St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Office: 1603 Avenue N * Huntsville, TX 77340 Church: 1323 16th St. * Huntsville, TX 77340 Ph. 936.295.8159 * Fax 936.295.3543 www.sainhomashuntsville.org

"...there is no inequality of significance amongst us except holiness..." “No hay desigualdad de importancia entre nosotros excepto la santidad…”

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time July 5, 2020

STAFF

Rev. Fred Valone…..Pastor Felix Ramos………..Permanent Deacon Kathy Boscarino…….DRE / Y M Maria Delgado……… Elem. CCE Marisol Urbina…...Administrative Asst. Rick Reed…………...Music Coordinator Jill Baker………..Nursery Coordinator Pat Norfleet…………..Bookkeeper Sylvia Vitela…………..Secretary Laura Puente………...Custodian

Mass Schedules

Saturday/ Sabado 5:30 pm English

Sunday/ Domingo 8:00 am English 10:00 am English 12:00 pm Spanish 2:30 pm Spanish

Monday/ Lunes No Mass

Tuesday – Friday/ 8:30 am Martes - Viernes

Reconciliation / Reconciliación

Tues/Martes 4:30-5:30 pm The flowers besides the Blessed Thurs/Jueves 4:30-5:30 pm Sacrament are offered in loving memory Of No Adoration at this time Donna Hebert No hay Adoración en este tiempo By Gayle Hebert Mass Intentions

Of The Week BRING YOUR GREATEST GIFTS TO THE LORD

Sat. 07/04 5:30 pm Jean Stow DSF Report as of June 25, 2020

Sun. 07/05 8:00 am Donna Hebert Parish Goal $37,000.00 Total Amount Pledged $37,180.00

10:00 am Parishioners Total Amount Paid $33,087.50 Genoveva Aguilar Number of Participants 115 12:00 pm Negrete Paid under Goal ($3,912.50)

Mon. 07/06 NO Mass

Tues. 07/07 8:30 am Ken Larson Let us pray for the sick

Wed. 07/08 8:30 am Josephine Milam Janice Andrews, Veronica Antwi, James Aubey, Irma Ava- los, Gene Barrett, Jordan Bergeron, Chelsea Brown, Phil- Thurs 07/09 8:30 am Tony Docherty lip Caito, Wren Colligan, Beckham Collins, Sunni Cook, Terry Corral, Melanie Davis, Julie Delgado, Kathy De- John & Carmen louche, Colin Dufour, David Duesing, Joe Duffy, James Fri. 07/10 8:30 am Heckler Elliott, Patsy Freeman, Mary Gedelian, Floyd Gruppa, Melba & Leroy Hall, Sallie Hodges, Viola Kretzschmar, Sat. 07/11 5:30 pm Kristee Boscarino Edwin Laake, Dorothy Laskoskie, Corrina Lawrence, Audra Legler, Daphne Levey, Al Losack, Katy Losack, A.J. McGee, Karen McPike, Sheri McPike, Don Marcotte, Sun. 07/12 8:00 am Parishioners Lisa Miller, Michele Miller, Angel Moncada,Wag Donna Moore, Mary Ann Moore, Martin Moreno, Patricia Morri- 10:00 am Michael Moskal son, Lourdes Mosqueda, Mary Novark, Frank O’Don- nell, Dawn & Odell Rachal, Virginia Reed, Kelly Robin- José Guadalupe son, Nina Rozell, Andrea Scheel, Ana Marie Santos, Jerry 12:00 pm De Leon Seaton, Kayden Bryn Shipley, Cheryl Smith, Jerry & Dolores Stavina, Glenn Stewart, Kathy Stoltz, Victoria

Torres, Ray & Christi Townley, Gordan Travis, Lois Ubanoski, Gilbert Urango, Enrique Valadez, Maria Elena Valencia, Kathy Vanecek, Matthew Varnum, Kirt Vil- lareal, Rusty Wallace, Bill & Gaitha Walton, Alma Williams READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22; Ps 145:2-9; Mt 9:18-26 The Archdiocese has created a webpage of Tuesday: Hos 8:4-7, 11-13; Ps 115:3-10; resources to assist parishes in the fight against Mt 9:32-38 racism. The resource page includes a video to the Wednesday: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Ps 105:2-7; faithful from Cardinal DiNardo, news updates, prayers Mt 10:1-7 and educational resources. The webpage can be found Thursday: Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16; here: archgh.org/racism Mt 10:7-15

Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17; Mt 10:16-23 From Family Life . . . . The Office of Family Life Saturday: Is 6:1-8; Ps 93:1-2, 5; Mt 10:24-33 Ministry will be providing resources and reflections in Sunday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 65:10-14; Rom 8:18-23; three languages via their “While At Home” campaign Mt 13:1-23 [1-9] available at www.archgh.org/familylife

WEEKLY DISCIPLESHIP CHALLENGE

Scan the headlines for stories that show society's rejection of Jesus. Ask Jesus to turn people's beliefs toward Him.

Request for Fall Festival Raffle Donations July 2020

The Fall Festival Committee is accepting donations for the raffle. Items suitable as a raffle prize are being accepted, as well as monetary donations. Monetary donations may possibly be pooled together to purchase raffle prizes. Prizes and/or monetary items not utilized for the raffle will be applied towards the Silent or Live Auction. To donate a raffle prize, please contact Craig Hibbison at (936) 436-0362.

“Extend mercy towards others, so there can be no one whom you meet without helping . . .” St. Vincent de Paul

In 1833, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul along with 6 friends. To fund the activities to help the poor, they took a secret collection using a black bag. They passed it from person to person until each one had given their share. Because the Society does not receive DSF funding, Bishop Markowsky allowed us to have our first Black Bag collection in 1970; 50 years later we contin- ue the tradition of the Black Bag Collection. We ask that you join and donate to our Annual Black Bag Collection July 11 & 12, 2020.

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“Extiende la misericordia hacia los demas, para que no haya nadie a quien conozcas sin ayudar . . .” - St. Vicente de Paul

Junto con seis amigos, el Beato Frédéric Ozanam fundo la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paul in 1833. Usando una bol- sa negra, los amigos tomaron una colecta secreta para apoyar sus actividades caritativas. Pasaron la bolsa de persona a persona hasta que cada uno dio lo que podia. Debido a que la Sociedad no recibe fondos del DSF, el Obispo Morkovsky nos permitió tener la primera Colecta Annual de la Bolsa Negra en 1970; 50 años después, continuamos con esta tradición. Por favor apoye nuestra Colecta Annual de la Bolsa Negra este 11-12 de julio de 2020.

Café Catholica ONLINE: Summer 2020 . . . The Café Catholica summer series is open to all young adults (ages 18-39) and features dynamic speakers, prayer, and connection. Café Catholica is held on for four Mondays in July from 7:00-8:30 p.m. This year’s theme is: Fully Alive. Speakers listed below. Due to concerns with COVID-19, this year’s program will be held online. Registration is free, but donations are accepted. To register go to: https://bit.ly/ CafeCatholica2020.

July 6: Loving Fully: Complicated, Simple, Possible Matt & Stephanie Regitz, Survive and Thrive Ministry July 13: Full Life for All Jennifer Carr Allmon, Executive Director of Texas Catholic Conference July 20: Fully Alive in the Eucharist Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston July 27: SPIRIT NIGHT: Full of Joy: Missionary Discipleship Bob Rice, Professor from Franciscan University of Steubenville For more information contact the Office for Young Adult and Campus Ministry at www.archgh.org/ cafecatholica or [email protected] or 713-741-8778.

THE RIGHT DIRECTION . . . If we walk one step toward God, God will run ten steps toward us. —Anonymous

EN DIRECCION CORRECTA . . . Si damos un paso hacia Dios, Dios correrá diez pasos hacia nosotros. —Anónimo 7th grade—12th grade Kathy Boscarino, [email protected] (936)295-8159 office (936)520-6524 cell Website: https://saintthomashuntsville.org

stayhuntsville

Registration for 2020/2021 Faith Formations K-12 Begins July 1, 2020 Online Registration and Payment will be Available.

Confirmation 2020 The Celebration of Confirmation 2020 is Tentative on September 1, 2020 Confirmation Retreat 6/26-6/28 Location to be determined Information has been sent out. If your child has prepared for Confirmation and has not received information please contact Kathy ([email protected])

Digital Celebration of Senior Class July 18, 2020  10:00 a.m. Information to be sent out to Seniors by July 1, 2020. If you know of a Senior who was not Confirmed at, but is active at St. Thomas please contact Kathy ([email protected]

Confirmation 2021—Now Forming Confirmation 2021 is now forming. Letters have been sent out to those who we have identified. Unfortunately, we may forget some or do not have proper contact information. If you know of someone who will be in the 11th grade 2020/2021 school year, has been baptized, received first communion and desires to be confirmed, please contact Kathy

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you; plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope. Jer. 29:11

Elder Abuse . . . Elder abuse can happen to anyone and it can take many different forms. Most cases of abuse reported to Adult Protective Services involve “self-neglect.” Many of these people are vulnerable to abuse because they live alone or are dependent on someone else for their care. Texas requires by law the reporting of elder abuse or the suspicion of elder abuse. If you know of someone who cannot care for himself/herself, or who is being abused, ne- glected or exploited, whether they live alone or with a spouse or caregiver, Texas law requires that you report the abuse. The number is 1-800-252-5400; your report will remain confidential. For additional information, please contact the Office of Aging at 713-741-8712.

The Fire of Your Love: Catholic Homeschooling

By Will Oliver

I just finished reading the article by Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Bartholet in the Arizona Law Review titled, “Homeschooling: Parents Rights Absolutism vs. Child Rights to Education & Protection.” It came out earlier this year, followed by a conference in April at Harvard Law School. Both proved to be nothing more than a heavy-handed screed on homeschooling in America, one that only a college professor could write.

Her law review article notes the rapidly growing phenomenon of homeschooling in the United States, but her article describes “the threat it poses to children and society” because “parents can now keep their children at home in the name of homeschooling free from any real scrutiny.” She then explains that parents who homeschool do so to “isolate their children,” “promote racial segregation,” and “female subservience,” that “many question science” and it allows “abusive parents can keep their children at home free from the risk that teachers will report them to child protective services.” She then ominously states, “some homeschool precisely for this reason.” Bartholet has made it her personal crusade to end parental rights to homeschool in this nation.

I must say, I find all of this rather ironic, for the fact that her article and conference both came at precisely the point in time when every school-age child in this nation is being homeschooled because of the coronavirus. Still, her accusations against all homeschool parents falls into the category of over-generalization. Yes, there are some parents who homeschool that are abusive, just as there are some police officers who violate their oath of office or priests who violate their holy orders, but they are all the exception, not the rule. The near majority of homeschoolers have their children’s best interest in mind, just as most police officers honor their badge and priests their holy orders. It is as I tell my students, just because I have caught students cheating, does not mean that I think all students cheat.

Now, this is an important issue to me for as many of you may know, my wife and I homeschooled all three of our children from kindergarten to high school graduation. We did it because we wanted a close family, to make our school centered on our faith, and to raise our children in a safe environment. We did not homeschool for any of the reasons the learned law professor states. And while I may be biased, I think they turned out all right: one has started his own family and serves in the U.S. Army, one served in the Army and is now in college, and one has opened up her own small business. While I realize homeschooling is not right for everyone, it was right for our family, and—most importantly—it was our choice.

The reason I bring this up is as a reminder for what our Church believes about educating our children, as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church under the duties of parents. First, and foremost, it states, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2223). A few paragraphs later it succinctly states with italics in the original: “As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental” (CCC 2229). Many parents select public schools, others private schools, some co-ops, and still others homeschooling. The key point, however, is that it is the parents’ choice as to how they will educate their children. Not the government’s, not the state’s, not the politicians’, not social services’, and not Elizabeth Bartholet’s. This is about the freedoms of parents to choose what is best for their children.

Whether you agree or disagree with homeschooling is not what matters here, what matters most is that in order to be truly free, in order to live a life in Christ, parents must be free to choose what is best for their children. Thank God, our Catholic Church recognizes this very fundamental right.

So, remember the importance of our freedoms as you celebrate American Independence from tyranny this Fourth of July weekend, and if anyone is interested in homeschooling as an option for your children, please feel free to ask me any questions.

SHARE THE BURDEN . . . “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). These words of our Savior seem to be in stark contrast to the previous chapter from the same Gospel, when we were told that if we do not take up our crosses, we are not worthy of Christ. Connecting these two messages might help us on our faith journeys. Being a follower of Christ surely means that we must embrace the cross, in its mystery of both suffering and triumph. This is something that we need not do alone, for the burden is often too heavy for us to carry by ourselves. Who, then, do we turn to? We can turn to the Body of Christ—the community of disciples gathered for worship. When we find the burden too heavy, let us remember that we can share that burden with our Christian sisters and brothers, who can help bring us rest. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

INFORMACION DE SEGURIDAD DE LA IGLESIA CHURCH SECURITY INFORMATION

Following the church shootings last year near San Antonio Después de los tiroteos de la iglesia el año pasado cerca de the parish's Security Committee has taken steps ensure the San Antonio, el Comité de Seguridad de la parroquia tomo safety of all St. Thomas the Apostle parishioners. The first medidas para garantizar la seguridad de los feligreses de step restricts access to the church during liturgical services. Santo Tomás. El primer paso fue de restringir el acceso a la Once Mass has begun all doors into the church will be Iglesia durante los servicios litúrgicos. Cuando haya comen- locked from the inside with the exception of the double zado la misa, todas las puertas de la iglesia estarán cerra- doors facing 16th Street. Anyone arriving late for Mass das de adentro con la excepción de las puertas dobles que will only be able to enter the church through the 16th dan a la calle 16. Personas que lleguen tarde a misa solo Street doors. Parishioners will be able to exit the church podrá entrar a través de las puertas de la calle 16. Los through any of the locked doors as well as the doors fac- feligreses podrán salir a través de cualquiera de las ing 16th Street. Signs will be posted around the puertas cerradas. Se colocarán letreros alrededor del church building to remind parishioners of the locked edificio de la iglesia para recordar a los feligreses de las doors. The staff at St. Thomas the Apostle Church takes the puertas cerradas. El personal de la Iglesia Santo Tomás safety and security of all the parishioners very seriously. We P toma muy en serio la seguridad de todos los feligreses. are confident that the steps taken at this time will minimize H Estamos seguros de que los pasos tomados minimizarán any problematic incidents. I incidentes problemáticos.

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My Own Church Parish . . . . E Mi Propia Iglesia . . . .

N Para registrarse o actualizar su información familiar To Register yourself or update your family information A go to https://galveston.parishsoftfamilysuite.com vaya a: https/galveston.parishsoftfamilysuite.com If you have any questions please contact Kathy Si tiene alguna pregunta, contáctese con Kathy Boscarino by email at Boscarino por correo electrónico [email protected] [email protected]

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Thomas the Apostle Church #921900 1323 16th Street Huntsville, TX 77340

TELEPHONE 936 295-8159

CONTACT PERSON Sylvia Vitela Kathy Boscarino Cell #936 520-6524

EMAIL: [email protected]

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SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION October 1, 2017

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