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.

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.