I know that you have been on the edge of your seat waiting for my escapades in Australia and New Zealand. My bulletin article last month was all about my anticipation of my upcoming cruise to the other side of the world where I'd never been before: Australia and New Zealand. Well, the best laid plans of mice and men....

The Saturday evening before the trip was to begin on the following Thursday, I was told that the cruise was canceled because the ship had been put in dry dock. It seems that the cruise line has had trouble with this particular fleet of ships and this ship in particular. Just my luck that I'd be assigned chaplain on a ship going nowhere.

Help us make the Annual Homecoming & Bazaar Celebrating the 100th Year on May 24, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church a special event!

We need volunteers, cakes, pies, fruit, toys, groceries, plants, auction items, monetary donations, etc.

CONSIDER MAKING SOMETHING SPECIAL COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS AT ST. JOSEPH'S FOR THE AUCTION.

If you can help out in any way, contact:

Bo Imhoff at 936-672-4555 or Mike Wetuski at 936-870-6836

This year's bazaar is dedicated to Fr. Ed and Fr. Kelly!

ST. JOSEPH'S RAFFLE TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! BUY THEM FROM ANY SJ MEMBER OR COME BY THE PARISH OFFICE.

(TO ALL PARISH MEMBERS . . . SELL, SELL, SELL!)

The month of May is traditionally dedicated to Mary in many cultures. May crowning became popular in the United States, especially prior to Vatican II. This practice continues in many parishes today. A statue of Mary is honored with a wreath of blossoms to indicate Mary's virtues, virtues that were to be imitated by the faithful.

The Blessed Virgin Mary will be crowned at St. Joseph's Church and St. Mary's Church on Mother's Day Sunday, May 10 during the 10:30am mass.

IF YOU ARE A PARENT, YOU SHOULD 'BE VIRTUSED'!

'Virtus' is a National Catholic Program required for our volunteers who work with children, but ANYONE can take it.

The session is called 'Protecting God's Children'. You will learn what to look for in a child who is being or has been abused. You will learn what to look out for in a potential abuser. You will learn things you can do to help keep children safe. So, if you are a parent, here is your chance!

We are having a Virtus Session in the St. Mary Parish Hall, on Saturday, May 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. You must register ahead of time, online at www.virtus.org to attend. You will need to arrive BEFORE 9:00 a.m. to be admitted. Call the Church Office if you need assistance.

Anyone who intends to help with Vacation Bible School, a Children's Music Group, C.C.E. or is a part of ANY CHILDREN'S ORGANIZATION OR GROUP that uses Church facilities and has not already taken this, needs to sign up and attend this session!

Come join us in Rome!

June 22nd -- 26th, 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Pre-K through 6th Grade Students

This year we're doing - Rome: Paul & The Underground Church

Volunteers needed! Contact the C.C.E. Office for information.

Registration Forms available in the C.C.E. Office or June Bulletin.
re@smsj.org or 936-894-2223

St. Joseph's Altar Society Stew Super Raffle Winners

Chrissy Wolfson ~ Quilt
Thomas Nickleson ~ Swing
Tim Williams ~ Adult Bicycle
Felix Kimich ~ Wind Chimes
Megan Rubach ~ $100 Gift Certificate
Gail Sowell ~ $100 Gift Certificate
Geralyn Backhus ~ $100 Gift Certificate

Thanks again to all who supported our annual Stew Supper!

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

Also... it's GAME DAY this month ... come join us on Thursday, May 21, 2009 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

~~MONTHLY MEETING -- TUES., MAY 12, 2009 -- 6:00 PM AT ST. MARY'S HALL~~

Monthly Meeting Hostesses: Mimi Loftus, Pam Alexander, Pat Brownlee, Nancy Schlottman

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will meet this month at the hall after the 9:00am mass on May 12, 2009. (THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN JUNE, JULY & AUGUST!)

. . . will be holding their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

The St. Mary's Men's Club would like to thank all who played, sponsored a hole, donated a gift or volunteered in our Eighth Annual Golf Tournament at Walden Golf Course last month. Thanks to the support of so many, the tournament was a huge success.

It was a tough start to the vegetable garden this year due to hail and a German Shepherd puppy that weighs a ton. I spent a lot of time getting things planted. He snuck into the garden during the night and dug it back up. Jealousy or just having fun? Needless to say he hasn't messed with them again. Now we are enjoying the fruits of our labor and anticipating more. My garden is about 100 feet from my door so I have planted some cilantro (coriander), parsley and green onions in pots closer to the house for easy access. I love the smell of cilantro and herbs when they get wet from watering. Their fragrance just fills the air.

At this time of year it will be getting hotter and hotter. Time to transplant or seed summer annual flowers such as sunflowers, zinnia, marigold, morning glory, cosmos, periwinkles and gourds. Plant Vinca at the end of the month in a sunny spot. In the shade plant Impatiens, coleus, begonias and caladium.

Summer flowering perennials include garden mums, Shasta daisy, dusty miller, mallow, coreopsis, summer phlox, daylily and salvia of many kinds and colors. Summer bulbs include achimenes, cannas, caladiums dahlias can be planted at the end of this month. Lantana loves the heat. It blooms all summer.

Firebush has bright orange and red blooms that attract hummingbirds. A few more plants that attract hummingbirds are Cherry sage, Mountain sage, Big Red sage, Red Yuka, Turk's cap, Rose Mallow, Coral vine, Trumpet vine and Cross vine.

Fertilize your roses every four to six weeks with small amounts of fertilizer. You can still set out container shrubs and trees. They will need regular watering this summer but don't over do. If you do it now you can still fertilize your yard. Testing the soil is always best to know the right fertilizer to use. Keep it watered regularly.

Looking forward to all those fresh veggies. I'm on a squash kick. Just can't seem to get enough of it lately. Enjoy the rest of spring.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THE GROUND HE WALKED UPON.

A book filled with hope and inspiration for caregivers has just been released. "Upside Down and Back Again: Hope for the Caregiver" is a unique book for caregivers written from a Christian perspective, comprised of practical tips, prayers, bible verses, and inspiration by author Barbara J. Cooper. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For more information or to order your signed copy, you may contact the author though her website at: www.barbarajcooperbooks.com or you may send a check in the amount of $13.95 to B.J. Cooper-Schonert, P.O. Box 9077, College Station, Texas 77842

It's the birthday of the Catholic Church!!

Please join us on Pentecost Sunday in celebrating the beginning
of the Catholic Church.

There will be an Easter Egg hunt after all the Masses at St. Joseph's and St. Mary's on Sunday, May 31 for the children in attendance.

Bring a basket or one will be provided.

At St. Mary's, join us for the usual Coffee Service in the Hall after all the Masses. There will be a special Birthday Cake for all to share.

(Arthur Plessala -- May, 2009)

The month of May brings the feast of Pentecost, a time to celebrate the gifts that God's Spirit bestows on the Church in and through its members. God's gifts are given to each of us and we are expected to share them with others. When we recognize our gifts and talents and use them in the service of others, only then are we being the persons that God created us to be.
St. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is the Giver of gifts: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, Fear of the Lord.
Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity.

How much our world needs a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit! There are still many who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ; while many others, for whatever reason, have not recognized in this Good News the saving truth that alone can satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts. The psalmist prays: When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth" (Ps 104:30). It is my firm belief that young people are called to be instruments of that renewal, communicating to their peers the joy they have experienced through knowing and following Christ, and sharing with others the love that the Spirit pours into their hearts, so that they too will be filled with hope and with thanksgiving for all the good things they have received from God, our heavenly Father. Many people today lack hope. They are perplexed by the questions that present themselves ever more urgently in a confusing world, and they are often uncertain which way to turn for answers. They see poverty and injustice and they long to find solutions. They are challenged by the arguments of those who deny the existence of God and they wonder how to respond. They see great damage done to the natural environment through human greed and they struggle to find ways to live in greater harmony with nature and with one another.

Where can we look for answers? The Spirit points us towards the way that leads to life, to love, and to truth. The Spirit points us towards Jesus Christ. There is a saying attributed to Saint Augustine: If you wish to remain young, seek Christ. In him we find the answers that we are seeking; we find the goals that are truly worth living for; we find the strength to pursue the path that will bring about a better world. Our hearts find no rest until they rest in the Lord, as Saint Augustine says at the beginning of the Confessions, the famous account of his own youth. Our prayer is that our hearts will truly find rest in the Lord, and that we will be filled with joy and fervor for spreading the Good News among our friends, our families, and all whom we meet.

The single, most important pre-condition for participating in the saving events of the Bible is PERSONAL HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. We must accept the full truth about ourselves. We naturally tend to be selfish, which is in fact a radical form of bondage, but there is no real happiness at the end of this path. We are always moving through the painful process of authentic conversion from selfish ego-centricity to unconditional love of others. All our prayers need to be focused on the need to move from selfishness to love of others. We have a constant need of conversion. The "big lie" of Satan is that we can achieve happiness by being self-centered and by avoiding painful conversion. The original meaning of the word, "devil," is deceiver. That is why Jesus declares, When he {the devil} tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

It is so difficult to embrace the full truth about ourselves that it is very likely that we will find excuses for not taking the challenge of the scriptures seriously. Since the journey that we Christians are on is UNION with God---enjoying beatific vision---we must be dedicated to truth and have nothing to do with deception. We know that marriage doesn't work if we live in deception. If God is love and God is Jesus Incarnate who is the way, the truth, and the life, we believe that Union with God excludes deception. The Hebrew slaves were delivered from bondage because God loved them, not because they were attractive, but because God is good. Moses risked his life by returning to Egypt and accepting what seemed to be a "mission impossible." He did it because he loved those who needed his help. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth (John 16:13).

The Cemetery Association of St. Mary's Catholic Community invites all to a MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION in the Cemetery MONDAY, MAY 25, 2009 at 9:00 AM to pay respects to those who gave their life in the service of our country.

Please keep all of our men and women in the military in your prayers, especially -

Brian Perry E6 & Matthew Perry E5
(Brian, a Navy Seal in San Diego, and
Matthew, a Navy Cryptologist at Fort Meade, Maryland, are the sons of Marshall & Patrice Perry of Montgomery)
~~~~~~~~~~
Capt. John Adams
(An Installation Commander in the U.S. Army stationed at Pele Center in Pago, Pago
American Samoa, is the son of Joyce Adams)
~~~~~~~~~~
2nd Lt. USMC Jeff Vickers
(An Intel Officer stationed at Dam Neck,
Virginia Beach, VA. Jeff is the son-in-law of Rufus Pavlock.)

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.

St. Mary and St. Joseph's Catholic Communities congratulate our newest members who received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist):

Karen Ann Klawinsky
Samantha Lea Theresa Klawinsky
Rex Wayne Sebastian Pixley
Tasha Lea Francis Willis

and

Kayla Rene Mary Magdalene Blummer
who celebrated the Rite of Reception (Confirmation and Holy Eucharist) into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church at Easter Vigil.

The message of the liturgy in proclaiming the passion narratives in full is to enable the assembly to see vividly the love of Christ for each person, despite their sins, a love that even death could not vanquish. The crimes during the Passion of Christ cannot be attributed indiscriminately to all Jews of that time, nor to Jews today. The Jewish people should not be referred to as though rejected or cursed, as if this view followed from Scripture. The Church even keeps in mind that Jesus, his mother Mary, and the Apostles all were Jewish. As the Church has always held, Christ freely suffered his passion and death because of the sins of all, that all might be saved.

We need your help!
Please consider a donation for prizes for the Raffle.

Donations of prizes help keep our cost down and make the
Bazaar more profitable. If interested in donating larger
prizes, please consider forming a group. We will have a Wish List available outside of the church after all Masses on
May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24.

Contacts:
Linda Armstrong
936-825-0565
or
St. Mary’s Church
936-894-2223

Movie Night
May 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Hall

Friday Night at the Movies! Come join us for a classic, family film.

First Wednesdays
May 6th

Our youth will be meeting in the Hall at 6:00 p.m.

Virtus
May 16th at 9:00 a.m.

Virtus will be held at St. Mary's in the Hall. All C.C.E. and VBS volunteers need to attend Virtus if they haven't already.

Register online: www.virtus.org

C.C.E. Volunteer Party
May 17th at 3:00 p.m.

Volunteers and their families are invited to an end-of-the-year party in the Hall. Bring a side dish or dessert.

Vacation Bible School
June 22nd - 26th, 9:30 a.m. - noon

Registration forms will be in the June Bulletin. Volunteers are still needed.

Contact the C.C.E. office for information at:
Email: re@smsj.org
Phone: (936) 894-2223

Students of the Month - March

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

K - Jackson Giddens
1st - Katie Beth Dowell
2nd - Courtney Wyrwich
3rd - Joseph LeBlanc
4th - Jason Goulait
5th - Eli Yarrito
6th - Trenton Moy
7th - Ty Smith
8th - Jonathan LaRose
C I - Cole Imhoff
C II - Chelsea Bailey

What's New?

Coming this Fall:

A new High School Youth Class on Wednesday nights with 'Spotlight' classes focusing on Teen Issues plus special interest nights for drama, arts & crafts, music & puppetry!

Adjustments to our Sacrament Programs as we conform to Archdiocesan Guidelines.

More information will be in the June Bulletin.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES

are Scheduled for Saturday, June 6th from 900-12:00 in St. Mary's Family Life Center with Baptisms to follow July 12th

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

May 1 [St. Joseph the Worker]: Acts 9:1-20 * Ps 117:1,2 * Jn 6:52-5914
May 2 St. Athanasius: Acts 9:31-42 * Ps 116:12-13,14-15,16-17* Jn 6:60-69
May 3: Fourth Sunday of Easter: Acts 4:8-12 * Ps 118:1,8-9,21-23,26,28,29 * 1 Jn 3:1-2 * Jn 10:11-18
May 4: Acts 11:1-18 * Ps 42:2-3;43:3,4 * Jn 10:1-10
May 5: Acts 11:19-26 * Ps 87:1-3,4-5,6-7 * Jn 10:22-30
May 6: Acts 12:24----13:5a * Ps 67:2-3,5,6,8 * Jn 12:44-50
May 7: Acts 13:13-25 * Ps 89:2-3,21-22,25,27 * Jn 13:16-20
May 8: Acts 13:26-33 * Ps 2:6-7,8-9,10-11 * Jn 14:1-6
May 9: Acts 13:44-52 * Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4 * Jn 14:7-14
May 10 Fifth Sunday of Easter: Acts 9:26-31 * Ps 22:26-27,28,30,31-32 * 1 Jn 3:18-24 * Jn 15:1-8
May 11: Acts 14:5-18 * Ps 115:1-2,3-4,15-16 * Jn 14:21-26
May 12 [Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, Spt. Pancras]: Acts 14:19-28 * Ps 145:10-11,12-13,21 * Jn 14:27-31a
May 13 [Our Lady of Fatima]: Acts 15:1-6 * Ps 122:1-2,3-4,4-5 * Jn 15:1-8
May 14 St. Matthias: Acts 1:15-17,20-26 * Ps 113:1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8 * Jn 15:9-17
May 15 [St. Isidore]: Acts 15:22-31 * Ps 57:8-9,10,12 * Jn 15:12-17
May 16: Acts 16:1-10 * Ps 100:1-2,3,5 * Jn 15:18-21
May 17 Sixth Sunday of Easter: Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48 * Ps 98:1,2-3,3-4 * 1 Jn 4:7-10 * Jn 15:9-17
May 18 [St. John I]: Acts 16:11-15 * Ps 149:1-2,3-4,5-6,9 * Jn 15:26----16:4a
May 19: Acts 16:22-34 * Ps 138:1-2,2-3,7-8 * Jn 16:5-11
May 20 [St. Bernardine]: Acts 17:15,22----18:1 * Ps 148:1-2,11-12,13,14 * Jn 16:12-15
May 21 The Ascension of the Lord: Acts 1:1-11 * Ps 47:2-3,6-7,8-9 * Eph 1:17-23 * Mk 16:15-2015
May 22 [St. Rita of Cascia]: Acts 18:9-18 * Ps 47:2-3,4-5,6-7 * Jn 16:20-23
May 23: Acts 18:23-28 * Ps 47:2-3,8-9,10 * Jn 16:23b-28
May 24 Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:15-17,20a,20c-26 * Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20 * 1 Jn 4:11-16 * Jn 17:11b-19 or Ascension (see May 21)
May 25 [St. Bede, St. Gregory VII, St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi]: Acts 19:1-8 * Ps 68:2-3,4-5,6-7 * Jn 16:29-33
May 26 St. Philip Neri: Acts 20:17-27 * Ps 68:10-11,20-21 * Jn 17:1-11a
May 27 [St. Augustine of Cantebury]: Acts 20:28-38 * Ps 68:29-30,33-35,35-36 * Jn 17:11b-19
May 28: Acts 22:30;23:6-11 * Ps 16:1-2,5,7-8,9-10,11 * Jn 17:20-26
May 29: Acts 25:13b-21 * Ps 103:1-2,11-12,19-20 * Jn 21:15-19
May 30: Acts 28:16-20,30-31 * Ps 11:4,5,7 * Jn 21:20-25
May 31 Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1-11 * Ps 104:1,24,29-30,31,34 * 1 Cor 12:3b-7,12-13 * Jn 20:19-23