Fourth Sunday of Lent March 6, Vision Statement

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1 Archdiocese of Galveston Houston St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 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: Sunday 8:30 am-12:00 pm Fourth Sunday of Lent March 6, 2016 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. 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 Weekday Masses in 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 Parish Secretary-Debbie Heasty C.C.E. Director-Jessica Jaramilllo EDGE Director-Renee Cortez Life Teen Director-Shari Davis 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 March 5: 6:00pm Sunday, March 6: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Emil Schaider By:Family Gervis Johnson By:Daigle Family Trine Galvan By:Aurelia Saenz People of the Parish Mrs. Vernon Sellers By:Marie Richard Tuesday, March 8: 12:00pm Charlotte Boudreaux By:Pat Riley Wednesday, March 9: 8:30am Seferina Salgado By:de la Cerda Family Thursday, March 10: 8:30am Friday, March 11: 8:30am Saturday March 12: 6:00pm Sunday, March 13: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Date March 11th March 18th Rev. Richard M. Partic, O.P. Elva & Gerhardt Weynar By:Kempf Family Delia Aleman By:Escobar Family Eric Raymundo By:Aurelia Saenz Robert Escobar By:Escobar Family Concepcion Castejon de Shindo By:Leisly Castejon People of the Parish Friday s in Lent Stations of the Cross 6:30PM(English) 7:15PM (Spanish) Celebrant Deacon Hector Cantu Fr. Tony Castro 7:15PM (Spanish) Deacon Julio Every Friday KC Fish Fry 5:30-7:30pm ~ $8.00 Plate Credit Cards Accepted!!! February 6 & 7, 2016 Weekly Goal $12, Sunday Collection $11, God is at Work Here Loan Balance Principle Balance $131, Monthly Payment $ 8, Donations (February) $ 2, God s blessings to each of you for your generosity and support to our parish with your time, talent and treasure. DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Parish Goal 2016 $52, Total Amount Pledged $13, Total Amount Paid $7, Total # of Participants 62 HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER OUR Diocesan Services Fund has begun in every parish throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston- Houston. Christ calls us to reach those who are sick or in need, to bless them, serve them, and show them mercy. The thousands of people served by the ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston need your compassion and generosity Your kind gift to DSF enables us to reach out to people in this parish and throughout the entire Archdiocese through more than 60 important programs. Pray about your DSF 2016 commitment, then complete the enclosed pledge card mailed to you and return it via mail in the special envelope provided or bring it to Mass next weekend. If you prefer, you may go online at to make your donation. Your generosity will allow our Catholic community to continue many vital programs and services. LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES Mary Queen (Friendswood) Tues., March 7pm St. Mary (League City) Wed., March 7pm St. Bernadette (Houston) Thurs., March 7pm St. Paul Catholic Church (Houston) Tues., March 7pm St. Hyacinth (Deer Park) Wed., March 7pm Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Chrism Mass March 22nd 2

3 Dear parish family, 4 Sunday of Lent Year C We are so familiar with this Sunday s gospel parable of the prodigal son and so let s shift focus for a moment on the other son in the story. I am sure only few of us can relate to the prodigal son but most can relate to the other son, for like he, somehow we ve done our best over the years to be faithful to God despite our shortcomings. Yet, like the elder son we may at times miss the point in our relationship to God. The elder son quickly criticized his father for being unfair, questioned his generosity and complained bitterly about his action when his father welcomes back his lost brother. He failed to see the goodness of his father and only considers himself as the only one deserving of his benevolence. In his Jubilee Year of Mercy announcement letter entitled, The Face of Mercy, Pope Francis warns us: Beware of being the elder son! The elder son stands outside incapable of rejoicing, angry that an unworthy brother again shares the family s banquet, forcing his father to leave the feast to plead that he should welcome his brother home. When we complain to God that we should deserve more blessings than others because they are not religious, or that they are bad, and that we are better than they are, then we are like this elder son. When we equate God s blessings simply on external things, then we become like the cold hearted and envious elder son of the parable. Remember the response of the father to the elder son, my son you are here with me always and everything I have is yours. But now we have to celebrate because your brother was dead and now come back to life. Oftentimes we forget that just by being close to the God is, in itself, already a great blessing one can have. It is because this is the blessing that carries us through this passing life towards life eternal with God forever, everything I have is yours. Finally, we need to see ourselves in the attitude and love of the father in the parable. This is actually the main point of the story; rightly it should be called the parable of the merciful and good father. You see, it is the father s character that we should employ to measure ourselves. We need to measure the capacities in our hearts and souls to be like the father in the story which mirrors how we ought to love, to be compassionate, to be caring, and willing to give those who are fallen a chance to rise up again. For that is how our heavenly Father treats us as always. This is what the Jubilee Year of Mercy is all about, not only that we celebrate the great mercy of the Father but that we too become merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful! Blessings to all and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, Cuarto domingo de Cuaresma del Año C Estamos muy familiarizados con el Evangelio de este domingo y la parábola del hijo prodigo así que vamos a cambiar nuestro enfoque por un momento sobre el otro hijo de la historia. Yo estoy seguro que solo pocos de nosotros nos podemos relacionar con el hijo prodigo pero muchos nos podemos relacionar con el otro hijo, puesto como el, durante los años de alguna manera hemos hecho lo mejor para ser fieles a Dios a pesar de nuestras faltas. Sin embargo, así como el hijo mayor algunas veces perdemos el punto en nuestra relación con Dios. El hijo mayor de pronto critico a su padre por ser injusto, cuestiono su generosidad y se quejó amargamente sobre su acción cuando su padre recibe de nuevo a su hijo perdido. Él se niega en ver lo bueno en su padre y solo se considera el mismo como el único que merece su benevolencia. En el anuncio de la carta del Año Jubileo de Misericordia, El Rostro de la Misericordia, El Papa Francisco nos advierte: Cuidado en ser el hijo mayor! El hijo mayor se para afuera sin poder regocijar, enojado que un hermano indigno de nuevo comparte en el banquete de la familia, forzando a su padre que deje la fiesta para pedirle que no debe recibir a su hermano a casa. Cuando nos quejamos con Dios que merecemos más bendiciones que otros que no son religiosos, o que son malos, y que nosotros somos mejores que ellos, entonces somos como este hijo mayor. Cuando consideramos equivalente las bendiciones de Dios solo en las cosas externas, entonces nos convertimos como el hijo envidioso de corazón duro de la parábola. Recuerden la respuesta del padre al hijo mayor, hijo, tu estas siempre conmigo y todo lo mío es tuyo. Pero había que hacer fiesta y alegrarse, puesto que tu hermano estaba muerto y ha vuelto a la vida, estaba perdido y ha sido encontrado. Muchas veces se nos olvida de que en solo estar cerca de Dios ya es una gran bendición que uno puede tener. Esto es porque esta es la bendición que nos lleva a través de esta vida para la vida eterna con Dios para siempre, todo lo mío es tuyo. Finalmente, necesitamos tener la actitud y amor del padre de la parábola. Esta es la parte clave de la historia; debería ser llamada la parábola de la misericordia y el buen padre. Ustedes ven, es la actitud del padre que debemos tener para medirnos nosotros mismos. Debemos medir nuestras capacidades de nuestros corazones y almas para ser como el padre en la historia que refleja cómo debemos amar, en ser compasivos, cariñosos, y capaces de darle la oportunidad a los que se han caído en levantarse de nuevo. Puesto que así es como nuestro Padre del Cielo nos trata siempre. Esto es lo que El Año Jubilar de Misericordia es, no solo celebramos la gran misericordia del Padre sino que también nosotros nos volvemos misericordiosos como nuestro Padre del Cielo es misericordioso! Bendiciones para todos y que tengan una buena semana! Padre Tony

4 Activities of the Week Sun. March 6: CCE, EDGE, Life Teen 5pm Bible Study 8:45 & 11:15 Adult Confirmation 2pm St. Mary s Hall Biblical Walk Through the Mass 5:15pm Rosary Hall Conf. Rm. Mon. March 7: Clase de Crecimiento Rosary Hall 7pm Women s AA 7pm, Missing Piece 6:30 Tues. March 8: ESL Class 9:30am, GED 7pm, Rosary Hall Bapt. Class Eng. 7pm, Altar Society Mtg. 6:30pm Rosary Hall 10AMChoir 6:30pm Rosary Hall Wed. March 9: Biblical Walk Through the Mass 9am, Conf. Rm Talleres de Oraciony Vida 7pm Rosary Hall Thurs. March 10: RCIA 6:45pm, Conf. Rm Fri. March 11: KC Fish Fry 5:30pm, Parish Hall Stations of the Cross 6:3pm English 7:15pm Spanish Sat. March 12: Bereavement Session #2, 9am Conf. Rm Sun. March 13: Life Teen Car Wash during Masses ALTAR SOCIETY Altar Flower Dates Available April 10, 17 May 1, 29 June 5,12 July 3,17, 24,31 If you would like to have flowers on the Altar in the upcoming year, please contact Jan or to reserve your date as soon as possible. Sanctuary Candle Special Intention Monica Lezenski By:Frances Zann Chapel Candle In Loving Memory Maria Rodriguez By:Gloria Rinche MARCH ALTAR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS Altar Duty: Cecilia Lopez, Spanish Prayer Group Laundry Duty:Cecilia Lopez, Spanish Prayer Group Hostess:Traci Bernal, Gloria Rinche Altar Society Mtg. 6:30pm Rosary Hall Everyone is Welcome!!! Bereavement Support The Bereavement C.A.R.E. Team (Caring and Reaching Out to Each other) is currently hosting a five week bereavement support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one through death or permanent separation. If you are interested in joining the C.A.R.E. Sessions, please pick up a brochure at the doors of the church for specific meeting dates and topics or just show up. This week s meeting will be on Denial, Anger & Depression. The sessions will meet starting this Saturday (March 5) morning from 9-10:30am in the Parish Hall Conference Room. You may attend any or all of the five sessions, now through April 9th. For additional information, contact Nelda , or the Parish Due to our Penance Service schedule, there will be no Monthly Memorial Mass this month. MINISTRY SCHEDULE March 12 & 13, 2016 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Isabelle Salas Commentator Pat Stanton Extraordinary Ministers Fred Novak, George Rodriguez Of the Eucharist Skip Muegge SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Server Zoey Garner, Natalie Molina Neal Broussard Commentator Nicky Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Leslie Davis, Mose Davis SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Chris Avallone Cindy Bremer Commentator Wayne Christnesen Extraordinary Minister Greg Bremer, Eloy Lara, Vanessa Lara SUNDAY-12:30pm(Spanish) Altar Servers Sarahi Arrona, Mayra Hernandez Jasmine Rodriguez s Olivia Rodriguez, Juanita Velasquez Extraordinary Ministers Marcos & Mercedes Arrona SUNDAY 4:00pm LIFE TEEN MASS Altar Servers Ana Sofia Brinkley Jason Woods Extraordinary Minister Alma Brinkley, Jose Lopez Free ESL Classes Due to the response and interest in the ESL classes, we will be holding classes on Tuesday throughout this semester. If you need any additional information, please contact the office. Free GED Classes Tuesday Evenings Due to the response and interest in GED classes, we will be holding classes on Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30pm in Rosary Hall throughout this semester. You do not need to sign up ahead of time. If you are interested, just come on Tuesday. It Won t Happen Without You Chairperson for VBS July 2016 Our VBS program has continually grown over the past several years into a vital and spiritual part of our children s religious education. We are currently in need of someone to fill the role of chairperson. The deadline for someone to take on this role will be April 1st. Please prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to fill this role. Without a chairperson, there will be no Vacation Bible School this year!!! Please call the church office. 4

5 Please Pray For Our Troops and Tanisha Taylor, Arwin Lavetoria, Bob Fredelake, Petronila Mogollon, Carlos Rodriguez, Juan Guerrero, Rosalinda Munoz, Mary Himjosa, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Sean & Gina Dempse, Tami Sills, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Luke Lewallen, Martha Love, Jose Molina, Cindy & Dave Schmitz, LeeAnn & Family, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Becky Melchor, Deacon Joe Blanchard, Gabriel Dunn, Monica Lesenski, Victoria Farias, Hope Araujo, Chuck Thompson, Gale Hanks, Candalaria Ortiz, Mrs. Ted Sharp, Giovanni Cantu, Nell Martin, Ted & Jeanette Tilley, Nicholas Espinoza III, Teen Grigory, Donna Henson, Judy Tuttle, Fuad Baba, Natalie Fairbanks, Lucindo Gutierrez, Carmen Pena, Brian Young, Pearl Robbs, Denise Jones, Sherri Elder, Tammy Byrd, Betty Romero, Collen Scott, Lidia Dean, Laura Lewis Rocchino, Marcey Salinas, Karen Korn, Karen Bounds, Augustus Coryat, Alma Sepulveda, Sean & Gina Dempsey, Rose Scott, Dalia Garcia, Esmeralda Clem, Marion Wachel, Julie Smith Continue to Pray for Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Sonny Shepherd, Kay Gold, Red Cornejo, Nancy Isla Castro, Irlinda, Kathryn Coleman, Marita Hooper, Linda Jaramillo, Janet Lodge, Lois Johnston, Joe Funda, Minnie Lopez, Deacon Merce Leal, Margarita Klock, John & Sue Crockett, Joanne Jarrell, Joanie O Neal, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Teresa Eidt, Barry Armstrong and those requesting prayer via our web site. Remember Our Shut-Ins Joe & Josie Funda, Ophelia Pinard, Ann Blair, Soledad Hernandez, Elida Peterson, Carolyn Douglas, 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. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday: Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11; Alternate readings (Year A): Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45] ~ Giving to Give ~ If you have a rosary in need of repair, or if you would like to have one made, please contact Rena ***New Rosaries ~ $20.00 & up (Available in the office) Repairs ~$5.00 & up. All proceeds are donated to the building fund. Marriage Enrichment Workshop St. Mary s will host a Marriage Enrichment Workshop given by Greg and Julie Alexander on Saturday, April 16th from 9:00am 4:00pm. You ve seen them on EWTN, they are frequent guests on Catholic radio and they are the authors of Marriage 911! The Alexanders will present a day-long workshop that includes Church teaching, scripture, coupled with their own experience to present this fun and fact filled workshop! The cost is $40.00 per couple. Childcare and lunch will be provided. For more information and to register contact; Eloy Lara at elara.67.el@gmail.com. St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Mon.-Wed., Fri., Sat. 9:00-11:00am Store Closed Thurs. & Sun. Our drop-off room is open 24/7. Thank You!!! In today s Gospel Jesus is quite clear in his message: bear fruit or be cut down. this Lent we are called to cultivate and fertilize our spiritual lives through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Is there a family you may know in need of assistance? Please have them contact the office and set up an appointment with our St. Vincent de Paul Society, so that together we can help the suffering and poor. Upcoming Baptismal Dates April 3, May 8, June 5 Baptism classes are on the 2nd Tues. of each the month in English and 3rd Tues. of each month in 7pm. Baptisms are the first Sunday of the month after the 10am & 12:30pm Masses. To register please call the office. Welcome God s Children ~ February ~ Liam Keith Carr, Paizley Nicole Crump, David Andrew Delgado, Addalyn Mae Morris Raul & Paulina Ramos & Family Luis & Odalis Sanchez & Family Mary Seago Particia Ann Young 5

6 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 - Tues. 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 sttheresa.prolife@gmail.com or Bible Study Classes Sunday Morning Bible Study with Deacon Stan & Tracy Avallone will follow the CCE schedule. Classes this weekend. The program they use is called Bringing Faith Home 8:45am & 11:15am every Sunday). A Biblical Walk Through the Mass Sun. 5:15pm & Wed. 9:00am In this sturdy, we will walk through the main parts of the Mass from the opening Sign of the Cross to the concluding Thanks be to God - and consider then in light of their scriptural background. Along the way, we will discover many beautiful spiritual treasures. For the prayers and rituals of the Mass, when understood biblically, offer much inspiration, encouragement, and practical help for our lives as Christians/ As we will see, the prayers of the Mass challenge us to examine our consciences, repent of our sins, and experience God s loving mercy. They also remind us of God s presence with us amid our fears, trials, and sufferings. They can inspire us to live marriages, family lives, and friendships with greater love and summon us to entrust more of our lives to Jesus. Most of all, this study will help us encounter Our Lord more deeply in the liturgy itself. By understanding the meaning of what we say and do in the Mass, we will be better prepared to give ourselves to Jesus in every prayer and gesture in the liturgy. For additional information about the Bible Study Classes call the office or Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. RCIA This Week 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. Students are welcome to begin classes at any time during the year. RCIA classes are held on Thursday 6:45pm. Classes this Thursday, 6:45pm. The topic will be Christian Living: Social Justice. For additional information about the RCIA program, call the office or Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. Garland of Mercy... In this Jubilee Year, we are asked to open our eyes and hearts to see how God is working in our lives and to more actively spread His mercy out to others. We are creating a Garland of Mercy with our teen group to bear witness to our efforts to help others. For the entire year, we are asking each week when you do works of mercy, to write down one or more works on the strips of paper in the ends of the pews. Please put them into the collection basket so that we offer up, not just our treasure to the Lord, but our time and talent in a visible way. Red Strips are for The Corporal Works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, visiting the sick or imprisoned. White Strips are for The Spiritual Works of Mercy: Counseling the doubtful, bearing wrongs patiently, forgiving offences willingly and praying for the living and the dead. Gold Ones are for the acts of mercy which we received from others. I know that all of you are part of spreading God s mercy out into the world. Please take the time to become more conscious of it and take credit for it here before the Lord. Rachel s Vineyard Retreat March 12 for Women Who Suffer After An Abortion Private & Confidential I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.. The forgiveness of God cannot be denied to one who has repented, especially when that person approaches the Sacrament of Confession with a sincere heart in order to obtain reconciliation with the Father. Pope Francis Next Retreat, Sat. March 9:30am. Location to be announced to participants only. The loss of a child by abortion can form a hole in one s heart, a hole so deep that sometimes it seems nothing can fill the emptiness. Project Rachel is the confidential and compassionate outreach to women who have had an abortion or men who have been involved in an abortion. Its purpose is to foster reconciliation and healing. For more information, please contact Ms. Helena Gonzalez Classes Today 8:45 & 11:15 If you can help contact Jessica Class Today 5:15PM Sacred & Safe Contact Renee Cortez Jr. High/High School Sacraments Class Today 2pm 6

7 Volunteers Needed Looking for something to do? Our Life Teen Youth are asked to help out every Friday night during Lent with the KC Fish Fry 5pm. Any amount of time you can give will be greatly appreciated!!! Kat Springs Retreat This weekend Mass Today 4PM Car Wash Next Weekend during Masses!!! Homemade Pie Fundraiser Call the office to place your order!!! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shari