Second Sunday of Lent February 21, 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 Second Sunday of Lent February 21, 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 February 20: 6:00pm Emil Schaider By:Schaider Family Sunday, February 21: 7:30am Juan Benitez By:Twomey Family 10:00am Marcus Edwards By:Mary Edwards 12:30pm 4:00pm People of the Parish Mr. & Mrs. Juan Tapia By:Escobar Family Tuesday, February 23: 12:00pm Santos Ortega By:de la Cerda Family Wednesday, February 24: 8:30am Robert Sullivan By:Angeles Sullivan & Family Thursday, February 25: 8:30am Elizabeth Bugg By:Kemp Family Friday, February 26: 8:30am Saturday February 27: 6:00pm Ernest Williams By:Carolyn & Family Rev. Edward A. Art Roberts,C.S.B. Sunday, February 28: 7:30am Gervis Johnson By:Daigle Family 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Date Feb. 26th March 4th March 11th March 18th Rose Moreno By:Ken & Ruthie McNeill 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 Fr. Tony Castro Deacon Stan Avallone 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 $10, nd Collection (Black & Indian Missions) $1, Ash Wednesday Collection Archdiocesan Social Ministries $2, DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Parish Goal 2016 $52, Total Amount Pledged $6, Total Amount Paid $4, Total # of Participants 31 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. St. Mary s LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE Wed., March 7pm Area Lenten Services St. Luke the Evangelist (Houston) Wed., Feb. 7pm St. Clare of Assisi (Houston) Tues., March 7pm St. Helen (Pearland) Thurs., March 7pm 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, 2 Sunday Lent C Last week we hear the gospel story of Jesus, fully human like any one of us; he was hungry after 40 days without food in the desert and was tempted by the devil. This Sunday, on the other hand, he shows us his divinity: his clothes are whiter than snow, his face is shining, and he is speaking with the prophets. That day of the first Transfiguration, the chosen disciples Peter, James and John got indeed a glimpse of his divinity and glory. Our Lenten journey can be the setting of a new transfiguration of Jesus in our lives! When Jesus climbed to the top of Mount Tabor with his disciples, he went away from the noise of the town and took them to a place of silence and seclusion. And there comes the mystical moment for the chosen disciples to see and experience the glory of Jesus in His transfiguration. Peter exclaimed, Oh how good it is to be here! But it was only a momentary glimpse of the divine. Jesus wanted them to go back to the reality of the world by coming down that mountain and be ready to face the challenges ahead including accepting trials even up to death on the cross. The final glory still waits at the Resurrection. This Lent is opportunity for us to find time to get away for awhile from the hustle and bustle of our day to day life in order that we can listen and to contemplate closely on the Lord. We need to create the necessary conditions to be able to hear his voice and to contemplate on his divine yet unseen presence. And then inwardly transfigure our spiritual life and so we too can be ready to face whatever challenges we face in life. We ll miss the point of Jesus Transfiguration when our attention is only about the mystical change of his appearance without paying attention to the equally significant aspect of the story - the voice from Heaven that says, "This is my beloved son, listen to him." It is because to listen to Him is the key for our own transfiguration. Today the world is full of confusion, it listens to so many things... things that draw our attention away from listening the transforming words of the gospel. Oftentimes we are also carried away by the confusing messages of the secular world rather than be transformed by the words of the Lord. Lent is the most appropriate time for us pay attention to the Lord, to really listen to Him, and let him transform us, and so in our own little ways we too can transform the very immediate world we live. Blessings to you and have a good week. Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, Segundo domingo Cuaresma C La semana pasada escuchamos la historia de Jesús en el Evangelio, siendo totalmente humano igual a nosotros; el sintió hambre después de haber estado en el desierto por 40 días y fue tentado por el diablo. Sin embargo, este domingo él nos muestra su divinidad: su ropa está más blanca que la nieve, su rostro está brillando, y él está hablando con los profetas. Ese día de su primera Transfiguración, los discípulos escogidos Pedro, Santiago y Juan tuvieron una vislumbre de su divinidad y gloria. Nuestra jornada durante la Cuaresma puede ser una nueva transfiguración de Jesús en nuestras vidas! Cuando Jesús subió al Monte Tabor con sus discípulos, él se apartó de los ruidos del pueblo y los llevo a un lugar de silencio y reclusión. Y ahí viene el momento místico para los discípulos elegidos al ver y experimentar la gloria de Jesús en Su transfiguración. Pedro exclama, Oh que bueno es estar aquí! Pero solo fue una vislumbre pequeña de lo divino. Jesús quiso que regresaran a la realidad del mundo al bajar la montaña para estar listos al enfrentar los desafíos que vinieran después incluyendo las tribulaciones aun al punto de muerte en la cruz. La gloria final se espera en la Resurrección. Esta Cuaresma se nos da una oportunidad para encontrar tiempo de apartarnos del ajetreo de nuestro diario vivir para poder escuchar y contemplar de cerca al Señor. Necesitamos crear las condiciones necesarias para poder escuchar su voz y contemplar su divina presencia que no se ve. Y por dentro transfigurar nuestra vida espiritual para que nosotros también podamos estar listos para enfrentar cualquier desafío que la vida nos presente. Perdemos el punto de la Transfiguración de Jesús cuando nuestra atención está puesta solo en el cambio místico de su apariencia sin poner atención sobre el aspecto de igual significado de la historia la voz del Cielo que dice, Este es mi hijo amado, escúchenlo. La llave de nuestra transfiguración está en escucharlo a Él. Hoy el mundo está rodeado de confusión, escucha a muchas cosas cosas que atraen nuestra atención de escuchar las palabras transformadoras del Evangelio. Muchas veces somos confundidos por el mensaje del mundo secular y no escuchamos la palabra que transforma del Señor. La cuaresma es el tiempo apropiado para que nosotros pongamos atención al Señor, para escucharlo realmente, y dejar que él nos transforme, para que en pequeñas formas podamos transformar al mundo en que vivimos. Bendiciones para ti y que tengas una buena semana. Padre Tony

4 Activities of the Week Sun. Feb. 21: CCE, EDGE Life Teen, Bible Study 8:45 & 11:15 Adult Confirmation 2pm St. Mary s Hall Lenten Series Biblical Walk Through the Mass 5:15pm Rosay Hall Conf. Rm. Mon. Feb. 22: Clase de Crecimiento Rosary Hall 7pm Women s AA 7pm, Missing Piece 6:30 Tues. Feb. 23: ESL Class 9:30am Rosary Hall Wed. Feb. 24:Biblical Walk Through the Mass 9am, Conf. Rm Thurs. Feb. 25: RCIA 6:45pm, Conf. Rm Fri. Feb. 26: KC Fish Fry 5:30pm, Parish Hall Stations of the Cross 6:3pm English 7:15pm Spanish Sat. Feb. 27: First Communion Jesus Day Retreat Rosary Hall ALTAR SOCIETY Altar Flower Dates Available April 10, 17, 24 May 1, 15, 22, 29 June 5,12,19 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 In Loving Memory of Delia Lopez By: Joe Lopez Chapel Candle Charles Paschal Jr. Birthday Celebration By:Family Bay Area Deanery Council of Catholic Women Will take a tour of the Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church, 8:30 am, 300 FM 517 Rd., East, Dickinson, Wednesday, Feb. 24th, with Mass. CCW is an affiliated network of dedicated Catholic women who come together for fellowship, to grow in spirituality, leadership and service to Christ. Please join us. The Catholic Council of Women is for ALL Catholic Women in the deanery! For more information, contact Gretchen ; gretchenmitchell@gmail.com. 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 Starting Tuesday Due to the response and interest in GED classes, we will be holding classes on Tuesday evenings, 7-89:30pm in Rosary Hall throughout this semester. You do not need to sign up ahead of time. If you are interested, just come on Tuesday. Citizenship Class Canceled... We will not be able to have classes this semester due to the limited interest. If you or someone you know is interested, please call the office and leave your contact information for future class information. MINISTRY SCHEDULE February 27 & 28, 2016 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Lauren Lara, Payton Lara Fred Novak Commentator Isabelle Salas Extraordinary Ministers Walter Hayes, Peggy Holland, Of the Eucharist George Rodriguez SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Server Diego Vasquez, Rueben Vasquez Jaime Vasquez Commentator Joe Sturm Extraordinary Ministers Jane Shipp, Kelli Shipp, of the Eucharist Kathy Sturm SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Nicky Avallone Vanessa Maduzia Commentator Kerry Regan Extraordinary Minister Richard Florance, of the Eucharist Jessica Jaramillo, Geraldine Leslie SUNDAY-12:30pm(Spanish) Altar Servers Sarahi Arrona, Adriana Calvillo, Mayra Hernandez s Marcos Arrona, Mercedes Arrona Extraordinary Ministers Jose Rios, Yoli Rios of the Eucharist SUNDAY 4:00pm LIFE TEEN MASS Altar Servers Ana Sofia Brinkley, Dylan Rowan Nick Barrera Extraordinary Minister Hope Novosad, Matt Novosad, of the Eucharist Maria Reyes ~ 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. 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 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, George Willis, 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, Tami Sills, Augustus Coryat, Bob Fredelake, Carlos Rodriguez, Alma Sepulveda, Richard Santana, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Sean & Gina Dempsey, Rose Scott, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Dalia Garcia, Esmeralda Clem, Marion Wachel, Julie Smith, Daniel Perez & Family 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. Repose of the Soul of Jeff Batson and Travis Quinn Noel Chapa Our Sympathy to Donna Batson and family on the loss of her husband, Jeff, and the family of Travis Chapa 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: 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday:Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16;Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, Sunday: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 11; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 Alternate readings (Year A): Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42] 5 Attention St. Mary s Choirs St. Mary s Choirs will be hosting a planning meeting for the upcoming National Pastoral Musicians Conference to be held in Houston, June of The meeting will be held Monday, February 29, in St. Mary s Hall. Refreshments and snacks will be served at 6:30, and meeting will follow at 7pm. If you are able to help with the planning of snacks for that evening, please contact Maria All choirs are invited to attend!!! Upcoming Baptismal Dates March 6, April 3, May 8 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. LET NOTHING DISTURB YOU Let nothing disturb you, Nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patient endurance attains all things. Whoever possesses God lacks nothing, God alone is sufficient. St. Teresa of Ávila Quieres tener un encuentro personal con el Señor? Ven al Retiro de Nueva Vida viernes Marzo 4 de 7 p.m. 9 p.m. sábado Marzo 5 de 8 a.m. 8 p.m. En el Salón Rosario Ven con un corazón dispuesto No te vas arrepentir! Para más información puedes comunicarte con: Angélica Guajardo Cecilia Lopez 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 overcomes the temptations to wealth, power and esteem. As we begin Lent, may we open our hearts to the grace of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Your donations to our St. Vincent Thrift Store help the needy in our community experience the grace of God s love.

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 - 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 NPMC Planning Mtg. Feb.29 St. Mary s 6:30pm 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). New Class Starting Today A Biblical Walk Through the Mass Sun. Feb. 14, 5:15pm & Wed. Feb. 17, 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 Prayer. 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. St. Pius V will be selling raffle tickets for their Bazaar this weekend after the 10am & 12:30pm Masses. Thanks for your support. Classes Today 8:45 & 11:15 Can You Help??? Jesus Day Volunteers Sat., Feb. 27 If you can help contact Jessica Class Today The Sacraments Camp Kappe Retreat Feb Get Registration Class Contact Renee Cortez Jr. High/High School Sacraments Class Today 2pm Deacon Stan~

7 Volunteers Needed Looking for something to do? Our Life Teen Youth are asked to help out on Sat., Feb. 27, with the First Communion Retreat, and every Friday night during Lent with the KC Fish Fry 5pm. Any amount of time you can give will be greatly appreciated!!! Mass Today 4PM Class 5pm God s Love Homemade Pie Fundraiser Call the office to place your order!!! Save the Date... Confirmation Kat Springs Theme: Glory Revealed March 4, 5 & 6 If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shari