Saint Dominic Catholic Community
Transcription
Saint Dominic Catholic Community
St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 Saint Dominic Catholic Community Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Archbishop: Most Rev. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo God’s Call to Build: Our Bridge To The Future Dios Nos ha Llamado a Construir: Nuestro Puente Hacia El Futuro Pastoral Staff Pastor: Rev. Roger Estorque frroger@comcast.net Deacon: Rev. Mr. Phil Wiles Sr. Olga Rivera, DJ DRE Sr. Lupita Romo, DJ Bookkeeper: Duc Manh Ho Office Manager: Irma Galvan igalvan@comcast.net Office Assistant: Eliseida Pineda Maria Ramos Claudia Ramirez - Evenings Ivonne Soto -Sunday Housekeeping Estela Sandoval Gabriela Ramos Pastoral Council Members Chairman - Juan Hernandez Vice Chairperson - Jocelyn Vera Secretary - Juanita Hernandez Beatriz Lopez, Rosana Gonzalez, Valentin Cobos, Rosario Rodriguez Salvador & Maria Manzo Finance Council Members Hector Hernandez, Albert Allala Deacon Phil Wiles, Miguel Leyva Osvaldo Segura Church Office Hours Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Religious Education From the first week of September through the last week of May CCE Office Hours Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday & Friday 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Saturday 4:00 –8:00 Sunday 9:00-3:30 Worship Schedule Weekend Masses: 8215 Reservoir Street, Houston, TX 77049-1728 281-458-2910 281-458-5703 Fax: 281-458- 7114 www.stdominichouston.org Saturday, English 8:15 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Sunday, English 8:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Español 9:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. English Wednesday 7:00 pm English Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer: Sunday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. Evening Prayer: Wednesday 6:30 p.m. & Saturday 5:30 p.m. Devotions: Rosary of the Virgin Mary: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 8:30 a.m. Saturday 8:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting: Spanish - Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Novena to the Sacred Heart: During the Friday morning Holy Mass Novena to the Miraculous Medal: After Wednesday evening Holy Mass Eucharistic Adoration: Weekly Holy Hour: Thursday 8:30 -9:30 a.m. First Friday -9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Reconciliation Sacrament: Wednesday 6:00 - 6:45 pm Saturday-5:00-5:45 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism Parents & Sponsors please register one week in advance. English Baptism Class: Firsts & Second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. English Baptism Celebration: Third Saturday of the month at 9:00 a.m. Clase Pre Bautismal: Primer y Segundo Martes del mes a las 7:00 p.m. Bautismos Español: Segundo Sábado del mes al las 9:00 a.m. Sacrament of Marriage – Quinceañera Celebrations Call the Parish office 6 months in advance to schedule appointment with priest. Sacrament of the anointing of the sick Please call the parish office to make arrangements for communion to be brought to your home or to the hospital. Parish Registration If you are new to the parish, please register at the office. We, the parish community of St. Dominic, Houston, TX, a multi-cultured community, joined together by faith in Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church, commit ourselves to help each other grow in the understanding of our faith, celebrate this faith in Liturgy and live it out by using the gifts of each person in the service of others, especially those in need, so that in the end, we may become truly a community of faith: truly the people of God and be of service to all! Monday –Friday 8:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m. St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 PLEASE LET US KNOW… If you or a loved one are hospitalized and would like to be added to the prayer list, have a visit, homebound, and receive Holy Communion or the Sacrament of Anointing. Call the Parish office @ 281-458-2910 Harry Sonnier Laura Sonnier Ernestine Alsene Manuel Herrera Dot Neiderhofer Eileen Surovec Bobbie Anderson Georgia Malonson Glice Ligason Lily Rose Thomas Pauline Sanchez Frances Gouge Maria San Juan Reynaldo Taupo Harold DesVignes Dorthy Duhe Irene Richard Mervin Auzenne Eva Owens Joe Lozoya Eduardo Castillo Bob Rodriguez Marie Lewis Clarence Jenkins Albert Allala Eola Corbello Rosario Delin Sinlao J.W. Pollock Lynn Doane Erica Taylor Diocelina Gaviria Juliet Tan MINISTRIES&ORGANIZATIONSLeaders&Time Altar Servers: Jesus Velasquez, & Hna. Lupita Romo, DJ 3rd Saturday 9:00 am. (English & Spanish) E. M. of Holy Communion:- Albert Allala - 713-301-4566 1st Sunday Cry Room after each mass E. M. de Eucaristia: Sr. Lupita Romo 2nd Monday 7:00 pm Lectors English: Albert Allala 2nd Sunday after each mass Lectores Spanish: Reyna Mendez Liturgy English Music: Melner Calvo, Sundays 5 :00 pm Liturgia Musica Espanol: Valentin Cobos, Jesus Puente, Elias Tello Ushers/Greeters English : Dee Gonzalez Acomodadores Español: Miguel Rodriguez Offertory Collection Counters: Gloria Casey Parish Pastoral Council– Juan Hernandez, 1st. Monday 7:00 pm Parish Finance Council: Hector Hernandez quarterly & as necessary Baptismal classes- English Melner Calvo, Alex Bozon, Michael Cubacub Clases Pre -Bautismales Español Lauro y Veronica Leal, Rogelio y Reyna Mendez , Valentin y Araceli Cobos Catholic Daughters Juanita Hernandez, 3rd Thursday 6:30 pm Family Ministry/Couples for Christ - Albert Allala Knights of Columbus: Raymund Helfrich, 1st. Sunday 9: 30 am Legion of Mary– Rosana Gonzalez, Saturday 9:00 a.m. English Legion de Maria –Rosana Gonzalez Martes 7:00 p.m. Español Facilities Maintenance Daron Monteilh & Clarence Jenkins Asamblea De Oración, Froylan y Gaby Andrade Jueves 7:00 pm MFCC St. Dominic: Osvaldo y Nancy Segura Parish Youth Ministry: Deandria Gonzalez Thursday 7:00 pm Clase Pre-Nupcial : Luis y Silvia Cervantes Pre-Nuptial Class: English Melner Calvo, Clem Monta, Alex Bozon Eucharistic ADORATION 1st Friday Holy Hour for Vocations: on Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. Next Full Day Adoration : January 1, 2016 8:30am–9:00 p.m. Jesus asks us, “Can you not spend an hour with me?” For further information, call Mrs. Gloria Casey @ 713-453-4968 Pre -Baptismal Registration Must register in the parish office, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am –3:30 pm a week prior to the class. Bring child’s birth certificate; required to register Sponsors if married must be married by the Catholic Church and marriage certificate required. If single they must be at least 16, and bring copy of their Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation Parents and godparents must attend two pre-baptismal classes held 1st & 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 - 9:30 pm. Donation for class is $50.00 Baptism celebration 3rd Saturday of the month at 9:00 am Child being baptized can not be older than 7 yrs. Old. Children 7 years and older must be prepared through the parish Catechism Program. (Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston ) ************** Información Pre- Bautismal - Pase a la oficina parroquial Lunes –Viernes, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm una semana antes de la clase. Es requerido presentar la acta de nacimiento del niño/a quien van a bautizar. Padrinos Si están casados deben estar casados por la iglesia Católica es requerido presentar la acta de matrimonio. Si son solteros deben tener por lo menos 16 años y presentar su acta de Bautizo, Primera Comunión y Confirmación. Papas y Padrinos tienen que asistir a dos pláticas pre-bautismales el primer y segundo martes del mes de 7:00-9:30 pm. Donación para la platica: $50.00 Bautismos el segundo Sábado del mes a las 9:00 am Niños sin bautizar no deben ser mayores de 7 anos de edad. Niños deben recibir catecismo en el programa de la parroquia. (Guías de Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston) PresentacióndeTresAños Cuarto domingo del mes durante la misa de 1:00 p.m. Pasa a la oficina y presente acta de bautismo para registrase Sacrament of Marriage: Register at least 6 months in advance; drop by the office and fill out form and be ready to meet the pastor; Pick up wedding information check-list. Quinceañera Celebrations: The family must be registered in the parish for a period of three (3) months prior to the date of the first preparation session. The candidate should register for her/his Quince Años ceremony on or before her/his 14th birthday . The candidate must have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and must have received First Eucharist prior to the time of the ceremony. If the honoree has not received the Sacrament of Communion, she/he should be enrolled to prepare to receive the sacrament before the Quince Años ceremony. The candidate must attend and complete preparation sessions with the coordinator and must join our parish youth program. Pick up Quinceañera information check-list. St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 Dear Friends in St. Dominic. Queridos amigos en San Dominic, St John the Baptist's Message Inspires Lasting Joy. Once again, as happens so frequently during Advent, St John the Baptist takes center stage. Often, in paintings and movies, for example, John the Baptist is depicted as an ill-tempered, fire-and-brimstone preacher who scared people into repentance. There is something wrong with that picture. First, such a conception fails to explain how he was able to attract such huge crowds and win over so many hearts. And second, it misses the main point of his message: that salvation is at hand! That message is just the opposite of dark, ominous, and foreboding. In fact, when we truly understand and accept it, it is the source of a deeper joy than any other we can experience in this life. And that is the whole point of this 3rd Sunday’s celebration. El mensaje de San Juan Bautista inspira alegría duradera. Una vez más, como sucede con tanta frecuencia durante el Adviento, San Juan Bautista ocupa un lugar central. A menudo, en las pinturas y películas, por ejemplo, Juan Bautista es representado como un mal genio, predicador de fuego y azufre, que asustó a la gente al arrepentimiento. Hay algo mal con esa imagen. En primer lugar, tal concepción no explica cómo fue capaz de atraer a esas grandes multitudes y ganar tantos corazones. Y en segundo lugar, se pierde el punto principal de su mensaje: que la salvación está a la mano! Ese mensaje es justo lo contrario de oscuro, siniestro, y aprensión. De hecho, cuando realmente entendemos y aceptamos, que es la fuente de una alegría profunda que cualquier otra que podemos experimentar en esta vida. Y ese es el punto central de esta tercera Celebración del domingo. The Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of rejoicing. That is why this Sunday’s readings mention the word “joy” twelve times. Jesus did not come to intimidate and oppress us; he came to save us. Salvation, friendship with God, the fullness and security of living in communion with our Creator and Redeemer, of being “gathered into the barns” of his eternal and sublime Kingdom… This is the message of Christmas, the message we have been thinking about during these weeks of Advent. In the Second Reading, St Paul actually commands us to “rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS.” And just in case we thought he was exaggerating, in the very next sentence he says, “I say it again, rejoice!” We can only rejoice “always” if our joy is based on something that goes deeper than the passing pleasures of this world. What is that deeper thing? Salvation; friendship with God; something that never ends, and something no one can take away from us. That is the source of a Christian’s joy, and that is the gift Jesus brings us. Like Lent, Advent is a penitential season, so the priest normally wears purple vestments. But on Gaudete Sunday, having passed the midpoint of Advent, the Church lightens the mood a little, and the priest may wear rose vestments. The change in color provides us with encouragement to continue our spiritual preparation—especially prayer and fasting—for Christmas. For this same reason, the third candle of the Advent wreath, first lit on Gaudete Sunday, is traditionally rose-colored. Sincerely yours in Christ Rev. Roger Estorque El tercer domingo de Adviento es domingo Gaudete , el domingo de regocijo. Es por ello que las lecturas de este domingo mencionan la palabra "alegría" doce veces. Jesús no vino para intimidar y nos oprimen; que vino a salvarnos. La salvación, la amistad con Dios, plenitud y la seguridad de la vida en comunión con nuestro Creador y Redentor, de ser "recogidas en los graneros" de su eterno y sublime Unido ... Este es el mensaje de la Navidad, el mensaje que hemos estado pensando durante estas semanas de Adviento. En la segunda lectura, San Pablo en realidad nos manda a "regocijarse en el Señor siempre." Y en caso de que se creía exagerando, en la siguiente frase que dice: "Lo digo de nuevo, regocijamos! "Sólo podemos alegrarnos" siempre "si nuestra alegría se basa en algo que va más allá de los placeres temporales de este mundo. ¿Qué es esa cosa más profunda? Salvación; amistad con Dios; algo que nunca termina, y es algo que nadie puede quitarnos. Esa es la fuente de la alegría del cristiano, y que es el don que Jesús nos trae. Al igual que la Cuaresma, el Adviento es un tiempo de penitencia, por lo que el sacerdote normalmente lleva vestiduras moradas. Pero en domingo Gaudete, habiendo pasado el punto medio del Adviento, la Iglesia aclara el estado de ánimo un poco, y el sacerdote puede usar vestimentas de rosa. El cambio en el color nos da aliento para continuar nuestra preparación, sobre todo espiritual oración y el ayuno, para Navidad. Por esta misma razón, la tercera vela de la corona de Adviento, primero encendida en domingo Gaudete, es tradicionalmente de color de rosa. Atentamente suyo en Cristo Rev. Roger Estorque St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 Saturday 8:00 am 6:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am 9:30 am December 12th † All Souls/Difuntos † All Souls/Difuntos December 13th † Laura Spence/Rita Brady † Bertha Castillo/Familia Valles † Bebe Angelito Valles/Familia Valles 1l:15 am † All Souls/Difuntos 1:00 pm † Francisco Cazares/Sus Hijos † Eutimia Garcia/Sus Hijos Monday December 14th St. John of the Cross 8:00 am † All Souls/Difuntos 7:00 pm Advent Penance Service/Confesiones de Adviento Tuesday December 15th 8:00 am † All Souls Wednesday December 16th 5:00 am Misa De Gallo 6:00 pm Posada - Pre-Confirmation & Confirmation 7:00 pm † All Souls/Difuntos Thursday December 17th 5:00 am Misa De Gallo 8:00 am † All Souls/Difuntos 6:00 pm Posada-Asamblea,KC’s Catholic Daughters 7:00 pm Pastorella Musical Friday December 18th 5:00 am Misa De Gallo 8:00 am † Elsie Valk/Neal Valk 6:00 pm Posada - OEC 10 Comunión, Monaguillos Saturday December 19th 5:00 am Misa De Gallo 8:00 am NO MORNING MASS 6:00 pm 15th Birthday Daymar Campos/Campos Family Posadas - OEC English 1st Communion Yearly Budget Weekly to meet budget 12/6/2015 Collection Building Fund $347,750.00 $ 6,687.50 $ 7,255.71 $ 1,130.43 Goal $33,000.00 Total Pledged Total Paid Total Families Pledge over Paid Under $33,814.00 $29,449.00 303 $ 814.00 ($ 3,551.500) Monday December 14th 7:00 pm Advent Penance Service/Confesiones de Adviento Tuesday December 15th 5:30 pm 6:45 pm 7:00 pm Wednesday 6:45 pm 7:00 pm Thursday 5:30 pm Friday 5:30 pm Saturday 9:00 am 4:30 pm Sunday 9:45 am 11:30 am Coro Angeles de Dios/Mr. Tello OEC 6TH, 7TH & 8TH Grade Coro Voces de Jubilo/ Mr. Puente December 16th OEC Pre-Confirmation & Confirmation Formación de Servidores December 17th Coro Angeles De Dios/ Mr. Tello December 18th Last OEC class-Holiday NO OEC 1er Comunión Español December 19th Legion of Mary English NO OEC 1st Communion - English December 20th NO OEC English Regular Class PK-5th NO OEC Clase Español Regular PK- 50 GOD’S CALL TO BUILD: OUR BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE DIOS NOS HA LLAMADO A CONSTRUIR: NUESTRO PUENTE HACIA EL FUTURO Pledged $197,827.64 Received to date $ 22,118.77 Need $175,708.87 92 Participating Families READINGS FOR THE WEEK/LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Monday: Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc-9; December 14th Gospel: Mt 21:23-27 Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23; December 15th Gospel: Mt 21:28-32 Wednesday: Is 45:6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9-14; December 16th Gospel: Lk 7:18b-23 Thursday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; December 17th Gospel: Mt 1:1-17 Friday: Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; December 18th Gospel: Mt 1:18-25 Saturday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; December 19th Gospel: Lk 1:5-25 St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX Third Sunday of Advent With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation. — Isaiah 12:3 TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Shout for joy! Sing joyfully! Be glad and exult! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior (Zephaniah 3:14-18a). Psalm — Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 12). Second Reading — Rejoice! The Lord is near. Make your requests known to God (Philippians 4:4-7). Gospel — John tells his hearers to share their possessions with the needy; be honest; do not threaten or accuse others falsely (Luke 3:10-18). LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — ¡Canta! ¡Da gritos de júbilo! ¡Gózate y regocíjate! El Señor tu Dios está entre ustedes y es un poderoso salvador (Sofonías 3:14-18a). Salmo — El Señor es mi Dios y salvador (Isaías 12). Segunda lectura — ¡Alégrense! El Señor está cerca. Presenten sus peticiones a Dios (Filipenses 4:4-7). Evangelio—Juan dice a sus oyentes que compartan sus posesiones con los necesitados; que sean honrados; que no amenacen ni acusen a otros injustamente (Lucas 3:10-18). ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS! Come and join hundreds of young adults ages 18-35 years old celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy at the Archdiocesan Young Adult Day. “The Door of Mercy: Blessed be the Merciful” on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 8:30a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Workshops, fun, music, prayer and Eucharist. Get inspired by international, national and local speakers who are living the works of mercy. Presented in English and Spanish. Closing Mass with Bishop George Sheltz. Location: St. Pius X High school 811 W. Donovan Street, Houston, TX 77091. Early Bird $25 by January 31 or $35 after February 1t. Group Discounts available. Register online www.archgh.org/yacm For more information, call 713-741-8778. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 Tercer Domingo de Adviento Sacarán agua con gozo de la fuente de salvación. — Isaías 12:3 ORACIÓN PARA EL ADVIENTO Que el Dios de paz nos haga totalmente santos. Que conserve nuestro espíritu sin mancha, cuerpo y alma, hasta la llegada de nuestro Señor, Jesucristo. El que nos invita es siempre fiel —Dios nuestro Padre. Vivamos en esperanza gozosa de la revelación de la gloria de nuestro Dios y Salvador, Jesucristo. Que sea glorificado por siempre. Ven Señor Jesús. Que tu gracia esté en todos nosotros. AN ADVENT PRAYER May the God of peace make us completely holy. May God keep us blameless in spirit, soul and body for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Forever faithful is the One who calls us—God our Father! Expectant, let us live in joyful hope for the revelation of the glory of our God and Savior, Christ Jesus! To him be glory forever! Come, Lord Jesus! Your grace be with us all. ATTENCION JOVENES ADULTOS! Ven y acompaña a cientos de jóvenes adultos de 18 a 35 años de edad a celebrar el Jubileo de la Misericordia en el día Arquidiocesano de Jóvenes Adultos. “La Puerta de la Misericordia: Bienaventurados los Misericordiosos” Sábado 27 de Febrero, 2016 de 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Inspírate con presentadores internacionales, nacionales y locales que ponen en práctica las obras de misericordia. Talleres, diversión, música, oración y Eucaristía. Presentado en Inglés y Español. Misa de clausura con el Obispo Sheltz. Lugar: St. Pius X High school 811 W. Donovan Street, Houston, TX 77091. $25 antes del 31 de Enero o $35 después del 1 de Febrero. Descuentos para grupos. Inscripciones en línea www.archgh.org/yacm Information 713-741-8778. St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX 12 Day Shrines of Italy Pilgrimage June 13-24, 2016 Venice-Padua-Bologna (Tomb of St. Dominic, our Patron)-Florence- Siena & Assisi-San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio) Rome (Papal Audience) $3,690. Per Person From Houston Includes Roundtrip Air Transportation , First Class Hotels, Double Occupancy, 2 meals a Day, Breakfast & Dinner, Daily Sightseeing, Daily Mass. For details: Please contact IRMA GALVAN 281-458-2910 during office hours. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 INTENCIONES DE MISAS Favor de pasar al la oficina por lo menos un semana antes de fecha de intención. No le de su intención a ultima hora al lector. El nombre de intención debe aparecer en el boletín. El boletín es enviado a impresa en lunes para edición del próximo domingo. La donación por intención son $10.00 MASS INTENTIONS Please come by the office at least a week prior to date that you want intention mentioned. Please do not give name to lector last minute before intentions are mentioned. Names will appear in the bulletin. Bulletin is sent to press on Monday of the week before Sunday edition. Donation per intention is $10.00 LA ASAMBLEA DE ORACIÓN Se reúne cada Jueves a las 7:00 pm en la iglesia. Venga a las alabanzas y charlas de diferentes predicadores Have you picked up your copy of the Parish Directory? If you took your family portrait you are entitled to a free copy of the directory. Please stop by the office today! If you did not take your family portrait you can also pick up a copy of the directory for a donation of $5.00. Ya levanto su directorio de la parroquia? Si usted se tomo la fotografía con su familia usted debe recibir su directorio gratis. Pase a la oficina y recoja su copia hoy! Si usted no se tomo la foto con su familia usted también puede obtener su copia del directorio con una donación de $5.00 por libro. STRENGTH AND COURAGE Prayer infuses the weak with strength and the fainthearted with courage. FORTALEZA Y VALOR La oración infunde fuerza al débil y valor al temeroso Farmers Insurance 13111 W lake Houston Pkwy Houston, TX 77044 832-230-3509 WWW.farmersagent.com/gsanchez3 St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX CELEBRATE This Sunday, God rejoices and sings because of us. We read in Zephaniah today that God “will sing joyfully because of you, / as one sings at festivals” (Zephaniah 3:18). We know plenty about singing at festivals. Already our ears are ringing with the songs and carols that anticipate the Christmas season. Paul reminds us of the source of our own double rejoicing: God is the mighty savior who is in our midst (in Zephaniah’s words). Because this is so, says Paul, we can rejoice and be at ease. We don’t have to worry, for God’s peace will stand guard over our hearts and minds. A medieval carol depicts Christmas as “my dancing day” and urges us to enter into the dance. Why all the merrymaking? Because “the Lord is near,” as Paul reminds us (Philippians 4:5). He then points to another reason for the dancing: the dawn of the promise of peace, the peace beyond all understanding, that is now within our grasp. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015 CELEBRA Este domingo, Dios canta y se regocija por nosotros. Leemos hoy en Sofonías que Dios “se llenará de júbilo por tu causa, como en los días de fiesta” (Sofonías 3:18). Sabemos mucho de cantar en festivales. Ya nuestros oídos resuenan con los cantos y villancicos que anticipan la época navideña. Pablo nos recuerda la fuente de este doble regocijo: Dios, tu poderoso salvador, está en medio de ti (en palabras de Sofonías). Por ser así, nos dice Pablo, podemos alegrarnos y estar en paz. No tenemos que inquietarnos, porque la paz de Dios custodiará nuestros corazones y pensamientos. Un villancico antiguo representa la Navidad como “el día de mi baile” y nos urge a tomar parte en el baile. ¿Por qué todo el regocijo? Porque “el Señor está cerca” nos recuerda Pablo (Filipenses 4:5). Entonces apunta a la otra razón para el baile: el amanecer de la promesa de paz, la paz que sobrepasa toda inteligencia, y que ya está al alcance de la mano. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This week, our celebration of Advent makes a transition in ritual and texts. Beginning December 18, the countdown of nine days (a novena) to Christmas sees a heightened sense of expectation, and also a turning from the call of the Baptist in the wilderness to the events leading up to Jesus’ birth. In ancient Spain, December 18 was once celebrated as the “Feast of the Expectancy,” and customs grew up to heighten readiness in the homes. Some customs arise from monastic life and practice and spill over into our parish life. Beginning tonight, those who pray Vespers will sing in the opening phrase a beautiful title of Christ. These titles belong to a collection of opening phrases called the “O Antiphons” after the awe-inspired “O” sung on the first note. There’s a playful code in the titles: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Flower of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dawn, O Ruler, O Emmanuel. When you take their Latin names— Sapientia, Adonai, Radix, and so on—the titles form an acrostic when you read them backwards: “ERO CRAS.” In Latin, that is translated as “I will be there tomorrow!” It’s as if Christ were answering the prayers of the waiting people in the words of the prayers themselves. TRADICIONES DE NUESTRA FE Los cristianos latinos tenemos unos cinco siglos en nuestra trayectoria de fe y como todo cristiano aguardamos la segunda venida del Mesías, Jesús. Nuestra espera forma parte de dos milenios de cristianos que buscan verlo llegar en las nubes. Desde el siglo VII la oración oficial de la Iglesia clama el retorno de Cristo con las exclamaciones llamadas las “Antífonas Oh”. Estas llaman a Jesús pidiéndole que venga bajo los títulos de Emmanuel, Sabiduría celestial, Señor de gran poder, Vara de Isaí, Llave de David, Alba de la luz, y Deseo y Rey de gentes, y algunos más. Estos refranes se usan aún todavía hoy durante los días 17 al 23 de diciembre, y unidas en un acróstico latino forman las palabras ero cras (estaré mañana), como respuesta a la petición cristiana. Eventualmente en el siglo X o XI estas antífonas fueron unidas en el canto gregoriano Veni, veni Emmanuel (Oh ven, oh ven Emmanuel). Este Adviento mientras cantamos las antiguas antífonas hay que preguntarnos si de veras estamos listos para el regreso del Hijo del Hombre que viene para juzgar a vivos y muertos. St. Dominic Catholic Church Houston, TX CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Dominic Catholic Community #197225 8215 Reservoir Houston, TX 770049 PHONE 281-458-2910 CONTACT PERSON Irma Galvan Email Address igalvan@comcast.net SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2010 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 7 PRINTER Savin C9025 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday 10:00 am SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 13, 2015 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT December 13, 2015