My dear parishioners, the year was 1985. My adult confirmation in the Church was approaching. The days were hectic at work. I wanted to pray the Stations of the Cross. Actually, I was eager to pray them. Catholic tradition imparts the belief that God will answer one’s most heartfelt prayer at the last of the fourteen stations. I wanted to ask God something that could change my life profoundly. Scarcely understanding this ancient devotion of Jesus’ passion and death, I walked through the heavy carved doors of St. Anne Church leaving the glaring sun and heat of day behind. It was a Friday afternoon, the day when Stations are prayed in Lent. I was grateful to be alone in the solemn stillness. With my little prayer book in hand, I walked the Via Dolorosa for the first time, hesitantly, concentrating on kneeling and the rhythm of the devotion. The First Station. Jesus Is Condemned to Death. The events of Our Lord’s passion and death moved me deeply as I prayed each station. Jesus meets his mother . . . Veronica and the women of Jerusalem approach him . . . The cross throws him to the ground . . . Stripped and nailed, Jesus is lifted up . . . Dying, he is taken down. Until at last, The Fourteenth Station. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb. I knelt down, took a deep breath, and prayed. The words poured from my heart. Father in heaven, I ask for the hand of your daughter the Church. Will you allow me to become a priest? “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand elsewhere,” I prayed. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” [Psa 84:10] I remained on my knees for some time. No sight or sound or insight altered the startling silence. Nothing disturbed the serenity of the nave or the sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows. I had dared to ask God too much, too soon. You can’t go any lower than the grave, and I suppose that’s why petitioners pour their hearts out in this spiritual pilgrimage. I never went back to the Fourteenth Station to ask God again about Catholic priesthood. Once was enough. I was not going to put my faith to the test. Yet my friends — all but one who soon would disavow me — knew where to find me. Thirsting for living water, I was always at St. Anne. There I waited in hope for the Lord. It’s not a matter of adroitness or merit or even personal need but rather the impossible — daring to ask for that which no human excellence can inspire or substitute. God’s own unfathomable reasons prevail, for human powers always come to nothing. Prayerful silence looms like a mountain before human frailty. God answered me slowly and in his own way. Inevitably, all human experiences surrender to forgetfulness, rarely to be summoned by conscious reflection and illumined in the present moment. This may seem to be cause for distress, especially when the loveliest events of life begin to fade, and one fears losing them altogether. In truth, I learned that such forgetfulness prepares one’s heart to more fully embrace Jesus the Word of Life and his teachings. Stillness doesn’t mean oblivion for as the shepherd-king David wrote, “But as for me, my prayer is to thee, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of thy steadfast love answer me.” [Psa 69:13] God wonderfully recalls to my soul the things of faith “like a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old” . [Mt 13:52] Not new or old, but rather the good things in God’s time that are always old and always new. Sincerely in hearts of Jesus and Mary, Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker

We are happy to announce the release of our brand new parish app for Apple & Android phones. We invite you all to text App to phone number 88202 or visit myparishapp.com to download. Our app offers many features and capabilities for improving parish communication and serving as a faith building resource. An early little Christmas gift for our parish family.

We will once again have our annual Preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary. It starts on December 31st and ends on February 2nd with a Mass followed by recitation of Consecration and Blessing from Father Barker. This Consecration is hosted by the Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) a devout and holy lay group in our parish. A limited supply of consecration books are available for purchase by contacting the parish office at 281-324-1478. You may also order the books online. Please open this page to find links.

Every Tuesday evening from 6:20 pm until 8:00 pm in the parish hall.

Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; Closed for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm Phone: 281-324-1478 Email: parishoffice@stphilip.cc Fax: 281-715-5533 (NEW)

The Prime Timers will be attending the Houston Chorale's Christmas program "A Glorious Christmas' on Saturday, December 1st. They will be carpooling from the parish parking lot at 5:30 pm and returning late afternoon. If you'd like to sign-up please contact Lane Coco at 281-324-2163 or Claudia Herron at 832-270-3385.

The Prime Timers (55+) will be going to see the Houston Tidelanders Christmas Program in Humble on Saturday, December 15th. They will leave from the St. Philip parking lot at 6:00 pm and they will return late evening. There is no cost for this performance.

We will have sign-ups for new nursery volunteers on Sunday, November 11th at 9:40 am in the Family Room/Nursery. Our nursery will be back up and running soon and we need to have volunteers for the 11:00 am Mass time.

The next bible study will be on Monday, December 10, from 7-9 pm. It will be held at St. Philip in one of our classrooms.

The next Women's Guild meeting will be on Tuesday, December 11 at 9:30 am.

Please join us as we pray the Rosary together for our nation and Church. It will be held of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Sunday, October 7th at 3:00 pm. We will gather in our parish worship area.

On Fridays from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, you are welcome to visit with Jesus in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament in the day chapel.

We were honored to have Auxiliary Bishop Sheltz offer Sunday, September 16th Confirmation Mass. Many blessings to all.

Visit our Lord every FRIDAY immediately following the 8:30 AM Mass and continuing until 4:00PM.

Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; Closed for lunch from 12:00-1:00 pm

281-324-1478 parishoffice@stphilip.cc Fax: 281-715-5533 (NEW)

We will have a CCE registration extravaganza the weekend of August 25th & 26th. Come register before and after all Sunday Masses (including Saturday Vigil Mass). We will have hot dogs, face painting, and bounce house.

We will be holding our CCE Registration on August 25th and 26th after all Sunday Masses. Join us for hot dogs, face painting, and bounce house.

Our parish homecoming Mass will be Sunday, August 12th at 11:00 am with Auxiliary Bishop George Sheltz presiding. (This Sunday Mass will be the ONLY one on campus that weekend.)

Friday, August 10th @ 6 PM -- Protecting God's Children for Adults -- FREE TRAINING (Advanced Registration Required Where: St. Mary Magdalene Church (Humble) 527 South Houston Avenue Humble, TX 77338 Estimated length of session: 3 hrs Spaces remaining: 50 of 50 Location of workshop: McGivney Hall (Isaacks Rd.) (Behind church offices) There is no babysitting. No minor child, toddler or infant is permitted in the workshop. There is no exception to this. Do not bring children or youth to the class.