Few popular songs are as tender and evocative as “Try To Remember”, written by Tom Jones for the long-running off-Broadway show The Fantasticks. Premiering May 03, 1960 the musical tells the story of a boy and girl whose love, tested by separation and painful experiences, evolves from innocence into maturity. “Try To Remember” opens the show and invites the theater audience to share a modern version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” complete with fathers who pretend to feud.

American slang has a long and colorful history. Have you heard the saying, “He doesn’t know me any better than Adam’s off ox”? It refers to person A speaking about person B in a familiar way, when in fact person A doesn’t know person B at all. To be an off ox, then, is to be a stranger to the very person one most needs to know...

SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Wisdom:  Putting on the mind of Christ"  [1Cor 2:16]; the sum of knowledge, right judgment and understanding; freedom from slavery to sin to accept freely the bonds of divine love; the surpassing peace of the human heart....

My dear parishioners, yes, we face difficult challenges in these times. Every penny counts, and careful stewardship of financial resources will make the difference. I know what’s happening to groceries, fuel and basic necessities. You may have two jobs. Maybe a fixed income...

The Archdiocese has done so much for St. Philip throughout our years of rebuilding. It is now our time to give back. Many of us made significant pledges to the Ignite Campaign which directly helps our campus finish long overdue projects. St. Philip is truly blessed by these generous donations...

This brief insert, adapted from authoritative sources, provides useful information for a person caught in an active shooter situation. Many actual events have these elements in common: a populated building, an attacker with a firearm, unarmed people and the unavailability of law enforcement officers in the first critical minutes. Nevertheless, some of this information could be applicable to other dangerous situations, as for example, being confronted by a knife-wielding assailant. Use this insert wisely to educate your household members. Please read and use the full document linked.

Charity and fellowship are hallmarks of all St. Philip ministries! This annual golf event enables donations and proceeds, used throughout the year, as blessings for others in need. We enjoyed perfect Houston weather and 56 spirited golfers!

PRAYER FOR SAINT PHILIP THE APOSTLE’S PROTECTION IN THE HURRICANE SEASON LORD JESUS CHRIST, when your apostles cried out in the midst of a stormy sea, you commanded the wind and waves to be still. DEFEND SAINT Philip parish and your Christian families from threatening storms. Preserve us from all evil and harm, for you created us in your image and likeness. GIVE YOUR people enjoyable weather throughout this hurricane season. Refresh our souls and grant us peace, for we place our trust in you. Saint Philip the Apostle, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Michael the Archangel, and all the angels and saints, watch over us now and forever,  world without end. Amen.

My mother wisely said, You need to spend a little time with your Dad. I was on vacation at my parents’ home in Midland, Texas. My dad was approaching his 90’s. His health was faltering. Caring for him was difficult for mom, sometimes very hard. Nevertheless, her belief was unshakable. Pills, treatments and doctor visits can’t have the last word...

These kids are ready for a great school year! It was a morning full of laughter and fellowship...

A few days before I received Holy Orders (September 12, 1992), my altar servers surprised me with cards they created for the occasion. On the front cover of his hand-made card, John Cruickshank drew a picture of the sun shining over the world. Prefacing his card with “God said, ‘Let there be light’”  [Gen 1:3], he penned a remarkable theology of the priesthood: THE WORLD needs a light to guide it through both good and bad times. A light to keep us true to the one true God above. The light is the clergymen. Richard, when you become ordained, you become that light: to keep our mind, body, soul, and spirit true to God. Are you ready for this Richard? If not, don't worry. Pray and God will help you.

We are blessed at St. Philip to have a beautiful choir enhance our Masses! We know there are voices just waiting to sing praises sitting out there.

OK, men. You have been thinking about joining; NOW is the time! Swing-by the KofC table after Mass and chat with our members who will be happy to share all you need to join.  And joining has never been easier.

Family Skate night was a huge success! We are looking forward to many events in the future. Thanks to everyone who attended.

A beautiful round “ball and claw” dining table graced the kitchen area of my West Texas childhood home. Here we ate our meals, told stories and did homework. And occasionally got into trouble. My parents bought the antique table in 1961 from an elderly woman selling things out of her house in Creede, Colorado. Years later I suspected she sold her own furniture to pay bills.

Thanks to volunteers from Boy Scouts Troop 727 and Incarnate Word Academy to enhance our playground with benches and plants as part of Andrew Wight’s Eagle Scout project on June 11. The project has added a nice spot in the shade for parents to sit as they watch children play. Come and check it out!

     A number of years ago, late summer, I walked into a small and complex ecosystem, a patient’s room in MD Anderson’s critical care unit. Except for the chirping noises from a heart monitor and the sighing of a mechanical respirator, it was quiet like a grotto or chapel....

As my dad aged, the challenges of caring for him magnified for my mother. Navigating him between the porch and her car in the driveway exhausted her. Winters were awful. Parking in the garage was out of the question. For decades. Over the years my father, an Okie dust bowl farm boy, turned his garage into pharaoh’s tomb, cramming it full with everything imaginable. Because I might need it, he said.

Sunday, May 15, our parish children participated in the May Crowning. Mary was presented with beautiful flowers from these sweet kids.

Few motion picture scenes are more horrifying than the large raptor dinosaur ransacking a commercial kitchen to devour two children. I remember clearly my terror watching that episode in “Jurassic Park” (1993). The idea that a reptile can hunt down and consume mammals is abhorrent but alas, I can’t say no to Komodo Dragon nature videos...