St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church 2308 3rd Street ∙ Huffman TX 77336

Spirit and Truth A Convert Experiences His First Mass

Dear St. Philip parishioners, devoted Catholics attend Mass on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Some do so out of habit, others because they feel a commitment to the Church they grew up in. Some go because they know that Jesus Christ left his Church for them to partake of his Eucharist and the salvation of their souls which he died for.

By and large protestants don’t draw on such a treasury of liturgy, sacraments, history, tradition and the saints. Some of them, even pastors of congregations, begin to wonder why they feel something is missing. They start researching the Early Church, reading the writings and biographies of the Early Church Fathers. They are astounded by learning what they had never been told in their different denominations. The following is an excerpt from a “Coming Home” article of one of those per-sons who so beautifully described the latter part of his determined search. He finally accepted that he had to become a Catholic! He wanted to join the Church Jesus Christ himself established beginning with what he said to Peter early on his ministry, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build myC, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Here is what this seeker of truth had to say:

SO I went to Mass. I could no longer stay away. I had to know what was going on in the historic, apostolic Church that my mind and my heart had now engaged. On a Sunday morning, before going to teach Sunday School to nearly 100 adults at the Presbyterian church, I walked uncomfortably into St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. I sat in the back. I knelt to pray, most-ly because that was what others were doing. I really didn’t know what to ask God, so I simply asked for an open heart. …(cont. on page 8)

Parish Office: Phone: 281-324-1478 Fax: 281-715-5533 (New) parishoffice@stphilip.cc

Mailing Address: PO Box 2363 Huffman, TX 77336

Temporary Office Location: Sparks Insurance 25103 FM 2100 Huffman, TX Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Pastoral Staff: Pastor Rev. Richard Barker Deacon Deacon John Sarabia Secretary Windy McMichael Maintenance Roy Ayala

Knights of Columbus: Gary Aldrich, GK Meetings: 3rd Thursday at May Center (Temp.) 6:00-8:00 pm Women’s Guild Dianne Truitt, Pres. Meeting: 2nd Tuesday at May Center (Temp.) 9:30-10:30 am

www.stphiliphuffmantx.org

January 21, 2018

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dress Standard for All Masses

Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made 1st Commun-ion): Shirts and pants.

Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their 1st Communion): Modest Dresses, Coordinated En-sembles, or Shirt/Blouses with Pants. Clothing not proper: flip-flops, shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts sloppy jeans, tank tops, & revealing clothing.

Please do not bring bottled water, soda, food, candy or gum into Mass.

Please honor the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and wear modest clothing.

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Welcome to our Visitors

We welcome you to our parish. If you would like to become a member please fill out a registration form located on the counter or visit our website: ww.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

Sunday Mass at The Overlook

We are grateful to The Overlook and Kevin Kilgore, Sr. for allowing us to have Sunday and Holy Day Masses at their beautiful facility. It has allowed us to gather as one family in Christ. Our Sunday Mass intentions are for the Families of Our Parish.

Thank you!

We wish to thank all of our parishioners for their time, treasure, and talent. Many of you donated time through prayer or work up at the parish. Every rosary, every Hail Mary, every thought means so much to us!

Special Collection for Kevin Kilgore, Sr. Owner of The Overlook

We will have a special collection for Kevin Kilgore, Sr. to help with his medical expenses. He suffered a devastating stroke and has been in medical treat-ment for the past few months. Kevin, and the en-tire Overlook staff, have been very gracious to us and we would like to help them in any way we can. The collection will be on Sunday, January 28th. If you would like to give before then please mark your envelope with the inscription “Kevin Kilgore Special Donation”. We have blank envelopes at the main entrance into our worship area. You can also mail checks to: PO Box 2363, Huffman, TX 77336 or pay online. If you give online please go to our web-site for the online giving portal.

There will be a charity golf tournament, ’Putts and Prayers’ at the Overlook for Kevin on Friday, Febru-ary 16th. We encourage all our golfers to join in - sign-up at www.theoverlookevents.com or on our website www.stphiliphuffmantx.org. We will be presenting the donations from St. Philip to his family at the tournament. Please pray for a successful golf tournament with adequate funds raise for Kevin’s medical needs.

Charity Golf Tournament for Kevin Kilgore, Sr.

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Prime Timers (50+) Visit Museums

Adult Bible Study

New Bible Study - Gospel of John

Our very active bible study group is beginning a new study discussing the Gospel of John. This gospel has always been read and cherished far more than any of the other accounts of Jesus’ life. John expresses the relationship between the human and divine as “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The study text is by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch and published by Ignatius Press. Scott Hahn is a very pro-lific Catholic writer, former Presbyterian minister who became a Catholic and Scripture scholar, speak-er, and apologist for the Catholic Church. He and his wife, Kimberly, recount their conversion story in “Rome Sweet Home, Our Journey to Catholicism”. Wonderful read! We begin on February 5th, 7:00 pm at Deb and Ray Kessler’s home. Their phone number is 832-644-8078. If you have wanted to learn more about the bible and enjoy learning, please watch the bulletin for de-tail of all future dates. We look forward to meeting more seekers of the truth!

Attention all St. Philip parishioners age 50+! Our next Prime Timers' Bus Trip will be on February 21st. We'll be going to Houston Baptist University to tour the Dunham Bible Museum, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Architecture and Decorative Arts, and the Southern History Muse-um. Lunch will be at HBU. We'll be leaving from the May Community Center (2100 Wolf Rd, Huffman) at ::00 AM and returning in the late afternoon. The cost will be approxi-mately $16.00 ($3 for bus maintenance fee, $5 for museum’s admission, and $7.35 + tax for lunch). All St. Philip parishioners who are 50 years old and older are invited! Sign-ups will be soon - please watch the bulletin.

If you'd like to be added to our email list to receive news about upcoming Prime Timer events, please email Regina Dennis at reginabdennis@gmail.com

For more information about the Prime Timers, please call Claudia Herron at (832) 270-3385 or Sammy Dennard at (432) 267-545:.

"Arriving at an older age is to be considered a priv-ilege: not simply because not everyone has the good fortune to reach this stage in life, but also, and above all, because this period provides real possibilities for better evaluating the past, for knowing and living more deeply the Paschal Mys-tery, for becoming an example in the Church for the whole People of God... " CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI of His Holiness John Paul II (St. Pope John Paul II) On The Vocation and The Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, 1988

Current Bible Study

The St. Philip Adult Bible Study group is resuming after a nice Christmas break. We will finish our study of Apologetics with the Marian Doctrine, Purgatory, and Reconciliation. Here is the info on our January dates: January 22nd, 6:00-8:00 pm, May Center, Huffman

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Women’s Guild

Pro Life Piece

Texas Rally for Life, Saturday, January 27th Mass at 8:15 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Houston with Cardinal DiNardo Presiding. Buses depart for Austin following Mass. In Austin, March and Rally for Life begins at 1:00 pm. Cost is $25.00/person. Register at https://archgh.cvent.com/TexasRallyforLife2018 or call 713-741-8728

Rosary Group

First Holy Communion Student News

A New Year, a new beginning. What a better way to start off 2018 than with praying the rosary to our blessed mother, Mary. This monthly journey of reciting the rosary started back in July 2015. It has been such a joyful and comforting experience. Our next rosary will be on Monday, January 29th at the home of Janie and Nick Jaramillo. Their ad-dress is 7630 Trophy Place Dr., Humble, 77346. If possible, please arrive between 6:15-6:30 for a light snack BEFORE we begin the rosary. Please RSVP to Janie Jaramillo at 713-480-2060 or Kathy O’Donnell at 832-276-3830.

The Women’s Guild would like to thank everyone who has responded to our Membership Drive, both the informal ones and the formal ones we have had in December. Ten new members have joined our Guild so far this year. One new mem-ber, Susie Cleary, has offered to serve as Treasurer since Pam Cornner has moved. We welcome her and all of the new members. If you have not joined the Women’s Guild, you can download a Membership Form from the St. Philip website. Dues are only $15. The completed form and dues can be given to one of the officers at Mass or mailed to the Church’s PO Box. We would like to have every woman in the Parish join our organization. This is our only source of funds until we are back in our Church. Next Monthly Luncheon: Tuesday, January 23, 11:30 am at Tai Li, 7:48 F.M. 1:60 East, Humble, TX 77346

Catechist Vocational Development (In-Service)

Topic: “Vocation of the Catechist” Saturday, February 10th 1:00 - 3:30 pm Atascocita United Methodist Church

We are happy to announce we have rescheduled our in-service with Ivana Meshell, Archdiocesan facilita-tor. Please mark your calendars. Catechists and Co-Catechists are encouraged to attend the upcoming workshop.

First Reconciliation Prayer Service Saturday, January 27th at 10:00 am Atascocita United Methodist Church Ashbury Sanctuary

First Communion Children’s Retreat and Parent Meeting Sunday, February 11th at 4:00 pm Atascocita United Methodist Church W-104 & W-122 (Main Sanctuary)

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Unanimously, we miss our chapel at St. Philip’s during mass time at The Overlook! As we bring our “little ones” from our domestic church to join the Body of Christ in the Holy Sacri-fice of the Mass, this year will certainly challenge us. While Sweet Cecilia swings herself around the column at The Overlook and Babbling Benedict makes everyone aware of his presence in all the quiet moments of the Mass, this year, there’s no chapel to escape to. Bring them anyway! How blessed we are at St. Philip’s that there are little voices and noises in the background of our meditation. While many are comfortable sitting in the congregation or even up front so our “littles” can see all the ac-tion, there is plenty of wiggle room in the back too. Chairs line the back wall in case parents or grandparents need to step to the back. There is space for crawling, picture books, and easy access to the door in case a little walk outside will settle distractions. A box of religious children’s books will be on the bar in the back of the ballroom each Sunday for all to share. Sometimes Baby Rose will be under the chairs, or in the aisle, but she is welcome and expected to celebrate the Mass in her own, beautiful way. “Let the little children come unto Me”. Matt 1::14. How blessed we are to have the Chapel Children among us!

Chapel Children CCE Special Education

Hello! My name is Monica Humphrey and I am the Special Education Coordinator for CCE at St. Philip. My husband, Steven, and our three kids (Tyler, Alyssa, and Nathan) have been members of St. Philip for two years. I am currently in the process of researching and de-signing a program for our special needs children to ensure that they can grow in their faith and religion as they go through our CCE program. If you have any questions about your current or future CCE student, please free to reach out to me at 281-455-3110. I share the Prayer of St. Francis for Autism. I feel it touches on points that I pray for all special needs chil-dren, their parents, and their families … whether their needs be large or small.

A Prayer of St. Francis for Autism Lord, let they peace fill me up until I overflow; That where people cannot speak, I may be their advocate; That where anyone is rejected, I may extend my arms in welcome; That where parents are heavy burdened, I may offer a word of comfort; That where our chil-dren struggle, I may lift them up and cheer; That where some see disability, I may reveals to them ex-traordinary gifts; That where others judge, I may share with them my deep gladness; And that where any are overlooked. I may help the lights of all to shine. O Giver of These Gifts, Grant that I may not so much seek to be reassured as to reassure; To be praised, as to praise, To be accepted, as to accept; For it is in all our uncertainty that we are inspired to hope; It is in great challenges that we discover our greatest joys, And it is in our community of wanderers that we find the way home. Amen.

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Save the Date! Youth Group

Archdiocesan Youth Conference ‘CHOSEN’ Friday July 22 – Sunday July 24, 2018

At the Hilton Americas Hotel and George R. Brown Convention Center. Open to all current 8th grade students through graduated seniors. Approximate cost is $135. Watch for more information and regis-tration packets in the spring.

Summer 2018 Youth Mission Trip Shine Catholic Missions, Houston, TX Monday June 18 – Saturday June 23

St. Philip’s high school youth will once again partici-pate in a week long mission trip this summer. Due to the work still needed following Harvey, we are staying here in Houston, but will still spend the week at an area high school fully participating in the conference activities included every day; morn-ing Mass, Adoration, skits, music, speakers, etc. as well as sleeping on air mattresses on classroom floors. The cost for the trip is $400. 11 youth and 3 adults have already committed to go, but there is still room to add additional spots if you would like to join us for a week of service/prayer/faith/fun. Contact Ms Becky, bpursell@stphilip.cc or 713-516-7376 to add your name to the list.

Young Adult Ministry

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Caring and Compassion Grief Support

Starting the New Year Without Our Loved Ones It is somewhat overwhelming that those of us who have lost a loved one will reach another milestone in that loss. Another anniversary of that loss will come again this year and we will be faced with remembrance. As sad as that can be, we will also have the op-portunity for renewal. It is not selfish to think about how we can make our lives better, not just go on. A renewal means regeneration, rekin-dling, rebirth, and repair. Look for those things that will make you feel good and take you out of your routine. Maybe there is a hobby you always wanted to try. Having lost a spouse is a bona fide life stage. It is, however, a time when there is unlimited po-tential. This can be a time for new experiences, making new friends, finding new interests, and exploring your own talents. As we move toward the renewal embodied in the Lenten and Easter season, use this time to reflect on your faith and use the beautiful rituals of our Catholic faith to recommit yourself to making the most of the time you have to live the Christian ideals of faith, hope and love. The Remembrance and Renewal Support Group is meeting monthly at the home of Dr. Lane Co-co, 27530 Golf View Lane, Huffman. We will be meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month. Our next meeting is January 26th at 4:00PM.

KSHJ 1430 AM (Catholic Radio) Raffle

KSHJ 1430 AM - Catholic Radio in Houston is sponsor-ing a raffle for a 2018 Chevy Camaro. The cost is $25/ticket or a book of 5 for $100.00. Drawing to be held on March 2nd and all proceeds benefit the Guada-lupe Radio Network. To get tickets visit either www.GRNonline.com or email Tim@Grnonline.com. Help support Catholic radio in Houston!

Information for Those Affected by the Flood

There is a campaign locally contacting government officials asking for changes from the San Jacinto River Authority for future flood events. If you’d like to learn more please visit www.lakehouston.org/recoverlakehouston.

Sacred Heart School Crosby

Open House for prospective families Sunday, January 28

10:30-11:30am & 1:00-2:00pm

PreK - 3 & 4 year olds (1/2 day and full day programs) Kindergarten – 8th grade

281-328-6561 · 907 Runneburg Rd Crosby, TX · 77532

www.sacredheartschoolcrosby.org

Accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department

Step 30 (cont.)

BE CREATIVE AND POSITIVE - WITH THE LORD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

Imitate your Father who is Creator of heaven and earth. • Rely on the Lord for all things, as-

sured of His continual assistance in every area of your life.

• Avoid being negative; it leads to grumbling, blindness, and ingrati-tude.

• Be grateful in all things. • Find ways to express your creative

powers by serving the Lord in His Church!

“May the little child Jesus bless you and accompany you on your journey” - Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT (+2011+) For more information about DJM Spir-itual Formation contact Jan Williams at: ronjanwilliams@msn.com or website

DJM Corner

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Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT Disciples of Jesus and Mary Founder

A Convert Experiences His First Mass (from page 1)

...WE STOOD; we confessed; we heard words of forgiveness. The Word of God was proclaimed clearly and without commen-tary. Every word spoken had depth and meaning. It was an unexpected theological banquet. Then we sang together from the Gospels. But we were not reading it as history. We were saying it as if it was happening in the here and now: “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” We knelt as one, Fa-ther Michael, a man who in time would become my guide and friend, stood at the altar. WHAT CAME next was something for which I was completely and totally unprepared, so far was it beyond my comprehen-sion. Father Michael spoke. Bells rang. Then Jesus showed up – not just an idea or a memory, not just the long-ago or far-away Second Person of the Trinity. Jesus showed up in person. AS I would later come to acknowledge, Jesus showed up in his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity (in the Eucharist). I cannot prove it to the skeptic, nor can I measure it by any scientific method. I did not even intellectually believe it at the time. But this was beyond intellect, and it was more true than any truth I had ever encountered. I KNEW that this Jesus, with whom I had been in love all of my adult life, to whom I had spoken on countless occasions, about whom I had read and studied and whom I had tried to follow – this Jesus had just entered the room. He was there in person. I was in awe. I was in love all over again and more; I wept for joy. This was an encounter with my living Lord through the grace of His sacramental economy. It was His gift to me through His Apostles. I was with Jesus, home at last…]

Excerpt from “Long Ago and Far Away to Here and Now in the Catholic Church” by Dean C. Waldt; Coming Home Net-work

Do you experience this strong a relationship with Jesus at Sunday Mass? Perhaps we all would feel this reverence if we really lis-tened to the scriptures, the prayers and truly entered into the Mass. If we left the world at the door. If we all were truly aware when Jesus, through the hands and voice of Father Barker, conse-crates the bread and wine, we all would be amazed and feel the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We would all be in reverent ecstasy as Jesus ‘entered the room’ fully present to us as this writer described it. Sincerely in Christ, Marie Hohmann.

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heav-en” - Mt 18:2-3

Steps in Littleness

“There are 50 simple steps in little-ness. Try them one step at a time. Look at your struggles and tempta-tions. You will find one step that will suit you the most at that stage in your

When you receive Communion during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ that you are receiving. Holy Communion, in the Catholic Church, is reserved for those who have received the sacrament of First Holy Communion, have been catechized (taught) in our Catholic faith and have made a profession of faith. One should abstain from Holy Communion if they are in mortal sin and have not received the sacrament of reconciliation. If you are not Roman Catholic or are in need of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we ask that you refrain from receiving Holy Communion in the Mass. However, you may go up to one of the ministers for a blessing when Holy Communion is being offered. By crossing your hands over your heart, the Priest or Eucharistic minister will know to give you the blessing.

Also, if you choose to receive only the Blessed Sacrament and not from the Chalice, it is fitting nevertheless to pause for a mo-ment to honor Christ’s presence in the Precious Blood—with an appropriate sign of devotion. We would not think to pass a friend on the street without some acknowledgement. Our Lord Jesus Christ deserves no less, and most assuredly, a great deal more.

Receiving Holy Communion

Sacraments

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY If you have been participating actively at least six months after registration in the parish, you may ask for an appoint-ment with the pastor to begin marriage preparation. Marriage preparation requires six months.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM If you have been participating actively at least six months after registration in the parish, you may call the parish office to begin baptismal preparation. Children age 6 or younger; documents are required before baptism date may be scheduled: parish & baptismal registrations, birth certificate, and baptism class certifications.

FUNERAL SERVICES To ensure that parish ministers can assist you, please call the parish office before setting dates and times for funer-al services. Regarding personal spoken remembrances at funeral liturgies, St. Philip parish adheres to the policies of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK By appointment. Please call our office to make arrangements.

Please pray for:

Those affected by the flood: Dirk & Michelle Holland, Sherry & Darren Hilton,

Zeke Zycha, Fred & Pattie Mitchell, Henry & Elaine Schaupp, Claudia & Buddy Herron, Geralyn & Tony Moulds, Lynette & John Martinez, Diana & Frank

Campisi, Ron Calabrese, Lisa Harbin, Country Glenn, Roy Ayala, Carrie & Larry LeBlanc, Heather &

Tom Madigan, Ann & Bruce Meyer, Maureen & Ronnie Rode, Bill Simko, Monte & Yvonne Storrs, Dianne & Allen Truitt, Mary Alice Westhoff, Mary Elizabeth Westhoff, Mary & Don Williams, Lynette

& David Zaunbrecher, Heidi Koch, & more.

For Illness: Millie Lochridge, Genevieve Schmidt, Connie Cases, Marge Amann, Bridget Meyer, Kevin

Kilgore, Sr., Zeke Zycha, Diana Espinoza, Brittany Vasquez, Liduvina Scott, Windy McMichael, Charles Gardner, Dennis Billodeaux, Lillie Navarre, Thelma Carrier, Mary Fontenot, Dorothy Becker, Rosalee Frantz, Roy Lovely, Larry Keller, Larry Williams,

Rose Bradley, Robert Murray, Rita Long, Mary Zy-cha, Jeanette Malburg, Shirley Sims, Preston Fann

Please pray for the repose of the souls of: +Francis LeBlanc, Anna Piper, Mary Callahan,

Dr. Walter Corrigan, Elvira De Pieri, Jim Brown, Fritz Kemper, Faye Normand, Gretchen King+

Parish Mailing Address: PO Box 2363, Huffman, 77336 Parish Phone: (281) 324-1478 Parish Fax: (281) 715-5533 (NEW) Parish E-Mail: parishoffice@stphilip.cc Parish Website: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.

Continuing Christian Education (CCE) CCE Office (281) 324-1:34, E-Mail: cceoffice@stphilip.cc CCE Core Team Chairperson Middle School/High School Coordinator Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Elementary/First Sacrament Coordinator Lupe Cupples (281) 414-3705 Confirmation Coordinator Lynette Zaunbrecher (281) 386-:783 Core Team Members At Large Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 André Taylor (832) 233-082: CCE Office Help Sonia Chapa (832) 233-3572 (Spanish bilingual) André Taylor (832) 233-082: Parish Nursery Monica Humphrey (281) 455-3110 Spiritual Development Disciples of Jesus and Mary - Laity Spiritual Formation Jan Williams (281) 852-438: Eucharistic Adoration/Holy Face Prayer Group Janet Hays (281) 852-3444 Knights of Columbus Gary Aldrich (Grand Knight) (832) 586-6430 Prayer Chain Deacon John Sarabia (281) :23-:65: Women’s Guild Dianne Truitt (713) 823-4:48

Liturgical Altar Servers Father Barker (281) 324-1478 Sacramental Ministry Director Lynette Zaunbrecher (281) 386-:783 Home Bound Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Adornment of the Sanctuary Altar Guild (Ordinary Time) (281) 386-:783 DJM’s (Feast Seasons) (281) 324-1478 Music Core Team Director: Geralyn Moulds (281) 540-4682 Jan Williams (281) 852-438: Valerie Sivil (713) 202-1310 Usher Ministry Gary Aldrich (832) 586-6430 Social Outreach / Concern Mary’s Blessings Ministry For financial assistance please call 832-764-9814 Marie Hohmann (281) 360-:032 Prime Timers (50+) Claudia Herron (281) 324-1101 Pro-Life Christine Kasper (713) 416-5233 Rosemont Assisted Living Judy Abdelnoor (281) 360-:728 Prison Ministry Deacon John Sarabia (281) :23-:65: Transitions Grief Ministry Lane Coco (281) 324-2163

Pastor - Rev. Richard E. Barker Deacon - John Sarabia (281) :23-:65: Instituted Acolyte - John Comeaux (281) 324-2044 Instituted Acolyte - Troy Hill (713) 336-3321 Secretary - Windy McMichael (281) 324-1478 Maintenance - Roy Ayala (832) 658-:074

We Welcome You to St. Philip the Apostle Parish Community! • Our parish motto is “Actively striving to be a holy and loving Family of Faith, serving God and neighbor.” • If you wish to be a part of our parish community, please fill this form out and drop it in the collection basket.

This will get you on our mailing list. To register please fill out our form either on our website or by picking a form up on the counter after Mass.

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________

Parish Ministries Contact Information