lame, lepers, and the deaf), Jesus’ presence brings two other

reasons for rejoicing: “The dead are raised, and the poor have

the good news proclaimed to them” (Matthew 11:5).

* * * * * * * * * *

REFLEJOS

MOTIVO DE REGOCIJO

El color morado se usa durante el Adviento para expresar el

carácter de este tiempo de preparación espiritual para la Navi-

dad y la “venida del Señor”. Pero en el Tercer Domingo de Ad-

viento, anteriormente conocido como Domingo Gaudete

(“regocijo” en latín), se puede agregar el color rosa al ambiente

litúrgico. Toda la liturgia está impregnada de regocijo.

La primera lectura de hoy y el Evangelio proclaman la realidad

de la obra salvadora de Dios entre nosotros. Isaías describe con

exuberancia la idílica transformación de toda la creación como

resultado de la presencia de Dios en medio de su pueblo. En el

Evangelio, Jesús vincula la profecía de Isaías con lo que está

ocurriendo en su propio ministerio. Además de lista de cura-

ciones de Isaías (los ciegos, los cojos, los leprosos y los sor-

dos), la presencia de Jesús ofrece otras dos razones para regoci-

jarnos: “Los muertos resucitan y a los pobres se les anuncia el

Evangelio” (Mateo 11:5).

Third Sunday of Advent page 2

BURNING OF SANCTUARY LIGHT

DECEMBER 2019

FOR FAMILY

By: ARNULFO & JANIE BARRIENTES

WEEKLY OFFERINGS REPORT WEEK OF DECEMBER 7 & 8

Collections 1st Collection ........................................................ $2,688.28 Children’s Collection ................................................ $32.50 Total .................................................................... $2,720.78

Needed Weekly .................................................. $4,198.54 Under weekly needed ............. <$1,77.76>

Diocesan Collection Retired Religious ..................................................... $716.41

Other Votive Candles ........................................................ $151.00 Youth Ministry (Breakfast) ..................................... $586.00 Youth Ministry (Wreath) ......................................... $200.00 Immaculate Conception ........................................... $482.00 Church Donation (Funeral - Salas) .......................... $100.00 SVDP Christmas Meal ......................................... $1,050.00

With God All Things Are Possible!

2019 MARRIAGE RECOGNITION

CERTIFICATES

Marriage recognition certificates signed by

Bishop Joe Vazquez are available for couples married 5, 10, 15

and so on, in increments of 5 years. Please notify the Church

Office by December 14 if you celebrated an anniversary this

year (2019). Father Howard will hand out Marriage Recognition

Certificates on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and

Joseph, December 28 & 29, 2019.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

ST. JOHN’S PARISH HALL @ 6 PM

* * * * * *

FREE CHRISTMAS MEAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 ST. JOHN’S PARISH HALL

SERVING BEGINS AT 11:30 AM

BASTROP-LOCKHART DEANERY

ADVENT PENETENTIAL SERVICES

ALL BEGIN AT 7:00 PM

Father Howard will be assisting at the following Services….

Sacred Heart in Rockne - Monday, December 16

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Martindale - Tuesday, December 17

St. Mary, Lockhart - Thursday, December 19

December 15, 2019 page 3

ST. JOHN’S BULLETIN BOARD

Sunday Breakfast ............................................................Sundays

This Sunday, December 15th Knights of Columbus will have

Coffee and Donuts. Sunday Breakfast is served after both the 8am

& 10am Mass in the Parish Hall. NO Sunday Breakfast, December

22 or Sunday, December 29 (Have a Merry Christmas & Happy

New Year).

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.of the month at 9am.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

ST. JOHN’S COUNCIL

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

Non-perishable items can be dropped off in the boxes located in

the main foyer of the Church or in the Church Office.

DONATIONS FROM THE HEART FOR THE ELDERLY

SOCK AND THROW BLANKET DRIVE

St. John’s Youth Ministry will be seeking donations of Socks (for

men and women) and throw blankets starting November 24th until

December 15th. You may drop off your donations in the Christmas

box in the main entrance of the church or the Christmas box in the

church office.

Your Donation is Greatly Appreciated.

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.

These are the sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews 13:16

CRE NEWS & UPDATE

CRE Christmas Party will be held on Wednesday,

December 18 for each group session. The Knights of

Columbus will be serving hot dogs and we are asking

parents to bring chips, drinks or sweets for the chil-

dren. Santa will be here to hear the younger students wish list for

grades K—4th, so bring your cameras and your little ones to get a

picture with Santa.

Luling ISD Winter Break, December 23, 2019 —

January 7, 2020. CRE Classes will resume Wednesday,

January 15, 2020.

St. John’s CRE Nativity Pageant, Christmas Eve, Tues-

day, 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 on Sunday, December 22 at

11:30 am & Tuesday, December 24 at 10 am.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Christmas Flowers, December 14/15. A special collection

for Christmas Flowers, Church and Altar Decorations will

be taken up at all three Masses.

Feast of the Holy Family, December 28 & 29. A special

collection for family services within our diocese will be

taken up all three Masses. Please be generous in support-

ing this much needed service.

2019 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE (Tuesday, December 24 & Wednesday, December 25)

Tuesday, December. 24th 5:30 pm Eucharistic Ministers: Jay Crowell & Patsy Anderson

Lector: Rich Anderson Altar Servers: Francisco Reyna & Gabriel Aguayo

Hospitality: Vicente Reyna & Britney Mager

Tuesday, December. 24th 10:00 pm Eucharistic Ministers: Martin Pratka & Sharon Pratka

Lector: Sam Chapa Altar Servers: Evan Bujnoch & Addison Bujnoch

Hospitality: Robert & Suzanne Hochstein

Wednesday, December 25th 9:00 am Eucharistic Ministers: Lane Zumwalt & Sandra Salinas

Lector: Evelyn Hernandez Altar Servers: Chloy Sanchez & Victor Frausto

Hospitality: Michael & Amanda Ramirez

St. John’s sends a heartfelt Thank You to Luling

Chevrolet for their most generous donations of

$5,000 toward our Fall Festival and $1,000 to St.

Vincent de Paul for Christmas meal. Your donations are greatly

appreciated!

2020 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES & CALENDARS

Please make Time to pick up your 2020 Calendar and box of Of-

fertory Envelopes located in the main entrance of Church. If you

would like to register to receive envelopes please contact the

Church Office at 830-875-5354, during business hours. Please

Note: Only (1) Calendar per Family

www.stjohnluling.com

December 21 & 22

Lectors Eucharistic Ministers Sat. 5:30 pm Patsy Anderson Jay Crowell Robert Natal

Sun. 8:00 am Lucy Chapman Hortencia Villanueva Delfina Rodriguez

Sun. 10:00 am Juan Rios Gloria Lopez Cynthia Hunter Altar Servers

Sat. 5:30 pm Chloy Sanchez

Sun. 8:00 am Ileana Rondan Giovanna Rondan

Sun. 10:00 am Gabriel Aguayo Gary Cantu Hospitality Ministers

Sat. 5:30 pm Felix Bienek Julian Sepulveda

Sun. 8:00 am Manuel Tello Maria Tello

Sun. 10:00 am Sotero Ramirez Rebecca Ramirez

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 12 at 11:30 am in Classroom 3.

Bautizos Se requiere que los Papás y Padrinos asistan a una Clase de Bautismo. El proximo clase de Bautismo es Domingo, 12 enero a 11:30 am en el cuarto 2.

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 the year before and the year of, to be eligible to celebrate in the church. Please call the Church Office to meet with the Pastor.

Celebrando Tus XV Años Se requiere un aviso de seis meses a un año, para una quinceañera la familia debe registrarse en la parroquia y los 14 años de edad deben estar ya inscritos y asistir a las clases de CRE el año anterior y el año de, para ser elegibles para celebrar en la iglesia. Por favor llame a la oficina de la iglesia para reunirse con el pastor.

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 14 “St. John of the Cross” Readings: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Mass: 5:30 pm Beto Lugo† (Tina Conley) In Thanksgiving (Aurora Gottardt)

Sunday, December 15 “3rd Sunday of Advent” Readings: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11 Mass: 8:00 am Para la Parriquial 10:00 am Cody Craig (BD) (Joe Camacho) Jasmine Kung† (14th AD) (Annelise Miller)

Monday, December 16 Readings: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; Mt 21:23-27

No Mass

Tuesday, December 17 Readings: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17

No Mass (Father Howard hearing Confession in Martindale)

Wednesday, December 18 Readings: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Mass: 8:00 am Jennifer† & John Capps† (Jane Goertz)

Thursday, December 19 (24-hr Adoration begins) Readings: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Mass: 8:00 am James Miller† (2nd AD) (Anneliese Miller) Lena Beck† (Jane Goertz)

Friday, December 20 (24-hr Adoration concludes) Readings: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Mass: 8:00 am Jagger Craig (BD) (Joe Camacho) Jennifer† & John Capps† (Jane Goertz)

Saturday, 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 Mass: 5:30 pm For the Parish

Sunday, December 22 “4th Sunday of Advent” Readings: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24 Mass: 8:00 am Aurelio Berumen (en acción de gracias (Familia Berumen) Marina Gomez (SI) & Gonzalo Camacho† (Lucy Chapman y Familia) 10:00 am Guadalupe “Lupe” Quiroz† (Anna Martinez)

Jannette Alvarado, Brian Alvarez, Dwight Belden, Luke Branyon,

Nicole Bujnoch, Hortencia Cardenas, Joe Cardenas, David

Castilleja, Joe Castillo, Robert Cavanagh, Kase Conley, George

Conley, Lincoln Contreras, Chance Contrell, Richard Dittrich, Samantha

Edwards, Yolanda Estrada, Dario & Reina Flores, Sofia Flores, Gilbert “Beto”

Garcia, Nemesio Gomez, Joe D. Gonzales, Suzy Gonzales, Maria Gutierrez,

Don, Shirley & Dustin Hegwar, John Houeye, Alex Lopez, Mario Lopez, III,

Paul Lopez, Father Adan Martinez, Jimmy D. McIntoch, Janie Meraz, Valerie

Moore, Gabriel Mujica, Jean Netardus, Cris & Lucy Oliva, Everardo Ramirez,

Gloria Reyes, Maria Reyes, Alex Rodriguez, Antonia Rodriguez, Della

Salazar, Otilia Santos, Mary Schuh, Samuel Skinner, Virginia Suarez, Helen

Vara, Margaret Yarborough, Tomas Zarate and Rudolfo & Laura Zelaya.

O’BANNON FUNERAL HOME“Serving the Catholic Community Since 1925”

DEAN O’BANNON — TIM MARKHAMJOE TETLEY

830-875-5713210 S. Laurel — Luling

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

515325 St John the Evangelist Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-833-5941

TCBReal Estate

Jay Crowell

Broker

Cell: 830-305-2263

Serving All Your

Real Estate NeedsEmail: crowell2000@yahoo.com

St. Vincent De PaulSociety

Vehicle DonationProgram

Tax DeductibleFree Vehicle Pick-Up

1-888-317-7837

Download Our Free App or Visit

MY.ONEPARISH.COM

Grow in your faith,find a Mass, and

connect with yourCatholic Community

with OneParish!

Wallace LundgrenChevrolet, Buick, GMC

Your Friendly Auto Dealer • Luther Mora, Parishioner901 E. Davis Street (830) 875-5425 Luling, Texas 78646 1-800-299-5425

The Most Complete

Online National

Directory of

Catholic ParishesCheck It Out Today!

Floral • Weddings • Quinceañeras • GiftsCall For All Your Floral Needs.

SUZANNE HOCHSTEIN, OWNER875-5988 529 E. Davis Street

Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleshipof the Sea of the United States of America

Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY.

Call us today at 860-399-1785 or emaileileen@CatholicCruisesandTours.com

www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com

Yourad

couldbe inthis

space!