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 serv-ing 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.

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

CCE Office Hours During CCE School Year: Sunday 8:30 am-12:00 pm

Eucharistic Celebrations

Saturday: 6:00 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish) 4:00 p.m. Life Teen Mass

St. Joseph’s Chapel

Monday (No Mass) Tuesday – 12:00 noon Wednesday – 8:30 a.m. & (1st Wednesday Only 6:30 p.m.) 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-Debbie Heasty Receptionist-Peggy Holland

C.C.E. Director-Jessica Jaramilllo EDGE Director-Randy Tercero Life Teen Director-Shari Davis

Sacrament of Baptism

Baptisms are celebrated on the 1st 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 4:30p.m. to 5:30p.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 Communion First Communion candidates must be baptized, at least in the second grade, and have been attending CCE classes for two full years previous to their receiving the Sac-rament. Adults needing First Communion should refer to the rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation candidates must have previously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Communion. They must have faithfully attended Life Teen for at least one full year prior to beginning preparation for the Sacrament (more than three absences without a valid excuse can al-ter the process). A signed form stating that the parent/guardian and the candidate understand all require-ments is also necessary before the preparation begins. Adults needing confirmation should refer to the Rite of Christian initiation of adults.

Saturday, Nov. 24: 6:00pm Marion B. Wachel† By:Noble Family Sunday, Nov. 25: 7:30am Charles† & Concetta† Magliolo By:John Magliolo 10:00am People of the Parish 12:30pm Special Intention for Zenaida Romero By:Valencia Family 4:00pm Jane Shipp† By:Deborah Driscoll Tuesday, Nov. 27: 12:00pm Larry Macon†

By:Lisa Lecompte

Wednesday, Nov. 28:

8:30am Marita Hooper†

By:Jack Hooper

Thursday, Nov. 29: 8:30am Carmen Vasquez†

By:Vasquez Family

Friday, Nov. 30:

8:30am Sara Dominguez† By:Manuel & Sue Gonzalez Saturday, Dec. 1: 6:00pm Jesse T. Garcia† By:Monica Boudreaux Sunday, Dec. 2: 7:30am People of the Parish 10:00am Delia Lopez† By:Joe Lopez & Family 12:30pm Special Intention for Delia Romero By:Velencia Family 4:00pm David Copous† By:Monica Boudreaux

St. Mary’s Annual Christmas Pageant

It’s that time of year again? We are going to start practices for our Annual Christmas Pag-eant. If our child is interested in partici-pating in the Christmas pageant mandatory practices are as follows:

Sunday, November 18, 2pm (Rosary Hall) Sunday, December 2, 2pm (Rosary Hall)

Sunday, December 9, 2pm (Church) Sunday, December 16, 2pm (Church) Sunday, December 23, 2pm (Church)

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Vanessa Lara @ 281-253-9405

Justice & Peace… will be collecting canned goods for the Christmas baskets we will be distributing to our needy families at Christmas. Please place items in baskets at the doors of the church.

AREA ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES St. Paul’s (18223 Point Lookout Dr., Houston, TX) 281-333-3891 Monday, December 3, 7pm

St. Hyacinth (Deer Park) 281-478-6123 Tuesday, December 4, 7pm

St. Mary’s (League City) 281-332-3031 Wednesday, December 5, 7pm

St. Bernadette (15500 El Camino Real, Houston) 281-420-3588 Thursday, December 6, 7pm

St. Helen (Pearland) 281-485-2421 Tuesday, December 11, 7pm

Our Lady of Guadalupe Wednesday, December 12, 7pm

St. Clare (Houston) 281-286-7729 Thursday, December 13, 7pm

St. Luke the Evangelist (11011 Hall Rd., Houston, TX) 281-481-6816 Wednesday, December 19, 7pm

St. Mary’s will not be having a special Advent Penance Service this year. Please attend one of the services listed below, come to our regular Saturday confessions (4:30-5:30pm) or contact the office to set up an appt. with Fr. Tony.

Dear parish family, Feast of Christ the King This Sunday is particularly very special in our liturgical church calendar because we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. The liturgical year celebrates salvation history through Sunday worship with its grand ending of proclaiming Christ the King, which is this Sunday, the final Sunday in Ordinary Time. Next week we begin another year cycle of the Liturgical calendar with the First Sunday of Advent. The Feast of Christ King is the golden clasp of the liturgical year, for it binds every Christian to fight to estab-lish His Kingdom in our own heart, in society, and in the entire world. As the Church closes the liturgical cycle, we are asked to concentrate our mind and our hearts in the One, who is the center of our faith, the principle and the end of all, Jesus Christ - Our Lord. He is the Alpha and the Omega of everything that we think, of everything that we love and of all that we are. The gospel selection this Sunday is about Jesus, the Witness to the Truth, who stands before the tribunal court of the world declaring, “I came to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice (Jn18:33-37ff).” We listen to voice of the King of our hearts, our Lord. And we are called to be like Him, to witness to the Truth, to be a light in humanity for Jesus. It’s the Truth that sets us free. The Truth, that is God, shines for all of us, although many will stay seated and prefer to close their eyes to their comfort. This week, on the verge of a new Church year and the holy season of Advent, is an ideal time to take stock of our priorities, to see if we really are allowing Christ to reign in all aspects of our daily lives; to ask if He comes first in our schedules, our budgets, the use of our skills and talents. It’s also a great moment to celebrate! We are not only servants of Christ the King, we are also His brothers and sisters. This should fill us with great joy. After celebrating the Holy Eu-charist, take some time to celebrate at home, too. Bake a cake, take a walk, put on some music and dance with your kids. Christ is King! Blessings to all and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, Fiesta de Cristo El Rey Este domingo es particularmente muy especial para la iglesia en nuestro calendario litúrgico porque celebramos la Fiesta de Cristo El Rey. El año litúrgico celebra la historia de salvación a través de la adoración del domingo con su gran final proclamando Cristo El Rey, que es este domingo, el domingo final del tiempo ordinario. La próxima semana comenzamos otro ciclo del año del calendario Litúrgico con el primer domingo de Adviento. La Fiesta de Cristo El Rey es el broche de oro del año litúrgico, porque obliga a cada cristiano a luchar para estable-cer Su Reino en nuestro corazón, la sociedad, y en el mundo entero. Ahora que la Iglesia cierra el ciclo litúrgico, se nos pide concentrar nuestra mente y nuestros corazones en el Único, el que es el centro de nuestra fe, el principio y el fin de todo, Jesucristo nuestro Señor, Él es el Alfa y el Omega de todo lo que pensamos, de todo lo que amamos y de todo lo que somos. La selección del Evangelio de este Domingo es sobre Jesús, El Testigo de la Verdad, el que se pone de pie delante de la corte tribunal del mundo declarando, “Yo vine a ser testigo de la verdad. Todo el que es de la verdad, escucha mi voz (Jn 18:33-37ff).” Escuchamos a la voz del Rey de nuestros corazones, nuestro Señor. Y somos llamados para ser como El, de ser testigos de la verdad, de ser luz para la humanidad para Jesús. Es la Verdad que nos hace libres. La Verdad, que es Dios, brilla para todos, aunque muchos se quedaran sentados y prefieren cerrar sus ojos a su comodidad. Esta semana, al borde de un nuevo año de la Iglesia y la santa temporada de Adviento, es un momento ideal para hacer un balance de nuestras prioridades, para ver si verdaderamente estamos permitiendo que Cristo reine en todos los aspectos de nuestro diario vivir; para preguntarnos si Él está en primer lugar de nuestro calendario, nuestros presu-puestos, el uso de nuestros dones y talentos. ¡También es un gran momento para celebrar! No solo somos servidores de Cristo El Rey, también somos sus hermanos y hermanas. Esto debería llenarnos de gran gozo. Después de haber celebrado la Santa Eucaristía, tomen tiempo para celebrar en casa también. Hagan un pastel, salgan a caminar, pongan música y bailen con sus hijos. ¡Cristo es Rey! ¡Bendiciones para todos y que tengan una buena semana! Padre Tony

ALTAR FLOWERS Nov. 24/25:In Loving Memory of Jacque Dulin By Tim & Jan Hughes

Altar Flowers 2019

To place flowers on the altar contact Jan Hughes @ 281–402-5401 or 903-780-5090.

***Please do not place flowers or small vases in the Church or Chapel unless you contact the Altar Society and check for availability.

DECEMBER ALTAR DUTY ASSIGNMENTS

ALTAR: Lucy Morrison, Cindy Bremer LAUNDRY: Lucy Morrison, Cindy Bremer HOSTESS: All Altar Society Members

Church Sanctuary Candle Special Intention for Elizabeth Edwards

By Mother

Chapel Sanctuary Candle In Loving Memory of Jacque Dulin

By Tim & Jan Hughes

LECTOR BOOKS… Please pick up your books in the Sacristy after Mass today. Your name is on your book. The readings begin on the First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2018.

Special Altar Server Meeting in the Church

Tuesday, December 4th,6pm The Altar Society has purchased new Altar Server cassocks and we are in need of ordering and making sure we have the correct sizes for all of our servers. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please con-tact Belinda @ 713-805-4961.

ministry SCHEDULE december 1 & 2, 2018

SATURDAY 6:00pm Altar Servers Andrew Nguyen, Joseph Nguyen Lector Isabelle Salas Commentator Tracy Avallone

Extraordinary Ministers David Mossor, Patty Mossor of the Eucharist SUNDAY-7:30am Altar Servers Alex Molina, Natalie Molina Lector Stephen Hoffman Commentator Demetris Guzman

Extraordinary Ministers Kathy Sturn, Joe Sturm of the Eucharist SUNDAY-10:00am Altar Server Sophia Melton, Isabelle Melton, Elaine Munoz Lector Tracy Avallone Commentator Steve Wilson Extraordinary Ministers Richard Florance, of the Eucharist Geraldine Leslie SUNDAY-12:30pm (Spanish) Altar Servers Adrian Rodriguez, Alejandro Rodriguez Lectors Sergio Calvillo, Enrique Rincan

Extraordinary Ministers Jose Gracia, Juany Gracia of the Eucharist SUNDAY-4:00pm Altar Servers Dylan Rowan, Sergio Reyes Lector Jason Woods Extraordinary Ministers Maria Reyes, Felicia Reyes of the Eucharist

FORMED... Incredible online gateway to the best Catholic Con-tent, 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 stmarysr-cia@yahoo.com. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register.

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The Lighthouse Catholic Media Kiosks… There are several books and DVD’s of infor-mational material designed to help us grow in our faith. Go by and check them out! We have a new Kiosk in the church office. They are also located at the back of the church and in Rosary Hall.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Rv 14:1-3, 4b-5; Ps 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6;Lk 21:1-4 Tuesday: Rv 14:14-19; Ps 96:10-13; Lk 21:5-11

Wednesday: Rv 15:1-4; Ps 98:1-3ab, 7-9; Lk 21:12-19 Thursday: Rv 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 21:20-28 Friday: Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 4:18-22 Saturday: Rv 22:1-7; Ps 95:1-7ab; Lk 21:34-36 Sunday: Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; 1 Thes 3:12 -- 4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Upcoming Baptismal Dates December 2, January 6, February 3

Baptism classes are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in English and the 3rd Tuesday of the month in Spanish @ 7pm. Baptisms are the first Sunday of the month after the 10am & 12:30pm Masses. 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 come by or call the office to fill out the paperwork.

Please Pray For Our Troops and …

Craig Wade, Jennifer Wade, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Jennifer Minor, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Faith A., Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian, Marilyn James, Christina C., Chuck & Susan Thompson, Katherine Reichley & Family, Don & Allie Faye Mathews, Brad & Barbara Riley, Debbie McFadden, Marilyn N., Seth Permenter & Family, Parker Dixon & Family, Willetta House, Jeremy & Diana Cassidy & Family, Kendra Ramirez & Family, Sally Romeo, Alejandra Rodriguez, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordan Binkley, Darlene Shepherd, Ken Withers, Steve Grigory, Candeleria Ortiz, Sherry Paschal, Felicia Kahn, Angelina Sullivan, Jerry Verret, Rena Espinoza Carroll, John Jaramillo, Celestino Ochoa, Ruth Stephens, Buddy Casto, Sally Romeo, Maria Cano, Anthony Luna, Sally Romeo, Paul Newman, Lauren Sturm, Joy Barksdale, Juanita Gonzales, Frances Zann, Glendolyn Rigsby, Cynthia de la Cerda, Dina Martinez, Bradford Shane Cooper Sr., Banda Family, Virginia Meyer, Melissa G.M., Mary Elizabeth Sheffield, Louise Beaulier, Cheryl Grimes and family, Ducharme Family, Joel Rivera, Mark Bowen, Natalie Klepaez, Virginia Ross, Lydia Rubio, Edward Salinas Jr., Tamara Batten, Brigitta Dobmeier Please Continue to Pray for Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Juanita Sanchez, Cynthia de la Cerda, Maurice & Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Ron Balsam, Pat Riley, Joe Sturm, Ed-ward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Mary Sigala, Julia Dautriel, Ernie Molina, Kathy McBride, Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Joe Bernal, Fr. Gary Rickles, Renee Cortez, Pedro Sanchez, Aurelia Hinojosa, Cathy Han-zelka, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Gayle Phillips, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Tom Noonan, Deacon Tom Lewis, Gene Contre-ras, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Clarence Clipper, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Lois Johnston, Deacon Merce Leal, Sue Crockett, Joanne Jarrell, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Bar-ry Armstrong and those requesting prayer via our web site. Remember Our Shut-Ins Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, Josie Funda, Soledad Hernandez, 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.

Activities of the Week Sun. Nov. 25: No CCE, EDGE & Life Teen, Bible Timeline 11am RH, Bible Study (ACTS) 5pm RH Mon. Nov. 26: Crecemiento 6:30pm RH Life Teen Confirmation Parent Mtg. 6:30pm PH, Rm5 Wed. Nov. 28: Bible Study (ACTS) 9am PH Conf. RM Thurs. Nov. 29:RCIA 6:45pm Fri. Nov. 30: Spanish Prayer Group 7:30pm Chapel

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store St. Mary’s Church,816 Park Dr., La Porte, TX Low-Low Prices

Clothing, Shoes, Houseware/Glassware, Hardware ~ New Merchandise Every Day ~

Hours: 9:00am to 11am Closed: Thursday & Sunday

All proceeds are used to help the needy in our community with their rent and utility bills. If you or someone you know, who lives in La Porte, is in need of assistance, please call or have them call the office to make an appointment to come in for help. Thank You for Your Support! Our Resale Shop here at St. Mary’s is in need of volunteers (Especially able-bodied males). You can pick any day you are able to work. If you are available to help out, please contact Norma @ 281-471-1752.

DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND “Instruments of God’s Mercy”

Parish Goal 2018 $52,000.00 Total Amount Pledged $55,705.50

Total Amount Paid $51,917.99( 99.84%) Total # of Participants 154

Instruments of God’s Mercy Just as we are one in the body of Christ, we must remember that we are one with other parishes in our archdiocese. Once a year, each of us is asked to make a commitment to support the work of our programs and ministries that provide services that no one parish could provide on its own. Please ex-perience the joy of giving and join us as we work to continue god’s work of spirituality, formation and education by contributing to the Diocesan Services Fund. Help us attain our goal of $52,000.00.

To Give Online Go To www.archgh.org/dsf. For those of you who have already responded with a gift, please accept our sincere gratitude.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for November:

In the Service of Peace That the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict.

“Couples for Christ"

Enriching the sacrament of marriage through faith, fellowship & prayer. We gather on Sunday evenings at 6:00, dinner included. If you would like to join us, please contact Greg or Cindy Bremer for more information. His:832-226-1728 Hers: 832-605-2945.

Support the Bishops’ Initiative on Marriage!Let us live and love in our marriage as we await

the coming of Jesus. Take time for your mar-riage by attending a Worldwide Marriage En-counter weekend in 2019. Contact Brian & Tina Little @ 281-773-4014 for more infor-

mation. Or go online to www.houstonme.org.

Te invitamos a una Hora Santa en comunidad Todos los mièrcoles De 7-8 p.m.En la Capilla de San Josè. Para más información Puedes comunicarte con Marta y Reino Fernández 832-985-1799

Los Testigos del Poder de Dios

Nuestra Asamblea de Oración les invita a reunirse como hermanos en Cristo para ALABAR, BENDECIR, y GLORIFICAR a nuestro Dios, Padre, Hijo y Espiritu Santo. Vengan pequenos y grandes todos los viernes de 7:30-9:00p.m. en la capilla de San Jose.

Encuentro Martimonial Mundial Los invita a vivir un Fin de Semana

Conoce como puedes vivir mas intima y profundamente tu rela-cion. AQuieres recuperar la relacion con tu esposo (a)cunado eran novios. 281-948-8690, 281-948-8640, Marco & Mercedes Arrona, marco-51@sbcglobal.net

RCIA Classes Have Started (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

Thursdays 6:45pm St. Mary’s Conference Room

RCIA 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 and are over the age of eighteen? If your answer is yes to either of these questions you may be interested in joining our RCIA program. Classes are Thursday evenings @ 6:45pm. Students are welcome to begin classes at any time during the year. For additional information about the RCIA program, call the office or email Tracy, stmarysr-cia@yahoo.com.

BIBLE TIMELINE STUDY

Take a journey through the whole Bible. Learn how each period of salvation history fits into the practice of the Catholic faith. You will understand your faith and the Mass more deeply through this study. The study begins on August 19 and will meet in the Rosary Hall Conference Room @ 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The cost is $35. for materials, but if you are interested in repeating this study, it is free. Please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com

ACTS: The Spread of the Kingdom

The Book of Acts shows the church enlivened by the Holy Spirt, teaching, preaching, healing and restoring outcasts in the same way that Jesus did while here on earth. Be inspired by the Holy Spirit with a new zeal for bringing Christ to the World. This Bible Study is meeting on Sundays @ 5:15pm in the Rosary Hall Conf. Rm, and Wednesdays @ 9:15 in St. Mary’s conf. Rm The cost of the materials for the class will be $30. Please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com to register.

Deepen Your Prayer Life with Lectio Divina

TO JOIN OUR FORMED Community Study on Lectio Dviina (praying with Scripture) you will need to be registered for FORMED. Register at stmaryslaporte.formed.org. Once you are regis-tered and signed in click on the word ‘Community’ at the top of the page. Then, on the “Fr. Tony invites you” banner click on ‘visit group’. Lastly, you will need to click on ‘join group’ to access the weekly lessons and discussion. If you have any difficulty getting logged in, please contact Tracy by email stmarysrcia@yahoo.com.

Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center The Theme or the upcoming Retreat Season of 2018-2019 is: “At the Name of Jesus: A Holy Name Re-treat.” Of all possible themes, why a retreat on the Holy Name of Jesus? Those close to the Passionists know that our Founder, St. Paul of the cross, enjoined his vowed religious to recite the following passage every time they gather for communal prayer: “At the Name of Jesus every knee must bend in the heavens, on earth and under the earth and every tongue pro-claim, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

~ Men’s Retreat ~ St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception

January 4-6, 2019

Join us and make a difference to those whose life you touch every day!

Contact Hector Villarreal 281-47109810 Ruben Salinas 713-858-0154

~ Women’s Retreat ~ As you look ahead to Advent, consider coming to the Catholic Women’s Retreat at Holy Name Retreat Center November 30– December 2, 2018.

Register today! registrar.holyname@passionist.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FRIED TURKEY FUNDRAISER $45.00 ~ LIMITED QUANTITY Last Day to Order Monday, November 19th

Pick Up Nov. 21 at Smoke House 3-6pm Call office or contact a Knight to order.

Classes Resume Next Weekend

If you are interested or would like more information please contact

Jessica Jaramillo Mon. & Tues. @ 281-471-2000

Jr. High Program, 6, 7 & 8th Grade

No Class Today

Randy Tercero EDGE Coordinator: randytercero@hotmail.com

or Angie 713-826-0633

Life Teen Mass 4pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No Class Tonight

See you next weekend!!!

Bible Study Wed. @ 7pm

Info. contact Shari @ 281 435 5708