WELCOME TO CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON — HOUSTON

ADMINISTERED BY THE CONGREGATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Parish Clergy Fr. Tom Smithson, SSS Pastor/Párroco Fr. RaviEarnest Sebastin, SSS Parochial Vicar/Vicar Parroquial Fr. Peter Tuong, SSS Parochial Vicar/ Vicar Parroquial Deacon William Castro Permanent Deacon/Diácono Permanente Parish Staff Beverly Svoboda (7)667-0497 x116 Pastoral Associate Bertha Brophy (7)667-0497 x113 Business Manager Joe Patrick (7)667-0497 x117 Director, Music & Liturgy Stella Rivera (7)667-0497 x110 Secretary Hilda Morales (7)667-0497 x115 Hispanic Ministry & Religious Education Assistant Coordinator Connie Rodriguez (7)667-0497 x118 Religious Education Coordinator Leroy Ozores (7)667-0497 x119 Support Staff Jose Martinez (7)667-0497 Maintenance Martha Martinez (7)667-0497 Directora, Coro Parish School Mazie McCoy (7)664-3351 x210 Principal Susan Miller (7)664-3351 x222 Admissions Director

PARISH MASS SCHEDULE MONDAY:

8:00 AM | 7:00 PM (BILINGUAL) TUESDAY—FRIDAY

8:00 AM SATURDAY:

8:00 AM | 5:00 PM (SUNDAY VIGIL) SUNDAY:

9:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 1:30 PM (SPANISH) HORARIO DE LA MISA

LUNES 8:00AM | 7:00PM (BILINGUAL)

MARTES - VIERNES: 8:00 AM

SÁBADO: 8:00AM | 5:00PM (VIGILIA DOMINICAL)

DOMINGO: 9:00AM | 11:00AM | 1:30PM (ESPAÑOL) CONFESSION | CONFESIONES

SATURDAY | SÁBADOS 3:30PM - 4:30PM

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Embracing the Eucharist as the source and summit of our lives, we are a Catholic

community committed to peace, justice and unity, through worship, service, education and fellowship

DEFINICIÓN DE NUESTRA MISIÓN Acogiendo a la Eucaristia como la fuente y cima en nuestras vidas, somos una

comunidad Católica, comprometida a la paz, la justicia, y la unidad a través del culto, servicio, educación y fraternidad.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS MONDAY - FRIDAY

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM SATURDAY– SUNDAY

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ADORATION MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM FRIDAY

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

713-667-0497 9900 STELLA LINK RD HOUSTON, TX 77025 WWW.CCPARISHHOUSTON.ORG

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Wednesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7;Lk 2:16-21 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Friday: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13;Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

LA SAGRADA FAMILIA DE JESÚS, MARÍA Y JOSÉ LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA

Lunes: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Sal 96 (95):7-10; Lc 2:36-40 Martes: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Sal 96 (95):1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Miércoles: Nm 6:22-27; Sal 67 (66):2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lc 2:16-21 Jueves: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Viernes: 1 Jn 2:29 — 3:6; Sal 98 (97):1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Sábado: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Sal 98 (97):1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Domingo: Is 60:1-6;Sal 72 (71):1-2,7-8,10-13; Ef 3:2-3a,5-6;Mt 2:1-12

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PARISH OFFERINGS GRATEFUL FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

December 8, 2019

Offertory $ 13, 431.00

Retirement for Religious $ 4, 778.00

December 15, 2019 Offertory $ 12, 505.00

Fund for the Poor $ 5, 052.00

December 22, 2019

Offertory Not Available

Capital Improvements Not Available

Second Collections:

December 29 Archdiocesan Military Services

January 5 Maintenance & Repairs

January 12 Fund for the Poor

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30…...………… ST. EGWIN

8:00 AM ISABEL SANCHEZ †

7:00 PM ALL SOULS IN PURGATORY

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31……………... SAINT SYLVESTER I

9:00 AM MARIA DANG HANAH

7:00 PM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1………….. MARY, MOTHER OF GOD

10:00 AM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

12:00 PM OZORES & BRAVO FAMILY

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2………...… ST. BASIL & GREGORY 8:00 AM CHESTER JOHNSON †

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3…...………….... ST. JOHN 8:00 AM MIGUEL AYALA †

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4……….…… ST. ELIZABETH

8:00 AM WANDA BROWN ARTIST †

5:00 PM JOSOLYNN MARIE REED †

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5….…………..… THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

9:00 AM NORA CHURCH

11:00 AM CESAR REYNA B/D

1:30 PM PEOPLE OF THE PARISH

PARISH CALENDAR † Sunday, Dec. 29 – No CCE classes today, Christmas

Holidays † Monday, Dec. 30, 7:00 pm Mass, followed by Charis-

matic Group Holy Hour, all are welcome † Tues. & Wed., Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 – please see the

Mass schedule in the bulletin † Friday, Jan.3 – Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

resumes regular schedule † Tues., Jan. 7 – Corpus Christi School students return

to class † Wed., Jan. 8, 6:30 pm – Confirmation class resumes;

meet in Prefontaine Hall

YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS Please note that if you plan to make a year-end contribution to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, all contributions must be

turned in by December 31, 2019. This includes Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), special gifts to the church and offertory

contributions. Your thoughtful generosity is appreciated and helpful to meeting the needs of our parish family.

Charitable contribution statements for income tax purposes will be made available later in January 2020.

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE . . . The Council of Catholic Women expresses their

gratitude to those who participated in the Christmas Flower Offering for your loved ones, living and deceased. This simple act of remembrance helped to provide beautiful poinsettias and greenery for our Christmas

season decorations. We will continue to enjoy these plants through Sunday, January 12, the feast of the Baptism of the

Lord, bringing the Christmas season to a close.

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CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Please make note of the Christmas Mass schedule as you make

your plans for the upcoming holidays.

† SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

Vigil Mass, 5:00 pm

† SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Masses at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm (Spanish)

† MONDAY, DECEMBER 30

Masses at 8:00 am, 7:00 pm Mass followed by

Charismatic Group Holy Hour

† TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31

Daily Mass, 8:00 am

Vigil Mass, 7:00 pm (Bilingual) – Solemnity of Mary,

Mother of God

† Wednesday, January 1, 2020 (Holy Day of Obligation)

Masses at 10:00 am (English); 12:00 Noon

(Spanish) – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Regular Mass schedule resumes after January 1, 2020

ADORATION CHAPEL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Adoration Chapel will be closed on the following dates:

† Monday, Dec. 30 † Wednesday, Jan. 1

ADORATION RETURNS TO ITS REGULAR SCHEDULE BEGINNING FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2020.

PARISH OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE Please note the Corpus Christi Parish Office hours on the following dates in observance of the Christmas and

New Year holidays. † Saturday & Sunday, December 28 & 29 - CLOSED

† Monday, Dec. 30 – Thursday, Jan. 2 – CLOSED

† Friday, Jan. 3, 8:30 – 4:30 – OPEN

† Saturday & Sunday, Jan. 4 & 5 — OPEN

PRAYERS FOR OUR CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES

Our Confirmation candidates have been preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation since early October. This group of students have been

attending weekly classes and meeting with their sponsors while strengthening their relationship with our loving God.

They also participated in an overnight retreat which was a powerful experience for them.

They recently underwent an evaluation to determine the depth of their learning and areas that need more work as it relates to the

teachings of the Catholic Church. After the New Year, our Confirmation candidates will return for additional classes,

participate in the celebration of Eucharist and have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This group of 10th graders have been supported by a team of volunteer catechists and parents throughout their preparation.

Bishop George Sheltz will be here on Friday, January 31 to celebrate the sacrament at Corpus Christi. Our parish family is asked to keep these young people, their sponsors and their

families in your prayers as they continue their faith journey in the New Year. Thank you!

DID YOU KNOW that Religious

Education classes resume on

Sunday, January 5 at the

usual time: 9:15 – 10:45 am

English, and 11:45 – 1:15 pm in Spanish.

The Middle School and High School classes also

resume at their usual time, 5:00 pm. After an enjoyable

Christmas holiday, we look forward to having our

students return to class, ready to learn.

DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND

UPDATE AS OF MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019 DO NOT NEGLECT TO SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE

DSF 2019 Parish Goal $75,000.00 Total Amount Pd. $74,601.35 Total Amount Pledged $79,238.85 # of Participants 204 # of Households 1768 Avg. Pledge $ 388.43 Paid Over (Under) Goal $ (398.65) Pledged Over (Under) Goal $ 4,238.85 Percent Pd. 99.47%

Thank you to the members of our parish who have responded

to the Diocesan Services Fund Appeal. DSF payments are due

by December 31, 2019 in order to qualify as a tax deductible

contribution for the current year. 50% of contributions that

exceed our goal are returned to the parish. The other 50% is

dedicated for Aid to Poor Parishes. We have exceeded our goal

in pledges, with just under $400 to be paid to achieve $75,000.

Your generosity is appreciated.

For those who have died, we pray…

REYNALDO ESTRADA

Father of Belinda Garza

School Secretary

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DEAR PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS OF CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH, Just a few days ago, we gathered to again celebrate that great moment when “the Word of God leapt from heaven, when half-spent was the night.” This celebration brings back so many memories to all of us and yet there is always a newness to it. As we celebrate this Solemnity of the Lord's Nativity in the Eucharist, we realize that this isn't historical reminiscence, but rather, the altar becomes the manger, the bread and wine become that same Lord who first took flesh among us as the infant of Bethlehem. We hear in the proclamation of the Gospel the invitation of the angels and we come, in all our diversity, as did shepherds and kings, to adore Him and, hopefully, to leave the encounter renewed in our faith. Just as a baby being born in a family changes everything, we can reorder our lives around this life, and begin to live our life of faith with renewed enthusiasm. Pope Francis reminds us of our mandate to reach out to one another, those whom we know, the stranger among us, and espe-cially the poor who seek our love, support and friendship. Throughout this Christmas Season, let us reflect on our God who cares about each person, each made in His image and likeness. This is a season of welcome and joy. On behalf of our Priests and Staff, it is my hope that the remembrance of Christ’s birth brings you much peace and joy as we celebrate Christmas. I extend a special welcome if you are joining us for the first time, visiting from other places or faith traditions, or if you do not worship with us on a regular basis. Just as the shepherds were led to a humble stable in Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus, so have we been led to be together at this time and in this place to sing with the angels: Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people on earth! I hope that God’s presence will be made known to you not only today but every day.

Fr. Tom Smithson, SSS, Pastor

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CALENDARIO PARROQUIAL

† Domingo, 29 de Dic. – No hay clases de Catecismo (CCE), Vacaciones de Navidad

† Lunes, 30 de Dic., 7:00 pm Misa, seguido de Hora Santa por el Grupo de Renovación Carismática

† Martes y Miércoles, 31 de Dic. y 1 de Enero – favor de ver en el boletín el horario de Misas de Navidad

† Viernes, 3 de Enero – Adoración del Sagrado Sacra-mento regresa a su horario normal

† Martes, 7 de Enero – Los estudiantes de la Escuela Corpus Christi regresan a clases

† Miércoles, 8 de Enero, 6:30 pm – Regresan a clases de Confirmación; reunión en el Salón Prefontaine

HORARIO NAVIDEÑO DE MISAS Favor de tomar nota del horario para las Misas de Navidad

conforme planea los próximos festejos. † DOMINGO, 29 DE DICIEMBRE Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia de Jesús, María y Jose

Misas a las 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm (Español)

† LUNES, 30 DE DICIEMBRE

Misas a las 8:00 am y 7:00 pm enseguida con la Hora Santa del Grupo Carismático.

† MARTES, 31 DE DICIEMBRE

Misa diaria, 8:00 am Misa de Vigilia, 7:00 pm (bilingüe)– Solemnidad de

María, Madre de Dios

† Miércoles, 1 de enero de 2020 (Día Santo de la Obligación)

Misas a las 10:00 am (Inglés); 12:00 Mediodía (Español) – Solemnidad de María, Madre de Dios

Horario de Misa regular se reanuda después del 1 de enero de 2020

OFICINA PARROQUIAL HORARIO DE NAVIDAD Tenga en cuenta el horario de la Oficina Parroquial de

Corpus Christi el las siguientes fechas en cumplimiento de los días festivos de Navidad y Año Nuevo.

† Sábado y domingo, 28 & 29 de diciembre - CERRADO

† Lunes, 30 de diciembre – Jueves, 2 de enero – CERRADO

† Viernes, 3 de enero, 8:30 – 4:30 – ABIERTO

† Sábado y domingo, 4 de enero & 5 — ABIERTO

ORACION PARA NUESTROS CANDIDATOS DE CONFIRMACIÓN

Nuestros Candidatos de Confirmación se han estado preparando para recibir el Sacramento de Confirmación desde el mes de octubre. Este

grupo de estudiantes han atendido a sus clases semanalmente y se han reunido con sus padrinos al mismo

tiempo que estan fortaleciendo su relación con nuestro ama-do Dios. Tambien participaron en un retiro de fin de semana

que fue una ponderosa experiancia para ellos.

Recientemente se sometieron por una evaluación para dete-minar la profundidad de su aprendizaje y las áreas que nece-sitan máas trabajo a medida que los lleva a la enseñanza de la Iglesia Católica. Despues de Año Nuevo, nuestros candi-datos de Confirmación regresarán a clases adicionales, par-

ticipando en la celebracion de la Eucaristia y tendran la oportunidad de recibir el Sacramento de Reconciliación.

Este grupo del grado 10 ha sido apoyado por un equipo de catequistas voluntaries y padres a traves de su preparación. El Obistpo George Sheltz estará aquí en Corpus Christi el

Viernes 31 de enero para celebrar el Sacramento de Confir-mación. Nuestra familia parroquial esta llamada a mantener en sus oraciones a nuestros jóvenes, sus padrinos y familias,

en lo que ellos continúan en su camino de fe durante este Nuevo Año. ¡Gracias!

UN MENSAJE DE GRATITUD El Consejo de Damas Católicas expresa su

gratitud a todos aquellos que participaron en el Ofertorio de Flores de Navidad para sus seres

queridos, que aún viven y aquellos que ya fallecieron. Este simple acto para recordarlos ayuda a proveer hermosas

noches buenas y plantas para nuestra decoración de la tempora-da Navideña. Continuaremos disfrutando de estas hermosas

plantas hasta el domingo 12 de enero, celebración del Bautismo de nuestro Señor, cerrando así nuestra temporada Navideña.

SABIAS QUE… Las clases de Educación Religiosa regresan el domingo 5

de enero a su horario regular: 9:15 – 10:45 am Inglés, 11:45 – 1:15 pm in Español. Los estudiantes de Secundaria y Preparatoria también regresan a su horario normal, 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm. Después de un agradable Des-canso de Navidad, esperamos ver a todos los estudiantes de regreso a

clases, listos para aprender.

CONTRIBUCIONES DE FIN DE AÑO Favor de tomar nota si esta planeando realizar una contribucion de fin de año para la Iglesia Catolica Corpus Christi, todas las contribuciones deben entregarse para el dia 31 de diciembre de

2019. Esto incluye el Fondo de Servicio Diocesano (DSF), regalos especiales para la iglesia y contribuciones de ofertorio.

Apreciamos mucho su generosidad y nos ayuda a cubrir las necesidades de nuestra familia parroquial. Los estados de

contribuciones para propósitos de impuestos estarán disponibles mas Adelante en Enero 2020. and helpful to meeting the needs of our parish family. Charitable contribution statements for in-

come tax purposes will be made available later in January 2020.

SAINT THOMAS BECKET (1118-1170)

December 29

To anyone who imagines conflict between religion and politics

to be a modern phenomenon, history witnesses otherwise. Mar-

tyred under Henry VIII in 1535, Thomas More declared, “I die

the king’s good servant, but God’s first!” Thomas Becket could

have said the same four centuries earlier. As Henry II’s closest

friend and trusted chancellor, Becket, the king presumed, could

be counted on, if made archbishop, to deliver the church to

royal control. But Becket experienced a profound conversion,

confirmed by the ordination liturgy’s rich symbolism of the

bishop as Good Shepherd and the church as Bride of Christ.

Renouncing secular responsibilities, distributing his wealth to

the poor, Thomas became the church’s uncompromising cham-

pion. Faced with this “new” Becket, the king’s previous friend-

ship turned into a ferocious, almost irrational hatred. As eight

centuries later, Archbishop Romero would be martyred at the

altar of Christ’s sacrifice, Becket was slain before the altar of

Canterbury Cathedral by royal agents, neither the first nor last

good shepherd to lay down his life as the price of freedom for

Christ’s church and justice for Christ’s sheep.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

SANTO TOMÁS BECKET (1118-1170) 29 de diciembre

Tomás Becket se distinguió por su inteligencia y rápido ascenso durante el reinado de Enrique II de Inglaterra.

Como canciller, en ausencia del rey, estuvo al mando del reino. No obstante, Enrique II era ambicioso y quería a la Iglesia bajo su dominio, fue por eso que le nombró como Arzobispo de Canterbury en 1162. Sin embargo, Tomás

cambió radicalmente: renunció a la cancillería, vendió su mansión, dio el dinero a los pobres y se fue a un monas-terio viviendo humildemente. Se opuso públicamente al

rey y a sus intenciones de sometimiento de la Iglesia hasta que el mismo rey lo amenazó con la muerte, razón por la que se expatrió a Francia. Luego de una reconciliación

temporal, el rey expresó su deseo de librarse del ar-zobispo y envió a una guardia real a que lo asesinaran,

hecho que ocurrió en el altar mayor de la catedral mien-tras Tomás Becket celebraba la Eucaristía. Sus últimas

palabras fueron: “Acepto la muerte en el nombre de Jesús y de la Iglesia”.

—Miguel Arias, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.