ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Mass Schedule Mond /Lun Dec.,17 MASS 8:00 AM

Denise Clemons B-day Gn 49:2, 8-10 Mt 1:1-17

Tues/Mart. Dec.,18 MASS 8:00 AM

 Amanda Pyland Tesar Jer 23:5-8 Mt 1:18-25

Wed./Mierc Dec.,19 Mass 8:00 AM

 Amanda Pyland Tesar Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a Lk 1:5-25

Thurs/Juev Dec., 20 MASS 8:00AM

 Eustorgio Frias Is 7: 10-14 Lk 1: 26-38

Fri./Vier Dec.,21  Lualice & Pete Hoffman MASS 8:00AM Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3: 14-18/Lk St. Peter Canisulus, 1:39-45 Priest and Doctor of The Church. DECEMBER 23, 2018 FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Mi 5:1-4a Heb 10:5-10 KmlaLk 1:39-45 Sat./Sábado Dec. 22, MASS 4:00PM

 Charles Parr

Sun/Dom. 8:00AM

 Ava Guilbeau

10:30AM 1:00PM

Gerald Blain  Luis Fernando Cerda

Gary Green, Richard & Christopher Ramirez, Carolyn Nightingale, Monty Nichols, Jim Skipper, Howard Hoening, Gary Buttler, Rome Milan, Elaina Grace Kelly, Jan Nowicki, Juana Gonzalez, Jorge Hernandez, David Reyes, Tommy Edwards, Melissa Byrd, Laura Snider, Claire Keighley, Edward Cervantes, John Francis.

Today in our Liturgy we light the pink candle of the advent wreath and Priest wears the Pink vestments. The reason is that there is a feeling of happiness and joy because of the nearness of the Lord. Today is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete comes from Latin and it means rejoice. We rejoice today because the Lord is near. The first reading from Prophet Zephaniah expresses Joy because the Lord, the king of Israel is in our midst. The responsorial Psalm expresses gladness because the Holy One of Israel is among us. In the second reading St. Paul expresses it this way. “Rejoice in the Lord always” again I say “rejoice”. St. Paul does not say,” Rejoice when things go your way or rejoice when you are feeling good”, but he says,” Rejoice always”. We rejoice because Jesus is coming to bring us love, peace and joy. Jesus is coming to give us hope in despair, comfort in our sufferings, courage in our fears and helps us to discover the meaning of life. Henry Nouwen says, “God came to us because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our stories and help us to realize that we are not walking in circle but that we are walking towards the house of peace and joy”.

Offering Report 12/08 - 12/09 Regular Offertory Mass Saturday, 4 PM Sunday, 8 AM Sunday, 10:30 AM Sunday, 1:00 PM TOTAL Special Collections All Masses Building Fund Christmas Flowers Maintenance Holy Day Children's Collection Retired Religious 2nd collection TOTAL TOTAL

Collection $2,926 $3,395 $4,577 $1,007 $11,905

Attendance 258 222 611 450 1,541

$2,878 $136 $1,049 $2,739 $129 $4,159 $11,090 $22,995

As Stewards we seek to bring the peace of Christ to every aspect of our lives and each person we meet.

DECEMBER 16, 2018 – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE Children’s Mass at 4:00 P.M. Vigil Mass at 8:00 P.M. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY English Mass at 10:30 A.M. Spanish Mass at 1:00 P.M. PARISH OFFICE CLOSED DECEMBER 24 – JANUARY 1 December 24 - January 1 POSADA NAVIDEÑA Todos estan invitados a la POSADA NAVIDEÑA el Domingo 16 de Diciembre después de la Misa de la 1:00 pm se pide su apoyo con los dulces. Favor de entregar cuaquier donación a la oficina parroquial. Si tiene alguna pregunta, favor de comunicarse con Betty Quezada al 817-3536605.

DEL ESCRITORIO DEL PASTOR Hoy en nuestra liturgia encendemos la vela rosa de la guirnalda de Adviento y el sacerdote lleva las vestiduras rosas. La razón es que hay un sentimiento de felicidad y gozo debido a la cercanía del Señor. Hoy se conoce como domingo Gaudete. Gaudete viene del latín y significa regocijo. Nos regocijamos hoy porque el Señor está cerca. La primera lectura del Profeta Sofonías expresa gozo porque el Señor, el rey de Israel está en medio de nosotros. El Salmo repatrocinador expresa alegría porque el Santo de Israel está entre nosotros. En la segunda lectura, San Pablo lo expresa de esta manera. "Regocijaos en el Señor siempre" de nuevo digo "regocijaos". San Pablo no dice, "Alégrate cuando las cosas salgan a tu manera o alégrate cuando te sientas bien", pero él dice, "Alégrate siempre". Nos regocijamos porque Jesús viene a traernos amor, paz y gozo. Jesús viene a darnos esperanza en la desesperación, consuelo en nuestros sufrimientos, valor en nuestros miedos y nos ayuda a descubrir el significado de la vida. Henry Nouwen dice: "Dios vino a nosotros porque quería unirse a nosotros en el camino, escuchar nuestras historias y ayudarnos a darnos cuenta de que no estamos caminando en círculo sino que estamos caminando hacia la casa de la paz y la alegría".

Youth group meets every Wednesday 6:45-8pm in the parish hall. On December 12th we will visit CASA nursing home. On that day we will meet in the parish hall at 6:30pm and return by 8:45pm.

Advent Mission Living as a Disciple December 17, 18, & 19 from 6:00 - 7:00 P.M. in the Church Deacon Kevin Bagley has extensive proficiencies in leadership and pastoral ministry. He volunteered in parishes in various liturgical ministries, served on pastoral councils, and as a catechist; he has served in professional positions as Pastoral Associate, Director of Ministry, Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization, and Pastoral Life Director - all leading to a wealth of experience in pastoral settings. He has served in leadership and management positions in retail, government and not-for-profit organizations, always advancing the mission and objectives in a fair, objective, pastoral, and compassionate manner. Deacon Bagley’s education experience include: a degree in Education, a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from The Ecumenical Institute of Theology at Saint Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, and a Doctorate in Ministry from The Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C. Deacon Hector Salva will present it in Spanish at 7:30pm

We will be visiting CASA nursing home this Tuesday, December 18th. We will meet at the parish hall at 6:30pm and return at 8:45pm.

We will be having a youth group Christmas party on Wednesday, December 19th. We will meet at our regular time 6:45pm-8pm in the parish hall. Youth may bring a $5 gift for a white elephant gift exchange (optional).

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC CHURCH PILGRIMAGE 2019 Mark your Calendars – Pilgrimage 2019 St. Thomas the Apostle will be taking a pilgrimage to Fatima and Barcelona from Sunday, November 10—19, 2019. There will be space for up to 44 passengers. Base rates: Double $3099; Single $3449; Triple $3069. Deposit $500 per person is due upon reservation. If you are interested or more information, call Mike Costanza at 817-300-3445

TAX DEDUCTIBLE YEAR-END GIVING The requirements for tax deductible year-end giving as follows: •

“PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.06, PENAL CODE

(TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN) A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A CONCEALED HANDGUN. “PURSUANT TO SECTION 30.07, PENAL CODE (TRESPASS BY LICENSE HOLDER WITH AN OPENLY CARRIED HANDGUN), A PERSON LICENSED UNDER SUBCHAPTER H, CHAPTER 411, GOVERNMENT CODE (HANDGUN LICENSING LAW), MAY NOT ENTER THIS PROPERTY WITH A HANDGUN THAT IS CARRIED OPENLY. Spanish Notice CONFORME A LA SECCIÓN 30.06 DEL CÓDIGO PENAL (TRASPASAR PORTANDO ARMAS DE FUEGO) PERSONAS CON LICENCIA BAJO DEL SUBCAPITULO H, CAPITULO 411, CODIGO DE GOBIERNO (LEY DE PORTAR ARMAS), NO DEBEN ENTRAR A ESTA PROPIEDAD PORTANDO UN ARMA DE FUEGO. DE CONFORMIDAD CON LA SECCIÓN 30.07, DEL CÓDIGO PENAL (TRASPASO DE UNA PERSONA CON LICENCIA CON UNA ARMA DE FUEGO VISIBLE), UNA PERSONA CON LICENCIA BAJO EL SUBCAPÍTULO H, CAPÍTULO 411, DEL CÓDIGO DE GOBIERNO (LEY DE LICENCIAS DE ARMAS DE FUEGO), NO PODRÁ ENTRAR A ESTA PROPIEDAD CON UNA ARMA DE FUEGO QUE SEA LLEVADA VISIBLEMENTE.

• • •

In order to be credited as a donation in the 2018 tax year, checks must be dated and mailed with a postmark on or before Monday, December 31, 2018. Credit card gifts are effective on the date the card is charged. Electronic funds transfer is effective on the date of the transfer. Stocks transferred electronically are effective on the date of transfer.

REMEMBER OPTIONS FOR SUPPORTING

ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE CHURCH We will continue to talk about Stewardship and the importance of giving thanks for the blessings we receive every day. Let us be grateful, not ungrateful to God for all He has given us. Here are other ways to support St. Thomas the Apostle Are you 70-1/2 or older? Through an IRA Charitable Rollover, you can donate up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth Advancement Foundation – to support St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, a Catholic school, the Annual Diocesan Appeal or another ministry of the Diocese of Fort Worth – without having to pay income taxes on the money. Ask your broker to make the check payable directly to the Advancement Foundation and include a note about how it should be credited. Or, download the form available at https://www.advancementfoundation.org/my-giving. For more information contact Beverly Oberdorf at [email protected] or call 817-624-2186, ext. 107.

CLASES DE PLANIFICACION NATURAL

La siguiente serie de clases del Método Sinto-termico de Planificacion Natural de la Familia? Tomaran lugar las proximas fechas en Lugar: St Bartholomew Catholic Church 3601 Altamesa Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76133 Clase #1: Sabado 01/05/19 Clase #2: Sabado 01/26/19 Clase #3 Sabado 02/16/19 Hora: 1:00-4:00 pm Costo: $55.00 (incluye libro, gráficas y termometro basal)

BUILDING YOUR LEGACY

As we enter into the final months of 2018 it’s important to set aside some time to reflect and make preparations for the future. This can include making plans for how to build your legacy. Remembering St. Thomas the Apostle in your will, is another avenue to living a grateful life. Remember make stewardship YOUR way of life.

DECEMBER 16, 2018 – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

January. 5-6 The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the Three Magi bringing gifts to the newborn King. Give the gift of a beautiful romantic weekend that will do wonders for your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Weekends are January 25-27 and April 12-14, 2019. Dates fill fast. To apply, visit our website at http://www.dfwme.org/apply. For more information e-mail [email protected] or call 469-444-0904. Para mas informacion de Encuentro Matrimonial en Español, escribe a [email protected] o visite http://wwww.emmseccion21.org/

In an effort to keep our files updated, we are asking all Registered parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle, to call the parish office if: ✓ You have recently moved and have a different address ✓ Changed your phone number, ✓ Have recently registered with the church and have not received your offertory envelopes. ✓ We encourage all new parishioners to register in the parish. Those moving out of the parish are asked to notify the office.

There has been a change on the date for the Classes for preparation for baptism. The next session for preparation for baptism has been change to Thursday, February 7, at 6:30pm. Registrations for this class will begin the first week of January 2019. Ha habido un cambio en la fecha de las clases para la preparación para el bautismo. La próxima sesión de preparación para el bautismo ha cambiado a Jueves, 7 de febrero, a las 6:30pm. Las inscripciones para esta clase comenzarán la primera semana de enero del 2019

F

amilies with children are very welcome to sit anywhere in the church. The chapel is available as a cry room if you prefer.

Parents, Help Keep your Children Safe! Please escort your children to and from the restroom. Unescorted boys and girls are more “at risk” when away from their parents’ supervision. All of us, working together, will help keep our children safe.

Easy. Convenient. Safe.

En un esfuerzo por mantener nuestros archivos actualizados, estamos pidiendo a todos Feligreses registrados en la Iglesia de Santo Tomás el Apóstol, para llamar a la oficina parroquial si: ➢ Usted se ha mudado recientemente y tiene una dirección diferente ➢ Cambio su número de teléfono, ➢ Se han registrado recientemente en la iglesia y no han recibido sus sobres de ofertorio. ➢ Animamos a todos los nuevos feligreses a registrarse en la parroquia. Se pide a las familias que se dan de baja en la parroquia, notificar a la oficina.

Tamale pickup December 15 & 16 in the Parish Hall

“Beyond the Frontiers of Faith” is for sale in the parish office for just $40.

Religious Education, Confirmation, and RCIC are on break December 23- January 7, classes resume January 13.

Need help getting started? We can make it easier for you! Have you ever arrived at Mass and realized that you forgot your giving envelope? If so, then you should be using online giving! Interested in setting up for online giving? Call the parish office at 817-624-2184. SIGN UP TODAY! WWW.STTAFW.ORG