St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston Houston 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 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-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-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.
Saturday, May 5: 6:00pm Sunday, May 6: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Tuesday, May 8: 12:00pm Wednesday, May 9: 8:30am Thursday, May 10: 8:30am Friday, May 11: 8:30am Saturday, May 12: 6:00pm Sunday, May 13: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Cristela Davila By:Deanna Amaya Leo Villarreal By:Robert & Diana Ortiz Raymond Zann By:Family Rebeca J. Bernabe By:Family People of the Parish Special Intention Adrian Campos By:Campos Family Marita Hooper By:Heasty Family Valentino Henson By:Sazon Family Lupito Vela By:Rey & Sylvia Araujo Pope s Prayer Intention for May The Mission of the Laity That the lay-faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 -- 16:4a Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 -- 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-14; Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 [1-7, 11-13]; Mk 16:15-20 (for Ascension); otherwise Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 16:16-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-10; Jn 16:23b-28 Sunday: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26; Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; 1 Jn 4:11-16; Jn 17:11b-19; or, for Ascension, Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 [1-7, 11-13]; Mk 16:15-20 April 28 & 29, 2018 Weekly Goal $12,000.00 Regular Collection $9,577.82 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52,000.00 Total Amount Pledged $39,052.00 Total Amount Paid $26,072.00( 50.14%) Total # of Participants 116 If you have not already offered your pledge in this year s Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), Please do so today. DSF 2018 is focused on us, the Church, as we use our gifts to be Instruments of God s Mercy, which will benefit ministries that serve thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese. Through your support, we bring Christ s comfort and care to the many pressing needs that cannot be addressed individually or by one parish alone. Our parish goal is $52,000. With every parish family s full participation, we will surely exceed this amount and do our share to help many in need, advancing the work of the Church in our community. To Give Online Go To www.archgh.org/dsf. For those of you who have already responded with a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude. St. Mary s VBS 2018 July 9th thru 13th *Are you a superhero to kids? *Can you leap tall piles of toys in a single bound? *Are you faster than a spilling cup of milk? If so, we need you for an extraordinary job. We are planning St. Mary s 2018 Vacation Bible School, and we are looking for some super helpers to volunteer. If you can help, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us at VBS Headquarters (also known as the Church office) during CCE times, or send out a signal to Emarita 281-471-5883 or Heather 281-206-3063 if you have any questions or can help out in any way. We look forward to working with you!!
Dear parish family, 6 Sunday of Easter As we all know so well, everybody needs love. It is when we look for love "in all the wrong places", as the popular song goes, that unhappiness results. 100% genuine real love comes only from God. The commandments protect us from falling for the counterfeits, the shams and the lies that often pass for love in our world. The very core of Jesus message and the essence of our life in Christ are encapsulated in the word love. Love captures both the goal and meaning behind our existence as believers; to live in the Father s love. Love identifies the means by which the Gospel is advanced. Love is a cycle starting with the Father s love, shown forth by the Son s love, until eventually through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we realize we are loved. Then in love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we carry the love of the Father and the Son to others, beginning the cycle again. Love makes the world go round, as the saying goes. Many of us experience loving in its many forms such as romantic love, conjugal love, filial love, parental love, brotherly love, friendly love, philanthropic love, loving in the practice of our professions, and patriotic love. In all of these experiences of loving, we somehow enter into the mystery of God s own love. In the practice of loving we move from just imagining love, talking love, singing love, making love, to self-giving love. With the Spirit of Christ urging us we grow from self-occupied love to heroic love. Then, will we know true love For Jesus there is only one test of love and that is obedience. It was his obedience that He himself showed his love to the Father. It was obedience to the will of the Father even unto death. Real love is not simply a passing sentiment or a flimsy lip service but involves decision to act on things that are for the good of the other. False love is self-centered while true love is other-oriented, and follows its demands and conditions. In this Sunday s gospel Jesus reminds us that it is only through our obedience to his commandments that we can show we really love him. The key for the spirit to work in us is this obedient and trusting love that leads to a fuller revelation of who God is to us. Our relationship with God is dependent on love and love is dependent on obedience. The more we obey God, the more we understand him, and the more it becomes easy for us to walk in his way. - Blessings to all and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 6to. Domingo de Pascua Como muy bien sabemos, todo el mundo necesita amor. Como dice la canción popular: Cuando buscamos el amor "en todos los lugares equivocados", es que se produce la infelicidad. El amor real 100% genuino proviene solo de Dios. Los mandamientos nos protegen de caer en las falsificaciones, los engaños y las mentiras que a menudo pasan por amor en nuestro mundo. El núcleo mismo del mensaje de Jesús y la esencia de nuestra vida en Cristo están encerrados en la palabra "amor". El amor capta ambos, la meta y el significado de nuestra existencia como creyentes; vivir en el amor del Padre. El amor identifica los medios por los cuales el Evangelio es revelado. El amor es un ciclo que comienza con el amor del Padre, demostrado por el amor del Hijo, hasta que finalmente, a través de la iluminación del Espíritu Santo, nos damos cuenta de que somos amados. Entonces, en el amor, con el poder del Espíritu Santo, llevamos el amor del Padre y del Hijo a los demás, comenzando el ciclo nuevamente. El amor hace que el mundo gire, como dice el refrán. Muchos de nosotros experimentamos el amor en sus múltiples formas, como el amor romántico, el amor conyugal, el amor filial, el amor paternal, el amor fraternal, el amor amistoso, el amor filantrópico, el amor en la práctica de nuestras profesiones y el amor patriótico. En todas estas experiencias de amor, de alguna manera entramos en el misterio del amor de Dios. En la práctica de amar, pasamos de solo imaginar el amor, hablar de amor, cantar amor, hacer el amor, dar amor a nosotros mismos. Con el Espíritu de Cristo instándonos, crecemos del amor egocéntrico al amor heroico. Entonces, conoceremos el verdadero amor Para Jesús solo hay una prueba de amor y eso es obediencia. Fue su obediencia que Él mismo le mostró su amor al Padre. Fue obediencia a la voluntad del Padre hasta la muerte. El amor verdadero no es simplemente un sentimiento pasajero o un servicio de labios endeble, sino que implica la decisión de actuar sobre cosas que son para el bien del otro. El amor falso es egocéntrico, mientras que el amor verdadero está orientado a los demás, y sigue sus demandas y condiciones. En el evangelio de este domingo, Jesús nos recuerda que solo a través de nuestra obediencia a sus mandamientos podemos demostrar que realmente lo amamos. La clave para que el espíritu obre en nosotros es este amor obediente y de confianza que conduce a una revelación más completa de quién es Dios para nosotros. Nuestra relación con Dios depende del amor y el amor depende de la obediencia. Cuanto más obedecemos a Dios, más lo entendemos, y más fácil nos resulta caminar en su camino. Bendiciones para todos y que tengan una buena semana! P. Tony
Activities of the Week Sun. May 6: No CCE, EDGE &Life Teen Life Teen Raffle Ticket Sale after all Masses Bible Study Rosary Hall 5:15pm Tues. May 8: Altar Society End of Year Social Baptism Class (English) 7pm Fri. May 11: Spanish Prayer Group 7pm Chapel Sat. May 12: Mother/Daughter Tea 2-4pm Rosary Hall MINISTRY SCHEDULE MAY 12 & 13, 2018 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Lector Commentator Extraordinary Ministers SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Ryan Kappil, Andrew Nguyen Tracy Avallone Elizabeth Kappil Walter Hayes, Geraldine Leslie Jeremiah Arredondo, Jorge Arredondo Lector Susie Burgess Commentator Sheridan Lewis Extraordinary Ministers Otis Mathews, Sonja Mathews SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Eros Lopez, Ean Lopez Lector Linda Patten Commentator Pat Stanton Extraordinary Ministers Richard Florance, George Rodriguez SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Adriana Calvillo, Jasmine Rodriguez Lectors Olivia Rodriguez, Rocio Calvillo Extraordinary Ministers Victor & Juanita Velasquez SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Lauren Lara, Payton Lara Lectors Extraordinary Ministers Jason Woods Rosie Molina, Maria Reyes 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 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 832-985-1799 Volunteer VIRTUS Training Protecting God s Children Registration @ www. virtus.org Preventing child sexual abuse is the goal of the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Office. Protecting God s Children s is the program selected by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston to educate clergy, staff, and volunteers who work with children and youth about child sexual abuse and the ways to create a safe environment for children. The 3-hour live session includes videos and facilitated discussions that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Adults learn how to recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse and how to respond appropriately. You will learn about steps that the faith community can take to create a safe environment for all God s children and how to respond when adults behave in a way that raises concerns. Protecting God s Children workshops are held throughout the Archdiocese. If you plan on volunteering here at St. Mary s and have not taken this class, please go to the website listed above to see the area churches offering the training. All attendees must have a current Driver s license (any state), State-issued Identification Card, Passport (any country), Mexico or Guatemala or a Consulate ID in order to attend a Protecting God s Children Workshop. When preregistering for the class, YOU MUST USE YOUR NAME and DATE OF BIRTH as it appears on your DL, ID, or Passport. Go to Website for Area Churches Offering Training Upcoming Classes St. John s Baytown, Texas May 23, 2018 St. Paul s Nassau Bay, Texas June 13, 2018 Please pre-register online at www.virtusonline.org No walk-ins accepted ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you already took your initial class, and it has not expired, you may be in need of a refresher course. I have mailed out letters to all those who currently need the course. If you did not get a letter but think you may need this class please call the office on Mon. or Wed. 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 281-300-7230 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
Please Pray For Our Troops and Robert Pittman, Angel Leo Cardenas, Jesse Lopez, Jessica Rodriguez, Melba Armadillo, Isabella Salas, Valeria Key, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Seth Permenter, Kirk Permenter, Bob & Barbara Jenings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Lee Ann & Family, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James, Christina C., Chuck & Susan Thompson, Katherine Reichley & Family, Don & Allie Faye Mathews, Joe & Sue Hand, Bill & Rena Manthei, Brad & Barbara Riley, Mary Pat Wells, Debbie McFadden, Jerry & Willetta House, Bonnie Schodeffkefa, Bonnie Huston, Jimmy Salinas, Elouise Diamond, Israel Espinosa, Danny Saul, Jorge Cortez, Vanessa Carriaga, Kasey Brinkley, Micky and Betty Flynn, Hope Araujo, Delia Garcia, Rosie Rodriguez, Timoteya Sanchez, Steve Grigory, Rosa Reyes, Hannah Schmitz, Ryan Paulissen, Rena Espinoza Carroll, Candeleria Ortiz, Sherry Paschal, Felicia Kahn, Beatrice Gamboa, Mrs. Langston, Marie Alemon, George Lopez Jr., Michael, Johnny Hughes, Maria Miranda, Virginia Jaramilllo, Joel Rivera, Bryson Dunn, Lisa Steinberg, John Lopez,, Mark Staszek, Salazar Family, Isabelle Calvillo, Raymond Flores, Aaron Binkley, Jordon Binkley, Noe Mares, Albert Davis, Anthony Melancon, Brittany Espinoza, Maximiliana Rios, Carlos Rios, Amy Zann, Joy Barksdale, Edward Salinas Jr., Please Continue to Pray for 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, Carlos Smith, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contreras, Becky Melchor, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Deacon Merce Leal, Margarita Klock, 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 Josie Funda, 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 Souls of Daniel Cavazos Our Sympathy to Sylvia Cavazos and family on the loss of her husband, Daniel Please Note: Names on our Please Pray For list are left on Make a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Help us to support the Bishops Initiative on Marriage! Couples who make Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekends not only rediscover joy in their relationships, but also become more active in their parish. Together, we are making marriages, families and our church stronger & healthier. Some upcoming dates are May 18-20 or October 12-14. Register early to reserve a spot. Contact Brian & Tina Little at 281-773- 4014 for more information. Or go on-line to houstonme.org. ALTAR FLOWERS May 5/6: Special Intention 1st Communion Students May 12/13: May 19/20: Gayle Phillips 80th Birthday Celebration Love, From her family May 26/27: OPEN 2018 Available Flower Date May 26/27 June 2/3, 9/10 July 14/15, 23/24 To place flowers on the altar contact Jan Hughes @ 281 402-5401 or 903-780-5090 to reserve your date as soon as possible. CATHOLIC CLERICAL STUDENT FUND is a fund set up to help maintain the Seminary where our young men live while they are studying to become priests. Enrollment cards are available for any special occasion @ $3.00 per person, $10.00 per family or $25.00 for a perpetual enrollment. For info. or to do an enrollment please come by the office. Grief Share ~ Life After Loss Support Group St. Joseph s, Baytown Saturday Mornings 10:30 12 noon Now through June 9th Information Contact Susan Wolff 713-542-8951 Mothers, Daughters, Grandmothers, Granddaughters, etc. Please Join Us!!! Mother s Day Tea Saturday, May 12th, 2-4pm Adults:$10.00 Children:(4-11) Contest for the best decorated table! 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place $25.00 Entry Fee (Fee includes 2 tickets to the tea) Tickets: Church Office 281-471-2000 St. Joseph s Catholic Church, Baytown BAZAAR Day Sunday, May 6th, 11am-4pm BBQ Lunch: 11am-3pm Raffle Prizes: 6 Tickets for $10. or $2. Each ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BINGO NIGHT Saturday, May 5th 6-9pm The Lighthouse Catholic Media Kiosks Lots of New Titles for Spring 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
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 Norma @ 281-471-1752. Upcoming Baptismal Dates May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5 Baptism classes are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in English and the 3rd Tuesday of the month in Spanish @ 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. 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. Julio & Carmen Cruz & Family Cody Lenz & Alexia Harlan Ms. Celina Hernandez & Family Ramon & Susana Santana & Family Ruben & Maria Serrano & Family Ms. Leslie Wheeler Welcome God s Children ~ February ~ Eyrem Jose Ortiz-Vasquez, Erasmo Lionel Rodriguez, Max Rivera, Michelle Rivera, Olivia Vasquez, Michael Jesse Villa, Barrett Anthony Valtierra ~ March ~ Casmilla Rae Cordova, Aria Marie Gonzalez, Marco Enrique Sandoval ~ April ~ Zarahy Noemi Hernandez Garcia Emma Sunshine Quintanilla First Holy Communion Students May 5, 2017 ~ God s Blessings Janessa Ivette Campos Jocelyn Alaina Cardenas Sophia Isadora Cook Yazmine Alena Davila Alexandra Delgado Serrano(May 20) Isabella Marie Estrada Emily Franco Jonathan Franco Jr. Celeste Aimee Garcia Gabriella Alexis Garza Milllie Garza Isabella Rose George Katherine Elena Gonzalez Sophia Victoria Jimenez Aiden alexander Magallon Madeleine Grace McBride Diego Abraham Melgoza Saoirse Reina Molina Matthew Nunez Alex Ortiz Juan Angel Ortiz Christopher Cesar Brown Panalez Omar Pérez Jr. Jonathan Samuel Ramos Benjamin Luis rodriguez Fabian Sanchez Juan Manuel Sanchez Jr. Sophia Marie Sanchez Vanessa Noemi Sanchez Adam Santa Cruz Maria Analise Vasquez Victor Emmanuel Velasquez
LEAF IT TO LIFE TEEN Fundraiser Goal: $15,000 By May 31, 2018 Here s your opportunity to support St. Mary s youth and young adults for their upcoming trips to Steubenville, fall retreats, and an Education Seminar at Franciscan University AND invest in the future of our church! Ï Pick up a donation envelope and card at the doors of the church. Ï Complete donation card and insert monetary donation (any amount) and prayer pledge. Ï Drop envelope in collection basket or at church office. Watch our TREE grow as green leaves are added when your donations are received! (Tree is on glass wall in back of church.) For more information, please contact: Debbie Wade, wadesinlp@sbcglobal.net Shari Davis, Davisinlp@aol.com Thank you for your kind support!!