FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT……….DECEMBER 22, 2019

Reverend John Kha Tran, Pastor ● Reverend Michael Pham, CRM, Parochial Vicar Deacon Dennis Hayes ● Deacon Bob Henkel ● Deacon Steve Klak

Deacon John Naber ● Deacon Matt Rust ● Deacon Joe Weir

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION (MASS): Saturday: 5:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Weekdays: 8:30 AM (Monday through Saturday)

RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION): We have Confessions on Saturday from 3:30 - 4:30 PM, and at other times by appointment.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK:

Someone who is seriously ill, at home, or in the hospital, or who is about to undergo major surgery, should call the parish office, and arrange for a Priest to celebrate with them the sacrament for the ill.

BAPTISM: ADULT BAPTISM: Adults who are preparing to become

Catholic, will participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation at Easter. INFANT BAPTISM: We celebrate infant Baptism on the 2nd

Saturday of each month, except during Lent. Parents and Godparents of infants to be baptized should attend Baptismal classes, preferably before the child is born.

CONFIRMATION: Adults and older youth who have not been Confirmed should contact the Parish office. MARRIAGE:

Couples who are considering marriage should contact the parish office, at least six (6) months before the couple's projected wedding date.

PRAYER: Rosary: Wednesday at 6:30 PM in Immaculata Chapel Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 7:00 PM in Immaculata Chapel Eucharistic Adoration: Daily in Immaculata Chapel Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Saturday at 4:30 PM in Church Rosary: Sunday following 10:00 AM Mass

PARISH STAFF Mary Alice Greaney—Music Director Dana Henkel—Parish Stewardship Director Jennifer Henkel—Youth Ministry Director Beth Jones—Parish Business Manager Eileen Mace—Kolbe Kids EC Program Director Lupe Mendez—Custodian Yvette Neider—Parish Night Clerk David Nguyen—Custodian Sister Vinflora Onije—Pastoral Assistant Miguel Perdomo—Maintenance & Handyman Phyllis Schoelman—Parish Secretary Molly Smith—Director of Evangelization and Catechesis Diana Thomas—Faith Formation Assistant

PASTORAL Anna Cardona Jason Donat Madelyn Henderson George Montes (Facilitator) Christian Munoz Pam Munoz Mitch Reece

COUNCIL Florence Shah Paul Simon Eileen Torres Jorge Torres Chuck Woodruff Paul Yim Ken Zavatsky (recorder)

FINANCE

Bob Charnock Paul Hains Sean Kennedy Wilfred Krenek (Facilitator)

COUNCIL

Evie Ornelaz David Ricke Ali Rust

10135 West Road Parish Office: (281) 955-7324 Office Hours: Sundays 8:00am-11:00am Houston, TX 77064 Fax: (281) 955-7328 Monday—Friday 9:00am-5:00pm www.stmaximilian.org Kolbe Kids: (281) 970-0979 Evenings: Mon-Wed-Thurs. 5:00pm-9:00pm www.virtusonline.org Saturdays: 9am-3pm

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH Page 2 HOUSTON, TEXAS

TRUST IN GOD On this final Sunday of Advent our scriptures focus on the historical birth of Jesus, who is son of David and Son of God, child and king, Jesus and Emmanuel. Isaiah the prophet begs Ahaz to ask for a sign, to allow God to offer him reassurance of the survival of the Davidic dynasty. The king hypocritically refuses to “tempt the LORD” in that way (Isaiah 7:12), but the prophet foretells the birth of a son, an heir to the throne, who will prove the Lord’s enduring protection of God’s chosen lineage on the throne of David. The child will be called Emmanuel. Matthew’s reference to this history in his description of the birth of Jesus highlights the con-trast between the faithless refusal of trust shown by Ahaz, and the complete trust in God shown by Mary and Joseph in bringing about the birth of Jesus Christ. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Sunday, December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent Eucharist (Mass) Church 8:00 am Coffee/Donuts Fellowship Gajowniczek Building 9:00 am Eucharist (Mass) Church 10:00 am RCIA Session Room 215 11:00 am Eucharist (Mass) Church 12:00 pm Christmas Pageant Church 4:00 pm Monday, December 23 Eucharist (Mass) Chapel 8:30 am ESL Classes Room 206 9:00 am Devotional Power Hour Prayer Chapel 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Parish Office Closed Beginning at Noon Eucharist (Mass) Church 5:00 pm Eucharist (Mass) Church 7:30 pm Eucharist (Mass) Church 11:00 pm Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Eucharist (Mass) Church 10:00 am Parish Office Closed All Day

OUR PARISH MISSION

We are the Christian Community of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Embracing our many and diverse gifts, we are united in Christ Jesus. Challenged by the teachings of Our Lord, and inspired by the example of our Patron, we strive to serve God, and to minister to others, in prayer, sacrament, faith formation, and charity.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2019

Thursday, December 26 Eucharist (Mass) Church 8:30 am Parish Office Closed All Day Friday, December 27 Eucharist (Mass) Church 8:30 am Saturday, December 28 Eucharist (Mass) Chapel 8:30 am Legion of Mary Meeting Room 203 9:15 am Reconciliation Church 3:30 pm Eucharist (Mass) Church 5:00 pm Sunday, December 29 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Eucharist (Mass) Church 8:00 am Coffee/Donuts Fellowship Gajowniczek Bldg 9:00 am Eucharist (Mass) Church 10:00 am Eucharist (Mass) Church 12:00 pm

The parish office will be closed beginning at Noon on Tuesday, December 24th, and on Wednesday, December 25th and Thursday, December 26th. The parish staff wish-es all our parishioners and visitors a very Merry Christmas!!

CHRISTMAS A young mother, her eyes shining with fatigue, who is arranging her hair; a father who finds himself alone with his pretty wife and baby, straightening the stable to make himself useful in some way; shepherds who bring cheese and perhaps also some curdled milk; sheep who look at their shepherds while bleating; a donkey who is eyeing his manger changed into a cradle; an adorable swaddled baby whom one calls Savior, Christ and Lord: This is the manifestation of the goodness and the tenderness of God. This is the most fantastic birth in the history of humanity, the one which changed the face of the world! This is how far God humbled and compromised himself with us! This is Emmanuel! From God’s Word Is Our Joy, Vol. 1 by Lucien Deiss, CSSp, copyright © 1998, World Library Publications. p. 73

There are no Faith Formation classes until the week of January 12th. Enjoy your holiday break!

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH Page 4 HOUSTON, TEXAS

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — You will be given this sign: The vir-gin shall conceive and bear a son (Isaiah 7:10-14). Psalm — Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory (Psalm 24). Second Reading — God has called us to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7). Gospel — The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-24). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass (c) 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corpora-tion. All rights reserved.

Having difficulty on your grief journey? If you feel like your grief journey is not progressing after the loss of your loved one, the Grief Ministry will meet with you to help you. We are willing to listen and help you cope during this difficult time. Please call Louise Widacki at 281-970-2770 for an appointment.

WE SHARE THEIR GRIEF

We offer our condolences to Faye Shaw and her family at the passing of her hus-band and our dear parishioner, John.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May John’s soul, and the souls of all Your faith-ful departed, by Your loving mercy, rest in peace.

KOLBE SENIORS

Looking ahead: January 10th—visit Our Lady of Walsingham and Our Lady of Czestochowa Catholic Churches which are both in Spring Branch. January 17th—Kolbe Seniors meeting. February 12th—a trip to see the Danish Herit-age Museum in Danevang. March 6th—Monument Inn for lunch. All Seniors are welcome to join! Call or text Becky Keels @ 713-724-1075 for more information on bus trips.

For Safety! Please do NOT let small children ap-proach the candle stands unattended. Parents, watch your children when near the candles. Thank you!

On Christmas day, St. Maximilian parishioners will prepare and serve meals to over 1,800 peo-ple at 10 different Houston area shelters. We will provide everything from the BBQ chicken to the paper plates and the plastic forks. There will be something for everyone to help make this Christmas gift a success, including: volunteering to serve on Christmas day, donating food items and other supplies, or making cash contributions. Volunteer and food/supply donation in-formation along with sign-up details are happening now! (sign up for volunteers and donations this year will be done on-line via https://stmaximilian.org). If you would like to be a site captain who will be responsible for helping in the preparation process and take charge of one of the shelters on Christmas day, please call Bobby Knight at 281-813-0983 for more information.

Benjamin Bellami, Chris Buckley, Bill Carew, Michael Cartafalsa, Patricia Carter, Denise Caskey, Patria Cillo, Emilio Chavez-Cody, Kayson Clay, Patricia Crim, Martha Dardnel, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Deacon Fred Dinges, Mark Durocher, Bobby Embesi, Aurora Enciso, Jennifer Foty, Missy Fouts, Joseph Gallagher, Carol Ann Geary, Eric Gensch, Richard Geveshausen, Beatriz Gonzales, Kenny Gordon, Adria Gould, Francisco Grados, Jesse Guevara, Ofelia Guevara, Rudy Guevara, Eddy Harkey, Mack Harper, Mitzi Harper, Charles Hebert, Janelle Hoffart, Jennifer Hornsby, Rachel Huebel, Irma Jacinto, Linda Johnson, Monsignor Milam Kleas, Corine Konvicka, Laurine Krejci, Tommy Kubeskie, Mrs. Hoang Le, Neveah Leger, Rachele Marchisio, Ashley Mueller, Mark Neagli, John Oggero, Father Roy Oggero, Kristen Ornelaz, Richard Ornelaz, Carmen Ortiz, Jerry Pendlum, Stan Petty, Drake Pope, Chris Raggio, Oralia Ramirez, Carol Rodriguez, Kent Rogers, Nelda Ruiz, Alveraize Saizan, Maria Senjudo, Ernest Sepulveda, John Shaw, Doug Shepherd, Tony Sliva, Grace Smith, Lance Smith, Nancy Snyder, Irma Sosa, Marilyn Stocker, Ken Switzler, Michael Tegethoff, Diana Thomas, Vick Anthony Todaro, Ruth Tolentino, Annette Triska, Father John Ulm, Janet Vasko, Megan Waggoner, Jerelyn Walker, Linda Webb, and Adam Wendel.

The Chapel Sanctuary Candles & Flowers at the

Altar of the Blessed Sacrament for the week of December 23rd

are in loving memory of

Kurt Edward Schoelman +

Monday, December 23 St. John of Kanty James W. Cozart, Jr. † 8:30am

Tuesday, December 24 Vigil of Christmas Alveraize Saizan, Intentions 8:30am Stash and Tilly Gorka † Lloyd Martin † 5:00pm Charles Wiggins † 7:30pm Aquilina Pariamachi † 11:00pm

Wednesday, December 25 The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Holy Day of Obligation

Joseph Gallagher, Intentions 10:00am Vance Fridye †

Thursday, December 26 St. Stephen Raymond Plasczyk † 8:30am

Friday, December 27 St. John Calizto Barrientos, Sr. † 8:30am

Saturday, December 28 The Holy Innocents Anastacia Apeles † 8:30am Lloyd Martin † 5:00pm

Sunday, December 29 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

Parishioners of St. Maximilian 8:00am Carlos Amengual † 10:00am Joseph Jurecka, Intentions Juanita and Bernardo Canlas † 12:00pm Osakue Family, Intentions

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2019

If you would like someone added to our Parish Prayer List, please contact the parish office @ 281-955-7324. Going forward the Prayer List in the bulletin will be reviewed periodically and names on the list over 90 days will be removed unless we receive notification to retain them. May God bless you, protect you and please keep all those on our list in your prayers. Thank you.

Youth Ministry Events: Tuesdays Junior High Youth Group 6:30pm – 8pm Wednesdays High School Youth Group 6:30pm – 8pm

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH Page 6 HOUSTON, TEXAS

Please do not tape offertory/donation envelopes.

We invite you to spend 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes or an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in the Immaculata Chapel. There are about 300 commit-ted and dedicated adorers in Adoration praying an hour every day so that you can come and visit Jesus exposed in

the Holy Eucharist. If you would like to commit to an hour of Adoration, please call Susie Charnock at 281-813-1492.

Day of the week Hours Needed Monday 1:00 a.m.—2:00 a.m. Thursday 2:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. Thursday 3:00 a.m.—4:00 a.m. updated: 12/10/19

Christmas Wish List

Computers! In the parish office…we will need to replace several computers, up-grading them from Windows 7 to Win-dows 10. Any consideration towards this wish list item would be appreciated!

1st Corinthians 13 (A Christmas Version)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family, I am just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals

and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holi-day parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on those I love the most,

I have missed the point.

…In other words, Love stops the cooking to hug a child

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,

but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return

but rejoices in giving to those who cannot. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But the gift of love will endure.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2019

OUR PARISH DEBT Original Loan, October 2010: $5,200,000 Amount to be paid: $299,630.29

They shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

Matthew 1:23

Pledged $105,649.18

Paid $102,125.51

Percent Paid 74.00% Pledged Under Goal $32,320.82 Paid Under Goal $35,874.49 Number of Participants 325 Average Participant Pledge $325.17 Total Number of Households 2,132

“Do Not Neglect to SHARE What You Have” “Keep doing good works and sharing your resources, for these are the kinds of sacrifices that please God.” DSF 2019 Parish Goal: $138,000.00

IGNITE: Our Faith, Our Mission Parish Goal: $1,442,331.00 Pledged: $703,695.00 Paid: $220,875.35 Percent Paid: 15.31% Percent Pledged: 48.79% Pledged Under Goal: $738,636.00 Paid Under Goal: $1,221,455.65 Number of Participants: 208 Total Number of Households: 2,132

♫ MUSIC MINISTRY ♫

Friendly Reminder: IGNITE donation checks should be made payable to IGNITE. All IGNITE checks are sent to the Archdio-cese for processing. Thank you for your generosity.

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS

Christmas Caroling: Share the joy of Christmas caroling immediately following the Youth Christ-mas Pageant on TODAY...Sunday, December 22nd. The Pageant starts at 4pm in the Church and afterwards enjoy hot chocolate, maybe a visit from Santa, and festive refrains of Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and other Christmas favorites! You won’t want to miss the FUN!

Christmas Mass Schedule: Christmas Eve: 5pm with the Children’s Choir and blessing of the crèche 7:30pm with the Adult Choir 11pm with Adult and Youth Singers (Christmas Caroling be-gins 20 minutes before each Mass)

That we can put our complete trust in God and become a model of discipleship like Joseph. “When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.” Matthew 1:24 Putting our complete trust in the Lord without expecting anything in return. Striving to put God first in all things and follow Him wherever He may led us. As we prepare for the birth of our Lord, pray for the strength and courage to be a model of discipleship, just as Joseph was.

Christmas, 2019 Adoration Schedule

Tuesday, December 24 Repose after 8:30 a.m. Mass

Wednesday, December 25 No Eucharistic Adoration

Thursday, December 26

Adoration resumes after 8:30 a.m. Mass

The Holy Father’s Intentions for 2019: DECEMBER: Universal: The Very Young That every country resolutely commits to taking the necessary measures to make the future of the very young, especially those who suffer, a priority.

SAINT MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH Page 8 HOUSTON, TEXAS

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Wednesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Thursday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Friday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:5 — 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14; Ps 128:1-5; Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Mt 2:13-15, 19-23

Get great Catholic content at the click of a mouse by signing up for FORMED. Our parish, St. Maximilian, has already purchased a subscription for all members of the parish. To get started go to formed.org, create an account by using the parish code — BVPDYC.

Power Hour Prayer Time; Mondays @ 7pm

Immaculata Chapel Call Jeanette @ 281-914-3676

for more information.

Come and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each Thursday at 3pm in the Immaculata Chapel. All are welcome.

**January meeting will be held on Mon-day, January 13th. There will be a speaker at this meeting. **Saturday, January 25th—BUNCO Save the date!

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS EVENTS

This Photo by Unknown

Prayer for Advent Peaceful and loving God, as we travel through Advent, we ask that you help us to walk in your light. Instruct us in your ways, that we might prayerfully welcome your son once again at Christmastime. May we rejoice, knowing that our prayers for peace – peace on earth – are not in vain. Amen. Terence Hegarty

Registration has be-gun for St. Maximili-an’s January 23–26, 2020 Men’s ACTS

Retreat! The ACTS retreat is a 3-day and 3-night Catholic lay retreat presented by fellow parishioners. The retreat begins on Thursday evening and ends @ Noon Mass on Sunday, celebrating with the par-ish community. The focus is on Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. More information can be found at www.stmaximilian.org or by calling the parish office. Do not miss this opportunity – you deserve it!

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 22, 2019

/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 150 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages false /GrayImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages false /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /MonoImageResolution 600 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 2.00000 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects true /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false /PDFXNoTrimBoxError true /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile () /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False

/CreateJDFFile false /Description >>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice