Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo A Franciscan Mission Founded February 20, 1720 * Established as a Parish September 23, 1932.

DECEMBER 22, 2019

Fr. Rogelio Martinez Ruteaga, O. F. M.,

Pastor Deacon F. J. “Chip” Perry,

Deacon George Wunderlich

Deacon Santiago Rodriguez (Retired)

701 East Pyron Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78214 Office (210) 922-0543

Fax: (210) 932-2271

Facebook: www.facebook.com/missionsanjosechurch/

Office Hours: Mondays - Thursday 8 am - 5 pm

(Closed from 12:00 -1:00pm)

Visit missionsanjosechurch.org for more information or to

make your online donations

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Let the Lord enter; he is King of glory.

Mission San Jose Catholic Church was founded and established to proclaim the Gospel mission of Jesus for our time and place by

becoming a faith community of God’s people. Through a commitment to prayer, study, fellowship and ministry, we strive to become a

community of hope to all around us and a living mission to the many who choose to come to Mission San Jose.

Ps.146:6-7,8-9,9-10

Saturday, December 21

5:00pm For the members of the Newton Meyer Family

Sunday, December 22 8:00 am † Ramiro & Bertha Cortez, † Ricardo Ramirez † Ramiro & Cecilia Gonzalez, For health intention of Logan Torres 10:00 am † Rudy Rivera, † Bill & Gary Humphrey, †Raymond Lopez, † Helen Nowell, † Rodolfo Lopez, † Leo Lopez, † Annie Cadena 12:00 pm † Nicolas Casas, † Alfonso San Miguel

Monday, December 23 8:00 am For the healing of a special Lady

Tuesday, December 24

Wednesday, December 25 12:00 am † Aaron Nathaniel, † Kevin Ryan, † Bryan Christopher Cepeda 10:00 am † Nicolas Casas, † Leo Lopez

Thursday, December 26 8:00 am † Christopher Castillo, Deacon George Wunderlich, Deacon Chip Perry, Deacon Jimmy Rodriguez

Friday, December 27 8:00 am For all the families in our Parish

Saturday, December 28 5:00pm † Ricardo Botello, † Maria Toscano

Our Mass, Reconcilia on and Eucharis c Adora on Schedule

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. (English), in the Saint Juan Diego Chapel

Saturday (Main Church) : 5:00 pm (English)

Sundays (Main Church) 8:00 am (Spanish); 10:00 am (English); 12:00 pm -Mariachi Choir (English)

Eucharis c Adora on - Every 1st Friday of the Month in the St. Juan Diego Chapel 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Reconcilia on -Saturday - 4:00 pm in the St. Juan Diego Chapel

Sunday, December 22 8:00 am Spanish Mass 10:00 am English Mass 12:00 pm English Mass w/ mariachi Choir

Monday, December 23 6:30 pm—9:00 pm Grupo de Oracion (Chapel)

Tuesday, December 24 Office will be closed

Wednesday, December 25 Office will be closed

Thursday, December 26 No activities

Friday, December 27 No activities

Saturday, December 28 12:00 pm—1:00 pm Spanish Choir (MC)

Sunday, December 29 8:00 am—6:00 pm Confirmation Retreat (PC)

Page 3

Prayers for the sick: Dorothy Narendorf, Susise Huizar, Mark Castro, Aurora Castro, Noelia Rodriguez, Newton Meyer, Susan Ford, Frances Bustos, Joann Bronder, Homer Joseph Cadena, Thomas E. Gomez, Lolly Byington, Ellen Lopez, Clarisa Pena, Mary Lou Aguilar, Edward Casias, Ila Hutzler, Carmen Aldape, Leonardo Aponte, Mary Molina, Dora & Luke Duett, Yolanda Talamantez, Gloria O. Herrera, Irene Sanchez, Manuel Caballero, Carmen Martinez, Freddy Ortiz, Gaynell Proa, Clarissa Solis Rodriguez, Rebecca Tejeda, Patricia Shaw, Nicolas Taylor, Maria Montoya-Chavez, Kathy Mclain, Miguel Garcia, Lillian Gasca, Joshua, Mi-chael A. Cantu, Jesusa Marie Ruiz, Gerald “Willie” Hub-bard, Issac Silva, Julio Martinez, Irene Godinez, Albert Villegas, Brittany Brewer, Yolanda Resendez, Norma D Leal, Fr. Lambert Leykam, Sally Price, Olivia Lucero, Laura Nieves, Dolores Nieves

Expectant Mothers In keeping with tradition A blessing for all pregnant Mothers the weekend of

December 21/22 At all masses.

Luke 1:44 -- The infant in my womb leaped for joy.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, it seems everywhere we turn, we are pushed to spend more, do more, entertain more, and generally rush around at a frantic pace — all to create a “perfect” Christmas day. (Catholic Stewardship Consultants) But as Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7

We must remember that this is the time of Peace and Joy. Spend time with Jesus this Christmas and prayerfully consider making a pledge to the On the Way - ¡Ándale! Cam-paign – it will give you peace and joy.

Merry Christmas and Have a wonderful New Year!

Make a Gift at www.ontheway-andale.org

ALTAR SERVERS

A ministry of great importance to Mission San Jose Church Would you

like to help Fr Rogelio and Deacons at the mass? We would love to train you!

If you have received your 1st Holy Communion Call

Ms. Ester at

210-922-0543

TRUST IN GOD

On this final Sunday of Advent our scriptures focus on the historical birth of Jesus, who is son of David and Son of God, child and king, Jesus and Emmanuel.

Isaiah the prophet begs Ahaz to ask for a sign, to allow God to offer him reassurance of the survival of the Davidic dynasty. The king hypocritically refuses to “tempt the LORD” in that way (Isaiah 7:12), but the prophet foretells the birth of a son, an heir to the throne, who will prove the Lord’s enduring protection of God’s chosen lineage on the throne of David. The child will be called Emmanuel.

Matthew’s reference to this history in his descrip-tion of the birth of Jesus highlights the contrast be-tween the faithless refusal of trust shown by Ahaz, and the complete trust in God shown by Mary and Joseph in bringing about the birth of Jesus Christ.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Page 4

The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the world.

According to custom, the Christmas tree is set up just before Christmas and may remain in place until the Solemnity of Epiphany.

The lights of the tree are illuminated after the prayer of blessing. When all have gathered, a suitable song may be sung. The leader makes the sign of the cross, and all reply “Amen.”

The leader may greet those present in the following words:

Let us glorify Christ our light, who brings salvation and peace into our midst, now and forever. R/. Amen.

In the following or similar words, the leader prepares those present for the blessing:

My brothers and sisters, amidst signs and wonders Christ Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea: his birth brings joy to our hearts and enlightenment to our minds. With this tree, decorated and adorned, may we welcome Christ among us; may its lights guide us to the perfect light.

One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:

Listen to the words of the Letter of St. Paul to Titus: 3:4-7

But when the kindness and generous love of God our savior appeared, not because of any righteous deeds we had done but be-cause of his mercy, he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he richly poured out on us through Jesus Christ our savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Or Ezekiel 17:22-24—I will plant a tender shoot on the mountain heights of Israel.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. R/. Thanks be to God.

The intercessions are then said. The leader says:

Let us ask God to send his blessing upon us and upon this sign of our faith in the Lord.

R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.

R/. Lord, give light to our hearts.

That this tree of lights may remind us of the tree of glory on which Christ accomplished our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. R/.

That the joy of Christmas may always be in our homes, let us pray to the Lord. R/.

That the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts and in the world, let us pray to the Lord. R/.

After the intercessions the leader invites all present to say the Lord’s Prayer. The leader says the prayer with hands joined:

Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation: the sun, the moon, and the stars of the night. We praise you for the light of Israel: the Law, the prophets, and the wisdom of the Scriptures. We praise you for Jesus Christ, your Son: he is Emmanuel, God-with-us, the Prince of Peace, who fills us with the wonder of your love.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we illumine this tree. May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts. May all who delight in this tree come to the knowledge and joy of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.

The lights of the tree are then illuminated. The leader concludes the rite by signing himself or her-self with the sign of the cross and saying:

May the God of glory fill our hearts with peace and joy, now and forever. R/. Amen.

The blessing concludes with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:

O come, thou dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Page 5 Lord, come and save us.

Advent, Solemnities and Holy Days Schedule of Events and Masses

Christmas Masses

Wednesday, Dec 25 at midnight mass begins at 12:00am

Wednesday, Dec 25 at 10am mass

Mary, Mother of God Holy Day

Wednesday, January 1 Mass at 10am

**at San Juan Capistrano Wednesday, January 1 at 7pm

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger .”

Chapel Pews

As you all are aware the remodeling of the parish chapel will begin very soon. The re-model also includes new seating. The cur-rent pews we have are for sale for $200.00 each or best offer. All money raised will be used for the new chap-el. The pews won't last so if you are interest-ed please contact the office.

SAINT STEPHEN (first century)

December 26

“A man filled with faith and the Holy Spir-it” (Acts 6:5): thus Luke introduces Stephen, first of seven deacons chosen by the communi-ty for its ministry of charity, first to lay down his life in witness to Christ. As the church’s first martyr, Stephen’s life and death mirror the preaching and passion of Jesus, “the faith-ful witness” (Greek, martyr) (Revelation 1:5). Like Jesus, Stephen works “great signs and wonders among the people” (Acts 6:8). Like Jesus, when falsely accused, Stephen’s face ra-diates angelic serenity (Acts 6:15), though his tongue, like Jesus’, is a two-edged sword. As the dying Jesus forgave his executioners, even making excuses for them, then commended his spirit into his Father’s hands (Luke 23:34, 46), so Stephen intercedes for his murderers and begs Jesus to receive his spirit (Acts 7:60, 59). How fruitful both passions! The penitent thief inherits Paradise; Saul, who consented to Ste-phen’s killing, is transformed into the fearless preacher Paul. Thus Stephen challenges us to bear witness not in words only, but by Christ-like forgiveness toward all. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co

Christmas Sale The gift shop will have a

special Christmas Sale on

Saturday and Sunday,

December 21& 22.

Please stop by and check out all the new items.

All proceeds go to support the Church.