Very Rev. John P. Nolan VF, Pastor Rev. Jean Baptiste Magbia Zabusu, Parochial Vicar

Deacon Patrick Klein Deacon Brian Lewis

Deacon Gregorio Martinez, Jr. Deacon Andrew Thomas

Deacon Francisco De La Torre

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE AT ST. MARY’S Saturday 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. (Spanish) Sunday 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

307 W. Main Street ● Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 ● Phone: (830) 997-9523 ● F a x : ( 8 3 0 ) 9 9 7 - 1 0 3 7

D e c e m b e r 3 , 2 0 1 7 ● F i r s t S u n d a y o f A d v e n t

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Website: www.stmarysfbg.com

Cover Photo by Witold Photography

First Sunday of Advent

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.

What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

- Mk 13:33, 37

PHONE NUMBERS Parish Office ....................................... (830) 997-9523 Fax ........................................................ (830) 997-1037

Very Rev. John P. Nolan VF, Pastor ….………….....ext 26 jpnolan@stmarysmail.com

Rev. Jean Baptiste, Parochial Vicar………………….ext. 22

jzabusu@stmarysmail.com

Linda Reeh, Bookkeeper…………………….………..ext 23 Deacon Andrew Thomas, DRE……………….………ext 30

athomas@stmarysmail.com

Royal Henk, Youth Minister………………….………ext 36 rhenk@stmarysmail.com

Lucille Jung, Administrative Assistant……………….ext 35

Stephanie Cavanaugh, Secretary……………………...ext 21 Sherri Bumpas, Parish Hall Coordinator……....……..ext 32

Mary Ann Murchison, Liturgy……………………….ext 28

Rumalda Rivera, Secretary..…….……………………ext 29

St. Mary’s School

202 S. Orange, (830) 997-3914 John Mein, Principal .......................................................

jmein@stmarysmail.com

Cristi Ahern, Assistant Principal .....................................

cahern@stmarysmail.com Christine Duecker, Office Administrator .........................

Susan Nixon, Registrar ...................................................

Mignonne Frantzen, Development Director……………….. mfrantzen@stmarysmail.com

ST. MARY’S MISSION STATEMENT As disciples of Jesus, we commit ourselves to

building community as the body of Christ through the

commission given to us at Baptism and reaffirmed in

the sacraments of initiation and service. By

appreciating, celebrating and sharing the gift of who

we are, and what we have, we can establish a

hospitable community that welcomes and cares for the

needs of those who join us on our journey of faith.

PARISH INFORMATION

SACRAMENTS Baptism Required classes for parents and sponsors

are held at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of

odd numbered months and in Spanish at 7

p.m. on the last Tuesday of odd numbered

months.

Marriage Preparations must be made with the liturgist

at least 6 months in advance. The marriage

date is confirmed after preparations are

completed. No weddings are scheduled

during Advent or Lent.

Reconciliation Saturday 4-5 p.m. at St. Mary’s, 6:30 – 7

p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe

or by appointment.

Communion Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are

available to bring Holy Communion to the

sick and elderly of the parish.

Holy Anointing Do not hesitate to call the priest in case of

serious illness or injury. Call 830-997-9523 ext.

2.

ST. MARY'S CEMETERY Parishioners and family members seeking information about our cemetery are invited to come by the parish office

during normal business hours. Here a careful review may be

made of all the burial options available while allowing time

for a thoughtful decision.

SOMEONE IN THE HOSPITAL? If a member of your family is ill and would like to see a

priest, please call the parish office.

GABRIEL PROJECT/RESPECT LIFE Stacy Jenschke, Coordinator (830) 998-9074.

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP) Kevin & Lisa McCormack (830) 257-7803

ALCOHOL & DRUG AWARENESS If you or a loved one is affected by alcohol or drug abuse,

we can help. Call John or Joy at 990-1720 or 456-3566.

Your anonymity will be protected.

2

PRAYER LINE If you want to be a part of the prayer line or need

prayers, please call Diane Reeh at 830-456-

0751.

SECOND COLLECTION The second collection this weekend is for St.

Mary’s Adopt-A-Student Program. The second collec-

tion next weekend is for Retired Men & Women Reli-

gious. Consider scheduling your giving online. It’s as

easy as going to the St. Mary’s website,

www.stmarysfbg.com, and clicking on “Online Giving.” There you can schedule your giving weekly, monthly or

even annually.

PARISH UPDATE 3

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS November 25-26, 2017

Offertory ..............................................$16,980.52

School ...................................................... $445.00

Capital Campaign .................................. $2,705.00

Our Lady of Guadalupe ............................ $399.31

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of St. Mary’s!

MASS INTENTIONS DECEMBER 4-10, 2017

Monday, December 4

7:30 a.m. † Alma Pehl & † Blitz Gold

Tuesday, December 5

12 p.m. †Adam Keefer & †Michael Artenian

Wednesday, December 6

7 p.m. † Eulalio Ontiveros

Thursday, December 7

7 p.m. †Arthur & Adeline Hahn

Friday, December 8

8 a.m. † Frances Mae Mosel

12 p.m. † Margaret Kammlah

Saturday, December 9 5:30 p.m. † Allen, Silverlee & Keith Hagel,

†Fred & Ida Crenwelge & † Bill Naill

7 p.m. People of the Parish

Sunday, December 10

7:30 a.m. Living & Deceased Members & Benefac

tors of St. Vincent de Paul & † Matthew Bill

9 a.m. Living & Deceased Members of St. Ann’s

Society & † Jonah Hope

11:15 a.m. † Lorraine Ghidoni

Monday

6 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group @ HFC

5 p.m. School Board Meeting @ HFC

7 p.m. RCIA @ HFC

7 p.m. Ultreya @ OLG Hall

Tuesday

6 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group @ HFC

9 a.m. Women of Grace @ HFC

9 a.m. English as a 2nd Language @ OLG

Hall

9:30 a.m. Fredericksburg Nursing Home

10 a.m. Knopp #1 Nursing Home

11 a.m. Centering Prayer @ HFC

5 p.m. SMS Christmas Program @ HFC

6 p.m. Women’s ACTS Meeting @ HFC

6:30 p.m. ESL @ OLG Hall

Wednesday

6 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group @ Peach Tree

9:30 a.m. Live Oak Nursing Home

10 a.m. Windcrest Nursing Home

10 a.m. Advent class @ HFC

6 p.m. Catholic Daughters Rosary @ Small

Church

6 p.m. Edge Youth Meeting @ HFC

6:30 p.m. Advent class @ HFC

7 p.m. Adult Choir Practice @ Big Church

Thursday

10 a.m. Knopp 2 & Knopp Assisted Living

11 a.m. Lay Missionaries of Charity @ HFC

Friday

6:30 a.m. Men’s Prayer Group @ HFC

7 p.m. Pan de Vida @ OLG

Sunday

8 a.m. Coffee and Donuts @ HFC

10 a.m. Confirmation Prep @ HFC

10 a.m. St. Ann’s Christmas Party @ HFC

1 p.m. Teen ACTS @ Cafeteria

3:30 p.m. Life Teen Meeting @ HFC

PARISH CALENDAR

DECEMBER 4-10, 2017

PARISH UPDATE 4

OUR PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS WHO ARE ILL

Daysi Albiter, Andy Andrade, Claudia Baker, William Baumert, JoAnn Belke, Santa Benitez, Scott

Behrends, Gloria Bischoff, Carol Bouchard

and Family, John Boyers, Louis Brewer, Jack Brown, Lisa Brown, Mina Carrion,

Cary & Cheryl Collins, Rachel Cox, Bonnie

Crenwelge, Ava Darr, Victor Diaz, Owen Dietel, Marie Durst, Joselyn Eckhardt, Kay Eckhardt, Kevin Fritz, Joe

Henry Gonzales, Cindy Grohmann, J. J. Guajardo,

Juanita Guevara, Bill Hammer, Tami Harris, James Helms, Margaret Henry, John Huecksteadt, Gerald

Howard, Laverne Hoyt, Viola Immel, Ed Jackson,

Donald A. Klein, Emmie Klein, Gail Klein, Ruth Klein, Brenda Klier, Wesley Kozielski, Ryker Kramer-Pearce,

Lynette and Cole Kuhlmann, Richard LaMarre, Bonnie

Land, Mimi Lodowski, Brian Leger, Winona Leger, Irene Loth, Patricia Loth, George & Nelda Marion,

Delfina Martinez, Bryan William McGinnis, Laura

Muniz, Riley Osbourn, James Pape, Robby Parker, Nicole Parker, Heather Brennan Patrick, Macel Patter-

son, Heather Harper Peralez, Eric Peters, Leroy

Petsch, Lois Pohler, Peter Pouthier, Carrie Pyka, Alton Reeh, Victoria Regalado, Artie & Myrtle Rieff, Her-

minia Rivera, Parker Robertson, Danny Roeder, Kim

Ross, Joe Salinas, Max Schmidtzinsky, Michael Shan-non, Steve Shefstad, Cody Smith, Max Sokoloff, Maria

Sons, Clifford Staudt, Ruby Stehling, Annie Mae Stone,

Robert Straube, Darrell Sultemeier, Glen Tarang, Gil Ulbricht, Michael Usener, Ryan Usener, Calvin Van-

winkle and Family, Kenneth Verstuyft, Linda Vollmar,

Renette Wahl, Tom Wallace, Werner Weber, A.J. Wein-heimer, Keith P. Weinheimer, Clarence, and Steven

Weinheimer, Grace Worlie, and Ray Zdan.

Prayer List Dear Parishioners: I have asked staff to take names off

the prayer list for people who have been on the list for a particu-

larly long time because of space limitations. However, please

remember that those people will continually be prayed for at daily

Mass. Thank you, Father John.

FOR THOSE DEPLOYED Please pray for our service members especially those

deployed:

Lee Alinez, Casey Burow, Alejandro

Espinosa Jr., Daniel Ray Flores III, Ismael

Garcia, Sammy Garcia, Luke Hamilton, Mario Mata, Jacob Newsom, and Austin Reyes.

ADVENT Penitential Service

Penitential services for adults this Advent will

be on Monday, Dec. 11, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Adopt-A-Family The St. Vincent de Paul Society is again

sponsoring the Adopt-A-Family Program this Christ-

mas. This program is an excellent opportunity for

families at St. Mary’s to help a needy family during

the Christmas season. A sign-up table will be in

front of the big church after all Masses the first two

weekends in December. For additional information,

please feel free to call Jim Chude at 830-997-4801 or

Garret Grobe at 830-992-9765.

Giving Tree St. Vincent de Paul Society

will be collecting food through the

Giving Tree Program for needy fami-

lies. Tags are available on the Giving

Tree in the back of the church. Please

return the groceries to the St. Vincent

de Paul Truck outside the church after

the Masses or to the Holy Family

Center by the Christmas Tree by December 14.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Friday, December 8, is the Feast of the Im-

maculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and

a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Vigil

Mass at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 7. Masses on

Friday will be at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.

The Parish Office will be closed on Friday,

December 8, in observance of the Feast of the Im-

maculate Conception. Regular hours will resume on

Monday, December 11.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS Envelopes are available in the back of church to contribute for Christmas flowers. Please

enter the names of those you wish re-

membered and either place the envelope

in the collection basket or bring it to the church office.

REFLECTIONS 5

First Sunday of Advent "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when

the time will come." On this First Sunday of Advent,

Jesus gives us a wakeup call. This is no time for slum-

ber. Now is the time to be on our toes, alert, attentive,

ready. But for what? For the coming of "the Lord of the

h o u s e . "

During Advent, the Church does her best to help us get

ready for the second coming of Christ. We don't know

precisely when he will return, but we know that he will.

And the fact is, even if it doesn't happen in our lifetime,

each and every one of us will still have to face the Lord

at an unknown hour-namely, the hour of our death.

So let us be prepared! Let us be on the watch for any-

thing that would threaten this most important of all en-

counters. We want to recognize the Lord as a friend and

master, so that on seeing him we don't cower in fear at

his awesome power and strength. Instead, we hope to

rejoice in finally being able to behold him face-to-face.

This of course is the result of a healthy and holy rela-

tionship with Christ.

To nurture such a relationship this Advent sea-

son the Church urges us to recommit to a life of prayer,

worthy reception of the sacraments, and a commitment

to following God's loving laws through a life of virtue.

With these priorities in order, we can wait for the second

coming with joyful anticipation, just as we joyfully

await the celebration of Christmas.

During these weeks as we prepare our homes for

the festive holiday season, may we also set aside some

time and effort to prepare our hearts. Then, not only will

we appreciate the yuletide wonders around us, but we

can also look forward to the eternal wonders that lie in

store. ©2013 Liturgical Publications Inc

1er Domingo de Adventio

"Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." On this First Sunday of Advent, Jesus

gives us a wakeup call. This is no time for slumber. Now is

the time to be on our toes, alert, attentive, ready. But for

what? For the coming of "the Lord of the house." During Advent, the Church does her best to help us get

ready for the second coming of Christ. We don't know pre-

cisely when he will return, but we know that he will. And the fact is, even if it doesn't happen in our lifetime, each

and every one of us will still have to face the Lord at an

unknown hour-namely, the hour of our death. So let us be prepared! Let us be on the watch for anything

that would threaten this most important of all encounters.

We want to recognize the Lord as a friend and master, so

that on seeing him we don't cower in fear at his awesome power and strength. Instead, we hope to rejoice in finally

being able to behold him face-to-face. This of course is the

result of a healthy and holy relationship with Christ. To nurture such a relationship this Advent season the

Church urges us to recommit to a life of prayer, worthy

reception of the sacraments, and a commitment to follow-

ing God's loving laws through a life of virtue. With these priorities in order, we can wait for the second coming with

joyful anticipation, just as we joyfully await the celebration

of Christmas. During these weeks as we prepare our homes for

the festive holiday season, may we also set aside some

time and effort to prepare our hearts. Then, not only will we appreciate the yuletide wonders around us, but we can

also look forward to the eternal wonders that lie in store.

©2013 Liturgical Publications Inc

6

Ave Maria Hospice Are you looking for a way to help others in

need? Even a small amount of time can make such an

impact. If you are interested, please call Ave Maria

Hospice at 830-997-1709. We are seeking volunteers

in the Fredericksburg area to join our ministry.

St. Mary’s On the Radio You can listen to St. Mary’s Sunday services on Sun

Radio, 106.9 in Fredericksburg or 88.9 in Johnson City. Sunday

morning services are at 8 a.m. in Spanish and 8:30 a.m. in Eng-

lish.

Website Offers Daily Readings Among the many opportunities you have visiting the St. Mary’s website, www.stmarysfbg.com, is to have

the daily readings available on our home page. We invite

you to browse our website and check out its many features.

Catholic Life Sweepstakes Tickets are now available for the Catholic Life Insurance annual Catholic Schools Sweepstakes with the

grand prize either a 2018 Ford F-150 truck or 2018 Ford

Fusion or a $20,000 prepaid Visa credit card.

In addition, each participating school will have a $1,000 prepaid Visa credit card individual winner which

will be drawn from tickets sold by their school.

Tickets are $5 each and may be purchased from any St. Mary’s or Our Lady of the Hills student. Tickets

will also be available after Mass on weekends with 100

percent of the proceeds benefiting the school. The drawing will be held January 31.

PARISH EVENTS 6

‘ADVENT CONTINUED’ ADULT FORMATION

Do you want to be more prepared for Christmas this year? Don't be caught off guard with all the prepara-

tions for parties, shopping, gifts, decorating and guests

without knowing why we do this in the first

place!!! ADVENT is preparation for Christmas -the Feast of the Incarnation of the Son of God!!! This is the begin-

ning of the Liturgical Year in our Church and the busiest

Liturgical Season of all!

Wednesdays Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13

@ EITHER 10 a.m.-noon OR 6:30-8:30pm

in The Holy Family Center Take a couple of hours for three Wednesdays this

Advent and learn more about how Scripture takes us back

in time for the preparation of the coming Messiah and

again how it moves us forward in preparing for our Sav-iors’ second coming. Dr. Brant Pitre presents through

video and notes and shares with us the richness of our

Faith and Holy Scripture in each hour and a half video session each week that will expound on the beauty and

depth of this Season. We will open and close with prayer

and have a few moments for discussion while we join to-

gether in community to move forward in our understand-ing of the Liturgical preparation of Advent as well as to

help prepare our hearts and Spirit for the time of Christ-

mas.

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS The Catholic Daughters will hold their an-

nual Christmas Party, on Monday, December 4, be-

ginning at 6 p.m. in the Holy Family Center. The

court will provide ham and members are asked to

bring a side or dessert. Also, members who wish to

participate in the gift exchange are asked to bring a

$10 gift Items for mothers and/or babies will be col-

lected for the Seton Home . A basket will be passed

around for a donation towards diapers for the Moms

Center as well. All members and those interested in

joining are invited to attend. If anyone has any

questions, please contact Donna Durst at 997-

4664. The Catholic Daughters wishes all a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

ST. ANN’S SOCIETY St. Ann’s Christmas meeting will be Decem-

ber 10 in the Parish Center after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Please join us!

READINGS AND ADORATION 7

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Please consider signing up

for the following times

Tuesday — 7-8 p.m.

Wednesday—8-9 p.m.

Thursday—7-8 p.m.

Saturday—4-5 a.m.; 11a.m.-

Noon

Sunday—3-4 p.m.

Please call any of the division

leaders to sign up.

Stan & Bobbie Klein, (830)

997-8758

Hector Pedregon, (830) 456-

1372 or

Andy Reyes, (210) 632-3408.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 3, 2017

Sunday: Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7/Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 [4]/1

Cor 1:3-9/Mk 13:33-37

Monday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9/Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 [cf. 7]/Lk 10:21-24

Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [6cd]/Mt 15:29-37

Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a [26a]/Mt

7:21, 24-27

Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20/Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4 [1a]/Eph 1:3-6, 11-12/Lk

1:26-38

Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [cf. Is 30:18d]/

Mt 9:35--10:1, 5a, 6-8

Next Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11/Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 [8]/2 Pt

3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8