JANUARY 1, 2012: THE OCTAVE DAY OF THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS NATIVITY OF THE LORD. SOLEMNITY OF MONDAY, JANUARY 2 MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

-No rosary & evening prayer.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 -Quilting Circle, 9:00 a.m., KC Hall of Fame Room.

-Women’s ACTS meeting, 7:00 p.m., Family Center.

-K.C.’s General Meeting, 7:30 p.m., KC Hall.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 LITURGY th -CCD: K-12 Grade, 6:00-7:15 p.m. MASS INTENTIONS & READINGS -English Class, 6:00-7:15 p.m., Family Center.

Sunday, January 1, Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of -Divine Mercy Study/Prayers, 7:30 p.m., Church Cry Rm. God (Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21) 8:00 am- Pete Steinberg THURSDAY, JANUARY 5 10:30 am- James Bludau & Rose Trojcak -First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins Monday, January 2, Sts. Basil the Great & Gregory Nazianzen, at 6:00 p.m. in church. The intention this month: respect Bishops & Doctors of the Church (1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28) for life and success of Catholic schools.

7:00 am- Lou Kubena -Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration, 7:00 p.m. in church. 10:00 am- Pete Brom Family, Benefactors (H’ville Rehab) Tuesday, January 3, The Most Holy Name of Jesus (1 Jn 2:29- FRIDAY, JANUARY 6 3:6/Jn 1:29-34) -First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ends 7:00 am- Florian & Martha Tomsu with Benediction at 6:00 p.m. in church.

Wednesday, January 4, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious (1 SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 Jn 3:7-10/Jn 1:35-42) -Serra Club Mass, 8:30 a.m., St. Rose, Schulenburg.

7:00 am- Bernie & Stephen Bludau 8:05 am- Paul Jansky Among our sick: Edna Key, Frank Fishar, Faith Del Thursday, January 5, St. John Neuman, bishop (1 Jn 3:11- Castillo, Michael Gerdes, Renae Ross, Hubert & Mary 21/Jn 1:43-51) Grahmann, Doug Blumberg, Dan & Danielle Grady, Rose 7:00 am- Joe & Helen Grafe Thumann, Dr. Michael Moore, Bill Gohlke, Sterlin Ritchie, 10:00 am- Leon Sitka (Stevens) Ed Aulick, Ricky Skelton, Larry Appelt, Victor Pavliska, Friday, January 6, St. Andre Bessette, religious (1 Jn 5:5- Anita Bohuslav, Anita Kallus, Daniel Wick, Josephine 13/Mk 1:7-11 or Lk 3:23-38 or 3:23, 31-34, 36, 38) Janak, Paul Najvar, Irene Bordovsky, Betty Hemmi, Milissa 7:00 am- Joe, Lillian, Sophie & Katie Muhlstein Zamora, Rhonda Janak, Larry Korenek, Donna Belt, Red 8:05 am- Deceased members of Joe & Bernardina Bludau Family Kahanek, Theresa (Alvin) Steffek, Bobby Pavliska, Liz Saturday, January 7, St. Raymond of Penyafort, priest (1 Jn Woytek, Hank & Marion Morris, Angela Hermes, Bohumir 5:14-21/Jn 2:1-11) Pustejovsky, Emily Dworsky, Chris Layton, Wade Amsden, 5:30 pm- Douglas Bludau nursing home residents & home-bound.

Sunday, January 8, The Epiphany of the Lord (Is 60:1-6/Eph Every First Thursday, the Church commemorates Jesus’ 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12) institution of the Sacrament of His Body and Blood and of 8:00 am- Dorothy, Ervin, Evelyn & Bonnie Grahmann the holy Priesthood which is intrinsically tied to the 10:30 am- For our Parish Family

Eucharist. Join us on Thursday for a special Holy Hour of Bulletin & Radio Broadcast Mass Sponsor: KJZT Society Eucharistic Adoration in the church from 7:00-8:00 p.m. #2 - Hallettsville. for the intention of the priests and seminarians of our

Vigil Light: In memory of the Lucario Cappellano Family. diocese of Victoria and to pray for more good and holy priests for the service of our diocese. Our Gift to God: Envelopes-$5,481; Christmas-$5,401; Manna-$2,431; Church Endowment-$74; School Endow- Perpetual Adoration will observe regular hours during the New Year holiday. If unable to fulfill your regular hour, ment-$301; Loose-$4,495; Children’s-$177. please find a replacement or call your hourly captain. For Perpetual Adoration – An adorer is needed on Mondays questions, please call Charlene Bradbury 798-3224. at 2:00 p.m. If you are able to spend this hour in adoration with our Lord, please call Charlene Bradbury at 798-3224. Calendar Membership: Dec 22: Monica Chambers, Victoria-$250; Dec 23: Phillip Sheridan, San Antonio- Anniversaries: $250; Dec 24: Jayne Easterling, Columbus-$250; Dec 25: Welden & Virginia Lell 50 years Jan. 6 Royce & Irene Schulte-$250. Kay & Leon Steinocher 40 years Jan. 7 Donations for Christmas Flowers: The Rectory will be closed on Monday, January 2 in Marcella & Henry Joe Henke-$10; Melvin & observance of the Solemnity of Mary and for the New Lorraine Rasmussen-$50; Lillian Haas-$10; Year’s Day holiday. Lillian & Marvin Rabel in memory of Stacey Rabel-$10.

From the Desk of Father John Sponsors for the Bulletin ($80) and Radio Broadcast Mass ($50) are needed. If you are able to be a sponsor, please We have come to the end of another year. We thank come by the Rectory at your earliest opportunity. God for all His blessings in 2011 and we thank Him for giving us the strength to deal with the difficult times Mary, the Holy Mother of God – January 1 is the oldest during the year. celebration of Mary in the Catholic Church. The custom As we begin a New Year, let us ask God’s continued of honoring the Virgin on the first day of the New Year blessing. Let us always keep God first in our lives. Let us originates in the sixth century, when her celebration was also ask God’s special blessing upon all our families. tied to the octave day of Christmas, the eighth day after On New Year’s Day, we pray for peace in our families December 25. In doing so, ancient preachers would and peace in the world. We also honor Mary on her Feast remind their congregations about the role that Mary Day as the Mother of God. played in the history of salvation. Jesus was born of a May this year be a very blessed year for each and every woman, and so, as Eucharistic Prayer 4 states, "Made one. incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, Next Sunday, January 8th, will be the 6th anniversary of He shared our human nature in all things but sin." The human nature of Christ is rooted in His being born like us. the establishment of our Adoration Chapel. As we round out the Christmas celebration with its Octave Sacred Heart Catholic School News Day on January 1, we venerate the woman who gave birth Office 798-4251 to Him. There is a dual action in today's Gospel that is Jan 3: Classes resume. sometimes overlooked. The shepherds find the infant in Jan 9: Student Council Blood Drive, 10:30 am–6:00 pm. the manger as has been told to them by the angel. And School Advisory Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Teacher’s then they go out to tell others about the child. In the Work Room. meantime, Mary reflects on all these things in her heart. Extravaganza – Feb. 4: Social, dinner & dance (music These are the two complementary provided by “Cactus Country”). Tickets $125 per couple stances of the Christian: action and & available at Sacred Heart Credit Union, School Office reflection. Both are needed for a & Rectory. balanced spiritual life. It is, in effect, Catholic School Sweepstakes for Catholic Education putting into practice the two great commandments: love Raffle tickets $5 each. Call Joyce Smolik 798-5349, God and love your neighbor. Kathy Haas 798-4251 or stop by the Rectory. As we begin the New Year, it is customary to make

resolutions: to diet, to exercise, to change something in Religious Education (CCD) ~~ Office 798-3124 one's life. Like Mary, who reflected on the events Angela McConnell, Coordinator surrounding the birth of her child, we take some time to reflect on our own lives: where we have been, and where Jan 4: CCD classes resume. th we are going. The Gospel gives us the opportunity to Jan 8: 4 Grade youth involvement at 8:00 a.m. Mass. situate that reflection in a spiritual context. What does the Jan. 28: First Penance practice, 9:00 a.m. in church. birth of Jesus mean for me spiritually (reflection), and Jan. 29: First Penance, 2:00 p.m. in church. what do I intend to do about that in my daily life (action)? 2011 Liturgical Publications Inc PRAYER FOR RAIN – Almighty God, we are SACRED HEART CHURCH ENDOWMENT FUND – in need of rain. We realize now, looking up into In memory of Emily Sitka: the clear, blue sky, what a marvel even the least Marvin & Susan Bujnoch- drop of rain really is. To think that so much water $20; Martha Sitka-$20. In memory of Gilbert Butschek: James & Joyce Bucek-$10. can fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear! We place our trust in You. We are sure that You know our SACRED HEART SCHOOL OPERATING FUND – needs. But You want us to ask You anyway, to show You In memory of Gilbert Butschek: Clifford & Alta that we know we are dependent on You. Look on our dry Brown-$10; Estela Matus-$10 hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living PAM DORNAK SCHOLARSHIP FUND – In mem- blessing of soft rain. Then the land will rejoice, and the ory of John Pavliska, Jr. & Pam Dornak: Jimmie & rivers will sing Your praises, and the hearts of men will Sylvia Steffek-$40. be made glad. Amen. JEROME HAAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND – In mem-

Single Catholic women (18-50 years of age, who are dis- ory of Richard Klimitchek, Sr.: Jimmie & Sylvia cerning God’s call) are invited to attend a “Come and Steffek-$20. In memory of Gilbert Butschek, Gene See” weekend at Incarnate Word Convent, Victoria on Drozd & Henry Jalufka: Georgia Haas-$30

Jan. 21-22. Please check us out at www.iwbsvictoria.org ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY – or call 575-7111 or e-mail [email protected] for more In memory of Marie Holy by her family-$500 details or to make a reservation. THE Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Year B FAITH CONNECTION January 1, 2011

Mary, Mother of God and Our Mother Today is the first The visit of the shepherds also points day of the calendar to the importance of Mary. She is Set time aside each day this year, a day when mentioned as the first one the shepherds week with other members of people often make notice and as the one holding everything your household, with other new resolutions in her heart in a special way. Moreover, members of your parish or or prophecies that alone to listen to and reflect Jesus gave Mary to us at the foot of the attempt to predict on the living Word of God. cross, thus the celebration of his birth Use these passages from the the future; we has to include his mother. Lectionary that are assigned could even say it’s Mary is called Mother of God because for Liturgy this week. Reflect a day of cosmic she is the mother of the God-man. on how the Lord is inviting you proportions. Earlier controversy claimed she was In the meantime, the Catholic to a deeper union with him. mother only of the human Jesus. The Church celebrates the motherhood of controversy came to an end in 431 when Mary to replace the celebration of the * the ecumenical Council of Ephesus circumcision of the child Jesus in the Numbers 6:22–27 decreed that since the baby was also liturgical calendar. While the circumcision Galatians 4:4–7 God, Mary could rightly be called Mother Luke 2:16–21 emphasized the humanity of Jesus and of God.  his incorporation in the Jewish covenant,  Q God invited Mary to a unique and 

the celebration of Mary as Mother of God  John 1:19–28   amazing cooperation in the work reminds us that the child was not only  “Among you stands one of Creation: to give her body to the a human baby visited by shepherds, TbutIO whom you do not know . . .” ES N U S miraculous and awesome birth of God in also God’s eternal Word made fleshQ in a O

K F E the flesh. Ave Maria! total union with humanity. T E H John 1:29–34 E W

“. . . I myself have . . . testified       Q The Faith Questions that this is the Son of God.”  Q 

       of the Church   of the Week      John 1:35–42 On January 1st, the Church used to Catholics believe that Mary is the Mother “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” celebrate Jesus’ circumcision, the sign of the man Jesus, the Mother of God, of his incorporation into the people and our mother. She is also the Mother of the covenant. Instead, today we of the Church and the humble woman John 1:43–51 who said a big YES to God’s request to “You are the King of Israel!” celebrate the motherhood of Mary, as Mother of God. Mary conceived Christ be the earthen vessel for Jesus. by the Holy Spirit who, through the Adults Luke 3:23–38 angel, proclaimed him the Christ at What does the mystery of this human baby, “Jesus was about thirty years his birth. Also, through Mary, the Holy who is also the Word made flesh, the Lord of old when he began his work.” Spirit brings people, the objects of all creation say to me about the love of God God’s merciful love, into communion for us all? John 2:1–11 with Christ (Cf. Catechism of the Children “My hour has not yet come.” Catholic Church 695, 725, 2599). What can I do this year to be more like God in loving everyone, even those I don’t like *Solemnity of the Octave Day of the very much? Nativity of the Lord and the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Visit us at www.FaithFirst.com (click on “Gospel Reflections”) and share today’s Gospel reading as a family.

Responding to God’s Word . . . Suggestions In most cultures, the evening of Mother of God. The feast of Use one of these suggestions or the first day of each new year is this solemnity acknowledges that one of your own to respond to celebrated somewhat lavishly. These Mary is the Mother of God, because God’s Word this week. festivities often are filled with symbols, she is the mother of the God-man; In the home. Take some time traditions, special music, and food. this we call the mystery of the during Advent or Christmas to gather together as a family. Let We tend to review our decisions Incarnation. every member explain briefly and behaviors of the past year and As Catholics, all we are asked to do what the celebration of Mary, take this time to define new goals and is embrace this mystery of the Word Mother of God means to them. resolutions for the coming year. It made flesh and to cooperate with In the workplace or in school. feels as if we have been given another God’s plans for us. Mary showed us Take holy cards with a brief chance, a new opportunity to start how to do this by lending her body to explanation of the feast and give one to anyone who is open to from scratch. However, the spiritual the miraculous conception and birth receive it. meaning is actually more powerful of God in the flesh. In the community. Try to and goes much deeper. As we begin a new year, our most organize a seminar in your Parish It is against this backdrop of starting important resolution ought to be to to dialogue on the importance of over that the Church places the cooperate more deeply with our God this solemnity. liturgical celebration of Mary as the of love.

Let Nothing Trouble You

Let nothing Meditation Saint Angela Merici Moment trouble you. (1470?–1540) The novel The Unoriginal Sinner Let nothing scare you. As a young woman Angela and the Ice Cream God contains a All is fleeting. became a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. The ignorance letter from young Conroy to God. It God alone is unchanging. reads: “Dear God, Today . . . a guest of the poor children in her Patience everything obtains. lecturer proved through the use neighborhood saddened her, of logic that you don’t exist.” God Who possesses God and she organized a group of responded to the letter as follows: nothing wants. girls to help her in catechetical “Conroy, Ask your professor . . . to God alone suffices. work. Later, she formed the list the reasons why pizza and beer Company of St. Ursula to offer taste good together. . . . Logic and From The Collected Works of Christian education to future reality don’t have much to do with St. Teresa of Avila Volume Three, translated by Kieran Kavanaugh wives and mothers. one another.” The point of God’s and Otilio Rodriquez © 1985 Feast Day: January 27 response is this: Some things are beyond reason. All we can do is what Mary did in today’s reading [Luke 2:19]: ponder them deeply. NIHIL OBSTAT Rev. Msgr. Robert M. Coerver, Censor Librorum Carry this thought in your heart Imprimatur as a guide for your faith journey † Most Reverend Kevin J. Farrell, DD, Bishop of Dallas For reflection . . . September 29, 2011 this week. The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that the material reviewed What do I find “wonderful” about is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those granting the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or the fact that God took human form But when the fullness of statements expressed. and lived among us? Author: Adele J. Gonzalez time had come, God sent his ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Front: iStockphoto Son, born of a woman . . . in The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version We die on the day when our lives Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the order to redeem those who National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by cease to be illumined by the steady permission. All rights reserved. were under the law, so that © 2012 RCL Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. radiance, renewed daily, of a wonder, The Faith Connection® is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office we might receive adoption and is published weekly by RCL Benziger. the source of which is beyond reason. 877-275-4725 as children. Galatians 4:4–5 Contact us at RCLBenziger.com Dag Hammarskjold

From Mission by Mark Link, SJ 01012C Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. January 2012 Sacred Heart, St. Mary, St. John and Ascension Churches Fr. John C. Peters, Pastor Choose Heaven over Earth

Our lives on Earth last but a moment attention are your real priorities. If they compared to our time after death, yet aren’t related to God, your activities Try something new we often let earthly matters take need to be changed. Do you find that your prayer life priority over preparing for How do you feels stale or dull occasionally? Try Heaven. The good news is, make decisions? learning a new prayer. Look in the if we put Heaven Do you look to missal at church or the U.S. first, God will take friends or Conference of Catholic care of everything coworkers for Bishops’ website else. Jesus advice? Or do you (www.usccb.org) under promised, “… seek turn to prayer and “Prayer and Worship.” first the kingdom (of Scripture for Sometimes learning God) and his guidance? This something new to say to God righteousness, and year, resolve to can refresh your time with him. all these things will take your eyes off Hope be given you of the world and place besides” (Matthew them on Christ. If we base Hope is what leads us to 6:33). all choices and decisions on desire and expect eternal life What is God, we will never choose with God in Heaven. Hope important to wrong. gives us the strength to keep you? Although you may have Do you trust God to make you going when we are troubled, God-inspired values – family, service, happy? “For I know well the plans I tired, overwhelmed or work – that may not be what claims have in mind for you, says the Lord, burdened. Hope is what makes your time. Write down a list of what you plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans us strong. Followers of Christ do each day, from morning to bedtime. to give you a future full of hope” always have hope. Whatever absorbs most of your time and (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s ways How do we become disappointed when it seemed as if God didn’t answer a Why Catholics ask prayer? It is so easy to despair when God’s ways don’t look for indulgences? like our ways. Instead, we need learn more about God Every sin has consequences. 1471) says that through an by learning the teachings of Obtaining forgiveness through the indulgence, God grants the prayer his Church and Sacrament of Penance restores of the Church that the reading his our friendship with God temporal penalty for sin is Word. Only so that we can reduced or even then will we eventually go to eliminated. For come to Heaven, but we still example, after certain understand his must first suffer actions and prayers, a ways. punishment for our sin. plenary indulgence can The Catechism of the remove the temporal Catholic Church (CCC, punishment for sin.

© Copyright 2012 Success Publishing & Media, LLC January 2012 Page 2 Lighten up with the Good News

If we spread the Gospel and are always deadly serious over his clothes. The penance was to bear the and anxious, wouldn’t our appearance seem to imply jokes and ridicule that resulted. that the Good News isn’t very good? Even the saints Humor heals. St. Teresa of Avila is said to had a laugh now and then. have complained to God of the rough road Humor can give us a new perspective. he had chosen for her. She was said to have St. Phillip Neri was a holy priest with a scolded him by saying that if asked his knack for bringing people to God in friends to endure so much suffering, “No unusual ways. When a penitent asked wonder you have so few.” Joking with permission to wear a hairshirt – an irritating God didn’t make St. Teresa’s road any garment worn next to the skin – as a penance smoother, but it may have made her feel a St. Philip agreed but ordered the man to wear it little better.

Mark 1:21-28, Is there a right way My buddy or my God? to ask someone for forgiveness? This Gospel describes Jesus and his The unclean spirits had to obey him apostles entering the synagogue at when he commanded them to Jesus thought asking for and granting Capernaum where Jesus depart. He came to announce God’s forgiveness was so important, he taught those gathered kingdom of justice, love, and included it in the Our Father, a prayer at the Sabbath. A peace. There is no room for evil we say regularly. There is no one right human teacher in the Kingdom. way to ask for would say, “Thus In recent years there forgiveness. says the Lord…” But has been an attempt to What is Jesus said, “I say to portray Jesus as our buddy, important is to you …” He taught as to reduce him to a guy we can make a start. one who had the hang out with. We can’t forget Take authority of God. That that as the second person of the responsibility for what happened astonished his listeners. Even Trinity Jesus has supreme majesty. between you. Tell your friend that you the unclean spirits who bedeviled an We will one day appear before him are sorry and you want to be back on unfortunate man at the synagogue on bended knee to be judged. He is good terms. recognized who Jesus was. our divine savior and mediator. He Detail steps you can take together to Jesus showed his authority by may be our dearest friend, but he is be sure that a breach won’t happen performing an exorcism on the man. not our buddy. again. Key to real contrition is amending your life. Give some sign that you are sorry. Shake hands or hug. Such an action executed as a result. will start the healing of your January 31 – St. John Bosco (1888). relationship. St. John Bosco combined catechetical In order to be in friendship with God, training and fatherly guidance to teach we have to be at peace with each other. January 2 – St. Basil the Great young men and women how to unite Jesus said, “Therefore, if you bring your (379). St. Basil founded the first their spiritual life with their work gift to the altar, and there recall that your monastery in Asia Minor. He fought and play. He opened the brother has anything against you, leave passionately against the Arian Oratory of St. Francis your gift there at the altar, go first and be threatening the Church and worked to de Sales and reconciled with your brother, and then come protect the faith and religious freedom. provided workshops and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). He is best known for his skill as an for boys in orator and for being tireless in his shoemaking and pastoral care. tailoring. In To provide practical ideas that promote January 21 – St. Agnes (258). At a 1859, he faithful Catholic living. Success Publishing & Media, LLC young age, St. Agnes pledged chastity founded the Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ for Jesus. Reportedly she was turned in Salesians who (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax for being a Christian by a suitor whom http://www.growinginfaith.com were committed (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from she refused to marry. She maintained to education and the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) her chastity and her faith and was mission work. © Copyright 2012 Success Publishing & Media, LLC