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December 17, 2017 Vol. 36 No. 19

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church 4601 Neely Avenue Midland, Texas 79707 (432) 520-7394 Fax (432) 520-7395

www.ststephensmidland.com

Rev. Rodney White, Pastor Assistant Pastor: Rev. Timothy Hayter

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres

Youth Director: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES 2017

St. Ann’s (Midland) December 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Lawrence December 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Joseph’s (Odessa) December 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM

Dear Parishioners,

Why does the priest where rose (yes, rose, not pink) the Third Sunday of Advent? The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word which means “rejoice.” You will notice that “rejoice” is a key word used in both the first and second reading as well as the responsorial psalm for this Sunday. Also, indirectly, the message of John the Baptist, which is the focus of the Gospel reading this week, is cause for rejoicing because he is foretelling the coming of Christ. Advent is a time of preparation and waiting for the coming of the Lord, and by the third Sunday we are quickly beginning to approach Christmas (the birth of Christ among us). The penitential mood of Advent lightens at this point and we REJOICE because the coming of the Lord is near. That is why the liturgical color for this Sunday is “rose” (again, not pink, but rose), which is why the priest and deacon wear rose vestments, the candle is rose colored, along with any altar dressings, and so on. Indeed, there is cause for rejoicing for Christ our Lord is near! As the prophet Isaiah tells us, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” Joyfully in Christ, Fr. Timothy Hayter

Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 18

Tuesday, December 19

Wednesday, December 20

Thursday, December 21 - St. Peter Canisius Winter Solstice

Friday, December 22

Saturday, December 23 - St. John of Kanty

Sunday, December 24 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

Last Week’s Collection

Regular Collection $ 35,987.86 Building Fund $ 132.00 Other Income $ 2,175.18 Retirement for Religious $ 7,523.09

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of December 17, 2017

ST. STEPHEN’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday 6:45 am - 7:00 am; 12 noon - 12:15 pm;

& 5:00 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday 6:45 a.m.-7 a.m.; 12 noon-12:15 p.m.;

5-5:30 p.m.; & 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday 7:45 am - 8:00 am; 4:00 - 4:45 pm

Sunday 20 minutes prior to each Mass

And anytime, by appointment

Mass Times For 4th Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2017 8 AM—ENGLISH

10:30 AM—ENGLISH 12:30 PM—SPANISH

Christmas Eve 5 PM—ENGLISH (CHILDREN’S MASS)

7 PM—SPANISH 12 MIDNIGHT—BILINGUAL

Christmas Day December 25, 2017

8AM—EGLISH 10:30 AM—ENGLISH 12:30 PM—SPANISH

Sunday, December 31, 2017 8AM—ENGLISH

10:30 PM—ENGLISH 12:30 PM—SPANISH

5 PM—ENGLISH 7 PM—SPANISH

New Year’s Day January 1, 2017 7 AM—ENGLISH

12:15 PM—ENGLISH 5:30 PM—ENGLISH

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December 17 Abigail Baeza Robert Bastin Bertha Carrillo

Ilda Cuevas Geraldine Filip Cynthia Franco

Valentine Galindo Don Lassetter Ruby Martinez

Paula Miller Vanessa Munoz Gavin Ontiveros

M/M Andrew Reed Clair Underwood

Jesus Urias

December 18 Anita Benavidez Stacey Chaparro Jesusita Jaquez Priscilla Lujan

Maribel Montanez Daniel Simmons Dean Teagarden

Erica Trillo

December 19 Christian Alvarado

Louis Beique Aliza Dickerson David Edwards Noah Hadlock

King Ivey Landon King Erika Murgula Barret Rakun Luis Ramirez

Jose Talamantes Corry Teluschow

December 20 Luis Almeraz Jr.

Alyssa Diaz Peter Hanson

Diego Hernandez Stanley Lee

Jesus Meraz Jr. Lori Repman

Kevin Rodriguez Jared Shrauner

Helena Villalobos Lionel Zapata Jr.

December 21 Kevin N. Bates Gabriella Buzan Arturo Carrasco Juanita Flores

Maximino Flores Christian Gonzales

Juvany Hidalgo Patrick Leung

Josephine Miller Miguel Ronquillo Sydney Sanchez

December 22 Ruben Aguirre Katherine Barto Joe Benavidez

Annalise Espinoza Maritza Franca Brigido Garza

Russell Messer Abraham Montes

Andre Owen Kathleen Williams

December 23 Madeline Cepero Jesus Contreras Mary Hardeman

Adolfo H. Mondragon Isel Herrera

Lorena Jacquez Jonathan Olaleye Victor M. Rivas

Monica B. Salgado Emily Trillo

December 24 Magan Bermea

Salvatore Calabria Jessica Dominguez

Paul Foster Madilyne Ochoa

Maya Padilla Pascuala Rojas

Elijah White

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, December 25th &

Tuesday, December 26th and will resume normal business hours on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.

Please pray for Seminarian

Francisco Camacho!

ST. STEPHEN’S CLAY

SHOOT NOVEMBER 18, 2017

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

SPONSORSHIPS $ 8,400.00

DONATIONS $ 5,385.00

PAID TEAMS $ 8,100.00

GUN BOARD $ 2,500.00 LONG BIRD $ 88.00 MULLIGAN $ 200.00

TOTAL RAISED $24,673.00

ACADEMY $ 1,280.63 POSTAGE & SUPPLIES $ 107.71 TANK’S BAR-B-QUE $ 1,250.00 MEDALS $ 93.10

MSA $ 4,580.00 WATER $ 31.14

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 7,342.58

TOTAL DEPOSTIED AFTER EXPENSES $17,331.42

2 GUN BOARDS OUT $ 5,000.00 _____________

TOTAL RAISED $22,330.42

ITEMS DONATED:

2 SHOTGUNS & 2 PISTOLS - $3,501.52

1 SHOTGUN - $ 1,000.00 HUNT ADVERTISING - $795.00 LONESTAR 92 ADVERTISING - $1,000.00

The Clay Shoot Committee would

like to thank our Sponsors,

Participants and volunteers for

making this event a success.

Hopefully next it will be even

bigger with the help of our Parish

family.

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This week, RCIA will enjoy a pot-luck supper, turn in our Saint Reports, and have our Christmas Party. We will have a lot fun as we prepare to meet our Lord on Christmas. RCIA meets in the ballroom on Tuesdays from 6:45-8:45 p.m. "RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian

Initiation for Adults. It's the process by which adults come into full communion with the Catholic Church by receiving their Sacraments of Initiation. It's free, childcare is provided, we

have a lot of fun and we always have something good to eat. If you have questions, feel free to email me at billberry100@aol.com.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

Felly Camagong & Family, Janie Sotelo, Melinda Sanchez, MaryLu Perrez, Kim Waltzer, Gina Gonzalez, Braxton Munoz, Dylan Wilson, Sam Gibbs, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Veronica Gomez-Calvo, Delaney Diaz, Raul Dominguez, Avyel Munoz, Rachel S., Burdette Family, Inez Laing, Monica Vasquez, Jason

Martinez, Guadalupe Rios, Alfonso Marquez, Johny Lee Qualls, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Alicia F., Jesse Julus Garcia, Mendoza Family, Martha Munoz, Sergio Patino, Aurora Reyes, Monica Vasquez, Eva Madrid, Roy Alvarez, Gary Rodriguez, Martha Munoz, Lydia Jimenez, Jesus Chavez Jr., Mark Clark, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Randy & Jennifer White & Family, Louis & Betty Macchietto & Family, Larry & Pat White & Family, Heath, Sarah, & Baby Girl Logan Ruth, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Avila Family, Fierro Family, Andrew Madrid, Fran Thetford, Gabriel Kadir, Gerald Thetford, Margaret Robson, Betty Compton, David Rucker, Delia Carrasco, Patty White, Jeff Smith, Pearl Abalos, Francisco Rodriguez Medina, Carmen Lopez, Martin Sosa, Evangelina Rodriguez, Bea Herrera, Ricky Montes, Rafael Gonzales Jr., Monica Cabrera, Joe Munoz III, Anita Morin, Anthony Garcia, Janie Sainz, Tommy Levario, Dr. Karen Leung & Santa Rosa Fire Victims, Donita Schlegal, Jose Carmen Vasquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Crystal Calderon, Mo Dominguez, Marcial Hernandez.

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list!

"We publish the banns of marriage between ELAM EDUARDO RAMIREZ TAVAREZ and DANIELA CORRALES PANDO of this Parish of St. Stephen’s in Midland, Texas, USA for their upcoming marriage on March 3, 2018 at JESUS NAZARENO Catholic Church in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico. If you know cause or just impediment why these persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is for the second time of asking.”

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed Thursday, December 21st after the 5:30 pm Mass for the Christmas Holiday.

Eucharistic Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018.

Have a safe and blessed Christmas Holiday and a Happy New Year!

St. Stephen’s Cub Scout Troop Come Join Us!

Scouting develops character, leadership, communication skills and good citizenship.

Who: Any boy in 1st—4th grade When: Tuesdays at 6:00 pm—7:00 pm Where: St. Stephen’s Youth Building

Questions contact Cory Listner at 432-296-0695

*We are looking at restarting a Boy Schout Troop to have a troop for our boys to feed into from Cub Scouts. If you are interested in being a Scoutmaster, please contact Cory.

17 DE DICIEMBRE 2017

¡¡¡TERCER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO!!!

Juan era la voz; pero el Señor era la Palabra que existía ya al comienzo de las cosas. Juan era una voz pasajera, Cristo la Palabra eterna desde el principio.

Tomaron a la voz por la Palabra. Pero Juan se reconoció como la voz para no usurparle los derechos a la Palabra. Dijo: No soy el Mesías, ni Elías, ni el Profeta. Le preguntaron: ¿Qué dices de tu persona? Y él respondió: Yo soy la voz del que clama en el desierto: «Preparad el camino del Señor». La voz del que clama en el desierto, la voz del que rompe el silencio. Preparad el camino del Señor, como si dijera: «Soy la voz cuyo sonido no hace sino introducir la Palabra en el corazón; pero, si no preparamos el camino, la Palabra no vendrá adonde yo quiero que ella entre.» ¿Qué significa: ¿Preparad el camino? “Sed humildes en vuestros pensamientos” “Imitad el ejemplo de humildad de Juan el Bautista”, convertirnos, cambiar de vida, limpiar la mirada, para preparar el corazón ante el que tiene que venir. Una vida en justicia, en fraternidad, en compasión, nos ayudará a distinguir mejor al que viene, a acogerle en nuestras vidas.

Por eso, ya desde ahora y para siempre esforcémonos por hacer desaparecer cualquier signo de injusticia y odio entre nosotros. Comprometámonos con la vida y por la vida, en contra de la muerte injusta (soledad, pobreza, desprecio...) a que son sometidos tantos y tantas personas en nuestro mundo. Pero no perdamos siempre el gozo y la esperanza que sabemos que estamos preparando los caminos del Señor y convertirnos como Juan el Bautista, en Testigos de la Luz.

Hermana Gertrudis Muñoz Mendieta I.C.A.S.

El Santísimo Sacramento será reposado debido las vacaciones de Navidad empezando el jueves 21 de diciembre después de la Misa de las 5:30 PM hasta después de la misa de las 7:00 AM el

martes 2 de enero.

Espero que tengan una feliz y bendita Navidad

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Fecha Familia Dirección Teléfono

16-12-17 Belén y Familia Valdez 2708Franklin, Midland Tx. 432 488 7745

17-12-17 Nelly y Familia Gabaldón 500 Affirmed Ave Midland, Tx.

9155267803

18-12-17 Siria y Familia Olivas 5500 N County Rd.1150 Midland, Tx.

4326616937

19-12-17 Guadalupe y familia Zarate 4102 amistad Dr. Midland, Tx.

4323490746

20-12-17 Zucy y familia Solís 2185Seguin St. Midland, Tx. 4322358585

21-12-17 Amparo y familia Montañez 3800 Monty Dr. Midland, Tx. 4324133358

22-12-17 Josefa y familia Montañez 3709 N. County Rd. 1140 Midland, Tx.

432 2383874

23-12-17 Elia y Familia Sanchez 5417Secretaria St. Midland, Tx.

4326312333

24-12-17 Asamblea el buen pastor y de-más Ministerios

4601 Neelly Midland Tx 432 631 9688

432 260 1746

Les invitamos a las posadas navideñas que darán inicio

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For those of you who have tried to call our donation line to get our trucks to come to your home to pick up your donations, you know that we have not been sending our trucks out for the past three or four weeks. The reason we were not able to do so is because we were so inundated by broken or ruined items that had been given to us that we were literally buried in them. Keeping in mind that we are all volunteers and do not have a huge number of people to get the work done, it has taken every bit of that time to haul load after load of soiled mattresses, broken tables and chairs, and ripped sofas to the landfill. Each of those trips takes two of our volunteers over an hour…time that is critically needed at the store. It costs us to haul loads to the landfill. The money those trips cost us we feel could be better spent on assisting the poor with their rent, medical and utility bills. We are in a position where we will be able to resume our pickups, however we feel the need to explain that we will no longer be able to come to your home and pick up whatever you want to give to us. We will only be able to accept those items that we can sell or use in our store or donate to someone in need. We will not accept items that are meant for the landfill. While we hate to say no, we hope you understand that our time is valuable and our money is precious to our goal of helping the poor. To all those many, many people who continue to donate good, usable items to us, please know that we thank and appreciate you very, very much! Because of people like you our store has never done better, which has only allowed us to increase our assistance to those in need. God bless you for your continued support!

JEWELRY SALE Now through December 23…buy 2 get 1 (of equal or lesser value) FREE!

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week:

Electric 6 families $ 1,517.67 Water 2 families $ 1,111.50 Rent 28 families $ 23,545.73

TOTAL $ 26,174.90 www.helpinghandsmidland.com

Club Dance St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 4601 Neely

Gloria Denman Ballroom

DATE/TIME: SUNDAY, “NEW YEAR’S EVE”, December 31, 2017/8:00 p.m. – Midnight COST/ATTIRE: $25.00 per person/”Festive” BAND: “Larry Johnson Show” (Variety) CATERER: NO MEAL MENU: Dancers are encouraged to bring snacks for their table. CLUB DANCE will provide Wine, Tea, Water and Coffee.

NO ALCOHOL MAY BE BROUGHT INTO THE BALLROOM BY INDIVIDUALS

**NOTE: NO BYOB is allowed due to change in church policy. Reservations may be mailed to Club Dance, P. O. Box 7421, Midland, TX 79708. Reservation deadline is Thursday, December 28, 2017. For more information, please contact our Reservations Coordinator at: clubdancemidland@hotmail.com.