St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church “MyParish” smartphone app www.stphiliphuffmantx.org November 3, 2019 31st Sunday In Ordinary Time 2308 3rd Street ∙ Huffman TX 77336 He Gave Me Wings MY DEAR parishioners, speaking of prayer. When I was seven, I prayed to God for a pair of invisible wings. Big feathered ones. I promised God I wouldn’t fly in front of anyone, and I’d never say a word about them. Only in the middle of the night would I fly. WELL, AS I’m sure you know, but if you don’t know, I’ll tell you now. God never gave me those wings. I prayed for several months, and all I received was heavenly silence. How far I could have flown with those wings! The places I could have seen! If I only had those wings, I would have been the best boy that God ever knew. Aſter a while, with some disappointment, I put those wings out of my mind and forgot about my absurd dream. YOU KNOW the old saying. God answers prayer before you realize it. To my amusement and delight, amid all the excitement of September 12, 1992, the day of my ordinaon to Catholic priesthood, my first priestly Mass and the recepons, I thought about those invisible wings and the lile boy who asked God for them long ago. I KNEW exactly why I remembered that boyish prayer. And while it’s credulous to connect Holy Orders with a pair of wings, well, that ’s just what I did. I can’t help it. The expression “wings of prayer” surely express how one’s fervent prayers rise to heaven to plead pardon and favor before our loving heavenly father. BECAUSE I'VE been “flying” for a number of years and only recently figured out that it had everything to do with receiving Holy Orders. How can one know this? As a Catholic priest, I ’m truly more joy-filled and content than ever before in my life. I’m more fulfilled as a man than I ever thought possible. (Continued on page 7) Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Richard Barker Deacon Deacon John Sarabia Maintenance Wilber Sorto
He Gave Me Wings MY DEAR parishioners, speaking of prayer. When I was seven, I prayed to God for a pair of invisible wings. Big feathered ones. I promised God I wouldn’t fly in front of anyone, and I’d never say a word about them. Only in the middle of the night would I fly. WELL, AS I’m sure you know, but if you don’t know, I’ll tell you now. God never gave me those wings. I prayed for several months, and all I received was heavenly silence. How far I could have flown with those wings! The places I could have seen! If I only had those wings, I would have been the best boy that God ever knew. After a while, with some disappointment, I put those wings out of my mind and forgot about my absurd dream. YOU KNOW the old saying. God answers prayer before you realize it. To my amusement and delight, amid all the excitement of September 12, 1992, the day of my ordination to Catholic priesthood, my first priestly Mass and the receptions, I thought about those invisible wings and the little boy who asked God for them long ago. I KNEW exactly why I remembered that boyish prayer. And while it’s credulous to connect Holy Orders with a pair of wings, well, that’s just what I did. I can’t help it. The expression “wings of prayer” surely express how one’s fervent prayers rise to heaven to plead pardon and favor before our loving heavenly father. BECAUSE I'VE been “flying” for a number of years and only recently figured out that it had everything to do with receiving Holy Orders. How can one know this? As a Catholic priest, I’m truly more joy-filled and content than ever before in my life. I’m more fulfilled as a man than I ever thought possible.
(Continued on page 7)
New
Mass Time & Location Until further notice
Saturdays at 4:00 pm This Mass fulfills your
Sunday obligation.
Atascocita United Methodist Church
19325 Pinehurst Trail Dr. (Wesley Sanctuary Bldg.)
Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Richard Barker Deacon Deacon John Sarabia Maintenance Wilber Sorto
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JOIN OUR PARISH FAMILY Become a Member
or Update your Family Registration
We welcome you to our parish community. If you would like to become a member or update you parishioner information, visit our website: www.stphiliphuffmantx.org and click on
“Join Our Family” button on our home page
to complete and submit the online registration
form.
Get MyParish phone app: Text 88202 with “app”.
Parish office is OPEN at 2308 Third Street—Huffman, TX
Monday-Friday 9:00 am—1:00 pm
as we undergo flood restoration.
Attention All Liturgical Ministers
Please update your MSP online scheduler profile and add our Saturday 4pm Mass to your service preferences.
The November Ministry schedule is now LIVE. Here’s how to navigate and update within the MSP scheduler app to update profile and preferences: After adding the new preference, be sure to identify those Saturdays you are unavailable to serve. Please continue to submit substitute requests at least one week in advance. Don’t forget to SAVE CHANGES.
We thank you again for saying “YES” to our Lord Jesus Christ and continuing to serve at the altar.
1) Launch MSP app 2) Select My Profile 3) Tap “Service Preferences” 4) Select the “Add Preference” button 5) Select “Saturday, 4:00 pm”
Lord Jesus Christ
Calls YOU to Serve
How will I serve our Lord Jesus Christ? Please check your ministry.
o Extraordinary Minister/Lay Reader
o Usher Ministry
o Altar Server/Acolyte
o Music Ministry
Which Mass do I attend regularly?
Please circle your Mass.
5:00 pm Saturday
8:30 am Sunday
11:00 am Sunday
Name:_________________________
Cell: __________________________
JOURNEY in the CATHOLIC FAITH
Monday, November 4th at 8014 Figg Lane
Houston, TX 77044 7:00-8:30 pm
Nov. 4th we will review Chapter 4 in “Saved, a Bible study guide for Catholics” by Fr. Mitch Pacwa. You do NOT need to purchase the book.
Please bring your Bible to each session! Nov 11 – Chapter 5 Nov 25 – Chapter 6 Outline/notes from Chapters 1-3 available for all. Contact Ray & Deb Kessler with questions at
God our Father, we thank you for calling men and women to serve in your Son’s Kingdom as priests, deacons, religious, and consecrated persons. Send your Holy Spirit to help us respond generously and courageously to your call. May our community of faith support vocations of sacrificial love in our youth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God for ever and ever. Amen.
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Online Makes Donating Easy!
We ask that you remember your weekly Sunday gifts to St. Philip, your home parish, while we continue celebrating Mass once a week at AUMC. Extra donations from your family and friends for our St. Philip flood restoration project are especially appreciated as we anticipate our return home to Huffman.
You can continue supporting St. Philip with our “MyParish” smartphone app.
Just select the “Giving” button feature or
our website, www.stphiliphuffmantx.org.
Click on the “Online Parish Giving” button.
Click on the “Online Donations” link. Choose a Fund (Drop down menu) Enter your Sunday Donation and/or Flood Restoration dollar amount.
Your contributions will help us continue the ongoing work at our parish. Thank you for your financial support.
Nov. 3-9, 2019 The Office of Vocations of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston invites all Catholics to raise awareness of vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, during the National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW). The NVAW is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations through prayer and education.
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This year’s Mary’s Blessings Thanksgiving Food Drive is a DIY food drive! Rather than try to have the usual food drive at Church we are asking you to please take your donations directly to Huffman Food Pantry located at 25503 FM 2100, Huffman TX.
Please drop off items at the Huffman Food Pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9-12 noon hours.
Food Items Personal Hygiene Items (easily opened and consumed) Mac and Cheese bowls Thanksgiving type foods Toiletries Ramen noodles Packages of stuffing and gravy Body soap or wash Soup cups Water Toothpaste & toothbrush Fruit cups Breakfast and snack bars Diapers Dry Milk Canned meat Wipes Cereal Instant meals
If you are able to help Mary’s Blessing financially, please check our donation options on our cell phone app, St. Philips website stphiliphuffmantx.org or send a check to the parish office. Giving to Mary’s Blessings on the first weekend of each month will also benefit the poor of Huffman.
We will return to our annual Christmas assistance to less fortunate children in the Huffman ISD. Beginning in early November please watch for more information in our newsletter as to how you can participate.
Thank you for helping out others in need.
Mary’s Blessings Ministry Seeking your generosity to help Huffman’s poor.
November 11th
Women’s Guild
Upcoming November Activities
The Women’s Guild will have its next meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 11:00 am at El Jimador, 26926 FM 2100, Huffman, TX 77336, 281-324-2200.
We will have lunch following the meeting. There will be no luncheon on November 26, 2019 due to the Thanksgiving holidays.
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Pastoral Administrative Assistant
St. Philip the Apostle Church needs a skilled experienced employee.
Responsibilities: • Reports to and collaborates with pastor. • Strong relationship with maintenance
coordinator, parish ministers, councils, parishioners and downtown chancery departments.
• Preferred bilingual • Some college and 10+ years work experience. • Satisfactory background check required prior
to hiring.
Required office skills: • Accounting, payroll, scheduling, reporting, and
purchasing • Software (MS Office and Google apps) • Correspondence
We need you!
Prime Timers 55+ Trip
Please join us for lunch and shopping at
Brookwood Gift & Garden Center
Thursday , November 7 @ 9:30AM - late afternoon
Approx. cost: $16.00 Lunch (on your own): The Café at Brookwood
Please arrive no later than 9:15 am
at the May Center in Huffman; bus ($3.00) will leave promptly at 9:30 am.
Sign-up: Claudia Herron (832) 270-3385 or Sammy Dennard (432) 267-5459
St. Charles Borromeo — Feast Day of the Week
the Papal States, the supervision of the Knights of Malta, the Franciscans, and the Carmelites. In 1566, Archbishop Borromeo's benefactor and uncle, Pope Pius IV died. Driving out corruption was a critical matter during Borromeo's time. The Protestant Reformation was spreading throughout northern Europe. Reform and the restoration of integrity to the Catholic Church was Archbishop Borromeo’s mission. His strategy was to provide education to many clergy he saw as ignorant. He founded schools and seminaries and colleges for clergy. He also ended the selling of indulgences, a form of simony (Catholic Catechism #2120), and or-dered monasteries to reform themselves. In the1576 Milan famine and plague, and many of the wealthy and powerful fled the city. Archbishop Borro-meo used his own fortune to feed the starving people. When that money was spent, he took loans and went deep into debt. He may have fed 70,000 people per day. Eventually, the Archbishop's life of work and toil began to take its toll, and he died in Milan in 1584. He was canonized by Pope Paul V in 1610. St. Charles Borromeo is the patron of bishops, cate-chists, cardinals, seminarians, and spiritual leaders.
St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) Feast day: November 4
At age 12, Count Charles Borromeo dedicated himself to a life of service to the Church. The young count suffered from a speech impedi-ment that made him appear slow to those who did not know him.
Despite this challenge, he performed well and im-pressed his teachers. Life sped up for the young count after his uncle, Car-dinal Giovanni Angelo Medici became Pope Pius IV in 1559. The new pope asked his nephew (age 22!) to come to Rome and appointed him as a cardinal-deacon. With the rank came the job of assisting and advising his uncle full-time. A month later, Pope Pius IV made his nephew a cardinal. With the new rank came even more duties including the government of
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MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS - “AND TWO SHALL BECOME ONE...” Discover God’s desire for your marriage on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter week-end! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones—and focus only on each other. If you are looking for greater depth, growth, and enrichment in your relationship, you’ll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! Sign up now. $100 application fee.
The last two weekends for this year are:
November 8 to 10, 2019 Find out more or sign up at: www.houstonme.org or call (713) 482-1791.
November 15 to 17, 2019 for the Spanish Marriage Encounter Weekend.
Find out more at: www.emmhouston.org or call (713) 826-7466
AND I have done more, accomplished more, loved more, and lived more in these years of my priesthood than the sum of all my years and experiences preceding my ordination. When I offer Holy Eucharist, and our choir sings a beautiful communion hymn, I fly. When I baptize a baby and tell the story of how God chose to save his people under the sign of living water, I fly. IN PRAYER, I traverse the world like an eagle, praying for our missionaries in the Middle East, China and Africa. I look down on the Vatican City State and the eternal city Rome and pray for our Holy Father’s health and happiness. I prayerfully voyage from city to city and house to house to all the parish families who implore me to pray for them. Be a swallow, says St. Francis de Sales, and gain your spiritual food in flight. And when, after Mass, I’m hugged about the knees by little children who love their parish priest, I feel the wings of my heart beating with joy. I love children. I'M IN love with Holy Mother Church, my bride, who gives birth to all our beautiful children in the Sacrament of Baptism. And wings of prayer and God’s holy Word? What can I say, but that with these two great gifts, I soar over land and sea, staying aloft indefinitely, catching one spiritual breeze after another. GOD DOES answer prayer. He answers all of them. And the wonder isn’t that God does, but that we actually can know that he does. Even though “we see in a mirror dimly” [1Cor 13:12], we may ask for the spiritual grace of knowing that, in God, prayers sincerely offered never die. WE SHOULD pray always for eyes and ears of faith to discern the blessings of our good God along the way. God gave a little second grade boy a hearing in 1956 and answered his prayer 36 years later. But feathers would never do, you see. Our Lord Jesus gave me spiritual wings on the day I was raised to Holy Orders and vowed my love to his bride the Church, and after these many, many years of my priesthood, I’ve only begun to fly. Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker. +++
The worship area should be quiet for those who remain for prayer. Be rev-erent and refrain from bringing bottled water, soda, food, candy, or gum into Mass. Please remain in Mass until the clos-ing hymn is finished. When it is fin-ished, Mass has come to a close. In the vestibule, personal conversations may proceed as we share our joy.
Dress Standards for All Masses
Please honor the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and wear modest clothing.
Men/Young Men/Boys
Shirts and pants.
Women/Young Women/Girls:
Modest Dresses, Coordinate Ensem-bles, Shirt/Blouses with Pants.
Clothing not proper: flip-flops,
shorts, cutoffs, t-shirts, sloppy jeans, tank tops, and revealing clothing.
Please Pray
For Graces, Strength and Healing Sherry Keller, Marian Loftus,
Mike McKeever, Greg Keng, Jacel Morgan, Kim Hearne, Dick Sulkowski, Donna Hackett,
For the repose of the souls of... + Marge Amann, Bea Naquin,
Laura Rucka, Jane McMillan, James McCullough, Margarita Erebia, Pat Loftus, Bernard Sarbeck, Teddy Bernhard, Annie Vasquez, David Harbin,
Louise Snoe, Joe Boreas, Joe Buchanan, Larry Keller, Lera Cordova, Doris Boudreaux, John Piercy, Mary
Elizabeth Westhoff, Katie Toups, +
Mass Intentions Saturday Vigil Mass 4:00 pm— People of the Parish
Atascocita United Methodist Church (Wesley Sanctuary) 19325 Pinehurst Trail Dr., Atascocita
Prayer and Comment
on Clergy Abuse
The clergy abuse of children scandal is very intense right now and will be for some time. Please be assured that St. Philip parish has no involvement in any events related to clergy scandal past or present. There are no pending cases or inquiries whatsoever related to our parish. Whether it's one instance or a thousand instances, the abuse of children cries to our loving heavenly Father for justice. God judges every clergy mem-ber justly and rigorously: "Let not many of you become teachers (of faith), my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness." [James 3:1] Our faithful and devoted laity, bishops, priests and deacons deserve our continued support and prayers. Please, always pray for the persons and families who have been gravely wounded by sexual abuse committed by priests.
VICTIMS ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR — Anyone in need of assistance who has been the victim of sexual abuse by clergy or Church personnel is encouraged to call Ms. Diane Vines at (713) 654-5799. Please keep in your daily prayers the healing of victims of abuse.
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SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY If you have been participating actively at least six months after registration in the parish, you may ask for an appointment with the pastor to begin marriage preparation. Marriage preparation requires six months.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Children age 6 or younger, the following documents are required before baptism date may be scheduled: parish registration, birth certificate, and baptism class certifications. Godmother and Godfather must be in good standing as practicing Catholics.
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.
Sacraments FUNERAL SERVICES To ensure that parish ministers can assist you, please call the parish office before setting dates and times for funeral services. Regarding person-al spoken remembrances at funeral liturgies, St. Philip parish adheres to the policies of the Arch-diocese of Galveston-Houston.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK By appointment. Please call our office to make arrangements. Please call our Church office at 281) 324-1478 if you are need of these sacraments.
Receiving the Blessed Sacrament
Receive the Sacred Host carefully always in front of the Eucharistic Minister. Never reach out to “take” the Blessed Sacrament from any minister. Receive Holy Communion with both hands free, one hand palm up with the other hand underneath. If you have only one free hand, please receive the Sacred Host on your tongue.
High School Youth Group Volunteering at Houston Food Bank
Saturday, November 23rd, 7:00am – 1:00pm
This is always a favorite with the kids. Assignments can range from sorting donations on the conveyor belt, assembling weekend boxes for school children to bagging vats of
rice into individual portions. Morning shift is from 8:00 am– 12:00. Meet at Shipley’s Donuts, 7211 Atascocita Rd at 7:00am to head to the downtown warehouse. We will stop at Whataburger on the way home for lunch. To sign-up to attend, email or text Ms. Becky: [email protected] or 713-516-7376. You can also sign up at CCE. Safe Environment trained adults are needed to drive and chaperone.
LITURGICAL Altar Servers Father Richard Barker [email protected] (281) 324-1478 Sacramental Ministry Director Lynette Zaunbrecher [email protected] (281) 386-9783 Homebound (281) 324-1478 Adornment of Sanctuary Jan Williams (Feast Seasons) [email protected] (713) 419-8097 Music Core Team Geri Moulds, Director [email protected] (281) 540-4682 Jan Williams [email protected] (713) 419-8097 Valerie Sivil (713) 202-1310 Theresa Merka, Organist (281) 324-1478 Usher Ministry Gary Aldrich [email protected] (832) 586-6430 SOCIAL OUTREACH/CONCERN Mary’s Blessings Ministry For financial assistance please call 832-764-9814 Marie Hohmann [email protected] (281) 360-9032 Prime Timers (55+) Claudia Herron [email protected][email protected] (832) 270-3385
SOCIAL OUTREACH/CONCERN (Continued) Pro-Life Christine Kasper [email protected] (713) 416-5233 Rosemont Assisted Living Judy Abdelnoor [email protected] (281) 360-9728 Prison Ministry Deacon John Sarabia [email protected] (281) 923-9659 Transitions Grief Ministry Lane Coco [email protected] (281) 324-2163 SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT Disciples of Jesus and Mary Laity Spiritual Formation Jan Williams [email protected] (713) 419-8097 Eucharistic Adoration/Holy Face Prayer Group Janet Hays (281) 852-3444 Knights of Columbus Gary Aldrich, Grand Knight (832) 586-6430 Women’s Guild Dianne Truitt (713) 823-4948 [email protected] Prayer Chain Smartphone App - Prayers Lupe Cupples [email protected]
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CCE Office [email protected] (281) 324-1934 CCE Core Team Chairperson Middle/High School Coordinator Becky Pursell [email protected] (713) 516-7376 Elementary Coordinator Carlie Richard [email protected] (337) 258-4840 First Sacrament Coordinator Suzanne Burch [email protected] (361) 877-9728 Confirmation Coordinator Lynette Zaunbrecher [email protected] (281) 386-9783 Registrar André Taylor [email protected] (832) 233-0829 Nursery Coordinator Becky Pursell [email protected] (713) 516-7376 Journey in the Catholic Faith Ray and Deb Kessler [email protected] (832) 644-8078
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