Thanks for your Generosity! Dear Parishioners, it has been a crazy year, but we want to let you know how much we have appreciated your monthly donations to Mary’s Blessings. We all know how hard just getting by has been for many people. Everyone has heard stories of hardship from friends or neighbors. With so much going on to disrupt our lives you have continued to give generously to the poor in our area. It seems like no matter how much we have to share with them, we could use even more. It is disheartening to see how many calls come in with requests for such large amounts to pay the rent and utilities these days. There is so much suffering going on!

The young parishioners of St. Philip had their first practice for the Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant. We were so happy to see all their smiling faces. Thank you to the parents who volunteered! We are so excited to watch these kids retell the story of Jesus' birth. There is still time to be a part of this beautiful event. All youth, grades K-12, of the parish, are invited to participate. Our last practice is Saturday, Dec. 19 from 9:30 am-11:00 am. Contact Heather Wehking @ 713-562-5947

We were happy to welcome Fr. Barker this morning into our first-grade class. The kids were excited to see him! He was able to visit and see all the things we were learning in class. He joined the students in praying the rosary before leaving. Thank you Father!

The CCE Elementary students celebrated All Saints Day by dressing up as a Saint of their choosing. The children enjoyed a fun morning learning about the Saints, playing All Saints Day Bingo, and enjoying some time with Father Barker. We believe our students are “MINT” to be Saints and reminded them with a special treat bag of peppermints at the end of the morning. Thank you to all the students (and their parents)  and teachers who dressed up and shared fun facts about their Saint.

We are so excited to announce that we now offer a Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 8:30 am Mass. To make this program successful and special for our children, we need YOUR help. There’s still time to be a part of this fun, new ministry. We are still looking for volunteers. If you’d like more information, please email Nikki Metzler, nikkinoelmetzler@yahoo.com

The Knights of Columbus, Council 9794 at St. Philip, celebrated the installation of new officers on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at our Parish Center. Our newly appointed Grand Knight, Ray Kessler, was among the nine inducted officers. Eight wives also attended. A joyful dinner followed at nearby El Jimador Grill.

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.