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.

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. Joseph’s Chapel 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 Receptionist-Peggy Holland 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 4:30p.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 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 pre-viously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Ho-ly Communion. A habit of attending weekly Mass is re-quired for both years. Please, note the above represents the minimum requirements. Adults will be referred to the RCIA program.

DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND “Bring Your Greatest Gifts to the Lord”

Parish Goal 2020 $52,000.00 Amount Pledged: $28,300.00 Amount Paid: $22,100.00 (42.50%) Total # of Participants 97

Our 2020 Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) has begun in every parish throughout the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Christ calls us to serve one another and reach those who are sick or in need, to bless and serve them. Your compassion and generosity is needed by the Archdiocese. When you share your greatest gifts with the Lord, you enable us to reach out to people in this parish and throughout the entire Archdiocese through more than 60 important ministries. To give online, please visit www.archgh.org/dsf. grati-tude.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for June The Way of the Heart:

We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus.

Spiritual Holy Communion

For various reasons we may be prevented from receiving the Eucharist at Mass. We may have broken the one hour fast, be in a state of mortal sin, or we could even be homebound, unable to leave our home to attend Mass.

In these cases the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.

Below is a traditional prayer of spiritual communion that many saints have prayed over the years. It can be prayed if you find yourself at Mass unable to receive the Eucharist, or even in the midst of your daily work, lifting up your thoughts to God.

The ultimate goal of our lives should be communion with God and an act of spiritual communion can help a person draw closer to that goal.

My Jesus, I believe that You

are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself

wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen

Sunday Offertory Donations June 20/21, 2020

Collection $5,214.00

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, June 27: 5:30pm Emil Schadier† By:Family

Sunday, June 28: 9:00am Zosimo † & Sinforosa† Dapitan By:Distefano Family 11:30am Pedro Bermudez† By:Bermudez Family 1:00pm People of the Parish

Tuesday, June 30: 12:000pm Sammy Barnett† By:Wichlep Family Wednesday, July 1:

12:00pm Vo Nguyen† By:Shari Davis Thursday, July 2:

8:30am Vicenta Ilustre By: Ilustre Family Friday, July 3:

8:30am Special Intention for Debbie Riggenbach By: Angeles Sullivan Saturday, July 4: 5:30pm People of the Parish

Sunday, July 5: 9:00am Delia Lopez† By: Joe Lopez 11:30am Anniversary Celebration of Alejandro & Heradia San Miguel By: San Miguel Family 1:00pm Dorothy Dawson† By: Doris Holmes

Dear parish family, 13th Sunday Ordinary Time As been announced at last week’s bulletin insert letter, we’ll consolidate the Music Ministry of our parish. In the meantime it is as it is but the change will officially start on July 19. Instead of paying 4 different Musicians (now only three) for different Sunday Masses, we will from that date on have only one Music or Choir director to pay. Many of you are already familiar with him. He is JOSE VASQUEZ. He grew up here and graduated HS La Porte Class of 2001. Actually he has been the accompanist here at St Mary’s Spanish Choir since 1993, and also covered the other Sunday Masses. But I think many of you perhaps are not aware of his Music credentials he got through the years. Let me just highlight some: He received a BA in Music from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. He is the UHD Mariachi band director and Assistant Director of Student Activities at UH-Downtown. And is the Director for annual “Dreaming of You” Selena tribute festival in Houston. He has performed at the Discovery Green “Canned Acoustica” Concert series, raising money for charities in 2018. But above all, his church work includes being the Music Ministry Director at St. Joseph Church in Baytown since 2016 (this job he now relinquish to be full time here). For me his big plus is his rapport to our parishioners whom he knew and grew up with. Please get him your utmost support. Your support to him is actually a big support for our parish family. The gospel this Sunday is brutally frank and outrageous at our hearing. But in reality it is so profound, deep to the core of our relationship to God. The graphic words illustrates that the ultimate choice we can make in life is to put God in all things and to love Him above all things. This choice and this love do not put us in opposition nor destroy our love to anybody but instead strengthen and improve the quality of all other human relationships we have. Through our love of God above all, our other loves be it for our parents, spouse, children, neighbors, or any others will be enriched, sus-tained, strengthen and above all sanctified. The Lord promised at the verse, “.. you will surely not lose your reward.” Stay safe always. Blessings to all and have a good week. Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, 13º domingo Tiempo ordinario Como se anunció en la carta de inserción del boletín de la semana pasada, consolidaremos el Ministerio de Música de nuestra parroquia. Mientras tanto, es como es, pero el cambio comenzará oficialmente el 19 de julio. En lugar de pagar a 4 músicos diferentes (ahora solo tres) por diferentes misas dominicales, a partir de esa fecha solo tendremos que pagar un director de música o coro. Muchos de ustedes ya están familiarizados con él. El es JOSE VASQUEZ. Creció aquí y se graduó de la clase HS La Porte de 2001. En realidad, ha sido el acompañante aquí en el coro espa-ñol de Santa María desde 1993, y también cubrió las otras misas dominicales. Pero creo que muchos de ustedes qui-zás no estén al tanto de sus credenciales de música que obtuvo a través de los años. Permítanme resaltar algunos: Recibió una licenciatura en música de la Moores School of Music de la Universidad de Houston. Es el director de la banda de Mariachi UHD y el Subdirector de Actividades Estudiantiles en UH-Downtown. Y es el Director del festival anual tributo a Selena "Dreaming of You" en Houston. Ha actuado en la serie de conciertos Discovery Green "Canned Acoustica", recaudando dinero para organizaciones benéficas en 2018. Pero, sobre todo, su trabajo en la iglesia inclu-ye ser el Director del Ministerio de Música en la Iglesia de St. Joseph en Baytown desde 2016 (este trabajo ahora re-nuncia a estar a tiempo completo aquí). Para mí, como un agregado más es su relación con nuestros feligreses con quienes conoció y creció. Por favor, consideren darle su mayor apoyo. Su apoyo a él es en realidad un gran apoyo para nuestra familia parroquial. El evangelio de este domingo es brutalmente franco e impactante a nuestra audiencia. Pero en realidad es tan profundo, tan intenso hasta el núcleo de nuestra relación con Dios. Las palabras gráficas ilustran que la elección final que podemos hacer en la vida es poner a Dios en todas las cosas y amarlo sobre todas las cosas. Esta elección y es-te amor no nos ponen en oposición ni destruyen nuestro amor a nadie, sino que fortalecen y mejoran la calidad de todas las demás relaciones humanas que tenemos. A través de nuestro amor a Dios sobre todo, nuestros otros amo-res, ya sea para nuestros padres, cónyuge, hijos, vecinos o cualquier otro, serán enriquecidos, sostenidos, fortalecidos y, sobre todo, santificados. El Señor prometió en el versículo: "... seguramente no perderás tu recompensa". 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? Adoration 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 Tuesday’s from 6-7pm for the next 2 to 3 months due to medical leave. If you can fill this hour, would like to schedule a weekly Holy Hour or be placed on the sub list, please call the office.

IGNITE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Parish Goal $469,301.00

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

Amount Paid: $101,360.04(21.60%) 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!

Spiritual Direction Feeling stuck in your faith? Deeper intimacy with Our Lord Is possible. With gentle en-couragement from a spiritual director and your commitment of 30-60 minutes a day you can enter into a deeper relationship with Our Lord than you ever thought possible. Spiritual direction can help you learn to pray better. Interested in spiritual direction? Contact Tracy: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, unset-tled 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.

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 oth-er problems, please contact Tracy stmarysr-cia@yahoo.com. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register.

Activities for the Week Sun., June 28: First Communion Masses 11:30am(Spanish) & 1pm Thurs., July 2:Knights Mtg. 6pm Rosary Hall RCIA Rosary Hall Conf. Rm 6pm Fri., July 3: 8:30AM Mass Anointing of the Sick

Readings of the Week Monday: Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19 Tuesday: Am 3:1-8; 4:11-12; Ps 5:4b-8; Mt 8:23-27 Wednesday: Am 5:14-15, 21-24; Ps 50:7-13, 16bc-17; Mt 8:28-34 Thursday: Am 7:10-17; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 9:1-8 Friday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 20:24-29 Saturday: Am 9:11-15; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Mt 9:14-17 or, for Independence Day, any readings from the Mass “For the Country,” nos. 882- 886, or “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891 Sunday: Zec 9:9-10; Ps 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; Rom 8:9, 11-13; Mt 11:25-30

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.

St. Mary’s facilities are now open for scheduling of meetings. As a reminder, we currently DO NOT HAVE A CLEANING CREW due to the financial impact the pandemic has had on our finances. The CDC guidelines of social distancing, wearing a mask and proper hand sanitation, as well as cleaning the designated mtg. space after each meeting are still in effect . In order to schedule a meeting, please contact the office to check on availability as meeting space is limited to certain areas. Thank you for your cooperation.

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! The re is a Kiosk located at the back of the church and in Rosary Hall.

ONLINE GIVING

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your generosity in assisting St. Mary's with Parish Support through the COVID-19 Donations and your Regular Offertory Giving. As a result our offertory and COVID-19 donations, collections have increased and the shortfall has changed to 50% from the original 70%.

St. Mary's continues to budget in areas where we can. We are currently able to maintain our monthly personnel salaries, utilities and maintenance as re-quired.

I cannot Thank You enough for assisting St. Mary's during this crucial time. Your donations will be cred-ited to your account and you will receive a tax form for the IRS at the end of the year.

If you need help to register for Online Giving, please call the office at 281-471-2000.

If you prefer to donate by check please mail to: St. Mary's Church, 916 Park, La Porte, Tx 77571

My prayers for good health are with you and your family during this pandemic.

With You In Christ, Fr. Tony Castro Pastor

FYI...Our former Pastor, Fr. Gary Rickles is currently recovering from brain surgery, due to a fall he had recently. The surgery was successful, he just needs time to heal. If you would like to send him a cheer card you may send it to his residence, St. Dominic's Center, Fr. Gary Rickles, 2409 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77021.

"To pray means to intercede for the world, to remember that despite all its frailties, it always belongs to God." - Pope Francis

Please Pray For Our Troops and …

Don Gore, Leslie Castejon, Allen Hayes, Ernesto Rodriguez, Elisha Durham, Ron Johnston, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Darcy & Virgil Blackstock, Lynn Garner, Danny Miguel Saul, Lisa Medina, Destiny Perez, Chuck Driscoll, Johnny Hughes, Leon Arron, Hernan Enrique Caceres, Veronica Natalia Chavez, Maria Sol Montel, Laura Andrea Cáceres, Veronica Rodriguez, Luz Alejandra Bringas, Carolina Silvia Brizuela Perez, Andrea Emilia Bernabey, Rodolfo Martin Arruabarrena, Angel Esteban Arrua Gustavo Caceres, Enrique Cáceres, Can-daleria Ortiz, Lorena Rodriguez, Ann Mullins, Micha Nel-son, Ann DuBois, Raeland , Becky Smith,, Dianne Lemons, Paula Lambright, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Dennis, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian & family, Don & Allie Fay Mathews, Cathy & Bill Eberle, Cheral Sides, Javier Martin Vera, Eileen Gaynor, Tony McCrory, Joe Lozano Jr, Casey Samollow, Elenor Joan Samollow, Rick Novak, Devon Tiffin, Bobby Hayes, Jennifer Dowing, Norman Ross, Tina Mar-tinez, Susan Tolley, Aaron Binkley, Jordon Binkley, Mary Ann Cloyd, and Rene Lozano Continue to Pray for Joey Bernal, Joe Bernal, Wal’Dean Lundquist, Fr. Gary Rickles, Julian Buentello Jr., Deacon Hector Cantu, Edward D. Palacios, Joe Lopez, Maria Gar-cia,, Ladd Puskus, David Gonzalez, Vicki Farias, Nell Turk, Rosie Yznaga, Teresa Mills, Joe Lozano, Sr., Angeles Sulli-van, Tim Hellstein, Leroy Marchan, Geraldine Christensen, Kathy Strader, Daniel Vasquez, Herlinda Robles, Rosa Harness, Randy Hanks, Jeanette Tilley, Albert & Christina Palacios, Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Pete & Juanita Sanchez, Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Pat Riley, Edward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Kathy McBride, Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Fr. Gary Rickles, Renee Cortez, Aurelia Hinojosa, Cathy Han-zelka, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Gayle Phillips, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Deacon Tom Lewis, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Lawretta Foots, Marcos Vasquez, Gavin Binkley, Clarence Lewis, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Dea-con 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 Please Note: Names on our “Please Pray For” list are left on for four weeks. If someone needs to be put back on the

Anointing of the Sick …. will be held Friday, July 3, during the 8:30am Mass in St. Joseph’s Chapel. If you are seriously ill, suffering from a terminal illness or going to have a life-threatening surgery, this sacrament is for you. If, however, you are going to have a routine surgery Father will be glad to give you a blessing. Please call the office and make an appointment to come by at your earliest convenience if you are unable to attend this Mass.

Upcoming Baptismal Dates July 12, August 9

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.

altar flowers

~ Available Flower Dates ~

July 4/5, 25/26 August 1/2, 15/16, 29/30

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

July Altar Duty Assignments Laundry ~ Cecilia Lopez, Spanish Prayer Group Altar Duty ~ Cecilia Lopez, Spanish Prayer Group

Samaritan Corner We are currently trying to update our Samaritan Telephone Tree in or-

der to reach out to those who may be interested to know when we have a funeral here at St. Mary’s. If you were on the telephone tree previously or would like to become part of the list we will call please call the office and give us your updated information.

You are invited to participate in the 2020 Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance (CMLA) Virtual Summit, featuring Dr. Tim Gray, president of the Augustine Institute, along with other great speakers.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-catholic-mens-leadership-alliance-summit-2020-registration-88203389713

First Communion Please join in the welcoming the following young people to the banquet of the Lord. Keep them and their families in your prayers as they take this next step in our shared pilgrimage .

Sunday, June 28th

11:30 AM Spanish Mass

~ Anallely Mora & Jesica Flores Gallardo ~

1:00 PM Mass

~ Jovanii Nieto & Andres Fabian Gracia ~

Teens, Families & the young at heart...Virtual Steubenville Conference July 17, 18 Go to Website, FB or Twitter (@porte_st)

Questions/Concerns Contact Shari ( Director) 1208stmarylp@gmail.com

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!

Confirmation Please send contact information for

your sponsor to 1208stmarylp@gmail.com