HOLY ROSARY PARISH

3617 Milam St., Houston, Texas 77002-9535

Ph. 713-529-4854 Fax 713-522-3967 Emergency Line 832-405-5762

Catholic Daily Message 713-529-4449

www.holyrosaryparish.org

ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON

THE DOMINICAN FRIARS

SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE 5:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Latin 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Vietnamese 5:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Vietnamese

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE 12:05 p.m. Monday – Saturday 5:15 p.m. Monday – Friday

TIME OUT ROOM Available in the parish office building during the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Masses

ROSARY 4:50 p.m. Monday-Friday 4:35 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 12:45-5:00 p.m. Fridays with benediction at 5:05 p.m.

BAPTISMS Please call parish office at ext. 101 for arrangements.

RECONCILIATION 4:00–5:00 p.m. Saturdays Thirty minutes before each weekday Mass

MARRIAGES Please call the wedding coordinator at ext. 110 at least eight months in advance.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call the parish office for the sick who are at home or in the hospital.

IN RESIDENCE Fr. Arthur R. Kirwin, O.P., Prior Fr. Victor Brown, O.P., Pastor Emeritus Fr. William S. Daniels, O.P. Fr. Joseph D. Konkel, O.P., Pastor Emeritus Fr. Martin J. Iott, O.P. Fr. François Pouliot, O.P. Fr. Richard B. Williams, O.P.

Priory Phone 713-526-6322

PARISH OFFICE 3617 Milam Street, Suite 100

Office Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday

Extensions: 101 Parish Secretary 105 Director of Music 108 Parish Bookkeeper 109 Special Projects Secretary

E-mail: office@holyrosaryparish.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CENTER 3535 Louisiana Street 713-526-4389 Contact: Janet Hafernik, D.R.E.

PARISH REGISTRATIONPlease contact the parish office if you wish to register, if your contact information has changed, or if you wish to remove your registration.

PRIESTS ON STAFF Fr. Ian G. Bordenave, O.P. Ext. 107 Pastor Fr. Isidore V. Vicente, O.P. Ext. 104 Parochial Vicar Fr. Juan M. Torres, O.P. Ext. 103 Parochial Vicar

Fr. Anthony Hung Tran, O.P. Chaplain to the Vietnamese Community

January 8, 2012 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

A MessageFrom the Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany, when Christ manifested himself to the world through the visit of the magi. These wise men came to adore the Lord and to offer him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. That is why in some countries like Italy and the Philippines, the exchange of gifts takes place today rather than on Christmas Day.

Of course, the real gift has already been given with the Father sending his Son into the world to be its Savior. If you and I should enter heaven one day, then we will really know what a gift the Father has given us in giving us his Son, Jesus Christ.

In the words of Psalm 116, “How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me?” One way is to adore him in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. The magi came from afar bearing their gifts for the King of Kings. Shouldn’t we come to adore him and offer him the gift of ourselves, which is the most precious gift we could offer him? We should. Most of us already know the joy of receiving our Lord in Holy Communion and having him dwell within us. Eucharistic adoration then is a natural outgrowth of that joy we feel. So, we should look for some time every now and then, if not on a regular basis, in which to express our thanks and our joy to the Lord by worshipping him in Eucharistic adoration. You will find it time well spent.

Holy Rosary offers Eucharistic adoration every Friday after the 12:05 p.m. Mass until the 5:15 p.m. Mass. Still, praying in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament whether exposed or not is a source of grace. It helps us to feel close to the Lord, and we can adore him as the magi did of old.

Speaking of gifts, I would like to thank everyone who sent me and the other friars Christmas cards and gifts. It’s really overwhelming to receive such an outpouring of love. May God bless you for your kindness.

Fr. Ian

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK: Gloria Guerreo, John Gaughan, Dominic Dybala, Mary Ellen Rexer, and Gloria Lindo.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE: Please remember in your prayers Gloria Kirk, a parishioner who recently died. She is the wife of Terry Kirk and the mother of Southern Dominican Province Novice Brian Kirk. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

ALTAR FLOWERS: Kataryna and Loyd Cooper, who were married last night at Holy Rosary, gave the flowers near the main altar. Please pray for their happiness.

COFFEE and refreshments will be served after all Sunday morning Masses today.

WHAT’S COOKING, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11: Shepherds pie, salad, bread, dessert, coffee, and tea. Lunch is served after the 12:05 p.m. Mass in the parish hall. As a reminder, the lunches are $4, and there are no takeouts. Please do not submit bills larger than $10. Lunch goers now have the option of paying for their lunches through Holy Rosary Parish’s Online Giving. Go to www.holyrosaryparish.org to sign up for an Online Giving account. Thank you!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MONTHLY MEETING, next Saturday, January 14, at 10 a.m. Social hour starting at 9 a.m. Please come.

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK, JANUARY 9-14. Observed by the Dioceses of the United States of America. The week begins on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 9, 2012. This feast marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. National Vocation Awareness Week especially celebrates vocations to the priesthood, the permanent diaconate, and the religious life. During these days, families are urged to pray that God would grant more of these vocations to his Church as well as talk about the goodness of these vocations.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL FOR LOUIS TANKUS, next Saturday, January 14, at 10 a.m. in the church. A reception will follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a Memorial Scholarship Fund, one established for Annick Tankus, another for Raina Tankus, the daughters of Louis and Lisa Tankus, at Chase Bank, account numbers 3009689331 and 3009689125, respectively. Louis was a registered parishioner of Holy Rosary Parish since 2002, attended the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass with his family, and scheduled the Sunday cooks for the Dominican friars. May he rest in peace.

CASA JUAN DIEGO FOOD DRIVE: The Knights of the Father Joubert Council 11023 will hold a food drive for Casa Juan Diego next Sunday, January 15, in conjunction with Hot Dog and Tamale Sunday. Please bring nonperishable items such as canned goods, bagged sugar, bagged rice, bagged beans, and cooking oils to the parish courtyard between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thank you for your generosity!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS:Outdoor play area and prayer garden: Some Eagle Scouts led by Nick Dulworth have been working to create an outdoor play area and prayer garden. The Religious Education Office is so grateful to Nick, who chose this project to obtain his Eagle Scout. If you would like to make a contribution to help Nick and the Boys Scouts pay for the materials, please contact Janet Hafernik at 713-526-4389. Come and see the beautiful outdoor space they are creating.Religious Education Family Library has received some new books that might interest teenagers. New titles include Ask the Bible Geek by Mark Hart, Do I Have to Go? 101 Questions About the Mass, the Eucharist, and Your Spiritual Life by Matthew Pinto and Chris Stefanick, and Blessed Are The Bored In Spirit: A Young Catholic’s Search for Meaning by Mark Hart. These books are available for checkout.Religious Education Christmas Wish List: A piano, other musical instruments, a foosball table, outdoor saint statues, especially of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, an outdoor crucifix, a large TV, a DVD player, a computer projector, 4 ft. wooden book shelf, and Catholic CD’s and books for children and teenagers.Bible Study On The Book Of Revelation: Please see today’s bulletin insert.

HOLY ROSARY PARISH

Collections for January 1, 2012

2011-12 Regular Collections YTD (7/1/11-6/30/12) $456,281.66

2011-12 Fiscal Budget YTD $458,920.00

Difference -$2,638.34

Mary, Mother of God $25,110.52

Mary, Mother of God Through Online Giving $2,560.00

Candle Offerings $420.35

Liturgical Calendar for the Week of

January 8, 2012

8 Sun THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

HOURS Week IIs 60:1-6/ Eph 3:2-3a,5-6/ Mt 2:1-12

8:00 James St. Julian and Robert Fretz Sr.

9:30 For the People of the Parish

11:00 Paul Scheffler

12:30 Allen & Toni Kinghorn

5:00 F. Fisher Reynolds IV

9 Mon The Baptism of the LordIs 42:1-4,6-7 or Is 55:1-11 or Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9/ Mk 1:7-11

12:05 Stuart Toomey

5:15 Dr. James Considine

10 Tue

Weekday (1st Week in Ordinary Time)1 Sm 1:9-20 or 1 Sm 1:1-8 + 1:9-20/ Mk 1:21-28 or M 1:14-20 + 1:21-28

12:05 John Pinedo

5:15 Mary K. Willoughby

11 Wed Weekday1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/ Mk 1:29-37

12:05 Jane Stasney

5:15 Jacob R. Didion

12 Thu Weekday1 Sm 4:1-11/ Mk 1:40-45

12:05 Dolores Humphrey

5:15 Nga & Mai Intentions

13 Fri Weekday1 Sm 8:4-7,10-22a/ Mk 2:1-12- St. Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

12:05 Edwardo Forero

5:15 Roy James

14 Sat Weekday1 Sm 9:1-4,17-19; 10:1a/ Mk 2:13-17- BVM on Sat

12:05 John Pinedo

5:00 Deceased Members of the Roy James Family

2012 WASHINGTON MARCH FOR LIFE: Join Father Ian and other Catholics from the Houston area for the 2012 Washington March for Life! January 21-24. The group hopes to meet and celebrate Mass with Cardinal DiNardo in Washington, D.C. The actual march will take place on Monday, January 23. The cost for roundtrip air travel and three-night hotel stay is approximately $800. Meals, transportation in the D.C. area (we’ll be using the subway system), and other personal expenses are not included. Spaces are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Please contact James Pinedo at 281-912-4342 or at jamespinedo@gmail.com as soon as possible.

A CATHOLIC WOMEN’S DAY OF REFLECTION at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center, 430 Bunker Hill Road, Houston 77024, January 26, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Theme: “Quench Your Thirst: Praying with the Woman at the Well.” Cost is $35 per person, which includes coffee, breakfast pastries, and lunch. Register online at www.passionist.org/holyname/events or by calling 713-464-0211.

2012 CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES: Any parishioner who requested to receive 2012 contribution envelopes but has not received them should contact Carole Kelley, at 713-529-4854, ext. 109, or at ckelley@holyrosaryparish.org. Thank you.

WANTED: WEEKDAY MASS ALTAR SERVERS. Boys or men who could serve at any of the weekday Masses Monday through Saturday would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the parish office at 713-529-4854, ext. 101, or at office@holyrosaryparish.org if you feel you can assist.

SOUTHERN DOMINICAN GALA’S WINE AUCTION: Fr. Juan Torres, O.P., is requesting monetary donations towards this year’s Southern Dominican Gala Wine Auction. Please make checks payable to “Southern Dominican Gala” (in the memo area, please write “wine”), and mail them to the parish office, Attention: Fr. Juan Torres, O.P. All contributions are greatly appreciated and tax deductible. Please save the date for the next Southern Dominican Gala on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at the Houstonian. The gala will offer wonderful auction items and fine wines!

2011 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND (DSF): Thanks to everyone who contributed to the 2011 DSF! The parish surpassed its goal of $119,000 by $8,261.58. Half of the $8,261.58 ($4,130.79) will return to Holy Rosary Parish and the other half will go to aid the poor parishes of the archdiocese. Thank you for helping us reach our goal and for ministering to so many others. May God bless you!

Diocesan Service Fund (DSF) Summary Report as of January 5, 2012

Parish Goal $119,000.00

Total Amount Paid $127,261.58

Total Amount Pledged $127,711.58

Total Number of Participants 258

Percent Paid 106.94%

Amount Paid Over the Goal $8,261.58

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORDJanuary 8, 2012

There are some liturgical celebrations that bring wonderful memories of times long past when tradition brought the celebration of the Liturgy to our lives and into our homes. The Feast of the Epiphany is one of them and was also known as the manifestation of Jesus to the Magi or astrologers from the East, as we read in the gospel of St. Matthew (2: 1-12). It is also known as the Feast of Lights, because a "Star," symbol of Jesus, illumined the dark world of unbelief. For us children, in my home, it was the Feast of the Three Kings, La Fiesta de los Reyes Magos. My brothers, sister and I, and all the town children, left our empty shoes by the window of our home and sure enough, on that morning of the Epiphany (which was always the 6th day of January, the fourteenth day of Christmas), our shoes were overflowing with many gifts. What amazed us as children was how well the Three Kings, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar knew us and knew what we most needed in our life: socks, pants, shirts, pencils, winter scarves and wool sweaters, caramel cookies, chocolate bars, coloring crayons, a cuaderno or composition book of white pages with all the rule lines to write on....It was a great time. Today we gather as a community of Faith to celebrate the mystery that is hidden in Christmas: That in the fullness of time God the Father sent his only Son into the world so that this world of sin and darkness could shine again with the light of his presence and of his grace. And Jesus, born in time of a young virginal maiden, Mary, will accomplish this miracle of grace for all times. And it is through the celebration of the Epiphany, of the manifestation of God's light and grace to the unbelieving world, that all of us, children of unbelief, of sin and darkness, could again shine radiantly illumined by the light of God that never goes dim. Today, not only the shepherds of Bethlehem, but the entire world can sing the glories of God. We are like Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. We are all coming from the land of darkness searching for the light that will illumine our hearts and minds. We are always "on the way" searching for love, for affirmation, for the meaning of life, and ultimately searching for God. As St. Augustine wrote: "our hearts are restless, Oh Lord, and they will not rest until they rest in Thee." All through this search we stumble and fall and pick ourselves back again to continue to search for God manifested in Jesus. We look for that Epiphany, that manifestation of God that will inspire us on the journey. Sometimes this manifestation of God does not come as we want or when we want. And may not be filled with the splendor of the radiance of the Star of Bethlehem to guide us, again, to the manger and to where Jesus is. Sometimes this light is found in the darkness of our lives, in hopes dimmed, in dreams shattered, in betrayals suffered, in deep suffering of soul and body, even in death we are able to see this LIGHT, the star that guides us to our true manger and our final home. This is the meaning of Christmas and the Epiphany. Some of the existentialist philosophers in the middle of the last century, Nietzsche, Sartre, Camus, Kierkegaard, would like us to believe that we are a race lost, empty in our despair, forgotten in an absurd world and alienated from a bored God. The faith of peoples through the centuries and our presence here today around this altar tells publicly otherwise: That we are beloved and chosen by God, that we are loved individually and collectively and that we are not lost nor will we ever be lost, but saved by the power of a God who has wished to share his eternal life, beauty and happiness, as Creator and Father, with all of us who have become his children, by the birth in time of his Son, Jesus.  It is still Christmas. In this Feast of the Epiphany, like the Three Kings, we follow the Star, we follow Jesus, born to be the Light of the world. May his light truly light us up so that our light may illumine others. LET YOU LIGHT SHINE!!! May the Peace of Christ, the Light of the world be with you.

Fr. Vicente