December 3, 2021
Because He loved us first, we seek to do His will.
The second collection this weekend (December 4 & 5) is for the Maintenance Fund.
Weekly News
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church
Parish Family Prayers
As we await for the birth of our Savior, let us ask Mother Mary to be our companion and to allow us to wait with her.
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of danger for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of danger for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
Advent Penance Night
Friday, December 3, 7:00-9:00 PM
English confessions will be heard in the church.
Confesiones en español se escucharán en la FLC.
Doors will open at 6:45 PM, so there's no need to arrive extra early.
Arrive before the doors close at 9:00 PM; priests will stay until everyone has had their confession heard.
We still have all of our weekly confession times as well.
Other penance services in the area include:
December 9 @ 7:00 PM—St. Edith Stein
December 15 @ 6:30 PM—Epiphany of the Lord
December 22 @ 7:00 PM—St. Faustina
Come to this special Mass (Novus Ordo in Latin) in which the Virgin Mary will be honored as the expecting Mother, waiting for the Light of the World to become flesh and dwell among men.
This Candlelight Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 AM. (That's right: before dawn!) This has great significance as we also expect the Light of the World (Jesus) to come at the end of times. Mass will end at dawn. We will begin in darkness and finish in light, just as the world was in darkness before the coming of the Messiah and now has Christ as its light and the hope of those who have accepted Him as Lord and King of their hearts.
Advent and Christmas Schedule
A full schedule is on the parish website at https://st-bart.org/mass-timesconfession.
The changes to the schedule within the next ten days are:
Dec 3 (Friday)
7:00-9:00 PM Advent Penance Night
Dec 4 (Saturday)
6:00 AM Rorate Mass, Latin Novus Ordo
8:30 AM First Saturday Mass, English
Dec 7 (Tuesday) – Vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
5:00 PM Mass, English
7:00 PM Mass, Spanish
Dec 8 (Wednesday) – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. (The office is closed.)
6:30 AM Mass, English
8:30 AM Mass, English
12:00 PM Mass, English
5:00 PM Mass, English
(No 6:45 PM Latin rosary or benediction)
7:00 PM Mass, Spanish
Dec 11 (Saturday) – Youth Confirmation
7:00 PM Mass, English (No Spanish Mass)
Dec 12 (Sunday)
5:00 PM Mass will be bilingual in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe
All other Mass, confession, and Adoration times will follow the usual schedule.
Presented by the St. Bartholomew Social Concerns Committee
in partnership with Catholic Charities
Our annual
TOY and GIFT DRIVE
will be held
Saturday, November 27 through Sunday, December 5
Help a child in need, birth to age 16, by dropping off a new, unwrapped gift after weekend Mass or at the parish office during business hours.
To donate or help:
Thank you for your generosity!
To request Christmas gift assistance, register with Catholic Charities at:
Stations of the Cross
Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 PM
in English, in the Knights of Columbus hall.
December 8
is the
Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
Mass times are in bold in the schedule above.
Liturgical Ministry Trainings
For current ministers and those wanting to become ministers
The following trainings have been scheduled for December 2021. Anyone interested in being trained is invited to attend; no sign-ups or pre-registration is necessary. If you aren't available on the date listed below for the training you're needing or wanting, check back again soon for dates to be scheduled in the early part of 2022.
Altar Servers - ALL servers, not just new servers
Friday, December 10, 5:00-8:30 PM - come for pizza and an orientation in the Youth Building at 5:00, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) - ALL EMHCs, not just new EMHCs
Thursday, December 16, 6:30-8:30 PM - begin in the FLC main hall, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Lectors - ALL lectors, not just new lectors
Thursday, December 9, 6:30-8:30 PM - begin in the FLC main hall, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Ushers - ALL ushers, not just new ushers
Two dates with the same content - choose one:
Friday, December 17, 7:30-9:00 PM - in the church
Saturday, December 18, 8:00-9:30 AM - in the church
Altar Servers - ALL servers, not just new servers
Friday, December 10, 5:00-8:30 PM - come for pizza and an orientation in the Youth Building at 5:00, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) - ALL EMHCs, not just new EMHCs
Thursday, December 16, 6:30-8:30 PM - begin in the FLC main hall, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Lectors - ALL lectors, not just new lectors
Thursday, December 9, 6:30-8:30 PM - begin in the FLC main hall, then we'll move to the church for the remainder of the training.
Ushers - ALL ushers, not just new ushers
Two dates with the same content - choose one:
Friday, December 17, 7:30-9:00 PM - in the church
Saturday, December 18, 8:00-9:30 AM - in the church
St. Bart’s Blood Drive
Sunday, December 12, 2021
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The MD Anderson Blood Bank mobile donor coach will be parked by the Knights of Columbus hall that day. Pre-registration is encouraged. To register, please go to tinyurl.com/stbarts1221.
Not this weekend, but next weekend...
We will have the youth Confirmation Mass on Saturday, December 11, at 7:00 PM. This Mass will be in English; there will not be a Spanish Mass that night.
The Sunday 5:00 PM Mass on December 12 will be a bilingual Mass that leads into our plans for celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe!
An Invitation for All Adorers!
The Adoration Ministry cordially invites current and new adorers to attend an evening of information, fellowship, and some light snacks.
We look forward to seeing you at one of the following sessions:
Dates: Friday, December 10 or Friday, December 17
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Family Life Center, main hall
We look forward to seeing you at one of the following sessions:
Dates: Friday, December 10 or Friday, December 17
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Family Life Center, main hall
Pray with the Traveling Icons!
If you would like to have the Traveling Chalice or Holy Family Icon in your home for a week while you pray for vocations, check your calendar and sign up!
The English sign-ups are online at:
Remember to pray for our seminarians!
Michael James Arienza
Ryan Berger
Luke Parmenter
Office of Vocations: Andrew Dinner
for high school boys
St. Faustina Church - Saturday, Dec.11 - 6pm to 8:30pm
The Andrew Dinner is an evening of prayer, group sharing, and dinner with priests in the archdiocese, and parents may attend as well. For more information, locations, and dates, go to www.HoustonVocations.com. To register visit: https://cvent.me/lzXOGB
Looking for a service opportunity?
The Social Concerns Committee is expanding the team! We work to address parish and community concerns by providing services, guidance, and support. Specific projects have included:
- Annual Christmas toy drives
- Financial Peace program
- Advent Family Social and Music
- Teen Movie Night
- Community Health Fair
For more information, send an email to shelleymcgrail@gmail.com.
Parish Media and Communications
Help Wanted!
If you're interested in helping us out with any aspects of parish media and communications (bulletin, eNews, website, Facebook, posters, flyers, videos, live streams, photography...), send us a note at stbartsinfo@st-bart.org! Let us know in which area(s) you have interest or experience and whether you want to just put a toe in the water or dive right in!
Being bilingual is a huge plus, but it's not required.
Youth Faith Formation Reminders
CCE Holiday break: November 24 - January 12 (Students return on January 12 and 13.)
Encounter (Confirmation Preparation) and Confirmation
Encounter 1 & 2 Students (grades 9 & 10) will attend the remaining mandatory sessions in the church: Feb. 6 & Mar. 6, 2022
Confirmation 2021 students (grade 11) will attend the final remaining mandatory session in the church on Dec. 5 in 2021.
For Encounter and Confirmation students, doors open at 6:20 PM. Class begins PROMPTLY at 6:30. Pick-up time is 7:45.
Confirmation 2021 students (grade 11) will attend the final remaining mandatory session in the church on Dec. 5 in 2021.
For Encounter and Confirmation students, doors open at 6:20 PM. Class begins PROMPTLY at 6:30. Pick-up time is 7:45.
—Register by December 27—
CHURCH HISTORY TAUGHT FROM A SOLIDLY CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE!
Discover the “Epic” Story of the Catholic Church, from Ascension Press.
As Catholics, we are heirs to a remarkable heritage. Epic: A Journey through Church History is a captivating and fast-paced look at the story of the Catholic Church. Beginning with the lives of the apostles all the way up to the present day, Epic takes the immense history of the Church and simplifies it into twelve, color-coded time periods.
In the course of twenty chapters, participants learn about the major people, places, and events that comprise the captivating story of Christianity. This Study provides participants with an understanding of Church history that enables them to have a greater sense of meaning and identity as Catholics. You will...
- Learn about the major people, places, and events of the two thousand years of Church history.
- Remember the 12 time periods of Church history using a unique color-coded system.
- Learn the true story of the Crusades.
- Discover the revolutionary character of the Protestant Reformation.
- Discover the massive persecution of Christians in the 20th century.
- See the workings of the Holy Spirit throughout Church history
…and much more!
Join us for the Epic: A Journey through Church History beginning Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 9:30-11:30 AM and continuing every Wednesday. Study sets are $29.95 plus shipping/handling. For more information or to register for the study call Elizabeth Messina at 281-455-8212 or email messinaet@gmail.com.
Sign up for a weekly holy hour!
If you would like to be on the schedule for Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, call 281-769-2002 or email stbartsadoration@icloud.com.
Drop-ins are welcome in the chapel; you do not need to sign up to adore our Lord. All guests and visitors are asked to sign in on the iPad when entering the chapel.
Divine Mercy Prayer: Weekdays at 3:00 PM the Divine Mercy prayers are led out loud. On Fridays, Divine Mercy prayers are followed by the Stations of the Cross.
Children's Weekly Holy Hour: Fridays at 7:00 PM. The rosary is prayed aloud during this hour.
Are You Getting Married?
Contact the Church before setting a date or booking anything to discuss the requirements!
281-391-4758 or stbartsinfo@st-bart.org
