Vision Statement. CCE Office Hours During CCE School Year: Sunday 8:30 am-12:00 pm

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1 St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston Houston 816 Park Dr. La Porte, Texas Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon 1:00 pm-4:00 pm CCE Office Hours During CCE School Year: Sunday 8:30 am-12:00 pm Eucharistic Celebrations Saturday: 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) 4:00 p.m. Life Teen Mass St. Joseph s Chapel Monday (No Mass) Tuesday 12:00 noon Wednesday 8:30 a.m. & (1st Wednesday Only 6:30 p.m.) Thursday, & Friday 8:30 a.m. Parish Staff Rev. Tony A. Castro, Pastor Deacon Hector Cantu Deacon Julio Matallana Deacon Stan Avallone Bookkeeper-Nelda Shealy Bulletin/Sacramental Records Cheryl Frobenius Maintenance Steve Regan Parish Secretary-Debbie Heasty Receptionist-Peggy Holland C.C.E. Director-Jessica Jaramilllo EDGE Director-Randy Tercero Life Teen Director-Shari Davis Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are celebrated on the 1 st Sunday of the month. Classes are held on the 2 nd & 3 rd Tuesday of each month. Please come by the Parish Office to register or call for more information. Reconciliation The Sacrament of Penance is offered on Saturdays, from 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.m. or by appointment. Sacrament of Marriage Please contact the Parish Office at least (6) six months prior to your desired wedding date to arrange a meeting with Father Tony or one of the Deacons. If you want a Mass, you must call Father Tony. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Are you a non-catholic who is interested in joining the Catholic faith? Are you a baptized Catholic who has never received the sacraments of 1 st Communion and Confirmation? If your answer is yes to either of these questions, call the Parish Office. Sacrament of First Communion First Communion candidates must be baptized, at least in the second grade, and have been attending CCE classes for two full years previous to their receiving the Sacrament. Adults needing First Communion should refer to the rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation candidates must have previously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion. They must have faithfully attended Life Teen for at least one full year prior to beginning preparation for the Sacrament (more than three absences without a valid excuse can alter the process). A signed form stating that the parent/guardian and the candidate understand all requirements is also necessary before the preparation begins. Adults needing confirmation should refer to the Rite of Christian initiation of adults. Vision Statement St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Community of Believers called to serve Christ by gathering together at the Lord s Table in worship and praise, by serving our brothers and sisters in Christ, and by being a welcoming beacon of light to all. We are many parts, yet one body in Christ.

2 Saturday, Dec. 1: 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 2: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Tuesday, Dec. 4: 12:00pm Wednesday, Dec. 5: 8:30am Jesse T. Garcia By:Monica Boudreaux People of the Parish Delia Lopez By:Joe Lopez & Family Special Intention for Delia Romero By:Velencia Family David Copous By:Monica Boudreaux Dottie Kaminski By:Al Pena Family Carl Lundquist By:Linda Trahan 6:00pm (No Samaritan Monthly Memorial Mass) Thursday, Dec. 6: 8:30am Friday, Dec. 7: 8:30am Tom & Katherine Coleman By:Pat Stanton Harold & Mary Pfeiffer By:Paschal Family 6:30pm(Immaculate Conception Vigil) Special Intention for Peggy Holland By: Lucille Schaider Saturday, Dec. 8: 8:30am: Feast of the Immaculate Conception People of the Parish 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 9: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Shay Guerrereo By:Guerrero Family Art & Sara Jayne Broussette By:John Magliolo Ellen Kuykendall By:Debbie Heasty People of the Parish Ernie Escobar By:Maria Escobar November 17 & 18, 2018 Weekly Goal $12, Regular Collection: $7, nd Collection Propagation of the Faith $2, November 24 & 25, 2018 Regular Collection: $7, AREA ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES St. Paul s (18223 Point Lookout Dr., Houston, TX) Monday, December 3, 7pm St. Hyacinth (Deer Park) Tuesday, December 4, 7pm St. Mary s (League City) Wednesday, December 5, 7pm St. Bernadette (15500 El Camino Real, Houston) Thursday, December 6, 7pm St. Helen (Pearland) Tuesday, December 11, 7pm Our Lady of Guadalupe Wednesday, December 12, 7pm St. Clare (Houston) Thursday, December 13, 7pm St. Luke the Evangelist (11011 Hall Rd., Houston, TX) Wednesday, December 19, 7pm St. Mary s will not be having a special Advent Penance Service this year. Please attend one of the services listed below, come to our regular Saturday confessions (4:30-5:30pm) or contact the office to set up an appt. with Fr. Tony. St. Mary s Annual Christmas Pageant It s that time of year again? We are going to start practices for our Annual Christmas Pageant. If our child is interested in participating in the Christmas pageant mandatory practices are as follows: Sunday, December 2, 2pm (Rosary Hall) Sunday, December 9, 2pm (Church) Sunday, December 16, 2pm (Church) Sunday, December 23, 2pm (Church) If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Vanessa

3 Dear parish family, 1st Sunday of Advent C Happy New Year! Yes, the church begins the new liturgical year cycle on this first Sunday of Advent. Advent Liturgy put us into proper perfective of what we ought to prepare. In the midst of the secular excesses leading up to Christmas, Advent provides a welcome solace and an opportunity to continually re-orient ourselves to God's will as we expectantly wait to celebrate the birth of our Savior, God who dwelt and is dwelling with us in our midst. Everybody is expected at this time of the year to be very busy. But there is something of course we need not forget and should do. That is, not to lose the focus of what a true preparation of Christmas is all about. In fact, it is very much liberating if our focus and priorities are more in accordance to what Christ wants of us rather than what the consumer world wants out of us. Jesus reminds us in the gospel not to be weighed down on worldly cares. But let our spirit be free to welcome the Christ into our hearts. Our readings for the first week of Advent waste no time in calling our urgent attention to these themes of reflection and preparation. They seem to shout, Wake up! Get ready! and offer us some practical advice to make the most of this Season. The Gospel, from Luke, warns, Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life. How easy it is to lose focus on our Lord either by too much indulgence in our lives or by too much worry about our lives. Both extremes are easy to fall prey to. To avoid these traps this we are told to be vigilant and pray for strength to sustain us. During Advent, we must ask ourselves some hard questions. Am I staying faithful to my prayer life? Am I using my energy and skills to serve others? Why not attend retreats, penance service, Holy hours, and things of the spirit? It is then that spiritual benefits are more received than gifts that cost us and last a while only. We hear the cry of Advent: prepare the Way of the Lord! The way of the world, we may enjoy, but it is the way of the Lord that truly matters for without Christ in Christmas it means nothing at all. Blessings to all and have a good Advent week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, Primer domingo de Adviento C Feliz año Nuevo! Si, la iglesia comienza el nuevo ciclo del año litúrgico el primer domingo de Adviento. La Liturgia de Adviento nos lleva a una perspectiva adecuada de lo que debemos estar preparando. En medio de los excesos seculares que conducen a la Navidad, el Adviento proporciona un aliento agradable y la oportunidad de reorientarnos continuamente a la voluntad de Dios al esperar la celebración del nacimiento de nuestro Salvador, Dios quien habita y está morando con nosotros y en medio de nosotros. Durante este tiempo del año a todos se les espera estar muy ocupados. Pero hay algo por supuesto que no debemos olvidar y debemos de hacer. Esto es, no perder la atención en lo que la verdadera preparación de Navidad es. Por cierto, es mucho más liberado si nuestra atención y prioridades están mas en acuerdo con lo que Cristo quiere de nosotros en lugar de lo que el mundo consumidor quiere de nosotros. Jesús nos recuerda en el evangelio que no debemos estar cargados con las preocupaciones del mundo. Pero dejar que nuestro espíritu este libre para recibir a Cristo en nuestros corazones. Nuestras lecturas de la primera semana de Adviento no pierden tiempo en llamar nuestra urgente atención a estos temas de reflexión y preparación. Parece que gritan, Despiértate! Prepárate! y ofrece algunos consejos prácticos para aprovechar al máximo esta temporada. El Evangelio de Lucas nos advierte, Tengan cuidado de que sus corazones no se adormezcan por la sensación de embriaguez y las ansiedades de la vida cotidiana. Es muy fácil perder la atención en nuestro Señor por medio de mucha indulgencia en nuestras vidas o por preocuparnos demasiado por nuestras vidas. Ambos extremos son fáciles de caer. Para evitar estas trampas se nos dice que estemos vigilantes y oren para que sus fuerzas los sostengan. Durante el Adviento, debemos hacernos algunas preguntas difíciles. Soy fiel a mi vida de oración? Estoy usando mi energía y talentos para servir a los demás? Por qué no ir a los retiros, servicio de penitencia, horas Santas, y cosas del espíritu? Entonces es cuando los beneficios del espíritu se reciben en lugar de regalos que nos cuestan y duran solo un tiempo. Escuchamos el llamado del Adviento: preparen el Camino del Señor! El camino del mundo, podemos disfrutar, pero es el camino del Señor que realmente importa porque sin Cristo en Navidad no significa nada. Bendiciones para todos y que tengan una buena semana de Adviento! Padre Tony

4 Special Altar Server Meeting in the Church Tuesday, December 4th,6pm The Altar Society has purchased new Altar Server cassocks and we are in need of ordering and making sure we have the correct sizes for all of our servers. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please contact MINISTRY SCHEDULE DECEMBER 7 & 8, 2018 FRIDAY 6:30pm Feast of the Immaculate Conception Vigil Mass Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Debbie Wade Commentator Tim Hughes Extraordinary Ministers Joe Sturm, Kathy Sturm of the Eucharist SATURDAY-8:30am Feast of the Immaculate Conception Altar Servers Commentator Jeremiah Arredondo, Jorge Arredondo Nick Barrera Lisa Raymundo Extraordinary Ministers Dianne Gerdes, Brigitte Barrera of the Eucharist DECEMBER 8 & 9, 2018 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Eli Lopez, Ean Lopez Kathy Nastally Commentator Victoria Swenson Extraordinary Ministers Tim Hughes, Dennis Swenson, of the Eucharist Victoria Swenson SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Jeremiah Arredondo, Jorge Arredondo Lisa Raymundo Commentator Demetris Guzman Extraordinary Ministers Evarist Coryat, of the Eucharist Margaret Espinoza, Robert Espinoza SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Trysten Munoz, Kate Wilson, Lark Wilson Tracy Avallone Commentator Debbie Wade Extraordinary MinistersTracy Avallone, Mary Edwards, of the Eucharist George Rodriguez SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Jasmine Rodriguez, Victor E. Velasqeuz s Blanca Rodriguez, Juanita Velasquez Extraordinary Ministers Jose Rios, Yoli Rios of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Diego Vasquez, Ruben Vasquez Jaime Vasquez Extraordinary Ministers Cecilia Lopez, Jose Lopez, of the Eucharist Rosie Molina ALTAR FLOWERS Advent No Flowers on the Altar Altar Flowers 2019 To place flowers on the altar contact Jan or ***Please do not place flowers or small vases in the Church or Chapel unless you contact the Altar Society and check for availability. Church Sanctuary Candle In Loving memory of Daniel Rummel By Frances Zann Chapel Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Harold & Mary Pfeiffer By Paschal Family READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6 You re Invited To St. Mary s Single/Single Again Third Christmas Potluck Luncheon When? Saturday, December 15, 2017 Time? 11:30 a.m. (or come early to set up) Where? Rosary Hall--next to the church What is Provided? Ham, Turkey, and Water What to bring? Select from the following: Potatoes, Rice, Pasta, Vegetable, Salad, Gelatin, Dessert Box/bottle of red wine, Box/bottle of white wine Please R.S.V.P. to Victoria at vjswenson@att.net ( ) so we know how much meat to buy. Thank you. The Gabriel Project is designed to help women and teenagers who are in a crisis pregnancy. If you are in need of assistance or know someone who is, please contact or the Church Office.

5 Activities of the Week Sun. Dec. 2: CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Bible Timeline 11am RH, Bible Study (ACTS) 5pm RH Mon. Dec. 3: Crecemiento 6:30pm RH Tues. Dec. 4:New Cassock Altar Server Mtg. 6pm Church Wed. Dec. 5:Bible Study (ACTS) 9am PH Conf. RM Thurs. Dec. 6:KC Mtg. 6:30pm RH RCIA 6:45pm Fri. Dec. 7: Annointing of the Sick, Chapel Mass 8:30am Spanish Prayer Group 7:30pm Chapel Please Pray For Our Troops and Brigitta Dobmeier, Tamara Batten, Edward Salinas Jr., Louise Beaulier, Hector Castro, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James, Christina C., Chuck & Susan Thompson, Katherine Reichley & Family, Don & Allie Faye Mathews, Brad & Barbara Riley, Debbie McFadden, Marilyn N., Seth Permenter & Family, Parker Dixon & Family, Willetta House, Jeremy & Diana Cassidy & Family, Kendra Ramirez & Family, Sally Romeo, Alejandra Rodriguez, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordan Binkley, Darlene Shepherd, Ken Withers, Steve Grigory, Candeleria Ortiz, Sherry Paschal, Felicia Kahn, Angelina Sullivan, Jerry Verret, Rena Espinoza Carroll, John Jaramillo, Celestino Ochoa, Ruth Stephens, Buddy Casto, Maria Cano, Anthony Luna, Sally Romeo, Lauren Sturm, Joy Barksdale, Juanita Gonzales, Frances Zann, Glendolyn Rigsby, Cynthia de la Cerda, Dina Martinez, Bradford Shane Cooper Sr., Banda Family Continue to Pray for Susan Tolley, David & Mary Gobnzalez, Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Juanita Sanchez, Cynthia de la Cerda, Maurice & Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Ron Balsam, Pat Riley, Joe Sturm, Edward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Mary Sigala, Julia Dautriel, Ernie Molina, Kathy McBride, Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Joe Bernal, Fr. Gary Rickles, Renee Cortez, Pedro Sanchez, Aurelia Hinojosa, Cathy Hanzelka, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Gayle Phillips, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contreras, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Deacon Merce Leal, Sue Crockett, Joanne Jarrell, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Barry Armstrong and those requesting prayer via our web site. Remember Our Shut-Ins Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, Josie Funda, Soledad Hernandez, Elida Peterson, and those battling terminal illness and the residents of La Porte Care Center and Parson s House Repose of the Souls of Henry Appel, Carolyn Douglas, Carlos Lopez, Jose Pena and Marcy Salinas Our Sympathy to the family of Henry Appel,and Carolyn Douglas. Also, sympathy to Ericka Lopez and family on the loss of her father, Carlos, Belinda Lara and family on the loss of her father, Jose, and Ruben Salinas and family on the loss of his mother, Marcy Please Note: Names on our Please Pray For list are left on for four weeks. If someone needs to be put back on the prayer list or added please call the Church Office. Pope s Prayer Intention for December: That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time. St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store St. Mary s Church,816 Park Dr., La Porte, TX Low-Low Prices Clothing, Shoes, Houseware/Glassware, Hardware ~ New Merchandise Every Day ~ Hours: 9:00am to 11am Closed: Thursday & Sunday All proceeds are used to help the needy in our community with their rent and utility bills. If you or someone you know, who lives in La Porte, is in need of assistance, please call or have them call the office to make an appointment to come in for help. Thank You for Your Support! Our Resale Shop here at St. Mary s is in need of volunteers (Especially able-bodied males). You can pick any day you are able to work. If you are available to help out, please contact DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52, Total Amount Pledged $55, Total Amount Paid $51,917.99( 99.84%) Total # of Participants 154 Instruments of God s Mercy Just as we are one in the body of Christ, we must remember that we are one with other parishes in our archdiocese. Once a year, each of us is asked to make a commitment to support the work of our programs and ministries that provide services that no one parish could provide on its own. Please experience the joy of giving and join us as we work to continue god s work of spirituality, formation and education by contributing to the Diocesan Services Fund. Help us attain our goal of $52, To Give Online Go To For those of you who have already responded with a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude. Join Us St. Mary s Music Ministry Sat. 6pm Mass Rehearsals before Mass at 5:15 Contact Kathy McBride Sun. 7:30am Mass - Rehearsals before Mass at 7am Contact Yvonne Fisher Sun. 10:00am Mass - Rehearsal Wed. 6:30-9pm Rosary Hall Contact Annelise Lagasse Sun. 12:30pm Spanish Mass- Contact Jose Vazquez Sun. 4pm Life Teen Mass- Rehearsals-Sunday 2pm Contact Alex sttheresa.prolife@gmail.com or

6 Encuentro Martimonial Mundial Los invita a vivir un Fin de Semana Conoce como puedes vivir mas intima y profundamente tu relacion. AQuieres recuperar la relacion con tu esposo (a)cunado eran novios , , Marco & Mercedes Arrona, marco-51@sbcglobal.net Los Testigos del Poder de Dios Nuestra Asamblea de Oración les invita a reunirse como hermanos en Cristo para ALABAR, BENDECIR, y GLORIFICAR a nuestro Dios, Padre, Hijo y Espiritu Santo. Vengan pequenos y grandes todos los viernes de 7:30-9:00p.m. en la capilla de San Jose. Te invitamos a una Hora Santa en comunidad Todos los mièrcoles De 7-8 p.m.en la Capilla de San Josè. Para más información Puedes comunicarte con Marta y Reino Fernández Anointing of the Sick. will be held Friday, Dec. 7, during the 8:30am Mass in St. Joseph s Chapel. If you are seriously ill, suffering from a terminal illness or going to have a life-threatening surgery, this sacrament is for you. If, however, you are going to have a routine surgery Father will be glad to give you a blessing. Please call the office and make an appointment to come by at your earliest convenience if you are unable to attend this Mass. Deepen Your Prayer Life with Lectio Divina TO JOIN OUR FORMED Community Study on Lectio Dviina (praying with Scripture) you will need to be registered for FORMED. Register at stmaryslaporte.formed.org. Once you are registered and signed in click on the word Community at the top of the page. Then, on the Fr. Tony invites you banner click on visit group. Lastly, you will need to click on join group to access the weekly lessons and discussion. If you have any difficulty getting logged in, please contact Tracy by stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. RCIA Classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Thursdays 6:45pm St. Mary s Conference Room RCIA Are you a non-catholic who is interested in joining the Catholic faith? Are you a baptized Catholic who has never received the sacraments of 1st Communion and Confirmation and are over the age of eighteen? If your answer is yes to either of these questions you may be interested in joining our RCIA program. Classes are Thursday 6:45pm. Students are welcome to begin classes at any time during the year. For additional information about the RCIA program, call the office or Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. BIBLE TIMELINE STUDY Take a journey through the whole Bible. Learn how each period of salvation history fits into the practice of the Catholic faith. You will understand your faith and the Mass more deeply through this study. The study begins on August 19 and will meet in the Rosary Hall Conference 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The cost is $35. for materials, but if you are interested in repeating this study, it is free. Please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com ACTS: The Spread of the Kingdom The Book of Acts shows the church enlivened by the Holy Spirt, teaching, preaching, healing and restoring outcasts in the same way that Jesus did while here on earth. Be inspired by the Holy Spirit with a new zeal for bringing Christ to the World. This Bible Study is meeting on 5:15pm in the Rosary Hall Conf. Rm, and 9:15 in St. Mary s conf. Rm The cost of the materials for the class will be $30. Please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com to register. Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center The Theme or the upcoming Retreat Season of is: At the Name of Jesus: A Holy Name Retreat. Of all possible themes, why a retreat on the Holy Name of Jesus? Those close to the Passionists know that our Founder, St. Paul of the cross, enjoined his vowed religious to recite the following passage every time they gather for communal prayer: At the Name of Jesus every knee must bend in the heavens, on earth and under the earth and every tongue proclaim, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord. ~ Men s Retreat ~ St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception January 4-6, 2019 Join us and make a difference to those whose life you touch every day! Contact Hector Villarreal Ruben Salinas Justice & Peace will be collecting canned goods for the Christmas baskets we will be distributing to our needy families at Christmas. Please place items in baskets at the doors of the church. Christmas Angels are on the trees at the doors of the church. Please bring your gifts back the weekend of Sunday, December 16.

7 Classes Resume Next Weekend If you are interested or would like more information please contact Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Life Teen Mass 4pm Class Tonight 5:15pm Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Class Today 5pm Protect Life~The Fifth Commandment Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com or Angie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Volunteers Needed Breakfast with Santa Dec. 15th Bible Study 7pm