Welcome Back! CCE Classes will resume January 6th !

We will be having class on Wednesday February 9th , Ash Wednesday. The students will receive ashes in classroom services. There will not be a parent video that night.

Movie Time : Wednesday Nights at 7:10 pm in the Hall!! Parents and parish are all invited to attend. Check movie list to see what's showing.

Movies for the month of January:

January 9 th The Changing Sacraments Part 1 (Video shown in the Family Life Center )

January 16 th The Changing Sacraments Part 2

January 23 rd The Changing Sacraments Part 3

January 30 th What Is Faith

The parents that have attended these movies have found them informative and rated them highly. So if you are sitting in the car, please come in and check it out. Confirmation parents are asked by the Bishop to attend some of the recommended moves for Confirmation parents. Please rate movies by filling out the form available in the hall.

Confirmation Parents: There will be a mandatory meeting in the Hall for Confirmation Parents on January 9 th at 7:15 PM!

Confirmation Students have requirements of service that need to be done before they can be confirmed. In the bulletin we have put a reminder page of the service requirements.

"By fostering a culture of vocations, the Church is strengthened in its universal call to holiness." National Vocation Awareness week is January 13 th through January 18 th !!

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Our "Baby Bottle Boomerang" was a great success thanks to the very generous parishioners of St. Mary's. We have received $2,374.00. Your people seem to love this ministry for which we are very grateful. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to conduct this fundraiser which is so important to our ongoing ministry. Your love for Birthright is a blessing for us. Please remember our mothers and babies in your prayers."

**************

Since this letter was received, Wanda O'Brien has taken more bottles, therefore, the total given in this letter is now greater. Thank you.

Studies published ... in the journals Cell and Science offer new hope for advancing stem cell research and therapies while fully respecting the dignity of human life.

Scientists in Japan and Wisconsin used four genes to "reprogram" ordinary adult human cells, creating "induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). ...

Thus the goal sought for years through failed attempts at human cloning -- the production of "pluripotent" stem cells that are an exact match to a patient -- has been brought within reach by an ethical procedure. The technology avoids the ethical landmines associated with embryonic stem cell research: it does not clone or destroy human embryos, [and] does not harm or exploit women for their eggs. ...

This advance reminds us once again that medical progress and respect for human life are not in conflict....
-Cardinal Justin Rigali, Statement on Stem Cell Breakthrough, Nov. 20, 2007

To join the Respect Life effort, please contact Bob Dean at
bob4345@aol.com or call him at 936-582-6314.

Gracious God, bless all families and make them holy. Enable parents to share their faith with their children through word and example. May they encourage their sons and daughters to seek and follow your Son's call to the priesthood and religious life. Amen.

Please join us every Wednesday at 9:00am Mass as we pray before the Blessed Sacrament for those being called to religious vocations.

Please check out this web site that opens a window into nuns' work and their personalities: www.catholicnunstoday.org

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy intervention program. If you have any baby items (cribs, playpen, clothes, toys, etc.) that you would like to donate, these items will be passed along with Love to the women and babies that need our help and support. If you would like to assist with this ministry, please contact Wanda O'Brien at 597-6328 or tjobrien911@hughes.net to see how you can put your specific talent to use. If are someone in need of the services of THE GABRIEL PROJECT, please use the contact information above. Information will stay confidential.

Thank you to all who purchased Gabriel Project Christmas Cards this year to give to your friends and family. What a wonderful witness you were this Christmas season to the pro-life message.

IMPORTANT: We will have our yearly meeting on Friday, January 4 after the 9:00am Mass. Meet at 9:45 in the St. Mary's hall. Everyone is invited.

FYI: ALL ENGAGED COUPLES for 2008

Having already completed FOCCUS

(FOCCUS = F acilitating O pen C ouple C ommunication,

U nderstanding & Study) 

FOCCUS is a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is not a test nor meant as a predictor of success or failure in marriage. It is a tool to help couples name and work through issues before marriage.

  ~~~~~~

  Are expected to complete their Marriage Preparation
On Saturday, January 26th, 2008
In the Family Life Center @ St. Mary's

Registration begins at 8:30 am
The Program will being promptly at 9:00 am
And will end late afternoon (lunch will be provided)

Do Not Come Late and Do Not Miss This

There will NOT be a "Make-up Session"

Initial Pre-Nuptial Interviews should have been completed by this time--Please remember to bring any additional paperwork that you have been instructed to bring on this day.

If you have not already had your wedding date placed on the church calendar and received Fr. Ed ' s approval or would like more information about the Marriage Preparation process, please contact the church @ 936-894-2223 or info@smsj.org

Or contact Francell Busa @ 936-870-4145 or 936-825-1503 or fbusa@embarqmail.com

  All couples whose weddings will be listed on the church calendar for 2008
who have not already taken FOCCUS and are not doing Marriage Preparation elsewhere
are expected to be at the next group meeting of FOCCUS later this year.

FYI: Baptisms Planned for Jan. 13th

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES
Scheduled for
Saturday, March 1st
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center with
Baptisms to follow on March 30th

Preparation classes for baptism are a requirement for parents or expectant parents of children up to 5 years old and are generally held every other month.

Godparents are encouraged to attend as well.

We invite you to call early in your pregnancy to register for a class. Call: Francell Busa (936) 870-4145 (fbusa@embarqmail.com),
Gaby Tryon (936) 448-1342,
Anita Thornton (936) 448-2974
En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

Have you ever wondered how to make your marriage great? Join us for a Natural Family Planning class and find out! Here you can learn more about Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body and how you and your spouse can build a terrific married life. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a method of fertility awareness that is 99% effective in postponing pregnancy and can also help achieve pregnancy for couples with low fertility. As an added benefit, it will make your marriage stronger! The class series will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands, beginning Saturday, January 12th at 10:00 AM in the Room 203. Pre-registration is required. Join us and begin building a better marriage! For more information or to register, please contact Mike & Mary Ellen Van Horn at 281-292-3033 or mvanhorn@comcast.net.

How long did you date your beloved? If married, how long were you engaged? If parishioners were asked these questions, answers would vary greatly. So when individuals decide to get to know God and develop an intimate relationship with Him, who are we to know His time-schedule? Each person's journey is based on God's time and God's grace, rather than on our parish calendar and a published RCIA "program."

The Rite itself implores us to respect the individuality of each person's journey: "The rite of initiation is suited to a spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God's grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place" (RCIA, #5).

Your St. Mary's/St. Joseph's RCIA Team is attempting to meet the needs of all inquirers. While we've begun informal discussions over the phone with people and in the FLC on Sundays, we welcome anyone at any time throughout the year. We urge all parishioners to recognize their Baptismal promise of fulfilling their own Catholic identity by evangelizing to non-Catholics. YOU, too, are a member of our initiation ministry! Please do your part by encouraging others to join our discussions of faith. Check out our Sunday topics, and join us yourself to continue your lifelong catechesis of Catholicism. All are welcome!!!!!

(Dr. Sharon Skeans, RCIA Director; contact her at skeans@consolidated.net)

On the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm In the St. Mary's
Family Life Center.

God's Gardeners is looking for someone to write their article for the monthly bulletin. Please call the Parish Office if you are interested.

"Blast From The Past"

Second Annual Parish Dance

Date: January 26, 2008

Time: 6:30pm until 11:00pm

Admission Price:

Sack of Groceries for St. Joseph 's Table Dinner

Dinner, Drinks & Setups Provided--BYOB

Costume Contest--Prizes will be given!

"Be There or Be Square"
for the Oldies & Goodies

Sponsored by The St. Mary's Men's Club

ST. MARY'S MEN'S CLUB
. . . will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Thank you to everyone who made the Parish Christmas Party a great success. A big thank you to the Altar Society members who decorated the hall and turned it into a Holiday Wonderland, a big thank you to all the members and their husbands who worked in the kitchen and cleaned up after the dinner. We want to especially thank J.C. Brown (St Nicholas) and Shirley Stucky for the pretty gift bags for the children. A very special thank you to the people who donated their time and talents for the raffle prizes Pat Wren, Ann Lambert, Rosemarie MacCartney, Pat Holt, Evelyn & Detra Cleghorn, Joanne Kowis, Shirley Stucky, Geraldine Ulbricht, Mimi Loftus, and Nolan Ulbricht. Congratulations to our winners Carol Bellezzo (Gift Card), Laveta Malek the Quilt, Betty Lott (Painting of Baby Jesus), Christina Collier (Christmas Wreath), Bob Armstrong (Table Arrangement), Mary Diehl (Homemade Sugar Cookies), Margee Manning (Homemade Fudge), Rose Kimich (Tulip Painting), Marsha Dolhonde (Wall Hanging), Bob Stucky (St Mary's Pecans), Al Perez (Angel), and Connie Greiner (Picture Frame Ornaments).

Happy New Year, fellow parishioners, and here's the latest from our St. Mary/St. Joseph St. Vincent de Paul conference. First of all, we have installed a new leadership team, and we welcome C.J. LeBlanc (President), Claudia Riedlinger (Vice President), Sharon Lacy and Jeannie Hibbison (Co-Secretaries), and Nick Lamont (Treasurer.) We look forward to continuing to work together as we serve those in need through the prayerful intercession of the Holy Spirit.

For the past six years, we have been blessed by a superb leadership team who have led us in " the Christian calling to seek and find the forgotten, the suffering, or the deprived so that we may bring them God's love." During their tenure of office, and through the kind generosity of our parish community, we have responded to the needs of hundreds of people in our area. Thank you, Craig Hibbison, Gene Hemken, Lou Tichacek, and Virginia Carver for your lessons of prayer-filled love and service.!

Finally, our next meeting will be Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 3:30 pm with Mass to follow. Our next St. Vincent de Paul black bag collection will be the first weekend of February. This money will support our parish SVdP conference, and thank you in advance for your generosity.

The First Sunday of the Month is Food Pantry Sunday.

A few can goods from each family add up to a parish family reaching out, sharing and living the teachings of the gospel and Saint Vincent de Paul. Large wicker baskets are provided in the foyer of the St. Mary hall and St. Joseph to accept your offerings.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society meeting will be Tuesday, January 8, 2008 after the 9:00am Mass

What's Happening This Month???

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, January 8, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.

*** Planning for Annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, February 3. ***

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's GAME DAY this month ... come join us on Thursday, January 17, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008. Please contact Pam Alexander for more information.

A Family Blessing Of The Home
&
Marking Of The Home's Lintel 

It is an ancient and venerable custom to gather as a family, bless one's home and mark the entrance lintel during the Christmas Season, especially on the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated this year on January 7th. It's really simple. The family gathers for God to bless the New Year and all those who live in and come to visit this home.

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Father, we bless Your name for sending Your own Incarnate Son to become part of a family, so that, as He lived His life, He would experience our worries and our joys.

We ask You, Father, to protect and watch over our family this year of 2007 so that in the strength of Your grace we may enjoy prosperity, possess the priceless gift of Your peace, and, as the Church alive in our home, bear witness in this world to Your glory. May all who visit here find a warm welcome and feel the presence of God alive in these wall and in our hearts.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. [All] Amen.

Then, over the entrance lintel [the crossbeam of the door] one of the family members marks with the blessed chalk [given out on the Feast of the Epiphany after the Masses]:

20 + C + M + B +08

[Century] + [Caspas] + [Melchior] + [Baltazar] + [Year] 

The 'C' 'M' 'B' are the initials of the traditional names of the Three Wise Men

Or, another interpretation, the beginning letter of each of the word in the phrase

Christus Mansionem Benedicat

[May Christ Bless This House] 

All then pray together The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and ending with:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

World without end. Amen.

All exchange a sign of Christ's peace.

A Special Feast in January . . .

The Solemnity of Mary
Holy Day of Obligation

New Year's Day, January 1 is the day Roman Catholics celebrate The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The divine and virginal motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a singular salvific event: for Our Lady it was the foretaste and cause of her extraordinary glory; for us it is a source of grace and salvation because "through her we have received the Author of life."

MASS SCHEDULE FOR NEW YEAR'S - THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY

Vigil Mass Monday, December 31, 2007 5:30pm @ St. Mary's

Holy Day Mass Tuesday, January 1, 2008 7:30am @ St. Joseph 's and 9:00am @ St. Mary's

The Ministry Schedules will no longer be mailed out.
You may pick them up at the back of the church
or find it on our website: www.smsj.org

Please pray for Marshall & Patrice Perry's two sons serving in the Military:

Brian Perry is a Navy Seal stationed in San Diego, California &
Matthew Perry is a Helicopter Technician stationed in Mayport, Florida.

Michael Katkoski, son of Janice & Gary Pasket and grandson of August & Elizabeth Nowak, is serving in the U.S. Air Force and was recently sent to Kanbul, Afghanistan. Please pray for his safety.

Please keep all of our men and women in the military in your prayers. If you have a loved one serving in the armed forces and would like to include them in our prayers, please contact the parish office by phone at 936-894-2223 or e-mail at info@smsj.org.

{ } denotes the living

{ } denotes the living

Jan 1, Mary, Mother of God: Nm 6:22-27 / Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8 / Gal 4:4-7 / Lk 2:16-21

Jan 2 Sts. Basil and Gregory Nazianzen: 1 Jn 2:22-28 / Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4 / Jn 1:19-28

Jan 3 [The Most Holy Name of Jesus]: 1 Jn 2:29--3:6 / Ps 98:1,3-4,5-6 / Jn 1:29-34

Jan 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: 1 Jn 3:7-10 / Ps 98:1,7-8,9 / Jn 1:35-42

Jan 5 St. John Neumann: 1 Jn 3:11-21 / Ps 100:1-2,3,4,5 / Jn 1:43-51

Jan 6, The Epiphany of the Lord: Is 601-6 / Ps 72:1-2,7-8,10-11,12-13 / Eph 3:2-3a,5-6 / Mt 2:1-12

Jan 7 [St. Raymond of Penafort]: 1 Jn 3:22--4:6 / Ps 2:7-8,10-12 / Mt 4:12-17,23-25

Jan 8: 1 Jn 4:7-10 / Ps 72:1-2,3-4,7-8 / Mk 6:34-44

Jan 9: 1 Jn 4:11-18 / Ps 72:1-2,10,12-13 / Mk 6:45-52

Jan 10: 1 Jn 4:19--5:4 / Ps 72:1-2,14-15,17 / Lk 4:14-22a

Jan 11: 1 Jn 5:5-13 / Ps 147:12-13,14-15,19-20 / Lk 5:12-16

Jan 12: 1 Jn 5:14-21 / Ps 149:1-2,3-4,5-6,9 / Jn 3:22-30

Jan 13 The Baptism of the Lord: Is 42:1-4,6-7 / Ps 29:1-2,3-4,3,9-10 / Acts 10:34-38 / Mt 3:13-17

+ ORDINARY TIME  

Jan 14: 1 Sm 1:1-8 / Ps 116:12-13,14-17,18-19 / Mk 1:14-20

Jan 15: 1 Sm 1:9-20 / 1 Sm 2:1,4-5,6-7,8 / Mk 1:21-28

Jan 16: 1 Sm 3:1-10,19-20 / Ps 40:2,5,7-8,8-9,10 / Mk 1:29-39

Jan 17 St. Anthony, abbot: 1 Sm 4:1-11 / Ps 44:10-11,14-15,25-26 / Mk 1:40-45

Jan 18: 1 Sm 8:4-7,10-22a / Ps 89:16-17,18-19 / Mk 2:1-12

Jan 19 [BVM]: 1 Sm 9:1-4,17-19;10:1a / Ps 21:2-3,4-5,6-7 / Mk 2:13-17

Jan 20, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 49:3,5-6 / Ps 40:2,4,7-8,8-9,10 / 1 Cor 1:1-3 / Jn 1:29-34

Jan 21 St. Agnes: 1 Sm 15:16-23 / Ps 50:8-9,16-17,21,23 / Mk 2:18-22

Jan 22 [St. Vincent]: 1 Sm 16:1-13 / Ps 89:20,21-22,27-28 / Mk 2:23-28 4

Jan 23: 1 Sm 17:32-33,37,40-51 / Ps 144:1,2,9-10 / Mk 3:1-6

Jan 24 St Francis de Sales: 1 Sm 18:6-9;19:1-7 / Ps 56:2-3,9-10,10-11,12-13 / Mk 3:7-12

Jan 25 The Conversion of St. Paul: Acts 22:3-16 / Ps 117:1,2 / Mk 16:15-18

Jan 26 Sts. Timothy and Titus: 2 Tm 1:1-8* or Ti 1:1-5* / Ps 96:1-2,2-3,7-8,10 / Mk 3:20-21

Jan 27, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 8:23--9:3 / Ps 27:1,4,13-14 / 1 Cor 1:10-13,17 / Mt 4:12-23

Jan 28 St. Thomas Aquinas: 2 Sm 5:1-7,10 / Ps 89:20,21-22,25-26 / Mk 3:22-30

Jan 29: 2 Sm 6:12b-15,17-19 / Ps 24:7,8,9,10 / Mk 3:31-35

Jan 30: 2 Sm 7:4-17 / Ps 89:4-5,27-28,29-30 / Mk 4:1-20

Jan 31 St. John Bosco: 2 Sm 7:18-19,24-29 / Ps 132:1-2,3-5,11,12,13-14 / Mk 4:21-25

Holiday Mass Schedule

Monday, December 24th, Christmas Vigil Masses
4:00pm, 4:15pm/Hall, 6:00pm, 6:15pm/Hall, 8:00pm @ St. Mary's
9:30pm @ St. Joseph 's
(No Midnight Mass)

Tuesday, December 25th, Christmas Mass
9:00am @ St. Mary's

Wednesday, December 26th
No Mass

Monday, December 31st, New Year's Day Vigil Mass
5:30pm @ St. Mary's

Tuesday, January 1st, New Year's Day Mass
7:30am @ St. Joseph 's
9:00am @ St. Mary's

I am so blessed to have a family of parishioners whom I sincerely enjoy being around and who are so thoughtful and generous beyond what I could ever deserve or hope for. During Mass when we pray, "Lord, I am not worthy...", I am thinking not just of receiving Him in Eucharist, but also of my unworthiness of such a supportive and loving community surrounding me as Pastor.

For the past two years, I have been privileged to be invited to be part of Gerusa and Nate Parks' group of friends traveling the high seas. We've cruised the coast of Spain, around the French Riviera, down the Greek isles, sailing into the lagoon of Venice. We've crossed the English channel, toured the coast of Western Europe, and embarked from the same Irish port as did the Titanic, for a transatlantic repositioning. This year I was invited to accompany them on a spectacular cruise arriving Rome, down the Italian peninsular, through the Greek isles, through the Bosporus Strait and the port of Istanbul, into the Black Sea, down the coast of Turkey, making our way back to Rome, stopping at Athens and Naples. As has been my custom, I want to share with you the highlights of what was an unforgettable cruise with a wonderful group of fellow travelers and friends.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society meeting will be Tuesday, December 11, 2007 after the 9:00am Mass

What's Happening This Month???

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.

***Altar Society Christmas Party***

Bring wrapped gift ($10 value) for exchange -- bring a finger food or dessert.

Please pray for Marshall & Patrice Perry's two sons serving in the Military:

Brian Perry is a Navy Seal stationed in San Diego, California &
Matthew Perry is a Helicopter Technician stationed in Mayport, Florida.

Michael Katkoski, son of Janice & Gary Pasket and grandson of August & Elizabeth Nowak, is serving in the U.S. Air Force and was recently sent to Kanbul, Afghanistan.
Please pray for his safety.

Please keep all of our men and women in the military in your prayers. If you have a loved one serving in the armed forces and would like to include them in our prayers, please contact the parish office by phone at 936-894-2223 or e-mail at info@smsj.org.

By Nance Shaw

We fasted, we prayed. Did it do any good?
YES! YES! YES! We are getting marvelous reports from all across America.

1. Over 300 babies will live and their parents not have to recover from the anguish of Post-Abortion Syndrome, a problem that no abortionist counsels about.

Kids!
December 1st & 2nd is candy cane weekend!

We're Celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas, which will be on December 6th. Come on down for your candy cane!

St. Nicholas is scheduled to be here!!!

You are invited to a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination of Monsignor Chester L. Borski, S.T.L. and Monsignor Adam S. McClosky on

Monday, December 3, 2007 at 6:00pm
St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
Anderson, Texas

A reception will follow at the Knights of Columbus Hall

Children's Christmas Choir

The children's choir will sing before the 4pm
Children's Mass on Christmas Eve. All children ages 7-16 are invited to participate. They can be younger if they can read.

There will be three rehearsals for one hour after the 10:30 Mass on Sundays: 12/9, 12/16, and 12/23. If you are interested, please call Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or email at Linda@smsj.org. We need at least 10-12 children for the choir.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy
intervention program. If you have any baby items (cribs, playpen, clothes, toys, etc.) that you would like to donate, these items will be passed along with Love to the women and babies that need our help and support. If you would like to assist with this ministry, please contact Wanda O'Brien at 597-6328 or tjobrien911@hughes.net to see how you can put your specific talent to use. If are someone in need of the services of THE GABRIEL PROJECT, please use the contact information above. Information will stay confidential.

The Gabriel Project Christmas Cards will be for sale after Mass during the first weekends of December. Please support our fundraising and awareness effort by purchasing and sending these cards.

Thank you for your support and prayers during the 40 Days for Life national campaign. It has worked wonders throughout the country and our prayers and actions have been a part of what God has accomplished through us.

Loving God, the birth of your Son brings the light of your presence to a waiting world. Enlighten young people to accept the call and challenge to share your presence with others as priests, deacons, religious, and lay ministers, so your light will continue to shine for all to see. Amen.

Please join us every Wednesday at 9:00am Mass as we pray before the Blessed Sacrament for those being called to religious vocations.

There is a preparation process that is required for you to complete before being married in the Catholic Church.

Your presence (both bride & groom) is expected on Sunday, December 9, 2007

From 12:00 noon until ? (usually takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hr)
At St. Mary's Family Life Center

To begin Your Marriage Preparation Process

On this day, you will be taking the FOCCUS Inventory

(FOCCUS = Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study)

FOCCUS is a self-diagnostic inventory designed to help couples learn more about themselves and their unique relationship. It is not a test nor meant as a predictor of success or failure in marriage. It is a tool to help couples name and work through issues before marriage.

~~~~~~

All couples will be taking FOCCUS together as a group.

Also, on this day, appointments will be made
for your Initial Pre-Nuptial Interviews
and you will receive further instructions
for completing your Marriage Preparation process.

If you have not already had your wedding date placed on the church calendar and received Fr. Ed's approval or would like more information about the Marriage Preparation process, please contact the church @ 936-894-2223 or info@smsj.org
Or contact Francell Busa @ 936-870-4145 or 936-825-1503 or fbusa@embarqmail.com

All couples whose weddings are now listed on the church calendar for 2008 who have not already taken FOCCUS and are not doing Marriage Preparation elsewhere are expected to be at this meeting on Sunday, Dec. 9th.

Scheduled For
Saturday, December 15th
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center
With Baptisms planned for Jan. 13th

Preparation classes for baptism are a requirement for parents or expectant parents of children up to 5 years old and are generally held every other month.

Godparents are encouraged to attend as well.

We invite you to call early in your pregnancy to register for a class. For further questions, call Francell Busa (936) 870-4145 or email her at fbusa@embarqmail.com

En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

The Secular Year Ends.....Our Liturgical Year Begins

December is the last month of 2007. 2008 is very near! We await the New Year like the birth of a new day, like we wait for those we love, or like the birth of a baby! December is also the first month of the church's liturgical cycle, the season of Advent and Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, the Son of God, Emmanuel, God-is-with-us. Yes, Jesus has brought us the image of God; and with God, the truth about our origin and destiny: faith, hope, and love.

Being a sponsor is like being a trusted friend. You share what you can. You offer support and counsel as you are able and to the extent that is needed or desired. As a sponsor from our parish community, you will walk with a catechumen or candidate through a formation process that reaches a climax at the Easter Vigil.

You may be asking yourself whether you are worthy or qualified. Remember St. Paul's words: "We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Keeping these words in mind may keep you from becoming too worried about being an unworthy sponsor and help you avoid taking too much credit for what God will accomplish through you.

**Sponsors should be confirmed Catholics, in valid marriages, and active in their faith (regularly going to Eucharist) as they represent the Catholic community.

**Sponsors are companions on a journey of faith (they are not catechists).

**A sponsor is respectful and not judgmental toward their catechumen/candidate.

**A sponsor serves as a bridge between the catechumen/candidate and the church.

Think about becoming an RCIA sponsor this year!
For info or to volunteer, call Freddie Seale (936) 582-7095 or Betty Plessala (936) 597-4422.

ST. MARY'S Men's Club Blood Drive with Breakfast

Sunday, December 16
8:00am-1:00pm
In St. Mary's Parish Hall

For more information,
call Neil Rosenberg at 936-873-2579

St. Mary's Men's Club will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

This month's theme is "GERMAN." There will be German dancers, German food and German fun.

Wednesday, December 19
5:00-8:00pm

(Another confessor will be present, in addition to Fr. Ed)

The First Sunday of the Month is Food Pantry Sunday.

A few can goods from each family add up to a parish family reaching out, sharing and living the teachings of the gospel and Saint Vincent de Paul. Large wicker baskets are provided in the foyer of the St. Mary hall and St Joseph to accept your offerings.

There will be no meeting for the month of December.
Christmas Party is set for December 9.

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, December 4, 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's BINGO this month ... come join us on Thursday, December 13, 2007 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

St. Joseph's Adult Christmas Party

Make your plans now to join us for the
Social Event of the Season!

Friday, December 14th - 7:00pm

All men and women of both churches are invited to share in our
Christmas Party at St. Joseph 's Parish Hall

Each person is to bring a $10.00 minimum
gift (wrapped) and a covered dish.

We will eat, drink and be merry.
Mixers will be available.

Prepare for the Christmas Season
At
ST. MARY'S CORNER SHOPPE!!!

Advent Calendars, Advent Wreaths, Advent Candles,
Traditional Christmas Cards, Nativity Sets &
Many Miscellaneous Gifts

Welcome to the Recently Registered Members at St. Mary's & St. Joseph 's 

ST. MARY'S
Mike & Becky Brimberry
Charles & Jane Coleman
Jerry & Charlotte Darby
Floyd, Dianne & Sarah Darling
Jan Kiszkiel
Margaret Ilnicki & Alexander Kiszkiel
Dale Ljunggren & Evelyn Cooper-Ljunggren
Luciano, Angeline & Marianna Lins
Sean, Alice & Connor McKay
Eustacio & Stephanie Ostigin
Marshall & Patrice Perry
James, Kimberly, Sadie & Travis Politakis
Rogelio, Carmen, Stephanie, Jennifer & Allison Romo
Philip, Katrina, Jacob & Isabella Scimemi
Corey & Andrea Smith

ST. JOSEPH'S
Thomas Grant & Shawna Cook

Congratulations to the Newly Baptized in Our Parish

Saturday, Nov. 10 @ St. Mary's
Eva Christine Bradley
Allison Romo

Sunday, Nov. 11 @ St. Joseph 's
Cayden Michael Rausheck

Sunday, Nov. 11 @ St. Mary's
Connor John McKay
Henry Samuel Thomas
Annie Jean Hoffart
Raylen Hey Seigler
Kaylee Danielle Reid
Brenna Chaye Reid

Sunday, November 18 @ St. Mary's
Christopher James Freund
Ethan Joseph Laviolette

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Holy Day of Obligation)
December 8, 2007
Mass Schedule

Vigil Mass, December 7, 2007, 6:00pm @ St. Mary's

Holy Day Mass, December 8, 2007, 9:00am @ St. Joseph 's

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Holy Day of Obligation

In 1854, Pope Pius IX's solemn declaration, Ineffabilis Deus, clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. In proclaiming the Immaculate Conception of Mary as a dogma of the Church, the pope expressed precisely and clearly that Mary was conceived free from the stain of original sin. This privilege of Mary derives from God's having chosen her as Mother of the Savior; thus she received the benefits of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception. This great gift to Mary, an ordinary human being just like us, was fitting because she was destined to be Mother of God. The purity and holiness of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a model for all Christians.

Movie Time : Wednesday Nights at 7:10 pm!! Parents and parish are all invited to attend. Check movie list to see what's showing.

Movies for the month of December:
Dec. 5th: Meaningful Conversations About Prayer -- Part 1
Dec. 12th: What Catholics Believe About Reconciliation

The parents that have attended these movies have rated them highly and informative. So if you are sitting in the car, please come in and check it out. Confirmation parents are asked by the Bishop to attend some of the recommended moves for Confirmation parents. Please rate movies by filling out the form available in the hall.

CCE Christmas Programs!
Sunday, December 16th
In the Hall after 10:30 Mass

Dec. 8: Communion class Reconciliation Retreat: 9-11:30 in the Family Life Room.
Dec. 15: Reconciliation for Communion class at St. Mary's Church with Father from 10-12 am.
Dec. 16: Christmas program by the children in the Hall after 10:30 mass. Parents please have your child in the hall by 11:45 am to get set up for program.
Dec. 19: Individual class Christmas parties for K-8. Parents please check with the teacher to see how you can help or what you can bring.

Our Pantry is low of food; we are asking all the children and their family to bring a bag of food to share with someone in need over the holidays. We will have 3 food drives a year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter) for the CCE families to help others in need. Share with your children the blessings of helping someone in need.

Confirmation:
Thanks to Level 1 for the awesome Puppet Show you did for the younger children. Great Job!!

Dec. 16: The Confirmation Student will be doing a Christmas Performance in the hall for the parish. Program starts at 12:00 pm.
Dec. 19: Christmas party in the Hall for all Confirmation Levels. We need a parent to organize the refreshments. Please contact Fran or Cheryl at 936-894-2223. Fran's Cell 936-825-4779

Dec. 19 th is the last CCE class for the year. We will resume classes January 9, 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday. We will see you next year!

{ } denotes the living

Date	Mass Time	Intention	Requested By
12-02-07	7:30am	Living & Deceased Members of SJAS	SJAS
12-04-07	9:00am	Sherry Rice Fr. A. Peter Whitney	JD & Joyce Wetuski
12-08-07	9:00am	Eddie Upton	Lena Upton
12-09-07	7:30am	Steve & Willie Mae Burzynski	Paul, Kathy,Cody Burzynski
12-11-07	9:00am	Anna Mae Shibest	Tom & Kaky Wetuski
12-13-07	9:00am	Joe Gottselig	Gottselig Family
12-16-07	7:30am	Mandy Morris	Amelia Imhoff
12-18-07	9:00am	{Dolores Huenefeld}	Bernice Miller
12-20-07	9:00am	Antone Lebeck & deceased family members	Martha Vickery
12-23-07	7:30am	Mackie Caves	Helen Caves
12-24-07	9:30pm	Jeff Wetuski & Ramona Langley	Wetuski Family
12-27-07	9:00am	David Kimich Fr. Alcuin E. Greenburg	Martha Manila
12-30-07	7:30am	Sam Corolla	Leland & Barbara Fougeron

Dec 1 [BVM]: Dn 7:15-27 / Dn 3:82,83,84,85,86,87 / Lk 21:34-36

Dec 2 1st Sunday of Advent: Is 2:1-5 / Ps 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9 / Rom 13:11-14 / Mt 24:37-44

Dec 3 St. Francis Xavier: Is 4:2-6 / Ps 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9 1 / Mt 8:5-11

Dec 4 [St. John of Damascus ]: Is 11:1-10 / Ps 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17 / Lk 10:21-24

Dec 5 Is 25:6-10a / Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5,6 / Mt 15:29-37

Dec 6 St. Nicholas: Is 26:1-6 / Ps 118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27 / Mt 7:21, 24-27

Dec 7 St. Ambrose: Is 29:17-24 / Ps 27:1,4,13-14 / Mt 9:27-31

Dec 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Gn 3:9-15,20 / Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4 /

Eph 1:3-6,11-12 / Lk 1:26-38

Dec 9 2nd Sunday of Advent: Is 11:1-10 / Ps 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17 / Rom 15:4-9 / Mt 3:1-12

Dec 10 Is 35:1-10 / Ps 85:9,10,11-12,13-14 / Lk 5:17-26

Dec 11 [St. Damasus I]: Is 40:1-11 / Ps 96:1-2,3,10,11-12,13 / Mt 18:12-14

Dec 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe: Zec 2:14-17 / Jdt 13:18,19 / Lk 1:26-38 2

Dec 13 St. Lucy: Is 41:13-20 / Ps 145:1,9,10-11,12-13 / Mt 11:11-15

Dec 14 St John of the Cross: Is 48:17-19 / Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 / Mt 11:16-19

Dec 15 Sir 48:1-4,9-11 / Ps 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 / Mt 17:9a,10-13

Dec 16 3rd Sunday of Advent: Is 35:1-6a,10 / Ps 146:6-7,8-9,9-10 / Jas 5:7-10 / Mt 11:2-11

Dec 17 Gn 49:2,8-10 / Ps 72:1-2,3-4,7-8,17 / Mt 1:1-17

Dec 18 Jer 23:5-8 / Ps 72:1-2,12-13,18-19 / Mt 1:18-25

Dec 19 Jgs 13:2-7,24-25a / Ps 71:3-4,5-6,16-17 / Lk 1:5-25

Dec 20 Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6 / Lk 1:26-38

Dec 21 [St. Peter Canisius]: I Sg 2:8-14 / Ps 33:2-3,11-12,20-21 / Lk 1:39-45

Dec 22 1 Sm 1:24-28 / 1 Sm 2:1,4-5,6-7,8 / Lk 1:46-56

Dec 23 4th Sunday of Advent: Is 7:10-14 / Ps 24:1-2,3-4,5-6 / Rom 1:1-7 / Mt 1:18-24

Dec 24 Vigil of Christmas: 2 Sm 7:1-5,8b-12,14a,16 / Ps 89:2-3,4-5,27,29 / Lk 1:67-79

Dec 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Is 9:1-6 / Ps 96:1-2,2-3,11-12,13 / Ti 2:11-14 / Lk 2:1-14 3

Dec 26 St Stephen: Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59 / Ps 31:3-4,6,8,16-17 / Mt 10:17-22

Dec 27 St. John : 1 Jn 1:1-4 / Ps 97:1-2,5-6,11-12 / Jn 20:1a,2-8

Dec 28 The Holy Innocents: 1 Jn 1:5--2:2 / Ps 124:2-3,4-5,7-8 / Mt 2:13-18

Dec 29 The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas: 1 Jn 2:3-11 / Ps 96:1-2,2-3,5-6 / Lk 2:22-35

Dec 30 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph: Sir 3:2-17 / Ps 128:1-2,3,4-5 / Col 3:12-21 / Mt 2:13-15,19-23

Dec 31 [St. Sylvester]: 1 Jn 2:18-21 / Ps 96:1-2,11-12,13 / Jn 1:1-18

{ } denotes the living