Archdiocese of Galveston Houston St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 816 Park Dr. La Porte, Texas 77571 281-471-2000 Fax:281-471-9365 Website:www.stmaryslaporte.com E-mail: stmaryslpcc@sbcglobal.net 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 in Ordinary Time January 29, 2017 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 Bookkeeper-Patty Detweiler Bulletin/Sacramental Records Cheryl Frobenius Maintenance-Humberto Villalobos Parish Secretary-Debbie Heasty Receptionist-Peggy Holland 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.
Saturday Jan. 28: 6:00pm Sunday, Jan. 29: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Tuesday, Jan. 31: 12:00pm Wednesday, Feb. 1: 8:30am Thursday, Feb. 2: 8:30am Friday, Feb. 3: 8:30am Saturday Feb. 4: 6:00pm Sunday, Jan. 29: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Emil Schaider By:Family Juan Benitez By:Twomey Family Cora Chandler By:Maria Garcia Carmen Perez By:Frances Nieves People of the Parish Karen Bounds By:Hellstein Family Special Intention Ben Gerdes By:Angeles Sullivan Rev. Rowlin B. Enette, S.S.J. Ralph Breiner By:Family Ignacio & Guadalupe G. Vela By:Sylvia Araujo Jane Shipp By:Decie Atchison People of the Parish Sorella Nieves By:Frances Nieves Maria Lozano By:Lozano Family A CHANCE TO SHOW YOUR LOVE Dad, Step-Dad, Grandfather, Uncle Daughter Dance Saturday, February 18th Give the Little Girl in your life a night to remember. We will be having a special evening to celebrate her and your relationship with her. All ages welcome. The tickets will be available after Masses the weekends of February 4/5 and 11/12. Tickets: Guest & Daughter $15.00 Guest and Daughter s (Family) $20.00 This event will be sponsored by Couples for Christ. Tickets contact Vanessa @ 281-253-9405. January 21 & 22, 2016 Weekly Goal $12,000.00 Regular Collection $ 9,166.00 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Parish Goal 2017 $52,000.00 Go Make Disciples Our 2017 Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) begins next weekend 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. This week, all registered parishioners will receive a letter from Cardinal DiNardo, along with a personalized pledge card, inviting you to Go Make Disciples. Pray about your DSF 2017 commitment, then complete the enclosed pledge card and return it via mail in the specila envelope provided or bring it to Mass next weekend. If you prefer, you may go online at www.archgh.org/dsf to make your donation. Your generosity will allow our Catholic community to continue many vital programs and services. Breakfast Taco Fundraiser Next Weekend After 7:30 & 10am Masses $1.00 Each This fundraiser is sponsored by our Couples for Christ ministry here at St. Mary s. They are a group of couples who are a part of our parish community, working to promote fellowship. All couples are welcome. If you are interested in joining our ministry, please contact Cindy @ 832-605-2681 or CindyBremer@noltex.com 2
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Until very recent decades Holy Thursday and Good Friday were centered on personal pious devotions, not public liturgy. In urban America, at least in cities with a significant Catholic population, Holy Thursday was about veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. People were encouraged to walk to seven churches for a visit to each parish s repository, a kind of temporary tabernacle on a side altar, closer in proximity to the faithful than the usual tabernacle on the distant high altar. On Good Friday, the most popular form of devotion was the Stations of the Cross, or a three-hour program of word and preaching beginning at noon. The Holy Thursday seven-church hike was a way of participating in a custom of the city of Rome. Traditionally, each day in Lent was assigned to a particular parish church or basilica in the city. Each week of Lent thus had seven churches, and pious people tried to get to each one of them. The pilgrimage was a symbol of unity and also the journey of faith. Originally, the pope would go to each place for a liturgy, but political strife removed the pope from Rome in 1305. With the papacy relocated in France, the custom ceased until Pope Leo XIII expressed interest in restoring it in 1900, and Blessed John XXIII fully restored the custom in 1959. By the time Pope Leo began to revive the custom, many American cities had enough parishes and monasteries that the faithful could vicariously participate in the revived tradition of stational liturgies by a very long walk! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. THE CHOSEN REMNANT Zephaniah is one of the least-known of the Old Testament prophets. He speaks in today s first reading of impending judgment. But the Lord will leave a remnant in Israel. This image of a remnant, or remainder, was to become vital to both Judaism and Christianity. Paul s letter to Corinth makes obvious his deep concern for the Christians there. They are too self-confident, he says, too sure of themselves. He admonishes them to remember that Christ has given them all they have. Today s Gospel comprises the opening of Jesus Great Sermon. As God gave Moses the law on Sinai, so now Jesus gathers his disciples on a hillside to teach them the new law. Each of these Beatitudes contrasts the humiliation of the present with the glory of the future: poverty vs. the riches of God s kingdom, hunger for holiness vs. fulfillment in the Spirit, persecution vs. the reign of God. Jesus is here speaking to God s chosen remnant. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
Activities of the Week Sun. Jan. 29: CCE, EDGE, Life Teen Bible Study/ Prayer Group, PH Conf. Rm 8:45am Bible Study: Matthew: The King & His Kingdom, Rosary Hall @ 5:15pm Mon. Jan. 30: Women s AA Rosary Hall 7pm Tues. Jan. 31: ESL Rosary Hall 9:30am Citizenship Class Rosary Hall 7pm Wed. Feb. 1:Bible Study: Matthew: The King & His Kingdom, PH Conf. Rm 9:15am Thurs. Feb. 2: RCIA 6:45pm PH Conf. Rm Fri. Feb. 3: Spanish Prayer Group Chapel 7:30pm Jan. 21/22: ALTAR FLOWERS In Honor of Jorge Reyes & Yasmeen Martinez Wedding Celebration Jan. 28/29:Open 2017 Flower Dates Available Feb. 4/5, 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 April 22/23, 29/30 To place flowers on the altar contact Jan Hughes @ 281 402-5401 or 903-780-5090 to reserve your date as soon as possible. Chapel Sanctuary Candle Sympathy to the Karen Bounds Family By: Peggy Altar Society Bingo for $$$ Sunday, Feb. 12th 1-5pm KNIGHTS 0F COLUMBUS IN SERVICE TO ONE. IN SERVICE TO @LL. Sup_r\owl \risk_t fun^r[is_r 10-12l\. (B_for_ Cook_^) All briskets will be freshly cooked and ready for pick-up on Saturday morning, February 4th (11am-1pm) at the Smoke House. Whol_ Brisk_t-$60.00 H[lf Brisk_t-$35.00 D_[^lin_ W_^n_s^[y, F_\ru[ry 1st Questions or to Place Order Contact: Arnold Isbell 281-924-7954 aisbell@bakercorp.com Marcus DiValentone 832-455-4358 markdivalentone@yahoo.com Robert Zulaica 832-282-0285 Robert.zulaica@yahoo.com Thank you for your support!!! MINISTRY SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 4 & 5, 2017 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Fred Novak Commentator Kathy Nastally Extraordinary Ministers Isabelle Salas, Pat Stanton, Peggy Holland SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Server Natalie Molina, Ryan Kappil Lisa Raymundo Commentator Elizabeth Kappil Extraordinary Ministers Dianne Gerdes, Mose Davis Leslie Davis SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Isabelle Burmaster, Ana Sofia Brinkley Linda Patten Commentator Tracy Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Sandra Burmaster, Richard Florance, Geraldine Leslie SUNDAY-12:30pm(Spanish) Altar Server Adriana Calvillo, Alejandro Rodriguez, Adrian Rodriguez, Jasmine Rodriguez s Sergio Calvillo, Rocio Calvillo Extraordinary Minister Jose & Juany Gracia SUNDAY 4:00pm Altar Servers Lauren Lara, Payton Lara Extraordinary Ministers Lyndsey Hernandez Alma Brinkley, Joe Lopez, Lyndsey Hernandez Adult Confirmation Classes Sign Up Now Starting Sunday, March 5th If you have been baptized, received your first communion but need to be confirmed, we will be having Adult Confirmation Classes on Sundays @ 2m in the Parish Hall conference room for five weeks. Due to the limited sessions, you will not be able to sign up late. Please contact Deacon Hector as soon as possible, if you are interested, @ 281-382-8672 or come by the office to register. Thank you to everyone who came out last weekend in support of our blood drive. We donated a total of 25 units to the Gulf Coast Regional, which was 33% over our blood drive goal. Your willingness to give is a blessing to our community. 4
Please Pray For Our Troops and Roland Garza, Amelia Poore, Ron Pogue, Rena Espinoza Carroll, Charles Sharpless, Jorge Cortez, Roy Gonzales, Larry Williams, Donna Henson, Ida Trejo, Barbara Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Arambula, Tanisha Taylor, Evelyn & Jerry Vidos, MaKinzi, Peterson, Aliyah Mendez, Jessica Redow, Edward Salinas, Candelaria Ortiz, Diana Villarreal, Rebecca Ramos, Mike Rupley, Jordan Binkley, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Lloyd Wells, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Jarred H., Cindy & Dave Schmitz, Faith A., Tami Sills, H. C. Wade, LeeAnn & Family, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James Martin Muetzel, Ron Balsam, Laura Lewis Rocchino, Carlota Carmona, Jesse Lopez, Dianne Verret, Mike Rupley, Chuck Thompson, Debi Cariaga, Michael Kelly, Francis Williams, Joe Sturm, Sally Johnson, Tim Sumski, Murphy Guillory, Gayle Phillips, Britton Phillips, Alberto Rodriguez, Lee Molina, Gabriella Mendoza, Judy Irlbeck, Luck Lewallen, Rose Ellen Pena, Sherry Paschal, Baby Lucas Riley, Gary Tandy, Joseph Morgan, Pedro Sanchez, Monica Lesenski, Ana Baez, Marybeth Hays, David Copous, Daniel Vasquez, Pedro B. Sanchez, Gloria Pena, Karen Bounds, Kim Mobbs, Marcey Salinas, Edward Salinas, Nell Martin, Angela Catlun Continue to Pray for Lucille Schaider, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Felipe Sanchez, Ben Gerdes, Carlos Smith, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contreras, Romeal Nolan, Becky Melchor, Aaron Rodriguez, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Kay Gold, Red Cornejo, Kathryn Coleman, Marita Hooper, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Minnie Lopez, Deacon Merce Leal, Margarita Klock, 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 Jacqueline Dulin Our Sympathy to Jan Hughes and family on the death of her sister, Jacgueline 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. 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. 281-948-8690, 281-948-8640, Marco & Mercedes Arrona, marco-51@sbcglobal.net Te invitamos a una Hora Santa en comunidad Todos los mièrcoles De 7-8 p.m. En loa Capilla de San Josè. Para más información Pueses comunicarte con Marta y reino Fernández 832-985-1799. RCIA Classes Started RCIA (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 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 on Thursday evenings @6:45pm in the Parish Hall Conf. Rm. Class this week will be A Biblical Walk through the Mass. For information about the RCIA program, call the office or email Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. Spend a Weekend with Us Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. As we reflect upon the beatitudes, let us explore how to understand our spouse better by participating in a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. Some upcoming dates are Feb. 17-19 or March 24-26. For more information contact Brian & Tina Little @ 281-773-4014 or go online to www.houstonme.org. 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 the Gospel today Jesus gives us the Beatitudes, which embody a radically alternative vision of life and we find that God indeed calls us to blessedness. This month, through your gifts, our St. Vincent de Paul Society has been able to proclaim the good news of the kingdom by providing clothing and utility and rental assistance to the needy in our community. Volunteers Needed: We are in need of volunteers to work in our store any day of the week. Please contact Norma @ 281-471-1752. Free ESL & Citizenship Classes ESL classes will be held on Tuesday mornings 9:30-11am and the Citizenship classes will be on Tuesday Evenings @ 7pm in Rosary Hall. Provided we have enough interest, both classes will continue For the spring semester. If you need any additional information, please contact the office. ~ Giving to Give ~ If you have a rosary in need of repair, or if you would like to have one made, please contact Rena Hellstein @ 281-889-8043. ***New Rosaries ~ $20.00 & up (Available in the office) Repairs ~ $5.00 & up. All proceeds are donated to the building fund. 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. 5
Join Us St. Mary s Music Ministry Sat. 6pm Mass Rehearsals before Mass at 5:15 Contact Kathy McBride 713-628-8387 Sun. 7:30am Mass - Rehearsals before Mass at 7am Contact Yvonne Fisher 832-581-5974 Sun. 10:00am Mass - Wed. 6:30-9pm Rosary Hall Contact Annelise Lagasse 281-459-6453 Sun. 12:30pm Spanish Mass- Contact Jose Vazquez 832-868-4081 Sun. 4pm Life Teen Mass- Rehearsals-Sunday 2pm Contact Alex sttheresa.prolife@gmail.com or 281-543-7794. Free Babysitting available during 10 am Mass every Sunday St. Mary s Parish Hall Rm #2 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 Belinda @ 713-805-4961 or the Church Office. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31:20-24; Mk 5:1-20 Tuesday: Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22:26b-28, 30-32; Mk 5:21-43 Wednesday: Heb 12:4-7, 11-15; Ps 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18a; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 [22-32] Friday: Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8b-9; Mk 6:14-29 Saturday: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21; Ps 23:1-6; Mk 6:30-34 Sunday: Is 58:7-10; Ps 112:4-9; 1 Cor 2:1-5; Mt 5:13-16 Samaritan Corner Funeral Coordinator Needed Are you retired and looking of some way to be of service to your parish community here at St. Mary s? When someone passes away, there is a need to have an individual willing to meet with the family and go over the details and readings for the funeral service. On the day of the funeral you would also be responsible to setup the church for the funeral mass and attend the mass in order to be of assistance to the funeral director and families members. If this might be something you may be interested in, please contact the office as soon as possible. We are desperately in need of someone willing to take on this responsibility. Funeral Reception Support Needed... We have 3 incredible funeral teams that provide receptions for the families who have lost a loved one after the funeral. Perhaps you would be willing to volunteer to make something beforehand or come to setup/serve on the day of the funeral reception. Please call the office if you are interested, and we will get you in contact with one of our funeral team leaders. Thank you to those who have responded to our request for help. God s Blessings. Archdiocesan Help Available 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 Ministry @ 713-741-8711. Parenting Help? The office of Family Life Ministry have trained eight professionals around the Archdiocese to provide services to parents who are willing and need help raising their children. The program is designed to offer advice, support and formation to parents with common developmental and behavioral problems in children. For more information or to register please call 713-741-8739 or 713-741-8711. Retrouvaille: Meetings are designed to help marriages facing challenging situations. Please check our website for upcoming sessions. Register@: http:// www.retrouvaille.org 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 @ 7pm on the third Monday of every month in downtown Houston at the Cathedral Centre (1701 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002).For more information about the Maria Goretti Network that is sponsoring this support group, go to www.mgoretti.org or call 713-851-3708. 12th Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk- Support Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston by joining us for one of the largest events in our Archdiocese on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Run, walk, sleep in and Hit Snooze, volunteer or come to cheer on the participants. Harvesting Our Tears program, an eight week support group for the widowed. Meets every second Thursday of the month until May 11, 2017. To register call Elsa Aguilera @ 713-741-8708 or eaguilera@arch.org Elder Abuse can happen to anyone and it can take many different forms. Most cases of abuse reported to Adult Protective Services involve self-neglect. Many of these people are vulnerable to abuse because they live alone or are dependent on someone else for their care. Texas requires by law the reporting of elder abuse or the suspicion of elder abuse. If you know of someone who cannot care for himself/herself, or who is being abused, neglected or exploited, whether they live alone of with a spouse or caregiver, Texas law requires that your report the abuse. The number is 1-800-252-5400; your report will remain confidential. For additional information, please call the Office of Aging @ 713-741-8712. Schedule and registration for FTCM for the Spring 2017 now available. For detailed information go to www.archgh.org/oec/ftcm. 6
CCE Classes Today Parent Bible Study & Prayer Group Sunday s @ 8:45am (We follow the CCE Schedule) Jr. High Youth Program (6, 7 & 8th Grade) Class Today Baptism 5:15pm Jr. High Upcoming Youth Rally St. Simon & Jude Catholic Church Woodlands, TX Sat. Feb. 25th 10:30am-9pm Registration forms available at class and on St. Mary s website @ www.stmaryslaporte.com EDGE Info. contact Renee @ 832-220-3802 Life Teen Mass 4pm Class Tonight @ 5pm Dwelling Place Life Night on the Paschal Mystery Youth Bible Study Every Wed. Rm 3 @ 7pm Adoration @ Charismatic Center First Wed. of each Month Carpool meet @ St. Mary s 6pm Info. contact Shari @ 281-470-6066