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

Spirit and Truth What Do You Mean “Faithful”?

My dear Catholic parishioners, the season of Advent awakens in our hearts a hunger, indeed an ardent desire for the coming of the Lord. We feel the need -- in the words of St. Therese the “Little Flower” -- “to see things clearly”. Therefore, let us be clear about what a faithful follower of Jesus Christ is and is not.

We’ll start with the is not. A faithful follower disdains seductive celebrity gospelizers. Their prosperity mantra is proven by conspicuous personal con-sumption and flashy showmanship. Crowd-pleasing entertainers may gain a siza-ble following, but their devotees’ faith languishes for lack of “solid food”. Spiritu-al starvation begins when the Eucharist is rejected. A faithful follower does not invoke the name of Jesus to censure Catholic moral and ethical teachings. Nor will he or she witness personal choices which are wholly incompatible with authentic Christianity: cohabitation, serial marriages, fornication, adultery, abortion, denial of sin, shirking Mass on the Lord’s Day and holy days, and the sacrilegious treatment of the human body and human remains. Now to the is. Following Jesus the Man makes no sense without following Jesus the Truth. These are part and parcel of Jesus’ divine and human nature; they can’t be separated. Our Catholic religion requires conversion of mind and heart. In other words, a person’s whole life. So what does being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ really mean? For starters, it means that the Church’s pastors must be holy and virtuous men. They must lead the faithful to the eucharistic Christ so that Christ may lead us to his loving, heavenly Father. In all things, faithfulness means our taking the hidden place and accepting the last place. It means attesting to our love of God by imitating the Lord’s own works of mercy. … (continued on page 7)

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

Mailing Address: PO Box 2363 Huffman, TX 77336

Office Location: 2308 3rd Street 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

www.stphiliphuffmantx.org

December 2, 2018 - 1st Sunday of Advent

Mass Times:

Sunday Masses Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 am

Daily Mass Tuesday: Noon Wed-Sat: 8:30 am

Adoration Friday: 9:00 am-4:00 pm

Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30-4:30pm

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When entering and departing the Church, please guard the silent prayer of others.

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.

Christmas Masses

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

We have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday immediately following the 8:30 am Mass and continuing until 4:00 pm. At the beginning of adora-tion we gather together in the day chapel and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy with Father Barker leading. It is a most blessed time of prayer! All parishioners are inviting to come and spend time with Christ present in this most Blessed Sacra-ment. Adoration takes place in the day chapel. Come for a few minutes or an hour. We are in need of additional scheduled adorers. If you’d like to sign up to have a permanent hour please contact Ms. Janet Hays at 281-852-3444.

Immaculate Conception Mass Holy Day of Obligation

Advent Confessions

Saturday, December 8th Mass Time: 8:30 am (one Mass only) Please join us as we honor our Blessed Mother and her Immaculate Conception.

Our Christmas Masses

Monday, December 24th, 5:00 pm Family Mass with Nativity Play

Tuesday, December 25th, 10:00 am

Christmas Morning Mass

We have confessions every Saturday from 3:30-4:30 pm. We will also have an additional time for confession on Thursday, December 20th starting at 7:00 pm.

Oh Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

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Consecration to Jesus through Mary Christmas Giving Tree

After taking last year off, St. Philip will once again be supporting the residents of Pine Shadows Retreat Nursing Home in Porter this Christmas. Most of the residents are low-income and have little or no family to help them. For the past 10+ years, St. Philip has provided gifts for every resident at Pine Shadows. Beginning the weekend of December 1st and 2nd, we will have a giving tree in the parish vestibule. Each gift tag will include the name of a resident and a few items they would like for Christmas. Please select a tag, purchase at least the first item listed and any additional items listed that you are able, wrap the items and attach the gift tag securely to the outside of the package. Please return your gift to St. Philip and place it under the tree by Sunday, December 16th. On Friday December 21st, our youth will deliver the gifts. Thank you for your generosity. I know it is truly ap-preciated by those who receive them.

The Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) invite you to join us

in making or renewing the Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

Consecration to Jesus, the Eternal Word, through Mary basically means we are giving Mary our full per-mission (or as much permission as we can) to complete her motherly task in us. This task was given to her by Jesus from the cross, which is to form us into other Christs. In other words, this Consecration, given to us by St. Louis de Montfort, is the short, easy, secure and perfect way to become a saint! Even Pope St. John Paul II describes making the Con-secration as a “turning point” in his life and took as his papal moto the words of St. Louis de Montfort that he felt summarized the total consecration which were “Totus Tuus” (“Totally Yours). Our 33 day preparation will begin December 31st and we make our Consecration witnessed by our dear pastor, Fr. Barker, on February 2nd after the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

We will be hosting a table after all three Masses this weekend for more infor-mation and to purchase books for the preparation. We are looking forward to seeing and talking with you.

St. Philip is a smoke-free campus. For the good of all parishioners young and old,

and the beauty of God’s Temple, please do not bring smoking materials on campus. Thank you.

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

Women’s Guild Prime Timers (55+) Tidelanders Christmas Program

Saturday Evening with the Houston Tidelanders Chorus presented by The City of Humble Saturday, December 15th Leaving from the St Philip’s Parking Lot at 6:00 pm Traveling by Car The Prime Timers, our parish ministry for those age 55+, will be going by car on Saturday, December 15th to see The Houston Tidelanders Chorus at the Charles Bender Performing Arts Center, 611 Higgins St, Humble (approx. 12 miles) With a history span-ning close to 70 years, The Houston Tidelanders Cho-rus, the Houston Chapter of the Barbershop Harmo-ny Society, is an all male championship cappella 4-part harmony chorus that has warmed the hearts of audiences across Houston and the United States. Sign-up for this trip will be after Masses this week-end. The performance begins at 7:00pm. This is a free complimentary concert, but tickets are re-quired. The cars will leave from St Philip at 6:00 pm and will

return in the late evening. For questions please call

Claudia Herron at 832-270-3385 or Sammy Dennard

432-267-5459.

Monthly Luncheon: There will be no monthly luncheon in December due to the Christmas holidays. Cookbooks:

Cookbooks can still be purchased and make a nice Christmas gift. To get a cookbook please call Di-anne Truitt at 713-823-4948.

Monthly Meeting: Our next monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11th at 9:30 am in the par-ish hall. We will have a business meeting and discuss upcoming events. Christmas Poinsettias:

On Thursday, December 20th we are going to The Brookwood Community in Brookshire to pick up poinsetti-as for our Christmas altar. We will be having lunch at the

Brookwood Café. You must let Windy, in the parish office, know if you would like to go so she can add you to the reservation. You can call her at 281-324-1478.

1. Feed the hungry 5. Visit the sick 2. Give drink to the thirsty 6. Visit the imprisoned 3. Clothe the naked 7. Bury the dead 4. Shelter the homeless

‘I tell you solemnly in so far as you did this to one of the

least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me’ Matthew 25:40 5

Corporal Works of Mercy

Youth Group - Middle School & High School Pine Shadow Retreat Christmas Party

All St. Philip middle and high school youth are invited to join us for a Christmas Party at Pine Shadows Re-treat Nursing Home in Porter. On Friday Dec. 21, we will bring cookies, have a Christmas carol sing-along, deliver the parish’s gifts to each resident and spend some time visiting with them. Meet at St. Philips at 1:15 to load gifts. After the party, we’ll stop at Cici’s in Humble for dinner. Bring $10 for the buffet if you want to eat. Parents can pick up from Cici’s if they’d like, or, as always, we will bring you back to St. Philips. Multiple Virtus-trained chaperones/drivers are always needed for this trip. Sign up in the CCE classrooms, or by e-mailing Miss Becky at bpursell@stphilip.cc

St. Philip Middle School Youth Sunday, December 2nd

12:00p – 3:00p In the Parish Hall

Come enjoy the sounds of the season as we make

Christmas cookies to share with family and friends.

MOMS: WE NEED YOUR KITCHEN AID MIXERS! Leaders: Andrea Wight and Lori Butler

Text the message @2bbdb to 81010 to receive text message updates about the Middle School Youth Group

Middle School Youth Pizza, Cookies, and Carols

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Remembrance & Renewal Grief Ministry Knights of Columbus Congratulations to Tom Williams!

Getting Through the Holidays Having lost a loved one, the holidays will never be the same. That’s a fact!---but there are ways to cope that will help. Some family rituals may hold too much pain to complete during the first several years after a loss. This is the time to consider trying something new. Several individuals I have worked with felt that it was too much of a chore to decorate for the holidays. Several years on now, they are, indeed, decorating and carrying on in memory of their loved one. We all get trapped in what we are “supposed” to do or “ought to do”. Don’t feel obligated to decorate, bake, entertain, send cards, etc. unless you find joy in doing any of these. Don’t overextend yourself during the holi-days. Be cautious about what you agree to take on as you may become overwhelmed and unable to complete commitments. Take it easy. Your family and loved ones will understand. The first Christmas after my husband died, the kids took over and it was good to be somewhere else but home over that holiday. He was there with us, however, as the children talked to their children about their “Paw Paw’s” love of Christmas and his great culinary skills. In the past 15 years, we have established new rituals. I started putting up a Christmas tree again after the second anni-versary of his death as I remembered how he loved that ritual and it was fun to see the grandchildren’s delight. Sometimes old holiday rituals are comforting after a death and sometimes they are not. Continue them only if they feel good to you. May your holidays be filled with love, laughter, and fond memories. Sincerely In Christ, Lane Coco

Bruce Meyer presents Tom Williams his trophy for the hole-in-one #4, Pinehurst, at the Atascoci-ta Golf Club using a 6 iron. This was during the St. Philip KC 9794 Golf Tournament on October 13th. Congratulations Tom for this amazing feat! Every year our parishioners and local families en-joy our annual golf tournament. Hope to see you next year!

Safe Environment Training

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For all new volunteers: the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston maintains a mandatory educational program of protection for our children consisting of going to an informational class and completing required forms. All volunteers, ages 18 and over, who have any consistent and ongoing contact with our children and youth must take the Virtus training program.

Upcoming class in our local area:

St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spring Thursday, December 6, 10:15 am - 1:15 pm

To see more classes and register visit www.archgh.org and click on “Offices and Ministries” listed at the top of the home page. Then under “Office of Child and Youth Protection” click on “Safe Environment Training for Adults.” You will be able to access upcoming workshop dates. You can also go on our website and go to the link un-der “Parish”. It will lead you to more information about upcoming classes and registration.

What Do You Mean “Faithful”? (continued from page 1)

… To be a faithful follower of Jesus means you will live the TEN Commandments “consubstantially”; in other words, living ALL TEN commandments ALL the time, intentionally and enthusiastically. It means that we Christians remain celibate (keeping to one’s own bed in abstinence) until marriage vows between a man and woman are exchanged at the Catholic parish altar “for better and for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part”. It means that you would rather perish than betray your Savior by apostasy or your spouse by adultery. Unquestionably, your food is doing the will of the Father and accomplishing his work. This impels you and your companions to do these things and more: Feed the hungry. Give a cup of cold water to the thirsty. Shelter the homeless. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead promptly and reverently in consecrated ground. More? Yes, there is more: the salvation of souls! You will correct the sinner, instruct those who are ignorant of Christ, counsel those whose faith is weak, comfort the sorrowing, bear wrongs patient-ly, forgive all injuries and pray for the living and the dead. Accordingly, go out into the world to do these things. Our Lord commanded you to take up your cross in imitation of his very own merciful cross. Jesus carried his cross “in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world”. Likewise, your very own must be merciful as well. Discipleship means your being humane, that you respect the right of all human beings to live out their God-given lives from conception to death in the fullness of their human dignity. It means your being reconciled with God and neighbor at all times and accepting our Savior’s Divine Mercy as the indispensable condition for your worship in the Church and your Christian life in the world. Be wor-thy of him. Be worthy of his love. You are called to live a holy way of life! Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.

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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 heaven” Mt 18:2-3

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

Step 36

COVER YOURSELF WITH SILENCE AMIDST THE NOISE OF THE WORLD In silence you hear the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit • Where there is understanding, no words are

necessary. • Lack of understanding leads to much talk. • In your imitation of the Trinity communicate

without words. • Communication flows from union. • The world with its many demands leaves you

restless. “May the little child Jesus bless you and accompa-ny you on your journey” - Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT (+2011+)

For more information about DJM Spiritual For-mation contact Jan Williams at:

ronjanwilliams@msn.com or website

www.disciplesofjesusandmary.org

DJM Corner

Daily Masses Monday, December 3 (St. Francis Xavier) NO DAILY MASS Tuesday, December 4 (St. John Damascene) Noon - +Repose of the soul of David Harbin+ Wednesday, December 5 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Bobby Prejean+ Thursday, December 6 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Sylvester Leonards+ Friday, December 7 (St. Ambrose) 8:30 am - Special intentions of Father Barker Saturday, December 8 (Immaculate Conception) 8:30 am - For the Families of Our Parish Sunday Masses Saturday, December 8 5:00 pm - +Repose of the soul of Ed Cleary+ Sunday, December 9 8:30 am - +Repose of the soul of Paul Kuntz+ 11:00 am - For the Families of Our Parish

Altar Flowers are given By Janie and Nick Jaramillo

In Thanksgiving for their 44th Wedding Anniversary

Mass Intentions

Altar Flowers

Steps in Littleness

“There are 50 simple steps in littleness. Try them one step at a time. Look at your struggles and temptations. You will find one step that will suit you the most at that stage in your life. Do not hurry–remember you’re little!” Fr. Santan Pinto SOLT (2011+)

Dress Standard for All Masses

Men/Young Men/Boys (who have made First Communion): Shirts and pants.

Women/Young Women/Girls (who have made their First Communion): Modest Dresses, Coordinated Ensembles, 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.

These guidelines are for Eucharistic Adoration and all Sacramental gatherings.

When you receive Communion during the Holy Sacri-fice of the Mass, it is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divini-ty 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 ab-stain 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 pres-ence in the Precious Blood—with an appropriate sign of de-votion. We would not think to pass a friend on the street with-out 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.

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Please Pray

For Illness: James Hill, Laura Rucka, Greg Keng, Jacel Morgan, Deacon John Sarabia,

Eileen Logsdon, Kim Hearn, Dick Sulkowski, Donna Hackett, Patricia Flores, Marge Amann, Bridget Meyer,

Kevin Kilgore, Sr., Diana Espinoza, Brittany Vasquez, Windy McMichael, Charles Gardner, Dennis Billodeaux,

Thelma Carrier, Dorothy Becker, Rosalee Frantz, Roy Lovely, Preston Fann

Please pray for the repose of the souls of: +Bernard Sarbeck, Annie Vasquez, Teddy Bernhard,

David Harbin, Louise Snoe, Joe Boreas, Joe Buchanan, Larry Keller, Janie Salinas,

Lera Cordova, Genevieve Schmidt, Millie Lochridge, Francis LeBlanc, Anna Piper+

Thank you for your financial support of St. Philip! We continue to work very hard to fulfill our stew-ardship responsibilities as we serve you, our par-ish families. Please remember to forward your Sunday gifts to the parish before you travel. This will help us continue the ongoing work at our parish.

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) 324-1934, E-Mail: cceoffice@stphilip.cc CCE Core Team Chairperson Middle School/High School Coordinator Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Elementary Coordinator Carlie Richard (337) 258-4840 First Sacrament Coordinator Suzanne Burch (361) 877-9728 Confirmation Coordinator Lynette Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Registrar André Taylor (832) 233-0829 Nursery Coordinator Becky Pursell (713) 516-7376 Adult Bible Study Ray and Deb Kessler (832) 644-8078 Spiritual Development Disciples of Jesus and Mary - Laity Spiritual Formation Jan Williams (713) 419-8097 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) 923-9659 Women’s Guild Dianne Truitt (713) 823-4948

Liturgical Altar Servers Father Barker (281) 324-1478 Sacramental Ministry Director Lynette Zaunbrecher (281) 386-9783 Home Bound Parish Office (281) 324-1478 Adornment of the Sanctuary Altar Guild (Ordinary Time) (281) 386-9783 DJM’s (Feast Seasons) (713) 419-8097 Music Core Team Director: Geralyn Moulds (281) 540-4682 Jan Williams (713) 419-8097 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) 360-9032 Prime Timers (55+) Claudia Herron (832) 270-3385 Pro-Life Christine Kasper (713) 416-5233 Rosemont Assisted Living Judy Abdelnoor (281) 360-9728 Prison Ministry Deacon John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Transitions Grief Ministry Lane Coco (281) 324-2163

Pastor - Rev. Richard E. Barker Deacon - John Sarabia (281) 923-9659 Instituted Acolyte - John Comeaux (281) 324-2044 Instituted Acolyte - Troy Hill (713) 336-3321 Secretary - Windy McMichael (281) 324-1478 Maintenance - Roy Ayala (832) 658-9074

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: ___________________________________________________________________________________

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Parish Ministries Contact Information