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 29: 6:00pm 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 Monday, December 31 ~ Vigil Mass 6:30pm People of the Parish Tuesday, January 1 ~ New Year s Day 12:30pm Margarita Davila Klock By:Lauren Wichlep ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Wednesday, January 2: 8:30am Thursday, January 3: 8:30am Friday, January 4: 8:30am Saturday, January 5: 6:00pm Sunday, January 6: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Abel Benetiz By:Gloria Pena Lorenzo Benetiz By:Gloria Pena Carolyn Douglas By:Lauren Wichlep Marita Hooper By:Jack Hooper Ben Gerdes By:Dennis & Victoria Swenson Carl Lundquist By:Jamel & Raymond Clark Special Intention for Zenaida Romero By:Valencia Family People of the Parish FORMED... Incredible online gateway to the best Catholic Content, all in one place. Go to stmaryslaporte.formed.org to register. If you are having any trouble getting registered, or any other problems, please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lighthouse Catholic Media Kiosks There are several books and DVD s of informational material designed to help us grow in our faith. Go by and check them out! We have a new Kiosk in the church office. They are also located at the back of the church and in Rosary Hall. December 15 & 16, 2018 Weekly Goal $12, Regular Collection: $ 9, DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52, Total Amount Pledged $58, Total Amount Paid $55,780.49( %) Total # of Participants 157 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. ~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 January. Tax statements will only be mailed to those who 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 2019 Any donations received after Jan. 1st 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. 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.

3 Dear parish family, Feast of the Holy Family Our Lord and Savior came to us through a family; it must be a clear message from God. God sanctified the family even from the very beginning of creation because it is through the family that his masterpiece, a human being, finds its growth, nourishment and fulfillment. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read, "The family is the original cell of social life from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God, and make good use of freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society." (C.C.C. # 2207). Our celebration of the feast of the Holy Family this Sunday is therefore a time to reaffirm our commitment to witness to the hope which the Holy Family brings. We celebrate this feast bringing and living up its message in our own way to evangelize the world we live which is darkened by the reality of the variety of conflicts and issues many families faced today. We are reminded that holiness is not absence of difficulties; everyone in life faces hardships at some time or another. In fact, it is in the midst of their difficulties and hardships that the holiness of Joseph and Mary were tested, deepened, and revealed as a faithful obedient response to God. One gospel passage tells us that King Herod sought to kill the child and so they were forced by circumstance leave their homeland and immigrate to a foreign land, which was Egypt, seeking refuge there for some years. Just imagine the harsh realities they have to go through along the way in the long journey. This Sunday s gospel mentions their anxiety of looking for the lost child for three days only to find him in the Temple. What makes the family of Mary and Joseph a Holy family is not absence of human troubles but the presence of Jesus in their midst and their faithful, obedient response to God s messages. As we welcome the New Year let us think of resolutions to nurture a warmer, closer, and more supportive family ties. And as a parish, aware that we are one family composed of many families, let us resolve to be a loving and supportive parish family. Blessings to all and have a good week! Querida familia parroquial, Fr. Tony fiesta de la Sagrada Familia Nuestro Señor y Salvador vino a nosotros a través de una familia; Este es un claro mensaje de Dios. Dios santificó a la familia incluso desde el principio de la creación en su obra maestra a través de la familia, en la que un ser humano, encuentra su crecimiento, nutrición y realización. En el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, leemos: "La familia es la célula original de la vida social... desde la infancia, uno puede aprender valores morales, comenzar a honrar a Dios y hacer un buen uso de la libertad. La vida familiar es una iniciación en la vida. en sociedad." (C.C.C. # 2207). Nuestra celebración de la fiesta de la Sagrada Familia de este domingo es, por lo tanto, un momento para reafirmar nuestro compromiso de dar testimonio de la esperanza que trae la Sagrada Familia. Celebramos esta fiesta trayendo y viviendo su mensaje, una forma de evangelizar el mundo que vivimos, que se ve oscurecido por la realidad con tanta variedad de conflictos y problemas que muchas familias enfrentamos hoy. Se nos recuerda que la santidad no es la ausencia de dificultades; Todos en la vida confrontamos dificultades en algún momento u otro. De hecho, es en medio de sus dificultades e infortunios que la santidad de José y María fue probada, profundizada y revelada como una respuesta fiel y obediente a Dios. Un pasaje del evangelio nos dice que el rey Herodes buscó matar al niño y, por lo tanto, se vieron obligados por las circunstancias a abandonar su tierra natal e inmigrar a una tierra extranjera, que era Egipto, en la cual se refugiaron allí durante algunos años. Solo imaginese las duras realidades que sufrieron al atravesar el camino de este largo viaje. El evangelio de este domingo menciona su ansiedad por buscar al niño perdido durante tres días solo para encontrarlo en el Templo. Lo que hace que la familia de María y José sea una familia santa no es la ausencia de problemas humanos, sino la presencia de Jesús en medio de ellos y su respuesta fiel y obediente a los mensajes de Dios. Al dar la bienvenida al Año Nuevo, pensemos en resoluciones para fomentar lazos familiares más cálidos, más cercanos y más solidarios. Y como parroquia, conscientes de que somos una familia compuesta de muchas familias, resolvamos ser una familia parroquial unida, amorosa y solidaria apoyandonos unos a otros. Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana! P. Tony

4 MINISTRY SCHEDULE VIGIL MASS DECEMBER 31, 2018 MONDAY 6:30pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Debbie Wade Commentator Tim Hughes Extraordinary Ministers Joe Sturm, Kathy Sturm of the Eucharist SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD JANUARY 1, 2019 SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Servers Jeremiah Arredondo, Jorge Arredondo Nick Barrera Commentator Lisa Raymundo Extraordinary Ministers Brigitte Barrera, of the Eucharist Dianne Gerdes JANUARY 5 & 6, 2019 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Pat Stanton Commentator Debbie Wade Extraordinary Ministers Dennis Swenson, of the Eucharist Victoria Swenson SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Natalie Molina, Saoirse Molina Nick Barrera Commentator Brigitte Barrera Extraordinary Ministers Norberto Aramburo, of the Eucharist Minerva Aramburo SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Elaine Munoz, Trysten Munoz Tracy Avallone Commentator Steve Wilson Extraordinary Ministers Richard Florance, of the Eucharist George Rodriguez SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Victor E. Velasquez, Jasmine Rodriguez s Enrique Rincan, Olivia Rodriguez Extraordinary Ministers Victor & Juanita Velasquez of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Oliver Tercero, Benjamin Tercero Randy Tercero Extraordinary Ministers Angie Tercero, Rosie Molina of the Eucharist 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: ALTAR FLOWERS Advent No Flowers on the Altar Available Dates for Altar Flowers 2019 January 26/27 February 2/3, 9/10, 16, 17, 23/24 March 2/3 May 18/19, 25/26 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 Anna & John Klein By Family Chapel Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Carl Lundquist By Peggy Holland JANUARY ALTAR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS ALTAR: Leslie & Mose Davis LAUNDRY: Arcelia Martinez HOSTESS: Adriian Blow, Peggy Holland READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 2:18-21; Ps 96:1-2, 11-13; Jn 1:1-18 Tuesday: Nm 6:22-27; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21 Wednesday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 1:19-28 Thursday: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Ps 98:1, 3cd-6; Jn 1:29-34 Friday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Ps 98:1, 7-9; Jn 1:35-42 Saturday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Ps 100:1b-5; Jn 1:43-51 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12 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, Michelle Meehan, Maridna Salinas, 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 Christina Palacios, 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 Robert Garza, James Richard and James Rodrigues Our Sympathy to Diana Ortiz and family on the loss of her cousin, Robert, the family of James Richard, and Ronnie Rodrigues and family on the loss of his father, James 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. 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. 30: No CCE, EDGE & Life Teen No Bible Study Mon. Dec. 31: Vigil Mass 6:30pm Tues. Jan. 1 (New Year s Day): Mass Church 10am ~ Office Closed Wed. Jan 2: No Bible Study Thurs. Jan. 3:RCIA 5-9pm Fri. Jan. 4: Leadership Training ~ Deacon Poyo 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 Anointing of the Sick. will be held Friday, January 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. 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. Support the Bishops Initiative on Marriage! Couples who make Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover the joy, intimacy and romance in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish. Together, we are making marriages, families and our Church stronger and healthier. Take time for your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in Contact Brian & Tina for more information. Or go online to

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 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.

7 Classes Resume January 13th If you are interested or would like more information please contact Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Classes Resume January 13th Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com or Angie Life Teen Mass 4pm Classes Resume January 13th Happy New Year! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study 7pm Info. contact