"Make Christ's presence a

living reality in our lives

and in the lives of others."

SAT. December 31, 2016– 7th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord

8 a.m. + David Vasquez (Raquel & Daniel Alcocer) 5 p.m. 30 Notzons (Mom & Dad) + Mr. Mario Cortez (Family) + Mr. & Mrs. Rogelio Rios (Family)

SUN. January 1, 2017– THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 8 a.m. Samantha, Lorenza & Paloma Cigarroa (sus padres) 10 a.m. + Francisco & Mary Molina (Family) 12 p.m. For living & deceased family members of Salo & JoAnn Otero + Cesar & Tila Gonzalez (Family) + George Bennett (Family) + Florencio Gonzalez (Silvia Barrera) + Pedro & Nelda Palacios (Snyder Family)

2 p.m. Por todos lo parroquianos 4 p.m. INTENCION ESPECIAL 6 p.m. Rudolph Miles– Birthday (Family) + Lucio & Elsa H. Guerra

MON. January 2, 2017– St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church 7 a.m. INTENCION ESPECIAL

6 p.m. + Felipe Mendoza Jr. (Maldonado & Mendoza Family)

TUE. January 3, 2017– THE MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS 7 a.m. Padre Wojciech

6 p.m. Martha Eugenia Treviño– 15th birthday (Family)

WED. January 4, 2017– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious (U.S.A.)

7 a.m. INTENCION ESPECIAL 6 p.m. + Dr. George DePillo (Molano Family)

THU. January 5, 2017– St. John Neumann, Bishop (U.S.A.) 7 a.m. INTENCION ESPECIAL

6 p.m. For living & deceased St. Patrick Men’s Club members (Salo & JoAnn Otero)

FRI. January 6, 2017– Christmas Weekday 7 a.m. INTENCION ESPECIAL

6 p.m. SPECIAL INTENTION

SAT. January 7, 2017– Christmas Weekday

8 a.m. Seanah Mireles– Birthday (Family) 3 p.m. Wedding– Lauren Mendoza & Marco Regalado 5 p.m. In thanksgiving (Yvonne Casso & Family) 7 p.m. XV– Karla L. Benavides

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son.”

(Heb. 1:1-2)

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

the Mother of God

January 1, 2017

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin

Mary, the Mother of God

On New Year's Day, the octave day of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Holy Mother of God, the divine and virginal motherhood of the Blessed Virgin. It is the highest title of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Theotokos, Mother of God. This title was given to Mary at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. The council taught, however, that the humanity and divinity of Jesus could not be separated and that they exist in one person, with the momentous implication that we can rightly give Mary the title of Mother of God. Mothers bring life, a gift from God, into the world. That's why you sometimes hear the Church referred to as "Mother". The Evangelist, Luke, describes her as the silent Virgin who listens constantly to the Eternal Word, who lives in the Word of God. This feast is the celebration of Mary’s motherhood of Jesus and is the oldest feast of Mary celebrated by the Catholic Church. Mary has an important role to play in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. She consents to God’s invitation conveyed by the angel (Luke 1:26­38), Elizabeth proclaims: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the in-fant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior”

http://www.marypages.com/SolemnityofMary.htm

Dear Parishioners:

With joyful hearts, we welcome the New Year. As we continue to celebrate the Christmas

Season and the pure manifestation of God’s love for us in the child Jesus, we look back on the

year 2016. For many of us it has been a time of trial and hardships. It seems that year after year,

we look back in sadness and mourn the loss of family, friends, or simply missed opportunities. But

take heart friends!

As Pope John Paul II was so fond of saying, “we are the people of the Resurrection and

alleluia is our hymn!” Even amidst the most troubling times, our faith gives rise to hope in things to

come. God pours forth blessings upon us and how abundantly! So, yes, let us mourn what we

have lost but let us all rejoice in what God has blessed us with life, love, community, and above

all Himself! What wondrous graces await us in 2017? Only time will tell, but we are excited!

Let us truly become the one body of Christ and our efforts, we are sure, will be very

faithful. We pray that your ringing in the New Year be a memorable one. God bless you all

yesterday, now and always.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Estimados Parroquianos:

En este tiempo de Navidad en el que recibimos la manifestación pura del Amor de Dios

hacia nosotros a través del Niño Jesús, en continua celebración, damos la bienvenida al año

nuevo 2017 con corazones jubilosos. En medio de todas estas celebraciones volteamos hacia

atrás y despedimos al año 2016. Un año en el que muchos hemos pasado tribulaciones,

dificultades, y momentos de desesperación. Parece ser que año tras año, no podemos evitar

voltear hacia atrás y recordar con tristeza y dolor de haber pedido un ser querido, un amigo, o

simplemente de haber perdido varias oportunidades. Pero, ¡animo amigos!

Juan Pablo II con convicción decía, “¡somos un pueblo de Resurrección y el aleluya es

nuestra canción!”, así sean tiempos de tribulación, nuestra fe resucita la esperanza en el

porvenir. ¡El Señor derrama sus bendiciones en nosotros y lo hace en abundancia! Por eso

volteemos hacia voltear atrás y con pesar recordemos lo perdido, pero con regocijo y jubilo

valoremos y disfrutemos lo que nuestro Dios nos ha dado: vida, amor, comunidad, fraternidad,

y así mismo. Damos la bienvenida al año nuevo llenos de alegría. ¿Cómo nos bendecirá el

Señor? ¿Cómo seremos una bendición para los demás? ¿Qué gracias nos esperan en este año

2017? ¡Solo el tiempo lo dirá, pero estamos entusiasmados!

Que el Señor nos conceda verdaderamente ser el cuerpo místico de Cristo. Nuestro

esfuerzo será lleno de fe, de eso estamos seguros. En oración también pedimos que este nuevo

año sea memorable para todos. ¡Dios los bendiga ayer, hoy, y siempre!

¡FELIZ AÑO 2017!

-Fr. Wojciech Kosowicz, Fr. Jacinto Olguín & Fr. Luis E. Mares

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR God, thank you for a new year.

May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us.

Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another. As we begin a new year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do.

Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.

Amen.

C.C.D. Classes 1st thru

5th Grade will resume

Saturday, January 7th

The Sanctuary Lamp Is burning this week for:

Yvonne Casso & Family

A note from our priests: We wish to thank everyone who helped to make the celebration of Christ’s birth such a joyful and beautiful experience. To all who decorated the church, to all who served in the Liturgy as Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Lectors, Ushers and Musicians, to all who came to worship, to all who contributed their time, talent and prayer in any way, we want to express our appreciation and gratitude. Let us continue to love St. Patrick Church which is our beloved parish where we have received the sacraments and where we try to worship Our God Lord on the best of our abilities. Each day we are allowed to serve as your priests, we are greatly blessed. Many of you, however, have doubled the blessings for us at Christmas with your lovely cards, offerings and personal gifts. We will struggle to keep from feeling spoiled!

Thank you very much for your kindness and generosity!

Applications for the English Women's ACTS Retreat, February 23-26 will be available on line starting Monday, December 12. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2017.

Applications for Women and Men English ACTS are

now available. Contact for more information:

Sergio Lopez (956)744-0989

Alexandra Agüero (956)235-4058

Cesar Prado (956)763-5077

ENVELOPE BOXES

Please pick up your envelope b o x e s a s s o o n a s possible. Families with out a box number please stop by

the office so we can issue you the appropriate box number or re-register you, if necessary.

OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Monday, January 2, 2017

Happy New Year!

THAT MAN IS YOU

Starts Wednesday,

January 4th 6:00 a.m.

All men are invited to learn and

share about being a man of God.

Free Tacos and Coffee!

HORA SANTA

Invitamos a toda la comunidad el Jueves 5 de enero a las 7:00 p.m. a la Hora Santa en nuestra parroquia.

THE ST. PATRICK ALTAR SOCIETY

If you have a desire to serve our Lord,

please join us, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 in

the parish hall room #3 at 7:00 p.m.

ORACION PARA EL AÑO NUEVO

A pocos minutos de iniciar un nuevo año, detengo mi vida ante el nuevo calendario aún sin

estrenar y te presento estos días que sólo tú sabes si llegaré a vivirlos.

Hoy te pido para mí y los míos la paz y la alegría, la fuerza y la prudencia,

la claridad y la sabiduría. Quiero vivir cada día con optimismo y bondad

llevando a todas partes un corazón lleno de comprensión y paz.

Cierra tú mis oídos a toda falsedad y mis labios a palabras mentirosas,

egoístas, mordaces o hirientes. Abre en cambio mi ser a todo lo que es bueno,

que mi espíritu se llene sólo de bendiciones y las derrame a mi paso.

Amén.

Oremos por nuestros hermanos enfermos

Señor Jesucristo, redentor de los hombres, que en tu pasión quisiste soportar

nuestro sufrimiento y aguantar nuestros dolores.

Te pedimos por nuestros hermanos; tu que lo has redimido,

aviva en el la esperanza de su salvación y conforta su cuerpo y su alma.

Tú que vives y reinas por los siglos de los siglos

Amén.

Richard Camacho Rene San Miguel Aurora Gonzalez Chrissy Garza Michael ‘Mikey’ Leija Jr. Refugio ‘Cuco' Escobedo Alex de la Garza Adolph Puig

Jesse Rodríguez Francisco Velásquez Alberto P. Cárdenas Juan Eduardo Riojas Frances Rizo Rosa Vidaurri Guadalupe Medina