Bulletin #: 568600 St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception 816 Park Dr. La Porte, TX 77571 Contact: Cheryl Frobenius, 281-471-2000, cfrobenius@sbcglobal.net Transmit Day/Time: Tuesday/4pm Pages Sent: 8 Total, including cover page Software Using: Publisher Special Instructions: 350 copies Thanks!

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston Houston

816 Park Dr. La Porte, Texas 77571 281-471-2000 Fax:281-471-9365

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. 11:30 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.

Saturday, November 28: 5:30pm Special Intention for Gerard Griest By:Collling Family Sunday, November 29: 9:00am Zosimo† & Sinforosa† Dapitan By:Distefano Family 11:00am People of the Parish 1:00pm Alex Cava† By:Heasty Family Tuesday, December 1: 12:000pm Harold † & Agda† Burbach By:Frobenius Family Wednesday, December 2: 12:00pm Zosimo† & Sinforosa† Dapitan By:Distefano Family Thursday, December 3: 8:30am Special Intention for Cane Paschal By:Paschal Family Friday, December 4: 8:30am Fr. Tony Castro & Family By:Herkubda Robles Saturday, December 5: 5:30pm Joachim Vo Van Nguyen† By:Nguyen Family Sunday, December 6: 9:00am Dorothy Dawson† By:Doris Holmes 11:00am People of the Parish 1:00pm Don Gore† By:Hellstein Family

St. Mary’s Fall Harvest No Grab & Go Today

Our Virtual Auction is ongoing on eBay until Sunday, December 6th @ 4pm. Be sure to keep a close watch on any items you may be interested in. If you obtain an item through eBay, please call or come by the office to pick it up. See something you know someone could use or might like? Please call them up and let them know the contact information. A very special thank you to each of you for your support!

Next Weekend “Lucky Draw” @ 6pm

1st Drawing $1,000. 2nd Drawing $ 500. 3rd Drawing $ 500. 4th Drawing $ 250.

You can place your donations in a blue envelope or make them through our Online Giving account by selecting smfallharvestdonation. For every $10 you donate, your name will be placed in the donation barrel for an additional chance to win one of the Lucky Draw Prizes. Deadline to purchase tickets will be at 4pm.

Thank You Advertisers! Dixie Safe & Lock

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy Mike Shanahan Carpenter

Robert’s A/C & Heating Schoppe Pest Control

SJ Art & Frames Thay’s Junk Removal

Torres & Faus Law Firm

Updated Mass Information... Beginning this Sunday, November 29th, the following changes will occur: the Spanish Mass time will change from 11:30 am to 11 am. Seating at the 9 am will also be increasing. The Church capacity will remain at 25%(70 people), with overflow extending into Rosary Hall. The Mass in Rosary Hall will be live streamed and communion will be distributed. We ask that once Mass begins in Church or the Church doors are closed to please proceed to Rosary Hall.

Dear parish family, 1 Sunday of Advent (Year B) Hope, expectation, vigilance, and preparedness, are the liturgical themes on the season of Advent. These are same key words that the world at large embraces. We have high hopes of the Covid Vaccines soon to be released that the long wait towards normality would eventually happen. However “normality” is still a distance away. The most important element is that we must be extra vigilant. The Biblical metaphor is “watch”. It means in the most practical sense not to let our guards down. Otherwise, the agony of this pandemic will only be prolonging. Hence we just have to follow the guidance of health and science professionals - this is a global health issue. The First Sunday of Advent, marks not just the beginning of our preparation for Christmas, but also the beginning a new liturgical Church year for us as Catholics. Advent extends over the next four Sundays, literally culminating on Christmas Eve this year. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means “coming.” Like Lent this is a preparatory season, one that has us looking forward and waiting for something greater. We are aware that the One Who is coming is Christ, but that means more than just Christ’s birth at Christmas. It also means the coming of Christ into our lives through grace and the sacraments. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us, "Be watchful! Be alert!” Our staying spiritually awake and alert helps us attentive to the real issues of life. The readings this Sunday should help us reflect or sense that that our weary, battered, sick and confused world is not what God has in mind for us. God has plans to bring about another world reality through Jesus Christ – the life of grace. And for those who are ready and awake will know when God comes and how to respond to God’s presence. Advent awakens us to realize we have invested our treasure, our energies, and talents in the wrong places and wrong ends. The master, our Lord, whom we serve, is coming to help us awaken from sleep so we can put aside our false values the world is offering us. And rebuild our lives on him, who is our rock. Isaiah in our first reading imagines us as clay to be formed by our God, "the potter," and reminds us, "we are all the work of your hands." The clay can only be formed when soft. When our hearts are hardened then they are like hardened clay never can be molded but only to be broken. It is when our souls and our hearts are receptive to the voice of God, that we are a soft clay on the hands of the potter, we can be molded to what He intends to us be. Stay safe always. Blessings to all and have a good week. Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 1er domingo de Adviento (Año B) Esperanza, expectativa, vigilancia y preparación son los temas litúrgicos en el tiempo de Adviento. Estas son las mismas palabras clave que el mundo en general acepta. Tenemos grandes esperanzas de que las vacunas Covid se lancen pronto y que la larga espera hacia la normalidad finalmente suceda. Sin embargo, la "normalidad" todavía está lejos. El elemento más importante es que debemos estar más alerta. La metáfora bíblica es "vigilar". Significa, en el sentido más práctico, no bajar la guardia. De lo contrario, la agonía de esta pandemia solo se prolongará. Por lo tanto, solo tenemos que seguir la guía de los profe-sionales de la salud y la ciencia: este es un problema de salud mundial.

El Primer Domingo de Adviento, marca no solo el comienzo de nuestra preparación para la Navidad, sino también el comienzo de un nuevo año litúrgico de la Iglesia para nosotros como católicos. El Adviento se extiende durante los próximos cuatro domingos, culminando literalmente en la víspera de Navidad de este año. La palabra "Adviento" proviene de la palabra latina Adventus, que significa "venida". Al igual que la Cuaresma, esta es una temporada preparatoria, una que nos hace mirar hacia adelante y esperar algo más grande.

Somos conscientes de que el que viene es Cristo, pero eso significa más que el nacimiento de Cristo en Navidad. También significa la venida de Cristo a nuestras vidas a través de la gracia y los sacramentos. En el Evangelio, Jesús nos advierte: "¡Estad atentos! ¡Estad alerta!" Mantenernos espiritualmente despiertos y alerta nos ayuda a estar atentos a los problemas reales de la vida.

Las lecturas de este domingo deberían ayudarnos a reflexionar o sentir que nuestro mundo cansado, maltratado, enfermo y confuso no es lo que Dios tiene en mente para nosotros. Dios tiene planes para producir otra realidad mundial a través de Jesucristo: la vida de gracia. Y aquellos que estén listos y despiertos sabrán cuándo viene Dios y cómo responder a la presencia de Dios.

El Adviento nos despierta para darnos cuenta de que hemos invertido nuestro tesoro, nuestras energías y talentos en los lugares y fines equivocados. El maestro, nuestro Señor, a quien servimos, viene a ayudarnos a despertarnos del sueño para que podamos dejar de lado nuestros falsos valores que el mundo nos ofrece. Y reconstruir nuestra vida sobre él, que es nuestra roca.

Isaías en nuestra primera lectura nos imagina como arcilla para ser formada por nuestro Dios, "el alfarero", y nos recuerda, "todos somos obra de tus manos". La arcilla solo se puede formar cuando está blanda. Cuando nuestros corazones se endurecen, son como arcilla endurecida que nunca se puede moldear, sino que se puede romper. Es cuando nuestras almas y nuestros corazones están receptivos a la voz de Dios, que somos una arcilla suave en las manos del alfarero, podemos ser moldeados a lo que Él quiere que seamos.

Mantente protegido siempre. Bendiciones a todos y que pases una buena semana. P. Tony

Spiritual Direction Feeling stuck in your faith? Deeper intimacy with Our Lord Is possible. With gentle encouragement from a spiritual director and your commitment of 30-60 minutes a day you can enter into a deeper relation-ship with Our Lord than you ever thought possible. Spiritual direction can help you learn to pray better. Interested in spiritual direction? Due to COVID Spiritual Direction is available via Zoom.ContactTracy:stmarysrcia@yahoo.com

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Prayer in the Time of the Coronavirus

Comfort us, O Lord, for we are like your disciples 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 prayer: 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.

Activities for the Week Sun., Nov. 29:No CCE, EDGE & Life Teen Today Both Programs are Virtual & Live Tues., Dec. 1:Virtual Bible Study 6:30pm Thurs., Dec. 3:St. Vincent Mtg. 9:30am KC Mtg. 6:30pm Rosary Hall Sun. Dec. 6: CCE 1st Reconciliation Virtual EDGE Life Teen Virtual & Live

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Open

New Store Hours: Mon., Tues., and Wed., 9-11am

We are still in need of new volunteers!

You can pick any day you are able to work. If you are available to help out, please call the office or contact Norma @ 281-471-1752. Additional help may be available from: Catholic Charities 713-874-6521 Baker Ripley Utility Assistance 713-590-2327 Harris County Office of Social Services 713-696-7900 Eviction Legal Assistance 713-228-0735

St. Joseph’s Chapel Adoration Adoration will resume on Tuesday, December 1. Adoration of the Blessed Sacra-ment is held on Tuesday from 12noon to Thurs-day at 8:30am. If you would like to schedule a weekly Holy Hour or be placed on the substitute list, please call the office.

Upcoming Baptismal Dates December 13th & January 10th

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 obtain the paperwork.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for November Artificial Intelligence

We pray that the progress of robotics and artificial Intelligence may always serve humankind.

RCIA Classes 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.

As the reality of COVID and perhaps not being able to a end Mass is once again in the forefront, there are several ways for you to con nue to donate: Our normal Sunday collec on, 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

Virtual Bible Study… Has Started

Jesus: The Way, The Truth, and The Life: The marvelous treasures of the Catholic Faith—the Eucharist, Mary, the saints, and the Creed—are all centered on a single figure: Jesus Christ. Jesus is more than a historical or theological figure. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, and our God. While many of us already know a lot about him, how well can we say we really know him? Filmed on location in the Holy Land, Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life is a new and fresh look at Jesus—who he is, what he is really like, what he taught, and what he did for our salvation. This encounter with Christ will inspire and empower you to center your entire life on him as you come to know and love him in an ever-deeper and more intimate way. We'll meet virtually on Tuesday evenings @ 6:30 pm. Contact Tracy at stmarysrcia@yahoo.com for details.

FEAST OF FAITH What is the Mass? There is no simple answer to that question. The Church uses many different images and terms to describe our most important prayer. The Mass is the celebration of the Eucharist, a Greek word that means “thanksgiving.” It is the Lord’s Supper. It is the Breaking of the Bread. It is the memorial of the Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection. It is the Holy Sacrifice, in which the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is perpetuated. It is the holy and divine liturgy, the sacred mysteries. It is the source and summit of our Christian lives, the new cove-nant, the work of the Holy Spirit, the paschal mystery. The many different words and images that we use when we speak of the Mass are not signs of confusion, but of won-der at what the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1328) calls the “inexhaustible richness” of the Eucharist. The Mass, our greatest prayer and our deepest mystery, is celebrated every day, many times a day, the world over. The Eucharist is both “bread from heaven” and “daily bread.” The Mass is our everyday miracle. —Corinna Laughlin, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Please Pray For Our Troops and … Rey Salas, Sarah Purlee, Johnny Hughes, Miles Libby, Richard & Deanna Broderick, Ron Johnston, Theresa Rainwater, Beatrice Lyssy, Diane Bond, Joe Bond, Dean & Benita Smithson, Jeremy Sander, Tyrina McCain, Belinda Lara, Joe Sturm, Maverick, Amber Sander, Bob McFarland, Barry Stuff, Hamid H. Kahn, Devon Tiffin, Donna Grammier, Mandy Trainer, Ean Hensley, Fred Jauregui, John & Cariann Palvado, Hector Villarreal, Alfredo Cariaga, Mimi Casarez, Amanda Zann, Margarita Mora de Ramos, Jenny Matlock, Isabelle Calvillo, and Gayle Sullivan.

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. 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.

ADVENT NO ALTAR FLOWERS 2021 Altar Flowers Jan. 16/17, 23/24, 30/31

Feb. 6/7, 13/14, 20/21, 27/18 Please contact Rose Kolenc 713-202-3283 or rose_kolenc@yahoo.com to reserve your dates.

Church Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Mary Boatman

By Silda Griffiths

Chapel Sanctuary Candle Special Intention for Archie Flowers

By Peggy Holland

Please Join Us… On Saturday, December 12th at 8:00am, the Altar Society will be cleaning the church for Christmas. Everyone is welcome, so please join us if you can. Contact for the Altar Society is Sharon Ramos @ 281-451-9593.

December Altar Duty Assignments Laundry ~ Cindy Bremer, Lucy Morrison Altar Duty ~ Cindy Bremer, Lucy Morrison

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 — 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8

In Remembrance of the Faithful Departed If you placed an envelope in the collection basket on All Souls Day with the names of the loved ones you have lost, we will be placing their names in the Memory Basket located on the Altar for the month of November. May they rest in peace.

Don’t Forget… Spanish Mass time is now at 11am. Also, we are now live streaming Mass in Rosary Hall for the 9am Mass. Holy Communion will be distributed.

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.

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!

NO EDGE or Life Teen Today Virtual & LIVE

EDGE Randy & Angie Tercero

randytercero@hotmail.com 713-826-0633

Life Teen Shari 1208stmarylp@gmail.com Upcoming Retreat

~ Dates Dec. 5 th & 6th ~

No CCE Today Virtual First Reconcilia on Next Week

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