[ 3rd installment of Fr. Ed.'s October cruise as chaplain]

Our destination after the islands of Mykonos and Santorini was the island of Rhodes. All three are Greek islands. Whereas Mykonos and Santorini have a definite Greek atmosphere and influence, Rhodes has a profound Mediaeval/Crusader air about it, at least in the old center which is of interest to tourists. Many of the buildings have been restored and one can imagine knights Templar wandering around the place, holding out against the invading hoard of Islam. As with most of the islands of Greece and definitely the ports-of-call of a cruise ship, the economy is geared to the tourist trade. One has to really wander off the beaten path to find the natives who don't pounce on you trying to sell you something. Rhodes is a beautiful island with an exciting history that is important for us in the West. It is remarkable that so much has survived and how much has been restored. It's a small area of historical interest so bumping into fellow cruise ship passengers and comparing notes and giving directions was common. After a while, all the buildings began to look alike and the eyes can take just so much in. Quite a few of us found a typical Greek outside taverna and decided to watch the tourists over a little pevo/cerveza/beer. Before long, it was time to wander the narrow streets back to the ship, eat again [of course] and rest up for the next stop.

We will be having class on Wednesday February 6 th , Ash Wednesday. The students will receive ashes in classroom services. There will not be a parent video that night.

National Vocation Awareness week is January 13 th through January 18 th !! The nuns, seminarians, and priests will be stopping by each class on February 13 th to interact with the children and give them information about their particular ministry.

TO: All RE Parents (whether Catholic or non-Catholic)

St. Mary's/ St. Joseph 's RCIA Team ( Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ) will hold "inquiry" sessions on selected Wednesday evenings in St. Mary's Family Life Center . If you have any questions about the Catholic faith, come join our informal discussions. Here's our schedule for the next few months:

Ash Wednesday, February 6; 6:45-8:00 p.m. (after 5:30 Mass and ashes); Topic: Why is the season of Lent so special to Catholics?

Wednesday, March 12; 6:00-7:15 p.m.; Topic: Catholics & Prayer, including the rosary.

If your child attends RE on Wednesday nights, you might as well join us to strengthen your faith in God!

Questions? More information? Contact Sharon Skeans, RCIA Director, skeans@consolidated.net .

Movie Time: Wednesday Nights at 7:10 pm in the Hall!! Parents and parish are all invited to attend. Check movie list to see what's showing. Movies for the month of February:

February 13 th : Stories of Faith

February 20 th : Jesus: The Complete Story - Part I

February 27 th : Jesus: The Complete Story - Part II

PARISH SPAGHETTI DINNER--FEB. 3
Begins after 10:30am mass--To Go Plates available after 9:00am mass

Adults: $7; Children: $4; Children under 5 eat free

Raffle for all ages--Delicious Homemade Spaghetti

The Fourth Annual St. Mary's / St. Joseph's Men's Retreat will be held April 25, 26 & 27, 2008 at the Holy Name Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

The theme for this year's retreat Is "Christian Living in a Secular World."

"More than ever the quality of our friendship with the Lord demands a time apart to rest with Him a little and be refreshed by His call: Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest...for my yoke is easy and my burden light."
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

"Attending the retreat was a wonderful experience made much richer by sharing it with other men from St. Mary's parish. You really could feel the Holy Spirit moving us and you could fee God's presence in a special way."
John Parziale

"At the start of the retreat I was apprehensive about my ability to make a good retreat. I quickly found that these anxieties were misplaced. I am already looking forward to next year."
Richard Zajac

"The Holy Name retreat was a great opportunity to get spiritually revitalized, spend quality time with the men of the parish, exchange ideas and grow in our faith. Diet before you attend, the food and facilities are excellent."
C. J. LeBlanc

"Having made three retreats at Holy Name in the last four years it is refreshing to learn that each one is a new experience. But most important to me personally was witnessing the spirituality and love for God that the men of our parish have."
Jeff Seale

For information on the drawing for a free retreat for first timers at Holy Name, or on this year's retreat and how to obtain registration forms, please call Fred Seale at 936-582-7095 or at fseale2@yahoo.com.

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"

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.

Adult Confirmation Classes for 2008 Is Coming Soon!

All Catholic Adults who have not been confirmed have the opportunity to attend Adult Confirmation Classes this spring to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation by the Bishop on Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008

Initial Sign-up/class begins on Sunday, March 9, 2008 12:15 pm til 2:00 pm in an upstairs classroom at St. Mary's Family Life Center

Tentative Calendar of Classes:

Sunday, March 16.....Faith/Church
Sunday, March 23.....EASTER....No Class
Sunday, March 30.....Creed
Sunday, April 6.....Prayer
Sunday, April 13.....Christian Initiation/Confirmation
Sunday, April 20.....Jesus/Gifts of the Spirit
Sunday, April 27.....Moral Life (Social Justice)/Beatitudes
Sunday, May 4.....Sin/Sacrament of Penance
Sunday, May 11.....PENTECOST...Meet Bishop for Confirmation

Just seven sessions to complete your Sacraments of Initiation.

Remember: Confirmation, rather than imparting the Spirit, is a release of the gifts and powers of the Spirit in the life of the individual. Among the effects of Confirmation is the strengthening to proclaim and defend the faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. As with all sacraments, Confirmation is effective in the dispensation of graces.

WATCH FOR SIGN-UP SUNDAY COMING SOON!

For more information and/or for pre-registration: contact Suzanne & Gary Hill (936) 894-2396 or sehill111@hotmail.com

Saturday, March 1st @ St. Mary's from 9-12 in the Family Life Center
with Baptisms to follow on March 30th.

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. Call: Francell Busa (936) 870-4145 (fbusa@embarqmail.com), Gaby Tryon (936) 448-1342, Anita Thornton (936) 448-2974

En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

ST. MARY / ST. JOSEPH
ON FEBRUARY 9--9:00AM
All flowers will be cleaned off graves--if you have anything you don't want discarded, please pick items up before this date.

Congratulations to Deacon David Garvis on his first year anniversary (Feb. 3) as a deacon. Thank you so much for assisting the various ministries here at St. Mary's / St. Joseph's.

The Saint Mary's Men's Club is again sponsoring a scholarship for a student within our Parish. Applicants must be active members of St. Mary/St. Joseph Catholic Church, be a graduating senior and be planning to attend an accredited trade school, college or university in 2008. Applications are available through the Parish Office and completed applications must be turned in by April 15, 2008.

The office contact is Gail Sowell.

ATTENTION GOLFERS!
Mark your calendars for the Seventh Annual St. Mary's Men's Club Golf Tournament at Walden Golf Club on Lake Conroe.

Monday, April 14--10:00am
(Rain out date April 28)

For more information, see any Men's Club member or pick up a flyer in the parish hall.

BLOOD DRIVE with Breakfast

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
8:00am-1:00pm
in St. Mary's Parish Hall

For More Information, call Neil Rosenberg

ST. MARY'S MEN'S CLUB will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 19, 2008. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

The next meeting will be held on February 21, 2008 at 3:30pm with Mass to follow at 5:00pm

The First Sunday of the Month is Food Pantry Sunday.

A few can goods from each family add up to a parish family reaching out, sharing and living the teachings of the gospel and Saint Vincent de Paul. Large wicker baskets are provided in the foyer of the St. Mary's Hall and St. Joseph's Hall to accept your offerings.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society meeting will be Tuesday,
February 12, 2008 after the 9:00am Mass.

What's Happening This Month???

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall. *** Stations of the Cross, Mary's Way ***

Altar Society Meeting Hostesses for February:
Jean Lahue, Lorraine Nilson, Janet Nolan, Annette Freund

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's BINGO this month ... come join us on Thursday, February 21, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008. Please contact Pam Alexander for more information.

Ash Wednesday is on February 6th and marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting,abstinence (from meat), and repentance.

Mass times on Ash Wednesday are as follows:

ST. JOSEPH'S 12:00pm

ST. MARY'S 9:00am, 5:30pm, 7:30pm

DSF Collections begin on the weekend of February 2 & 3.
Bring your pledges to church.

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.

Feb 1: 2 Sm 11:1-4a,5-10a,13-17 / Ps 51:3-4,5-6,6-7,10-11 / Mk 4:26-34

Feb 2: The Presentation Of The Lord: Mal 3:1-4 / Ps 24:7,8,9,10 / Heb 2:14-18 / Lk 2:22-40

Feb 3, 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Zep 2:3;3:12-13 / Ps 146:6-7,8-9,9-10 / 1 Cor 1:26-31 / Mt 5:1-12a

Feb 4: 2 Sm 15:13-14,30;16:5-13 / Ps 3:2-3,4-5,6-7 / Mk 5:1-20

Feb 5 St. Agatha: 2 Sm 18:9-10,14b,24-25a,30--19:3 / Ps 86:1-2,3-4,5-6 / Mk 5:21-43

+ LENT

Feb 6 Ash Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18 / Ps 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17 / 2 Cor 5:20--6:2 / Mt 6:1-6,16-18

Feb 7: Dt 30:15-20 / Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 / Lk 9:22-25

Feb 8 [ Sts. Jerome Emiliani and Josephine Bakhita]: Is 58:1-9a / Ps 51:3-4,5-6,18-19 / Mt 9:14-15

Feb 9: Is 58:9b-14 / Ps 86:1-2,3-4,5-6 / Lk 5:27-32

Feb 10, First Sunday of Lent: Gn 2:7-9;3:1-7 / Ps 51:3-4,5-6,12-13,14,17 / Rom 5:12-19 / Mt 4:1-11

Feb 11 [Our Lady of Lourdes ]: Lv 19:1-2,11-18 / Ps 19:8,9,10,15 / Mt 25:31-46

Feb 13: Is 55:10-11 / Ps 34:4-5,6-7,16-17,18-19 / Mt 6:7-15

Feb 13: Jon 3:1-10 / Ps 51:3-4,12-13,18-19 / Lk 11:29-32

Feb 14 [Sts. Cyril and Methodius]: Est C 12:14-16,23-25 / Ps 138:1-2,2-3,7-8 / Mt 7:7-12

Feb 15: Ez 18:21-28 / Ps 130:1-2,3-4,5-7,7-8 / Mt 5:20-26

Feb 16: Dt 26:16-19 / Ps 119:1-2,4-5,7-8 / Mt 5:43-48

Feb 17, Second Sunday of Lent: Gn 12:1-4a / Ps 33:4-5,18-19,20,22 / 2 Tm 1:8b-10 / Mt 17:1-9

Feb 18: Dn 9:4b-10 / Ps 79:8,9,11,13 / Lk 6:36-38

Feb 19: Is 1:10, 16-20 / Ps 50:8-9,16-17,21,23 / Mt 23:1-12

Feb 20: Jer 18:18-20 / Ps 31:5-6,14,15-16 / Mt 20:17-28

Feb 21 [ St. Peter Damian]: Jer 17:5-10 / Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 / Lk 16:19-31

Feb 22 The Chair of St. Peter: 1 Pt 5:1-4 / Ps 23:1-3,4,5,6 / Mt 16:13-19

Feb 23 [St. Polycarp]: Mi 7:14-15,18-20 / Ps 103:1-2,3-4,9-10,11-12 / Lk 15:1-2,11-32

Feb 24, Third Sunday of Lent: Ex 17:3-7 / Ps 95:1-2,6-7,8-9 / Rom 5:1-2,5-8 / Jn 4:5-42 5

Feb 25: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b / Ps 42:2,3;43:3,4 / Lk 4:24-30 6

Feb 26: Dn 3:25,34-43 / Ps 25:4-5,6-7,8-9 / Mt 18:21-25

Feb 27: Dt 4:1,5-9 / Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20 / Mt 5:17-19

Feb 28: Jer 7:23-28 / Ps 95:1-2,6-7,8-9 / Lk 11:14-23

Feb 29: Hos 14:2-10 / Ps 81:6-8,8-9,10-11,14,17 / Mk 12:28-34

(part 2)....My holiday abroad

On two previous cruises, I was housed with the crew down-below where the carpet stops, no art is displayed on the walls, and there's always a faint smell of the kitchen. The first time was on a cruise to Alaska when I opened the door of the cabin assigned to me to find that chaplain on the previous cruise was fast asleep and the room looking like a tornado hit it. [He must not have gone to a minor seminary]. The ship had already sailed so there we were: two chaplains. My now co-chaplain was an elderly priest who mistakenly thought he was continuing with the ship. I generously insisted that he keep the room he was in. [Actually, I thought it would take too long to clean it thoroughly...ha]. The crew member in charge of the chaplain's activities was in a panic and asked that I relax on deck and he'd have me a room as soon as possible. Several hours later, I was paiged and reported to his office. He was very apologetic and explained the situation and confusion. He asked if it would be acceptable to be housed with the crew in their quarters. What could I say? I followed him down, down, down into the bowels of the ship. He showed me my cabin: an interior cabin with two bunks, desk, restroom/shower. It was located near the entertainers' quarters which proved to be entertaining itself. It was a little noisy during practice times, but, as the days went by, I realized what a unique experience I was having. The second time I roomed with the crew, I requested a cabin in the crew quarters and was given one with a port hole...small port hole, but a view outside! It was near the kitchen area and a little noisy, but handy for a midnight snack....ha. Being with the crew and entertainers below deck and also with the passengers above gave me the experience of two cruises.