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
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9365
Website:www.stmaryslaporte.com E
-
mail:stmaryslpcc@sbcglobal.net
Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm Eucharistic Celebrations Saturday: 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (Spanish) 1:00 p.m. St. Mary’s Church
Monday (No Mass)
Tuesday & Wednesday – 12:00 noon 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-Jessica Jaramillo
C.C.E. Director-Shari Davis
C.C.E. Coordinator - Graciela Lopez
EDGE Coordinator-Randy Tercero
Life Teen Director-Shari Davis
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd 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 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.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 Reconciliation/First Communion
First Reconciliation/Communion candidates must be baptized, at least in the second grade, and have been attending CCE classes for at least TWO full years prior to entering into sacramental preparation. Adults will be referred to the RCIA program.
Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is a separate more intensive examination of the faith and our responsibilities as practicing Catholics. Confirmands will meet once per month in addition to attending Life Teen faithfully, both one full year prior to the beginning Sacramental preparation and during the preparation year (no more than three absences either year). Parents/Sponsors will also be required to attend once per month meetings. Confirmation candidates must have previously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion. A habit of attending weekly Mass is required for both years. Please, note the above represents the minimum requirements. Adults will be referred to the RCIA program.
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.
Pope
’
s Prayer Intention for January
Evangelization: Human Fraternity
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full
fellowship with our brothers and sisters of
other religions, praying for one another, open
to all.
December 24/25, 2020
$3,150.00
December 26/27, 2020
$3,857.00
January 1, 2021
$715.00
January 2/3, 2021
$5,116.00
If you would like to send your weekly donations, please visit St. Mary’s website and go to the Online Giving icon, Flocknotes or mail them to St. Mary’s, 816 Park Dr., La Porte, TX 77571.
www.stmaryslaporte.com
As the reality of COVID and perhaps not
being able to attend Mass is once again in
the forefront, there are several ways for
you to continue to donate: Our normal
Sunday collection, by mail ( St. Mary
’
s,
816 Park Dr., La Porte, TX )or through our
Online Giving account posted on our
website. Simply go to the website and
click on the copy of the picture for Online
Giving.
My prayers for good health are with
you and your family during this
pandemic crisis and always.
With You In Christ,
Fr. Tony Castro, Pastor
Saturday, January 9:5:30pm William C. Conway†
By:Conway Family
Sunday, January 10:
9:00am People of the Parish
11:00am Natividad Lino de Melendez 1:00pm Corando “Corey” Saenz III
By:Family
Tuesday, January 12:
12:000pm Leonides Romero†
By:Valencia Family Wednesday, January 13:
12:00 pm Special Intention for Mary Noble By:Irene Johnston
Thursday, January 14:
5:30pm In Thanksgiving
By:Howard Frantz
Friday, January 15: 8:30am Soledad Boja†
By:Rosie Molina
Saturday, January 16:
5:30pm Joan Nason†
By:Walter & Bonnie Hayes
Sunday, January 17:
9:00am Jose Molina†
By:Ortiz Family
11:00am People of the Parish 1:00pm Shelley Stoker†
By:Family Friends
~ Parishioner Updates ~
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 in-formation, it will cause a delay in receiving your tax donation letters.
Tax statements will be mailed to those who are regis-tered and have donated $250. or more during the 2020 calendar year. If you have donated a lesser amount, but would like a statement, please contact the office.
~ Please Note FOR 2020 ~
Any donations received after December 31 will not be posted for 2020. Remember, you must be registered in our parish to receive a Tax Statement. Registration forms are available in the office or on the tables located at the entrance of the church. If you have baptized your child or have children in CCE it does not mean you are automatically registered in the parish. If you are not sure if you are registered or have any additional questions, please call the office.
Dear parish family, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
We begin the First Sunday of Ordinary Time celebrating the feast of the Baptism of the Lord - the moment when the Lord began his public life and initiated his mission to redeem us proclaiming about the kingdom of God.
With this feast of the baptism of the Lord, the church challenges us to reflect once again our dignity as baptized Christians, our responsibility that goes with our dignity, and our mission not only as partakers of the good news of the king-dom but also, as heralds of it to our world sharing the mission of the Lord in our particular vocation of life.
Parents are most especially reminded today of the great obligation that goes with bringing their children to bap-tism. It is not just about naming a child nor it’s a private family affair but it is truly a church event when one becomes in-corporated into the body of Christ, which is the Church. Parents have to be true to their promise to raise the child in the Catholic faith. Godparents do have a very important role, that is, he or she represents the church intention. Hence he or she must be in “good standing” with the church. Sad to say, there are those who do not understand this – their choices of godparents are solely based on “relations” (friendship or relatives) ignoring the fact the person whom they choose do not even go to church or had already drifted away from the church. We are reminded today that baptism is a reality of the in-auguration of the kingdom of God in a life of an individual and of the community.
Christianity is about life, and that means we need to live out our baptismal dignity and promises. But if we do not do what our baptism entitles us, then we surely would not reap the gifts of grace and in effect forfeits the life everlast-ing promised to us.
If our parish community is working and going, it is because of men and women who actively live out their baptis-mal 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.
Stay Safe always. Blessings to all & have a good week! Fr. Tony
Querida familia parroquial, Fiesta del Bautismo del Señor
Comenzamos el Primer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario celebrando la fiesta del Bautismo del Señor, el momento en que el Señor comenzó su vida pública e inició su misión de redimirnos proclamando el reino de Dios.
Con esta fiesta del bautismo del Señor, la iglesia nos desafía a reflejar una vez más nuestra dignidad como cris-tianos bautizados, nuestra responsabilidad que va con nuestra dignidad y nuestra misión no solo como partícipes de la buena nueva del reino sino también, como Heraldos de ella en nuestro mundo compartiendo la misión del Señor en nues-tra particular vocación de vida.
A los padres se les recuerda especialmente hoy en día la gran obligación que conlleva el traer a sus hijos al bau-tismo. No se trata solo de nombrar a un niño, ni es un asunto familiar privado, sino que es verdaderamente un evento de la iglesia cuando uno se incorpora al cuerpo de Cristo, que es la Iglesia. Los padres deben ser fieles a su promesa de criar a sus hijos en la fe católica. Los padrinos tienen un papel muy importante, es decir, representan la intención de la iglesia. Por lo tanto, él o ella debe estar en “posición activa” con la iglesia. Es triste decirlo, hay quienes no entienden esto: sus elecciones de padrinos se basan únicamente en las "relaciones" (amistad o parientes) ignorando el hecho de que la persona que eligen ni siquiera va a la iglesia o estan alejados de la Iglesia. Hoy se nos recuerda que el bautismo es una realidad de la inauguración del reino de Dios en la vida del individuo y de la comunidad.
El cristianismo se trata de una forma de vida, y eso significa que debemos vivir nuestra dignidad y promesas bautismales. Pero si no hacemos lo que nuestro bautismo nos autoriza, entonces seguramente no cosecharemos los do-nes de la gracia y, de hecho, perderemos la vida eterna que se nos prometió.
Si nuestra comunidad parroquial está funcionando y continuando, es por hombres y mujeres que viven activa-mente su dignidad y vocación bautismal. Agradecemos al Señor Dios porque tenemos a muchos de ellos, como tú, man-teniendo viva y sana nuestra comunidad de fe. Cuanto más tengamos aquellos que vivan su fe y participen plenamente en la vida parroquial en diferentes manera que puedan, más cosecharemos juntos las bendiciones de crecer en la fe. Mantente protegidos siempre. Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana! P. Tony
Archdiocese of Galveston
-
Houston
Prayer in the Time of the Coronavirus
Comfort us, O Lord, for we are like your disci-ples on the storm tossed seas, unsettled by what lies ahead.
We turn to You, our Healer and Guide, to still our hearts in our time of need and hear our pray-er:
Heal those who are sick with the coronavirus and protect the elderly and most vulnerable.
Give strength to all who tend to our health and wisdom to researchers who work toward a cure.
Open our eyes and hearts, as you did during Hurricane Harvey, that we may look beyond our immediate needs to care for others who need help.
Through the Holy Spirit, guide our leaders to make wise decisions for the welfare of all the people they serve.
Grant eternal rest to those who have died from the virus. May Mary, Our Mother, who has heard our pleas in the storms of our lives, intercede to her Son, that we may find healing and a prompt end to this illness.
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us. Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, heal us.
THE WATERS OF BAPTISM
When new sod is put in, it needs constant sat-uration with water. Landscapers say that this “knits” the sod to the soil. The same when a branch is grafted onto a tree: the poultice that joins them at the splice must be kept wet at all times. Water is the stuff that binds the very cells of our bodies together. No wonder religions throughout all times and cultures have used it so prominently. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan for baptism, he “knit” himself to what had come before him. By going to the Jordan, he made him-self one with the people of Israel who had crossed it into their Promised Land. With John the Bap-tist, Christ wove himself into the prophetic tradi-tion that heralded the coming reign of God. He
had become fully human in the waters of Mary’s
womb, and by partaking in the rite of the baptism of repentance, Jesus identified himself with our sinful, frail humanity. It is through the waters of baptism that Christ continues to graft new mem-bers onto his Body, the Church; through these waters we are cleansed from sin and filled with the promise of grace, given our destiny for eternal life. For us, as for Jesus, it is also the waters of baptism that inaugurate our mission to proclaim the Good News.
Please Pray For Our Troops and
Bianca Brog, Amber Saul, Josh Mar-tinez, Myra Alvarez, Angela Rubio, Cathie Salinas, Steve McBride, Margarita Mora de Ramos, Raelynd, Ann De Bois, Becky Smith, Dianne Lemons, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Peg-gy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian
& family, Don & Allie Fay Mathews, Cathy & Bill Eberle, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Robert D., Jenny Matlock, Albert Palacios, Elicia Durham, Christian Garcia, Jenny Matlock, Rey Salas, Sarah Purlee, Johnny Hughes, Miles Libby, Richard & Deanna Bro-derick, Ron Johnston, Diane Bond, Joe Bond, Dean & Benita Smithson, Jeremy Sander, Tyrina McCain, Belin-da Lara, Joe Sturm, Maverick, Amber Sander, Bob McFarland, Barry Stuff and Hamid H. Kahn
Continue to Pray for Edward Wachel, Joey Bernal, Joe
Bernal, Wal’Dean Lundquist, Fr. Gary Rickles, Edward
D. Palacios, Joe Lopez, Maria Garcia, Ladd Puskus, David Gonzalez, Vicki Farias, Nell Turk, Rosie Yznaga, Teresa Mills, Joe Lozano, Sr., Angeles Sullivan, Tim Hellstein, Leroy Marchan, Geraldine Christensen, Kathy Strader, Daniel Vasquez, Herlinda Robles, Rosa Harness, Randy Hanks, Jeanette Tilley, Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Pete & Juanita Sanchez, Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Edward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Kathy & Mark McBride, Robert & Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Renee Cortez, Aurelia Hinojosa, Cathy Hanzelka, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Gayle Phillips, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Deacon Tom Lewis, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Marcos Vasquez, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Deacon Merce Leal, Sue Crockett, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Barry Armstrong, and those requesting prayer via our web site.
Please Pray for the Repose of the Soul of Maria Hysquierdo
Our Sympathy to Alfred Hysquierdo and family on the loss of his wife, Maria
Remember Our Shut-Ins Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, 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.
The Gabriel Project is designed to help women and teenagers who are in a crisis pregnancy. If you are in need of assis-tance or know someone who is, please contact Belinda @ 713-805-4961 or the Church Office.
Baptismal Information
Baptism classes are currently being held each month. Due to COVID we are only able to offer the Spanish baptism classes and baptisms on an as needed basis. Special arrangements can be made by contacting the office.
Baptisms will be held the 2nd Sunday of each month. If you are planning to baptize here, you will need to contact the office and fill out a registration form. We will also need to make a copy of the child’s birth certificate from the state. After you register, you may sign up for the baptism 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 call the office to make arrangements to do the necessary paperwork.
RCIA Class Thursday
6pm Rosary Hall
(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Who should do the full RCIA program? If you are not baptized or were baptized in another Christian denomination and are interested in possibly becoming Catholic, RCIA is for you. If you are a baptized Catholic adult who needs First Holy communion and confirmation, then you should attend RCIA to receive those sacraments. Coming once (or twice… or more) obligates you to NOTHING.
For additional information about RCIA call the office or email Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com.
Pandemic Team Volunteers
Needed...
As we face COVID over the next few months, we would like to reach out, once again to everyone attending Mass to consider volunteering to join our Pandemic Team. We are needing volunteers to sign up, via flocknotes, so we are certain that the church is being thoroughly sanitized after every Mass. Please call the office if you can join us and be a part of the team.
Can We Help?
If you or a loved one would like to receive a
visit from Fr. Tony or would like to be
receiving Holy Communion at home, on an
ongoing basis, please call the office. Deacon
Stan is the only one bringing Holy
Communion to the homebound at this time
due to the current health crisis.
St. Joseph
’
s Chapel Needs You
Is God Calling You to spend one hour a
week with Him?
Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament is held on Tuesday from 12noon
to Thursday at 8:30am.. If you would like to
schedule a weekly Holy Hour or be placed
on the substitute list, please call the office.
***Please Note: Scheduled Adoration will
resume this Tuesday, January 12th at
12:30pm. Everyone is welcome to visit the
chapel at any time on the combination. If
you do not know it, but would like to visit
please call the office.
Come Pray With Us
…
Rosary for Life
Monday, January 11th
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.
Space is limited due to the CDC restrictions. Please call Belinda @ 713-805-4961 if you plan to attend so we will be able to make the necessary
accommodations.
Altar Flowers 2021
Jan. 16/17, 23/24, 30/31
Feb. 6/7, 13/14, 20/21, 27/28
Please contact Rose Kolenc 713-202-3283 or rose_kolenc@yahoo.com to reserve your dates.
Contact for the Altar Society is Sharon Ramos
@
281
-
451
-
9593, President.
Activities for the Week
Sun. Jan. 10:CCE, EDGE & Life Teen
Tues. Jan. 12:Adoration Resumes
Virtual Bible Study 6:30pm
Thurs. Jan. 14: RCIA 6pm Rosary Hall
Fri. Jan. 15: Life Teen Confirmation Retreat
Sat. Jan. 16: Life Teen Confirmation Retreat
Sun. Jan. 17: CCE, EDGE & Life Teen
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
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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:
1 Sm 3:3b
-
10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7
-
10;
1 Cor 6:13c
-
15a, 17
-
20; Jn 1:35
-
42
FEAST OF FAITH
The Sign of the Cross
At the beginning of our prayer, we make the sign of the cross together. This sign, simple and powerful, oper-ates on many levels. We trace the sign of the cross over our bodies, reminding ourselves that the cross of Christ has become our source of resurrection, life, and grace. With this sign, we also profess our faith in the Trinity: the presider does not say “in the names,” but “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”—three persons, one God. The sign of the cross is also a baptismal reminder, for every sign of the cross echoes the words spo-ken over us at our baptism, which marked our entry into the saving mystery of Christ. This many-layered sign is also our primary sign of blessing: the cross is traced over people, places, and things upon which we ask God to im-part divine benediction.
In blessing ourselves with the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass, we acknowledge the mystery that has gathered us together: that Christ, the crucified and risen One, is living, and that we are members of his Body. Our response, our Amen, is our yes to all this, our first profession of faith.
—Corinna Laughlin, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
National Day of Prayer for
the Legal Protection of the Unborn
Friday, January 22is dedicated in the Roman Missal in the United States as a National Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection for the Unborn.Friday, January 22, 2021 marks the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wadedecision. Prayerful events during the day will include:
• Livestreamed Eucharistic Adoration from the Co-Cathedral - 7:30-4:30. Go to:http://www.arcgh.org/live
• St. Paulwill have an 8:30 pro-life Mass followed by a pro -life Rosary procession to the Marian Peace Garden
• St. Paul will have a 2 p.m. Eucharistic Holy Hour
Please pray for Our Lady’s in-tercession and protection for this school year. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide teachers, parents and the community in support of the children of the parish!
EDGE Resumes LIVE Today 2pm
Randy & Angie Tercero randytercero@hotmail.com
713-826-0633
Life Teen Confirmation Retreat
Friday & Saturday ~ January 15 & 16
Life Teen Class Sunday 2pm
Shari 1208stmarylp@gmail.com
