Today’s readings reflect on something close to the heart of every human person: the fulfillment of our deepest desires. Without exception, each of us feels unfulfilled in some way. Despite advances in law, technology, and medicine, every person experiences the frustration of “not yet” or “not enough.” Our hearts always want more. God plants this desire in our hearts. God knows how we ache. What most of us fail to believe, deep down, is that God alone satisfies all our longing. We know, theoretically, that the Creator of the universe provides everything we need, but we could all use more quality time with God to consider the question, “What exactly do I need to be happy, Lord?” Perhaps we can spend more time in prayer and service, asking the Lord to show us what is truly important in life.
ALWAYS READY FOR JESUS
We often think, “Once I get this, or once that happens, then I will be happy.” But the Gospel shows a better way. All four adults in today’s Gospel long deeply for the Messiah and “the consolation of Israel” he will bring. Human temptation might obsess over the promise of future peace and prosperity, leaving only anxiety and resentment for present suffering. But Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna leave the saving of the world to God; for their part, they focus on Jesus. Each of them keeps busy with daily details of the various lifestyles they have chosen. Mary and Joseph concern themselves with raising a family, while Simeon and Anna dedicate their lives to prayer in the temple. They find peace enough in fulfilling the obligations of their stations in life, maintaining a lively prayer life to be attentive to God’s action in the world. In today’s Gospel, their focus is literally and spiritually on Jesus. They model for us how to be Today’s Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; happy and holy: performing their daily duties peacefully, Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32. always ready to recognize Jesus as he reveals himself.
Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish in Robstown, Texas and Saint Patrick Mission in San Patricio, Texas
DIOCESE OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS • 16602 FM 624 • Robstown, Texas 78380 Phone: 361-387-1312 or 361-387-7842 • Fax: 361-387-9311 Website: www.christon624.com • Email: [email protected] Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Pastor: Rev. Philip J. Panackal Deacon: Bill Cleavelin (361-208-2146) Sacristan: Jerry Knesek Secretary: Ann Clarke DRE: Michele Hoelscher (361-244-2138) Music Director: Vic Benys Bookkeeper: Anna Ramos EDGE: J. T. Tovar Plant Manager: Gary Clarke
Custodians: Andrea Peña, Yolanda Tobòn LIFETEEN: Rachel Unterbrink
Holy Day Vigil @ St. Thomas: 7:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Thomas: 5:30 PM Sunday Masses @ St. Thomas: 8 AM & 11 AM Weekday Masses @ St. Thomas: 12:05 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday Confessions @ St. Thomas: 30 Minutes before Masses or by appointment
Saturday Vigil Mass @ St. Patrick: 4:00 PM Holy Day Mass @ St. Patrick: 8:00 AM Confessions @ St. Patrick: 3:30 PM THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD FEBRUARY 1 - 2, 2020
LECTORS for FEBRUARY 8-9, 2020 “He had to become like Saturday, 5:30 PM: Annette Freeman his brothers and sisters Sunday, 8:00 AM: Michele Hoelscher in every way.” Sunday, 11:00 AM: Paul Pilarczyk St. Thomas the Apostle EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS for FEBRUARY 8-9, 2020 - Hebrews 2: 17a
Saturday, 5:30 PM: Tony Arredondo, Kelly Dunn Sunday, 8:00 AM: Deacon Bill, Josie Blevins, Yolanda Hominick Masses and Intentions for the Week Sunday, 11:00 AM: Barbara Rychetsky, Paul & Melana Silva
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020 ALTAR SERVERS for FEBRUARY 8-9, 2020 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission
† † Glen and Mary Dawson by Tom Dawson Saturday, 5:30 PM: Matthew Cortino, Madeline & Molly Dunn 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Sunday, 8:00 AM: Isabella Paul, Davy Spicak, Jace Compton † Noe Flores by John & Annette Freeman Sunday, 11:00 AM: Andy Vela, Tommy Travis, Glen Gallagher
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle USHERS for FEBRUARY 8-9, 2020 8:00 AM: Parishioners
11:00 AM: CANDLE MASS DAY (Blessing of Candles & Procession) Saturday, 5:30 PM: John Freeman, Danny Kurtz, Owen Cerny, †James Juranek (AOD) by Massey & Kim Rodriguez Weldon Riebschleager, Randy Jendrzey Sunday, 8:00 AM: Michael Rektorik, Ruben Mendiola, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 — No Mass Tom Schumacher, Agnes Flores TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Sunday, 11:00 AM: David Custer, Owen Gallagher, 12:05 PM: †Maria Nguyen by John & Chi Bowman Tim Brown, Delma Tamez
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 12:05 AM: †Paul Labbe by Diana Borse Please Pray for ... THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle All the homebound, sick and suffering of our parish. 12:05 PM: †Gracie Herrera by Yolanda Peña Especially all those who have asked us to pray for them. FIRST FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Leonard & Leona Logue, Elaine McCown, Nina Riebschleager, 12:05 PM: †All Souls in Purgatory by Jerry Knesek Martha Mussett, Cathy Sikes, Irma Clark, Geneva Lintner, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020 Patrick Knesek, Nikki Brown, Gregory Borse, Champ Champine, 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission Sam Borse, Emil & Mary Jo Prukop, Vincent Keller, Dan Pawlik, † Candelario Nava (AOB) by Lori Nava Hatttie Kotara, Shep Titzman, Maria San Miguel, Lincoln Polasek, 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Randy Garcia, Charlie and Jean Chapman, John Michael Delaney, †Ottie Zieger by Charlie & Jean Chapman Rick Chavarry, Maria Elena De Los Santos, and Jim & Pat Landreth.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Please call/email the rectory office to include a person on the 2020 PRAYER LIST 8:00 AM: Parishioners 11:00 AM: Collective Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle †Philip Prukop by Karen Vaughan † RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Calvin Stone by Woody & Maryla Peebles
Javier Peña (Birthday) by Yolanda Peña “Visit our website for the complete 2019-2020 Religious Education schedule at www.christon624.com.” Michele Hoelscher, DRE 361-244-2138 CANDLE MASS DAY - FEBRUARY 2, 2020 The Presentation of the Lord SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Before the principal Mass at 11:00 a.m., there will be a Monday: St. Blaise, St. Ansgar; Wednesday: St. Agatha; blessing of candles and procession. Jesus, the King of Thursday: St. Paul Miki and Companions; Saturday: St. Jerome Glory yet like us in all things, comes to His temple to be Emiliani, St. Josephine Bakhita, Blessed Virgin Mary. a light for all the nations.
ST. BLAISE Visit our website for Online Giving In memory of St. Blaise, the blessing of throats will be www.christon624.com. given after the Masses on Sunday. Pastor
O ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE F 1/25-26/2020 Regular Collection: $7,579.07 (100 Env. & 29 Loose Cks.) PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS F 1/25-26/2020 Second Collection (Church in Latin America): $577.00 E Online Giving for January: $1,550.00 (6) If you have an interest in supporting our parish by serving R 2/3/2020 Money Counters: Jerry Knesek and Susie Tajchman on the Pastoral council, please call the parish office at I ST. PATRICK MISSION N 361-387-1312. 1/25/2020 Regular Collection: $490.00 (7 Env. & 2 Loose Cks.) G 1/25/2020 Second Collection (Church in Latin America): $22.00 u! Daniel Bluntzer and Agnes Flores, Coordinators S Yo 2/3/2020 Money Counter: Rose Polk nk Tha THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD FEBRUARY 1 - 2, 2020
LITURGY OF THE DAY INFORMATION CORNER
INTRODUCTION Altar Flowers: Call the parish office to donate flowers for the altar. Forty days after Jesus was born, in accordance with Altar Servers: Please contact Paul Silva (361-726-6374) if you would the Torah, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple like to be an altar server and need information and/or have questions. in Jerusalem to be presented to the Lord. What they could not have known is that two elderly habitués of the temple, A.P.O.S.T.L.E.: Scripture Discussion Class meets on Sundays from 9:15-10:30 AM in the K.C. Building. Simeon and Anna, recognize in the six-week-old child the Savior of the world. As we celebrate this special feast Baptism Class: Call the parish office to register for this class. All today, let us challenge ourselves to recognize Jesus in paperwork must be completed before attending class or scheduling Baptism. See website for more information. the faces of those we meet. The words from the first reading, “And suddenly there Bulletin: Bulletin announcements are due on Monday by 1:00 PM.
will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, “could CDA Court #2290: Meet on February 24, 2020 at 6:30 PM in the Hall. be placed right in the middle of the Gospel, as Simeon and KC #9318: Meet on February 3, 2019 at 6:30 PM in the K.C. Bldg. Anna recognize in the infant Jesus “the Christ of the Lord” whom they had sought. The author of Hebrews explains SALT Youth Music Ministry: Meet on Sunday before Mass. Practice every Tuesday from 7:30-9:00 PM in the Church. that Jesus had to become like us to bring us salvation. Listening to today’s readings, let us pray that we are able Walking with Purpose: Meet on scheduled Fridays in the I.C. Hall or foyer from 9:30-11:30 AM. to recognize the One whom we seek in our world today. Divine Mercy: Every Friday at 11:45 a.m. before noon Mass. REFLECTION The author of Hebrews goes to great pains to explain Rosary: Every Thursday at 11:40 a.m. before noon Mass. how Jesus was able to bring salvation to the world. As God is all-powerful, we can imagine that God could have put an WHY MUST I ATTEND SUNDAY MASS? end to death at any time by executive fiat. But in order to Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat truly conquer death, God had to share in our human nature, the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not to be tested and to suffer in flesh and blood. Our God is a have life within you” (John 6:53). To have no “life within you” God who has led the way to salvation by suffering and is to be without sanctifying grace, which is necessary for dying, just as we all will. friendship with God, and ultimately, for salvation. It is Jesus’ final visit to Jerusalem that we remember, (Continued from last bulletin). when he was welcomed by cheering onlookers, celebrated The third commandment is still in effect: “Keep holy the the Last Supper, was arrested, sentenced, and put to death. Lord’s day.” What could be holier than the Mass? The Mass Today we hear of his first visit to Jerusalem. Jesus, who sanctifies our Sundays and holy days. was sent to fulfill the law and the prophets, is brought to the “From the liturgy . . . especially from the Eucharist, grace temple as Mary’s firstborn son to fulfill the law and is is poured forth upon us as from a fountain, and the recognized by the prophets Simeon and Anna as the Messiah. sanctification of men in Christ and the glorification of God After Anna’s encounter with the Lord, she spoke to “all to which all other activities of the Church are directed, as who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38). toward their end, are achieved with maximum She was a second witness, as the Law requires. But did effectiveness” (Vatican II, Decree on Sacred Liturgy, par.10). anyone listen? Did anyone take to heart the words of this Jesus died on the cross to make our salvation possible. old woman? Or did the others in the temple dismiss her as The Mass is primarily the re-offering of this one great just a crazy old lady? Recall that at the end of Luke, it is sacrifice of love. Can we say we love God if we won’t women who are first to visit the empty tomb. When they even come to simply share in offering this holy sacrifice at return to the apostles with the news that Jesus had least once a week? been raised, the apostles thought “their story seemed From the Desk of Fr. Philip Faith Guild Series like nonsense and they did not believe them” (Luke 24:11). Would Anna have fared any better when telling people Knights of Columbus Council #9318 4th Annual Father Matthew Lyng that this tiny baby would be the source of their salvation. SUPER BOWL EXTRAVAGANZA QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: FOOTBALL NUMBERS Whom do I ignore without even considering that they may be Super Bowl Sunday—February 2, 2020 speaking the truth? How can I be more open and attentive to Winning Numbers Pay $1250.00 Per Quarter (NO OVERTIME) other people’s voices? From the Pastor’s desk $100.00 Donation (need not be present to win)
St. Thomas the Apostle/St. Patrick Mission Please help support our KCs in this event. Website: www.christon624.com Jesse Garcia, Grand Knight Hannelore Schleicher SAWYER-GEORGE CharterBank ABR, GRI, SRES FUNERAL HOME “Celebrating 50 Years of Great Realtor “Our Family Serving Your Family” Community Banking” Your 361-813-5152 Leopard at McKinzie (361) 242-3205 241-7681 ad [email protected] 801 Navigation 12497 Leopard St. Member www.Corpus-Christi-Real-Estate-and-Homes.com 884-7681 FDIC could be in this space!
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