HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, & JOSEPH DECEMBER 28, 2014 "Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, '?And you yourself a sword will pierce.'" This old man in the Temple, a man filled with the Holy Spirit, uttered these ominous, prophetic words. Right in the midst of a religious celebration that could be considered a kind of parallel to Christian baptism, Simeon started talking about suffering. Although this might have put a damper on the joy of the occasion, it was nonetheless a precious moment. God was speaking through the mouth of the Spiritfilled Simeon and actually doing Mary a great service. God was helping Mary to prepare herself for what lay ahead. And the truth was, the road in front of her family was destined to be marked by the cross. Our families also bear this mark. Although in a different way from Mary, we all have our crosses to deal with. Whether it be the sickness or death of a loved one, conflicts among siblings or spouses, or unexpected challenges like infertility or a lost job, no family is without its share of trouble. As we navigate these difficulties, we would do well to remember Simeon's words to Mary: suffering is going to happen, sometimes very painful, heart-piercing suffering. But instead of being shocked or angry at God, we can call to mind the fact that this is part of life in a fallen world. We can also remind ourselves that although Mary suffered when her son suffered, she also rejoiced when he rejoiced. Ultimately, every cross she bore as his mother was trumped in the end by the victory of the Resurrection. We share in this triumph as well. After all, our families are in the loving care of a heavenly Father. We are not just the children of our parents; we are also the children of God. LECTORS: December 27th & 28th, 2014 5:00 PM Heartha Boudreaux, Cordell Baham, Jr., Tracey Johnson 8:30 AM Erica Johnson, Ronald Enard, Tony Brown 11:00 AM Mary C. Hamilton, Erie Calloway, Johnnie Mae Roy EUCHARIST MINISTERS: 5:00 PM Robin Brown, TBD 8:30 AM Dorothy Davis, Darril Volair, Melina Volair, Robert Wesley, Stephanie Wesley, TBD 11:00 AM Laura Allen, Cheryl Cash, William Cash, Erika Edmond, May Walker, Sylvester Whitmire ALTAR GUILD: 8:30 AM Patti Rollins, Donna Wright 11:00 AM Mary Joubert, Otha Barnes THE ROSARY – The Rosary is being said thirty minutes before each Mass. Please join us. Living Faith: A reflection based on a Scripture passage from the daily Mass 12/29/14 – 01/04/14 MONDAY: 1 Jn 2:3-11 * Ps 96:1-3, 5-6 * Lk 2:22-35 This is the way we may know that we are in union with [Christ]: whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived. TUESDAY: 1 Jn 2:12-17 * Ps 96:7-10 * Lk 2:36-40 The world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. WEDNESDAY: 1 Jn 2”18-21 * Ps 96:1-2, 11-13 * Jn 1:1-18 From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace… THURSDAY Nm 6:22-27 * Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 * Gal 4:4-7 * Lk 2:16-21 They…found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. FRIDAY: 1 Jn 2:22-28 * Ps 98:1-4 * Jn 1:19-28 Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. SATURDAY: 1 Jn 2:29--3:6 * Ps 98:1, 3-6 * Jn 1:29-34 We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. SUNDAY: Is 60:1-6 * Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 * Eph 3:2-3, 5-6 * Mt 2:1-12 You shall be radiant at what you see… MEETING FOR THE WEEK: Mon. Tues. 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM Children’s Choir Practice Shabach Choir Practice Men’s Choir Practice Young Adults Choir Practice MEETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS MONEY MATTERS: First Sunday Collection Second Sunday Collection Third Sunday Collection Debt Reduction Collection Retirement Fund Collection DECEMBER & HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE $10,783.00 $ 9,794.00 $ 8,927.00 $ 3,179.00 $ 491.00 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK: Sat. 5:00 PM Mary Carolyn Clophus by the Clophus Family Sun. 8:30 AM Kennedy Brown by Edith Francis Sun. 11:00 AM Leola Boutte by Ramona Moore & Lana Allen Mon. 7:00 AM Rubye David MLK Mass 2015 – Please join Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and the Priests of our Archdiocese as we celebrate the 30th annual observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The MLK Mass will be held Sunday, January 18, 2015 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway (Downtown) Houston, at 3:00 p.m. For further information, please call 713-652-8203. Join us in support of St. Mary's School for the 10th Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, February 21, 2015! Steps for Students is a USA Track & Field officially sanctioned run Archdiocesan-wide fundraiser to benefit Catholic schools. You can make a difference by visiting www.firstgiving.com/stepsforstudents and making a donation through Sr. Odessa Stanford’s webpage. All funds raised will directly benefit St. Mary's School. SAVE THE DATE!!! On February 8, 2015, the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church will celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of Fr. Aubespin. The celebration will begin with a Mass of Celebration at 11:00 am, followed by a program in the Sanctuary and reception in the Parish Hall. A photographer will be available in the chapel to take individual, family, or organization pictures for your Ad to be placed in the souvenir booklet; following the Sunday Masses on December 21st, 28th & January 4th. Wednesday, December 31, 2014 7:00 P.M. Mass Vigil Mass Thursday, January 1, 2015 Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Mother of God 7:00 A.M. Church Office Holiday Schedule The Church will closed at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 31st, and will be closed on Thursday, January 1st in observance of the New Year’s Day. Start the Year Saving Lives!! Be good to yourself and others in the New Year. Start 2015 by helping Save lives and enjoy a fresh, delicious meal as a reward… All who donate or attempt to donate at St. Mary’s Blood Drive, January 4, 2015 in the Gym, will receive a $5 Subway card, provided by the Blood Center plus a free T-shirt. Please Contact: Angie Spencer 713-417-4220 or BJ Hawkins 832-419-7207 to sign up or learn more. Literature on Blood Donation including "Who can Donate", "Commonly asked Questions" and others are available in the church foyer. Bulletin Advertisement: We would like to thank those that continue to advertise with us on a regular basis, as well as those that recently left us. Please patronize all of our advertisers. If you would like to advertise on the back of the bulletin, please contact Thelma Goodman @ 713528-0571 in the Church Office. We have three spaces available at this time. New Year's Prayer 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.