St. Anthony Catholic Church Diocese of Amarillo

Bishop: Most Rev. Patrick Zurek Pastor: Rev. Anthony (Tony) Neusch

Location: 114 Sunset Drive, Hereford, Texas 79045

Send bulletin articles to janiebanner1@wtrt.net by Monday morning of week prior Parish EMAIL: stanthonyshfd@wtrt.net Diocesan EMAIL: www.amarillodiocese.org

View monthly newsletter & weekly bulletin at www.herefordstanthonys.com

Parish Office is open Mon-Friday from 9-12, 1-5 with early closing on Fridays @4 pm

WELCOME NEWCOMERS: Please notify the church office of your arrival or if any changes in phone or address are made.

CONFESSION: Tues.@5:30-6:45pm. Weds.@6:30am-7am & 6-6:45pm. Thurs.@6:30am-7am. Fri.@7am-8am. Sat. @4-5:30pm. and

Sun.@7:45am-8:45am and after the 9 AM Mass until 11 AM. Any time by appointment. Call church office.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES: 3rd Thurs of each month. Pre-Register in church office.

WEDDINGS: Couples must be members of the Parish. To begin wedding preparation, please call for an appointment with the pastor at

least six months prior to planned wedding date.

SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: Call 364-6150 day or night. OR during office hours to schedule the Sacrament of Anointing prior to sur-

gery or if health is serious or an accident has occurred. It is a Sacrament of Healing/Comfort and not necessarily of the dying.

PARISH OFFICE: 364-6150 FAX: 364-0969 SCHOOL OFFICE: 120 W. Park Ave. Phone 364-1952.

SECOND SUNDAY of ADVENT

December 8, 2013

WONDERS

The normal response to a surprise is amazement, gratitude, and delight. By definition, we don‟t anticipate sur-

prises. Their occurrence reminds us that we cannot always guess or shape the future. Granted, we do what we can

do; we attend to the daily tasks, as we must. For grace is surely here in the mundane, and God is in the details. But

God is in the happy surprises, too.

Today‟s readings are filled

with startling develop-

ments. We hear the clarion

cry of one of those rare

prophets announcing the

coming of the Lord. Isaiah

proclaims startling, sur-

prising images of the

nearly impossible recon-

ciliation of opposites: calf

and lion, leopard and

young goat, child and ser-

pent.

Isaiah‟s vision sees all of

these creatures living in

harmony. This is Eden

again; this is paradise. It is

God‟s surprise and prom-

ise.

— J.S. Paluch Co. / Year Cycle A

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FEAST MON w/children 8:15AM Joe Kleman Health Tuesday 7:15 AM Bruce Graham RIP Wed. 7:15 am Tony Hoffman RIP THURS w/school 8:15AM Frank Brorman RIP Friday 8:15 am Tony Klement RIP Sat. 6 PM Phil Schaefer RIP Sun. 9 AM People of the Parish 11:15 AM Edna Reinart RIP

COMMUNION SCHEDULE

DEC 14—6 PM: Rita Huckert, Jimmy & Sherri Hund, John Lozoya

Sr., Steve Cortez (L) DEC 15 - 9 AM: Fritz Backus SC, Helen

NoyesSC, Susie RuizSC, Jasmin & Elvira Enriquez, Teresa Garth,

Claudia Smith(L) SICK CALL ONLY: Robert Aranda & Leona

Schilling’s substitute DEC 15—11:15 AM: LIFE TEENS

Monday 7:15 am Karime & Giselle Rodriguez Tuesday 7 AM Lizette, Edika, Edward Carrillo Wednes. 7:15 am Gavin, Farron, Greg Urbanczyk Thurs. 8:15 AM Anthony Tijerina, Rache Betzen, Mikaela Ozuna—OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE Friday 8:15 am Adult Servers (Volunteers)

SAT. 6 PM Jimmy Hund, Kaison Hacker, Jacob Smith SUNDAY 9 AM Katelin McCathern, Brianne & Brenden Bartels SUNDAY 11:15 AM Meghan & Braedyn Mendoza, Mikaela Ozuna

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 8, 2013

9 AM MASS SAINTS Choir 11:15 AM MASS Fowler-Kollin

9 AM Mass: RCIA DISMISSAL / A Vocations crucifix taken by

Toni Rios / 10 am—RCIA Topics: ―Sin and Temptation- Reconciliation-Penance‖ by Mayra Ochoa and Lisa Blakely

11:15 Mass: Maria A. Villegas takes a vocations crucifix.12:30 PM — PARISH HOLIDAY MEAL. COME SEE THE TABLES AGLOW WITH FESTIVITY! ENJOY A MEAL & FELLOWSHIP! PARISH provides turkey, dressing, bread and drinks. BRING A SIDE DISH of choice (dessert-vegetable-salad) to share with 20 others. 3-4:30 PM—Make-up Family Sacramental Program Class in School FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION — Mass @ 8:15 with school children; all are encouraged to come.

MONDAY 6:30 pm – Boy Scout Meeting: School grounds

TUESDAY 7 am: Men’s Lectionary Study: Antonian / MASS* 5:30 pm — PTO Meeting in Gym (important for parents to attend) 7 PM—PARISH PENANCE-RECONCILIATION SERVICE* WEDNESDAY 8-6 Adoration / 9:30 Lectionary Study / 7-8 F.F.C. 7-8 PM—Mandatory Communion Minister Training Meeting: Church

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FEAST DAY Mass 8:15 AM THURSDAY—NO 7:15am Mass today—Join with the children.

FRIDAY 7pm—Rehearsal for First Penance Celebration: Church

SATURDAY 6 PM LITURGY DECEMBER 14, 2013 10 AM—FIRST PENANCE SACRAMENT Celebrated A vocation crucifix taken by Marisa & Robert de la Cruz + SECOND COLLECTION for RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT FUND + ++ COMMUNION MINISTERS COMMISSIONED at each Mass ++

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 15, 2013

9 AM Mass Men’s Choir/Cheryl 11:15 AM Mass (Fowler / Kollin)

RCIA Dismissal from 9 o‟clock to Break open The Word of God

RCIA: “Confirmation” by Laurie Paetzold / „The Holy Spirit” by Elaine McNutt Vocations Crucifix is taken (for a week of prayer) at 9 o’clock Mass by Nancy Wallace; at 11:15 Mass by St. A’s 4th Grade Students 1 PM — Christmas Baskets prepared and delivered from the school 1-2 pm — Wade McNutt in Concert (FREE) at Hfd Senior Citizen Center. All are welcome to come and enjoy meditative piano music! 3-5 pm — Teaching on Gospel of Matthew by Dr. Joel Barstad: Church CHILDCARE AVAILABLE in the extended day care room at school.

LITURGY

INTENTIONS

Have you thought

about remembering

the Church in your

will?

ALTAR

SERVERS

STEWARDSHIP

of TREASURE

NOV 23-24, 2013

Env.57 Loose Cks. 24

Envelopes/Checks $6,197.00

Plates $ 261.56

Children’s $ 33.65

TOTAL $6,492.21

2nd & Extra COLLECTIONS = $0

Human Development $225.00

Activity Center $ 20.00

TOTAL $245.00

TOTAL $6,737.21

WEEKLY BUDGET INTAKE NEEDS

= $10,090.85

REGULAR INCOME THIS WEEK

= $6,492.21

STEWARDSHIP

of TREASURE

DEC 1, b2013

Env. 96 Loose Cks. 45

Envelopes/Checks

$10,155.00

Plates $ 1,238.46

Children’s $ 107.85

TOTAL $11, 501.31

2nd & Extra COLLECTIONS

Black Bag $3,959.77

TOTAL $3,959.77

Christmas Flowers $1, 090.00

Thanksgiving $1, 555.00

Postage Fund $ 160.00 TOTAL $2,805.00

TOTAL $18,266.08

WEEKLY BUDGET INTAKE NEEDS = $10,090.85

REGULAR INCOME INTAKE

THIS WEEK = $11, 501.31

God loves

a

cheerful

giver.

Submitted by Larry Alley

Stewardship, or giving of your time and treasure, is very important in the Catholic Church today! I find greeting people at the door of

the church makes a good first impression. Nothing makes a person

feel more welcome than a smile or hand shake when they enter church. Ushers and greeters are always there to help anyone that

needs assistance. If we haven‟t seen a parishioner in a while, we

welcome them and let them know they were missed. The Christ-mas Season is a great time for everyone in the parish to focus on

being more friendly and welcoming to each other and visitors.

The conference I attended in Dallas on Stewardship was well

worth my time. I learned about all aspects of service in our church and how important stewardship is to our parish.

St. Anthony, Patron of Lost Items:

WHERE O’ WHERE

COULD IT BE????

The Life Teen Projector Screen

is missing from the Antonian

Room. If you have it please re-

turn it immediately. If you know

of its whereabouts, call Elaine @346-

2736. Thank You.

FROM THE PASTORS’ DESK

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONORS may

begin to use your giving envelopes to HONOR or

REMEMBER loved ones. Names will be printed

in the Christmas bulletin nearest the holiday. Put your donation in the collection basket or bring by

the church office. Thank you.

STORIES of GRANDPARENTS:

“After putting her grandchildren to bed, a

grandmother changed into old slacks, a

droopy blouse, washed off her make-up and proceeded to wash her hair. As she

heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her

patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed

with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three

-year-old say with a trembling voice, “Who was THAT?” AROUND THE DIOCESE

SAVE THE DATE: St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic

Church 7th Annual Retreat Sat. Feb. 22, 8-2. Speakers

Greg and Jennifer Willits (The Catholics Next Door,

on Sirius SM Radio) Cost $20. Register by Feb. 16

.

SAVE THE DATE: Walk for Life JANUARY 25 after 10

o‟clock Mass at St. Mary‟s Cathedral, with Bishop Zurek.

11:30 Penitential Prayer and Walk begins. See poster on bulle-tin board in church entry.

LECTOR WORKBOOKS

Lectors, Please pick up your copy in the

Sacristy and CHECK OFF your name!

If you are unable to proclaim as sched-

uled, please find your own substitute.

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS is

being taken up next weekend, DEC 14-15. Your generos-

ity will help senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious

order priests to have dignified care in their elder years as

they continue to devote their lives to prayer and service.

The fund helps provide medication & nursing care.

WE WELCOME LAARNI MARIE

ALBARRACIN to the parish! She

is a laboratory technician at

Hereford Regional Medical Center

and comes to us from The Philippines (where they

have many Catholics and typhoons, she told the RCIA last

Sunday, with a big smile; She was our guest and is house-

guest of Sharon Johnson, sponsor. Laarni is also a co-

worker of another sponsor, Denise Marnell). Laarni

likes to sing, dance, watch movies, swim, play dif-

ferent kinds of sports and travel. We are happy

she is making her home in Hereford and in St. An-

thony’s Parish!

GOT BLANKETS? St. Anthony's YOUNG LIFE is

collecting BLANKETS during the Advent

Season for Catholic Charities to distribute

to those in need. A collection box will be located in the bell tower entrance of

church. A group of refugees will come to

speak to our youth on January 8th. All are invited to join us, in collecting the

blankets , and hearing their unique stories. Thank you!

FLOWERS are not seen on the altars in Advent as we have the Advent Wreath with four candles (pink and purple) Each weekend another candle is lighted sig-nifying a time of prayer and reflection to help us prepare for the Lord’s coming (His birth more deeply into our hearts!)

John the Baptist is the voice crying in the desert, “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight His paths!”

How have your preparations for the end of the

world been going? We prepare for the holidays with

great seriousness. There are cookies, and pies, and cakes, and candies to be prepared and packaged with

care. There are turkeys to be purchased and hams to be

sliced, and optlaki to be broken and shared with visitors and families alike. We are very serious with the works

of hospitality and welcome during this cold season. We

welcome a warm mug, a festive greeting, and kind gift. Let us, with the same focus and energy, spiritu-

ally prepare for our eternal reward. Our salvation begins

in the manger and ends through the cross to the empty

grave. Please know of my prayers for you during this Holy Season.

Fr. Tonyn

NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTREACH TO HELP LOCAL NEIGHBORS

HAVING HARD TIMES: Please bring NON-PERISHABLE food items for packing

Christmas Food Baskets. You may pick up a sack in the church entrance and return it to the

school, parish office or church bell tower entrance as soon as possible. Please check expira-

tion dates. Thank you.

GOD WITH US (An Advent Journey with Thomas Merton, Mother Teresa & Henri

Nouwen) booklets are available at each church entrance. These DAILY MEDITATION

booklets are FREE for your use this Advent Season. ENJOY!

Order Your Christmas SCRIP Today

How many benefits are there for using SCRIP for Christmas? MANY!

Convenient LESS stress

One-size fits all Lightweight

Shipping Available

Helps St. A‟s No parking hassles

Avoid Holiday Traffic Tuition Credit Stocking-stuffer Size Short Lines

LOTS of Choices in one place!

Gift cards good ALL over the country!

Purchase your Christmas SCRIP gift cards now for the holidays and select from a wide variety of gas, grocery, clothing and res-

taurant cards. It‟s as easy as filling out the order form and returning it to the school or church office with your check made out to St. An-

thony PTO SCRIP. We have Walmart & iTunes SCRIP in the office!

Call Blandina at 236-4125 or call Argelia Alaniz at 683-3834.

You may also shop for SCRIP at our school with your Credit Card!!!

2014 LITURGICAL CALENDARS ARE COMING!

Watch for your family’s copy of the 2014 Liturgical Calendar to be available soon in one of

the church entryways. SPONSORS this year (be sure to THANK THEM!) are:

Hereford Welding Supply (Jeremy Gonzales, Mngr) Bermea Construction (Richard Bermea,

Friona) 887 Media (Amanda Gaitan & Philip Curtis, Owners) First Financial Bank, Hereford Tx.

Federal Credit Union (Brenda Fuentes) Parkside Chapel Funeral Home (Mike Roberts) Mission

Dairy (Mike & Zeba Schouten) After-Hour Auto Glass (Mitch Reeve, Owner) Catholic Life Insur-

ance (Al Simnacher, Rep) Edward Jones (Kevin Knight) One per family, please—a gift from the parish for you!

THANKS GUYS—not

listed on sign up schedule

but who showed up with

shovels for our first big 7

inch snow! YOU KNOW

WHO YOU ARE—GOD

BLESS YOU! Brrrrrrr!

Fr Ken Keller and Nazareth Community

INVITE US to a LIVE CHRISTMAS

PAGEANT at Holy Family Catholic Church

Sun DEC 22 &/or Mon DEC 23 at 7:30

PM...FREE but Love offerings will be accepted

for good cause. Performers are members of Holy

Family Parish; helping make a Season BRIGHT!

Dear friends in Christ:

We build connections to the homes we grew up in, the homes of our parents, the homes of chil-

dren and grandchildren. This is holy. We live in these places for a time and sometimes for a

lifetime and they are held with reverence and pride as they shelter us from the rain and keep us

warm in the cold. We build these same connections with the walls and windows of the Churches

of our youths, whether they are here in the Diocese of Amarillo or on the other side of the world.

Our fathers and mothers in faith have built great edifices for our shelter, to raise our minds up to

God, and to instruct us in the faith received in Christ through the Holy Spirit. These statements

of faith written in stone and glass live on from one generation to the next. Church schools, rec-

tories, and offices make the work of the Church easier and more effective. The cost for con-

struction is often born by one generation and their care and upkeep by following generations.

Earlier this fall we received a bequest from the estate of Joe Mandina. We tithed to the School

Tuition assistance fund, repaid the loan from the Building fund for windows in the school, and

gave both the school and the Church a cushion for our own financial security. We will be using

the residual of this bequest, about $80,000, to replace the five entrances to the Church.

As we approach Christmas and the end of one year and the beginning of a new, I ask you to re-

member the Church in your planning. I would like to present you with three immediate needs

for the New Year, replacing the windows in the rectory, replacing the windows in the Church Of-

fice, and to begin replacing the carpet in the school. The breakdown is as follows:

$35,000 New Windows for the Rectory

$35,000 New Windows for Church Offices

$15,000 Carpet for the School

The energy savings should produce a high rate of return on the replacement of the windows, and

we want our school to always put its best foot forward in both educational excellence and ap-

pearance. These investments into our buildings are our sustaining gift to the generations who

will follow us.

Please know of my prayers for you and your families during these Advent and Christmas Sea-

sons. As we wait patiently for the Second Coming of Christ may we welcome our Savior daily

into our lives.

In Christ I remain,

Fr. Anthony C. Neusch

DO YOU PLAN to celebrate a 65th Anniversary of Marriage in 2014?

IF YOU are a couple who is church-married for 65 years and you remain active in your Catholic faith, please call Charlotte Paetzold at 364-6150 as soon as possible. Thank you.

SPEAKER to BRING The GOSPEL of MATTHEW

in An ADVENT RETREAT for our Parish

Sunday, DEC 15, 3-5 PM in Church

Dr JOEL BARSTAD is an Associate Professor of Theology at St. John Vianney

Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado, where he has been teaching since

2002. He received his B.A. from The Colorado College and an M.A. in the Early Christian Studies Program at

the Catholic University of America. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Medieval Studies from the University of

Notre Dame. He and his wife, Leslie, are the parents of seven children. ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO AT-

TEND. NO FEE FOR RETREATANTS. Free Childcare available in extended day care room at the school.

THANK YOU to all who brought food, sent love and prayers, had Masses

prayed at Graymoor for me, made visits (especially the Communion Ministers)

at the hospital and here in my home, during the last three months and my three

surgeries. (two partial, and a total, hip replacement) SPECIAL THANKS to

“my life savers” Jeri and Frankie Bezner. I appreciate the continued prayers

for my complete healing. Love and Prayers to all—Bernadette Kalka

St. Anthony Rosary Makers: We have received your rosaries and we thank you very much. On every rosary that

we receive we attach a Miraculous medal. We mail the rosaries to mission countries all over the world. As of

this month we have mailed 27,000 rosaries. We ask those who receive them to pray for all who make these rosa-

ries. We are a non-profit organization and donations are tax deductable.

— Donald and Therese Lessard, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Biddeford, ME

Dear Mrs. Burges: (Rita: Parish Rosary Maker Coordinator) Thank you for the Rosaries that you have pro-

vided...they are used by not only those who visit the image of Divine Mercy, but by the CCD program and nurs-

ing home visitation program at our parish. We are now in need of another box of rosaries. Enclosed please find

a check in the amount of $50 to cover the expense of the materials and time involved. If more money is needed

please let me know. Thank yo9u again for all you and your friends do to spread the Rosary.

— Very truly yours, Carol A. McCormack

Fishkill, New York (Nov. 19, 2013)

SINGING SAINTS SING THIS SUNDAY AT MUSEUM

All are invited to listen to the Singing Saints sing at the Deaf Smith County

Museum this Sunday at 2 pm. They will present Christmas music under the

Direction of Susan Shaw, Music Teacher at St. Anthony School.

WADE McNutt OFFERS a FREE CONCERT next Sunday from 1-2 at the

Hereford Senior Citizen Center. Two great opportunities to witness the sharing of local

musical talent by former and current students of our school. PRAISING GOD, together. . . .

GOOD NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents and Friends of all Saints!

Our students did a phenomenal job performing at Festival of Trees! Our primary and

intermediate students both received many compliments for their fantastic perform-

ances and we couldn‟t be prouder. Many thanks to our students and Mrs. Susan Shaw

for a job well done!

If you did not get a chance to see the fabulous tree our school children, faculty and

staff decorated…do not fear! Mr. Bill Townsend generously bid $2,400 on the St.

Anthony‟s Christmas tree in honor of Ann & Neal Lueb and kindly donated it back

to our school. It will be on display in our school cafeteria for all to enjoy!

What great things happen when God mixes with us! Happy Thanksgiving and many

blessing!!! AMDG…for the greater glory of God

In His Spirit & Service, Linda Aranda

“Sometimes we don’t understand the hand that has been dealt to us, but we must be thankful that we

have one to play with.” “While we teach our children about life they teach us what life is all about!”