We are excited to announce some good changes that will be implemented in our parish as we start this new year. Like all of you, our online browsers, inboxes, voicemails, search histories and data usage are bombarded by multiple sources with constant information regarding appointments, activities, deadlines, and well, LIFE!
The St. Philip High School Youth Group will be volunteering at The Beacon Day Center on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Click for more information!
The Women’s Guild is excited to announce that we will have a "spiritual morning of reflection" on Feb 8 @ 10am. The talk will be given by our own Tim Logsdon. Tim has graciously accepted to prepare us for Lent by giving a reflection called "Are You Ready" The Guild invites all women of the parish to attend this special event.
“We little fishes are born in holy water and are safe only by permanently abiding in that water.” (Tertullian) My dear parishioners, Archbishop Fiorenza appointed me as Saint Philip’s third pastor effective July 01, 2005. That Friday was a blistering hot day. While offering my first vigil Mass the following afternoon, a persistent noise distracted me throughout the service. Ka-chuka ka-chuka ka-chuka. Weird but also familiar. After Mass finished, I investigated the source of the noise. The sound came from a water pump to the right of the sanctuary, the kind used in swamp coolers when I was a boy. It was immersed in a large homemade plywood box 4 x 4 feet square, 18” tall, painted white, filled with water. And leaking. The pump’s electrical cord stretched out to a nearby wall plug...
My dear parishioners, the child Jesus is very near to us. In this Christmas season, we celebrate the inexpressible miracle of the Christ of God who, at a word of command, became a human being like us in all things but sin. My heart is filled with joy and wonder to realize how God created us in his own image and likeness [cf Gen 1:26] and desires that we “put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”. [Eph 4:24]
My dear parishioners, challenged in ways unimaginable in ordinary human experience, Mary of Nazareth calmly informed the archangel Gabriel of her consent to be the mother of God’s son. Her “yes” (Lat. fiat) to Gabriel is as resolute as the angel’s own service to God. Doubtless, her maternal life would be punctuated by great changes, even sorrow: “and a sword will pierce through your own soul also, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” [Lk 2:35] Yet Mary freely accepts pregnancy and motherhood in service of God who created her.
he Women’s Guild Christmas lunch social was held on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at the Zimitti’s restaurant in Kingwood at 1:00 p.m. The ladies enjoyed a wonderful lunch followed by a Christmas ornament exchange.
Beginning with a prayer of thanksgiving, Father Barker kicked-off a very festive party on Saturday, December 4th with our Knights of Columbus members, spouses, and friends. Diana and Frank Campisi hosted the evening in their amazingly-decorated home, worthy of a Hallmark Christmas Story in every room. Included were live entertainment, dancing, and (ahem!) open bar on the outdoor patio.
My dear parishioners, I truly believe that to know Jesus Christ, one must come to him through the immaculate heart of Mary, his mother. The word through is important. In all circumstances Mary points to her son and says, “Do whatever He tells you”. [Jn 2:5] Mary was the first and best of Jesus’ disciples. As he hung on the cross, Jesus entrusted the maternal love and care of his mother to John, one of the Twelve. All generations have called Mary blessed. [cf Lk 1:48]
beautiful plants in Israel is the myrtle. Often mistaken for a tree, this handsome plant is actually an evergreen shrub, varieties of which may grow about 15 feet in height. The myrtle's fragrant white blooms beautifully adorn its shiny, soft green leaves and dense bushy foliage. Each flower can produce one semi-sweet, blue-black berry.
This year Christmas is still a little different than in the past! Families are living close to home, jobs are scarce and money is hard to find! Every year at Christmas St. Philip has sponsored families from our Huffman elementary schools through our social ministry, Mary’s Blessings. Would you bring Christmas joy to one of these families?
My dear parishioners, God says, “Behold, I make all things new.” [Rev 21:5] Our true destiny is life, eternal life, and our God is a God of the living. I believe anyone who is spiritually perceptive, who realizes that there are other ways to see than by mere human eyesight, understands that the angels and saints can see everything in heaven and on earth as God wills because they are perfect.
My dear parishioners, we are well aware human beings are vulnerable to narcissism and grandiosity. Narcissism is arrogant controlling vanity. Grandiosity is theatrical obsession with one’s own importance. Both disordered behaviors strain human perceptions to the limit. Both magnify common behaviors in bizarre ways.
My dear parishioners, because earth, heaven and purgatory are united by Our Lord in the communion of saints, we are obliged not to forget the souls of those who died in his peace. At the time of death, many souls still groan under the weight of serious sins not confessed, those transgressions for which atonement was never made. Simply expressed, the mercy of Jesus is priestly absolution of sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The mercy of Jesus, moreover, is the corporal and spiritual works of mercy offered as atonement for sins. God’s justice is proven by its fairness: “He who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” [Mt 10:38] Hence, no soul is dispensed from the saving work of reconciliation and atonement.
My dear parishioners, the principalities and powers of this world march by, indeed they trample over countless persons deemed to be expendable. Two words describe well “little ones” who are left behind in the global dust, even crushed and left for dead. They are abused and forgotten. To them Jesus opens his arms, saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” [Mt 18:10]
Beloved of St. Philip, grace and peace in the Lord’s name! The times we live in are not just edgy but deeply tormented. Violence, drugs, perversion, lawlessness and civil anarchy are widely accepted behavior models. Our dysfunctional political leaders loathe the citizens who elected them. Through the smoke and haze of lawless cities and mangled borders, our natural human confidence falters and dread of the future grows. Through all this noise and claptrap, our loving God speaks to us a word of courage and fortitude. Courage is the giving of self to others even at great price. Fortitude is the strength to bear up when good things and good people are taken from us.
My dear parishioners, study is never complete, practice never comes to an end. Whenever a gifted figure dies, our sadness encompasses more than the loss of the artist’s personality and flair. We mourn the passing of genius as well. If only the artist could be permitted a little more time to achieve perfection. If only he could have another day.
We are excited to announce some good changes that will be implemented in our parish as we start this new year. Like all of you, our online browsers, inboxes, voicemails, search histories and data usage are bombarded by multiple sources with constant information regarding appointments, activities, deadlines, and well, LIFE!Read More
