Mary and Motherhood by Lyne e Zaunbrecher
May is a very special month for our Blessed Mother, Mary. Not only do we celebrate Moth- er’s Day next weekend we also celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fa ma on May 13th. The month of May is our opportunity to honor Mary as our Blessed Mother and to honor our own mothers.
Each of us has a mother. This woman may not be the one who gave us life through birth. This woman may be someone brave and selfless enough to “adopt” another as his or her own. Motherhood is the pinnacle of selfless giving. We should all take the me to say thank you to our mothers for giving us life. Say thank you to your mother for choosing to accept responsi- bility for your upbringing. Mother’s know joy and pain, suffering and sorrow. Mother’s know love beyond measure and immense pride in each accomplishment earned by their children. A mother knows love.
“Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30
Mary was born without sin and lived her life without sin. Her fiat to the Archangel Gabriel is the bravest response ever recorded in human history. She chose to be the sacred vessel for Jesus. She chose to marry a man and not have rela ons with him. Mary chose to follow Jesus as he walked to his death showing all of us how to face tragedy with grace and dignity.
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word.” Luke 1:38
The selfless response to Gabriel is an example for all of us on how to respond to God. Saying “Yes” to God is the key to heaven. Having a rela onship with God is important to Him and to each of us. Mary understood this with a simple love and honest heart. Her “Yes” saved the world.
“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, ‘woman, behold, your son’. Then he said to the disciple ‘behold, your mother.” John 19:25- 27;
Jesus loved his mother. Having been beaten and crowned with thorns, as Jesus carried his cross through the streets on his way to Golgotha to be crucified, he provided a home for Mary. He knew she would be le without family to protect her and love her in her old age. This selfless act of charity and love from Jesus tells us how important our mothers are throughout our life mes. We have an obliga on to care for them as they age and to return the loving care they showed us as children.
Being able to forgive mothers for their human frail es is an act of love. Look to the Blessed Mother for the grace and humility it takes to accept our mothers for who they are and not who we wish they could be. No one is perfect. Perfec on was crucified and died on the cross for our salva on. … (con nued on page 5)
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Huffman, Texas
May 1, 2016 “Ac vely striving to be a holy and loving Family of Faith, serving God and neighbor.” THERE WILL BE NO DAILY MASS FROM Welcome to our Visitors TUESDAY, MAY 10TH - FRIDAY, MAY 13TH. We welcome you to our parish. If you would like to become Mass Inten ons and Scripture Readings a member please fill out a registra on form located on the counter underneath the glass display case or visit our web- Daily Masses site: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org. Monday, May 2 (St. Athanasius) NO DAILY MASS Celebra ng Parish Life Readings: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; Jn 15:26 - 16:4a We welcome our newest parishioners: Tuesday, May 3 (Ss. Philip and James) 8:30am - Special inten ons of Deacon John Sarabia Jerry and Laurie Ramirez
Readings: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-5; John 14:6-14 We pray God’s richest blessings for your lives! Wednesday, May 4 8:30 am - Repose of the soul of +Jim Landry+ Readings: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-14; Jn 16:12-15 PARISH PICNIC Thursday, May 5 Please join us this Sunday, May 1st, from 1:00 - 4:00 pm for 8:30 am - Special inten ons of Windy McMichael our parish picnic. Readings: Acts 18:1-8; Ps 98:1-4; John 16:16-20 Friday, May 6 (First Friday) Food 8:30 am - Special inten ons of Father Barker Hamburgers & Hotdogs Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Ps 47:2-7; John 16:20-23 Drinks Saturday, May 7 (First Saturday) Dessert Bar 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Edward Kapushy+ Games Readings: Acts 18:23-28; Ps 47:2-3, 8-10; John 16:23b-28 Basketball & Volleyball Bouncy House Sunday Masses Obstacle Course with Slide Saturday, May 7 Trivia Games 5:00 pm - +Repose of the soul of Aaron Tauzin+ Sunday, May 8 (Ascension of the Lord) Deacon’s Corner LIVE 8:30 am - For the People of the Parish “Mary Undoer of Knots” 11:00 am - Repose of the soul of +Magdalena Bared+ Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-9; Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Luke 24:46-53 Deacon John will hold another "Deacon’s Corner LIVE” over coffee and donuts on May 1st at 9:45 am in the parish hall. Altar Flowers He will be discussing the merits of our Mother in heaven es- pecially as it relates to the great appari ons approved the Are Given Church. In Loving Memory of Jeffrey A. Nelson These appari ons include Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady Dona ons of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fa ma. Why was Mary sent to the world? What were her messages? What do these mes- Sunday Collec on (4/17) $9,764.00 sages mean to us today? Children’s Collec on 10.00 Debt Re rement 1,100.00 Come to the parish hall and sit a spell. Drink a cup of Joe and Savings 25.00 listen to what our Blessed Mother has to say!
Dress Standard for All Masses/Adora on Gradua ng Senior Mass and Luncheon
Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made 1st Communion): Our Gradua ng Senior Mass Shirts and pants. will be on Sunday, May 22nd Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their 1st at the 11:00 am Mass. The Communion): Modest Dresses, Coordinated Ensembles, or luncheon immediately fol- Shirt/Blouses with Pants. lows in the parish hall. Clothing not proper: flip-flops, shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts, body shirts, sloppy jeans, tank tops, & revealing clothing. All St. Philip graduates and
Please do not bring bo led water, soda, food, candy or gum their families are invited. into the Sanctuary and Day Chapel of the Church. RSVP to Lyne e Zaunbrecher at [email protected]. Sixth Sunday of Easter — Cycle C; Jubilee Year of Mercy
When entering and depar ng the Church, please guard the silent prayer of others.
POSTPONED: A Special Mother-Daughter Tea Party Pro-Life Piece Ages 13 and Under “Baby Items Collec on In Honor of Mother’s Day”
Due to our new picnic date, Only one weekend remains for our baby items collec on. we have postponed our Please deposit all baby items in the designated box this Mother-Daughter tea un l a weekend. later date. Please watch our bulle n and check our web- All items will go to the Houston Coali on for Life’s Pregnancy site for updates. We apolo- Center to help and support women in crisis pregnancies. gize for any inconvenience this may have caused. The following items are needed:
For more informa on please contact Lupe Cupples at lcup- baby clothing (sizes newborn through six months) [email protected] or call her at 281-414-3705. diapers formula Bible Study with Father Barker new cribs “Conversion of St. Paul” new car seats new strollers Father Barker invites you to join him on Wednesday, May
18, from 7- 8 pm in the parish hall for a lively discussion cen- May God bless you abundantly for your generosity! tered on “The Conversion of St. Paul”. Chris ne Kasper
Join Father as he tells the St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is proud to be pro-life! story of St. Paul who expe- rienced a blinding encoun- Vaca on Bible School ter with Christ on the road “Birthday Blast: A Celebra on of Life” to Damascus (Syria). Father will reference scripture, the classical works of the Get Ready for Vaca on Bible School! ar st Caravaggio and oth- ers, architectural treasures “Birthday Blast - A Celebra on of Life” of Rome, the prayers of the June 13th -17th, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Mass, and his own conver- sion story to bring alive the Ages: Entering K through Exi ng 5th Grades world-changing event of St. Paul’s own unique story. Mark your calendar now of Registra on in the the Church. parish hall on May 21 - 22 I look forward to sharing this evening with you! June 4 - 5 Cost: $25. Sincerely, Father Richard Barker. Adult and Youth “Remembrance and Renewal” Volunteers needed. * Grief Support Group *All adults and teens over Our grief support group will have their monthly mee ngs on age 18 MUST be Virtus Thursdays, April 28th, May 26 and June 23rd at 6:30 pm. trained and approved. If They will not meet in July and August. you have not taken the class yet please look for If you have lost a loved one and need support we encourage upcoming training dates to come to this gathering. It is led by Mrs. Lane Coco, PHD on the next page of the who is trained in grief counseling. No RSVP required. -3- bulle n. Upcoming CCE Important Dates Safe Environment Training New and Established Volunteers Last Day of Class Sunday, May 1st New Volunteers - Virtus Wednesday, May 4th For all new volunteers: the Archdiocese of Galveston- First Holy Communion Houston maintains a mandatory educa onal program of Rehearsal on Saturday, May 14th, 10:00 am protec on for our children consis ng of going to an infor- Mass on Sunday May 15th, 11:00 am ma onal class and comple ng required forms. All volun- Recep on to follow in the parish hall teers, ages 18 and over, who have any consistent and ongoing contact with our children and youth must take Gradua on Mass and Luncheon the Virtus training program. Sunday, May 22nd, 11:00 am Mass Luncheon to follow in the parish hall Upcoming class:
Vaca on Bible School St. Martha, Kingwood Decora ng: Wednesday, June 8th-Friday, June 10th, Wednesday, May 25th, 6:30 - 9:30 pm 9:00 am-3:00 pm VBS: June 13th-17th, 9:30 am-12:30 pm Current Volunteers - Refresher Class
All parishioners who have taken the Virtus Class between Youth and Virtus trained adults (18 and over) are needed to the years of 2003-2010 are required to take a refresher decorate for our ‘Birthday Blast’. You can come and go on class, “Keeping the Promise Alive”. these dates as your schedule permits. Upcoming class:
St. Martha, Kingwood Wednesday, May 18th, 6:30-8:00 pm
For new volunteers, please visit www.archgh.org and click on “Safe Environment”. From there pick the “Virtus” and you will be able to access upcoming workshop dates. Pick the loca on of where you would like to take the class. For current volunteers, please go to www.virtusonline.org and sign-in to your account to register.
Please call the parish office if you need help at 281-324- 1478
Women’s Guild Gi Store New Items
The Women’s Guild Gi Store has new arrivals for First Holy Communion. Please stop by and take a look.
Gi boxes with rosary, prayer book and lovely picture frame for the Occasion. First Holy Communion Candles Boy and girl rosaries Religious jewelry- boys and girls St. Philip the Apostle, Pray for us! Medals of favorite saints. Feast Day: May 1st Picture Frames engraved for the occasion Patron Saint of our Parish,
Ha ers, Pastry Chefs The store is open a er all Sunday Masses. If you’d like to Mark Your Calendars! Coming 2017 look at the items during the week please call the parish th office to make arrangements. Our parish 40 Jubilee Anniversary Celebra on! - 4- “Mary and Motherhood” (con nued from page 1)
… Our Blessed Mother Mary is a bridge to Jesus. She is a perfect conduit for our prayers and intercessions to be heard and answered. Mary is the way and the light to heav- en and a closer rela onship with Jesus. When we pray the Hail Mary prayer we are repea ng words spoken by the Archangel Gabriel to her. Gabriel greeted Mary proclaim- ing her “full of grace, the Lord is with you.” Luke1: 28 We see this grace most prominently when Mary follows Jesus on his walk to his death.
Our Lady of Fa ma appeared to three young shepherd chil- dren, Lucia aged 9, Jacinta aged 6, and Francisco aged 8 six mes over the spring and summer of 1916 on the 13th day of the month in Fa ma, Portugal. The world was at war with communism taking hold in parts of Europe. Mary ad- monished the children to pray the rosary every day. She wanted them to pray for the sinners who were lashing wounds into Jesus with their sins. Mary le specific instruc- ons for the Pope and all of mankind. She showed the chil- dren her hand with a crown of thorns around a heart. This is the Immaculate Heart of Mary we know today. Mary bleeds for our sins. She suffers for our mortal souls and she longs for us to join her in heaven. St. James, Pray for us! Feast Day: May 1st Her appari ons are well documented and numerous over Patron Saint of Veterinarians, the centuries. Her messages have been repeated and her Equestrians, Pharmacists miracles are numerous. Mary has a loving and generous heart. She is our mother for all me. Through her love for Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) us we have many prayers and devo ons enabling us to com- municate with her our needs and desires. Praying to Mary should be a daily event in our lives. We have much to be Every summer, St. Philip youth a end AYC in downtown Hou- thankful for and taking the me to praise and worship her is ston. AYC is His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo’s official a blessing. gathering of the young Church of Galveston-Houston. It is designed to give them an opportunity to celebrate their Many who aren’t Catholic do not understand our devo on faith, learn about their role in the local Church, lead them to Our Blessed Mother, Mary. They don’t understand our into a deeper rela onship with Christ and challenge them to rela onship with her as our own mother. Some even think live out their faith as disciples of Christ when they return we worship her as a deity. We know our rela onship with home. her is essen al to our rela onship with Jesus. Let us offer a Hail Mary prayer for those who do not know Mary as they This summer’s conference is Friday July 29 – Sunday July 31 are without this special connec on to her. It would be so and is open to current 8th graders through gradua ng 12th simple for them to know Mary, if only they would believe. graders. It will be held at the Hilton Americas Hotel and She would welcome them with open arms as only a mother George R. Brown Conven on Center. Deadline to register is can welcome her child into her heart. Friday June 17. Registra on: h ps://archgh.cvent.com/ AYC2016. Select ‘Youth Registra on’. St. Philip’s voucher “Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of code is 7696SPTA. You will be asked to input this code during hell. Lead all souls into heaven especially those in most registra on and is only for use by St. Philip youth. Please do need of thy mercy.” not give this code to your friends from other parishes to use. At this me, you are only registering for the conference. Sincerely in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Payment will be made directly to St. Philip a er the registra- Lyne e Zaunbrecher on deadline. The total cost of the conference will not be known un l we know how many hotel rooms we will need,
Have you looked at our website lately? but assume around $150. Scholarships are available. You can access it at www.stphiliphuffmantx.org. - 5- Email Ms. Becky with any ques ons, [email protected]. Receiving Holy Communion DJM Corner When you receive Communion during the Holy Sacrifice of Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) the Mass, it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT that you are receiving. Holy Communion, in the Catholic Disciples of Jesus and Mary Founder Church, is reserved for those who have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion, have been catechized (taught) in our Catholic faith and have made a profession of He called a child over, placed it in faith. One should abstain from Holy Communion if they are their midst, and said, Amen, I say in mortal sin and have not received the sacrament of to you, unless you turn and be- reconcilia on. If you are not Roman Catholic or are in need come like children, you will not of the Sacrament of Reconcilia on, we ask that you refrain enter the kingdom of heaven” from receiving Holy Communion in the Mass. However, you – Mt 18:2-3 may go up to one of the ministers for a blessing when Holy Communion is being offered. By crossing your hands over your heart, the Priest or Eucharis c minister will know to give Steps in Li leness you the blessing. “There are 50 simple steps in li leness. Try them one step at a me. Look at your struggles and tempta ons. You will find one step that will suit you the most at that stage in Also, if you choose to receive only your life. Do not hurry – remember you’re li le!” the Blessed Sacrament and not from the Chalice, it is fi ng never- Step 19 theless to pause for a moment to (Con nued) honor Christ’s presence in the Precious Blood—with an appropri- BE GENEROUS TO THOSE THAT THE WORLD REJECTS OR ate sign of devo on. We would not CONSIDERS USELESS think to pass a friend on the street without some acknowledgement. Give like God – give generously without measure or any Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves no considera on! less, and most assuredly, a great deal more. Whatever you do to the least of my brethren you do to me. To the li le ones the Lord reveals the mysteries of the Please pray for our fellow parishioners and loved ones as Kingdom of God. they face illness and recupera on: In choosing to be in their company you will receive Rosalee Frantz, Teresa DeMary, Sherry Hilton, countless blessings! Genevieve Schmidt, Joe Anselmo, Susan Dunlap,
Rev. Simon Herbers and Family, Roy Lovely,
Joe Buchanan, Ben Jaramillo, Gloria Pulido, “May the li le child Jesus bless you and accompany you on Selma Pantalion, Mary Lensing, Lillie Navarre, Ken and Mary Lou Becker, Nancy Kehrer, your journey” Fr. Lawrence Jozwiak, Larry Keller, Pat Arnold, -Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT (2011+) Larry Williams, Rose Bradley, Margie Gant, Barbara Ann Colburn, Tanya King, Rachel Honza, For more informa on about DJM Spiritual Forma on Jackie Clark, Daniel Yarbrough, Robert Murray, contact Jan Williams: [email protected]/ David Walts, Rita Long, Thelma Carrier, Mary Zycha, or visit our website: www.discipleso esusandmary.org Jeane e Malburg, Maria Crowley, Charles Jenny, Barbara Glenn, Jake Guerrero, Sue Pantalion,
Lera Cordova, Joe Lumbreraz, Fritz Kemper, Juanita Acosta, Shirley Sims, Preston Fann, Rosie Colle e A PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women
Please pray for the repose of the souls of: to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, reli- +Edwards Kapushy, Bob Amman, Tess Heisler, gious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to Deacon Bob Keller, Kathleen Corrigan, Jessica Alaine Harris, help us respond generously and courageously to your call. Colleen Schmith, Marcella Fuchser, Steve McMichael, May our community of faith support voca ons of sacrifi- Ray Normand, Pete Dunlap, George Baker, Noma Sughrue, cial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Frank and Minnie Zycha, Alice Angell, Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, Pat Davidson, Msgr. Paul Procella, Mary James, One God for ever and ever. Amen. Margaret McNevich, Ann Allison, Slayton Smith+ -6- LITURGICAL/OFFICE SCHEDULE Sunday Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm; Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 am First Friday: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Daily Masses: Tuesday - Saturday: 8:30 am First Saturday: Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm (Please call the office prior to visits to ensure it’s open.) SACRAMENTS
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (40 Hours)
Saturday: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; (A er 8:30 am Mass by appt.) Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following the Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. Mass in the main Church. Eucharis c SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY Adora on begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Adora on Chapel. Adora on concludes with benedic on on Friday at 4:45 p.m. If you have been par cipa ng ac vely at least six months a er registra on in the parish, you may ask for an appoint- FUNERAL SERVICES ment with the pastor to begin marriage prepara on. Mar- riage prepara on requires six months. To ensure that parish ministers can assist you, please call the parish office before se ng dates and mes for funeral services. Regarding SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM personal spoken remembrances at funeral liturgies, St. Philip parish adheres to the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. If you have been par cipa ng ac vely at least six months a er registra on in the parish, you may call the parish ANOINTING OF THE SICK office to begin bap smal prepara on. Children age 6 or younger; documents are required before bap sm date Holy Anoin ng is offered on the first Tuesday a er the 8:30 am may be scheduled: parish & bap smal registra ons, birth daily Mass for the healing and spiritual strengthening of those who cer ficate, and bap sm class cer fica ons. are seriously ill, impaired by advancing age or in danger of death.
MINISTRIES AT ST. PHILIP
Pastor - Rev. Richard E. Barker Parish Mailing Address: PO Box 2363, Huffman, TX 77336 Deacon - John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Parish Physical Address: 2308 3rd St, Huffman Ins tuted Acolyte - John Comeaux (281) 324-2044 Parish Phone - (281) 324-1478 Ins tuted Acolyte - Troy Hill (713) 336-3321 Parish Fax - (281) 324-2775 Secretary - Windy McMichael Parish E-Mail - stphilipoffi[email protected] Maintenance - Roy Ayala Parish Website - www.stphiliphuffmantx.org Liturgical Altar Servers Con nuing Chris an Educa on (CCE) Father Barker (281) 324-1478 CCE Office (281) 324-1934 Sacramental Ministry Director E-Mail—stphilipcceoffi[email protected] Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 CCE Core Team Chairperson Home Bound Middle School/High School Coordinator Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Adornment of the Sanctuary Elementary Coordinator Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Marie Hohmann (281) 360-9032 Music Core Team First Sacrament Coordinator Geralyn Moulds (281) 540-4682 Lupe Cupples (281) 414-3705 Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Confirma on Coordinator Valerie Sivil (713) 202-1310 Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Windy McMichael (281) 796-3151 Parish Nursery Usher Ministry Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Michael Reding (713) 385-4985 Spiritual Development Social Outreach / Concern Disciples of Jesus and Mary - Laity Spiritual Forma on Mary’s Blessings Ministry Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 For assistance please call 832-764-9814 Eucharis c Adora on/Holy Face Prayer Group Marie Hohmann (281) 360-9032 Janet Hays (281) 852-3444 Prime Timers (50+) Knights of Columbus Claudia Herron (281) 324-1101 Gary Aldrich (Grand Knight) - (832) 586-6430 Prison Ministry Order of Carmelite Discalced Seculars (OCDS) Deacon John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Pro-Life Prayer Chain Chris ne Kasper (713)-416-5233 Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Rosemont Assisted Living Women’s Guild Judy Abdelnoor (281) 360-9728 Maureen Rode (281) 852-4692 Transi ons (Caring and Compassion) Ministry Lane Coco (281) 324-2163