Greetings, Family of families!
This week flew by and this Tuesday will be the last day of January! We hope everyone is staying healthy and warm. Saturday morning we welcome Bishop Gary Janak who will celebrate Mass for over 30 Adults who will receive the sacrament of Confirmation. These are adults who are coming from different parishes of our archdiocese. Please keep them in your prayers.
We have sad news to announce: Sister Agnes Bochenek who had been battling illness these past few weeks, has completed her earthly journey. May she now rest in God's merciful light. Sister Agnes was the Administrator at the John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy. Services are pending.
This Wednesday, February 1st, we will present our monthly Night of Reflection. Everyone is welcome to attend. Fr. Kris will be available for confession.
ALTAR SERVERS NEEDED
Calling all who have made their 1st Communion or will be making their 1st communion…the Altar Server Ministry is looking for members. If your child is interested, please contact Roxanne Zigmond at 210-415-7821 or pick up a registration form in the Acolyte room in the church.
There will be an Altar Server Training Session on Thursday, February 2nd at 6pm in the church This training is for all current altar servers and any one interested in becoming an altar server to attend.
MEN'S CLUB WILD GAME DINNER
The St. Jerome Men’s Club organization is sponsoring their annual Wildgame Dinner. The fun begins at 5PM in O’Brien Hall on Saturday, January 28. Corporate tables of 10 are available for $600 (ARE SOLD OUT) General Admission tickets are still available for $40 per person. Contact RD Baker for tickets at 210-240-5618
Silent Auction and Bucket Game: We will be putting baskets together for the silent auction and bucket game. It adds to the fun to have a variety of gifts for everyone to bid on. Maybe you have items you can donate, maybe gifts you aren't using, antiques, books, crosses, new purses, pictures, antiques, homemade jellies/jams/candies/breads/baked goods, etc., add it to other items to make a great prize. Please drop off any items at the O'Brien Hall or contact Jackie Sczepanik or Doug Pruski.
ARCHBISHOP'S APPEAL FOR MINISTRIES
We thank everyone who participated in 2022 Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries. For 2022, the Appeal raised 4.8 million in support of the 30+ ministries it funds. St. Jerome parish was a bit short of our goal for 100% participation, but we appreciate everyone who did participate, and now we have another opportunity to reach that 100% goal.
In the mail the next few weeks, you will receive an invitation to participate in this year's "In receiving the Eucharist, we are called to serve,” Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries. Please stay alert, your response is important.
What is the Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries?
The Archbishop Appeal for Ministries is a ministry shared between Fr. Kris and
Archbishop Gustavo. It is a ministry shared by us at St. Jerome Catholic Church and the 167 parishes and missions that form our Archdiocese. The Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries is an invitation to practice our Christian faith by sharing ourselves with others. It is an invitation to appreciate all as gifts from God and share from our
blessings in support of our common mission.
BLESSINGS
Could you name three blessings God has bestowed upon you and your loved ones
today? These blessings were freely given to you, and as a Christian disciple, you are invited to celebrate and share them, especially with the less fortunate.
"In receiving the Eucharist, we are called to serve," the Archbishop's Appeal for Ministries theme invites us to celebrate and share our blessings with others. At the end of today's Mass, after receiving Holy Communion, we are sent to fulfill our common mission: to share God's Word, Love, and Mercy.
OUR COMMON BAPTISM
Our common baptism is an invitation to care for each other, our planet, especially the hungry, poor, sick, and dying. Our parish efforts to share God's love coexist with the work of the Archdiocese and the Universal church. Sharing our blessings is a universal call to all baptized. In the next few weeks, please check your mail and find an invitation to participate in this year's Archbishop Appeal for Ministries. Discern in prayer your contribution and share your gift.
Thank you for your ongoing support to the Archbishop’s Appeal for Ministry!
MEN'S ACTS RETREAT
For more information, please contact retreat Director, John Vrzalik at 210-559-7227.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT/VIRTUS ONLINE
All volunteers and employees for St Jerome must be up-to-date with their safe environment documents.
To volunteer, one must register online or access an existing online account with Virtus to have a criminal background check, code of conduct, and these three trainings:
-Virtus Protecting God’s Children,
-Virtus Sexual Harassment Course, and
-Virtus Vulnerable Adult Course.
Most of us at St. Jerome completed these trainings in 2019-2020, so the 3-year renewal is up or will be coming up for us. You will be sent an email (the email you used to sign up initially) notifying you of the training/document renewal. Please make sure to be on the lookout for an email (check your spam folder) from VIRTUS.
All trainings and documents are valid for three (3) years from the date of completion.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact Patricia at the parish office or go to https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus to log in to your account or to register for an account.
Bereavement Committee
This ministry provides a meal after funeral services for family and friends for our parishioners. The parish provides the main dish and parishioner volunteers bring sides. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please leave your name and number in the sign-up sheet in the foyer of the church or contact Lorraine Ibrom, Jeannie Bricker or Carol Hardy.
Guadalupe Radio Network
Shaun Rice, General Manager of the Guadalupe Radio Network will be in the church foyer this weekend to sell raffle tickets for their upcoming raffle of a 2023 Mercedez-Benz CLA 250. Tickets are $25. Raffle drawing is February 24th
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
(Adoration) at St. Jerome is every Wednesday at 8:40AM (after the 8AM Mass) until 7PM in the Chapel. The 1st of Wednesday of every month is usually a Night of Reflection with Adoration, prayer and reconciliation until 8PM. Entrance to the chapel is on the east side of the church (the brown wooden door).