St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, Huffman, Texas  

May 7, 2017 “Ac vely striving to be a holy and loving Family of Faith, serving God and neighbor.” 

First Communion by Rev. Richard Barker

My dear parishioners, today, in our celebra on of the Mass, 17 parish chil-dren will make their first communion. These children are a “stand-out” group. They’ve been preparing two years for this moment, advancing far in their knowledge of God, reverence and prayer. Moreover their studies have been joyful and exci ng, and all this has been energized by their obvious intelligence. They’ve asked and answered hundreds of ques ons, studied and drilled, prayed and played -- and now they’re ready to take this big step on the road of faith. I express my deepest thanks and apprecia on to our CCE Core Team, and most especially Lupe Cupples and the First Sacra-ments Team: Catechists Mary Canavan, Carmen Grindle and Jamie Cardine and Classroom Aides: Lourdes Cupples and Lauren Zammit. Watching our catechists and aides in ac on makes me realize the cri cal importance of our volunteer teachers. Their love of God and careful weekly prepara on set the scene for our li le second graders to flourish in faith. Our teaching teams really are the hands and heart of Christ! I’m par cularly grateful to have collaborated with our First Sacraments teaching staff in teaching our students about Confes-sion and the Holy Eucharist. This really helps our second graders to get to know me and be confident about what they’re do-ing. You see this confidence in their faces when each child takes great care as he or she approaches the confessional or the altar to receive Jesus in a new and exci ng way. Being near these li le ones inspires me to be a be er priest for everyone in our parish. Our First Sacraments team also emphasizes manners and personal conduct, fairness, and good classroom behavior. Whether in the classroom, hallways or the worship area of the Church, our second graders are well-behaved. I see with my own eyes that orderliness in a classroom enhances crea vity. It safeguards prayer. It fosters inspira on. Such “discipline” teaches li le ones the importance of living “in community” and showing love of neighbor. This first sacraments class also has been a refresher for many parents of our students. Our teaching team has reached out to our moms and dads, invi ng them to journey with the children hand-in-hand. And here I would instruct our first sacrament parents to remember that a rich and produc ve Chris an life totally depends the habit of faithful discipleship. Parents, go to Confession with your children! Cast aside any obstacle that separates you from the experience of God’s love in his Church. Joyfully lead your children to Christ in the Eucharist! Teach them about the importance of Sundays and Masses of Obliga on. You as parents are to be the first and the best of teachers for your children. Dads, your example of faith will be the strongest example of all. You want to give your children the best opportuni es for their future good? Then li up your children in Christ! The First Sacraments program at St. Philip is much more than a “rite of passage”. This year has been a year of learning and commitment. Our First Communion students have taken concrete steps in … (con nued on page 3)

 

Dress Standard for All Masses/Adora on  

Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made 1st Communion): Shirts and pants.

Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their 1st

Communion): Modest Dresses, Coordinated Ensembles, or Shirt/Blouses with Pants. Clothing not proper: flip-flops, shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts, body shirts, sloppy jeans, tank tops, & revealing clothing.

Please do not bring bo led water, soda, food, candy or gum into the Sanctuary and Day Chapel of the Church.

Please honor the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass  and wear modest clothing.  

Mass Inten ons  

Daily Masses Monday, May 8 No Daily Mass Tuesday, May 9 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Jim Landry+ Wednesday, May 10 8:30 am - For the Holy Souls in Purgatory Thursday, May 11 7:00 pm - +Repose of the soul of Sean Raspberry+ Friday, May 12 (St. Nereus & Achilleus; St. Pancras) 8:30 am - Special inten ons of Father Barker Saturday, May 13 (Our Lady of Fa ma) 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Felix Zaunbrecher+ Sunday Masses Saturday, May 13 5:00 pm - Special inten ons of Lyne e Zaunbrecher Sunday, May 14 8:30 am - For the Families of Our Parish 11:00 am - +Repose of the soul of Barbara Glenn+

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$7,813.00 37.00

100.00 1,633.00

 Dona ons 

Sunday Collec on (4/23) Children’s Collec on Debt Re rement Second Collec on: Home Missions

We welcome you to our parish. If you would like to become a member please fill out a registra on form located on the counter underneath the glass display case or visit our web-site: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

Adult Bible Study ‐ Acts of the Apostles 

Women’s Guild  

Mee ng: Our next mee ng is on May 9th at 9:30 am. We will have the installa on of our new officers fol-lowed by brunch.

Beginning Monday, May 1, 7:00-8:30 pm, the St. Philip Bible Study will start our new study of The Acts of the Apostles. We will be using the Igna us Press publica-

on which can be found online or from a Catholic bookstore. If you have not a ended any of our sessions, but would like to, please join us. All are welcome! For addi onal info, please contact Ray & Deb Kessler @ 832-644-8078 or radkessler@comcast.net

Altar Flowers 

Are Given In Honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

Knights of Columbus Mother’s Day Breakfast 

All parishioners are invited to our Mother’s Day Break-fast on Sunday, May 14th, from 9:45 am - 10:45 am, in the parish hall. Our Knights of Columbus will be providing the breakfast. There is no cost for this parish fellowship event.

We will not have daily Mass from  Monday, May 15th through Saturday morning, May 20th.  We will have confessions and the Saturday Vigil Mass  

on May 20th. 

Fourth Sunday of Easter — Cycle A 

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When entering and depar ng the Church, please guard the silent prayer of others. 

Have you looked at our website lately? www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

We also have an app! There you will find vital

informa on regarding our parish.

Congratula ons to our First Holy Communion Students 

Christopher Alvarez Jacinta Cardine Evan Carswell McKenna Grindle Ty O’Donnell Preston Jozwiak Colten Klostermann Taylor LeBlanc Delilah Loussararian 

Angelique Luna Jacob Mar nez Gabriel Reyes Gavin Reyes Jose Rodwell Charles Smith Joel Sparks Benjamin Williams 

Vaca on Bible School 

Cathle cs: Champions for Christ VBS Monday, June 12th  through Friday, June 16th 9:30 am ‐ 12:30 pm  Registra on:  A er all Masses the weekend of May 20-21 and May 27-28. Cost is $25.00 Registra on is open to all St. Philip children entering Kindergarten through out going 5th graders. Nursery and preschool program is available for on-site volun-teers. Volunteer Mee ng:  Wednesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm. We’ll meet in the large classroom. Volunteers can be youth entering 7th grade through 18th ears old. Adults must be Virtus trained. I’ll bring the pizza; you bring your ideas for a wonder-ful sports-themed VBS. For more informa on please contact Becky Pursell at (713) 516-7376

… the communal journey of faith. There are many more in God’s kingdom. On this communion day, your child will step forward to the altar by himself or herself -- surrounded by their companions, your family, the people of God and the angels and saints. This is our faith, our parish, our Church. We are never more alive than when we share life together in Jesus’ name! Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.

First Communion (cont. from page 1) 

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“Pro‐Life Piece” Mother’s Day Baby Item Dona ons 

Dear fellow parishioners, Our parish is hos ng a Baby Items Collec on in hon-or of Mother’s Day to assist women in crisis preg-nancy. All items will be donated to Birthright in Humble to assist women in crisis pregnancies.

Birthright is par cularly in need of these items:

Newborn Clothes– especially baby GIRL clothing

Wipes

Playmats

Bouncers 

Please drop off the items into the designated box in the foyer of the church Sunday,  April  30th  through Sunday, May 14th.  Thank you for your generosity! Gratefully, Chris ne Kasper

St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church  is proud to be pro‐life! 

Dear St. Philip’s family,

As our first year of the faith journey comes to a close it is me to reflect about the class. We have seen some real growth in the Confirm-andi. A dawning of understanding that their faith is part of them, not a separate feeling.

This is the beginning of a maturity of faith that we hope will take them into adulthood where they will con nue to learn and have a desire to know more.

Teaching with Thaddeus and Allie Howard has been a joy and a blessing. They are knowledgeable and live their faith openly and honestly. I have learned so much from them and will miss them as they journey on to another adventure in a new state. Thadde-us has an opportunity to advance his educa on, which will en-hance his career. They will be moving to Kentucky for him to a end the University of Kentucky where he will be enrolled in a Masters degree program. The Howards are expec ng their first baby, a boy, in late May/early June. We wish them God’s good-ness and graces as they con nue on their life journey. They will be missed.

We started our faith journey with the basics. How do we know there is a God? Why do we want to have a rela onship with Him? We con nued on to our rela onship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Next we studied the Nicene Creed and what it says about our faith and our being Catholic. We have spent a good bit of me discussing how to live our faith daily. Our discussion centered on how to be Catholic 24/7 not just for one hour a week.

One of our more recent lessons taught by the Howard’s was about the Mass and how Jesus is the ul mate Sacrifice. How every Mass we “re-present” the Paschal Lamb for our salva on. When we defined “Sacrifice” we came up with 5 things: a visible sign, vic m, authorized person, purpose and accepted. Jesus is the answer to all of these. We took these five and asked the ques on “how does this translate to the Cross”. Every answer is Jesus! He is the visible sign. He is the vic m. He is the author-ized person through God the Father. His death and resurrec on serve the purpose of our salva on. His life, death and resurrec-

on are all accepted by God to save us.

Our next ques on was “how does this translate to the Sacrifice of the Mass?” All of the answers are Jesus! His Body and Blood are the visible sign of the Sacrifice of the Mass. Jesus is the vic-

m of our sins. Jesus is the High Priest. Jesus is our salva on. Jesus is the Son of God. He is one with the Holy Trinity.

Please con nue to pray for the Confirmandi and teaching team as we journey to the Sacrament of Confirma on.

Sincerely in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Lyne e Zaunbrecher, Confirma on Coordinator

Confirma on Journey 

Gradua on Mass 

ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS OF 2017!! A chance to share your accomplishment with your parish family. Please let us know if you are gradua ng from High School or a University so we can celebrate with you. St. Philip will be honoring all graduates with a Blessing Mass at 11:00am on May 21st with a lunch-eon to follow in the parish hall. Please contact Lyne e Zaunbrecher at 281-386-9783 or lzaunbrecher@stphilip.cc

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Middle School Youth 

“Movie and Mary’s Garden” Sunday, May 21st, 4:00 pm ‐ 7:00 pm (Note special  me)   Let’s con nue planning our improvement ideas for Mary’s Garden and watch a movie. Leaders: Diane Sparks and Andrea Wight Text the message @2bbdb to 81010 to receive text message updates about the Middle School Youth Group.

Catholic Home School Conference 

June 9-10th at the University of St. Thomas, Houston Sponsored by ARCH Cost: $30.00 Home School Parents, be encouraged, renewed and refreshed. Network with other homeschool families. There will be fabulous speakers, extensive exhibit hall, parent educa onal resources, and Friday night bonus speakers ‘on tap’ at a local pub. Visit www.homeschool-life.com/TX/ARCHHomeschool for more informa on. They also have Facebook page.

Dear St. Philip’s family,

Our wonderful Masses do not just “happen”. There is only one person absolutely needed for every Mass. This would be the presiding Priest. But in

order for our Masses to be reverent, meaningful and extra spe-cial we are invited to par cipate fully in the Sacrifice of the Mass. Each of us plays a roll in making the Mass a truly meaningful experience. If we sit in the pew without responding to the prayers being offered or we don’t sing along with the Choir, what are we there for? Are we there only to fulfill an “obliga on”? Is that all? To fully experience the joy of the Eu-charist we need to immerse ourselves in the whole experience of the gi s Jesus has given us by His Passion Death and Resur-rec on. He gave this to us freely and without reserva on. It is an insult to Jesus for us not to appreciate and par cipate fully in the Sacrifice of the Mass. When you look at the Altar during the Mass do you see our young church par cipa ng freely and lovingly? What about the Liturgical Ministers? Are they any different than you? Why are they up serving when you are si ng in the pew? Do you see the flowers donated by a loved one in honor of an important family member or occasion? Do you see the Sacred Vessels used to share the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus? Who cares for these important items? Who sets up the table for Mass and takes everything back to the Sacristy? Why them and not you? Our Choir is one of the best in the area! This is not bragging but fact. The Choir members work long and hard to make our mu-sic an integral part of our Mass. Geri Moulds, Choir Director, is a tough taskmaster. She is a teacher and imparts her knowledge and love of music with her Choir members. They have dedicated themselves to serving our Masses with the most beau ful music possible. The hours of prac ce have paid off with a way to “pray twice’ when we sing along with them. Our Masses incorporate all of our senses. We hear the Liturgy of the Word. We see the Altar and the consecra on of the Blessed Sacrament. We respond to the prayers with our words and hearts. We taste Jesus on our tongues and take Jesus into our bodies becoming one with Him. All of this makes us Cath-olic, a part of the Universal Church established by Jesus. Please prayerfully consider par cipa ng fully in the en re Mass with your whole heart, mind, soul and voice. Par cipate as though it is the last thing you will ever do. Sincerely in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Lyne e Zaunbrecher, Sacramental Director

Liturgical Ministers News 

When you receive Communion during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ that you are receiving. Holy Communion, in the Catholic 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 faith. One should abstain from Holy Communion if they are in mortal sin and have not received the sacrament of reconcilia on. If you are not Roman Catholic or are in need of the Sacrament of Recon-cilia on, we ask that you refrain from receiving Holy Com-munion in the Mass. However, you 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 you the blessing.

Also, if you choose to receive only the Blessed Sacrament and not from the Chalice, it is fi ng nevertheless to pause for a mo-ment to honor Christ’s presence in the Precious Blood—with an appropriate sign of devo on. We would not think to pass a friend on the street without some acknowledgement. Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves no less, and most assuredly, a great deal more.

Please pray for our fellow parishioners and loved ones as they face illness and recupera on:

Diana Espinoza, Bri any Vasquez, Janie Salinas, Liduvina Sco , Windy McMichael, Margaret Fann,

Charles Gardner, Deacon John Sarabia, Dennis Billodeaux, Lillie Navarre, Thelma Carrier, Carol Asher,

Donald DeYoung, Mary Fontenot, Dorothy Becker, Rosalee Frantz, Rev. Simon Herbers and Family,

Roy Lovely, Joe Buchanan, Selma Pantalion, Ken and Mary Lou Becker, Fr. Lawrence Jozwiak,

Larry Keller, Larry Williams, Rose Bradley, Barbara Ann Colburn, Tanya King, Daniel Yarbrough,

Robert Murray, Rita Long, Mary Zycha, Jeane e Malburg, Maria Crowley, Jake Guerrero,

Joe Lumbreraz, Shirley Sims, Preston Fann

Please pray for the repose of the souls of: +Fritz Kemper, Faye Normand, Gretchen King,

Martha Garcia, Rosie Colle e, L. F. Davidson, Jackie Clark, Glenn Crabtree, Sue Reynolds, Charles Jenny,

Mary Lensing, Rita Long, Verna Wolf, Dawn Gonzalez, Robert Walesa, Barbara Glenn, Edward Kapushy,

Bob Amman, Tess Heisler, Anthony Gonzales+ -6-

DJM Corner  Receiving Holy Communion 

 

A PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS 

God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, reli-gious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support voca ons of sacrifi-cial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.

Step 25 (Con nued)  

PLACE YOURSELF LAST The tendency of the flesh, influenced by the world, is to be considered important by others.  

The first will be last and the last first - I came to serve and not to be served. 

With God, nobody is first or last - He is present to all His creatures. 

Placing yourself last pulls you out of the rat race and compe on. 

You need inner strength and a deeper understanding of what “being last” means. 

“May the li le child Jesus bless you and accompany you on your journey” -Fr.Santan Pinto SOLT (2011+) For more informa on about DJM Spiritual Forma on: Contact Jan Williams: ronjanwilliams@msn.com

web: www.discipleso esusandmary.org

Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT Disciples of Jesus and Mary Founder

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” - Mt 18:2-3

 Steps in Li leness 

“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 your life. Do not hurry – remember you’re li le!” - Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT 

 

MINISTRIES AT ST. PHILIP 

LITURGICAL/OFFICE SCHEDULE 

SACRAMENTS 

Parish Mailing Address: PO Box 2363, Huffman, TX 77336 Parish Physical Address: 2308 3rd St, Huffman  Parish Phone - (281) 324-1478 Parish Fax - (281) 324-2775 Parish E‐Mail - parishoffice@stphilip.cc Parish Website - www.stphiliphuffmantx.org

Con nuing Chris an Educa on (CCE) CCE Office (281) 324-1934, E-Mail cceoffice@stphilip.cc CCE Core Team Chairperson Middle School/High School Coordinator  Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Elementary/First Sacrament Coordinator  Lupe Cupples (281) 414-3705 Confirma on Coordinator  Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Core Team Members At Large Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 André Taylor (832) 233-0829 CCE Office Help Sonia Chapa (832) 233-3572 (Spanish bilingual) André Taylor (832) 233-0829 Parish Nursery   Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 Spiritual Development Disciples of Jesus and Mary ‐ Laity Spiritual Forma on  Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Eucharis c Adora on/Holy Face Prayer Group Janet Hays (281) 852-3444 Knights of Columbus                        Gary Aldrich (Grand Knight) (832) 586-6430 Order of Carmelite Discalced Seculars (OCDS) Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Prayer Chain Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Women’s Guild                                    Maureen Rode (281) 852-4692

 

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; (A er 8:30 am Mass by appt.)  SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY

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-ment with the pastor to begin marriage prepara on. Mar-riage prepara on requires six months.  SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

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 office to begin bap smal prepara on. Children age 6 or younger; documents are required before bap sm date may be scheduled: parish & bap smal registra ons, birth cer ficate, and bap sm class cer fica ons.

 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (40 Hours) 

Exposi on of the Blessed Sacrament takes place following the Thursday morning 8:30 a.m. Mass in the main Church. Eucharis c 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.  FUNERAL SERVICES 

To ensure that parish ministers can assist you, please call the parish office before se ng dates and mes for funeral services. Regarding personal spoken remembrances at funeral liturgies, St. Philip parish adheres to the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.  ANOINTING OF THE SICK 

Holy Anoin ng is offered on the first Tuesday a er the 8:30 am daily Mass for the healing and spiritual strengthening of those who are seriously ill, impaired by advancing age or in danger of death.

Liturgical Altar Servers Father Barker (281) 324-1478 Sacramental Ministry Director Lyne e Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Home Bound  Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Adornment of the Sanctuary Altar Guild (Ordinary Time) (281) 386-9783 DJM’s (Feast Seasons) (281) 324-1478 Music Core Team Geralyn Moulds (281) 540-4682 Jan Williams (281) 852-4389 Valerie Sivil (713) 202-1310 Usher Ministry Gary Aldrich (832) 586-6430 Social Outreach / Concern Mary’s Blessings Ministry For financial assistance please call 832-764-9814 Marie Hohmann (281) 360-9032 Prime Timers (50+) Claudia Herron (281) 324-1101 Pro‐Life Chris ne Kasper (713)-416-5233  Rosemont Assisted Living Judy Abdelnoor (281) 360-9728 Prison Ministry Deacon John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Transi ons Grief Ministry Lane Coco (281) 324-2163

Pastor - Rev. Richard E. Barker Deacon ‐ John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Ins tuted Acolyte - John Comeaux (281) 324-2044 Ins tuted Acolyte - Troy Hill (713) 336-3321 Secretary ‐ Windy McMichael Maintenance - Roy Ayala 

Sunday Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm; Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 am

Daily Masses: Tuesday-Saturday Morning: 8:30 am

First Friday: Chaplet of Divine Mercy 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.)