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December 23, 2018 Vol. 37 No. 20

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

Mass Times For Monday, December 24, 2018

7 AM—ENGLISH 12:15 AM—ENGLISH

Christmas Eve 5:30 PM—ENGLISH

8 PM—SPANISH 12 MIDNIGHT—ENGLISH

Christmas Day Tuesday, December 25, 2018

8AM—ENGLISH 10:30 AM—ENGLISH 12:30 PM—SPANISH

Monday, December 31, 2018 7AM—ENGLISH

12:15 PM—ENGLISH 5:30 PM—ENGLISH

New Year’s Day Tuesday, January 1, 2018

7 AM—ENGLISH 12:15 PM—ENGLISH 5:30 PM—ENGLISH

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed Friday, December 21st before the 7am Mass for the Christmas Holiday. Eucharistic Adoration will

resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Thursday, January 3rd, 2019.

Have a safe and blessed Christmas Holiday and a Happy New Year!

As we celebrate Christmas, let us not focus on the gifts, the gatherings, and all the externals. Rather let us focus on our faith and the greatest gift that we have all received, Jesus as our Savior! May God bless you all with His peace and draw us all closer to Him in the coming New Year! Fr. Rodney White

Holiday Office Hours

Monday, December 24, 2018 Closed

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Closed

Wednesday, December 26, 2018 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

(Closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)

Thursday, December 27, 2018

8:00 - 6:00 PM (Closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)

Closed New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day

Will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2018

Have A Safe and Merry Christmas!

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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

And anytime, by appointment

New Hope Counseling 4400 N. Big Spring St

(432) 687-4673

Francis Hymel D.MIN, LPC, LMFT

Last Week’s Collection

Regular Deposit: $26,914.65 Other Income: $ 921.56 Building Fund: $ 922.00 Retirement for the Religious: $ 4,684.55

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

Marriage Counseling, Children, Adolescence, Adults, & Families

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS, LECTORS AND USHERS ARE NEEDED!

If you are interest in serving on any of these ministries, please contact the following persons: For Lector: Carol Kiowski: Ph# 432-553-4648; e-mail: carol.kiowski@att.net

For Extraordinary Minister or Usher: Josie Brenner Ph#:432-556-7012; e-mail josiebrenner@yahoo.com

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

Sunday, December 23 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 24

Tuesday, December 25 - The Nativity Of The Lord (Christmas)

Wednesday, December 26 - St. Stephen, The First Martyr

Thursday, December 27

Friday, December 28

Saturday, December 29

Sunday, December 30 – The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph

For the week of December 23, 2018

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December 23 Myla Aleman

Madeline Cepero Ty Chavez

Jesus Contreras Mary Hardeman

Adolfo Hernandez Isel Herrera

Jonathan Olaleye Victor Rivas

Monica Salgado Emily Trillo

December 24 Magan Bermea

Salvatore Calabria Jessica Dominguez

Paul Foster Abbigayle Gallero

Maya Padilla Pascuala Rojas Cynthia Salinas

Elijah White

December 25 Nicholas Corralez

Kim Eikenbary Sophia Giraldo Shayla Hayden Johnny Losoya

Marisol Ortiz Ahleyn Salazar

Mark Tavas Bobby Torres

December 26 Adriel Castillo

Rosalinda Martinez Ismarit Melendez Maila Mendoza Emilio Molina Jr.

Ofrael Ochoa Nicholas Ortiz

Jonathan Simmons Robert Villarreal

Alli Vizcanio Stephen Waugh

December 27 Janet Acosta

Analise Antillon Natalia Carmona

Biane Galindo Belinda Garcia

Robert Goehring Santiago Juarez Yvonne Lentner Graciela Luna

Marisol Marquez Gustavo Mendoza

Jesus Morales Gabriel Navarrete

Leo Orozco Andrew Qualls

Jamison Ramirez Reynaldo Ramirez Lamberto Rosas

Andy Sustaita

December 28 Barbara Aretz

Nicholas Castillo Fatima Castro Nikki Conner

Eugenio Duarte Bianica Galindo

Briseida Jimenez Alaina Marquez Alan Martinez

Leslie Montanez Ramon Moreno Jr.

Luis Olivas Juan Orona

Faustino Perez Ken Radigan

Glenn Redmond Jackie Rivas

Mirya Rodriguez Brenda Stice

Henry Van Bakel

December 29 Willie Abalos

Harold Brenner Christina

Karina Garcia Christopher Gutierrez

Kayla Gutierrez Miriam Mendoza Evelyn Neslony

Christopher Pane Anthony Reyes Joseph Reyes Andrew Waugh Yvette Zaragoza

December 30 Jesus Chavez

Isabella Fuentes Diana Gallegos

Fernando Garcia Andrew Gomez

Sammy Gonzales Laura Jimenez

Anthony Moreno Debbie Wolfe

Eucharistic Adoration Openings

WEDNESDAY: 9:00 PM

Please prayerfully consider signing up to spend an hour with our Lord in adoration! Call Linda Foster (habla español) at

432-559-8888 for information.

Ana & Kacey, Hernandez Family, Ayala Family, Arnoldo Mendoza, Veronica Garcia, Jesse Julius Garcia, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro

Munoz Jr, Avyel Munoz, Mancha Family, Manuel H., Tonia C., Burdette Family, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Carlos C., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Daniel R. & Alicia S., Mercy Sanchez, Frank Garcia, Rebbeca R., John A., Vasquez Family, Jermy Retana, Marin Family, Mascorro Family, Paulina Aguirre, Edward M. Garcia, Mary Esparza, Niki Galan,Pablo Talamantez, Art Nunez, David Bernal, Raquel Mendoza, Abel Fonseca, 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, 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.

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!

We need volunteers!

On January 3rd, an all-volunteers meeting for Youth 2000 will take place in the Ballroom at 6:30pm. Many volunteers are needed for a number of

roles, so please come to help make this retreat a success!

Necesitamos voluntarios!

El 3 de enero, una reunión de todos los voluntarios para el retiro Youth 2000 se llevará a cabo en el salón de baile a las 6:30pm. Muchos voluntarios son necesarios para una serie de roles, así que por favor venga a ayudar a hacer este retiro un éxito!

“SPECIAL INVITATION” If you have never experienced a Holy Hour with the Lord, including

benediction, don’t miss this opportunity on Monday, January 7, 2019 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”

We will not meet this week or next week in RCIA so we can celebrate Christmas and New Year's Day. RCIA will meet again on Tuesday, January

8, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. in the church parlor. I wish everyone in RCIA is very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We are on a wonderful journey of faith together and it is so exciting to be on this journey with you. God has great things in store for us in 2019! "RCIA" stands for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It's the process by which adults come into full communion with the Catholic Church. It's free, childcare is provided, we have a lot of fun and we always have something good to eat! If you have questions, feel free to email me at billberry100@aol.com.

RCIA News by Bill Berry

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Please join us for First Friday and First Saturday Masses

Many graces are conferred on those who attend Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of each month. Friday, January 4th, Masses will be held at 7:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Then, on the First Saturday, of each month Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m. for the

Immaculate Heart of Mary. Afterwards a potluck breakfast is shared in the foyer of the church. Bring a dish to pass, if you can, and stay a while to enjoy good food and fellowship.

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.

Upcoming Baptismal Classes:

Próximas clases bautismales

January 6th & 20th February 3rd & 10th

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.

Annual Christmas/

Epiphany Party for

Spanish and English

Altar Servers

Fiesta anual de Navidad / Epifanía para servidores de Altar en español e inglés

When (Cuándo): Friday, January 4, 2019 Time (Hora): 6:15 to 8:30 Where (Donde):Youth Building Who (Quién): Altar Servers and families, Mass Coordinators and families What (Qué): Dinner, games, presents, and door prize

Please call, text, or email your RSVB (yes or no) before Dec. 31 to: (Llame, envíe un mensaje de texto o envíe un correo electrónico a su RSVB (sí o no) antes del 31 de diciembre a:)

Bianca Gonzales 432-894-9554 florbianca15@gmail.com

Anne Hobbs 432-934-3192 behobbs47@gmail.com

No CCD classes December 26, 2018 &

January 2, 2019.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and we will see you next

year!

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ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO

Personas interesadas en pasar una hora con El Santísimo en Adoración una vez por semana, durante las siguientes horas:

Miércoles: 9:00 PM

Si El Señor te esta llamando para pasar una hora con El acompañándolo, comuníquese con Linda Foster (habla Español) al 432-559-8888.

IV DOMINGO DE ADVIENTO – CICLO C 23 de diciembre del 2018

Fue llena Isabel del Espíritu Santo porque reconoció humildemente la dignidad de María muy por encima de la suya. María misma había sido llena de gracia porque con humildad aceptó siempre la voluntad del Señor: “He aquí la esclava del Señor, hágase en mí según tu palabra”. A la felicitación de Isabel, María respondería con aquel canto exultante himno de la humildad y de los humildes: “Proclama mi alma la grandeza del Señor… porque ha mirado la humildad de su esclava… porque desbarató a los soberbios, que se creen más que nadie, derriba del trono a los poderosos y enaltece a los humildes, a los hambrientos los colma de bienes y a los ricos los largó vacíos, recordando siempre su misericordia por los siglos de los siglos” Nacerá el Hijo de Dios en un establo, se anunciará a los pastores los primeros, prófugo en Egipto y escondido en Nazaret de la que no ha salido nadie que signifique algo. Jesús estará al alcance de los humildes toda su vida porque es como ellos y así morirá. Con razón dirá: “Aprended de mí que soy manso y humilde de corazón”. Recordémoslo: Es una constante. Desde el principio son los humildes los primeros a los que Jesús se anuncia. Por eso no debemos huir de las oportunidades que nos ofrece la vida para aceptarnos en el último lugar. Puede ser la deficiencia de una cualidad humana, un fracaso, aun la falta de una virtud o la muestra de un defecto moral. Puede ser el verse sometido a una prepotencia ajena, que no me es posible impedir sin faltar a la caridad. Felicítense entonces. Es muy importante el aceptar la propia realidad y situación humillante, esforzándose en no vivirla como una tragedia sino como una especie de gimnasia espiritual que desarrolla la conciencia tranquila de no ser considerado persona importante ni comparativamente de gran valor. Y son la familia y el trabajo los mejores gimnasios de humildad. Ahí por falta de humildad es donde surgen la mayor parte de conflictos, problemas y desavenencias que nos quitan la alegría y dificultan la caridad. Quien alcance a ser humilde vivirá con gran paz del corazón; lo que reciba de Dios o de los hombres, lo tendrá como un favor; tendrá asegurada la alegría. Y Dios le llenará de sus gracias, porque “Él desprecia a los soberbios y a los humildes los llena de sus gracias” (St 4,6), “los últimos serán los primeros” (Lc 13,30) y al que se queda en el último lugar lo lleva al primero (Mc 9,35.).

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

Avisos:

El Santísimo Sacramento será reposado debido las vacaciones de Navidad empezando el viernes 21 de

diciembre antes de la Misa de las 7:00 AM hasta después de la misa de las 7:00 AM el jueves 3 de enero del

2019.

Espero que tengan una feliz y bendita Navidad y Feliz Año 2019

24 de diciembre misas. 7 a.m. Ingles 12:15 a.m. Ingles 5:30 p.m. NAVIDAD Ingles 8:00 a.m. NAVIDAD Espanol 12: 00de medianoche Ingles

25 de diciembre “NAVIDAD” 8:00 a.m. Ingles 10:30 a.m. Ingles 12:30 p.m. Espanol

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Thank You St, Stephen’s Women’s Organization, St. Stephen’s Youth

Groups, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, and Midland Memorial Hospital...

...for taking care of our kids and their families this Christmas. This year we partnered again with MISD’s Project Head Start program to provide Christmas food, clothing and toys to 129 families and their 349 children. Each of those families received a $50 gift certificate each for Thanksgiving and Christmas at Super Mercado for groceries. Each child received a complete set of new clothing plus a toy that they specifically asked for, and then the parents were allowed to pick two additional toys per child that were so generously provided by the parishioners of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. The older children each received a $100 gift card to Walmart. We could not have done this without the help of the parishioners of St. Ann’s and St. Stephen’s, and

the employees of Midland Memorial Hospital. Special thanks to Carmen Rodelo from the St. Stephen’s Women’s Organization for coordinating the effort. Thanks to everyone who made this a wonderful Christmas for these families who are so terribly in need. God bless all of you! Pictured above are some of the volunteers who helped with the Christmas program held last Saturday: Aliyah Anchondo, Carlos Licon, Luis Licon, Carlos Moreno, Anaya Perales, Anali Urquidez, Yvette Hinojos, Elijah Nunez, Seles Sanchez, Leslie Ramos, Yajaira Villegas, Diana Carrasco, Isaac Reyes, Addison Jones, Audrey Sokolowski, Gerardo Galvan, Searrah Castillo, Carmen Rodelo, Rachel Rodelo, Norma Martinez, Elizabeth Nunez, Chris Jones, Rebecca Dominguez, Chris Gutierrez, Gladys Qualls.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Helping Hands!

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 5 families $ 1,064.89 Water 3 families $ 2,529.11 Rent 29 families $ 21,825.90 Transportation 1 family $ 601.00

Medical 3 families $ 698.80 Total $ 26,719.70

Fr. Freddy invites you to A Holy Land Experience!

Treat yourself or a loved one to an adventure of a lifetime–a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a Catholic Bible scholar, historian, and New York Times best-selling author as your guide. Directed by Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio (known as “Dr. Italy” on Catholic radio and TV), the trip departs on April 29, 2019, and returns on May 9, 2019. This trip, with wonderful times of prayer, liturgy & music daily under the spiritual direction of Fr. Freddy Perez, promises to be a fascinating journey into a deeper life

in Christ and richer understanding of the Bible. For more information online, visit www.goholyland.info or call Cyndi

from the Crossroads Initiative at 214-882-7262. Act now--the remaining places are going fast!--

A NEW Dynamic Catholic Study, "The Gospel According to John" will begin Wednesday,

January 9 at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2. Put this encounter on your list of New Year resolutions, and join us in this 8-week study discussing stories and people that you won't find anywhere else in the Bible, while focusing on eight people (or groups of people) who encounter Jesus in a special way. The study materials include a Turning Point Study Guide, the Gospel of John, a 3-DVD set of the video lessons, and "The #1 Reason I Love Being Catholic" DVD by Dr. Allen Hunt, all for $16, and all available now in the Church Office.