Prayer & God’s Word by Rev. Richard Barker€¦ · Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made 1st Communion): Shirts and pants. Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their 1st Communion):

St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Huffman, Texas

May 21, 2017 “Ac vely striving to be a holy and loving Family of Faith, serving God and neighbor.”

Prayer & God’s Word by Rev. Richard Barker My dear parishioners, in the early Jerusalem Church, serious conflict arose between the Jewish and Greek converts to Chris -anity. More of the community resources were being directed to the Jewish Chris an converts than the Greeks. The Greek Chris ans complained about the unfairness and their distress. Obviously, some of the actual prac ces of the community were inconsistent with its beliefs. The Greeks were being treated inequitably, especially at table. Moreover, their widows and or-phans were neglected.

The Church leaders in Jerusalem soon responded. First, the apostles clari-fied their own role in the Church, saying, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” [Acts 6:2] Rather, the ministry of the apostles was to be two-fold: prayer and the word of God. Second, the twelve apostles (Ma hias had replaced Judas) acted swi ly to appoint seven persons to administer the community, to distrib-ute food and supplies, and to care for widows and orphans. Among the seven men chosen to serve were Philip and Stephen.

In the mean me, Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee, was persecu ng the new Church at every opportunity, "breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord". [Acts 9:1] When the eloquent and charisma c Stephen was martyred by stoning, the Chris an community was greatly trauma zed. Many of Jesus’ followers, including the deacon Philip, fled Jerusalem. Philip went to Samaria and, in me, became well-known for his conversion of non-Jewish believers to Christ.

The apostles in Jerusalem learned of the deacon’s missionary ac vi es. They commissioned Peter and John to travel to Sa-maria for the purpose of examining Philip's work. A er inquiring, they approved of Philip’s Chris an evangeliza on and offi-cially sanc oned his ministry. For his part, Philip welcomed Peter and John who administered the sacraments to the new con-verts.

The apostles, invoking the Holy Spirit, bap zed Philip's new converts by water and the laying‐on of hands. From the begin-ning, the Church's apostolic ministry was viewed as essen al for the welfare of converts and new Chris an communi es. Once Peter and John confirmed the fruits of Philip’s ministry, therefore, the converts could "appeal to God for a clear con-science, through the resurrec on of Jesus Christ". [1Pet 3:21]

The Church’s apostolic ministry is revealed most wonderfully in the Mass with the Liturgies of the Word and Eucharist. Like-wise the highest ac vity of any family of faith, whether domes c or ecclesial, is prayer and God’s Word. All Chris an family ac vi es should be firmly rooted in both prayer and the Word of God. By praying and medita ng upon Sacred Scripture, two most sublime ac vi es of the Chris an life, the name of Jesus comes alive in the hearts of father, mother and children.

Proximate to prayer and the Word of God is serving one another in the mind of Christ [cf. 1Cor 2:16] for the glory of his Holy Name. Although prayer and the Word of God precede good works, Chris an life would be incomplete, indeed crippled, with-out the charitable works of divine mercy. Indeed Sacred Scripture speaks decisively, "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead". [Jam 2:17]

Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.

Dress Standard for All Masses/Adora on

Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made 1st Communion): Shirts and pants.

Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their 1st

Communion): Modest Dresses, Coordinated Ensembles, or Shirt/Blouses with Pants. Clothing not proper: flip-flops, shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts, body shirts, sloppy jeans, tank tops, & revealing clothing.

Please do not bring bo led water, soda, food, candy or gum into the Sanctuary and Day Chapel of the Church.

Please honor the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and wear modest clothing.

Mass Inten ons

Daily Masses Monday, May 22 NO DAILY MASS Tuesday, May 23 8:30 am - Special inten ons of Luc Heuer Wednesday, May 14 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Msgr. Lawrence Stubben+ Thursday, May 25 8:30 am - Special Inten ons of Father Barker Friday, May 26 (St. Philip Neri) 8:30 am - Special inten ons of David Zaunbrecher Saturday, May 27 (St. Augus ne of Canterbury) 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Dan Michael Dennis+ Sunday Masses Saturday, May 27 5:00 pm - +Repose of the soul of Bobby Prejean+ Sunday, May 28 (Ascension of the Lord) 8:30 am - For the Families of our Parish 11:00 am - Special inten ons of Natalie Hendricks

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$7,517.00 17.00

585.00 1,885.00

Dona ons

Sunday Collec on (5/7) Children’s Collec on Debt Re rement Second Collec on: Mary’s Blessings

Welcome to our Visitors

We welcome you to our parish. If you would like to be-come a member please fill out a registra on form lo-cated on the counter underneath the glass display case or visit our website: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

Altar Flowers Are Given

In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

In Memory of Fiorella Falera Landi By Antonio Landi, with Love.

Vaca on Bible School

Cathle cs: Champions for Christ VBS Monday, June 12th through Friday, June 16th 9:30 am ‐ 12:30 pm Registra on: A er all Masses the weekend of May 20‐21 and May 27‐28. Cost is $25.00 Registra on is open to all St. Philip children entering Kin-dergarten through out going 5th graders. Nursery and preschool program is available for on-site volunteers. Volunteer Mee ng: Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm. We’ll meet in the large classroom. Volunteers can be youth entering 7th grade through 18th ears old. Adults must be Virtus trained. I’ll bring the pizza; you bring your ideas for a wonderful sports-themed VBS. For more informa on please contact Becky Pursell at (713) 516-7376

The parish office will be closed on Monday, May 29th

We will not have daily Masses from Monday, June 5th through Saturday, June 17th. We will have Sunday Masses and Confession the weekend of June 10th/11th and June 17th/18th.

We welcome you to our parish. If you would like to be-come a member please fill out a registra on form located on the counter underneath the glass display case or visit our website: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

Sixth Sunday of Easter — Cycle A

When entering and depar ng the Church, please guard the silent prayer of others.

40th Parish Anniversary Recap and Thank You’s!

On Sunday, April 30th, God blessed us with the loveliest of Texas Spring days for our 40th Anniversary Picnic. 300+ parishioners gathered on the lawn under tents for food, music, games and fellowship. The day was made even more special by the presence of St. Philip’s present and former clergy. Nothing good and gracious happens at St. Philip without the wisdom, guidance and support of Father Richard Barker. Father George Olsolvsky, Father Trung Nguyen and Deacon John Schuster all returned to help us celebrate as well as

Deacon John Sarabia. They held court under the tent while long- me parishioners stopped to welcome them back and remi-nisce. Sister Marian Mercy (Sr. Mimi) and her infec ous smile flew in all the way from Washington D.C. to join us for the day. Our home-grown priest, Father Brady Williams, was also present and was kind enough to speak for a few minutes about how St. Philip impacted his faith journey and discernment to the priesthood. Thanks also go out to Chris ne Kasper who gave a very inspira onal talk about ways to catechize young children in the home by making prayer, faith stories and a love of the sacraments part of your family’s daily life. Of course it can’t be a picnic without food. Our Knights again provided and cooked the hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixings, and the Ladies Guild home-made all the wonderful desserts for the day. Everything was delicious!

Marie Hohmann developed a lovely and informa ve display of our 40 year history com-plete with slide show, old photographs and other memorabilia. She also came up with the ques ons for our 40th anniversary trivia game. Great job, Marie. Jim Rath provided the sound system and music. Maria Cisneros ran the face-pain ng booth with help from the teens, and our youth mission team had new parish t-shirts for sale. The Family Faith Council had a tent with lots of ac vi es for the li le ones. The bubble machine was a big hit as was the corn-hole game. Chris an Sparks and Thaddeus Howard stepped up to handle the piñata bashing. Thanks guys.

It takes a whole parish to put on a picnic and so many people pitched in to help with set-up, re-stocking and clean-up; Diane Hill, Toni Lamas, Debra Burgower, Lupe and Chris Cupples, John Pursell, several of our middle and high school youth and many more. Thank you to everyone who chipped in to make this anniversary celebra on so special. Becky Pursell CCE Core Team Chairman

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Women’s Guild Gi Shop

New merchandise has arrived in our Women’s Guild Gi Shop. Stop by for all sacramental occasion gi s along with books and religious items for the home. We appreciate your support of our parish store. All proceeds benefit our Women’s Guild and parish ac vi es.

The flowers on the altar are a wonderful way to remem-ber a loved one or to give thanksgiving. At the moment there are many openings for flower arrangements. You can schedule a bouquet by date by wri ng it in our bou-quet calendar (green folder) on the front counter. Please prayerfully consider dona ng a bouquet for our altar. The suggested dona on is $50.00.

Flowers for the Altar

“Pro‐Life Piece”

Safe Environment Training

New Volunteers ‐ Virtus (Protec ng God’s Children) For all new volunteers: the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston maintains a mandatory educa onal program of protec on for our children consis ng of going to an infor-ma onal class and comple ng required forms. All volun-teers, ages 18 and over, who have any consistent and on-going contact with our children and youth must take the Virtus training program.

Upcoming classes in our local area:

St. Martha, Kingwood Wednesday, May 31, 6:30-9:30 pm (English)

St. Mary Magdalene, Humble Friday, July 14, 6:00-9:00 pm

St. Dominic, Houston

Friday, August, 25th, 6:00-9:00 pm

Refresher Class (Keeping the Promise Alive)

For all current volunteers who are Virtus trained. You are required to take a refresher class five years a er the ini al training; then five years a er that online training.

Upcoming classes in our local area:

St. Martha, Kingwood

Wednesday, May 24, 6:30-8pm

St. Mary’s, Humble Friday, June 9, 6-7:30 pm

To see classes and register visit www.archgh.org and click on “Safe Environment”. From there pick the “Safe Environ-ment Training” on the le . You will be able to access up-coming workshop dates. Pick the loca on where you would like to take the class. For current volunteers, please go to www.virtusonline.org and sign-in to your account to register.

Catholic Home School Conference

June 9-10th at the University of St. Thomas, Houston Sponsored by ARCH Cost: $30.00 Home School Parents, be encouraged, renewed and re-freshed. Network with other homeschool families. There will be fabulous speakers, extensive exhibit hall, parent educa onal resources, and Friday night bonus speakers ‘on tap’ at a local pub. Visit www.homeschool-life.com/TX/ARCHHomeschool for more informa on. They also have Facebook page.

A hear elt thank you to everyone who donated baby items for Birthright in Humble to assist women in crisis pregnancies! May God richly bless you for your generosi-ty.

St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is proud to be pro‐life!

If you are late to Mass, please wait reverently for a few moments with the ushers in front of the glass doors leading into the worship area un l the con-grega on starts singing the “Gloria”. Please refrain from leaving Mass un l the closing hymn is finished. When it is finished Mass has come to a close. Thank you, Fr. Barker

You are invited to the Serra Club Northeast Mee ng on Monday, May 22nd at Italiano’s Restaurant, in Humble. They start with a 6:30 pm social, 7:00-8:30 pm dinner and program. Our guest speaker for May will be: Sister Marillac Njoku of the Sisters of Jesus the Savior.  Serra Clubs foster and promote voca ons to the priesthood and religious life; encourage and affirm voca ons to the consecrated life and nurture the spiritual growth and forma on of its lay members. The cost for dinner is $15.00. Please rsvp to Diddy Muck at 281-615-2015 or [email protected].

Serra Club

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We are currently studying the Acts of the Apostles, on Monday nights from 7:00-8:30 pm. We are using the Igna us Press publica on which can be found online or from a Catholic bookstore. If you have not a ended any of our sessions, but would like to, please join us. All are welcome! For addi onal info, please contact Ray & Deb Kessler @ 832-644-8078 or [email protected]

Middle School Youth Event

“Movie and Mary’s Garden” Sunday, May 21st, 4:00 pm ‐ 7:00 pm Let’s con nue planning our improvement ideas for Mary’s Garden and watch a movie.

Middle School Youth Extreme Challenge Results

On Saturday, April 29, 13 St. Philip 6th – 8th graders compet-ed in the Archdiocesan Extreme Challenge at St. Berna-de e’s Church near Clear Lake. We competed as two teams for the day and finished 1st and 3rd overall, our best finish ever. Most impressively, they took 1st and 3rd place in the Catholic Knowledge Challenge. Their parents and CCE teachers can be proud. They also fin-ished 1st and 2nd in the Build-a-Church game using graham crackers, spaghe , mini marshmallows and an avocado. The water games weren’t really our strong suit, but we did win for best team t-shirt, took 2nd place for team banner which were both designed and made by the kids. Their team cheer, a take-off on ‘Take me Out to the Ballgame’, won 3rd place. Other fun games included Hungry, Hungry Humans, Sheet ball toss and Bible Names Basketball. Congrats to Robbie and Jillian Taylor, Angela, Christyann and Clare Sparks, Rebekah and Reagan Butler, Zach and Jacob Jolly, Mary Hill, Trystan Sullivan, Cindy Cupples and Tanya Alvarez. They represented St. Philips well with good sports-manship and enthusiasm. Thanks to Diane Sparks and Diane Hill for coming along as chaperones/ball-catchers/foot-pushers. The Extreme Challenge is held every April and is open to all 6th – 8th graders. Becky Pursell, Youth Director

Adult Bible Study ‐ Acts of the Apostles

When you receive Communion during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ that you are receiving. Holy Communion, in the Catholic Church, is reserved for those who have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion, have been catechized (taught) in our Catholic faith and have made a profession of faith. One should abstain from Holy Communion if they are in mortal sin and have not received the sacrament of reconcilia on. If you are not Roman Catholic or are in need of the Sacrament of Recon‐cilia on, we ask that you refrain from receiving Holy Com‐munion in the Mass. However, you may go up to one of the ministers for a blessing when Holy Communion is being offered. By crossing your hands over your heart, the Priest or Eucharis c minister will know to give you the blessing.

Also, if you choose to receive only the Blessed Sacrament and not from the Chalice, it is fi ng nevertheless to pause for a mo-ment to honor Christ’s presence in the Precious Blood—with an appropriate sign of devo on. We would not think to pass a friend on the street without some acknowledgement. Our Lord Je-sus Christ deserves no less, and most assuredly, a great deal more.

Please pray for our fellow parishioners and loved ones as they face illness and recupera on:

David Schermock, Diana Espinoza, Bri any Vasquez, Janie Salinas, Liduvina Sco , Windy McMichael,

Margaret Fann, Charles Gardner, Deacon John Sarabia, Dennis Billodeaux, Lillie Navarre, Thelma Carrier,

Carol Asher, Donald DeYoung, Mary Fontenot, Dorothy Becker, Rosalee Frantz,

Rev. Simon Herbers and Family, Roy Lovely, Joe Buchanan, Selma Pantalion, Ken and Mary Lou Becker,

Fr. Lawrence Jozwiak, Larry Keller, Larry Williams, Rose Bradley, Barbara Ann Colburn, Tanya King,

Daniel Yarbrough, Robert Murray, Rita Long, Mary Zycha, Jeane e Malburg, Maria Crowley, Jake Guerrero,

Joe Lumbreraz, Shirley Sims, Preston Fann

Please pray for the repose of the souls of: +Jim Brown, Fritz Kemper, Faye Normand, Gretchen King, Martha Garcia, Rosie Colle e, L. F. Davidson, Jackie Clark,

Glenn Crabtree, Sue Reynolds, Charles Jenny, Mary Lensing, Rita Long, Verna Wolf, Dawn Gonzalez,

Robert Walesa, Barbara Glenn+ -6-

DJM Corner Receiving Holy Communion

A PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, reli-gious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support voca ons of sacrifi-cial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.

Step 25 (Con nued)

PLACE YOURSELF LAST The tendency of the flesh, influenced by the world, is to be considered important by others.

The first will be last and the last first - I came to serve and not to be served.

With God, nobody is first or last - He is present to all His creatures.

Placing yourself last pulls you out of the rat race and compe on.

You need inner strength and a deeper understanding of what “being last” means.

“May the li le child Jesus bless you and accompany you on your journey” ‐Fr.Santan Pinto SOLT (2011+) For more informa on about DJM Spiritual Forma on: Contact Jan Williams: [email protected]

web: www.discipleso esusandmary.org

Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT Disciples of Jesus and Mary Founder

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” ‐ Mt 18:2‐3

Steps in Li leness

“There are 50 simple steps in li leness. Try them one step at a me. Look at your struggles and tempta ons. You will find one step that will suit you the most at that stage in your life. Do not hurry – remember you’re li le!” - Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT

MINISTRIES AT ST. PHILIP

LITURGICAL/OFFICE SCHEDULE

SACRAMENTS

Parish Mailing Address: PO Box 2363, Huffman, TX 77336 Parish Physical Address: 2308 3rd St, Huffman Parish Phone - (281) 324-1478 Parish Fax - (281) 324-2775 Parish E‐Mail - [email protected] Parish Website - www.stphiliphuffmantx.org

Con nuing Chris an Educa on (CCE) CCE Office (281) 324-1934, E-Mail [email protected] CCE Core Team Chairperson Middle School/High School Coordinator Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Elementary/First Sacrament Coordinator Lupe Cupples (281) 414-3705 Confirma on Coordinator Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Core Team Members At Large Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 André Taylor (832) 233-0829 CCE Office Help Sonia Chapa (832) 233-3572 (Spanish bilingual) André Taylor (832) 233-0829 Parish Nursery Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 Spiritual Development Disciples of Jesus and Mary ‐ Laity Spiritual Forma on Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Eucharis c Adora on/Holy Face Prayer Group Janet Hays (281) 852-3444 Knights of Columbus Gary Aldrich (Grand Knight) (832) 586-6430 Order of Carmelite Discalced Seculars (OCDS) Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Prayer Chain Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Women’s Guild Maureen Rode (281) 852-4692

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; (A er 8:30 am Mass by appt.) SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

If you have been par cipa ng ac vely at least six months a er registra on in the parish, you may ask for an appoint-ment with the pastor to begin marriage prepara on. Mar-riage prepara on requires six months. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

If you have been par cipa ng ac vely at least six months a er registra on in the parish, you may call the parish office to begin bap smal prepara on. Children age 6 or younger; documents are required before bap sm date may be scheduled: parish & bap smal registra ons, birth cer ficate, and bap sm class cer fica ons.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (40 Hours)

Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following the Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. Mass in the main Church. Eucharis c Adora on begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Adora on Chapel. Adora on concludes with benedic on on Friday at 4:45 p.m. FUNERAL SERVICES

To ensure that parish ministers can assist you, please call the parish office before se ng dates and mes for funeral services. Regarding personal spoken remembrances at funeral liturgies, St. Philip parish adheres to the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Holy Anoin ng is offered on the first Tuesday a er the 8:30 am daily Mass for the healing and spiritual strengthening of those who are seriously ill, impaired by advancing age or in danger of death.

Liturgical Altar Servers Father Barker (281) 324-1478 Sacramental Ministry Director Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Home Bound Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Adornment of the Sanctuary Altar Guild (Ordinary Time) (281) 386-9783 DJM’s (Feast Seasons) (281) 324-1478 Music Core Team Geralyn Moulds (281) 540-4682 Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Valerie Sivil (713) 202-1310 Usher Ministry Gary Aldrich (832) 586-6430 Social Outreach / Concern Mary’s Blessings Ministry For financial assistance please call 832‐764‐9814 Marie Hohmann (281) 360-9032 Prime Timers (50+) Claudia Herron (281) 324-1101 Pro‐Life Chris ne Kasper (713)-416-5233 Rosemont Assisted Living Judy Abdelnoor (281) 360-9728 Prison Ministry Deacon John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Transi ons Grief Ministry Lane Coco (281) 324-2163

Pastor - Rev. Richard E. Barker Deacon ‐ John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Ins tuted Acolyte - John Comeaux (281) 324-2044 Ins tuted Acolyte - Troy Hill (713) 336-3321 Secretary ‐ Windy McMichael (281) 324-1478 Maintenance - Roy Ayala (832) 658-9074

Sunday Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm; Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 am

Daily Masses: Tuesday-Saturday Morning: 8:30 am

First Friday: Chaplet of Divine Mercy First Saturday: Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm (Please call the office prior to visits to ensure it’s open.)