When we think of today’s Gospel, the image of this meeting between the Angel Gabriel and Mary by Fra Angelico (1440-1445) likely comes to mind. In this fresco, Gabriel and Mary are outside sitting among the columns, and Gabriel, with his big wings and hands crossed, gazes upon Mary and gestures towards her. She is well dressed in a traditional blue garment, and though her face shows shock, her folded hands model submission and humility. This work of art is so beautifully executed that we can miss some of its finer details. Similarly, because the Gospel scene is so familiar, we can forget to take in its small details. A few years ago, this author found a children’s book called “The Nativity” illustrated by Julie Vivas. Because her drawings were so fresh and charming and simple, she invited new perspective on the story.
LOOKING AGAIN
Luke says that Mary “was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.” She asks, “How can this be?” These questions don’t fit with how Fra Angelico positioned Gabriel and Mary. In the Vivas illustrations, the Angel Gabriel sits down with battered wings and a balding head and has a cup of coffee with Mary as the two of them try to figure it out together. The text is the same, but the message conveyed is different. There is a different degree of comfort and familiarity to these illustrations. This “having a cup of coffee” is something we need to learn to do with the scriptures and with our lives. After this event, pregnant Mary traveled into the hill country to be with Elizabeth; an older, wiser, mentor—a mother figure. She spent three months there reflecting and preparing for the birth of her child. In this final week of Advent, take a few moments to find a Gabriel/Mary or an Elizabeth/Mary moment and read the Christmas readings Today’s Readings: again to see what you might have overlooked, and to find a 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29; new way for Christ to dwell in you. Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38.
Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish Robstown, Texas and Saint Patrick Mission, 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 Housekeeper: Yolanda Tobòn LIFETEEN: Rachel Unterbrink Custodian: J. T. Tovar Knights of Columbus Council #9318 Catholic Daughters of America Court #2290
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 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 19 - 20, 2020
LECTORS for DECEMBER 26-27, 2020
“The child to be born will be called holy, Saturday, 5:30 PM: Volunteer Sunday, 8:00 AM: Volunteer - Luke 1 : 35 the Son of God.” Sunday, 11:00 AM: Volunteer St. Thomas the Apostle USHERS for DECEMBER 26-27, 2020
Masses and Intentions for the Week Saturday, 5:30 PM: Volunteers
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 Sunday, 8:00 AM: Volunteers 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission Sunday, 11:00 AM: Volunteers †All Souls 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle
†Tomasa B. Valdez (AOB) by Rosario Gonzalez Please Pray for ...
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 20, 2020 All the homebound, sick and suffering of our parish. Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Especially all those who have asked us to pray for them. 8:00 AM: Parishioners 11:00 AM: Collective Mass Elaine McCown, Nina Riebschleager, Cathy Sikes, Geneva Lintner, †Celia C. Martinez (AOB) by Yolanda Peña Emil & Mary Jo Prukop, Jim & Pat Landreth, Champ Champine, †Carmelita Tobon by Yolanda Tobon Nikki Brown, Patrick Knesek, Dan Pawlik, John Michael Delaney, †Glen and †Mary Dawson by Tom Dawson Lincoln Polasek, Hatttie Kotara, Shep Titzman, Rick Chavarry, †For the Deceased Members of the Landreth/Diegel Families Charlie and Jean Chapman, Sam Borse, Andie Noyola-Blanco, by Jim and Pat Landreth Maria Elena De Los Santos, JoAnn Hartman, Gene Van Scoy, MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 - No Mass John Sudigala, Blake Mitchell, Louise Rathke, Adrian Briseno,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Daniel and Sandra Garcia, Aida Deases, Joe Cantu, Dale Hahn, 12:05 PM: Michael Cantu (Birthday) by Cantu Family Mr. & Mrs. Amador Tijerina, Carlos Andres Salinas, John Knezek,
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Patrick Nemec, Toby Duarte, Sam Morris, Mason McKearnan, 12:05 AM: †Ottie Zieger by Charlie & Jean Chapman Berths Cantu, Dee Molina, Aaron Hoelscher, Michael Brearton, 7:00 PM: ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT April Jones, Rosemary Floyd, and Cleo Blucert. Please call/email the rectory office to include a person on the 2020 PRAYER LIST THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 CHRISTMAS EVE Mass @ St. Patrick Mission 5:00 PM: †All Souls EUCHARIST Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 7:00 PM: †David Tajchman Jr. by David & Susie Tajchman 2. The Holy Eucharist has several names: Breaking FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020 CHRISTMAS DAY of the Bread, Memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle Resurrection, the Holy Sacrifice, the Holy and Divine 8:00 AM: Parishioners 11:00 PM: †John Bowman II by John & Chi Bowman Liturgy, the Most Blessed Sacrament, Holy Communion, and Holy Mass. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 THE HOLY FAMILY 4:00 PM: Mass @ St. Patrick Mission 3. Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last †All Souls Supper. 5:30 PM: Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle 4. The Holy Eucharist is a sacramental sacrifice: †Caitlynn Prukop (AOD) by Karen Vaughan i. of thanksgiving and praise; SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2020 THE HOLY FAMILY Mass @ St. Thomas the Apostle a. In the sacrifice of the Eucharist, through the 8:00 AM: Parishioners death and resurrection of Christ the Church presents all of 11:00 AM: Collective Mass creation to the Father as an offering of praise and †Deacon Alan K. Borse by the Borse Family †Lilia C. Canales by Rene & Carmen Canales thanksgiving. †Allen Migura (AOD) by Owen & Kim Gallagher b. The Church gives thanks to God in the †Sylvester Vo by John & Chi Bowman Eucharist for all the blessings God has accomplished in his † Maria Nguyen (Winn) by John & Chi Bowman works of creation, redemption, and sanctification.
Visit our website for Online Giving ii. Of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection www.christon624.com. from the dead; a. The Eucharist makes present again the CHRISTMAS MASSES sacrifice of the cross in an unbloody manner. b. The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the VIGIL MASS ON CHRISTMAS EVE Eucharist are one, single sacrifice. St. Patrick Mission 5:00 p.m. St. Thomas the Apostle 7:00 p.m. c. In the Eucharistic sacrifice and in the CHRISTMAS DAY sacrifice of the cross, there is one priest and one victim: St. Thomas the Apostle 8:00 a.m. Christ. (to be continued) St. Thomas the Apostle 11:00 a.m. From the Pastor’s desk THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 19 - 20, 2020
LITURGY OF THE DAY INFORMATION CORNER
Background on the Gospel Reading (Luke 1:26-38) Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
This Sunday we read the story of the angel Gabriel’s Baptism Class: Call the parish office to register for this class. All announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. This paperwork must be completed before attending class or scheduling Baptism. See website for more information. story is found only in Luke’s Gospel. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy shifts our attention Bulletin: Bulletin announcements are due on Monday by 1:00 PM. from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Confession: 30 minutes before Masses or by appointment. Both John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they both Catholic Daughters of America Court 2290: Contact Sandra played instrumental roles in preparing the way for Knezek, Regent at 361-701-5886.
Jesus. Last week we reflected on John the Baptist’s Knights of Columbus Council #9318: Contact Tony Arredondo, announcement that the Savior was among us, although Grand Knight at [email protected], 361-947-8036. not yet recognized. This week we reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us. RETURNING TO MASS WITH JOY We are familiar with the story of the Annunciation, and it is fitting that we recall how God announced “As positive health and safety action has been taken to the birth of Jesus as we make our final preparations keep the faithful safe when attending Mass, I am joyful to for our celebration of the Incarnation. The angel announce an end to the dispensation from the Sunday Gabriel visited Mary, a virgin betrothed to a man Mass obligation” stated Most Reverend Wm. Michael named Joseph. Mary greeted the angel’s news with awe and wonder and asked how it could be possible Mulvey, Bishop of Corpus Christi. that she could give birth to a child. In his reply, the Those who continue to be dispensed are those at angel Gabriel announced the seemingly impossible increased risk of serious illness, compromised immune reality: the child to be born would be conceived by systems and those responsible for their care. As always, the power of the Holy Spirit and would be God’s own those who are ill should remain home. Further, if you are Son. The angel reported to Mary another miracle; her relative Elizabeth was also pregnant despite having concerned for your health it is permissible for you to been thought to be unable to have a child. Mary’s remain at home and make the Day of the Lord, Sunday a response to the angel, which is called her fiat, is an holy day in other ways, such as watching the Mass on example of complete faith and obedience to God. television or social media, reading the readings of the day, The story of the Annunciation calls to our attention or saying a rosary with your family. God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a The Diocese of Corpus Christi will continue to follow human person to give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already social distancing, wearing facemasks to Mass and using full of God’s grace, was able to cooperate in this great hand sanitizer. As usual, the churches will be disinfected plan for our salvation. Thus Jesus was born as one and cleaned after every Mass. Diocese of Corpus Christi of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the !!! CAUTION !!! mystery of the Incarnation. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize Those who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to God’s saving plan for us and are able respond with someone with the virus within 14 days are not permitted to obedience. enter the church, in accordance with national, state and
FAMILY CONNECTION local health directives. Fr. Philip Panackal One of the challenges of faith is to recognize God’s plan for us and to remain open to God’s will and God’s Knights of Columbus Council #9318 4th Annual Father Matthew Lyng actions in our world. Filled with God’s grace, Mary models for us the kind of faith that is needed to cooperate SUPER BOWL EXTRAVAGANZA in God’s plan of salvation. Like Mary, we are given the FOOTBALL NUMBERS awesome opportunity to cooperate in God’s saving plan. Super Bowl Sunday—February 7, 2021
On this final Sunday of Advent, our Gospel invites us to Winning Numbers Pay $1250.00 Per Quarter (NO OVERTIME) consider how our preparations for Christmas have made $100.00 Donation (need not be present to win) us more aware of God’s grace working in our lives. Gather together your family and pray that God’s Tickets are available after each weekend Mass. Your grace will enable your family to be more faithful and support in this KC fundraising event is most appreciated. obedient to God. From the Pastor’s desk Tony Arredondo, KC Grand Knight 005888
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church 16602 FM 624 Robstown, Texas 78380
361-387-1312
Ann Clarke Bulletin Editor [email protected]
Number of Printed Bulletins: 150