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, December 22: 6:00pm Raymond Zann By:Family Sunday, December 23: 7:30am Jose Molina By: Rosa Molina 10:00am Joanie O Neal By: Deborah Driscoll 12:30pm 4:00pm People of the Parish Rafael Vega By:Vasquez Family ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6:00pm Monday, December 24 ~ Christmas Eve Special Intention for St. Mary s Children Tuesday, December 25 ~ Christmas Day 12 Midnight Pat Young By:Fred Young & Family Marita Hooper By:Family Margarita Davila Klock By:Lauren Wichlep ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10:00am 12:30pm Wednesday, December 26: 8:30am Carolyn Douglas By:Lauren Wichlep Thursday, Dec.ember 27: 8:30am Carolyn Douglas By:Family Friday, December 28: 8:30am Saturday, December 29: 6:00pm Emil Schaider By:Pat Stanton Special Intention for Mark & Kathy McBride By:John & Fran Appel Sunday, December 30: 7:30am Marita Hooper By: Deborah Driscoll 10:00am Isela Castillo By: Vasquez Family 12:30pm Carlos Lopez By:Lopez Family 4:00pm People of the Parish Final Pageant Practice 2pm (Church) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Children s Christmas Pageant 6:00pm We will be meeting in the Parish Hall at 4:30pm Christmas Eve. If you have any questions please contact Vanessa DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52, Total Amount Pledged $58, Total Amount Paid $53,692.99( %) Total # of Participants 157 Instruments of God s Mercy Thank you to everyone who has participated in our DSF drive this year. We have met our Parish Goal! In this Christmas season, experience the joy of giving by fulfilling your commitment to DSF. Through your generosity, we will continue to do God s work of spirituality, formation and education throughout our archdiocese. To Give Online Go To Please Note: St. Mary s will receive a check back from the archdiocese for half of the monies donated over our Parish Goal amount of $52,000. 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. ~Parishioner Updates ~ 2018 Tax Statements If you have changed your address, phone number or marital status, please contact the parish office as soon as possible. If we do not have the correct contact information, it will cause a delay in receiving your tax donation letters by the end of the month. Tax statements will only be mailed to those who are registered and have donated $250. or more during the 2018 calendar year. If you have donated less, but would like a statement, please call the office. Please Note FOR 2018 Any donations received after December 31 will be posted in Remember, you must be registered in our parish to receive a Tax Statement. Registration Forms are available in the Office or in the Church by the main doors. Just because you have baptized a child or have your children in CCE does not mean that you are registered in the parish. If you are not sure if you are registered in the parish, please call the office at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

3 Dear parish family, 4 th Sunday Advent C It is now the 4 th and last Sunday of Advent, 2 days more and it s Christmas! Once again we are reminded of the pivotal mystery of our faith the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. This is also the key message of Christianity that we too make the Word of God to have flesh among us. Meaning, that we may not just hear the Word of God and let it passes through our two ears. Instead we have to live out what we hear and believed; putting our faith into action, words into deeds, and worship into service. Our gospel this Sunday tells us about two women of faith, a young girl Mary and her elderly cousin Elizabeth. Both were surely the least significant in the standards of the world. Yet God made them so important in his plan for our redemption. Imbedded in their simple life story is God's message. What made these two women great is that they were open and receptive for God's purpose, submitted themselves to His will. All of us come to pray to God to help us in many different aspects of our life or in our many different needs. But how many of us pray that God will use us to be instruments of His will? This is what Mary and Elizabeth became a message for God to us. They have allowed themselves to become handmaidens of the Lord. The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is closer to home. Christmas is time for visitations and time for hosting visits. Mary brought with her Jesus (in her womb) and she brought joy to those whom she visited. Elizabeth with the help of the Holy Spirit recognized divine presence (Jesus in Mary s womb) in their midst. Even the baby in Elizabeth s womb (John) leapt for joy. With them as inspirations we would come to know the true joy and blessedness of Christmas. As Christians we should not only be anticipating the great holiday but must be prepared for a real HOLY DAY, when we can say - the Lord is with us. Blessings to all and a Blessed Christmas in advance! Querida familia parroquial, Fr. Tony 4to domingo Adviento C Ahora es el cuarto y último domingo de Adviento, 2 días más y es Navidad! Una vez más, recordamos el misterio fundamental de nuestra fe: "La Palabra se hizo carne y habitó entre nosotros". Este es también el mensaje clave del cristianismo del que también nosotros hacemos que la Palabra de Dios tenga "carne entre nosotros". para que no solo podamos escuchar la Palabra de Dios y dejar que pase por nuestros dos oídos. En cambio, tenemos que vivir lo que oímos y creemos; Poner nuestra fe en acción, las palabras en hechos y la adoración al servicio. Nuestro evangelio de este domingo nos cuenta acerca de dos mujeres de fe, una joven Mary y su prima mayor Elizabeth. Ambos fueron sin duda los menos significativos en los estándares del mundo. Sin embargo, Dios los hizo tan importantes en su plan para nuestra redención. Establecido en su historia de vida simple es el mensaje de Dios. Lo que hizo grandes a estas dos mujeres es que estaban alertas y receptivas al propósito de Dios, se sometieron a su voluntad. Todos venimos a orar a Dios para que nos ayude en muchos aspectos diferentes de nuestra vida o en nuestras diferentes necesidades. Pero, cuántos de nosotros oramos para que Dios nos use para ser instrumentos de su voluntad? Esto es lo que María y Elizabeth se convirtieron en un mensaje para Dios hacia nosotros. Por lo tanto se han permitido ser doncellas del Señor. La visita de María a Elizabeth está más cerca de casa. Navidad es tiempo de visitas y tiempo de visitas. María trajo consigo a Jesús (en su vientre) y trajo alegría a aquellos a quienes visitó. Elizabeth con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo reconoció la presencia divina (Jesús en el vientre de María) en medio de ellos. Incluso el bebé en el vientre de Elizabeth (John) saltó de alegría. Con ellos como inspiración, podríamos conocer la verdadera alegría y la bendición de la Navidad. Como cristianos, no solo debemos anticiparnos a la gran fiesta, sino que debemos estar preparados para un verdadero DÍA SANTO, cuando podamos decir: el Señor está con nosotros. Bendiciones a todos y una Navidad Bendecida por adelantado! P. Tony

4 MONDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Commentator ministry SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Eli Lopez, Eros Lopez Isabelle Salas Nick Barrera Extraordinary Ministers Brigitte Barrera, Eloy Lara Vanessa Lara Christmas day TUESDAY MIDNIGHT Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Tracy Avallone Commentator Nicky Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Diana Ortiz, Robert Ortiz No 7:30am Mass Christmas Day TUESDAY 10:00AM Altar Servers Payton Lara, Lauren Lara Cindy Bremer Commentator Debbie Wade Extraordinary Ministers Richard Florance, Geraldine Leslie TUESDAY 12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Sarahi Arrona, Jasmine Rodriguez s Marielena Constantivo Extraordinary Ministers Carlos & Graciela Cirnigliario No 4pm Mass Christmas Day READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday:Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday:1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 Couples for Christ" Enriching the sacrament of marriage through faith, fellowship & prayer. We gather on Sunday evenings at 6:00, dinner included. If you would like to join us, please contact Greg or Cindy Bremer for more information. His: Hers: ministry SCHEDULE December 29 & SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Tracy Avallone Commentator Tim Hughes Extraordinary Ministers Tracy Avallone, Walter Hayes, Pat Stanton SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Alex Molina, Natalie Molina, Saoirse Molina Nick Barrera Commentator Brigitte Barrera Extraordinary Ministers Stephen Hoffman, Joy Hoffman SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Payton Lara, Madelene McBride Steve Wilson Commentator Wayne Christensen Extraordinary Ministers Greg Bremer, Eloy Lara SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Victor E. Velasquez, Jasmine Rodriguez s Enrique Rincan, Olivia Rodriguez Extraordinary Ministers Victor & Juanita Velasquez SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Oliver Tercero, Madalyn Tercero Randy Tercero Extraordinary Ministers Cecilia Lopez, Angie Tercero St. Joseph s Chapel Adoration is held weekly from Tuesday at noon until 8:30am on Thursday morning. If you like to spend one hour with Our Lord each week, please call the church office. 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 Maria Cano, Anthony Luna, 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. 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. 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. Activities of the Week Sun. Dec. 23: No CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Christmas Pageant Practice 2pm Church Mon. Dec. 24: Office Closed Children s Christmas Pageant 6pm Mass Tue. Dec. 25: Office Closed Wed. Dec. 26:Office Closed 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 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 Tim Hughes By Wife Chapel Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Carl Lundquist By Linda Trahan 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

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 Christmas Adoration Schedule The 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. 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 No CCE ~ Classes Resume Jan. 13th If you are interested or would like more information please contact Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Life Teen Mass 4pm No Class Tonight Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Class Resume January 13th Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com or Angie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study 7pm Info. contact