Second Sunday in Advent

Mass Intentions

Monday December 07: St. Ambrose

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 8:00 AM † Christopher Brewster ~ Adela Quillin

7:00 PM Vigil Mass Joe Garcia ,Birthday ~ Family

Tuesday December 08: Holy Day of Obligation for The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 AM † Rosalia “Cely” D. Munoz ~ Baguso Family

7:00 PM Deacon Gary Robinson ~ Garcia Family Wednesday December 09: St. Juan Diego

7:00 PM † Ron Ausmus, † Peter Nguyen Van Bao

† Peter Tau Nguyen, † Mary Ann Dennehy, † Amelia Trillanes,

† Sr. Purificacion Palis, † Joseph Yen Le, † Lapaz A. Magbag,

† Fernando Perez, † Jose Adan Perez,† Ray Charles Davis,† Rosalia “ Cely” D. Munoz, †Maria and Ana Kim, † Lloyd Mencanido

Davie and Danny Nguyen Healing: Debbie Garcia, Rosalinda Perez Birthday, Angie Schneider, Gabriel Schneider Thursday December 10:

8:00 AM † Raul Olivares ~ Lawanda and James Skrobarczyk

Friday December 11: St. Damasus I 8:00 AM † Daniel Jimenez ~ Anna Navejar

Saturday December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe

7:00 AM Mass Las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe All Aborted Babies and a Special Intention ~ Hung Dinh

Third Sunday in Advent

Saturday December 12

5:00 PM † Rosalia Munoz ~ Garcia Family

Sunday December 13 8:30 AM Altar and Rosary Society

11:00 AM Parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Church 6:00 PM † David W. Reynolds ~ Lawanda Skrobarczyk

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People who continue to be dispensed are those at increased risk of serious illness, who have compromised immune systems and those responsible for their care. As always, those who are ill should remain at home.

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Readings for the Week

Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9, 10-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4; Mt 11:16-19

Saturday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38

Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

One who aspires to the grace of God must be pure, with a heart as innocent as a child’s.— St. Nicholas

From Father Joseph

Prepare the Way of the Lord,

Make Straight His Paths

During this pandemic, people are still hunting for Christmas trees to decorate their homes. It’s interesting to hear how some people responded when they were asked, “Why do you have to have a Christmas tree for Christmas?” “Because, we always have a Christmas tree in our house every year.” a woman said. “We have to have a Christmas tree,” a man responded, “in our house for Christmas.” Even though the cost of Christmas trees this year ranged from $65.00 to $100.00, and people have to hunt for it they still think they must have it.

Another interesting response to the question came from a woman who said “Well, this is exactly what Christmas is all about.” It seemed that, for her, Christmas is only about the Christmas tree and has nothing to do with the Birth of Our Lord Savior Jesus Christ. None of these people talked about what gift that they would offer to the Baby Jesus on his birthday. What does the Advent season mean if it’s not to lead us to the celebration of the Birthday of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ?

On this second Sunday of Advent, the Church reminds us of the voice of one crying out in the desert saying, “Prepare the way of the

lord, make straight his paths”. Think about what it means to

prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths.

We are all given a talent to profit in some way on our journey through life and part of what we do with it should be to have a gift to give back to God on Christmas Day.

The decision is yours.

Please Note

There will be No Penance Service this Advent

Because of this, father asks you to take advantage of regularly scheduled confession days and times:

Before the Saturday Vigil Mass from 3:30 to 4:30 PM Before the Wednesday evening Mass from 6 - 6:45 PM Before the First Friday evening Mass from 6 - 6:45 PM

Monday Evening Devotions

Join us for Evening Prayer every Monday evening at 6:30 PM in Church. Then from 7-8:00 PM we have a Holy Hour with Praise Music, Adoration and Benediction.

Come tell the Lord all your worries ask for his help with

them. You may also want to say prayers for your loved ones and friends and don’t forget to also thank Him for the good things in your life.

Religious Education

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14,16

From Religious Education

On this second Sunday of Advent, I pose a question for you all. John the Baptist went out to the desert, away from the busy city, to pray and prepare the way of the Lord. As our culture’s hectic, frantic “holiday” countdown rises, what could each family member do to make your home a place of quiet to pray and prepare for the coming of Christ?.

John the Baptist also ate locusts and wild honey. Enjoy a special snack of apple slices dipped in honey as a reminder of the sweetness of God’s love and goodness. As you eat, make a game of counting your family’s blessings.

Advent Blessings all around, Deacon Gary Robinson

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the

peace of your children.” - Isaiah 54:13

We are always in need of volunteers. YOU are very important to our program!

Middle School Youth Group for Grades 6 - 8 meets in the Parish Hall on Wednesdays from 7- 8:30 PM.

12/09From Joyful – A Family Series on Advent

Topic “She’ll be coming around the mountain” the goal is to understand the significance of the Visitation and how they can and should bring joy to others during Advent.

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Confirmation 1 Meets on Sundays in the parish hall at 4:45 PM. At 5:45 PM we move to the church to attend the 6:00 PM Mass and students will be released after Mass.

Confirmation 2 Confirmation 2 meets on Sunday. We will attend the 6:00 PM Mass and then move to the Parish hall for class which will end at 8:15/8:30 PM.

12/06 Both Confirmation Classes will view and discuss “Prepare the Way” from the FORMED viewing Series on Advent by Bob Rice.

FMI or questions please call Youth Ministry Director June Robinson at 937-5875. (If no answer, please leave a message)

Help Yourself

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 38th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. Local EWTN TV schedules are in the vestibule on a table by the door.

Tune in to Daily mass and other religious programs of interest and to get accurate and in-depth news from a Catholic viewpoint.

EWTN is on Spectrum channel 66, DISH network channel 261, and direct TV channel 370 and also on line at www.ewtn.com.

Meet With Us

On Sunday January 12, at 9:00 AM all parishioners are invited to the Altar and Rosary Society meeting in the parish hall to discuss their mission and cleaning of our Lord's house.

RCIA

Our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program can help you or someone you know learn more about our faith. Formation classes meet every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Charlie room. Please wear a mask.

FMI call the Religious Education office or one of the instructors: Abel Garcia at 945-7351 or Gary Robinson at 361-548-4152..

Poor Souls Novena and Memorial Table

St. Paula's Guild and the Altar and Rosary society have removed everything that was on the memorial table. If you have not done so yet, please pick up your photos etc. In the office.

FMI please call the office at 937-3864

Our Candle Stands are Now Open

Please Follow Procedures:

Blessed candle stand in the church vestibule - take candles for your use and leave donation in stand.

Church candle stand next to the side altar - put glove on to select a candle to light and leave donation in stand.

Chapel candle stand on the altar in the chapel - put glove on and select candle to light and leave donation in stand.

Have a Family Movie Night at Home

Be sure to make popcorn too if that’s what your family likes.

Watch this on FORMED

The Jeweler’s Shop: A Modern Mystery by Pope John Paul II

Based on Pope John Paul II's best-selling book, this film tells of the struggles and triumphs in the marriages of three couples. A mysterious Jeweler (Burt Lancaster) acts as a mystical advisor to the couples, encouraging them to keep love at the center of their lives.

Beautifully filmed with an outstanding cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Olivia Hussey and Ben Cross. John Paul II called it "the best possible film based on my play."

To access FORMED go to

signup.formed.org

Sign in with the zip code of our parish

Then be sure to add it to your favorites for speedier access any time.

The family that prays together stays together.

Do Your Share for Our Parish

We are in partnership with St. Peter’s by the Sea UMC and Lord of Life Lutheran Church to distribute food monthly through the Coastal Bend Food Bank to households in Flour Bluff.

Many volunteers are needed to help with the distribution which takes place at St. Peter’s by the Sea on December 15. Sign-up sheets are on the table in the vestibule. Volunteer to help if you can.

Catholic Charities Flour Bluff

Changes for December the food pantry will only be open only on December 8th from 9 :00 AM to 2:00 PM

We will return in January 2021, pantry dates pending. Please like us on Facebook for all updates.

Important Notice Due to Construction

Until further notice they are set up only once a Week on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM near the EXIT area in the Church parking lot. Please enter only in the proper lane from the street and wait in the line, if there is one, then make the turn in front of the rectory to get you to the exit lane where we are stationed.

All clients must call to pre-register for every Monday by calling 361-929-6077. Note that this is not a pop-up event. Clients can receive assistance once a month (every 30 days).

Pantry Needs: Canned meats (Tuna, chicken, Spam etc.), Soups, peanut butter, apple sauce, fruit cups, instant oatmeal, mac and cheese, breakfast bars, Spaghetti O’s and ravioli, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, and peanut/cheese crackers

Personal Care Needs: body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, deodorant and toilet paper

Toiletry donations as listed in the “Needs” above and monetary donations are also welcome.

We are cannot accept Food that is past the expiration date and/or has a broken seal. Until construction is complete we can no longer accept clothing items.

St. Juan Diego

He and his wife were among the first indigenous people to accept baptism and convert to Christianity after its introduction to Mexico by Spanish conquistadors and missionaries.

Baptized at the age of 50, this Indian was walking to Mass on December 9, 1531, when Mary appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill, near Mexico City. She asked him to petition the bishop for a shrine to be built there.

But the bishop instead asked for a sign that Mary had appeared to him. On December 12, while he was searching for a priest to administer last rites to his uncle, Juan Diego was visited by Mary again.

He told her of the bishop’s answer and then she instructed him to gather roses and take them to the bishop as a sign. She also informed Juan Diego that his uncle would recover from his illness.

Juan Diego found many roses on the hill even though it was winter. When he opened his tilma (cloak) while appearing before the bishop, dozens of roses fell out, and an image of Mary, imprinted on the inside of his cloak, became visible. Having received his proof, the bishop ordered that a church be built on Tepeyac Hill in honor of the Virgin. Juan Diego returned home and found his uncle’s health restored.

For the rest of his life Juan Diego lived in a hut next to the church built in honor of Mary and took care of the pilgrims who came to the shrine. He was buried in the church, and his tilma can still be seen in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Juan lived out his days as a hermit near the first chapel built there; he was canonized in 2002.

Sign Up on FORMED

Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies. Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet connected device.

Visit http://signup.formed.org/

1. Enter our parish zip 78418 2. Enter your name and email You will have access to more than one hundred inspiring movies in English and Spanish, including feature films about the saints, documentaries exploring popular Catholic topics and award-winning children’s programming.

---St. Paul the Apostle Church December 06, 2020 Volume 22 Issue 49

2233 Waldron 78418 937-3864 Fax: 939-7774 [email protected]

Thinking of Adopting? Call 361 - 850 - 8200 or visit us on line at www.spauldingforchildren.org

If you know anyone who is affected by family violence or sexual violencein these counties: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio they should contact the Purple Door (Formerly known as the Women’ Shelter) at 1-800-580-4878 or 361-881-8888 or purpledoortx.org for free services: refuge, counseling (for adults and children), legal advocacy, and safety planning.

If you know someone in need of this information please give the above to him or her.

The Mission of Mercy Medical Center at 2421 Ayers Street provides medical care for the uninsured.

Call 361 - 883 - 5500 Monday through Friday

from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to make an appointment.

Christus Spohn Care Van for Women’s OB and GynecologicalServices

(medical care for the uninsured)

will next be here at St. Paul’s on December 15th and 16th.

Stewardship of Treasure

A portion of your tithes in November will be sent to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Timon’s Ministry, the Mission of Mercy Clinic, and our Works of Mercy.

The Pilgrim

Rosary

The Pilgrim Virgin and Rosary will meet again when the orders are changed on Sunday at 2:00 PM at church in Classroom A.

To schedule a Pilgrim Rosary at your home or for more information call Barbara Bassett at 361-944-5767.

Legion of Mary

Do you want to serve God more but don't know how? Do youwant to grow closer to Jesus and his Mother? Do you want to be Jesus to others? Do you want to deepen your spiritual life?

When they resume meeting, all practicing Catholics, 18 and older are invited to come to Legion of Mary meetings on Mondays at 6:00 PM in Room A.

FMI Call Barbara Bassett at 361-944-5767.

If you would like to be notified of a death in your parish family contact us by email so your name and e-mail address can be included in the contact group.

[email protected]

Feast of Faith

Watching for Christ’s Coming

In the season of Advent, we look to the coming of Christ at the end of time, and we prepare ourselves to celebrate his first coming among us at Christmas. Remembrance of the past is combined with preparation for the future. Memory meets action.

In a certain sense, the Mass is an Advent prayer. At the Last Supper, Jesus did not tell his disciples, “Never forget what I did for you.” Instead, he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” He calls us to remember by doing, to combine memory with action.

In the celebration of the Eucharist, remembering and doing become one. Jesus is as present in our midst as he was in that upper room, breaking the bread and sharing the cup; but it is a new kind of presence, seen only with the eyes of faith.

In the heavenly liturgy, there will be no need of sacraments, for there, “celebration is wholly communion and feast” (Catechism of

the Catholic Church, 1136). Here, things are different. We have only

glimpses and flashes of the beauty that is yet to be. And yet, in the liturgy, we truly participate in the heavenly liturgy. The Mass is our foretaste of the joys of heaven. — Corinna Laughlin, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

God’s Delay

In times of great difficulties scoffers taunt us, “Where is God? Why hasn’t your Lord come to save you now?”

And we of faith respond much in the same way as Peter did in today’s second reading: the “delay” of the Lord’s second coming is not any type of punishment or failure to keep the divine promise, but a loving sign of God’s patience. God is giving everyone the chance to seek repentance.

God does not make life more difficult. Rather, God lessens our burdens as once before for the Jewish exiles returning home to Judea after captivity in Babylon. It was God who personally led them, making a “straight highway” for them across the desert. We join with our ancestors of faith, who hoped that they might see God’s Chosen One before them and who eventually realized that the Lord was also walking with them side by side. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Everyone, please look over the prayer list and let us know if it contains anyone who no longer needs to be listed. Contact us

at 937 - 3864 or [email protected]

To Celebrate or Remember in 2021

The intention books for 2021 are now open to have a mass said and/or one of our large vigil lights lit for a week in honor of a friend, a birthday, a graduation, an anniversary, or to remember someone you have loved and lost.

Make your intentions known as soon a possible so you won’t be disappointed in case someone else has claimed your special date. To schedule your special mass, for which the usual offering is five dollars, or to schedule a special week to have the vigil light(s) lit. The offering for the Infant Jesus light is $3 per week and the offering for the two chapel lights is $6.. To arrange for those come in to the

office, or contact us at 937-3864 or [email protected].

Please Note

There will be No Penance Service this Advent Because of this, father asks you to take advantage of regularly scheduled confession days and times:

Before the Saturday Vigil Mass from 3:30 to 4:30 PM Before the Wednesday evening Mass from 6 - 6:45 PM Before the First Friday evening Mass from 6 - 6:45 PM

Second Sunday in Advent

Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill

Please remember those who live in need of our prayers: Rosemary Acosta, David Adams, John Adams, Estella Alaniz, Andrew Alvarez, Ricardo Tostado Alvarez, James Armstrong, Belva Armstrong, Lupe Arredondo, Viola Ayala, George Ayala, Greg and Janie Ayala, Tamra Bacon, Steve Barns, Mary Ann Benes, Alma Berrones, Steve Beck, John Burke, Rachel Casanova, Christopher Beltran, Esther Bentancourt, Irma Biano, Chris Bolte, Marjorie Boxwell, Meredith Boxwell, Noah Boxwell, Angela Brenz, Yvonne Brooks, Giorgio Buchi, Manuel Buentello, Chris Burson, Chris Burns, Manuel Bustos, Andrea Cabrera, Ann Carson, Rena Fay Casanova, Don Casey, Kathy Casey, Pat Cavanaugh, Aiden Chavez, Scott Clark, Cecil Cruz, John Cruz, Trey Cunningham, Barry Dalton, Jacqueline Dancy, Lily Davila, Joseph and Pamela Davis, Linda C. Degollado, Margarita Degollado, Nelda DeLeon, Remy and Lidia Ducote, Denny (David) Eaton, Mark Eickleberry, Gerald Escamilla, Grace Escobedo, Bertha Faz, Greg Figel, Simon Figueroa, Leo John Finnegan II, Abel Flores, Antonio Flores, Oscar Flores, Mary Ann Franklin, Jeremy Forgy, Gary Frontera, Blanca Fuentes, Jenny Fuentes, Gamez Family, Amanda Garcia, Danny and Esther Garcia, Lea Garza, Luz Garcia, Joe Luis Garza, Grace Geeding, Margarita Gonzalez, Patricia Gonzales, Sylvia Gonzalez, Najmeh Griffin, Perla Guerrero, Dottie Harper, Herrera Family, Nelly Herrera, Jimma Hertzler, Amy Hinkel, Maria Holguin, Shea Jalice, Gary Wayne Jennings, Gary Kirkpatrick, David Kraeer, Richard Kraeer, Rachel Krause, Jerry Krnavek, Maryann Krohn, Thomas Arron Lambert, Stephen Libby, Deborah Lopez, Aimee Lusson, Juanita and Steve Lusson, Martin Family, Joseph S. Martin Jr., Cynthia Mora, Elizabeth Morales, Wes Morales, John (Johnny) McCarty, Amanda McDonald, Jerry McKamie, Patsy Mendez, Patricio Mendoza, Sterling Murphy, Orest Muzyka, Alonzo Nunez, Lupe Ortiz, Margie O'Docharty, Steven Ortiz Jr. Ernie Pena, Jason Pena, Fatima Perez, Rhoda Philby Palmer, Gloria Perez, William J. Pittaway, Pete Prado, Becky Quiroz, Martha Real, Ben Raney, Tammy Raney, Maria Teresa Reyna, Sarah Richenberg, Pat Rikke, Angela Riojas, Thalma Riojas, Marissa Rivera, Eddie Rocha, Fernando and Antonia Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez, Martha Romero, David Rohde, Phyllis Ruff, Nati Ruiz, Teresa Ruiz, Rosa Salazar, Angie A. Salinas, Consuelo Salinas, Michael Stefanou, Tommy, Denise, Bradley, Austin and Ethan Smith, Lisa Trevino, Inocencio Terrazas, Johnny Terrazas, Cassandra Turilli, Sandy Upshaw, Paul Vargas, Sr. Amore Vigare, Elizabeth Villarreal, Gayle Garza Villarreal, Margaret Whitmire, John Wright, Stan Wondolowski, Israel Ybarra, Luis Zamora, Nena Zamora, Vilma Zuniga   

Chapel Vigil Lights and

The Infant Jesus Statue Light

Altar and Rosary Society

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.

Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

Reflecting on God’s Word

How many towns do you suppose have a newspaper called The

Herald? It’s a good name for a newspaper because it refers to one

who proclaims significant news. It also can refer to a person who comes before to announce what will follow, a forerunner like John. The angels who heralded the good news of Jesus’ birth fit into a long line of heralds who proclaimed that God’s promises would at last be fulfilled.

This week everyone seems to be announcing good news. Isaiah and the psalmist herald and describe others heralding glad tidings. Mark proclaims “the gospel [or ‘good news’] of Jesus Christ” (Mark 1:1). He also depicts John as a herald in the tradition of Isaiah. And Peter speaks eloquently of God’s promise and patience.

Can we bring ourselves to hearken to their words and believe them? Do we have any good news of our own to proclaim? - Virginia Stillwell

Copyright © 2013, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

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Living God’s Word

Unlike those who were baptized by John, we were baptized “with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8). If that is so, then “what sort of persons ought” we to be? Like Isaiah, John, and Peter, we ought to be both heralding and “hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12). Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Children in Church

Six-year old Angie and her four-year old brother, Joel , were sitting together in church.

Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough.

"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said,

"See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."