FROM OUR HOLY FATHER
Our belief in Christ's Resurrection is the very heart of our faith, the basis of our hope in God's promises and our trust in his victory over sin and death....With the eyes of faith, we too encounter the risen Lord in the many signs of his presence: the Scriptures, the Eucharist and the other sacraments, and the acts of charity, goodness, forgiveness and mercy which bring a ray of his Resurrection into our world. May our faith in the risen Christ enable us to be living signs in our world of the triumph of life and hope over evil, sin and death.
--POPE FRANCIS
HE IS RISEN. . . .
......ALLELUIAH, ALLELUIAH ! !
Former parishioner Jan Curry painted this scene of the Resurrection that graces a wall in our Gathering Area during Easter.
EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD
April 20th: Mass of the Resurrection: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am.
EASTER EGG HUNT
The whole family is invited to the Aquinas Pavillion after the 11:30 am Mass Easter Sunday for hot dogs, chips, drinks, and door prizes.
There will be an Easter Egg Hunt by age group as well as picture-taking with the Easter Bunny.
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA TODAY AT 3 PM
The Catholic Daughters will lead the Divine Mercy Novena in the Chapel at 3 pm daily until Saturday, April 26th, the day before Divine Mercy Sunday.
PARISH OFFICE & CHAPEL CLOSINGS
THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL TUESDAY.
APRIL 27TH IS DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: DO NOT MISS THIS GRACE !
This week should change our lives and quicken our eternal reward. Our Redemption on Good Friday...then Easter...then the Feast of Divine Mercy on April 27th!
Our Lord told St. Faustina: "Every soul believing and trusting in My Mercy will obtain it. My daughter: tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.
"THE SOUL WHO WILL GO TO CONFESSION AND RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION SHALL OBTAIN COMPLETE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND PUNISHMENT. ON THAT DAY ALL THE DIVINE FLOODGATES THROUGH WHICH GRACES FLOW ARE OPENED. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.
"My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity.....That is why I want the image of My mercy to be solemnly blessed on the first Sunday after Easter, and I want it to be venerated publicly so that every soul may know about My mercy."
--Our Lord to St. Faustina (you may go to Confession within 8 days....so confession on Holy Saturday will qualify).*
* Pope John Paul II attached a plenary indulgence.
TWO POPES TO BE CANONIZED
For the first time in history, the Catholic Church will canonize two popes on the same day!
Popes John XXIII and John Paul II will be named saints on April 27th, Divine Mercy Sunday.
John XXIII was pope from October 28, 1958 until his death on June 3, 1963. "Good Pope John" called the Second Vatican Council in 1962.
John Paul II was one of the longest-reigning popes in history, elected October 16, 1978 and serving until his death on the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, April 2, 2005. "John Paul the Great" canonized Saint Faustina as the first saint of the new millennium and ordered the Feast of Divine Mercy observed on the Sunday after Easter.
Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II, pray for us!
IMAGE OF THE DIVINE MERCY
Jesus asked Sister Faustina to have an image of his Divine Mercy made for veneration. This copy of the original, painted in Vilnius, hangs in our Divine Mercy Chapel.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
April 27th: The Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters will process the Image of Divine Mercy at the 9:30 am Mass for public veneration!
PRAY THE ROSARY
WE PRAY THE ROSARY AT STA!!!!
Come half an hour before all Masses on the first weekend of the month when different ministries at STA lead the Rosary.
The Rosary is also prayed after 8 am morning Masses and before the 6:45 pm Wednesday Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena and Mass.
Pious tradition teaches that Our Blessed Mother gave the Rosary to St. Dominic with instructions to popularize its use, and she has repeatedly asked in church-approved apparitions to pray the Rosary for peace in the world!
St. Padre Pio called the Rosary "the weapon for our times!"
VIRTUS RETURNS TO STA
Anyone who comes in contact with children or youth in ministry must take Virtus classes as part of the Church's "Protecting God's Children" guidelines.
First timers may attend a free three-hour class in Aldridge Hall on Tuesday, April 29th, at 6:30 pm.
If you have taken the class five or more years ago, you MUST take the refresher, "Keeping the Promise Alive." That 1.5-hour class is offered Tuesday, May 20th, at 6:30 pm in Aldridge Hall.
Be on time! If you are late you WILL be turned away! Your ID must match the name you registered under at:VIRTUSonline.org.
MAY 3RD: "AT THE HOP" TALENT SHOW
Our St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Ministry is hosting its annual Talent Show and Dinner on Saturday, May 3rd!
The talent portion of the evening is open to ALL parishioners! Can you sing, dance, play and instrument, do magic, tell jokes, juggle, etc.? Any talent will do!
Contact Crissy Vigil in the Youth Office, 281-240-6721 x111, if you have questions or to sign up. Sign-ups begin April 5th and 6th after Masses.
NEW NFP CLASS BEGINS MAY 4TH
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is medically safe, morally acceptable, highly effective.
Register online at ccli.org. FMI: Tristan and Julie ibarra, 713-444-7861.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
We could use a second adorer to share the following hours:
MONDAY: 10:00 - 11:00 am; 12:00 - 1:00 pm; 5:00 - 6:00 pm; 8:00 - 9:00 pm;
TUESDAY: 10:00 - 11:00 am; 11:00 - 12:00 pm; 12:00 - 1:00 pm;
THURSDAY: 10:00 - 11:00 am; 1:00 - 2:00 pm; 3:00 - 4:00 pm;
FRIDAY: 2:00 - 3:00 pm; 3:00 - 4:00 pm.
Contact Jenny Gonsalves, 281-814-4340, or call the parish office at 281-240-6721.
APOLOGETICS, SEMESTER 3: COME JOIN US THURSDAY ! ! !
Why are there four Gospels? Why do Catholics have crucifixes?
Come join us April 24th for our next class.
We are now into Semester Three of our four-semester course addressing 88 common misunderstandings about the Catholic Church. Jump in on any Thursday to get answers to new questions each week!
Choose to attend the morning class, 9:00 am-11 am, or the evening class, 7:15 pm-9:15 pm, in Aldridge Hall.
FMI: 281-240-6721 or email dasb@sbcglobal.net
YOUTH CONFIRMATION
Next Session: April 9th, 6:00-7:45 pm. Confirmation Part II.. Classes in preparation for reception of the sacrament to be administered May 10th by Bishop Rizzoto.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Adult Catholics who wish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation may attend Confirmation preparation classes here at St. Thomas Aquinas. Classes follow the 11:30 am Mass in the Siena Room.
FMI: call the parish office at 281-240-6721.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
On Tuesday, March 25th, Feast of the Annunciation, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments that the HHS Mandate forcing employers to violate their conscience and pay for abortifacients, sterilization and contraception is unconstitutional.
We ask for your continued prayers that the Court will uphold and protect religious freedom.
A decision is not expected until late May or early June..
Aquinas Early Childhood Center Enrolling for Fall
Aquinas Early Childhood Center (AECC) is now accepting applications from parishioners for enrollment in the fall.
Please bring your child's immunization record and birth certificate. You will be required to pay first week's tuition to hold your child's space until fall. This fee is non-refundable but will be applied to your child's first week.
Fall semester begins Monday, August 25, 2014.
Please register early as space is limited and we fill fast! FMI: Rebecca or Paul, 281-240-7196.
YOUTH EVENTS
March 1st and 2nd: Candy Sale after Masses
March 5th: Ash Wednesday
March 11th: Spring Break Outing
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Apr 22 2014 7:00 pm - Legion of Mary
- Apr 23 2014 6:45 pm - Perpetual Help Rosary, Novena, Mass
- Apr 24 2014 9:00 am - Thursday Morning Apologetics/Bible Study
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Thursday: 7:30 am to 5:00 pmClosed 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Lunch)
Friday: 7:30 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday:: Closed
MASS TIMES
Saturday - 5:00 pmSunday - 7:30 am
9:30 am, 11:30 am
Sunday Teen's Liturgy
Once a month at 11:30 am Mass
Daily Mass
Monday - Saturday
8:00 am Mass,
Divine Mercy Chapel;
Wednesday, 7:00 pm Mass,
Sanctuary
Eucharistic Adoration
Monday - Thursday,
9:00 am to 10:00 pm;
Friday, 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Divine Mercy Chapel
Sacrament of Penance
Saturday, 4:00 to 4:45 pm
and by appointment
BISHOPS 'DISAPPOINTED' BY SAME-SEX 'MARRIAGE' RULING
Texas' Roman Catholic Bishops issued a statement expressing disappointment at the decision by the Federal District Court in San Antonio to strike down the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that voters approved in 2005. This is the latest maneuver in an unfortunate campaign to redefine marriage as a legal endorsement of individual lifestyles rather than as a sacred and beneficial social institution between one man and one woman. This campaign totally ignores the rights of children to know their father’s love and their mother’s love.
While we maintain the deepest love and compassion for all our brothers and sisters, we also recognize that the institution of marriage acts as the foundational unit of society and culture. For centuries, societies have upheld marriage as a public institution between a man and a woman because of its unique and essential contribution to establishing families and ensuring the common good.
No new civil definition of marriage can change what is rooted in the very nature of human beings or what has been revealed by God to be a fundamental and sacred institution within society and the community of the Church. We are hopeful that an objective review of the ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will recognize the fundamental purpose of marriage in society and affirm the right of the people of Texas to continue upholding marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
ATTENTION ALTAR SERVERS
When you pick up your next 2014 schedule, please visit the sacristy for the following reasons:
* In the Directory, please check the entries for email addresses and phone numbers.
*Please volunteer for the Lent / Easter celebrations.
YOUTH EVENTS IN 2014
High School and Middle School Game Nights, Souper Bowl of Caring Project, Middle School Retreat, Life Teen Spring Retreat, Life Teen Rodeo Houston Outing, Talent Show, Live Stations of the Cross, Graduate Mass and Reception, Senior Retreat AND MORE...
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
KC FISH FRY, FRIDAYS IN LENT
KC EASTER ACTIVITIES
SIGN UP @ LIFE NIGHT
TRIDUUM MASSES ASSISTANCE: LECTOR OR HELP WITH EVENTS
DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND
If you have not already offered your pledge in this year's Diocesan Services Fund, please do so.
DSF brings Christ's comfort and care to the many pressing needs that cannot be addressed by one parish alone.
Our parish goal for 2014 is $73,500. To give online, visit www.archgh.org/dsf.
AQUINAS EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER NOW HIRING
Aquinas Early Childhood Center is currently hiring substitutes in the school. Hours of operation are 6:00 am until 6:30 pm.
Professional childcare experience is preferable, but we will train.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma and a natural love for children. Children range in age from newborn to age five.
FMI: contact Rebecca at 281-240-7196 or email resume to rebecca.sta09@gmail.com.