 August 13, 2017 

Welcoming the Lord with expectant faith and humility, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"While human praise does not tempt the Lord, people are often ruffled and nearly entranced by human praise and honors in the church. Peter was afraid on the sea, terrified by the great force of the storm. Indeed, who does not fear that voice: 'Those who say you are happy place you in error and disturb the path of your feet' (Isaiah 3:12 translation)? And since the soul struggles against the desire for human praise, it is good for it to turn to prayer and petition amid such danger, lest one who is charmed by praise be overcome by criticism and reproach. Let Peter, about to sink in the waves, cry out and say, 'Lord, save me!' The Lord reached out his hand. He chided Peter, saying, 'O man of little faith, why did you doubt?' - that is, why did you not, gazing straight at the Lord as you approached, pride yourself only in him? Nevertheless he snatched Peter from the waves and did not allow him who was declaring his weakness and asking the Lord for help to perish." (excerpt from Sermon 75:10)  August 13, 2017 

Mass Intentions for the Week

Monday August 14: St. Maximilian Kolbe From Father Joseph Nguyen, 8:00 AM † Jackson P Martin ~ Family

7:00 PM Olivia Holt ~ Altar and Rosary Society Administrator Tuesday August 15: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8:00 AM Esther Bentancourt ~ Altar and Rosary Society

7:00 PM Abigail Garcia, Birthday ~ Family Are We Walking on This Earth Alone? Wednesday August 16: St. Stephen of Hungary Today’s Gospel tells us that Peter walked on water to come to 7:00 PM † Ben Coletti, † Kyle Abalos, † Franz Manuel, Jesus in the night. The strong wind frightened him so he called on † Lilia Palumbo, † Paul Boardingham, † Randall Hunt, the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus stretched out his hands to save † Salud and Edilberto Esperanzate, † Margarita Garcia, him saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus saved † Roger and Joaquina Bautista, Peter, even though he doubted, because he remembered to call on † Muriel Abalos, † Benjamin Abalos Sr. him when his faith was tested believing the darkness and strong Donna and Bob Zitek, Dwayne and Liz Sabatka wind demanded his life. Healing: Ron Ausmus After the war was over in 1975, a vast ocean of Vietnamese people Birthdays: Nikolaus and Esther Schneider began to leave the country to go to look for freedom and peace. 59th Anniversary ~ Don and Kathy Casey Many people left behind their loved ones, spouse, parents, siblings, Thursday August 17: children, relatives and friends. Some arrived in their destination in another country, and some left their lives in the ocean. There were 8:00 AM † Danny Somnuk ~ Parents many stories told from those who succeeded in getting to another Friday August 18: country. I have my own story as well, even though it was more than 8:00 AM † Gertrude Greer ~ Henry Greer thirty years ago. 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time During the year of my junior high, my mom decided to let me escape Saturday August 19 from Vietnam since I liked to study. After the first unsuccessful 5:00 PM † Vlasta Majek ~ Bill and Mary Pittaway escape while I spent a month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, my mom

Sunday August 20 let me try to escape the country a second time. This was the second

8:30 AM † Daniel and Hermalinda Zapata ~ Minnie Flores and the last time because I knew I would never try to escape again. 11:00AM Parishioners of St. Church In the middle of the night, my cousin and I, at the same age, were 6:00 PM Ange Rocha ~ Family brought to a ditch not too far from the sea. There were several ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ others hiding in this same ditch waiting to come down to the boat.

Ministers of the Altar Even though it was so dark we hardly could see each other, we still heard soft voices talking and laughing. Suddenly, we heard a Saturday 5:00 PM August 19 gunshot. This took our breath away, and everybody was so quiet. In Lector: Rick Marcantonio the midst of the silence and out of anxiety, someone passed gas EMs: E. Betancourt, G. Carmona, S. and O. Bienia real loud breaking the silence. Rain began to fall mingling with the Sunday 8:30 AM August 20 laughing. While everybody was enjoying the laugh together, we Lector: Diana Diaz suddenly heard several gun shots with a voice yelling, “Stop, Stop, EMs: P. Martinez, M. Nguyen, G. Gibson, O. Herrera Stop.” My cousin and I knew that we had to run in order not to be Sunday 11:00 AM August 20 put in prison if we got caught. It was quite a journey coming home Lector: Susan Balbin from that moment. EMs: D. and J. Ulibarri, R. and R. Olivares Sunday 6:00 PM August 20 My faith in the Lord vanished the moment I heard the gun shot three

Lector: L. Hebert times. My cousin and I held hands and ran though we had no idea

EMs: T. Almager, O. Flores, M. Pena, TBA to where we were heading. All I had in my mind that night was to try Home Visits: S. Bienia, P. Martinez not to get caught. I became an at the age of nine. I was ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ the head of the altar servers and was very active in growing up in the Church, but at that moment, God was not in my mind as all I Monday Evening Devotions could think of was running so not to be caught. You may spend quality time with our Lord every Monday evening Perhaps in your difficulties or challenges of life, which are numerous from 7:00 - 8:30 PM when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for for us as human beings, have you ever had God in your mind? Have adoration. During that time you can come forward and kneel, stand in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or stay in your pew. From 7:30 - you remembered to call on him in your struggles? How is your faith 8:15 PM there will be singing giving glory and praise to God and at this moment of your life? Are you walking alone on your spiritual confessions will be heard. journey?

Benediction will close the evening. Join us for Evening Prayer every Monday at 6:30 PM in Church.  August 13, 2017  Religious Education Invest in the Future of Your Adult mentors are needed for our EDGE and Life Teen programs. FMI Call the Religious Education Office at 937- 6908 Your "yes" to serve will change lives. Let the children come unto me, and do not hinder them; for the No matter how little time you have, we will maximize it. No matter kingdom of God belongs to such as these . Mark 10:14,16 your age there’s a place for everyone – the young and the young at heart! You are never alone. We all work and pray together as a

RCIA team. Are you a non-Catholic going to Sunday with your spouse and Training will be provided for you here in the parish. Call Cathy enjoying the bond of shared worship? Is the Liturgy of the Fichtel 937- 5875 for more information. Eucharist a mystery but something you take on faith? Our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program can help you or Changes Coming for Confirmation Classes someone you know learn more about our faith. Formation classes Corrections to last week's information: will meet every Sunday morning at 9:40 AM beginning August 6th in the Community Room. Participate in Formation Classes (a 2 year program) FMI call the Religious Education office, or the instructors Gary Confirmation 1: Will meet on Wednesdays from 7- 9 PM and also Robinson at 361-548-4152 or Barbara Bassett at 944-5767. attend Life Teen on Sundays. All classes are important in your teen's faith formation. Students are only allowed 3 absences. By the RCIC – Children’s Formation Classes 4th absence, he or she is required to complete an additional 2 hours A date for these classes is to be announced. For more information of community service for the classes missed. call Abel Garcia, 945-0916. Confirmation 2: Will attend Weekly Confirmation Class on Sunday Men’s ACTS Retreat nights. Life Teen's monthly curriculum includes 2 Teen formation September 21st – 24th classes per month, 1 Issue Night and 1 Social Night. Life Teen attendance is to help build community amongst the teens. Students The ACTS retreat weekend is a lay retreat presented by your fellow must complete all 12 faith formation classes to receive Confirmation. parishioners. The weekend will provide an opportunity to develop a Absence is not accepted and the class missed must be made up. deeper relationship with the Lord and your fellow parishioners through Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. The Readings for the Week weekend begins Thursday evening around 5:30 p.m. and ends with Monday: Dt 10:12-22; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Mt 17:22-27 the 11:00 AM Mass here on Sunday. Tuesday: Vigil : 1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2; Ps 132:6-7, Applications are on the tables in the vestibule and can be given to 9-10, 13-14; 1 Cor 15:54b-57; Lk 11:27-28 one of the ACTS core members or brought to the parish office Day: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; during working hours. Ps 45:10-12, 16; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56 Wednesday: Dt 34:1-2; Ps 66:1-3a, 5, 8, 16-17; Mt 18:15-20 Safe Environment Classes Thursday: Jos 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17; Ps 114:1-6; Mt 18:21--19:1

Everyone who works with children or youth must hold a current Friday: Jos 24:1-13; Ps 136:1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24;Mt 19:3-12 card certifying their attendance at a Safe Environment Class. Saturday: Jos 24:14-29; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-8, 11; Mt 19:13-15 A Recertification class for those whose cards will soon expire will be Sunday: Is 56:1, 6-7; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; held Wednesday, August 16th, in the Charlie room at 6:30 PM. Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28 An Initial Certification Class will be held on Wednesday, August By mutual respect, understanding and with good will we can 23rd, in the Charlie room at 6:30 PM. This class is for those wanting find acceptable solutions to any problems which exist or may to volunteer to serve our grades K-12 programs in the parish. arise between us. - Dwight D. Eisenhower Thoughts become things... choose the good ones

For High School Students For Youth in 6TH, 7TH, and 8TH Grades Sundays from 7 - 9 PM in the Hall Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 PM in the Parish Hall High school students in the Confirmation 1 Class Watch this space for announcements.. will additionally meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 PM.

FMI: Call Director Cathy Fichtel 937-5875 FMI: Call Youth Ministry Director Cathy Fichtel 937-5875 (If no answer, please leave a message) (If no answer, please leave a message)  August 13, 2017  This Week’s Calendar of Events Arts/Crafts/Barbecue Fall Fest Meeting Sunday, August 13 The 1 st meeting for the Fall Arts /Crafts and Barbecue Festival will be 8:30 AM Mass held after the 11 AM Mass on August 27th in the Parish Hall. 9:30 AM R.C.I.A. Class - Community Meeting Room Everyone who would like to be part of this fund raising activity for 11:00 AM Mass the parish is invited to attend the meeting. Hope to see you there, 4:30 PM Women's Faith Sharing - Community Room Mary Pittaway and Juanita Lusson, Co-Chairs 6:00 PM Mass St. Paul’s Garden Club Monday, August 14 8:00 AM Mass We work Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to keep parish 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Mission of Mercy Clinic - Hall garden areas beautifully maintained. If you would like to help, just 6:30 PM show up. 7:00 PM Vigil Mass for the Feast of the Assumption Donations of plants, such as perennials, shrubs and grasses, are Tuesday, August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary always welcome and we are also in need of garden soil and mulch. A Holy Day of Obligation Monetary donations are always welcome. 8:00 AM Mass All Parish Offices Closed FMI contact Pat Macias at 937 - 9209 7:00 PM Mass Wednesday, August 16 Christus Spohn Care Van for Women’s OB and Gynecological 8:30 AM Divine Mercy Chaplet Services (medical care for the uninsured) will next be here at St. Paul’s on Wednesday, August 16th. 9:00 AM Faith Sharing Study – Community Room

6:30 PM Safe Environment Recertification Class - Charlie Room To schedule an appointment from 9 AM – 3 PM call 877-3547

6 - 6:45 PM Confession 7:00 PM Mass Flour Bluff Thursday, August 17 Food Pantry and Clothes Closet 8:00 AM Mass Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6:00 PM Women's Bible Study - Community Room 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Contact us at 929-6077 6:00 PM Men's ACTS Committee - Hall We are accepting men’s, women’s and are in particular need of

Friday, August 18 children’s boys and girls clean summer clothes in good shape. in all 8:00 AM Mass sizes. Saturday, August 19 August Needs: 8:00 AM Communion Service Canned Soups/Stew, Tuna, Tuna and Hamburger Helper, Oatmeal, 8:30 AM KC Workday Fruit Cups or Canned Fruit in natural juices 3:30 - 4:30 PM Confession 5:00 PM Vigil Mass Also needed: disposable diapers sizes 1 through 5, shampoo, 5:30 - 8:00 PM Boy Scouts' BBQ Plate Sale deodorant, disposable razors, toilet paper, feminine hygiene 6:30 PM Boy Scouts' Benefit Auction - Hall products and toothpaste. Monetary donations are also welcome. Mission of Mercy Mobile Clinic The Health Department does not allow distributing perishable or medical care for the uninsured will next be at St. Paul’s repackaged food items or items beyond their expiration date. Monday, August 21 from 9 AM – 3:30 PM Do This for Our Parish .For appointments call 361-883-5500 Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Our parish is in partnership with St. Peter’s by the Sea UMC and Lord of Life Lutheran Church to distribute food through the CC Food

Prayer to Avert Storms and Hurricanes Bank to over 200 needy families here in Flour Bluff. 456 Families were served last month which tells you why a lot of help is needed O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your on the distribution day. children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude. The next food distribution date will take place on Thursday, August 24 th from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. More information and sign-up sheets are We live in the shadow of the Gulf of Mexico—a danger over which on the table in back of church. Please, volunteer to help if you can! we have no control. O Loving Father, spare us from storms and ------hurricanes that threaten us and turn our fear of your power into St. Paul the Apostle Church August 13, 2017 Volume 17 Issue 32 praise of your goodness. 2233 Waldron 78418 937-3864 Fax: 939-7774 [email protected] ------Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. God cannot be everywhere; that's why he created volunteers and donors. - Sabiha Hasan Amen.  August 13, 2017 

Stewardship of Treasure Dutch prayers were in wide use, and before long nearly one hundred Eucharistic Prayers, all unapproved, were in circulation in Envelopes/checks $ 6,479.00 France. Online Giving 1,695.00 The Vatican heard the widespread desire for more variety in Loose 984.78 Eucharistic Prayer forms, and, with the ’s approval, the process Children 120.77 of creating new official prayers began. - Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Total $ 9,279.55 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Substitutes are occasionally needed in the Adoration Chapel In August, a portion of your tithes will go to Timon’s Ministries, for one hour slots from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. Mission of Mercy Mobile Medical Clinic, and our Works of Mercy. Please call Luz Garcia at 739-6087 if you can help. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Pilgrim Rosary Nothing to Fear This Sunday at 3:00 PM the Pilgrim Virgin and the A rabbi was asked why God sends trials and troubles into human Rosary will be at the residence of Roger and Alice lives. “Because God gets lonely for his people” was the reply. There Olaes, 2249 Burgundy, Phone 937-3716 is some resonance with this wisdom in today’s Gospel, as Jesus Directions from church: L on Purdue, R on makes his disciples get into a boat without him and goes off alone Lombardy, L on Orleans; the house is on the corner while they venture into stormy waters. Of course, neither Jews nor of Orleans and Burgundy. Christians believe that the Almighty plays this sort of whimsical The Blessed Mother can be your very special guest game with them, but there is some truth in the statement that we for a birthday, anniversary, quinceñera, retirement, or any special don’t turn to God for saving help until we’re in a bind. occasion by having the Pilgrim Rosary at your home. FMI call Peter’s role today, as it is throughout the , is to be a

739-6087 sign or to represent each member of the church and the whole church. Our story is the tale told about Peter’s faith today.

Legion of Mary What can bolster our faith is that even when Christ calls us to face Do you want to serve God more but don't know how? Do you want bravely the tempests of life, if we are walking through them with our to grow closer to Jesus and his Mother? Do you want to be Jesus to eyes fixed on him in faith, we have nothing to fear. Even when we others? Do you want to deepen your spiritual life? falter or sink, simply crying “Lord, save me!” is enough to help us know the steady grasp of God’s hand. Then, sheltered inside the All practicing Catholics, 18 and older, men and women, single or walls of faith, the storms we endure lose their power over . . - Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co married are invited to come to the meetings held on Mondays at 6:00 PM in Room A. Prayers and service are the order Celebrate... of the meeting. Call Luz Garcia at 353-4233 for more information. a birthday, an anniversary, or someone you have loved and lost by If you would like to be notified of a death in your having one of our large vigil lights lit for a week. parish family, e-mail the parish office at Contact the office to schedule your special week. The offering for [email protected] so that your name and the chapel light is $6 and the Infant Jesus light is $3 per week ... e-mail address can be included in the contact group. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Blessed candles are available anytime from the Altar and Rosary Treasures From Our Tradition Society’s candle stand in the Church vestibule for a $3 donation. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Roman Canon, called Eucharistic Prayer I, is probably seldom heard in your parish. Some priests will choose it for at least one of Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time \ the Masses of Christmas, or the Easter Vigil. Such sparing use of this prayer seems strange, especially since it was the only Eucharistic Prayer in the Latin Rite for many centuries, from as long ago as 500 right up to 1970. The In 1965, the vernacular language was approved for the canon of the Mass. Almost immediately, some experimental texts began to surface in the Netherlands, and priests began to use new Dutch texts without permission. By 1966, Pope Paul VI had set up a committee to consider whether or not it was time to approve such experimentation and extend it to non-Dutch churches. No sooner had the committee been formed than other individuals copied the Dutch by just plunging on ahead. The Dutch bishops had approved Truth shall spring out of the earth, the use of the new prayers nationwide in 1968, and Flemish bishops and justice shall look down from heaven. in Belgium quickly agreed. By then, German translations of the — Psalm 85:12  August 13, 2017  Please remember those who live in need of our prayers: John Adams, James Armstrong, Ron Ausmus, George Ayala, Steve and Janine Barns, Irma Biano, Marjorie Boxwell, Angela Brenz, Manuel Buentello, Manuel Bustos, Ann Carson, Don Casey, Kathy Casey, Petra Cisneros, Scott Clark, Mike Cooksey , Trey Cunningham, Jacqueline Dancy, Coty DeLeon, Nelda DeLeon, Marcy Diaz, Remy and Lidia Ducote, Gloria Eden, Margie Eickleberry, Mark Eickleberry, Grace Escobedo, Bertha Faz , Leo John Finnegan II, Jenny Fuentes, Amanda Garcia, Fred Garcia, Joe Luis Garza, Grace Geeding, Margarita Gonzalez, Raymond Greger , Perla Guerrero, Jimma Hertzler, Amy Hinkel, George and Olivia Holt, Bill Kling, Wayne Liddell, Patricia Mancillas, Jerry McKamie, Bettie Mitchell, Cynthia Mora, Wes Morales, Brian Okvist, Lupe Ortiz, Robert Palace, Jason Pena, Rhoda Philby Palmer, Floyd Pansano, Norma Pansano, Sound of Silence Gloria Perez, Ben Raney, David Rohde, Hector Riojas, Thalma Jennifer decided to go on her first retreat. She was exhausted from Riojas, Gabe Rocha, Laurie Simcik, Margo Taylor, Gloria Vargas, looking after three young children and her ailing mother-in-law; at Homero Vera, Elizabeth Villarreal, Elvia Vinca, Dodie Wondolowski the very least she would get some rest! The first few hours were To add or remove someone from this list spent unpacking, settling in, and getting acquainted. The retreat please notify the parish office at 937-3864 leader announced that after dinner and prayers, silence would begin or [email protected] and would be kept for the rest of the weekend. Jennifer happily

∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂ .∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂ complied and slept soundly until the morning bell. Chapel Vigil Lights During breakfast, Jennifer felt uneasiness begin to rise in her. She and was used to the noise of her children, her mother-in-law’s endless The Infant Jesus Statue Light conversations, her friends’ cell phone calls, and the constant sound of the TV in the background. This silence was unnerving. Deceased Members of the Altar and Rosary Society By mid-afternoon Jennifer was almost panicking. She couldn’t stand ∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂ .∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂∂ all the quietness; she would have to leave. Seeking out the retreat Please Help the Hungry director, she blurted out her distress. He took her aside into a small sitting room and closed the door. “What are you running from, Bring nonperishable food items for our Food Pantry and put them in Jennifer?” he asked quietly. Without thinking about her reply, the grocery cart in the church vestibule before any mass. Jennifer said, “God.” Her own answer startled her and she realized Copyright © 2011 The Zondervan Corporation that she had let noise fill her days. There was no quiet for God’s voice in her life. Jennifer began to relax and allowed the silence to envelop her for the rest of the weekend. As the retreat came to an end, she listened carefully to the stories of Elijah and Peter. Elijah heard God not in windstorm or earthquake, but in a tiny breeze. Peter heard Jesus invite him to walk on the sea, but wind and waves distracted Peter and he began to sink. Jennifer made two changes in her life. The TV was turned off except for certain programs, and she made time simply to be alone with God in

weekly . - Copyright © 2010, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Living Stewardship Now Make room for a silent time and place in your life for God to speak to your heart. Start slowly—say fifteen minutes twice a week, then increase to fifteen minutes once a day. Let nothing else intrude on this special time.

"You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed." -- A.J. Gordon  August 13, 2017   August 13, 2017 