Archdiocese of Galveston Houston St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception

Catholic Church

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

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 15, 2017

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 prep-aration for the Sacrament (more than three absenc-es 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

Weekday Masses in 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-Renee Cortez Life Teen Director-Shari Davis

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'S CATHOLIC CHURCH ~ LA PORTE JANUARY 15, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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January 7 & 8, 2016

Weekly Goal $12,000.00

Regular Collection $ 8,446.00

Saturday Jan. 14: 6:00pm Emil Schaider† By:Jane Shipp Sunday, Jan. 15: 7:30am Sinforosa Dapitan†

10:00am People of the Parish

12:30pm Blondino Sandoval† By:Mary Boatman 4:00pm Barbara Kmiecik† By:Key Family Tuesday, Jan. 17: 12:00pm Barbara Kmiecik† By:Key Family Wednesday, Jan. 18: 8:30am Charlanne Jane Tucker† By:Mike & Kat Buehrer Thursday, Jan. 19: 8:30am Special Intention Mike Rupley By:Heasty Family Friday, Jan. 20: 8:30am Rev. Rowlin B. Enette, S.S.J.† Saturday Jan. 21: 6:00pm Guadalupe A. Vela† By:Sylvia Araujo Sunday, Jan. 22: 7:30am Amanda Kempf Chollett† By:Kempf Family

10:00am Delia Lopez† By:Joe Lopez

12:30pm People of the Parish 4:00pm Special Intention Louise Kurtz By:Patty Detweiler

Free ESL & Citizenship Classes

ESL classes will be held on Tuesday mornings 9:30-11am and the Citizenship classes will be on Tuesday Evenings @ 7pm in Rosary Hall. Provided we have enough interest, both classes will continue For the spring semester. If you need any additional information, please contact the office.

Mass Intentions 2017 If you have a deceased loved one, or would like to remem-ber someone on their special occasion please call the of-fice to schedule a Mass Intention. We are only allowed to schedule one intention per Mass. All Mass Intentions need to be paid for one week prior to the scheduled Mass, or you will have to re-schedule the Mass at a later date. The Stipend for each Mass is $5.00. Please do not approach Fr. or one of the Deacons prior to Mass to schedule an Intention.

Misas por Intenciones 2017 Si tiene un ser querido que haya fallecido o desea recordar a alguien en una ocasión especial, favor de llamar a la oficina para programar una misa por una intención. Solo nos está permitido programar una intensión por misa. Todas las misas por una intensión deben estar canceladas una semana antes de la fecha programada o tendrá que programar nuevamente la misa para otra fecha. El estipendio para cada misa es de $5.00. Por favor, no le pida al sacerdote o diácono por la intención de una misa sin haberla programado en la oficina primero.

DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND Parish Goal 2016 $52,000.00

Total Amount Pledged $58,063.76 Total Amount Paid $ 56,658.76(108.96%) Total # of Participant 166

“HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER” WE HAVE MET OUR GOAL!!! Our parish will receive a portion of the amount donated to DSF over our parish goal. Thank you for your generosity.

Thank you to everyone that donated items. It was a great service project for

EDGE and the families in the ER were extremely grateful.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION As soon as Christmas ends, people begin planning for Easter! Originally, the source of our Paschal Triduum was but a single liturgy extending from Saturday sundown to sunrise on Easter Sunday. The two days leading up to the liturgy were days of fast, not only for the elect, but for the church preparing to baptize them. A fifth-century pope explained that the church imitated the apostles, who were in hiding with their grief from the arrest of Jesus, and therefore sacraments, even penance, were forbidden. Inevitably, though, people wanted to come together, and so eventually a Liturgy of the Word developed for Good Friday. This was the first step toward today’s shape of the Triduum, and gradually new ideas were embraced, including the veneration of the cross and a simple Communion service. Interestingly, the Word remained central, since we know that in those days the pope did not receive Communion at this liturgy, even though the faithful had that option. In the other churches of Rome, priests and people received Communion under both species. Although the custom of Communion on Good Friday took hold, it did not endure past the Middle Ages. The central liturgies of the year slowly unraveled and disappeared from parish life. Remember that there were no seminaries in those days, and books were a rare luxury. Most priests could only manage to celebrate a simple “low” Mass, and few parishes could afford the ritual books that would guide a priest through the complex forms. Holy Week remained important in private devotion, but for a time the liturgies virtually disappeared. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

THREE MISSIONS Today we begin with one of the “servant songs” from the book of Isaiah, a song prophetic of Jesus’ ministry of service. Isaiah’s mission is not only to bring back the children of Jacob to gather in Israel; it is also to be “a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus Christ, as servant, will be the fulfillment of the ancient prophecy and the basis of the new. This Sunday we begin a series of readings from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Here Paul is identified by his mission: he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. The church at Corinth to whom he addresses this letter is also identified: it is part of the universal church of God. The Corinthians are called to holiness, as are all Christians. Though the feast of the Baptism of the Lord was celebrated last Monday, today’s Gospel also alludes to the importance of that event. The reading emphasizes that Jesus “outranks” John: his baptism in the Spirit will eradicate sin. Jesus accepts John’s baptism, even though it is he himself who is the Lamb of God. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH ~ LA PORTE JANYUARY 15, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Activities of the Week Sun. Jan. 15: CCE, EDGE, Life Teen Bible Study/ Prayer Group, PH Conf. Rm 8:45am Bible Study: Matthew: The King & His Kingdom, Rosary Hall @ 5:15pm Mon. Jan. 16: Office Closed-Martin Luther King Holiday Women’s AA Rosary Hall 7pm Tues. Jan. 17: Baptism Class (Spanish) PH Conf. Rm7pm Wed. Jan 18:Bible Study: Matthew: The King & His Kingdom, PH Conf. Rm 9:15am Thurs. Jan. 19: RCIA 6:45pm PH Conf. Rm Fri. Jan 20: Spanish Prayer Group Chapel 7:30pm

ALTAR FLOWERS Jan. 14/15:In Loving Memory of Homero C. Hinojosa Sr. By:Hinojosa Family Jan. 21/22:Open Jan. 28/29:Open

2017 Flower Dates Available Feb. 4/5, 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 April 22/23, 29/30

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 Special Intention for Karen & Bryan Bounds

By:Heasty Family Chapel Sanctuary Candle

Special Intention for Mike & Barbara Rupley By:Heasty Family

Bay Area Deanery Mtg. Wed. Jan. 18th Mary Queen, Friendswood @ 9:30am

MINISTRY SCHEDULE JANUARY 21 & 22, 2017

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Reese Schoppe, Ryan Schoppe Lector Kathy Nastally Commentator Fred Novak Extraordinary Ministers Walter Hayes, Rosie Molina of the Eucharist George Rodriguez SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Server Benjamin Tercero, Oliver Tercero Lector Lisa Raymundo Commentator Sheridan Lewis Extraordinary Ministers Mose Davis, Leslie Davis, of the Eucharist Angie Tercero SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Elaine Munoz, Trysten Munoz Lector Cindy Bremer Commentator Kerry Regan Extraordinary Ministers Greg Bremer, Richard Florance, of the Eucharist Geraldine Leslie SUNDAY-12:30pm(Spanish) Altar Server Adriana Calvillo, Dania Castaneda Lectors Sergio Calvilo, Rocio Calvillo Extraordinary Minister Juanita & Victor Velasquez of the Eucharist SUNDAY 4:00pm Altar Servers Lauren Lara, Payton Lara Lector Debbie Wade Extraordinary Ministers Lyndsey Hernandez, Jose Lopez of the Eucharist

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Blood Drive Sun. Jan. 22nd 8:30am-2:30pm Rosary Hall

Get Your Free Long-sleeved T Shirt 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. Thank you in advance for your gift! Go to giveblood.org.

KNIGHTS 0F COLUMBUS IN SERVICE TO ONE. IN SERVICE TO @LL.

Sup_r\owl \risk_t fun^r[is_r

10-12l\. (B_for_ Cook_^) All briskets will be freshly cooked and ready for pick-up on Saturday morning, February 4th (11am-1pm) at the Smoke House.

Whol_ Brisk_t-$60.00 H[lf Brisk_t-$35.00

D_[^lin_ W_^n_s^[y, F_\ru[ry 1st

Questions or to Place Order Contact: Arnold Isbell 281-924-7954

aisbell@bakercorp.com Marcus DiValentone 832-455-4358

markdivalentone@yahoo.com Robert Zulaica 832-282-0285

Robert.zulaica@yahoo.com

Thank you for your support!!!

Upcoming Baptismal Dates Feb. 5, March 5, April 2

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. To register please call the office.

Just as a reminder… Pastoral Council Discernment Sat. Jan. 21

Rosary Hall @ 9am

Please Pray For Our Troops and … Rena Espinoza, Charles Sharpless, Jorge Cortez, Roy Gonzales, Larry Williams, Donna Henson, Ida Trejo, Barbara Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Arambula, Tanisha Taylor, Evelyn & Jerry Vidos, MaKinzi, Peterson, Aliyah Mendez, Jessica Redow, Edward Salinas, Candelaria Ortiz, Diana Villarreal, Rebecca Ramos, Mike Rupley, Jordan Binkley, Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Lloyd Wells, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Jarred H., Cindy & Dave Schmitz, Faith A., Tami Sills, H. C. Wade, LeeAnn & Family, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James Martin Muetzel, Ron Balsam, Laura Lewis Rocchino, Carlota Carmona, Jesse Lopez, Diann Verret, Mike Rupley, Chuck Thompson, Debi Cariaga, Michael Kelly, Francis Williams, Joe Sturm, Sally Johnson, Tim Sumski, Murphy Guillory, Gayle Phillips, Britton Phillips, Alberto Rodriguez, Lee Molina, Gabriella Mendoza, Judy Irlbeck, Luck Lewallen, Rose Ellen Pena, Sherry Paschal, Baby Lucas Riley, Gary Tandy, Joseph Morgan, Pedro Sanchez, Monica Lesenski, Ana Baez, Marybeth Hays, David Copous, Daniel Vasquez, Pedro B. Sanchez, Gloria Pena, Karen Bounds, Kim Mobbs, Marcey Salinas, Edward Salinas, Nell Martin, Angela Catlun

Continue to Pray for Felipe Sanchez, Ben Gerdes, Carlos Smith, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contreras, Romeal Nolan, Becky Melchor, Aaron Rodriguez, Irene Templet, Jose Molina, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Kay Gold, Red Cornejo, Kathryn Coleman, Marita Hooper, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Minnie Lopez, Deacon Merce Leal, Margarita Klock, Sue Crockett, Joanne Jarrell, Joanie O’Neal, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Teresa Eidt, Barry Armstrong and those requesting prayer via our web site.

Remember Our Shut-Ins Joe & Josie Funda, Ophelia Pinard, 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 Baby Angel Calvo Our Sympathy to Miguel & Leticia Calvo on the loss of their son, Angel

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.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH ~ LA PORTE JANUARY 15, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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.

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St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Mon.-Wed., Fri., Sat. 9:00-11:00am

Store Closed Thurs. & Sun. Our drop-off room is open 24/7. Thank You

In the Gospel today, we read “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us...filled with enduring love. As you make your donations to our St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, you are a sign of God’s enduring love to those who are suffering and you give them a reason to believe and to trust. Volunteers Needed: We are in need of volunteers to work in our store any day of the week. Please contact Norma @ 281-471-1752.

RCIA Classes Started

RCIA (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 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 on Thursday evenings @6:45pm in the Parish Hall Conf. Rm. Class this week will be “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass.” For information about the RCIA program, call the office or email Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com.

Te invitamos a una Hora Santa en comunidad Todos los mièrcoles

De 7-8 p.m. En loa Capilla de San Josè.

Para más información Pueses comunicarte con

Marta y reino Fernández 832-985-1799.

Encuentro Martimonial Mundial Los invita a vivir un Fin de Semana

Conoce como puedes vivir mas intima y profunda-mente 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

Parishioner Updates ~ 2016 Tax Statements If you have changed our 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 the month. The following items are not tax deductible: Masses, stipends, purchase of raffle tickets, items purchased at the Bazaar; silent auction, live auction, tickets for games etc. If you have any questions, please contact the office.

Please Note… Any donations received on or after Jan. 1st will be posted in 2017. 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. In order to receive credit for your donations in 2017 please fill out a registration form or call the office to verify that you are registered. 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. You must fill out your registration now in order to receive credit for your donations in 2017.

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.

Samaritan Corner

Funeral Coordinator Needed Are you retired and looking of some way to be

of service to your parish community here at St. Mary’s? When someone passes away, there is a need to have an individual willing to meet with the family and go over the details and readings for the funeral service. On the day of the funeral you would also be responsible to setup the church for the funeral mass and attend the mass in order to be of assistance to the funeral director and families members. If this might be something you may be interested in, please contact the office as soon as possible. We are desperately in need of someone willing to take on this responsibility.

Funeral Reception Support Needed 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 at the reception. Please call the office if you are interested, and we will get you in contact with one of our funeral team leaders.

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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.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH ~ LA PORTE JANUARY 15, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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 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: Heb 8:6-13; Ps 85:8, 10-14; Mk 3:13-19 Saturday: Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Mk 3:20-21 Sunday: Is 8:23 — 9:3; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17; Mt 4:12-23 [12-17]

Free Babysitting available during 10 am Mass every Sunday

St. Mary’s Parish Hall Rm #2

Archdiocesan Help Available

• Do you know a couple that is having a challenging situation in their relationship and need help? We may be able to coach you as a couple We offer enrichment sessions, consulting and mentoring for married couples experiencing some crisis or challenges in their relationship. For more detailed information please contact the office of Family Life Ministry @ 713-741-8711.

• Parenting Help? The office of Family Life Ministry have trained eight professionals around the Archdio-cese to provide services to parents who are willing and need help raising their children. The program is designed to offer advice, support and formation to parents with common developmental and behavioral problems in children. For more information or to register please call 713-741-8739 or 713-741-8711.

• Retrouvaille: Meetings are designed to help marriages facing challenging situations. Please check our website for upcoming sessions. Register@: http://www.retrouvaille.org

• Maria Goretti Support Group: New support group for those afflicted with any type of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual or mental) will begin to meet @ 7pm on the third Monday of every month in downtown Houston at the Cathedral Centre (1701 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX 77002).For more information about the Maria Goretti Network that is sponsoring this support group, go to www.mgoretti.org or call 713-851-3708.

• 12th Annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk-Support Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston by joining us for one of the largest events in our Archdiocese on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Run, walk, sleep in and Hit Snooze, volunteer or come to cheer on the participants.

• Harvesting Our Tears program, an eight week support group for the widowed. Meets every second Thursday of the month until May 11, 2017. To register call Elsa Aguilera @ 713-741-8708 or eaguilera@arch.org

• Elder Abuse can happen to anyone and it can take many different forms. Most cases of abuse reported to Adult Protective Services involve “self-neglect.” Many of these people are vulnerable to abuse because they live alone or are dependent on someone else for their care. Texas requires by law the reporting of elder abuse or the suspicion of elder abuse. If you know of someone who cannot care for himself/herself, or who is being abused, neglected or exploited, whether they live alone of with a spouse or caregiver, Texas law requires that your report the abuse. The number is 1-800-252-5400; your report will remain confidential. For additional information, please call the Office of Aging @ 713-741-8712.

• Schedule and registration for FTCM for the Spring 2017 now available. For detailed information go to www.archgh.org/oec/ftcm.

CCE Classes Today

Parent Bible Study & Prayer Group Sunday’s @ 8:45am (We follow the CCE Schedule)

Life Teen Mass 4pm Class Tonight @ 5pm

“Immaculata”

Youth Bible Study Every Wed. Rm 3 @ 7pm

Adoration @ Charismatic Center first Wed. of each month. To carpool meet @ St. Mary’s parking lot 6pm.

Info. contact Shari @ 281-470-6066

Jr. High Youth Program (6, 7 & 8th Grade)

Class Today “Transformation” 5:15pm

Jr. High Upcoming Youth Rally St. Simon & Jude Catholic Church

Woodlands, TX Sat. Feb. 25th 10:30am-9pm

Registration forms available at class and on St. Mary’s website @ www.stmaryslaporte.com

EDGE Info. contact Renee @ 832-220-3802