Parish Advent & Christmas Schedule

 Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene

In its present form the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ
owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger
for Christmas Eve of 1223. The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time. When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member. 

Gather the family around the Nativity scene and welcome Him with this beautiful prayer sequence from the book Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers.

All make the sign of the cross as the leader says: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R/. Who made heaven and earth.

One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Luke 2:1-8. Listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to Luke:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
Or Isaiah 7:10-15—The birth of Emmanuel .

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord.
R/. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The leader prays with hands joined:

God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him,
who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever.
R/. Amen.

St. Anthony Claret Women’s ACTS Retreat

Jan. 26 – 29, 2012 at the Cordi-Marian Retreat Center

Join us for a spirit-filled weekend and recharge you soul!

Brochures with registration forms available in the narthex.

Team members will be available to answer

your questions after Mass on Jan. 7/8 and 14/15.

For more info contact Ijeoma Too-Chiobi at 210-521-4151;

Cecile Catral at 210-831-5158; or, Robbie Alicea at 210-410-4874.

Church Teachings:

Between Man and Woman – Conclusion

The institution of marriage has experienced many developments. Some of these are related to our contemporary understanding about the equality of men and women. These developments have enhanced marriage, but none has conflicted with the basic purpose and nature of marriage. Proposals to legalize same sex marriage would radically redefine marriage.

Love and commitment are key ingredients of marriage, and the Church recognizes that a basic purpose of marriage is the good of the spouses. The other purpose, however, is the procreation and education of children. There is a fundamental difference between marriage, which has the potential to bring forth children, and other relationships. Marriage between a man and a woman will usually result in children. This remains a powerful human reality, even if every marriage does not bring forth children. This makes marriage between a man and a woman a unique institution.

What difference would it make to married couples if same sex partners are allowed to marry?

We need to answer this question not simply as individuals, but as members of society, called to work for the common good. If same sex marriage were legalized, the result would be a significant change in our society. We would be saying that the primary purpose of marriage is to validate and protect a sexually intimate relationship. All else would be secondary. While we cannot say exactly what the impact of this change would be, experience suggests that it would be negative. Marriage would no longer symbolize society’s commitment to the future: our children. Rather, marriage would symbolize a commitment to the present needs and desires of adults.

Isn’t the Church discriminating against homosexual persons by opposing same sex unions?

No. Christians must give witness to the whole truth and, therefore, oppose as immoral both homosexual acts and unjust discrimination against homosexual persons.

           It is not unjust to deny legal status to same-sex unions because marriage and same-sex unions are essentially different realities. In fact, justice requires society to do so.

           The legal recognition of marriage, including benefits associated with it, is not only about personal commitment, but also about the social commitment that husband and wife make to the well-being of society. It would be wrong to redefine marriage for the sake of providing benefits to those who cannot rightfully enter into marriage. It should be noted that some benefits currently sought by persons in homosexual unions can already be obtained without regard to marital status. For example, individuals can agree to own property jointly, and they can generally designate anyone they choose to be a beneficiary of their will or to make health care decisions in case they become incompetent.

Where can I learn more about this issue?

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched an Initiative called “Marriage: Unique for a Reason.” Its purpose is to help educate and catechize Catholics on the meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Resources, including videos and catechetical materials, are available on the website: http://www.marriageuniqueforareason.org/

More resources:

Between Man and Woman: Questions and Answers About Marriage and Same-Sex Unions is a 2003 statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Other statements by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Vatican are available at http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/church-documents-on-defense-of-marriage.cfm .

The Massachusetts Catholic Conference has much information about this topic on its website: http://masscatholicmarriage.org/

From www.ForYourMarriage.org , an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Used by permission.

St. Anthony Mary Claret Silver Seniors &

Knights of Columbus Council #10090 Annual Christmas Party

Friday, Dec. 9, 7 p.m., Msgr. Hubertus Hall

Silver Seniors: bring dessert & a wrapped gift for a boy or girl.

We will be calling members for reservations.

Questions? Call Jody Holcomb at 210-677-0776.

All Because of YOU!

The St. Anthony Claret Council of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul thanks you, our generous parishioners for your Thanksgiving food donations.

Because of you, the council was able to provide 137 families with a Thanksgiving meal.

What do you do with all those little bottles of soap, shampoo and lotion?

Give them to the homeless, of course!

The St. Anthony Mary Claret Social Justice Ministry is collecting these along with toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, and men's white socks for the annual Christmas Under the Bridge project for the homeless. Drop donations in baskets located in the narthex now through Dec. 18.

Stages of Growth in Marriage

by Paul R. Giblin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling and

Pastoral Studies at Loyola University and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Social scientists have observed that marriages typically move through a series of at least four stages. Each stage presents unique learning opportunities and blessings, along with challenges and obstacles. Progression through these stages is thought to be cyclic. This means couples can move through the stages several times in their lives, each time with an increasing understanding of what is involved for having been there before. Sometimes these stages can feel like a new marriage. Couples move through these stages at different rates. Failure to accomplish the tasks of one stage can inhibit movement and growth through later stages.

Stage One - Romance, Passion, Expansion and Promise

In the beginning of a relationship partners often communicate effortlessly and at length. They seem to intuit each other's needs and wishes and go out of their way to please and surprise each other. Couples begin to develop a strong sense of "we." Individual differences are minimized, if noticed at all; partners are very accepting. Joy, excitement, happiness and hope abound. Partners present and elicit their best selves. Life seems expansive and promising. It is a time of sharing dreams and romance. At this stage couples' prayer is often filled with thanksgiving and praise. God feels very close and responsive. This is a time to be remembered and cherished.

Stage Two - Settling down and Realization

The high energy and intensity of Stage One inevitably give way to the ordinary and routine. Ideally, in Stage Two couples learn to deepen their communication skills. They work to understand and express their wants, needs, and feelings. They learn to be honest and vulnerable and to listen actively to each other. They become aware of differences not noticed previously and develop strategies for dealing with them. Couples learn about give and take, negotiation and accommodation. In prayer they seek clarity about what is going on within one's own as well as one's partner's heart and mind. For some couples God may not seem as close while others experience Him more intensely.

Stage Three - Rebellion and Power Struggles

Spouses cannot always live up to each other's expectations. They will disappoint and unintentionally hurt each other. They now become intensely aware of their differences and may use control strategies to bring back the desired balance. Power struggles are common. Blame, judgment, criticism and defensiveness are likely outcomes. Fear and anxiety enter the relationship. Couples' thinking can narrow into either/or, right/wrong, good/bad polarities.

Ideally, couples learn about forgiveness and accommodation in this stage. They learn to deal constructively with anger and hurt. A supportive community becomes especially important.

This is also the time when individuality and independence rise to the surface. While the early relationship emphasized a strong sense of we, now couples need to find ways to honor autonomy and separateness. They learn how to be an individual in a committed relationship. Couples' prayer is often about petition and spontaneous lament. God can seem distant and unresponsive and/or quite present.

Stage Four - Discovery, Reconciliation, and Beginning Again

Couples can push through the previous stage through deepened communication, honesty and trust. Ideally, they discover and create a new sense of connection. They learn more about each other's strengths and vulnerabilities. They learn to identify and talk about their fears instead of acting them out. They refuse to judge or blame their partner; they translate their complaints into requests for change. They move from win/lose to win/win conflict strategies.

Partners see each other in a new light, as gifted and flawed, just as they themselves are gifted and flawed. Empathy and compassion increase. They learn to appreciate and respect each other in new ways; they learn not to take each other for granted. They find a new balance of separateness and togetherness, independence and intimacy. Their thinking becomes more expansive and inclusive. A new hope and energy return to the relationship. Prayer focuses on gratitude and thanksgiving, and couples often move to a more honest and mature relationship with God.

Additional Challenges and Stages

Many couples will encounter additional life cycle stages, each with their own blessings and challenges. Just like marriage, creating a family will elicit the best and the worst, the gifts and the limitations of the parents. It is another opportunity to learn about cooperation and becoming a team, about dealing with differences and conflicts, and about taking time to pause and choose. Parenting is a spiritual journey that involves not only the growth of the children but the growth of the parents. Like marriage, it will have many opportunities to surrender and die to self, to let go and to grieve.

Other life cycle challenges include illness, unemployment and other financial crises, retirement, and the death of one's partner. Many couples must take care of the older generation while letting go of the younger one.

Conclusion

Growth throughout the marital journey requires openness and flexibility. For people of faith, it also means being alert to the mysterious working of the Holy Spirit. Contemporary culture wants answers and certainty; faith requires trust and surrender. The invitation to the marital journey, and the resources to undertake it, come from God. God gives us enough clarity to take the next few steps, even if we cannot see the entire road and where it will end.

- Paul R. Giblin, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

From www.ForYourMarriage.org , an initiative of the United States

Conference of Catholic Bishops. Used by permission.

YOU SHOP-WE'LL WATCH THE KIDS!

St. Anthony Mary Claret Knights of Columbus Council #10090

invites your kids to a very special annual event:

Jim Keeton's Breakfast with Santa

For kids up to age 12 - age 4 & under MUST be accompanied by parent or guardian

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monsignor Hubertus Hall

Pancakes, sausage patties & juice are Santa's favorite way to start the day!

Following breakfast, kids will visit with Santa, have their picture taken,

enjoy games, a magic show, and Pandorfus the clown!

$7 per person (adult or child)

This is your LAST weekend to purchase!

A LIMITED number of pre-sale child and adult tickets will be sold

after the 5 p.m. Mass on Dec. 3 and the 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 p.m. Masses on Dec. 4.

None will be sold at the door .

Keep Christ in Christmas

In an effort to remind folks of the true meaning of Christmas, the St. Anthony Claret Knights of Columbus Council #10090 are selling "Keep Christ in Christmas" car magnets for $5 each. The magnets are 6 ¼ by 7 inches. Contact George Aldaya at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 210-272-0322 to arrange purchase. They will also be sold at the Dec. 9 Breakfast with Santa in Msgr. Hubertus Hall. You may also contact any Knight and they can assist you with your purchase. Proceeds benefit the Knights' various charitable activities.

St. Anthony Claret Family Faith Study Classes for 2012

Christmas Wish List -

Great books to give or receive!

The following books can be used for a deeper personal study to supplement our Journey Through Scripture series, based on the works by Scott Hahn:

• Genesis to Jesus and the Bible - A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
• Bible and the Sacraments - Swear to God: The Promise & Power of the Sacraments
• Bible and the Mass - The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth
• Bible and the Virgin Mary - Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God

The following books will be used for our monthly class to discuss the Catechism:

• U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Reader's Journal for the U. S. Catholic Catechism for Adults

Clases del estudio de fe para las familias de SAC en el año 2012.

lista de posibles regalos de Navidad - ¡Libros ideales para dar o recibir!

Los siguientes libros pueden ser utilizados como complemento para un estudio personal y mas profundo en nuestra serie viaje a traves de las Escrituras basado en las obras de Scott Hahn:

• Del Génesis a Jesús y la Biblia - Un Padre que cumple sus promesas., El pacto de amor de Dios en las Escrituras (solo en ingles por ahora)
• La Biblia y los Sacramentos - Juro por Dios, La promesa y el poder de los sacramentos
• La Biblia y la Misa - La Cena del Cordero, La Misa como el cielo en la Tierra
• La Biblia y la Virgen María - Dios te salve Reina, La Madre de Dios en la Palabra de Dios

Los siguientes libros serán utilizados en nuestra clase mensual para discutir el Catecismo:

• Catecismo Católico para Adultos en EE.UU.
• D iario del lector del Catecismo Católico para Adultos de EE.UU .

Learn more about the Sacrament of Marriage:

Couples of Faith Date Night

Topic: What is the purpose of marriage?

Friday, Dec. 16, 7 - 9 p.m., Msgr. Hubertus Hall

Preceded by a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Father Jan Klak

For married and engaged couples

Free of charge and sponsored by Covenant of Love

For more information contact Chris and Nicole Glowe at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 210-257-6616.

Free childcare available only with advance registration . Space limited.

For childcare reservations contact Amanda & Geoff Vines at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 210-912-1184.

Childcare registration deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 14.

St. Anthony Claret Conference of

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVDP)

Activity Report, October 2011

• Utility assistance: $ 958.00
• Food purchase: $ 3,077.00
• Office expenses: $ 188.00
• Food bags distributed: 374
• Families served by food truck: 142

Thank you for helping us help others .

Attention: Home school families :

The Laude Catholic Co-op will enroll new students for the Spring 2012 term beginning Dec 1. The Co-op meets on Thursdays at St. Anthony Claret Parish beginning January 26, 2012. Class hours are 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and include four class periods, plus a 50-minute recess and lunch period. Students may attend all day or as little as one class period.

Class offerings include a variety of subjects that cater to different age groups and include art, home economics (sewing), botany, American Sign Language, theater, drumming and guitar among others. For more information on courses, schedule, policies, and registration, contact Margaret Ranalli at 210-679-8563 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How To Take Young Children to Mass - Part 1 of 2

by Stacey and Josh Noem

Sometimes at the end of Mass a parishioner comes up to us and says "Your three children are SO well behaved!" Our standard response is either, "Thank you. We work at it" or "Thank you, some days are better than others." The "better" days are the product of years of articles and brochures we read on taking children to Mass. Here is the distilled wisdom we rely upon.

Before Church

• Make sure children are well-fed right before Mass. They do not need to fast, nor will fasting help them to be on their best behavior during Mass. We personally do not think it is appropriate to take snacks into the pew. Our exception to this is a non-spill drink cup that bought us enough time to hear the homily once in a while.

• Beginning even with the smallest infants, dress them in some special clothing that they wear only for church or other special events. This does not have to be expensive and can be as simple as a nice pair of shoes. It helps them to identify what we do at Mass as different from everyday activity.

• Check your diaper bag to make sure it is stocked for any possible needs. Consider including a small toy or book that your child sees only on Sunday at Mass. These should be quiet and made of soft material so that they do not distract those around you from their prayer while they are being played with or in case they are dropped.

• Put on a fresh diaper or visit the bathroom right before walking out the door of your home or into the church.

For toddlers or older children:

• You might read the readings in the car on the way to church. This could even be the job of an older child. Then everyone hears them at least once in case someone has to step out during a portion of the Mass.

• Before going into the church take a moment to remind children what you are about to do. Make sure they know what their job is at Mass. For us, we say that their job is to be quiet/still, to participate by sharing their voices and to pray. Their job is also not to distract those around them from praying.

At Church

• Sit up front. Yes, sit even in the first pew if it is appropriate at your parish. It can feel scary and even a little out of control the first few times, but it makes a world of difference for little ones to be able to see the action. Over time it also helps them to understand what is most essential about Mass without the distraction of rows and rows of backsides between them and the altar.

• We physically hold our children in our arms during Mass. In fact, we adopted the position that our children's feet do not touch the ground during Mass until they are three years old. This helps in many ways. The children get a get a better view; as they grow and mature we can talk them through the stories and the actions; and we have a bit more control over their behavior. If an infant or toddler gets squirmy, often switching who is holding them is enough to calm them down. Otherwise we might play a quiet game of "point to the…candles, priest, altar, cross, etc."

• During their two-year-old year, we begin to let our children stand for a portion of Mass or try sitting next to us quietly, instead of on our laps. Then when they turn three it is a special milestone to be big enough to stand, sit and kneel all on their own (although if they can't see over the pew we have them stand during the kneeling portions of the Eucharistic Prayer).

- From www.ForYourMarriage.org, an initiative of the United States

Conference of Catholic Bishops. Used by permission.

YOU SHOP-WE'LL WATCH THE KIDS!

St. Anthony Mary Claret Knights of Columbus Council #10090

invites your kids to a very special annual event:

Jim Keeton's Breakfast with Santa

For kids up to age 12 - age 4 & under MUST be accompanied by parent or guardian

Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Monsignor Hubertus Hall

Pancakes, sausage patties & juice are Santa's favorite way to start the day!

Following breakfast, kids will visit with Santa, have their picture taken,

enjoy games, a magic show, and Pandorfus the clown!

$7 per person (adult or child)

Only a LIMITED number of pre-sale child and adult tickets will be sold

after Masses on Nov. 26/27 & Dec. 3/4. None will be sold at the door .

Wednesday morning Rosary Makers Group

No meeting on Wednesday. Nov. 23 (day before Thanksgiving)

2012 Sweetheart Mass and Reception Committee-now forming!

Join the excitement! If you've been a guest or a previous committee member, we'd like you to join us in the planning process of our yearly celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. For more info, contact Mary Garcia at 210-723-3346 or Helen Coignet at 210-682-2403.

Prepare for the new translation of the Roman Missal by visiting www.bostoncatholic.org/newromanmissal.aspx and sing along with the choir!

We're back: A Special Message from the

St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish World Youth Day (WYD) Pilgrims

(Part 2 of 2)

When the Pope arrived in Madrid, the environment was even happier as we all knew he was there among us. The hours under the heat of Madrid's August sun were hard to survive but were worth enduring while waiting before every event for the Pope. We all wanted to hear his message which we knew was God's message for each of us!

The main events of WYD were spent in the overnight vigil which took place in Cuatro Vientos Air Base, having adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by the Pope, and listening to his message-which not even the rain that surprised us that night could stop!

" I thank you for your joy and your resistance. Your strength is greater than the rain. Thank you. With rain the Lord has sent us many blessings. In this also, you are an example." The Holy Father told us that he was moved by our resistance under the harsh weather we were enduring.

The Final Mass with the Holy Father was the perfect ending for these blessed days, with a message we bring to all of you: "Dear young people, today Christ is asking you the same question which he asked the Apostles: 'Who do you say that I am?' Respond to him with generosity and courage, as befits young hearts like your own."

With all these life-changing experiences we bring to all of our families and fellow parishioners greetings from the Holy Father: "…During these days, how often I have thought of the young people at home who are waiting for your return! Take my affectionate greetings to them, to those less fortunate, to your families and to the Christian communities that you come from …" (Pope Benedict XVI, excerpt from the Recitation of the Angelus Cuatro Vientos Air Base, Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011).

WYD has been an amazing event so hard to summarize in these lines and it's definitely something you "young people" of our parish should have the opportunity to experience. So don't miss it! Next WYD will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2013! This is an invitation from the Pope to you:

"I hope to see you again in two years at the next World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Till then, let us pray for each other, witnessing to the joy that brings forth life, rooted in and built upon Christ. Until we meet again, my dear young people! God bless you all!"

Starting next week: testimonies from St. Anthony Mary Claret WYD pilgrims

The Ladies of St. Anthony Claret Craft Group

meets every other Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and every other Friday at 9 a.m.

Interested in joining? Call Becky Langas at 210-681-3820 for details.

A meaningful way for your family to commemorate October-the month of the rosary!

Last chance to join the parish's Legion of Mary in a living rosary:

Sunday, Oct. 30, following the 3 p.m. Mass: the joyful mysteries

Pastoral Care Ministry Training for NEW members

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m., Building B

Silver Seniors Meeting & Potluck

Friday, Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m., Msgr. Hubertus Hall

Take-away Bingo will be played.

bring a wrapped prize, Christmas item, or decoration.

Questions? Call Jody Holcomb at 210-677-0776.

The Holidays: A Time for Sharing

Our parish's conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be collecting food in order to provide Thanksgiving baskets for the poor in our area. Bring your donations of the following non-perishables and drop them off in the baskets located in the narthex:

• stuffing
• instant mashed potatoes
• corn, green beans
• cranberry sauce
• canned vegetables
• gravy packages
• pie crusts & filling
• cake mix & frosting
• other desserts

Traditions: The Advent Wreath

For centuries, Catholics have lit the Advent wreath as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The evergreen branches shaped into a circle represent everlasting life promised by Jesus. Since Advent falls during the darkest time of the year, the lighting of the candles reminds us that Jesus came into the world to dispel darkness and radiate the light of God's love. The color purple symbolizes royalty in anticipation of the coming birth of Jesus. Purple is also the color of penance, representing the need to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. The rose color is a secondary Advent color that represents the joy of the season.

Again this year the Ladies of St. Anthony will be selling Advent wreaths after all Masses for the first three weekends in November. Father Jan will bless them the first weekend during Advent.

Who Me, Pray?… With Her? - Part 1

by Jim & Susan Vogt, MA, CFLE

Down to earth questions and answers about praying as a couple:

Q. Why bother?

A. As you probably know, 46-48% of marriages end in divorce. But did you also know that:

• For couples who worship together each Sunday only about 20% divorce.
• For couples who also regularly pray together at home marital stability is even greater.

OK, so praying together can be divorce insurance but it sounds kind of awkward to me. Sure it's fine for priests and nuns or really holy people, but we're just a normal married couple.

Q. But we go to church on Sunday and say grace before meals. Isn't that enough?

A. That's great! Of course these prayer times are important and valuable, but they are different from couple prayer. There is a certain intimacy and vulnerability that comes from opening your heart to God in the presence of your spouse.

Q. OK, we might give it a try, but where do we start?

A. There is no wrong way to pray and the desire to try is prayer in itself. First, some preliminary decisions:

• Decide a time. Presumably both of you are very busy. Isn't everyone these days? So finding an agreeable, semi-reliable time is essential. After experimenting with several times of day my husband and I agreed on first thing in the morning (about 15 min. before the first child is expected to awake). Since Jim is a morning person and I'm not, his job is to wake me and say it's time.
• Decide a place. Anywhere will do, but it's nice to have a bible or whatever reading you plan to use handy. If clutter is endemic to your home at least find a place where you can cover it or turn your back on it. Personally, I like to have a window that I can look out of and see the sky. If it's dark, lighting a candle can be inspiring.
• Decide how often. Ideally, daily is the way to go since there is a rhythm and regularity to it. In our own marriage, however, we have made peace with a less than ideal but workable goal. We commit to weekdays since that's more predictable than the weekends. We figure Mass takes care of Sunday. We also make exceptions for illness, being out of town, pregnancy (when almost any time felt nauseous), or unexpected interruptions like crying babies. It's not perfect, but we feel we're doing OK if we meet our bottom line of doing it more often than not. God wants our attention not our guilt.

(… to be continued…)

- From www.ForYourMarriage.org. Used by permission.

Wednesday morning Rosary Makers Group

No meeting on Wednesday. Nov. 23 (day before Thanksgiving)

You're invited to a Zumbathon ®

To benefit St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish

Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:30 - 11 a.m.

Move! (dance location) 8425 Bandera Rd Ste 136 (Bandera Rd & Guilbeau next store to Bealls) San Antonio TX 78250, 210-647-7676, www.move-sa.com

Cost: $5 entry fee; 100% of proceeds come back to our parish!

(Make checks payable to St. Anthony Claret Church)

This exciting event includes Zumba dancing, exercise, special presentations, and diet tips. You don't have to be a dancer to do Zumba! Join instructors Roxanne Sanchez, Christella Ireland, and Gina Abramson at Move! where they will be pumping up excitement-non-stop Zumba music, dance, and fitness with this Latin dance-based fitness phenomenon.

To prepare for the new translation of the Roman Missal, 3rd edition, our parish will begin to use the New Roman Missal chants the first weekend of November. If you wish to listen and practice these chants on your own, visit www.bostoncatholic.org/newromanmissal.aspx and sing along with the choir!

Men: Are you wondering if there's more to life? More to your faith? If so, join the

St. Anthony Mary Claret MEN'S ONLY Study Group

Every Monday beginning Nov. 7, 7:30-9 p.m. (following Holy Hour)

Cost: $14, incl. all course materials

These are fundamental questions we all ask, and there is no shortage of counterfeit answers in the world today. But if you're ready to try God's liberating plan for your life, then discover the extraordinary Catholic teaching known as the Theology of the Body. It will give you a revolutionary and fulfilling vision for life, as it offers a new way to authentically see yourself, your faith, your relationships, and your world.

Given to us by Pope John Paul II, the Theology of the Body is renewing marriages, awakening vocations, healing deep personal wounds, and setting people free to live the life of greatness they were created for.

In An Introduction to the Theology of the Body, author and theologian Christopher West unfolds God's extraordinary plan for humanity. If you desire to discover and live out the fullest meaning and purpose of your life, then this study is for you! For more info or to register, contact Jon Virnig at 210-315-4662 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .