St. Paul the Apostle

Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

18223 Point Lookout Dr. Nassau Bay, Texas 77058-3594

281-333-3891 / Fax: 281-333-3815 www.stpaulcatholic.org

Monday – Thursday Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Closed for lunch 12-1 p.m., M-F)

The Clergy Staff Rev. Wencil Pavlovsky (Ext. 325) Pastor

Deacon Jim Lockwood (281-381-1081)

Deacon Arturo Monterrubio (713-741-8709)

The Pastoral Staff Heidi Clark, (Ext. 328) Adult Faith Formation Sara Fontana (Ext. 339) Children’s Ministry Vicky Kuehnel, (Ext. 340) Early Childhood Program Joyce Lubofsky, (Ext. 333) Liturgical Ministry Esperanza Monterrubio, (Ext. 321) Multicultural Ministry David Rofrano, (Ext. 332) Music Ministry Katie Mahoney, (Ext. 301) Youth Ministry Maria Conner, (Ext. 330) Business Manager Theresa Waller, (Ext. 341) Bookkeeper Michael Centanni, (Ext. 343) Facilities Director Laura Ruzicka, (Ext. 323) Parish Secretary Elena Capetillo (Ext. 302) Assistant Secretary

Gabriel Project (Ext. 338) Parish-based crisis pregnancy ministry

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (281-333-2509) Office Hours:

Tuesday 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Wednesday 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Appointment required for Financial Assistance but not for Food Pantry.

We Celebrate the Eucharist Weekday: Mass in English

Tuesday – Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Misa en Español (Mass in Spanish) Jueves (Thursday) a las 7:00 p.m.

Weekend: Mass in English Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at 9:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Misa en Español (Mass in Spanish) Domingo (Sunday) a las 12:00 Mediodía

Confessions: Tuesday and Thursday 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Eucharistic Adoration: Continuously in the Chapel 6:00 p.m. Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Saturday

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

With the busy times of the Season of Advent here, enrolling in Faith Direct today is a great way to ensure your gifts of treasure to St. Paul's are received even if you are out of town. If you

have not already done so, please consider picking up an enrollment form from the forms wall by the Welcome Center today or enroll online at www.faithdirect.net our Church Code is TX596. Fr. Wencil Con el apuro de la Temporada de Adviento, inscribirse en Faith Direct es manera de asegurar que sus dones de tesoro a San Pablo se reciban a tiempo, incluso si usted está fuera de la ciudad. Si aún no lo ha hecho, por favor considere la posibilidad de recoger un formulario de inscripción en la pared de formas por el Centro de Bienvenida o inscribirse en línea en www.faithdirect.net – el código de nuestra iglesia es TX596. Padre Wencil

End of Year Giving As 2015 comes to a close, and you consider your personal finances please consider an End of Year/Christmas gift to our parish. The following link on the Galveston-Houston Arch-diocese website provides information regarding charitable donations. http://www.gftpln.org/Article.do?orgld=1147&articleID=18678 If you have questions or need the appropriate forms, you may contact Michelle Muñoz at the archdiocese directly (713.652.8242) or Maria Conner in St. Paul’s Business Office. All gifts, whether stocks, or cash, must be received December 31, 2015, in order to be eligible for 2015 tax deductions.

Donaciones del Fin de Año En lo que llegamos el fin del año 2015, se les pide que consideren un regalo de Navidad/Fin de Año a nuestra parroquia. El siguiente enlace en el sitio web de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston ofrece información de donaciones caritativas. http://www.gftpln.org/Article.do?orgld=1147&articleID=18678 Para ayudar con preguntas o si necesitan las formas correspondientes, puede comunicarse directamente con Michelle Muñoz en la arquidiócesis (713.652.8242) o María Conner en la oficina de negocios de San Pablo. Todos los regalos, ya sean acciones financieras o dinero en efectivo, deben ser recibidos no más tarde del 31 de diciembre 2015, para ser elegible para deducción.

DSF, a letter from the Cardinal

Dear Father Pavlovsky, I write to express my gratitude to you and St. Paul Catholic Church on the occasion of completing a successful and prayerful Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) 2015. The realization of this goal is a testament to your parishioners’ charitable and committed support for the numerous ministries that depend on this vital fund.

As the population of this region continues to grow, the ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston continue to touch the lives of those in needs. In this recent accomplishment, your parish has demonstrated that is indeed “rich in good works…ready to share…thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future (1Timothy 6:18-19). Your prayers and support are outward signs of the good work being done at the parish and your desire to foster and maintain a good foundation for DSF ministries in our archdiocese.

Raising funds for charitable works in this economic environment is far from easy and your success is likely a reflection of many sacrifices made on the part of your parishioners. In realizing your DSF goal, please know that you are actively involved in the Church’s mission of evangelization and providing many opportunities for growth in Christian discipleship. I congratulate you for your fine work and hope we can rely on your continued support in the future. With gratitude for your priestly service to this local Church and with prayerful best wishes in the Lord, I remain Fraternally Yours in Christ Daniel Cardinal DiNardo Archbishop of Galveston-Houston

December 13 Financial Stewardship Administración Financiera de 13 de diciembre

Contributions $ 38,680.04 Contribuciones

Regular $ 15,603.04 Regulares On line deductions this period. $ 23,077.00 No Habrá Deducciones De Línea Durante Este Periodo.

Building Loan Payment $ 36,900.34 Préstamo del Edificio November Capital Campaign Donations $ 28,040.21 Donaciones de la Campaña Capital de noviembre

Funded from Parish Operational Funds $ 8,860.13 Financiado por Fondos Operacionales de la Parroquia y sus Ministerio

2015 DSF $128,000* 2015 DSF

Pledged To Date (*346 Parishioners) $136,611* Prometido al Día (*346 feligreses)

Paid To Date $ 131,817 Pagado al Día *Half of all amounts donated over the $128,000 goal are

applied to our building debt. The other half will go into Archdiocese DSF accounts.

*La mitad de todos fondos donados sobre el objetivo de $128,000 serán aplicados a la deuda de nuestro edificio. El resto se destinara a cuentas de DSF de la Arquidiócesis.

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

Readings & Mass Intentions ♦ Lecturas Y Intenciónes de Misa (12/20/2015 – 12/26/2015)

Sunday (Mt 5:1-4a; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45) Fourth Sunday Of Advent 9:00 AM †Erma Davis, †Mary Galore Kitsko 12:00 PM †Hanci E. Conejo 5:00 PM †People of the Parish Monday (Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45) St. Peter Canisius,

Priest and Doctor of the Church No Mass

Tuesday (1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56) 8:30 AM Madge Buduan Wednesday (Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66) St. John of Kanty, Priest 8:30 AM †Truth Hoedebecke Thursday (2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79) 4:30 PM Thanksgiving, Dennis & Rea, Chin Goon Tang

Wing, Amalour Veloso-Johnson 8:00 PM †Jaime Cunningham 10:30 PM †Albino Fuente Friday (Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1:1-5, 9-14) The Nativity

of the Lord (Christmas) 9:00 AM †John O’Neill, †Harry Lubofsky, Thanksgiving,

Dennis & Rea Saturday (Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22) St. Stephen, The First

Martyr Vigil: (Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Col 3:12-21 or 3:12-17 or 1 Jn 3;1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52)

8:30 AM No Mass 5:00 PM †Ray LeMaster Please Pray For: Bill & Beverly Mann, Victoria Chavez, Mercedes Lopez, Barbara Williams, Ivy Dsouza, Kevin Krengle, Donna Bova, Darin Clark, Van Vandeputte, Flossie DeSouza, Clarence Billett, Joseph Ulloa, Beverly & Ken Tiger, Kristen Scott, Allison Schneider, Tony Falcon, Joyce Curtner, Marichu Arcilla Maullon-Asprer, Valerie Parisi, Lucio Martinez, Eduardo Gasca, Heather Valarino, Gerald Rivera, Ann Kuehnel, Martin Olson, Presy Carrera, Sharon Lee, Tom Halle, Leonel Garcia, Gertrude D’souza, Ellen & Sue Guy, Josie Travalos, Ray Fernandez, Carlotta Del Campo, Brittney Maynard, Daniel Adcock, Ernesto Rumbaoa,Pat Dalton, Frank O’Connor, Raymond Ciak, Wendy Wells, Chan Finch, Joe Garcia, Marcial Bacani, Lyla and Angelica Marie Janda, Donna Ruggerieri, Jackie Christ, David Scott, Paul Miller, Madge Bualexanderduan, Raymond Fernandez, Connie Fernandez, Margaret Escobedo, Bobby Lopez, Nancy Ware, Trace Cook, Julia Brown, Mary Kyle, Kenneth Parker, Daniel Parker, Betty Jean Herron, Gladys Galloway, Maria William Swenson, Allison Hawthorne Swenson, Bernie Brabant, Mary Lee Knight, Rose Miller, Austin Gerry, Linda Buckminster, Betty Quebedeaux, Dr. Frank Greytok, John Turco, Jerry Ozment, Jack Scarmardi, Edril Phillips, Judy Ganske, Josefina Saenz, Eloisa Allen, Betty Johnson, Kristin Scott, Alice Jean Pursell, Estela Narvaez, Marcos Jimenez, Rebecca Brooklier, Anna Feiaiullo, Dorothy Breidenstein, Alan Harvey, Karen Savko, Jim Buggy, Antoinette Fossatti, Angelica Mendoza, Ed Baca, Liz, Jeremiah & Justin DeLeon, Wendy Mattingly, Tom Leahy, Jo Michael, Norma Bischel, Sherry Sullivan, Isaiah Pina, Edward Templin, Patti DiCostanza, John & Carmen Heckler, Brian Lee, Emily Weiss, Pam Collins, Deanna Stellato, Verr Soltes, Soledad Martinez, Darius Riley, Peggy Vargas, Louise Temple, Angela Porter, Blanche Riel, Verena Costello, Claire Cavetti, Chris Hebert, Thomas Frasier, Minnie Hill-Honor, David Cabrera, James John, Sarah Marcela Poole, Audrey Cegielski, Alma Andreason, Janie Torres, Evarist Coryat, Robin Schultz, Barbara Hanselkar, Joann Nelson, Jackie Lucas, Maria Aparecida, Teixeira de Silva, Victorino Tacorda, and Maria Hernandez.

NOTE: Please call the parish office, 281.333.3891 to keep a name, add a name, or remove your name from the list if you have been on the prayer list longer than two months.

Liturgy and Worship Liturgia y Culto

The Vocations Committee invites you to sign up for the 2016 calendar year. Each week a different St. Paul parishioner or family will take the Travelling Vocations Chalice home and use it as a focus of their prayers for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life. At the end of the week, the Chalice must be returned to the Sacristy so that it can be passed on to the next person/family. To sign up, please contact Tom/Mele Paul at 281.338.7285 or 281.455.3187 or paul6fam@verizon.net.

The Chapel and church candle burns in loving memory of John O’Neill at the request his family.

Christmas Mass schedule: Thursday, December 24th

4:30 PM Family Mass in English

8:00 PM Mass in Spanish

10:30 PM Mass in English

NO CONFESSIONS

Friday, December 25th

9:00 AM Mass in English To allow our Pastor and Parish staff to celebrate Christmas with their own families, the Church will close after 9:00 AM Mass Christmas morning and reopen at 3:00 PM Saturday.

The Parish Office will be closed from 5:00 PM Wednesday 12/23 until Monday 12/28 at 8:00 AM.

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed at 6:00 PM Wednesday 12/23 and be exposed, as usual, after the Sunday 5:00 PM Mass.

There will be no 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday, December 26th.

Feast of Mary, Mother of God Thursday, December 31st

7:00 PM Mass in Spanish

NO CONFESSIONS Friday, January 1st

10:00 AM Mass in English The Church will close after 10:00 AM Mass on New Year’s Day morning and reopen for 8:30 AM Mass on Saturday.

The Parish Office will be closed from 5:00 PM Thursday 12/31 until Monday 1/4 at 8:00 AM.

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed at 8:30 AM December 31st and be exposed, as usual, after the Sunday 5:00 PM Mass January 3rd.

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

David J. Rofrano Director of Music

281.333.3891 Ext. 332 music@stpaulcatholic.org

Ministerio de la Música ¡Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo! We are the Body of Christ!

CHRISTMAS MASSES – MUSIC SCHEDULE 4:30 PM CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY MASS Little Angels-Children’s Choir

8 PM CHRISTMAS EVE MASS Spanish Choir 10:30 PM CHRISTMAS EVE MASS Youth Praise 9 AM CHRISTMAS DAY Adult Choir

Come and See our Children’s Choir, Youth Praise and Adults perform at

St. John’s Hospital December 21, at 1 PM!

Ministerio Multicultural “Ustedes son el cuerpo de Cristo, y cada uno en su

lugar es parte de él.” (1 Cor. 12:27)

Para más información acerca de este ministerio comuníquese con Esperanza Monterrubio a emonterrubio@stpaulcatholic.org o al 281.333.3891 Ext 321.

Hoy es el Cuarto Domingo de Adviento

El Grupo de Jóvenes Adultos “Espacio de Dios” Presenta

Pastorela 2015 Hoy Diciembre 20 Después de Misa de 12 en el

salón Beck

Habrá venta de comida que beneficiará a la Iglesia y una Posada. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

El Hijo de Dios se hizo hombre "Por nosotros los hombres y por nuestra salvación bajó del cielo, y por obra del Espíritu Santo se encarnó de María la Virgen y se hizo hombre." ¡Esto es parte del Credo que profesamos cada domingo y esta Navidad recordamos agradecidos y llenos de gozo! El Cardenal Avery Dulles, escribió lo siguiente acerca de este misterio de la Encarnación. Vale la pena reflexionarlo:

“La Encarnación no significa que Dios nos salva de los dolores de esta vida. Significa que Dios está con nosotros. Para el cristiano, así como para todos los demás, habrá frío, temporadas de soledad, temporadas de

enfermedad, temporadas de frustración, y un tiempo en el que moriremos. La Navidad no nos da una escalera para saltar fuera de la condición humana. Nos da un taladro que nos permite ahondar dentro del corazón de todo lo que es, y ahí, encontrarlo vislumbrando con la divinidad.”

Solemnidad del Nacimiento del Señor

Jueves 24 de diciembre 8:00 PM en español

¡Formación para el Ministerio Cristiano “FPMC” aquí en San Pablo! Formación para el Ministerio Cristiano (FPMC) ofrece la base teológica y el crecimiento espiritual para todos aquelloscatólicos adultos mayores de 18 años que quisieran profundizar su compromiso con Jesucristo y su Iglesia, fortaleciéndoloen un discípulo maduro. (FPMC) es un programa ofrecido por la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston a través de la oficinade Evangelización y Catequesis donde se ofrece una formación teológica, espiritual y bíblica basado en la doctrina Católica impartidos por instructores aprobados y calificados con grados de Maestría o Doctorado en las ramas de la Teología. Esteprograma está abierto para todo adulto y ministerio que quiera crecer en la formación de su fe en una forma sólida, coherente e integral. ¿Quién debe venir a FPMC? Todo adulto católico que:

• Busque un mayor entendimiento de su fe • Ya esté involucrado en cualquier ministerio • Esté discerniendo su llamado al ministerio de la iglesia

Formación Para el Ministerio Cristiano es un programa de tres semestres. Las clases serán los miércoles de 7 a 9 PM y empezarán el 27 de enero, 2016. Cada sesión o clase incluye oración y el contenido teológico que está diseñado para una audiencia adulta. En cada semestre se pide la participación de un día de Reflexión. El costo de cada semestre es de $75, de la siguiente manera, el participante paga $50 por semestre, si la parroquia lo patrocina, el participante paga $25, y la parroquia $25 y la Arquidiócesis paga $25 (financiado por DSF).

Para más informes comuníquese con Irene Herrera al 832.213.8652 o dan_andy363@hotmail.com.

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

Adult Ministry and Faith formation: Because Our Faith is too rich and beautiful to have ever learned it ALL…

Contact Heidi Clark, Director of Adult Ministry, 281.333.3891, Ext. 328 or hclark@stpaulcatholic.org

Adult faith formation at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church is centered around the understanding that living “The Way” taught by Jesus Christ is a life-long, evolving journey, involving both effort and decision. To enable adults to explore the faith and deepen their knowledge of God’s Word, we provide many opportunities to come together in a learning environment. As a diverse community with a small parish feel, we know it is important to walk that journey with others and to share what we have learned along the way.

Interested in being Catholic?: If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming Catholic, our RCIA program is just the ticket! The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process of prayer, reflection, and learning that allows for the continual discernment of God's will. Contact Heidi Clark, 281.333.3891 or hclark@stpaulcatholic.org.

Save the Date-Women’s ACTS: The next women’s ACTS retreat takes place April 7-10. This wonderful community-building experience is deeply rooted in our Catholic faith. Participants will grow in their understanding of theology while forging meaningful friendships with one another. It takes place at the Christian Renewal Center in Dickinson where you’ll stay in nicely-furnished, comfortable, semi-private rooms. The theme of this year’s retreat is “Do you love me?” John 21:17. Registration forms are at the Welcome Center.

ACTS Database Update: If you have attended an ACTS retreat and aren’t receiving emails from us—or if your email address has changed—please provide us with the information. Send it to hclark@stpaulcatholic.org

Prayer Shawl Ministry: St. Paul’s prayer shawl ministry meets every other Thursday from 4:00-6:00 PM in Parlor A. The next meeting will be January 7. If you knit or crochet, or would like to learn these skills, we invite you to join us. The shawls are provided to those who are ill, isolated, grieving or otherwise in need of being wrapped in our prayers. For more information contact Mary Fitts, 281.486.5895.

Silver Linings Meetings: St. Paul’s group for the over 55 crowd meets on the second Monday of each month at 1 PM in Room 10/11. After a brief business meeting, we share a pot luck luncheon. Bring a dish to share and enjoy delicious dining, companionship and conversation with these good people.

Zumba at St. Paul: Emotional and spiritual wellness is closely tied to physical wellness. Zumba is a dance fitness program designed to make exercising FUN! Classes meet in Beck Hall or Founders Hall, depending on availability. Thursdays at 6:45 PM and Saturdays at 10 AM

MOMS Group Update: The MOMS (Meet Other Mothers) group offers friendship, support and faith formation for young moms. They meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11 AM in Room 1. Childcare is provided. Email Kristin Fontana for more information: kfontana09@gmail.com.

Spiritual Growth for Men: Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 AM in Beck Hall: Join this group of men for a weekly discussion based on the Scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass. Great conversation and a great (free) cup of coffee are always guaranteed. Contact Don at donjohnson41@verizon.net. Fridays, 6-7 AM in the lobby at Marriott Courtyard, 18100 Saturn Lane: This group can always be counted on for lively discussion, welcoming fellowship, and prayer. Contact Marcus at mjmichna@shelmark.net.

Formation Toward Christian Ministry “FTCM” The FTCM program seeks to develop the basic academic, spiritual and critical reflection skills necessary for Catholic adults to fully answer their Baptismal call to service. FTCM is open to all adults who seek greater understanding of their faith and is designed for those who are active in parish ministry or discerning their call to ministry. Who should take FTCM? All Catholic Adults who are:

• Seeking greater understanding of their faith • Already engaged in ministry • Discerning their call to church ministry.

Program Overview and Courses: FTCM is a 108-clock hour process delivered over the course of three semesters. Classes begin January 27, 2016, and will meet on Wednesday evenings 7 to 9 PM. Each class session includes prayer, content presentation and group dynamics. Each semester also includes participation in a Day of Reflection as a means to integrate content into daily living. A completion ceremony, at which the Bishop presides, concludes the three-semester course of study. The 108 clock hours of FTCM consists of 90 hours of courses and 18 hours of Days of Reflection. Course content includes the study of Scripture, Doctrinal Theology, Liturgical Theology, Ethical Theology, and Church History. For more information visit http://www.archgh.org/oec/ftcm/ or Miriam Escobar at mescobar@stpaulcatholic.org.

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

Take an hour out of the holiday craziness, go to adoration,

and pray for the world!

Who is Jesus to You? Do you want to know Him better? Come to Unkapped to meet the Man who loves you more than anyone else ever could.

Fee: $100; Registration due by Jan. 1 for a guaranteed spot. Inscripción hasta el 1 de enero para un lugar garantizado.

This retreat satisfies the Year I retreat requirement Este retiro satisface el requisito de retiro Año I

Have a Merry Christmas! ¡Feliz Navidad! JR. HIGH RETREAT

APRIL 8 -10, 2016

HOSTED AT CAMP FOREST GLEN Cost: $145

Have you ever wanted to go somewhere that combined your

love for ziplining, rockwall climbing, canoeing, fishing, gaga-balling,

praising, worshipping, and loving Jesus? Then sign up for this retreat! Open to ALL Jr. Higher’s… and NO,

they don’t have to be Catholic.

We cannot wait either. #excited

Director of Youth Ministry – Katie Mahoney – KMahoney@stpaulcatholic.org.

Confirmation Coordinator – Shelly Michna – SSMichna@shelmark.net.

Welcome to SPACE! “…dedicated to bringing teens into relationship with Jesus Christ, and

empowering young people to become disciples of Him in their everyday life through study of scripture, catechesis and service…”

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

Children’s Ministry Partnering with parents to keep

the light of faith burning

For information call Sara Fontana 281.333.3891 ext. 339 or e-mail sfontana@stpaulcatholic.org

Check out the page Making Family Memories

on our website for both Advent and Christmas

ideas: http://www.stpaulcatholic.org/advent.

Catechists and Parents! A great opportunity for you to grow in your faith and develop a confidence in sharing the basic teachings of our wonderful Catholic Church is coming to St. Paul in January on Wednesdays from 7 - 9 PM. Formation Toward Christian Ministry

(FTCM)

FTCM offers a systematic and comprehensive

foundation in the teachings of our faith. Completion of

this program goes a long way toward completing your

full catechist certificate. Registration Forms can be found

on the Information wall by the Welcome Center. For

answers to questions about FTCM please call our FTCM Coordinators:

English: Miriam Escobar, 281.684.2861

Spanish: Irene Herrera, 832.209.6497 Pope Francis announced an extraordinary jubilee, a

Holy Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception until November 20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Christ the King. He challenges us to understand mercy and justice as "two dimensions of

the same reality" on the way of conversion of the sinner towards love.

"We constantly need to contemplate the mystery of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity, and

peace. Our salvation depends on it." ~ Pope Francis

Holy Doors & Diocesan pilgrimage sites: http://www.archgh.org/yearofmercy/

Early Childhood Program Seeing Children Through The Eyes of God! For information contact: Vicky Kuehnel, Director vkuehnel@stpaulcatholic.org or 281.333.0176

We, in the Early Childhood Program would like to wish you and your family a blessed and wonderful Christmas. We will be closed December 21st through January 4th. Classes resume on January 5th. Here is to a wonderful 2016.

Please remember to save your Labels for Education over the holidays. This are found on Campbell’s soups, Pepperidge farm and other products. We redeem these labels for gift cards and toys! Thank you!

Retirement Fund for Religious Thank you for giving last week to those who have given a lifetime.

“My life is tied to the liturgy and the Eucharist,” says Precious Blood Sister Ann Hipp, 95, who

entered religious life in 1937. “It’s part of who we are as a community.” As a teacher for 50 years, she shared this love of the Eucharist with her students. At age 70, Sister Ann traded in her chalk for a sewing needle and today still helps craft altar cloths and vestments. Like Sister Ann, tens of thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have dedicated their lives to sharing their faith. Generations of Catholics recall with gratitude their work in Catholic schools, hospitals, and social service agencies. Yet years of ministering for little or no pay came at a price, and now their religious communities lack adequate savings for retirement and eldercare. Your gift to the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide prescription medications, nursing care, and more. Thank you for your generosity.

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

"Christmas is usually a noisy party. We could use a bit of silence to hear the voice of Love."

Christmas is you, when you decide every day to be born again and let God into your soul. The Christmas tree is you, when you resist strong winds and the difficulties of life. Christmas ornaments are you, when your virtues are colors that adorn your life. Christmas bells are you, when you call out to others, encourage coming together and uniting. You are also the Christmas light when with your life you light the way of others with kindness, patience, joy and generosity. You are a Christmas angel, when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice and love. The Christmas star is you, when you guide someone to encounter the Lord. You are also the Magi, when you give the best you have no matter to whom. Christmas music is you when you harmonize conflicts within you. The Christmas gift is you, when you are a true friend and brother or sister to all human beings. The Christmas card is you, when kindness is written in your hands. The Christmas greeting is you, when you forgive and re-establish peace, even when you suffer. Christmas dinner is you, when you satisfy with bread and hope to the poor beside you. You are Christmas Eve, when humbly and purposely, you quietly receive in the night’s silence the Savior of the world, without self-grandeur and noise. You are a smile of trust and tenderness, with an interior peace of a perennial Christmas that establishes the Kingdom within you. A very Merry Christmas to all who look like Christmas.

Pope Francis

“La Navidad suele ser una fiesta ruidosa: nos vendria bien un pocoi de silencio, para oir la voz del Amor.” Navidad eres tú, cuando decides nacer de nuevo cada día y dejar entrar a Dios en tu alma. El pino de Navidad eres tú, cuando resistes vigoroso a los vientos y dificultades de la vida. Los adornos de Navidad eres tú, cuando tus virtudes son colores que adornan tu vida. La campana de Navidad eres tú, cuando llamas, congregas y buscas unir. Eres también luz de Navidad, cuando iluminas con tu vida el camino de los demás con la bondad, la paciencia, alegría y la generosidad. Los ángeles de Navidad eres tú, cuando cantas al mundo un mensaje de paz, de justicia y de amor. La estrella de Navidad eres tú, cuando conduces a alguien al encuentro con el Señor. Eres también los reyes Magos, cuando das lo mejor que tienes sin importar a quien. La música de Navidad eres tú cuando conquistas la armonía dentro de ti. El regalo de Navidad eres tú, cuando eres de verdad amigo y hermano de todo ser humano. La tarjeta de Navidad eres tú, cuando la bondad está escrita en tus manos. La felicitación de Navidad eres tú, cuando perdonas y reestableces la paz, aun cuando sufras. La cena de Navidad eres tú, cuando sacias de pan y de esperanza al pobre que está a tu lado. Tú eres, sí, la noche de Navidad, cuando humilde y consciente, recibes en el silencio de la noche al Salvador del mundo sin ruidos ni grandes celebraciones; tú eres sonrisa de confianza y de ternura, en la paz interior de una Navidad perenne que establece el Reino dentro de ti. Una muy Feliz Navidad para todos los que se parecen a la Navidad."

Papa Fransisco

Volume XVIII No. 1815 Fourth Sunday Of Advent December 20, 2015

SVdP will be closed December 18, 2015 –January 4, 2016 so that volunteers may spend this special Christmas holiday

with their families.

Merry Christmas from the Legion of Mary! As a gift to you from Fr. Wencil and the Legion of Mary, we

are offering a daytime Legion of Mary Praesidium! A PRAESIDIUM is the basic unit of organization of the Legion. Each Praesidium

has a Spiritual Director, a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Praesidium meets weekly, its procedure being: Prayer to the Holy Spirit and the Rosary; spiritual reading; minutes of previous meeting; report of each member on works done; Catena; Allocutio; treasurer's statement; assignment of work and other business; and final prayers.

SOME WORKS PERFORMED: visit and pray the rosary with nursing home residents, homebound parishioners, families receiving the Pilgrim Virgin Statue, evangelize thru Book Borrow in front of St. Vincent de Paul offices and door-to-door, visit newly registered parishioners, newly Baptized, etc. We must forget ourselves, our own comforts and desires and concentrate completely on what we can do for others with the power of the Holy Spirit and the ministering help of Mary.

Which 10 a.m. Praesidium weekly meeting date works best for you? Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday

Please submit your name _______________________________Contact Info: _________________________

and meeting preference to the Welcome Center or email Lora at lruzicka@stpaulcatholic.org. Please call her with any questions you may have or to find out more information about the Legion of Mary.