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
November 24 $13,373 On-line Giving $ 993 Received via mail $ 1,120 Total $15,486
December 1 $14,037 On-line Giving $ 747 Received via mail $ 1,889 Total $16,673
This 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
Faustina: Messenger of Divine Mercy
Faustina, the moving, live production performed by actress Jennifer Pagano and directed by Leonardo Defilippis of Saint Luke Productions, will be presented at St. Justin Martyr on Monday, December 16, at 7:00 p.m. Experience firsthand the life and message of Saint Faustina whose personal encounters with Jesus have inspired a world-wide devotion to Christ’s Divine Mer-cy. This drama also brings audiences a riveting modern story that make Divine Mercy remarkably relevant and urgent for our world today. The program is filled with all the elements of professional theater, runs 90 minutes, and is suitable for ages 13 and up. Admission will be a free-will offering. About Faustina Kowalska: She was born Helena Kowalska in 1905, into a large peasant family in Poland. She really had no potential for greatness - a poor girl, destined to be a housekeeper, with no education or prospects. Yet she longed for God, and despite the protests of her parents, and after a vision of Jesus telling her to head for Warsaw and become a nun, she secretly hopped on a train. Upon reaching the city, she knocked on the doors of convents until The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy finally took a chance on this young girl, and let her in. As a nun she took the name of Sister Maria Faustina, and spent the rest of her life doing menial work as a cook and as a gardener. In 1930, the mystical visions started for the young nun, Sister Faustina Kowalska. Jesus appeared to her in a white garment, with rays of white and red light ema-nating from near His heart. He asked her to paint His image, with the message, “Jesus, I trust in You” across the bottom. That was the beginning of a very special mission that took years to develop into a powerful devo-tion for the Church - The Divine Mercy.
Pastoral Staff
Vacant Coordinator of Adult Ministry
Lisa Hachicho Director of Preschool
Jackie Baca Coordinator of Religious Education
& Youth Ministry
Karen Rachal Parish Administrator
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Parish Events 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 Monday, December 9th 7:00 p.m. Mass 7:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 10th 6:00 p.m. Elementary CCE 6:30 p.m. Penance 7:00 p.m. Adult Sacrament Class 7:00 p.m. No Mass 7:00 p.m. Advent Penance Service 7:30 p.m. Perpetual Help Devotion Wednesday, December 11th 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 12th 9:00 a.m. Mass Friday, December 13th 9:00 a.m. Mass 6:30 p.m. Mass Saturday, December 14th 9:00 a.m. Mass 9:00 p.m. Elementary CCE 4:00 p.m. Penance 5:30 p.m. Mass Sunday, December 15th - Third 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
December 7th ~ December 15th 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
Mon. Dec 9th 7:00 p.m. + Edwin Morales
Tue. Dec 10th 7:00 p.m. No Mass
Wed. Dec 11th 9:00 a.m. + Marie Folto
Thurs. Dec 12th 9:00 a.m. + Steve Alexander
Fri. Dec 13th 9:00 a.m. Fernando Latunio
Fri. Dec 13th 6:30 p.m. An Ton Nguyen Van Ru Anna Nguyen Thi Mui
Sat. Dec 14th 9:00 a.m. Estanislao Rodriguez
Sat. Dec 14th 5:30 p.m. + Juan Manuel Ponce Pinto + Francisco Ponce Roman
Sun. Dec 15th 8:00 a.m. + Marvin Agumagu
Sun. Dec 15th 10:00 a.m. + Lloyd Anderson
Sun. Dec 15th 12:00 p.m. Phero Tran Van Trang Maria Vu Thi Ngoi
Sun. Dec 15th 5:00 p.m. People of St. Justin
Thurs. Dec 12th 7:00 p.m. + Faustino-Maria Ramirez
Mass Intentions
Readings for the Week Sun., Dec 8th: Is 11:1-10/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1-12 Mon., Dec 9th: Gn 3:9-15,20/Eph 1:3-6,11-12/ Lk 1:26-38
Tues., Dec 10th: Is 40:1-11/Mt 18:12-14 Wed., Dec 11th: Is 40:25-31/Mt 11:28-30 Thurs., Dec 12th: Zec 2:14-17/Lk 1:26-38 Fri., Dec 13th: Is 48:17-19/Mt 11:16-19 Sat., Dec 14th: Sir 48:1-4,9-11/Mt 17:9a,10-13 Sun., Dec 15th: Is 35:1-6a,10/Jas 5:7-10/ Mt 11:2-11
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 Thanks for supporting Girls Scouts and Project Gabriel.
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Parish Life
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. ___________________________________
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. _____________________________________________
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.
Christmas Eve - December 24
5:30 p.m. Vigil Mass
8:00 p.m. Spanish Vigil Mass
Christmas Midnight Mass
Prelude music will begin at 11:00 p.m.
Mass will be at Midnight
Christmas Day - December 25
10:00 a.m. English Mass 12 Noon Vietnamese Mass
Please note: The Parish Office will be closed at Noon on Christmas Eve December 24, and all day December 25 & 26. There is NO Mass on December 26.
New Year’s Eve Mass - December 31
7:00 p.m.
New Year’s Day Mass - January 1 9:00 a.m.
Please note: The Parish office will be closed on January 1.
If you are a St. Justin Martyr Liturgical Minister please consider serving at Mass. Sign-up in the brides-room. _____________________________________________
December 22, December 29 & January 5 Bulletin Deadlines
December 22 Deadline is Thursday, December 12 December 29 Deadline is Thursday, December 19 January 5 Deadline is Monday, December 23 _____________________________________________
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. _____________________________________________
Please Welcome our Newest Member
Baptized last weekend
Naetochukwu Cybi Chukwukere
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News About the Mavericks 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. December 21 - Saturday - 1:30 p.m - Annual Christ-mas party in the parish hall. Potluck luncheon with ham & turkey provided by the club followed by a “Dirty San-ta” gift exchange. Gifts not to exceed $10 in value. 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
Next Sunday is our monthly food drive. As we are preparing for the Birth of Jesus, please consider helping the less fortunate in our community by donating a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation.
Wish list for the Pantry: Oatmeal, Spaghetti Sauce
A sincere thanks to St. Justin Martyr Preschool for hosting a food drive and donating to the food pantry. Also thank you St. Justin Martyr Community for your generous food/monetary donations during November. Reminder: Wish Ornaments gifts are due back by December 9. _____________________________________________
Many Thanks Many thanks to the Tangu Family for donating the wine and host for St. Justin Martyr for the month of October. It is in memory of Margaret Tangu. _____________________________________________
Mercy Festival
Mark your calendars - the Mercy Festival is Saturday, February 1, in the parish hall.
St. Justin Martyr Catholic Preschool News
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Cristina Rodriquez and her
family for providing the school with such a wonderful Christmas party for all of our students and staff. Good food and wonderful entertainment, a great time was had by all! ____________________________________________
Daughters of Isabella Unity, Friendship and Charity
“Justice shall flourish in His time, and full-ness of peace forever.” Ps. 72:1-2 Congratulations to our sister Katy Baird and her hus-band Kevin. They just welcomed their second daughter Cassandra April to the family. Her mom Joanne Rad-ford is one of our Past Regents and Cassandra is her sixth granddaughter. 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.
_____________________________________________ 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 parish 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 families also. For more information please contact Bob Sullivent at 832-265-2282. __________________________________________
Encore Prayer Blanket/Prayer Shawl Ministry Christmas Craft Sale
Please come by the parish hall on Sunday, December 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for our Encore Prayer Blanket/Prayer Shawl Ministry Christmas Craft Sale. We have many gifts for your Christmas shopping.
Parish Life
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Parish Life
ACTS After Retreat Events 1. ACTS Retreat Reunion Dinner - Retreatants and
Team by Invitation only! 2. 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.
3. 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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Next weekend the Ministry Spotlight
will be on the
- Music Ministry -
Visit the table in the Narthex after Mass next weekend to learn more about
this Ministry. _____________________________________________
Living Eucharist Group Meeting
We meet the second Friday of every month from 6:00m p.m. to 8:45 p.m. in the parish hall. Come join us as we engage our church youth and adults with meaningful messages and fun activities in their faith journey. Our next meeting is December 13. _____________________________________________
Please Pray For . . .
The following couples who will celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Justin Martyr:
December 14 Paul Vu Binh Le & Nguyen Thi Thu Huong
December 21 Carlos and Maria Teresa Lopez _____________________________________________
Calling all Young Adults!
On Saturday, December 14, the SJM Young Adults and parish musicians will gather in the hall at 7:00 p.m. to light the Advent Wreath, share a covered dish supper, and sing Christmas carols in many languages. Come and share the spirit of Advent and meet your fellow parishioners !
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. _____________________________________________
Ignite Prayer
God our Father, you are the source of all goodness and of every blessing under heaven.
We give you praise and thanks for the gift of our Catholic faith and for more than 170 years of living and witnessing to that faith in Texas.
We ask for your blessings upon our effort to help secure the future of the Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
May your people respond with hope and generosity to our capital campaign, IGNITE: Our Faith, Our Mission.
May the sacrifices we make together today bear fruit in lives of faith for generations to come. Amen
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Food Sales
December 8 No Food Sales December 15 St. Ephrem _____________________________________________
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.
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CCE News
Youth News
Jackie Baca Coordinator of Religious Education & Youth Ministry [email protected] 281-902-5701
• Saint Letter • Signed Sponsor Form These two very important
documents are now past due. Please turn them in ASAP.
Deadline was December 8, 2019
A Family that Prays together…
Parents, please pray with your children. Help them build a relationship with:
God – by learning the Lord’s Prayer by heart Mary – by learning how to ask for Her intersession
Help them learn:
The Nicene Creed – To help them learn about their Catholic Faith Act of Contrition – To help them learn how ask for forgiveness
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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 8, 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]
