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Pastor's Reflection
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A Sunday school teacher wanted to impress on the children the moral of the Good Samaritan. So she gave them vivid details of the beaten and robbed man taken to an inn by a stranger and shown the greatest respect and charity-while the religious types had all avoided him.
Finally, she asked the class, "So--if you saw a person lying on the roadside all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" hoping to hear the morally correct answer. Into the total silence, one little girl whispered, "I think I'd throw up."
Feeling Our Feelings
She cut right to the chase! Wouldn't that be true for most of us if we were confronted by the deranged man in the gospel today? We'd feel sick, irritated-or just relieved that Jesus was dealing with it!
There is nothing wrong with feeling our honest feelings. But today we are almost overcome with TV, radio, and internet reporting on wars, violence, starvation, and tragedies. People cry out on every side for relief and justice-how can we possibly deal with all of this pain? When the psalm today says "Don't harden your hearts" to God's voice-we wonder how NOT to harden our hearts, how to avoid getting "compassion fatigue."
Silence, the First Step
How does Jesus deal with demands for help? When others walk away, Jesus approaches, and listens. Only after he lets evil speak does he confront it, and sets the person free.
When Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez was asked, "How do you meet the needs of the poorest of the poor in Latin America?" he replied, "The first step is silence." Silence allows us to look, to see, to contemplate what is happening right in front of our eyes. Silence allows us to LISTEN to God's urgings. This is why, even when we are tired, troubled in spirit, and want to give up, it is important to keep our connection to God open.
Jesus must have often been exhausted, sad, worn out by the effects of evil-just picturing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane gives us some idea. But he nurtured his state of contemplation with God, always turning to God for strength and help. Then he could face the reality of sin and evil squarely, so that the person can be set free.
Look how the unclean spirits in the gospel today want to hide-we know from our own sins, whatever is of darkness wants to hide from God. Evil doesn't want to be known, as Jesus wants to know it and heal it. Jesus' way of dealing with evil is the opposite of silence and hiding-he requires evil to "Come out of him!" Be seen, be known, and identify yourself- and then, "Begone, Satan!"
Meet Evil Where It Lives
Have you noticed how some of our greatest ministries operate just like that-by tearing the lid off of the pain and suffering, revealing it for what it is, so that it can be healed? For example, when we see pierced and tattooed kids on the streets, we might walk the other way to avoid them. Covenant House takes these children off the streets and listens to their terrible stories of abuse, fear, abandonment, and violence. Once their stories are revealed to the light, healing hands can help the children slowly begin to heal.
Or do you know a miserable married couple who are heading for divorce? Maybe we avoid them so we don't "get caught in the middle." In the Retrouvaille ("retro-vi") program, those troubled couples listen to the stories told by the lead couples who have already healed their failing marriages. The Retrouvaille leaders do not hide their sad truth from the light-they reveal the unclean spirits of violence, cheating, abuse, addiction, and the misery of a disintegrating marriage. The new couples listen, and learn to face the unclean spirits in their own marriages honestly.
Vatican II documents tell us the Church's goal is quite simply "to carry forward the work of Christ under the lead of the befriending Spirit" (Gaudium et Spes).
Do you have a brother, mother, or friend who is a complete pain in the neck? They're depressing and angry, and they complain constantly about their medical problems, until you can feel your heart hardening the minute you see them. You've resolved to avoid them, because why listen? They're just wasting your time with their whining. Or are they?
Jesus knows the unhappiness in each suffering person's heart. To be Christ to a suffering person, we first have to meet them where they are; and it will require "receiving" some of the unclean spirits which take the form of disease, rage, confusion, and ungratefulness.
In that "unclean" time and place, in the midst of the wailing and moaning, we can be Christ's ears and hands. While we are listening, we are seeing Jesus' body on the cross, being the magnet for all the world's suffering. So, as the person's anguish comes to us, we are empowered to hand everything over to Jesus for healing.
We can still set fair limits on our time, but we are no longer a "captive audience" who can't wait to get away. Through grace and patience, we are a pathway for love and forgiveness to enter that person's life… and for unclean spirits to "come out of him" or her.
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Prayers
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Join us in praying for the sick of our parish family
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick-Susanna Acosta, Brenda L. Anderson, Kery Bartel, Daniel & Danny Ibarra, Rae Marrero, Henry Mata III, Susan Munoz, Alyson Victoria Oviedo & Family, Helen Pickard, Yolanda Sanchez, Joe Silva, Msgr. Lawrence Stuebben, Bertha Trevino, Wally Vara, David Christropher Woods, Joe Ybarra,Ofelia Badillo, Sandra Cave, Mary Cerha, Rose Coronado, Penny Cranek, David Delperdang, Aurora Dyer, Ed Fischnar, Julian Galindo, Deacon Jesse Galvan, Dee Hancock, Grace Heinze, Aaron Holmbo, Bill Jennings, Robyn Marcum, Margie Morones, Tracy Oviedo, D.M. & Diana Salas, Linda Santos, Billie Sievers, Sister Madonna, Dick Sledden, Nancy Souhrada, Mark Spiekerman, Anthony Trevino, Roberto Trevino, Rosaura Trevino, Gabby Truly, Carmel Van Alen, Carlos Vazquez and Bishop Yanta-under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servants to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.
(New names run four consecutive weeks.) |
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Respect Life News
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Words of Life
HHS's new mandate for contraception/sterilization coverage … includes an incredibly narrow exemption for "religious employers" that protects almost no one. For example, a Catholic institution serving the poor and needy would have to fire its non-Catholic staff, refuse life-affirming care to non-Catholic people in need, and devote itself instead to "the inculcation of religious values" to qualify for the exemption. Individuals, insurers, and the sponsors of non-employee health plans (e.g., student health plans in Catholic schools) would have no exemption at all. This effort to corral religion exclusively into the sanctuaries of houses of worship betrays a complete ignorance of the role of religion in American life, and of Congress's long tradition of far more helpful laws on religious freedom.
- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and Chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life
Activities, Letter to Congress, September 7, 2011, in support of the "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act"
For those who have committed sins against the sanctity of human life, especially those near death: that they may be reconciled with God ; w e pray to the Lord. Amen.
El nuevo mandato de HHS [Depto. de Salud y Servicios Humanos de EE.UU.] para la cobertura de anticoncepción / esterilización... incluye una exención increíblemente estrecha para los "empleadores religiosos" que protege a casi nadie. Por ejemplo, una institución católica al servicio de los pobres y necesitados tendría que despedir a su personal no católico, negar atención que protege la vida a los no católicos necesitados y dedicarse en cambio a "la inculcación de valores religiosos" para calificar para el exención. Los individuos, las aseguradoras y los patrocinadores de planes de salud para los que no son empleados (p. ej., planes de salud para estudiantes en escuelas católicas) no tendría absolutamente ninguna excepción. Este afán de acorralar la religión exclusivamente en los templos revela una ignorancia completa del papel de la religión en la vida estadounidense, y de la larga tradición en el Congreso de pasar leyes mucho más útiles a la libertad religiosa. - Cardenal Daniel DiNardo, Arzobispo de Galveston-Houston y presidente del Comité para Actividades
Pro- Vida de la USCCB, Cartas al Congreso, 7 de septiembre de 2011, para apoyar el proyecto de ley
"Respecto por los Derechos de Conciencia"
Por quienes han pecado contra la santidad de la vida humana, especialmente aquellos que están cerca de la muerte: para que puedan reconciliarse con Dios ; roguemos al Señor. Amen.
Visit Our Respect Life Ministry Table
This weekend stop by the Respect Life Ministry table in the narthex to pick up pamphlets, bumper stickers, precious feet pins and more-all for free! Drop off your donations, learn more about our programs and Memorial Garden, too. Questions? For info on the garden and Respect Life Ministry, contact Cece Smith at 210-289-0179. To learn more about the Gabriel Project, a ministry aimed at women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy, visit www.gabrielprojectsa.org or call the hotline at 210-563-0669. Want to volunteer? Call Michelle Phinizy at 210-275-1484.
Join us in the church on Monday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
for a Mass offered for an end to abortion.
Natural Family Planning-not your grandma's rhythm method!
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Inexpensive
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All-natural
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99% effective
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Builds strong families
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Shares family planning equally
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Medically safe
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Morally acceptable
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Highly effective
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Builds marital intimacy
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Increases marital communication
New class series starts Jan. 29 at St. Anthony Claret Church. Register online at www.ccli.org for materials. Call Chris or Nicole Glowe at 210-257-6616 for more info.
We're looking for some very special married couples/individuals for a very special apostolate: to teach NFP and witness to its virtuous application as responsible parents.
Couples/individuals will be provided professional instruction and consultation
in the Family of the America's Ovulation Method.
Feb. 17 - 19, Archdiocese of San Antonio, 2718 W. Woodlawn Ave.
Fee: $200/person; $300/couple (if sharing materials)
Registration and payment must be received by Feb.1.
For more info, contact Steve Pokorny at 210-734-1650. |
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Parish Spotlight
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THIS WEEK'S PARISH SPOTLIGHT
BAPTISMS
Max Castillo Sanchez child of Manuel & Cindy Sanchez
WEDDINGS
Jeremiah Lagos & Jocelyn Ramirez |
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Announcements
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St. Anthony Claret Conference of
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVDP)
Activity Report, December 2011
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Utility assistance: $2,286.00
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Food purchase: $ 2,567.00
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Office expenses: $ 434.00
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Other Client Assistance $ 325.00
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Food bags distributed: 401
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Families served by
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mobile food pantry: 173
Thank you for helping us help others .
A special thank-you to the San Antonio Police Officers Association Benefit Fund and its Blue Santa program for letting allowing our clients to participate in it. Because of them and their generosity a total of 85 families with 189 children signed up and were able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas.
Silver Seniors Meeting & Potluck Dinner
Friday, Feb.17, Msgr. Hubertus Hall
Be there by 6:30 p.m. (Please note this earlier start time!); dine @ 7 p.m.
Bring a game to share.
Current members will receive reminder calls; new members always welcome.
Questions? Call Jody Holcomb at 210-677-0776.
Mandatory Lector Training for NEW Lectors
Wednesday, Feb.8, 7 p.m., in the church
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. in the church
Spend an evening reconnecting with your spouse!
Sponsored by the Covenant of Love Ministry
Friday, Feb. 10, 7 - 9 p.m., Msgr. Hubertus Hall
Feel free to join us at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck.
Topic: Friendship and Intimacy in Marriage
All married and engaged couples are welcome to attend.
For more info, 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 is 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:
CYO T-ball, Baseball, and Softball-COMING SOON!
Registration will be held on the following dates:
Sunday, Feb. 5, after 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. Masses
Saturday, Feb. 18 after 5 p.m. Mass
Sunday Feb. 19 after 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 12 p.m. Masses
Wed. Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Bring a copy of your child's birth certificate, proof of residency or parish envelope,
and full payment to complete registration.
Online registration can be completed by following the link located on the parish website saclaret.com (scroll down to CYO symbol).
Questions? Contact Melissa Alvarez @ 210-254-5568 or
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NOW registering for CYO Track!
Register online no later than Jan. 29 by following the link on the parish website.
The Best Couples' Event of the Year is Almost Here!
If You Have Celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony,
we invite you to the St. Anthony Mary Claret
21 st Annual Sweetheart Mass and Reception
"Be My Valentine"
Saturday, Feb. 11
Mass at 7 p.m., includes a renewal of sacramental marriage vows.
Reception immediately following in Msgr. Hubertus Hall.
Enjoy a romantic evening featuring an elegant catered dinner,
music, dancing, gifts and fun.
Cocktail Attire - $60/couple
Tickets are still available!
None will be sold in the parish office.
Available only in the narthex after all Masses
Jan. 28/29, as well as Feb.4/5 if any remain until sold out!
Committee co-chairs: Mary Garcia, 210-679-5554 & Helen Coignet, 210-682-2403 |
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Religious Education News
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MANDATORY First Reconciliation Retreat for 2nd-Year Preparation Students
(FC2, FCO2, FCMS2, HSFC)
Saturday, Feb. 11
Please arrive on time for the retreat.
Sunday Classes:
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9 a.m. - Sign-in at Msgr. Hubertus Hall and verify your First Communion Mass date: May 5 at 5 p.m. or May 6 at 12 p.m.
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10 a.m. - Confessions in the church (color-coded)
Wednesday Classes:
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10 a.m. - Sign-in at Msgr. Hubertus Hall and verify your First Communion Mass date: May 5 at 5 p.m. or May 6 at 12 p.m.
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11 a.m. - Confessions in the church (color-coded)
Two receptions of the sacrament of Reconciliation are required before a child may receive First Holy Eucharist. At least one parent is required to attend with the First Communicant to help facilitate a smooth program and give the parent the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Afterward, return to Msgr. Hubertus Hall to receive the First Reconciliation certificate.
MANDATORY Parent Conference for parents of 2 nd Year
Confirmation Preparation High School students (HS2)
Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Msgr. Hubertus Hall |
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Community News
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The Alexander House Apostolate invites you to
A Morning on Marriage with Dr. Edward Sri ,
nationally-known Catholic speaker who appears regularly on EWTN and is the author of several Catholic bestselling books, including Men, Women and the Mystery of Love:
Practical Insights from John Paul II's Love and Responsibility .
Saturday, Feb. 4, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m., St. Pius X Parish Center
Couples - $35; Individuals - $20; College Students - $15
To register, visit www.sri-sa.eventbrite.com
For more info, call 210-858-6195 or e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The Alexander House Apostolate invites you to A Holy Hour for Marriage
Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m., San Fernando Cathedral
Celebrant: Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller
Reception immediately following celebration.
No charge; registration required at www.holyhoursa.eventbrite.com.
Come know the healing love of God in a Raphael's Way retreat or support group for recovery from the wounds of abortion. Retreats are held on third Saturdays in San Antonio (call 210-342-HOPE) and on second Saturdays in New Braunfels (830-481-3546). Next retreat: Saturday, Feb. 11 in New Braunfels, Next support group begins in San Antonio on Feb. 1. A Spanish language retreat will be held in April. For more info e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or visit www.anewchoice.org.
The English Movement of the Cursillos of Christianity of the
Archdiocese of San Antonio (CCASA) religious and laity invites all
Catholic men and women to prepare for Lent 2012 at the
13 th Annual Lenten Spiritual Retreat
Friday, Feb 17: 5 - 9 p.m., St. Agnes Parish Hall, 825 Ruiz Street and
Saturday, Feb. 18: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Agnes Church and Parish Hall
$25 donation requested for meals and retreat material
For more info or to make reservations, e-mail
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,
call 210-492-8788, or visit www.sa-cursillo.org. De Colores! |
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Mass Intentions
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MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK
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Saturday, Jan. 28 |
5 P.M. |
Birthday Blessings for Jackie Carian by Carian Family |
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Sunday, Jan. 29 |
8 A.M. |
Albert (D) & Margaret Suarez (D); Alan J. Ponce (D) by Alma Ponce |
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10 A.M. |
Birthday Blessings for Minerva Renfro by Family |
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12 P.M. |
Jose Manuel Ramos (D) |
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3 P.M. |
For Law Enforcement Officers Slain in the Line of Duty (D) by An Officer Still on the Force |
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6 P.M. |
Jim Keeton (D) by St. Anthony Claret Men's Club |
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Monday, Jan. 30 |
8 A.M. |
For the Parish |
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6:30 P.M. |
Holy Hour |
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7:30 P.M. |
For an End to Abortion |
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Tuesday, Jan. 31 |
8 A.M. |
Jackie Reeves (D) by DeGennaro Family |
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Wednesday, Feb. 1 |
8 A.M. |
Tomas Canedo, Sr. (D); Birthday Blessings for Elliano Canedo by Canedo Family |
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Thursday, Feb. 2 |
8 A.M. |
All Miscarried Children by Danielle & Evan Schelb |
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7 P.M. |
Jerry Smith (D) by Ringen Family |
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Friday, Feb. 3 |
8 A.M. |
Birthday Blessings for Ben by Family |
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Saturday, Feb. 4 |
5 P.M. |
Bert (D) & Michael Bednarz (D) by Martha Bednarz |
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Sunday, Feb. 5 |
8 A.M. |
Albert (D) & Margaret Suarez (D); Alan J. Ponce (D) by Alma Ponce |
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10 A.M. |
Birthday Blessings for Emma Caroline Shearer by Bea Peterson |
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12 P.M. |
Birthday Blessings Dennis Bergkamp by Family |
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3 P.M. |
Rosa (D) & Rosendo Leanos (D) by Maria Leanos |
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6 P.M. |
For the Parish |
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Prayers
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All together now--let's pray ! What have you got to lose? There's one catch. These prayers are for someone else, maybe someone you don't know: the man you sat beside at church last week, the child attending religious education classes with your kids, the mother of one of our parishioners—it could be anyone. Still, 90 seconds is all it takes to say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. You never know—one day you or someone you love might be on the receiving end of these prayers. Please pray for the sick of our parish family:Teresa De Gennaro, Jack Donohue, Henry Mata III, Alyson Victoria Oviedo & Family, Braulio Rodreguez, Msgr. Lawrence Stuebben, Wally Vara, Andrew Wasmus, Christopher David Woods, Joe Ybarra, Ofelia Badillo, Sandra Cave, Mary Cerha, Rose Coronado, Penny Cranek, David Delperdang, Aurora Dyer, Ed Fischnar, Julian Galindo, Deacon Jesse Galvan, Dee Hancock, Grace Heinze, Aaron Holmbo, Bill Jennings, Robyn Marcum, Margie Morones, Tracy Oviedo, D.M. & Diana Salas, Linda Santos, Billie Sievers, Sister Madonna, Dick Sledden, Nancy Souhrada, Mark Spiekerman, Anthony Trevino, Roberto Trevino, Rosaura Trevino, Gabby Truly, Carmel Van Alen, Carlos Vazquez and Bishop Yanta in their sickness. Help them to accept this illness as sharers in your cross, and bring them back to full health. Lord Jesus, we praise You, for You are Lord forever and ever. Amen.
(New names run four consecutive weeks.)
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Respect Life News
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Words of Life
A culture of life, not death.…This vision our creator planted in the depth of every human person, as part of our normative law: that life is sacred; that, once God breathes it into us, it lasts forever; that to take innocent life is so inimical to a righteous society that its protection is mandated in the very middle of the ten commandments; that the more innocent and fragile the more it begs protection; that, indeed, to protect life is the most noble of vocations.
– Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, Homily at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Oct. 3, 2010
For families with young children: that the love of God and family will be at the center of all celebrations instead of worldly gifts ; w e pray to the Lord. Amen.
Una cultura de vida, no de muerte.… Esta visión que nuestro Creador plantó en lo profundo de cada persona, como parte de nuestra ley normativa: que la vida es sagrada; que una vez que Dios la infunde en nosotros, dura para siempre; que quitar vida inocente es tan hostil a una sociedad justa que su protección está ordenada en el centro de los Diez Mandamientos; que cuanto más inocente y frágil más pide protección; que, efectivamente, proteger la vida es la más noble de las vocaciones.
– Arzobispo Timothy Dolan, Arzobispo de Nueva York, Homilía en la Catedral de San Patricio, 3 de octubre de 2010
Por las familias que tienen niños pequeños: para que el amor de Dios y de la familia esté en el centro de todas las celebraciones en lugar de regalos mundanos ; roguemos al Señor. Amen.
Join us in the church on Monday, Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
for a Mass offered for an end to abortion .
St. Anthony Mary Claret Respect Life Ministry is sponsoring a bus trip Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 to the
TEXAS RALLY FOR LIFE in Austin, Texas
commemorating the 38th anniversary of the tragic Roe v. Wade decision resulting in the legally sanctioned murder of more than 53 MILLION lives since 1973. Show legislators and the media that Texans want laws that help people CHOOSE LIFE for unborn children.
Schedule
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8 a.m. – diocesan Pro Life Mass celebrated by Bishop Cantu at St. Mary Magdalen, 1717 Clower, S.A., TX 78201
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8:45/9 a.m. – rosary for Life/march to Planned Parenthood and back to church
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10:15-10:30 a.m. – board bus and head to rally location
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1 p.m. – gather for pro-life march at 17th Street and Congress Avenue
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1:30 p.m. – march down Congress to the south steps of Capitol
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2-3 p.m. – program on the South Steps of the Capitol
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3-3:30 p.m. – board bus to return to San Antonio
Cost: $15/person. Interested? Contact Rosalynd Voss at 210-422-4410 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Some scholarships are available. This event is open to all. Help us fill the busses!
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Parish Spotlight
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THIS WEEK’S PARISH SPOTLIGHT
BAPTISMS
Vivian Baribeau Cinco, child of Victor & Delfina Cinco |
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Announcements
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Parish Advent & Christmas Schedule
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Saturday, Dec. 31 |
Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; Mass: 5 p.m. |
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Sunday, Jan. 1 |
Solemnity of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God |
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Masses: 8 & 10 a.m.; 12, 3 (Spanish), & 6 p.m. |
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Sun – Wed. |
New Year’s Mission (given during Mass homilies) with Father |
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Jan. 1 – 4 |
Patrick Martin – See large announcement in bulletin for details. |
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
Ideas about marriage have changed over the years. Isn’t same sex marriage just one more change?
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.
If people of the same sex love and care for each other, why shouldn’t they be allowed to marry?
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. |
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