St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Archdiocese of Galveston Houston

816 Park Dr. La Porte, Texas 77571 281-471-2000 Fax:281-471-9365

Website:www.stmaryslaporte.com E-mail:stmaryslpcc@sbcglobal.net Parish Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm

Eucharistic Celebrations Saturday: 5:30 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (Spanish) 1:00 p.m.

St. Mary’s Church

Monday (No Mass) Tuesday & Wednesday – 12:00 noon Thursday & Friday – 8:30 a.m.

Parish Staff Rev. Tony A. Castro, Pastor Deacon Hector Cantu Deacon Julio Matallana Deacon Stan Avallone Bookkeeper-Nelda Shealy Bulletin/Sacramental Records– Cheryl Frobenius Maintenance– Steve Regan Parish Secretary-Jessica Jaramillo C.C.E. Director-Shari Davis C.C.E. Coordinator - Graciela Lopez EDGE Coordinator-Randy Tercero Life Teen Director-Shari Davis

Sacrament of Baptism Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Classes are held on the 2nd & 3rd Tuesday of each month. Please come by the Parish Office to register or call for more information. Reconciliation The Sacrament of Penance is offered on Saturdays, from 4:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. or by appointment. Sacrament of Marriage Please contact the Parish Office at least (6) six months prior to your desired wedding date to arrange a meeting with Father Tony or one of the Deacons. If you want a Mass, you must call Father Tony. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Are you a non-Catholic who is interested in joining the Catholic faith? Are you a baptized Catholic who has never received the sacraments of 1st Communion and Confirmation? If your answer is yes to either of these questions, call the Parish Office. Sacrament of First Reconciliation/First Communion First Reconciliation/Communion candidates must be baptized, at least in the second grade, and have been attending CCE classes for at least TWO full years prior to entering into sacramental preparation. Adults will be referred to the RCIA program. Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation is a separate more intensive examination of the faith and our responsibilities as practicing Catholics. Confirmands will meet once per month in addition to attending Life Teen faithfully, both one full year prior to the beginning Sacramental preparation and during the preparation year (no more than three absences either year). Parents/Sponsors will also be required to attend once per month meetings. Confirmation candidates must have previously received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion. A habit of attending weekly Mass is required for both years. Please, note the above represents the minimum requirements. Adults will be referred to the RCIA program.

Vision Statement

St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic Community of Believers called to serve Christ by gathering together at the Lord’s Table in worship and praise, by serving our brothers and sisters in Christ, and by being a welcoming beacon of light to all. We are many parts, yet one body in Christ.

February 7, 2021 $6,620.00 If you would like to send your weekly donations, please visit St. Mary’s website and go to the Online Giving icon, Flocknotes or mail them to St. Mary’s, 816 Park Dr., La Porte, TX 77571. www.stmaryslaporte.com Month of January ~ Online $9,327.50 Additional Offertory $6,189.00

Saturday, February 13: 5:30pm George† & Barbara† Paulissen By:Becky Fuller Sunday, February 14: 9:00am Delia Lopez† By:Joe Lopez 11:00am People of the Parish 1:00pm Special Intention for our Confirmation Candidates Tuesday, February 16: 12:000pm Pat Riley† By:Lauren Wichlep Ash Wednesday, February 17: 7:00am Liturgy of the Word with Ashes 12:00 Noon Mass with Ashes 6:30pm Mass with Ashes (Bi Lingual) Thursday, February 18: 8:30am Shelley Stokes† By: Friends of the Family Friday, February 19: 8:30am Special Intention for Ricardo Valencia By:Valencia Family Saturday, February 20: 5:30pm Don Gore† By:Hellstein Family Sunday, February 21: 9:00am Pablo Castro† By:Fr. Tony 11:00am Hermann Rahts† By:Fr. Tony 1:00pm People of the Parish

KNIGHTS Fish Fry Friday’s in Lent Drive Through

$10. Plate 5:30pm until the are sold out

Please follow the signs for pick up.

DSF 2021 Cardinal DiNardo invites every Catholic in our Archdiocese to Walk in the Light of Christ and help our ministries teach, evangelize and worship. Last year your donations provided help to over 60 ministries that serve thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters. Please pray about your DSF 2021 gift and fill out and submit an envelope located in your pew or visit www.archgh.org/dsf to make your gift online.

Friday Lenten Stations of the Cross 6:30PM (English) 7:15PM (Spanish) Date Celebrant February 19 Fr. Tony Castro February 26 Deacon Stan Avallone March 5 Fr. Tony Castro

March 12 Deacon Stan Avallone March 19 Fr. Tony Castro March 26 Deacon Stan Avallone

7:15PM (Spanish Prayer Group)

St. Mary’s Lenten Penance Service Thursday, March 18 @ 7pm

Area Lenten Penance Services St. Mary’s (League City) 281-332-3031

Wednesday, February 24, 7pm St. Bernadette (Clear Lake) 281-486-0337

Thursday, February 25, 7pm St. Luke (Houston) 281-481-6816

Wednesday, March 3, 7pm St. Helen (Pearland) 281-485-2421

Thursday, March 4, 7pm St. Paul the Apostle (Nassau Bay) 281-333-3891

Tuesday, March 9, 7pm St. Hyacinth (Deer Park) 281-479-4298

Thursday, March 11, 7pm Mary Queen (Friendswood) 281-482-1391

Tuesday, March 16, 7pm St. Mary’s (La Porte) 281-471-2000

Thursday, March 18, 7pm

St. Clare of Assisi (Clear Lake) 281-286-7729

Extended Times Tuesdays, 7-8:15am Thursdays 6-7pm

Dear parish family, 6th Sunday Ordinary Time Year B Happy Valentine’s Day! Few days from now comes Ash Wednesday. Although it’s not a Holy Day of obligation it is a very important Church celebration that sol-emnly commences the season of Lent. We’ll once again be reminded, "Remember, you are dust and to dust you shall return." Or the other formu-la, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." These two forms emphasize our call to continual conversion and holiness of life. This act symbolizes our mortality as well as our need for ongoing repentance. It is a reminder that this life is short and merely a foreshadowing of what we shall become through the redemption of Jesus Christ on the cross. In this time of pandemic however there is a modification of the manner of imposing ashes. Here is the official word from the Archdiocese: “… in this year 2021, the manner of imposing ashes on Ash Wednesday has been modified such that ashes will be imposed by sprinkling on the crown of the head, rather than imposing ashes on the forehead in the way to which we are accustomed in the US.” This is actually not new in fact it was the old way. In Europe the sprinkling of ashes has been the practice ever since. We have seen this practice on TV at the Vatican Mass on Ash Wednesday. While here in the USA & in many parts of the globe we are accustomed to the mark of a cross with ashes on our forehead. In the ancient times however ashes were actually poured on the whole body as penance and has been modified through the years. There will be a Confirmation Mass this Sunday at 1 Pm. And our heartfelt felicitations to the Confirmation Class! May the Holy Spirit strengthens and guides them in their journey of life and more so transformed them to be true witnesses of faith in the world darkened by the reality of unfaithfulness and sin. And our special thanks to the Confirmation teachers and parents who assisted them in their faith journey. And we welcome Very Rev Fr. Italo Dell’Oro, who will officiate the Confirmation Liturgy by the delegation of Cardinal DiNardo. Fr. Italo is the Vicar for Clergy in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. We appreciate his presence in this most trying and difficult time of the pandemic. As we gather on this Sunday before Lent, we are challenged by words of St. Paul in our second reading “to do everything for the glory of God.” Further, he urges us “to work for the common good rather than our own.” What valuable lessons for us and for our country! May our prayer can be for such selflessness and be the fruit of our coming Lenten season. Stay safe & healthy. Blessings to all and have a good week! Fr. Tony Querida familia parroquial, VI Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Año B ¡Feliz día de San Valentín! Dentro de unos días llega el miércoles de ceniza. Aunque no es un día santo de obligación, es una celebración de la Iglesia muy importante que da comienzo solemnemente a la temporada de Cuaresma. Una vez más se nos traerá a mente: "Recuerda, eres polvo y al polvo volverás". O la otra fórmula, "Apártate del pecado y sé fiel al Evangelio". Estas dos formas enfatizan nuestro llamado a la conversión continua y la santidad de vida. Este acto simboliza nuestra mortalidad, así como nuestra necesidad de arrepentimiento continuo. Es un recordatorio de que esta vida es corta y simplemente un presagio de lo que seremos mediante la redención de Jesucristo en la cruz. Sin embargo, en esta época de pandemia hay una modificación de la forma de imponer las cenizas. Aquí está la palabra oficial de la Ar-quidiócesis: “… En este año 2021 se ha modificado la forma de imponer las cenizas el Miércoles de Ceniza de tal manera que las cenizas se impondrán rociando la coronilla de la cabeza, en lugar de imponer cenizas en la frente en la forma a la que estamos acostumbrados en America." En realidad, esto no es nuevo, de hecho, era el método antiguo. En Europa, el rociado de cenizas ha sido una práctica desde entonces. Hemos visto esta práctica en la televisión en la misa del Vaticano el miércoles de ceniza. Mientras estamos aquí en los EE. UU. Y en muchas partes del mundo, estamos acostumbrados a la marca de una cruz con cenizas en la frente. En la antigüedad, sin embargo, las cenizas se vertían en todo el cuerpo como penitencia y se han modificado a lo largo de los años.

Habrá una Misa de Confirmación este domingo a la 1 de la tarde. ¡Y nuestras más sinceras felicitaciones a la Clase de Confirmación! Que el Espíritu Santo los fortalezca y guíe en su camino de la vida y más los transforme para ser verdaderos testigos de fe en el mundo oscurecido por la realidad de la infidelidad y el pecado. Y nuestro agradecimiento especial a los maestros y padres de Confirmación que los ayu-daron en su camino de fe.

Y damos la bienvenida al Rev. P. Italo Dell’Oro, quien oficiará la Liturgia de Confirmación a cargo de la delegación del Cardenal DiNardo. P. Italo es el Vicario del Clero en la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. Agradecemos su presencia en este momento tan complicado y difícil de la pandemia.

Al reunirnos este domingo antes de la Cuaresma, las palabras de San Pablo en nuestra segunda lectura nos desafían a "hacer todo para la gloria de Dios". Además, nos insta a "trabajar por el bien común en lugar del nuestro". ¡Qué lecciones valiosas para nosotros y para nuestro país! Que nuestra oración sea por tal desinterés y sea el fruto de nuestra próxima temporada de Cuaresma.

Manténgase protegido y saludable. ¡Bendiciones a todos y buena semana! P. Tony

Stay Connected at Home JOIN FORMED Incredible online gateway to the best Catholic Content, all in one place. Go to stmaryslaporte.formed.org to register. If you are having any trouble getting registered, or any other problems, please contact Tracy stmarysrcia@yahoo.com. She will contact you and walk you through the steps to register.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store Store Hours:

Mon., Tues., and Wed., 9-11am CAN YOU HELP?

We are in DESPERATE need of volunteers in order to keep our program going. Due to the current health crisis, many of our volunteers have had to step back.

All Donations Greatly Appreciated! Volunteers can pick any day they are able to work. If you can help, please call the office or contact Norma @ 281-471-1752.

Texas Catholic Herald Check out the new digital edition of the Texas Catholic Herald! Read the latest issue online now at https://www.archgh.org/digitaleditions.

Upcoming Adult Confirmation Class

If you have been baptized, have re-ceived your First Communion but need

to be confirmed, we will be offering an Adult Confirmation classes for registered parishioners starting February 28th. Due to the limited ses-sions, you will not be able to sign up late. If you are interested, please contact the office or email us at stmaryslpcc@sbcglobal.net.

Ash Wednesday ~ Not a Holy Day of Obligation Directive from Cardinal DiNardo’s Office

In 2021 the manner of imposing ashes on Ash Wednesday has been modified such that ashes will be imposed by sprinkling on the crown of the head, rather than imposing ashes on the forehead in the way to which we are accustomed in the US. Ashes will be distributed outside, on the front plaza of the Church.

Schedule for Distribution of Ashes Wednesday, February 17th

Liturgy of the Word/Ashes 7:00 am Mass with Ashes 12:00 Noon Mass with Ashes (Bi Lingual) 6:30pm

The church capacity currently remains at

25%. While we welcome the attendance

increase at the 9am Mass we are

concerned for the safety of everyone in

attendance. Once Mass begins, or the

Church doors are closed please proceed

to the Parish Hall. Mass will be Live

Streamed and available on Facebook.

Thank you for your cooperation as we

move forward dealing with the realities

of the pandemic.

Please Pray For Our Troops and Wilma Dupre, Teresa Broussard, Emarita Pletchen, Nicky Espinoza, Joe & Sue Hand, Cris Gonsales, Maxine Smith, Israel Espinoza, KrisAnn Mathews, Nikia Wafer, Katherine Reichley & family, Aaron Binkley, Bianca Brog, Amber Saul, Myra Alvarez, Angela Rubio, Cathie Salinas, Steve McBride, Margarita Mora de Ramos, Raelynd, Ann De Bois, Becky Smith, Dianne Lemons, Dave & Cindy Schmitz, Peggy & Erica Hargens, Ruth Christian & family, Don & Allie Fay Mathews, Cathy & Bill Eberle, Bob & Barbara Jennings, Robert D., Jenny Matlock, Albert Palacios, Elicia Durham, Christian Garcia, Jenny Matlock, Rey Salas, Sarah Purlee, Johnny Hughes, Miles Libby, Richard & Deanna Broderick, Ron Johnston, Dean & Benita Smithson, Jeremy Sander, Tyrina McCain, Belinda Lara, Joe Sturm, Maverick, Amber Sander, Bob McFarland, Barry Stuff and Hamid H. Kahn, Laura Jaramillo Continue to Pray for Edward Wachel, Joey Bernal, Joe Bernal, Wal’Dean Lundquist, Fr. Gary Rickles, Edward D. Palacios, Joe Lopez, Maria Garcia, Ladd Puskus, David Gonzalez, Vicki Farias, Nell Turk, Rosie Yznaga, Teresa Mills, Joe Lozano, Sr., Angeles Sullivan, Tim Hellstein, Leroy Marchan, Geraldine Christensen, Kathy Strader, Daniel Vasquez, Rosa Harness, Randy Hanks, Jeanette Tilley, Marisol Leyva & family, Marisol Luna, Pete & Juanita Sanchez, Betty Flynn, Orville Burgess, Edward Salinas, Marlene Orellana, Humberto Villalobos, Kathy & Mark McBride, Robert & Margaret Espinoza, Romela Nolan, Renee Cortez, Aurelia Hinojosa, Cathy Hanzelka, Msgr. Boli Zientek, Gayle Phillips, Jane Middleton, Rosa Reyes, Deacon Tom Lewis, Irene Templet, Preston Wolf, Marcos Vasquez, Gavin Binkley, Red Cornejo, Linda Jaramillo, Deacon Merce Leal, Sue Crockett, Ben Munoz, Diana Ortiz, Bob Davis, Janet Hoffpauir, Nick Martin, Barry Armstrong, and those requesting prayer via our web site.

Remember Our Shut-Ins Lydia Rubio, Trinidad Arrindon, Elida Peterson, and those battling terminal illness and the residents of LaPorte Care Center and Parson’s House Please Note: Names on our “Please Pray For” list are left on for four weeks. If someone needs to be put back on the prayer list or added please call the office.

Baptismal Information Baptism classes are currently being held each month. Due to COVID we are only able to offer the Spanish baptism classes and baptisms on an as needed basis. Special ar-rangements can be made by contacting the office. Baptisms will be held the 2nd Sunday of each month. If you are planning to baptize here, you will need to contact the office and fill out a registration form. We will also need to make a copy of the child’s birth certificate from the state. After you register, you may sign up for the bap-tism class, currently held the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm. If you do not live in La Porte, you must be a regis-tered, active member of St Mary’s to baptize your child here. You cannot register in our parish only to baptize your child. Please call the office to make arrangements to do the necessary paperwork.

Spiritual Direction Feeling stuck in your faith? Deeper intimacy with Our Lord Is possible. With gentle encouragement from a spiritual director and your commitment of 30-60 minutes a day you can enter into a deeper relationship with Our Lord than you ever thought possible. Spiritual direction can help you learn to pray better. Interested in spiritual direction? Due to COVID Spiritual Direction is available via Zoom. ContactTracy:stmarysrcia@yahoo.com

RCIA Class Thursday 6pm Rosary Hall

(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Who should do the full RCIA program? If you are not baptized or were baptized in another Christian denomination and are interested in possibly becoming Catholic, RCIA is for you. If you are a baptized Catholic adult who needs First Holy communion and confirmation, then you should attend RCIA to receive those sacraments. Coming once (or twice… or more) obligates you to NOTHING. For additional information about RCIA call the office or email Tracy, stmarysrcia@yahoo.com.

FEAST OF FAITH

The Gloria The Gloria is a rejoicing prayer, an excla-

mation of praise. It begins with the song of the angels at

the announcement of the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:14), a

heavenly burst of praise for God’s loving action in the

world. But in the Gloria, the song goes on, leaping, as it

were, from height to height, with every kind of praise,

blessing, adoration, glory, and thanksgiving.

We begin by thanking and praising God the Father;

then we turn our gaze to Christ, the Lamb of God. The

paschal mystery of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrec-

tion is found here, at the heart of this prayer, which de-

scends to the depths with Christ, but then rises with him to

the heavens, where he is seated at the Father’s right hand.

The Gloria ends with a series of acclamations to Christ,

emphasizing over and over that he “alone” is the Holy

One, the Lord, the Most High, truly God, with the Father

and the Holy Spirit. Our prayer of praise ends where it be-

gan, in the “glory of God the Father.” The Gloria, with its

arc leading us from the glory of God to the suffering of

Christ and again to glory, is the pattern of the Mass itself.

The Gabriel Project is designed to help women and teenagers who are in a crisis pregnancy. If you are in need of assistance or know someone who is, please contact Belinda @ 713-805-4961 or the Church Office.

St. Joseph’s Chapel Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Tuesday from 12noon to Thursday at 8:30am.. If you would like to schedule a weekly Holy Hour or be placed on the substitute list, please call the office.

Pope’s Prayer Intention for February Universal Intention:

Violence against women We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.

Parish Events Calendar As we navigate the changing Mass times and schedules in light of COVID 19, please visit our website and go to the events calendar for updates. If you are planning a meeting or need to make any adjustments for your ministry you are involved with, please call the office and let us know so we can keep it updated. Website www.stmaryslaporte.com

Altar Flowers 2021 Feb. 13/14: In Loving Memory of Marita Hooper By: Jack Hooper & Lilia Novak

Church Sanctuary Candle Special Intention for Albert Palacios and Family

By Friend Chapel Sanctuary Candle

Special Intention for Emarita Pletchen By: Lesinski Family

Dates Available April 24/25 May 1/2, 8/9, 15/16, 22/23, 29/30

Please contact Rose Kolenc 713-202-3283 or rose_kolenc@yahoo.com to reserve your dates.

Contact for the Altar Society is Sharon Ramos @ 281-451-9593, President.

Activities for the Week Sun. Feb. 14: CCE Virtual 10:15am, EDGE No Life Teen ~ Confirmation Today 1pm ASH WEDNESDAY, Feb. 17: Liturgy/Ashes 7am, Mass/Ashes 12noon,

Mass/Ashes(BiLingual) 6:30pm Thurs. Feb. 18: RCIA 6pm Rosary Hall Fri. Feb. 19: Knights Fish Fry & Stations

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25; Ps 50:1, 8, 16bc-17, 20-21; Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10; Ps 29:1a, 2, 3ac-4, 3b, 9c-10; Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 — 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

2021 The Year of St. Joseph

The Archdiocesan website has a page dedicated to the Year of St. Joseph, which began in December and runs through the liturgical year. Please visit and share the link below, which includes the history of St. Joseph in the church, prayers of devotion and more. https://www.archgh.org/resources/year-of-st-joseph/

Virtual Bible Study for Lent Starting Tues., Feb. 23rd

“No Greater Love” A Biblical Walk Through the Passion

of Christ

Will You Follow Jesus to Calvary? Filmed on location in the Holy Land, No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling author Edward Sri guides you through the last hours of Christ’s life. You will walk step-by-step with Jesus from the garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, bibli-cal symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. Experience a deeper under-standing and appreciation of God’s im-measurable and unconditional love for you—grow closer to Jesus than you ever have before. Email Tracy stmarysr-cia@yahoo.com or call the office to sign up.

Please pray for Our Lady’s intercession and protection for this school year. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide teachers, parents and the community in support of the children of the parish!

EDGE Class Today 2:15 pm Randy & Angie Tercero

randytercero@hotmail.com 713-826-0633

No Life Teen Class Today God’s Blessings to all those

newly confirmed!

Shari 1208stmarylp@gmail.com

CCE Today Family Packet Pick-up 9:00am - 1:00pm, Parish Hall