NOTRE DAME CHURCH HOUSTON, TEXAS MARCH 6, 2016

From the Pastor A father was telling his friend this little story when they

attended church “We were at Mass a few weeks ago while the

priest delivered a sermon on the timeless story of the prodigal

son. When he got to the point where the father sees his son

returning and races out to meet him, the priest said,

“Throwing wide his arms, the father said, at which point my

younger son leaned over to me and whispered, “You’re

grounded.”

The little boy was likely speaking from experience. The

normal things parents do when their children misbehave. But

the parable is not about the normal, ordinary things. It is

about the extraordinary father who does extraordinary

things. Not the usual, normal course of action, which as we

see in the parable, was the way the older brother reacted –

angry, unforgiving, which of course is understandable.

Even the younger son anticipated it that way. That is why he

prepared his line of asking forgiveness and willingness to be

treated, not as a son but as a mere laborer. But the father

would have none of it.

Truly a loving father, he waited and longed for his return,

which explains why “while he was still a long way off, his

father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion.”

He was always looking at the gate, hoping for his return. And

as the gospel dramatically puts it, “He ran to his son,

embraced him and kissed him.” And as the son started to

recite his line which he must have rehearsed many times, the

father cut it short and ordered his servants to bring the finest

robe and ring and sandals to put on him, and slaughter the

fattened calf for a celebration.

What must have the son felt? Ah! What joy and sorrow must

have filled his heart – joy at the unexpected reception, but at

the same time, sorrow (we hope) for what he has done to his

father. After all, the only reason he returned was because he

was hungry and miserable.

This is a very important point to remember. God is our

Father who loves and forgives us unconditionally. But we

must relate to him as sons and daughters. We must have a

personal, intimate and spontaneous relationship with him.

This is what he wants and invites us to – to be at home with

Him and consequently with one another.

The older son never left home but he never felt at home with

his father. He was more of a ‘servant’ who ‘served and never

disobeyed’. But the father also ‘came out and pleaded with

him.” In whatever case, it is always the Father who makes the

first move, it is always he who seeks us out.

Your brother and friend,

Fr. Roland

A little tickler

A Sunday school class was being quizzed on the prodigal son.

The teacher asked one youngster, “Who was unhappy when the

prodigal son returned?”

The boy gave a lot of deep thought then said, “The fattened calf.”

This Week in Our Parish --Sunday, Mar. 6- FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Mass Schedule – 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (English)

1:00 p.m. (Español). 5:00 p.m. English)

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES SPECIAL COLLECTION

Coffee by the Mother of Perpetual Help Group

in the Community Center after the a.m. Masses

-11:00 a.m. Mass-RCIA-2nd Scrutiny-Church

--2:15 p.m. Catholic Mothers-Parish Hall

--3:00 p.m. Holy Spirit Prayer Group-Alleluia Room

- -Monday, Mar. 7- Mass at 6:15 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

CCE Classes

--6:45 p.m. RCIA-Parish Hall

--8:00 p.m. Scriptural Rosary-Chapel

--Tuesday, Mar. 8- Mass at 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

CCE Classes

-12:15 p.m. Day by Day Group-Meeting Room-CCE Building

--7:00 p.m. Adult Faith Formation -Bishop Odin

--7:00 p.m. Choir Practice-Church

--7:30 p.m. Boy Scouts-St. Maria Goretti Room

--7:45 p.m. St. Joseph-Prayer Group-Chapel

–Wednesday, Mar. 9-Mass at 6:15 a.m., 7:00 p.m.

--6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Confessions (English & Spanish)

-7:00 p.m. St. Francis de Sales-Penance Service

--6:30 p.m. Holy Hour for Vocations-Church

--6:30 p.m. Youth Ministry-St. Maria Goretti Room

--7:00 p.m. That Man is You-Parish Hall

--7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts-Community Center

--7:30 p.m. Rosario-Español-Chapel

--7:30 p.m. Neo Cats-Meeting-Alleluia-Noah’s Ark & Room “A”

--8:00 p.m. Devotion Our Mother of Perpetual Help-Church

--Thursday, Mar. 10- Mass at 6:15 a.m., 7:00 p.m. -12:15 p.m. Day by Day Group-Meeting Room-CCE Building

--6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Confessions (English)

--6:15 p.m. Novena-St. Joseph-Chapel

--7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus-St. Maria Goretti Room

--7:00 p.m. Contemplative Prayer-Bishop Odin

--7:30 p.m. Legion of Mary-Room “B”- CCE Building

--8:00 p.m. Intercessory Prayer-Chapel

-11:00 p.m. Precious Blood-Chapel

--Friday, Mar. 11-Mass at 6:15 a.m. 10 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

ALL FRIDAYS DURING LENT

-10:00 a.m. Mass followed by Stations of the Cross in English

--6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross-English-Church

--7:00 p.m. Mass-Bilingual-Church

--8:00 p.m. Estaciones de la Cruz-Español-Iglesia

--5:00 p.m. Fish Fry-Community Center-Knights of Columbus

--6:15 p.m. Novena-St. Joseph-Chapel

--7:30 p.m. Lord’s Flock Prayer Group-Alleluia Room

--7:30 p.m. Divine Mercy-Chapel

--8:00 p.m. Sacred Heart-Chapel

--8:00 p.m. Totus Tuus Prayer Group-Parish Hall

--Saturday. Mar. 12 -Mass at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Vigil

--8:00 a.m. Morning of Reflection for Liturgical Ministers

Begins in church follows in Community Center --8:00 a.m. Pre-Baptismal Classes-English-Meeting Room

--9:00 a.m. Novena-St. Joseph-Chapel

--9:00 a.m. Couples for Christ-Alleluia Room

-12:00 p.m. USCAT-Alleluia Room

-12:00 p.m. Wedding-Villareal/Cisneros-Church

--2:00 p.m. Wedding-Arellano/Sanchez-Church

--4:00 p.m. Confessions --7:00 p.m. Neocatecunenate-Parish Hall

Continues on next page…

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

--Sunday, Mar. 13- FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Mass Schedule – 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (English)

1:00 p.m. (Español). 5:00 p.m. English)

Coffee by the Neocatecumenate after all a.m. Masses in the

Community Center

--9:00 a.m. Notre Dame-Blood Drive-Parish Hall-Sponsored by

Solidarity Lodge # 1457

--9:00 a.m. Mass-RCIA-3rd Scrutiny-Church

--1:00 p.m. Couples for Christ-Welsch Center

--2:30 p.m. Bible Study-Meeting Room

--3:00 p.m. Holy Spirit Prayer Group-Alleluia Room

Don’t Forget! Sunday, March 13 - Spring Time Begins

Saturday Night, don’t forgetl

Move your clocks 1 hour ahead!

Communal Lenten Penance Services

(Parishes in our area) Wednesday, March 9, @ St Francis de Sales Tuesday, March 15, @ St. Justin Martyr Wednesday, March 16, @ St. Michael Thursday, March 17, @ NOTRE DAME

*All Services start at 7:00 p.m.

SEASON OF LENT / CUARESMA 2016

Stations of the Cross: EVERY FRIDAY/TODOS LOS VIERNES

Following the 10 a.m. Mass and at 6:30 p.m. (English)

MASS/ MISA; 7:00 P.M. (Bilingual-English/Español)

Estaciones de la Cruz (Vía Crucis) Después de la Misa de las 7 p.m. (Español)

Saturday, Mar. 5-SATURDAY OF 3rd WEEK OF LENT.

Hos 6: 1-6; Lk 18: 9-14

--8:00 a.m. Joseph Vo +

--5:00 p.m. Conrado Dumlao +

Sunday, Mar. 6– FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Jos 5: 9a, 10-12; 2 Cor 5: 17-21; Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32

--7:00 a.m. Leon & Josefa Cusi +

--9:00 a.m. All Parishioners

-11:00 a.m. Marie Parker

--1:00 p.m. Elba & Carlota Alonso +

--5:00 p.m. Eva Lescano (Thanksgiving)

Monday, Mar. 7- MONDAY OF4thd WEEK OF LENT

Is 65: 17-21; Jn 4: 43-54

--6:15 a.m. Kathy O’Shaughnessy (Health)

--7:00 p.m. Felix Ternatei +

Tuesday, Mar. 8-TUESDAY OF 4th WEEK OF LENT

Ez 47: 1-9, 12; Jn 5: 1-16

--6:15 a.m. Rafael Cinco, SR. +

--6:30 p.m. Lolita Tagaplot +

Wednesday, Mar. 9-WEDNESDAY OF 4th WEEK OF LENT

Is 49: 8-15; Jn: 17-30

--6:15 a.m. Maria Esquivel (Birthday)

-7:00 p.m. Gregoria Garcia +

Thursday, Mar. 10-THURSDAY OF 4th WEEK OF LENT

Ex 32: 7-14; Jn 5: 31-47

--6:15 a.m. Christine & Cecile M. Dumlao (Birthdays)

--7:00 p.m. Eusebio and Isidra Labuga +

Friday, Mar. 11-FRIDAY OF 4th WEEK OF LENT

(Abstinence)

Wis 2: 1a, 12-22; Jn 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30

--6:15 a.m. Agatha Oparah (Health)

-10:00 a.m. Christopher Parker (Birthday)

--7:00 p.m. Norma and Betty Malixi +

Saturday, Mar. 12-SATURDAY OF 4th WEEK OF LENT.

Jer 11: 18-20; Jn 7: 40-53

--8:00 a.m. Jing and Carlos Dumlao (Birthdays)

--5:00 p.m. Judit Rankl (Birthday)

Sunday, Mar. 13– FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Is 43: 16-21; Phil 3: 8-14; Jn 8: 1-11

--7:00 a.m. Aurora Protomartir +

--9:00 a.m. Warren Bourgeois +

-11:00 a.m. Nsobundu Family (Thanksgiving Mass)

--1:00 p.m. Celia Gonzalez +

--5:00 p.m. Eriberta Torres & Andres Tabalac +

Sanctuary Candles burning in Thanksgiving for:

Familia Andrade - Deniz Birthdays

MUSIC FOR SUNDAY MARCH 6 MASSES IN ENGLISH

ENT # 663 OFFT # 723 CMN # 531, & # 661 CLOSING # 553

MISA EN ESPAÑOL ENT #595 OFRT #660 CMN #532 y #562 DESPD #59 9

NOTRE DAME CHURCH HOUSTON, TEXAS MARCH 6, 2016

Pray for our Ill Brothers and Sisters Johnny Abernaehy, Noe Alvarado, Carlos Andrés, Adam Aweihan,

Cicila Akuche, ,Pedro Apigo, Georgie Badough Bazon, Sam Barletta,

Sarah Barker, Agnes & Tom Batovich, Jeanette Bender, Lucila &

Jessica Benitez, Alice Bremer, Kathryn Boehlert, Ruby Borzilleri, Elena

Bustillo, Mary & William Campbell, Sylvia Castillo, Felipe Castillo,

Rosie Capalad, Lydia Cevilla, David Cevilla, Barbara Collier, Robert

Cordua, Rosa Cortes, Beverly Chisom, Dolly Cyganski, Derek Day,

Gary Deloch, Marco Delgado, Maribel Diaz, Angelo Delano, Anabel

Dominguez, Alodie Efamba, Meme Escamilla, Violeta Estrella, Gabriel

Esquivel, Raymond Fernandez, Alvin Fernandez, Bonifacio Figueroa,

Joe Fiore, Sr., Paul Folse, Valma Frierson, Micca Gonzalez, Jonathan

Gordon, Oscar Gregorio, Jr., Jesús Gonzalez, Orlando, Pedro and

Miriam Guana, Emma Guerrero, Ira Gutierrez, John Harding, Mary

Hardison, Cooper Hecker, Melissa Hernandez, Ethan Ho, Ka Ho,

Stephen Holder, Cameron Howard, Cliff Howard, Corinne Howard,

Norman Jackson, Roderick Jackson, Gary Janak, Cary Kearns, Sidonia

Klekar, Trisha Koch, Yvonne Koubos, Pat Kruczlnicki, Frances

Kuczynski, Debbie Lambert, Albert & Wanda Lopez, Henry Lopez,

Ramón Lorenzo, Hannah Lourdes, Debra Miller, Ofelia Oforegbu,

Helen O’Connor, Gaston Okoro, Paulina Onuoha, Bryan Orduño, Isaac

Ostler, Paco, Raymond Pagano II, Rosi Piñon, Kala Mcclure, Diego

Mateo, Mercedes Machuca, Isabelo & Marciana Magpantay, Majorie

McMillon, Joan McMillian, Isabel B. Manulid, Connie Marks, Francisco

Martinez, Alfred Mikula, Carolyn More, Margie Moreno, Vina Moreno,

Ana Muco, Pat Milford Murphy, Tuyet Nguyen, Elva Perricone, Kevin

Pervis, Christine Poltorak, Zina Pryor, Joe Rios, Mike Rios, Jay & Adele

Rogers, Benito Rodriguez, Mercedita Rodriguez, Emilio Rodriguez,

Joanne Romero, Miguela & Filepe Rosales, Rosa Rojas, Mitchell Rios,

Brandon Rivera, Joe Sanchez, José Salazar, Joseph Santos, Rudy

Sasmita, Julieta Saravia, Cathy Sparks, Onesimo Segovia, Margaret

Sekal, Josephine Spurr, Dorothy Sollenberger, Jo Ann Sousa, Rose

Smith, Sam Sutera, Albin Telke, Mary Tenney, Olga Thorn, Leila

Thompson, Deborah Tran, Nick Trichel, Christine Trevino, Richard

Treviño, Frank Trimborn, Frances Van, Elia Vazquez, Teresa Vazquez,

Linda Vega, Walter Vente, Cloris D.Velasquez, Francisca Villalobos,

Pedro Villaycana, Pat Weatherby, Mildred Weaver, Anna

Wyszogrodzki, Jay Yeagar, Alejandro Zapata, Nicholas Zanella.

Homebound Janet Bereznak, Geraldine Boudreaux, Mary Botelo, Keith Burns, Mary Cusick, Marie Canalito, Jessie Carrolez, Joseph Chrustek, Peggy Drinkard, Pauline Dattalo, Allen Francis, Avis Hartley, Polly Holden, Theresa Hartman, Chester Juszczyk, Marty Lacy, Jordan Landry, Magdelena Meline, Beatrice Maris, Joe Martin, Stella Munis, Magdalen Nzskwu, Omowunmi Osinowo, Flora Pavon, John Perez, Maria Nenita Robico, Gerry Trepagnier, Chester Urban, Luis Valdivieso, Rosa Waguespack, Martha Weaver Perry Weaver , Don Weglar, Joyce Willis, Beverly Wood, Mary Zimmerman.

CCE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES SUNDAY

-- 9 - 10:45 a.m. 1st-8th, Conf-I & Conf-II

(English Sacrament Classes Only)

-- 11a.m. - 12:45 p.m., 1st, 2

nd, 3

rd, 4

th, 5

th, & 6

th

(Clases Sacramentales y No Sacramentales en Español)

MONDAY

--6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Kinder, 1st – 8th, and

Special Angels (English Classes Only) TUESDAY

-- 6:00 p.m.-7:45 p.m. Kinder, 1st – 8

th

PARISH SUPPORT

Parish Weekly Need $16,500.00 Collection 2/28/2016

Regular Collection ………..…..…….…..….……$11,407.52

Faith Direct…………………..………….………..$2,343.50

Total Sunday Collection…………………………$13,751.02

Confirmation Retreat for CCE……………………....$1,527.15

Novena…………………………….…………….. …..$292.45

Poor Box ……………………….…………..…….….$66.65

“United in the Journey” CCIII Collected Sunday, Feb. 28...…. ..........…..…….…$11,170.99

Faith Direct:…………………….…..….…..……….$1,267.34

Total Sunday, Feb. 28..…… ….....…………$12,438.33

D S F SUMMARY REPORT—2016

Activity Thru: 02/29/2016

Parish Goal:……………………….……………..….$105,000

Total Amount Paid:……………………..…..….….… $21,110.46

Total Amount Pledged:………………..……..……... $49,307.50

Total Number of Participant:………………..………….202

Average Participant Pledge:………,,,,……..…………$257.93

Paid Under Goal……………………………………$83,889.54

Pledged Under Goal……………………..….…………$52,897.50

Percent of Goal Paid:………….………………………20.11 %

RCIA Classes are held each Monday in the Parish Hall from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. If you are interested in joining the Catholic Church or you are a previously baptized Catholic in need of sacramental preparation, we invite you to stop by and visit with us. Mar. 06- 2

nd Scrutiny: 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass

Mar. 07 Sacrament of Matrimony Catechist: Jon Vanderwilt Mar. 13- 3

rd Scrutiny: 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass

Mar. 14- Spring Break

RICA (RITO DE INICIACION CRISTIANA PARA ADULTOS)

Las clases se Celebran cada Lunes en el Centro Comunitario de 6:45 a 9:15 p.m.. Si Ud. está interesado en unirse a la Iglesia Católica o si ya fue bautizado Católico y necesita preparación sacramental, los invitamos a que vengan y nos visiten. Mar. 06- Segundo Escrutinio: Domingo- Misa 1:00 p.m. Mar. 07- Sacramento del Matrimonio Catequista: Norma Marcial Mar. 13- Tercer Escrutinio: Domingo- Misa 1:00 p.m. Mar. 14- Feriado de Primavera

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Del Pastor: Un papá le decía a su amigo una pequeña historia cuando

estaban en la iglesia. “Estabamos en Misa hace unas semanas

atrás y mientras el sacerdote daba un sermón acerca de la

historia eterna del hijo pródigo. Cuando llegó al punto donde

el padre ve a su hijo regresar y corre a encontrarlo, el

sacerdote dijo, “Echándole los brazos, dice el papa, en ese

momento mi hijo pequeño se acercó a a mi y me dijo, “estás

castigado.”

El hijo estaba hablando por experiencia. Es una cosa normal

que hacen los papas cuando sus hijos se comportan mal. Pero

la parabola no es acerca de algo normal, cosas ordinarias. Es

acerca del padre extraordinario que hace cosas

extraordinarias. No lo normal, el curso normal de actuar, que

es lo que vemos en la parábola, fue el modo que el hermano

mayor reaccionó – enojado, intolerante, que por supuesto es

entendible.

Aún el hermano menor lo anticipaba de esta manera. Por eso

es que preparó su línea para pedir perdón y para ser tratado,

no cómo un hijo sino como uno de los trabajadores. Pero el

padre no tendría nada de eso.

Verdaderamente un padre amoroso, el esperó y anheló por su

regreso, lo que explica “Estaba todavía lejos, cuando su padre

lo vio y se enterneció profundamente.” El estaba siempre

mirando hacia la puerta, esperando por su regreso. Y cómo lo

pone dramaticamente el evangelio, “Corrió hacia su hijo, lo

abrazó y lo besó.” Y cuando el hijo empezó a recitar su línea

que había ensayado muchas veces, el padre lo calló y le

ordenó a sus criados a traer la túnica más rica, anillo y

sandalias para ponerle, y matar al becerro más gordo para

una celebración.

¿Qué habrá sentido el hijo? ¡Oh! Qué alegría y pena hande

haber llenado su corazón – alegría a la bienvenida

inesperada, pero al mismo tiempo, pena (esperamos) por lo

que le había hecho a su padre. Después de todo, la úni ca

razón por la que regresó fue porque tenía hambre y

miserable.

Este es un punto muy importante para recorder. Dios es

nuestro Padre que nos ama y perdona incondicionalmente.

Pero debemos de vincularnos a él como hijos e hijas. Debemos

de tener una relación íntima y espontánea con él. Eso es lo

que él quiere y nos invita a nosotros – a estar en casa con El

El hijo mayor nunca se fue de la casa pero nunca se sintió

como en su hogar, con su padre. El era más como un

‘sirviente’ que servía y nnnca desobedeció’. Pero el padre

también “salió y le rogó.” en cualquiera de los casos, siempre

es el Padre quien hace el primer movimiento, él es quien

siempre nos busca.

Su hermano y amigo,

Padre Rolando

Una cosquillita La Clase Dominical estaba siendo examinada acerca del hijo pródigo. El maestro le preguntó a un joven, ¿Quién se sentía infeliz cuando regresó el hijo pródigo? El muchacho lo pensó profundamente, luego dijo, “El becerro gordo.”

EN NUESTRA PARROQUIA Domingo 6 de Marzo-

CUARTO DOMINGO DE CUARESMA --1:00 p.m. Misa en Español-RICA 2do Escrutinio-Iglesia

Lunes 7 de Marzo- -10:00 a.m. AMSIF-Salón Parroquial

--7:00 p.m. RICA-Centro Comunitario

--7:00 p.m. Legión de María-Obispo Odín

Martes 8 de Marzo- --7:00 p.m. El Catecismo-Adultos- Salón de Conferencias

Miércoles 9 de Marzo

-6:00 p.m. Confesiones (Inglés y Español) --7:00 p.m. Taller Oración Y Vida-Adultos-Salón “D”

--7:00 p.m. Coro en Español-Salón “F” --7:00 p.m. Taller de Oración y Vida-Salón “D”

--7:30 p.m. Rosario en Español-Capilla

--8:00 p.m. Apostolado de la Cruz

Jueves 10 de Marzo

--6:00 p.m. Confesiones (Inglés) --7:00 p.m. Formación Ministerio Cristiano-Centro Comunitario

--7:00 p.m. ELI-Grupo de Formación-Salones “F” y “G”

--7:00 p.m. Taller Formación y Vida-Jóvenes Adultos-Salón Parroquial

Viernes 11 de Marzo-

-7:00 p.m. Misa Bilingüe-Iglesia

-8:00 p.m. Estaciones de la Cruz-Iglesia --7:00 p.m. Solo para Parejas-Meeting Room-Edificio de CCE

--7:00 p.m. ELI-Grupo de Formación-Salón “G”

--7:00 p.m. Ultreya-Salón “D”-Edificio de CCE

--7:30 p.m. Jesús de Nazaret-Salón “A”-Edificio de CCE

Sábado 12 de Marzo-

--8:00 a.m. Clases Pre-Bautismales-Salón Parroquial

--4:00 p.m. Confesiones --6:00 p.m. Legión de María-Jóvenes-Salón “E”-Edificio de CCE

--5:00 p.m. Movimiento Familiar Cristiano-Centro Comunitario

--7:00 p.m. Jesús de Nazaret- Salón de Juntas (Meeting Room)

Domingo 13 de Marzo-

QUINTO DOMINGO DE CUARESMA --1:00 p.m. Misa en Español-RICA 3er Escrutinio-Iglesia

Cambio de Hora

Marzo 13, 2016 ¡No olviden adelantar sus relojes!

El sábado en la noche.

Retiro de Cuaresma “Nueva Vida” (2 días)

Sábado 19 de Marzo 8 a.m. hasta las 4:00 p.m. y Domingo 20 de Marzo 8 a.m. hasta las 12 p.m.

Clausura con la Santa Misa de la 1:00 p.m.

Lugar: El Salón Parroquial Presentado por el Centro Carismático

Tendremos Guardería ‘Grupo de Oración Jesús de Nazarét’