HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH 1416 George Street • Rosenberg, Texas 77471
Church Office (281) 342-3089 • School (281) 342-5813 www.hrccr.com
FATHER WILLIAM D. BARTNISKI, Pastor
BRICK HODGE, Deacon CHARLIE BUHAY, Deacon
ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON 1700 San Jacinto Street • Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 659-5461
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop The Most Rev. Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus
The Most Rev. Vincent M. Rizzotto, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rev. Msgr. George A. Sheltz, Auxiliary Bishop
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - Noon Penance Service: Advent and Lent SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Second Sunday of each month at 12:15 PM by appointment SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: One year in advance, instructions required.
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST:
Sunday: 5:30 PM (Sat.) 7:00 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Holy Days 6:30 PM (Vigil) 6:00 AM & 8:15 AM Weekdays: 8:00 AM (Marian Hall) Thursday 8:15 a.m. (in the Church)
ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Communal Celebrations at all Sunday Masses on the 3rd Sunday of January, May and September ROSARY: Before Sunday and Weekday Masses LENTEN DEVOTIONS: Friday: 8:15 a.m. (Children) 11:00 a.m. (Seniors) 7:00 PM (Parish)
SCHEDULE OF SACRAMENTS, PRAYER AND DEVOTIONS
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Today’s readings are as familiar to most of us as the carols we sing and the commercials that overwhelm this holiday season. Often Christmas finds us tired, struggling with preparations and expectations. What we really want to feel is joy and peace. The stress of preparation, of waiting, is reflected in both Isaiah and Paul’s letter to Titus. Luke tells us of the exhaustion that Mary and Joseph felt: a young pregnant wife and her husband, forced to travel just as she is about to give birth, unable even to find a room to stay in. It must have been miserable. They must have been afraid. In the midst of this exhaustion, misery, and fear, a child is born, a Son is
WAITING IN THE DARK Isaiah writes powerfully of the darkness and the gloom, the burden and the sacrifices that the Jews have been living with for years and years. Their waiting, their misery is deep and prolonged. Yet they continue to wait. In Paul’s letter to Titus, the Christian community is also waiting, not for the birth of the Savior, but for the return of that Savior. Paul reminds us of the “blessed hope” that sustains our wait. In Luke we hear the familiar story of Mary and Joseph, the pregnancy and birth, the baby, the Son. This is the one for whom all have been waiting. His coming, long awaited, much anticipated, is real. The only reaction we are told about is that of the shepherds, and they are afraid. But they are reassured with the same words spoken to Mary by the angel who announced that she would give birth to a son, “Do not be afraid.”
FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPLATION But how could we not be afraid? A young mother giving birth in a stable. Shepherds seeing angels. We do not need to be afraid because these stories are so familiar. Most of us could tell them almost word for word from memory. They are like the stories our children insist we read to them night after night long after they know every word by heart. They are familiar not just because we hear them repeated every year at Christmas but because they are the stories of our daily preparations, our lifelong waiting, our fear, exhaustion, misery, and our hope and joy. Their very familiarity means we don’t have to wonder what the outcome will be. We already know. We know that despite the mean circumstances into which Mary’s Son was born, her Son transforms the darkness into light. Her Son brings rejoicing. Her Son brings peace. We know that, despite our exhaustion and our fear, peace awaits us, too. 12/25/16
Monday, Dec. 26 8:00 a.m.: No Mass Tuesday, Dec. 27 8:00 a.m.: Paul E. Gonzales Wednesday, Dec. 28 8:00 a.m.: John Witzkoski Thursday, Dec. 29 8:00 a.m.: Leona Ernest Friday, Dec. 30 8:00 a.m.: Georgie Blinka Saturday, Dec. 31 5:30 p.m.: Carlyn Spies Sunday, Jan. 1
9:00 a.m.: Michael White, Jr.
11:00 a.m.: The Sick in the Parish
Dear Parish Family, Quite often, when things begin to decline in a city, the owner of a business will pull up stakes, put up a “for sale” sign, and move to
a city that offers more promise, that isn’t as bad off as the one left behind. Most would say it’s the wisest and most logical thing to do. God could have done likewise when it came to us. After watching creation slowly drift away, after seeing all sorts of ingratitude and lack of respect and sin, God could have turned away from us. God could have said: “These people don’t deserve me! These people aren’t worthy of me! I’m pulling up stakes and moving to another galaxy, to a better and more promising environment for my graces!” God, however, did the opposite. Seeing things on the decline, God said: “I’ll invest myself even more deeply in the world. I’ll move in with them and live with them. I’ll let them know that I’ll be at their side and I’ll love them till the end of time.” —Rev. Richard Zajac Copyright © 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
Love, Peace & Prayers,
Father Bill Bartniski
SANCTUARY LAMPS The sanctuary lamps will burn this week for Julius Nowak by family and for Raymond Macha, Sr. by Martha Macha.
MASS INTENTIONS
The school office is closed for the Christmas holidays. It will reopen Tuesday, January 3. Catholic Life Raffle Tickets will be sold after Mass on January 7 & 8 and in the school office. This year’s grand prize is your choice of a $20,000 Visa gift card, 2017 Ford F-150
school will have a $1,000 prepaid Visa credit card individual winner drawn
) through 8th grade are available for the 2016/2017 school year. Please call
available in the school office or at www.holyrosary-school.org.
“Grounded in our Catholic faith & focused on academic
Sunday
9:00 a.m.: Mass Monday Church Office ClosedTuesday 8:00 a.m.: Mass - MH Wednesday 8:00 a.m.: Mass - MH NO CCE, RCIA or Bible Study Thursday 8:00 a.m.: Mass - MH Friday 8:00 a.m.: Mass - MHSaturday 5:30 p.m.: Mass (Vigil) Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
LOVE Let those who never loved before, love now: Let those who always loved, love the more. —Anonymous
of
requires two is held on Wednesday evenings. For details
see www.holyrosaryyouth.org.
FAMILY REFLECTION Important Passage: But to those who did accept Him, He gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 9-14) Adult: How did Jesus being born change my life? Teen: Do I act like a child of God? Child: What does ‘the Word became flesh mean’? First Reconciliation and practice First Reconciliation practice is Wednesday, January 18th at 5:45 p.m. in the Church. First Reconciliation is Saturday, January 21st at 10:00 a.m. in the Church. Parents should attend practice and First Reconciliation with their child. Confirmation II Evening of Reflection The Evening of Reflection for youth in their second year of sacrament preparation and their sponsors is January 18th at 7:00 p.m. We will begin in the gym. If the teen’s sponsor is not available, the teen’s parent should attend in the sponsor’s place.
BIBLES AND CATECHISMS
CCE NEWS
LEARNED AT HOME The mind of Christ is to be learned in the
family. Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character
is learned at home. —Henry Drummond
GATHERING IN THE UPPER ROOM: AN INTERLUDE WITH GOD
9am-2pm January 8 for women ages 18 or older who are interested in religious life. Deadline: Jan. 2 Free event. Register: 713-652-8239 www.houstonvocations.com/upper-room
CHRISTMAS PRAYER God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh. Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word, that we may bring your life to the waiting world. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen
JESUS
PARISH SOCIETIES
SOCIETY NAME & PRESIDENT MEETINGS
Altar and Rosary Society 3rd Tuesday of Month Janey Schumacher, 281-232-8721 School Board…………… ............... 2nd Thursday of Month Mike Reisinger, 713-562-6867 Catholic Daughters ..................... 1st Tuesday of Month Georgia Boettcher, 832-451-5909 Catholic Youth Organization ....... 1st Sunday of Month Justin Redding, 832-535-8199 (CCE) Religious Education Tina Hollopeter, 281-342-3089, x106 or x. 141 KCs 3rd Degree ........................... 4th Tuesday of Month Roy Mercer, 281-341-5023 KCs 4th Degree ........................... 1st Tuesday of Month Marty Gibula, 713-823-9182 KJT .............................................. Quarterly Michael Tydlacka, 281-232-3667 KJZT ............................................ Quarterly Martha Macha, 832-595-9380 Parent-Teachers Club ................. 3rd Thursday of Month Claudia Vega, 832-547-5094 Pastoral Council .......................... 4th Thursday of Month Ed Ruppert, 281-239-7661 St. Vincent de Paul ...................... 2nd & 4th Sundays Tom Wheeler, 281-342-3089, ext 144 Young At Heart Club ................... 2nd Tuesday of Month Shirley Myers, 281-342-2334
Mission Statement
We, the Catholic community of Holy Rosary, Rosenberg, under the patronage of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, are bonded together by a common belief in Jesus Christ and our commitment to His teachings. We, as a community of believers, are called to proclaim the Gospel, to be witness and sign of God’s Kingdom on earth and to work for our salvation. Mindful of our Patroness, Mary, and her example as parent, teacher and intercessor, we are committed to accomplish this mission through service, education, prayer and celebration of the Eucharist.
HOLY ROSARY PARISH STAFF
Gordie Allen Parish Business Administrator Annette Swallers Parish Secretary Anne Chilek Parish Bookkeeper Karen Matthews Parish Census/Contribution Clerk Michael Riha Music Director/Organist Tina Hollopeter Director of Religious Education Leann Jerkins CCE Coordinator Linda Bradford School Principal Cheryl Wehring School Administrative Assistant Maria Munguia School Receptionist/Secretary
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Tuesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:5 - 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:36-40 Friday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Ps 128:1-5; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Sunday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21
Dec. 31 & Jan. 1 - New Years-Solemnity of Mary
Sunday 7:00 a.m: Ryan & Kellie Leos 9:00 a.m.: David, Anna & Therese Krenek, S.Sundberg
Dec. 31 & Jan. 1 -New Years–Solemnity of Mary
T.Macha, B.Respondek, J.Respondek, D. Scotka
F. Arndt, L. Arndt
D. Healey, T. Jedlicka, P. Schimara, B. Vacek
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS
PRAY FOR OUR HEROES IN THE MILITARY
Sergeant David Hammonds, Marines;AnthonyVillarreal, JoePirem&DavidMajorTravisVazansky,U.S.AirForce;Lt. Col Tom Reichert, U.S. Air Force; CaptainHernandez,U.S.AirForce;StaffSgt.AdamReneeHernandez,U.S.AirForce;Sgt.JamesA.Pospisil,Army;Sgt.MichaelAlmendarez,U.S.Army;StaffSgt. Shaun P. Houlihan, U.S. Air Force. If you have a
family member or friend you would like to include, please call the church office at 281-342-3089.
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION An old joke asks, “What time is Midnight Mass?” The answer is not really obvious, since Christmas is unique in having several distinct celebrations. The readings and prayers vary greatly from hour to hour. The Vigil Mass hinges on the family heritage of Jesus and His origins. The concept of “midnight” predates clock time, and really has to do with a celebration in the hours of darkness.
without fasting for a full day, so the late hour of
The first Mass after sunrise, the Mass at Dawn, was once known as “The Shepherds’ Mass,” and later Masses set aside stories of Jesus’ birth to fo-cus on the key to the day’s celebration: John the Evangelist’s majestic theology of Christ’s identity as the Word made flesh, dwelling among us. One feast, four separate Masses. Only monasteries manage the whole round. Parishioners typically take just one entry point into the mystery. Yet there is much to savor and celebrate in the coming of Christ into the world. Christmas is not a
those Christmas cards before you’re officially late! —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
THEGIFTOFGOD’SWORDOn this day of gifts and gift-giving, it seemsappropriate thatwe takeamoment tore lectonthegreatgiftofGod’sWord.Becauseitiscreative,God’s Word always points to its author, alwayscallsus torespond.Because it ispowerful,God’sWordcanlinkthesublimewiththeridiculous,thetranscendentwiththeimmanent,thedivinewiththe human. Because it is graceful, God’s Wordestablishes a relationship of deep intimacybetweenusandGod.betweenthemysteriousandthemundane.Inourliturgical celebration, this unresolved tensionbothrevealsthemeaningoflifeforusandcallsustorespond,toactuponthatmeaning.Once accepted and opened, the gift of God’sWord isagift thatkeepsongivingandkeepsoncallingus togive inreturn. Itdaresus tobe likethegift-giver and tobecomegifts forothers, notonlyatChristmas,butateverymomentoflife.Copyright©J.S.PaluchCo.
Living God’s Word On Christmas Day, we celebrate the fact that God became one like us to lead us to a “warm lighted garage,” that God decided not to move out but to move in. The feast of Christmas put to rest the notion that God is out to get us, that God wants to destroy the world! Copyright © 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.
to all who give so generously of their time to help with the many projects and needs around the parish - whether it be when scheduled, as needed, or quietly working in the background doing all of those things which appear to ‘just happen’. God sees your good work. May He bless you always!
YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
There will be NO BIBLE STUDY Sessions the week of December 25 Classes resume January 2
WORD OF LIFE
“What came to be through Him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION Jesus is God’s ultimate gift of love to us.
The countless other blessings that God showers upon us are nothing compared to the gift of His
only Son. The only appropriate way for us to respond to such generous love is with our own generous love. When we dedicate our lives to
sharing all the gifts God has placed in our hands, the peace of Christ truly will control our hearts
and we will know Christmas joy every day.
BIBLE STUDY Join us as we explore the Book of Exodus
Mondays at 7pm or Wednesdays at 9:30 am Mark Conference Rm.-Parish Hall
MARIAN CONFERENCE CDs available in the church office while supplies last!
FREE CDs (Donations accepted)
COMMUNITY COFFEE REWARDS Holy Rosary Catholic School is collecting proofs of purchase from Community Coffee Products until January 1. A collection box is available in the church vestibule and at the school office.
SUBSTITUTES NEEDED FOR PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
daytime, nighttime, weekday or weekend.
Call Marv Kuhn 281-342-9381
PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
VACANT HOURS NEEDING ATTENDANCE:
Saturdays 1:00 am Sundays 12 Midnight
SUBSTITUTES ALSO NEEDED
Please call Marv Kuhn 281-342-9381
CARMELITE MONASTERY VISIT 10am-1pm January 7 For young adult women ages 18-35 who want to know more about contemplative life and religious life. Participants will visit the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in New Caney, including midday prayer and lunch. Departure from downtown Chancery parking lot at 8:30am; 2:30pm return arrival. Space is limited; registration required. Free event. Deadline Jan. 2, 2017.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Monday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Tuesday: St. John Wednesday:The Holy Innocents Thursday: St. Thomas Becket; Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Friday: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Saturday: St. Sylvester I; New Year’s Eve Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
K.J.Z.T. SOCIAL 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8
Marian Hall Sandwiches, pickles & chips provided
Please bring desserts & more
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Holy Rosary Catholic Church 1416 George St. Rosenberg, Texas 77471 PHONE 281-342-3089 CONTACT PERSON Annette Swallers (x. 100) EMAIL ADDRESS [email protected] [email protected] SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2003 Adobe PDF PRINTER HP LaserJet 120 Series Toshiba eS452/453 Series PCL6 TRANSMISSION TIME Thursday 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 25, 2016 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS Alternate Contact: Gordie Allen x.102 [email protected]
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