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.
Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 31: 8:30pm Easter Vigil Mass Sunday, April 1: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm Sarah Jayne & Art Brossette By:John Magliolo People of the Parish Maria del Camen Diaz By: Maria Constantine Easter ~ No 4pm Life Teen Mass Today Tuesday, April 3: 12:00pm Wednesday, April 4: 8:30am Thursday, April 5: 8:30am Friday, April 6: 8:30am Saturday, April 7: 6:00pm Sunday, April 8: 7:30am 10:00am 12:30pm 4:00pm Roy Lecompte, Birthday Celebration By: Lisa Lecompte Carlos Rodriguez By: Angeles Sullivan Jay West By: Family Gene Espey By: Heasty Family Bob & Virginia Huston By: Heasty Family Sinforosa Dapitan By: Marden Distefano Delia Lopez By: Joe Lopez & Family People of the Parish Anamda Kempf Chollett By: Kempf Family Anointing of the Sick. will be held Friday, April 6, during the 8:30am Mass in St. Joseph s Chapel. If you are seriously ill, suffering from a terminal illness or going to have a life-threatening surgery, this sacrament is for you. If, however, you are going to have a routine surgery Father will be glad to give you a blessing. Please call the office and make an appointment to come by at your earliest convenience if you are unable to attend this Mass. Join Us La Porte Community Easter Sunrise Service Sunday, April 1, 2018 @ 6:30am Sylvan Beach Pavilion 1 Sylvan Beach Dr., La Porte Sponsored by the La Porte Ministerial Alliance March 17 & 18, 2018 Weekly Goal $12,000.00 Regular Collection $ 8,936.60 Easter Flowers $1,898.00 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Instruments of God s Mercy Parish Goal 2018 $52,000.00 Total Amount Pledged $32,257.50 Total Amount Paid $17,070.00(32.83%) Total # of Participants 99 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. Samaritan Corner Monthly Memorial Mass The Samaritan Monthly Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 4th @ 6:30pm in St. Joseph s Chapel. Those being remembered this month include; Robert Quiroga, Joannie O Neal, Silvia Carolina Rubio de Alba, Evangelina Gallegos, Jim Haynes, Larry E. Macon, Zozimo Dapitan, Norman Hartman, Jose Castro & David Skaggs. Counting Our Blessings!!! 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 everyone who has already responded to our request for volunteers. However, we are still in need of others to assist us in this Ministry in any way they can. Please call the office if you would be able to help out in any way.
Dear parish family and visiting faithful, EASTER Easter teaches us that God can overcome anything, even death. When the Risen Christ appears to the women at the tomb and later to his disciples, his first words are Do not be afraid! (Mt 28:5,10) These words speak to our hearts, helping us cope with the fear from the loss of a job, a serious illness, or a crumbling relationship. Our faith allows us to trust that God can overcome even our most serious problems. Easter means to live with a sense of newness. Just as the return of spring lifts our spirits and makes us feel like the whole world is new, the Resurrection of Jesus makes all things new. (Rev. 21:5) The Easter spirit is a spirit of renewal that enables us to show up at work with a positive attitude, to renew relationships that have been taken for granted, and to express appreciation and affection to those closest to us. It means to see the world through new eyes in God s eyes. This Easter Sunday we hear the gospel talks about the empty tomb." The empty tomb, though very important, is not enough. It is not an absence that we seek but a PRESENCE. The Easter gospels tell us of this presence. Where? Outside of the tomb Mary Magdalene met Jesus after which she excitedly told the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." Experiencing the presence of Jesus changed their lives for good. Our Lord Jesus wants to experience His presence in our life. He wants us to get out from tombs of indifference, of egoism and of laziness in engaging to make our faith alive and active. He wants us to see Him alive in our day-to-day lives and our faith expressed in the way we live and in our relationships with others. For us, the challenge of Easter is to follow Jesus in love. This is what His post-resurrection appearances did to His disciples. This is what Jesus is asking from us now. When we respond, when we also begin to love Jesus and in Him, our neighbor, then His Resurrection will finally begin to have meaning in our lives. It is for us now the way to experience his presence in our midst. May the Risen Lord bless all of you always! HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial y fiel visitante, PASCUA DE RESURRECCION La Pascua nos enseña que Dios puede vencer cualquier cosa, incluso la muerte. Cuando el Cristo Resucitado se aparece a las mujeres en la tumba y luego a sus discípulos, sus primeras palabras son " No tengas miedo!" (Mt 28, 5, 10). Estas palabras hablan a nuestros corazones, ayudándonos a sobrellevar el temor de la pérdida de un trabajo, una enfermedad grave o una relación desmoronada. Nuestra fe nos permite confiar en que Dios puede superar incluso nuestros problemas más graves. Pascua significa vivir con una sensación de novedad. Así como el regreso de la primavera levanta nuestros espíritus y nos hace sentir que todo el mundo es nuevo, la Resurrección de Jesús hace que "todas las cosas sean nuevas". (Apocalipsis 21: 5) El espíritu de Pascua es un espíritu de renovación que nos permite aparecer en nuestra vida cotidiana con una actitud positiva, renovar las relaciones que se han dado por garantizadas y expresar aprecio y afecto a quienes están más cerca de nosotros. Significa ver el mundo a través de nuevos ojos, a través de los ojos de Dios. Este domingo de Pascua escuchamos que el evangelio habla de "la tumba vacía". La tumba vacía, aunque muy importante, no es suficiente. No es una ausencia que buscamos sino una PRESENCIA. Los evangelios de Pascua nos hablan de esta presencia. Dónde? Fuera de la tumba, María Magdalena se encontró con Jesús, después de lo cual ella exclamó a los discípulos: "He visto al Señor". Experimentar la presencia de Jesús cambió sus vidas para siempre. Nuestro Señor Jesús quiere experimentar su presencia en nuestra vida. Él quiere que salgamos de las tumbas de la indiferencia, del egoísmo y de la pereza para comprometernos a mantener nuestra fe viva y activa. Él quiere que lo veamos vivo en nuestra vida cotidiana y nuestra fe expresada en la forma en que vivimos y en nuestras relaciones con los demás. Para nosotros, el desafío de la Pascua es seguir a Jesús en amor. Esto es lo que sus apariciones posteriores a la resurrección hicieron a sus discípulos. Esto es lo que Jesús está pidiendo de nosotros ahora. Cuando respondemos, cuando también comenzamos a amar a Jesús y en Él, nuestro prójimo, entonces Su Resurrección finalmente comenzará a tener sentido en nuestras vidas. Es para nosotros ahora la manera de experimentar su presencia en medio de nosotros. Que el Señor Resucitado los bendiga siempre a todos ustedes! FELIZ PASCUA A TODOS! P. Tony
Activities of the Week Holy Week Sun. Mar. 25: CCE, EDGE &Life Teen OREMUS Bible Study Group 5:15pm Rosary Hall Mon. Mar. 26: Creciemento 6:30pm Rosary Hall Tues. Mar. 27: No scheduled Adoration this week Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral 7pm Wed. Mar. 28: OREMUS Bible Study Group 9:15am PH Conf. Rm Thurs. Mar. 29: Church Office Closes at 11:30am Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:00pm Adoration in Chapel 9pm Midnight Fri. March 30: Good Friday Church open for silent prayer/stations Noon- 3pm Celebration of the Lord s Passion 3pm Eng., & 7pm Span. Sat. Mar. 31: Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass 8:30pm Sun. Apr. 1:Community Easter Sunrise Service 6:30AM at Sylvan Beach Pavilion 7:30 & 10:00am:Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord in English 12:30pm: Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord in Spanish NO 4:00PM LIFE TEEN MASS TODAY OREMUS-LET US PRAY The Oremus study program teaches you the essentials of an effective and fruitful prayer life. Over the course of eight weeks you will discover how God speaks to you, even in the smallest encounters. Following the Tradition of the Catholic Church and the wisdom of the saints, you will learn how to express yourself to God in prayer, and how to hear his voice. Classes Sun. @ 5:15pm & Wed. @ 9:15am READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11;Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2ab, 5-9; Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27a; Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1, 14-15ab, 16-21; Mk 16:9-15 Sunday: Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31 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 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 SPECIAL EVENT!!! Wake-Up Call for All Catholics Cradle, Ex, Non, Lukewarm Why are you Catholic when there are thousands of other denominations to choose from? Do you really believe in Jesus Christ and His Church? How can you live and share the faith in an anti-catholic culture? Beyond Sunday, how else are you being called to be faithful? If these questions are some that you struggle to adequately answer, make plans now to attend this special event on Tue., Apr. 24, from 7-8:30 p.m.at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Nassau Bay. The presenter is by speaker and author Troy Guy, a former anti-catholic Protestant. Attendees will receive a copy of Troy s popular new book, Evangelical Catholic. Pope s Prayer Intention for March Evangelization: Formation in Spiritual Discernment That the Church may appreciate the urgency of formation in spiritual discernment, both on the personal and communitarian levels. St. Mary s VBS 2018 July 9th thru 13th We are still in need of 6 Adult Volunteers to help lead the activity stations and groups. Without your help VBS will not be possible. Would you be willing to help??? Please contact Kristina 832-367-0941, Emarita 281-471-5883 or Heather 832-206 -3063 if you have any questions or can help in any way.
Please Pray For Our Troops and Danny Saul, Joe Sturm, Bill & Rena Manthei, 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, Brad & Barbara Riley, 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., Sergio Reyes Family, Trevor Bonnau, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Seth Permenter, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Jarred H., Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Tami Sills, LeeAnn & Family, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James, Chuck Thompson, Katherie Reichley & Family, Don & Allie Fay Matthews, Joe & Sue Hand, Mary Pat Wells, Cheryl Grimes, Rick Lara, Tina Aviles, Katy Dalton, Sharon Holston, Janice, Steven Carr, Ruth Stephens, Cormac O Reilly, Georgia Fogo, Jim Haynes, Jessica Salazar, Ashley Paulissen, Priscilla Lopez, Eloy Guerra, Jackie Chappell, Zina Arlan, Terry Dunn, Michael Scott, Francisco Viogueria, Aurora Jones, Carlos Martinez, George Lopez Jr. Please continue to Pray for Edward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Mary Sagala, Julia Dautriel, Ernie Molina, Kathy McBride, Margaret Espinoza, Christina Palacios, 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, Aaron Rodriguez, 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 Soul of Minnie Lopez Our Sympathy to Belinda Lopez Dunkel & Family on the death of her Mother, Minnie Lopez 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. 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. ALTAR FLOWERS 2018 Available Flower Date (No Flowers during Lent) April 21/22, 28/29 May 5/6, 26/27 June 2/3, 9/10, 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. Church Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Ben Gerdes By: Heasty Family Chapel Sanctuary Candle Loving Memory of Peter M. Griffiths By: Silda Griffiths Thank you. Thanks to everyone who helped clean the Church and decorate for Easter Sunday. St. Mary s Altar Society wishes everyone a Blessed Easter Season. HE IS RISEN! ALLELUIA!! MINISTRY SCHEDULE APRIL 7 & 8, 2018 SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Joseph Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Lector Pat Stanton Commentator Wayne Christensen Extraordinary Ministers David & Patty Mossor, of the Eucharist Peggy Holland SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Natalie Molina, Ryan Kappil Lector Neal Broussard Commentator Elizabeth Kappil Extraordinary Ministers Evarist Coryat, Dianne Gerdes, of the Eucharist Kathy Sturm SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Elaine Munoz, Trysten Munoz Lector Vanessa Maduzia Commentator Linda Patten Extraordinary Ministers Geraldine Leslie, Vanessa Lara, of the Eucharist Eloy Lara SUNDAY-12:30pm(Spanish) Altar Servers Adriana Calvillo, Jasmine Rodriguez, Mayra Hernandez Lectors Nelida Velez, Rocio Cavillo Extraordinary Ministers Victor y Juanita Velasquez of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Sergio Reyes, Dylan Rowan Lectors Jason Woods Extraordinary Ministers Maria Reyes, Felicia Reyes, of the Eucharist Lyndsey Hernandez
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. 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. The Lighthouse Catholic Media Kiosks... There are several books and DVD s of informational material designed to help us grow in our faith. Go by and check them out! They are located at the back of the church and in Rosary Hall. Catholic Family Night at the Astros Friday, April 27th Astros vs. Athletics Individual Tickets on sale in March For groups of 20 or more or any questions, contact Hannah Walker @ 713-259-8857 or email hwalker@astros.com. Part of the proceeds will benefit Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese. Make a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Husbands and Wives, plants need fertilizer to grow healthy and strong and so to does your marriage. Without some nurturing and care it will remain weak and unfulfilling. Spread a little fertilizer on your relationship. Make a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend and watch your love for each other grow. Some upcoming dates are March 23-25, 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. Mercy Reigns Jr High Retreat St. Joseph's Youth Ministry of Baytown invites all 6th-8th graders to join us on April 7-8 for a Jr High Retreat on Divine Mercy. This retreat is a one night retreat at Cat Spring retreat house near Sealy, TX. The cost is $60. For more details, or for a registration packet, please contact Kristina Sommer at 832-367-0921 Or ksommer76@gmail.com. Virtus trained adults as chaperones! Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center 23rd ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Tuesday, April 10, 2018, Go to... holynameretreatcenter.com or call 713-464-0211 Live Christ ~ Share Christ Saturday, April 21, 2018 8:00am-5:00pm in Rosary Hall Junior and Senior High Students are invited to the Live Christ-Share Christ Seminar. Make this retreat a gift to our Lord. For more information contact: Sharon Martinez at; 281-471-7388 or sharonm@themissingpieceministry.org
No Classes Today Classes Resume Next Sunday Questions, contact Jessica in the office on Mon. & Wed. @ 281-471-2000. No Lif_ T n M[ss To^[y No Cl[ss Tonight No Class Tonight Enjoy Spring Break!!! Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com Or Angie 713-826-0633 H[ppy E[st_r!!! S you n_xt Sun^[y! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Info. contact Shari @ 281-470-6066