St. Jude Newsletter

Inside this issue

Advent Wreath ...................... 2

Magic of Christmas ............... 3

Christmas Traditions ............ 4-5

Flowers of Christmas ............. 6

The Giving Tree ..................... 7

Solemnity of Mary .................. 8

Budget .................................... 9

World Youth Day .................... 10

Youth Group Spring Events ... 11

Special points of interest

Holiday Decorations at St.

Jude

A Closer Look at Income

and Expenses

Official Prayer for World

Youth Day Pilgrims

A Letter from the Pastor, Fr. Tien-Tri Nguyen

Christmas Edition

Dear parishioners,

Merry Christmas and Happy New year to all of you. May our Almighty God fill you and your family

with his blessing, love, and peace.

Christmas is always a very special time to many of us. I can still feel and relive the Christmas of my

childhood and growing up. Thank God that we were poor, so we did not practice gift giving nor

special foods nor decoration for Christmas. Therefore all our focus was on the spiritual and reli-

gious aspects.

My memory of Christmas started with Advent, when the flooding water started to go down and the

temperature went down to about 70 F. For us it was cold and in addition there was mist every

morning, that made it colder. Throughout the day the parish played Advent’s music through the

loudspeakers so we could hear it throughout the village. It really got to my bones and my soul. I

can still feel it now. The decoration for Christmas in the church was a big thing. The building of the

outdoor Nativity was the most important. Since only the church had electricity, the Christmas

lights were the most beautiful things. The main decoration was the outdoor fake rock cave nativity

scene and Christmas light. Thank God, there was no Santa Claus nor Christmas tree nor any other

things that we have here.

Christmas Masses were the main celebration. We had a Christmas play, the adoration of baby

Jesus, and especially to pray before the nativity scene. My most beautiful memory is attending

Midnight Mass (even though I may have slept through most of it.) Everyone attended Mass,

whether Catholic or not. People would stop either to pray or just adore. Since we were very poor,

we did not have any special foods. Mostly we have only one day off to celebrate Christmas. There

was no shopping nor going to the movies nor going skiing, because there were no shops, nor

movie theater, nor snow. It was a very busy time for my family because besides being farmers we

made firecrackers for the Luna New Year (Tet).

These are my most treasured memories of Christmas. Even though we were poor and barely had

anything to celebrate with. We focused all our celebration on Christ and the Mass. It was the right

and proper way. Many times I wish I could go back to celebrate Christmas in the old days. I believe

it has changed. Moreover being a priest I cannot just leave to go back there for Christmas.

Fr. Tri

Pastoral Team: Fr. Tien-Tri Nguyen, Pastor Fr. John Conway, Retired Fr. Benjamin Onwumelu Deacon Faustin Archuleta Deacon Salvador Mercado Deacon Enrique Padilla Deacon Bruce Eklund, Retired

Contact Information: stjude@stjudenm.org

Parish Office: 505-898-0826

Religious Ed.: 505-897-4006

Fax: 505-792-9810

Parish Office Staff: Leanna Balaoro, Receptionist • lbalaoro@stjudenm.org Jennifer Trujillo, Exec. Admin. Assist. • jtrujillo@stjudenm.org

Audrey Kessler, Bookkeeper • audrey@stjudenm.org

Lori Ortiz-Gallegos, Youth Director • lgallegos@stjudenm.org

Yvette Serna, R.E. Director • yvette@stjudenm.org

John Sisneros, Maintenance • john@stjudenm.org Mary Villanueva, Bulletin Editor • mary@stjudenm.org

2 Follow us on Facebook @StJudeNM

Did You Know? • Advent: Wreath & Candles, Meaning, History and Tradition

T he Advent wreath first appeared in

Germany in 1839. Originally cre-

ated out of the wheel of a cart,

over time, evolved, and eventually,

became an Advent wreath created out of

evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in

the midst of winter and death. The candles,

often set in a circular pattern, within the

Advent wreath.

The circle reminds us of God’s unending love

and the eternal life He makes possible. The

most common Advent candle tradition, in-

volves four candles. A new candle is lit on

each of the four Sundays before Christmas.

Families begin lighting a candle on the

fourth Sunday before Christmas, and they

light another candle each subsequent Sun-

day.

Advent candles shine brightly in the midst of

darkness, reminding us that Jesus came as

Light into our dark world.

Although traditions vary, each candle repre-

sents something different; often, the first,

second, and fourth candles are purple and

the third candle is rose-colored.

The first candle symbolizes hope and is

called the “Prophet’s Candle.” The prophets

of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah,

waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival.

The second candle represents faith and is

called “Bethlehem’s Candle.” Micah had fore-

told that the Messiah would be born in Beth-

lehem.

The third candle symbolizes joy and is called

the “Shepherd’s Candle.” To the shepherd’s

great joy, the angels announced that Jesus

came for humble, unimportant people like

them. In the general liturgical realm, the

color rose signifies joy.

The fourth candle represents peace and is

called the “Angel’s Candle.” The angels an-

nounced that Jesus came to bring peace.

Some traditions include a fifth candle placed

in the middle, lit on Christmas Day, and

called “Christ’s candle”, representing His

light and purity.

AND NOW YOU KNOW!

(SOURCE: www.crosswalk.com)

Contributed by Josie Bunch

Advent candles shine brightly in the

midst of darkness, reminding us that

Jesus came as Light into

our dark world.

Sincere thanks to all that

contributed to this

newsletter

Many thanks to the parish-

ioners and pastoral staff

that lent their expertise

and contributed articles to

this newsletter.

If there is a topic you

would like to see ad-

dressed in a future news-

letter, please e-mail

mary@stjudenm.org.

3

A Time of Magic Called Christmas

A time of magic called Christmas

comes ones a year. It’s a time of

decorating, anticipation and excite-

ment, a time of giving and receiving,

a time of remembering traditions, Christ-

mas carols and being with family and

friends. Writing Christmas messages and

reaching out to touch one another. It is also

a time for Santa Claus, his sleigh and rein-

deer, and his big bag of toys and how in

one night he can visit everyone in the whole

world and bring to all joy and happiness.

Let us not forget the candy canes, choco-

late chip cookies, ginger bread cookies, vis-

cochos, tamales, and eggnog. Oh my gosh,

we have to have a tree cut down brought

into our living rooms dress it with lights and

decorations changing the whole insides of

our home with lights, decorations and ten-

sile. We throw parties and celebrate with

neighbors, friends and family. Yes, it is a

Grand Celebration, but what are we really

celebrating?

For me this Celebration is when we rejoice

and give thanks for the Greatest Gift we

have received from God our Creator, the

birth of Jesus who came from heaven out of

pure love for all. God himself was born of

the Virgin Mary and came to earth to be

one of us in the flesh. In one magical night

He came to all. Jesus is the forgiver of sins

and the one who came to restore harmony

to God’s creation, so we may be able to

remain in His love for all eternity. So we

are grateful for the love of God and we try

and show our thankfulness by sharing His

love with others. We celebrate in a grand

way by doing those things mentioned

above and we join our selves in giving

thanks for all the blessings we receive from

heaven. We all do this in different ways but

it comes down in exulting in God’s love.

When I gather around the Christmas tree, I

am excited over watching my children and

grandchildren opening their gifts. I see the

love and excitement in their faces and the

joy they have jumping up and down or rid-

ing a new bike. In addition, when we gather

around the Christmas dinner table, I take a

moment in silence and look into each of

their faces around the table and I say a si-

lent pray thanking God for all of them. Each

of them is a blessing and I can see the love

of Jesus in each one of them.

We celebrate Jesus’ birthday by rejoicing

with one and all. Christmas is every day, for

everyday we receive blessings and I am

grateful. Merry Christmas – Thank you God

for your gift of Christmas and thank you for

your many blessings to all. May the joy of

Christmas be always in your hearts!

Contributed by Deacon Sal Mercado

Did You Know?

4

T hinking back to Christmas in the

Phillipines made me remember

the happy days when I was young.

Nine days before Christmas we

have Mass at Dawn—”The Rooster Mass” -

at 4:00 AM. The night before we talked

about attending this Mass. We woke be-

cause there was a band of musicians spon-

sored by the parents, going around playing

music. There was a happy atmosphere,

people talking while walking to church.

When they reached the church, surprisingly

they were so quiet. The church was full

even outside, yet you could hear a pin drop.

People came to listen to the Word of God. It

was fun after Mass, there were a lot of

stores selling sweets that we would eat be-

fore walking back home. When we would

reach home, Grandpa would ask, “What did

you hear?” I would said “Mary said yes to

God, that’s why we have Jesus our Savior.”

On Christmas Eve, my would tell us to sleep

early or Santa would not come to our

house. We all slept in the living room, and

while we were asleep, mom would prepare

our socks. She put candies, cookies, and

toys in the socks. My dad put 50 cent coins

in them too.

When we woke up, we were all happy to

see our gifts, and that Santa came to see

us. Then we prepared to go to church, with

new clothes that our mother sewed by

hand. Dad bought the cloth, a big roll for all

of us, the same color and design for six girls

and my mom. We were all happy on Christ-

mas Day. We all went to church to thank

Jesus for all our gifts. I wish all the children

to have the same happiness we had a long

time ago.

Contributed by Lulu Gianan

Filipinos have the unique tradition of making 3-D “parols” or star lanterns made from thin

strips of bamboo and covered in colored thin plastic film to symbolize the guiding star that

the three wise men followed to find Jesus Christ; it is also the Filipinos’ way of inviting the

spirit of Christ into their home- it is to mentally reverse the notion of “no room at the inn”.

The star symbolize the willingness of each home to “house” the baby Jesus.

Christmas in the Philippines

The Philippines has one of

the longest holiday sea-

sons in the world, starting

in September and ending

around January 9. Christ-

mas plays, parties, and

decorations are in full

swing throughout these

months, and there are

nine night Masses (known

as Simbang Gabi) leading

up to Christmas Day.

5

The Village of Chama, NM

O ur family consists of 7 kids: the

boys—Jose, David, Angel and the

girls—Daniella, Isabella, Marissa,

and Sophia. We are the parents, Jose T.

Acevedo and Araceli Hurtado.

We are originally from Jerez, Zacatecas

Mexico. We will be celebrating our 21st

wedding anniversary next month.

Christmas for us is all about the great food

family and friends. We like to participate in

all church activities as well. Our traditional

food is Tamales. We like green or red chile.

We also make Cafe de Olla.

We start celebrating the Posadas on De-

cember 16th. They run until Christmas Day

and we have a different person (family) in

charge of providing food for their desig-

nated day. Pan Dulce is a great treat for

Posadas.

Contributed by Jose T. and Araceli Acevedo

Christmas Traditions from Mexico • Traditions from the Acevedo Hurtado Family

Christmas in Northern New Mexico • Remembering Christmastime in the Village of Chama

A perk of being up north means there

is always snow at Christmas. Icicles

are so large, they hang from the roof

all the way to the ground.

Visiting Santa meant you were guaranteed

a paper bag full of treats, an orange, an

apple and Christmas hard candies.

Even better than the weather in the north,

is the fact that everyone knows everyone.

When I was growing up in Chama, Christ-

mas Eve meant celebrating with a Matanza,

where a cow, deer or elk would be buried

and cooked for two days and we would eat

it alongside posole, beans and chicos (small

corn). Everyone would gather for Posadas,

going from house to house, and the men

would build a large fire outside. Everyone

would sing Las Mananitas. We would spend

hours making luminarias, scooping dirt into

paper bags, that would be displayed

throughout the town.

We would always attend Mass at midnight

at St. Patrick Church in Chama, between

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and par-

ticipate in a play about the birth of Jesus.

The children would sing Feliz Navidad, Si-

lent Night and Holy Night.

Early in the morning on Christmas Day, the

adults would pull the children around on an

old wrought iron sled through the snow,

and we would visit houses caroling, singing

Ave Maria and Silent Night in Spanish,

alongside other Christmas classics.

Contributed by Jennifer Trujillo

About the Flowers & Decora-tions at St. Jude Parish

Our beautiful Christmas and

Easter church decorations are

set out and maintained by the

dedicated Building and Mainte-

nance Ministry. Every Christ-

mas season, they purchase 140

poinsettias to adorn the altar

and other places throughout

the church. They begin the

Friday before Christmas, and

leave the flowers in the church

for as long as possible. They

also set up the large Nativity

set that is displayed near the

baptismal font.

Kathy Marcelli, from the Build-

ing and Maintenance Ministry,

says that maintaining the

poinsettias can be a big job.

To properly water the poinset-

tia towers at the altar, the

ministry is looking for a new

volunteer that will be able to

climb a 10 foot ladder, and

clean and water the plants

approximately every 5 days. If

you can help, please contact

the Parish Office. They also

ask that people do not water

the plants if you are not coor-

dinating with the ministry first.

6

T here are so many beautiful tradi-

tions at Christmas, one of which

includes the use of flowers for

decorating and gift giving.

One of the most popular is the poinsettia,

so named after a U.S. diplomat that came

back from Mexico with a cutting of this

beautiful plant that bloomed in winter. His

last name was Poinsettia, so the plant got

its common name from him. The showy

red bracts resemble a star shaped blossom,

reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, and

the red symbolizes the blood of Christ. In

the 1800's plant growers took this shrub

which is normally spindly, and grafted it to

make the gorgeous compact bushes we see

today. Poinsettias come in many colors,

such as white, pink, variegated cream, but

red remains the all time favorite.

Another flower that is beloved at Christ-

mastime is the amaryllis, a bulb plant that

is grown in greenhouses especially to

bloom in December. One stalk produces

about 3 to 5 blossoms that can bloom in

one day. They can unfurl so quickly that

you can actually watch it bloom. The lily-

like flowers can last up to three

weeks. These bulb plants are stunning and

popular as gifts.

Another Christmas flower is the Christmas

cactus, a succulent plant from South Amer-

ica that also blooms in winter. Growers

force the blossoms to produce in Decem-

ber and the flowers can be enjoyed for 3 to

4 weeks, in colors of red, fuchsia, pink,

white, purple, and even yellow. This same

plant is sometimes called an Easter cactus,

only because it is also forced bloomed right

at Easter time. This is a hardy plant that

can last for many years, even though it is a

cactus it does not have sharp spines. Red

and white fresh flower arrangements done

in a bed of pine and cedar greenery,

trimmed with pine cones, Christmas orna-

ments, and candles remain a cherished

Christmas gift tradition, especially as a cen-

terpiece for the dining table.

Bringing nature indoors is a way to rejuve-

nate and refresh the home in the middle of

winter.

Contributed By Mayra Martinez

The Beauty of Flowers at Christmas

Poinsettias decorate the altar at last year’s Children’s Christmas Mass.

Organizations Helped by the Giving Tree

Origins Pregnancy Care Cen-

ter (formerly Birthright) - an

interdenominational, non-

profit pregnancy center that

provides educational classes,

community resource informa-

tion, adoption agency refer-

rals, and maternity and infant

items to clients.

The Good Shepherd Center -

founded by the Archdiocese to

provide support to the poor &

homeless by providing a daily

meal for needy persons, mail

service to the homeless, and,

for men, temporary overnight

accommodations, medical

respite beds, clothing, and

alcohol and drug abuse pro-

grams.

Casa Angelica - a home for 16

children and young adults with

pervasive needs, directed by

the Canossian Daughters of

Charity. It provides active

treatment plans designed to

enhance each individual’s

unique gifts through spiritual,

educational, and social devel-

opment.

Barrett House - an emer-

gency shelter providing com-

fortable beds, food, clothing,

case management services,

and referral services to over

800 women and children a

year.

7

T he Giving Tree has been a tradi-

tion at St. Jude’s for the last 11

years. The Giving Tree started in

2008, and came into existence

because of Father John Daniel. He noticed

parishioners were bringing items into the

office because they wanted to help some-

one out during the Christmas season. He

went to the Help for the Needy Ministry

and asked them to organize something for

the parish dur-

ing the Advent

Season. After

much discussion

as to whom to

help, and how to

help, the idea of

The Giving Tree

came into exis-

tence.

It was decided

that a battered

women and chil-

dren’s shelter

should be

helped, as well

as a pregnancy

center for un-

wed mothers.

They wanted to include a men's homeless

shelter, as well as a home for the disabled.

Thus, the 4 organizations we help today

were selected. (Originally there were 5

groups that were helped, but after the first

2 years one group said they no longer

needed help). The items on the tags are

what the individual organizations request.

They are contacted in September and are

asked what their needs are. They give us a

list and the tags are made from the list they

supply us with.

The first Giving Tree was a donated tree by

a parishioner, and the ornaments were put

together by the church decorator at the

time. (She was also responsible for having

the retablos made that are put on the tree

after the tags come down). There was a lot

of trial and error the first few years. The

shape of the tags changed and the best way

to box and transport the collected items

was figured out. Boxes were eventually

collected several months before the tree

was set up, so boxes wouldn’t have to be

bought to transport the items. The Stitch

and Knit group was

utilized, and they

put the yarn on the

tags after they were

made, so they could

hang on the tree.

(They still do this

today).

In the beginning

there were probably

only a couple of

hundred tags made

for each

organization. But

because the num-

ber of parishioners

have grown and

because we have a

very generous par-

ish, each year more tags have needed to be

made so more people can participate. This

year 450 tags were made for each organiza-

tion we help, for a total of 1800 tags.

Because of the growth of the project and all

the heavy lifting involved, this year the Giv-

ing Tree is being tended by the deacon can-

didates instead of Help for the Needy. At

this time, we’re not sure if the deacon can-

didates will continue to be responsible for

the Giving Tree, or if another organization

will be called on to carry on this tradition.

But rest assured, the tradition will be car-

ried on.

History of The Giving Tree • A Christmas Tradition of Giving for 11 Years at St. Jude

8 8

St. John Paul II’s Thoughts on The Solemnity of Mary

“Today the Church is cele-

brating the Solemnity of

Mary, Mother of God. After

presenting her as the One

who offers the Child to the

shepherds who sought him

anxiously, Luke the Evan-

gelist gives us an image of

Mary, at the same time

simple and majestic. Mary

is the woman of faith, who

made room for God in her

heart, in her plans, in her

body, in her experience as

a wife and mother. She is

the believer who is capable

of understanding the un-

usual event of the Son as

the coming of that ‘fullness

of time’ (Gal 4: 4), in which

God, choosing the simple

ways of human life, de-

cided to involve himself

personally in the work of

salvation.” – 2001

The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God • The January 1st Feast Day to Honor the Queen of Peace

A s Catholics we will soon celebrate Mary under the

title the Holy Mother of God. We know well that

she is also our mother. At the foot of the cross

when Jesus said "Behold your Mother" we were

given a powerful intercessor, devoted mother and per-

fect example of faith. On January first, the church cele-

brates the feast of The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of

God.

The feast is a celebration of Mary’s motherhood of

Jesus. The title “Mother of God” is a western deriva-

tion from the Greek Theotokos, which means “God-

bearer”. On this day, we are reminded of the role that

the Blessed Virgin played in the plan of our salva-

tion. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father prepared

Mary to be the dwelling place where His Son and His

Spirit could dwell among men. Christ’s birth was made

possible by Mary’s fiat, or sanctioning of God’s plan with

her words, “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Calling

Mary “Mother of God” is the highest honor we can give to

her. Just as Christmas honors Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Solemnity of Mary,

Mother of God honors Mary as the “Queen of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also designated

as the “World Day of Peace”, further acknowledging the role of Mary in our hearts and in

our world.

As we approach the New Year and begin setting resolutions, most likely of a material na-

ture, let us also focus on the great gift and example we have in Mary, the Holy Mother of

God, to be a disciple of Christ as she was in our resolution and journey to eternal life with

our Lord.

Budget Information • Actual Spending for September, October, November 2018

9

A Closer Look at Recent

Income Items and Expenses

Income during this period included money raised for

the St. Jude Youth in a raffle

held in September, fundrais-

ing income from the silent

auction at the fiesta, and

veteran’s bricks.

Large expenses during this

period included payment of

student subsidies to Catho-

lic schools (under Parish

Administration) for

$92,000, and the purchase

of Breaking Bread missals

and lector workbooks

(under Liturgy and Wor-

ship) for $10,282.00,

Income Totals: $343,269.91

Expenses

Liturgy & Worship Totals: $24,126.39

Music Totals: $137.50

Religious Education Totals: $15,513.41

Sacramental Programs Totals: $1,253.75

Youth Totals: $4,102.54

Family/Parish Life Totals: $1,087.87

Outreach Totals: $8,868.89

Ministries Totals: $8,938.63

Clergy Administration Totals: $11,806.60

Parish Administration Totals: $196,452.33

Building & Land Operation Totals: $53,954.45

Parish Hall Building Totals: $3,865.42

Church Building Totals: $8,216.28

Office Building Totals: $2,266.27

Rectory Building Totals: $959.05

Other Building #1 Totals: $1,960.33

Expense Totals: $343,509.71

Income - Expense: ($239.80)

10 10

Pilgrim Prayer

Official Prayer for WYD

Panama 2019

Merciful Father,

You call us to live our lives

as a way of salvation. Help

us to recall the past with

gratitude, to embrace the

present with courage and

to build the future with

hope.

Lord Jesus, our friend and

brother, thank you for

looking upon us with love.

Let us listen to your voice

as it resonates in the

hearts of each one with the

strength and light of the

Holy Spirit.

Grant us the grace of being

a Church that goes forth

with vibrant faith and a

youthful face to communi-

cate the joy of the Gospel.

May we help to build up

the kind of society we long

for, one where there is

fairness and fellowship.

We pray for the Pope and

the bishops; for young

people; for all those who

will take part in World

Youth Day in Panama and

for those who are prepar-

ing to welcome them.

Our Lady of Antigua, Pa-

troness of Panama, help us

to pray and live with gener-

osity like yours: “I am the

servant of the Lord. May it

be done to me according

to your word” (Lk 1:38).

Amen

Jazmina Nunez

Deacon Salvador Mercado

Chantel Hernandez

Abigail Tarin

Josiah Chavez

Francisco Martinez

Rachel Martinez

Robin Campos

Jaime Campos

Reagan Mitchell

Cyrus Garcia

Yvette Serna

Hector Torres

Father Tri Nguyen

Madelyn Parrulli

Bethany Kristen Chacon

Please keep our World Youth Day Pilgrims in your prayers as they travel to Panama City January 21st – January 28th :

The World Youth Day Pilgrims traveling to Panama in 2019 are pictured below:

St. Jude Youth Group Spring 2018

The St. Jude Youth Group meets every Friday at 6pm for Holy Mass with Food, Fun and

Friends until 8:30 pm in the Fr. John Conway Center. The Youth Group is open to all middle

and High School Youth.

11

St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church

5712 Paradise Blvd. NW

Albuquerque, NM 87114