ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

110 E. South Street Alvin, Texas 77511

ADMINISTRATOR Rev. John Taosan

DEACONS: David Bowman, Dale Hayden and Eddie Stoughton

SUNDAY MASSES: Saturday at 5:00 P.M. Sunday at 8:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon (Spanish) DAILY MASS: 8:30 A.M. Monday – Friday

CONFESSIONS: 30 minutes before Sunday Masses or by appointment.

Church Office: Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. ~ 281-331-3751 ~ Fax ~ 281-331-5430 CCE: Mrs. Mary Voigt ~ 281-824-0877 Parish Website ~ www.stjohnalvin.org

Copyright © 2014, J. S. Paluch Company, Inc., 3708 River Road, Suite 400, Franklin Park, IL 60131-2158, 1 800 621-5197. With Ecclesiastical Approbation.

December 7, 2014 Second Sunday of Advent

The first line of Mark’s Gospel today reveals to us some privileged information: Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

As the audience for the evangelist, we have information that very few in the Gospel will know or comprehend until much later, if at all. As readers and listeners, we will later be sur-prised, shocked, tantalized, disappointed, frus-trated that Jesus’ closest disciples are not able to understand what we already know: that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah.

But today we hear that “[p]eople of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (Mark 1:5) made their way out to the wilderness to see an unusual sight: a man who wore camel’s hair, ate locusts and wild honey, and proclaimed repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John the Baptist is quick to tell the crowds that he is not the one they are looking for. “One mightier than I is coming after me,” he tells them (1:7).

WILL THEY RECOGNIZE JESUS?When Jesus takes his place in line to be baptized by John

at the River Jordan, will the crowds know him? Of course we know from the way Mark later constructs his Gospel that they will not be clear about who he is.

Should we be surprised? How often do we look for God in dramatic or unusual occurrences or even in the latest fad? Why do we long so much for a dramatic sign or our own immediate answer to a prayer to be able to see the God who is right before our eyes?

Let’s not forget how lucky we are—even more so than the first disciples who walked with the Lord—to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he walks among us today as we pray, are baptized, celebrate Eucharist, and serve the poor.

Today’s Readings: Is 40:1–5, 9–11; Ps 85:9–14; 2 Pt 3:8–14; Mk 1:1–8

7 de diciembre de 2014 Segundo Domingo de AdvientoEl primer versículo del Evangelio según

San Marcos para hoy nos revela información confidencial: Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios.

Al formar parte de la audiencia del evangelista, tenemos información que pocos en el Evangelio conocerán o comprenderán hasta mucho después, si es que lo hacen. Como lectores y oyentes, después nos sorprenderá, escandalizará, martirizará, decepcionará,

frustrará que los discípulos más cercanos a Jesús no puedan comprender lo que nosotros ya sabemos: Jesús es el Cristo, el Mesías.

Pero hoy oímos que “toda la comarca de Judea y muchos habitantes de Jerusalén” (Marcos 1:5) acudían al desierto para presenciar algo nunca antes visto: un hombre que usaba una túnica de pelo de camello, se alimentaba de saltamontes y miel silvestre y proclamaba que el arrepentimiento era el camino para el perdón de los pecados. Juan Bautista rápidamente le avisa a la multitud que él no es a quien están buscando. Les dice: “Ya viene detrás de mí uno que es más poderoso que yo” (1:7).

¿RECONOCERÁN A JESÚS?Cuando Jesús tome su lugar en la fila para ser bautizado por

Juan en el Jordán, ¿lo reconocerá la multitud? Por supuesto, nosotros sabemos que, por la forma en que San Marcos luego construye su Evangelio, no sabrán con certeza quién es.

¿Ddebería esto sorprendernos? ¿Con qué frecuencia buscamos a Dios en acontecimientos espectaculares o inusuales o incluso en la moda pasajera? ¿Por qué anhelamos tanto una señal espectacular o la respuesta inmediata a nuestra oración para poder ver al Dios que está aquí a la vista de todos?

No olvidemos cuánta suerte tenemos –aun más que los primeros discípulos que caminaron con el Señor– de saber que Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios y que camina entre nosotros hoy cuando rezamos, somos bautizados, celebramos la Eucaristía y servimos a los pobres.

Lecturas de hoy: Is 40:1–5, 9–11; Sal 85:9–14; 2 Pe 3:8–14; Mc 1:1–8

COLLECTION

Sunday Collection(11/23): $13,314.50 Catholic Campaign Collection(11/23): $ 2,173.00 Thanksgivig Collection(11/27): $ 1,165.00 Sunday Collection(11/30): $13,035.75

Segundo Domingo de Adviento 7 de diciembre de 2014 Que todo el valle se eleve, que todo monte y colina se rebajen.

— Isaías 40:4

Second Sunday of Advent December 7, 2014 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low.

— Isaiah 40:4

The Guadalupanas’ meeting is Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 7:00 P.M. in the CCE Building.

Las Guadalupanas tendrán su junta el Martes, 9 de diciembre de 2014 a las 7:00 P.M. en el edificio de CCE.

Saturday 5:00 P.M. †Paul Davison †Craig Colasont

Sunday: 8:00 A.M. †James & †Josephine Scopel †Angelique Hernandez-Yanez

10:00 A.M. For the People

12:00 P.M. †Eusebio Lopez & Family †Abel Lopez & Family Guadalupanas Living & Deceased †Angelique Hernandez

Monday: 8:30 A.M. Mack Cuello, Jr. Family Sue & Floyd Richardson & Family

7:00 P.M. For the People

Tuesday: 8:30 A.M. †Leo Sendelbach †Maria Magdalena Sosa

Wednesday: 8:30 A.M. †Dorllyn Appelt †Julia Arebalo

Thursday: 8:30 A.M. †Kristina Dimun †Bill Metz

Friday: 8:30 A.M. †Charlene Klesel Martinez Family

7:00 P.M. For the People

Saturday: 2:00 P.M. Sanchez Quinceanera

5:00 P.M. †Trudy Morritz †Marvin & †Dorothy Appelt

Today is the monthly Black Bag Collection for the needy of our parish. Please be generous. Hoy es la Colecta Bolsa Negra mensual para los necesi-tados de nuestra parroquia. Por favor sea generoso.

Advent Penance Service Thursday, December 11, 2014

7:00 P.M.

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE December 24th - Christmas Eve: 6 pm Christmas Vigil Mass 10 pm Christmas Night Mass

December 25th - Christmas Day: 10 am Christmas Day Mass 12 pm Christmas Day Mass (Spanish)

Our Lady of Guadalupe / December 12 Mañanitas 5:00-6:00 A.M. Rosary 6:00 A.M. OLG Play 6:30 A.M. Evening singing 6:00 P.M. Rosary 6:15 P.M.

Mass 7:00 P.M. Come join us for pan dulce, coffee & chocolate in the morning and in the evening for dinner after Mass.

The Immaculate Conception of Mary is Monday, December 8th., a holy day of obligation. Masses are at 8:30 A.M. in English and 7:00P.M. Bilingual

La Inmaculada Concepción de María es lunes, 8 de diciembre, un día santo de obligación. Misas son a las 8:30A.M. en ingles y 7:00 P.M bilingue.

Immaculate Conception Rosary St. John the Baptist will have a Rosary at the Rosary Walk at 6:00 P.M., Monday, December 8th before Mass in honor of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Call Allen Stanton at 281-331-4491 for questions. All are welcomed.

Immaculate Conception (Rosa Mystica) Holy Hour 12:00 Noon - 1:00P.M. Monday, December 8th in the Church

Bulletin Announcements Deadline Due Dates Deadline Issue Date December 11th Bulletin for December 21st December 17th Bulletin for December 28th December 22nd Bulletin for January 4th

Contribution Envelopes / Sobres de la contribución

By now you have received your contribution envelopes for November 30, 2014 thru January 25, 2015. Dated envelopes are for Sundays and 2nd Collections, others are for special occasions. Please use them.

Dentro de estos dias usted ya deberia de haber recibido sus sobres de la contribución de el 30 de noviembre, 2014 hasta el 25 de enero, 2015. Los sobres tienen las feches para los domingos y segundas Colectas, otros son para las ocasiones especiales. Por favor úselos.

Pray for the Sick / Rezen por los Enfermos

Anna Aguilar, Roma Aleman, Margie Algeria, Mike Alridge, Abelardo Alvarado, Cathelina Araujo, Sabastian Arredondo, Lorena Arreola, Polly Aucoin, Mary Ayala, Gooch Baccigalopi, Rita Barales, Art Barborak, Jr., Victor & Rosa Becerra, Rita Blanco, Kelly Bolander, William Bolfing, Cameron Brantley, Marian Briones, Joy Bryant, Norma Bustamante, Rudy Bustos, Rosendo Butrion, Olga Caballero, Mary & Joseph Canales, Chuck Cannon, Dolores Cardenas, Angelina Colburn, Juanita, Ralph & Rose Castro, Ron Cook, Anabellah Collins, Karen Collins, Hannah Cole, Ronnie Coleman, Wilmer Comeaux, Frank Cortese, Helen Crevier, Jason Cortez, Gary Cunningham, Jesse Davila, Teresa Davison, Mercedes DeLaO, Daniela Delgado, Roy Delgado, Ludwina Dennis, Victor De La Cruz, Brad & Leanne Dennis, Catherine DeWitt, Lorenzo & Maria Diaz, Leanne Doud, Consuelo Espinosa, Richard Esslinger, Patti Estes, Aurora Estrada, Mike Farmer, Benny Flores, Melodye Franks, Antonio Fonseca Jr., Ignacio, Katrina, Narciso, Giselda, Edna, Jocselyne, Rosie, Sara, Diana & Sammy Garcia, Carol, Lucy, Melissa & Ray Garza, Felix, Terri, Valerio Gonzales, Joann, Jesus Gomez, Larry Grimes, Kiley Grassmuck, Alice Groff, Dede Guerrero, Mary Gutierrez, Ray Guzman, Glenda Hamblen, Dorothy Hansen, Stephen Hayes, Douglas & Ralph Hernandez, Betty, Gary & Cindi Hill, Lea Heinrich, Victor Huerta, Peggy Huff, Bethany Hunt, Donald Hutchinson, James Janik, Virginia Jones, Jeanette Juarez, Jean Kacz, Roxanne Kascak, Don King, Sidney, Cheryl, & Mary Knape, Mark Kowalski, Wilfred Krause, Sarah Kurusz, Theresa Lansing, Eunice Lay, Nancy LeBlanc, Mary LeCompte, David & Lupita Llanes, Tim Lawless, Vira Leroy, Andrew & Troy Lewis, Madeline Liescheski, Mary Light, Joshua, Joe, Louisa & Palmira Lopez, Rodrigo Lozano, Jo Belle Lucas, Betty Macik, Emmanuel Maira, Mary Makosky, R. J. Mata, Jordan Matejowsky, Matilde, Betty Matula, Beatriz & Felicia Martinez, Eric Marquette, Debbie Mayville, Luis, Lupe & Marisa Medina, Efrain Mendoza, Mary Leah Miller, Debbie Milner, Justin Minton, Michael Mogford, Meagan Montemayor, Jesse Montgomery, Dolores, Malena & Linda Morales, Sarah T. Moreno, Joe & Lonnie Muniz, Joe Murillo, Derrell Naschke, Joe & Mark Navarro, Blanca Nino, Nikki Orsak, Josue M.Ortiz, Henry Palomarez, Jr., Kathy Parks, Belinda /Mitchell Patton, Albert & Cecilia Perez, Chelsea Pesek, Felicitas Ponce, Janet Pounds, Jose Prudente, Sierra Pryor, Stephanie Pucek, Mercedea Ramirez, Erick & Alfredo Reyes, Mickey Rohan, Angeles Romo, Raymond Ruiz, Rafael & Frankie Salazar, Rosemary Sanchez, Al Santos, Betty Segel, Segura/Guzman Family, Tony Silva, Lauren Smart, Robert Smith, M/M Pedro Solis, Robert Spadt, Chase Steele, William Stone, Rosalie Stringer, Ivan Stavinoah, Jack Sullivan, Laura Summerville, Andrew & Gwen Susce, Kevin Sustaita, Shirley Tacquard, Minerva Tellez, Chris Trojanowski, Linda Trout, George & Angie Valdez, Juan Valdez, Sr., Leah VanBeveren, Margaret & Vicky Vasquez, Clarence Veltman, Leopolo Villa, Enrique, Kim & John Villarreal, Lillian Vincent, Joyce Walden, Richard Ward, Ethan Willis, Stella Whitlock, Michael Wollam, Sylvia Young, Anthony Zajack, Patsy Zumwalt, Anne Zygiel

Knights of Columbus Catfish Dinners will be served at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall on

Hwy 6 on Friday, Dec 12, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. K C Meeting is Thursday, Dec 11th / Dinner at 6:30 P.M.

Pray for Vocations Crucifix Schedule 5p.m. Dec 13 Sandy & Tony Banda 8a.m. Dec 14 Frank & Mary lou Munoz 10a.m. Dec 14 Mike Perez 12p.m. Dec 14 Jose y Alejandrina Y Familia

To participate, Contact Polly Aucoin, Tel: 281-388-1046

Rosario a la Virgen de Guadalupe Familia Castillo / 281-585-3030

Rosario: sabado / 13 de diciembre, 2014 / 6:00 P.M.

Coronilla de La Divina Misericordia

12/7/14: Familia Alvarado / 832-618-8406 Coronilla: sabado, 13 de diciembre /6 P.M.

Eucharistic Adoration For information call Denise at 281-585-5436 or Remie at 281-331-2567

Para mas información llame a Denise/281-585-5436 o Remie Cuello / 281-331-2567.

Altar Flowers In Memory of:

†Maria (Mariquita) Flores †Roberto Ybarra

48 Rosarios a la Virgen de Guadalupe Diciembre 7 Familia Resendiz / 832-329-2546 8 Familia Arreola / 281-756-0332 9 Familia Vargas / 832-720-3818 10 Familia Cruz / 832-382-0505

11 Familia Limon / 281-509-6816

The 2015 Flower Calendar is now avail-able at the Church’s entrance.. You may sign up for flowers on the altar in honor

of birthdays, anniversaries, etc. or in memory of a loved one. The cost is $35.00 for each request.

Students- win Cash in CDA Education Contest Catholic and Non-Catholic students 4th through 12th grades are eligible to participate in the CDA 2015 Educa-tion Contest using the themes “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself” or “Be A Good Neighbor.” Categories to enter are Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art, Music and Photog-raphy. All entries must be contestant’s own original work and creation and reflect one of the two themes. Get the Forms and Rules for each category. Request the electronic version from Frances Schneider: schnei309@aol.com. Deadline is January 30 (postmarked or received by).

Junior High Youth Ministry: You’re automatically a member if you are in grades 6 through 8, and you’re invited to the Christmas Party on Saturday, December 13 from 4:30 until 9:00 p.m. We’ll go to 5:00 p.m. Mass together and return to the hall to party. The fun will be great and the food will be even better, especially if each junior high student attends. Make your plans now and sign up with your CCE catechist. There is no cost for this event.

Ministerio de Juventud del Junior High: Usted es automáticamente un miembro si usted está en el grado 6, 7 o 8, y usted esta invitado a la Fiesta de Navidad el sábado, el 13 de diciembre de 4:30 hasta 9:00 p.m. Nosotros iremos juntos a la misa de 5:00 p.m. y nos devuelvaremos al salon paroquial a la fiesta. Las diversiones serán tremendas y la comida será incluso mejore, sobre todo si cada estudiante del Junior High asiste. Haga sus planes ahora y firmese con su catequista de CCE. No hay ningún costo para este evento.

Altar Server Training / Pizza Party

Attention Altar Servers. We are having a training session / pizza party for all current Altar Servers and for anyone who may be interested in being an Altar Server. It will be on Sunday, December 21st at 4:00 p.m. in the Church. If you have any questions, please call Larry & Beth Nelson @ 281-331-6415. We hope to see you there.

NICOLE BROUSSARDAbogada de Inmigracion / Immigration Attorney

17300 El Camino Real, Houston 281-947-2291www.nicolebroussard.com

Primary Eye Care Center2800 S. Gordon St., Alvin281-331-8681

EYE EXAMSGLASSESCONTACTSwww.PrimaryEyeCareCenter.org • Dr. Suzanne M. Correale, O.D.

Located nextto McDonalds

MICHAEL A. CULLING, ATTORNEY20130 Hwy. 6 • Manvel, TX

• ESTATE PLANNING • DIVORCE/CUSTODY• WILLS & PROBATE • REAL ESTATE281-489-9113 www.CullingLaw.com

MARJORIE PLANKABROKER, GRI, ABR, CBR2197 N. Bypass 35, Alvin, TX 77511plankasold@yahoo.com 713.818.7133 Cell

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAYHOME SERVICES

Anderson Properties

DR. MENDOZA 281-485-2231Dentista Para Niños y Adultos

Medicaid, CHIP, Aseguranzas, y EfectivoFrenos, Hablamos Español

2800 E. Broadway Suite I, Pearland, TX 77581

ALVIN WALMART400 S. Bypass Hwy. 35 Alvin, TX 77511

EYE EXAMINATION 281-756-8900Accepting Medicaid, Medicare & Most Vision Insurances

Walk-Ins Are WelcomeEnglish, Spanish & Vietnamese Speaking

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

TACLA000314C

Earning Your Trust Since 1970!

www.BobsACandHeat.com

281.332.4321

Since 1970

515113 St John the Baptist Church

BILL NELSONFinancial Advisor

Stocks • CD’s • BondsMutual Funds

1601 S. Gordon281-388-0616

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-833-5941

LOBBY: M-F 9 to 5DRIVE THRU: M-F 7:30 to 6

SAT. 9 to Noon1050 N. BYPASS 35

(281) 388-5000

COMPLIMENTS OF:The DeWitt Clinic331-2062 304 Medic Lane, Suite B

Alvin

LOCALLY OWNED AND MANAGED BY

THE SCOTT FAMILY

(PARISHIONERS)

SCOTTFUNERAL

HOME(281) 585-1000

Earning Your Trust

For Over 10 Years!TECL18188

281.316.0239www.SurmanElectric.com

DIAMONDS - WATCHES - GIFTS331-4852 ALVIN

SALVADOR COLONAttorney at Law

BOARD CERTIFIEDIMMIGRATION LAW

281.756.30031240 W. Hwy. 6 #2, Alvin, TX

www.scolon.net

Joseph Hunter, Attorney at Law• Family 1600 E. Hwy. 6• Probate Suite 350• Criminal Alvin, TX 77511

281.331.2575 (Parishioner)Not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Alvin 281.388.0388Sealy 979.885.2967

Brookshire 281.375.2479

House Calls Home HealthWe make house calls.

Our in-home services include SkilledNursing, PT, OT, Medical Social Worker,

Home Health Aides, Providers/Caregivers• We accept Medicare, Insurance, Self Pay •

218 W. Coombs St.,Alvin,Texas

281-331-1516

A. Burr Insurance AgencyAndrea Burr-Mays

475 South Gordon Ste. B 281-331-9093

Quality Systems Audits..Consulting..TrainingISO9001 / AS9100 / AS9120

Aerospace Oil & Gas Engineering ManufacturingFree Initial Consultation

832.620.5792 • john@aero-ver.com / m.aero-ver.com

Family Owned & OperatedAutomatic - Standard

2646 Bypass 35 South331-8209

CCaatthhoolliicc CCeemmeetteerriieessArchdiocese of Galveston-Houston

MMoouunntt OOlliivveett CCaallvvaarryyDickinson, TX Galveston, TX

281-337-1641 409-744-1661

““FFaaiitthh bbrriinnggss uuss ttooggeetthheerr””

Since 1977

SEAFOOD MARKET

281-331-6262Dine In / Take Out

Gift Certificates507 N. Gordon

www.TommasosItalianGrill.com

WHITE’SLIQUOR

LARGEST SELECTION INALVIN AREA

DRIVE THRU WINDOW2 MINUTES TOWARD

GALVESTON ON HIGHWAY 6

281-331-3469

Brian or Sally, coordinators

860.399.1785www.CatholicCruisesAndTours.com

an OfficialTravel Agencyof AOS-USA

219 N. Taylor 331-4491