There will be a Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 26 at 9:00am at St. Mary's.

There will be no masses on Thursday & Friday, November 27 & 28.

The Parish Office will also be closed both days.

The Stitch N' Sisters of St. Mary and St. Joseph and Friends meet at St. Joseph's in the hall each Tuesday morning following the 9am Mass. On Tuesday, October 14th, Fr. Ed. was invited to a luncheon which was billed as their 'October Covered Dish'. There was really nothing unusual about the invitation because so much of each organizations' activities revolve around food and the 'Sisters' have been known to throw a 'light' spread of goodies from time-to-time. Fr. Ed. did notice that there were two tables full of food and desserts, a lot more than he expected. He wondered what the 'November Covered Dish' would be like.

He was completely surprised when a beautifully wrapped box with an envelope was brought out and everyone laughed and sang 'Happy Birthday'. They really jumped the gun 'cause his birthday wasn't till the following week. That's how they pulled their surprise. The card was signed by all the Stitch N' Sisters. Inside the box was a hand pieced and hand stitched quilt in the 'barbwire' design. Fr. Ed. had actually watched it being pieced and stitched and admired it 'from afar'. In addition to being a beautifully hand worked quilt by parishioners and friends, it was also embroidered with a special presentation inscription, dated and signed by all the Stitching Sisters. It was displayed on the following Sunday at the Stitching Sisters table during the Festival of Ministries and drooled over by all.

Fr. Ed. will treasure the quilt not only because of its beauty, uniqueness and quality of workwomanship, but because he knows that each stitch was done with love. He already considers it an heirloom. Bridget IV and Y2K have strict notice to 'stay off'. He doesn't want this very precious gift to get 'distressed'. So many have been gifted by the talents of the Stitch N' Sisters. They are the ultimate treasure of our Community of faith.

~ COME ENCOUNTER JESUS ~
Presented by
Rev. Cedric Pisegna, C.P.

Rev . Cedric Pisegna, C.P., is a Passionist priest who professed vows in September, 1985. He was born in Springfield , Massachusetts , and graduated from the University of Mass. at Amherst with a B.S. in Social Work. In addition, he has studied Philosophy at So. Illinois Univ. and Speech and Drama at Northwestern Univ. in Chicago . Fr. Cedric graduated from the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago in May, 1990, receiving his Master of Divinity with Bible Specialization. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1991. Currently, Fr. Cedric preaches retreats and missions throughout the United States ministering out of the Passionist Retreat complex in Houston , TX .

Wanted
Your attendance at
St. Mary's / St. Joseph's Mission
November 9, 10 & 11 at 7:00pm
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Plantersville , TX

~~~

Childcare will be provided for children ages 2-8 years for all evening sessions.
To reserve a place for your child, call the office at 936-894-2223.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!
www.frcedric.org

A Parish mission is a way of rejuvenating the parish community. During this time universal message of the Gospel and of the Church is preached. It is a time of God's special grace. Through prayer, music, and preaching God's word, the missionary tries to create an atmosphere through which peoples' hearts will be moved. The centerpiece of the mission is the Lord Jesus Christ and his Paschal Mystery. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven; he rose so that we could know new life; he will come again in Glory to raise us up and take us home to Heaven. New life is the goal and purpose of the mission; the refreshing new life that God offers us in the Holy Spirit.

Led by His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Monday, November 24, 2008 ~ St. Thomas Catholic Church, Huntsville, TX

The Texas Catholic Conference invites Catholic faithful to participate in a Pilgrimage for Life from 9am-noon at St. Thomas Church, 1323 16th St., Huntsville, TX. The pilgrimage will be led by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and several Texas bishops. It will start out with Mass at St. Thomas including the Stations of the Cross. The route is approximately 3 miles (bring good walking shoes) including the Planned Parenthood facility and the Walls Prison unit. For those not able to participate in the walk, an opportunity for adoration and reflections on the stations of the cross will be available. For additional information, visit http://txcatholic.org/Pilgrimage.asp or call Dave Atwood at 832-693-5710 or Maria Frederick at 512-339-9882.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will meet this month at the hall after the 9:00am mass on November 11, 2008.

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, November 4 , 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's GAME DAY this month ... come join us on Thursday, November 20, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Choir Practice is every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

Call Linda Armstrong for more information.

Join us for Advent and Christmas.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008. Please contact Pam Alexander for more
information.

Our Lady of Guadalupe One-Week Novena Schedule:

November: St. Joseph's
December: St. Mary's
January: St. Joseph's
February: St. Mary's

A simple one week Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Have her blessed picture in your home and honor her with a daily rosary and your petitions.

St. Mary's: A sign up sheet is available in the parish hall.

St. Joseph's: A sign up sheet is available in the church entry.

The picture of Our Lady is to be returned at the end of the week.

Store Hours:

Saturdays: Open after 5:30 p.m. Mass
Sundays: Open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mon thru Fri: Stop by the Parish Office
between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for Assistance

~~New Merchandise~~
Do your Christmas Shopping With Us!!

Gift Certificates ~ Gift Registry
Religious Articles ~ Prayer Books
Bibles ~ Rosaries
Children & Adult Books
Baptism Gifts & many other Gift Items.

We are always happy to welcome new members to our St. Vincent de Paul conference. We meet once a month, and our purpose is to reach out to those in need while working to improve our own spirituality. If you are interested in learning more about our work, please contact our president, C. J. LeBlanc at (936) 597-7924.

THE NEXT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008 AT 3:30 P.M. AT ST. MARY'S HALL.

Help Us Please!

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!!

The Cemetery Association of St. Mary Catholic Community invites all to a Memorial Day Celebration in the Cemetery Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 9:00 AM honoring St. Mary's Veterans.

St. Mary Boy Scouts will hoist the Colors Memorial Service and Blessing of the Veteran's Graves

Deacon Ted Baker Patriotic Music, Kelly Gabriel of St. Joseph"To the Colors" and "Taps" by John Sadler,a member of the Montgomery High School Band

An American Flag will be placed on each veteran's grave.

Wear your red, white and blue and come join us for this 7th annual celebration of our freedoms and the lives of the Veterans who made it possible for us to worship and celebrate in this most wonderful country.

For the last couple of years the St. Mary's Men's Club Christmas Toy Drive, which benefits the less fortunate children in our area, has been a huge success. Therefore, 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
October 21st SMMC meeting, or leave them at the Parish Office with Gail Sowell no later than November 28th. All cash donations will be used to purchase toys.

Mark Your Calendars Now!

Men's Club Blood Drive with Breakfast

Sunday, December 14 from 8AM-1pm In St. Mary's Parish Hall.

NEXT MEETING Tuesday, November 18

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Calling ALL Parishioners:

Join our RCIA Neophytes (those who entered into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil 2008) and past & current RCIAers as we carpool downtown to the Co-Cathedral for a special archdiocesan "kick-off" Mass for the Year of the Bible! Daniel Cardinal DiNardo will be the celebrant at the 9:00 am Mass on Saturday, November 15. We plan on having carpools leave St. Mary's and Walmart's (Hwy 105 @ Walden Road) parking lots around 7:15, attending Mass, and then eating lunch before returning home.

For more information:
Contact Annette Young at Annetteyoung9@hotmail.com
or Sharon Skeans at skeans@consolidated.net or 936-448-2740.

(Arthur Plessala -- November, 2008)

Since November is the month for recollection, let's reflect on the following questions: (1) What is meant by the "kingdom of God"? (2) Is the kingdom of God present in our temporal world today or is it something we call Eternal Life only to be experienced after our death?

John the Baptist warned us all in the New Testament that the advent of the kingdom of God is near. John exhorts, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2). In the words of Christ, the "kingdom" means not so much a goal to be attained or a place to be reached, though these meanings are by no means excluded: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (cf. Matthew 5:3). Rather it is a state of consciousness, a mental awareness that must permeate men's minds if they would be one with Him and attain His ideals: "Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, (Jesus) said in reply, 'The kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce Look, here it is, or There it is. For behold, the kingdom of God is among you" (Luke 17:20-21).
Only by recognizing these shades of meaning can we do justice to the biblical references to the kingdom with their endless variety. At one time the "kingdom" means the sway of grace in men's hearts such as in the parable of the seed growing secretly (Mark 4:26-27). Still, Mark (14:25) refers to the kingdom as a place where God reigns, as does Luke (23:42-43) when quoting the good thief crucified with Christ: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." In Matthew 3:3, we all are asked to "prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." Here John the Baptist addresses the kingdom as our lifelong goal here in our temporal world and everyday lives.

As our early church fathers grew to understand the divinity of Christ, they realized that the kingdom of God was not only, as we say in The Lord's Prayer, "thy kingdom come," our goal and a place in the future; but also the "kingdom" is enshrined in the living Church here on earth. They began to speak of the Church as "the kingdom of God"' (cf. Colossians, 1:13-14; I Thessalonians, 2:11-12).

Thus, "the kingdom of God" means the ruling of God in our hearts; it means those principles which separate us from the kingdom of the world and the devil; it means the benign sway of grace; it means the Church as that divine institution whereby we may make sure of attaining the spirit of Christ and so win that ultimate kingdom of God where He reigns without end in "the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:2).
The stark reality: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). If we cannot come to grip with the fact that sin separates us from God, we will never come home spiritually, for there is no need for a savior. We must understand that we sinners are separated from God in order to experience "God's kingdom" here on earth. Repentance is to say to the Father, I want to turn toward you and away from the life I have lived independently from you. I am sorry for who I have been and what I have done and I want to permanently change. I pray and ask for and humbly receive your forgiveness for my sins.

The kingdom of God is within our hearts. It is the Holy Spirit that Jesus sends us. It is the Spirit of Peace. It is the Spirit of Love. The Spirit is our living union with God. It is this union with the spirit that takes us to the Kingdom. "From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him" (St. Paul).

The dividing line between temporal and eternal life is by no means simply time as we know it. We generally think that the years before death would be temporal life; the endless time afterwards, eternal life. Eternity is not just that which comes afterwards, something about which we can form no notion at all. Why? Because eternity is not just endless time but another level of being, a mere chronological distinction of the two cannot be made. Eternal life is here, in the midst of time, whenever we come face to face with God (e.g. in receiving the Eucharist---John 6:51, by helping our brothers and sisters in need). When we come face to face with Jesus, the Messiah, we come face to face with God. At those special moments, we are in another level called Eternal Life.
Through the reception and contemplation of the living God through Jesus, He becomes our soul's companion. Like a great love, Eternal life can no longer be taken from us by any physical change or chance happening; rather it is an indestructible heart from which springs the courage and the joy to go on, even when our daily lives are painful and hard...When God touches our soul, we learn to see aright... "This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). Wherever such an encounter takes place, there is eternal life in our midst. The dividing line between temporal life and eternal life runs right through the midst of our daily existence because seeing Jesus Christ is seeing God face to face--the union of Eternal Life with life in today's world. Let's remain mindful of this each time we say The Lord's Prayer and utter the words, "thy kingdom come."

~~Stories & Especially Pictures Needed ~~

There is still time to get YOUR family into St. Joseph's 100-Year Book. If any of these are in your family tree, (even on a mother's or grandmother's side), your info belongs also. Write down what you know: your mother's parents and brothers and sisters, their birthdays? who they married? when and where? your dad's siblings? who fought where in which war? Do you remember your grandparents? Have a picture? We will come to your house to scan pictures, or they can be LENT to us. All pictures will be returned and you will also be given a cleaned up 4x6 copy to share.

If your ancestor, OR your child, is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, your info belongs in this book. Don't be the only family missing when we go to press.

DEMNY, CHLEBOWSKI, FILIPAK (Phillips), GRACZYK (Grochett), JAGODZINSKI (Yargo), KLAWINSKI, KUTA, NASKRENT (Noski, Naski), NISZLKEWSKI, NOAK (Nowak), PAWLACK (Pavlock), PIECZYNSKI, SHECHINSKI (Sicinski), SZMIT (Smith, Schmidt), SYMANSKI, TOMKIEVITZ (Tomkivits), URBANOSK (Ubanoski), WIETZYKOLE, WINKLER, WITUCKI (Wetuski), YOREK.

If you are not sure, turn in your info anyway! The program we are using will sort it out. Each person has part of the picture, and when it all fits, it will be a beautiful resource for our
descendants in the NEXT 100 years. Send info to or call:
Nance Shaw ~ nance7@embarqmail.com
16911 Lone Star Road ~ Navasota, Texas 77868 ~ 936-894-2512

Saturday, November 8, 2008
St. Stanislaus Church--Anderson, TX

Come and enjoy a Festival Concert of sacred music at 5:30pm, and join in the celebration of Eucharist at 6pm at St. Stanislaus in Anderson. This event is hosted by St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Christ Our Light, and St. Stanislaus. Musicians from churches all over the Archdiocese will participate in the choir, directed by Felipe Gasper, Director of Liturgical Music at Christ the Redeemer in Houston, who is also a gifted composer; Felipe's music will be featured at the concert. The Mass will be concelebrated by Father Ed and Father Raul, pastor of Christ Our Light and St. Stanislaus.

Choristers will rehearse in the Church from 6 -- 7pm on CCE class evenings (Wednesdays), and St. Mary's Chimes Choir will rehearse in the Hall.

The Choristers and Chimes Choirs will be singing and playing at regular Sunday Mass approximately once every month and at many special events, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, and Easter. Help your children to learn about the music of our faith so that they can truly fully participate in worship. For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or leave a message at the church office.

35 40-Hour Heros ! These people are praying every day at the same hour, for an hour:

100 emails sent out daily, with 500 emails crossing cyberspace once a week. These are all in Grimes and Waller counties (with a few neighbors of good will.)

268 known "Baby-saves" ( USA and Canada ) in the first 21 days. There are so many that are never known. The mother drives by, sees the prayer warriors, and decides to not to keep her abortion appointment, or a mother or father sees an ad or hears a radio interview, etc and a life is saved without anyone ever encountering a sidewalk counselor. How many hours of prayer and fasting are 268 babies worth?

500 families (well, a few single priests) are willing to be known as pro-life to the world, with a yard sign at the road

Over 1500 signatures sent in to Houston to stop the Planned Parenthood mega clinic!

Bottom line? It is no longer necessary to be pro-life "in secret" in Grimes and Waller Counties .

BE BOLDLY PRO-LIFE

St. Mary's will have ALTAR SERVER TRAINING on Sunday, Nov. 9 following the 10:30 Mass. Meet in church at 11:45 for a training session that will last about 45 minutes. A parent must attend with the child. Any children who have made their First Communion are eligible. For more information contact Wanda O'Brien, 597-6328.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT will be selling Christmas Cards during late November and early December. Look for them for sale after Mass and use them when you send out your Christmas Cards this year. Help be a part of this wonderful witness to the pro-life message.

Announcing an Upcoming Information Night on Annulments

There is a great deal of misinformation that surrounds the Catholic Church's laws concerning annulments. Some think that the Church's procedure for annulments amounts to nothing other than "Catholic divorce," while others feel that the process is too cumbersome, intrusive and expensive. The truth of the matter, however, is that Church law concerning annulments both protects the sanctity of marriage and offers a compassionate response to those suffering the effects of a union flawed from its beginning.

Come to this Information Night (date to be announced), meet the case sponsors here at St. Mary's/St. Joseph's, listen and feel free to ask questions. Gather knowledge and information for your own situation or to pass on to your son or daughter or friend who might be in need of an annulment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember:

The Church has come to a fuller understanding of the workings of the human mind and heart from the development of modern psychology and is attempting to respond more freely to the many requests for a declaration of nullity while remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ. (Don't ever think your case is hopeless (even if you have had a negative decision in the past--an appeal can always be made).

The Church is inviting you to investigate how you might petition for nullity for your failed marriage(s) and be able to receive all the Sacraments again. Don't keep putting it off--Contact us today for further discussion. Complete confidentiality is assured.

  Walter & Francell Busa (936) 870-4145 or fbusa@embarqmail.com
Pat & Corliss O'Shaughnessy (936) 447-3126 or patricko@consolidated.net

Questions & answers have been taken from the book, "Annulments and the Catholic Church" by Edward Peters, J.D., J.C.D.

Scheduled for Saturday, January 3rd @ St. Mary's from 9-12 in the Family Life Center with Baptisms to follow Jan. 11th

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),
Gaby Tryon (936) 448-1342,
Anita Thornton (936) 582-2618
En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

All Saints' Day
A Holy Day

The festival of All Saints , also sometimes known as All Saints' Day , All Hallows or Hallowmas ("hallows" meaning " saints ," and "mas" meaning " Mass "), is a feast celebrated in the honour of all the saints, known and unknown. Halloween is the day preceding it, and is so named because it is "The Eve of All Hallows". All Saints is also a Christian formula invoking all the faithful saints and martyrs , known or unknown.

In the Roman Catholic Church , All Saints' Day honours those who have attained the beautific vision in heaven , while the next day, All Souls' Day , commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven.

All Saints' Vigil Mass--7:00pm--Friday, October 31 @ SJ
All Saints' Day Mass--9:00am--Saturday, November 1 @ SM
All Souls' Day Mass--Regular Sunday Mass Schedule
All Souls' Day Cemetery Service @ SJ--after 7:30am mass
All Souls' Day Remembrance of the Dead, Cemetery Service & Reception @ SM @ 3pm

~ COME ENCOUNTER JESUS ~
Presented by
Rev. Cedric Pisegna, C.P.

Rev . Cedric Pisegna, C.P., is a Passionist priest who professed vows in September, 1985. He was born in Springfield , Massachusetts , and graduated from the University of Mass. at Amherst with a B.S. in Social Work. In addition, he has studied Philosophy at So. Illinois Univ. and Speech and Drama at Northwestern Univ. in Chicago . Fr. Cedric graduated from the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago in May, 1990, receiving his Master of Divinity with Bible Specialization. He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1991. Currently, Fr. Cedric preaches retreats and missions throughout the United States ministering out of the Passionist Retreat complex in Houston , TX .

Wanted
Your attendance at
St. Mary's / St. Joseph's Mission
November 9, 10 & 11 at 7:00pm
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Plantersville , TX

~~~

Childcare will be provided for children ages 2-8 years for all evening sessions.
To reserve a place for your child, call the office at 936-894-2223.

ALL ARE WELCOME!!
www.frcedric.org

A Parish mission is a way of rejuvenating the parish community. During this time universal message of the Gospel and of the Church is preached. It is a time of God's special grace. Through prayer, music, and preaching God's word, the missionary tries to create an atmosphere through which peoples' hearts will be moved. The centerpiece of the mission is the Lord Jesus Christ and his Paschal Mystery. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven; he rose so that we could know new life; he will come again in Glory to raise us up and take us home to Heaven. New life is the goal and purpose of the mission; the refreshing new life that God offers us in the Holy Spirit.

Thank You

The 2008 St. Mary's Bazaar Appreciation Dinner

Sunday, October 12 - 5:00pm at St. Mary's Hall

Come out and enjoy A Mexican Dinner and get the results from our very successful bazaar.

ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Annual Homecoming & Bazaar
Anderson, Texas

Sunday, October 12, 2008
11:00am til ??

BBQ & Sausage Dinner with all the trimmings
Live Auction at 1pm--Games & Booths
Live Polish Band--Raffle

Come One, Come All--Everyone is Invited!

This year's event is dedicated in honor of retired pastor Rev. Louis Sikorski and the loving memory of long-time parish secretary Maxine Lee.

OCTOBER 26, 2008 ~ 12PM TO 3PM ~ PRE-SCHOOL - 6TH GRADE

Come for an afternoon of fun, food and games at St. Mary's Hall / Pavilion.

Wear a costume depicting your favorite saint for our costume contest.

Fortunately and thankfully, both of our churches of St. Mary and St. Joseph were spared damage with the blowing through of Hurricane Ike late Friday evening, September 12th. The blessing was the rain that was part of the experience, though not for anyone with roof damage. Both churches, though older structures, were unmoved and untouched by the high winds and debris. Some water did come through the leaded windows at St. Mary, but it was expected because it happens whenever there is a wind-driven rain. St. Mary Altar Society had already put aside funds for the repair of the lead in the windows which should be contracted soon. Other than that, the damage was to trees on the property of each church. Many thanks to James and Ronnie Bochat, Mary Barron and Nolan Ulbricht at St. Mary.....and Tommy, Donnie and Justin Mock at St. Joseph for coming out with their chain saws and muscle and cleaning up the debris and getting the areas in shape for Sunday. Our communities of St. Mary and St. Joseph were the few [maybe the only] in the path of Hurricane Ike who celebrated their entire weekend Mass schedule and daily schedule following the Big Blow. For all who did not make Mass that weekend, don't worry...Fr. Ed. gave a general dispensation...ha. Bridget, our parish beagle, was a trooper going out during the storm inspecting the situation at St. Mary. Fr. Ed., who is a veteran of many hurricanes, 'hunkered down' [as every newsperson on TV put it] in the rectory, confident that the 1924 structure was as safe and sound as any place on the property. Now that the hurricane is past and the electricity is flowing again, he is determined that the rectory windows will all soon be made operational again [meaning, able to be opened] and screens made. He's going to funnel fresh air into a house built to catch every breeze and never worry again whether the a/c is going to be working or not. Many thanks to Dean and Loretta Miller, Raymond and Andora Miller and the kids for bringing their generator along as they took refuge in the Family Life Center. We lost our electricity about 6:30am Saturday morning....reconnected about 9:50pm Wednesday, Sept. 17th. That coffee Saturday morning was a blessing directly from heaven! Fr. Kelly endured the entire [hair-raising, for him] situation in his mobile mansion, rosary in hand. He had his faithful eight cats and friend, Robert Hankins, from Houston as support during the ordeal. Below are some of the pictures of the aftermath at St. Mary.......send some of yours and we'll post'em in the hall for all to see and empathize....

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will meet this month at the hall after the 9:00am mass on October 14.

Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's~ Questions & Answers

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, October 7 , 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's BINGO this month ... come join us on Thursday, October 16, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun

Beginning in October,
St. Vincent de Paul will have a new contact phone number.
For assistance, call 936-894-2362.
~~~~~~
We are always happy to welcome new members to our St. Vincent de Paul conference. We meet once a month, and our purpose is to reach out to those in need while working to improve our own spirituality. If you are interested in learning more about our work, please contact our president, C. J. LeBlanc at (936) 597-7924.
~~~~~~
THE NEXT ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
MEETING WILL BE HELD ON
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008
AT 3:30 P.M. AT ST. MARY'S HALL.
~~~~~~
Due to Hurricane Ike, our Entergy "Project Care" was delayed. Hopefully, by the time you get this bulletin, the project will be up and running.
~~~~~~
Help Us Please!

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!!
~~~~~~
St. Vincent de Paul "PARISH" BLACK BAG COLLECTION - OCTOBER 5, 2008

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, October 21, 2008.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

For the last couple of years the St. Mary's Men's Club Christmas Toy Drive, which benefits the less fortunate children in our area, has been a huge success. Therefore, 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
October 21st SMMC meeting, or leave them at the Parish Office with Gail Sowell no later than November 28th. All cash donations will be used to purchase toys.

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

The St. Mary's Cemetery Association is working with Linda Armstrong our Music Director so that we can put together a Prayer Service for the Dead and Blessing of the graves at St. Mary's Cemetery. This will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 3:00 pm at St. Mary's Church.

For more details, review the information Linda has in the bulletin titled "In Remembrance".

The Veteran's Day Service to honor all our veterans will be at 9:00am at St. Mary's Cemetery on November 11th. We invite all our parishioners to come be with us for this service. The past services on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day have been well attended and sometimes emotional. Come be with us to honor those who served and those who gave their lives so we can worship as we please and live in a free country.

Hope everyone is re-cooped from Ike. Thank God for the cool spell following the storm. It sure made it easier to cope. We still have plenty of time for planting. We can plant our winter veggies, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, onions, winter squash etc. I usually use turf builder on my lawn so it stays green most of the year. Once in the spring and again in the fall. We can also still plant lawns, ornamental grasses, fall and winter blooming perrenials and fruit trees. Save your citrus planting for the spring. For your citrus to make it through a hard freeze, place a bucket of water at the base of the tree. Cover trunk and bucket with a blanket. This will keep temps at or above freezing. Most of our hard freezes are not until Dec, Jan. or Feb. But you never know! Texas citrus will be coming in soon. The red grapefruit is the state fruit of Texas. Our satsuma fruit usually comes in around Thanksgiving.

Did your Guernsey lily (Lycoris radiata) or plain-ole Spider lily bloom this year? Most are naturalized to this area. Most are red but we have a few varieties. October is the time for planting pansies. There are more than 10 different colors to choose from. Also October is the time to heavily seed rye grasses.

I do enjoy seeing the colors on the leaves starting to turn. I've noticed the tally, sweet gum, cypress and crype myrtle joining in. Soon we will be hearing the crunch of leaves under out feet. Save them for your mulch pile. Come spring you will be able to use it in your gardens. You can also cover your tender plants so they may make it through the winter months. Hope you enjoy carving your home grown jack-o-lanterns. God Bless you and the ground he walked upon.

Send your gardening ideas to: rjbochat@netzero.net. Subject: God's Garden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We still need someone to oversee the flower gardens around the church.

Having read the accounts in the bulletin of my exciting around the world cruise adventures, are you interested in enjoying the next one with me? I have been appointed Chaplain aboard the Celebrity Cruise Ship Millennium for an exciting voyage around New Zealand and Australia next March. We will be visiting most of the major coastal cities and important points of interest in both countries. I will be celebrating mass daily for all the passengers, and hopefully there will be a contingent of St Mary's parishioners aboard again this time to share in this "downunder" adventure.

We depart Houston IAH for Auckland via Los Angeles on March 15, 2009, and return on March 30. All the details can be obtained via the following web link: http://www.gerusaparks.com/gpts_ANZ_2009Brochure.pdf or by visiting Gerusa Parks' website at www.gerusaparks.com.

If you are interested in joining us, call Gerusa at (936) 449-6131 or contact her by email at gptravel@consolidated.net for more details. Her special group arrangements and pricing are available through October 15, 2008.

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 -- October, 2008

It is hard to believe but forty-six years ago on October 11, 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. At a press conference just before the commencement of this landmark Council, Pope John XXIII appeared next to a giant globe of the earth. In this 1962 talk, he used---for the first time---the phrase: lumen gentium , saying that we, the Church, are meant to be " light to the nations ." The utterance of this phrase prompted a key challenge to all Catholics, a challenge that we are all given even today as members of the universal Church. Vatican II opened the doors and windows to let the light and energy and power out. It's a power that St. Paul called dynamos , the dynamite-power of the Gospel of Christ.

In memory of that day, I share a power-filled prayer used by the Council Fathers before every session of the three-year Second Vatican Council:  

We stand before you, Holy Spirit,
conscious of our sinfulness,
but aware that we gather in your name. 

Come to us, remain with us,
and enlighten our hearts.

Give us light and strength
to know your will,
to make it our own;
and to live it in our lives.

Guide us by your wisdom,
support us by your power,
for you are God,
sharing the glory of Father and Son. 

You desire justice for all:
enable us to uphold the rights of others;
do not allow us to be misled by ignorance
or corrupted by fear or favor. 

Unite us to yourself in the bond of love
and keep us faithful to all that is true.

As we gather in your name
may we temper justice with love,
so that all our decisions
may be pleasing to you,
and earn the reward
promised to good and faithful servants.

You live and reign with the Father and the Son,
One God, for ever and ever.
AMEN

The WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 18th, 2008.

Participants will pray the Rosary during the 9 a.m. hour for the following intention: For an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn babies. Because participants will be praying the Rosary during the 9:00 a.m. hour according to the particular time zone they are in, it is hoped that the earth will be circled with multiple waves of Rosaries within a 24-hour time period. (If a person needs to, he/she may pray the Rosary at another time on October 18th, 2008.

"This October 18th pro-life prayer event gives people throughout the world a great opportunity to unite in prayer for unborn babies," said Patrick Benedict, President of the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization, the organization that is coordinating the WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event."

The primary way to stop the killing of unborn babies is by using spiritual weaponry. One of the greatest spiritual weapons is the Rosary, and I encourage everyone to pray the Rosary on October 18th for the unborn babies," concluded Benedict.

Sept. 24 thru Nov. 2 at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's

1. Continue Community Outreach: no matter his or her denomination, visit - neighbor to neighbor outreach, write letters to the editor, put a sign in your yard, BE PUBLICALLY PRO-LIFE. Get out of your comfort zone, babies are dying and women are crying while we sit and say, 'We'd never do that." - Haven't done anything yet? Write a letter to the editor.

2. Continue Prayer and Fasting: Every Christian is asked to join in this profound Heaven-Storming. Sign up to pray every day for an end to abortion, and fast to double your prayer. Fast as you do in Lent - give up something you like, something that keeps you from devoting yourself to God, or go hog wild and live on bread & water, just fast. Also, we will have PUBLIC PRO-LIFE PRAYER with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each Wednesday from 9 - 12 noon at St. Mary's. (http://www.40daysforlife/grimeswaller)

3. Remember Vigil: Take a stand for life in front of Planned Parenthood, either in Bryan or in Houston. NO VIOLENCE, NO MARCHING, NO PROTESTS, prayer, Prayer, PRAYER, with a lot of love. 24 hours a day available. Go once, once a week, or camp out, again it's your call.

4. Rallies: On Sun., Nov. 2, Navasota Celebration of Life-2 p.m.-Navasota Center on Brule St.

Also, on the first Sunday of October, October 5, we will participate in the Life Chain. (http://www.nationallifechain.org/). In Navasota, in Conroe, in Hempstead and in Waller, along with over 1300 cities/towns in the US and Canada, between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon, we will "wait one hour" with the Lord.

On Saturday, October 18, we all are asked to pray the Life Rosary 9-10 a.m. This is part of a world wide prayer chain to end abortion. St. Mary's at 9 a.m., St Joseph's at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call Nance Shaw at 936-894-2512.

This Little Light of Mine

Jesus told us the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30). The servant entrusted with five talents makes a wise investment and earns five more. The servant given only one talent is afraid of losing it and buries it in the ground. The former is rewarded, the latter severely chastised. What happened to the first being last and the last being first?

Notice this: the talents were not the property of the servants. Rather, the servants were only the stewards of their master's property. Just so, our talents and gifts -- beauty, athletic ability, intelligence -- these are our Master's property. We are only stewards.

Some of us were given gifts that are humble by the world's standards. Some of us were given gifts that are world-class. But as Dumbledore says in J. K. Rowling's 2003 novel Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

What should we disciples choose to do with our gifts? Have you ever given a gift you couldn't wait for someone to open? And don't you feel pride and joy every time you see the recipient wearing that new shirt or riding that new bike? That's how God feels when we use our talents to serve others. We should be like Eric Liddell, the Christian Olympian in Chariots of Fire . He said, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." Yes!

One more quote from a child's song: "This little light of mine...put it under a bushel?" "No! I'm gonna let it shine!"

Choir Practice, Wednesdays, 7pm

Beginning with the first CCE class on September 17, St. Mary's Choristers will rehearse in the Church from 6 -- 7pm on CCE class evenings (Wednesdays), and St. Mary's Chimes Choir will rehearse in the Hall. These new programs for 3rd through 8th grade students are open for registration with CCE registration, or contact the Director of Music Ministry.

The Choristers and Chimes Choirs will be singing and playing at regularSunday Mass approximately once every month and at many special events, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, and Easter. Help your children to learn about the music of our faith so that they can truly fully participate in worship.

For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or leave a message at the church office.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES
Scheduled for
Saturday, October 25th
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center
With Baptisms to follow November 16th

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),
Gaby Tryon (936) 448-1342,
Anita Thornton (936) 582-2618
En espanol: Maria Pena, (936) 588-4765

Next class scheduled is Dec. 20th with baptisms on Jan. 11th.

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 2, 2008, at 3pm in the Church. Following the prayer service, we will have the blessing of St. Mary's Cemetery.

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. 1-2, 2008.

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.

The list of helpers with this year's bazaar raffle is way too long to be published! Our parishioners sold tickets at other parishes, stuffed envelopes, tore tickets apart, "scrunched" tickets, collected tickets after Masses on Sundays, sat in the heat all day on Bazaar Day and smiled and welcomed all who came to them. And all our people either sold or bought the tickets that were sent to them.
Special thanks to Liz Torres, without whom none of this would have happened. And to Gail Sowell and Adrienne Hoffart for their untiring help and continued patience!

May God grant you His graces, peace, and good health.

Linda Armstrong, Raffle Chairman 2008

I want to thank all who helped make our booth such a nice place to visit. We had a great tent thanks to Cashner's Funeral Home of Conroe, TX.

Our theme was red, white and blue. Much to my surprise on Saturday morning there was a blue tent set up for me. I would also like to thank Roy Klaus and David Zak for bringing me a trailer load of plants and a big fan to put around our area. My dear husband, Neil for bring comfortable chairs and another big fan to put on the elderly folks who enjoyed the music of Chris Ryback. Then last but not least, Frances Kowis, the victim of recent surgeries and my mom, Margaret Wagner who is 91 years old for spending their day giving out fans and visiting with the people.

Also, thanks to all who helped in small ways if only by a hug, smile, or thumbs up! What a great parish!

God Bless, Mildred (Wagner) Rosenberg, Hospitality Chairperson

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, September 2 , 10:00am in the SM FLC.

Also... it's GAME DAY this month ... come join us on Thursday, September 18, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008. Please contact Pam Alexander for more information.

Store Hours:

Saturdays: Open after 5:30 p.m. Mass
Sundays: Open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Mon thru Fri: Stop by the Parish Office between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for Assistance

Think about Christmas and Special Orders

Gift Certificates ~ Gift Registry
Religious Articles ~ Prayer Books
Bibles ~ Rosaries
Children & Adult Books
Baptism Gifts & many other Gift Items.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will not meet during the months
of July, August and September. The next meeting is Oct. 14.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.
Installation of Officers

Bazaar Chairpersons are hard to find. Great Bazaar Chairpersonsare a Treasure! Hat Off and Bundles of Thanks To Stella & Sonny Yorek, this year's St. Mary Bazaar 2008 Chairpersons!!

And a whole Church Of helping hands & hearts Celebrating a fabulous Day!

The Bazaar Early Bird Drawing Winner of 4 Renaissance Tickets was: LENA UPTON

Help Us Please!

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!!

This month's meeting will be held on St. Vincent de Paul's Feast Day, Saturday, September 27. The time to be announced. In the meantime, if we can be of any assistance to you, please call the parish office, and leave a message. Following the model of St. Vincent de Paul, we are called to be kind and loving servants, and we encourage you to call and share your needs.

Mums the word! Chrysanthemums are great for our fall coloring. There are so many different colors to choose from. They are from Asia. Asian tea was made to treat influenza, fever, sore throat and acne. Of course we mostly use them as ornamentals. Fall is the time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. We have such a short spring cause it goes from cold to HOT so fast. By planting these in the fall, they have the fall and winter months to set their roots. We tend to get more rain at this time so you don't have to water as often. Try some Texas Start bulbs: Narcissus xintermedius. Color: two shades of yellow. Plant Sept 1- Nov. 25. They will bloom in March. They are the size of a quarter and have a strong sweet smell. Hyacinths are also sweetly scented. Can be planted Sep/Oct. Plant them 6in deep and 8in apart. Apply compost for mulch. Amaryllis is one of my favorite bulbs.

So you just couldn't drag yourself out in that August heat to plant those seeds. That's ok. You still have time to get a garden in for the fall. Your neighborhood store sells plants just to give you that head start. You will need to plant your above ground crops Sept 3-7 or 10-11. Choose fast maturing varieties of tomatoes. Someone said to just cut back your spring tomatoes. I have never tried it but I might since my tomato plants did survive the summer. I think it was partially due to the newspaper I placed down at the base of the plants. I had let them get over grown in weeds, it happens, so I pulled the weeds and placed them on top of the paper to keep it from flying away. It helped to keep the ground from drying out. Well that and I waited to plant until April. Plant peppers, bush green beans, broccoli, cabbage, collards, lettuce or squash. For your root crop you will have to wait until the 18-20 or 23-24 of this month. Try planting carrots, beets, onions and such. We are always so glad when this heat lets up. The 22nd is the beginning of fall. Wouldn't it be nice to get some cooler weather! God Bless you and the ground he walked upon!

Send your gardening ideas to: rjbochat@netzero.net. Subject: God's Garden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We still need someone to oversee the flower gardens around the church.

Starting in September your Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Mary/St. Joseph will be partnering with Entergy Corporation to open a Power to Care Agency to service Grimes County. Started 25 years ago by Entergy Gulf States, Inc, the original name for the program was Project Care. The purpose of this outreach program is "to provide financial assistance to pay energy related expenses of persons residing within the Texas service area of Entergy Gulf States, Inc, who have demonstrated a need for assistance". In preparation to opening our Project Care office we have visited other Project Care agencies in Montgomery and Walker Counties. In addition, we are adding a porch to the Saint Vincent de Paul building with wheel chair access to service the public. Once our improvements are in place we will be hosting an open house for our parishioners.

The program will pay up to $400 toward utility related bills, (electrical, propane, weatherization, fans and 110 volt A/C units), in two $200 installments. Qualifications to receive assistance are: Entergy Customer, 55 years old and disabled, or 60 years old and can demonstrate a need for assistance.

We will be operating the agency similar to other Project Care offices. Our office will be located in the spare room of our food pantry now located in front of the new storage building. We will have a new phone line to accept request for appointments. Applications will be accepted by appointment only. Our initial office hours will be every Thursday morning 8:00am to Noon. We will be scheduling appointments for 30 minute interviews to fill out the required Entergy forms. The office will be staffed by Saint Vincent de Paul member volunteers. The entire program is funded by Entergy employee and customer contributions.

As a Saint Vincent de Paul Conference we are very excited about this new outreach effort. Our current efforts to assist the needy are restricted to the local area. With Project Care we will be assisting the needs of qualified Entergy customers from all of Grimes County.

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

St. Mary Men's Club
Continues to grow and share talents and gifts

St. Mary Men's Club is a dynamic and active group of men whose dedication to Christ and His Church has been the foundation of their meeting and working in our community since its beginning eight years ago. The Club's leadership has been exemplary and continues to be the glue that keeps the members united and focused.

In August's meeting, new officers were elected for the year 2008-2009. They are:

President - Al Perez
Vice Presdient - Larry Alexander
Secretary - Ron Kloster
Treasurer - Nolan Ulbricht
Directors - Bob Armstrong and Jacob Diehl

The out-going officers of the years 2006-2007/2007-2008 were:

President - Bob Armstrong
Vice President - Larry Alexander
Secretary - Ron Kloster
Treasurer - Mike Donnellan
Directors - Chris Ulicnik and Neil Rosenberg

Special thanks to the out-going officers whose time and dedication enriched not only the club membership but the entire community. Bob Armstrong's leadership as president for two years has been a blessing to all and a bright torch for his successor. Each officer and member contributes to the success of this wonderful group of guys who enjoy each other's company, work and play together well, and invite newcomers with open arms. They are a Pastor's Dream Team.

Meetings are on the 3 rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30pm, beginning with an on site supper cooked by a volunteer team of guys each month. Cooking experience isn't necessary.

A good appetite is.

"Parish societies serve the parish community in various ways.
The life and vitality of these societies depends on
Leaders and members who are willing to give
Their time and talent." 

+Book of Blessings, The Roman Ritual, Revised by decree of the 2 ndEcumenical Council
and published by authority of Pope John Paul II.

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, September 16, 2008.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Would you like to experience the fullness of the unity God intended for marriage? Have you been led to believe that you need artificial birth control to manage your reproductive system and be happy? Get the TRUTH about your fertility. Get off those unhealthy methods and learn the natural way to plan your family. Come learn about the recently updated Couple-to-Couple League sympto-thermal method, an effective form of family planning that is good for your body, your marriage, and your soul. A class series will begin at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe on Tuesday, September 9 in the St. Thomas room. The class will use the recently updated course materials, just published for 2008. Join us and begin building a better marriage! Call Gerard or Amy Kubelka at 936-520-7880 or email geramy71@mac.com before August 31 to register.

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy intervention program. If you have any baby items (cribs, playpen, clothes, blankets, 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.

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 -- September, 2008)

Though I have been out of school a long time, September remains that back-to-school month reminding us that on our spiritual journey with Christ, we never stop learning. I have chosen this month to focus on the Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross which falls this year on Sunday, September 14. The image of the exalted cross is forever displayed for us in the center of our sanctuary at St. Mary's above the statue of the resurrected Sacred Heart in brilliant white in the dome just below the illuminated Holy Spirit. How lucky we are to view it each time we enter our historic church!

The sacred central point of this world is the sign of the Holy Cross, embracing the far corners of the universe---north, south, east, and west---in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. From the beginning of time, the universe has been charged with the grandeur of God permeated with the self-communication of creation through LOVE. Jesus calls us to be friends, to love our enemies, to be companions to the true Friend, Jesus Christ, and to live in joy as co-creators and people of peace.

We exalt, we honor, we glorify and praise the cross, for it represents the triumph of love over hate. It's not about the details of the story of the crucifixion. It's not about the garden or the soldiers or the way they divided up his clothes. It's not about Peter or Pontius Pilate or those who watched his death on the cross. It's all about how Jesus took upon himself the fullness of the sorrow and suffering of humanity. And what does that sorrow and suffering look like?

...Betrayed by an ally...Abandoned by a friend...Denounced by his community...Shouted at by crowds...Handed around from authority to authority...Judged by someone who didn't understand his situation...Physically abused ... Mocked and humiliated...Misunderstood when explaining who he was and what he was doing...Labeled...Mislabeled...Stripped of his clothes...Stripped of his dignity...Put on display...Tortured...Executed.

When we hear the Gospel (John 3:16-17), "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life," we should recognize the daily experiences of people in our community and around the world. It's not just a story about Jesus. It is a story about all of us. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

Triumph....of the cross? A 33-year-young man with nails through his hands and feet, hanging on a cross until he suffocated? What kind of triumph is that? Essentially, it is a triumph of love over hate. All his life, Jesus proclaimed about the love of God and of others. Remember the good thief---considered a lost lamb---called to glory? Remember when Jesus healed the sick and forgave sinners? Jesus didn't just talk about loving his fellow man, he lived it! Most of all He lived it on the cross. He could have hated the ones who were crucifying Him. Instead, he said: "Father, forgive them." And love triumphed.

The cross is also the triumph of faith over despair. How sad it is to hear people whose lives have been shattered by tragedy and who then live out their days in despair and hopelessness. How great the temptation must have been for Jesus to abandon all hope as he hung on the cross. Jesus could have given in to despair; but instead he died saying, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." And faith triumphed.

Jesus chose to believe that God could transform bad into good. That belief resulted in the triumph of love and faith. Today, when we are faced with adversity, we can also choose not to let hate or despair overcome us. As we struggle with the crosses in our own personal lives, may we always choose to make love and faith triumphant in our world.

On the Sundays of September, when returning to our fall routines and life is good, the readings shake us out of complacency--personally and collectively--to radical conversion. They call us to open our hearts generously and close the chasm that exists between the rich and the poor. I urge you to be open to the inspirations of the "Holy Spirit from on high." Where there is love, willingness, and a thirst for the living God, all things are possible with God's grace.

The Confirmation Students are hosting a baby shower to benefit the Gabriel Project. Please join us for this special occasion and bring baby items to donate.

September 28th - In the Hall, after Mass

The St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Committee and Fr. Ed have been working on improvements to St. Mary Cemetery for some time. They are in the process of installing a new wrought iron fence around the cemetery and are requesting families or individuals to sponsor a 10' section of the fence for $500 per section. A permanent plaque at the front of the cemetery will denote sponsorships.

Donations are still being accepted for the St. Mary's Restoration fund. There are spaces still available and sponsors will be recognized on a permanent plaque.

Call the parish office at 936-894-2223 for more information on both projects.

The Ladies of St. Joseph are compiling a cookbook for the 100-year Anniversary of St. Joseph Catholic Church which will be available in 2009.

We are interested in everyone's favorite family recipes. Please help us by turning them in as early as possible so we can get this together and sent to the publisher.

Make sure your name is on the recipes submitted. Phone numbers for clarification would be helpful. All recipes can be dropped in the collection basket at St. Joseph during the 7:30 mass, dropped by the office at St. Mary or turned in to any of the below contact persons from St. Joseph.

Thank you in advance!

~~Stories & Especially Pictures Needed ~~

We are preparing a Family/History book to celebrate 100 years at St. Joseph. We are looking for family stories, lore, and genealogy for this publication.

The 'founding fathers" those who put their fortunes on the line to buy the land and build St.
Joseph's church have descendants today who still populate the area. Whether you now belong to St. Mary's, or wherever, if you are a descendant, we want your story and your genealogy.
We are attempting to show what happened to these original St. Joseph families.

If you have family buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, we want your story, whether or not your
family belonged to those "founding fathers."

Pictures will be greatly appreciated and returned unhurt, and or 'touched up." Stories and
pictures can be emailed to Nance Shaw: nance7@embarqmail.com. Stories and pictures can be snail-mailed also. Please include SASE IF YOU WISH YOUR STUFF RETURNED and a phone number where you can be contacted for clarifications.

Nance Shaw ~~ 16911 Lone Star Road ~~ Navasota, Texas 77868 ~~ 936-894-2512

Ever since the earliest days of the church, bereaved families and close friends have gathered together at the death of a Christian. Prayers and rituals bring comfort and consolation for those who are grieving. St. Mary's is offering a workshop on to familiarize you with the different liturgical roles and decisions you will want to know about in planning a Catholic funeral.

The workshop will be held from 9am until noon on Saturday, October 18, in St. Mary's Family Life Center. Awareness of the meaning and significance of each role will assist you and other family members in planning and participating in funeral liturgies.

Come find out what our faith teaches us about death and burial, and about celebrating life. For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565 or leave a
message at the Church office.

Beginning with the first CCE class on September 17, St. Mary's Choristers will rehearse in the Church from 6 -- 7pm on CCE class evenings (Wednesdays), and St. Mary's Chimes Choir will rehearse in the Hall. These new programs for 1st through 8th grade students will be open for registration with CCE registration on Aug. 17 and Aug. 24.

The Choristers and Chimes Choirs will be singing and playing at regular Sunday Mass approximately once every month and at many special events, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, and Easter. Help your children to learn about the music of our faith so that they can truly fully participate in worship.

For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or leave a message at the church office.

Saturday, September 13, 2008
St. Stanislaus Church
Anderson, TX

Come and enjoy a Festival Concert of sacred music at 5:30pm, and join in the celebration of Eucharist at 6pm at St. Stanislaus in Anderson. This event is hosted by St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Christ Our Light, and St. Stanislaus. Musicians from churches all over the Archdiocese will participate in the choir, directed by Felipe Gasper, Director of Liturgical Music at Christ the Redeemer in Houston, who is also a gifted composer; Felipe's music will be featured at the concert. The Mass will be concelebrated by Father Ed and Father Raul, pastor of Christ Our Light and St. Stanislaus.

The Adult Choir has begun preparation for Advent and Christmas. If you are interested in participating during this season, please mark your calendars and plan to attend choir practice every Wednesday at 7pm in the Church. We would love to have you!

We are in need of instrumentalists for the choir: flute, oboe, guitar, trumpet, violin, or whatever your instrument of choice happens to be. If you are interested in participating, please contact Linda Armstrong at 825-0565, or call the church office and leave your name and phone number. Jubilate Deo!

IT'S CEMETERY CLEANUP TIME AGAIN!!

October 4th 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. The next cleanup day will be the first Saturday of Lent.

Anyone and everyone is invited to gather at 9:00am to begin cleanup.
~~Bring a lunch to share to make a fun day for all.~~

Each month, for the next several months, the Music Ministry will provide an article about one of our musicians. We believe that it is important for the entire parish family to know who we are and what we are about. This month, we introduce our Director of Music Ministry at St. Mary's and St. Joseph 's, Linda Armstrong .

Being a member of the choir, or the director, or the organist -- or all of the above -- is part of who I am. At the age of eight, I began playing the organ at Mass in my home parish of St. Joseph 's in Baytown . This was done with the "encouragement" of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, who were the teachers in our school, and the teachers of piano; it was really more of an involuntary "volunteering." The old organ was the pump style; I was too short to push the pedals to pump air into the organ, so one of the bigger kids had to sit beside me and pump.

Things got better in the organ department at St. Joseph 's when the new church was built, and a beautiful new pipe organ was installed. What a glorious day!

I became a member of the adult choir while in high school, stepped away for a few years of college, then back as a member, and eventually choir director, which I did for over twenty years. This was a labor of love back then, and it still is here at St. Mary's.

My formal music training was done at Lee College in Baytown and Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio . I now serve as "Saturday organist" at Christ Our Light in Navasota since 1999, and currently have 27 piano students. I have also participated with several organizations, including the Baytown Symphony Orchestra, the Baytown Community Chorus, and the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra.

It has been a joy to be involved in the music ministry at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's, and to see us grow from a "sort of" singing assembly to an assembly that truly sings praise to God. We have formed a stable adult choir and have seven cantors who serve regularly at all Masses on Sundays and holy days. We will be forming a children's choir starting in September. The adult bell choir (the Bells of St. Mary's) and the children's chimes choir add beauty to all our special celebrations.

Thank you to all for being so accepting of the things we have asked you to do, for putting your hearts into your music, and for your continuing support of our work. A special thanks to our pastor, Father Ed, who is always supportive of the music ministry, and even lets us try out some really crazy things! I hope to enjoy a few more years of serving St. Mary's and St. Joseph 's, God willing.

Sept. 24 thru Nov. 2 at St. Mary's and St. Joseph 's

1. Community Outreach : no matter his or her denomination, visit - neighbor to neighbor outreach, write letters to the editor, put a sign in your yard, BE PUBLICALLY PRO-LIFE. Get out of your comfort zone, babies are dying and women are crying while we sit and say, ‘We'd never do that.” 

2. Prayer and Fasting : Every Christian is asked to join in this profound Heaven-Storming. Sign up to pray every day for an end to abortion, and fast to double your prayer. Fast as you do in Lent - give up something you like, something that keeps you from devoting yourself to God, or go hog wild and live on bread & water, just fast. Also, we will have PUBLIC PRO-LIFE PRAYER with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each Wednesday from 9 - 12 noon at St. Mary's. (http://www.40daysforlife.org) 

3. Vigil : Take a stand for life in front of Planned Parenthood, either in Bryan or in Houston . NO VIOLENCE, NO MARCHING, NO PROTESTS, prayer, Prayer, PRAYER, with a lot of love. 24 hours a day available. Go once, once a week, or camp out, again it's your call. 

4. Rallies : “Gather the people, declare a fast, turn back to the Lord”. We will rally in Hempstead at the Gazebo on Tues., Sept. 23, in Navasota on Monday, Sept. 22 at Cedar Creek Park at 7pm (bi-lingual) and on Sun., Nov. 2, and God willing, once in Prairie View. Please plan on attending one or two rallies.

Also, on the first Sunday of October, October 5, we will participate in the Life Chain . (http://www.nationallifechain.org/). In Navasota, in Conroe , in Hempstead and in Waller, along with over 1300 cities/towns in the US and Canada , between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon, we will “wait one hour” with the Lord.

On Saturday, October 18, we all are asked to pray the Life Rosary 9-10 a.m. This is part of a world wide prayer chain to end abortion. St. Mary's at 9 a.m., St Joseph 's at 9:30 a.m.

Attention all teens: Sept. 24 will be “See You at the Pole” day. Pass out bracelets for 40 Days and talk pro-life. For more information, call Nance Shaw at 936-894-2512.

-------------------------------------------------------

“BeingHuman” World Premiere – Take 2!

EWTN Global Television Network

• Sunday, September 21 (just before the start of 40 Days for Life)
• 9 PM Eastern (8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific)
• 30-minute documentary about 40 Days for Life, filmed by an Emmy-award-winning director right here in College Station .
• Hosted by Bryan 's own Shawn Carney, on the national 40 Days for Life team
• Highlights the results of the previous national 40 Days for Life campaigns
• Interviews local and national leaders and volunteers who were involved in making this local campaign such a success
• Get more information, watch video trailers, and more at: http://www.beinghumanshow.com

In Remembrance
Prayer Service for the Dead
Blessing of St. Mary's Cemetery

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 2, 2008, at 3pm in the Church. Following the prayer service, we will have the blessing of St. Mary's Cemetery.

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. 1-2, 2008.

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.

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES
Scheduled for Saturday, September 6th @ St. Mary's from 9-12 in the Family Life Center

With Baptisms to follow September 14th

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

August 15th
On this great feast day, the Church commemorates the happy departure from mortal life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Her translation into the kingdom of Her Son, where He crowned Her with immortal glory and enthroned Her above all the other Saints and heavenly spirits.

Mass Schedule for the Solemnity of the Assumption
Holy Day of Obligation

Thursday, August 14, 7:00pm
Vigil Mass @ St. Joseph’s

Friday, August 15, 9:00am
Holy Day Mass @ St. Mary’s

Scheduled for
Saturday, September 6th
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center With Baptisms to follow September 14th

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

Beginning with the first CCE class on September 17, St. Mary's Choristers will rehearse in the Church from 6 -- 7pm on CCE class evenings (Wednesdays), and St. Mary's Chimes Choir will rehearse in the Hall. These new programs for 3rd through 8th grade students will be open for registration with CCE registration on Aug. 17 and Aug. 24.

The Choristers and Chimes Choirs will be singing and playing at regular Sunday Mass approximately once every month and at many special events, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, and Easter. Help your children to learn about the music of our faith so that they can truly fully participate in worship. For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or leave a message at the church office.

A warm thank-you and a heartfelt congratulations to our St. Mary's Men's Choir. With only two rehearsals, they truly sounded like a (large!) choir of angels when they sang at Mass. If you see them, please extend your thanks. We hope to bring them back together at a later date. Such talent we have at St. Mary's!!!

Please join us on Wednesday, August 20 for 9:00am morning Mass, followed by fellowship in St. Mary's Hall. Bring a snack to share. Get to know the homeschooling families at St. Mary's and help us plan activities for the upcoming school year. Wanda O'Brien 597-6328.

We need kolache bakers to bake kolaches for one of the most successful booths at the bazaar! Pans and recipes will be handed out following the Masses the weekends of Aug. 9-10 and Aug. 16-17 for you to bake your kolaches and bring them to the Bazaar.

Don't know how to bake them? Francell Busa will be giving a Kolache Baking Demo on Wednesday, August 13 at 9:45am in the Family Life Center Kitchen. Please sign up for that by contacting Francell at 936-870-4145(h) or 936-825-1503(c)

On Monday, August 11, our Guardian Angel Senior Group will once again be host to the Senior Fun Day of the Northern Senior Senate. We will have a great fellowship day with bingo and a catered meal. In previous years, we have hosted 200 and more at this fun event. Anyone 55 or over interested in attending must contact Laveta Malek at 936-894-2465 by July 25. Cost of meal is $7.00.

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)

Our family can never say, "thank you" properly for the kindness, prayers, Masses, and other forms of affection to our family during the loss of our son and brother, Hayden O'Brien. Words fail at expressing the love we have for all of you as you share in our loss and help us to carry this Cross. We want to especially thank Fr. Ed for all of his time in visiting the hospital and then in making the funeral a most memorable occasion; the office staff, especially Gail, for all the extra work that was needed planning the funeral; James Bochat for his many hours of work; the St. Mary's Altar Society for a wonderful luncheon; the St. Mary's Men's Club for traffic control; Bill Malek and Deacon David Jarvis for conducting the Wake Service; the Boy Scouts for their honor guard; and all the countless others who helped. We love you all and are proud to be members of such a holy parish.

Blessings, Tim, Wanda, Emma, Maddie, Tess, and Max O'Brien

THE GABRIEL PROJECT is the parish-based crisis pregnancy intervention program. If you have any baby items (cribs, playpen, clothes, blankets, 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.

Help Us Please!

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!!

ATTENTION: THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN AUGUST!

St. Vincent de Paul will not be meeting in August due to our bazaar preparations. However, we will keep all of you in our prayers, and if we can be of any assistance to you, please call the parish office, and leave a message. Following the model of St. Vincent de Paul, we are called to be kind and loving servants, and we encourage you to call and share your needs.

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

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

Anyone and everyone is invited to join the Domino Club.
Fun will be had every Tuesday at St. Mary's Parish Hall from 11:30am-3:00pm.

Bring a snack to share!

For more information, contact:
Helen Noble @
936-873-2516

or

Frances Campbell @
936-894-2079.

. . . will be holding their monthly meeting on
Tuesday, August 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 St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Committee and Fr. Ed have been working on improvements to St. Mary Cemetery for some time. They are in the process of installing a new wrought iron fence around the cemetery and are requesting families or individuals to sponsor a 10' section of the fence for $500 per section. A permanent plaque at the front of the cemetery will denote sponsorships.

Donations are still being accepted for the St. Mary's Restoration fund. There are spaces still available and sponsors will be recognized on a permanent plaque.

Call the parish office at 936-894-2223 for more information on both projects.

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will not meet during the months
of July, August and September. The next meeting is Oct. 14.

Plans have been finalized for the Celebration of Hayden O'Brien's Life.

Visitation:
St. Mary's
Wednesday, July 2 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Prayer Service & Rosary @ 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass
St. Mary's
Thursday, July 3 @ 10:30 a.m.

We were all blessed by knowing this 17-year-old. We continue to pray for him and for Wanda and Tim O'Brien and Hayden's siblings---Emma, Maddie, Tess & Max.

Everyone should have received a packet of raffle tickets for this year's St. Mary's Homecoming Bazaar, to be held Sunday, August 31.

Last year, we made over $33,000 on the raffle, which was a 10% increase over the previous year. Our goal for this year is $37,000; we need your help! Sell or buy the tickets you received in the mail, and pick up some extra tickets to sell outside the church on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

We have an impressive list of raffle prizes this year, thanks to the generosity of our parishioners.

Turn in your tickets in the collection plate, at the church office, or to the Raffle Committee person outside the church every weekend.

Volunteers are needed to sell tickets at neighboring parishes during the month of August. If you are able to help with this, please contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or by calling the church office at 936-894-2223. We will also need volunteers to staff the raffle booth at the Bazaar. Sign up now!

Be sure to fill out your "early bird" entry form when returning your tickets. The lucky winner will be selected by drawing at the "Stretch" meeting in August. Good luck!

St. Mary's Annual Bazaar Stretch Dance & Meeting

Sunday, August 3 ~ 4:00-8:00 pm
St. Mary's Parish Hall

St. Mary's Music Ministry is beginning a new program for 3rd through 8th grade students this fall. St. Mary's Choristers will be rehearsing before CCE for one hour in the church every Wednesday (from 6pm - 7pm). Watch for information and registration materials when you register your children for CCE. The Choristers will be singing at regular Sunday Mass approximately once every month and at many special events, such as First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, and Easter. Help your children to learn about the music of our faith so that they can truly fully participate in worship. For more information, contact Linda Armstrong at 936-825-0565, or leave a message at the church office.

You might have noticed some new sounds coming from the choir loft on Saturdays. We have two new substitute organists who are playing at Saturday evening Masses; Gary Lecamu and Ann Marie Ricci. Gary comes to us from Hempstead, where he was organist for Father Ed when Father was the pastor there years ago. Ann Marie and her husband, John, live in April Sound. She comes with a strong background in Catholic liturgical music and strong musical skills. Please make them welcome! We are so blessed to have such talented and dedicated people to share their skills and dedication with us.

St. Mary's Men's Choir will sing at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday, July 6.
Practices will be held on Mondays, June 23 and June 30 at 7:00pm.

All men are invited to participate in this special liturgy.

The St. Joseph's Bazaar Committee greatly appreciates and thanks the many bazaar workers, volunteers, supporters and donors. Without all these people, the bazaar would not have been the success it was.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASSES
Scheduled for
Saturday, September 6th
@ St. Mary's from 9-12
in the Family Life Center
With
Baptisms to follow September 14th

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

ALL ENGAGED COUPLES
(And all Newly Married Couples)  

Are invited to attend a Free
Marriage Awareness Weekend Event

"God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage"

God's Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage is a video marriage preparation supplement presented by Christopher West that offers engaged and newly married couples a more complete understanding of God's glorious plan for marriage and human sexuality than perhaps any program available in the Church today and is based on Pope John Paul II's The Theology of the Body.

This weekend event is part of your marriage preparation requirements to be married at St. Mary's/ St. Joseph 's Catholic Church. Don't miss it!

Do we both have to attend? Yes, it is advisable for you both to attend this meeting as a couple.

Scheduled date & times: Day 1: Saturday, August 2, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Day 2: Sunday, August 3, 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm

(Lunch, snacks and drinks are provided for each day at no charge)

Do we have to attend both days? Yes, Day 2 is a continuation of the program and is a necessary part of your preparation for marriage .

Where will this be held? St. Mary's Family Life Center

Couples Must Pre-Register (both Engaged & Newly Married):

Please contact Walter/Francell Busa, 936-870-4145 or 936-825-1503 or fbusa@embarqmail.com no later than July 20, 2008.

REMEMBER : Marriage is a Sacrament of the Church and Marriage Preparation is a requirement of the Church and takes both time and effort on your part to accomplish.

St. Mary's 5th Annual Garage Sale
Saturday, July 12, 2008
8:00am--4:00pm

PLANTERSVILLE , TEXAS

Come Rain or Shine !!!
650 Families
have donated items to make
this the biggest Garage Sale in
Montgomery & Grimes Counties

~ Shop til' U Drop ~

Kitchen items/appliances, Antiques, Toys, Bedding, Books, Glassware, Videos, Shoes (matched in pairs), Purses, Jewelry, Hats, Christmas Decorations, Furniture, Baby Items, Auto Accessories, Tools, etc...

As I take plants out of my van, my husband looks over shakes his head and smiles. My response. Cheap therapy! I guess you could say I have a passion for digging in the dirt and watching things grow.

July is when the passion flower, Passiflora or Maypop starts to bloom. Some claim the 1600's others the 1500's the flower was discovered by missionaries. Fascinated by its beauty they envisioned the likeness of the Crucifixion or Passion of Christ. The five petals and five sepals represent the ten apostles, omitting Peter and Judas. The three pistils became the nails of the cross. The purple corona or filaments, the crown of thorns and the stemmed was the Lord's goblet. They bloom July until the first frost. The fruit is an oval berry, a little larger than an egg. Passion fruit is edible but seedy. It can be used in making jam. It is also used for a food source for several species of butterfly and their larvae. The plant dies back in winter and pops back out in spring. There are over 460 known species of Passiflora.

July is time for maintaining your garden, watering, watering and watering. Taking out the old and planning for your fall garden. Pumpkin can be planted on July 4th. Above ground vegetables can be planted after the new moon on August 1st but need protection from the west sun and watered twice daily.

Therapy? You bet. God and the ground He walked upon!
Send your gardening ideas to: rjbochat@netzero.net. Subject: God's Garden
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Message from the Office: Many thanks to Mrs. Ronnie Bochat who is taking over writing of the articles for God's Gardeners, but the office is still looking for someone to oversee the flower gardens around the church and to answer any "gardening" questions.

Store Hours:

Saturdays: Open after 5:30 p.m. Mass
Sundays: Open 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: Open 7:00p.m. - 8:15p.m.
Mon thru Fri: Stop by the Parish Office
between 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. for Assistance

Check out the
AFTER INVENTORY SALE
( Sale will include Christmas items
& run through the Month of July!)

Gift Certificates ~ Gift Registry ~ Religious Articles
Prayer Books ~ Bibles ~ Rosaries
Children & Adult Books
Baptism Gifts & many other Gift Items.

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.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 3:30pm.

We are always happy to welcome new members to our conference. We meet once a month, and our purpose is to reach out to those in need while working to improve our own spirituality. If you are interested in learning more about our work, please contact our president, C. J. LeBlanc at (936) 597-7924.

MEDITATION: If life gives us a rainy day,
rainbows are never far away.

In the latter part of that sentence, HOPE abounds! HOPE is an emotion. Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. HOPE implies a certain amount of perseverance-believing that a positive outcome is possible.

To go back in Biblical History and in layman' s words, God said to Moses on Mount Horeb, I am the God of your ancestors. I have seen the misery of my people in the world, in your city, and in your area. I have heard them crying and I have come to save them. So, I am sending you to lead your people to FREEDOM, truth, justice, and peace. The word FREEDOM gave the Israelites HOPE for a better future.

Here we are in the 21st century and this message resounds clearly in the world today. We Vincentians cannot lead legions of people to FREEDOM and HOPE, but we can assist those in our own Grimes county. We are not "Caped Crusaders," but only human beings wanting to help our "FRIENDS" to resolve their various needs. We have learned that St. Vincent de Paul and Fredrick Ozanam want us to keep our hearts open to the suffering of others and to have compassion for them.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke on the "Hope of the World on December 3, 2007. He stated that "the world needs God, otherwise it remains without HOPE. " On December 10th, 2007, he urged HOPE through working towards a brighter and more humane world.

REFLECTION: Through your donations, you are performing a good work far greater than you think. You can show your love for our Lord by helping to give HOPE to your neighbor who is hungry, hopeless, alone, and frightened. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!

We are preparing a Family/History book to celebrate 100 years at St. Joseph. We are looking for family stories, lore, and genealogy for this publication.

The 'founding fathers" those who put their fortunes on the line to buy the land and build St.
Joseph's church have descendants today who still populate the area. Whether you now belong to St. Mary's, or wherever, if you are a descendant, we want your story and your genealogy.
We are attempting to show what happened to these original St. Joseph families.

If you have family buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, we want your story, whether or not your
family belonged to those "founding fathers."

Pictures will be greatly appreciated and returned unhurt, and or 'touched up." Stories and
pictures can be emailed to Nance Shaw: nance7@embarqmail.com. Stories and pictures can be snail-mailed also. Please include SASE IF YOU WISH YOUR STUFF RETURNED and a phone number where you can be contacted for clarifications.

Nance Shaw ~~ 16911 Lone Star Road ~~ Navasota, Texas 77868 ~~ 936-894-2512

The Ladies of St. Joseph are compiling a cookbook for the 100-year Anniversary of St. Joseph Catholic Church which will be available in 2009.

We are interested in everyone’s favorite / family recipes. Please help us by turning them in as early as possible so we can get this together and sent to the publisher.

Make sure your name is on the recipes submitted. Phone numbers for clarification would be helpful. All recipes can be dropped in the collection basket at St. Joseph during the 7:30 mass, dropped by the office at St. Mary or turned in to any of the below contact persons from St. Joseph.

Thank you in advance!
Kaky Wetuski @ 936-894-2307
Willie Mae Bohack @ 936-894-2379
Anne Mannina @ 936-449-4743
Swanda Smith @ 936-894-2415

On Monday, August 11, our Guardian Angel Senior Group will once again be host to the Senior Fun Day of the Northern Senior Senate. We will have a great fellowship day with bingo and a catered meal. In previous years, we have hosted 200 and more at this fun event. Anyone 55 or over interested in attending must contact Laveta Malek at 936-894-2465 by July 25. Cost of meal is $7.00.

ST. MARY'S MEN'S CLUB BLOOD DRIVE With Breakfast

SUNDAY, JULY 13
8:00am-1:00pm
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, July 15, 2008.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 7:00 p.m. in the SM Hall.

Don't forget the Guardian Angels Monthly Officers' meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 10:00am in the SM FLC.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Guardian Angels will take a break in July. Fun times will resume on
August 21.

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.

Altar Society Meeting Hostesses for July: Mary Ann Kloster, Chris Kocian, Betty Ann Tolbert

The St. Joseph's Altar Society will not meet during the months
of July, August and September. The next meeting is Oct. 14.

JULY, 2008

July 6th
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For our Holy Father:
In thanksgiving for his devotion to the
Gospel of Life;
We pray to the Lord:

July 13th
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For every child who died this week
by abortion: that they might rest for eternity in the gentle arms of God;
We pray to the Lord:

July 20th
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For seminarians and novices and all who prepare for religious life
: that they might be imbued with the vitality and joy of the
Gospel of Life;
We pray to the Lord:

July 27th
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

That governments sanctioning abortion,
destructive embryo research or the death
penalty may be led by courageous prophets to embrace the Gospel of Life;
We pray to the Lord:

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,
says the Lord, and I will raise them up on the last day.
(from the Roman Missal)

YMCA OPERATION BACKPACK 2008
4th Annual Archdiocesan Operation Backpack
July 14th to August 17th

How can MY parish help?

1. Commit to providing students with the tools they need to succeed: Participate in Operation Backpack from July 14th to August 17th!

2. Designate a volunteer contact to work with the archdiocesan Development Department to coordinate Operation Backpack in your parish.

3. Register as a participating parish by returning the Operation Backpack registration form.

** During the four week period of July 14th to August 17th, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and YMCA will supply your parish with depository boxes where members of your community may donate/deposit backpacks and school supplies.

** At the end of the 4 week period the supplies/backpacks from parishes will be collected at St. Mary Seminary for sorting and distribution to children who need them.

How can I help?

** Register your parish to participate as a collection site

** Become a Volunteer for supply sorting August 2-3 & 21-23 at St. Mary's Seminary

If you have any questions about Operation Backpack , please contact Leslie Barrera
in the Development Department via phone at 713-652-8257
or e-mail at lbarrera@archgh.org

Knights of Columbus
53rd Anniversary Bazaar

Sunday, July 20, 2008

11:00am til ?? ~~ Auction at 1:00pm

KC Hall in Anderson , TX

Bar-B-Que, Plates $7 ~~ Raffle ~~ Auction

1st Prize: $500 Cash 4th Prize: $200 Cash

2nd Prize: $300 Cash 5th Prize: $150 Cash

3rd Prize: $250 Cash 6th Prize: $100 Cash

TICKETS ON SALE FROM KC MEMBERS AND AT THE DOOR.

$1 Each or Book of 6 for $5

In observance of Independence Day, there will be NO MASS on Friday, July 4th. The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, July 4th.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

BIBLE CLASS DISCUSSION GROUPS

Pope Benedict said this is the year of St. Paul ; therefore, we will be studying the books in the bible written by St. Paul . Bringing Home the Word, which is available each week at the back of the church, will also have articles for more information on him.

  We have held class for two years now and the interest has really grown since we started with only five participants. We now have 22 signed up and usually have at least 15 attend each week. This number in attendance works well for this type of bible study. The sessions last for 6 weeks in the fall and spring. We meet in the CCE classrooms at the church on Thursdays at 10am.

  We are also looking for new leaders.  Please know that y ou do not have to be a bible scholar to lead.  Several parishioners have asked about maybe holding a class at a different time.  We have several couples that attend -- perhaps other couples would like to get together for a night session.

  If you are interested in attending or leading or would prefer a different place and time, please fill out the survey below and return to Gail or place in the basket on Sunday.  

FOR ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL BARBARA KAPCHINSKI AT 936-825-1779 .
 
PLEASE RETURN THIS SURVEY BY JULY 25 .

WHAT AREA DO YOU LIVE IN?     _____________________________

WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK WOULD WORK FOR YOU? WHAT TIME OF DAY?

Monday      Tuesday       Wednesday     Thursday      Friday Morning Afternoon Evening

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN LEADING A CLASS IN YOUR AREA?        YES           NO

NAME_______________________________________PHONE _____________________________________

The St. Mary Catholic Church Cemetery Committee and Fr. Ed have been working on improvements to St. Mary Cemetery for some time. They are in the process of installing a new wrought iron fence around the cemetery and are requesting families or individuals to sponsor a 10' section of the fence for $500 per section.

A permanent plaque at the front of the cemetery will denote sponsorships.
*******
Donations are still being accepted for the St. Mary's Restoration fund. There are spaces still available and sponsors will be recognized on a permanent plaque.

Call the parish office at 936-894-2223 for more information on both projects.

The famous St. Mary's Garage Sale is set for Saturday, July 12, 2008.

You may now bring items to donate.

In the first part of May, the Office of Aging of this Diocese, extended an invitation to the president of our senior group, the Guardian Angels, to attend a Mass being held at the new Co-Cathedral in Houston, presided over by Bishop Vasquez.

The designated day arrived with a messy weather system. With a full compliment of passengers and the rent-a-bus on the way, anticipation was at its peak. Even though the bus itself had been spotted nearby and on contacting the driver, he had made a wrong turn and was hopelessly mired in mud down a newly graded private driveway. "Where are you?" was the inquiry. "I'm setting in front of a white house and three cows are talking to me" was the reply. It gets better--a really big boy wrecker was hired out of Magnolia to get the bus back on track and he, in turn, got stuck on that newly graded 'ore trail.' Needless to say, after about three hours of patiently waiting, the group was sent home.

Credit the Holy Spirit. The weather system never abated that day and from reports of the other seven groups that did brave the elements and ended up in Houston, told of buckets of rain, with most getting a good soaking entering and exiting the Cathedral. Besides all that, the invitations had been sent to too many clubs and the response was overwhelming to the point of standing room only. The Guardian Angels graciously thank Our Lord for sparing them for the inconvenience that became a blessing in disguise.

Anyway, a visit to the Cathedral was rescheduled for the following week and all were treated to a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Vasquez, followed on the way home by a stopover at Ryan's of Conroe for a very enjoyable meal.

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

Lt. Keith M. Herzog
Headquarters XVIII
Airborne Corps
Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq
(Keith is the son of George, Jr. & Nancy Herzog & the grandson of George, Sr. & Pauline Herzog)

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.

What's Happening This Month??? - JUNE, 2008

St. Mary's Altar Society Monthly Meeting: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 6pm in St. Mary's Hall.

Please join us for the celebration of Mass at 6pm in the church followed by a short meeting.

Altar Society Meeting Hostesses for June: Nancy Smith, Shirley Stucky, Freddie Seale, Dixie Puccetti

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

Also... it's BINGO this month ... come join us on Thursday, June 19, 2008 in the SM Hall from 10:00am--2:00pm for good food, good company and plenty of fun!

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, June 18, 2008 at 3:30pm with Mass to follow at 5:00pm.

We are always happy to welcome new members to our conference. We meet once a month, and our purpose is to reach out to those in need while working to improve our own spirituality. If you are interested in learning more about our work, please contact our president, C. J. LeBlanc at (936) 597-7924.