NEWSLETTER Marzo 2016 Volume 1, Issue 9

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Lenten Greetings to you all, I hope your Lent has begun well and you are placing yourselves into heart of the Season. I wanted to share with you in this month’s newsletter something most parishioners do not get to see. Many events go on here that most are una-ware of. One such event was the winter graduation of students from Waller High School. For different reasons, they were unable to graduate with the rest of their class. So, the Princi-pal asked Family Ties to do the celebration. Family Ties needed a loca-tion for the graduation so I was more than happy to open our church doors to help them. It was a very intimate celebration with the gradu-ates’ family and friends. There was very little pomp and circumstance but a very moving experience for all, as these young men and woman

complete a rite of passage. Please pray for all of them on the be-ginning of this new stage of their lives. We want to thank Family Ties for the wonderful gift their organiza-tion is for our community of Waller County. Have a faith filled Lent! In the words of Pope Francis, “Let us not waste this season of Lent, so favor-able a time for conversion! We ask this through the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, who, encountering the greatness of God’s mercy freely bestowed upon her, was the first to acknowledge her lowliness (cf. Lk 1:48) and to call herself the Lord’s humble servant (cf. Lk 1:38).” Peace and all Good

Fr. David

UPCOMING EVENTS:

FIRST FRIDAYS—ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT (Chapel) FRIDAYS IN LENT– STATIONS OF THE CROSS—12:00 PM (Eng.) (Chapel) VIA CRUCIS—6:30 PM (Sp.) (Chapel) March 5—9:00 am—6:00 pm—Jr. High Retreat (Bldg. A & B and kitchen) March 6—St. Katharine Drexel Feastday Celebration (on parish grounds) March 8 –9– Mision (Sp.) March 9—Penance Service (Eng. & Sp.) (Church) March 12—9:00 am—3: pm—Tax Return Preparation (Bldg. A) March 17—7:00—9:00 pm—Youth Night (Bldg. B) March 20—PALM SUNDAY March 24—HOLY THURSDAY 12:00—5:00 PM OFFICE CLOSED 7:00 PM—MASS (Bi-lingual) March 25—GOOD FRIDAY OFFICE CLOSED ALL DAY 2:00 pm—Stations of the Cross (Church) 3:00 pm—GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE (Church) 6:00 pm—Via Crucis (Church) March 26—HOLY SATURDAY 12:00 pm Dolores de la Tumba (Church) 8:30 pm—EASTER VIGIL SERVICE (Bi-lingual) March 28—EASTER SUNDAY Masses: 8:30 am (Eng.) (Church) 10:30 am (Sp.) Procesion del Resucitado desde la Tumba, Seguida por la Misa de Pascua March 28—OFFICE CLOSED ALL DAY April 7 & 21—7:00—9:00 pm—Youth Night (Bldg. B) April 24—KC Golf Tournament April 30—May 1—Ministry Fair May 5—7:00—9:00 pm—Youth Night (Bldg. B) May 7—9:00 am—4:00 pm—Mary Con-ference (Bldg. A) May 19—7:00—9:00 pm—Youth Night (Bldg. B) May 29—9:00 am—12:00 pm—High School Graduation Breakfast (Bldg. A)

FEED THEM YOURSELVES

Jesus said to you and me, “I did not come to be served but to serve” (1); and, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (2). In Saint Katherine Drexel Parish one example (among many) of parishioners’ service to others can be seen in the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC), who distribute the Body or Blood of Christ, at Mass. They stand in place of Jesus’ apostles feeding the multitude.

Perhaps you have noticed that EMHC at the Mass you regularly attend appear to be the same men and women almost every third week; and that may have caused you to think, “I wouldn’t like to serve that often, but I would step-up to serve, IF it was less frequently”. As I write this during Super Bowl season, let me offer an analogy: If a football team has 22 players, on average each will play every other down. But if that team has 44 players, alternative match-ups become possible. So it is with service to our parish; the more EMHC who are on the roster, the better rotation for all. SKD parish will schedule our annual Ministries Fair which is your opportunity to meet representatives of each organization, have your questions answered, then join one or more in which you’d like to serve. Why wait? Call any friend who serves as an EMHC; or just call or e-mail me anytime, to get started in serving the Lord and our parish as an EMHC. Act now!!! Perhaps you still harbor an excuse not to step-up and serve. Here’s a thought: Some day we will each be called to meet the Lord. Who among us does not want to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”? (3). Perhaps you’ll ask, “Lord, when did we see You standing in the Communion line?” And the Lord will surely say, “Whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (4).

(1) Matt. 20: 28 (2) John 13: 15 (3) Matt. 25: 23 (4) Matt. 25: 37-40 Don Hand, 979.921.9931

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE

The Respect Life committee has a full schedule ahead in 2016. On Sunday, January 17, the committee dis-tributed rose appliqués to parishioners before each mass. The rose appliqués were donated by the Knights of Columbus and our committee thanks the Knights for their continuous support of life from conception to natural death.

At our February 9th meeting, we made Valentine’s Day bags for our shut-ins, and intend to make them throughout the year, for various occasions. We will also make goodie bags for the mom’s at pregnancy center at our March meeting. Come join us! Always keep up with our activities by reading the weekly bulletin.

In the spring there will be a Tex-Mex dinner in both Hempstead and Waller as a fund-raiser for the Waller Pregnancy Care Center. Other spring activities will in-clude a baby bottle fundraiser and a diaper/baby items drive in May.

Building a culture of life begins in the home and in our religious education. Let’s do all we can as a parish to rebuild a culture of life, supporting life from conception

to natural death.

Carrie Gourley

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We, the people of St. Katharine Drexel Church, inspired by the legacy of our patron, strive to welcome all people, provide assistance to those in

need, and celebrate our beliefs through the sacraments and God’s word. In the strength of our diverse backgrounds, we seek to continue our own

formation and to evangelize our community, so that we may become united as sisters and brothers in Christ.

Baptisms:

Alexander Tovar Alexander Aviles Angel M. Del Valle Kalany A. Adame Evidileydi Diaz Kimberly Y. Diaz Albert I. Herrera Christopher J. Lozano Rene Machuca, Jr. Danna P. Pinon Giselle Pinon Maria E. Ramirez Alberto J. Ramirez, Jr. Kinley H. Rodriguez-Zamora Anahi A. Zamora Angelee L. Zamora Na’omi N. Zamora Anthony J. Zamora, Jr. Alexander A. Lozano—Calderon Alejandro D. Fragoso Jacob Mendoza

Deaths:

George LaCorte—8/5/15

Frances Brounkowski—1/6/2016

Kazner Wisniski—11/24/15

Welcome to new members of the St. Katharine

Drexel family:

Miguel and Alejandra S. Orobio, Alexandra, Jessica, Ga-

briela, & Isabella

Sergio and Veronica G. Jimenez, Giselle, Octavio, and

Sofia

Jesus M. and Floribella S. Mata, Emmanuel & Steven

Mario and Chantal S. Malagon, and Oswaldo A.

Miguel and Cindy L. Moreno, Miguel & Alexia

Derel A. and Anne Dias-Derel

Larry and Clava Derrick

Artemio and Flor Guiterez, Flor Gabriela & Camila

Emmanuel and Ana K. Herrera, and Aranza

Weddings

Jose Rodriguez & Laura Garcia—11/7/15 Jesus Santana & Dalia J. Salazar—11/14/15 Pedro Aviles & Erika J. Castillo—11/21/15 Juan C. Vargas & Juanita Hernandez—1/16/16

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"The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessi-ties." - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2447

The works of mercy give shape to the Church’s desire to bring mercy to the world as a response to the mercy she has so freely and generously received from Christ. Since the whole human person is the subject of God’s loving mercy, both body and soul, the works of mercy are oriented towards both the physical and spiritual necessities of the human person. In living the works of mercy, the Church shares in God’s action in the world, namely, the restoration, protection and affirmation of the full dignity of the person made in the image of God. For this reason the works of mercy are patterned after the life of Jesus Christ as he ministered to each human being, body and soul, in order to restore him to fullness of life.

Corporal Works of Mercy Spiritual Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry Admonish the sinner

Give drink to the thirsty Instruct the ignorant

Clothe the naked Counsel the doubtful

Shelter the homeless Comfort the sorrowful

Visit the sick Bear wrongs patiently

Visit the imprisoned Forgive all injuries

Bury the dead Pray for the living and the dead

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Pope Francis has announced a Jubilee Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. Mercy, a fruit of charity, is the

loving kindness and compassion shown to one who offends us (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1829, Glossary). We are merciful

when we put kindness, compassion, and forgiveness into practice.

SAINTS FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY

There are many Saints of the Church who have been disciples of God’s mercy. One such Saint is CATHERINE OF SIENA

Catherine’s parents lived in Siena, Italy, and had 25 children. Catherine, who was born in 1347, was number 23. From an early age she loved to pray and at the age of seven already knew she wished to remain chaste and unmarried to devote her life to God. By the time of her death in 1380—when she was only 33—she had touched the lives of many people. Who were these people? One was Pope Urban VI. In 1378, two men both claimed to be pope. This schism tore the Church apart.

Catherine helped Christians realize that Urban was the true pope.

Catherine also helped prisoners. She walked to the gallows with them. She nursed people made ill by a plague. She worked in hospitals. Always, she gave people a simple message that God had taught her in prayer. What was this message? That we grow into holiness. Through our words, actions, and choices, we grow closer to God. Daily we can choose, as Catherine

did, to work for God’s kingdom. Her letters to others are considered great spiritual writings.

She was canonized by Pope Pius II in 1461. Sometimes you will see symbols for Catherine that include a lily and book, a crown of thorns or a

heart. She was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1970 and is one of two patron saints of Italy.

Feast Day: April 29 Canonized: July 1461

THE PARABLES OF MERCY

As part of the Year of Mercy, we hear Jesus’ teachings about mercy as presented and explained through his parables. Three stories in Luke 15:1‐32: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son are commonly identified as the “parables of mercy.” Other parables that expand the con-cept of mercy are the two debtors and their creditor (Lk 7:41‐43), the good Samaritan (Lk 10:25‐37), the rich man and the beggar Lazarus (Lk 16:19‐31), the unjust judge and the persistent widow (Lk 18: 1‐8) and the Pharisee and the publican in the temple (Lk 18:9‐14). In each of these parables we become part of the story. This in turn causes us to rethink our everyday relationships. The three‐way relationship: “he, I and other” structure of these parables links God’s mercy to the mercy displayed by human beings. “’Be merciful, even as [and because] your Father is merciful’ (Lk 6:36) is the central architectural beam of mercy in parable form.” Common to all the parables of mercy is a reversal that catches the hearer off guard. The parables of mercy involve two categories of people; those who are in the parable and those who hear them and include a range of sinners who Jesus uses to implicate all listeners. By implicating all listeners Jesus dispels the concept that mercy is based on merit not grace. “The parables of mercy do not leave people untouched.” We encourage you to read and prayerfully reflect on the parables of mercy and how they might challenge you in your own life. The

New Children's Choir

of

St. Katharine Drexel

The new Children's Choir of St. Katharine Drexel has

officially become a reality.

Membership is open to ALL children of the Parish.

The requirements for membership: Minimum age of child/children is 7 years and must be able to read. Must be able to at-

tend practices every Wednesday evening at 7 pm. Practices are in the Chapel. Parent and/or guardian must attend practices

and events. Will be singing in English, Spanish and some Latin.

For more information contact Jerry LaMere, Director, at jlamere@skdcc.com or by phone, 979-221-9201.

Jerry LaMere

WORKS OF MERCY

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SKD ALTAR SOCIETY

The Altar Society of St. Katharine Drexel has seen a few changes and several activities this year. We are now meeting at the

Classic Events Café at 6 PM, still on the third Wednesday of each month. We always welcome new faces and encourage new

ideas! Altar Society maintains the linens necessary for Mass. In October, members participated in a Corporate Communion at

Saturday evening Mass. During November, several members worked on revising and re-writing the outdated By-Laws and sub-

mitted them to Fr. David for approval. Also, Altar Society planned the Silent Auction for the November Quilt Show at the KC

Hall. December saw our group meeting for a festive dinner at the home of President Kathleen Cole, followed by a business

meeting and a fun ornament exchange. Fr. David attended the December meeting and gave us an informative talk on St Mar-

garet Catholic Church. Plans are underway for the 4th Annual Church Luncheon/Fashion Show, planned for February 27th at

11AM at the KC Hall. This event is designed to promote ecumenical unity and will help support the House of Help, so our ladies

are working hard to make this activity successful for our community. In the April meeting we will consider essays submitted for

our annual high school scholarship, awarded to encourage a SKD youth to seek higher education. We will wrap up our

meetings in May with the installation of President and Secretary before breaking for summer. Ladies of our parish are wel-

come to attend the meetings, to enjoy the fellowship, and to support our parish. Hope to see you there!

Kathleen Cole

Happy New Year!!! The Catholic Daughters would like to wish everyone a prosperous new year. We are off to a very good start ourselves. This year our Taste of Texas Cook-off was very successful. We added music from Francis & Mary Rodzen…remember them from the Knights’ Quilt Show? They have great music and entertained us all evening. The food was really wonderful and quite a varie-

ty. Our winners (in case you missed them in the bulletin) were: 1st Place : Mary Page, Evelyn Mushinski, Marilyn Lucherk, Rosemary & Mike

Spurling. 2nd Place : Mary Hawkins & Lynne Glover, 3rd Place : Mary Garrett, Diana Ste-pan & Cheryl Drabek. Showmanship winners were: 1st Place: Page, Mushinski, Lucherk, & Spurling, 2nd Place: Barbara Bezub, Catherine & Vickie Jozwiak. We want to thank all the contestants for competing. I think everyone had a great time. Our first four Judges were fellow CDA members from Willis, and the other two were from our own parish. Thank you for all your help.

We are honored to say that since we moved our regular monthly meetings to the first Thursday nights at the Knights of Columbus Hall, we have increased our membership by nine (9) new members. We start at 6:30 pm with a little social gathering and start our meetings promptly at 7:00 pm to coincide with the Knights’ so their wives can ride in with them to the meetings. It seems to be working very well.

At our regular meeting in February on the 4th, we celebrated our 42nd Anniversary, with seven new members taking their oath and some thinking about it. Our District Deputy of District #25, Dianna Kammer was present for the ceremony, as were nineteen members.

Cake, cookies, and punch were served. Janet Lamelle, RN MSN-FNP, MCC, Executive Director of The Way, Truth & Life Outreach and Waller Pregnancy Care Center in

Waller gave a very interesting talk, with her assistant Carrie Prazak-Gourley.

Our Mary Conference, a day retreat, will be May 7, 2016 right here at St. Katharine Drexel. If you have not attended one of these, please mark your calendar. We will be letting you know more about it later. Remember, don't give up chocolate for Lent, do something nice for some-

one. Peace & Joy. Patsy Marburger - Regent

Human Life and Dignity

For the Church, there is no distinction between defending human life and promoting the dignity of the human person.

Pope Benedict XVI writes in Caritas in Veritate. . . that "The Church forcefully maintains this link between life ethics and social ethics, fully aware that 'a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginal-ized.'" (no. 15).

As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death.

As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights that leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace.

The bishops pledged to affirm the intrinsic value of human life and the dignity of every human being in a way that transforms the culture by implementing “The Life and Dignity of the Human Person” priority plan for 2010-2012.

To achieve this goal, the priority plan includes ongoing education, prayer, policy, and advocacy efforts to mobilize the Catholic community on issues of life, justice, and peace. In this way, the Catholic community celebrates the gift of human life and witnesses to the Good News of Jesus Christ..

From USCCB.org

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote.

"We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern." - Pope Francis, 9/16/13

The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citi-zenship, our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democra-cy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respect-ful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming

election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order. Read Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, which provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.

From USCCB.Org.

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COATS FOR KIDS

For the 6th consecutive year, the Knights of Columbus has provided

coats for needy children of the community. The sturdy and attrac-

tive coats are distributed by the SKD Catholic Daughters through

the House of Help in December of each year. The National KC or-

ganization makes the coats available to local councils throughout

the world at competitive prices. For the six years of the program in

Hempstead, approximately 720 coats, at a cost of $13,200 have

been given to area kids. The local coats are purchased with profits from the annual BENEFIT QUILT SHOW in

November, sponsored by the KC’s for the benefit of local charitable cases, focusing on youths. The popular Quilt

Show is supported by three area quilt guilds, the Scrappers of Pine Island, the Piecemakers of Hempstead,and

the Quaint Quilters of Hockley.

Jack Gibbs

THE DEADLINE FOR THE JUNE 2016 NEWSLETTER WILL BE FRIDAY, MAY 6th

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE!

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Katharine Drexel Community:

Back in May, I handed out blessed stones for you to keep as a reminder that the success or failure of the

parish rests solely with ourselves. Remember the quote:

THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF ST. KATHARINE DREXEL IS MY RESPONSIBILITY.

There are many opportunities to serve our parish in different capacities. I’m sure you can find something

to do that is within your gifts and interests.

In particular, I have openings for some people to serve on the Stewardship Committee. The committee is

responsible for finding ways to keep our parish “in the black” by creating opportunities to give to the

parish, to encourage volunteerism, communications, and good use of our Time, Talent, and Treasures.

The Stewardship Committee is “a work in progress”, so we are learning as we go along in our endeavors.

We are looking for a well-balanced group of people, encouraging even some of our youth, to step for-

ward and serve.

In the past, the Stewardship Committee has hosted the annual St. Katharine Drexel Day and the yearly

Ministry Fair.

Right now we have some great things on our “to-do” list but lack the people to initiate them.

Don’t be shy, step us and join us.

Contact me by email: fotoman515@comcast.net or call me at 281-213-4266.

Respectfully,

Harry Conte

DREXEL’S DRIFTERS SAILING THE HIGH SEAS!

On Sunday, January 31st, a group of SKD’s Drexel’s Drift-

ers and friends began their long-awaited cruise on the Car-

ibbean Princess. Shown seated are Tom and Sandy Brown,

Jose and Teresa Hurtado, Don and Barbara Bezub (and

friends), and Ellen Pelletier. Dcn. John Pelletier is not

shown because he was taking the picture.

Our travelers report that they had a wonderful time and are

ready to cruise again. Their ship returned to Galveston on

Sunday, February 7th.

Jo Ann Babbitt

Repka’s Hardware Store Closing

Bobby Repka (second from left) is shown with a few of his Knights of Columbus buddies in REPKA’S HARDWARE

STORE during its closing sale last December. The KC’s are (from left to right) Tom Brown, Repka, Doug Plum-

mer, Gene Flory, Jack Gibbs, and John Kiper. Repka had operated the store in Hempstead for over 35 years,

providing untold assistance and advice about projects and repairs to customers from all over the county. Repka

is also well-known for his humorous stories; it was worth a visit to the store just to hear the latest anecdotes,

and linger for a cup of coffee. With his wife, Betty, who also faithfully assisted in the store, Repka plans to re-

main in Hempstead for his retirement. The Repka family are long-time members of St. Katharine Drexel parish

and St. Mary’s parish before that. His many customers and friends with the couple well.

Jack Gibbs

OLD ST. MARY’S CHURCH BELL

Under the direction of the Knights of Columbus, the church bell from the old St.

Mary’s parish was completely reconditioned and remounted. Cast in 1889 in St. Lou-

is, Missouri, the heavy bell was brought to Hempstead before 1900 and used in one of

the early churches of St. Mary’s parish. The refurbishing was done by Tom Brown

and Jack Gibbs, with stainless steel brushes and other supplies from Mud Gibbs. The

mounting frame was disassembled, then sandblasted and painted by Curtis Carlton

with Triple C Industries in Hockley. The 200 lb. bell was cleaned, brushed, and pol-

ished to a shiny brass finish. Largely used for ceremonial purposes now, the bell sits

in the church barn, ready to ring and peal for anyone who wishes to hear its glorious

sound.

Jack Gibbs