Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin—Most Rev. Joe S. Vasquez, Bishop

Church of the Visitation 144 CR 3000, LoĴ, TX 76656 | 254.584.4983 | [email protected]

“…magi from the East arrived in and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

Clergy Pastor Rev. Darrell Kostiha

Deacons Charlie Wright Bill Smetana Julian Tyboroski

Office Hours Tuesday, 9:00—3:00 254.584.4983

Mass Times Weekend ¡ Saturdays, 6:00pm ¡ Sundays, 9:00am (in Parish Hall)

Weekday ¡ Tuesdays, 8:00am ¡ Wednesdays, 8:00am ¡ Thursdays, 8:00am ¡ Fridays, 8:00am (in Religion Building)

Confessions Prior to weekend Masses Buddy Hering The Epiphany of the Lord Listen to Catholic Radio Frances Hering & Family KYAR-FM 98.3 FM January 3, 2021 Consecration to St. Joseph Ministry Schedule Mass Intentions Schedule Saturday, January 2, 2021—6:00pm Saturday, January 2, 2021—6:00pm Ushers ...... Mike Heise, Michael Heise † Laurie Hoelscher Altar Servers ...... Carson Kahlig, Addison Wilde, Mason Wilde Sunday, January 3, 2021—8:00am

Rosary Leader ...... Carl & Mary Jane Hubik Parishioners Lector ...... Mark Bartek Tuesday, January 5, 2021—8:00am EMHC ...... Doris Wright † Edwin Green Church Cleaners. ……..Renae Willberg, Emily Hering, Dawn † Monroe Jahns Willberg, Pam Bartek, Carolyn Gottschalk, Savannah Hutka † Alois Jansing Sunday, January 3, 2021—8:00am Wednesday, January 6, 2021—8:00am † Bede Hoelscher Ushers ...... Charles Moeller, Carl Hubik † Valira Kostiha Altar Servers ...... Colton Ranly, Maverick Cannon † Herman Willberg Rosary Leaders ...... Chris & Peggy Hrabal Thursday, January 7, 2021—8:00am Lector ...... Melinda Stojanik † Edwin Green Gift Bearers ...... Kenneth & Teresa Jezisek † Alois Jansing EMHC ...... Marilyn Rudloff † Michael Stone Money Counters . ...Clifford & Susan Neumann, Ronnie & Rita Friday, January 8, 2021—8:00am Kleypas † Edwin Green Vocation Cross ...... Scott Hoelscher † Alois Jansing Saturday, January 9, 2021—6:00pm † Irene Ordner Ushers ...... Joseph Doskocil, Mark Hoelscher Saturday, January 9, 2021—6:00pm Altar Servers ...... Colton Ranly, Maverick Cannon † Edwin Green Rosary Leader ...... Carl & Mary Jane Hubik † Anton Zeig Lector ...... Catherin Kahlig Sunday, January 10, 2021—8:00am

EMHC ...... Janet Loden Parishioners Church Cleaners……..Tammie Frenzel, Cheryl Wilde, Debbie Note: If you would like to request a Mass intention for a special Ordner, Shayne Wilde, Courtney Wilde intent or for a loved one, please drop off or mail the request to the church office. Sunday, January 10, 2021—8:00am Ushers ...... Marvin Meyer, Edward Meyer Receive our bulletin via email by visiting Altar Servers ...... Carter Kleypas, Tamryn Stock, Easton Green churchofthevisitation.org/bulletin and subscribing! Rosary Leaders ...... Chris & Peggy Hrabal Lector ...... Tammy Ryan Gift Bearers ...... Craig & Charla Kahlig EMHC ...... Cindy Moeller

Money Counters . ...Jerry & Darlene Fikes, Gary & Bernadette Sanctuary Candle Ketterman In loving memory of Vocation Cross ...... Ken & Jenette Driska Note: If you are uncomfortable participating in Mass during Rev. Reinhold Schmitt & Lucille Kennedy the pandemic, please let your ministry leader know so that a substitute can be arranged. For the Sick . . . Please call the parish office with the names of those who need prayer. Their names will be Stewardship added to the bulletin for the next three weeks. Please Christmas Masses ˚2,711 cut out the prayer list and place it somewhere that will 12/27/2020 Collection ˚912 remind you to pray for those in need. Feast of Holy Family ˚405 Please Pray for our Sick: “Give a fruitful return for the gifts He has given you.”

Thank you for your continued generosity and faithful stewardship! Sandra Gottschalk Eileen Lewis Announcements Parish Councils

Upcoming Meetings/Events

¡ Jan 3, Sunday after Mass, Altar Society meeting. ¡ Jan 5, Tuesday, 6:30pm, Knights of Columbus Ministries meeting. Notice day change from Monday to Tues- day.  Pick up your free copy of Living Faith—Daily ¡ Jan 6, Wednesday, 6:30pm, K-8th religion classes Catholic Devotions. resume.  Sunday Mass time has changed to 8:00am to ac- ¡ Jan 6, Wednesday, Historical Society meeting— commodate an additional Mass in Fr. Darrell’s CANCELLED. schedule. ¡ Jan 10, Sunday, after Mass, Confirmation class.  Knights of Columbus Meeting is moved from ¡ Jan 17, Sunday, Knights of Columbus Blood Drive, Monday, Jan 4 to Tuesday, Jan 5. in the parish hall parking lot.  Westphalia Historical Society Meeting scheduled Upcoming Events—Surrounding Areas for Wednesday, Jan 6th, has been cancelled.  If you haven’t already picked up your Christmas ¡ Jan 15-17, Peace Prayer Retreat, Cedarbrake Re- books, do so today. Copies of “I Heard God treat Center, Belton, register at cedarbrake.org. Laugh” and “Do Something Beautiful for God” ¡ Feb 20, Saturday, 9th Annual Catholic Men’s Con- are waiting for you! ference, Round Rock, register: centexcatholic.com. Do you have a note for the bulletin? Send it to [email protected] or call the church office at 254.584.4983. † ADORATION Deadline is noon Thursday. Did you know . . . AND BENEDICTION Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

Matthew 2 tells us that the magi, or wise men, travelled from the OF THE BLESSED East and upon finding the baby Jesus, “they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh”. SACRAMENT Gold is a precious metal and as such was a very valuable commodity. The Bible does not tell us any other significance to these three gifts; WILL BE FROM NOW ON EVERY however, tradition has a deeper meaning for each of the three. Gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan TUESDAY EVENING AT 6:30 PM idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was IN THE RE BUILDING. overlaid with gold. The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh. † This is a great opportunity to spend Frankincense is a white resin or gum, obtained from a tree by making time adoring the Blessed Sacra- incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship as a pleasant ment and to pray for the success offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and safety of the construction of and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Him- our church. Thanks, Rev. Darrell self up, analogous to a burnt offering. Myrrh was also a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was a spice and was used in em- balming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to Thanks for the generous donations of be crucified, as a stupefying potion (Mark 15:23). Matthew our parishioners for the lovely poinset- 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man tias this Christmas season. and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him. Parish Directory Sacraments Parish Councils Baptism—Parents should contact the church office to Pastoral ...... Jerry Loden ...... 254.721.5828 initiate a request for baptism. Parents and sponsors Finance ...... James Kahlig ...... 254.721.4443 Liturgy ...... Connie Petru ...... 254.913.7837 must attend a baptismal preparation session and all paperwork and requirements must be reviewed and Ministries approved by Fr. Darrell. Altar Servers ...... Kayla Skala ...... 254.217.0143 Reconciliation—Confessions are held before Altar Society ...... Pauline Hoelscher ...... 254.721.7876 weekend Masses. If it is not possible for you to attend Bereavement Meals ...... Doris Voltin...... 254.583.4768 during those times, please call the church office for an Bulletin ...... Parish Office ...... 254.584.4983 Choir ...... Valerie Gausemeier ..... 254.721.8853 appointment with Fr. Darrell. EMHC ...... Connie Petru ...... 254.913.7837 Weddings—Contact the parish office six months Historical Society ...... Doris Voltin...... 254.583.4768 prior to desired date to meet with Fr. Darrell to start Knights of Columbus . Dave Alexander ...... 254.709.1891 the marriage process. Do not make reservations until Lectors ...... Shawna Ranly ...... 254.721.0475 your initial meeting with Fr. Darrell. Money Counters ...... Rita Kleypas ...... 254.913.7245 Parish Hall ...... Kenneth Jezisek ...... 512.927.6581 Anointing of the Sick—The sacrament of the sick RCIA ...... Geraldine Kahlig ...... 254.721.1663 is offered to anyone who is in need of healing. If you ...... Catherine Kahlig ...... 254.493.7486 know of someone in the hospital or in a care facility, Religious Education ..... Linda Lorenz ...... 254.715.0573 please contact the church office. Rosary Leaders ...... Geraldine Kahlig ...... 254.721.1663 St. Mary’s Cemetery ..... Sylvia Heise ...... 254.495.5970 Until further notice, a mask is Ushers ...... Joseph Doskocil ...... 979.587.1607 required to attend Mass. Youth Ministry ...... Katie Wilde ...... 254.718.4715 Website ...... Renae Willberg ...... 254.584.4003 Did you know . . . Note: If you are interested in joining any ministry, call the contact above or church office. You must be EIM certified The Christmas season begins on Christmas day, to participate. December 25, 2020, which is known as the Solem- nity of the Navity of the Lord. The season cele- Bulletin Advertising brates the birth of Jesus Christ. It ends with the Feast of the Bapsm of the Lord (January 10, Businesses and/or individuals in our community are invited 2021) and includes other important feasts. to advertise in this bulletin each week. Sizes are shown on the back page and rates are $200 for a year. If you are inter- During Christmas, we celebrate in a special way ested, take your business card or copy and payment to the that God is with us today, now, and forever. The church office. enre season rejoices in the Incarnaon, the truth that the Son of God became man. People all over the world celebrate Christmas and the feasts of the Christmas season, including the feasts of the Holy Family and Epiphany, with special tradi- ons and customs. Though they may be different, all are reminders that Jesus is the Light of the World. During the Christmas season, we hear the ac- count of the birth of Jesus in the Gospels and we hear Jesus called by the name Emmanuel, which means “God with Us.” We pray and sing with Thanks for the generous donations of great joy that God is with us. our parishioners for the lovely poinset- Let us celebrate the birth of Christ into our world and into our hearts, and reflect on the gi tias this Christmas season. of salvaon that is born with him… including the Pray the Rosary fact that he was born to die for us!

Feast Day is January 4 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Mother Seton is one of the keystones of the American Catholic Church. She founded the first American religious community for women, the Sisters of Charity. She opened the first American parish school and established the first American Catholic orphanage. All this she did in the span of 46 years while raising her five children. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is a true daughter of the American Revolution, born August 28, Respect Life 1774, just two years before the Declaration of Independence. By birth and marriage, she was linked to the first families of New York and enjoyed the fruits of high society. Reared a Through the Incarnation and staunch Episcopalian, she learned the value of prayer, Scripture and a nightly examination birth of Christ, God reveals to of conscience. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, did not have much use for churches but was a great humanitarian, teaching his daughter to love and serve others. us the dignity of all human life. Human life, as a gift of The early deaths of her mother in 1777 and her baby sister in 1778 gave Elizabeth a feel for God, is sacred and inviolable. eternity and the temporariness of the pilgrim life on earth. Far from being brooding and sul- len, she faced each new “holocaust,” as she put it, with hopeful cheerfulness. The Son of God has united himself with every human At 19, Elizabeth was the belle of New York and married a handsome, wealthy businessman, William Magee Seton. They had five children before his business failed and he died of tuber- being and desires for us to culosis. At 30, Elizabeth was widowed, penniless, with five small children to support. share eternal life with him… Each of us is made in the im- While in with her dying husband, Elizabeth witnessed Catholicity in action through fami- ly friends. Three basic points led her to become a Catholic: belief in the Real Presence, de- age and likeness of God, and votion to the Blessed Mother and conviction that the Catholic Church led back to the apos- we reflect his glory in the tles and to Christ. Many of her family and friends rejected her when she became a Catholic world. in March 1805. To support her children, she opened a school in Baltimore. From the beginning, her group Consecration to St. Joseph followed the lines of a religious community, which was officially founded in 1809. O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate The thousand or more letters of Mother Seton reveal the develop- myself to thy honor and give my- ment of her spiritual life from ordinary goodness to heroic sancti- ty. She suffered great trials of sickness, misunderstanding, the self to thee, that thou mayest al- death of loved ones (her husband and two young daughters) and ways be my father, my protector, the heartache of a wayward son. She died January 4, 1821, and and my guide in the way of salva- became the first American-born citizen to be beatified (1963) and tion. Obtain for me a great purity of then canonized (1975). She is buried in Emmitsburg, Maryland. heart and a fervent love of the Reflection interior life. After thine example, Elizabeth Seton had no extraordinary gifts. She was not a mystic may I do all my actions for the or stigmatic. She did not prophesy or speak in tongues. She had greater glory of God, in union with two great devotions: abandonment to the will of God and an ar- the Divine Heart of Jesus and the dent love for the Blessed Sacrament. She wrote to a friend, Julia Scott, that she would prefer to exchange the world for a “cave or Immaculate Heart of Mary! And do a desert.” “But God has given me a great deal to do, and I have thou, O Blessed St. Joseph, pray always and hope always to prefer his will to every wish of my for me that I may share in the own.” Her brand of sanctity is open to everyone if we love God peace and joy of thy holy death. and do his will. Amen.

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Remembering Ashley Hoelscher

In Loving Memory

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