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December 2, 2018 Vol. 37 No. 17

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church 4601 Neely Avenue Midland, Texas 79707 (432) 520-7394 Fax (432) 520-7395

www.ststephensmidland.com

Rev. Rodney White, Pastor Assistant Pastor: Rev. Adam Droll & Rev. Freddy Perez

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres, Lupita Ibanez

Youth Director: Thomas Shows Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

Novena para María como la Inmaculada Emperatriz de América

Diciembre es un mes lleno del advenimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. También es un mes en que celebramos a María, la madre de Dios, en dos importantes Advocasiones

para la Iglesia. Como patrona de los Estados Unidos el 8 de diciembre, celebraremos la fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción, que es un "día santo y de precepto", el 12 de

diciembre celebramos a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe como Emperatriz de América. Nosotros, como parroquia, compartiremos una novena de oración y celebraciones que

traerán gloria a Dios y nos uniran más como parroquianos. Ya que ambas advocaciones representan a la misma Madre de Dios, nuestra intención será que: el Señor nos haga

uno bajo el patrocinio de María la Inmaculada Emperatriz de América. Como una parroquia cada vez más numerosa y diversa, nuestra oración debe de ser la de

Jesucristo: "Ruego no solo por ellos, sino también por aquellos que creerán en mí a través de su

palabra, para que todos puedan ser uno, como tú, Padre, estás en mí y yo en ti, para que ellos también estén en nosotros, para que el mundo crea que tú me enviaste.”

Juan 17:20-21. Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción 7 de diciembre, 5:30 pm misa de vigilia 8 de diciembre, 7:00 am Procesión, Rosario, misa bilingüe, seguido Convivencia y entretenimiento

Informes de la celebracion de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ver inserto.

Novena for Mary as the Immaculate Empress of America

December is a month of the advent of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also a month in which we celebrate Mary, the mother of God, in two important Advocations for the Church. As patron of the United States on

December 8, we will celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is a "holy day of obligation", on December 12 we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe as Empress of America.

We, as a parish, will share a novena of prayer and celebrations that will bring glory to God and will unite us more as parishioners. Since both advocations represent the same Mother of God, our intention will be

that: the Lord will make us one under the patronage of Mary the Immaculate Empress of America. As an increasingly numerous and diverse parish, our prayer must be that of Jesus Christ:

"I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through his word, so that all may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so that they too may be in us, for let the world believe that you sent me.

"John 17: 20-21. Immaculate Conception Dec 7, 5:30pm Vigil Mass Dec 8, 7:00am Procession, Rosary, Bilingual Mass, followed by brunch and entertainment For Our Lady of Guadalupe see insert

Sunday, December 2 - First Sunday Of Advent

Monday, December 3

Tuesday, December 4

Wednesday, December 5

Thursday, December 6

Friday, December 7

Saturday, December 8– The Immaculate Conception Of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, December 9 - Second Sunday Of Advent

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ST. STEPHEN’S CONFESSION SCHEDULE

Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday 6:45 am - 7:00 am; 12 noon - 12:15 pm; &

5:00 - 5:30 pm

Wednesday 6:45 a.m.-7 a.m.; 12 noon-12:15 p.m.;

5-5:30 p.m.; & 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Saturday 7:45 am - 8:00 am; 4:00 - 4:45 pm

Sunday 20 minutes prior to each Mass

For the week of December 2, 2018

Last Week’s Collection

Regular Deposit: $20,630.65 Other Income: $ 2,173.54 Building Fund: $ 25.00

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

Upcoming Baptismal Classes: Próximas clases bautismales

December 2nd & 9th

English : 2:00 - 4:30 Spanish: 2:30 - 5:00

Please Call Office to Register (432) 520–7394.

Por favor llame a la oficina parroquial para registrar (432) 520–7394.

ALTAR SERVER NEWS Mark your calendar for the upcoming Altar Servers Meeting for 2019

Marque su calendario para la próxima reunión de servidores de Altar para 2019

When(cuando): February 4, 2019 March 4, 2019 April 1, 2019 May 6, 2019

Time(hora): 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Where(dónde): Sanctuary of the Church

If you have questions, please contact:

Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192 Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554

“SPECIAL INVITATION” If you have never experienced a Holy Hour with the Lord, including benediction, don’t miss this opportunity on

Monday, December 3 in the chapel at 6 PM. The Lord awaits you

“You can’t run the race if you are not willing to spend time with Him”

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December 2 Arleneth Barrera

Carlos Callo Tre Sanchez

Leopeni Solaita Jose Valenzuela Nicholas Wilger

December 3 Anna Bitnerowski Veronica Jaquez

Randy Reed Crystal Rodriguez

December 4 Jesus Chavez John Garcia

Marisai Leyva Marco Manriquez

Diana Morales Catalina Natividad

Ikemefuna Okwuwa Randall Orth Blanca Prieto

Ramos Rodriguez Iris Salazar

Oscar Sanchez Jose Villalobos

John White

December 5 Ramiro Aleman Alexandria Boss

Paula Callo Ariel Carrasco

Efrain Garcia Jr. Carlos Granados

Francisco Itzaguirre Liv Marroquin Abel Orona Cruz Torres Nicoli Valdez Brian Watson

December 6 Lisa Berry

Brianna Carrasco Brittany Castillo

Elizabeth Dehlinger Alberto Garcia Jr Mario Gutierrez

Terri Padilla Hellen Reyes

Augustus Schwalbach Beatrice Terry Sonia Torres

December 7 Jesus Armendariz

Julissa Bustillo Liam Carrasco Nancy Fuselier

Christopher Garcia Monty Mclane

Kaylee N. Ramirez Santiago Rayos Erica Sanchez

Marnell Santonil Bobby Toscano

Ana Villegas

December 8 Janie Bladerrama

Elias Fuentes Kayla Mendieta Zyra Rodriguez

Reynaldo Sanchez Yolisma Sanchez

December 9 Joseph Baca Ilda Cuevas

Emma Doucet Emily Garcia

Jaime Gonzalez Mario Gonzalez

Jon Prince Jacob Reyes Cruz Sanchez

Pablo Talamantez, Art Nunez, David Bernal, Raquel Mendoza, Abel Fonseca, Antonio Mascorro, Harold Brisco, Rosemary Melvin,

Pascuala Mendieta, Mark Clark, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Virginia Perches, Hermilla Pena, Manuelita Ramos, Daniel Ramirez, Frank Hartter, Oscar Aguilar Sr., Bonifacio Ceballos, Rebecca Rodelo, Mariana Corte, Ignacio Jr. Villegas, Ashley McGeorge, Yolanda Rodriguez, Richard Wolfe, Sonia McGeorge, Joe Munoz Jr., Jesus Munoz, Anita Morin, Joe Munoz III, Lalo Lujan, Mingo Lujan, Julio Rodriguez, Eric & Skylar Ramirez, Maria Santillana, Lynda Beal, Manuela Carrillo, Silva Family, Rosario Borrero, Melba Bederlin, Tony Cruz, Gabriel Cruz, Family of Isabel Valenzuela, Antonio Herrera, Sergio Delagarza, Sergio Patino, Bea Herrera, Claudia Osorio, Delagarza Family, Fran Thetford, Gerald Thetford, Bob Breeze, Israel Hernandez, Karina Hernandez, Veronica Garcia, Jesse Julius Garcia, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Avyel Munoz, Larry White, Jaasiel Samayo, Lillie Rizo, Deacon Bob Leibrecht, Deacon Mike Medina, Bonnie Marquez, Dayton Martinez, Baby Braxton Munoz, Baby Israel Martinez, Betty Compton, Manuel H., Tonia C., Burdette Family.

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list! If someone needs to be removed from prayer list please contact the

office to remove request. Thank you!

You’re invited to Our Annual Parish

Christmas Dinner & Dance (Hosted by the St. Stephen’s Women’s Organization)

Saturday, December 15, 2018 At the Gloria Denman Ballroom

6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Social time 6:30 PM Dinner catered by Felix Catering

8:00 PM- 11:00 PM Dance by DJ Patrick Willis

Price: $25.00 per Person

Deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 by 12 noon (Tickets will NOT be sold at the door)

Due to new rules from our Diocese liability insurance, ABSOLUTELY NO BYOB. Donations for drinks will be appreciated

Tickets are available after all Masses From the St. Stephen’s Women’s Organization

Or from Gladys at the Parish office

For more information, please contact President, Gloria May at 432-770-3314 or any of the ladies of the Women’s Organization

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Youth News Need Volunteer Hours for

Confirmation 1 or 2

Please contact Thomas or Gretchen at 432-520-7394 for more Info.

Necesita horas de Voluntario para la Confirmacion 1 o 2

Por favor comuníquese con Thomas o Gretchen al 432-520-7394 para más información.

PEEK AT THE MONTH…

December Theme: Question Everything

• December 2nd - Holy or Hypocrite?

• December 9th - Trust or Fear? (Last day of Life Teen)

• December 14th—16th If the Truth Be Told

Pizza Lunch Tuesday’s! Pizza Lunch: Come join us for

pizza lunch during your lunch

period! Pizza, chips, and a drink

provided for FREE.

stsyouth LifeTeen

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Primer domingo de ADVIENTO 2 diciembre 2018 Oración con la Corona1º Semana

El que dirige: "Nuestro auxilio es en el nombre del Señor"

Todos: "Que hizo el cielo y la tierra"

dirigente: "En los días de adviento, recordamos nuestra espera en la liberación del Señor. Siempre necesitamos Su salvación. En torno a esta corona recordaremos su promesa.

Lectura del profeta Jeremías 33, 14-26

“Se acercan los días, dice el Señor, en que cumpliré las promesas que hice a la casa de Israel y a la casa de Judá.

En aquellos días y en aquella hora, yo haré nacer del tronco de David un vástago santo, que ejercerá la justicia y el derecho en la tierra. Entonces Judá estará a salvo, Jerusalén estará segura y la llamarán el Señor es nuestra justicia”

"Palabra de Dios"

Todos: "Te alabamos Señor".

Bendición de la corona

Dirigente: Bendícenos Señor y a esta corona de adviento. "Señor Dios nuestro, te alabamos por tu Hijo Jesucristo: Él será grande y será llamado hijo del Altísimo, la esperanza de los pueblos, La sabiduría que nos enseña y guía, El Salvador de todas las naciones. Señor Dios que tu bendición descienda sobre nosotros al encender las velas de esta corona. Que la corona y su luz sean un signo de la promesa del Señor que nos trae salvación. Que venga pronto y sin tardanza.

Te lo pedimos por Jesucristo Nuestro Señor.”

Todos: "amen".

Se enciende la primera vela

Dirigente: "Bendigamos al Señor"

Todos hacen la señal de la cruz mientras dicen: "Demos gracias a Dios".

Hermana Gertrudis Muñoz Mendieta I.C.A.S.

December is a month in which we celebrate Mary, the mother of God, in two important Advocations for the Church. The “novena” will start on the 4th of December. As patron of the United States on December 8, a holy day of obligation. Starting December 11th- 12th we will celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe as Empress of the Americas. As a backdrop during this "novena", we would like to invite you to please bring us a flag of your country of origin to represent that Mary is a mother to all. First please call to make sure we don't already have your flag and after bring it to the office and then pick up after the 12th of December. Diciembre es un mes en el que celebramos a María, la madre de Dios, en dos importantes advocasiones para la Iglesia. La “novena” comenzará el 4 de diciembre. Como patrón de los Estados Unidos el 8 de diciembre, día sagrado de precepto. Desde el 11 al 12 de diciembre

celebraremos a Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe como Emperatriz de las Américas. Como telón de fondo durante esta "novena", nos gustaría invitarle a que nos traiga una bandera de su país de origen para indicar que María es la madre de todos. Primero, llame para asegurarse de que no tengamos su bandera y luego llévelo a la oficina y luego recójalo después del 12 de diciembre.--

AVISOS:

• 4 de diciembre se iniciará la novena dedicada a la Santísima Virgen de Guadalupe a las 6 de la tarde.

• Se invita a todas las personas de las diferentes nacionalidades traigan sus banderas, para el adorno del altar a la Virgen de Guadalupe.

• El 6 de diciembre tenemos reunión de jóvenes adultos hispanos a las 6:30 p.m. en el salón de jóvenes ¡¡¡NO FALTES TE ESPERAMOS!!!

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Honesty and Help Prevail at Helping Hands

Recently I left my purse unattended in a public area of Helping Hands. When I got to my car I realized where I had left it. My heat truly skipped a beat, realizing that the contents of my purse – car keys, house keys, credit cards, cell phone, cash and other items. Returning to the cashier I was met by “Here Skippy. A lovely honest lady turned your purse in. It was obviously unopened. This honorable act made a huge difference in my life. I would have had to call a locksmith to unlock my car, cancel credit cards, replace cell phone, etc. And that honest lady just commented when I found her with the help of two store volunteers “Oh, I would never keep something that wasn’t mine!” I could never thank her enough but I have thanked God for her. Helping Hands truly lives up to its name – special, unselfish helping workers – and grateful customers! Very Sincerely, Skippy Malone

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

www.helpinghandsmidland.com

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done in the past week:

Electric 9 families $ 3,552.71 Water 4 families $ 864.61 Rent 17 families $18,958.60 Propane 1 family $ 25.00 Medical 2 families $ 994.35 Christmas $ 2,000.00

TOTAL $26,395.27

This weekend’s special collection is for the poor of Midland as distributed by Helping Hands of Midland. Please help.

Thank you!

Dear Helping Hands, Thank you for the good work you all do and the faithfulness of your volunteers who help make Helping Hands successful. Speaking of volunteers, could you please provide in your weekly write-up how a person can volunteer? Does one need to show up when the store is open – Tues., Fri., Sat. 8-2? Do we need to sign up online or over the phone? Are there other times a person can volunteer? I for one am a little hesitant or shy initially, so some direction would help me with that first step. Thank you! What an excellent idea. We will certainly include that in our write-up from now on. Yes, anyone can volunteer. We are open 6 days a week from 8 until mid-afternoon, and we invite anyone to come in for an hour, a few hours, a day…whatever your schedule will permit. Just come in the brown door on the west side of our building, or call Mary (432) 528-6265 anytime and we can arrange to meet and get a tour of the building. We are always looking for volunteers and would love to have you. Please call or come by!