SAINT FERDINAND& GOOD SHEPHERD

PARISH BULLETIN | December 8, 2019 | Second Sunday of Advent

Pastor

Rev. Fr. Brion Zarsky

frbrion@stferdinandblanco.org

Deacon Jessie Esquivel

dcn.jessie@stferdinandblanco.org

Cathy Cudd, Parish Secretary

cathy@stferdinandblanco.org

St. Ferdinand--DRE – Susan Moore 830-833-0444

susan@stferdinandblanco.org

Office hours/Horarios de Oficina:

Wednesdays/Miercoles 12:00-6:00 p.m.

Good Shepherd--Margie Vasquez 830-833-5227

Coordinator of RE & Youth Minister

margie@stferdinandblanco.org

WEEKEND MASSES:

St. Ferdinand

Saturday: 5:00 p.m. ; 7:00 p.m. (Español)

Sunday: 11:00 a.m.

Good Shepherd

Sunday: 9 a.m.

For a Complete weekday

Mass Schedule and Mass Intentions,

please see the next page

SACRAMENT OF

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION):

St. Ferdinand

Saturday: 4 p.m.

Good Shepherd

Sunday: 8:30 a.m.

(or by appointment)

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday through Friday

1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

WEBSITES:

W W W.STFERDINANDBLANCO.ORG

W W W.GOODSHEPHERDJCTX.ORG

MAILING ADDRESS:

25 MAIN STREET

BLANCO, TEXAS 78606

PHONE NUMBERS:

OFFICE PHONE: (830) 833-5227

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: (830) 833-0444

OFFICE FAX: (830) 833-9978

GENERAL INFORMATION:

ADMIN@STFERDINANDBLANCO.ORG

BULLETIN INQUIRIES:

CATHY@STFERDINANDBLANCO.ORG

P A R I S H I N F O R M A T I O N

Saint Mary’s Help of Christians Cemetery

Catholic Churches

Our days grow shorter as Earth turns toward

the winter solstice. Bless the two candles we

light against the deepening dark in

anticipation of the light that comes into the

world in Jesus.

Advent Penance Services

7:00 pm

Dec. 10 – St. John the Evangelist in San Marcos

Dec. 11 – St. Martin de Porres in Dripping Springs

Dec. 17 – St. Anthony Marie de Claret in Kyle

Dec. 19 – St. Mary in Wimberley

Dec. 20 – St. Ferdinand in Blanco

W e l c o m e V i s i t o r s & G u e s t s

Thank you for Celebrating the Mass with us. We are glad that you are here. If you have any questions about our

parish or joining the Catholic faith, please contact the Church office for information concerning reception of

Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony and Anointing of the Sick. Parent

interviews for Baptism need to be scheduled with the priest six weeks in advance. Marriage Arrangements need to

be made with the priest at least six months in advance. Holy Communion can be brought to the sick on request. If

you know of anyone in need, please call the office.

Saturday, December 7th (StF) 5:00 p.m.

Repose of the Soul of Francis E. Hartmann by Hartmann

Family

Saturday, December 7th (StF) 7:00 p.m.

Parishioners of St. Ferdinand and Good Shepherd

Sunday, December 8th (GS) 9:00 a.m.

Rosary at 8:25 a.m., Repose of the Soul of Catherine

McLaughlin by Liz Carmen

Sunday, December 8th (StF) 11:00 a.m.

Repose of the Soul Francis E. Hartmann by Family

Tuesday, December 10th (StF)

No Mass

Wednesday, December 11th (StF) 9:00 a.m.

Repose of the Soul of Sam Johnson by Jenny Donovan

Thursday, December 12th (StF) 9:00 a.m.

Repose of the Soul of Joshua Paul Knight by Jenny

Donovan

Thursday, December 12th (StF) 6:00 p.m.

Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe

Thursday, December 12th (GS)

No Mass

Friday, December 13th 9:00 a.m.

Repose of the Soul of Paul Snider by Jenny Donovan

Saturday, December 14th (StF) 5:00 p.m.

Repose of the Soul of Bob Bindseil by family

Saturday, December 14th (StF) 7:00 p.m.

Parishioners of St. Ferdinand and Good Shepherd

Masses & IntentionsWeek of December 7 – December 14, 2019

Prayer ListPlease continue to pray for comfort and healing for the sick

in our parish community. In addition, please ask the Lord

for wisdom for their doctors and nurses, rest for their

caregivers, and peace and strength for their family and

friends.

We are proud of all those in our

parish who are serving and

protecting our country.

Thank you and God bless all of you.

If you or someone you know needs prayer in a special

way, please email: cathy@stferdinandblanco.org.

Llano Baumgartner

Joyce (Edge) Bishop

Joanne Bodine

Michelle Campbell

Richard Cole

Barbara Crowley

Lee Durci

Jesse Estrada

Pete Garcia

Dana Ninneman Gonzales

Steve and Teen Grigory

Natalie Hernandez

Earl Hunter

Mike Kleiss

Clifford Lane

Abby and Judy Lantier

Charlie Lechow

Charles McKinney

Naomi Michalsky

Olivia Miller

Ralph Moss

Ivan Nelson

Andrea Perez

Charles Reinert

Sid Reinert

Nancy Romero

Opie Romero

Martin Antonio Martinez

Joan Sauerhoff

Lucille Scharnhorst

Gay Schuler

James Slaughter

Jacob Umanzor

Tony Vela

Polo Zamora

Mass PreparationDecember 15, 2019, Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6,10In the day of the Lord, all sorrow and mourning will cease.

Psalm 146:6-10The Lord will save his people.

Second Reading: James 5:7-10Be patient, and be ready; the coming of the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11Jesus tells John the Baptist of the signs of the kingdom that are being worked through him and praises John as more than a prophet.

If you know of someone who is unable to get to Mass

but would like to receive Communion, call the parish

office at 830-833-5227. We will contact an

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion who will

bring Communion to the parishioner’s home.

Good Shepherd Men’s Club

Meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall.

Knights of Columbus

Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Ferdinand Parish Hall.

Catholic Daughters Of The Americas

Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Ferdinand Parish Hall.

St. Ferdinand’s Parish Choir

Meets Wednesday nights at 5:00 p.m. Call 830-833-4939 for more information.

Good Shepherd Youth Choir

Practice 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in Good Shepherd Church

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Meets Thursday nights from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in the St. Ferdinand RE Building.

Women’s Bible Study

Meets every Thursday at 1 p.m. If you’re interested in joining please contact Karen Gebhardt at 210-427-3060or kgebhardt52@gmail.com.

Parish Organizations & Meeting Times

St. Ferdinand:

Regular Collection

Building Fund

Good Shepherd:

Regular Collection

Black Bag

$3,243.00

$1,050.25

$1,207.00

$152.41

Week of December 1, 2019

Thank you for your generosity!

Second C o l l e c t i o n f o r T o d a y :

SF and GS: Retired Clergy

St. Anne’s Altar Society

Meets the 1st Thursday of the month immediately following 9 a.m. Mass in the St. Ferdinand Parish Hall.

Altar Server Training, St. Ferdinand

Meets every Sunday of the month at St. Ferdinand at

8:30 a.m. (following school schedule)

Calendar of Events

December 8 – Altar Server Training/St. Ferdinand, 8:30 am

December 10 – No 9am Mass at St. Ferdinand

December 10 – Good Shepherd Contemplative Prayer

December 11 – St. Ferdinand Church: Our Lady of

Guadalupe: 6:30 pm Songs to the Virgen of

Guadalupe; 7:00 p.m. Rosary; 7:30 pm

Danza

December 12 – St. Ferdinand Church: 5pm Procession &

Danza; 6pm Mass; 7pm Fellowship in

St. Ferdinand Parish Hall

December 12 – No 6pm Mass at Good Shepherd

December 15 – Altar Server Training/St. Ferdinand, 8:30am

December 16 – Knights of Columbus Meeting

December 18 – Good Shepherd Youth Choir Practice

December 20 – Advent Penance Service at St. Ferdinand

December 24 – Midnight Mass at St. Ferdinand

December 24-27 – Parish Office Closed

December 25 – 8:00 am Mass at Good Shepherd

9:30 am Mass at St. Ferdinand

December 26-27 – No 9am Masses at St. Ferdinand

January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Holy Day of Obligation

9:00 am Mass at Good Shepherd

11:00 am Mass at St. Ferdinand

Good Shepherd Contemplative Prayer

Every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Church, Contact George and Karen Gebhardt(210-216-6771 or 210-427-3060)

We would like to welcome our new parishioners to St. Ferdinand Church:

Richard & Sandra Ortiz & familyBilly & Kathleen StewartWith Heartfelt Sympathy

Our condolences go out to the Keck family on the death of

Joan’s mother, Marian Blanton, who passed away on

November 29th. Services were held in Dallas.

J o h n t h e B a p t i s t

J u a n e l B a u t i s t a

God, from whom possibilities spring unhindered: You brought hope to

our world in the babe conceived in Mary’s womb. As a parent waits

with eager longing for the birth of a child, so teach us to wait in hope.

Tune our spirits and sharpen our minds to see your hand at work in

desperate times and hopeless places. Make us instruments of the

possibilities you bring. Amen.

As the journey of Advent continues and as we prepare to

celebrate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to

conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing

invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God,

Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The

Father, writes St. John the Evangelist, does not judge anyone,

but has entrusted the power of judgement to the Son, because

He is the Son of man.

And it is today, in the present, that we decide our future

destiny. It is with our concrete everyday behavior in this life

that we determine our eternal fate. At the end of our days on

earth, at the moment of death, we will be evaluated on the basis

of our likeness or otherwise to the Baby, Who is about to be

born in the poor grotto of Bethlehem, because He is the

measure God has given humanity.

Through the Gospel John the Baptist continues to speak

down the centuries to each generation. His hard clear words

bring health to us, the men and women of this day in which

even the experience and perception of Christmas often,

unfortunately, reflects materialist attitudes. The 'voice' of the

great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in

the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for

the water of life which is Christ.

Como esta tu viaje a la llegada, mientras nos preparamos

para celebrar la Natividad de Cristo, Juan El Bautist llama a

la conversión afuera de nuestras comunidades. Es una

invitación para abrir nuestros corazones y dar la bienvenida al

hijo de Dios que viene entre nosotros para un juicio divino. El

padre, escribe San Juan el evangelista, no juzgar a nadie, pero

ha confiado el poder de juicio al hijo, porque él es el hijo del

hombre.

Y hoy, en el presente, que decidimos nuestro futuro destino.

Es con nuestra conducta diaria concreta en esta vida que

nosotros determinamos nuestro destino eterno. Al final de

nuestros días en la tierra, en el momento de la muerte,

evaluamos sobre la base de nuestra semejanza o para el bebé

que está a punto de nacer en la pobre gruta de Belén, porque

es lo que Dios ha dado a la humanidad.

A través del Evangelio de Juan el Bautista continúa

hablando a lo largo de los siglos a cada generación. Sus

palabras claras y duras traen salud a nosotros, los hombres y

mujeres de este día en el que incluso la experiencia y la

percepción de la Navidad a menudo, y por desgracia, refleja

actitudes materialistas. La 'voz' del gran profeta nos pide

preparar el camino para el Señor q viene en el desierto de los

desiertos de hoy, internos y externos, sedientos del agua de la

vida que es Cristo.

Special Collection today for Retired Clergy and Religious

Aging religious need your help. Thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order

priests spent years working in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies — often for little

pay. Their sacrifices leave their religious communities without adequate savings for retire-

ment and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious collection helps provide

prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Please give to those who have given a

lifetime.

Hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes católicos de órdenes religiosas mayores pasaron su vida

en escuelas católicas, hospitales y agencias de servicio social, muchas veces con bajos

sueldos. Como consecuencia de aquellos sacrificios, sus comunidades religiosas se hallan

ahora sin ahorros suficientes para costear la jubilación y cuidados geriátricos de los

miembros. Su donativo al Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos ayuda con las recetas

médicas, cuidados de enfermería y más. Done a aquellos que dieron toda una vida.

Are you looking for ways to center yourself on Christ

during the busyness and distractions of this time of

year? Create a space in your day and in your heart for

Christ. Journey with Formed this Advent through

FORMED Daily Advent.

If you are not yet a FORMED subscriber, registration is

free to St Ferdinand and Good Shepherd parishioners,

and to anyone living within the parish boundaries.

Sign up at signup.formed.org.

Select St Ferdinand

Enter your name and email.

Download the free FORMED app if viewing on a device.

A link will be sent to your email. Click the link and

you're signed in.

To access FORMED Daily Advent, scroll down to

Reflections, or register at: https://formed.org/advent

Knights of Columbus Raffle

Get Ready for Christmas!

Three $500.00 Visa Cards for

Three Lucky Winners

$20 per ticket or 6 tickets for $100

Buy your tickets after all Masses

December 15th, following 11:00 A.M. Mass

St. Ferdinand Parish Hall

Chopped Brisket Sandwich, condiments,

chips, tea, and water

$10.00/plate

Drawing will follow the meal!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 11-12, 2019

St. Ferdinand

Please join us for the following activities and Mass in

observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Wednesday Dec 11th-2019:

6:00 P.M.- Songs to the Virgen of Guadalupe

7:00 P.M.- The Rosary

7:30 P.M.- Danza

Thursday Dec 12th-2019:

5:00 P.M.- Procession & Danza

6:00 P.M.- Mass

7:00 P.M.- Fellowship in the Church Hall

Advent-How will you prepare for Christmas?

A sampling of free programs avail-

able to prepare our hearts for the

Nativity of the Lord:

https://formed.org/advent

Ready your heart for the coming of Christ. Watch an

inspiring video reflection each day of Advent from Dr.

Tim Gray, and read a passage form the Word of God.

You can also request children’s reflections from the

beloved Brother Francis videos with joyful songs and

valuable lessons.

Access to FORMED’s Advent program requires a

FORMED subscription. St Ferdinand and Good

Shepherd parishes have a subscription to FORMED.

You can access it at no cost at signup.formed.org. See

instructions on how to sign up with FORMED in the box

at the top of this column.

https://dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever/

Best Advent Ever is a free email program that will help

you to slow down and focus on what matters most

during this busy season. You'll experience Advent in a

whole new way—leading to the best Christmas of your

life! The site also has advent prayers, resources, and

activities including a DIY Advent Calendar.

St. Ferdinand

Class Times:

PreK-6th: Sundays 9:30-10:40 a.m.

No class Dec 22nd, 29th, & Jan 5th

7th-8th: Wednesdays 6:30-7:45 p.m.

No Class Dec 25th, Jan 1st, and Jan 8th

Catechist Gathering January 8th, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world

will teach them not to.

Si no enseñamos a nuestros niños a seguir a Cristo, el

mundo les enseñara a no seguirlo.

CatholicCross.org Homes for Christmas – Haiti

Special thanks to all who donated toward homes in Haiti.

We have collected the amount needed ($776) to cover the

repair of a family’s home! Each family selected is invited

to participate in the building process alongside a

construction crew, giving them the dignity of contributing

toward their own house. Through this hands-on

experience, families gain a sense of ownership while

learning there is a God who cares about their needs and

answers their prayers.

Advent Family Breakfast & Parent Coffee Sunday,

December 15th

PreK-6th grade families are invited to a family potluck

breakfast on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete

Sunday - the Sunday of Joy! Serving begins at 9:30 in

the parish hall. Students will eat first and then go to

their regular classes at 10:00. Parents are invited to stay

and visit, or attend a presentation on A Father’s Blessing

beginning at 10:00 a.m. There is little more beautiful

than the privileged task of blessing your child and placing

them in God’s hands as they start their day, leave on a

trip, or drift off to sleep. A father can have a tremendous

influence on the spirituality of his family by praying for

Our Lord’s blessing upon them…”until we see each other

again”. Advent is a time of preparation – a beautiful time

to make this a part of your family’s traditions.

Participants will receive a small book.

Advent-How will you prepare for Christmas?

A sampling of free programs available to

prepare our hearts for the Nativity of the

Lord:

https://formed.org/advent

Ready your heart for the coming of Christ. Watch an

inspiring video reflection each day of Advent from Dr. Tim

Gray, and read a passage form the Word of God. You can

also request children’s reflections from the beloved

Brother Francis videos with joyful songs and valuable

lessons.

https://www.holyheroes.com/

Sign up for Holy Heroes’ Advent Adventure to receive fun,

faithful, and free activities and short videos for children

ages 5-12 for every day of Advent.

Good Shepherd

Religious Education Classes:

Pre-K thru 5th Grade: Wednesday’s 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

No Classes after Dec. 18th – Classes will resume January

8th, 2020

Middle School EDGE Youth Ministry: Once a month on the

4th Sunday of each month, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Our last

class for the year will be on DEC. 15th at Good Shepherd

Parish Hall. Come Join us for a Christmas Party – Music,

Food, Games and Lots of Fun! All are Welcome.

High School RICH Youth Ministry: Every Sunday, from 5:30

pm – 7:30 pm. Classes are held in the St. Ferdinand Parish

Hall. Our last class for the year will be on Dec. 15th –

Classes will resume on Jan. 5th, 2020.

Pre-Confirmation Classes: Classes are held once a month

on Saturdays from 9:30 am – 11:30 am at the Good Shepherd

RE building. This class is for 8th grade – 12th grade. If you

need information about Pre-confirmation or confirmation

requirements, please contact Margie Vasquez. The last class

for the year will be on Dec. 14th, classes will resume on

Jan. 11th, 2020.

Volunteers/Teachers: If anyone is interested in helping in

our RE program, or would like to make donations – Please

contact Margie Vasquez or call the Parish office. Remember to

volunteer you must be EIM compliant. Please refer to the

bulletin or the Diocese Website for upcoming EIM workshops

in our area.

Religious Education

Preparation for Confirmation

Eighth grade is considered to be the first of two years of

preparation prior to the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Attendance at Mass and at faith formation classes is

especially important during this time. Students who have

attended faith formation classes regularly in 8th and 9th

grade will usually receive confirmation early in the 10th

grade.

St. Ferdinand eighth grade classes currently meet from

6:30 to 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday evenings. The Good

Shepherd Eighth grade classes meet once a month on

Saturday. Please contact Margie Vasquez for schedule. If

your child is not yet registered, or has difficulty attending

at that time, please call the Director of Religious Education

at 833-0444.

Ninth Grade is a part of the Youth Ministry program for

St Ferdinand and Good Shepherd. Margie Vasquez is our

Youth Minister. If your high school aged child has not yet

registered for Faith Formation, please contact Margie at

512-924-8558.

The date for the next Rite of Confirmation at

St Ferdinand is Sunday, October 11th, 2020.

High School Religious Education: Summer 2018

High School: (9th – 12th)

Blanco and Johnson City High School Teens can join RICH (Resting in Christ’s Hands). We utilize the Life

Teen Program. Life Teen is an environment in which high school youth can come into a relationship with

God through spiritual, educational, emotional and social experiences. Our Youth Ministry follows the

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USSCB) guidelines for comprehensive youth ministry

programs. Our classes are held every Sunday at St. Ferdinand Parish Hall. We start the evening at 5:30 pm with a light meal

and move into the lesson and discussion for the evening. We will have classes on Dec. 8th and our last class for the year

will be on Dec. 15th. We will resume classes back on January 5th, 2020.

Middle School: 6th – 8th)

Blanco and Johnson City Middle School Students can join EDGE Youth Ministry. EDGE is a part of the Life Teen middle

school youth ministry. We meet once a month on the 4th Sunday of each month, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Our last class for

the year will be on DEC. 15th at Good Shepherd Parish Hall. Come Join us for a Christmas Party – Music, Food, Games

and Lots of Fun! All are Welcome.

Confirmation:

Classes for 2020 Confirmation are to begin in January 2020. There will be a very important Confirmation Candidate/

Parent Meeting on Dec. 15th, at the St. Ferdinand Parish Hall at 4:00 pm. Please plan on attending to receive schedule of

dates, service hour information, requirement information for Confirmation as well as Program information. If you are unable

to attend meeting, please contact Margie Vasquez to make sure you receive all necessary information. Registration for

Confirmation will be $45.00 (which also registers the student for RICH high school classes) – Classes to be held once a month

during the RICH nights from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm in the St. Ferdinand RE Building.

Pulse: (Prayer, Unity, Leadership, Service, Evangelization)

Any youth (high school or middle school) wanting to participate can be a part of the PULSE TEAM. We will meet to discuss

and plan – lessons, retreats, lock-ins, service talks, service projects, and learning how to promote spiritual growth in self and

in others! Please contact Margie Vasquez if you would like to start attending.

Youth Ministry Volunteers:

If anyone is interested in helping in our program or would like to make donations – Please contact Margie Vasquez

or call the Parish office. Remember to volunteer you must be EIM compliant. Please refer to the bulletin or the

Diocese Website for upcoming EIM workshops in our area.

For all Youth Ministry inquiries or to learn more about all the events, activities and retreats planned for this year or to

register for any of our programs, please contact the parish office during regular business hours or email:

margie@stferdinandblanco.org

DCYC 2020JANUARY 31 - FEBRUARY 2, 2020

WACO CONVENTION CENTER, WACO, TX

You won’t want to miss this year’s Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC)! This

year our theme is Mater Dei. We’ll take a deep dive into how Mary draws us ever

closer to her Son’s heart. Our keynote presenters will be Fr. Josh Johnson, Joelle

Maryn, Chika Anyanwu and Armando Cervantes. We can’t wait

to see you in Waco for DCYC 2020!

The Deadline to register is quickly approaching, DEC. 15, 2019.

Please contact Veronica Hernandez or Margie Vasquez to get registered.

Registration cost is $65.00. We will have registration and permission forms this

Sunday at RICH.

Youth Light Spectacular

FundraiserThank you to all who donated, volunteered and

came out to support our yearly fundraiser. A

Huge Thank you to the Youth Ministry Team that worked

the booth: Michael Rios, Mary Jane Hill, Alan Hill,

Veronica Hernandez, Joe Hernandez, and Leslie Clark.

Thanks also to Katie Shafford and all the youth that

worked the booth. We do want to also thank the

parishioners for their constant support of the youth and all

their activities. Thanks for making it a successful

fundraiser!

Member

FDIC

P l e a s e s u p p o r t O u r s p o n s o r s

Open Everyday

Dine in, Catering &

Dance Hall for Private

Events

318 4th Street

1-830-833-1BBQ (1227)

oscarsegura@txwinet.com

Rock Work • All Types of Fence

Work Chain Link • Privacy • No

Climb Barbwire

BLANCO BANKING CENTER

401 MainP.O. Box 1329Blanco, TX 78606

(830) 833-0240Cell: (830) 688-3686Fax: (830) 833-0242

STORMY PRUITT MELISSA SEYMOUR

Regional President Operations Officer

stormyp@myhnb.com melissas@myhnb.com

NMLS #730040

Thank you for 25 years of business!

Call Us Now: 830-833-2558