Now that the Year of 2009 is in full swing, I would like to take this opportunity to once again let you know that one of my New Year's resolution each year is to make a concerted effort to respond to your needs and requests as timely as possible and without your thinking you're being overlooked or, worse, that I'm not interested. Being your pastor is, not only my job, but my privilege and joy. July 1st will mark 10 years of my being assigned as local shepherd to a wonderful bunch of parishioners whom I also consider my friends. Not that every moment has been like being in 'a rose garden', but your support and being my extended family has made these soon to be 36 years of Priesthood more fun than toil.

Ash Wednesday -- February 25, 2009

Ash Wednesday is on February 25th 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

STATIONS OF THE CROSS WILL BE HELD AT ST. MARY'S & ST. JOSEPH'S
EVERY FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00PM DURING THE SEASON OF LENT.

Coming Soon!

St. Joseph's Feast Day
5:30 pm Mass @
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stoneham, TX
Followed by the STEW SUPPER

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Supper served immediately following Mass
(Approximately 6:15pm)in the Parish Hall

ASH WEDNESDAY SOUP SUPPER

Wednesday, Feb. 25 ~ 5-8pm ~ St. Mary's Hall

Menu:
Potato Soup ~ Seafood Gumbo
Bread/Corn Bread ~ Drinks
~~~
Adults: $5 ~ Children: $3

Please come and support the St. Mary's Choirsters as they earn funds to attend the Pueri Cantores Festival in Rome!

St. Mary's 1st Annual Valentine Dinner Event

Come spend Valentine's Day with your special Valentine, family and friends of St. Mary's at our 1st Annual Valentine Dinner Event at the Parish Hall.

When: February 14, 2009
Time: Hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 PM; Dinner at 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 per person pre-sale until February 8, 2009. After Feb. 8, 2009 - $35.00 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Parish Office (cash or check only). Seating is limited.

Silent Auction Items Include:
Lebanese Dinner -- hosted by Deacon David & Janice Jarvis
Golf Extravaganza ~ Spa & Brunch Package ~ Sports Package
Private Wine Tasting for 20 at Bernhardt
Dinner Package for 4 (Restaurant to be announced)

Entertainment Provided ~~~ Tickets can be purchased at the Parish Office

St. Mary's Crèche/Nativity Scene Repaired and Restored For Christmas 2008

One of the most endearing and special feature of the Christmas Season is the putting up of the crèche and staging the scene of our Savior's birth. Both of our churches of St. Mary and St. Joseph have their original crèches. We use the term 'original' as indicating that they've both been around a long time, as long as some of the old timers can remember.

St. Mary's crèche probably dates from the 1950's, maybe earlier but that would make it extremely rare. We say the 1950's because, being imported from Germany, it most likely was made after WWII when Germany was being reconstructed and during a time when the area here and else where in the United States were enjoying a period of prosperity. If it predates WWII, its antique value is enhanced. Should someone know the date of the crèche's arrival at St. Mary, please let us know.

During the years, the care given the crèche was variable. Some years it seems that the crèche was packed away very carefully. Other years it seems that they were put away very hurriedly. As a result, each piece suffered wear and tear, some more than others. One year recently, we couldn't find the Infant Jesus and St. Joseph. They finally turned up a year later. An investigation was launched to purchase a 'new', complete antique crèche similar to the one used for so many years, but now battered, badly chipped and in need of serious repair. That investigation only reinforced how special and valuable St. Mary's crèche was and how important it was to have it repaired and restored.

Ms. Donell Hill, who has done all the restoration and art work in St. Mary, undertook the delicate and time-sensitive task. All 26 pieces were painstakingly repaired and repainted, paying special attention to historical detail and reproducing even the shepherds' crooks, which have been missing for years. Remarkably, the manger Jesus lays in and several sheep were found in Mexico which were of the same or similar crèche manufacture of Germany. Dr. Antonio Loro who is himself a restorationist and a certified appraiser claims that the crèche now restored is one-of-a-kind and extremely valuable.

With that in mind and wanting to preserve St. Mary's original crèche for future generations, wooden boxes are being individually made into which each figure will be placed. Bill Malek and James Bochat are coordinating the building project with their team of expert carpenters. Each box will be cushioned to protect each figure and vented against moisture build up. Each figure will be carefully wrapped in wax paper [per Ms. Donell and Dr. Loro's instruction]. They will be stored where neither moth or thief will disturb them.

If you didn't take the time to get 'up close and personal' at the Manger Scene this past Christmas, don't miss it next year. It's a treasure.

It's Winter But Spring Will Soon Be Here....God's Gardeners Are In Need Of A Few Green Thumbs.

All who come and visit the grounds of St. Mary marvel at the gardens with their variety and profusion of plants and blooms. They are stunned when informed that there is a group of parishioners who volunteer and adopt a portion of a flowerbed and painstakingly and lovingly make it speak of the wonder of God's creation and a gift for all to enjoy. Each bed's caretaker is identified by a green metal plaque.

Understandably, being a God's Gardener is not a life time commitment. As a result, there are always flowerbeds needing adoption and continued loving care. In fact, two beds are now available to some 'one' or family wanting to share the remarkable gift of helping nature along at bit and keeping the grounds of St. Mary an exquisite garden that proclaims our love of the Creator of all things and our working together in every way for His honor and glory.

Call the Church Office [936-894-2223] and we'll connect you to your special plot on God's Green acre at St. Mary.

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's BINGO this month ... come join us on Thursday, February 19, 2009 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

ST. MARY'S ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS ~ FEBRUARY, 2009

~~MONTHLY MEETING -- TUES., FEBRUARY 10, 2009 -- 6:00 PM AT ST. MARY'S HALL~~
SMAS Spaghetti Dinner--Sun., Feb. 22 after 10:30am mass--to go plates available after 9am mass

Meeting Hostesses: Lorraine Nilson, Janet Nolan, Annette Freund, Patti Kalich

ST. MARY'S ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS ~ MARCH, 2009

~~MONTHLY MEETING -- TUES., MARCH 10, 2009 -- 6:00 PM AT ST. MARY'S HALL~~

Monthly Meeting Hostesses: Melissa Campbell, Joanne Naughton, Michelle LaRose, Liza Torres

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will meet this month at the hall after the 9:00am mass on February 10, 2009.

IT'S CEMETERY CLEANUP TIME AGAIN!!

February 28th is Cemetery Cleanup Day.

All old flowers and worn items will be removed from the graves. If you have any items that are sentimental to you, please remove them from your loved one's gravesite.

Anyone and everyone is invited to gather at 9:00am to begin cleanup.

THESE DATES APPLY TO BOTH CEMETERIES--ST. MARY & ST. JOSEPH

~~Bring a lunch to share to make a fun day for all.~~
The next cleanup day will be Saturday, October 3rd.

ST. MARY'S ANNUAL GARAGE SALE

St. Mary's Annual Garage Sale date has been moved to SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009 in order to make it more climate comfortable for our volunteers.

This parish project is an opportunity for all parishioners to participate not only in disposing of gently used items (Spring Clean-Up), but also to meet and share in fellowship as you make this project a success. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept the following items: old tires, Analog TV's, non-working electronics / appliances.

Please drop off your items from Sunday to Friday, no Saturday please. Please contact the church office in advance, if assistance is needed to unload heavy items. DEADLINE FOR ALL DONATIONS IS APRIL 25, 2009.

Volunteer sign up sheets are available in the church foyer. If you have any questions, please contact Mildred Rosenberg at (936) 873-2579.

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $CHOLARSHIP $ $ $ $ $ $ $

The St. 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 2009. Applications are available through the Parish Office and completed applications must be turned in by April 10, 2009. The office contact is Gail Sowell.

Important Date to Remember: from St. Mary's Altar Society

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009
The Altar Society will host a SPAGHETTI DINNER after 10:30am mass.

To go boxes will be available after the 9:00am mass.

ATTENTION GOLFERS!

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

Monday, April 6--10:00am (Rain out date May 4)

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

St. Mary's Men's Club
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blood Drive with Breakfast

Sun., FEBRUARY 15 from 8AM-1pm in St. Mary's Parish Hall.

For more information, Call Neil Rosenberg At 936-873-2579

ST. MARY'S MEN'S CLUB

. . . will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Since our food pantry is getting low on non-perishable foods, we are
asking each family to bring a donation of food each week. A few canned goods from each family add up to a parish family reaching out, sharing and living the teachings of the gospel and St. Vincent de Paul. Large wicker baskets are provided in the foyer of St. Mary's Hall and St. Joseph's Hall to accept your offerings.

Thank you!!

There will be changes in our hall rental policy effective January 1, 2009. Before scheduling any event, please stop by the office and pick up a set of new instructions.

Saint Vincent de Paul Annual Report to the Parish

The members of the St. Mary/St. Joseph Society of Saint Vincent de Paul would like to take this opportunity to thank the parish members for the outstanding support you have given our Conference over the past seven years. Without your support, the support from Father Ed., and the parish staff we would not be able to function effectively as an organization. As you know, all of our funding is through donations: Black Bag Collections (2), Poor Box Contributions, and personal donations. We currently have 64 members and 14 trained home visit teams.

Outlined below are a few if the statistics related to our 2008 Activity:
- Total funds distributed $41,744.28 (Utilities- 56%, Housing -- 18%,
Transportation- 8%, and Medical 7%)
- We helped approximately 100 families, and 464 individuals.
- Our members distributed approximately 200 baskets/bags of groceries.
- Our members totaled more than 3,700 in-service hours.
- Our members drove over 9,700 unreimbursed miles visiting our friends.
- 95% of the families we help do not belong to either of our parishes.

Not counted in above activities are donated hours by Medical and Dental Services, Families we adopted at Christmas and expenditures by members who support a friend and are not reimbursed by the Conference.

Also of note in 2008, was the relocation and beautification of our Food Pantry, and the establishment of an office for our newest outreach effort to the community, Power to Care. We are partnering with Entergy Corporation to provide qualifying Senior citizens with utility assistance.

One of the biggest challenges in helping the needy of the area is transportation. It is impossible to hold down a job without reliable transportation. We would like to give a special "Thank You" to Gary Ponton for his assistance in 2008. Gary has been an invaluable resource for evaluating transportation issues and steering us in the right direction.

2009

The one area we will be working harder on this year is transportation. If you have a car you would like to donate please get in touch with our Society. The car does not have to be running. We will have it evaluated and determine if it can be economically repaired to give to a needy family.

If you would like to join our Society please get in touch with one of our board members: Claudia Riedlinger, Sharon Lacy, Nick Lomonte, or C.J LeBlanc. Our Conference meets the third Thursday of the month. Our meeting are followed by a Mass and social gathering.

Once again, we thank you for the support you have given our Society.

From Father Kelly: Well Worth Reading!

As Catholics we need to be reminded that the Right to Life Cause involves more than just abortion. We need to be active in our efforts to preserve the sanctity of human life [from conception to a natural death] which is actively opposed by so many in our country.

Today, many Americans are rightly disturbed by FOCA [the Freedom of Choice Act] which President-elect Obama has promised to sign if congress passes it later this month. If FOCA becomes law, a veritable cornucopia of anti-life regulations could quickly follow including such things as (a) requir­ing all hospitals [including Catholic hospitals] to perform abortions upon request; (b) legalizing partial birth abortions with no limitations; (c) removing all parental notification of a minor’s desire to have an abortion; (d) requiring women to have abortions in certain situations (Down Syndrome babies, etc); (e) total tax-payer funding of abortion .... and who knows what else.

St. Mary's ~ St. Joseph's MEN'S RETREAT

The Fifth Annual St. Mary's / St. Joseph's Men's Retreat will be held April 24, 25 & 26, 2009 at the Holy Name Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.

The theme for this year's retreat Is "Living Beyond Our Fears."

TOP TEN REASONS FOR ATTENDING A MEN'S RETREAT AT THE
HOLY NAME PASSIONIST RETREAT CENTER

10. The Priests and the Holy Name Retreat Center Staff are wonderful hosts;

9. No chores, honey-dos' or family carpooling from Friday evening to Sunday after noon;

8. No interruptions from cell phones, pagers or Blackberries for a whole weekend;

7. Best value in town--private room with private bath for 2 nights with 6 great meals for a "suggested donation" of $180.00;

6. Opportunity to get better acquainted with fellow parishioners and diocesan brothers;

5. Chance to share a wonderful experience with a son, father, brother, friend, etc.;

4. Beautiful chapel, grounds and facilities for meditation, relaxation and reflection;

3. Outstanding presentations relative to our everyday challenges;

2. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Lord's Supper;
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON

1. Quality, quantity and personal time with our Savior.

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"

Here we are in February. Time to start hardening off some of your veggie plants, gradually. Not too fast and do not water them as much. We still have till the end of March or even the first week of April before it is safe to put our tomatoes and peppers in the ground. Of course there are those of us who like to speed up our plant time in the ground and plant earlier trying to beat the odds of getting ruined by a frost. You can sometimes. It takes a lot of time covering and uncovering of your tender plants but if you have the time, go for it. Some may make it and some may not. As gardeners we just can't resist having the first great taste of homegrown tomatoes.

You can however still plant bare-rooted fruit trees, nut trees, grapes, blueberries and blackberry. Make sure when choosing these plants they are varieties for this area. Also find out which type require a secondary plant to pollinate. Plum, apple, pear, blueberries and some muscadine grape require another to produce. It is also time to fertilize fruit trees. I usually do this towards the end of the month. For plum and peach apply 1lb, approx 2 cups, of ammonium sulfate per inch of the trunk diameter. Place at the edge of the canopy of the branches, not at the trunk. For my citrus I sometimes use fruit tree spikes.

February is also the time to do some pruning before buds begin to swell for spring. Finish pruning summer flowering tees and shrubs. Do not prune spring flowering plants such as bridal wreath, azalea, forsythia or quince until after they bloom. Most plants don't need much pruning. Most ornamental plants usually look better if given plenty of space and are left alone to show off their natural form. Prune floribunda and tea roses. Prune hybrid tea roses 18 to 24 inches above the ground. Make clean, sharp cuts just above buds which face outward from the cane. Other roses do not need this much pruning. Climbing roses should be pruned after blooming.

Have you gotten your seed potatoes yet? Valentine Day has been the day for planting potatoes for many years. It just so happens it is also in favor with the declining of the moon this year, which is when you are to plant your below ground crop. It is not too late. Purchasing seed potatoes are good for they are disease resistant. If you choose to just pick some up at the grocery you can cut them up leaving an eye on each piece. Let them callus over a couple days. Plant in full sun in well drained soil. They will rot in wet areas. Dig a furrow 4 to 8 inches deep. Place cut side down 8 inches apart. Cover with 3 inches of soil or compost. If you have trouble with slugs or moles you may plant them shallow and cover with straw or light compost. When leaves appear, cover again with 3 inches of soil. It takes 2-4 months to harvest. Plant will flower. When flowers die off potatoes are ready. If careful you can dig some potatoes for a meal and leave some still on plant for later, up to a month. Nothing like fresh potatoes. Except those fresh tomatoes. Can't wait. Maybe I'll have to put a couple plants out early. Just maybe.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THE GROUND HE WALKED UPON.

Send your gardening ideas to : NEW EMAIL : Ronniebochat@consolidated.net

A Word from the Archdiocese about . . . . . .

Charitable Contributions and IRS

"Due to changes in the tax laws, for contributions made in 2008, parishioners (those who itemize their tax returns) will no longer be able to deduct contributions to the parish unless they maintain a bank record or written contribution statement from the parish. If you want to ensure deductibility of your contributions to the parish, please use a check, direct deposit from your bank account, or your parish envelopes. The parish will track contributions made using parish envelopes, and will upon request, produce a written statement of contributions made during 2008. Cancelled checks and other bank records are also sufficient documentation. The parish cannot track cash contributions that are not in parish envelopes."

Eat Your Vegetables, Mow the Grass, Make a Visit

This article was written by Bishop Daniel Flores who until last year was a priest teaching at our Seminary. It's well worth reading by all our parishioners -- adults, kids, those who think they want to get married and those who think they might be called to be a priest or sister. While this was written to encourage religious vocations, it is equally applicable to all our youth. Bishop Flores wrote it for The Michigan Catholic, the Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of Detroit where he is now the Auxiliary Bishop. Personally, I was attracted by the title he gave the article! -- Fr. Kelly

Over the years, parents of young children have occasionally asked me what they can do in order to help their children consider a priestly or religious vocation. This is a very important question, and one that reaches to the foundation of what it means to create what Pope John Paul II called "a culture of vocations." Young children grow up before we know it. Parents hope and pray that as they grow into adolescents they will start thinking wisely about the particular kind of Christian life they want to lead as adults, whether it is marriage, the priesthood or the religious life.

ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASSES COMING SOON!

March 29--Sign up & Initial Interviews
April 5--# 1--Confirmation/Gifts of the Spirit
April 19--#2--Faith/Church
April 26--#3--Creed
May 3--#4--Prayer
May 10--#5--Jesus
May 17--#6--Moral Life/Beatitudes/Social Justice
May 24--#7--Sin/Sacrament of Penance
May 30--Penance Service

All classes will take place on Sundays from 12:15-2:00pm in the St. Mary's FLC.

For more information or to sign up, contact Suzanne Hill at 936-894-2396.

From the Desk of Fr. Kelly: -- BIBLE CLASSES

Repeatedly since I had the great fortune of moving here to Grimes County and becoming a part of our two-church parish of St. Mary's and St. Joseph, people have been asking me if [or, more precisely, when] I would start having adult Bible classes. Since the beginning, I kept promising that I would -- once I got pretty well unpacked and settled. Well, since I'm getting that accomplished more and more, the time has now arrived!

There are many reasons, I want to start these classes.. Most importantly, I'm convinced that St. Jerome [the Patron of Scripture studies] was right on target when he wrote: "Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ." This is the reason why both the Universal Church and our Archdiocese are encouraging all Catholics both to read and to study the Bible -- especially in this year of St. Paul. Hopefully, these lectures will help some participants love the Bible more and more as they come to see how just how right St. Jerome was.

This is not a new idea in the Church. Throughout her history, the Church has insisted that a proper interpretation of the Bible is very important for deepening both Christian life and Christian spirituality. For many this seems quite difficult since they presume the Bible is for­midable to read and to understand. To try to meet this problem, we're going to start this Spring with a series of four talks designed to "set the stage" for reading the Bible. Then next Fall, there will be a second series of four or five talks centering on St. Paul, his life and his letters in the New Testament.

To make it easier for people to attend these talks, each will be given twice -- first on Sunday after the Fellowship which follows the 10:30 Mass [12:45 to 2:00] and also on Thursday evening [7:00 to 8:15]. Each week's two presentations will be identical, covering the same material with the same handouts given at each. This will allow people to attend each week on the day that better fits their schedule -- perhaps Sunday one week and Thursday the next. When each pre­sentation is finished, folk may leave, but I will stick around to answer additional questions.

The four talks this Spring will be:
February 8th & 12th An Introduction to the Bible
March 1st & 5th The Bible -- God's Inspired Book
March 22nd & 26th Interpreting the Bible -- Understanding God's Word
April 26th & 30th A Catholic Response to Biblical Fundamentalism

As a part of these talks, questions like "What Bible should I read?" or "What books will help me understand the Bible?" and others will be discussed. In addition, there will be copies of various Bible editions and other resources available for participants to examine.

While we are going to advertise this series in other area parishes, it is my hope that many of our fellow parishioners will come and see the wonder of the Lord's Word in our Catholic faith.

Get ready to put on that pretty face and S M I L E !

The photographer will be here soon to take your family photo for the new pictorial directory.

March 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
3:00-9:30pm

March 28--10am-5pm

The Knights of Columbus Council 4054 in Anderson would like to thank the communities of Plantersville and Stoneham for their help by purchasing raffle tickets for a shotgun with the proceeds helping the less fortunate in the area. The winner of the raffle was Gary Black of the Conroe-Montgomery area.

The council distributed food and other items to 19 families on Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The council is still working with the Anderson-Shiro school district to provide more items needed for children in the area such as coats.

While all of our presenters for RCIA formation sessions are fabulous, you may want to mark your calendar for this special guest presenter:
February 1 -- Linda Cussen (Associate Director for the Archdiocesan Office of Continuing Christian Education) -- "What Catholics Need to Know about Judaism"

Join us in the Family Life Center for one or both sessions from 11:00 am --12:30 pm.

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)

Arthur Plessala -- February, 2009

The first two seasons of our Church's liturgical year--Advent and Christmas--brought a fresh new Epiphany to illuminate the presence of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus the Word is found in the first sentence of the Gospel of John, the Evangelist:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

This sentence means that God existed already in the beginning, God is the beginning, and God is our origin. This God---who is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE---is likewise the Word. He is a gift. He has always been in existence, is the constant new beginning, and is also a new hope and a new way for all of us.

Our new baptistery at St. Mary's, appropriately placed beside the crib, really brought the season of Christmas to life for me. Jesus is born becoming man. The angels reveal him to the shepherds. The three wise men follow the star to the place of his birth. Through Baptism, we are born again by entering into our relationship with Christ. As we are born into his baptism and thus his relationship with his Father, we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Catholics should always celebrate our Christian feasts based on our insight into the acts of God, not merely on astrology. The yearly return of these feasts is quite different from the endless repetition of the secular year from the first day of January to the last day of December. It is merely an eternally repeated cycle. Our liturgical year, however, reflects the expression of God's inexhaustible love. We are made aware of the outpouring of his unconditional love by our accumulative memories of our liturgical celebrations. Unlike the beginning of the secular year, the Christian new year---Advent/Christmas---has a very special newness. It offers us again and again and again the opportunity to return to remembering the goodness of the God who became man. That same goodness should call us each year to become a child again and to live a new life of love for God and others. Along with our community of faith, we share that love by our care for the poor as we create peace on earth.

Our Christmas season ends with the Baptism of the Lord. The descent of Jesus into the water is our universal symbol of his death on the cross. Our baptism is a rebirth into that death. As the spirit appears in the form of a dove and the heavenly skies are opened, we see a sign that his descent into our "night" is his search for us. Each and every year, Jesus brings us into the "light" again. (This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased -- Mark 1:11.)

On February 25, we start the spring cycle of our liturgical year 2009. The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. We imitate the ancient practice of turning our hearts to God as ashes are placed on our foreheads in the sign of the cross, signifying our repentance during the Lenten fast. Lent is the season of giving up our sins, choosing to remember our rebirth into the Baptism of the Lord. We do this as we devote ourselves to fasting, abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving. We bring peace on earth by helping the lowly, the poor. We imitate Jesus' dying on the cross to save us. As the grain of wheat which dies to become many grains of wheat, we die to ourselves for others. We remember that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. The ashes we use in the ceremony are made by burning the remains of the palms blessed last year---a visible sign that our liturgical cycle continues. By living the will of our Father, we are fulfilling our mission of participating in creating a
community of love here on earth. We admit being sinners as we fall into the arms of the inexhaustible love of Jesus who forgives us and all peoples on the earth...in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

February, 2009

Who Needs Catechist Formation?

Archdiocesan Policy requires that all Parish Catechists, including all who teach children or adults, be fully certified or actively in the process of obtaining certification to continue teaching in a parish program.

Therefore:

St. Mary's of Plantersville, Christ Our Light of Navasota and St. Stanislaus of Anderson , have come together to offer these Catechetic Modules in our area.

All Parishes have also agreed to waive registration fees and offer these Modules at no cost to our current catechists/aides and those who are interested in becoming a catechist/aide.

Jan. 24 - 10:00am to Noon: Getting Started as a Catechist
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Basic Lesson Planning
Sessions to be at St. Stanislaus - Anderson

Feb. 7 - 10:00am to Noon: Person of the Catechist
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Spirituality of the Catechist
Sessions to be at Christ Our Light - Navasota

Feb. 21 - 10:00am to Noon: Age Specific Lesson Planning
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Teaching Different Learning Styles
Sessions to be at St. Mary's - Plantersville

March 7 - 10:00am to Noon: Human Development
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Role of the Family
Sessions to be at Christ Our Light - Navasota

March 21 - 10:00am to Noon: Catechesis and Liturgy
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Cultural Perspectives
Sessions to be at Christ Our Light - Navasota

Students of the Month - December

Congratulations to the following students who received the award for December!

K - Autumn Atkinson
1st - Alex Ross
2nd - Hannah Atkinson
3rd - Tess O'Brien
4th - Josemiguel Cisneros
5th - Jake Presley
6th - Kyle Beck
7th - Casey Bailey
8th - Sarah Smith
C I - Kendall Kurten
C II - Paul Disser

Ash Wednesday Class

Students will receive ashes in classroom services.

All men of St. Mary's are welcome to join in a special Men's Choir, who will sing at 3pm on Good Friday this year. The Men's Choir was absolutely wonderful when they sang last year!

There will be four rehearsals: 7pm on March 16, March 23, March 30, and April 6, in the church. Each rehearsal will last approximately 1 ½ hours. Please check your calendars, and plan to join in this special celebration of the Lord's Passion and death.

To sign up, call the parish office at 936-894-2223, or call Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565.
Email: linda@smsj.org

St. Mary's Choristers will be singing at the 10:30 am Mass on February 1, and at the 6pm Mass on Ash Wednesday.

The St. Mary's Choristers Booster Club will sponsor a soup supper in the Hall after evening Masses on Ash Wednesday. A variety of soups will be featured on the menu. Bring the family and support the Choristers in funding their trip to Rome.

Several sponsors have stepped forward: Bill Jones has sponsored Janie Ballew; Patty Jones has sponsored Valerie Ballew; and Annette Young has sponsored Jonathan LaRose. The sponsors have donated $75 to purchase the vestments for these choristers.

Five new members of the choristers were registered in January. If you are interested in sponsoring one of the 18 remaining members, please place your donation in an envelope and put it in the collection basket, with a note as to what it is for, and the name of the chorister if you have a preference for a particular one. Or you can contact Linda Armstrong at linda@smsj.org or by phone at 936-825-0565.

Our pastor, Father Ed, and the entire community of St. Mary's has been very generous in their support of the overall music ministry, and now in support of the children in St. Mary's Choristers. We applaud your generosity, and thank you for your continued support.

Please keep this group of young people in your prayers as they work to learn about the Liturgy, about liturgical music, and how to work as a community to serve and praise God.

If you have been thinking about singing in the choir, but just can't seem to make the commitment to weekly rehearsals for a whole year, why not join us for the seasons of Lent and Easter?

The choir will begin rehearsing special music for these seasons the first week in February. If you can set aside 1 ½ hours each week for rehearsal from February through Easter on April 12, we would love to have you join us. Just show up at rehearsal on Wednesday,
February 4. If you have any questions, call Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or email at linda@smsj.org

Jubilate Deo! Sing to the Lord!

FEBRUARY, 2009

Feb 1 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Dt 18:15-20 * Ps 95:1-2,6-7,7-9 * 1 Cor 7:32-35 * Mk 1:21-28

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 [ St. Blase, St. Ansgar] : Heb 12:1-4 * Ps 22:26-27,28,30,31-32 * Mk 5:21-43

Feb 4: Heb 12:4-7,11-15 * Ps 103:1-2,13-14,17-18 * Mk 6:1-6

Feb 5 St. Agatha: Heb 12:18-19,21-24 * Ps 48:2-3,3-4,9,10-11 * Mk 6:7-13

Feb 6 St. Paul Miki and Companions: Heb 13:1-8 * Ps 27:1,3,5,8-9 * Mk 6:14-29

Feb 7 [BVM] : Heb 13:15-17,20-21 * Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5,6 * Mk 6:30-34

Feb 8 Fifth Sunday in Ordianary Time: Jb7:1-4,6-7 * Ps 147:1-2,3-4,5-6 * 1 Cor 9:16-19,22-23 * Mk 1:29-39

Feb 9: Gn 1:1-19 * Ps 104:1-2,5-6,10,12,24,35 * Mk 6:53-56

Feb 10 St. Scholastica: Gn 1:20----2:4a * Ps 8:4-5,6-7,8-9 * Mk 7:1-13

Feb 11 [Our Lady of Lourdes ] : Gn 2:4b-9,15-17 * Ps 104:1-2,27-28,29-30 * Mk 7:14-23

Feb 12: Gn 2:18-25 * Ps 128:1-2,3,4-5 * Mk 7:24-30

Feb 13: Gn 3:1-8 * Ps 32:1-2,5,6,7 * Mk 7:31-37

Feb 14 Sts. Cyril and Methodius: Gn 3:9-24 * Ps 90:2,3-4,5-6,12-13 * Mk 8:1-10

Feb 15 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Lv 13:1-2,44-46 * Ps 32:1-2,5,11 * 1 Cor 10:31----11:1 * Mk 1:40-45

Feb 16: Gn 4:1-15,25 * Ps 50:1,8,16-17,20-21 * Mk 8:11-13

Feb 17 [The Seven Founders of the Order of Servites] : Gn 6:5-8,7:1-5,10 * Ps 29:1-2,3-4,3,9-10 * Mk 8:14-21

Feb 18: Gn 8:6-13,20-22 * Ps 116:12-13,14-15,18-19 * Mk 8:22-26

Feb 19: Gn 9:1-13 * Ps 102:16-18,19-21,29,22-23 * Mk 8:27-33

Feb 20: Gn 11:1-9 * Ps 33:10-11,12-13,14-15 * Mk 8:34--9:1

Feb 21 [St. Peter Damian] : Heb 11:1-7 * Ps 145:2-3,4-5,10-11 * Mk 9:2-13

Feb 22 Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time: Is 43:18-19,21-22,24b-25 * Ps 41:2-3,4-5,13-14 * 2 Cor 1:18-22 * Mk 2:1-12

Feb 23 St. Polycarp: Sir1:1-10 * Ps 93:1,1-2,5 * Mk 9:14-29

Feb 24: Sir 2:1-11 * Ps 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40 * Mk 9:30-37

LENT

Feb 25 Ash Wednesday: J1 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 26: Dt 30:15-20 * Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 * Lk 9:22-25

Feb 27: Is 58:1-9a * Ps 51:3-4,5-6,18-19 * Mt 9:14-15

Feb 28: Is 58:9b-14 * Ps 86:1-2,3-4,5-6 * Lk 5:27-32

On the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm In the St. Mary's Family Life Center..

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy intervention program. 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 you are someone in need of the services of THE GABRIEL PROJECT, please use the contact information above. Information will stay confidential.

Office of the Cardinal
The Respect Life Office

You are Invited to the Thirty-Sixth Annual
MASS FOR LIFE
Presiding
His Eminence
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, D.D.,S.T.L.

The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston, TX
February 7, 2009 at 5:30pm
Reception at Cathedral Centre following Mass
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ALSO--On February 8, 2009, The World Day for Consecrated Life is scheduled. A special Mass is being offered for the 700 women and men in Religious Life in our Archdiocese. On this day, please remember to pray for increased vocations to the religious life not only here locally but around the world.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES Are Scheduled for Saturday, February 7th
from 900-12:00 in St. Mary's Family Life Center with Baptisms to follow Feb. 22nd

Preparation classes for baptism are a requirement for parents or expectant parents of children up to 7 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),
or
Gaby Tryon (936) 448-1342,
Anita Thornton (936) 582-2618
or
En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765