St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church ... · Vision Statement St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Community of Believers called to serve Christ by

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.

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:[email protected]

Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

CCE Office Hours During CCE School Year: Sunday 8:30 am-12:00 pm

Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st Sunday of the month. Classes are held on the 2nd & 3rd 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 1st 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 clas-ses 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 Sacra-ment (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

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-Nelda Shealy Bulletin/Sacramental Records– Cheryl Frobenius Maintenance– Steve Regan

Parish Secretary-Debbie Heasty Receptionist-Peggy Holland

C.C.E. Director-Jessica Jaramilllo EDGE Director-Randy Tercero Life Teen Director-Shari Davis

January 12 & 13, 2019 Weekly Goal $12,000.00

Regular Collection: $11,057.88

FORMED... Incredible online gateway to the best Catholic Content, all in one place. Go to stmaryslaporte.formed.org to register. If you are having any trouble getting registered, or any other problems, please contact Tracy [email protected]. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register.

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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! We have a new Kiosk in the church office. They are also located at the back of the church and in Rosary Hall.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for January:

Evangelization: That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.

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.

Saturday, January 19: 6:00pm Patricia Sue Wheeler† By:Family Sunday, January 20: 7:30am Jose Molina† By:Rosa Molina 10:00am CarmenGonzales† By:Vasquez Family 12:30pm Carlos Lopez† By:Lopez Family 4:00pm People of the Parish Tuesday, January 22: 12:00pm Carl Lundquist† By:Florine Veazy Wednesday, January 23: 8:30am Special Intention for Baby Raelynn By:Angeles Sullivan Thursday, January 24: 8:30am Dr. Eduardo Segura† By: Dennis & Victoria Swenson Friday, January 25: 8:30am Robert Morisch† By:Dennis & Victoria Swenson Saturday, January 26: 6:00pm Marcy Salinas† By:Ruben Salinas & Family Sunday, January 27: 7:30am People of the Parish 10:00am Carolyn Douglas† By:Family 12:30pm Special Intention Otilia Romero By:Valencia Family 4:00pm Special Intention for the Sean Lilly Family By:Family

Blood Drive Today 8:30am-12:30pm Rosary Hall

Free T-Shirts ~ Goal 17 Donors

CFL express enables you to complete the Blood Center’s health history interview in the comfort of your own home. You must

complete the health history interview and print your ticket on the same day as you donate.

~Parishioner Updates ~ 2018 Tax Statements

If you have changed your address, phone number or marital status, please contact the parish office as soon as possible. If we do not have the correct contact information, it will cause a delay in receiving your tax donation letters by the end of January. Tax statements will only be mailed to those who have donated $250. or more during the 2018 calen-dar year. If you have donated less, but would like a statement, please call the office.

Please Note FOR 2019… Any donations received after Jan. 1st will be posted in 2019. Remember, you must be registered in our parish to receive a Tax Statement. Registration Forms are available in the Office or in the Church by the main doors. Just because you have baptized a child or have your children in CCE does not mean that you are registered in the parish. If you are not sure if you are registered in the parish, please call the office at your earliest convenience.

If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Dear parish family, 2 Sunday Ordinary Time C In the Gospel this Sunday we see Mary and Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana. Jesus manifested His power at the request of His mother. On this occasion, Mary delivered her only sermon, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). She Knew her Son. She knew what He could do. She had confidence that He would do it. There’s a big lesson and a reminder in the gospel story for all of us today. The miracle could never have happened without following the advice of Mary and the obedience of the servants to the orders of Jesus. Jesus ordered to fill up to the brim the empty jars with water. The order seemed to make no sense; the people didn't need water for a bath but wine to celebrate. But still they followed the order, not knowing what to expect. Without those servants who trusted the advice of Mary and obeyed the Lord even if they couldn’t understand the reason why, nothing could have happened. So too with our life, unless we completely pay attention and heed the commandments of the Lord and trust in his teaching, then we can’t hope for His blessings. Every Sunday Mass is a feast for all of us. We come to seek the good wine that Jesus offers us; the good wine of His Word; the good wine of His love; and the good wine of his Body and Blood that He gives us as food, and that gives joy to our lives. Those jars in the gospel story represent to us today our receptivity and openness to the message of the Lord. The bigger our jars, the bigger capacity it can hold water. That means the bigger our receptivity to the message of the Lord, the bigger also is our capacity to receive His grace and blessings. Now Jesus orders us to fill up our empty jars, the jars of our receptivity to his message, the jars of our openness to his words. It is only then that change may be seen in life and only then we may able to taste that choicest wine which we call – good and meaningful life. Blessings to and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 2 domingo Tiempo Ordinario

En el Evangelio de este domingo vemos a María y Jesús en la fiesta de bodas en Caná. Jesús manifestó su poder a petición de su madre. En esta ocasión, María pronunció su único sermón: “Haz lo que Él te diga” (Juan 2: 5). Ella conoció a su hijo. Ella sabía lo que él podía hacer. Ella tenía confianza en que Él lo haría. Hay una gran lección y un recordatorio en la historia del evangelio para todos nosotros hoy.

El milagro nunca podría haber ocurrido sin seguir el consejo de María y la obediencia de los siervos a las órdenes de Jesús.

Jesús ordenó llenar hasta el borde los frascos vacíos con agua. La orden parecía no tener sentido; La gente no necesitaba agua para bañarse sino vino para celebrar. Pero aún así siguieron la orden, sin saber qué esperar. Sin esos siervos que confiaban en el consejo de María y obedecían al Señor, incluso si no podían en-tender la razón, nada podría haber sucedido.

Así también con nuestra vida, a menos que prestemos atención por completo y prestemos atención a los mandamientos del Señor y confiemos en su enseñanza, entonces no podemos esperar Sus bendiciones.

Cada misa dominical es una fiesta para todos nosotros. Venimos a buscar el buen vino que Jesús nos ofrece; el buen vino de su palabra; el buen vino de su amor; y el buen vino de su Cuerpo y Sangre que Él nos da como alimento, y que da alegría a nuestras vidas.

Esos frascos en la historia del evangelio representan hoy nuestra receptividad y apertura al mensaje del Señor. Cuanto más grandes son nuestros frascos, mayor es la capacidad que puede contener el agua. Eso significa que cuanto mayor sea nuestra receptividad al mensaje del Señor, mayor será también nuestra capaci-dad de recibir Su gracia y bendiciones.

Ahora Jesús nos ordena que llenemos nuestros frascos vacíos, los frascos de nuestra receptividad a su mensaje, los frascos de nuestra apertura a sus palabras. Solo en ese momento se puede ver el cambio en la vida y solo así podremos probar el vino más selecto que llamamos: vida buena y significativa. Bendiciones y que tengas una buena semana! P. Tony

ALTAR FLOWERS January 19/20: In Loving Memory of Patricia Wheeler

By the Wheeler Family

Available Dates for Altar Flowers 2019 January 26/27 February 9/10, 23/24

March 2/3 May 18/19, 25/26

To place flowers on the altar contact Jan Hughes @ 281–402-5401 or 903-780-5090.

***Please do not place flowers or small vases in the Church or Chapel unless you contact the Altar Society and check for availability.

Church Sanctuary Candle Special Intention for Mary Moore

By Heasty Family

St. Mary’s League City Prayer Breakfast Guest Speaker Troy Guy

“Nuclear Engineer Discovers the Catholic Church Among Atomic Bombs and Spies”

~ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH 7-9AM ESTEBAN’S MEXICAN CAFÉ & CANTINA

402 West Main St., League City, TX Tickets $10.

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.

St. Joseph’s Chapel We are often in need of someone to sub in St. Joseph’s Chapel for a week or two due to illness or travel. If you would like to be placed on the sub list, please call the office.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE JANUARY 26 & 27, 2019

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Reece Schoppe, Ryan Schoppe Lector Dennis Swenson Commentator Victor Swenson Extraordinary Ministers Walter Hayes, Isabelle Salas of the Eucharist SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Alex Molina, Natalie Molina Lector Lisa Raymond Commentator Debbie Wade Extraordinary Ministers Leslie Davis, Dianne Gerdes of the Eucharist SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Lauren Lara, Payton Lara, Madeline McBride Lector Cindy Bremer Commentator Steve Wilson Extraordinary Ministers Greg Bremer, Eloy Lara of the Eucharist SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Victor E. Velasquez, Jasmine Rodriguez Lectors Juanita Velasquez, Blanca Rodriguez Extraordinary Ministers Carlos & Graciela Cirnigliario of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Oliver Tercero, Sergio Reyes Lector Randy Tercero Extraordinary Ministers Cecilia Lopez, Jose Lopez of the Eucharist

~ Weekend Retreat ~ Feb 22-24, 2019

Jesus, Our Healer @ Mother of Perpetual Help Retreat Center (3417 W. Little York Road Hou-ston, TX 77091). The Marian Servants of the Incarnate Wisdom invite you to spend the weekend with Fr. Richard McAlear, OMI, whose gifts of teaching and healing are powerful indicators of the healing love of Jesus Christ being poured out on today’s world. Fr. McAlear is also the author of multiple books, including The Power of Healing Prayer. Registration required. Contact Kelly Chen at 832-677-1931 or [email protected]

Upcoming Adult Confirmation Classes If you have been baptized, have received your First Communion but need to be confirmed, we

will be having Adult Confirmation Classes on Sundays @ 2pm in the Parish Hall Conference Room for 5 weeks, starting the first week of Lent (Sunday, March 3rd) . Due to the limited sessions, you will not be able to sign up late. Please contact Deacon Hector if you have any questions, @ 281-382-8672 or call the office.

Please Pray For Our Troops and … Maria Moreno, Elyssa Molina, J.B., Myron Rose, Daniel Vasquez, Michelle Meehan, Maridna Salinas, Maria Cano, Anthony Luna, Joel Rivera, Alex Knaak, Sally Nadju, Brigitta Dobmeier, Tamara Batten, Edward Salinas Jr., Louise Beaulier, Hector Castro, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lam-bright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Den-nis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James, Christina C., Chuck & Susan Thompson, Katherine Reichley & Family, Don & Allie Faye Mathews, Brad & Barbara Riley, Debbie McFadden, Marilyn N., Seth Permenter & Family, Par-ker Dixon & Family, Willetta House, Jeremy & Diana Cassi-dy & Family, Kendra Ramirez & Family, Sally Romeo, Alejan-dra Rodriguez, Darlene Shepherd, Ken Withers, Steve Grigory, Candeleria Ortiz, Sherry Paschal, Felicia Kahn, Angelina Sullivan, Jerry Verret, Rena Espinoza Carroll, John Jaramillo, Celestino Ochoa, Ruth Stephens, Buddy Casto, Sally Romeo, Lauren Sturm, Joy Barksdale, Juanita Gonzales, Frances Zann, Glendolyn Rigsby, Cynthia de la Cerda, Dina Martinez, Bradford Shane Cooper Sr., Banda Family Continue to Pray for Christina Palacios, Susan Tolley, David & Mary Gonzalez, Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Juanita Sanchez, Cynthia de la Cerda, Maurice & Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Ron Balsam, 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, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contreras, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Deacon Merce Leal, 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 Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, Josie Funda, Soledad Hernandez, Elida Peterson, and those battling terminal illness and the residents of La Porte Care Center and Parson’s House Repose of the Soul of David R. Pena Our Sympathy to Al Pena and family on the loss of his brother, David

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.

Activities of the Week Sun. Jan. 20: Blood Drive 8:30am-12:30 pm RH CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Bible Timeline, RH, 11:15am Bible Study ACTS, RH 5pm Mon. Jan. 21: Office Closed (Martin Luther King) Wed. Jan. 23: Bible Study ACTS Conf. Rm 9am Thurs. Jan. 17:RCIA 5-9pm Fri. Jan. 18: Spanish Prayer Group Chapel 7pm

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 - Rehearsal 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 [email protected] or 281-543-7794

Upcoming Baptismal Dates February 3, March 3, April 7

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.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:Heb 5:1-10; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 2:18-

22 Tuesday:Heb 6:10-20; Ps 111:1-2, 4-5, 9,

10c; Mk 2:23-28, or any of a number of readings for the Day of Prayer

Wednesday:Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Ps 110:1-4; Mk 3:1-6 Thursday: Heb 7:25-8:6; Ps 40:7-10, 17; Mk 3:7-12 Friday: Acts 22:3-16 or 9:1-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Mk 16:15-18 Saturday: 2 Tm 1:1-8 or Ti 1:1-5; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9 or Ps 96:1-3, 7-8a, 10; Mk 3:20-21 Sunday: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; Ps 19:8-10, 15; 1 Cor 12:12-30 [12-14, 27]; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21

Daddy/Daughter Dance February 15th Sponsored by “Couples for Christ" Enriching the sacrament of marriage through faith, fellowship & prayer. Our next upcoming event will be the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Join us to help plan the details. We gather on Sunday evenings at 6:00, dinner included. If you would like to join us, please contact Greg or Cindy Bremer for more information. His:832-226-1728 Hers: 832-605-2945.

Support the Bishops’ Initiative on Marriage!

Jesus revealed His glory at the Wedding in Cana. Let His glory be revealed in your marriage by participating in a Worldwide

Marriage Encounter weekend (February 15-17 or March 22-24). Contact Brian & Tina Little @ 281-773-4014 for more information. Or go online to www.houstonme.org.

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

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.

Encuentro Martimonial Mundial Los invita a vivir un Fin de Semana

Conoce como puedes vivir mas intima y profundamente tu rela-cion. AQuieres recuperar la relacion con tu esposo (a)cunado eran novios. 281-948-8690, 281-948-8640, Marco & Mercedes Arrona, [email protected]

RCIA Classes (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Thursdays 6:45pm St. Mary’s Conference Room

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. Classes are Thursday evenings @ 6:45pm. Students are welcome to begin classes at any time during the year. For additional information about the RCIA program, call the office or email Tracy, [email protected].

BIBLE TIMELINE STUDY Take a journey through the whole Bible. Learn how each period of salvation history fits into the practice of the Catholic faith. You will understand your faith and the Mass more deeply through this study. The study begins on August 19 and will meet in the Rosary Hall Conference Room @ 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The cost is $35. for materials, but if you are interested in repeating this study, it is free. Please contact Tracy [email protected]

ACTS: The Spread of the Kingdom The Book of Acts shows the church enlivened by the Holy Spirt, teaching, preaching, healing and restoring outcasts in the same way that Jesus did while here on earth. Be inspired by the Holy Spirit with a new zeal for bringing Christ to the World. This Bible Study is meeting on Sundays @ 5:15pm in the Rosary Hall Conf. Rm, and Wednesdays @ 9:15 in St. Mary’s conf. Rm The cost of the materials for the class will be $30. Please contact Tracy [email protected] to register.

Deepen Your Prayer Life with Lectio Divina

TO JOIN OUR FORMED Community Study on Lectio Dviina (praying with Scripture) you will need to be registered for FORMED. Register at stmaryslaporte.formed.org. Once you are regis-tered and signed in click on the word ‘Community’ at the top of the page. Then, on the “Fr. Tony invites you” banner click on ‘visit group’. Lastly, you will need to click on ‘join group’ to access the weekly lessons and discussion. If you have any difficulty getting logged in, please contact Tracy by email [email protected].

Are you Single or Single Again? If you are, then please join us on our next outing for a tour of Texas City’s Explosion Memorial Museum, PLUS the largest model train exhibit in the Southwest, AND a tour of 4 Historical Homes. $8 for everything, provided we have at least 10 people to tour the historical homes. Lunch ( not included) at The Reef Seafood House. East Harris County bus picks us up by the Chapel at 8:15 am on Friday, Feb. 1. Qs? Email [email protected] or call Victoria at 281-991-4780.

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic School PK3 - 8th Grade OPEN HOUSE

January 27, 2019 3131 El Dorado Blvd..

Houston, TX 77059 9:00am-12:00pm

Website: school.stclarehouston.org

Classes Today 8:45am & 11:15am

Contact Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Tues. @ 281-471-2000

Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Class Today 5:00pm

“Ignition”~ Mission of the Holy Spirit

YOUTH RALLY FEBRUARY 23 ST. SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH

REG. IN OFFICE OR AT CLASS $20. BY JAN. 25

Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: [email protected]

or Angie 713-826-0633

Life Teen Mass 4pm

Class Today 5:00pm

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Bible Study Wed. @ 7pm

Info. contact Shari @ 281 435 5708