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 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

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.

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.

Saturday, February 9: 6:00pm Special Intention for Bonnie Huston By:Heasty Family Sunday, February 10: 7:30am People of the Parish 10:00am Marcy Salinas† By:Ruben Salinas Family 12:30pm Eliodoro† & Aurelia † Valencia By:Valencia Family 4:00pm Parishioners Battling Illness Tuesday, February 12: 12:00pm Pat Young † By:Heasty Family Wednesday, February 13: 8:30am Holly Innocents By:Rena Hellstein Thursday, February 14: 8:30am Special Intention for Baby Raelynn By:Grandma Friday, : February 15: 8:30am Birthday Celebration for Charles Paschal Jr. By:Paschal Family Saturday, February 16: 6:00pm Steven Martin† By: Family Sunday, February 17: 7:30am People of the Parish 10:00am Marcy Salinas† By:Ruben Salinas Family 12:30pm Eliodoro† and Aurelia† Valencia By:Valencia Family 4:00pm Parishioners Battling Illness

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.

February 2 & 3, 2019 Weekly Goal $12,000.00 Regular Collection: $ 9,510.98 Couples for Christ cordially invite you to our third annual Father-Daughter Dance Dads, Step-dads, Granddads, Uncles, ‘Like’ dads, celebrate your love for the special ‘little girl’ in your life!

All ages are welcome!

Friday, February 15th 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Tickets: $15 for Dad & Daughter $20 for Dad & w/ multiple daughters • Food, sweets & drinks are included in the price of the tickets • Games • Photo opps • DANCING

Rosary Hall, 816 Park Drive, La Porte, Texas 77571 Tickets will be available at the door or can be reserved by contacting Vanessa Lara @ 281-253-9405

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 10) . Due to the limited sessions, you will not be able to sign up late. Please contact Deacon Hector if you have any questions, @ 281-3828672 or call the office. Pope’s Prayer Intention for February: Universal: For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.

Dear parish family,

5 Sunday C

All of us experience discouragement when our efforts and hard work do not result in success. Reading the daily headline news about the world, our nation or the church can lead to discouragement. We can easily feel disheartened if our efforts to build up and contribute to society or the church do not bring the good results we hoped or worked for. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives his disciples and to us today a profound lesson with a different perspective on success. Having worked hard at their fishing nets all night, the disciples come up empty-handed. Fishing was part of their daily, ordinary work and they were not succeeding at it. Jesus tells the discouraged disciples, "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." His words must have seemed counterintuitive to the tired disciples who had been fishing all night without much success. It was in turning to Jesus, in listening to and trusting in his words that the outcome of the disciples’ work changed. Once they obeyed Jesus’ command, their nets were filled with fish to the point of breaking. The disciples learned that relying on the strength of their own efforts often resulted in failure. Trusting in Jesus’ abiding presence and acting on his divine word led to an abundance of good fruit. Learning to trust in God is one of the greatest challenges of the spiritual life. It is also the most exhilarating adventure on the journey of faith. We may struggle to entrust ourselves to the loving and merciful hand of God. But when we trust in God’s word, we encounter the generous, overflowing action of God and become living instruments of God’s love in turn. God desires to act in the lives of those who entrust themselves to his healing word and his divine mercy, as the disciples discovered on the lake of Gennesaret. This is the key to genuine, lasting success! God’s word invites us to trust in Jesus as we say with deep confidence, "speak to me, Lord …Here I am.” Blessings to all and have a good week. Querida familia parroquial,

Fr. Tony 5 domingo C

Todos nosotros experimentamos el desaliento cuando nuestros esfuerzos y nuestro arduo trabajo no dan como resultado el éxito. Leer los titulares diarios sobre el mundo, nuestra nación o la iglesia nos puede llevar al desaliento. Fácilmente podemos sentirnos desanimados si nuestros esfuerzos para construir y contribuir a la sociedad o la iglesia no traen los buenos resultados que esperábamos o por los que trabajamos. En el Evangelio de este domingo, Jesús nos da hoy a sus discípulos y a nosotros una lección profunda con una perspectiva diferente del éxito. Habiendo trabajado duro en sus redes de pesca toda la noche, los discípulos suben con las manos vacías. La pesca era parte de su trabajo cotidiano, ordinario y no lo estaban logrando. Jesús les dice a los discípulos desanimados: "Ponganlos en las aguas profundas y bajen sus redes para la pesca". Sus palabras deben haber parecido contrarias hacia los discípulos cansados que habían estado pescando toda la noche sin mucho éxito. Fue al volverse a Jesús, al escuchar y confiar en sus palabras que el resultado del trabajo de los discípulos cambió. Una vez que obedecieron el mandato de Jesús, sus redes se llenaron de peces hasta el punto de romperse. Los discípulos aprendieron que confiar completamente en sus propios esfuerzos a menudo resultaba en un fracaso. Confiar en la presencia permanente de Jesús y actuar sobre su divina palabra condujo a una abundancia de buenos frutos. Aprender a confiar en Dios es uno de los mayores desafíos de la vida espiritual. También es la aventura más emocionante en el camino de la fe. Podemos luchar para confiarnos a la mano amorosa y misericordiosa de Dios. Pero cuando confiamos en la palabra de Dios, nos encontramos con la acción generosa y desbordante de Dios y nos convertimos en instrumentos vivientes del amor de Dios. Dios desea actuar en la vida de aquellos que confían en su palabra de sanidad y en su divina misericordia, como lo descubrieron los discípulos en el lago de Genesaret. ¡Esta es la clave para un éxito genuino y duradero! La palabra de Dios nos invita a confiar en Jesús cuando,decimos con profunda confianza: "Háblame, Señor ... Aquí estoy". Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana.

P. Tony

MINISTRY SCHEDULE FEBRUARY 16 & 17, 2019

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Lector Isabelle Salas Commentator Pat Stanton Extraordinary Ministers Isabelle Salas, of the Eucharist Victoria Swenson SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Jeremiah Arredondo, Jorge Arredondo Lector Nick Barrera Commentator Brigitte Barrera Extraordinary Ministers Steve Hoffman, of the Eucharist Joy Hoffman SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Elaine Munoz, Trysten Munoz Lector Debbie Wade Commentator Tracy Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Geraldine Leslie, of the Eucharist Mary Edwards SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Sarahi Arrona, Alejandro Rodriguez Lectors Carlos Cirnigliario, Graciela Cirnigliario Extraordinary Ministers Marcos Arrona, of the Eucharist Mercedes Arrona SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Oliver Tercero, Madalyn Tercero Lector Randy Tercero Extraordinary Ministers Angie Tercero, Rosie Molina

Job Opening at St. Mary

Director of Religious Educa on (DRE) Jessica Jamarillo is moving to a full me job at the Catholic Chari es downtown. We are so grateful for her valuable ministry in our parish church as DRE for the past years. She will finish her responsibili es here by the end of the school year this May. We are now beginning in search for her replacement. Qualifica ons: • Must be an ac ve Catholic in good standing with the Church. Minimum of 4 year college degree in • religious educa on, religious studies or another relevant field or significant equivalent experience. • Archdiocesan Catechist cer ficate and has training in sacramental prepara ons and as parish cateche cal leader. • Minimum experience of three years of parish cateche cal experience. Must have excellent organiza on and • communica on skills. Proficient in MS so ware, Excel, Word and • Publisher. Must be fluent in English, Spanish is a plus. •

Basic job descrip on (details upon interview) • Planning and oversight of parish religious Is God calling you? program through grade 12, including sacramental Due to work schedules, we are in need of someone to prepara ons. be a second person in the Chapel hour from 4-5pm on • Facilita ng parent and catechist mee ngs, Wednesday’s. If you can help or would like to be retreats and workshops. placed on the sub list, please call the office. Communica ng an enthusiasm for the • Catholic faith among our young people and their ~ Weekend Retreat ~ families. Feb 22-24, 2019 • Manage and maintain the Safe Environment Jesus, Our Healer @ Mother of Policy compliance requirements for catechists and Perpetual Help Retreat Center (3417 ministry volunteers. W. Little York Road Houston, • Must be available to work on weekends and TX 77091). The Marian Servants of evenings.

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]

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

Activities of the Week

Sun. Feb. 10: CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Tues. Feb. 12: Altar Society Mtg RH 6:30pm Baptism Class (English) PH 7pm Conf. Rm Thurs. Feb. 14: RCIA 5-9pm Fri. Feb. 15: Daddy/Daughter Dance RH 7pm Spanish Prayer Group Chapel 7pm

Please Pray For Our Troops and …

Sue Gonzalez, Lynn Guio, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordon Binkley, Erica Cantu, Salvador Vasquez, Dena Michna, 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 Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Dennis, 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, Parker Dixon & Family, Willetta House, Jeremy & Diana Cassidy & Family, Kendra Ramirez & Family, Sally Romeo, Alejandra 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 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, Humberto Villalobos, Mary Sigala, Julia Dautriel, 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 Souls of Maximina Rios Our Sympathy to Carlos Rios & family on the death of his wife, Maximina 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.

Catholic Mutual Group Safe Haven The Catholic Mutual Group Safe Haven online training is replacing the,VIRTUS training. The training consists of 3 vignette style training videos that is approximately 60 minutes and will include a criminal background check that must be completed. These trainings are available in English and Spanish. We will no longer offer live trainings, all Safe Environment trainings will only be available online. •All new employees and volunteers will complete the Safe Haven online training program instead of VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training. The turnaround time for approval may be approximately two weeks or less. • All individuals must complete the training and complete a background check prior to the start of employment and/or volunteer service. • The 5-year anniversary date is still in place individuals who recently attended VIRTUS will not be due to complete refresher trainings until they have met their t-year anniversary date. • As the 5-year anniversary date is met, individuals will need to log into CMGConnect with their previous personal VIRTUS user id and 1234 as the password. Once the individual logs into their CMGConnect account, they will be able to change their password. If they do not remember the user id, they may contact Jessica Jaramillo [email protected]. The following individuals below will now be required to complete Safe Haven online training as well: 1. Individuals who have never attended training. 2. Individuals who are currently due for refresher training and had not attended VIRTUS training. 3. Individuals who are currently due and have not attended VIRTUS training. 4. Individuals who are out of compliance or past due. galvestonhouston.cmgconnect.com

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. 281948-8690, 281-948-8640, Marco & Mercedes Arrona, [email protected] 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. 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

ALTAR FLOWERS

Available Dates for Altar Flowers 2019 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.

Church Sanctuary Candle

Special Intention for Humberto Villalobos & Family

Chapel Sanctuary Candle

In Loving Memory of Kitty Metler By Peggy Holland

***Altar Society Mtg. Feb. 12 at 6:30pm

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY Back by Popular Demand

OREMUS: A Guide to Catholic Prayer; begins February 17, 2019. 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 relationship with God and Grief Share Seminars those around you. We will be meeting 5:15pm in roSt. Mary’s Samaritan Ministry sary Hall conference Room and 9:15am Wednesday Bereavement Support Team will mornings. host weekly Grief Share Contact Tracy [email protected] to register. seminars beginning Saturday, February 16, 2019, 9:00 am to Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible: 10:30 am. Weekly seminar topics are 1) Is This 8 part study will give you an overall picture of This Normal?; 2) Challenges of Grief; 3) The the Bible and help you relate it to everyday life. This Journey of Grief, Part One; 4) The Journey of Study will begin May 9, 2019, and meets Thursday Grief, Part Two; 5) Grief and Your Relationships/ evenings @ 6pm in the Conference Room next to the Why?; 6) Guilt and Anger; 7) Complicating church office. Cost will be $20. for materials. Factors/Stuck; 8) Lessons of Grief, Part One; 9) Contact Tracy [email protected] to register. Lessons of Grief, Part Two; 10) Heaven; and 11) Rosary Hall Clean Up….. What do I Live for Now? Please join us if you We are in the process of cleaning out the cabinets in are grieving the loss of a loved one. Advanced registration is helpful but not the kitchen at Rosary Hall. Many of the food items necessary. It is most beneficial to attend all of and containers are expired. If your ministry has items the sessions however each session is specifically for your meeting please mark them “self-contained”, so you do not have to attend in appropriately. We will be emptying out all cabinets sequence and you will be able to pick up any the week of February 25. Please call the office if you session you missed in the next Grief Share have any specific requests. seminar cycle. READINGS FOR THE WEEK For detailed information and a complete Monday: Gn 1:1-19; Ps 104:1-2a, 5-6, 10, 12, schedule, please pick up a pink brochure in the 24, 35c; Mk 6:53-56 back or sides of the church. For additional Tuesday: Gn 1:20 — 2:4a; Ps 8:4-9; Mk 7:1-13 information please contact the Team Wednesday: Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Ps 104:1-2a, 27-28, Coordinator Nelda Shealy at 281-471-2000. 29bc-30; Mk 7:14-23 Thursday: Gn 2:18-25; Ps 128:1-5; Mk 7:24-30 St. Mary’s Samaritan Ministry Bereavement Friday: Gn 3:1-8; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 7:31-37 Support Team is currently training facilitators. If Saturday: Gn 3:9-24; Ps 90:2-4abc, 5-6, 12-13; you are interested in becoming a facilitator in the Mk 8:1-10 Bereavement Support Ministry, please call Nelda Sunday: Jer 17:5-8; Ps 1:1-4, 6; 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20; Shealy at 281-471-2000. Lk 6:17, 20-26

1st Comm. Parent Mtg. Sat. Feb. 16 9am-12noon Classes Today 8:45am & 11:15am Contact Jessica Jaramillo Monday 9am-12noon at 281-471-2000 [email protected]

Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Class Today YOUTH RALLY FEBRUARY 23 ST. SIMON & JUDE CATHOLIC CHURCH LATE REGISTRATION

Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: [email protected] or Angie 713-826-0633

Life Teen Mass 4pm Life Teen’s Spring Retreat When: March 8-10, 2019 Where: Cat Springs Retreat Center Retreat fee: $75 Feb. 1st $25deposit Feb. 15th $25. Second payment March 1st $25. Final payment

Final day to register Friday, March 1st

Have questions or need more information? See one of the Core Members at Life Teen on Sunday.

Class Today 5pm

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Bible Study Wed. @ 7pm

Info. contact Shari @ 281 435 5708