March 24, 2013/24 de Marzo 2013

“… Welcome the stranger, serve the poor, free the oppressed, speak out for justice, and love one another.”

Pastoral Staff Rev. Fr. Jerome McKenna, C.P., Pastor Rev. Fr. Alberto Cabrera, C.P., Parochial Vicar Rev. Mr. Hilliard M. Lee, Jr., Deacon Rev. Mr. Joseph Goolsby, Deacon Rev. Mr. George Smith, Deacon

Served by the Passionist Community Founded in 1954

Opening Our Hearts to Christ and to the World Abriendo Nuestros Corazones a Cristo y al Mundo

Phone: 404-696-6704 Fax: 404-696-4735

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

After Hours/Emergency Line: 304-280-3588

Email: stpaulofthecrossatl@gmail.com

Website: saintpaulofthecross.org

St-Paul-of-the-Cross-Catholic-Church

Follow@SaintPaulATL

MASSES

Sunday: 7:00am (Español), 10:00am (English) 1:00pm (Español) Monday - Friday: 7:30am Wednesday: 7:30am Communion Service Saturday: 9:00am Communion Service Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30pm (English)

Eucharistic Adoration First Friday Mass: 12:00 noon. (followed by Exposition) Divine Mercy Chaplet: 3:00pm Benediction: 8:00pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday: 4:00pm (or contact the office for an appt.)

Sacrament of Baptism First and Third Sundays (except during Lent) Preparation Class: 2nd Saturdays of each month.

Contact the office for information.

Sacrament of Matrimony Contact the Pastor at least six months before setting a date.

Anointing and Visitation of the Sick Contact the Pastor or the Parochial Vicar

Adult Faith Enrichment Bible Study: Thursdays, 3:00pm Prayer Group: Tuesdays, 6:00pm

Parish Information

Luke 3:4

3rd Sunday of Advent December 13th, 2015

“...Rejoice in the Lord always…”

Philippians 4:4

Page 2

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 13TH, 2015

Stewardship

Dec 6, 2015: $12,527.00 Needed: $12,000.00 (Includes Sunday and mail-in contributions) Offertory: $11,902.00 Immaculate Conception $195.00 Holy Christmas $135.00 Retirement Fund for Religious $132.00 Solemnity of Mary $125.00 Youth Religious Education $95.00 Christmas Flowers $50.00 Catholic Charities $45.00 Initial Offering 35.00 Lector Workbook $10.00 Capital Campaign Goal: $900,000.00 Pledges Received to Date: $626,699.00 November Hispanic Food Sales $750.00 Payments Received to Date: $523,027.80

Capital Campaign Contributions may be made up to the end of June 2016.

T he Pastor’s Corner

December 13 - 19, 2015 Sunday, 10:00 am: People of the Parish Monday, Thursday , and Friday, 7:30 am: Living and Deceased Passionist Benefactors Tuesday, Wednesday, 7:30 am, & Saturday, 9:00 am: Communion Service

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

Sunday, December 13, 2015 3rd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) 11:30a Religious Education - School 11:30a KPCLA 301 Monthly Meeting - Spiritual Center 3:00p KPCLA Senior Parishioners’ Christmas Party - School Monday, December 14 2:00p Legion of Mary - Spiritual Center 7:30p-9:00p English Classes - Last class until January 4th 2016 - Última clase hasta Enero 4, 2016 Tuesday, December 15 2:00p Stewardship Meeting - Spiritual Center 6:00p English Prayer Group - Chapel - Last Meeting until January 5th, 2016 Wednesday, December 16 7:00p Adult Religious Education ONLINE 7:00p Choir Rehearsal - Church 7:30p Spanish Mass Thursday, December 17 3:00p Bible Study - Spiritual Center 7:00p Advent Communal Penance Service Friday, December 18 6:30p Hispanic Prayer Group - Church Saturday, December 19 6:00p Junior Youth Christmas Party - School

Retirement Fund for Religious Second Collection December 12-13, 2015

Aging religious need your help. In the United States to-day, there are more than 33,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. These religious worked tirelessly in Catholic schools, hospitals, and agencies, usually for little to no pay. As a result, many religious communities lack adequate savings for retire-ment and eldercare. Your gift to today’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medi-cations, nursing care, and more. Please be generous.

My dear Parishioners,

It is plainly evident now that Phase One of our development

plan for our facilities is nearing completion. The bulk of the

exterior work has been completed and our contractors are

concentrating on the interior of the building. The work itself

is moving quickly. However, several more inspections must

be made during the time remaining. I personally hope that

we will be able to use the building by mid-January.

In the course of construction, several challenges arose due to

the fact that the builders had to devise ways of remodeling a

portion of the original building. Those were met, but other

concerns arose, not with the new construction but with other

areas; the grounds, the walkways, railings, roofing, outdoor

lighting, the bell tower, the low railing in the choir loft, to

name a few. These concerns came to light through two in-

spections of buildings and grounds, one by our insurer,

Christian Brothers Services, and the other by the Catholic

Construction Services of the Archdiocese. Both revealed a

number of safety issues requiring immediate attention.

Utilizing several of the contractors employed in our con-

struction project, we set about the necessary work. While

some pressing safety issues have been addressed, there is

much, much, more to be done. None of this work is covered

by our present budget and the parish has no contingency

fund. I have discussed this problem with our Finance Coun-

cil and with the Co-Chairs of our Capital Campaign, Cynthia

Spence and Sybil Scott. I have asked Cynthia and Sybil to

speak with you at Mass this weekend, and seek your help.

Listen to what they have to say, pray over it, and may the

Holy Spirit direct you to do what you can to help our Parish

at this critical time. May God bless each and every one as

we meet this challenge together. — Fr. Jerome, C.P.

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3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 13TH, 2015

Our Parish Staff

Ms. Patricia Elguera, Administrative Assistant Ms. Alison Mason, Adult Faith Formation Ms. Veronica Hodges-Johnson, Religious Education Ms. Kristi Crawford, Youth Ministry Dr. Lawrence Weaver, Music Director Dr. Gregory Nash, Music Associate Mr. Elmer Cortez, Bookkeeper Mr. Eric Mannings, Facilities Manager Mr. Edgardo Rubio, Custodian

UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 17th: Advent Penance Service—7:00 p.m. Dec. 24th: Christmas Eve - Mass 4:30pm (English), 7:30pm (Spanish) Dec. 25th: Christmas Day-12:00 Midnight Mass (English) 10:00am Mass (English), 1:00pm (Spanish) Dec. 27th: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Dec. 28th: Parish Office closed Dec. 31st: Vigil of Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God n - Parish Office closed - Jan. 1st, 2016: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - Day of Prayer for World Peace Jan. 3rd: Epiphany of the Lord

Our Sick, Homebound and hospitalized

Mary Williams Philip Wiltz Leslie Collins Grace Hinds Daisy Barhams Mary Wiggins Jeanie Sadler Marynell Brooks

Myrna Yancey William Leggett Martha Barnes William Crowder Matthew Catel Jean Ashe Alfreda Yancey Janelle Todd

Bryan Medina Delores Green Pauline Pitts Merlin Todd Walter Longino Bobby Morales Joyce McBee Richard, Ryan, Jr.

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS

ONGOING ADULT RELIGIOUS

EDUCATION INTERACTIVE COURSE GOES

ONLINE NOW.

PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE:

saintpaulofthecross.org FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO ATTEND THE

ONLINE CLASSES.

Update...

Words will never be able to express

the gratitude we feel to God for

everyone of you and the prayers you

so freely offered for our son. We were

granted a big miracle with his recov-

ery thus far. Please continue to keep

him and his family in your prayers as

he continues his recovery. God bless

you.

Richard and Linda Ryan

Christmas Concert Pageant The 3rd Annual Christmas on the Hill Concert and Pageant, at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, will be Sunday, December 13th, 2015, at 5:30pm. The pageant will feature Deacon Lee narrating the part of Joseph and Jaye Watson of 11 Alive, as Mary. The Homeward Choir, The Shrine Choir and Orchestra will also preform.

The Annual Church Wide Youth Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 19, 2015 from 5:30p- 8:30p. All children age 7 years of age - 17 years of age are invited. Parents are also welcome to accompany their children. This is a real fun time with delicious food; great entertain-ment and fellowship. La Fiesta Anual de Navidad Juvenil será el Sábado, 19 de

Diciembre 2016 de 5: 30p- 8: 30p. Todos los niños y

jovenes de 7 -17 años de edad estan invitados. Los padres

también están invitados a acompañar a sus hijos. Este será

un momento muy divertido con deliciosa comida; un gran

entretenimiento y compañerismo.

EXTRAORDINARY JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY

On December 8th, Feast of the Immaculate Conception,

Pope Francis opened the Holy Year Door at St. Peter’s

Basilica in Rome and symbolically led the gathered

assembly into this wonderful New Year of Mercy.

St. Paul of the Cross Parish will be taking part in this

Holy Year of Mercy. Look for announcements in this

Bulletin during the year. Meanwhile, there are many

special Holy Year of Mercy flyers and prayer cards on

the table at the rear of the church. Be sure to take your

pick and learn more about the meaning of this special

Holy Year. Our Holy Father has composed a beautiful

pray for the Holy Year of Mercy. It may be found on

the card bearing his picture on the front.

Why not pray it every day?

TERCER DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO 13 DE DICIEMBRE, 2015

Page 4

INFORMES: Bautizos: Para toda informacio n y preparacio n, comuniquese con: Alma Robles 678-717-9619 o Antonia Pacheco 770-891-6765. Santo Rosario: Todos los Domingos a partir de las 12:30pm nos prepararemos para la celebracio n de la Santa Misa con el rezo del Santo Rosario Presentación de los niños: Llamar a Ofelia Gonza lez al 404-956-9789 Confesiones: Durante la semana a cualquier hora en la Rectorí a. Los Domingos antes de la Misa de 1:00 p.m. Matrimonios: Juan O. y Luz Pacheco: 770-823-1938 Quinceañeras : Contacte a: Antonia Pacheco 770-891-6765 o Luz Zavala 678-704-5829.

MINISTROS EL 20 DE DICIEMBRE 2015 Lectores: Maria Valverde y Vero nica Vazquez Ministros de la Eucaristía: - Ignacia y Bartolo Escalante - Yulma y Armando Delgado Guías: Roberto Gonza lez, Juan Pacheco, Antonia Pacheco, Vero nica Ozuna y Enrique Wences Monaguillos: Angel Ozuna - Yansi Ozuna

¡Bienvenidos a San Pablo de la

Cruz!

Santa Misa en Español: Domingos, 7 a.m. y 1 p.m. Todos los Miércoles a las 7:30 p.m. en la capilla. Horas de Oficina: Lunes - Jueves, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

P. Alberto Cabrera, cp.: 347.819.5968 Numero de Teléfono (Oficina): 404-696-6704 Numero de Teléfono (Emergencia): 304-280-3588 Educación Religiosa: Se ofrece a nin os desde los 4 a los 18 an os. Las clases son antes de la Misa de 11:45am - 12:30pm, de Agosto 24 a Mayo.

Diciembre 13, 2015 Tercer Domingo de Adviento/C Este Domingo tiene como caracterí stica la ALEGRIA. Y esto, por la cercaní a de la Navidad. Otro motivo es el cumplimiento de las Promesas del Sen or. Todo lo anun-ciado se esta cumpliendo. Y esto debe llenarnos de alegrí a y esperanza en el Dios de la Vida. En la primera lectura Sofonias denuncio como profeta, los pecados de Jerusale n y de sus habitantes: idolatrí a, increencia, corrupcio n. Y les llamo a la conversio n. Cuan-do dejamos espacio para Dios en nuestras vidas el pe-cado se aleja, y Dios renueva su amor por nosotros. Por eso , la ALEGRIA, LA FIESTA, EL GOZO debe ser nuestra caracterí stica de bautizados. San Pablo, es su carta a los Filipenses les hace un nuevo llamado a la alegrí a. El Sen or esta cerca y nos da su paz. Por su parte San Lucas en el evangelio nos presenta el ministerio de Juan bautista. La narracio n que hace nos situ a en el contexto de lo que significa preparar la veni-da de Jesu s: la propuesta es enormemente exigente y las ima genes son impactantes (“quemar la paja en una hoguera que no se apaga”). El evangelio nos pide una preparacio n e tica y nos formu-la una promesa mesia nica. Ante la venida del Mesí as la cuestio n es ¿Que hacemos?. El evangelista presenta una seria larga de preguntas y respuestas. Ahora bien, y ¿Cua l es la nuestra?. En la respuesta de Juan a la gente encontramos la Gran respuesta: el Mesí as nos dara el bautismo en el Espí ritu Santo… Seremos los hombres Nuevos. El Nuevo Pueblo de Dios que camina en la historia con la esperanza de llegar al Reino de Dios y gozar de el por toda la eterni-dad. Esto es el motivo de la Alegrí a que debemos vivir de un modo especial en esta semana y en toda nuestra vida. Nos espera el encuentro con el Dios del amor misericor-dioso.

P. Alberto, C.P.

Segunda Colecta del Fondo de Jubilación de Religiosos 12-13 de Diciembre de 2015.

Los religiosos y religiosas ancianos necesitan de la ayuda de ustedes. En los Estados Unidos hay hoy dí a ma s de 33,000 religiosas, religiosos y sacerdotes de o rdenes religiosas ya ancianos. Ellos trabajaron sin descanso en escuelas, hospitales y agencias de ser-vicio social cato licos, muchas veces con poco o ningu n salario. Como resultado, muchas comunidades religi-osas ahora carecen de fondos para su jubilacio n y cuidado geria trico. Su donativo hoy al Fondo para la Jubilacio n de Religiosos ayuda con las recetas me di-cas, cuidados de enfermerí a y ma s. Sean generosos.