DECEMBER 29, 2019 ~ HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH AUSTIN, TX. FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH Invest just five minutes a day, and your over Rome and the entire Western TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:22-28; John Faith will deepen and grow, a day at a Roman Empire to Sylvester and future 1:19-28 “All who heard it were amazed by Time what had been told them by the shepherds.” popes. While the document was later proven to be a fake, the papacy Sunday, Dec 29, 2019 Friday, Jan 03, 2020 nonetheless got ensnared in power MEMORIAL OF THE MOST HOLY NAME FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF politics, luxury, and the corruption that OF JESUS JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH comes with trying to rule an empire. As Called by name A change in plans Dante put it in his Divine Comedy, “Ah The memorial of the Most Holy Name of Dreamers can’t explain themselves. Constantine, how much evil was Jesus reminds us of the power of People ask: “How could you? Why did born / not from your conversion, but names. We honor not just the person you?” And dreamers shrug and smile. from that donation / that the first wealthy Jesus, but the name of Jesus. There is They make the sacrifice, they take the pope received from you!” Don’t practice a certain intimacy in knowing a person’s risk, they think differently, they become your faith for worldly gain—God grants name. Think of our litanies, our prayers someone unimaginable. Ask any artist us riches money can’t buy. for people who are sick or who have or composer, star athlete or TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:18-21; John died. Think of the genealogy we heard Entrepreneur, priest or monk or 1:1-18 (204). “He was in the world . . . but the on Christmas Eve. When we name missionary: How did you become what world did not know him.” people, we acknowledge and see them. you are? They shrug and smile, ecause Think of the people you see regularly in it’s hard to tell someone who hasn’t Wednesday, Jan 01, 2020 your school, workplace, gym, grocery heard the voice themselves: I talk to OCTAVE DAY OF THE NATIVITY OF store, faith community. Remember to angels, I listen to the universe, I close THE LORD; SOLEMNITY OF THE call them by name. my eyes so I can see more clearly. Sit BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:29—3:6; and pay attention to the holy silence. MOTHER OF GOD John 1:29-34 (206). “John the Baptist saw TODAY'S READINGS: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Incarnation in all Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Behold, Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17; Matthew The Octave of Christmas reminds us the Lamb of God.’ ” 2:13-15, 19-23 (17). “Rise, take the child and that all people everywhere share in the Saturday, Jan 04, 2020 his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until mystery of Incarnation, the communion I tell you.” MEMORIAL OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON, of divinity and humanity, revealed in RELIGIOUS Monday, Dec 30, 2019 Jesus Christ and realized in all who are Be a trailblazer Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) was SIXTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF likewise born of women. We celebrate born into a wealthy Episcopalian family. THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD this mystery whenever we gather to eat At 19, she married William Magee Seton Generation to generation and drink the sacred meal. Our task is to with whom she had five children. For a The gospel anticipates the New Year recognize the divine presence in the brief time, it was a wonderful life, but with a child’s potential. After Simeon’s least of those with whom we share this soon William’s business and health harsh prediction of a sword piercing mystical communion, from the baby failed. Elizabeth was a poor widow and Mary’s soul, Anna comforts. She directs born in Bethlehem to the migrant single mother by the age of 30. Inspired the conversation back to thanking God. standing at our wall. Resolve this New by Catholic friends who helped care for She has had time to prepare for her Year to lend a helping hand. TODAY'S READINGS: Numbers 6:22-27; her dying husband, Elizabeth became moment, so when it comes, she rises to Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 (18). “So they Catholic in 1805. In the following years the occasion. Pope Francis linked Anna went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, this first Americanborn saint established and Simeon to grandparents. In a and the infant lying in the manger.” many firsts: the first religious community society that too often dismisses the of women and the first Catholic school, elderly, grandparents still offer time and Thursday, Jan 02, 2020 with several more to follow. Elizabeth presence, just what children need most. MEMORIAL OF BASIL THE GREAT AND GREGORY NAZIANZEN, BISHOPS, Ann Seton’s deep faithfulness reminds Pray for and honor the elders in your DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH us that nothing is impossible with God. own family and community. They carry a Let’s be friends TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 3:7-10; John consoling message! “To the Ancients, friendship seemed the 1:35-42 (207). “They said to him, ‘Rabbi TODAY'S READINGS: 1 John 2:12-17; Luke happiest and most fully human of all (which means Teacher), where do you stay?’ 2:36-40 (203). “The child grew and became loves; the crown of life and the school of ‘Come and see,’ he answered.” strong, filled with wisdom.” virtue. The modern world, in Next Sunday Tuesday, Dec 31, 2019 comparison, ignores it.” When C.S. Lewis referred to the “Ancients” he Sunday, Jan 05, 2020 MEMORIAL OF SYLVESTER I, POPE; SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF SEVENTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE might have had today’s saints, Basil and Gregory Nazianzen, in mind. THE LORD OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD Shoot for radiance Guard the pearl of great price Instrumental in the formation of the Nicene Creed that the church recites TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 60:1-6; We know little of Sylvester I other than Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 that his papacy lasted from 314 until his each Sunday, these great bishops and doctors of the church can also be (20). “Then you shall be radiant at what death in 335. A legend arose around the you see, your heart shall throb and eighth century, however, based on a remembered simply for being two great and lasting friends. Let them remind us overflow.” forged document known as the Donation of Constantine, that the that deep and warm friendships enrich Catholic Social Teaching Corner emperor who famously converted to life in ways that accomplishments and Dec. 28-29, Feast of the Holy Family of Christianity also transferred authority honorifics, and even creeds, sublime as Jesus, Mary and Joseph As we prepare for they may be, cannot replace. the new year, may the peace of Christ control

DECEMBER 29, 2019 ~ HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH AUSTIN, TX. FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH our hearts. And may the word of Christ dwell OFFICE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE in us richly. The Church office will be closed DEBT RETIREMENT December 22nd and reopen January 2nd, COLLECTION 2ND SUNDAYS MASS INTENTIONS if you are in need of a priest call the Please support our Debt Retirement SATURDAY DEC 28, VIGIL MASS rectory or any staff members number on Collection every 2nd Sunday of the For all our sick and shut in parishioners, from of the bulletin, you can leave a Month to pay down our Diocesan Loan that God will continue to watch over message on the church phone they will for the FLC. Our monthly target is them in the New Year. be monitored daily. $4000.00

SUNDAY, DEC 29, 8:00AM MLK CELEBRATION NEXT IGBO MASS For the repose of the souls of Julius and Mark your calendar for the 2020 MLK NO IGBO Mass on Dec 29th. The next Odessa Mays, Louise and Odell Celebration. The Diocese of Austin will IGBO mass is on Sunday January 26, Fennell, Maxwell Downey, Joyce host a commemoration of the legacy of 2020 at 1:30 Barnam, Ava Seraile, and Ava Nicholas Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 11 at 11 requested by Berna Little a.m. at St. John Neumann Parish in Austin. The prayer service will feature TOTAL CONSECRATION TO JESUS SUNDAY, DEC 29, 10:00AM the Holy Cross Parish Choir (Austin), THROUGH MARY In thanksgiving for God’s blessed diocesan and parish pastoral ministers Join others from throughout the diocese anointing upon Carina Baltrip-Reyes, and cultural expressions from various as they prepare of Total Consecration to receiving her Bachelor Degree, groups. Bishop Brendan Cahill of Jesus through Mary. The 33 daays of requested by her family Victoria will be the speaker. preparation prayer for Total Consecration to Jesus through May JANUARY 1, 2019 begins Feb 20. Visit For all Holy Cross Parishioners, that CHRISTMAS GIFT TO HOLY CROSS www.texastojesusthroughmary.org by God will continue to Bless us in the New It is not too late to give your Christmas Jan 23 to receive a free Montfort Year, as we continue to obey His Gift to Holy Cross are needs are great. preparation prayer book by mail. commands and Love our brothers and sisters. PRAY FOR THE SICK NEED HELP? Ella Adams If you or someone you know is SUNDAY DEC 29 , 2019 Mary Anthony Evelyn Battle struggling with grief, depression, anxiety Mass 8:00AM DeKarlos Blackmon Mildred Carter or coping with the challenges of life Rosary 9:30AM B.J. Dukes Josephine Dukes around the holidays, Catholic Charities Mass 10:00AM Vanessa Downey-Little Monica Godsey of Central Texas is the place to start. Byzantine 5:00PM Lester Johnson Vonnye Rice-Gardner Catholic Charities Counseling Services Doris King Mathias Manning Will be updated in January 5, 2020 bulletin offers high quality mental health Marie Mason Bernadette Phifer services for children, adults, couples Weekend DEC 21/22, 2019 Ella Pease Dr. Joseph Quander ATTENDANCE Betty Ridley Mary Sobers and families on a sliding scale fee VIGIL MASS 5:30 PM Marie Thompson Mary Waters structure. Services are available in- person or via “virtual therapy. For more SUNDAY 8:00 am 10:00 am information or to schedule an DCYC appointment, call (512) 651-6150 Weekend Dec 21/22, 2019 The Holy Cross Youth Group will be (Austin) or (979) 822-9340 (Brazos attending the 2020 Diocesan Catholic Valley) OFFERTORY Youth Conference in Waco Texas on Children January 31- February 2.This conference E-GIVING provides the opportunity for our youth to SVDP (E-GIVING) encounter400.00 Christ through liturgy, MSP sacraments, and engaging DCYC presentations that reflect the diverse DR (E-GIVING) needs of today's youth. The price for RETD Clergy the entire weekend is $100.00; this IGBO includes, DCYC registration, hotel & FLC RENTAL food, transportation, a conference T- COURAGEOUS shirt, and goodie bag. The deadline for GIFT STORE registration is December 31, 2019.

NOTARY ASSISTANCE Our hope is that all our youth are able to If you are in need of a Notary, Holy experience this amazing event filled with Cross will now provide this service to dynamic speakers and worship with our parishioners. thousands of teens across our dioceses. If you are able to make a MERRY CHRISTMAS New Year’s Day Mass, January 1, donation or sponsor a youth, please see & HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2020, 10:00AM Felicia McClain, or Jennifer

Brooks. Thank you in advance for your CONSIDER HOLY CROSS IN YOUR WILL support, it is very much appreciated. Call the Church Office 512 472 3741