One of the questions I've been asked since Fr. Kelly's arrival here at St. Mary/St. Joseph has been how we met. Now there's a story and an example of how God works in mysterious ways.

When I was assigned to St. Mary Church in Hempstead [now renamed St. Katherine Drexel after the merging of St. Mary/Hempstead and St. Martin de Porres/Prarie View], I soon realized that being outside of Houston definitely had its advantages as well as disadvantages that came with the territory. The distance of many parishioners from the church property was significantly greater than the 'around the corner' or 'in the neighborhood' living situation of parishioners in larger cities and especially Houston. An unforeseen disadvantage was the willingness of rent-a-priests to come 'out into the country' to help out on a weekend or for special services, such as a penance service or adult education.

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.

Come and enjoy a spaghetti dinner, traditionally meatless, at St. Mary's parish hall provided for everyone in the parish. Your only cost is to bring a sack of non-perishable items to help benefit those in our Parish community who are in need.

Dinner will be served after the 10:30am Mass on March 15, 2009.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY.

St. Joseph's Feast Day
5:30 pm Mass @ St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stoneham, TX

Followed by the STEW SUPPER
~Fantastic Beef Stew ~ served with wonderful Bread & Homemade Pies

Thursday, March 19, 2009

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

ADULTS - $6.00 / CHILDREN (12 & under) - $3.00
Raffle includes Phil's handmade quilt and
Leland's homemade porch swing and more!

Come and take part in our centennial year celebration!

MAKE SURE YOUR MUG-SHOT IS IN THE NEW PICTORAL DIRECTORY!!!

If you haven't yet made your appointment to have your picture in the new Pictoral Directory being put together as you're reading this, get on the phone and call the parish office immediately [936-894-2223]. It is extremely important that the pictures of as many as possible be included for this directory to be the valuable tool it can be in helping us be a community of friends not just anonymous parishioners.

As my Mother would say, "I've never asked you for anything. You can do this one thing for me." Do it for me, your pastor. Trying to keep you all straight and pictured in my head is important to me. The pictoral directory helps me in those senior moments when memory fails...the face is familiar, name a blank...or..know the name, but can't picture the face. Keeping husband and wives/parents and children pictured together can also prevent a faux paux....If your mug shot is not in there, I claim no responsibility for whatever I might say or do.

A Lenten Story: This little story was written as a commentary on the Prophet Isaiah's thoughts on fasting. I thought it'd be worth sharing with you all. First read this passage from Isaiah and then the little story that follows:

Isaiah 58:1-8: Cry aloud, don't spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and didn't forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. Why have we fasted, say they, and you don't see? why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors.

A Clarification: During the recent Men's Club meeting, some of the men asked just what we have to do to observe Lent. Basically, there are two issues: Abstinence and Fasting.

* Abstinence refers to not eating meat. All Catholics six and older should not eat meat on Ash Wednesday and on the other Fridays of Lent. There is no "Senior Citizen Exception" for this penance.

* Fasting refers to limiting your food and drink [traditionally meaning one normal meal and two lesser meals daily]. Catholics under the age of sixty are oblig­ed to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

While it is true that Lent is a penitential season. many Catholics seem to think that Abstinence and Fasting are all we "have to do." In reality, there are many other practices we ought to consider weaving into our lives to draw ourselves closer to Christ. These could include such things like going to Confession, attending an extra Mass during the week, coming for the Adoration of the Eucharist, making the Stations of the Cross on Fridays, as well as the acts of self-denial and charity to those in need. Easy? With Christ's grace, you just might find it to be not only easier than you think -- -- but also well worth the effort.

Over the last few years, it has become more and more common for people who, for one reason or another, are not going to receive the Eucharist during Mass, to come forward with their hands crossed on their chests as a sign that they are seeking a blessing. Should the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion give the person this blessing?

The correct answer is "No," at least for the present. First of all, extraordinary minister are not among those who can give such blessings since lay people are unable to confer blessings with­in the context of Holy Mass. These blessings, rather, are to be given by the priest, More perti­nent, however, is the fact that all the people present in the Church will receive the liturgical bless­ing these people are seeking in the final blessing at the end of Mass.

For these two reasons, those who will not or cannot receive the Eucharist at Mass should not come forward at Communion for a special blessing. Rather, they should rejoice that they will receive that blessing along with all the others present at the end of Mass in the final blessing.

5:30-8:30pm - Tuesday, March 31, 2009
(Fr. Kelly will assist Fr. Ed)

THE MEN OF ST. MARY'S/ST. JOSEPH'S WILL GATHER FOR THEIR FIFTH ANNUAL MEN'S RETREAT AT THE HOLY NAME RETREAT CENTER IN HOUSTON, TX. ON APRIL 24, 25 AND 26, 2009

FOR INFORMATION ON THE RETREAT CALL:

LARRY ALEXANDER - 936-447-6994
C.J. LEBLANC - 936-597-7924
NICK LOMONTE - 936-597-8659
DEEN MILLER - 936-894-2715
FRED SEALE - 936-582-7095
RICHARD ZAJAC - 936-588-1903

TOGETHER WE CAN DISCOVER HOW TO REJOICE IN WHAT WE HAVE AND WHO WE ARE TOGETHER!

Let's get ready for spring and summer!

All the sick in the parishes of St. Joseph's & St. Mary's are invited to attend the
~St. Joseph's Healing Mass~
MARCH 7--10:30am--ST. JOSEPH'S

A luncheon will be served in the hall following mass.

(If you need transportation to attend, please call Kaky Wetuski at
936-894-2307 and leave a message. She will arrange a ride for you.)

May 2, 2009 ~ 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
St. Mary Catholic Church-Plantersville, TX

Here Ye, Here Ye: We need your help to make this a successful garage sale. We need your no longer needed gently used items.  (Please not old tire and analog TVs). Appliance need to be in working order. Also, we need your help with getting it organized. Please give us 1 or more days.  The work days are as follows:    

Work Days:  

Week One : April 1, 2, & 3, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 
Week Two: April 7, 8, & 9 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Holy Week)
Week Three: April 14, 15, & 16 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday: April 18 th : All (Men & Women) setting up, cleaning tables and tents necessary for garage sale day.
Week Four: April 21, 22, & 23 from 10:00 PM to 3:00 PM
 Saturday: April 25 th : All (Men & Women) moving all garage sale items to designated areas.
Week Five: April 27, 28, 29, & 30 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Arranging items on tables and be ready for garage sale. "Praise The Lord" we are done!!!!!

If you have any questions, please call Mildred Rosenberg @ 936-873-2579

or the St. Mary's Office for details.

Cut off date to bring items is Friday, April 24!

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

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

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

Program will be Stations of the Cross

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

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.
Includes:

Range Balls
Green Fees
Box Lunch
Drinks
Cart
Dinner

Format:
4 Person Scramble

Prizes:
Hole-in-One wins a Car!
Silent Auction
Live Auction

1st & 2nd Men's Foursome
(Minimum of three men)
1st & 2nd Ladies' Foursome
(Minimum of three women)
1st & 2nd Couple's Foursome
(Foursome: two men/two women

NOTE: All proceeds benefit the charity efforts of Saint Mary's Men's Club

Checks payable to Saint Mary's Men's Club
Mail checks and entry forms to:

Roy Champagne
28 Claremont Court
Montgomery, TX 77356

Questions: Contact: Ed Kura at 936-597-8144

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.

. . . will be holding their monthly meeting on Monday, March 16, 2009. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Knights of Columbus Father Domanski Council # 4054 FISH FRY

KC Hall ~ Anderson, TX
Friday, March 6, 2009
5 p.m. til ?

$7.00 per plate

Fish, fries, hush puppies, drink & dessert.

PUBLIC IS INVITED

(Arthur Plessala -- March, 2009)

Last month, I wrote about the traditional acts of Penance during Lent. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday as we imitate the ancient practice of placing ashes (from the burnt palms of the previous year's Palm Sunday) on our foreheads in the sign of the cross. This visual and kinesthetic act represents the turning of our hearts and minds to God and the renewal of our need for repentance.

Adult Confirmation Classes for 2009 Is Here!  

All Catholic Adults (no matter what age) 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 31

Initial Sign-up is on Sun., March 22, 2009 from 12:15-1:00 pm.
Class begins on Sun., March 29 upstairs in St. Mary's Family Life Center from 12:15-2:00pm.

Calendar of Classes:

Sunday, March 29.....Faith/Church

Sunday, April 5.........Creed

Sunday, April 12.......EASTER....No Class

Sunday, April 19.......Prayer

Sunday, April 26.......Christian Initiation/Confirmation

Sunday, May 3.........Jesus/Gifts of the Spirit

Sunday, May 10 .......MOTHER'S DAY.....No Class

Sunday, May 17........Moral Life (Social Justice)/Beatitudes

Sunday, May 24........Sin/Sacrament of Penance

Saturday, May 30 .....Penance Service

Sunday, May 31........PENTECOST...Meet Bishop for Confirmation

Just seven sessions is all it takes 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.

.................................................................................................................................................

CONFIRMATION SIGN-UP:

NAME______________________________________________ BIRTHDATE_________________________

ADDRESS_______________________________________________________________________________

CITY_______________________________________STATE___________________ZIP_________________

PHONE CONTACTS (Home, Work, Cell, Parents, etc.)___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

BRING COPY OF BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE WITH YOU, IF POSSIBLE, ON MARCH 22nd.
((If you do not have one, contact the Church where you were baptized and ask them to send you a copy)

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER SO AS TO CONFIRM NUMBER OF BOOKS NEEDED  

For more information: contact Suzanne Hill
(936) 894-2396 or sehill222@hotmail.com

Thank you to all the Altar Society members who contributed their time and talent to make our
Annual Spaghetti dinner such a success.

Thank you also to all the parishioners who attended this "delicious" fellowship event.

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

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.

The group is preparing for a Pueri Cantores Festival to be held on Saturday, May 30, at St. Cecilia's in Houston. They will join with hundreds of other young people from 13 different Dioceses, including Galveston-Houston, at a Mass presided over by Cardinal DiNardo. The conductor for the choir is Lee Gwozdz, Assistant Conductor of the Cathedral Choir in Corpus Christi, TX.

They are also scheduled to sing at Masses in our parish during Lent and throughout the Easter Season. The Mass times will be rotated among our Saturday and Sunday Liturgies so that all parishioners will have the opportunity to hear and sing with the children.

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!

Spring Break

No class March 18th

First Wednesdays

The youth group will meet March 4th at 6:00 PM in the Hall.

Upcoming Catechetics Modules

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 & Liturgy
1:00pm to 3:00pm: Cultural Perspectives
Sessions to be at Christ Our Light-- Navasota

Coming this Summer.....

Vacation Bible School
June 22-26
Mark your calendar!

Students of the Month - January

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

K - Sydney Goulait
1st - Leah Moy
2nd - Jake Gilmore
3rd - Gabie Olivieri
4th - Michael Kurten
5th - Tristan Riker
6th - Chris Welsh
7th - Ryan Reissig
8th - Casey Walsh
C I - Mike South
C II - David South

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES are Scheduled for Saturday, April 4th
from 900-12:00 in St. Mary's Family Life Center with Baptisms to follow May 17th

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

March, 2009

Mar 1 First Sunday of Lent: Gn 9:8-15 * Ps 25:4-5,6-7,8-9 * 1 Pt 3:18-22 * Mk 1:12-15
Mar 2: Lv 19:1-2,11-18 * Ps 19:8,9,10,15 * Mt 25:31-46
Mar 3 [St. Katharine Drexel] : Is 55:10-11 * Ps 34:4-5,6-7,16-17,18-19 * Mt 6:7-15
Mar 4 [St. Casimir] : Jon 3:1-10 * Ps 51:3-4,12-13,18-19 * Lk 11:29-32
Mar 5 Est C:12,14-16,23-25 * Ps 138:1-2,2-3,7-8 * Mt 7:7-12
Mar 6: Ez 18:21-28 * Ps 130:1-2,3-4,5-7,7-8 * Mt 5:20-26
Mar 7 [Sts. Perpetua and Felicity] : Dt 26:16-19 * Ps 119:1-2,4-5,7-8 * Mt 5:43-48

Mar 8 Second Sunday of Lent: Gn 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18 * Ps 116:10,15,16-17,18-19 * Rom 8:31b-34 * Mk 9:2-10
Mar 9 [St. Frances of Rome] : Dn 9:4b-10 * Ps 79:8,9,11,13 * Lk 6:36-38
Mar 10: Is 1:10,16-20 * Ps 50:8-9,16-17,21,23 * Mt 23:1-12
Mar 11: Jer 18:18-20 * Ps 31:5-6,14,15-16 * Mt 20:17-28
Mar 12: Jer 17:5-10 * Ps 1:1-2,3,4,6 * Lk 16:19-31
Mar 13: Gn 37:3-4,12-13a,17b-28a * Ps 105:16-17,18-19,20-21 * Mt 21:33-43,45-46
Mar 14: Mi 7:14-15,18-20 * Ps 103:1-2,3-4,9-10,11-12 * Lk 15:1-3,11-32

Mar 15 Third Sunday of Lent: Ex 20:1-17 * Ps 19:8,9,10,11 * 1 Cor 1:22-25 * Jn 2:13-25 5
Mar 16: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b * Ps 42:2,3;43:3,4 * Lk 4:24-30
Mar 17 [St. Patrick] : Dn 3:25,34-43 * Ps 25:4-5,6-7,8-9 * Mt 18:21-35
Mar 18 [St. Cyril of Jerusalem ] : Dt 4:1,5-9 * Ps 147:12-13,15-16,19-20 * Mt 5:17-19
Mar 19 St. Joseph, Husband of Mary: 2 Sm 7:4-5a,12-14a,16 * Ps 89:2-3,4-5,27,29 * Rom 4:13,16-18,22 * Mt 1:16,18-21,24a
Mar 20: Hos 14:2-10 * Ps 81:6-8,8-9,10-11,14,17 * Mk 12:28-34
Mar 21: Hos 6:1-6 * Ps 51:3-4,18-19,20-21 * Lk 18:9-14

Mar 22 Fourth Sunday of Lent: 2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23 * Ps 137:1-2,3,4-5,6 * Eph 2:4-10 * Jn 3:14-21 7
Mar 23 [St. Toribio de Mogrovejo] : Is 65:17-21 * Ps 30:2,4,5-6,11-13 * Jn 4:43-54 8
Mar 24: Ez 47:1-9,12 * Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9 * Jn 5:1-16
Mar 25 The Annunciation of the Lord: Is 7:10-14;8:10 * Ps 40:7-8,8-9,10,11 * Heb 10:4-10 * Lk 1:26-38
Mar 26: Ex 32:7-14 * Ps 106:19-20,21-22,23 * Jn 5:31-47
Mar 27: Wis 2:1a,12-22 * Ps 34:17-18,19-20,21,23 * Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30
Mar 28: Jer 11:18-20 * Ps 7:2-3,9-10,11-12 * Jn 7:40-53

Mar 29 Fifth Sunday of Lent: Jer 31:31-34 * Ps 51:3-4,12-13,14-15 * Heb 5:7-9 * Jn 12:20-33 9
Mar 30: Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62 * Ps 23:1-3,3-4,5,6 * Jn 8:1-11 10
Mar 31: Nm 21:4-9 * Ps 102:2-3,16-18,19-21 * Jn 8:21-30