st. stephen s catholic church · adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. mass on monday,...

November 19, 2017 Vol. 36 No. 15

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. Timothy Hayter

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

Youth Director: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

Pope: Pre-Mass Time Is Meant for Silent Prayer, Not Chitchat

Prayer is, ‘first and foremost dialogue, a personal relationship with God,’ Francis said Nov. 15.

Hannah Brockhaus/CNA/EWTN News

VATICAN CITY — On Wednesday, Pope Francis called out the common habit of chatting with people before Mass, stressing that this is a time for silent prayer, when we prepare our hearts for an encounter with the Lord.

“When we go to Mass, maybe we arrive five minutes before, and we start to chitchat with those in front of us,” the Pope said Nov. 15. However, “it is not a moment for chitchat.” “It is a moment of silence for preparing ourselves for dialogue, a time for the heart to collect itself in order to prepare for the encounter with Jesus,” he said, adding that “silence is so important.” Continuing his new catechesis on the Eucharist, the Pope recalled his message the week prior, that the Mass is not a show, but a place where we encounter the Lord. In this encounter, he said, silence is what “prepares us and accompanies us.” But to really understand this, first we have to answer a question, he said. And that is: What is prayer? Prayer is, “first and foremost dialogue, a personal relationship with God,” he said. And in prayer, just like in any dialogue, it needs moments of silence “together with Jesus.” This, he said, is because it is only in the “mysterious silence of God” that his word can resound in our hearts. Francis explained that prayer is something that Jesus himself taught us to do, first of all by example, when in the Gospels he withdraws to a secluded place to pray. And second, he teaches us again when he tells his disciples that the first word in knowing how to pray is “Father.” This is “so simple,” the Pope said. “So we have to learn ‘Father.’” Then we must take on the attitude of a small child, one full of trust and confidence, knowing that God “remembers you and takes care of you,” he said. The second attitude we should take is one of childlike surprise and wonder. The child, he said, “always asks a thousand questions because he wants to discover the world; in our relationship with the Lord, in prayer,” he said, “open the heart to wonder.” He noted that many say they don’t have time to pray. “We lose sight of what is fundamental: our life of the heart, our spiritual life, our life of prayer with the Lord.” However, Jesus surprises us in truth by loving us and calling us even in our weaknesses, he said, adding that just as Christ called his disciples, he also calls us to him at each Mass. “This is, therefore, the greatest grace: to be able to experience the Mass, the Eucharist. It is the privileged moment to be with Jesus, and through him, with God.”

Sunday, November 19 - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Monday, November 20


Tuesday, November 21 - The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Wednesday, November 22 - St. CeciliaMasses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Thursday, November 23 - St. Clement I & St. Columban


Friday, November 24 - St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Saturday, November 25 - St. Catherine of Alexandria Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Sunday, November 26 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Masses for the Souls listed on the Scrolls

Last Week’s Collection

Regular $26,573.23 Other Income $ 1,389.18 Helping Hands - Holiday Food $20,467.89

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of November 19, 2017

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

And anytime, by appointment

Announcements for the Bulletin need to be submitted by Tuesday 5:00 PM. If any

announcements are received after they will be submitted for the following

bulletin. Thank you!

Thanksgiving Mass Schedule

8 AM English (Blessing of Bread) 10 AM Bilingual

Please come visit our NEW WEBSITE for all the latest announcements, upcoming events,

& much more.

www.ststephensmidland.com

Respond to Pope Francis’ call for the 1st World Day of the Poor. Please be generous in this week’s second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, one in six people lives in poverty. With this collection you support programs that

address the causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those who are struggling across the country. In addition, 25 percent of funds collected remains in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and work on the margins. More information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be found at www.usccb.org/cchd/

November 19 Sadie Bejaran Abby Carrasco

Cosme Castro Jr. Doug Eichorst Kiana Garcia

Eden Gonzales Ponciano Guerra Jr.

Lizbeth Herrera Alexis Johnson

Lucia Loya Elibert Luna

Stephanie Luna Maria Isabel Morales

Rebecca Patton Linda Ramirez

Nicholas Robichaud Cesar Santos

November 20 Emily Aguirre Evan Bates

Christopher Brown Nicholas Espinoza

Nayeli Galindo Maria Gonzales

Joseph W. Kiowski II Francisco Maldonado

Victor Prieto Armida Qurioz Jaime Ramirez

Susy Rosas Hope Sanchez

Alexander Santamaria

November 21 Jose Andrade

Jaimee Antillon Trent A. Boyd

John Michael Farr Priscilla Gonzales Manuela Jimenez Evangelina Leyva

Shea Lopez-Barela Xytlali Melchor

Larissa Minjarez Rossilyn Reed

Miguel Angel Torres Clarisa Torres

Anyssa A. Vizcaino

November 22 Cruz Ayala

Robert Basom Jasmine Bustamante

Erica Cowell Jenny Ebensberger

Belinda Elizondo Julissa Franca Seth Hendon

Randy Humphries Martha Joiner

Van Mang Brian Padilla

Mary Helen Smith Edgar Villa Jesus Villa

November 23 Erick Baeza

Anahi Barraza Alonso Duarte Frank Hanel

Dayton Perusse Fidel A. Saldivar Rachel Simmons

Antonio Willis

November 24 Audra Borrego

Jose Luis Carrillo Christian Castaneda

Kiara Halfman Alex King

Domingo Valencia

November 25 Hector Carrasco Chase Darling

Leticia DeLaFuente Chris Jones

Linda Kiekbusch Grace King Elissa Rivas

Abigail Sarabia Ryan T. Speer

November 26 Sandra Cabello

Jenyleici G. Huerta John Giacoia

Mildred Gonzales Lora Iglesias Kayla Lovely

Melinda McBride Addison Prater Harry Roadcup

Gregory Shelton Cecilia Sokolowski

Jesse Julus Garcia, Mendoza Family, Martha Munoz, Sergio Patino, Aurora Reyes, Monica Vasquez, Eva Madrid, Roy Alvarez, Gary Rodriguez, Martha Munoz, Lydia Jimenez, Jesus Chavez Jr., Mark Clark, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Randy & Jennifer White & Family, Louis & Betty Macchietto & Family, Larry & Pat White & Family, Heath, Sarah, & Baby Girl Logan Ruth, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Avila Family, Fierro Family, Andrew Madrid, Fran Thetford, Gabriel Kadir, Gerald Thetford, Margaret Robson, Betty Compton, David Rucker, Delia Carrasco, Patty White, Jeff Smith, Pearl Abalos, Francisco Rodriguez Medina, Carmen Lopez, Martin Sosa, Evangelina Rodriguez, Bea Herrera, Ricky Montes, Rafael Gonzales Jr., Monica Cabrera, Joe Munoz III, Anita Morin, Anthony Garcia, Janie Sainz, Tommy Levario, Dr. Karen Leung & Santa Rosa Fire Victims, Donita Schlegal, Jose Carmen Vasquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Crystal Calderon, Mo Dominguez, Marcial Hernandez, Felix Munoz II, Jesus Munoz, Joe Munoz Jr., Terisa Galvan, Jude Munoz, Diana Henderson, Micah Villa, MM, Donita Schlegal, Donna, Jessie, Paul Quintero, Melanie Jordan Britton, Rachel S., Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Burdette Family, Teresa Kiser, Roger Guinn, Leslie Gonsalez, Raul Dominguez, Avyel Munoz, Gary Miller, MQ, Belma Espino, Beatrice Sanchez, Ruby Foresyth, June Foresyth, Nunez Family, Ramon Morehead & Family, Debbie Navarro, Johnie Lee Qualls, John Pesina, Larry White, Aaron Marquez.

Email [email protected] or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list!

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed Tuesday, November 21st before the 12:15 Mass for the Thanksgiving holiday. Eucharistic

Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Monday, November 27th

.

Have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving

Parish office will be closed Thursday, November 23rd &

Friday, November 24th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We will reopen Monday, November 27, 2017 normal business hours.

Have a safe and Blessed Holiday!

This week in RCIA we will learn about the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. We are honored and blessed to have Father Rodney as our teacher. "Eucharist" is a Greek word meaning "thanksgiving". The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. In the Sacrament, Jesus is truly present in body,

blood, soul, and divinity. This is referred to as the "Real Presence" of our Lord. Dating back to the Last Supper in the Upper Room, the Church has always believed in and taught the Real Presence of our Lord in Holy Eucharist. For this reason, the Mass is not a church service. It's so much more, because it

is truly a personal encounter with the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, we enter into communion with our Lord, with one another, and with the entire Catholic Church.

Our Saint of the Day will be The Blessed John Duns Scotus, a brilliant and humble man who lived from 1266-1308. He was a Franciscan from Scotland. In his day, he fought against the heresy of determinism/predestination. He taught that we are called to exercise our free will to pursue love of God and love of one another.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

Upcoming Baptismal Classes:

December 3rd & December 10th

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

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

Dress an Angel

Each year Helping Hands and the St. Stephen’s Women’s Organization coordinate the “Dress

an Angel” project. The families that are chosen to be recipients of this project have been

helped by Helping Hands of Midland in the past and are in need but are not receiving any assistance from any other

agency or organization for the holidays. These families will receive a gift certificate to buy food for Thanksgiving and Christmas, a bag of presents for each child as well as toys.

Beginning Saturday November 4th 2017, the children of these families become our Angels and are available to be

chosen by you, the parishioners. After mass, some members of the Women’s Organization will be in the foyer near the “Angels” banner to assist you in signing up to buy Christmas presents, clothing and a fun toy for the Angel or Angels of your choice. Directions will be handed out with the Angel card as well as a bag in which you should place

your Christmas wrapped presents. Our phone number is on the Angel card in case you have any questions or a

problem. We do accept donations of money if you prefer not to shop. Thank you so much for your support! These

children in need will receive Christmas presents because of YOU!

God bless,

Carmen Rodelo and Leticia Gutierrez

New Hope Counseling 4400 N. Big Spring St

(432) 687-4673

• Marriage Counseling

• Children

• Adolescence

• Adults

• Families

Francis Hymel D.MIN, LPC, LMFT

PLEASE COME JOIN US EVERY SUNDAY FOR

YOUTH NIGHT AT 6:30 PM BRING A FRIEND!

Come join us on December 9th for an Advent Spiritual Retreat (Bilingual) from 9 am to 2 pm

held in the Parish Hall.

33º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario “A” – 19 de noviembre 2017–

Hoy Jesús en su Evangelio nos enseña una lección, con los empleados que deben rendirle cuentas de los dones

que les entrego. Nunca dudemos queridos hermanos de invertir estos dones que Dios nos ha dado, en las vidas de los demás, requiere no solo de nuestra buena disposición sino también implica que tomemos riesgos. Aun así, debemos esmerarnos por ser prudentes, por tener cuidado, y por hacer buen uso del tiempo que Dios nos da, y de los talentos y los tesoros con los que él nos ha dotado, y como parte de este esfuerzo debemos tener en cuenta: los riesgos que nosotros tomamos cuando compartimos lo que somos y tenemos, estos riesgos no

deben ser asumidos a la ligera ni de forma imprudente.

No debemos permitir que las ansiedades del mundo incierto que nos ha tocado vivir nos manipulen y nos lleven a hacer lo impensable: a enterrar nuestros talentos. Actuar como si no poseyéramos nada con qué honrar

a Dios, o cómo apollar las necesidades de los demás. Vamos a cometer errores cuando intentemos hacer buen uso de las gracias que Dios nos ha dado. Pero no hay error más grande que el de vivir nuestras vidas como si no tuviéramos ningún don que poner al servicio de los

demás; o peor aún enterrar los dones que tenemos.

Pidamos al Señor, la gracia, de poner a trabajar los talentos que nos ha dado. Que nos dé la confianza en nosotros mismos para poner toda nuestra vida en sus manos y así crecer en mi plenitud personal y en la

extensión de su Reino.

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

AVISOS: • 23 de noviembre Misa en Ingles 8:00 a.m.--- 10:00 a.m. Bilingüe • 30 de noviembre reunión con los Líderes de los Ministerios Hispanos • 9 de diciembre Retiro Espiritual de Adviento “Bilingüe” de las 9 de la mañana a la 2

de la tarde en el salón parroquial.

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Dress an Angel Cada año Helping Hands y La Organización de Mujeres de la iglesia de St. Stephen’s

coordina el proyecto “Dress and Ángel”. Las familias escogidas para ser beneficiados

del proyecto fueron ayudadas por Helping Hands de Midland en el pasado y están

necesitadas y no están recibiendo asistencia de otras agencias o organizaciones para los días

festivos. Estas familias recibirán un certificado para comprar comida para el día de Acción de

Gracias y Navidad, una bolsa de regalos para cada niño incluyendo juguetes. Comenzando el

sábado 4 de noviembre, los niños de estas familias serán nuestros Ángeles y estarán disponibles

para ser escojidos por ustedes los feligreses. Después de las misas estará la Organización de

Mujeres debajo de la bandera “Àngels” para asistirlos en escojer su Ángel para comprarle regalos

de Navidad, ropa y juguete. Las instrucciones serán repartidas con los Ángeles. Nuestro número de

teléfono estará en la tarjeta en caso de preguntas o problemas. Aceptamos

donaciones monetarias. Gracias por su apoyo. Estos Ángeles recibirán regalos de

Navidad gracias a usted!

Dios los Bendiga, Carmen Rodelo and Leticia Gutierrez

The leader of an Indian tribe encamped at the base of a mountain was dying. The chief summoned his three sons and said, “I am dying and one of you must succeed me as the head of our tribe. I want each of you to climb our holy mountain and bring back something beautiful. The one whose gift is the most outstanding will succeed me.” After several days the sons returned. The first brought his father a flower that grew near the summit and was extremely rare and beautiful. The second son brought his father a stone that was colorful, found and smooth having been polished by rain and sandy winds. The third son’s hand was empty. He said “Father, I have brought nothing back to show you. As I stood on top of the holy mountain, I saw that on the other side was a beautiful land filled with green pastures and a crystal lake. And I had a vision of where our tribe could go for a better life. I was so overwhelmed by what I saw and by what I was thinking that I could not bring anything back.” And the father replied, “You shall be our tribe’s new leader, for you have brought back the most previous thing of all – the gift for a better future.” We are so proud of our voluntees at Helping Hands for their vision of a better future for the poor and underprivileged. We are also honored that all of you who contribute to Helping Hands have chosen us to be your instruments in helping to provide a better future for the poor of Midland. God bless you!

BOOK SALE From now until the end of the year all of our books will be on sale. Fill up a bag with paperbacks, hard covers, kid’s books…any and all books we have for just $2 per bag! Our store is open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING To give our volunteers a well-deserved rest, our thrift store will be closed Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25. The store will be open again on Tuesday, November 28. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week: Electric 4 families $ 782.37 Water 5 families $ 1,097.87 Rent 26 families $ 23,875.00 TOTAL $ 25,755.24

www.helpinghandsmidland.com

BIBLE STUDY—Our 18-

week "JESUS REVEALED" Bible Study is just getting warmed up and it is not too late to join us in this NEW study by Catholic Scripture Study. Study Guides available at the Church Office or at class for

$35.00. This Holiday and continuing into the New Year, give YOURSELF the gift of Scripture and the insight into Jesus' different names throughout the Old and New Testaments. Come, Room 2, Wednesday mornings 9:00-10:30, or 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursdays. The Video lessons are thought-provoking and the group discussions are lively and engaging. When Jesus asks you "Who do you say that I am?"(Lk9:20), what will YOU say? Live streaming available to participants for all Video lessons.

• 1st

Year Philosophy at Conception Seminary

• Birthday: January 21, 1999

• From: Odessa, TX

• Favorite Food: Italian

• Likes Playing Basketball and Praying

• PRAY FOR JOSE!

st. stephen s catholic church · adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. mass on monday,...

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