ARCHDIOCESE OF GALVESTON-HOUSTON SAINT MICHAEL the ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH MARCH 14, 2021 | FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:14 1801 Sage Road | Houston, Texas 77056 | Tel (713) 621-4370 Fax (713) 850-8341 | stmichaelchurch.net THE LENTEN SEASON AT ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL SPEAKER SERIES ON ZOOM Recreated: He Makes All Things New Thursdays | 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom Next date: March 18 – A Reflection on the Man Born Blind Gospel passage with Mary Caprio Become recreated in Christ and reflect upon our meaning and purpose as human persons created by God! Access the Zoom meeting link on the church website STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fridays during Lent | 7:00 pm in the Church A video of the Stations of the Cross is available on the church website. RECONCILIATION Tuesday | 6:00-7:00 pm Saturday | 8:45-10:00 am Or by appointment with a priest. More information and other Lenten resources can be found on our Lenten Activities page here: STMICHAELCHURCH.NET/LENTEN-ACTIVITES ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT The Man Born Blind (Note: This Gospel is also optional for Years B & C with Scrutinies) As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth… He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —. So he went and washed, and came back able to see. John 9:1, 6-7 Who was this man? Interestingly, he does not have a name. He is only referred to as the “man blind from birth.” This is significant in the Gospel of John because the lack of a name is also seen, for example, in the story of “the woman at the well.” The fact that there is no name indicates that we should see ourselves in this story. “Blindness” is our inability to see the hand of God at work all around us. We struggle to see the daily miracles of God’s grace alive in our lives and alive in the lives of others. So the first thing we should do with this Scripture is strive to see our lack of sight. We should strive to realize that we so often do not see God at work. This realization will inspire us to desire a spiritual healing. It will invite us to want to see God at work. The good news is obviously that Jesus cured this man, as He willingly cures us. To restore sight is easy for Jesus. So the first prayer we should pray as a result of this story is simply, “Lord, I want to see!” The humble realization of our blindness will invite God’s grace to work. And if we do not humbly acknowl- edge our blindness, we will not be in a position to seek healing. How He heals this man is also significant. He uses His own spit to make mud and smear it on this man’s eyes, which is not immediately that appealing. But it does reveal something quite significant to us. Name- ly, it reveals the fact that Jesus can use something exceptionally ordinary as a source of His divine grace! If we look at this in a symbolic way we can come to some profound conclusions. Too often we look for God’s action in the extraordinary. But He so often is present to us in that which is ordinary. Perhaps we will be tempted to think that God only works His grace through heroic acts of love or sacrifice. Perhaps we are tempted to think that God is not able to use our daily ordinary activities to perform His miracles. But this is not true. It is precisely those ordinary actions of life where God is present. He is present while washing the dishes, doing chores, driving a child to school, playing a game with a family member, carry- ing on a casual conversation or offering a helping hand. In fact, the more ordinary the activity, the more we should strive to see God at work. And when we do “see” Him at work in the ordinary activities of life, we will be healed of our spiritual blindness. Reflect, today, upon this act of Jesus and allow our Lord to smear His spit and dirt on your eyes. Allow Him to give you the gift of spiritual sight. And as you begin to see His presence in your life, you will be amazed at the beauty you behold. Lord, I want to see. Help me to be healed of my blindness. Help me to see You at work in every ordinary activity of my life. Help me to see Your divine grace in the smallest events of my day. And as I see You alive and active, fill my heart with gratitude for this vision. Jesus, I trust in You. Source: mycatholic.life FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION Rev. Wayne Wilkerson, Pastor In Residence Business Office OFFICE HOURS Rev. Leon Strieder, S.L.D. John Amalokwu [email protected] Parish Accountant Monday-Friday [email protected] 8:00 am-5:00 pm Deacons Angelica Aguilera Deacon Lu Hill School Bookkeeper [email protected] [email protected] SUNDAY MASS Deacon Thomas Newhouse Administrative Support Saturday Vigil [email protected] Deacon Denny Hayes Matthew Lydick 5:00 pm* [email protected] Baptism Coordinator [email protected] Sunday St. Michael Catholic School Minnie Romo Dr. Kathleen Cox Sacramental Records 7:00 am | 9:00 am* [email protected] Principal 11:00 am | 1:00 pm [email protected] Mattia Maldonado Main: (713) 621-6847 Weddings [email protected] DAILY MASS Administrative Directors Community Ministries Monday & Friday Bob Basye Administration, Human Resources, Deacon Lu Hill 8:15 am | 12:10 pm Accounting, and Facilities Director of Social Outreach [email protected] [email protected] Tuesday, Wednesday, Mary Caprio Deacon Denny Hayes & Thursday Evangelization, Faith Formation, Pastoral Care and Natural Family Planning [email protected] 8:15 am [email protected] Ann Cashiola Communications Liturgy, Sacraments, and Music Christine Subervie PRIVATE PRAYER [email protected] Communications and Bulletins [email protected] Monday-Friday Music Noon-2:00 pm Christopher Popelka Receptionists Director of Music Carol Page [email protected] Daytime Receptionist RECONCILIATION [email protected] Children Faith Formation Rene Gomez Tuesday (CFF) Evening Receptionist 6:00-7:00 pm Pre-K through 5th Grade [email protected] Lana Jezierski Saturday Children Faith Formation Coordinator Facilities Management [email protected] Derek Roy 8:45-10:00 am Director of Facilities or by appointment Youth Faith Formation (YFF) [email protected] 6th through 12th Grade Silvino Anuario, Maintenance Rebecca Jankowski *Available via live stream Director of Youth Faith Formation Jose Moreno, Maintenance stmichaelchurch.net/ [email protected] live-streaming AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY LINE FOR GRAVE ILLNESS OR DEATH: (713) 621-4370 – OPTION 1 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL CATHOLIC CHURCH SACRAMENTAL CARE A WARM WELCOME BAPTISM MARRIAGE TO OUR NEW Infants and children under 6 years old: All Engaged couples wishing to marry in the PARISHIONERS parents are required to participate in a Catholic Church should formally inquire on baptismal preparation process prior to the the parish website. The form can be found Edgar & Angela Castro baptism of each child and are strongly under Liturgy and Sacraments: Matrimony encouraged to attend the classes during the here www.stmichaelchurch.net/matrimony. Dr. Anthony Costales second trimester of pregnancy. Please visit Once the inquiry form is submitted and www.stmichaelchurch.net/baptism for more received, the couple will be invited to attend Michael Davidson information on baptism class and to Introduction to Marriage at St. Michael, a schedule baptisms. For questions, e-mail class held monthly at the Church. Additional Jeanne Dini [email protected]. questions about marriage preparation can Children over 6 years old: Please contact the be addressed to Mary Caprio at Michelle Godbold Office of Children Faith Formation at (713) [email protected]. 403-4122 for information on the Rite of Michael & Natalie Mercer Christian Initiation adapted for children. PASTORAL CARE & HOLY COMMUNION TO Carmine & Alessandra FIRST RECONCILIATION THE SICK & HOMEBOUND Roberto & FIRST EUCHARIST Do you know someone who is ill, home- Second grade students must be baptized in bound, in the hospital, or in an assisted living the Catholic faith and be in their second facility and in need of pastoral care? For continuous year of Faith Formation at those in need of prayer, Holy Communion, a St. Michael the Archangel, or in their second pastoral visit and/or those who are interested KEEP IN TOUCH TO GET continuous year of religion classes in a in visiting the homebound or assisted living in ALL THE LATEST NEWS! Catholic school. Please contact the Office of need of prayer should contact Deacon Denny Children Faith Formation at (713) 403-4122. Hayes at (713) 403-4110. CONFIRMATION ANOINTING OF THE SICK High school students: Contact the Office of Parishioners scheduled for serious Youth Faith Formation at (713) 403-4117. surgery should receive the Sacrament Adults: Contact the Office of Adult Faith of the Anointing of the Sick prior to their Formation at (713) 403-4114. hospitalization. Please contact the parish RITE OF CHRISTIAN office at (713) 621-4370. INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) Non-Catholics (non-baptized or baptized in a non-Catholic, Christian denomination) who are interested in learning about the Catholic faith and may want to become Catholic should contact the Office of Adult Faith Formation at (713) 403-4114.