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 gathering

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 classes for two full years previous to their receiving the Sacrament. Adults needing First Communion should refer to the rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation candidates must have previously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion. They must have faithfully attended Life Teen for at least one full year prior to beginning preparation for the Sacrament (more than three absences without a valid excuse can alter the process). A signed form stating that the parent/guardian and the candidate understand all requirements is also necessary before the preparation begins. Adults needing confirmation should refer to the Rite of Christian initiation of adults.

Eucharistic Celebrations Saturday: 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) 4:00 p.m. Life Teen Mass

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

March 23 & 24 , 2019 Weekly Goal $12,000.00

Regular Collection $ 12,306.12

Saturday, March 30: 6:00pm Charles† & Concetta† Magliolo By:John Magliolo Sunday, March 31: 7:30am In Thanksgiving By:Angelles Sullivan 10:00am People of the Parish 12:30pm Emma Garcia Loredo† By:Alvarez Family 4:00pm Special Intention for St. Mary’s Life Teen & Core Team Tuesday, April 2: 12:00pm Aaron Rodriguez † By:Mom Wednesday, April 3: 8:30am Special Intention for Jerry Verret By:Family Thursday, April 4: 8:30am Special Intention for Bonnie Huston By:Heasty Family Friday, April 5: 8:30am Carolyn Douglas† By:Family Saturday, April 6: 6:00pm Frank† & Mary† Kolenc By:Kolenc Family Sunday, April 7: 7:30am John Mills† By: Angeles Sullivan 10:00am Deceased Members of the Huston Family 12:30pm Pedro de Jesus Bermudez† By:Bermudez Family 4:00pm People of the Parish

DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND “Do Not Neglect to Share

What you Have” Parish Goal 2019 $52,000.00

Amount Pledged: 11,820.00 Amount Paid: $8,640.00 (16.62%)

Total # of Participants 38 If you have not already offered your pledge in this year’s Diocesan Services Fund (DSF), please do so today. DSF 2019 reminds us, the Church, to Not Neglect to Share What you Have, and through our willingness to share our blessings, benefit ministries that serve thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. With your generous support of DSF, you offer praise to God and care to the many pressing needs that cannot be addressed individually or by one parish alone. Our parish goal for 2019 is $52,000. With every parish family’s full participation, we will surely exceed this amount advancing the work of the Church in our community. To give online, please visit www.archgh.org/dsf. For those of you who have already responded with a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude.

Area Lenten Penance Services Mary Queen (Friendswood) 281-482-1391

Tuesday, April 2, 7pm St. Luke (Houston) 281-481-6816

Wednesday, April 3, 7pm St. Helen (Pearland) 281-485-2421

Thursday, April 4, 7pm

Friday Lenten Stations of the Cross

6:30PM English 7:15PM Spanish Date Celebrant April 5 Deacon Hector Cantu April 12 Fr. Tony Castro 7:15PM (Spanish) Deacon Julio

Fish Fry 5:30 - 8pm

St. Mary’s Family Bazaar October 21, 2019

Need a Chairman. Is It You???

Dear parish family, 4 Sunday of Lent Year C

We have announced last Sunday that “IGNITE: OUR FAITH OUR MISSION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN” has now be-gun. We are now joining hands with our archdiocesan community to reach our goals, as a parish and as an Archdiocese. I am very sure that many of you have mixed feelings about this, as I am too in the beginning. But once we know the details we will soon realize that this is indeed very necessary at this point in time. And honestly it is not that burden-some if really just open our hearts and minds to understand the reasons. I am sure that many of you have received my personal letter of invitations to join us in the informational receptions. Please take time to attend to any one of the dates. Two this week, this Tuesday, April 2 right after noon Mass, & Thurs-day, April 4 at 6 pm. The last reception will be on April 10, at 6 pm. These will be the best opportunity for you to have clear understanding what this is all about and to know the benefits we can accomplish for our parish and for our Archdio-cese. We are so familiar with this Sunday’s gospel parable about the prodigal son. And so let’s shift attention on the “other son” in the story or much better on the prodigal generosity and mercy of the father. The elder son quickly criticized his father for being unfair, questioned his generosity and complained bitterly about his action when his father welcomes back his lost brother. He failed to see the goodness of his father and only con-siders himself as the only one deserving of his benevolence. When we complain to God that we should deserve more blessings than others for whatever reason, then we are like this elder son. But the deeper message is to see ourselves in the attitude and love of the father in the parable. This is actually the main point of the story. We need to measure the capacities in our hearts and souls to be like the father in the story which mirrors how we ought to love, to be compassionate, to be caring, and willing to give those who are fallen a chance to rise up again. For that is how our heavenly Father treats us.

Blessings to all and have a good week. Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 4 domingo de Cuaresma año C

Hemos anunciado el domingo pasado que "IGNITE: NUESTRA FE, NUESTRA MISION,CAMPAÑA DE RECUR-SOS" ya ha comenzado. Ahora estamos uniendo nuestras manos con nuestra comunidad arquidiocesana para alcanzar nuestras metas, como parroquia y como archidiócesis. Estoy muy seguro de que muchos de ustedes tienen sentimientos encontrados sobre esto, ya que yo también los tuve al principio. Pero una vez que sepamos los detalles, pronto nos daremos cuenta de que esto es realmente muy necesario en este momento. Y, honestamente, no es tan desafiante si realmente abrimos nues-tros corazones y nuestras mentes para entender las razones. Estoy seguro de que muchos de ustedes han recibido mi carta personal de invitacion para unirse a nosotros en las reuniones informativas. Por favor, tómese el tiempo para asistir a cualquiera de las fechas. Dos esta semana, este martes 2 de abril justo después de la misa del mediodía y el jueves 4 de abril a las 6 pm. La última reunión será el 10 de abril a las 6 de la tarde. Esta sera la major oportunidad para que usted tenga una comprensión clara de todo esto y para conocer los beneficios que po-demos lograr para nuestra parroquia y para nuestra Arquidiócesis. Estamos muy familiarizados con la parábola del Evangelio de este domingo so-bre el hijo pródigo. Por lo tanto, vamos a enfocar la atención en el "otro hijo" de esta historia o mucho mejor en la gener-osidad y la misericordia pródiga del padre. El hijo mayor rápidamente criticó a su padre por ser injusto, cuestionó su generosidad y se quejó amargamente de su acción cuando su padre le da la bienveni-da a su hermano perdido. No pudo ver la bondad de su padre y solo se considera a sí mismo como el único que merece su benevolencia. Cuando nos quejamos a Dios de que deberíamos merecer más bendiciones que otras personas, por cualquier razón, entonces somos como este hijo mayor. Pero el mensaje más profundo es vernos a nosotros mismos en la actitud y el amor del padre en la parábola. Este es en realidad el punto principal de la historia. Necesitamos medir las capacidades en nuestros cora-zones y almas para ser como el padre en la historia que refleja cómo debemos amar, ser compasivos, ser cariñosos y estar dispuestos a dar a los caídos la oportunidad de levantarse de nuevo. Porque así nos trata nuestro Padre celestial. Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana. P. Tony

Pope’s Prayer Intention for March

Evangelization: That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE APRIL 6 & 7, 2019

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers John Paul Nguyen, Joseph Nguyen Lector Isabelle Salas Commentator Demetris Guzman Extraordinary Ministers Patty Mossor, of the Eucharist David Mossor SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Alex Molina, Natalie Molina Lector Steve Hoffman Commentator Lisa Raymundo Extraordinary Ministers Norberto Aramburo, of the Eucharist Minerva Aramburo SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Kate Wilson, Lark Wilson Lector Steve Wilson Commentator Tracy Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Dianne Gerdes, of the Eucharist Walter Hayes SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Adrian Rodriguez, Alejandro Rodriguez Lectors Carlos Cirnigliario, Graciela Cirnigliario Extraordinary Ministers Jose Rios, Yoli Rios of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Server Eros Lopez, Eli Lopez Lector Lyndsey Hernandez Extraordinary Ministers Cecilia Lopez, Jose Lopez of the Eucharist

Job Opening at St. Mary Deadline to Apply April 15

Director of Religious Educa on (DRE)

Jessica Jamarillo is moving to a full time job at the Catholic Charities downtown. We are so grateful for her valuable ministry in our parish church as DRE for the past years. She will finish her responsibilities here by the end of the school year this May. We are now beginning in search for her replacement. Qualifications:

· Must be an active Catholic in good standing with the Church. · Minimum of 4 year college degree in religious education, religious studies or another relevant field or significant equivalent experience. · Archdiocesan Catechist certificate and has training in sacramental preparations and as parish catechetical leader. · Minimum experience of three years of parish cate-chetical experience. · Must have excellent organization and communi-cation skills. · Proficient in MS software, Excel, Word and Publish-er. · Must be fluent in English, Spanish is a plus.

Basic job description (details upon interview)

· Planning and oversight of parish religious program through grade 12, including sacramental prepara-tions. · Facilitating parent and catechist meetings, retreats and workshops. · Communicating an enthusiasm for the Catho-lic faith among our young people and their families. · Manage and maintain the Safe Environment Policy compliance requirements for catechists and ministry volun-teers. · Must be available to work on weekends and eve-nings.

Interested Candidates call the parish office. Applica ons addressed to: Search Commi ee for DRE

St. Mary Parish Church

St. Mary’s Samaritan Ministry Bereavement Support Team Weekly Grief Share seminars will resume this coming Saturday. This week’s topic will be (April 6, 2019, 9:00 am to 10:30 am) is the 5th session) Grief and Your

Relationship. Please join us if you are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Each session is “self-contained”, so you do not have to attend in sequence and you will be able to pick up any session you missed in the next Grief Share seminar cycle. Pick up a pink brochure in the back or sides of the church for detailed information. For additional information please contact the Team Coordinator Nelda Shealy at 281-471-2000. St. Mary’s Samaritan Ministry Bereavement Support Team is currently training facilitators. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator in this Ministry, please call Nelda Shealy at 281-471-2000.

Please Pray For Our Troops and … Mr. Zamora, Lawrence Farias, Alma P., George Hanson, Linda Zeller, Oscar Cantu, Alan Buxkemper, Andrea Pina, Pam Nunley, Hector Castro, Cody Frankoviac, Tim Sturm, Isaac Aaron Torres, Dena Michna, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Marilyn James, Christina C., Chuck & Susan Thompson, Don & Allie Faye Mathews, Brad & Barbaran Riley, Seth Permenter & Family, Parker Dixon & Family, Jeremy & Diana Cassidy & Family, Kendra Ramirez & Family, Raelynd and Family, Amanda Zan, Chuck & Susan Thompson, Manuelita Salinas, Arthur Vidal, Sue Gonzalez, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordon Binkley, Erica Cantu, Salvador Vasquez, 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 Continue to Pray for Randy Hanks, Maria Garcia, Jeanette Tilley, Christina Palacios, 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, Hum-berto Villalobos, Mary Sigala, 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 Jesus Carriaga Our Sympathy to Rene Cortez and family on the loss of her uncle, Jesus 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.

ALTAR FLOWERS No Flowers during Lent

Available Dates for Altar Flowers 2019 May 25/26 June 1/2, 8/9, 15/16, 22/23, 29/30

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

Church Sanctuary Candle Special Intention for Jerry Verrett

By Peggy Holland

MARCH ALTAR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS ALTAR: Jan Hughes, Caroline O’Neal LAUNDRY: Agnes Rushing HOSTESS: Brigitte Barrera, Leslie Davis

Activities of the Week

Sun. March 31: CCE, EDGE, Life Teen Bible Study RH Conf. Rm 11am Adult Confirmation Class 2pm Bible Study - OREMUS, RH 5pm Tues. April 2: IGNITE Reception 12:30pm RH Wed. April 3: Bible Study-OREMUS, Conf. Rm, 9:15am Evangelization/Discipleship Gathering 7pm RH Thurs. April 4: RCIA 5-9pm

IGNITE Reception 6pm RH Fri. April 5: Fish Fry 5:30pm-8pm Stations 6:30(English) & 7:15 (Spanish) Sat. April 6:Grief Share 9am Conf. Rm

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-

6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 Thursday:Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday:Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Sunday:Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 Alternate readings (Year A): Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]

Coming soon! Nine Week Novena

Join us in praying a nine-week novena for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit at St. Mar’s. We will begin April8 and continue until Pentecost on June 9. We will begin each week with 3 hours of Adoration in the chapel on Monday evenings from 6-9pm. Come for as much or as little of the Adoration time as you can, and if you can’t come to Adoration at all you can still join us in prayer and meditation with special intentions for each week. Email Tracy at stmarysrcia2yahoo.com for information and/or to sign up to receive our weekly meditations and intentions by email.

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. Able bodied Men and Women. You can pick any day you are able to work. If you are available to help out, please contact Norma @ 281-471-1752.

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 relacion. AQuieres recuperar la relacion con tu esposo (a)cunado eran novios. 281-948-8690, 281-948-8640, Marco & Mercedes Arrona, [email protected]

Anointing of the Sick …. will be held Friday, April 5, 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.

Upcoming Baptismal Dates May 5, June 2, July 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.

Our new RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Class is beginning May 2 and is for anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith whether you want to join or not. RCIA is also for baptized adult Catholics who need First Holy Communion and confirmation. RCIA meets from 6-9pm on Thursday evenings in the conference room next to the Church office.

For additional information about the RCIA program, call the office or email Tracy, [email protected].

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY Back by Popular Demand

OREMUS: A Guide to Catholic Prayer. Take some time this Lent to deepen your prayer life. No matter how good or bad your prayer life is, there is room for more. This study will help you deepen your relation-ship with God and those around you. We will be meeting 5:15pm in the Rosary Hall Conference Room and 9:15am Wednesday mornings in the Parish Hall Conference Rm. Contact Tracy [email protected] to register.

Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible: This 8 part study will give you an overall picture of the Bible and help you relate it to everyday life. This Study will begin May 9, 2019, and meets Thursday evenings @ 6pm in the Conference Room next to the church office. Cost will be $20. for materials. Contact Tracy [email protected] to register.

“Evangelization Discipleship Gathering” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3, from 7 - 8 pm in Rosary Hall. Join us for an evening of fellowship, getting to know those you may not know in our parish family. Please RSVP to Randy Tercero 713-906-9403 or Dianne Gerdes 713-306-1887 if you plan to attend.

8:45am & 11:15am Pre K-5, Class Today

Contact Jessica Jaramillo Monday 9am-12noon at 281-471-2000

[email protected]

Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade

Classes Resume Today 5pm

Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: [email protected]

or Angie 713-826-0633

Life Teen Mass 4pm

Life Night Tonight 5pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study Wed. @ 7pm

Info. contact Shari @ 281 435 5708