FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “ BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD.” DECEMBER 24, 2017

Welcome to

ST. JOHN NEUMANN CHURCH 102 W. Hillside Rd. Laredo, Texas 78041

Parish Website: http://sjneumannlaredo.org

Rev. Fr. Salvador Pedroza, Pastor

Deacon Gerardo Morales

Office: (956) 726-9488 Fax (956) 726-0540 Office Hours: Mon.- Fri. 8:00 AM to 5:00 P.M.

Parish Mission Statement

We, the community of St. John Neumann, desire to guide all souls toward God. This we accomplish by evangelizing through our ministries. Our liturgical celebrations center around the Eucharist.

Our Vision We seek to become a spiritual home where God’s love for us and our love for Him abounds freely and within an atmos-phere of brotherhood and good will.

Nuestra Misión Parroquial Nosotros, la comunidad de St. John Neu-mann, deseamos guiar a todas las almas a Dios. Logramos esto evangelizando a través de nuestros ministerios. Nuestras celebraciones litúrgicas están centradas en La Eucaristía.

Nuestra Visión Deseamos convertirnos en un hogar espi-ritual donde el amor de Dios por nosotros y nuestro amor por El abunde libremente dentro de un ambiente de buena voluntad y de hermandad.

Youth Group: “follow the youth group

on twitter: @sjnsearch”

St John Neumann, C. S. S. R.

1811-1860

Parish Ministries Note:

Altar Servers Edith Saldaña (956) 693-1480

Email: edith1972saldana@yahoo.com

Altar Society Ruby Hernandez (956) 763-6160

Bible Study / Classroom 1 Miguel Angel Rios (956) 236-1248

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Com-munion Lydia Guevara (956) 645-4943

Email: lguevara4601@gmail.com

Interior Church Improvements Larry Dovalina, Project Manager

(956) 251-6055 Email: larrydovalina@yahoo.com

Lectors Corina Salinas (956) 763-1472 Email: corinavsalinas@gmail.con

Music Ministry Jessica Cardenas

Pastoral Council Lilia G. Castillo Chair (956)740-6968 Email: autumnleaves22@gmail.com

Finance Council Alberto Cortez Chair (956)206-8949 Email: betouprr@yahoo.com

Youth Group “Charlie” Vera (956)404-7842

Email: cjv2008@gmail.com

Parish Office Staff Secretary-Nina Valdez Ext. 15 sec@stjohnneumannlaredo.org Bookkeeper-Claudia Flores Ext. 11 bk@stjohnneumannlaredo.org

Faith Formation (CCD) Ext. 13 Julie Rodriguez cre@stjohnneumannlaredo.org Bulletin Announcements

Deadline is the Tuesday, before publication date Send to: sec@stjohnneumannlaredo.org

Regular Mass Schedule

Saturday: 6:00 PM Vigil (Spanish)

Sunday: 9:00 AM (English)

12:00 Noon (English)

6:00 PM (Spanish)

Weekday Mass at 12:15 noon Tues. & Thurs - 12:15 p.m. Spanish Weds. & Fri. - at 12:15 p.m. English

Reconciliation (Confesiones) Saturday: 4:15 – 5:30 PM & by appt.

Baptisms Parents need an interview with Fr. Pedroza. Interviews are the 3rd Tues-days of each month. Baptism Prepa-ration classes are on the 4th Thurs-days of each month with Deacon Ger-ardo Morales. Please stop by the par-ish ofc. for additional information needed prior to registering for the class or for an appt. with Father.

Weddings Arrangements need to be made with the pastor 6 months in advance.

Quince Años For more info., please call the office.

PARENTS, PLEASE BE SENSITIVE TO THE OTHER PARISHIONERS. IF YOUR BABY OR CHILD BECOMES RESTLESS IS SPEAKING LOUDLY OR IS NOISY DURING THE MASS… PLEASE TAKE THEM OUTSIDE OR TO THE HALL BY THE PARISH OFFICE..

Padres, por favor sean sensibles a los demás feligreses. Si su bebé o niño (a) se pone inquieto o hace ruido du-rante la Santa Misa, por favor llevelo afuera o al pasillo en frente de la ofici-na parroquial.

Luke 1: 26-38

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “ BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD.” DECEMBER 24, 2017

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

We invite you to join us every Thursday from

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Let us make time to spend a moment in

prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

ADORACIÓN EUCARÍSTICA Te invitamos todos los jueves de las 7 a las 8 de la

noche. Hagamos tiempo para pasar un momento de

oración ante el Santísimo Sacramento.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HEALTH & NEEDS OF:

Bob Amparan

Francisco Flores Marcos Mendoza Giovanni Rossini

Virginia Avila Max Flores

Zonia Mendoza Lupita Ruiz

Ruben Cano Memo Flores Mena Morales Mr. & Mrs. Rogelio Salas

Josie Carrillo

. Elvia Garza Fr. Pedroza Vitor Teniente

Juan Castillo Lauren Gonzalez John Romani Nina Valdez

Jovita Delgado E. Gutierrez, Jr. Michael Romero Hilda Villarreal

Claudia Flores Senovio Luna, Jr. Terry Zapico

These names will be removed at the end of December. Please call or stop by the Parish Office if you would like to add or remove a name.

LECTORS’ SCHEDULE

sábado, 30 de diciembre

TIME 1st READING 2nd READING

6:00 P.M. Marta Stahl Gabriela Robledo

Sunday, December 31st

9:00 A.M. Dinorah Cantu Paez Laura Botello 12:00 P.M Diana Gonzalez Gloria Vasquez

06:00 P.M. Alejandra Garza Lupita Acosta

FAITH FORMATION NEWS

Faith Formation Christmas Break

Please continue to bring your children / youth to Mass during the break.

Youth Group

The last day of Youth Group meetings for this semester will be Wednesday, December 20th at the regular time.

Sacramental meetings:

Please be attentive to the rest of the published sacramental meetings scheduled for January 20, 2018 and March 3, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Parents need to attend two meet-ings per year.

Return to classes

All students return to Faith Formation classes on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. They will be receiving a new semester Mass Attendance booklet on their first day of class.

Merry Christmas ,

Julie Rodriguez

NOTICIAS DE FORMACIÓN EN LA FÉ Clases de Formación en La Fe

Vacación de Navidad Por favor estén a tiempo y continúen trayendo a sus hijos a la Misa durante el tiempo de vacaciones.

Grupo Juvenil

El ultimo día de reuniones del grupo juvenil para este semes-tre será el miércoles, 20 de diciembre en el horario regular.

Juntas Sacramentales

Dos juntas Sacramentales son requeridas por año. Si usted no ha asistido por favor asista a las siguientes que son el 20 de enero y el 3 de marzo del 2018 de 10 a.m. a las 12 del me-diodía.

Regreso a clases

Todos los alumnos regresan a las clases de Formación en La Fe el Martes, 9 de enero del 2018. Al regreso a clases los alumnos recibirán un folleto nuevo para la asistencia a clases para el semestre venidero.

Feliz Navidad,

Julie Rodriguez

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS MASSES

Dec. 25th - 10 AM - English / 12 NOON - Spanish / NO 6pm

Dec. 31st - Regular Sunday Mass Schedule- NO Vigil Mass

Jan.1st - 12 NOON - English / 7 PM - Spanish

Dec. 24th - 9:00 PM Christmas Vigil Mass (Bilingual)

* NOTE: The Regular 6 PM Mass on Sunday, Dec 24th

IS NOT a Vigil Mass

Christmas Blessings to all. Fr. Salvador Pedroza

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “ BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD.” DECEMBER 24, 2017

The Sanctuary Candle will be burning

For The Health of Yolanda Mata de Nena By Irma Silva

The Altar Flowers are being sponsored this weekend By The Parishioners of the Parish

Thank You

LAST WEEK’S TITHE:

Weekdays $ 31.00 Sat. 6:00 PM $ 1,191.00

Children’s $ 11.00 Sun. 9:00 AM $ 1,639.00

$ Sun.12:00 PM $ 1,642.00

$ Sun. 6:00 PM $ 547.00

$ TOTAL: $ 5,995.96

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 24TH

SATURDAY– DECEMBER 23, 2017

6:00 p.m. Por El Pueblo de Dios

SUNDAY - DECEMBER 24, 2017

9:00 a.m. † David Velasquez By His Parents, Mr. &

Mrs. Vidal Velasquez

12:00 p.m. Yvonne Garcia Ramirez By Her Family

6:00 p.m. † Silvia y Roberto

Cavazos

9:00 p.m. † Olga Villarreal & † Gua-

dalupe Quesada

By The Diaz De Leon

Family

MONDAY - DECEMBER 25, 2017

10:00 a.m. † Marissa Keene By Her Family

12:00 p.m. † Angelina Raymond De Isabel Martinez

TUESDAY – DECEMBER 26, 2017

12:15 p.m. † Florence Samaniego De Julie Rodriguez

WEDNESDAY - DECEMBER 27, 2017

12:15 p.m. Laura Link By Her Mom

THURSDAY - DECEMBER 28, 2017

12:15 p.m. † Sr. y Sra. Teodoro y

†Anita Cuellar.

De Su Familia

FRIDAY - DECEMBER 29, 2017

12:15 p.m. † Guadalupe L. Quesada By Her Family

“We pray that these gifts may help this church to change people’s lives and to spread your message of salvation. In the name of the Babe lying in the manger, we pray. Amen.” Luke 2: 1-20

THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle is lit

to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait ex-

pectantly for the soon-coming birth of the King of Kings.

St. John Neumann

18 IDEAS FOR SERVING OTHERS AS A FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS

1.Deliver cookies to a fire station, police station, or hospital on Christmas Day. 2.Choose a child’s name off the parish Angel Tree & pick out the gift together as a family. 3.Recruit several families & adopt a nursing home. Buy a simple gift for each resident (lotion, slippers, holiday throw blanket, etc.) & arrange a time to deliver the gifts. 4.Send a care package to military personnel overseas or do-nate through usowishbook.uso.org 5.Prepare a meal together as a family & take it to a sick or elderly friend. 6.Deliver baked goods to your neighbors. 7.Leave a Christmas card (and perhaps a little treat) in your mailbox for the mail carrier. 8.Go carolling at a nursing home. 9.Volunteer to read a Christmas book aloud to your child’s class. If possible, choose a book about the real meaning of Christ-mas. 10. Ring a bell for the Salvation Army. 11.Host a Christmas dinner for the widows & widowers at your church. 12.Go to the gro-cery store together as a family & pick up a few items for your local food pantry. 13.Volunteer to babysit, as a family, for a couple with small children so they can go out on a date. 14.Take gifts to a chil-dren’s ward of your local hospital. 15.Practice random acts of kind-ness by buying lunch for a stranger in line with you. 16.If you’re a pet lover, donate pet supplies to a local pet shelter/rescue. 17.Visit a homeless shelter or tent city and donate blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, socks, hats, & coats. 18.Shop local. Look for locally owned mom-and-pop stores to shop from rather than purchasing all of your gifts from large chain stores. Catholic Mutual Group Vol 3, Issue 12

ADULT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES

Classes will be offered this coming year for any adult that

needs Baptism, Holy Communion or Confirmation. Please call

Miss Julie Rodriguez at (956) 726-9488 ext. 13 to pre-register.

Miss Rodriguez is usually available after 2:30 p.m., Monday

thru Friday.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “ BEHOLD, I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD.” DECEMBER 24, 2017

IN LOVING

MEMORY OF

FERNANDO

MORENO

BY WIFE &

COMPLIMENTS OF

Martinez & Guarneros, P.L.L.C.

Certified Public Accounts

Flowers for All Occasions

Grizel’s Flowers & Gift Shop

PH: 725-GIFT (4438) Cell: 956-740-6520

St. John Neumann Men’s Group

To join us in our gatherings, Please call (956) 726-9488

We meet every last Monday of the Month

Schoolhouse 1816 Frost St.

Laredo, TX 78043 (956) 723-8919

“Where learning is fun”

In loving memory & in celebration of the life of

†Jaedon Chase Benavides

The light of thousands of stars. Today Jaedon Chase we are thinking out loud.

Love the Benavides and Garcia Families

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR ADVERTISERS - THANK THEM & LET THEM KNOW YOU APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH BULLETIN!

THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE

This space available

THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE!

THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE!

Call the parish office, ask for

Nina, ext. 15 to see what special

is available for the month of

November..new ads only!

Adult &

Geriatric Psychiatry

Office Hours by Appointment

6262 McPherson Road

Suite 209

(956)724-1131

Homero R. Sánchez, M. D.

MENSAJE NAVIDEÑO Navidad eres tú, cuando decides nacer de nuevo cada día y dejar entrar a Dios en tu alma. El pino de Navidad eres tú, cuando resistes vigoroso a los vientos y dificultades de la vida. Los adornos de Navi-dad eres tú, cuando tus virtudes son colores que adornan tu vida. La campana de Navidad eres tú, cuando llamas, congregas y buscas unir. La luz de Navidad eres tú, cuando iluminas con tu vida el camino de los demás con la bondad, la paciencia, la alegría y la gen-erosidad. El pesebre de Navidad eres tú, cuando te haces pobre para enriquecer a todos y acoges al Niño Dios en tu corazón. Los ángeles de Navidad eres tú, cuando cantas al mundo un mensaje de paz, de justicia y de amor. Los pastores de Navidad eres tú, cuando llenas tu corazón con aquel que lo tiene todo. La estrella de Navidad eres tú, cuando conduces a alguien al encuentro del Señor. Los reyes magos eres tú, cuando das lo major que tienes, sin importar a quien. La vela de Navidad eres tú, cuando decides iluminar. La música de Navidad eres tú, cuando conquistas la armonía dentro de ti. El re-galo de Navidad eres tú, cuando eres de verdad amigo y hermano de todo ser humano. La tarjeta de Navidad eres tú, cuando la bondad está escrita en tus manos. La felicitación de Navidad eres tú, cuando perdonas y restableces la paz, aun cuando sufras. La Misa de Navi-dad eres tú, cuando te haces alabanza, ofrenda y comunión. La cena de Navidad eres tú, cuando sacias de pan y de esperanza al pobre que está a tu lado. La fiesta de Navidad eres tú, cuando dejas el luto y te vistes de gala. Tú eres, sí, la noche feliz de Navidad, cuando humilde y consciente, recibes en el silencio de la noche al Salvador del mundo sin ruidos ni gran aparato-cidad, tu sonrisa de confianza y de ternura en la contemplación interior de una Navidad perenne que establece el reino dentro de ti. ¡Feliz Navidad! Papa Francisco 2017

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE You are Christmas , when you decide to be born new every day & let God into your soul. You are the Christmas tree, when you re-sist strong winds & the difficulties of life. You are the Christmas ornaments, when your virtues are colors that adorn your life. You are the Christmas bell, calling & inviting the congregation to join. You are the Christmas light, when you light with your life the way for others with kindness, patience, joy & generosity. You are the Christmas crib, when you do with less to enrich others & you welcome the Child God in your heart. You are the Christmas angels, when you sing to the world a message of peace, justice & love. You are the Christmas shepherds, when you fill your heart with the one who has everything. You are the Christmas star, when you guide someone to meet the Lord. You are the Magi, when you give the best that you have, to no matter whom. You are the Christmas candle, when you decide to illuminate. You are the Christmas music, when you conquer the harmony within you. You are the Christmas gift, when you are a true friend & brother of every human being. You are the Christmas card, when kindness is written in your hands. You are the Christmas greeting, when you forgive & restore peace, even if you suffer. You are the Christmas Mass, when you give praise, offering & communion. You are the Christmas dinner, when you satisfy with bread and hope the poor by your side. You are the Christmas party, when you stop mourning & dress for the party. You are, yes, the happiness of the Christmas night, when with humility & awareness, you receive the silence of the night the Savior of the world without noise or showing off, your smile of trust and tenderness in the inner con-templation of a perennial Christmas that establishes the kingdom within you. Merry Christmas! Pope Francis TEXT NOT DONE VERBATIM