St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston Houston

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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. 15: 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 16: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Tuesday, Dec. 18: 12:00pm Wednesday, Dec. 19: 8:30am Thursday, Dec. 20: 8:30am Friday, Dec. 21: 8:30am Saturday, Dec. 22: 6:00pm Sunday, Dec. 23: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Marita Hooper By:Family Frances Williams By:O Neal Family Raymond Zann By:Family Christian Campos By:Campos Family People of the Parish Shirley Stanton By:Pat Stanton Bob & Virginia Huston By:Heasty Family Carolyn Douglas By:Lauren Wichlep Rev. Fr. Anthony Tran Van Duc By:Yen Khang Van Raymond Zann By:Family Jose Molina By: Rosa Molina Joanie O Neal By: Deborah Driscoll People of the Parish Rafael Vega By:Vasquez Family December 8, 2018 Immaculate Conception Collection: $ December 8 & 9, 2018 Weekly Goal $12, Regular Collection: $ Second Collection: $ DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52, Total Amount Pledged $57, Total Amount Paid $53,255.49( %) Total # of Participants 156 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. Our 2019 Church Calendars are located at the doors of the Church. Calendars are available in both English and Spanish. Please take only one per family. 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 16, 2pm (Church) Sunday, December 23, 2pm (Church) If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Vanessa ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE 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. St. Joseph s Chapel will be closed from Thursday, December 20 until Tuesday, January 8 after the 12 noon Mass. However, feel free to visit the chapel at anytime, using the chapel door code.

3 3 Sunday of Advent C Dear parish family, Advent for the church is penitential season to prepare spiritually for the Lord. In Liturgy purple is the color for penance and white for joy. But on the third Sunday of Advent, the word rejoice is proclaimed for the first time. Thus on this particular Sunday arises the mixture of themes: penance and joy. The combination of purple and white produce a color of pink or rose. That s the symbol of the third rose/pink candle we light on the Advent Wreath this Sunday. Rejoicing in the Lord is the message of the third Sunday of Advent traditionally known in the Latin, Gaudete Sunday. It is a rejoice Sunday taking into account that on every 3 rd Sunday of Advent, St. Paul s exhortation in second reading is always read, Rejoice in the Lord.. He is near! Nowadays the secular society is telling us happy holidays! But as a people of faith, we must be reminded that we are not just approaching holidays rather we are preparing for the holy days. It is entirely different when our anticipation and our rejoicing in the holidays include the dimension of what is holy. That is when we redirect our focus on dimension of God s grace. In other words, to focus on things more spiritual rather than purely material, to focus on things more essential rather than things that are superficial, to focus on things that matters to God rather than on things that does not really matter at all. John the Baptist appeared once again in the gospel and exhorts us to eliminate from our hearts whatever impedes us from welcoming Jesus in our hearts. In other words, what he was preaching to those in his time and to us in our time and situation is simply directed to a change of heart and mind in order to welcome the presence of the Lord in our midst. Precisely that is what Advent is all about that we prepare our hearts and souls for the grace of God. Advent is not about an anticipation of holidays rather of the Holy Day when the Lord celebrates his birthday again in our hearts. Blessings to you and have a good week. Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 3 domingo de Adviento C El Adviento en la iglesia es la temporada penitencial de preparación espiritual para el Señor. En la liturgia el púrpura es el color de la penitencia y el blanco de la alegría. Pero en el tercer domingo de Adviento, la palabra "regocijarse" se proclama por primera vez. Así, en este domingo particularmente surge la mezcla de temas: penitencia y alegría. La combinación de púrpura y blanco produce un color rosa o rosado. Ese es el símbolo de la tercera vela rosa / rosada que encendemos en la Corona de Adviento este domingo. Regocijarse en el Señor es el mensaje del tercer domingo de Adviento, conocido tradicionalmente en latín, el domingo "Gaudete". Es un "domingo de alegría" teniendo en cuenta que en cada tercer domingo de Adviento, la exhortación de San Pablo en la segunda lectura siempre se lee: "Alégrate en el Señor... Él está cerca!" Hoy en día, la sociedad secular nos dice felices fiestas!. Pero como personas de fe, debemos recordar que no solo nos estamos acercando a las navidades, sino que nos estamos preparando para los días santos. Es completamente diferente cuando nuestra anticipación y nuestro regocijo en los días festivos incluyen la dimensión de lo que es santo. Es entonces cuando redirigimos nuestro enfoque en la dimensión de la gracia de Dios. En otras palabras, enfocarse en cosas más espirituales en lugar de puramente materiales, enfocarse en cosas más esenciales en lugar de cosas superficiales, enfocarse en cosas que le importan a Dios en lugar de cosas que realmente no importan en absoluto. Juan el Bautista apareció una vez más en el evangelio y nos exhorta a eliminar de nuestros corazones todo lo que nos impide acoger a Jesús en nuestros corazones. En otras palabras, lo que él estaba predicando a aquellos en su tiempo y a nosotros en nuestro tiempo y situación se dirige simplemente a un cambio de corazón y de mente para dar la bienvenida a la presencia del Señor entre nosotros. Precisamente de eso se trata el Adviento: que preparemos nuestros corazones y almas para la gracia de Dios. El Adviento no se trata de anticipar días festivos más bien del Día Santo cuando el Señor celebra su cumpleaños nuevamente en nuestros corazones. Bendiciones para ti y que tengas una buena semana. P. Tony

4 ministry SCHEDULE december 22 & 23, 2018 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Pat Stanton Commentator Kathy Nastally Extraordinary Ministers Walter Hayes, Kathy Nastally, of the Eucharist Isabelle Salas SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Alex Molina, Natalie Molina, Saoirse Molina Susie Burgess Commentator Sheridan Lewis Extraordinary Ministers Dianne Gerdes, Otis Mathews, of the Eucharist Sonja Mathews SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Jacob Jenkins, Elaine Munoz, Trysten Munoz Cindy Bremer Commentator Kerry Regan Extraordinary Ministers Greg Bremer, Carolyn O Neal, of the Eucharist Gorge Rodriguez SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Sarahi Arrona, Jasmine Rodriguez s Nelida Velez, Olivia Rodriguez Extraordinary Ministers Marcos & Mercedes Arrona of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Eli Lopez, Eros Lopez Jason Woods Extraordinary Ministers Cecilia Lopez, Jose Lopez, of the Eucharist Rosie Molina READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Tuesday:Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Wednesday:Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Thursday:Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Lk 1:26-38 Friday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Saturday:1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Sunday:Mi 5:1-4a; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; Heb 10:5-10; Lk 1:39-45 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. 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. 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 Special Intention for the Lilly Family Chapel Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Carl Lundquist By Florine Veazey Around the Archdiocese Maria Goretti Support Group New support Group for those afflicted with any type of abuse (Physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual or mental) will begin to meet at 7pm on the third Monday of every month in downtown Houston at the Cathedral Centre. Do you know a couple that is having a challenging situation in their relationship and need help? We may be able to coach you as a couple. We offer enrichment sessions, consulting and mentoring for married couples experiencing some crisis or challenges in their relationship. For more detailed information please contact the office of Family Life Parenting Help? The Office of Family Life Ministry have trained eight professionals around the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to provide services to parents who are willing and need help raising their children. The program is designed to offer advice, support and information to parents with common developmental and behavioral problems in children. To obtain more information please contact or 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

5 Please Pray For Our Troops and Daniel Vasquez, Maria Cano, Anthony Luna, Nina Lopez, Guillermo Martinez, Joel Rivera, Alex Knaak, Sally Nadju, 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, 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 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. Activities of the Week Sun. Dec. 16: CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Bible Timeline 11am RH, Bible Study (ACTS) 5pm RH Christmas Pageant Practice 2pm Church Mon. Dec. 17: Crecemiento 6:30pm RH Wed. Dec. 19:Bible Study (ACTS) 9am PH Conf. RM Thurs. Dec. 20:No RCIA Today, KC 6:30 Rosary Hall Fri. Dec. 21: Spanish Prayer Group 7:30pm Chapel 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 Upcoming Baptismal Dates January 6, February 3 Baptism classes are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in English and the 3rd Tuesday of the month in 7pm. Baptisms are the first Sunday of the month after the 10am & 12:30pm Masses. If you are baptizing here, you need to fill out a registration form for your child s baptism, and we will need to make a copy of their birth certificate from the state before you attend the class. If you do not live in La Porte, you must be a registered, active member of St Mary s to baptize your child here. You cannot register in our parish only to baptize your child. Please come by or call the office to fill out the paperwork. WITNESSES Our actions are the best witnesses of our thoughts. Anonymous Life in Christ Fellowship Gather- A special Advent Life in Christ Fellowship Gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19 th, from 7-8:30 pm in Rosary Hall. If you attended any of the Live Christ Share Christ seminars, or wish to learn more about them, please come and join in and bring a friend! We ll have worship music, sharing time, a short lesson to give us a focal point on our journey through Advent, discussion, and fellowship followed by Christmas goodies and soft beverages! Take some time out from the hectic pace of shopping, parties, and rushing around and give yourself the gift of fellowship, peace, and the Word of God! What a great Christmas gift to give Baby Jesus! The gift of Yourself! For more information please contact: Ellen Gillis at (281) or Parish Office at (281)

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 Tiempo de las posadas esta aqui. Empiezan el Domingo 16 hasta el Lunes 23. Llamar Rosa de Diciembre 5 PM Salon STA. Maria 17 de Diciembre 6:30 PM: 926 S. 5th St 18 de Diciembre 6:30 PM:714 S. 2nd St 19 de Diciembre 6:30 PM: 905 S. 2nd St 20 de Diciembre 6:30 PM: 517 S. Idaho 21 de Diciembre 6:30 PM : Deaf Smith St. 22 de Diciembre 6:30 PM : 1749 Coral Cliff Dr., Dickenson 23 de Diciembre 6:30 PM:2001 Meadow Lark 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. Please place items in baskets at the doors of the church. If you did not bring your Christmas Angel and gifts back today, please bring them by the office on Monday. We will be delivering the gifts this week.

7 Classes 8:45am & 11:15am 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 EDGE Christmas Party Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com or Angie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study 7pm Info. contact