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

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.

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

Samaritan Corner We have updated our Samaritan Telephone Tree and have begun using it to notify our parishioners when we

will be having a funeral here at St. Mary’s. If you were on the Telephone Tree previously, but did not get a call this past week, please call the office to update your contact information. This is an informational tool we are pleased to continue to utilize for anyone who might be interested.

Offertory

September 12/13, 2020 $8,365.00

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

Thank you for your generosity!

Saturday, September 19: 5:30pm Cristela Davila† By:Deanna Amaya Sunday, September 20:

9:00am People of the Parish 11:30am Leonides Romero† By:Valencia Family 1:00pm Larry Burgess† By:Regina Flynn

Tuesday, September 22: 12:000pm Special Intention for Jimmy Carr By:Heasty Family Wednesday, September 23:

12:00pm Amado Cruz† By:Ilustre Family Thursday, September 24:

8:30am Fred† & Patricia† Young By:Stanton Family Friday, September 25:

8:30am Vicenta Ilustre† By:Ilustre Family Saturday, September 26: 5:30pm Gerald† & Charlene† Pfeiffer By:Paschal Family Sunday, September 27:

9:00am Zaragoza Trevino† By:Jose & Dora Bazan 11:30am Rebecca Bernabe† By:Family 1:00pm People of the Parish

Mass Intentions As we move into the next year, scheduling Masses, there will be a few changes, in order to allow those who have lost a loved one an opportunity to schedule a Mass in their memory in a timely manner. Currently, we will only be allowing an individual to sched-ule 5 Masses at one time. If you wish any of the Masses to be schedule on the weekends, you will only be able to schedule one every other month. Thank you for your coop-eration and understanding in this regard. Masses may be scheduled at any time by calling the office.

Bulletin Mailouts... In order to keep those staying at home connected to our parish with attendance updates and changes that may occur with our scheduling, we will continue to send out the bulletin weekly. However, we will constantly be updating our mailing list. If you do not get the bulletin, but wish to receive one on a weekly basis please call the office. We are counting our blessings and very grateful for your ongoing support!

www.stmaryslaporte.com

Dear parish family, 25 Sunday A In this pandemic time, we adopt a “new normal” resuming religious education classes; CCE, EDGE, and Life Teen. We try our best to comply with all the CDC and Archdiocesan guidelines. Health and safety are foremost. And we thank the efforts of our CCE director, Shari Davis, her assistant Graciela Lopez and volunteer catechists, as they try to navigate the stormy seas to keep religious programs for youth and kids afloat. Thus a combination of Virtual learning (online) and in person meetings is provided. We recognize and appreciate our catechists and give thanks for their graceful response to the call of the Lord to serve him in these very challenging times. They are indeed concrete examples of the workers in the gospel who responded to the call of the Lord to work for his vineyard. The gospel parable this Sunday can easily be misunderstood if we think of it only from human standpoint. What’s fair for “hourly wage” and “daily wage?” It is only from perspective of God that the parable can be best understood. It speaks about the exceeding generosity of God for those who are willing to work for his kingdom even when it is already late. God deals with us differently as we deal with one anoth-er. He offers us something totally out of proportion of what we can offer to Him. Eternal life can never be equated with earthly rewards. There is a human tendency to impose our way of thinking upon God. Hence it is easy to sympathize with the workers in the gospel story. And we forgot that the message is about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus isn’t talking about human compensation laws. Rather, he is describing how God acts towards us; how things are in the "kingdom of heaven" where God’s influence is felt and God’s power is at work. What matters is only accepting the Lord’s invitation to work for his kingdom. It doesn’t matter whether we accept his invitation already late as long as we only accept it. And then realize that when we truly love the Lord God, we no longer are thinking much of what we can get from him rather of how much we can please him and honor his name. On another level, the gospel challenges us not to dwell on comparing our gifts with the others but rather on accepting the gifts we have and honor the Lord with those gifts. Whatever gifts we have, whatever tasks we have in life, accept them and work on them knowing that through these gifts and tasks we can glorify God. For if we love the Lord our God, then we only think of using all that we have to give him his greater glory on earth. In concrete terms, think of what you can do for your church… how much have we supported our church? How much time and efforts have we volunteered in church activities? Or how much have we offered our talents in serving the Lord in whatever way we serve? For if only many would be responding to the call of the Lord, like the workers in parable, we can just imagine how much could be done for the greater

glory of God and how much blessing we would have received from Him!

Stay safe always. Blessings to all and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, Domingo 25 A En este tiempo de pandemia, adoptamos una “nueva normalidad” reanudando las clases de educación religiosa; CCE, EDGE y Life Teen. Hacemos nuestro mejor esfuerzo para cumplir con todas las pautas de los CDC y de la Arquidiócesis. La salud y la seguridad son lo más importante. Y agradecemos los esfuerzos de nuestra directora de CCE, Shari Davis, su asistente Graciela López y los catequistas volun-tarios, mientras intentan navegar por los mares tormentosos para mantener a flote los programas religiosos para jóvenes y niños. Por lo tanto, se proporciona una combinación de aprendizaje virtual (en línea) y reuniones en persona. Reconocemos y apreciamos a nuestros catequistas y damos gracias por su elegante respuesta al llamado del Señor para servirle en estos tiempos tan desafiantes. De hecho, son ejemplos con-cretos de los obreros del evangelio que respondieron al llamado del Señor a trabajar por su viña. La parábola del evangelio de este domingo puede malinterpretarse fácilmente si pensamos en ella solo desde el punto de vista hu-mano. ¿Qué es justo para "salario por hora" y "salario diario"? Es solo desde la perspectiva de Dios que la parábola se puede entender mejor. Habla de la extraordinaria generosidad de Dios para aquellos que están dispuestos a trabajar por su reino incluso cuando ya es tarde. Dios nos trata de manera diferente como nos tratamos unos a otros. Nos ofrece algo totalmente desproporcionado de lo que podemos ofrecerle. La vida eterna nunca puede compararse con recompensas terrenales. Existe una tendencia humana a imponer nuestra forma de pensar a Dios. Por tanto, es fácil simpatizar con los obreros de la historia del evangelio. Y olvidamos que el mensaje es sobre el reino de los cielos. Jesús no se refiere a las leyes de compensación humana. Más bien, está describiendo cómo actúa Dios hacia nosotros; cómo son las cosas en el "reino de los cielos" donde se siente la influencia de Dios y el poder de Dios está obrando. Lo que importa es solo aceptar la invitación del Señor a trabajar por su reino. No importa si aceptamos su invi-tación ya tarde, siempre y cuando solo la aceptemos. Y luego darse cuenta de que cuando realmente amamos al Señor Dios, ya no pensamos mucho en lo que podemos obtener de él, sino en cuánto podemos agradarle y honrar su nombre.

En otro nivel, el evangelio nos desafía a no detenernos en comparar nuestros dones con los de los demás, sino en aceptar los dones que tenemos y honrar al Señor con esos dones. Cualesquiera sean los dones que tengamos, cualquier tarea que tengamos en la vida, acéptelos y trabaje en ellos sabiendo que a través de estos dones y tareas podemos glorificar a Dios. Porque si amamos al Señor nuestro Dios, entonces solo pensamos en usar todo lo que tenemos para darle su mayor gloria en la tierra. En términos concretos, piense en lo que puede hacer por su iglesia ... ¿cuánto hemos apoyado a nuestra iglesia? ¿Cuánto tiempo y esfuerzo hemos dedicado como voluntarios a las actividades de la iglesia? ¿O cuánto hemos ofrecido nuestros talentos para servir al Señor en cualquier forma en que sirvamos? Porque si muchos estuvieran respondiendo al llamado del Señor, como los obreros en la parábola, ¡podemos imaginarnos cuánto se podría hacer para la mayor gloria de Dios y cuántas bendiciones recibiríamos de Él!

Mantente protegido siempre. ¡Bendiciones a todos y que tengan una buena semana! Fr. Tony

St. Joseph’s Chapel Needs You Is God Calling You to spend one hour a week with Him? Adora-tion of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Tuesday from 12noon to Thursday at 8:30am. We currently are in need of someone to fill the

hour on Thursday Mornings from 3-4am. If you can fill this hour, would like to schedule a weekly Holy Hour or be placed on the substitute list, please call the office.

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., Sept. 20:CCE Packet Pickup after Masses Registration CCE, EDGE and Life Teen Thurs., Sept. 24: RCIA R H Conf. Rm 6pm

In our ongoing effort to provide a safe environment for all the children of the parish I am informing you about the safe environment training requirements for our Archdiocese. Father Tony would like to get ALL volunteers at the church to do the safe environment training. If you are up to date on your training (VIRTUS OR Safe Haven) , thank you! IF you have not ever take the training or believe your certification lapsed please, access the following website and complete the training. The website has all the details needed to complete the training. This is the website that you can access for the training. https://www.archgh.org/offices-ministries/office-of-child-and-youth-protection/safe-environment-training-for-adults/ Please email Shari @ 1208stmarylp@gmail.com (Religious Education Director) if you have any questions.

St. Vincent de Paul Update St. Vincent de Paul St. Mary La Porte has just received temporary funding from SVDP Houston-Galveston Council. This will allow us to resume assisting those in need with their utility bills and partially help with rental payments. Hopefully this will last until we can safely reopen the Thrift Store during the current pandemic and generate funds to help our Friends in Need.

Additional help may be available from: Catholic Charities 713-874-6590 Baker Ripley Utility Assistance Program

713-590-2327 Harris County Office of Social Services 713-590-2327

Impostor priest email/texting scams

Recently, there have been several reports of fraudu-lent email solicitations for financial support, usually in the form of gift cards, coming from email accounts identifying as Archdiocesan priests, including Cardinal DiNardo. To minimize fraudulent impact, pastors are encouraged to remind their membership that priests/churches would never make such appeals to the parish community. Advise parishioners to noti-fy the church office immediately if they receive any unfamiliar donation requests.

Complete the U.S. Census form today! You still have time…

Deadline is September 30th All of God’s children count. If you were living in the United States on April 1, it is your duty to complete the 2020 US Census, regardless of your immigration status. The Census is used to distribute federal funds be-tween the states. It is EASY to complete the Census online at www.my2020Census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-368-2020 (Espanol) or by mailing in your written Census form. Your answers are com-pletely confidential and can never be used against you by any agency, court or person.

Register to Vote www.harrisvotes.com

Upcoming Baptismal Dates October 11, November 11

Baptism classes are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in English. Due to COVID we are unable to have classes in Spanish, but everyone is welcome to attend the English classes. Baptisms will be held the 2nd Sunday of each month after the 1pm Mass. If you are baptizing here, you need to fill out a registration form for your child’s baptism, and we will need to make a copy of their birth certificate from the state before you attend the 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 September Respect for the Planet’s Resources:

We pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner.

Parish Events Calendar As we navigate the changing Mass times and schedules in light of COVID 19, please visit our website and go to the events calendar for updates. If you are planning a meeting or need to make any adjustments for your ministry you are involved with, please call the office and let us know so we can keep it updated. Website www.stmaryslaporte.com

Stay Connected at Home JOIN FORMED

Incredible online gateway to the best Catholic Content, all in one place. Go to stmaryslaporte.formed.org to register. If you are having any trouble getting registered, or any other problems, please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register.

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 sacra-ments. Coming once (or twice… or more) obli-gates you to NOTHING. For additional information about RCIA call the office or email Tracy, stmarysr-cia@yahoo.com.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13; Ps 19:2-5; Mt 9:9-13 Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13; Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44; Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9; Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163; Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17bc; Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Eccl 3:1-11; Ps 144:1b, 2abc, 3-4; Lk 9:18-22 Saturday: Eccl 11:9 — 12:8; Ps 90:3-6, 12-14, 17; Lk 9:43b-45 Sunday: Ez 18:25-28; Ps 25:4-9; Phil 2:1-11 [1-5]; Mt 21:28-32

Guadalupe Radio Network

Fall Share-a-Thon Celebrating 20 years!

Listen on KSHJ AM 1430

September 15-18 Support Catholic Radio

grnonline.com

Please Pray For Our Troops and …

Orfila Rangel, Margarita Mora de Ramos, Jenny Matlock, Isabelle Calvillo, Gayle Sullivan, Bernie Shealy, Michael Lesenski, Lucy Sturm, George Sturm, Thomas & Margaret Pettus, Raelynd, Ann DuBois, Becky Smith, Dianne Lemons, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Chris-tian & family, Don & Allie Fay Mathews, Cathy & Bill Eberle, Jessica Salazar, Gus Sanchez, Aubrey Spears, Lois Trevino, Don Gore, Leslie Castejon, Allen Hayes, Ernesto Rodriguez & family, Elisha Durham, Ron Johnston, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Darcy & Virgil Blackstock, Danny Miguel Saul, Lisa Medina, Destiny Perez, Chuck Driscoll, Johnny Hughes 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 McBride, Robert & Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Fr. Gary Rickles, 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 Mary Boatman, Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, Soledad Hernandez, Elida Peterson, and those battling terminal illness and the residents of La Porte Care Center and Parson’s House Repose of the Soul of Pat Riley Our Sympathy to Kerry & Steve Regan and family on the loss of her mother, Pat

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.

IGNITE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Parish Goal $469,301.00

Amount Pledged: $231,090.95 (49.24 % of Goal)

Amount Paid: $104,010.75(22.16%) Total # of Participants 71

Our Faith, Our Mission Begins! Addressing the Short and Long-term Needs of Our Church and those God calls us to serve.

We seek to raise over $150 million over the next 4 years to prepare our faith family for the future. At its heart, this campaign is about supporting our future by focusing on our parishes, our future priests, Catholic Education and Faith Formation as well as Rebuilding in Light of Harvey and ensuring a future Disaster Fund. Please prayerfully consider your commitment!

altar flowers Sept. 19/20: In Loving Memory of Manuel Cardenas By Nelda, Aracely & Anna ~ Available Flower Dates ~

Oct. 3/4, 10/11, 24/25 Oct. 31/Nov. 1

No Flowers during Advent

Altar Flowers contact Rose Kolenc 713-202-3283 or rose_kolenc@yahoo.com.

Church Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Diane Verret

By: Peggy Holland Chapel Sanctuary Candle

In Loving Memory of Carl Lundquist By Wal’Dean Lundquist

The St. John Paul II Foundation and the Archdiocese of

Galveston-Houston Family Life Ministry invite all married and engaged couples to the 6th annual

Together in Holiness marriage conference on Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 10:30 am – 6:00 pm at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Sugar Land

AND Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Parish, Woodlands

Dynamic Presentations | Mass | Scholarships Eucharistic Adoration | Reconciliation

Featuring: Danielle Bean and Steve & Becky Greene

Registration: $59/couple and $35/individual At-Home Conference Experience: $15 Scholarships available upon request.

For more information, please visit togetherinholiness.org or email TH@forlifeandfamily.org.

DIRECTION Isaiah tells us something that we already know, and yet seem to forget every now and then. He tells us, essentially, that God is God and we are not. When we’re confused and troubled and can’t figure every-thing out, it might be wise to recall Isaiah speaking on the Lord’s behalf and explaining that God—who is on a much more, well, Godly wavelength than we are—moves in ways we can’t even imagine. Saint Paul, by comparison, has everything figured out. Kind of. At least he understands his calling in life—to magnify Christ in everything he does. That should give all of us the direction we need. Jesus gives us direction, too, explaining to us once again in the parable of the workers in the vineyard that the last will be first, and the first, last. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Please pray for Our Lady’s intercession 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!

CCE, EDGE & Life Teen REGISTRATION This Sunday after all Masses REGISTER & Pick up packets

CCE Pick up packets in Parish Hall after Sunday Masses

EDGE(Virtual) & LIFE TEEN Registration after all Sunday Masses

Class this Weekend 2:00 -3:30pm

Any questions or concerns please email Shari: 1208stmarylp@gmail.com

EDGE

Life Teen and EDGE Class today after the

Life Teen Mass at 2:00PM! We will meet in person and virtually through Microsoft

Teams/Zoom.

Please make sure your child is registered.