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December 10, 2017 Vol. 36 No. 18

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. Timothy Hayter

Deacons: Leonard Hendon, Luis Mata, Fidel Saldivar, Larry Salazar Sisters: Gertrudis Muñoz, Leonila Torres

Youth Director: Deacon Larry Salazar Director of Religious Education: Gretchen Lara

Music Director: Gabriel Salgado

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES 2017

Good Shepherd (Crane) December 13, 2017 at 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes (Andrews) December 14, 2017 at 6:30 PM Holy Redeemer (Odessa) December 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Ann’s (Midland) December 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Lawrence December 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM St. Joseph’s (Odessa) December 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM

Mass Time For Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 12, 2017 6 AM—SPANISH 7 AM—ENGLISH

12:15 PM—ENGLISH 5:30 PM—ENGLISH

If you would like for your child (Kindergarten - 6th grade) to be part of the Christmas play, please come to our 2nd practice/parent meeting:

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 6:00 pm at the main Sanctuary.

Any questions please call Kathleen Molina at

432-528-3324.

Annual Christmas Children’s Play December 24, 2017

4:30 PM Main Sanctuary

Eucharistic Adoration Schedule

The Blessed Sacrament will be reposed Thursday, December 21st after the 5:30 pm Mass

for the Christmas Holiday. Eucharistic Adoration will resume following the 7 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, January 2nd,

2018.

Have a safe and blessed Christmas Holiday and

a Happy New Year!

4th Sunday of Advent December 24, 2017

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

Christmas Eve 5 PM—ENGLISH (CHILDREN’S MASS)

7 PM—SPANISH 12 MIDNIGHT—BILINGUAL

Christmas Day December 25, 2017

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

Sunday, December 10 - Second Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 11 – St. Damasus I

Tuesday, December 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe

Wednesday, December 13 - St. Lucy

Thursday, December 14 - St. John of the Cross

Friday, December 15

Saturday, December 16

Sunday, December 17 - Third Sunday of Advent

Last Week’s Collection

Collections $ 34,196.17 Building Fund $ 60.00 Other Income $ 22,033.00 For The Poor $104,118.06

Financial reports are available in the parish office.

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For the week of December 10, 2017

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

This weekend’s 2nd Collection Help religious communities. “Your generous contribution helps us to care for our retired sisters and enables our

younger sisters to continue in active ministry,” writes a religious sister. Your gift to today’s collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious helps provide medications, nursing care, and more for thousands of senior sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. It also helps ensure younger members can continue the good works of their elders!

Ayuden a las comunidades religiosas. “Su generosa contribución nos ayuda a cuidar a nuestras hermanas jubiladas y permite que nuestras hermanas más jóvenes continúen en un ministerio activo”, escribe una hermana religiosa. Su donativo a la colecta de hoy para el Fondo para la Jubilación de Religiosos ayuda a proporcionarles medicamentos, enfermeros y más a miles de hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes de órdenes religiosas, de edad avanzada. ¡Esto ayuda también para asegurar que los miembros más jóvenes puedan continuar las buenas obras de sus mayores!

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December 10 Sebastian Giraldo Nayeli Hernandez

Mike Hill Jennifer L. Hodges

Clarissia Lynn Stephanie Lyon

Robert Montferrand Francisco Navarrete

Cruz Rubio III Manuel Valerio Jr.

December 11 Guadalupe Alanis Spence Doucet Rocio Gonzalez Marybell Lerma Harriet Lyson Carol Mata

Sandra Montoya Harvey Muhia Kaleb Nunez

Gumaro Ruvalcaba Isaac Sokolowski

Tim Speer Fabian Talamantes

Aaron Urias

December 12 Harold Briscoe Dennise Garcia

Eng Khia Keaton M. Kinzer Jorge Martinez Angel O. Juarez Jeanette Padilla

Lupe Reyes Lorenzo Salazar

Cary Wilger

December 13 Paul Aguirre

Robin Alvarado Hector Carrasco James Crosby Mark Dehlinger Rodrigo Garza Erica Gomez

Francisco Gomez Criss Kohl

Justin Lassetter Jessica Lujan

Jesse Sandoval Victor Torres

Annabella C. Willis

December 14 Karen Cabrera Jose Camacho

Elisa Espino Steven Fairchild Carlos Garcia

Noe Garza Carolina Larez Meagan Martin Thomas Midkiff Irma G. Olivas Geneva Reno

Brianna S. Garcia

December 15 Michael Brosig Lucia Carrasco Annabel Diaz

Roland Espinoza Susan Guebara Florence Hair Tim Hodgens Lupe Martinez Daniel Palmer

December 16 Alyssa Farr Rose Flores

Samantha Foster Michael Mendoza

Chris Mora Jesus Munoz

December 17 Abigail Baeza Robert Bastin Bertha Carrillo

Ilda Cuevas Geraldine Filip Cynthia Franco

Valentine Galindo Don Lassetter Ruby Martinez

Paula Miller Vanessa Munoz Gavin Ontiveros

M/M Andrew Reed Clair Underwood

Jesus Urias

Eucharistic Adoration Openings

SATURDAY: 1:00 a.m.

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.

Kim Waltzer, Gina Gonzalez, Braxton Munoz, Dylan Wilson, Sam Gibbs, Alyss Munoz, Alejandro Munoz Jr, Veronica Gomez-Calvo, Delaney Diaz, Raul Dominguez, Avyel Munoz, Rachel S., Burdette Family, Inez Laing, Monica Vasquez, Jason Martinez, Guadalupe Rios, Alfonso Marquez, Johny Lee Qualls, Isaiah V., Vanessa V., Anita P., Carlota W., Judy D., Alicia F., Jesse Julus Garcia, Mendoza Family, Martha Munoz, Sergio Patino, Aurora Reyes, Monica Vasquez, Eva Madrid, Roy Alvarez, Gary Rodriguez, Martha Munoz, Lydia Jimenez, Jesus Chavez Jr., Mark Clark, Eva Talamantez, Potsy Sotelo, Jaelynn G. Garcia, Randy & Jennifer White & Family, Louis & Betty Macchietto & Family, Larry & Pat White & Family, Heath, Sarah, & Baby Girl Logan Ruth, Maria Luisa Rodriguez, Inez Rodriguez, Josefina Alvarez, Avila Family, Fierro Family, Andrew Madrid, Fran Thetford, Gabriel Kadir, Gerald Thetford, Margaret Robson, Betty Compton, David Rucker, Delia Carrasco, Patty White, Jeff Smith, Pearl Abalos, Francisco Rodriguez Medina, Carmen Lopez, Martin Sosa, Evangelina Rodriguez, Bea Herrera, Ricky Montes, Rafael Gonzales Jr., Monica Cabrera, Joe Munoz III, Anita Morin, Anthony Garcia, Janie Sainz, Tommy Levario, Dr. Karen Leung & Santa Rosa Fire Victims, Donita Schlegal, Jose Carmen Vasquez, Rebecca Rodelo, Crystal Calderon, Mo Dominguez, Marcial Hernandez, Felix Munoz II, Jesus Munoz, Joe Munoz Jr., Terisa Galvan, Jude Munoz, Diana Henderson.

Email frontdesk.sscc@att.net or call the office at 520-7394 to be added to the prayer list!

Please pray for Seminarian

Francisco Camacho!

A Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Most merciful mother, you came to tell us of your compassion through St. Juan Diego, whom you called the littlest and dearest of your sons. Give your strength and protection to all who live in poverty today, especially the young, elderly, and vulnerable. Plead for them to the Father, that they might experience the Divine Love tangibly in their daily lives, and that all who work for justice on behalf of the poor might grow in fortitude and humility. In these ways, manifest your charity and concern in our lives, that the weeping of humanity may be heard, and all our suffering, pain, and misfortune may be filled with divine comfort and healing. May we always know the peace of being in the cradle of your arms, and bring us safely home to your son, Jesus.

Amen.

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This week, RCIA will not meet due to the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I encourage everyone in RCIA to participate in the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe and learn more about Our Lady. Mass times in English are 7:00 A.M., 12:15 P.M. and 5:30

P.M. on Tuesday, December 12th. Festivities will follow the 5:30 P.M. Mass. Next week (December 19), RCIA will meet for our pot-luck Christmas party. Your Saint

Reports are due on December 19th. RCIA meets in the ballroom on Tuesdays from 6:45-8:45 p.m. "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 by receiving their Sacraments of Initiation. 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

The Women's Organization is inviting all ladies of St. Stephen’s Parish to join us at our upcoming general meeting, Monday

December 11, 2017 at 6:30 PM in the Parlor. For more information, please contact Vice President Brandi Grismore at 432-203-7320 or any officers with the Women’s Organization.

St. Stephen’s Women’s

Organization

Please come visit our NEW WEBSITE for all the latest announcements, upcoming events, & much more.

www.ststephensmidland.com

St. Stephens Youth 7-12

grades: Give the gift of time and service this

Christmas. On December 16th come and help give

away gifts at Helping Hands of Midland. Please be

there by 8:00 a.m., to help get the toys set up in time

for the giveaway which will be from 10 am - 1 pm. An

Enchiladas lunch will be provided. This is worth 8

hours of community service. If you want to go please

call the church office and give them your name and

number. Office phone number (432) 520-7394

Annual Parish Christmas Dinner & Dance

(Hosted by the St. Stephen’s Women’s Organization)

Saturday, December 16, 2017

In the Gloria Denman Ballroom 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Tickets $25.00 per person

Tickets available to purchase in the foyer after all masses Or

The Parish Office from Gladys

Deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, December 13, 2017

By 12:00 p.m.

(Tickets WILL NOT be sold at the door)

Cash Bar only

For more information please contact: Ilda Cuevas, SSWO President

432-557-8896 Brandi Grismore SSWO Vice

President 432-661-6118 Or any of the ladies of the

Women’s Organization "We publish the banns of

marriage between ELAM

EDUARDO RAMIREZ TAVAREZ

and DANIELA CORRALES

PANDO of this Parish of St.

Stephen’s in Midland, Texas,

USA for their upcoming marriage

on March 3, 2018 at JESUS

NAZARENO Catholic Church in Ojinaga,

Chihuahua, Mexico. If you know cause or just

impediment why these persons should not be

joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to

declare it. This is for the first time of asking.”

Preparad el camino del Señor, allanad sus senderos; y todos verán la salvación del Señor.

II Domingo de Adviento Ciclo B (10 de diciembre de 2017)

El segundo domingo de Adviento está dominado por la figura de Juan el Bautista. En el Evangelio sobresale esta definición que él da de sí mismo: «Voz del que clama en el desierto: preparad el camino del Señor». Desierto es una palabra inquietante en nuestros días. Casi el 33% de la superficie terrestre está ocupada por desierto. Y la proporción va en espantoso aumento a causa del fenómeno de la desertificación. Pero existe otro desierto: no fuera, sino dentro de nosotros; no en los márgenes de nuestras ciudades, sino dentro de ellas. Es la sequedad de las relaciones humanas, la soledad, la indiferencia, el anonimato. El desierto es el lugar donde si gritas nadie te oye, si yaces en tierra acabado nadie se te acerca, si una feroz bestia te asalta nadie te defiende, si experimentas un gran gozo o una gran pena no tienes a nadie con quien compartirla. ¿Y no es esto lo que ocurre a muchos en nuestras ciudades? Nuestro agitarnos y gritar, ¿no es también un gritar en el desierto? Pero el desierto aún más peligroso es el que cada uno de nosotros lleva dentro. Justamente el corazón puede transformarse en un desierto: árido, apagado, sin afectos, sin esperanza, lleno de arena. ¿Por qué muchos no logran despegarse del trabajo, apagar el móvil, la radio, el compact disc...? etc. etc. Los invito a que escuchemos a Juan Bautista en nuestro desierto, hagamos desierto durante esta semana para encontrarnos con el Señor y que resuene la voz del Bautista en nuestros corazones descubriendo lo que tenemos que rebajar, lo que tenemos que rellenar, lo que tenemos que enderezar.

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

AVISOS: • 12 de diciembre Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, mañanitas 5:30 a.m. Eucaristía 6:00 a.m. obra

de las apariciones 6:00 p.m. Los esperamos habrá muchas novedades. • 16 de diciembre 2017 Encuentro de mujeres de las 9 de la mañana a las 12 del día salón 1 y 2

• Les invitamos a las posadas navideñas que darán inicio el día 16 de este mes a la 7 p.m

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La parroquia de san esteban y la sociedad

guadalupana los invita a conmemorar un año

más de la aparición de nuestra señora del

cielo la virgen de Guadalupe que iniciaremos

este 12 de diciembre.

5:00 am Las mañanitas con mariachi,

matachines y danza azteca

6:00 am Misa

6:00 pm procesión con la virgen

6:30 pm la obra aparición de la virgen

por el grupo de acts

7:30 pm danza azteca alabanza con los

grupos norteños

Tendremos venta de burritos, sodas, aguas

Los esperamos no falten…

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Meet Our Newest Volunteer Phillip Wilson!

4-year-old Phillip Wilson and his mom began volunteering at Helping Hands several weeks ago. He quickly decided that he could be of best use in our toy department and he and his mom spend several hours each day, two or three days a week sorting through toys, determining which would be best to sell in our store. He loves coming to Helping Hands and can’t wait to get here each day. He is so good at his job that we have recently promoted him to manager of the toy gun department, a job that he takes quite seriously! The son of Justin and Sarah Wilson, Phillip and his family attend St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. Phillip is proof that there is something for everyone to do at Helping Hands. If you have some spare time each day we would love to have you. For more information call Mary at (432) 528-6265 anytime.

STORE CLOSED Our thrift store will be closed Saturday, December 16 so that we can distribute Christmas clothes and gifts to the families of the children that we are sponsoring for Christmas this year. We will reopen Tuesday, December 12 at 10 a.m.

Helping Hands

of Midland

1301 Brinson Lane

(432) 520-8900

Because we feel it is important that you know how and where your donations to Helping Hands are spent, here is what was done last week:

Electricity 1 family $ 524.07 Water 6 families $ 2,096.61 Rent 20 families $20,425.25 Medical 1 family $ 2,500.00 Total $25,545.93 www.helpinghandsmidland.com

El Santísimo Sacramento será reposado debido las vacaciones de Navidad empezando el jueves 21 de diciembre después de la Misa de las 5:30 PM hasta después de la misa de

las 7:00 AM el martes 2 de enero.

Espero que tengan una feliz y bendita Navidad

ADORACIÓN DEL SANTÍSIMO

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

Viernes: 1:00 AM

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

UNA ORACIÓN A NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE

Madre misericordiosa, tú viniste a contarnos de tu compasión a través de San Juan Diego, a quien tu llamaste el más pequeño y el más querido de tus hijos. Dales tu fuerza y tu protección a todos aquellos que hoy viven en la pobreza, especialmente, a los jóvenes, a los ancianos y a los vulnerables Implora por ellos ante el Padre para que puedan sentir el Amor Divino en forma tangible en su vida diaria y que todo aquel que trabaja por la justica a favor de los pobres pueda crecer en fortaleza y humildad. De estas maneras manifiesta tu caridad y tu preocupación en nuestra vida, que el llanto de la humanidad sea escuchado y que todos nuestros sufrimientos, dolores e infortunios sean colmados con la sanación y el consuelo divino. Que siempre conozcamos la paz de estar acunados en tus brazos y que nos lleves sanos y salvos a casa de Jesús, tu Hijo.

Amén