Fr. Paul Chovanec, Pastor Fr. Peter Thang Nguyen, Parochial Vicar Deacon Corney Llorens Deacon Nhat Tran
ADULT BAPTISM AND ENTERING THE CATHOLIC CHURCH The Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process is ongoing. Contact one of the priests in the parish office.
ADULT CONFIRMATION FOR PRACTICING CATHOLICS Please phone the parish office.
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Please contact Dolores Gonzalez at 281-902-5711 or [email protected] 6 months to 2 years prior to desired date.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN Baptism for children through age six is held monthly except during the season of Lent. There are no private baptisms.
There are required preparation sessions for the parents. At least one parent must be a registered member of the parish and a practicing Catholic. Expectant parents are asked to begin this process during the second trimester of pregnancy.
Please phone the parish office.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN SEVEN AND OLDER Please contact the Religious Education office about the RCIA process, 281-902-5701.
SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please phone the parish office as soon as you or someone in your family schedules surgery/hospitalization or suffers an
illness or injury. PLEASE DON’T DELAY in this prayer for Christian healing! The Sacrament is celebrated the fourth Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. Mass.
FIRST COMMUNION, FIRST PENANCE , CONFIRMATION AND QUINCEAÑERA CELEBRATIONS Please contact the Religious Education office, 281-902-5701.
YOUTH MINISTRY AT ST. JUSTIN MARTYR There are various activities for Middle and High School Youth throughout the year. Youth Nights take place every
Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m. and are a time for youth to make friends, have fun and learn more about their faith. For more information contact the Youth Ministry Office at 281-902-5710.
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR PRESCHOOL Early childhood education - 18 months to Pre-K Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For information, please call 281-556-1260.
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY Monday, Wednesday, Friday – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Other times, call 281-556-6882. Fax is 281-752-5985.
BULLETIN DEADLINE Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Bulletin e-mail: [email protected]
WELCOME TO ST. JUSTIN MARTYR Please let us know you have arrived. We are anxious to meet you. Contact the parish office for a welcoming packet.
ST. JUSTIN MARTYR PARISH BOUNDARIES Beginning at a point on Barker Reservoir Dam at Briar Forest Street, East on Briar Forest to Dariy Ashford; thence South on Dairy Ashford to Westheimer Road; thence East on Westheimer Road to Old Westheimer Road; thence South on Old Westheimer Road, to Alief-Clodine; thence West on Alief-Clodine to Dairy Ashford; thence South on Dairy Ashford Bellaire Blvd; thence West on Bellaire Blvd. to Eldridge; thence South on to Beechnut; thence West on Beechnut to Addicks-Howell Road (Hwy 6); thence South on Addicks Howell Road to Keegans Bayou; thence West on Keegans Bayou to O’Brien Road; thence North on O’Brien Road to Barker Reservoir Dam; thence Northeast along the Dam to the point of beginning at Briar Forest.
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Financial Stewardship Weekend Collection
Please see the December 8 Bulletin for the November 24 & December 1, Collection amounts.
Number of Participants 239 Upcoming Second Collections
December 8 Retirement Fund for Religious (Sisters) Retirement Fund For Religious
Next weekend, December 7 & 8, is the annual Retire-ment Fund for Religious Appeal. Almost 33,000 wom-en religious and more than 5,500 men religious are past the age of 70. Though they may withdraw from a paid full time ministry, religious continue to visit the sick, tutor children and volunteer in parishes among refugee populations. Your donations help alleviate the spiraling cost of health care. Thank you for your support.
Clergy Reflection
Generosity, Redefined Many are shocked at the idea of biblical tithing. Give 10 percent—10 percent—of our resources to the Lord? Who would do this? Yet some Chris-tians do it as a matter of course. No statistics indi-cate that anyone ever died of tithing—or of gener-osity exercised on any scale. The gospel doesn’t follow the widow who put her whole livelihood in-to the temple treasury after her signature gesture of trust. Yet we’re led to believe God will care for her with the same extravagance that she shows. The best counsel on generosity remains: give until it scares you.
Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44.
“But she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had.”
Parish Events Sunday, December 1st - First Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Little Church 12:00 p.m. Vietnamese Mass 5:00 p.m. Spanish Mass 6:30 p.m. No Middle School & High School CCE Monday, December 2nd 7:00 p.m. Mass 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 3rd 6:00 p.m. Elementary CCE 6:30 p.m. Penance 7:00 p.m. Adult Sacrament Class 7:00 p.m. Mass 7:30 p.m. Perpetual Help Devotion Wednesday, December 4th 9:00 a.m. Mass 9:30 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration 7:00 p.m. RCIA Pre-Catechumenate 7:00 p.m. RCIA 7:00 p.m. Youth Night 7:00 p.m. Elementary CCE Thursday, December 5th 9:00 a.m. Mass Friday, December 6th 9:00 a.m. Mass 6:30 p.m. Mass Saturday, December 7th 9:00 a.m. Mass 9:00 p.m. Elementary CCE 4:00 p.m. Penance 5:30 p.m. Mass Sunday, December 8th - Second Sunday of Advent 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Little Church 12:00 p.m. Vietnamese Mass 5:00 p.m. Spanish Mass 6:30 p.m. Middle School & High School CCE
Prayer Needs
November 30th ~ December 8th Sat. Nov 30th 5:30 p.m. + Benito Lopez
Sun. Dec 1st 8:00 a.m. + Joseph Arogunjo
Sun. Dec 1st 10:00 a.m. People of St. Justin
Sun. Dec 1st 12:00 p.m. Da Minh Bui Van So
Sun. Dec 1st 5:00 p.m. Thanksgiving to St. Anthony
Mon. Dec 2nd 7:00 p.m. + Maria Garcia DeFreitas
Tue. Dec 3rd 7:00 p.m. + Maria Garcia DeFreitas
Wed. Dec 4th 9:00 a.m. + Alejandro Zapata
Thurs. Dec 5th 9:00 a.m. Sandra Mendez
Fri. Dec 6th 9:00 a.m. Chris Mendez
Fri. Dec 6th 6:30 p.m. Maria Ba Giao Chinh
Sat. Dec 7th 9:00 a.m. + Deceased in Purgatory
Sat. Dec 7th 5:30 p.m. + Jonathan Allende
Sun. Dec 8th 8:00 a.m. + Maria Dang Nguyen
Sun. Dec 8th 10:00 a.m. + Natashia Mouton
Sun. Dec 8th 12:00 p.m. People of St. Justin
Sun. Dec 8th 5:00 p.m. Diana Moolchan
Mass Intentions
Readings for the Week Sun., Dec 1st: Is 2:1-5/Rom 13:11-14/ Mt 24:37-44 Mon., Dec 2nd: Is 4:2-6/Mt 8:5-11
Tues., Dec 3rd: Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24 Wed., Dec 4th: Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37 Thurs., Dec 5th: Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21,24-27 Fri., Dec 6th: Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31 Sat., Dec 7th: Is 30:19-21,23-26/Mt 9:35- 10:1,5a,6-8 Sun., Dec 8th: Is 11:1-10/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12
Girl Scout Troop 19406 Calling All Sewers
The Great Sew Off: Tiny Hats for Tiny Humans December 8, come sew baby hats to help the Girl Scout Gold Award, supporting Project Gabriel. Come with your sewing machine and sew as many baby hats as you can! Please bring a baby item to donate. All proceeds will go to Project Gabriel at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church. Snacks provided. Who: Experienced sewers with sewing machines What: Sewing baby hats When: December 8, 12-2 or 2-4 p.m. Where: St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church 13350 Ash-ford Point Dr, Houston, TX 77082 Room 206 and 208 items needed for the Welcome Baby bags: • Size 1 Diapers - Wipes, Baby Bottles - 4 oz and 8
oz • Pacifiers, Baby Wash, lotion, powder, clothes - up
to size 12 months—new and gently used sleepers, Onesies; Bibs; Baby socks
Washcloths and towels; Receiving Blankets (2or3) and 1 large blanket Please RSVP at 713-594-4529 to let us know that we can count on you to attend! Thanks for supporting Girls Scouts and Project Gabriel.
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Parish Life
Advent Penance Service
The Advent Penance Service is Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. We will have Priests available that speak English, Spanish and Vietnamese. There is NO 7:00 p.n. Mass. _____________________________________________
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Everyone is invited to attend this special celebration on Thursday, December 12, Mananitas and Rosary at 5:30 a.m. Evening service will begin with a Rosary at 6:15 p.m. followed by Holy Mass at 7:00 p.m. There will be a reception in the parish hall after Mass where traditional foods will be served. Please join us in honoring our Blessed Mother. All services will be in Spanish.
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Simbang Gabi
Everyone is invited to attend the annual Simbang Gabi, a Filipino Christmas tradition on Thursday, December 19. It will begin with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 7:00 p.m. The celebrant is Rev. Francis Macatangay. A Dinner reception will follow after the Mass in the parish hall. _____________________________________________
ACTS After Retreat Events 1. ACTS Retreat Reunion Dinner - Retreatants and
Team by Invitation only! 2. ACTS Adoration Event - Open to Everyone!
Prayer and Meditation Service, presented by the ACTS Community. Benediction by Deacon Nhat Tran, Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
3. ACTS Theology Event - Open to Everyone! The 30-Day Challenge with Keith Grothaus. Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m., CFC Building, Rooms 205/207.
4. ACTS Service Event - Open to Everyone! Christmas Caroling with the ACTS Music Team, West Oak Mall, Saturday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m.
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Giving Thanks When You Shop
Please be sure to thank the generous advertisers in our bulletin when you visit their business. Through their participation, our parish receives our weekly bulletin free of charge.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is the day we remember and celebrate that she was conceived without original sin in preparation for her vocation as the Mother of God. Mary, under this title, is also the patroness of the United States of America. December 8 this year is a Sunday. The Feast Day this year will be celebrated at the 7:00 p.m. Mass on Monday, December 9. _____________________________________________
Donations for Christmas
Donation envelopes are available in the pews to contribute to the cost of poinsettias and greenery for Christmas. Please help if you are able. Thank you. All memorials will be published in the bulletin.
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Sleeping Bags For The Homeless
The Respect Life committee will collect and distribute sleeping bags to homeless people again this winter. Please bring clean, preferably new, sleeping bags to the parish hall now through December 13. They will be distributed during the first cold snap of December. Anyone wishing to help the committee distribute the sleeping bags, is welcome to submit a request in writing (with name, address, and phone number/e-mail address) addressed to the Respect Life committee and bring it to the parish office. _____________________________________________
African Parishioners of St. Justin Martyr
First Sunday: General Meeting Second Sunday: African Catholic Women/Youth & Young Adult Third Sunday: Executive Meeting/Choir Practice Fourth Sunday: Family Prayer Meeting All meetings take place in the CFC building, room 212 after the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Third Wednesday: 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Conference Prayer line Tel: 712-451-0606 Access Code 975858# For more information please click on www.africancommunitysj.org. _____________________________________________
St. Justin, pray for us!
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News About the Mavericks December 2 - Monday - Bus trip to see Christmas lights in River Oaks & Galleria area. Cost $2. Early dinner at Olive Garden. Specials $8.99 - $10.99. Bus leaves at 4:00 p.m. from the church parking lot. For availability on bus, call Marge at 281-498-3413. December 6 - Friday - 9:00 a.m. - First Friday Mass followed by a continental breakfast in the parish hall. December 10 - Tuesday - 3:00 p.m. - Monthly birthday party for residents at West Oaks Geriatric Center. If interested in bringing cheer to these shut-ins call Joanne at 281-395-2123. Looking Ahead: February 9 - Sunday - Fund-raising trip to Coushatta Casino. Cost $10. Reservations to Marge at 281-498-3413. The Mavericks is an organization of and for individuals 50 years and older that provides opportunities of fellow-ship, spiritual growth and service. For more information call Jim at 281-293-8206. _____________________________________________
Social Ministry News
Here are a few ideas of how to Share your blessings during this Advent season:
Donate a non-perishable food item to social ministry. Donate a Sleeping bag for the homeless. Donate a Hymnal in memory of a love one. Reach out to relative or friend that lives alone. Pray for those struggling this holiday season.
Thank you, Ms. Lisa and the Preschool for the Thanks-giving Food Drive, 19 families received a Thanksgiving meal.
May God bless you and Keep you Safe. _____________________________________________
Many Thanks Many thanks to the Tangu Family for donating the wine and host for St. Justin Martyr for the month of December. It is in memory of Margaret Tangu. _____________________________________________
Thank You!
Thank you, Fr. Lam and friends at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community in Katy! Our SJM Gabriel project has received a much-needed surprise donation of $450 from their Outreach Ministry.
St. Justin Martyr Catholic Preschool News
Tomorrow will be our first day back after the Thanksgiving holidays. We hope
everyone enjoyed time with family and friends. We are thankful to all of our families who donated all the wonderful foods for our Social Ministry. Our students enjoyed delivering it all to our Social Ministry before the holidays. We are so thankful for Mrs. Barbara and her volunteers for taking such care of those in need. ____________________________________________
Daughters of Isabella Unity, Friendship and Charity
“Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” Ps. 122:1-2 We are having our Christmas Party at Lasagna House, December 15, at 3:00 p.m. Spouses and adult children are welcome. If you would like to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift costing between $15 -$20. Please RSVP to Mary Christo at 832-788-5897. If you are interested in finding out more about us or would like to join our wonderful organization please call or text Mary Christo at 832-788-5897.
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Knights of Columbus SJM Council 8293
Have you ever thought about joining an organization that puts our church and
priests first in our mission? Then why not ask a brother Knight about our order. You see us all around the par-ish for Mass, music, service and other parish events. It is all about supporting our parish and brotherhood. The Knights of Columbus is not just for men. It is for fami-lies also. For more information please contact Bob Sullivent at 832-265-2282. _____________________________________________
God Is Hard Of hearing
Well, not really . . . but let’s pretend that he is. The din of talking and laughter in the narthex before Mass echoes around the church, making it difficult for people to pray and collect themselves before Mass. Please help make the narthex a quiet place: keep the noise down! The inner narthex between the sacristy, bride’s room, holy water font should be a place of absolute quiet. Thanks for helping us all to pray better!
Parish Life
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Parish Life
RCIA Curious about the Catholic Faith? Are you unbaptized? Or were you baptized in another faith? RCIA is the program for you! Please call the church office and leave your name and a contact phone number, and someone from the RCIA Team will call you.
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Next weekend the Ministry Spotlight
will be on the
- Homebound Ministry -
Visit the table in the Narthex after Mass next weekend to learn more about
this Ministry. _____________________________________________
The Prayer Blanket / Prayer Shawl Ministry holds monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the CFC Room 110. Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 3. During this meeting we want to extend a warm welcome to all who signed up during our Ministry Spotlight. We gather to sew, knit and crochet blankets and shawls and to teach those who want to learn. We provide fabric, yarn and the tools to work with. This is a great ministry for those who want to work from home as you can just pick up materials as needed. You can also participate by donating yarn and fabric (preferably cotton/flannel). If you or someone you know is ill or struggling with a problem, please ask for a blessed blanket in the church office. Questions, call Guadalupe V. Mussio at 281-896-4368. _____________________________________________
Please Pray For . . .
The following couple will celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Justin Martyr:
December 7 Jason Nguyen & Thien Kim Le Adolfo Garcia & Ngoc Minh Garcia
December 14 Paul Vu Binh Le & Nguyen Thi Thu Huong _____________________________________________
Brick Donation Donate a Brick now . . . as a gift in your name, the name of your family, or to remember a deceased loved one with a memorial gift. The cost is $80. Please stop by or call the parish office for more information.
Thank you to the generous parishioners who have remained faithful to their pledge to IGNITE. As of this date, we have received $65,391 in return from the campaign. We have
replaced one of the 30 ton A/C units in the church and the 10 ton unit in the chapel. Cost for both units was $67,673. All of the money from IGNITE will go towards this replacement. We still need to replace the other 30 ton unit in the church, one 10 ton unit in the church, one 2 ton unit in the Sacristy, and one 5 ton unit in the kitchen. We are trying to replace the spot lights in the church with retrofit LED bulbs where possible. I ask all parishioners who have not made a commitment to IGNITE, to please consider a pledge. Every little pledge is a step toward meeting the A/C and lighting needs for St. Justin Martyr. _____________________________________________
Stewardship Prayer
Almighty God, we thank you for all the gifts You have given us: our lives, our loved ones, all that we have and all that we are. Most of all, we thank You for Jesus, your Son and our Redeemer, who came among us to show us the way to eternal life. Jesus was the perfect steward of your gifts, showing that complete trust in You is necessary, and that giving of self is a most important part of following Him. May the offerings of our time, our talent, and our material resources be made in the same spirit of sacrifice that Jesus taught us by His life and death for us. Amen.
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Food Sales
December 1 International Cake & Cookie Sale/ Sweets From Around the World
International Cake & Cookie Sale Sweets From Around the World
Please join us today, Sunday, December 1, after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses in the parish hall for the International Cake & Cookie sale featuring delicious baked goods from fifteen different countries. This will be St. Justin Martyr’s very first “Sweets From Around the World.” What a tasty way to start the holiday season! All proceeds will benefit DSF.
December 8 No Food Sales
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CCE News
Youth News
Jackie Baca Coordinator of Religious Education & Youth Ministry [email protected] 281-902-5701
Confirmation II Parents, If you missed the mandatory parent meeting on Sunday, November 17, please call (281) 902-5712 to make an appointment no later than today, December 1, to obtain the information needed. There are deadlines involved that must be met in order for your child to be con-firmed next year. Thank you.
CCE Students: Please don’t forget to bring your toys to do-nate today, St. Nicolas Sunday, December 1.
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INFORMATION SHEET: Church name & address St. Justin Martyr #515169 13350 Ashford Point Drive Houston, Texas 77082 Contact person: Martha Martin @ 281-556-5116 Software used: Win 10, MSPub 2016, AA-9 Date of publication: December 1, 2019 (Sunday’s date) Number of pages transmitted: Cover + 7 text pages + this page = 9 (2 ad pages) Special instructions for Production:
FedEx shipping address: 13350 Ashford Point Drive, Houston, Texas 77082 Special instructions for FedEx delivery: FedEx tracking e-mail: [email protected]
