Blessings in Jesus,Blessings in Jesus,Blessings in Jesus,Blessings in Jesus, Fr. David R. Wagner, Pastor

Fr. Rafal A. Duda, Parochial Vicar January 10, 2021

MESSAGE FROM FR . DAVID

With the Gentleness of a Dove

All four Gospels agree that John came preaching a baptism of repentance. “Repent,” he says, in Matthew, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mark says that John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And Mark began his Gospel by saying that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. So why is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, coming to John the Baptist who baptizes for the forgiveness of sins? Wasn’t Jesus, as the Son of God, the sinless one? What did the baptism offered by John have to do with Jesus? Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan river was unique. It meant several things, but not repentance or forgiveness of sins. For one thing, Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan was a sign of his solidarity with the people of Israel, and by extension, with all of humanity. John’s baptisms were well known and were very public. John baptized many people. It was a genuine movement of people toward God. They came from all around to turn from their old ways and former lifestyles and turned back toward God. Jesus was determined to identify himself with this Godward movement of the people. He wanted to become known as one who, like them, had directed his life to God and toward God. Jesus’ baptism is one more instance of how much God the Son meant to identify with us and walk among us as one of us. Secondly, Jesus’ baptism marked for him a moment of decision and a moment of approval. Lest we overlook or forget Jesus’ humanity, we must remember that he was a man. He did know His own identity and mission. But he also spent the first thirty years of his life as other Jewish boys and men did. He had been a carpenter, doing his job. But he knew at some point He would make the decision to begin His ministry. The sign for Him to set out on his mission was the emergence of John the Baptist. In His humanity, Jesus was leaving behind his home, his work, his family and friends. He was setting out at least to some extent on an unknown way. He knew He was destined to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He knew some other details of His mission before they happened. But here He was, a man, setting out. And so his baptism also is a sign of approval. He comes up out of the water, the Spirit descends upon Him and His Father tells Him that He is His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. He submitted His decision to His Father and His decision is resoundingly approved. Jesus’ baptism marks the nature of His ministry and His own character and nature. The Spirit descends upon him like a dove. The dove is the symbol of gentleness. What if the Gospels had said, “the spirit descended upon Him like a hawk” or “the Spirit descended upon Him like a vulture”. In stark contrast to the harshness of John the Baptist’s message, this scene identifies to us the gentleness of Jesus and His ministry. It continues the theme of His having come into the world as a baby boy. The Church has come to commemorate the Epiphany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the story of His baptism by John in the River Jordan. It is an appearance of God in our midst, a manifestation of the divine amongst humanity. It is another instance of how God came to us, to identify with us, so that we might identify ourselves with Him. Amen. Blessings in Jesus, Fr. David Blessings in Jesus, Fr. David Blessings in Jesus, Fr. David Blessings in Jesus, Fr. David

Con La Mansedumbre De Una Paloma

Los cuatro Evangelios coinciden en que San Juan vino predicando un bautismo de arrepentimiento. "Arrepentíos", dice en San Mateo, "porque el reino de los cielos está cerca". San Marcos dice que Juan el Bautista apareció en el desierto predicando un bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados. Y San Marcos comenzó su Evangelio diciendo que Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios. Entonces, ¿por qué Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios, viene a Juan el Bautista quien bautiza para el perdón de los pecados? ¿No era Jesús, como Hijo de Dios, el que no tenía pecado? ¿Qué tenía que ver el bautismo ofrecido por Juan con Jesús? El bautismo de Jesús por Juan en el Río Jordán fue único. Significaba varias cosas, pero no el arrepentimiento ni el perdón de pecados. Por un lado, el bautismo de Jesús por Juan en el Jordán fue un signo de su solidaridad con el pueblo de Israel y, por extensión, con toda la humanidad. Los bautismos de Juan eran bien conocidos y muy públicos. Juan bautizó a mucha gente. Fue un movimiento genuino de personas hacia Dios. Vinieron de todas partes para dejar sus viejas costumbres y estilos de vida anteriores y volverse hacia Dios. Jesús estaba decidido a identificarse con este movimiento del pueblo hacia Dios. Quería ser conocido como alguien que, como ellos, había dirigido su vida hacia Dios. El bautismo de Jesús es un ejemplo más de cuánto quiso Dios el Hijo identificarse con nosotros y caminar entre nosotros como uno de nosotros. En segundo lugar, el bautismo de Jesús marcó para Él un momento de decisión y un momento de aprobación. Para que no pasemos por alto u olvidemos la humanidad de Jesús, debemos recordar que era un hombre. Él conocía su propia identidad y misión. Pero también pasó los primeros treinta años de su vida como lo hicieron otros niños y hombres Judíos. Había sido carpintero, haciendo su trabajo. Pero sabía que en algún momento tomaría la decisión de comenzar Su ministerio. La señal para que Él emprendiera su misión fue la aparición de Juan el Bautista. En su humanidad, Jesús estaba dejando atrás su hogar, su trabajo, su familia y amigos. Se estaba embarcando, al menos hasta cierto punto, en un camino desconocido. Sabía que estaba destinado a morir en la cruz por los pecados del mundo. Conocía algunos otros detalles de su misión antes de que sucedieran. Pero aquí estaba Él, un hombre, partiendo. Por tanto, su bautismo también es una señal de aprobación. Sale del agua, el Espíritu desciende sobre Él y Su Padre le dice que Él es Su Hijo amado en quien Él se complace. Sometió Su decisión a Su Padre y Su decisión fue aprobada rotundamente. El bautismo de Jesús marca la naturaleza de Su ministerio y Su propio carácter y naturaleza. El Espíritu desciende sobre Él como una paloma. La paloma es el símbolo de la dulzura. ¿Y si los Evangelios hubieran dicho, "el espíritu descendió sobre Él como un halcón" o "el Espíritu descendió sobre Él como un buitre"? En marcado contraste con la dureza del mensaje de Juan el Bautista, esta escena nos identifica la gentileza de Jesús y Su ministerio. Continúa el tema de su llegada al mundo cuando era un niño. La Iglesia ha venido a conmemorar la Epifanía de Nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo con la historia de Su bautismo por Juan en el Río Jordán. Es una aparición de Dios entre nosotros, una manifestación de lo divino entre la humanidad. Es otro ejemplo de cómo Dios vino a nosotros, para identificarse con nosotros, para que podamos identificarnos con Él. Amén. ¡Bendiciones! En Jesús, Padre David ¡Bendiciones! En Jesús, Padre David ¡Bendiciones! En Jesús, Padre David ¡Bendiciones! En Jesús, Padre David

Sunday, January 10, 2021 –THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Is 55:1-11, 1 Jn 5:1-9, Mk 1:7-11(21)

7:45 am (Fr. Rafal) †Pablo H. & Maria Perez

9:15 am (Fr. Rafal) †Manuel Sanchez Jr.

11:00 am (Fr. David) People of the Parish

5:00 pm (Fr. David) Mass offered for Fr. Gustavo Montañez Monday, January 11, 2021 Heb 1:1-6, Mk 1:14-20 (305) 12:00 pm (Fr. David) †Carry Boll Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Heb 2:5-12, Mk 1:21-28 (306) 7:00 am (Fr. David) †Naty Fowler Wednesday, January 13, 2021-Saint Hilary, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Heb 2:14-18, Mk 1:29-39 (307) 12:00 pm (Fr. Rafal) Mass offered for Don & Bonnie Hartung Thursday, January 14, 2021 Heb 3:7-14, Mk 1:40-45 (308) 12:00 pm (Fr. Rafal) Mass offered for Don & Bonnie Hartung Friday, January 15, 2021 Heb 4:1-5, 11, Mk 2:1-12(309) 8:00 am (Fr. Rafal) †Eva Monroy Saturday, January 16, 2021-BVM 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20, Jn 1:35-42(65) 5:00 pm (Fr. Rafal) †Hans Lorange

Sunday, January 17, 2021– 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19, 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20, Jn 1:35-42(65) 7:45 am (Fr. David) †Jerry Bolen

9:15 am (Fr. David) †Janet Melendez

11:00 am (Fr. Rafal) †Francisca Pruneda Bill

5:00 pm (Fr. Rafal) People of the Parish

Mass Schedule SPIRITUAL GROWTH

ST HILARY OF POITIERS

Hilary, born in the early 4th century and elected bishop of Potiers, France around the year 353 AD, became the leading and most respected Latin theologian of his age. Seeking to immunize the church against the infection of the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ, he wrote an extensive treatise “On the Trinity” which is perhaps his most famous work. For his trouble, he was exiled by the Emperor, an Arian sympathizer. St. Hilary died in 367 and was proclaimed a “Doctor of the Church” fifteen centuries later by Pope Pius IX.

10 Quotes from Saint Hilary of Poitiers

• Wages cannot be considered as a gift, because they are

due to work, but God has given free grace to all men by the justification of faith.

• The chief service I owe you, O God, is that every thought and word of mine should speak of you.

• He conquered death, broke the gates of hell, won for Himself a people to be His co-heirs, lifted fleshed from corruption up to the glory of eternity.

• The Church is the Ship outside which it is impossible to understand the Divine Word, for Jesus spoke from the boat to the people gathered on the shore.

• There is no space where God is not; space does not exist apart from Him. He is in heaven, in hell, beyond the seas; dwelling in all things and enveloping all. Thus He embraces, and is embraced by, the universe, confined to no part of it but pervading all.”

• No matter how sinful one may have been, if he has devotion to Mary, it is impossible that he be lost.

• The utter folly of our time is lamentable, that men should think to assist God with human help and to protect the Church of Christ by worldly ambition.

• Heresy lies in the sense assigned, not in the word written; the guilt is that of the expositor, not of the text.

• In this we see the wondrous virtue of the Lord: that the power dwelling in His body should communicate to perishable things the efficacy to heal, and that the divine activity should issue forth even from the hem of His garment.

• I am well aware, almighty God and Father, that in my life I owe you a most particular duty. It is to make my every thought and word speak of you.

Corner of Water and Washington Street, Kerrville, TX 78028

• Pastoral Center: 909 Main St. Office Hours: 8:00 am-5:00 pm,

Closed 12:00 noon-1:00 pm 830-257-5961 • Fax: 830-895-9771

Faith Formation 830-896-4233 School: 830-257-6707

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week in memory

of Erminia O. Villanueva

by Gloria Villanueva

The Second Collection

on January 16 & 17, 2021

will be for St. Vincent de Paul Society

Thank you for your generosity!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, January 11, 2021—CURSILLOS/ULTREYA, 7:00 p.m. in the Social Center. All are Welcome! Lunes, 11 de enero—CURSILLOS/ULTREYA a las 7:00 p.m. en el Centro Social. Todos Bienvenidos!

Tuesday, January 12, 2021—RCIA—6:00 p.m. in the Fireplace RM.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021—INGLES TAMBÍEN, 5:00 p.m. in the Fireplace RM. ¡Todos Bienvenidos!

Monday, January 11, 2021—GOOD SHEPHERD, 5:00 p.m. in Kemper Hall

Saturday, January 14, 2021—Reconciliation 3:00-4:30 p.m. in the Church. All are Welcome!

Monday, January 11, 2021—BOY SCOUTS, 7:00 p.m. in the Gymnasium.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021—GOOD SHEPHERD, 5:00pm in Kemper Hall Wednesday, January 13, 2021—5:30pm-EDGE-Kemper Hall Youth Room Monday, January 11, 2021—DAUGHTERS OF

NOTRE DAME , 5:30 p.m. in the Fireplace RM

Thursday, January 14, 2021—M.O.S.T (Ministerio Oracion Santisimo Trinidad, 7:00 p.m. in the Fireplace RM.

Thursday, January 14, 2021—CATHOLIC WAY BIBLE, 8:30 a.m. in the Fireplace RM

FIRST SATURDAY PRO-LIFE ROSARY

led by the Knights of Columbus

Saturday, February 6, 2021

at 4:15 p.m.

at Notre Dame Catholic Church Kerrville, Texas

Come and pray the rosary and satisfy the request of Our Lady of Fatima to honor Her Immaculate Heart and help

bring about peace in the world and to also pray for the end of abortion and the culture of death.

In the July 13, 1917 apparition at Fatima, Our Lady said, “I shall come to ask for...the Communion of Reparation on the first Saturdays.” She came expressly to request this devotion when she appeared to Sister Lucia on December 10, 1925, in Pontevedra, Spain, where she was preparing to start her religious life.

With the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart for these five offenses, we are asked to: 1. Go to confession (Can be within 8 days before or after

the First Saturday). 2. Receive Holy Communion 3. Pray five decades of the Rosary 4. Keep Our Lady company for 15 minutes while

meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary.

PRAY THE ROSARY

“It is only when you realize your nothingness,

your emptiness, that God can fill you with

Himself.” Mother Teresa

Roy Ybarra, William Etchison, Ariana Lambdin, Bill Gibson, Steve Erickson, MaKenna Erickson, Maria Acosta, Marissa Hernandez, Marci Denton, Deacon Sonny Kaufhold, Olan Mahlmann, Regina Kelly, Mau-ricio Reyes, Tom Miller, George & Ginny Saip, Mary Ellen Wheeler,

Sam Rodriguez.

Please pray for those who have died, and have gone to their eternal rest with the Lord, especially for Oscar Tobar, Diana Aguilar Sarabia & Lorraine Meurer. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

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THANK YOU to all who help sponsor our Notre Dame bulletin. Spaces are available; please call DIOCESAN for advertising information at 1-800-633-1122

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Notre Dame Kerrville wishes to thank the congregation for its continuing support. December’s second collection was $2,786.00 which was very helpful.

Last year we were spending to acquire food from the San Antonio Food Bank at $2,400.00 to $3,200.00 a month. This year, even with a lot of free food sent our way, we are spending $5,000-7,000.00.

We have prioritized food as our number one priority. Currently, our thrift store is covering the cost for running our campus.

CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE —Saturday, February 27, 2021

“Master, I want to see.” - Mark 10:51

Participate in Person or Virtually Pray among Brothers Mass celebrated by

Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS Eucharistic Adoration—Time with the Divine Healer

Venue will take place at: St. Matthew’s Athletic Center

10703 Wurzbach Rd. San Antonio, TX.

Register now! go online to CMCSanAntonio.com. Payments can be mailed to Pilgrim Center of Hope, 7680 Joe Newton, San Antonio, TX. 78251; (210)521-3377. Some scholarships are available.

OFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTION

December 26-27, 2020

CHURCH Envelopes/Checks $ 31,615.07

Currency/Coin 1,500.40

TOTAL $ 33,115.47 December 21-27, 2020 On-line Giving Church $ 2,487.50

Bldg. Fund 100.00 ND School 175.00

TOTAL $ 2,762.50 December 25, 2020 Assumption Seminary Collection $ 441.00 TOTAL $ 441.00 Notre Dame Bldg. Fund (2nd Collection) $ 2,587.76

St. Vincent de Paul 50.00 TOTAL $ 2,637.76 SCHOOL School Support Envelopes $ 4,000.00

TOTAL $ 4,000.00

Online giving for your benefit and convenience. If you appreciate the ease of online banking, you will be happy to know that you can easily offer a regular tithe with automatic online donations. Please visit notredamechurch.cc/online-giving to learn more. Make a one-time gift, or create a personal recurring gift account. It is quick, easy and convenient.

NOTRE DAME

PARISH GOAL—-$78,500.00.

Pledged Up to Date—60.66%

OFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTIONOFFERTORY COLLECTION

December 19-20, 2020

CHURCH Envelopes/Checks $ 13,046.05 Currency/Coin 818.00

TOTAL $ 13,864.05 December 14-20, 2020 On-line Giving Church $10,860.00 ND School 125.00

TOTAL $10,985.00 Retired Religious $ 50.00 St. Vincent de Paul 75.00 TOTAL $ 125.00 SCHOOL School Support Envelopes $ 1,860.00

TOTAL $ 1,860.00

Online giving for your benefit and convenience. If you appreciate the ease of online banking, you will be happy to know that you can easily offer a regular tithe with automatic online donations. Please visit notredamechurch.cc/online-giving to learn more. Make a one-time gift, or create a personal recurring gift account. It is quick, easy and convenient.

The Daughters of Notre Dame gratefully acknowledge the Christmas Memorials. A Special Mass of Remembrance was celebrated on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at the 7:45 a.m. Mass.

IN MEMORY OF: Richard & Irene Danko, R.A. & Betty Stevenson, Ken & Mary Foreman By Family George & Imelda Solomon By Mary & Fran Solomon Mr. & Mrs. Amador Vargas, Fidel A. Tijerina, Ernestina, Emilio, & David Vargas By The Tijerina’s Deceased Members of Cannon, Elizondo & Cantu Families By Barry & Diana Cannon In Loving Memory of My Beloved Wife, Fran By Frank Bertagnolli Joe Treviño By Wife, Estella Treviño Jessie Martinez Jr. By Olivia Martinez Owens-Kersting Deceased By Mary Margaret Owens Henry T. Chacon By Daughter & Family

IN MEMORY OF: Dolores T. Chacon By Daughter & Family Jerry Hartman By Peggy Hartman Bill A. Williams & Elizabeth Ann Williams By Leona Williams Parent & Brothers By Leona Williams Donald Kyle By Beverly Kyle Hans Lorange By Penny Trauth Yolanda Tenorio By Penny Trauth Andrew Miciotto By Barbara Miciotto Norman Wogan By Betsy Wogan Gregorio & Natividad Sanchez By Family

IN MEMORY OF: Blanche Freeman & Toni Sanchez By Family Frank, Joe, Jessie & Willie Sanchez By Family Fred Cervantes By Family Antonio & Lorenza Cervantes By Family Jerry Bolen & Randy Bolen L.J. & Ottila Bolen, Joy Hoelscher By Dorothy Bolen Anton & Alice Halfmann Erwin Kleypas Jr., Franklin Reavis By Dorothy Bolen Eleanor Murray, Bill Murray By Barney Murray Felipe Lozano Sr., Robert Lozano & Richard Lozano By Felipe Lozano Jr. John & Justine Peirce By Joy Peirce Lozano

IN MEMORY OF: Fred, Anthony & Oriana Vargas By Wife, Mom, Grandmother Emma Rodriguez By Ida & Larry Delgadillo Frank Barron Sr., Henry Delosantos By Rosie Rosales Angie Torres, Homero Calderon By Rosie Rosales Estanislado & Consuelo Martinez By Aimee & Matthew Martinez The Schnurr & McCabe Families By Eddie & Barbara Schnurr Milton Ray Carter By Elda Martinez Esperanza & Roberto Grigsby By Elda, Anna, Ida Tomasa & Franco Perez Ramiro Perez By Elda, Anna, Ida

IN MEMORY OF: Ben & Jessamine Farrow M.L. & Karolyn Andrews By Buddy Andrews Lynn Andrews; Michele Madan; Milton M. Andrews By Buddy Andrews Jr. Fritz & mother, Josephine Fritz By Mini Mart: Sylvia Fritz Dobbs & David Fritz Michael Tilton, Susan Kingery & Bob Russell By Terri & Mike DeBusk Bobby Waddell, husband By Minnie Waddell Julian & Bettye Blackwell, parents By Minnie Waddell John Frank Carr, nephew By’ Minnie Waddell Alfredo Morin Bill & Francisca Pruneda Bill By Eva Bill Jesus G. Garcia Jr., & Consuelo Pruneda Dominguez By Eva Bill