In conjunction with St Philip's Parish, the Knights of Columbus 9794 is honored to award the 2020 Sylvester Leonard Scholarship in the amount of $500 to Lourdes Cupples.  She will be attending the University of Texas - San Antonio in the fall.  We congratulate Lourdes for her endeavors and hard work in both KHS and church activities.

Father Barker blessed our refurbished Guadalupe Shrine on a beautiful July 7th morning. The shrine is accessible by following the sidewalk that leads to the patio at the back of the pavilion.  There, you will find a seating area for your prayer and meditation. The shrine is gracefully displayed amid Crape Myrtle trees and Waxed Leaf Myrtle bushes.  Our thanks to Don Walter, St. Philip Knights of Columbus, for beautifully refurbishing the shrine for our parish.

Dear Parish Families, Be aware of recent scam text messages, claiming to be from Father Barker.  These messages convey some type of emergency. Typically they will ask for 1) an immediate reply, or 2) money or 3) gift cards. Scammers from non-local area codes are "working" across the Galveston-Houston diocese. Do not reply to these messages. Fr. Barker will never send any request for help, nor will he ever send any emergency request via text message. If you receive one of these texts, ignore it and delete it.  In Christ, Kathy Corbett

Mary’s Blessings is currently servicing the Huffman community once again after an interruption due to the health advisory. We are here and able to assist the community with their financial struggles during this time or refer them to other organizations for help. The Huffman Food Pantry is also continuing with curbside service on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 am-12 noon. The Pantry also accepts food donations on those days, so you may drop off a bag or two. If you are lucky enough and have a bumper crop of veggies in your garden, they have been a real treat to receive, bring them early! With your generous donations to Mary’s Blessings, we are able to send a contribution to the following organizations that we support, and that are in great need at this time. $1, 500 contributed to the Huffman Food Pantry which has been able to receive assistance from the Houston Food Bank but even this grand a donation of food is distributed in no time at all! $1,500 contributed to Birthright of Humble. …Planned Parenthood told her “It’s just a clump of cells and if you get it early enough it doesn’t even look like a baby.” Her response “What? That’s it? That’s your best? We’re all clumps of cells!” Ireland replied back. “The unborn doesn’t look like a baby, just like a baby doesn’t look like a teenager, and a teenager doesn’t look like a senior citizen. But that unborn human being looks exactly the way human beings are supposed to look at that stage of development!”… excerpt from Birthright of Humble website. $1,500 contribution to The Archdiocesan Office of Pro-Life Activities which is dedicated to promoting a Culture of Life at all stages and circumstances. Our Ministries include: Project Gabriel - support during pregnancy; Jerome's Hope - support after a prenatal diagnosis, miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss; Helpers - praying for the unborn; Project Rachel -Healing after abortion. If you know a local family that may need our help, please reach out and refer them to us at 832-764-9814. Thank you for your past donations to our ministry and your continued support is sincerely appreciated.

Five St. Philip high school graduates were honored during a special Mass on Sunday, May 31.  During the families-only event, Father Barker bestowed a blessing on these young adults as they move forward into the next phase of their lives.  After the Mass, a luncheon was held in the hall so that the families could celebrate their children’s achievements.  St. Philip’s graduates are: Elizabeth Alvarez (Hargrave HS) will be attending Texas A&M Univ. to study Public Health with plans to be a pediatric nurse.  Lourdes Cupples (Kingwood HS) will be attending Univ. of Texas @ San Antonio to study Health on a pre-physical therapy track. John Jenkins (Atascocita HS) is headed to Stephen F Austin State Univ. to study Mathematics. Zachary Jolly (Atascocita HS) will be going to St. Joseph Seminary College in Louisiana and will major in Theology and Philosophy. Adella Soto (Atascocita HS) will be attending the Univ. of Houston to study Biomedical Sciences with plans to be a Physician’s Assistant.  We are so proud of these students.  Please join the entire St. Philip parish family in praying for these talented youth as they head off on this next great adventure led always by their love of Christ and his Holy Church.  “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The Honey family had a big day on Tuesday, May 19. Four of the family’s children; Trystan Alun, 9, son of Jenelle Honey and his cousins, Kolton Alun, 8, Kyndell Cecilia, 7, and Kayden Alexander, 5, children of Kristen Honey, were baptized into the Catholic Church. While our parish has remained largely at rest anticipating our long-awaited return, it was a glorious occasion to see the Church come alive to welcome these new members. The kids’ faces lit up with joy as Father Barker poured the newly blessed Baptismal Waters over their heads, baptizing them "In the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” just as Christ commanded us to do. Truly, there is no greater place to begin this great commission than within our own families. “..Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19: 14 The children were excited and attentive to Father as he walked them through what was about to happen before the celebration began. The three older children took turns assisting Father by holding the Book of Prayers for him, and each responded strongly along with their mothers and godparents as the Baptismal Vows were made. Trystan and Kolton have been in St. Philip’s First Sacraments program this year as they have prepared to receive First Reconciliation and First Communion. This was a long-anticipated day for the children and their families. Originally anticipated to take place last fall, the sacraments had to be placed on hold while St. Philip was in exile at AUMC. While preparation classes continued for the children and their mothers, the boys missed receiving First Reconciliation with their class since they had not yet been baptized. With the Church completed and sitting beautiful as a bride awaiting her bridegroom, the Baptism could finally go forward. Trystan and Kolton will have their First Reconciliation on Sunday, May 31, and will then be ready to receive First Communion with their class. The parish staff is so grateful to the family for their understanding and unfailing faith through this extended process. Please join us in congratulating the family on the receipt of this beautiful sacrament.

The Knights of Columbus will award two (2) scholarships valued at $500 each to 2020 graduating high school seniors.  For more information and eligibility requirements, please read more at www.kofc9794.org. CLICK on cap and gown image to obtain an application.

Fr. Barker would like to offer our beautiful playground at St. Philip for your family's private enjoyment, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 1 pm. We have a jungle gym, swings, slides, and more to entertain your children. Please contact Kathy in the parish office to schedule your day and time, 281-324-1478, kcorbett@stphilip.cc.

FR BARKER invites you: "St. Philip's worship area will be OPEN Divine Mercy Sunday April 19, from 2 - 4 PM for individual, silent prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. “THE SANCTUARY area is fully decorated for the Easter season. Please use discretion and good judgement. (During the Easter Octave, the worship area is open from 9 AM to 1 PM.) “OUR LORD Jesus said to Saint Faustina Kowalska: “‘Proclaim that mercy is the greatest attribute of God. All the works of My hands are crowned with mercy." +++

My dear parishioners, I give you the joy of Easter and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! We rejoice in his baptismal blessings. Our baptismal promises shape every moment of our lives. They strengthen, prepare and enrich our future. In Christ we are everything. Without him we are nothing. Jesus suffered, died and rose from the dead that we might live. Therefore, Jesus is worthy to be the cornerstone of the Church. To be in the Church is to be one in Christ. We are the Body of Christ, and he is the head. The head and the body are one. (Continued on page 1 of our Easter Sunday newsletter.)

Fr Barker's message: "St. Philip's worship area will be open Good Friday 2 - 4 PM for individual, silent prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. The sanctuary area is fully decorated in remembrance of the sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday. Please use discretion and good judgement. (During the Easter Octave, the worship area will be open from 9 AM to 1 PM.) May God's wonderful blessings, protection and love be yours abundantly during these high holy days. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!"

St. Philip the Apostle will be open for private prayer during the following times: Good Friday, April 10, 2 - 4 pm Monday, April 13, 9 am - 1 pm Tuesday, April 14, 9 am - 1 pm Wednesday, April 15, 9 am - 1 pm Thursday, April 16, 9 am - 1 pm Friday, April 17, 9 am - 1 pm. Please use discretion and good judgement. Come and spend some quiet time with our Lord in the tabernacle as we remember his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

Holy week prayful activities for you and your family are available on our website. Just CLICK on "HOLY WEEK,,," image. FIND activitities for these upcoming holy days.

Blessed palms will be ready for drive-thru pickup Sunday, April 5th from 10 am to 1 pm. Please enter the main driveway, pull under the porte cochere and remain in your car to receive your palms. CLICK on "HOLY WEEK..." tab on home page on instructions for making your palm cross and more.

Father Barker blessed the palms today for Palm Sunday's drive up distribution from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please enter the main driveway, pull under the covered drive, and remain in your car to receive your palms.

St. Philip will be offering blessed palms for drive-thru pick up on Palm Sunday, April 5, from 10 am – 1 pm.  Please enter the main driveway, pull under the covered drive, and remain in your car to receive your palms.  Hang them on your door or in your family room to welcome Christ into your home with praise and glory as we begin Holy Week.

The Archdiocese will livestream the Chrism Mass Tuesday, April 16 at 10:00 am through the Archdiocesan website (www.archgh.org) and social media channels for those who wish to join in prayer at that time. At this Mass, the diocesan bishop consecrates the Sacred Chrism oil and blesses the Oil of Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick for use in all of the parish churches for the celebration of the sacraments during the upcoming year. Everyone is welcome to pray with us by livestream.

Let's pray together March 27 at noon with Pope Francis on the steps of St. Peter's Bascilica at https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html: * Word of God * Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament * Urbi et Orbi Blessing * Opportunity to receive plenary indulenge "I invite everyone to participate spritually through the means of communications...Pope Francis

Although we are currently unable to celebrate Mass together, it is especially vital to financially support our home parish of St. Philip.  Here are four ways you can continue to support our community of faith with your donations:   * Visit our website www.stphiliphuffmantx.org and click on the “Online Giving” box to donate online.   * Download the myParish app (Apple Store or Google Play), set St. Philip as your Church, and tap on the “Giving” box.   * Mail your check to St. Philip the Apostle, PO Box 2363, Huffman, TX 77336.   Set St. Philip the Apostle as a vendor in your bank’s online bill pay. Use our PO Box 2363, Huffman TX 77336 as our mailing address. Many thanks for your continued support of St. Philip!  If you need help setting up any of the four giving options, please contact our parish office 281-324-1478 for assistance.

My dear parishioners, I’m keeping you ever in mind and heart as we navigate through difficult times. St. Therese (the “Little Flower”) tells us that St. Peter’s most important life-lesson was when he learned to ask the Lord for the very first grace! Follow the example of Peter. Whenever any challenge presents itself to you, pause and ask our Lord Jesus Christ for the “first grace”. Our savior will not fail to grant it. Pray for one another and for your unworthy pastor. “The Lord goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed”! [Deu 31:8] Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker +++