THIS WEEKS Bulletin - Saint Mary of the Purification Catholic Church

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, & JOSEPH
DECEMBER 28, 2014
"Simeon blessed them and
said to Mary his mother,
'?And you yourself a sword
will pierce.'" This old man in
the Temple, a man filled with the Holy Spirit,
uttered these ominous, prophetic words. Right
in the midst of a religious celebration that
could be considered a kind of parallel to
Christian baptism, Simeon started talking
about suffering. Although this might have put
a damper on the joy of the occasion, it was
nonetheless a precious moment. God was
speaking through the mouth of the Spiritfilled Simeon and actually doing Mary a great
service. God was helping Mary to prepare
herself for what lay ahead. And the truth was,
the road in front of her family was destined to
be marked by the cross.
Our families also bear this mark.
Although in a different way from Mary, we all
have our crosses to deal with. Whether it be
the sickness or death of a loved one, conflicts
among siblings or spouses, or unexpected
challenges like infertility or a lost job, no
family is without its share of trouble. As we
navigate these difficulties, we would do well to
remember Simeon's words to Mary: suffering
is going to happen, sometimes very painful,
heart-piercing suffering. But instead of being
shocked or angry at God, we can call to mind
the fact that this is part of life in a fallen
world. We can also remind ourselves that
although Mary suffered when her son
suffered, she also rejoiced when he rejoiced.
Ultimately, every cross she bore as his mother
was trumped in the end by the victory of the
Resurrection. We share in this triumph as well.
After all, our families are in the loving care of
a heavenly Father. We are not just the
children of our parents; we are also the
children of God.
LECTORS: December 27th & 28th, 2014
5:00 PM Heartha Boudreaux, Cordell Baham, Jr.,
Tracey Johnson
8:30 AM Erica Johnson, Ronald Enard, Tony Brown
11:00 AM Mary C. Hamilton, Erie Calloway,
Johnnie Mae Roy
EUCHARIST MINISTERS:
5:00 PM Robin Brown, TBD
8:30 AM Dorothy Davis, Darril Volair, Melina
Volair, Robert Wesley, Stephanie Wesley, TBD
11:00 AM Laura Allen, Cheryl Cash, William Cash,
Erika Edmond, May Walker, Sylvester Whitmire
ALTAR GUILD:
8:30 AM Patti Rollins, Donna Wright
11:00 AM Mary Joubert, Otha Barnes
THE ROSARY – The Rosary is being said thirty
minutes before each Mass. Please join us.
Living Faith: A reflection based on a Scripture passage
from the daily Mass 12/29/14 – 01/04/14
MONDAY: 1 Jn 2:3-11 * Ps 96:1-3, 5-6 * Lk 2:22-35
This is the way we may know that we are in union with [Christ]:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived.
TUESDAY: 1 Jn 2:12-17 * Ps 96:7-10 * Lk 2:36-40
The world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does
the will of God remains forever.
WEDNESDAY: 1 Jn 2”18-21 * Ps 96:1-2, 11-13 * Jn 1:1-18
From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace…
THURSDAY Nm 6:22-27 * Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 * Gal 4:4-7 * Lk
2:16-21
They…found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
FRIDAY: 1 Jn 2:22-28 * Ps 98:1-4 * Jn 1:19-28
Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you.
SATURDAY: 1 Jn 2:29--3:6 * Ps 98:1, 3-6 * Jn 1:29-34
We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
SUNDAY: Is 60:1-6 * Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 * Eph 3:2-3, 5-6 *
Mt 2:1-12
You shall be radiant at what you see…
MEETING FOR THE WEEK:
Mon.
Tues.
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
Children’s Choir Practice
Shabach Choir Practice
Men’s Choir Practice
Young Adults Choir Practice
MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MONEY MATTERS:
First Sunday Collection
Second Sunday Collection
Third Sunday Collection
Debt Reduction Collection
Retirement Fund Collection
DECEMBER & HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE
$10,783.00
$ 9,794.00
$ 8,927.00
$ 3,179.00
$ 491.00
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK:
Sat. 5:00 PM Mary Carolyn Clophus by the
Clophus Family
Sun. 8:30 AM Kennedy Brown by Edith Francis
Sun. 11:00 AM Leola Boutte by Ramona Moore &
Lana Allen
Mon. 7:00 AM Rubye David
MLK Mass 2015 – Please join Daniel Cardinal
DiNardo and the Priests of our Archdiocese as
we celebrate the 30th annual observance of the
birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The MLK
Mass will be held Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph
Parkway (Downtown) Houston, at 3:00 p.m. For
further information, please call 713-652-8203.
Join us in support of St. Mary's School for the 10th
Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk on
Saturday, February 21, 2015!
Steps for Students is a USA Track & Field officially
sanctioned run Archdiocesan-wide fundraiser to
benefit Catholic schools. You can make a difference
by visiting www.firstgiving.com/stepsforstudents
and making a donation through Sr. Odessa
Stanford’s webpage. All funds raised will directly
benefit St. Mary's School.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
On February 8, 2015, the Parishioners of St. Mary
of the Purification Catholic Church will celebrate
the Fiftieth Anniversary of the ordination to the
priesthood of Fr. Aubespin. The celebration will
begin with a Mass of Celebration at 11:00 am,
followed by a program in the Sanctuary and
reception in the Parish Hall.
A photographer will be available in the chapel to
take individual, family, or organization pictures
for your Ad to be placed in the souvenir booklet;
following the Sunday Masses on December 21st,
28th & January 4th.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
7:00 P.M. Mass
Vigil Mass
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
The Mother of God
7:00 A.M.
Church Office Holiday Schedule
The Church will closed at 12:00 PM on Wednesday,
December 31st, and will be closed on Thursday,
January 1st in observance of the New Year’s Day.
Start the Year Saving Lives!!
Be good to yourself and others in the New Year.
Start 2015 by helping Save lives and enjoy a fresh,
delicious meal as a reward…
All who donate or attempt to donate at St. Mary’s
Blood Drive, January 4, 2015 in the Gym, will
receive a $5 Subway card, provided by the Blood
Center plus a free T-shirt.
Please Contact: Angie Spencer 713-417-4220 or BJ
Hawkins 832-419-7207 to sign up or learn more.
Literature on Blood Donation including "Who can
Donate", "Commonly asked Questions" and others are
available in the church foyer.
Bulletin Advertisement: We would like to thank
those that continue to advertise with us on a
regular basis, as well as those that recently left
us. Please patronize all of our advertisers. If you
would like to advertise on the back of the
bulletin, please contact Thelma Goodman @ 713528-0571 in the Church Office. We have three
spaces available at this time.
New Year's Prayer
God, thank you for a new year. May everyone in our
family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We
know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us
to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one
another.
As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest
values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the
goodness that comes from doing what you want us to
do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and
the past, so that we might live in peace with you now,
one day at a time. Amen.