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, January 12: 6:00pm Steve Martin† By:Family Sunday, January 13: 7:30am People of the Parish 10:00am Delia Lopez† By:Joe Lopez 12:30pm Birthday Celebration of Nathanael Rios By:Mom 4:00pm Mary Pfeiffer† By:Paschal Family Tuesday, January 15: 12:00pm Carl Lundquist By:Florine Veazey† Wednesday, January 16: 8:30am Special Intetnion for Nathaniel Rushing By:Rushing Family Thursday, January 17: 8:30am Raymond Zann† By:Family Friday, January 18: 8:30am Special Intention for Deacon Tom Lewis By:Angeles Sullivan 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

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.

December 29 & 30, 2018 Weekly Goal $12,000.00 Regular Collection: $11,305.82 December 31, 2018 & January 1, 2019 Collection: $1,990.00 January 5 & 6, 2019 Collection: $9,242.85 Blood Drive Next Sunday 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 calendar 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. 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.

Dear parish family,

The Baptism of the Lord

I wish to thank those who gave token gifts to our parish church for the “Christmas Wish List.” Some donations are noted for specific projects but most of them can be applied in general for whichever in the “wish list” the Pastoral or Finance Council appropriates them for. At least we some extra monies we can use for special projects which are not in our usual parish budget. We are grateful for the blessings of such generous members of our parish. The feast of the baptism of the Lord ends the Christmas season and begins the first Sunday of Ordinary Time. This feast is like a hinge - to close and to open. The intention of the Church is clear. The meaning of Christmas has completion and fulfillment when we become one with Christ, whose birth we celebrate. Christmas is a celebration of God's greatest gift to humanity, the gift of salvation. The baptism of the lord is the commemoration and inauguration of Jesus’ action of redeeming us. So this feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a celebration or a reminder of the greatest gift of God has given us, our baptism, when we become adopted children of God. At Christmas we are reminded of how God lowered himself - identifies with our humanity that God can lift us up to share in his divinity. He identifies with us that we can identify with Him. Our parish community is working and going because of men and women who actively live out their baptismal dignity and calling. We thank the Lord God for we have many of them, such as you, keeping our community of faith alive and well. The more we have those who live out their faith and participate fully in the parish life in whatever way they can, the more we reap together the blessings of growing in faith. There are many opportunities in our parish life that enable our faith to be translated into action and eventually become a way of life. If indeed we try by the grace of God to live out our Catholic faith, participate in the life of the Church, even with our failings and shortcomings, I am sure God almighty can exclaim to each of us as in the words of the gospel this Sunday, “you are my beloved son (or my beloved daughter) in whom I am well pleased!" Blessings to all and have a good week!

Fr. Tony

Querida familia parroquial,

El Bautismo del Señor.

Deseo agradecer a aquellos que dieron regalos simbólicos a nuestra iglesia parroquial enla "Lista de deseos navideños". Algunas donaciones se destacan para proyectos específicos, pero la mayoría de ellas se pueden aplicar en general a cualquiera de las "listas de deseos" del Consejo Pastoral o Financiero. Al menos tenemos dinero extra que podemos usar para proyectos especiales que no están en nuestro presupuesto habitual de la parroquia. Estamos agradecidos por las bendiciones de los miembros tan generosos de nuestra parroquia. Con la fiesta del bautismo del Señor termina el tiempo de Navidad y comienza el primer domingo del tiempo ordinario. Esta fiesta es como una bisagra que cierra y abre. La intención de la Iglesia es clara. El significado de la Navidad tiene su finalidad y cumplimiento cuando nos convertimos en uno con Cristo, cuyo nacimiento celebramos. La Navidad es una celebración del mayor regalo de Dios para la humanidad, el regalo de la salvación. El bautismo del señor es la conmemoración e inauguración de la acción de Jesús de redimirnos. Entonces, esta fiesta del Bautismo del Señor es una celebración o un recordatorio del don más preciado que Dios nos ha dado, nuestro bautismo, cuando nos convertimos en hijos adoptivos de Dios. En Navidad, recordamos cómo Dios se rebajó a sí mismo; se identifica con nuestra humanidad de que Dios puede elevarnos para compartir su divinidad. Él se identifica con nosotros y asi podemos identificarnos con él. Nuestra comunidad parroquial está trabajando y continua gracias a hombres y mujeres que viven activamente su dignidad y su llamado bautismal. Agradecemos al Señor Dios porque tenemos muchos de ellos, como usted, que mantienen a nuestra comunidad de fe viva y en accion. Cuanto más tengamos a aquellos que viven su fe y participan plenamente en la vida parroquial en la forma que puedan, más cosechamos las bendiciones de crecer en la fe. Hay muchas oportunidades en nuestra vida parroquial que permiten que nuestra fe se traduzca en acción y eventualmente se convierta en una forma de vida. Si realmente intentamos por la gracia de Dios vivir nuestra fe católica, participar en la vida de la Iglesia, incluso con nuestras fallas y defectos, estoy seguro de que Dios todopoderoso puede exclamar a cada uno de nosotros como en las palabras del Evangelio de este Domingo, "eres mi hijo amado (o mi hija amada) en quien estoy muy complacido!" ¡Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana!

P. Tony

MINISTRY SCHEDULE JANUARY 19 & 20, 2019

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, John Paul Nguyen Lector Debbie Wade Commentator Pat Stanton Extraordinary Ministers Tracy Avallone, Walter Hayes of the Eucharist SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Ryan Kappil, Alex Molina Lector Susie Burgess Commentator Sheridan Lewis Extraordinary Ministers Diana Ortiz, Robert Ortiz of the Eucharist SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Sophia Melton, Isabella Melton Lector Kerry Regan Commentator Tracy Avallone Extraordinary Ministers Mary Edwards, of the Eucharist Geraldine Leslie 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 Servers Sergio Reyes, Dylan Rowan Lector Jason Woods Extraordinary Ministers Felicia Reyes, Maria Reyes of the Eucharist

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.

ALTAR FLOWERS

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.

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.

Justice & Peace

A very special thank you to all of those who donated to our Christmas outreach this year. We were able to provide gifts and food for 19 needy families in our community.

Life in Christ Fellowship GatherA special “Life in Christ Fellowship Gathering” is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16th, from 7 - 8:30 pm in Rosary Hall. If you attended any of the Live Christ Share Christ seminars, or wish to learn more about them, please come and join in – and bring a friend! We’ll have worship music, sharing time, a short lesson to give us a focal point on our faith journey, discussion, and fellowship. Take some time out from your busy schedules, and give yourself the gift of fellowship, peace, and the Word of God! For more information please contact: Parish Office at (281) 471-2000

Please Pray For Our Troops and …

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, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordan Binkley, 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 Gobnzalez, 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 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.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday:Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday:Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Cor 12:411; Jn 2:1-11

Activities of the Week

Sun. Jan. 13: CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Bible Timeline, RH, 11:15am Bible Study ACTS, RH 5pm Tues. Jan. 15:Bapt. Class Spanish Conf. Rm 7pm Wed. Jan. 16: Bible Study ACTS Conf. Rm 9am Live Christ/Share Christ Fellowship RH 7pm 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 2, 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.

Come Pray With Us… Rosary for Life

Monday, January 14th - Please join us in praying the Holy Rosary, asking for our Blessed Mother’s intercession for the unborn, elderly, disabled, sick and all special intentions in St. Joseph’s Chapel @ 7:00pm.

Support the Bishops’ Initiative on Marriage!

Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him…” And God was well pleased. Experience the Holy Spirit in your marriage by attending 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.

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]

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

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

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 registered 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].

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].

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.

Classes Today 8:45am & 11:15am

If you are interested or would like more information please contact Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Tues. @ 281-471-2000

Life Teen Mass 4pm Classes Resume Today 5:00pm

Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade Class Today 5:00pm Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: [email protected] or Angie 713-826-0633

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Study Wed. @ 7pm Info. contact Shari @ 281 435 5708