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ALWAYS

FORWARDMay 2020 Volume 6, Issue 12

St. Martha Mary & Lazarus, St. Philip the Apostle, St. Leo the Great, St. Mary Magdalene, St. John of the Cross, St. Dominic

Board of Directors President:

Melia Reed President Elect:

Mark Halleck VP Vocations:

Donna Rueby VP Membership:

Bob & Arlane Sponaugle VP Programs:

Tony & Eileen Benvegnu VP Communications:

Lynn Lucas Mary Lou Purello

Treasurer: Charlie Garland

Secretary: Kay Nelson

Chaplain: Father Felix Osasona

Trustees: Diddy Muck, Sandie Taylor Shalom Rep: Doug Reed Newsletter: Mary Lou Purello

Meetings: 4th Monday of the Month

Italiano’s Restaurant 217 FM 1960 Bypass,

Humble, TX 6:30 Social, 7:00 Dinner

“To become a priest or a religious is not primarily our choice, it is our answer to a calling, a calling of love.” Pope Francis

Serra Club Northeast of Houston

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EASTER - Different but the Same

Happy Easter to you, dear Serrans!

Easter 2020 was so different but still the same. We are all passing through an unprecedented time in history with the coronavirus pandemic that has infected over 2million people, caused the death of about 150 thousand people worldwide, and led to restrictions on public gatherings.

After the day of my priestly anniversary, the next big day of my priestly life is the Mass of the Holy Chrism celebrated on Tuesday of Holy Week here in our archdiocese. It is such a beautiful yearly celebration with our archbishop, his auxiliary, retired bishops, over 300 priests gather together with about 150 permanent deacons and two thousand lay faithful for this unique celebration of the institution of the priesthood and blessing of the oils for the year. This year was different because we couldn’t gather as usual. It was the first time in my priestly life that I did not participate physically in a Chrism Mass. However, it was the same as Cardinal DiNardo blessed the oils for the sacraments and invited priests to renew their commitment even though virtually. This did not diminish my zeal for the priesthood and my renewed commitment to continue to serve God in his people.

The Holy Week and Easter liturgies at my Parish were livestreamed to parishioners. The mystery of the resurrection was not lost in the pandemic. Yes, the church buildings were empty but the hearts of the faithful at home were filled with the grace and love of Jesus Christ. There is some similarities in the empty tomb and the empty churches. While the empty tomb is a proof of Christ’s resurrection, we can say that our empty churches during this pandemic is a sign of our faith in God. How? Well, the faith is alive in the families as most Catholics are recognizing the importance of sharing their faith at home. Easter is different, but the same!

Until we resume public gatherings, I now do ministry of prayer and accompaniment. I pray over the phone with parishioners and I do limited visitation to the hospitals and homes when there is an emergency. I continue to prepare couples for marriage through video conference, and I provide the sacrament of Confession by appointment in the church wearing masks and practicing social distancing. The priestly ministry is different but the same.

As Serrans, our mission is promoting vocation. Even if we cannot gather for activities, we can reach out to fellow Serrans over the phone, email or other means to check on them and maybe pray with them. Let us continue to foster priestly vocation through our prayers. Let us not forget to support those who need us the most during this time. The Lord is our strength, and he will guide and bless us! We pray for a cure for this COVID-19 and that we will be able to gather again very soon. Amen.

Fr. Felix Osasona, MSP

WORDS FROM OUR CHAPLAIN, FATHER FELIX OSASONA

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SPIRITUAL BOUQUETS

Spiritual Bouquets, April 2020

During Holy Week the Club sent Spiritual Bouquets to over 75 priests, sisters, deacons, seminarians and other religious offering the prayers and spiritual intentions of 33 club members. Over 5400 rosaries, holy communions, acts of penance, visits to the blessed sacrament, chaplets of divine mercy and remembrances at mass will be offered for them during the rest of 2020 and though the 2021 Lenten season.

Donna Rueby once again created a beautiful card for this Spiritual Bouquet. Her work, “Be Not Afraid” (pictured), was the front of the card.

The names of the priests and religious who received the Spiritual Bouquet are listed on page 4. It is provided for you to print out and keep near your prayer space to remember these men and women. The Club has computer desktop photographs (pictured) that also list these names. If you would like to receive these photographs for use on your desktop please contact Jim Stevens at jim.r.stevens.jr@gmail.com

by Jim Stevens

Easter Spiritual Bouquet

For: ___________________________

The following are offered up for you and you intentions:

1,213 Rosaries

1485 Holy Communions

719 Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

256 Chaplets of Divine Mercy

1,462 Remembrances at Mass

350 Acts of Penance

Copy of Donna’s beautiful card

From: Serra Club Northeast of Houston

Easter is a time to give thanks for the new life given through Christ’s Resurrection.

It also is a good time to ask God’s Blessings for you and for all you give and all you do.

May Our Lord strengthen you and fill your heart

with hope and peace this Easter

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Priests

During Holy Week the Serra Club Northeast of Houston sent a Spiritual Bouquet to each of these Priests, Brothers, Sisters, Deacons, Seminarians and Religious offering our Spiritual Intentions for their benefit and protection. Please keep them in your prayers and offer your Spiritual Intentions for them in 2020 and through the 2021 Lenten Season.

Fr. Juan Francisco Aguilar Arce CS✚

Fr. David Angelino♥︎ Fr. Michael Applegate♥︎

Fr. Jeff Bame✟

Fr. Richard Barker✟

Msgr. Chester Borski♦︎♥︎

Fr. Linh Nguyen✙

Fr. Trung Nguyen♦︎ Fr. Brian O’Brien♥︎

Fr. Augustine Ogbeche Ogar MSP✝

Fr. Felix Osanona MSP✝

Fr. Ralph Roberts✜

Archbishop Daniel Cardinal DiNardoBishop George Sheltz

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph FiorenzaBishop Vincent Risotto

Seminarians

SistersSr. Nohemi Lara CMST✚

Sr. Marillac Njoku SJS✜♥︎

Sr. Jane Michael SJS✜

Sr. Julianne Sandoval✜

Sr. Ana Teresa OCD♰

Sr. Mary Theresa OCD♰

Sr. Virginia Mary OCD♰

Sr. Lourdes OCD♰

Sr. Josephine OCD♰

DeaconsDcn. Olatunde Branche✝ Dcn. John Barfield✜

Dcn. Tony Cardella✜

Dcn. Nick Caruso✝

Dcn. Michael Cruz✚

Dcn. Al O’Brien✜

Dcn. Miguel Perez✜

Dcn. Guy Puglia✜

Dcn. Rene Ramón✝ Dcn. John Sarabia♥︎

Please also Pray for the Residents and Staff of the Shalom Center

Postulant & Consecrated Lay WomanChristina Ann Girau✜♥︎

Dcn. Nathan Davis♥︎

Dcn. Mark Hebert♥︎

Cristian Bustos♥︎

Luis Gonzales✙

Jeremy Mann✜

Dcn. Jeremy Trull♥︎

Dcn. Will Rooney♥︎

Chris Meyer♥︎

Fr. Michael Casey▾Fr. Italo Dell’Oro✟

Fr. James Dodson▾Fr. T J Dolce✜

Fr. Roger Estorque✞

Fr. Carmelo Hernandez CS✚

Fr. Joseph Nguyen The Hieu CS✚

Fr. Sean Magaldi▾Fr. Eurel Manzano♦︎

Fr. Richard McNeillie✟▾Fr. Jonathan Moré✜

Sr. Carmen Sanchez✜

Sr. Angel Teresa OCD♰

Sr. Mary Emmanuel Utulu DDL✜

Sr. Marie Theresa DDL✜

Sr. Josephine OCD♰

Sr. Mary Ann OCD♰

Sr. Mary Iweanya DDL✜

Sr. Mary Thecla DDL✝

Dcn. KC Curtis♥︎

Dcn. Bob MacFarlane✜

Dcn. Ruben Manosalva✜

Dcn. James Meshell✜

Dcn. Diego Montiel✜

Dcn. John Shuster✜

Dcn. Rick Simon✝

Dcn. Alfredo Soto♥︎

Dcn. Phil Wiles✞

Dcn. Gary Yepsen✜

Alexander Gutierrez♥︎

Br. Danilo Alves de Lima, C.S.✚Frater Lazarus McDonald✙♥︎

Patrick O’Brien✝♥︎

Houston Okonma♥︎

Jacob Ramirez✜♥︎

Jose “J” Serrato✙

Noe Vera✚

✙ St. John of the Cross✚ St. Leo the Great✜ St. Martha✝ St. Mary Magdalene

✟ The Chancery Office, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston♰ Discalced Carmelite Nuns - New Caney

Legend▾A Diocesan Vocations Director - Seven Serrans♥ Family and Friends of the Serra Club Northeast of Houston

✟ St. Philip the Apostle✞ St. Dominic♦ St. Mary’s Seminary

Joelma Regis✟

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Would you like to use either one of these as a desktop screen saver? Thanks to Jim Stevens, you can. Either copy and paste or contact Jim if you need help. jim.r.stevens.jr@gmail.com

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For additional information click here:

SERRA INTERNATIONAL NEWS

May 3, World Day of Prayer for Vocations The purpose of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly celebrate vocations to ordained ministry and religious life in all its forms.  Many parishes and religious institutes commemorate this day with prayer for vocations and vocation promotion events. Considering that 73 percent of women and men professing final vows participated in one or more parish activities and 88 percent served in one or more parish ministries before entering religious life, our presence and participation in activities that mark this special day is essential. Consider asking parishes for opportunities to speak, pray, provide bulletin inserts, prayer cards, and conversation before and after Masses, in religious education programs, RCIA and confirmation formation classes on this day.For additional information click here:

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St. Martha parishioners surprised their priests with this scene.

Ideas from Vocation Ministry You can be the light to your priest by praying daily for him and acting on some of the following ideas to Uplift Your Priest! Let these ideas spur your own creativity.        Daily Deed Ideas · Call/text/email your priest ·     Send spiritual bouquets to him ·     Drop off popcorn and snacks for movie night ·     Send him drawings or paintings by children ·     Pray, fast, and offer sacrifices for him ·     Send him an Amazon or restaurant gift card ·     Make a family video message/song of affirmation for him ·     Create a sidewalk message in front of church/rectory ·     Post picture of your family with your priest ·     Drop off or have dinner/lunch delivered ·     Send financial support to the parish, if able ·     Hold a "Parade of Love" for him ·     Challenge 3 families/individuals to pray a Rosary for him (think Ice Bucket Challenge on social media) ·     Invite him and other people or families for a digital "gathering" ·     Write him a letter thanking him for his sacrifices ·     Deliver any protective gear or cleaning supplies he may need   Go To: Press Kit: https://vocationministry.com/get-in-touch/uplift-your-priest/

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Prayer Contest Update With the closing of schools, the celebration and awarding of prizes to the students who won the prayer contest at St. Mary Magdalene, St. Martha School, and St. Martha CCE, everything is on hold. We will take one day at a time and just pray for quick relief from this Coronavirus.

Serrans coordinated Tailgating event at the Seminarian vs Priest Basketball Game

Congratulations to everyone of you who made this event a resounding success. By my count we had 26 volunteers who, under your wonderful supervision, sold ~ 601 meals for a net of $2,390.19. This does not include the amount that was deposited directly into the seminarians account from the debit and credit card receipts. We sold 347 beverages and 206 catfish meals, 131 seafood gumbo, and 264 slices of pizza for a total of 601 meals. We had perfect weather and wonderful participation from the community.

Thank you again, Melia

SERRA IS INVOLVED IN MANY ACTIVITIES

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SERRA Northeast of Houston HAPPENINGS

• After 8:30 a.m. Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, displayed until 9:00 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene in Humble; St. Philip the Apostle in Huffman, after the 8:30 a.m. Mass each Friday; St. John of the Cross, HOLY HOURS: Tuesday – Thursday 7:00 a.m.– 8:00 a.m. -Monday 7:30 p.m - 9:00 p.m. -Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., silent hour 9 a.m.-10 a.m, 8 p.m.-10 p.m.

• May 3, World Day of Prayer for Vocations • Tues. May 12 Holy Hour of Exposition & Benediction for Vocations, following the 7:00 p.m. Mass, St. Martha • Fri. May 8, Holy Hour of Exposition & Benediction for Vocations following the 8:30 a.m. Mass, St. Martha • Thurs. May 21, St. 8:30 a.m., Philip the Apostle, 2308 3rd St. Huffman (wear Serra Shirt) • Mon. May 24, Serra Monthly meeting at Italiano’s 6:30 p.m. will not be held. All encouraged to

attend Serra Installation on May 23 • Saturday, May 23, Serra Installation, St. Mary’s Seminary • Monday, June 22, Serra Monthly meeting at Italiano’s 6:30 p.m. - Guest speaker: Shawn Carney,

40 Days of Life Co-Founder.

May Birthdays 2 - Deacon Diego Montiel 2 -Jeanne McMahon 8 - Michelle Sullivan 10 - Elizabeth Menard 10 - Sheila Yepsen 12 - Sr. Lourdes, Discalced Carmelite Monestary 17 - Maggie Halleck 19 - Larry Lucas 22 - Fr. Trung Nguyen, St. Mary’s Seminary 23 - Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston 24 - Fr. Jose Carmen Hernandez, St. Leo the Great 24 - Br. Danilo Alves de Lima, St. Leo the Great 24 - Gary Estess 25 - Emma Rocha

• Prayers for all that we stay safe from the Coronavirus

• Prayers of joy celebrating the birth of Doug and Melia’s grand daughter, Rylie Elizabeth.

• Diddy’s dad, Johnnie Bell, will be undergoing surgery on Saturday, the 25th. Pray for a speedy recovery.

All dates are questionable….Stay tuned for changes.And stay tuned for a possible virtual meeting

May Ordination Anniversaries 14 - Fr. Joseph Nguyen the Hieu, St. Leo the Great15 - Bishop George Sheltz, Archdiocese of Galveston Houston20 - Fr. Linh Nguyen, St. John of the Cross21 - Fr. Trung Nguyen, St. Mary’s Seminary26 - Bishop Vincent Rizzotto, St. Dominic Village26 - Fr. Brian O’Brien, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church30 - Fr. T.J. Dolce, St. Martha

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S e r r a n s C a l l e d t o H o l i n e s s

SerranPrayerforVocations

O, God, Who wills not the death of a sinner but rather that he be converted and live, grant we beseech you, through the intercession of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, Saint Joseph, her spouse, St. Junipero Serra, and all the saints, an increase of laborers for your Church, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls through

the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Serrans are being called to pray the vocation prayer daily. Cut this out and place it in a place convenient for you.

“We need the Lord, Like Ancient Navigators Needed the Stars…”

Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, cast all our anxieties onto you, for You care about us.

Excerpts from Pope Francis’s Urbi et Orbi message, March 27

POPE FRANCIS’S PRAYER TO MARY IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you. Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. Yo, Salvation of the roman People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial Help us, Mother of divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas - we who are put to the test - and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.