St. Paul In This Issue…

and Preschool Blessing of Homes See page 3

www.stpaulchurch.com Read the in One Year 12708 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33618-2802 See pages 5 & 6 Phone (813) 961-3023 † Fax (813) 962-8780

Feast of the Holy Family Sunday, December 29, 2019

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday Masses 8:30am Mass (Morning Prayer and Benediction 8:10am)

Saturday Vigil Masses 5:30pm Missa em Português: 7:30pm

Sunday Masses 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 5:30pm Misa en Español: 2:00pm

WEEKDAY MASSES Monday to Friday 7:30am and 12:15pm

First Friday Mass 7:30pm Third Friday Mass 7:30pm *Fourth Friday Mass 7:30pm *(en Español)

Reconciliation (Confession) Monday to Friday 11:30am - Noon Saturdays at 10:00am and 4:00pm or upon request

Eucharistic Adoration Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 8:30pm Compline & Benediction

Friday 8:00am to

Saturday 8:30am Mass

Morning Prayer Monday - Friday 7:10am Saturday 8:10am

Anointing of the Sick Every Second Saturday of the Month at 8:30am

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Website: www.stpaulchurch.com

Contact us at: "Formed by Word and Sacrament, we, the people of St. Paul Catholic Church, [email protected] are a Spirit-led, Eucharist-centered, vibrant multicultural Christian community of faith, living our love for

God and neighbor while growing together as disciples of Christ."

Page 2 Letter from Our Pastor My Dear Friends, We’re here to serve you! Merry !!! Today, Sunday, is the fifth day of Christmas and the Feast Clergy of the Holy Family! I pray for you and your loved ones that you may be Fr. Bill Swengros Pastor enfolded in the peace and joy of our Blessed Mother, Joseph, and the Fr. Robert Romaine Parochial Vicar Holy Child, ! Fr. Ambrose Kadambukatt, OCD Parochial Vicar The family is the foundation of our society as well as our Church. It is so Deacon Carlos Celaya RCIA important that we do all we can to safeguard and promote the good of all Deacon Ray Dever Mental Health Support families. Today is a good time for you to sit as a family and share what is “the Deacon Frank Henriquez Ministry to Homebound state of the union” in your family, to identify strengths as well as areas which and Nursing Homes may need improvement, and set goals to help you grow closer together Deacon Rich & throughout the New Year. Colleen Spiro Ignatian Spirituality

Faith Formation If I may, I would like to suggest some “non-negotiables” for every family. Carmen Cayon Director Every family should pray together each and every day ... at least at meals and Maria Costa RCIA, Marriage Prep, before retiring for the evening. Every family should eat together as often as Adult Confirmation, possible. It may be a challenge to share a meal every night but at least one Quinceañeras meal a week should be “booked” for the family! Be sure to turn off the Sonia Eberhardt K-5 Faith Formation television, phones, and other media during meals! Likewise, quality “family Coordinator, 1st Holy time” is essential. Some families designate an evening or a day a week to Communion Prep gather - no work, school, sports, scouts, or church activities. Maria Mendez Baptism and FORMED® Coordinator If you are living alone, that doesn’t mean you are exempt. We all need family. Silvia Rivera Religious Education Be sure to call your loved ones, “adopt” a local family, or form your own Assistant (Records) family of “orphans.” Family is important. Andy Gotsch High School Youth Minister Speaking of our parish family... these are some “New Year’s Resolutions” I Theresa Adams Middle School Youth would like us as a parish family to adopt: Minister 1) Pray every day, even if only for a few minutes. Share your heart with Preschool the Lord and listen to Him! Abbie Johnson Director Mindy Geer Assistant Director 2) Participate in Mass at least every weekend. Don’t miss a single one! 3) Adore the Lord. Come to Eucharistic Adoration as often as Liturgy possible, at least once a week. Mary Gant Music Director 4) Confession. Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation once a month. Elizabeth Hays Liturgist, Bereavement 5) Read the Bible every day. In this bulletin we have a reading schedule Minister for the New Testament for the coming year. It will only take a few Parish Support minutes of your time and will make all the difference in the world! Brian Smith Parish Manager 6) Alpha. Be “Alpha-betized!” Every member of our parish family Laurie Erickson Director of Ministries should participate in Alpha. See this bulletin for details. It is only for Louis Gobin Accountant 11 weeks and will change your life forever! Barbara Gray Pastoral Administrative 7) Be nice. Perform one random act of kindness each day. Watch how Assistant (Scheduling) your joy increases! Sam Mathai Maintenance Charles Yezak, Jr. Director of May this year be the best year ever for you and your family. Two last notes, Communications end of the year giving, thank you for remembering our parish. And please don’t forget to come to Mass to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of www.stpaulchurch.com God and the World Day of Peace... Tuesday night at 5:30pm in English, www.facebook.com/stpaultpa 7:30pm in Spanish and Holy Hour at 10:30pm followed by Mass at 11:30pm! Wednesday Masses at 9:00am, 12:15pm, 2:00pm in Spanish and [email protected] 5:30pm in English.

Our Vision Statement: May you be filled with the peace and joy of the Holy Family! “Growing Together as Disciples of Christ.”

Front cover photo credits: Charles Yezak, Jr. Fr. Bill Swengros Pastor

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21). Parish and Liturgical Events Page 3 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God † Holy Day of Obligation

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 New Year’s Eve Vigil Masses 5:30pm, 7:30pm (Portuguese) and 11:30pm

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 New Year’s Day Masses 9:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm (Spanish) and 5:30pm https://stpaulcenter.com/product/tampa/

Friday, Jan. 3 7:00pm Novena 7:30pm Mass

Reception in Family Center after Mass

We welcome Mrs. Ana Serrato to our Faith Formation team. She will be assisting Sonia Eberhardt, our K-5th Grade Coordinator now until Sonia has her baby in Spring 2020. Ana will be coordinating sacramental preparation and classes when Sonia is on maternity leave.

Page 4 Parish and Liturgical Events

Pope Francis recently endorsed a first-of-a-kind evangelical initiative from missionary leaders from over 34 countries which convened at the Museum of the Bible recently. This upcoming new year has been deemed: A.D. 2020 Global Year of the Bible. The year will also serve to commemorate two important anniversaries of Scripture’s role in the Church: (1) 2020 will mark the tenth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini; (2) 2020 is also the 1,600 year anniversary of St. ’s death, whose Vulgate translation of the Bible would go on to serve the Western Church up until the last century.

At St. Paul Catholic Church, we are encouraging parishioners to read the New Testament in 2020. A reading guide appears on the adjacent page. Additionally, the New Testament Daily Reading Schedule may also be found on the on our webpage at: www.stpaulchurch.com.

Are you curious about the Catholic faith or have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic?

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults ‘ (RCIA) program is just for you! Novena and Masses in honor of the Adults from all faith traditions, or no religious Holy Child, background at all, are welcome to participate in our Santo Niño informal meetings to learn more about the Catholic Friday, January 10 - Faith. Join our next initial inquiry session on: Saturday, January 18, 7:00pm Novena Wednesday, January 22, 2020 7:30 Mass

7:30pm in the Parish Center (Offered in English and Spanish) Santo Niño Feast Day Celebration Subsequent sessions to follow on: Sunday, January 19 February 12, March 25, April 15, May 27, June 17 Mass at 4:30pm and July 15 Sinulog and Reception in Family Center Contact Maria Costa at [email protected] after Mass

A new, fully illustrated 48- page book about the Florida We cordially invite you and your missions, “The Martyrs of family to join us in celebrating the Florida” is now available for special Novena Prayer and Mass in purchase in the Parish Office. honor of “Our Lady of Good Health” The book is available in both to held at St. Paul Catholic Church on the English and Spanish Friday, January 17th at 7:00pm. languages. Cost is only *Novena will be celebrated every third $15.00. Only 100 copies are Friday of each month. available…. get yours today!

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21).

2020 New Testament Daily Readings Page 5 

Saint Paul Catholic Church Read the New Testament in One Year

Prayer before reading the Sacred Scriptures: Jesus, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear your word and understand and do your will. Open the eyes of my mind to the understanding of your teachings. Speak to me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom. Enlighten my mind and my understanding with the light of your knowledge, and not only to cherish those things that are written, but to do them. Amen.

- St. John Crysostom

January 11 Lk 21:1-19 24 Acts 20:17-38 4 1Cor 12 1 Lk 1:1-20 12 Lk 21:20-38 25 Acts 21:1-17 5 1Cor 13 2 Lk 1:21-38 13 Lk 22:1-30 26 Acts 21:18-40 6 1Cor 14:1-20 3 Lk 1:39-56 14 Lk 22:31-46 27 Acts 22 7 1Cor 14:21-40 4 Lk 1:57-80 15 Lk 22:47-71 28 Acts 23:1-15 8 1Cor 15:1-28 5 Lk 2:1-24 16 Lk 23:1-25 29 Acts 23:16-35 9 1Cor 15:29-58 6 Lk 2:25-52 17 Lk 23:26-56 30 Acts 24 10 1Cor 16 7 Lk 3 18 Lk 24:1-35 31 Acts 25 11 Mt 1 8 Lk 4:1-30 19 Lk 24:36-53 12 Mt 2 9 Lk 4:31-44 20 Acts 1 April 13 Mt 3 10 Lk 5:1-16 21 Acts 2:1-21 1 Acts 26 14 Mt 4 11 Lk 5:17-39 22 Acts 2:22-47 2 Acts 27:1-26 15 Mt 5:1-26 12 Lk 6:1-26 23 Acts 3 3 Acts 27:27-44 16 Mt 5:27-48 13 Lk 6:27-49 24 Acts 4:1-22 4 Acts 28 17 Mt 6:1-18 14 Lk 7:1-30 25 Acts 4:23-37 5 1Thes 1 18 Mt 6:19-34 15 Lk 7:31-50 26 Acts 5:1-21 6 1Thes 2 19 Mt 7 16 Lk 8:1-25 27 Acts 5:22-42 7 1Thes 3 20 Mt 8:1-17 17 Lk 8:26-56 28 Acts 6 8 1Thes 4 21 Mt 8:18-34 18 Lk 9:1-17 29 Acts 7:1-21 9 1Thes 5 22 Mt 9:1-17 19 Lk 9:18-36 10 2Thes 1 23 Mt 9:18-38 20 Lk 9:37-62 March 11 2Thes 2 24 Mt 10:1-20 21 Lk 10:1-24 1 Acts 7:22-43 14 2Thes 3 25 Mt 10:21-42 22 Lk 10:25-42 2 Acts 7:44-60 13 Gal 1 26 Mt 11 23 Lk 11:1-28 3 Acts 8:1-25 15 Gal 2 27 Mt 12:1-23 24 Lk 11:29-54 4 Acts 8:26-40 16 Gal 3 28 Mt 12:24-50 25 Lk 12:1-31 5 Acts 9:1-21 17 Gal 4 29 Mt 13:1-30 26 Lk 12:32-59 6 Acts 9:22-43 18 Gal 5 30 Mt 13:31-58 27 Lk 13:1-22 7 Acts 10:1-23 19 Gal 6 31 Mt 14:1-21 28 Lk 13:23-35 8 Acts 10:24-48 20 1Cor 1 29 Lk 14:1-24 9 Acts 11 21 1Cor 2 June 30 Lk 14:25-35 10 Acts 12 22 1Cor 3 1 Mt 14:22-36 31 Lk 15:1-10 11 Acts 13:1-25 23 1Cor 4 2 Mt 15:1-20 12 Acts 13:26-52 24 1Cor 5 3 Mt 15:21-39 February 13 Acts 14 25 1Cor 6 4 Mt 16 1 Lk 15:11-32 14 Acts 15:1-21 26 1Cor 7:1-19 5 Mt 17 2 Lk 16 15 Acts 15:22-41 27 1Cor 7:20-40 6 Mt 18:1-20 3 Lk 17:1-19 16 Acts 16:1-21 28 1Cor 8 7 Mt 18:21-35 4 Lk 17:20-37 17 Acts 16:22-40 29 1Cor 9 8 Mt 19 5 Lk 18:1-23 18 Acts 17:1-15 30 1Cor 10:1-18 9 Mt 20:1-16 6 Lk 18:24-43 19 Acts 17:16-34 10 Mt 20:17-34 7 Lk 19:1-27 20 Acts 18 May 11 Mt 21:1-22 8 Lk 19:28-48 21 Acts 19:1-20 1 1Cor 10:19-33 12 Mt 21:23-46 9 Lk 20:1-26 22 Acts 19:21-41 2 1Cor 11:1-16 13 Mt 22:1-22 10 Lk 20:27-47 23 Acts 20:1-16 3 1Cor 11:17-34 14 Mt 22:23-46

Page 6 2020 New Testament Daily Readings (Continued) 

June (continued) 3 Mk 2 24 Titus 3 13 Jn 13:21-38 15 Mt 23:1-22 4 Mk 3:1-19 25 2Tim 1 14 Jn 14 16 Mt 23:23-39 5 Mk 3:20-35 26 2Tim 2 15 Jn 15 17 Mt 24:1-28 6 Mk 4:1-20 27 2Tim 3 16 Jn 16 18 Mt 24:29-51 7 Mk 4:21-41 28 2Tim 4 17 Jn 17 19 Mt 25:1-30 8 Mk 5:1-20 29 Heb 1 18 Jn 18:1-18 20 Mt 25:31-46 9 Mk 5:21-43 30 Heb 2 19 Jn 18:19-40 21 Mt 26:1-25 10 Mk 6:1-29 20 Jn 19:1-22 22 Mt 26:26-50 11 Mk 6:30-56 October 21 Jn 19:23-42 23 Mt 26:51-75 12 Mk 7:1-13 1 Heb 3 22 Jn 20 24 Mt 27:1-26 13 Mk 7:14-37 2 Heb 4 23 Jn 21 25 Mt 27:27-50 14 Mk 8 3 Heb 5 24 1Pet 1 26 Mt 27:51-66 15 Mk 9:1-29 4 Heb 6 25 1Pet 2 27 Mt 28 16 Mk 9:30-50 5 Heb 7 26 1Pet 3 28 2Cor 1 17 Mk 10:1-31 6 Heb 8 27 1Pet 4 29 2Cor 2 18 Mk 10:32-52 7 Heb 9 28 1Pet 5 30 2Cor 3 19 Mk 11:1-18 8 Heb 10:1-18 29 2Pet 1 20 Mk 11:19-33 9 Heb 10:19-39 30 2Pet 2 July 21 Mk 12:1-27 10 Heb 11:1-19 1 2Cor 4 22 Mk 12:28-44 11 Heb 11:20-40 December 2 2Cor 5 23 Mk 13:1-20 12 Heb 12 1 2Pet 3 3 2Cor 6 24 Mk 13:21-37 13 Heb 13 2 1Jn 1 4 2Cor 7 25 Mk 14:1-26 14 James 1 3 1Jn 2 5 2Cor 8 26 Mk 14:27-53 15 James 2 4 1Jn 3 6 2Cor 9 27 Mk 14:54-72 16 James 3 5 1Jn 4 7 2Cor 10 28 Mk 15:1-25 17 James 4 6 1Jn 5 8 2Cor 11:1-15 29 Mk 15:26-47 18 James 5 7 2Jn 9 2Cor 11:16-33 30 Mk 16 19 Jn 1:1-28 8 3Jn 10 2Cor 12 31 Phil 1 20 Jn 1:29-51 9 Jude 11 2Cor 13 21 Jn 2 10 Rev 1 12 Rom 1 September 22 Jn 3:1-18 11 Rev 2 13 Rom 2 1 Phil 2 23 Jn 3:19-36 12 Rev 3 14 Rom 3 2 Phil 3 24 Jn 4:1-30 13 Rev 4 15 Rom 4 3 Phil 4 25 Jn 4:31-54 14 Rev 5 16 Rom 5 4 Col 1 26 Jn 5:1-24 15 Rev 6 17 Rom 6 5 Col 2 27 Jn 5:25-47 16 Rev 7 18 Rom 7 6 Col 3 28 Jn 6:1-21 17 Rev 8 19 Rom 8:1-21 7 Col 4 29 Jn 6:22-44 18 Rev 9 20 Rom 8:22-39 8 Philemon 30 Jn 6:45-71 19 Rev 10 21 Rom 9:1-15 9 Eph 1 31 Jn 7:1-27 20 Rev 11 22 Rom 9:16-33 10 Eph 2 21 Rev 12 23 Rom 10 11 Eph 3 November 22 Rev 13 24 Rom 11:1-18 12 Eph 4 1 Jn 7:28-53 23 Rev 14 25 Rom 11:19-36 13 Eph 5:1-16 2 Jn 8:1-27 24 Rev 15 26 Rom 12 14 Eph 5:17-33 3 Jn 8:28-59 25 Rev 16 27 Rom 13 15 Eph 6 4 Jn 9:1-23 26 Rev 17 28 Rom 14 16 1Tim 1 5 Jn 9:24-41 27 Rev 18 29 Rom 15:1-13 17 1Tim 2 6 Jn 10:1-23 28 Rev 19 30 Rom 15:14-33 18 1Tim 3 7 Jn 10:24-42 29 Rev 20 31 Rom 16 19 1Tim 4 8 Jn 11:1-29 30 Rev 21 20 1Tim 5 9 Jn 11:30-57 31 Rev 22

August 21 1Tim 6 10 Jn 12:1-26 1 Mk 1:1-22 22 Titus 1 11 Jn 12:27-50 2 Mk 1:23-45 23 Titus 2 12 Jn 13:1-20

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21).

St. 7 Paul Faith Formation We are rooted in Faith and growing in grace

Baptism IMMEDIATE OPENING: RCIA CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CATECHIST

Our RCIA children’s ministry is looking for a catechist/ mentor (at least 18 years old), who is an active Catholic and can spiritually walk with young families who are preparing their children to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy communion. The group meets on Sundays from 4:00pm to 5:15pm. The current catechists will be moving to another town in January; therefore, this position needs to be filled immediately.

Is God calling you to assist and be a friend to these wonderful families who have already started their journey of faith? Please call (813) 961-3023 and ask to speak with Carmen Cayon or Maria Costa, in the Faith Formation Office, for more information. God reaches out to us in all kinds of ways. The desire in your heart to baptize your child is one of them. The promises you make for your child on this day will begin to form your child into a faithful follower of Christ. However, the day of baptism is only the beginning of this journey. Baptism is indeed a life changing event!

The Sacrament of Baptism at St. Paul Catholic Church takes place on the first three Saturdays of every month in English and We invite all children the fourth Saturday of every month in Spanish. If your child (grades K-12th grade) in our needs to be baptized please contact our Baptism Coordinator, Faith Formation program Maria Mendez, at (813) 961-3023 or via email at: and beyond to submit art [email protected]. Parents and Godparents will in order to help us as a be asked to attend a baptismal preparation class. parish celebrate the Feast Interested in receiving text messages regarding of Santo Niño (Feast of upcoming Youth Group activities and events? Most Holy Child, Jesus) on If YES, please text: Sunday, January 19, 2020.

Here are the details: @9bf4c7 to 81010 • Create an image/depiction of the Santo Niño using an St. Paul Tampa Youth Group Instagram Account: 8 ½” by 11” sheet of paper. stpaultampayg • Use any medium: crayons, markers, pencils, chalk, pastels, watercolor, etc.

• Write your name, phone number and any other contact information on the back of the artwork. • Submit to the Parish Office or Faith Formation Office no later than Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Sunday Nights from 6:30pm - 8:30pm in the Family Center The winning entries will be announced during the A night of faith, fellowship, community and fun "Sinulog Festival" on January 19, 2020 and will be for all high school students! awarded by the Filipino Ministry with following: First Place - $100; Second - $50; Third - $25.00 and each one January 12: Youth Group Kickoff (EXTREME Bingo) will also receive a small statue of the Santo Nino. Please January 26: Youth Group and Parent ALPHA begins call the Faith Formation Office for more details!

Page 8 Liturgy Corner Pope Francis: “I would like now to reflect on the various elements of the nativity scene in order to Saturday, December 28, 2019 appreciate their deeper meaning. First, Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs there is the background of a starry sky 8:30am Margarita and Dolores Rodriguez † wrapped in the darkness and silence of 5:30pm Merrick Tra † night. We represent this not only out of 7:30pm St. Paul Parishioners (int.) fidelity to the Gospel accounts, but also for its symbolic value. Sunday, December 29, 2019 We can think of all those times in our lives when we have Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph experienced the darkness of night. Yet even then, God does 7:30am Stanley Lobo † not abandon us, but is there to answer our crucial questions 9:00am Douglas Hill † about the meaning of life. Who am I? Where do I come from? 10:45am Bertha Kissane † Why was I born at this time in ? Why do I love? Why 12:30pm Angelina Ferrante Valenti † do I suffer? Why will I die? It was to answer these questions 2:00pm Guillermo Jesus Molina † that God became man. His closeness brings light where there 5:30pm John and Brian Liner † is darkness and shows the way to those dwelling in the Monday, December 30, 2019 shadow of suffering (cf. Lk 1:79). 7:30am Judith Smith † The landscapes that are part of the nativity scene also deserve 12:15pm Mary Ellen Baron † some mention. Frequently they include the ruins of ancient Tuesday, December 31, 2019 houses or buildings, which in some instances replace the cave Saint Sylvester I, Pope of Bethlehem and become a home for the Holy Family. These 7:30am Jacob Joseph Novak † ruins appear to be inspired by the thirteenth-century Golden 12:15pm Theresa Doan-T-Ann † Legend of the Dominican Jacobus de Varagine, which relates 5:30pm Perinchery Family (int.) a pagan belief that the Temple of Peace in Rome would 7:30pm Gnirke Family (int.) collapse when a Virgin gave birth. More than anything, the 11:30pm Jason Pierola † ruins are the visible sign of fallen humanity, of everything that

Wednesday, January 1, 2020 inevitably falls into ruin, decays and disappoints. This scenic Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God setting tells us that Jesus is newness in the midst of an aging 9:00am Lucy Nguyen † world, that he has come to heal and rebuild, to restore the 12:30pm Consecrated Life and Priestly Vocations (int.) world and our lives to their original splendor” (Pope Francis, 2:00pm Father John Phillips † Apostolic Letter Admirabile signum, 1 December 2019, n. 4). 5:30pm Fatima Elias (int.) Please visit stpaulchurch.com for full document.

Thursday, January 2, 2020 Pray for Priests! Heavenly Father, please grant to your Memorial of Basil the Great andGregory Nazianzen, faithful servants, the grace and strength to carry out your and Doctors of the Church mission for the Church each day. Keep our priests close to 7:30am Theodora Gobin † you and continue to inspire them to serve others in your holy 12:15pm Muriel Mandeville † name. Please help to inspire men who are called to a priestly Friday, January 3, 2020 vocation to answer your call and participate in the fullness The Most Holy Name of Jesus that you have planned for them. Amen. 7:30am Lori Powers † 12:15pm Marion Conner † 7:30pm Santo Niño Devotees (int.) Sunday Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Saturday, January 4, 2020 Joseph Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Col 3:12-21 8:30am Enrique Estefan † or Col 3:12-17; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 5:30pm Ted and Michael Linn † Monday 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10; Lk 2:36-40 7:30pm St. Paul Parishioners (int.) Tuesday 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-12, 13; Jn 1:1-18 Sunday, January 5, 2020 Wednesday Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Lk 2:16-21 7:30am Mary Therese Waddick † Thursday 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Jn 1:19-28 9:00am Jose Rodriguez † Friday 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-4, 5-6; Jn 1:29-34 10:45am Joe Tamborello (int.) Saturday 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9; Jn 1:35-42 12:30pm Michael and Mike Hingson † Sunday Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord 2:00pm Maria del Socorro Llanos † Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; 5:30pm Joseph Leach, Jr. † Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21). Courageously Growing Together in Christ! Page 9

Saints of God: Tuesday, December 31st, is the feast of St. Looking Ahead! December 29: Feast of Catherine Labouré. Catherine was the the Holy Family; December 31 - New 8th of 10th children born to a family in Year’s Eve Masses at 5:30pm, 7:30pm Burgundy, France. When she was nine, Portuguese, 10:30pm Adoration and her mother died, and little Catherine 11:30pm Mass; January 1: Mary Mother of begged our Blessed Mother to take her God and New Year’s Day Masses at mother’s place. At the age of 23, she entered the Daughters of 9:00am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm (Spanish) and 5:30pm; January 3: Charity. She was a mystic and often saw Jesus in her prayers Many Faces of Santo Niño - 7:00pm Rosary and 7:30pm as well as our Blessed Mother, and the founder of her order, Mass; January 5: Epiphany; January 10-18: Santo Niño St. Vincent de Paul. In July of 1830, our Blessed Mother came Novena; January 10: 4:30pm Santo Niño Festival Mass. to her on two successive visits and asked her to stamp and There is no 5:30pm Mass this day! January 20: Martin distribute a medal, now known as the “Miraculous Medal.” Luther King Day - 7:00pm Prayer Service in Santo Niño Mary promised her protection to those who wore the medal Shrine; January 22: 7:00pm Prayer Service for Protection of and made the prayer. Catherine shared the revelation with her Human Life; January 23: 1:00pm and 7:00pm Alpha in spiritual director and the medal was produced and widely English; January 25: 5:00pm Alpha in Portuguese; January shared. It was dubbed “miraculous” as the 26: 3:00pm Alpha in Spanish; January 26: 6:30pm - Alpha multiplied. Through it all, Catherine remained anonymous for Teens! Please mark your calendars! and continued for the next 45 years of her life to serve the Safe Environment: Child abuse is a tragic poor with her fellow sisters. Her incorruptible body remains reality which can be prevented. How? 1. Talk in state in a small chapel a few blocks from Notre Dame in to your children about touching safety. . “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have Teach them that it is OK to say “NO,” get recourse to you.” away, and seek help. 2. Help your children Words of Wisdom: “Only if people change will the world make a list of the people they can turn to for help if they have a problem. 3. Teach your children that change; and in order to change, people need the light that unsafe touch can happen with people they know and trust; comes from God, the light which so unexpectedly on the not only with strangers. 4. Respect your children’s night of Christmas entered into our night.” personal boundaries. Teach them to trust their intuition – Pope Benedict XVI about others. 5. Be aware of those who have contact with your children and be sure it is a “Safe Environment” with at First Friday Devotion: This Friday is the first least two adults supervising whenever possible. For more Friday of the month, a beautiful opportunity to information, please call our Faith Formation Office 961-3023. develop your relationship with God. This is a good time to examine your conscience and Ask It Basket: “I am going to have a participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. surgery soon and will not be able to come to In addition to our normal Friday daily Masses, Church for a few weeks. Is that a sin?” we offer a special Friday Mass beginning at 7:00pm with a First, I pray that your surgery will be a complete Rosary in commemoration of Santo Niño and the Sacred success and that you will soon be restored to full health. You Heart of Jesus. We also offer Eucharistic Adoration after the should receive the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick as soon 7:30am Mass through to our Saturday 8:30am Mass. Please as possible, before entering the hospital. Just ask a priest after come and bring a friend! any Mass or come to the 8:30am Mass the second Saturday of Thought for the Day: “And in the end ... everything else the month. Remember, the Sacrament of Anointing of the will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Sick is for anyone who is very ill. As a rule, everyone should Father, Child, and Love.” be anointed before going under general anesthesia. When you – St. John Paul II are admitted to the hospital, please let them know you are Catholic and would like to be visited by the Catholic chaplain. We pray for the repose of the souls of those All the area hospitals have Catholic Chaplains who are either recently departed: Dr. Sam Ferreri, John Parker, on staff or who visit from local parish. If you would like a Mary Kay Phelps, Robert Michael Mulroy, Dennis visit from one of our parish priests, call the office and we will Walker, Kimtan Nguyen, Victor Meza-Mercado, try our best to visit you while you are there. When you are Eric Christopher Reheiser, Eugene Fernandez, Jose convalescing in a center or back home, we would be delighted Rodriguez, Natalie Jean Carroll and Sandra Speziale. to send a priest, deacon, or lay minister to bring you Holy

Please remember in your prayers those with various Communion. Just call the parish office and we will make sure health needs: Patricia Smith, Jaime Zambrano, Mary Garcia, you are visited! Know that we care and you are in our prayers! Allan Garcia, Frank Loscalzo, Doreen Miller, Leelah Sharma, (If you have a question for the Ask It Basket, please send an Anne Marie Q., Nancy H. Cramer and Catalina Feller. email to Father Bill Swengros at [email protected]).

Page 10 Announcements and St. Paul Catholic Preschool

Welcome Home! We would like to extend a hearty welcome to those who have recently moved to our parish. We certainly hope you feel at home. You are encouraged to register and to participate in our ministries, see a minister of hospitality for a Welcome Folder. If you are involved in a particular ministry at your previous parish, why License # C HC 110273 not continue that ministry here at St Paul Catholic Church? Excellence in Catholic preschool education for over 35 years We can always use another Minister of Hospitality, Eucharistic Minister or Catechist! If you are a member of the Knights of Preschool Office: (813) 264-3314 Columbus or your parish prayer group, join us! If you are Email: [email protected] interested in starting a new ministry, let us know! Don’t hesitate to become involved, you will be glad you did! In December, the four year old classes prepared for Christmas and learned about . The children learned that the Alert! Several of our parishioners Advent wreath includes four candles: three purple and one and their loved ones have recently pink. They stand for hope, peace, joy and love. We made an been picked up by ICE, separating Advent wreath headband and a handprint Advent wreath. them from family members who are US citizens. Know your Each day we read a story from The Advent Storybook: 24 rights and make a plan. This is especially important if there are Stories to Share Before Christmas by Antonie Schneider. This children or vulnerable adults that you care for. In the event is a wonderful storybook to share with young children about a you are detained, please be sure you have designated people to little bear following a star to Bethlehem. He has quite an care for them who have the appropriate legal documents such adventure along the way, teaching him (and us) the true as durable power of attorney and medical releases. If you meaning of Christmas. haven’t already spoken to immigration attorneys, do so! See if there is anything more you can do to legalize your Before the break, we also made family presents and decorated situation. We do have attorneys in our parish as well as the classroom with all things Christmas. We visited the through Catholic Charities that want to help. For additional church's nativity scene on the front lawn. This is truly a information, consult our parish website and the internet in blessed time to be working with young children. Merry general. We care. Christmas and Happy New Year from the St. Paul Catholic Preschool 4 year olds!

DAVE RAMSEY’S FINANCIAL PEACE — Karen Overmyer, 4-year-old teacher UNIVERSITY WORKSHOPS

Starting January 21, 2020 Tuesday Evening Sessions 7:30pm to 9:00pm Family Center - Section 2 Fee: $99

The St. Paul Financial Peace University Workshops will be held weekly on Tuesday nights from January 21 - March 17, The St. Francis of Assisi Ministry continues to accept 2020. The $99 registration fee includes a workbook and one prayer requests from those who are coping with the loss of a year membership to FPU Online,. To register, please call pet or struggling with their pet’s illness. Please submit prayer Maria Costa at (813) 961-3023 or navigate to the online link request(s) via email to the ministry at the following e-address: at: https://fpu.com/1098620 [email protected]

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21). Ministries Page 11 St. Vincent de Paul Society Pantry Hours Monday & Thursday 9:00am - 12:00pm Assistance Line: (813) 264-3325

SUPPORT GROUP The St. Vincent de Paul Society members wish to those who Wed., January 8 at 7:30pm contributed throughout the year to our ministry. We could do Parish Center - Room E nothing without the generosity of our St. Paul parishioners. Guest Speaker, Milt Bedingfield (CDE, Exercise Physiologist) will lead the group. If you would like to help, food donations to the St. Vincent He is one of the best diabetes educators in de Paul Food Pantry can be left in the marked baskets in the Tampa. His book will be given away at this meeting. church Narthex. Monetary donations can be dropped in the Poor Box, located in the Narthex. Please make sure to specify [email protected] SVDP in the memo line for check donations or you may use an offertory envelope for cash donations and label it SVDP. St. Paul Council of Catholic Women Thank you for your generosity! ~ SVDP Society The next meeting for the Council of Catholic

Pantry Wish List This Week: Women (CCW) will take place Thursday, Canned Meat, Black Beans and Rice January 9, 2020 at 7:00pm in the Family Center,

Section 1. We are welcoming the new year with *Please note we are unable to use expired items* a pot luck dinner. Please bring a favorite dish or dessert to share. Registration for membership will Home Makers of Hope Ministry continue. For more information, please send an email to has a representative at the Parish [email protected]. Center to accept donations on Fridays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We continue to accept new or slightly used items. We are in need of towels, bath mats, shower curtains, bedsheets and comforters (please label size) as well as The Respect Life Ministry meets the fourth Tuesday pots, pans and flatware. For additional questions, please of each month. Join us in the new year! Our next send email to: [email protected] meeting is on Tuesday, January 22, 2020, at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. New members are always welcome! For more information contact Carol Breland at: December 19* Professional Portfolio Development [email protected] or see our webpage at (*Last Meeting for 2019; ) stpaulchurch.com under Ministries of Mercy.

Counseling Services

Offered by Dr. Pat Berne Please call (813) 961-3023 to make an appointment IN-BETWEEN JOBS SUPPORT GROUPS RESUMES ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 Legal Consultation and Referral Service WEEKLY MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THURSDAYS, 8:30AM - 11:30AM IN THE ST. MICHAEL BUILDING Every Monday by appointment only Please call (813) 961-3023 Spiritual Direction Available! Divorced and Separated Support Group This ministry provides caring support for both women and Spiritual direction is a charism, a gift for both the men experiencing separation or divorce. The group meets director and the directee. The real spiritual director every Friday night at 7:30pm in the St. Paul Parish Center, is the Holy Spirit. Listening is the essence of spiritual Room C. No charges or fees. All are welcome! For more direction. Our spiritual director listens to the Holy Spirit within us and assists us in discerning where information, please call Don Hemke at (813) 205-1735. God is leading us. Colleen Spiro, a parishioner of St. AA Meetings: Do you feel your life is out of control? Is Paul Catholic Church, is a certified spiritual director. Alcohol ruining your life? Help is here! Our parish is blessed To make an appointment, send an email to: to host weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every Wednesday at 8:15pm in the St Michael Building. For more information, call (813) 933-9123. May God bless you!

Page 12 ALPHA and Stewardship

We are excited for the start of ALPHA in January 2020! ALPHA COFFEE & DONUTS introduces the basics of the Christian faith through a series will resume on of 11 talks and discussions. Sunday, January 5, 2020 ALPHA is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a small group setting.

Would you like to learn more about the upcoming ALPHA program? Do you have questions regarding what ALPHA is all about? Are you curious on how this 11-week event will be a benefit to you, your family and friends?

If you would like to learn more about ALPHA, please attend one of the two remaining “Come and See“ INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS (in English) below: A Stewardship Moment…

Thursday, January 9, 2020 In today’s second reading we listen to one of the most 1:00pm & 7:00pm, Family Center 2 & 3 compelling exhortations for Christian living:

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in

Our parish is offering ALPHA in the English, Spanish the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the and Portuguese languages We are also featuring a Father through him” (Col 3:17). weekly session for teenagers during the normal Youth “Whatever you do”---that means the whole of life is to be Group Meeting time on Sundays. Our schedule, for related to Christ Jesus. Everything in life, every activity, can all ALPHA sessions, is listed below: become an act of glorifying the Lord. Good stewards English commit even their daily routine to Christ: doing everything Thursdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm “in the name of the Lord.” Perhaps it would be a good Begins 1/23/20 ends 4/2/2020 idea this week to memorize this marvelous verse and

Thursdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm repeat it to yourself frequently. Make it part of your Begins 1/23/20 and ends 4/2/2020 morning prayer each day.

Portuguese Saturdays from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Leave a LEGACY… By including St. Paul Catholic Begins 1/25/2020 and ends 4/4/2020 Church in your will is most appreciated. There can be many advantages to leaving a gift in this way. Naming our Spanish parish as an entity in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary on Sundays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm a life insurance policy is a way for any parishioner to bless Begins 1/26/2020 and ends 4/5/2020 future generations through a legacy gift and support the Teens ministry of the church. For additional information please Sundays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm call our Parish Manager, Brian Smith, at (813) 961-3023 or (Not consecutive Sundays; Meets on 1/23, 2/2, send an e-mail to: [email protected]. 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29 and 4/5/2020)

*Note: Holy Spirit Retreat for above groups is on Sign up for Online Giving! Saturday, 3/7/2020 from 9:00am to 5:00pm It’s simple and convenient.

Go to stpaulchurch.com, and click on the Online Giving To register for ALPHA today, please visit: link for more info on how to sign up. www.stpaulchurch.com

For questions regarding ALPHA, please write to: [email protected]

“Wives, be subordinate to your husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21). Reflections Page 13

Faith in Action: “Wives, be subordinate to your Living Faith: In today’s Gospel, we hear of husbands…Husbands, love your wives…Children, two more of Joseph’s dreams. Dreams are obey your parents in everything…Fathers, do not often revelatory. When has God spoken to provoke your children…” (Col 3:18-21). Pope you in your dreams? Share if you dare! Francis said that families, through their life of prayer and love, become "schools of true human growth." Being credible On a Lighter Note: What did Adam say to his witnesses of Christian love, especially that of family members, wife on Christmas? It’s finally Christmas, Eve! exerts the most positive influence on our children. We are all What do you get when you mix a Christmas tree children of God, let us pray and love each other as God, Our and an iPad? A pineapple! Father, does for us. Why don’t crabs celebrate Christmas? Because they’re shell-fish. What’s every parent’s favorite Christmas Carol? Silent Night. Deo Gratis: We give thanks to God for all those What do hip-hop artists do on Christmas? Unwrap. who helped to make this year’s Christmas What do you call a frog hanging from the ceiling? Mistletoad.

celebration so wonderful, especially our priests, deacons, staff, and faithful volunteers! May God Pray the Sunday bless you! We also thank you for sharing bulletins from your Mornings travels with us. We love reading how God is blessing our Rosary 10:15am sister parishes! This week we received bulletins from Virginia in Latin Prayer Room and Florida! May God bless you! www.facebook.com/stpaultpa

Due to copyright restrictions, we are not Reflection: The city of Colossae was readings. The principal means of divine able to print the Scriptures with the located about 100 miles east of the city of communication for Matthew is the Reflections of Dr. Jack Conroy. Ephesus. It was located on what was appearance of an angel in a dream. Being called “The Royal Way,” a road which instructed to take the newborn child to I. Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14. What traveled from what is now Iran to the city Egypt would not surprise anyone, for the Constitutes Wisdom? of Ephesus. Additionally, it was located relationship between Israel and Egypt was on the Lycus River, which provided well-established. In Genesis, Joseph was Reflection: There is probably more inexpensive transportation for wool taken to Egypt where he became overseer known about the Book of Sirach than woven Colossae. It is likely that there was of everything Pharaoh owned. After about any other book of the Bible. We a substantial Jewish community at the suffering slavery in Egypt, God find in the Prologue to the Greek time of the letter. One of the most summoned Moses to lead Israel out of translation of the book a statement by the important concepts held by Jews at that Egypt. Matthew sees a parallel between author’s own grandson: “My grandfather time was that they were chosen by God Jesus and Moses. The second section of Jesus, who had devoted himself for a long to practice their faith. But rather than this narrative deals with Herod’s death time to the study of the Law, the focusing on a legalistic approach, the (Spring, 4 BCE), and describes the Prophets, and the other books of our Colossians were urged to “put on” and division of Harod’s lands among his three ancestors, and developed a thorough attitude of compassion, kindness, sons, Archelaus, Herod Antipas and familiarity with them, was prompted to humility, gentleness and patience. More Philip. Being warned again in a dream, write something himself in the nature of than anything else, love of each other “is Joseph brought Jesus and Mary to a small instruction and wisdom. This he did so described as the “bond of perfection.” agricultural town close to the Via Maris, that those who love wisdom might by We then have a rare expression where the the main trade route to Egypt. John 1:46 acquainting themselves with what he too teaching of wisdom is described as being is a conversation between Nathaniel and had written, make even greater progress, musical, singing psalms, hymns., and Philip, were Nathaniel asks if anything living in conformity with the Divine spiritual songs. Wouldn’t you love to hear good can come out of Nazareth. There Law.” It is probable that this work was what this sounded like? are virtually no other references to written between 117 and 132 BCE. Our Nazareth. † reading emphasizes the central character of the respect for one’s elder family III. Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23. Two members as constituting wisdom itself. Parts of the Birth Narrative.

Reflection: Matthew’s infancy narrative II. Colossians 3:12-17.Consequences contains about five separate sections, two of Being “Chosen.” of which are combined in this week’s