Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

"May He support us all the day long till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done, then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last."

Cardinal Newman

In observance of All Souls' Day and in remembrance of our loved ones who have died, St. Mary's will host a special prayer service on Sunday, November 4, 2007, at 3pm.

If you have lost a loved one and would like his or her name to be included in this special remembrance, please fill out the form below and drop it in the box provided in the hall; you may also call Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or email at LINDA@SMSJ.ORG to give this information. The name will be included in the prayer intentions for the service, and prayer candles will be provided for all in attendance. It is not necessary that the deceased had been a member of St. Mary/St. Joseph parish to be included.

We also encourage you to bring photos or other momentos to be placed on our Remembrance Table in the hall during the weekend of Nov. 3-4, 2007.

All family members and friends, as well as all parishioners, are encouraged to participate in this service, and the entire parish family is asked to offer their prayers for the repose of these souls.

A pot-luck dinner will follow in the hall after the service. Ham and drinks will be provided; please bring a side dish or dessert to share with others.

No bazaar can be as successful as St. Mary's has in the recent past without significant support from folks who donate prizes to Bingo, Raffle and Auction and who also purchase our Auction Items. St. Mary's is blessed with not only the support of its parishioners in this effort, but also many people from the community at large. We appreciate your support so much and pray that you will continue your help in the future. You are far too numerous to list in this space. However, if you haven't already received an individual acknowledgement from the parish for your donation or purchase, you will shortly. Your generosity is amazing!

We had another wonderful year thanks to so many people at St. Mary's and the overall community. This note is to thank everyone involved in this year's bazaar, regardless of whether you had a major role or just bought raffle tickets, the results were spectacular!

First, thanks to the Advertising Committee, especially Patty Kalich and Monica Diehl for all the hard work in getting out such a large crowd.

It has been four years now that Write for Life has been in active through the St.Mary/St. Joseph Parish. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the persons who contribute monthly in writing persons in power that control the life process. These include, legislators, Presidents of Corporations that condone/promote abortion, newspapers that slant editorials toward pro-choice, those organizations that contribute to Planned Parenthood, etc. Through these efforts we can let these people of power know that what they are doing is not in line with what their constituents believe. Below is a list of our participating members. Some are not members of our church, but are interested in the preservation of all life.

These persons include:

Joyce Adams, Larry Alexander, Bob Armstrong, Bell Berger, Larry Busa, Betty Herr, Sister Michelle Black, James Bouchat, Corky Bodman, Francell Busa, Lynn-Carrol Cannan, Patricia Card, Virginia Carver, Helen Caves, Melissa Castillo, Marcella Colbert, Jim Connors, Sylvia Corolla, Rosa Davis, Bob&Kathie Dean, Carol Delange, Justin & Marcy Felderhoff, Bonnie Fezatte, Diane Flannery, Barbara Fougeron, Betty Herr, Jeannie Hibbison, Bill&Patty Jones, Patty Kalich, Lori King, Ron Kloster, Ruth Kolek, Pete Kominczek, Shawn Kretschmar, Steve Krauzer, Ed Kuba, Amy Kubelka, Father Kucera, Carmelita Kussad, Sharon Lacy, Skip Lambert, Michelle LaRose, Lucy Lewis, Nick Lamonte, Lon Freund, Laveta Malek, Julie Medearis, Deen Miller, Julie Miltner, Alice Morgan, Dr. Joe Morgan, Joanne Naughton, Lorraine Nilson, Wanda O'Brien, Judy Parada, Arlene Parker, Jim Pearson, Joyce Peterson, Richard Prokop, ,Claudia Reidlinger, Paula Reinzie, Allen Rosa, Kathy Schleper, Sarah Schmidt, Katie Schwartz, Fred Seale, Nance Shaw, Sharon Skeans, Nancy Smith, Rita Stalzer, Swanda Smith, Theresa Stepanski, Shirley Stuckey, Bernadine Syzdek, Gertrude Tepera, Lou&Micki Tichacek, Gaby&John Tryon, Cindy Waitz, John Welsh, Susan West, Wayne Young, Kaki Wetuski, Richard Zajac. (89)

In addition there are 11 writers from Colorado that participate monthly for a grand total of 100 potential monthly writers for the Write For Life cause..

Commissioned on August 11, 2007, by Archbishop DiNardo, I was honored to begin a 3-year term as a school board member for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, representing the Northern Vicariate which includes the Northern, Eastern, and San Jacinto Deaneries. Why do this, you might ask? I, too, questioned this "call," especially since neither St. Mary's nor St. Joseph's has a Catholic school on-site. I soon learned that this board assists in "educating from womb to tomb" and that piqued my interest as a life-long educator, but more importantly, as a Catholic still on the journey!

The board's mission statement: We are an advisory body that provides policy direction and support for the educational and catechetical ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. This statement not only alludes to the 42 Catholic schools, but also the numerous religious education programs, the RCIA programs, adult formation toward ministry, continuing Christian education, etc.

On September 19, the board finalized six goals that were developed in our one-day planning session on August 11. Each of us on this 14-member school board will work as a member of one of two sub-teams to accomplish three of these goals by June 2008:

Increase the diversity of means of communicating with local Catholic school boards;

Assist at least five more school boards to convert to the "Total Board Model";

Explore how we can enrich our Catholic identity in the area of education and beyond;

Interface with the Catholic School Plan (June 2007 -- November 2008);
Advocate for more well-trained directors of religious education;
Advocate for a closer connection between evangelization and catechesis.

In the following months, I'll continue to update you on the work of our board. Please keep us in your prayers that we might do His will.

(Dr. Sharon Skeans; October 2007)

The Polish Genealogical Society of Texas will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at Wyndehaven Terrace, 12716 Cutten Road, Houston, TX 77066 (www.wyndehaven.com). A short program will be presented giving an overview of the Society's past history. Plans for a drawing and door prizes are underway.

Everyone is invited, a buffet dinner will be provided at a cost of $30 per person in advance or $35 at the door. Make check payable to PGST and mail to: Dolores Newman, 6126 Menor Crest, Spring, TX 77388. For more information call Newman at 281-723-1859 or Shirley Burzynski at 281-351-6959.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy intervention program. If you have any baby items (cribs, playpen, clothes, toys, etc.) that you would like to donate, these items will be passed along with Love to the women and babies that need our help and support. If you would like to assist with this ministry, please contact Wanda O'Brien at 597-6328 or tjobrien911@hughes.net to see how you can put your specific talent to use. If are someone in need of the services of THE GABRIEL PROJECT, please use the contact information above. Information will stay confidential.

Please watch for The Gabriel Project Christmas Cards to be on sale after Mass near the end of the month of November.

Thank you for your generous support to Birthright of Montgomery County. The monies collected from the baby bottles will go a long way to helping expectant mothers and their babies. Thank you for your help in helping them choose LIFE.

Generous God, we are grateful for the invitation to know you through your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Help us respond generously to your voice. Send more laborers into the harvest to serve as priests, deacons, sisters, brothers, members of secular institutes, and lay ministers. Amen.

Please join us every Wednesday at 9:00am Mass as we pray before the Blessed Sacrament for those being called to religious vocations.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES are scheduled for

Saturday, December 15th
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center

With Baptisms planned for Jan. 13th

Preparation classes for baptism are a requirement for parents or expectant parents of children up to 5 years old and are generally held every other month.
Godparents are encouraged to attend as well.

We invite you to call early in your pregnancy to register for a class. For further questions, call Francell Busa (936) 870-4145 or email her at fbusa@embarqmail.com
En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

November Events:

November 4th, 4:00-6:00 p.m. -- Fall Festival -- Kindergarten -- 6th Grade

November 14th -- Out-of-Cycle Class -- During C.C.E.

November 21st -- Thanksgiving Week -- No Class

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Parents! -- Remember we have videos for you to watch on Wednesday's
in the Parish Hall from 7:10 -- 8:00 p.m.

This month's offerings:

Nov. 7 -- The Vatican Revealed (Part One)
Nov. 17- The Vatican Revealed (Part Two)
Nov. 28 -- Meaningful Conversations About Prayer (Part One)

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This month kicks off something new in our program. The Level I Confirmation students will begin putting on puppet plays for the younger students. This month they will be presenting "The Prodigal Son" to Grades 2 and 3. We are all excited about this new addition to our program and hope the younger students who will be watching the plays and the older students who will be presenting them will find the experience enjoyable!

Sunday, November 4th--4:00-6:00pm

Kindergarten--6th graders
(Parents invited too)

Fun, Food, Games

SAINT Costume Contest:

Dress as your favorite SAINT--Prizes for the best costumes!

Being a sponsor is like being a trusted friend. You share what you can. You offer support and counsel as you are able and to the extent that is needed or desired. As a sponsor from our parish community, you will walk with a catechumen or candidate through a formation process that reaches a climax at the Easter Vigil.

You may be asking yourself whether you are worthy or qualified. Remember St. Paul's words: "We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Keeping these words in mind may keep you from becoming too worried about being an unworthy sponsor and help you avoid taking too much credit for what God will accomplish through you.

**Sponsors should be confirmed Catholics, in valid marriages, and active in their faith (regularly going to Eucharist) as they represent the Catholic community.
**Sponsors are companions on a journey of faith (they are not catechists).
**A sponsor is respectful and not judgmental toward their catechumen/candidate.
**A sponsor serves as a bridge between the catechumen/candidate and the church.

Think about becoming an RCIA sponsor this year!

For info or to volunteer, call Freddie Seale (936) 582-7095 or Betty Plessala (936) 597-4422.

(Arthur Plessala has graciously agreed to write an article for the bulletin each month. The following "antiphon" reflects his thoughts about November 2007)

November is a time for recollection, a season of remembrance, a season of sobriety when we remember those who have gone before us as we summon the courage to befriend our own death. This final stage of our liturgical year, the final cycle of our yearly liturgical pilgrimage, brings us then to a time when we acclaim the saints, (All Saints Day/November 1), honor the dead, (All Souls Day/November 2), and reflect on the kingdom in the spirit of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor.....Blessed are those who mourn.....Blessed are the peacemakers.

How long did you date your beloved? If married, how long were you engaged? If parishioners were asked these questions, answers would vary greatly. So when individuals decide to get to know God and develop an intimate relationship with Him, who are we to know His time-schedule? Each person's journey is based on God's time and God's grace, rather than on our parish calendar and a published RCIA "program."

The Rite itself implores us to respect the individuality of each person's journey: "The rite of initiation is suited to a spiritual journey of adults that varies according to the many forms of God's grace, the free cooperation of the individuals, the action of the Church, and the circumstances of time and place" (RCIA, #5).

Your St. Mary's/St. Joseph's RCIA Team is attempting to meet the needs of all inquirers. While we've begun informal discussions over the phone with people and in the FLC on Sundays, we welcome anyone at any time throughout the year. We urge all parishioners to recognize their Baptismal promise of fulfilling their own Catholic identity by evangelizing to non-Catholics. YOU, too, are a member of our initiation ministry! Please do your part by encouraging others to join our discussions of faith.

Check out our Sunday topics, and join us yourself to continue your lifelong catechesis of Catholicism. All are welcome!!!!!

(Dr. Sharon Skeans, RCIA Director; contact her at skeans@consolidated.net)

Last year the St. Mary's Men's Club Christmas Toy Drive, which benefits the less fortunate children in our area, was such a huge success that the SMMC is doing it again this year. All toys collected (unwrapped) will be delivered to the Plantersville Fire Department to be prepared for distribution to the children. All St. Mary's Men's Club members, or anyone wishing to contribute, should either bring their toys/contributions to the November 20th SMMC meeting, or leave them at the Parish Office with Gail Sowell no later than November 30th. All cash donations will be used to purchase toys.

Mark Your Calendars Now!

Men's Club Blood Drive with Breakfast

Sunday, December 16 from 8am-1pm In St. Mary's Parish Hall.

What's Happening This Month???

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.

Planning for the Altar Society Christmas Party--Tuesday, December 11th

Planning for the Parish Holiday Party--Sunday, December 2nd

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, November 6, 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's GAME DAY this month ... come join us on Thursday, November 15, 2007 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Gift Registry Now Available

Would you love to have a Nativity Set or other Gift Items for Christmas? Register for them at St. Mary's Corner Shoppe.

Willow Tree Figures
Bibles
Sterling Silver Necklaces
Books
Rosaries
Crucifixes
Framed Pictures
Statues

There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 21 at 9:00am at St. Mary's.

There will be no masses on Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23.

The Parish Office will also be closed both days.

Jimmy Morris, Joey Morris, and Josh Morris, grandsons of Leland and Barbara Fougeron are serving in the Armed Forces.

Craig McMahon, serves in the U.S. Air Force and was deployed to Iraq. Craig and his family are friends of Robert & Mary Shearon.

Sgt. Allen W. Thomson, son of Robert & Florinda Thomson, son-in-law of Ronald & Dot Holguin of the 82nd Airborne Unit from Ft. Bragg, N.C. was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq via Kuwait on January 2, 2007. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as the war continues.

Cassandra Thomson, daughter-in-law of Robert & Florinda Thomson assigned to the USS Milius DDG-69 in San Diego, Ca was deployed overseas. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Joseph Swonke, son of Charles & Rita Swonke, is in Iraq at a base 25 miles south of Bagdad. Please pray for his safe return.

Michael Bielamowicz, grandson of Verna Kaminski, has been deployed to Afghanistan. Please keep Michael in your prayers

Five year old Hannah would like to ask for prayers for her daddy, Alex Anderson, who is serving in Iraq as an interrogator. Hannah is the great grand-daughter of our parishioner, Bernice Miller.

Please keep all of our men and women in the military in your prayers. If you have a loved one serving in the armed forces and would like to include them in our prayers, please contact the parish office by phone at 936-894-2223 or e-mail at info@smsj.org.

Nov 1 All Saints: Rv 7:2-4,9-14 * Ps 24:1-6 * 1 Jn 3:1-3 * Mt 5:1-12a

Nov 2 Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls): Wis 3:1-9 * Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5,6 * Rom 5:5-11 * Jn 6:37-40 20

Nov 3 [St Martin de Porres, BVM]: Rom 11:1-2a,11-12,25-29 * Ps 94:12-13,14-15,17-18 * Lk 14:1,7-11

Nov 4 Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wis 11:22—12:2 * Ps 145:1-2,8-9,10-11,13,14 * 2 Thes 1:11—2:2 * Lk 19:1-10

Nov 5: Rom 11:29-36 * Ps 69:30-31,33-34,36 * Lk 14:12-14

Nov 6: Rom 12:5-16ab * Ps 131:1,2,3 * Lk 14:15-24

Nov 7: Rom 13:8-10 * Ps 112:1-2,4-5,9 * Lk 14:25-33

Nov 8: Rom 14:7-12 * Ps 27:1,4,13-14 * Lk 15:1-10

Nov 9 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome : Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12 * Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9 * 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17 * Jn 2:13-22

Nov 10 St. Leo the Great: Rom 16:3-9,16,22-27 * Ps 145:2-3,4-5,10-11 * Lk 16:9-15

Nov 11 Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: 2 Mc 7:1-2,9-14 * Ps 17:1,5-6,8,15 * 2 Thes 2:16—3:5 * Lk 20:27-38

Nov 12 St Josaphat: Wis 1:1-7 * Ps 139:1-3,4-6,7-8,9-10 * Lk 17:1-6

Nov 13 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini: Wis 2:23—3:9 * Ps 34:2-3,16-17,18-19 * Lk 17:7-10

Nov 14: Wis 6:1-11 * Ps 82:3-4,6-7 * Lk 17:11-19

Nov 15 [St. Albert the Great]: Wis 7:22b—8:1 * Ps 119:89,90,91,130,135,175 * Lk 17:20-25

Nov 16 [St. Margaret of Scotland , St. Gertrude]: Wis 13:1-9 * Ps 19:2-3,4-5 * Lk 17:26-37

Nov 17 St. Elizabeth of Hungary : Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9 * Ps 105:2-3,36-37,42-43 * Lk 18:1-8

Nov 18 Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mal 3:19-20a * Ps 98:5-6,7-8,9 * 2 Thes 3:7-12 * Lk 21:5-19

Nov 19: 1 Mc 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63 * Ps 119:53,61,134,150,155,158 * Lk 18:35-43

Nov 20: 2 Mc 6:18-31 * Ps 3:2-3,4-5,6-7 * Lk 19:1-10

Nov 21 The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: 2 Mc 7:1,20-31 * Ps 17:1,5-6,8,15 * Lk 19:11-28

Nov 22 St. Cecilia: 1 Mc 2:15-29 * Ps 50:1-2,5-6,14-15 * Lk 19:41-44 21

Nov 23 [St Clement I, St. Columban, Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro]: 1 Mc 4:36-37,52-59 * 1 Chr 29:10,11, 11-12,12 * Lk 19:45-48

Nov 24 St. Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions: 1 Mc 6:1-13 * Ps 9:2-3,4,6,16,19 * Lk 20:27-40

Nov 25 Our Lord Jesus Christ the King: 2 Sm 5:1-3 * Ps 122:1-2,3-4,4-5 * Col 1:12-20 * Lk 23:35-43

Nov 26: Dn 1:1-6,8-20 * Dn 3:52,53,54,55,56 * Lk 21:1-4

Nov 27: Dn 2:31-45 * Dn 3:57,58,59,60,61 * Lk 21:5-11

Nov 28: Dn 5:1-6,13-14,16-17,23-28 * Dn 3:62-67 * Lk 21:12-19

Nov 29: Dn 6:12-28 * Dn 3:68,69,70,71,72,73,74 * Lk 21:20-28

Nov 30 St. Andrew: Rom 10:9-18 * Ps 19:8,9,10,11 * Mt 4:18-22