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Fr. John's Blog | |
May, the Threshold of Summer
Dear POP Folks,
May is an endings-and-beginnings time of the year, spiced liberally with a great number of emotional high points: first proms, graduations, weddings, First Communions, confirmations, Mother's Day, Memorial Day.
May is also the threshold of summer. It's that spot from which to dive into the chlorinated waters of June, July, and August. Some of us hope to ease gently into the shallow end, while others head for the high dive from which a person can almost glimpse eternity. May is the running jump, the flex, the intentional moment of tension before the great leap into summer.
Or not.
It can also be the link to the three-month continuation of what the last nine have been: recliners, ESPN, computer games, texting...
While May is upon us, we may be feeling unrealistically "safe" from the pressures of Ash Wednesday, of Lent, even of New Year's and the urgency to change that they often bring to our lives. May I make a few summer suggestions?
- Set a time for daily prayer, flavored with a couple of verses from the Bible. Plan it now and begin the very first day of summer, even if it's vacation.
- Remember how you've been meaning to go to confession? Don't wait until Advent or Lent. Summer is a great time to celebrate Penance: the lines are shorter, the grace is the same. There's no reduction in schedule just because it's summer. The heat of Houston can serve as a gentle reminder of what awaits the unrepentant for all eternity. :(
Continue Reading Fr. John's Blog... |
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POP's Pope Connection |
Three Prince of Peace parishioners share their stories about their connection to Pope Francis; either through a visit to St. Peter's Square in Rome during his election on March 13, 2013, or they are among the many proud Argentinians from the Pope's native country.
Last March, millions of people around the world, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, practically stopped in their tracks to watch the announcement of the new pope on television, the internet or wherever they could find coverage. With cameras rolling live from every angle of St. Peter's Square, one could watch the action from several sources and get different vantage points.
Among the throngs of the crowd crammed into St. Peter's Square on that rainy day were two POP families that were in Rome at that time, the O'Haras and Rincons. What a blessing to be able to witness first-hand the events that unfolded as the day progressed, including getting a glimpse of the long-awaited puffs of white smoke that finally bellowed from the Sistine Chapel chimney to hearing the bells ringing from St. Peter's Basilica.
At the moment when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was announced as the new pope, Pope Francis, among the many hearts that swelled with pride were Argentinians all around the globe, since one of their own just became the 266 Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church and the first south American to lead the Church.
Three parishioners and their families that were either at St. Peter's Square on that momentous occasion or who are native Argentinians and are proud of their new pope, have shared their stories about how the events of that day, March 13, 2013, impacted their lives personally. A link to each of their stories is below. We hope you enjoy reading about these special POP connections with our beloved Pope Francis.
An Anniversary to Remember
By Lisa O'Hara, POP parishioner for 12 years
The O'Hara family poses with Fr. Tom Lam inside St. Peter's Basilica, Wednesday, March 13, 2013, the same day Pope Francis was elected. Read their storyabout how a family trip already planned to Rome coincided with the March 13, 2013, election of Pope Francis. Read the O'Hara family's story...
When in Rome...this time
By Silvia Rincon, POP parishioner for 15 years
I have visited Rome several times; however; I have never experienced the election of a Pope in Rome. This trip was a different experience for us since day one. My 15-year-old son, Andrew Rincon, my niece, Martha Gabriela Amaya, and I had a very tiring trip over because our flight was cancelled several times. After a day and half in the airport because of a snowstorm, we finally arrived in Rome around 6 p.m. We decided to go to the Vatican right away. Continue reading Silvia's experience...
How it feels to have a Pope from my own country of Argentina elected
By Maria Carina Paramo, POP parishioner for two years (originally from Mendoza, Argentina)
Carina Paramo, an Argentinian native and proud supporter of Pope Francis, who also is from Argentina, has been a POP parishioner for two years. Carina is seen here with her fiancé, Glenn Taylor. They are getting married June 8 in the Mary Chapel. Read Carina's perspective... |
POP staff visit churches designated as pilgrimage locations during Year of Faith
On October 31, 2012, Cardinal DiNardo promulgated pilgrimage locations for the Year of Faith, which continues until November 24, 2013. A "plenary indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins may be gained for the benefit of oneself or for the souls of the faithful departed. This time in prayer may be done in one of the designated places of pilgrimages in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. During the Year of Faith, the following churches are designated as pilgrimage sites:
* Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston)
* Shrine of the True Cross (300 FM 517 E, Dickinson)
* St. Patrick Catholic Church (Holy Family Parish, 34th and Ave. K, Galveston)
* Annunciation Catholic Church (1618 Texas Ave., Houston)
* Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (2405 Navigation Blvd., Houston)
* Prince of Peace Catholic Church (19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston)
* Guardian Angels Catholic Church (5610 Demel St., Wallis)
(Photographed above is the staff that visited Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis in April.) |
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June 2013 | |
June 1, Red Hat Spring Salad Luncheon (P.O.P.T.A.R.T.S.)
June 2, Fellowship Sonday
June 2, Mass of Thanksgiving for Dcn. Sebastine Okoye
Every Tuesday in June, Donuts and Jesus
June 3, Social Group Monthly Dinner
June 4, Rosary
June 5, Genealogy group
June 7 - 9, Marriage Encounter Weekend
June 8, POP Habitat for Humanity Build
June 8 - 9, POP Blood Drive
June 9 - 23, Father's Day Baby Bottle Blessing
June 10 - 13, Jr. High Week
June 10 - 21, Sonshine Days
June 10, 7 p.m. Healing Mass (Spanish)
June 11, 7 p.m. Healing Mass (English)
June 14 - 17, Steubenville on the Bayou
June 14, 10 Great Dates!
June 15, POP Health Fair
June 19, Catholic Daughters of the America's
June 22, L.i.F.T. Women's Prayer Breakfast
June 26, 9 a.m. Healing Mass (English)
June 27, Keenagers |
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Ministry for Military Families News | |
Patriotic
Rosary
May 24
7 p.m., Main Church
Click here for details
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Want to show a deployed service member you care? We are in need of names and addresses of deployed service members so we may send a care package to them. We also would love to include them on our military photo board. Contact Mary Davis, (281) 370-7479 or marykdavis@earthlink.net.
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What's Happening
May 2013
Ongoing in May, Registration for Blessed Beginnings: Registration for Preschool and Mother's Day Out for the 2013-2014 school year continues in our Preschool Office in the St. Joseph Center every Monday through Thursday. Contact is Stella Brooks or Kathy Cappelle at (281) 469-4805 for class placement and tuition information or sbrooks@pophouston.org.
Ongoing in May, Registration for Children Summer Faith Formation Programs: Sonshine Days & Vacation Bible School. Contact: Mary Camarata, mcamarata@pophouston.org.
May 19, Pentecost Sunday:
That we may learn to put God first in our lives, realizing that we are called to be His hands, feet and voice here on earth. "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." John 14:26. The materialism of our society lures us to concentrate more on what we want than on what God wants for us and from us. It is good to know that when we are confused by our stewardship responsibilities, we can call on the Holy Spirit to show us the way. Please wear red to Mass on May 19 to celebrate the occasion!
May 19, Fellowship Sonday! Come and experience our new twist on hospitality! Join us in the Community Center after Mass for gourmet coffee and doughnuts. Breakfast and lunch dishes also will be available, made by our Guatemala Mission Team that is raising scholarship money to assist POP missionaries (please support their efforts.) Relax and visit with friends or take this opportunity to make new ones. Blood pressure checks will also be available, and don't forget to bring your baby item donations for Gabriel Project Baby Shower. Contact: Sue Hofmeister, shofmeister@pophouston.org.
May 19, Gabriel Project Baby Shower: Join the Outreach Ministry after Mass in the Community Center and donate new and gently used baby clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, toiletries, diapers, etc., for pregnant women in crisis and their babies. Questions? Angels will be on-hand with answers! Contact:Susan Gallagher, sgallagher@pophouston.org.
May 19, Annual Pastoral Council Discernment Meeting: The Pastoral Council consists of 12 discerned members who serve as liaisons for the parish faithful and provide counsel to the pastor. Registered parishioners interested in attending the upcoming discernment meeting on May 19, 12 p.m., in room 212/214 of the St. Joseph's Center, should contact Paula Reed by May 14 at preed@pophouston.org or (281) 571-4130.
May 20, Confirmation: Our High School and Adult Confirmandi will be celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation at 7 p.m. with Daniel Cardinal DiNardo on Monday, May 20.
May 21, Taize: Join us in the Mary Chapel, 7 p.m. Contact worship@pophouston.org for more information.
May 21, Keenagers Casino Trip: Open to all over the age of 21. Contact: Larry Byrne, (281) 955-7319 or Tony Falcone, (832) 851-3369.
May 22, Anointing of the Sick, 9 a.m. Mass, Mary Chapel (English)
May 23, Keenagers: All who are 55+ are invited to join the Keenagers for social time at 9:30 a.m. and meeting at 10 a.m. in the Community Center, followed by a pot luck luncheon. Contact: Pat Oliver, (281) 727-6977 or pattyoliver211@gmail.com.
May 24, POP Patriotic Rosary: All are invited to join the Ministry for Military Families on Friday, May 24, 7 p.m., in the Main Church. There will be reception in the Community Center afterward. This is a special rosary that includes prayers from former presidents, patriotic songs, and intentions to pray for all religious leaders and government leader and each state in our country. Contact: militaryministry@pophouston.org
or Mary Davis, (281) 370-7479 or (713) 412-3686.
May 31, Living Matrimony: Married and engaged couples are invited to join this end of the year party at 6:30 p.m. in room 108 of the St. Joseph's Center.Please bring a potluck dish to share.Drinks and desserts will be provided.Please RSVP for childcare by May 21: (218) 469-2686 (ext. 231) or childcare@pophouston.org. Babies are always welcome in our meetings.
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We, as a Catholic faith community, answer God's call to live out the Gospel through Sacramental worship, formation, evangelization, and serving those in need. |
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