MASS SCHEDULE Saturday (Sunday Liturgy)………………..6:00 p.m. Sunday 7:30 (EN), 10:30 (EN) & 12noon (EN) 9:00 (SP) Daily Mass…………………………………. 8:30 a.m. Mon & Wed & Fri (EN) and Tue & Thu (SP)

CONFESSIONS Monday thru Friday……………….by appointment Thursday……………………………….6:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday………………………………..5:00-5:50 p.m.

WEEKLY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Thursday……………………………….3:00-7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (Adoration Chapel) 8:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.

CLERGY

Rev. José R. Peréz-Martínez, JCD, Pastor

Rev. Alfredo Basualdo, In Res.

DEACONS

Adam Garza Nestor Huizar Charles Pope

PARISH STAFF

Alice Ortiz Assistant to the Pastor

Dina Ruiz Pastoral Administrator

Charlotte Keller Financial Administrator

Yolanda Gutierrez Parish Bookkeeper

Griselda Picaso Communications & Bulletin Editor

Mary Zavala

Director of Religious Education

Faith Zavala Youth Director

Rafael Torres Hall Manager

Ignacio Rabago Campus Maintenance Supervisor

Linda Ramos Gift Shop Coordinator

TELEPHONE NUMBERS Parish Of ice

Of ice: 210.924.4401 Fax: 210.924.4075

Religious Education Of ice: 210.924.6470

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Of ice closed for lunch from

12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

236 E. PETALUMA BLVD • SAN ANTONIO, TX 78221

210.924.4401 • Email: stlawrpastoral7@hotmail.com Website: www.stlawrencesa.org

— Isaías 11:9

Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2019

Mass Intentions for the Weekend

Sat., December 7, 2019

6:00 pm Xavier Alejos† Almendarez Family† Naun Delgado† Irma Guerra† Abel Ray Huizar† Delilah Jeter (Health) Candi Ortiz† Emilio Ortiz† James McDaniel† Dn. Ricardo Medina† Rosalinda Mireles† David Ramos† Juan Ramos†

Sun., December 8, 2019

7:30am Raul De La Garza† Raymond Kotzur† Felix Salas† Maria Vidaurri†

9:00am Ruben Flores† Carlos Dominguez† Jesus Dominguez† Alicia Schmitter† Maria Elena Terrazas† Gilberto R. Vasquez† Soledad Zavala†

10:30am Darren Dominguez† Katherine Fernandez Health Bianca Herrera (SI) Delilah Jetter (Health) Carrie Villarreal† Everardo Villarreal†

12:00pm Lillie Anaya† Francisco Anaya† Eloise Zaragoza†

< Eucharistic Adoration-Thursday, 3pm-7pm in the Church

and Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm in the Chapel. My Lord Jesus Christ, who for the love you bear us, remain night and day in this Sacrament, f ll of compas‐

sion and of love, awaiting, calling and welcoming all who come to visit you. I believe that you are present in the Sacrament of the Altar. I adore you om the abyss of my nothing‐

ness and I thank you for all the g aces you have given me until now, and in par icular, for having given me your Most Holy Mother Mar as my advocate and for having called me to visit you in this church.

Adoración Eucarística- jueves de 3pm-7pm en la Iglesia

y de Lunes a Viernes de 8am-5pm en la Capilla.

“Repent,” John the Baptist cried out, “the king-dom of heaven is at hand.” He told the people of Judea that to prove their sincerity, they should produce good fruit. We should heed his call. To prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming, we can begin with an examination of conscience. Let us see when and how we have failed to produce good fruit and commit to bearing good fruit in the future.

Isaiah pairs a lot of incompatible animals in his vision of the future kingdom, from wolves with lambs to cows with bears, culminating with the child and the snake. The idyllic setting recalls Eden before the fall of humanity. It is doubtful that Isaiah expected that a future Son of David could actually bring about such a world, but it was an imaginative ideal of perfect harmony. Note that Isaiah did not imagine that all creatures would get along because they became alike; rather, they became unaggressive in order to coexist. The lion now eats hay rather than other animals. The cobra no longer needs to guard its den with poison. All are able to live together harmoniously.

Paul echoes this thought when hoping that the Romans will “think in harmony with one anoth-er” (Romans 15:5). He draws people to the church from all backgrounds, from all cultures, and from all nations, so he does not expect that they all think alike or behave the same way. But he prays that all may think, act, and work in har-mony so that they all may be one in Jesus. Many backgrounds, one accord. Many languages, one voice. John the Baptist does not invoke idyllic scenes when speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees, instead accusing them of insincerity and presumption. He called them to repentance, demanding that they “produce good fruit as evidence” (Matthew 3:8). This would be a good lesson for all of us. Repentance means nothing if we do nothing. We are called to bear fruit—in our, our communities, and our world—to bring about the kingdom John so eagerly anticipates.

"The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is the light." -

Revelation 21:23

Is lit for the restored health of Annette Garcia from December 8, 2019 through December 14, 2019

“Conviértanse, porque ya está cerca el Reino de los cielos”, clama Juan el Bau-tista. Le dijo a la gente de Judea que para probar su sinceridad tenían que producir buenos frutos. Nosotros deberíamos to-mar en serio esa exhortación. A fin de prepararnos para la venida de Jesús pode-mos comenzar por un examen de con-ciencia, para ver cuándo y cómo hemos dejado de producir buenos frutos y com-

prometernos a dar buen fruto en el futuro. Isaías empareja a un buen número de animales en su visión del Reino futuro; desde los lobos con los corderos hasta las vacas con las osas y, para culminar, el niño con la víbora. Este marco idílico nos recuerda el paraíso antes del pecado de la humanidad. Resulta dudoso que Isaías esperara que el futuro Hijo de David pudiera producer esa clase de mundo, pero era un ideal imaginativo de la armonía perfecta. Fijémonos que Isaías no imaginaba que todas las creaturas se llevarían bien porque eran iguales, sino que se volvieron dóciles para poder coexistir. El león ahora come heno en vez de comerse a otros animales. La víbora ya no necesita proteger su nido con veneno. Todos pueden vivir juntos y armoniosamente. Pablo se hace eco de ese ideal, pues espera que los romanos vivan “en perfecta armonía unos con otros” (romanos 15, 5). Él invita a la Iglesia a personas de diferente origen, de todas las

culturas y de todas las naciones, por tanto no espera que todas piensen igual ni se comporten de la misma manera. Pero sí reza por ellas para que piensen, ac-túen y trabajen en armonía a fin de que sean uno en todos Jesús. Muchos orígenes, una voluntad. Muchas lenguas, una voz.

Juan el Bautista no invoca escenas idílicas cuando se dirige a los fariseos y a los saduceos, sino que los acusa de insinceridad y presunción. Los llama a una con-versión y demanda que la “hagan ver con obras” (Mateo 3, 8). Ésta es una bue-na lección para todos nosotros. La conversión no significa nada si no hacemos nada. Somos llamados a dar frutos tanto en nuestro centro de trabajo, como en nuestra comunidad y en nuestro mundo, y así pueda realizarse el Reino que Juan tan ansiosamente vislumbra.

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Adriana Chavez Gilbert G. Chavez Gilberto R. Chavez

Lorraine Diaz Melba Delagarza De Leon family

Robert Dromgoole Anne e Garcia

Dn. Arturo Garcia Cynthia Gonzalez

Julia Herrera Gloria Izaguirre Jesus Izaguirre

David Keller Gloria Lambaria

Janeth Lopez Carlos Manzanares Valen n Mar nez

Ruben McRae Leonard Morales Manuel Palacios

Clarisa Peña Deacon Charles Pope

Stella Pope Luis Torres

Jessica Rose Tristan Linda Vargas

Edmundo Zaragoza

Our 2020 Weekly Offering Envelopes will now be provided by Our Sunday Visitor; parishioners will now receive periodic mailing of envelopes during the coming year. The benefits to the periodic mailing are that we will be able to get new and all parishioners offering envelopes right away. The first mail out will start on December 16th through the 20th, 2019 for January 2020. We will no longer be giving out envelopes in the foyer or at the parish office as in past years. If you want to receive offering envelopes, please inform the parish office so you can start receiving the envelopes immediately. If your family information needs to be corrected, changed, updated and/or if you no longer want to receive the weekly envelopes please make this known to the parish office as soon as possible. For questions or concerns contact Alice Ortiz or Yolanda Gutierrez in the parish office.

Congratulations Ms. Veronica Castro & Robert Castañeda received the Sac-rament of Marriage on December 7th at 4 pm. May the Almighty bless you in a special way today and remain with you always. Prayers and best wishes.

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wwwfacebook.com St. Lawrence Catholic Church, San Antonio Texas

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Ps 146:6-10; Jas 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

LECTURAS DE LA SEMANA Lunes: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Sal 98 (97):1-4; Ef 1:3-6, 11-12; Lc 1:26-38 Martes: Is 40:1-11; Sal 96 (95):1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Miércoles: Is 40:25-31; Sal 103 (102):1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Jueves: Zac 2:14-17 o Ap 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lc 1:26-38 o Lc 1:39-47, o cualquier lectura del Común de la Bienaventurada María Virgen Viernes: Is 48:17-19; Sal 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Sábado: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11;Sal 80 (79):2ac,3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt17:9a,10-13 Domingo: Is 35:1-6a, 10; Sal 146 (145):6-10; Stgo 5:7-10; Mt 11:2-11

“As the journey of Advent continues, as we prepare to cele-brate the nativity of Christ, John the Baptist's call to conversion sounds out in our communities. It is a pressing invitation to open our hearts and to welcome the Son of God Who comes among us to make divine judgement manifest. The Father, writes St. John the Evangelist, does not judge anyone, but has entrusted the power of judgement to the Son, because He is the Son of man. “And it is today, in the present, that we decide our future desti-ny. It is with our concrete everyday behavior in this life that we determine our eternal fate. At the end of our days on earth, at the moment of death, we will be evaluated on the basis of our likeness or otherwise to the Baby Who is about to be born in the poor grotto of Bethlehem, because He is the measure God has given humanity. “Through the Gospel John the Baptist continues to speak down the centuries to each generation. His hard clear words bring health to us, the men and women of this day in which even the experience and perception of Christmas often, unfortunately, reflects materialist attitudes. The 'voice' of the great prophet asks us to prepare the way for the coming Lord in the deserts of today, internal and external deserts, thirsting for the water of life which is Christ.” — Benedict XVI The feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is ordinarily celebrated today, is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.

St. Lawrence

Food Bank Meal Tree

“I’m Hungry” Thank You! Merry Christmas

Happy New Year 2019

Tis the season to be generous, kind and loving. Please help a needy family by taking one of our Grocery Bag ornaments and bringing the tag inside back with your dona on non-perishable food items. You can place them under the Meal Tree in the Church. Thank you for your generosity.

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Schedule of Events in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Eventos programados en honor a la Virgen de Guadalupe

Novena in the Church on: 6:30 p.m. December 4, 5, & 6 8:30 a.m. December 7 & 8 6:30 p.m. December 9 & 10 6:00 p.m. December 11 & 12 December 11th: 6:00 p.m. Bilingual Rosary/ Rosario 6:45 p.m. Serenata a la Virgen Serenade to OLG 8:00 p.m. Bilingual Vigil Mass Misa Bilingue - Vigilia December 12th: 6:00 a.m. Rosary/ Procession 6:30 p.m. Rosary/ Rosario 7:00 p.m. Bilingual Mass/Misa Bilingue 8:00 p.m. Recep on sponsored by Guadalupana Society Recepcion ofrecida por la Sociedad Guadalupana

"No se entristezca tu corazón… ¿Acaso no estoy yo aquí, que soy tu Ma-dre?", le dijo la Virgen de Guadalupe al afligido Juan Diego un 12 de di-ciembre de 1531. Ella, la Emperatriz de América y Patrona de México, qui-so dejar su imagen desde ese día en una sencilla "tilma" como señal del Amor de Dios para creyentes y no creyentes.

Santa María de Guadalupe, Mística Rosa, intercede por la Iglesia, protege al Soberano Pontífice,

oye a todos los que te invocan en sus necesidades. Así como pudiste aparecer en el Tepeyac y decirnos:

"Soy la siempre Virgen María, Madre del verdadero Dios", alcánzanos de tu Divino Hijo la conservación de la Fe.

Tú eres nuestra dulce esperanza en las amarguras de esta vida. Danos un amor ardiente y la gracia de la perseverancia final. Amén.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mystical Rose, make intercession for the Holy Church,

protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities,

and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary, and Mother of the True God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith,

of sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, of burning charity, and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

One Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father...in gratitude for the Miraculous Portrait as a continuing miracle and testimony.

The Na onal Religious Re-rement Office coordinates

the annual na onal appeal for the Re rement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance for re-

rement needs to eligible religious ins tutes. Please give to the Re re-ment Fund for Religious

appeal in your parish Or send your dona on to: Re rement Fund for Religious

P.O. Box 96988 Washington, D.C. 20090-6988

A pesar de la generosidad extraordinaria de los católicos para con el fondo, muchas comunidades religiosas con núan carentes de sufi-cientes recursos para apoyar su jubilación y el cuidado de sus miem-bros ancianos. Al igual que muchos otros estadounidenses, las co-munidades religiosas luchan con el costo siempre en aumento del cuidado de la salud. “Los religiosos se sienten muy agradecidos por los generosos dona vos a este fondo y han determinado aprovechar al máximo cada dólar.” Para más información, visi-te www.re redreligious.org.