50Th Anniversary December Celebration: Help Is Needed in Servant Hall Starting at 9:00 A.M

ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH HOUSTON, TEXAS NOVEMBER 27, 2011

CHRISTMAS GIVING WEEKEND svdp winter food drive SATURDAY & SUNDAY, DEC. 10 & 11

♥ The giving tree will be set up for 2 weekends, starting next weekend. Please take as many gift tags as you want, but be prepared to buy those gifts. ♥ On our giving weekend, we bring our wrapped and labeled gifts to Mass with us. Remember: attach the tag you took from the tree to the outside of the pack- age. If you did not take a tag, but have a gift to bring, please indicate the age/sex of the recipient on the outside of the gift. Please, new items only, no used gifts. ♥ This giving weekend is also a Food Drive. It is im- portant to bring food or cash for the pantry in addi- tion to your gifts. ♥ Following the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday, Dec. 11 (around 6:15 p.m.) all of the gifts are carried from the church to Servant Hall where they are sorted for dis- tribution. Carrying the gifts to Servant Hall is the easy part. Most people leave after the gifts are carried to the Hall. But much help is needed for the sorting process! Please consider staying a little later and help sort the gifts. Many hands make light work. ♥ On Monday, Dec. 12, the gifts are moved from Ser- vant Hall…either to the Food Pantry or elsewhere. 50th Anniversary December Celebration: Help is needed in Servant Hall starting at 9:00 a.m. ♥ The gifts that are collected are distributed immedi- ately. If you will be out of town, please bring your Come along with your family and join us for th gifts to the Rectory Office before the Gift Weekend, Las Posadas on SATURDAY, December 17 otherwise, your gift will not get to the right person. at 6:30 P.M. Las Posadas is a religious celebration that reenacts the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shel- ter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. The af- ternoon will conclude with Tamales, pan dulce, y chocolate! Come and join us for prayer, singing and celebration! This program will be Bilingual.

Financial Stewardship (Week of 11/20/2011)

NO FINANCIAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE Ladies mark you calendars for Wednesday, Decem- AT TIME OF PUBLICATION ber 21 for church Christmas cleaning at 9:00 a.m. Bring your dust rags and your brooms. For Thank you for your continued generosity! information call Helen at 713-723-0422.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Readings for the Week of November 27, 2011 THIS WEEK AT STM…

Sunday: First Sunday of Advent Sunday, November 27-TAKE A TAG FROM THE GIVING TREE! Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; Ps 80; 1 Cor 1:3-9; 10:00 a.m. Sacrament of the Sick, Church Mk 13:33-37 Monday, November 28 Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122; Mt 8:5-11 5:00 p.m. Children’s Rosary, Church Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72; Lk 10:21-24 6:30 p.m. Sp. Legion of Mary, Room F Wednesday: Saint Andrew, apostle Ballet Folklorico, Rehkopf Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19; Mt 4:18-22 7:00 p.m. Oración y Vida, Prinster Hall Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118; Mt 7:21, 24-27 James Bible Study, Servant Hall Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27; Mt 9:27-31 Tuesday, November 29 Saturday: Saint Francis Xavier, priest 9:30 a.m. Women’s Guild, Servant Hall Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147; Mt 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8 5:30 p.m. Youth group, Mass & Meal Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent 7:00 p.m. ESL, School Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 Sp. RICA, AE-St. Paul FPMC, Servant Hall 7:30 p.m. Sounds of Faith, AE-St. Mary Wednesday, November 30 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27… 10:00 a.m. Apostleship of the Cross, AE-St. Paul James Bible Study, Servant Hall Monday, November 28 6:00 p.m. Youth Choir, AE-St. Mary 6:30 a.m. †All Souls / Chris Eskelund 7:00 p.m. Sch. Parents Faith & Family Night, Servant 5:30 p.m. †All Souls / †Young Family members Sp. Intercessory Prayer Grp., D. Den Tuesday, November 29 OMOPH Prayer Grp., Chapel 6:30 a.m. Joan Clifford / Andrew Morris Youth Group High School Girls, YC 5:30 a.m. Paul & Freda Schueler / Leo & Pat Schueler 7:30 p.m. Parish Basketball Coaches Mtg., Gym Wednesday, November 30 Thursday, December 1 6:30 a.m. †John Gidley / †Hattie Williams 9:30 a.m. Sewing & Crafts, Donovan’s Den 5:30 p.m. †Mary Price / Thnks. R. Abaya Blas Family 6:30 p.m. Gabriel Project, Rectory Thursday, December 1 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous, Room F 6:30 a.m. †Fr. Al Walsh / Joseph Knipp ESL, School 8:15 a.m. Gerald & Mary Eskelund / Tate Eskelund High School Guys Group, Youth Center 5:30 p.m. †Roy P. Hebert / †Joe Peters James Bible Study, Servant Hall Friday, December 2 7:30 p.m. Apostleship of the Cross, AE-St. Paul 6:30 a.m. E. Iuliano / †Elton J. Williams Word of Truth Bible Study, AE-St. Peter 8:15 a.m. Sr. Ronalda, IWBS / Anne Marie Germani Combined Choir, Church 5:30 p.m. †Arturo Pardo / †Bulletin Advertisers Friday, December 2-FIRST FRIDAY Saturday, December 3 7:00 p.m. Pack Meeting, Prinster Hall 9:00 a.m. †Gregory Laitkep / †Joseph Flaherty Sp. Char. Prayer Grp. Healing Mass, Church 5:00 p.m. †Bob Osborn / Thnks. Lagniton Family 8:00 p.m. Nocturnal Adoration, Chapel Sunday, December 4 Saturday, December 3 7:30 a.m. David Seeman / †Juan Ignacio Garcia 8:00 a.m. Breakfast with Santa, Servant Hall 9:00 a.m. Dorothy Flaherty / †Thomas Bourgeois Oracion y Vida, Prinster Hall 11:00 a.m. Dennis Uzoh / Patricia Landa 8:30 a.m. Rosary for Vocations, Chapel 1:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Sp. Evang. Team, AE-St. Paul 5:00 p.m. Michael Ogugua 3:30 p.m. Confession 7:00 p.m. Special Intention / †Edward Avelar 6:15 p.m. Confession Sunday, December 4-CRAFT SALE / BOY SCOUT WREATHS / TAKE A TAG FROM THE GIVING TREE 8:30 a.m. Ad Altare Dei, Room F 9:00 a.m. CCE , Prinster & School WASSAIL AND COOKIES WILL BE SERVED ON 9:30 a.m. RCIA, Adult Ed Bldg OUR GIFT WEEKEND… 10:00 a.m. Sacrament of the Sick, Church 11:00 a.m. CCE, Prinster & School DECEMBER 10 & 11. 2:30 p.m. English Baptisms, Church LOTS OF COOKIES NEEDED, 6:30 p.m. High School Youth, Youth Center 9:00 p.m. Resp. Life Rosary & Divine Mercy, Chapel HOME BAKED WOULD BE GREAT, BUT NOT NECESSARY. PLEASE BRING YOUR COOKIES TO THE SCOUT HOUSE ON SATURDAY, GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRY will soon need a new coordinator. Is that person you? You would be the DEC. 10 BETWEEN 12 —2 P.M. head of our funeral reception group, a vital position. CALL KATHY WARNER WITH A desire to serve and a smiling face...a necessity. QUESTIONS: 713-729-0880 Call the church office with questions. ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH HOUSTON, TEXAS NOVEMBER 27, 2011

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS To start the Church new year as parents, encourage FIRST RECONCILIATION your family to be involved in the liturgical life of the par- Session #2 for First Reconciliation is Saturday, ish as servers, readers, choir members, etc. December 10, 9 a.m-12:00p.m. Please arrive no The Parish Vocation Committee later than 8:45 a.m. to check in. The child and at least one parent must attend. Bring a copy of your child’s Baptismal certificate. The necessary Sewing/Craft Guild books will be available for purchase that day. We're working on items for our Christmas Sale, Dec 3 & 4. All proceeds go to the parish so please do your Christmas shopping with us. We meet every Thursday, in Donovan Den from 9:30 to 1pm. and work on many different projects. If you can't join us Eucharistic Adoration: CAN YOU HELP? We need please consider doing a project at home. You are welcome to someone to fill the following hours: drop by to visit or shop. We need flannel for prayer blankets, all kinds of beads and beaded jewelry. Donations may be left at the Sunday, 3-4 a.m. Rectory or School Office. Friday, 4-5 a.m. Explanation of Prayer Blanket: The Prayer Blanket is sewn Saturday, 1-2 a.m. with love and prayers for the one to receive it. The process in- volves shopping for the material, washing, coordinating fabric, Can you take one of these hours or any hour? cutting, sewing, ironing and tagging; all the while praying for the Just call and volunteer! If you can’t attend your Holy one to receive it. After the blanket is completed it is blessed by a Hour please plan ahead for a substitute...find your priest and taken to Mass. The recipient of the blanket is lifted up own, if you can! Call Suzie Hamilton 713-729-0221 or in prayer throughout the process. These beautiful acts transform the blanket into a Prayer Blanket. Its threads become interwoven 713-726-0289 with pleas of healing for the body, mind, and spirit of the recipient.

FIRST FRIDAY NOCTURNAL ADORATION THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED GENEROSITY!

NOCTURNAL ADORATION GROUPS will meet in the chapel this Contact: Isabel Lay, 713-729-0221 or [email protected] or Friday, December 2 to pray the Office of the Blessed Sacrament Margaret Schueler , 713-666-1311 or [email protected] on the hour beginning at 8:00 p.m. concluding at 8:00 a.m. on Sat- urday December 3. You are welcome to join any group at any hour. The Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province is celebrat- ing a Mass of Thanksgiving and Open House for Mary Immacu- FIRST SATURDAY ROSARY FOR VOCATIONS late Preschool, Sunday, December 11, 2011...11:00 a.m., cele- Every First Saturday, the rosary is prayed in the Chapel at 8:30 brant Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A Fiorenza, 12:00 p.m. Open a.m. in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate House Celebration. 5900 Chippewa Blvd., Houston, 77086. Heart of Mary, as Our Lady of Fatima requested. The rosary is Your presence and prayers will be an honor and blessing for our also offered for the special intention of an increase in vocations to Province and Preschool program. the priesthood and religious life. The next date is December 3. STM WOMEN’S GUILD: RESPECT LIFE ROSARY/DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET If you're searching for some new ways to bring Advent On First Sundays, the rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed into your home for this Christmas season, look no fur- in the chapel at 9:00 p.m. for pro-life intentions. The next date is ther. The STM Women's Guild is presenting 50 Ways to December 4. Imitate the Magi: ideas to fill our homes with the joy of Advent . We'll offer new and inspiring ideas to use this BRIDGE PLAYERS Advent season to offer contemporary gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ-child. As we prepare for Join us on the first Tuesday of December, (Dec. 6) for a fun Christmas, each way we honor the Nativity is our gift to day of card playing. This is our Christmas party, so bring your favorite dish to share. We will start at 9:45 a.m. in Him, just like the gold, frankincense and myrrh offered to Donovan’s Den. him by the Magi.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 Hello STM, my name is Anthony Brabec. I am applying for a 9:30-11:30 Servant Hall scholarship called the “Create A Greeting Card Scholarship”. One of the ideas I am pursuing is a card covered in decorated Christ- To register for babysitting, contact Cherie Coco at mas Trees. This is where the church family comes in. If you could [email protected] or 713-776-2820 simply take a picture of your decorated Christmas trees and send If you can, bring a potluck brunch dish to share & a favor- it to my email, [email protected] , I would very much appre- ite Christmas recipe. If you can't, no worries. Join us any- ciate it. Thank you. way!

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

STM YOUTH GROUP STreaMliners Schedule: Sunday, following 5:00 p.m. Mass, join us in the Youth Saturday, Dec. 10: Christmas Party starting at 6:30 p.m. in Ser- Center...for high school age students. vant Hall, adults over 50 only! Members are free, non-members No meeting tonight, hope you had a great are $15/person. Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Entertain- Thanksgiving with family and friends. ment: Sheila Lee, accordionist. Don’t forget to bring non- perishable food for the STM pantry and toiletries for the LBJ This week: (all weekly events for high school age youth) Charity Hospital. Tuesday , Mass + Meal, 5:30 p.m. Mass, Chik-fil-a, then Thursday, Dec. 15: Book club meeting, 10:00 a.m. in the Adult game night in the Youth Room until 8:30 p.m. Ed Bldg. Call Sunny Sternfels, 713-774-7047. Wednesday , Girls Group, 7-9 p.m. in the Youth Center Friday, Dec. 16: Santa’s Wonderland, College Station, tour and hayride, $20 pp, barbecue dinner on your own. Leaving on the Thursday , Guys Group, 7-9 p.m. in the Youth Center county bus at 3:00 p.m. from rear parking lot near Prinster Hall. Call Myrleen Golightly, 832-465-7297 or Joyce Coles, 713-774- We want to see new faces, so please stop on by for one or 2628. more of these events!!! Thursday, Dec. 29: Coushatta Casino, $15 pp, 6:30 a.m. coffee & donuts, leave at 7:00 a.m. Junior High: remember that we meet every other Friday night, 7-9 p.m. Upcoming dates, Dec. 2 (youth center) & Amelia Island, St. Augustine & Jacksonville, FL, $696 pp, dbl, 7 Dec. 16 (new gym). Come for fun Friday nights with games, days / 6 nights, Feb. 12—18, 2012 pizza and hang out! STreaMliner Trips are open to all STM Families and Friends! Trips leave from the rear parking lot near Prinster Hall. STM youth will be selling Christmas poinsettia and Texas Please leave 5 spaces around all bins/dumpsters. sand blasted crosses after the 9,11,1 & 5 o'clock masses Ed’s Tours 713-723-2035 today. This is your last chance to buy poinsettias. Please help support our youth group. ACTS update:

Next Sunday night (Dec. 4) Adore Ministries will host “The We have a date! Our next St. Thomas More women's ACTS Light Shines”, a night of Advent Worship with Matt Maher retreat will be offered June 14-17, 2012, at Holy Name Re- treat center. Please mark your calendars and prayerfully and special guests The Robbie Seay Band. The event is consider joining us for this wonderful weekend. All ACTS open to all ages and costs $10. The event will be held at alumni are invited to gather on Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 pm in the University of St. Thomas and will begin at 7pm. For the Adult Education Bldg to learn how to make rosaries and tickets call the youth office at 713-729.211 and ask to fellowship. We will not meet on Nov. 27. speak with the secretary, Rebecca Hughey.

Youth Office: 713-729-2111 S T M Parish Basketball For more info: www.stmyouth.org Coaches meeting Nov. 30, 8 p.m. in new gym. Evaluations - MUST attend both evaluations for your league at the times given below:

Secure your child’s place at St. Thomas More Parish School… BOYS OPEN HOUSE DATES FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS Grades 1-2 Sat. Dec. 3 8 am (only one try-out) Grades 3-4 Sat. Dec. 3 10 am November 30 Sat. Dec. 10 10 am Preschool 3 and 4 Year Olds Kindergarten – Eighth Grade Grades 5-6 Sat. Dec. 3 1 pm 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Sat. Dec. 10 1 pm Other dates/times by appointment. Grades 7-8 Sat. Dec. 3 3 pm Applications now being accepted Sat. Dec. 10 3 pm Entrance exam is required for all students entering GIRLS Kindergarten through 8 th grade. Grades 1-2 Sat. Dec. 10 8 am (only one try-out) Grades 3-4 Sat. Dec. 3 12 noon Sat. Dec. 10 12 noon ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH SCHOOL Grades 5-6 & Grades 7-8 (two separate leagues, but try-outs 5927 Wigton Dr. * 713.729.3434 are together) Applications for the 2011 - 2012 school year Sat. Dec. 3 5 pm are available online or in the school office. Sat. Dec. 10 4:30 pm For more information visit www.stthomasmore-school.org All coaches and referees must be Virtus certified which will be ************************************************************ provided. Please call Bob Brill at 713-346-2603 wk, 713-598 -4838 cell if any questions. ST. THOMAS MORE CHURCH HOUSTON, TEXAS NOVEMBER 27, 2011

Fin de semana de regalar Para comenzar el Nuevo año en la Iglesia como pa- Fin de semana de regalar svdp colecta de comida de invierno dres, anime a su familia a envolverse en la vida litúrgi- svdp colecta de comida de invierno ca de la Parroquia como servidores, lectores, miem- SAbado y domingo, DiC. 10 y 11 bros del coro, etc. ♥ El comité de vocaciones de la Parroquia El árbol de regalar estará puesto por dos fines de semana, comenzando la semana que entra. Por favor tome las tarjetas que desee, pero este preparado a comprar estos regalos. ♥ En el fin de semana de regalar, traemos los regalos a Misa envueltos. Recuerde poner la tarjeta que tomo del árbol afuera del regalo. Si no tiene tarjeta indique afuera del regalo para quien es el regalo ya sea para una persona adulta o un niño/a Por favor, solamen- te cosas nuevas no usadas. ♥ Este fin de semana también colectamos comida. Pue- de traer su comida o donaciones monetarias para la despensa en adición de sus regalos. ♥ Después de la Misa de las 5:00 p.m. el domingo 11 de Dic. (después de las 6:15 p.m.) todos los regalos son llevados al Servant Hall en donde se separan para ser distribuidos. ¡ Se necesita mucha ayuda para este proceso! Muchas manos hacen este proceso mas ligero. ♥ Los regalos que se colecten son distribuidos inmedia- tamente. Si va a estar fuera de la ciudad, por favor traiga sus regalos a la Oficina de la Iglesia antes del Domingo de Regalar, de otra manera, su regalo no llegara a la persona indicada. ♥ SEAMOS GENEROSOS COMO SIEMPRE HEMOS SIDO!

CELEBRACIÓN A NTRA. SRA DE GUADALUPE

Estamos a 4 semanas para la gran celebración a nuestra Patrona de las Américas. Invitamos a que todos participen. Si desea ayu- Celebración de Diciembre del 50a Aniversario : dar/donar para el convivió favor de comunicarse con Dorita de la legión de María. Se aceptan donaciones de tamales, pan dulce, Venga con su familia y únase a nosotros a Las Posadas el bebidas, champurrado, chocolate, ponche, etc. Después de Misa SABADO 17 de Diciembre a las 6:30 P.M. Las Posadas se pueden apuntar, en la salida estará el grupo de la Legión de son una celebración religiosa que re-encarna la jornada María. bíblica de María y José buscando abrigo en Belén antes del nacimiento de Jesús. La tarde continua con tamales, NOTICIAS DE LA EDUCACION RELIGIOSA pan dulce, y chocolate! Venga y únase a nosotros en ora- ción, canto y celebración! ¡Este evento será Bilingüe!. PRIMERA RECONCILIACIÓN (CONFESION) La segunda sesión para la primera reconciliación (confesión) es para el Próximos eventos y actividades de nuestra Parroquia en sábado, Diciembre 10 de 9:00 am-12:00 mediodía. Uno de los padres o tutores y el niño(a) deben de asistir. ESPAÑOL Favor de llegar a las 8:45 am para que se apunten y poder Diciembre 8, 2011 Misa de la Inmaculada Concepción a las 7:30pm empezar puntualmente a las 9:00 a.m. Se les va pedir que Diciembre 12, 2011 Misa a nuestra Sra. De Guadalupe a las 7:00pm compren el libro de preparación de la Primera Reconcilia- ción y la primera Comunión estarán disponibles en la se- Diciembre 17 al 23, 2011 Posadas en el Prinster Hall a las 6:30pm sión.

Diciembre 24, 2011 Misa de Nochebuena: 9:30pm Recordatorio: : Fe de Bautizo – Se necesita una copia de la Fe Diciembre 25, 2011 Misa a la 1:00 pm , NO habrá Misa de 7:00pm de Bautizo de su hijo(a) lo más pronto posible. Por favor tráigala a la oficina de Religión. Enero 1, 2012 horario regular 1:00pm y 7:00pm

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK / ORACION POR LOS ENFERMOS PRAY FOR ALL SERVING IN THE MILITARY, ESPECIALLY Kodilichukwu Akazie, Angel Alvarado, Elisa Baker, Ruth Black, THOSE IN OUR PARISH FAMILY Ludy Bravo, Joan Brownridge, Pat Burch, Debbie Carrera, John Sgt. Paul Bergman, Col. David Eskelund, Megan Godsey, Traci Collins, Charles Donaghey, Mike Donlin, Russell Ducoff, Rachel Godsey, Sgt. Billy Janca, SSgt Bradley Louis, Mike McIntosh, Lt. Gonzalez, Anne Goldsmith, Helen & John Gorman, Barbara Gra- Jacob Norris, LCDR Russell Thiem, PFC Cristina Teresa Villegas ham, Duncan Graham, Tom Graham, Glenda Harlow, Dottie Hayes, Nora Antle Jennings, Lee Johnson, Benito Juarez S., Maria Luisa Juarez S., Dianne Lewis, Richard McTheue, Kris Mar- tinez, Zoe Milian, Pat Oakland, Clyde Perrere, Bill Poye, Mark Pratt, Ben Price, August Pucar, Tina Rentz Riad, Grace Riley, Polly Rucker, Fr. Andy Sebesta, June Shumake, Ryan Smith, Jen- nifer Sowell, Harry Theriot, Shanon Tobin, Jorge Vega, Charlene Walker, Faustine Watz, Merlina Wells, Rosie Wiley, Lodie Williams

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