Martha Saint Catholic Church of Kingwood Martha Saint Catholic Church of Kingwood Winter 2019-20 Dear parish family, 2019 has been a pretty eventful year for our parish. Sandwiched between two signifi- cant floods we were able to dedicate our new day chapel! The end of the year can help us look back on the year that was and see God’s blessings and the incredible ways He has been in our lives during the good and the bad. It is also a chance to look ahead to new beginnings and wonder where God will touch our lives in 2020. Our newsletter has a little bit of all that this month. We look back on the ways that the school has handled the floods and the way the parish has responded to those in need. We also look forward to the way that we can learn more about our new chapel and ways we can help the poor, like our upcoming Sharing Sunday weekend! We also look ahead to ways we can support ministries in our parish like St. Margaret of Costello, Catholics Returning Home, and Grief after loss. In the newsletter, you will find ways you can get more involved in our parish community and learn about how God continues to bless our parish family. We pray that our Lord continues to shine His love on all of us so that we can grow in holiness and help make a difference in the lives of those around us. May God bless you, Fr. T.J. Dolce Pastor A Letter From Our Pastor 2 A New Year, New Beginnings for the Christian Steward. Prayer for the New Year. 3 St. Martha Catholic School 4 St. Margaret of Costello’s Special Needs Ministry Six Saints Series 5 Greif Ministry What is Catholics Returning Home? 6 A New Way to Love 7 Sharing Sunday Is December 14th and 15th 8 International Mission Trips In This Issue Merry Christmas Christmas Mass Schedule Dec. 24 (Vigil): 4 PM, 6:30 PM, 8 PM, and Midnight There will be an overflow Mass on the Woodland Hills campus at 4:15 pm in the Activity Center. Dec. 25: 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM (En Español) Mary, Mother Of God Mass Schedule Dec. 31 (Vigil): 4 PM, 6 PM Jan. 1: 9 AM, 11 AM Merry Christmas
Transcript
MarthaSaint
Catholic Church of Kingwood
MarthaSaint
Catholic Church of Kingwood
Winter 2019-20
Dear parish family,
2019 has been a pretty eventful year for our parish. Sandwiched between two signifi-cant floods we were able to dedicate our new day chapel! The end of the year can help us look back on the year that was and see God’s blessings and the incredible ways He has been in our lives during the good and the bad. It is also a chance to look ahead to new beginnings and wonder where God will touch our lives in 2020. Our newsletter has a little bit of all that this month. We look back on the ways that the school has handled the floods and the way the parish has responded to those in need. We also look forward to the way that we can learn more about our new chapel and ways we can help the poor, like our upcoming Sharing
Sunday weekend! We also look ahead to ways we can support ministries in our parish like St. Margaret of Costello, Catholics Returning Home, and Grief after loss. In the newsletter, you will find ways you can get more involved in our parish community and learn about how God continues to bless our parish family. We pray that our Lord continues to shine His love on all of us so that we can grow in holiness and help make a difference in the lives of those around us.May God bless you,
Fr. T.J. DolcePastor
A Letter From Our Pastor
2A New Year, New Beginnings
for the Christian Steward.
Prayer for the New Year.
3St. Martha Catholic School
4St. Margaret of Costello’s Special Needs Ministry
Six Saints Series
5Greif Ministry
What is Catholics Returning Home?
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A New Way to Love
7Sharing Sunday Is
December 14th and 15th
8International Mission Trips
In This Issue
Merry ChristmasChristmas Mass Schedule
Dec. 24 (Vigil): 4 PM, 6:30 PM, 8 PM, and Midnight There will be an overflow Mass on the Woodland Hills campus at 4:15 pm in the Activity Center.
Dec. 25: 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM (En Español)
Mary, Mother Of God Mass ScheduleDec. 31 (Vigil): 4 PM, 6 PM
Jan. 1: 9 AM, 11 AM
Merry Christmas
Catholic Church of Kingwood
MarthaSaint
A New Year, New Beginningsfor the Christian Steward
Turning the page to a new calendar year gives us the feel-ing of a fresh start, a new beginning, and new opportu-
nities. It is a time when people feel that they can begin anew with their lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight, exercise more and eat healthier; or to spend more time with family. Still others include managing money better and being more organized. Although there is nothing in the Bible or notable in Chris-tian tradition about New Year’s resolutions, many good stew-ards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may re-commit themselves to pray more, to read the Bible, or to attend Mass more regularly. If you are looking for some help in your New Year’s resolutions, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Practice gratitude – Cultivating a grateful heart is the hallmark of a Christian steward. Every day, express thank-fulness to the Lord and to others.
Encounter the Lord each day – Find time to be with the Lord each day, whether it be for an hour or ten minutes. Have a conversation with the Lord. Give your joys and worries to Him as well. Allow God’s love to transform them. Our encounters will keep our eyes and ears open to the presence of Christ in our midst.
Resist overwork – There is a pressure to produce, meet goals, be successful. But activities that lead us to over-work, constant fatigue and worry do not give glory to God. What God calls us to do we can do well. Be mind-ful that life requires balance, down time and letting go of unrealistic goals.
Nurture friendships – Our friends are those we choose to be with, those with whom we spend our evenings, with whom we vacation, to whom we go to for advice. Friends are gifts from God who give us a greater appreciation of God’s love for us. Friends need our time and love.
Give more – Good stewards realize that everything they have is entrusted to them as gift to be shared. There is no better place to begin than sharing with the community that gathers around the Lord’s table at Mass. Consider what you are giving to your parish and local diocese and com-mit to an even greater contribution as circumstances allow.
Make a difference in your parish community – Believe it or not, your parish community can use your talents. Of-fering your talents to your faith community is one of the most effective ways to feel useful and connected to others, and it is a potentially life-changing New Year’s resolution.
Heavenly Father,Thank you for the gift of a new year.You have entrusted us with the coming days, weeks and months as stewards of your divine plan; to live in gratitude, joy, and an ever growing confidence in your Kingdom to come.We ask for the humility to reform our lives; the courage to commit ourselves to you no matter the cost;and the wisdom to shine the light of faith on others.
Prayer for the New YearOpen our hearts, give us your Spirit and show us how to share your love so that we may bring hope to a world in need of your justice and peace.We pray to be a sign of your grace in this new year through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.Amen
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Winter 2019-20
St. Martha Catholic SchoolACCREDITED BY THE TEXAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
SERVING STUDENTS IN PRE-K – 8TH GRADE | WWW.STMARTHACS.ORG
Though many of our classroom spaces were destroyed by the flood-ing involved with Tropical Storm Imelda, our faculty, staff and students have done an amazing job of continuing to pursue academic excellence and a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Some highlights from this fall semester include our annual All Saints Day Parade in which our Pre-K through 2nd grade students dress up as their favorite saint. Our students have enjoyed a variety of extracurricular activies from sports to chess to robotics. Our Crusader family generously participated in multiple fundraisers supporting causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. In the classroom, our faculty have challenged and engaged our students with unique, hands-on learning assignments. Middle school students were tasked with decorating a potato as a saint, and 3rd grade students transformed wooden spoons into pilgrims that represent their family’s heritage. Our Pre-K classes learned about what it means to be U.S. citizen and practiced exercising their right to vote. All in all, it’s been a busy & wonderful semester!
Our Crusade for Excellence Fund supports the school’s operating budget and priority needs such as technology upgrades and educational initiatives when-ever possible. Because we strive to keep our tuition as low as possible, we rely on the generosity of the school, parish, and greater communities to help us bridge the gap between tuition and the cost of educating our students. For more information on the fund or other ways in which you can help support Catholic education and our parish school, please visit our school website at www.stmarthacs.org. Your support will help us to con-tinue our mission of providing an excellent academic and spiritual education.
Save the DateJanuary 31 – New Student Registration Begins
February 15 – Steps for Students Archdiocesan 5K Run/Walk - All parishioners welcome to join our team!
Sign up now and select St Martha at https://www.steps4students.org/register/
April 4 – SMCS Spring Gala
St. Martha Catholic School provides an excellent Catholic education by developing mind, heart, and spirit as we share in community to form witnesses who transform the world.
St. Martha Catholic SchoolOver 20 Years of Educating Students
Pre-K through Grade 8
Open HouseFor prospective students
and their families:Tuesday, January 28, 2020
5 to 7 p.m.
2411 Oak Shores DriveKingwood, Texas 77339
For more information, please contact Jodie Richter at
St. Martha Catholic School ACCREDITED BY THE TCCB ED AND ADVANCED
SERVING STUDENTS IN PRE-K – 8TH GRADE | WWW. STMARTHACS.ORG
Though many of our classroom spaces were destroyed by the flooding involved with Tropical Storm Imelda, our faculty, staff and students have done an amazing job of continuing to pursue academic excellence and a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Some highlights from this fall semester include our annual All Saints Day Parade in which our Pre-K through 2nd grade students dress up as their favorite saint. Our students have enjoyed a variety of extracurricular activies from sports to chess to robotics. Our Crusader family generously participated in multiple fundraisers supporting causes like Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. In the classroom, our faculty have challenged and engaged our students with unique, hands-on learning assignments. Middle school students were tasked with decorating a potato as a saint, and 3rd grade students transformed wooden spoons into pilgrims that represent their family’s heritage. Our Pre-K classes learned about what it means to be U.S. citizen and practiced exercising their right to vote. All in all, it’s been a busy & wonderful semester!
St. Martha Catholic School Over 20 Years of Educating
Students Pre-K through Grade 8
Open House For prospective students
and their families: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
5 to 7 p.m.
2411 Oak Shores Drive Kingwood, Texas 77339
For more information, please contact Jodie Richter at
Save the Date January 31 – New Student Registration Begins
February 15 – Steps for Students Archdiocesan 5K Run/Walk - All parishioners welcome to join our
team! Sign up now and select St Martha at https://www.steps4students.org/register/
April 4 – SMCS Spring Gala
St. Martha Catholic School provides an excellent Catholic education by developing mind, heart, and spirit as we share in community to form witnesses who transform the world.
Our Crusade for Excellence Fund supports the school’s operating budget and priority needs such as technology upgrades and educational initiatives whenever possible. Because we strive to keep our tuition as low as possible, we rely on the generosity of the school, parish, and greater communities to help us bridge the gap between tuition and the cost of educating our students. For more information on the fund or other ways in which you can help support Catholic education and our parish school, please visit our school website at www.stmarthacs.org. Your support will help us to continue our mission of providing an excellent academic and spiritual education.
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Catholic Church of Kingwood
MarthaSaint
St. Margaret of Costello’s Special Needs Ministry
Do you have a family member with special needs? Do you know a fellow parishioner that has a special needs fam-
ily member? If so, there is a new ministry that will provide a caring support group, help with an inclusive environment for spiritual care, and practical in-formation. Special needs cover a diverse array of issues: neuro-logical and physical disabilities, motor or speech delays, psy-chological issues, for example; but St. Margaret of Costello’s Special Needs Ministry looks to provide support in all cases. We had some great programs
at our meetings over our first year with presentations by lo-cal service providers (Including Kids, The Village Learning Center, Brite Success, MOSAIC), a talk on guardianship and
special needs trusts by a na-tionally recognized family lawyer, and how to access respite care. Upcoming speakers will discuss finan-cial planning for long term care. The parish has also provided a sensory friendly room for Saturday evening mass. Please join us the first Monday of each month in Room 2 of the Family Life Center at 8pm. If you would like more information, or have any ques-tions, please contact Craig Simonsgaard, 832-633-0321, [email protected] or Patrick Bloomer, 832-445-9357, [email protected] .
Beginning on January 3, after 8:30am Mass and every First Friday for the following 5 months, we will have presentations about the lives, virtues and spiritualities of the six saints in the Holy Family chapel. The talks will last approximately one hour. There will be no cost, but a love offering. Save the dates!!!
Six Saints Series
St. Anne Pope St. John Paul II
Sts. Louis & Zelie Guerin
Martin
BlessedChiara Luce
Badano
Blessed Pier Giorgio
Frassati
San José Sánchez del
Rio
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Winter 2019-20
St. Martha’s grief support has been offering Life After Loss grief support groups for the last six years. The program
has expanded from offering the program once a year, to three-four times per year. Life After Loss provides a compassionate atmosphere where those in grief are joined by trained facilitators who will walk a part of their grief journey with them. It is a safe place where those in grief will be listened to, and where tears are acceptable. No one is ever forced to speak up, but each is al-lowed to participate when they are ready. The teams of facilitators have been amazed at seeing God working and healing within the groups. We encourage you and your loved ones to consider joining Life After Loss
should you find yourself faced with having to work through your own grief over loss. Just call 281-360-2714 or email [email protected] for more information. Our next group begins on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Greif Ministry Life After Loss
Catholics Returning Home is a program that invites non-practicing Catholics to return home to the Catholic
Church and resume active practice of their faith. If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for a while, this invitation is for you! No matter how long you have been away and no matter what the reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church. Please join us for informal listening/Q&A sessions and an update of the Catholic faith, facilitated by former non-prac-ticing Catholics. Next 6-week session starts Tuesday, Jan. 14, 7-8:30 PM. Catholics Returning Home sessions provide updated in-formation on the basics of Catholicism in an informal, support group format.Topics include: • Welcome and Overview of the Series: Sharing by Team and Participants
• The Church Today – Changes since Vatican II, Q&A • Explanation of Reconciliation, Q&A • Explanation/Walk through of the Mass, Q&A • The Creed: What Catholics Believe, Wrap-Up, Q&A If you would like more information or to participate, please contact: Carla Lewton, [email protected], 281-713-8968
What is CatholicsReturning Home?
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Catholic Church of Kingwood
MarthaSaint
A New Way to Love
A New Way to Love is a weekly series on Living God’s purpose for your marriage. Developed by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D., the series is based on the principles described in their book Getting the Love You Want.
Learn simple yet powerful tools to communicate more effectively and feel more connected with your spouse. Whether you are engaged or married from six months to 60 years, this series provides an opportunity to deepen your relationship. To cover the cost of each participant manual, $40 per couple is due upon registration.
When: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Tuesday evenings, Six Sessions beginning on January 21, 2020
Cost: $40 per couple to cover the cost of materials. Checks are to be made out to St. Martha Catholic Church. In the memo line: A New Way to Love.
To RegisterRegistration is Required: Please place the registration form and payment in an envelope addressed “Attn: Francine Puglia.” The envelope may be dropped in the collection basket at Mass or brought to the parish office, M-F, 9-4. You may also mail your registration to the parish office: St. Martha Catholic Church, Attn: Francine Puglia, 4301 Woodridge Pkwy, Porter, TX 77365 An email will be sent to you when your registration is received.
Space is limited to the first ten couples who register. For more information, contact Francine at [email protected] or 281-358-6637 ext 200.
Each year during Advent our parish makes a special effort to share our blessings with other parishes in the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese. Through our annual Sharing Sunday, we are able to help local parishes distribute food and gifts to
needy families. Gifts are needed for children, adults, and senior citizens. Please wrap and tag these gifts with the age and gender of the recipient (for example, boy age 10-12). Grocery items are also needed but do not need to be wrapped. We appreciate any gift card donation or donations through checks, please make your check payable to St. Martha Catholic Church, and indicate in the memo line that it is for Sharing Sunday. WE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTING DONATIONS IN CASH; HOWEVER, WE ARE ACCEPTING GIFT CARDS WITH A VALUE OF $25 OR LESS. Take time to discuss with your family ways that your Christmas can be shared with other families. If you need more informa-tion, please send an email to Gelly Estess, [email protected]. God Bless you !!
Saint Martha began leading international mission trips to Colombia in 2016 with two trips, a summer trip to Cartagena and a Fall trip to Bogota. Our teams work with local school and parish partners in impoverished communities to support their pro-
grams in Ministry, Education, Child Protection, Income Generation, Community Development and Basic Services. Bring hope, bring your heart, and help children and families build a sustainable way of living. Join us for a life transforming experience. If you are interested in joining a trip, or volunteering to help organize team trips and activities, please contact us at [email protected]
