ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER SUGAR LAND, TEXAS April 17, 2016 ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH PARISH OFFICE 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-980-9812 Pastor: Fr. Drew Wood Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jaison Thomas, MSFS [email protected]Parochial Vicar: Fr. Simon Kipiti [email protected]Deacon: Renato (Rey) Arellano [email protected]Deacon: Albert Bothe [email protected]Deacon: Don Burns [email protected]Deacon: Charles Plant [email protected]Parish Administrator: Tony Oltremari [email protected]Liturgy: Theresa Rawls [email protected]Facilities: Deanna Ennis [email protected]Social Concerns: Pennie DeGroot [email protected]Communications: Sharon Ehrenkranz [email protected]RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICES 3103 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-265-5774 Director Religious Education: Laura Stephens [email protected]Religious Education Registrar: Ruba Kaiser [email protected]Adult Faith Formation: Justin Frato [email protected]Children’s Faith Formation: Joan Hastreiter [email protected]Youth Ministry: Kris Frank [email protected]Sara Sahlezghi [email protected]Eric Painter [email protected]ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2630 Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-980-0500 Principal: Debra Haney [email protected]Registrar: Marie Brown [email protected]WEEKDAY CHILDREN’S PROGRAM 3103 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281-313-0329 Director: Becky Wilkinson [email protected]PARISH LEADERSHIP COUNCILS 281-980-9812 Pastoral Council: Tom Ruck [email protected]Finance Council: Bob Ladd [email protected]Discipleship Council: Marc Sherman [email protected]PARISH FINANCIAL INFORMATION WEEKLY OFFERTORY April 10 Collection $ 58,050 Registered Households 7,275 Envelopes Used 853 Loose Checks 207 AUTOMATED GIVING Monthly Offertory $ 154,942 Participants 882 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND 2016 Parish Goal $ 495,000 Amount Paid $ 210,041 Amount Pledged $ 308,032 Participants 740 OUR MISSION We the people of St. Laurence Catholic Church are centered in the love of Christ and live to glorify God in all we do. FIRST FRIDAY MASS May 6 – In the Chapel 7:00 pm - Rosary & Confessions 7:30 pm - Mass FIRST SATURDAY MASS May 7 – In the Church 7:45 am - Meditation & Rosary 8:30 am - Mass MISA EN ESPAÑOL Abril 23 - En la Capilla Segundo y cuarto sábado de cada mes a las 7:00pm. Confesiones en Español antes de la misa de 6:00 a 6:45 pm. Comunión a los enfermos, Irma Martinez Tel 281-313-2833 PARISH OFFICE & COURTYARD The parish office provides services including pastoral care, liturgical planning, business, communications, & administrative support, and social concerns & social justice support. The parish hall and meeting rooms are available through reservation by calling Nia Sepe at 281-980-9812. Office Hours: Monday- Thursday 8:00am-9:00pm; Friday 8:00am- 6:00pm; and Saturday 8:30am-12:00noon. AVE MARIA PARISH LIFE CENTER The Ave Maria Parish Life Center is located across the street from the church and is the site for all religious education classes, programs and offices. Inquiries and drop-ins are welcome during office hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:00am-9:00pm and Friday 8:00am-4:00pm. The Weekday Children’s Program is offered for infants through pre- school aged children. During the school year, WCP hours Monday-Friday are 8:00am-3:00pm. PARISH SCHOOL & CHAPEL St. Laurence Catholic School provides strong academics in a Christian environment to 720 students enrolled in PreK4 through Grade 8. Office Hours: Monday-Friday are 8:00am-4:00pm. Adjacent to the school is the Chapel of the Divine Mercy which offers Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and serves as the site for smaller liturgies. The Lord is risen! As Christ's disciples, we are called to go forth and spread the good news of His Resurrection. Our parish's many ministries are examples of how many of you answer that call. Our ministries require not only gifts of time and talent, but also of financial help. Please prayerfully consider supporting St. Laurence Catholic Church by using safe and efficient electronic donations through Faith Direct. You may sign up online at www.faithdirect.net using our church code TX460 or mail in an enrollment form from the parish office.
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ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER SUGAR LAND, TEXAS April 17, 2016
PARISHOFFICE&COURTYARDTheparishofficeprovidesservicesincludingpastoral care, liturgical planning, business,communications,&administrative support,andsocialconcerns&socialjusticesupport.The parish hall and meeting rooms areavailablethroughreservationbycallingNiaSepeat281-980-9812.OfficeHours:Monday-Thursday 8:00am-9:00pm; Friday 8:00am-6:00pm;andSaturday8:30am-12:00noon.
AVEMARIAPARISHLIFECENTERTheAveMariaParishLifeCenter is locatedacrossthestreetfromthechurchandisthesite for all religious education classes,programsandoffices.Inquiriesanddrop-insare welcome during office hours: Mondaythru Thursday 8:00am-9:00pm and Friday8:00am-4:00pm. The Weekday Children’sProgram isoffered for infants throughpre-school aged children. During the schoolyear, WCP hours Monday-Friday are8:00am-3:00pm.
PARISHSCHOOL&CHAPELSt.LaurenceCatholicSchoolprovidesstrongacademics in a Christian environment to720 students enrolled in PreK4 throughGrade 8. OfficeHours:Monday-Friday are8:00am-4:00pm.
Adjacent to theschool is theChapelof theDivine Mercy which offers PerpetualAdoration of the Blessed Sacrament andservesasthesiteforsmallerliturgies.
The Lord is risen! As Christ's disciples, we are called to go forth and spread the good news of His Resurrection. Our parish's many ministries are examples of how many of you answer that call. Our ministries require not only gifts of time and talent, but also of financial help. Please prayerfully consider supporting St. Laurence Catholic Church by using safe and efficient electronic donations through Faith Direct. You may sign up online at www.faithdirect.net using our church code TX 460 or mail in an enrollment form from the parish office.
WorldDayofPrayerforVocationswillbeobservedonSunday,April17,alsoknownas“GoodShepherdSunday.”PleasepraythatyoungmenandwomenhearandrespondgenerouslytotheLord'scalltothepriesthood,diaconate,religiouslife,societiesofapostoliclifeorsecularinstitutes.Findresourcesandinfoatwww.usccb.org/vocations.IamwritingthisletteronthisdayofWorldDayofPrayerforVocationstoinviteeveryonetoconsiderthenecessityofprayingfortheincreaseofvocationstothePriesthoodandReligiousLife,butalsotoprayforthestrengthofthevocationstotheMarriageandSingleLifeforourChurch.WhydoweprayforVocations?Itisbecausethevocationisarisingbyprayer.WeunitetogetherandexpresstoGodourneedthatHealreadyknows.WhatisaVocation?Thissimplequestionhasaverycomplexanswer.ThevocationisthecallofGodandacallfromGod.Godhimselfcallshispeopletoaparticularstateoflife.HewantstogiveaspecificmissiontoeachoneofusintheWordandtheChurch.However,eachpersonneedstoheartheCallofGodandrespondtohim.Withoutintimateprayer,itwillbeimpossibletohearthatcallandrespondtoit.ThecallofGodcomestousthroughamediationthatiscommunal.GodcallsustobecomeapartoftheChurchand,afterreachingcertainmaturityinit,wereceiveaspecificvocation(mission).OnthisdaydedicatedtoprayerforVocations,IurgeallthefaithfulofSt.Laurencetotakeresponsibilityfortheprayer,care,anddiscernmentofvocations.WhentheapostleswerelookingforsomeonetotaketheplaceofJudasIscariot,St.Peterbroughttogether120brothers(Acts1:15);andinordertochoosesevendeacons,agroupofdisciplesweregathered(cf.6:2).St.PaulgaveTitusspecificcriteriafortheselectionofpresbyters(cf.Titus1:5-9).Today,wearecalledtobepresentinthediscernmentofVocations,intheirtrainingandperseverance(cf.Apost.Ex.EvangeliiGaudium,107).MayGodhearourprayerandtheLordblessyouall!Fr. Simon Kipiti
SUNDAY,April24FirstReading ACTS14:21-27SecondReading REV21:1-5AGospel JN13:31-33A,34-35PRAYING THE NEWS
April 17, 2016
My sheep hear my voice. John 10:27
O Lord, we pray for little Lizzy Myers, recently blessed by Pope Francis, and
for all in danger of losing their sight and hearing. May physical and spiritual healing come through faith, prayer,
inspired medical skill and research. We know your voice can reach the human heart in ways beyond earthly hearing. Please heal our own deafness and lack
of sight. May we never doubt your desire and power to lovingly draw
everyone to your side.
Jesus, we trust in you. Amen. †
ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER SUGAR LAND, TEXAS April 17, 2016
Pray for the Sick Please pray for these members of our parish family and all our loved ones
Pray for Servicemen and Women CW2BrettAderhold,USArmy,AVSpcDavidAmbrocik,USArmyPvtMichaelBaird,USArmySAMatthewBaird,USNavyP.O.5DebraBarnette,USNavyLCplTrevorBello,USMCPFCJohnBlair,USArmyMaj.MichaelCarroll,USMCStaffSgt.JasonChacon,USMCLtMatthewChesney,USNavyMaj.ChristopherCoffman,USAirForceCapt.PatrickCoffman,USMCLTJGColinDay,USNavy1stLtAndrewDeSplinter,USArmySgt.NicholasDockum,USArmyCapt.BrandonDriscoll,USMCMaj.JamesDunphy,USMC2ndLtMichaelEberhardt,USArmyCapt.StaceyEberhardt,USArmyDerekFarias,USNavyCapt.MatthewFenelon,USMCPvtJahneilXavierGeorge,USArmySSgt.PhilipGraham,USArmy1stLTSpencerHenry,USArmyDanielHines,USNavySSGMatthewHollobaugh,USArmyReserve2LTMichelleHorstman,USArmySPCJoshuaKeenan,USArmyJosephKingerski,USNavyEM4JamesLocus,USNavyPFCPhilipLoera,USArmyPFCJohnLundgren,USArmyPFCWilliamMarcellus,USMCCplKevinMcGinnis,USMCCapt.BrendanMcPartland,USMC1stLtToddMiller,USArmyCapt.AlexanderMorningstar,USArmyCB,RichardPinard,USNavyLCplByronRayRamirez,USMCSgt.SantiagoRamirez,USArmy2ndLtTaylorRammrath,USArmySgt.BarbaraL.Rangel,USMCSRAJonathanSlusser,USAirForceENSKevinStransky,USNavyLCplDanielThesing,USMCCapt.MichaelThesing,USMCSgt.BryceWhitley,USArmy
MASS INTENTIONS April 16 – 24
Saturday, Apr 16 5:00 pm Carol Siwierka (D)
Sunday, Apr 17 7:30 am James Vaughan (D) 9:00 am Christopher Hughes (D) 11:00 am Tony Yasilli (D) 12:45 pm Susana Obikwelu (D) 5:00 pm St. Laurence Parishioners
Monday, Apr 18 7:30 am June Renaud (D) 12:00 pm Emma Jean Behrens (D)
Tuesday, Apr 19 7:30 am Antonin Scalia (D) 12:00 pm Fr. Pio (I)
Wednesday, Apr 20 7:30 am Al & Luch Conforti (D) 6:30 pm Eugene & Becky Pascual (A)
Thursday, Apr 22 7:30 am Danyna Forrester (I) 12:00 pm Frederick Joseph DeBen (D)
Friday, Apr 23 8:15 am Zandra Lozada (D) 12:00 pm Michael Barber (D)
KINGDOM CARE SundayMorningMasses:9:00&11:00ChildcareisprovidedthroughKingdomCare,aloving,Christian,andsafeenvironmentforyoung children while their parents attendMass and other parish programs. Registerin advance at theparishofficewith ChristyDelamora,at281-980-9812.
PASTORAL CARE TO SICK & HOMEBOUND Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowinourparishishomeboundandwould like to receiveHolyCommunion,pleasecall theparishofficeat281-980-9812. To volunteer, call AmbroseGrahamat713-865-3729.
WEDDING PREPARATION Nextclass:JUNE6
Thestandardpreparationtimeforweddingsis9-12months in advance of the desired date.All engagedcouplesmust attendan informa-tionsession,usuallyofferedeveryothermonth.RegisterwithTheresaRawlsat281-980-9812.
BAPTISM PREPARATION Nextclass:MAY14
TheSacramentofBaptismiscelebratedonthe1st, 2nd, & 3rd Sundays each month. ToscheduleabaptismcallRoseDavisat281-980-9812.Theparentprepclassisofferedmonthly.
MEN: Sign up NOW for the ACTS Retreat Allmen21andover,regardlessofreligiousaffiliation,arewelcometoattendthenextSt.LaurenceMen’sACTSRetreat.TheretreatbeginsThursday,June9,withcheck-inatSt.Laurenceat5:00pm,andendsSunday,June12,afteraluncheonfollowingthe11:00amMassatSt.Laurence.This
“Experience Different Cultures” Session1:June13-June17 Pack Your Bags Session2:June20-July1 Hola, Mexico Session3:July11-July22 Aloha, Hawaii Session4:July25-August5 Ni Hao, China
2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR ContactPeggyFinchat281-313-0329orstopbytheAveMariaCentertolearnmoreaboutthisearlychildhoodprogram.
ForChildren
St. Laurence Catholic School
www.stlaurence.org/schoolStudent competes in State Geography Bee CongratulationstoAlexGarciaforhisparticipationintheStateGeographyBee!Alexwasoneofjust100studentsinthestateofTexasingrades4-8toadvancetocompeteatthestatelevel!Waytogo,Alex!Weareproudofyou!Some 2016-2017 Openings in First Grade SLCSstillhaslimitedopeningsinthe1stgradeclassfortheschoolyear2016-2017.IfyouareinterestedinCatholiceducation,pleasecontactAdmissionsCoordinatorMarieBrownat281-980-0500andmbrown@stlaurence.orgtoscheduleatour.“I WANT MY SLCS” Auction & Dinner SLCSisexcitedtopresenttheir24thannualdinnerandauctionnextSaturday,April23,attheSugarLandMarriottTownSquare.Thethemeforthisyear’sfundraisingeventis“IWantMySLCS!”andwillbenefitSt.LaurenceCatholicSchool,whicheducatesstudentsfromfouryearsofagethrough8thgrade.PleasecontacttheAdvancementOfficeoftheschoolat281-980-0500formoreinformationaboutticketsandsponsorshipopportunities.
Roland grew up inLafayette, Louisiana,the only boy withthreesisters.(Maybethat’swhyhe’ssuchanice guy!) He madeHouston his home in1981, and then St.Laurence his spiritual
home in 2009. After a career in humanresource management, Roland retiredthree years ago, finding ample time todedicatetoparishministry. Currently,heco-chairs the St. Laurence Adult Singlesgroup, is active in JOY Club (forparishioners aged 50+), and he enjoyssupporting many of the service projectsorganized through Social Concerns.Roland says, “My involvement grew fromregular participation in Adult Singles andbeingapproachedtoassumea leadershiprole within that group. I am veryimpressed that St. Laurence has somanydifferent ministries and organizationswhicheffectively serve theneedsofbothourparishionersandourcommunity.”Heencourageseveryonetofindawaytogetinvolved and serve others. “There issomething for everyone! Take a carefullook at our 80 ministries and parishorganizationsandselectatleastonewhichyou believe matches your interests andtalents. Everyonehas apersonal skill settheycanputtousetobenefitourchurch!”
A.TheEighthCommandmentteachesusnottolie.Lyingmeansconsciouslyandintentionallyspeakingoractingagainstthetruth.Someonewholiesdeceiveshimselfandmisleads others who have a right toknowthefulltruthofamatter.Everylieisan offense against justice and charity.Lying is a form of violence; it introducestheseedofdivisionintoacommunityandundermines the trust on which everyhuman community is based. Living inrespectforthetruthmeansnotonlybeingtrue tooneself. Moreprecisely, itmeansbeingtruthful,beingtruetoGod,forheisthesourceofall truth. Wefindthetruthabout God and about all of reality quitedirectlyinJesus,whois"theway,andthetruth, and the life" (Jn 14:6). SomeonewhoreallyfollowsJesusbringsgreaterandgreater truthfulness into his life. Heeliminates all lies, falsehood, pretense,and ambiguity from his accomplishmentsin life and becomes transparent towardthetruth. Tobelievemeanstobecomeawitnesstothetruth.
DigDeeper:ReadCCCsections2464-2470for more on this subject. This answer isreprintedfromYOUCATquestions452-453.
ASK PAULA Q.What’sthebestpartofyourjob?
A.Wow, itwouldbehardtopick just
onething,sohere’sacouple…IlovewhenMs. Dodson and Toni come by the officewith their PreK class. They come in andsingsongsandIgettotalktothekids.Ms.DodsonhasbeendoingthissinceIstartedherealmost20yearsago.Canyoubelieveit?? So, Ihave seenkidsgrow fromPreKwho have already graduated college,right? I have also made some greatfriends here that stop by the office andhave chats before and after noon Mass.(I’matalker,forsure.)LikeItellthegalsintheoffice, it’swhat Idooooo, just saying.If anyone in Connecticut ever toldme I’dbeworkingforachurch,Iwouldhavetoldthemtheywerecrazy!Buthonestly,Ilovemyjob.Icanstayhereforever.
PaulaSavohasbeenourParishReceptionistfor over 19 years and knows the practicalanswers to (practically) everything. Call [email protected].
ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH 4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER SUGAR LAND, TEXAS April 17, 2016
Peter Ran to the Tomb EASTER2016HOMILYOFHISHOLINESSPOPEFRANCIS
WhatisEDGE?It'swaymore than effectivecatechesis.It'sCatholicMiddle School Youth
Ministrythathelpsyoungpeoplewith life'smostchallengingyears.EdgeNightstakeplaceWednesdayeveningsfromSeptember-Aprilinthe schoolgym. All 6th-8thgradersare invitedandencouraged toattend.Questions?Interestedinhelpingout?ContactEricPainteratepainter@stlaurence.org.
JULY 18-23: Camp Hidden Lake Edgewillbejoininghundredsofothermiddleschoolyouthfromaroundthecountryforanunforgettableweek-longCatholiccampexperience,July18-23.Spotsarelimited.Pleaseheadtowww.stlaurence.org/camphiddenlakeformoreinfo.
Open Youth Room & Bible Study OurbrandnewYouthRoomisopeneveryThursday4-6pmforallmiddleschoolyouth!Weeat,playgames,andendwithaBibleStudy.Opentoall,feelfreetobringafriend!
LifeTeenisforanyteencurrentlyinhighschool.ThisministryisSt.Laurence'smainoutreach to9th - 12thgraders. Through teachingandsocialeventswehopetobuildupthekingdomofGodoneteenatatime.Forinfo,[email protected].
THISSEMESTERINLIFETEENApril17-April24
You Oughta Know AnewseriesonCatholicApologeticsbeganApril3rd
You can help our manyministries in a variety of ways,but the simplest is throughdonations! Easier yet, youmayhave many of these items athome. Items may be droppedoffat theparishofficeor in theSCMDonationbininthechurch.
Ø men's clothing for residents of ROSARY HOUSE, a halfwayhouse forex-prisoners: newunderwearandgentlyusedandnewlong&shortsleeveshirts,pants,socks,shoesandjackets.Thereare18to20residentsatthehome.
Ø newwhitecrewsocks,newwhitet-shirts(sizelarge),pop-toptuna/meat, individual peanut butters, granola bars for theHOMELESS
Ø birthday party gifts of new/unused toys, $10-$20 gift cards(fast food,Wal-Mart,Target)Birthday inaBagMinistry,newor very gently used small children’s books, and small fleeceblankets(NighttimeCuddleKits)forCHILDRENINSHELTERS
NAMI MEETINGS AT ST. LAURENCE JointheNAMI(NationalAllianceonMentalIllness)supportgrouponthe2ndand4thThursdayofeachmonthat7:00pmintheSocialConcernsWorkroom.Ifyoucareforsomeonewithmentalillness,youcangainsupportandlearnofresourcesthatareavailabletohelpourlovedonesandourselves.TheNAMISpanishSupportGroupmeetsonthe3rdTuesdayofeachmonth.AChineseSupportGroupisalsoavailable.Therearenochargesfortheservices.Formoreinformation,[email protected].
2 Months in Social Concerns InFebruaryandMarchalone,throughmonetaryandgoodsdonationsbySt.Laurenceparishionersandserviceprojectsbystudentsandvolunteers,theSocialConcernsMinistrywasableto…
Adoration in the Chapel WeatSt.LaurencepraythatallmayknowthetruepresenceofJesusintheBlessedSacrament,andbegracedwiththeholydesiretospendtimewithourGodinadoration.Pleaseprayerfullyconsiderthehourslistedthatweareinneedofcommittedadorersandsubs.CallJaniceSwobodaat281-980-8481or832-816-4660.
APRIL 20: PACT Meeting ParentingAdolescentswithCatholicismTogetherWeareagroupofCatholicparentsempoweringoneanotherthroughourloveofJesusChrist,sharingofparentwisdomandlearningfrominformationpresented.ThegroupmeetsinGuardianAngelsHallonthe1stand3rdWednesdays,7:00-8:10pm(duringEDGE).JoinusatournextmeetingonApril20,tofocusonthehealthiestandmosteffectiveCatholicChristianbehaviorstoraiseouradolescentsduringthiscriticalstageintheirdevelopment.ThereisnoneedtoRSVP,preparationorhomework!Formoreinfo,[email protected],832-471-6131.
MAY6: In the Heart of the Home JoinotherCatholicmomswhohomeschoolforacasualeveningofsupport,sharing,andrefreshments.“IntheHeartoftheHome”willbeofferedonFriday,May6,6:30-8:00pmintheparishhall.Ifyouhaveafriendwhoisthinkingofeducatingchildrenathome,pleaseinviteher.WewilldoasmallcrafttohonorOurLadyforthemonthofMay.Thereisnocosttoattend.Formoreinfo,[email protected].
APRIL 19: JOY Club Holy Door Pilgrimage TheJOYClubinvitesotherseniormembersoftheparish(50+)tojointhemforNoonMassatSt.LaurenceonTuesday,April19.AfterMass,theywillheadtonearbySt.TheresaforanotherpilgrimagetotheDoorofMercy,designatedbyCardinalDiNardoforthisYearofMercy.Thenthey’llgetlunchataplaceTBD.Bringafriend!ContactAnneHigginsforinformationatnannyhiggs@gmail.com,832-755-5597.
MinistryNewsApril 21: Ladies Guild Welcomes Spring SignsofSpringareallaroundus!TheEasterseasoncontinues,flowersareblooming,treesarebudding,andtheweatheristurningwarmer.CometothenextLadiesGuildmeetingintheparishhallonThursday,April21,at6:30pm,toPutSomeSpringinYourStep.OurguestspeakerisDeidreDoggett,aphysicaltherapistandfitnessinstructor,whowilldiscusswaystoawakenandrenewourspirituallivesandourbodiesfromheadtotoe!Pleasebringalightsnackordesserttoshare.Formoreinformation,contactLadiesGuildPresidentJoanieO'[email protected].
Spirituality & Healing Series SignsandSymptomsofMentalHealthConditionsThursday,May5,7:00-8:30pmAveMariaCenterPresenter:PatSumner,NAMIJoinusforthisinformativesessionfocusingonthesignsandsymptomsofmentalhealthconditions.
St. Laurence Adult Singles Group TheSt.LaurenceAdultSinglesMinistryservesadultsofallageswhoarewidowed,divorced,separatedornevermarried.Formoreeventinfo,[email protected].
