ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST 9915 HOLLISTER ST. HOUSTON, TX 77040-1702 (713) 466-4030 December 30, 2018

Monday 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96; Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67; Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98; Jn 1:19-28 Thursday The Most Holy Name of Jesus 1 Jn 2:29—3:6; Ps 98; Jn 1:29-34 Friday Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-8, 9; Jn 1:35-42 Saturday Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100; Jn 1:43-51

Readings for the Week of DECEMBER 30, 2018

Feast of the Holy Family

MASS INTENTIONS (INTENCIONES DE LA MISA)

DECEMBER 29-JANUARY 6

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29 5:00 p.m. For the People of St. Matthew 7:00 p.m. †Rafael Martinez y †Rene Maldonado SUNDAY DECEMBER 30

1 Sm 1:20-22; Ps 128; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Lk 2:41-52 8:00 a.m. †Raymond Watkins & In Thanksgiving for Dennis Villanueva 10:00 a.m. †Miguel Carrasco & †Raul del Valle 12:00p.m.(S) †Jesus Martin Ruiz y En Agradecimiento por Ulysses Perez MONDAY DECEMBER 31 No Mass TUESDAY JANUARY 1 10:00a.m. †Marlene Ross and for D.J.M. Missionary of Mercy 12:00p.m †Filemon Romero y †Carmen Diaz WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2 8:30a.m. †Jose Facio Special Intentions for Fritz Hacker THURSDAY JANUARY 3 8:30a.m. †Ismael Razo Morales and Special Intentions for the Contreras Family FRIDAY JANUARY 4 8:30 a.m. †Ismael Razo Morales and Special Intentions for the living Ata Family SATURDAY JANUARY 5 5:00 p.m. For the People of St. Matthew 7:00 p.m. †Trinidad Martinez y †Maria de la paz Rosel SUNDAY JANUARY 6

Is 60:1-6; Ps72; Eph 3:2-3a; Mt 2:1-12 8:00 a.m. †Anastasia Sanchez Gomez & †Brantley J. Sanders 10:00 a.m. †Evangelina Flores & †Pierre Ata 12:00p.m.(S) †Maria Rodriguez, †Alfredo Ortega y En Agradecimiento por Telesforo Garcia

Praying for You… Emilia Gonzales M.J. Griffiths Jeremy Clark Virgil Kellogg Raymond Garcia Maria G. Saldana Lara Ernest Guerrero Jr. Sue Ripper Margaret Wishkowski

Pastor’s Corner……… Reflection on this

Sunday’s Readings The celebration of the Holy

Family Sunday is an opportunity for us to reflect on Family life, our family’s life. Family is something Jesus shared with us and, like Jesus, we are all profoundly influenced by our families. The Family is the most important community to which we will ever belong.

The family is where we start to learn the virtues of patience, responsibility, coopera-tion, self-discipline and self-control. The fami-ly is the first Christian community to belong for it the testing-ground for how deep our dis-cipleship really is. The family is a real factory of faith where the rough edges get smoothed, where shape and structure come into our lives, where we start to learn what it means to follow Jesus and how far we may have yet to go. The Family is a community where we can learn to grow in Jesus Christ.

The Holy Family Sunday is a chance not simply to reflect on family life in general, but to make a decision on how we can strengthen our own family’s life in the coming year, how to make it stronger bridge that connects gen-erations, how to make it more effective factory of faith and how to make it a vital, living cell of the Body of Christ.

Around the Parish….

Welcome 2019… New Year’s Resolutions:

Give thanks to God always: A heart filled with

gratitude does not have room for envy, jeal-

ousy, anger, frustration and discontent.

Be enriched by knowledge: Study what you be-

lieve! Read the Sacred Scriptures.

Keep firm: Hold yourself up by making your

resolutions concrete, known, and written

down.

Pray always and celebrate the Sacraments:

Our life has no direction without a relation-

ship with God.

Thank you for keeping up with me throughout

2018; I look forward embarking with you into

the New Year 2019!

I wish to each and everyone of you a Blessed

and Happy New Year’s 2019!

Thank y ’all for all you do for St. Matthew’s.

The Pastor,

Rev. Martial Oya

SATURDAY December 29 SUNDAY December 30 Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph MONDAY December 31 TUESDAY January 1 10:00a.m. New Year’s Mass(E) Church 12:00p.m. Misa de Año Nuevo (S) Church Parish Office Closed WEDNESDAY January 2 THURSDAY January 3 9:30a.m. 50+ Game Card Social (129) 7:00p.m. MFCC (129) 7:00p.m. Legion of Mary (203) FRIDAY January 4 SATURDAY January 5 8:00a.m. 1st Communion Mass Retreat SUNDAY January 6 Epiphany of the Lord After all Masses Donut Sunday 2:00p.m. Cub Scouts Religious Emblem Morton

**Confessions on Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.; by Appointment Only **

Confessions are available every Saturday from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Chapel

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY / FIESTA DE LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

ST. MATTHEW’S 50+ CLUB NO 50+ CLUB MEETING IN DECEMBER

OUR OFFICERS FOR 2019: Janie Guerrero, President; Oleta Sanchez,Vice-President; Linda Arfele, Secretary; Virginia Neiser, Treasurer. Leonard Guerrero will be our Tour Director. JANUARY 13, 2019: Our first regular monthly meetings begin. CARD/GAME SOCIAL: We will NOT meet in the month of December. Our Card/Game Social will resume next year, January 3, 2019. We will still meet the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 9:30 am in room 129. Leonard Guerrero and John Im-hoff provide great oldies music and we have lots of fun and good snacks. Come and join us. The next 50+ trip is to Galveston, Tx. We are going to the Bryan Museum and the Off-Shore Drilling Rig Museum on Saturday, January 5th. Cost is $20.00 We will leave at 8:30a.m. call Linda Arfele for details or to sign up @ 713-858-6244. Thanks.

Happy New Year 2019

Holiday break is here no CCE, Sacramental, or Faith Formation classes.

See you back January 13, 2019. Happy Holidays!

Our next Healing Mass will be Monday, January 21, 2019 @ 7PM Spanish

Hope for a New Year

Gracious God, As a new year begins, we place our trust in you. May the time to come bring us closer to recognizing our need to love and cherish one another. May those in power understand the importance of cultivating peace and bringing an end to war. May those who struggle with dis-ease, loss, poverty, and despair find light in the midst of their struggles and suffering. And may we grow stronger in our desire to imitate the love and com-passion of Jesus Christ, your Son, in whom our hope abides. Amen.

Our 2019 Flower dedication calendar is now available. If you

would like to donate the altar flowers for a weekend Mass,

please contact Janie at (713)466-4030

or come by the office.

END OF YEAR STATEMENTS Contribution statements for 2018 will soon be available. If you would like to request a statement, please call Janie in the Parish

Office at (713) 466-4030 extension 322.

Youth Group

All High School Students are invited to come to our Youth Nights. Every Wednesday @ 7pm in room

202. For more information contact Jocelyn Blanco in the parish office at (713) 466-4030.

2019 CALENDARS

The calendars for the new year will be available this weekend,

December 29 & 30 after all Mass-es. One calendar per family will

be distributed.

Solemnidad de la Epifanía del Señor Isaías 60, 1-6; Salmo 74; Efesios 3, 2-3; Mateo 2,1-12

Por favor tome un momento para leer las lecturas del próximo do-mingo para poder recibir más claramente las bendiciones que Nues-tro Señor nos envía cuando se proclama la Palabra de Dios durante

la Santa Misa.

ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST 9915 HOLLISTER ST. HOUSTON, TX 77040-1702 (713) 466-4030 December 30, 2018

Lecturas para el próximo domingo 6 de enero Esquina del Pastor…….

Reflexión sobre las Lecturas del domingo

La celebración del Domingo de la Sagrada Familia es una oportuni-dad para que reflexionemos sobre la vida fa-miliar, la vida de nuestra familia. La familia es algo que Jesús compartió con nosotros y, co-mo Jesús, todos estamos profundamente in-fluenciados por nuestras familias. La familia es la comunidad más importante a la que algu-na vez perteneceremos. La familias es donde comenzamos a aprender las virtudes de la paciencia, la responsabilidad, la cooperación, la autodisciplina y el autocontrol. La familia es la primera comunidad cristiana que le pertenece como campo de pruebas de cuán profundo es realmente nuestro discipulado. La familia es una verdadera fábrica de fe donde los bordes ásperos se suavizan, donde la forma y la estructura entran en nuestras vidas, donde comenzamos a aprender lo que significa se-guir a Jesús y hasta dónde podemos llegar. La Familia es una comunidad donde podemos aprender a crecer en Jesucristo. El Domingo de la Sagrada Familia es una oportunidad no solo de reflexionar sobre la vida familiar en general, sino de tomar una decisión sobre cómo podemos fortalecer la vida de nuestra propia familia en el próximo año, cómo hacer que sea más fuerte un puente que conecte generaciones, cómo hacerlo una fábrica de fe más efectiva y cómo convertirla en una célula vital y viviente del Cuerpo de Cristo. Alrededor de la parroquia ... Bienvenido 2019 ... Sugerencia de Resoluciones para el Año Nuevo: Dén gracias a Dios siempre: Un corazón lleno de gratitud no tiene lugar para la envi-dia, los celos, la ira, la frustración y el descon-tento. Enriquécete con el conocimiento: ¡estudia lo que crees! Lee las Sagradas Escrituras. Mantente firme: esfuérzate haciendo que tus resoluciones sean concretas, conocidas y escritas. Ora siempre y celebra los sacramentos: nuestra vida no tiene dirección sin una relación con Dios. Gracias por acompañarme a lo largo del 2018; Espero embarcar con ustedes el Año Nuevo 2019. Les deseo a todos y cada uno de ustedes un Feliz y Próspero Año Nuevo 2019! Gracias a todos por todo lo que hacen por San Mateo. El Párroco,

Rev. Martial Oya

No habra classes de Formación en la Fe o Sacra-mentales en los día festivos. Los vemos el

13 de enero 2019.

Nuestra Próxima Misa de Sanacion sera el Lunes 21 de Enero @ 7pm

Esperanza para un Año Nuevo Dios misericordioso, A medida que comienza un nuevo año, depositamos nuestra confian-za en Ti. Que el tiempo venidero nos acerque más al reconocimiento de nuestra necesidad de amarnos y apreciarnos los unos a los otros. Que los que están en el poder en-tiendan la importancia de cultivar la paz y poner fin a la guerra. Que aquellos que luchan contra la enfermedad, la pérdida, la pobreza y la desesperación encuentren luz en medio de sus luchas y su-frimientos. Y que seamos más fuertes en nues-tro deseo de imitar el amor y la compasión de Jesucristo, tu Hijo, en quien se encuentra nuestra es-peranza. Amén.

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY / FIESTA DE LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

Stewardship Reflection

Feast of the Holy Family: December 30 That as grateful children of God, we remember to tell family and friends that we love them every day. “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1) During this season of giving, let us remember the most important gift we have received – being children of God. As God’s children, it’s important that we express our love for others as well. Tell your spouse, children and other family members and friends that you love them, frequently.

Fiesta de la Sagrada Familia: 30 de diciembre Que como niños agradecidos de Dios, recordemos decirle a los familiares y ami-gos que los amamos todos los días. "Mira qué amor nos ha dado el Padre, que seamos llamados hijos de Dios; y así lo somos" (1 Juan 3:1) Durante esta temporada de dar, recordemos el regalo más importante que hemos recibido: ser hijos de Dios. Como hijos de Dios, es importante que expresemos nuestro amor por los demás también. Díle con frecuencia a tu cónyuge, hijos y otros familiares y amigos, que los amas.

Reflexión Sobre Las Lecturas The parish office will be CLOSED on Tuesday,

January 1, 2019.

Do you own your own business or know someone who does? Prayerfully consider placing or renewing an ad in our weekly

bulletin. You can : Advertise Your Business Promote your Parish/ Organization Place a personal announcement

(In memory of a loved one, pray for peace, the rosary, or any special intention or occasion ).

For more information or questions, please contact: Nelson de los Santos @ 210.243.2864 or email

nelsondls@trinitypublications.com St. Matthew thanks you for supporting

our weekly church bulletin.

Calling All Couples – Married, Engaged or

Dating – St. Matthew will host a “Laugh

Your Way to a Better Marriage” day of en-

richment for all couples on January 12th from 9:00 – 4:00. The

holidays can be challenging for a relationship so plan a day to

rebuild and renew. Think of it a preparing for Valentine’s Day.

Mark your calendar and join us for a fun day. Registration will

begin in January. For more information please contact Jerry and

Donna Davis at ddavis6003@gmail.com or 281-804-8512.

A Stewardship Parish Parroquia Administradora de los Bienes de Dios

12-23-2018 Collection Goal: $10,000.00

Due to the schedule for the printing of the bulletin, we cannot

provide the collection totals for last weekend. Please check in next week’s bulletin for the collection totals.

ACH and Credit Card Donations available on our website

www.stmatthewhou.org by clicking on “Online Giving” button.