Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

Prayer Corner

Today’s Gospel LK 1:26-38

Santo Niño de Cebu Catholic Church 5655 Rigsby Avenue, San Antonio TX, 78222 (210)648-1705 (210)648- 5365 santo.nino.sa@gmail.com www.stonino.org

Our personal connection to Mary

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, we're shown how the mission of Christ affected the Virgin Mary even before Jesus was conceived in her womb.

Three decades later, Jesus would become the Savior of the world. However, that is not when his salvation plan began. Jesus is God; he has always existed. He is the uncreated Divine Son, the Person of the Holy Trinity who, as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed during every Mass, was "born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made."

His salvation plan could -- and did -- impact Mary since the moment of her own conception.

In order for God to come into our world in the flesh, "for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man." In other words, his Spirit totally bathed Mary in his pure, holy presence. Therefore, even though she

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Our Mission:

The Santo Niño Catholic Church is a faith community where all are welcome to celebrate Catholic beliefs embellished by the best Philippine traditions. It is a dynamic parish responding to the spiritual needs of the community to fulfill its evangelical mission and to realize Christ’s call of making disciples of all nations. (Parish Pastoral Council, 21 April 2001)

Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt

Lord our God, our Father in heaven and our Father

on earth, our Lord and our Ruler, we thank you that to

this very day you have guarded and guided us and

delivered us from great need. We praise you with hearts full of hope as we

continue on our pilgrimage. For Christmas

Day is coming with its message of hope that we

may somehow bring honor to you in spite of all

hindrances, mistakes, and sin, in spite of all death and

the horror of dying. We know that you hold us in

your hands. With your help we can look ahead, and again and again we may take a small step forward and live to the praise and

honor of your name. So be with us now and bless us.

Amen. .

T he angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the

virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be

called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy,

the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth

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Today’s Reflection

Image credit to Image Creator: Google search

The Santo Nino Choir will do house to house

Christmas Carols. This activity will end on January 6,

2018. The donations from the Christmas carols will go

to our Capital Project: RE classroom. If you want to have

caroling at your home call the office at (210)648-1705

for schedule. “Thank you for sharing your blessing.”

could not understand how the promised Messiah could possibly be conceived within her, since she'd had no sexual relations, by the grace of God's Spirit she could know that God was the one who was asking for it and God was the one who was doing it.

That's all she needed.

All of us are called by God to carry the presence of Christ and birth him more fully into the world. What are you doing about it? How much are you fulfilling your divine destiny? Remember, he always empowers us to accomplish whatever he asks us to do. God knows what he's doing when he calls us to continue what Mary began, and he is always trustworthy and dependable. There is nothing to fear, no reason to hold back from fulfilling our true destiny.

Everything that God does is always good, even when his plan for our mission requires a journey through the cross. If we follow Christ, sooner or later we hang with him on the cross, because this is the best, the most effective way to achieve a victorious accomplishment that will make an eternal difference in

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Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

Christmas Day Mass (12/25):

10 am mass – English

12 noon mass – Tagalog

December 30—Saturday 6 pm

Spanish Mass

December 31—Sunday regular

mass @ 8am, 10 am,

12noon.

New Years’ Eve Mass (12/31):

6 pm mass – Spanish Mass

10 pm mass – English

Mass

New Years’ Day Mass (1/1):

12 noon – English mass

When was the last time you said to God, "But how can this be? You want me to do WHAT? I don't understand why!" What were you afraid of? How strong was your trust in God?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing: When God chooses you for a task or responsibility, what helps you move from uncertainty or confusion or reluctance into saying "yes"? When the plans of God don't make sense or they seem unpleasant, how do you overcome your reluctance?

© 2017 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources, www.catholicdr.com. Printed by permission. To view or subscribe to daily Good News Reflections, visit www.gnm.org.

the lives of many.

With this in mind, when he asks us to do something for his kingdom, of course our answer is yes, right?

Why wouldn't it be? Of course we want to cooperate with his plan, and we say yes to his plan even when we don't understand it nor see how God could possibly do what he says he'll do.

Often, we don't feel like he can do what he's planning to do through us, because we know we are weak, sinful, and unqualified. Don't trust your feelings about it; trust God.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

We are inviting our parishioner to attend the “TOAST TO A

NEW YEAR PARTY” on December 31, 2017, Sunday, from 7

pm to 1 am. This fundraising activity is sponsored by the

Pastoral Council to raise funds for the re-upholstery of our

pews and benches in our church. Tickets are sold in the

foyer by the Pastoral Council members.

month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. †

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Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path. Psalm

119:105

DAILY READINGS (December 25—December 31, 2017)

DAY READING/S GOSPEL

MON 1st—IS 52:7-10 2nd—HEB 1:1-6

JN 1:1-18

TUE 1st—ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59

MT 10:17-22

WED 1st—1 JN 1:1-4 JN 20:1A AND 2-8

THU 1st—1 JN 1:5—2:2 MT 2:13-18

FRI 1st—1 JN 2:3-11 LK 2:22-35

SAT 1st—1 JN 2:12-17 LK 2:36-40

SUNDAY 12/31/2017

1st—SIR 3:2-6, 12-14 2ND—COL 3:12-21

LK 2:22-40

Mass Intentions

WEEKEND MASS INTENTIONS

Sat.— 6:00 pm—1. Souls of †Charlie/Margie Graf, †Delia Olney, †Lupita Perez, and J†ocefina Castillo; 2. Health and recovery of Francis Paiz, Maria/Luis Davila, Victor Sanchez, and Manny Portillo. 3. Intentions of Rosa dela Garza and family.

Sun. 8 am—1. Recovery of †Dancie Grace Vieyra, Lolita Pepper, Jacob & Julian Ponce, Helen Daley, Carmen Steele; 2. Intentions of Robert and Nel Mendez.

Sun. 10 am—1. For the soul of †Dina Sorio, †Sande and †Bob Lewis; 2. intentions of the 2000 Hail Mary’s Devotion, Barbara and Keller family; 3. recovery of Adelina Soriano, Rosario Medina, Grace Eggert.

Sun 12 noon—. 1. Souls of †Allen Spencer; 2. recovery and health of Romy Gregorio, Dr. Tony dela Cruz, and Carmen Jaceldo; 3. BD’s of Aimee Jeeves, Aleth Guerra and Chirina Tinio.

Lord Hear our Prayers.

STEWARDSHIP (Collection) REPORT AND ATTENDANCE

Collection Last Sunday

December 16—17, 2017:

1st Collection ……………………….………………… $ 2,330.15

2nd Collection: Cap. Project; RE Classroom... $ 967.75

Simbang Gabi masses collection for Capital

Project RE classroom on 12/15-18/2017…$ 922.05

Simbang Gabi food donation for Cap. Proj. RE classroom

from 12/15-18/2017…………………………….. $ 361.05

Christmas Carols (12/14 & 12/17) donation for

Capital Project: RE classroom……………….. $ 855.00

Christmas Carols (12/4/2017) Cap. Proj………. $ 1,652.00

Attendance …………………………………………………. 350

Today’s Second Collection 23 –24,2017

Capital Project : Religious Education Classroom

December 25, 2015 2nd collection is for Assumption

Seminary

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

Total Collected for R.E.

classroom project

$ 40,925.45

$ 119,074.55 The road to take.

Religious

Education

Projected Cost

$ 160,000.00

Note: The project cost is subject to change depending on the

Construction cost and material cost of the project.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSROOM BUILDING PROJECT

COLLECTION AND FUNDRAISINGREPORT

AS OF DEC. 17, 2017

4

Our Devotions

Adoration, Rosary &

Novena: 5:00-6:00 PM M-F

Holy Spirit: Mondays

Divine Mercy/Holy Hour for

Vocation: Tuesday

Perpetual Help Novena:

Wednesdays

St. Jude Novena:

Thursdays

Santo Niño Novena: Fridays

Sacred Heart: 1st Fridays

First Saturday of the

month:

2000 Hail Mary Devotion,

from 9:00 AM

Divine Mercy Devotion:

Sunday 3:00 – 4:00 PM

Parish Office/Business Hours:

Tuesday thru Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

12 noon – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

Schedule of Masses and other Services

Sundays: 8:00 and 10:00

AM, and 12 noon Bilingual Mass (English & hymns in

Filipino)

Saturdays: 6:00 PM (Spanish Mass) Daily Holy Eucharist:

M-F 6:00 PM

Confession: Mon-Sat 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Baptism: By appointment & Seminars is necessary

Confirmation:

11th to 12th grade Marriage: Please meet

with the Pastor one year in advance.

Counseling: By Appointment

Funeral: Please contact the Parish office before making

arrangements outside

OUR SERVANTS

ADMINISTRATION

Pastor – Rev. Fr. Arnold Ibarra, PhD Deacon - Arsenio Reyes

Office Volunteers: Martha Ponce, Francis Paiz, Annie Spencer,

Dora Mendez, Alicia Anaya

Business Coordinator – Anna Rose Nolasco Sacramental Records – Dr. Connie

Nepomuceno Safe Environment - Monette Reyes

Photographer – Henry Mendez Webmaster – Ed Candelaria

Property Manager – Robert Mendez

PASTORAL COUNCIL (2015-2018)

Chairperson: Regina Pino Vice Chair: Rene Jaceldo

Secretaries: Josie McCallister & Vicky Ortiz

Members:, Rene Jaceldo, Robert Mendez,

Irene Roberson, Nena Connor,

Alvaro Suarez, Raine Virginio, Armi Wallace, Bill Wolff & Patrick Wyrwich

FINANCE COUNCIL

Chairperson: Michael Roberson

(2015-2020) Members – Belma dela Cruz, Dr. Concepcion Nepomuceno

STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL

Chairperson: Jim Irwin Members: Regina Pino, Michael Roberson,

Belma dela Cruz, Suzette Saunders Dr Concepcion Nepomuceno

MINISTRIES

WORSHIP

Acolytes: Vicky Ortiz

Dévotion: Dr. Connie Nepomuceno Hospitality: TBD Lectors: Jill Lewis

Adult Choir: Helen Ona Youth Choir: Noel Casino Sacristan: Rita Cordova

Director of Altar Servers: Russel Cantu Wedding/Quincenera Coordinator:

Alicia Anaya & Annie Spencer

EVANGELIZATION

Religious Education Coordinator: Jet Licon

RCIA : Deacon Jun Reyes, Doris Garza, & Dr.

Connie

Family Life Apostolate: TBD

Guadalupana: Rosa dela Garza

ACTS and Vocation/Director of Liturgy: Deacon

Jun Reyes

Youth: Russell & Bernadette Cantu

SERVICE

Filipino Traditions: Pura Frierson Nutrition: Alma de Paz

Knights of Columbus : Grand Knight Christopher Anders

Social Concern : Joanne Jaceldo Stephen Ministry: Jill Lewis

Bill Lenhart Ministry: Charles Jordan

Santo Niño de Cebu Catholic

Church

Address: 5655 Rigsby Avenue,

San Antonio, Texas 78222 Phone: (210) 648-1705 Fax: (210) 648-5365

E-mail: santo.nino.sa@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENT

1. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult (RCIA) is for adults or young children seeking to receive the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist. Please contact the office at (210) 648-1705 for more information.

2. The Adult Choir is inviting all the parishioner to watch the Christmas Cantata on December 24 at 9 P.M.

3. Holy hour for vocation is every Tuesday from 5 pm and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is every Monday to Thursday at 5 pm followed by Holy Mass at 6 pm.

4. For “house blessings and/or bringing the Santo Nino” schedule you can contact Ms. Josie at (210) 740-9410 or the office at (210)648-1705.

5. If you want or need an Spiritual Director service, call the office at (210)648-1705. The service is free.

9. Copies of your weekly bulletin can be downloaded on the internet at www.stonino.org/bulletins.

We would like to express our thanks to

those who give online. We would love to

see the number increase with this

program, please consider our online

donation.

If you want to give your tithes and

donation online go to our parish website at

www.stonino.org and click online giving logo.

All credit cards are accepted in our online donation.

Online Giving