St. Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel, was a cousin of St. Barnabas and a companion of Sts. Paul and Peter. A Levite from Jerusalem, he likely knew Jesus personally and may have been the young man who fled during Jesus’ arrest. Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on missions and later became Peter’s interpreter. His Gospel, written around 60–70 AD, reflects Peter’s teachings and served as a source for Matthew and Luke. Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria and died a martyr there. His relics were later moved to Venice, where he is honored as the city’s patron. St. Mark the Evangelist Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: April 25 Title/Attributes: Evangelist Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Mark the Evangelist was the author of second Gospel. He was the son of Mary of Jerusalem and a cousin of St. Barnabas. Mark was a Levite and was possibly a minister in the local synagogue when he met Jesus. He is believed to have been the young man who fled naked when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:51-52). Mark accompanied Sts. Paul and Barnabas to Antioch in 44 and then to Cyprus. He was a companion of St. Paul on his first missionary journey but returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). He disagreed with St. Paul but was with him in Rome during St. Paul’s first imprisonment (Col 4:10). An early tradition states that Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt, and is possible the “John Mark” of Acts 12:25. Mark’s Gospel was written probably between the years 60-70, based on the teaching of St. Peter. He was also called “the Interpreter of Peter” by his contemporaries. It is believed that Mark provided Sts. Matthew and Luke with the basic sources of their Gospels. He died as a martyr in Alexandria, Egypt, and in the ninth century his relics were transferred to Venice, Italy. There they are enshrined in a beautiful cathedral dedicated to his honor. He is the patron saint of Venice. His main symbol is a winged lion. Next Item Previous Item

Complete Part 1 of your online Baptism preparation at St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, TX. Learn about Baptism and prepare for your child’s sacrament. Baptism Preparation Part 1 - Online In the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, all parents are required to attend a baptism class which remains valid for three years. At St Anthony of Padua, the preparation for baptism is offered as a two part program. Part 1 is an online, self-led study done at your own pace. Part 2 is an in-person, classroom experience led by one of our parish deacons. Once you have completed Part 1, you may sign up for a classroom formation session. Below are instructions to complete PART 1 our online baptism preparation. Please follow the steps below and complete the quiz at the end. We also encourage you to look at the documents below. They will be helpful to you as you prepare to celebrate your child or godchild’s baptism. Notes Handout Baptism Preparation Part 1 - Online Getting Started If you made a list of the most important moments and experiences in your life, what would you include? Maybe key events like graduations, places you’ve been, people you’ve met, new jobs, getting married, the birth of a child, etc. Few of us would think to include our birth—though obviously without that crucial moment, nothing else could follow. But what about your spiritual birth? In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Your spiritual birth happens in the Sacrament of Baptism, which is the first sacrament a Christian receives. It is the access point for the other sacraments and for the very kingdom of God. “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: ‘Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.’” —CCC 1213 Class Content Intro - Watch Video 1 In this first session we will explore the significance of Baptism, the first of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. The Catechism tells us that “the sacraments confer the grace that they signify” (CCC 1127). This means that Baptism is not just a symbol of cleansing and rebirth; it actually bestows those graces on the one being baptized. This session will walk us through the story of salvation history to show how Baptism was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. New creation, cleansing from sin, a fresh start, freedom from slavery—each of these facets of Baptism are prefigured in events in the Old Testament. Watch Video 2 Are You a Child of God? with Fr. Mike Schmitz The Journey of Life Just as God saved his people Israel from slavery in Egypt by the waters of the Red Sea, God wants to give your child a life of freedom in him through the waters of Baptism. By seeking Baptism for your child, you are God’s instrument leading him or her to freedom and new life, as Moses led the Israelites. It is God who saves, but as a parent choosing Baptism for your child you have a unique and precious role to play, both now and after the Baptism. Consider the following prayer from the Rite of Baptism: Almighty God you sent your only Son to rescue us from slavery of sin, and to give us the freedom only your sons and daughters enjoy. We now pray for this child who will have to face the world with its temptations and fight the devil in all his cunning. Your Son died and rose again to save us. By his victory over sin and death, cleanse this child from the stain of original sin. Strengthen him (her) with the grace of Christ and watch over him (her) at every step in life’s journey. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. The prayer uses the imagery of the Exodus to describe the spiritual reality of Baptism: freedom from slavery followed by a challenging journey. The prayer asks God to strengthen the child and watch over him or her throughout the journey of life. You are the first answer to that prayer. You are the first means by which God will protect and guide your child Watch Video 3 The Important Role of Godparents with Fr. Mike Schmitz Watch Video 4 Could You Be a Godparent in the Catholic Church? with Fr. David Michael Moses “With Baptism we become children of God in his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Rising from the waters of the baptismal font, every Christian hears again the voice that was once heard on the banks of the Jordan River: ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” —St. John Paul II (Chrisitifideles Laici, 11) About Godparents A Special Note for Godparents Consider forwarding this information to Godparents after choosing them, especially if they cannot attend a class. In the Exodus, God saved his people Israel from slavery in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land with many signs and wonders. He also used many human leaders to teach and guide his people. Moses led the people and gave them God’s law. Moses’ brother Aaron led the people in worship as High Priest. Moses’ sister Miriam led the people in praising God as a prophetess. At God’s command, Moses appointed 70 elders to help him govern the people in the wilderness. By agreeing to be a godparent, you are answering the call to guide and protect the newly baptized as God’s chosen leaders guided the Israelites during the Exodus. Consider the following prayer from the Rite of Baptism: Almighty God you sent your only Son to rescue us from slavery of sin, and to give us the freedom only your sons and daughters enjoy. We now pray for this child who will have to face the world with its temptations and fight the devil in all his cunning. Your Son died and rose again to save us. By his victory over sin and death, cleanse this child from the stain of original sin. Strengthen him (her) with the grace of Christ and watch over him (her) at every step in life’s journey. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen The prayer makes it clear that although the newly baptized child will immediately enter into the freedom of the sons and daughters of God that freedom is not without challenges and temptations. It is your mission as godparent to be an instrument of God in strengthening and supporting your godchild, watching over him or her “at every step in life’s journey.” Watch Video 5 Create or Log into your Formed.org Account We pay for a Formed subscription for our parishioners, meaning you get FREE access to Formed! Do you have a FORMED.ORG account? Yes, I have an account, then go to watch.formed.org/login – OR – Do you need to set up an account? Yes, I need to set up an account, then go to formed.org/signup Navigate to https://formed.org/signup Search for “St Anthony of Padua ” (we are at 7801 Bay Branch Dr The Woodlands TX) Reborn: You, Your Child and The Heart of Baptism A New Creation: The Mystery of Baptism Link to Video 5 Questions for reflection: 1 – Ezekiel 36:25–26 says, “I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you.” What do you think it means to have a new heart and a new spirit through Baptism? 2 – List the 2 reasons why Jesus needed to be Baptized according to the video. 3 – What are the 4 effects of Baptism discussed in the video? 4 – Why do you desire Baptism for your child or godchild? What is your deepest desire for your child or godchild in Baptism? Take the Quiz Each person must submit their own quiz. Because we do not have the opportunity to meet you in person, we will need you to complete a brief quiz. This allows us to know: 1 – You completed the Part 1 of the class. 2 – You understand what you should prior to your child or godchild’s baptism. We will email the link for PART 2 Class Registration. After you complete the quiz, you will automatically receive an email with an unpublished link to register for Part 2, the in-person component of Baptism Preparation. You will not find the in-person classes listed publicly on our website or on ap.church/events . Be sure to keep your confirmation email message so you can find the link to the in-person class registration later. Quiz responses will be reviewed prior to your in-person class. We will contact you if we need further information. We encourage you to review the handouts provided at the top of this page TAKE THE QUIZ Additional Details Closing Prayer Almighty God, in Baptism you have poured out your grace upon us to cleanse us of our sins and make us your children. Filled with the Holy Spirit, you call us to share in the mission of your Son and live faithfully as members of his Body, the Church. Help us to encourage one another as we each offer you our sacrifice of worship, share your Word and your love with those around us, and work to conquer sin in our own lives. Amen. Prayer for Baptism We have been called by the Lord to be a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people he has acquired for himself. Let us ask him to show his mercy to these children, who are to receive the graces of Baptism, to their parents and godparents, and to all the baptized everywhere. Through Baptism may these children become God’s own beloved sons and daughters. —Rite of Baptism for Children, 47 Congratulations on completing Part 1 of our Baptism Prep Class! As you prepare to celebrate your child/godchild’s baptism and help them to learn and grow in the Catholic Faith, here are some additional documents you might find helpful. Have questions? Feel free to reach out to us—now or in the future. We are happy to answer any questions or help you however we can! Claudia Avena Baptism Coordinator (Bilingüe) 832-482-4033 cavena@ap.church Diane Czerniak Manager of Children’s Faith Formation & Sacraments 832-482-4037 dczerniak@ap.church Baptism Day FAQ Event Calendar BACK TO TOP

St. André Bessette, known as the "Miracle Worker of Montreal," was a Canadian religious brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Born near Montreal, he briefly worked in the U.S. before joining the order in 1870. Despite poor health, he served as a porter at Holy Cross College, where his miraculous healings began. Devoted to St. Joseph, he fundraised tirelessly to build a shrine on Mount Royal. His efforts led to the construction of St. Joseph's Oratory, with its cornerstone laid in 1924. His legacy endures as a humble servant and healer, deeply revered in Canada. St. André Bessette Time Period: 1845-1937 Feast Day: January 6 Title/Attributes: Confessor Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Piece of Cord St. André Bessette was a Canadian professed religious of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. Revered as the "Miracle Worker of Montreal," André was born in Saint-Grégoire-d'Iberville , near Montreal, Canada. In 1863, he moved to the United States, where he worked for four years as a laborer and then returned to Canada, where he applied to the Congregation of the Holy Cross and was accepted as a lay brother in 1870. His poor health put his vocation in doubt, but he was allowed to serve as a porter, or doorkeeper, at Holy Cross college at St. Cesaire. His first miraculous cures date to this initial stage of his religious life. He had a sincere desire to establish a unique haven of workshop on Mt. Royal, in Montreal, and started fundraising. André served as a barber for the college students in order to put aside money for his proposed shrine. Successful in raising sufficient money, he laid the cornerstone of the present basilica on August 31, 1924. The original structure on the site was a wooden chapel called St. Joseph's Oratory. Next Item Previous Item

Find food assistance at St. Anthony’s Bread Food Pantry in Spring, TX. View pantry hours, service areas, current needs, and how to receive or volunteer. St. Anthony's Bread Food Pantry When we are open Pantry Hours Tuesday • 8 AM - 10 AM Thursday • 8 AM - 10 AM Saturday • 8 AM - 10 AM *The pantry will close earlier than stated when we run out of food. Each family must allow a minimum of 14 days between visits. Pantry Closures The St. Anthony’s Bread Food Pantry will be closed for distribution on: March 21 March 31 April 2 April 4 April 11 May 23 July 4 Current Needs Cereal Pasta Ramen Jelly in plastic jar Chips (lunch box size) Vienna sausage How We Help St. Anthony’s Bread is the food pantry of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Serving thousands of families every month, we are proud to help support our community by providing nutritious meals to those in need. The street address to use for GPS location services such as Google Maps or Apple Maps is 7985 Bay Branch Dr, Spring, TX 77382 Our Food Pantry serves families with an address located in the following Montgomery County zip codes: 77301, 77302, 77303, 77304, 77305, 77306, 77316, 77318, 77328, 77333, 77339, 77353, 77354, 77355, 77356, 77357, 77362, 77365, 77372, 77373, 77375, 77377, 77378, 77379, 77380, 77381, 77382, 77384, 77385, 77386, 77387, 77388, 77389, 77393 ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PANTRY? At your first visit, our volunteers will ask you to provide a valid identification or a utility/service bill containing your name and address. If the address is one of the zip codes listed above, you will fill out a short registration form (available in both English and Spanish), which is then used to create your ID card to be presented each time you come to the pantry. We ask you to wait 14 days between visits. Become A Volunteer Are you looking for a place to offer your time and talent in our parish? Many Volunteers are needed for the daily operations of the St. Anthony’s Bread Food Pantry. Saturday volunteers need to register through Planning Center. For weekday volunteering (Monday to Friday), individuals can simply show up at 7 a.m., provided they are certified. Help is needed in the following tasks: Unload truck deliveries from different vendors. Sort food donations received, stock shelves. Pre-pack bags of food. Deliver bags/boxes of food to those in need by loading cars on food delivery days. Volunteer with us! Must be 6 years old and over. Ages 6-16 must be accompanied by a Safe Environment complaint parent. If you are 18+ and older, you must be Safe Environment certified. Safe Environment Training Link Questions about Safe Environment compliance? Contact safe@ap.church Once certified, volunteers are welcome to volunteer from Monday-Saturday from 7 AM - 10 AM. Questions about volunteering? Contact Adriana Flower Learn More Sign up to Volunteer If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one. -- Saint Teresa of Calcutta Donate to Food Pantry Community Resources Contact Food Pantry BACK TO TOP

St. Jane Frances de Chantal was a French noblewoman and widow who became a close spiritual friend of St. Francis de Sales. After her husband’s death in 1601, she devoted herself to a life of service and holiness. With the support of St. Francis, she founded the Congregation of the Visitation in 1610, a religious order that welcomed widows and women unable to follow stricter convent rules. Jane founded sixty convents throughout France and inspired many with her deep faith and compassion. She died in 1641 and was canonized in 1767. She is buried beside St. Francis de Sales in Annecy. St. Jane Frances de Chantal Time Period: 1572-1641 Feast Day: August 12 Title/Attributes: Widow, Mother, Foundress Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Jane Frances de Chantal was the Foundress of the order of the Visitation and a dear friend of St. Francis de Sales. She was born in Dijon, France, and married the Baron de Chantal. He was killed in a hunting accident in 1601, and Jane became a disciple and close friend of St. Francis de Sales. After arranging for the care of her children Jane, Mary Faure, and Charlotte, and a servant, Anne Coste, she founded the Congregation of the Visitation in 1610, thanks to the encouragement of St. Francis de Sales. The Visitation convents accepted widows and others who could not endure the more rigorous life of other convents. In the next three decades, Jane founded sixty convents before dying at Moulins on December 13 after a visit to Queen Anne of Paris. Francis de Sales wrote On the Love of God for Jane and her companions, and he called Jane “the perfect woman.” She is buried near St. Francis de Sales at Annecy and was canonized in 1767. Next Item Previous Item

Giuseppe (Joseph) Maria Desa, born in 1603 in Cupertino, grew up in poverty and faced many challenges, including illness and lack of formal education. Despite these difficulties, he pursued his calling to become a Franciscan priest. Through perseverance and miraculous events, he was ordained in 1628. Known for his humility and devotion, he experienced frequent ecstasies and levitations that sent him flying through the air, attracting attention from both admirers and the Inquisition. After a life of service and mystical experiences, he passed away in 1663. He was beatified in 1753 and canonized in 1767. His remains rest in Osimo, where he spent his final years. St. Joseph of Cupertino Time Period: 1603-1663 Feast Day: September 18 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Franciscan Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Giuseppe Maria Desa was born on June 17, 1603 in the small town of Copertino, in the province of Lecce. His family was not going through an easy time: his father, Felice, was involved in the financial failure of an acquaintance to whom he had lent money, and ended up in poverty. So Giuseppe was born in a stable like Jesus and from a young age he had to roll up his sleeves to contribute to the household economy, working as a shop boy. Giuseppe also tries to attend school, but is struck by a gangrenous ulcer that keeps him away from his studies for five years. His mother, Franceschina Panaca, a strong and vigorous woman, tries to give him a basic education through the narration of the lives of the Saints such as Saint Francis. In Giuseppe, the desire to walk in the footsteps of the "Poverello of Assisi" matures, so much so that, at the age of 16, he asks to enter the order of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, at the convent of "Grottella". But his poor education does not help him and he is forced to retrace his steps. He then turns to the Reformed Franciscans and then to the Capuchins of Martina Franca, but the response is the same: his poor education, accompanied by the first manifestations of ecstasy during which he lets everything fall from his hands, make him unfit for community life. In the meantime, the Supreme Court of Naples establishes that, upon reaching the age of majority, Giuseppe is forced to work without pay, until he pays off his father's debt, now deceased. Faced with such a sentence - in fact, a real slavery - the young man returns to ask for admission to the Convent of the "Grottella". The Friars take his situation to heart and help him to undertake a real course of studies. Despite a thousand difficulties, but thanks to great willpower, the young man reaches the examination for the diaconate. Here a miracle occurs: Joseph knows in depth only one passage of the Gospel and it is precisely that which, by chance, the examining bishop asks him to comment on. A similar extraordinary event is repeated three years later, during the examination to become a priest: the bishop questions some examinees and, finding them particularly prepared, extends admission to the priesthood to all the other candidates. Finally, in 1628, Joseph is ordained a priest. Giuseppe's humility, however, will remain proverbial: aware of his own cultural limitations, he does not disdain the simplest manual labor, he dedicates himself to the service of the poorest. He even nicknames himself "Brother Donkey". Joseph lives his love for the Church in an unconditional way, placing Christ at the centre of his existence and experiencing a profound devotion for Mary, Mother of God. However, those who hear him speak recognise in him the light of a mature theology, which he discusses in depth: it is the gift of infused knowledge that makes him so wise. Meanwhile, the phenomena of ecstasy and levitation become more pronounced in Joseph, especially when he pronounces the names of Jesus and Mary. “When the gunpowder ignites in the gun and sends out that roar and crash,” he explains to a brother, “so the ecstatic heart is inflamed with the love of God.” Such episodes do not escape the attention of the Inquisition of Naples, which summons him to try to understand whether the young man from Copertino is abusing popular credulity or not. Right in front of the judges lined up in the Monastery of San Gregorio Armeno, Giuseppe has a levitation. He is then acquitted of all charges, but the Holy Office confines him in isolation, away from the crowds. The future Saint then passes from one convent to another – Rome, Assisi, Pietrarubbia, Fossombrone – until he arrives in Osimo, near Ancona. Here, finally, he arrives in 1656, at the behest of Pope Alexander VII, and here he finds peace. In fact, he remains there uninterruptedly until his death, always leading a humble life in the service of others, and in conversation with God at the height of the Eucharistic celebration: “This is what we must do – he explains to a brother – leave the world, continue prayer and settle the 'little cave' of our heart to offer Jesus Christ our intellect, memory and will”. Death took him on September 18, 1663, at the age of 60. Benedict XIV beatified him in 1753, while Clement XIII proclaimed him a Saint on July 16, 1767. Today, his sacred remains rest inside a gilded bronze urn, in the crypt of the Church of Osimo, dedicated to him. A sanctuary was also erected in his honor in Copertino, above the stable where he was born. https://www.causesanti.va/it/santi-e-beati/giuseppe-da-copertino.html Next Item Previous Item

Support St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, TX. Give to offertory, outreach ministries, DSF, Mass intentions, endowment, or planned giving. Giving Giving Options Thank you for supporting the mission of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church! Below are different options for making a gift to our parish. For more information, check out the most commonly asked questions at the bottom of the page. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us at support@ap.church . Contact Us Questions General Offertory The financial support given through the General Offertory allows us to keep our buildings, programs, sacraments, staff, and liturgies running smoothly. Giving is an expression of our gratitude to God for the blessings He has given us! Give Now Second Collections As Catholics, not only do we support our parish family, but also our greater community around us. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston second collections allow us to give resources to both our region and the world. Give to Second Collections Diocesan Services Fund The Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) is the annual appeal of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston that provides funding for essential ministries and programs that serve the religious, spiritual, and human needs of thousands of people from every parish. Give to DSF Outreach Ministries St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church has approximately 100 active ministries serving the local and global community. Give to one of our various Outreach Ministries such as the Food Pantry, St. Vincent De Paul Assistance Ministry, and many more! Give to Outreach Additional Ministries Our parish has many causes worthy of your financial support. Give to campus maintenance, funerals, pro-life and prison ministry, Honduras Mission, our parish school and more. Give to Additional Ministries In Memory Of To celebrate a loved one who has passed, many families suggest making a memorial donation online. Please put their name in the memo line so we know who the gift is honoring. Make a Donation Mass Intentions From the days of the early Church it has been common practice to offer Mass for the dead, as well as for others. View our intention calendar to see what Mass times are available. View the Calendar Memorial Pavers Honor a loved one, a special intention or event with a custom-engraved paver. Your gift supports the parish and creates a lasting place of prayer and remembrance. Buy a Paver Parish Wishlist As the parish grows with time, some items need to be updated and refreshed. Click the button below to view our Parish Wishlist and how you can donate these items. Parish Wishlist Holy Day Offerings Holy days represent times of renewal, repentance, or reflection, and giving special donations ensures that the true, selfless meaning of the holy day is honored. It acts as a form of worship and fulfills our moral obligation to assist the poor. Holy Day Offerings Matching Gifts Did you know you can double your support without even giving a dollar more? Many corporations match employee donations to non-profit organizations like ours. Our EIN is 76-0545136. Contact Us My Catholic Will Create a Will For FREE! As a gift to you we are proud to sponsor free access to MyCatholicWill.com so that you can protect your family, ensure your wishes are carried out, and support our Parish with your Legacy of Faith. Complete a legal will in 20 minutes or less. Start My Free Will Parish Endowment Investing in the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Endowment is a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy—one that nurtures our parish and sustains the faith for generations to come. Learn More Gift in Your Will or Trust Remembering our parish in your will or trust is a meaningful way to extend your faith and generosity beyond your lifetime More Information Beneficiary Designation Naming our parish as a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial asset is a simple way to make a lasting impact without changing your will or trust. More Information IRA - Qualified Charitable Distribution A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) (also referred to as Charitable IRA Rollover Gifts) is an excellent way to show your support for St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and receive tax benefits in return. More Information Donor-Advised Fund A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a flexible and tax-efficient way to support charitable causes. It functions as a charitable giving account that allows donors to contribute assets—such as cash or stocks—receive a tax deduction and then give to charities over time. More Information Stock Gifts To transfer a gift of securities submit a completed LETTER OF INTENT form to your broker, and to assure that your gift will be properly identified and applied to your intended purpose please send a copy to the Archdiocese. More Information Giving FAQs How do I change my payment method? Unfortunately, our parish staff is not able to edit your scheduled recurring giving amount or payment method for you. This is for your protection. Find detailed instructions on how to edit your card number, edit a card expiration date, change your bank account, change the dollar amount or frequency of your recurring gift here. Looking for your annual giving statement? Yearly statements will be emailed in January, to donor accounts with annual giving to the email address found on your PushPay account profile from the address of no-reply@pushpay.com . If we have an EMAIL address for your profile in the PushPay system, you will receive an ELECTRONIC statement by email delivery. Detailed instructions on how to log into your PushPay account can be found here. ALL DONORS, regardless of how they give, have an online PushPay account. If you give cash in a giving envelope OR by check, we have created a PushPay account on your behalf and can help you get logged in to see your transactions and download a statement. If you do not have an email on file in PushPay and you do not have a mailing address on file in PushPay, we are happy to send you a statement upon request. Contact support at support@ap.church . Want to stop receiving envelopes? Do you give online but still receive Giving Envelopes? By choosing to give online instead of by envelope, you will save the parish money and cut the cost of printing and shipping! Let us know you no longer want to receive envelopes by filling out the Envelope Change Request Form. Can I set up a Corporate Matching Gift? Corporate matching gifts are a type of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they’ll request the matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation. Some companies have a policy against contributing to religious organizations, but will match donations made to institutions affiliated with houses of worship that provide a service to community members regardless of religious beliefs, such as St. Anthony’s Bread (the food pantry of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church). St. Anthony’s Bread is the 2nd largest distributor of food in Montgomery County, Texas. Please check with your employer to see if a Matching Gift can be made to either St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church or to St. Anthony’s Bread. EIN is 76-0545136. How do you keep my information secure? Due to an increase in identity theft, the credit card brands (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) have developed a security standard to help protect cardholder data. It is called the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). When using the St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay payment portal, your cardholder data is handled carefully as it is transmitted through the St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay system to our Merchant Provider's system. Responsibility for the security of your cardholder data can be broken up into two categories. St. Anthony of Padua+Pushpay are responsible for the security of all cardholder data transmitted through its systems. To ensure that your cardholder data is handled securely, St. Anthony of Padua has been assessed by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and found to be compliant with the PCI DSS as a Level 1 Service Provider. Our Merchant Provider is responsible for the security of all cardholder data transmitted, stored, and processed on their systems. Merchant Providers also maintain compliance with the PCI DSS. BACK TO TOP

My Catholic Will Create a Will For FREE! As a gift to you we are proud to sponsor free access to MyCatholicWill.com so that you can protect your family, ensure your wishes are carried out, and support our Parish with your Legacy of Faith. Complete a legal will in 20 minutes or less. Leave a Legacy of Faith Give a Gift That Lasts for Generations By including St. Anthony of Padua Parish or other charitable causes in your Will, you can ensure your faith and values are passed onto future generations. Consider a Gift – Make it Legal My Catholic Will Partnership : As a valued member of the St. Anthony of Padua community, you now have access to a FREE online will-writing tool through our partnership with My Catholic Will. Visit mycatholicwill.com/apchurch and use promo code “apchurch” to waive the standard fee. You can complete your legal Will in as little as 30 minutes—online, securely, and at no cost. Why Create a Will? Planning your estate offers peace of mind and ensures your wishes are honored. A will allows you to: Protect Loved Ones – Reduce stress, avoid conflict, and designate guardians for minors. Honor Your Intentions – Ensure your assets go to the people and causes you care about. Simplify Legal Matters – Speed up probate and reduce legal costs. Leave a Legacy – Support your parish, favorite charities, and values long into the future. Creating a Will gives you confidence that your plans are in place—and offers your loved ones the clarity they’ll need when the time comes. Complete Your Will in 3 Easy Steps Create Your Will – Visit mycatholicwill.com/apchurch . Use Promo Code “apchurch” – To waive the service fee. Make It Legal – Follow your state’s requirements by signing with witnesses. For more information about the My Catholic Will partnership or other planned giving opportunities, please contact: Joe Corona Email: jcorona@ap.church VIDEO: Creating Your Will Made Easy: A Guide for St. Anthony's Parishioners Next Item Previous Item

Saint Vincent de Paul had a clear plan for his life – ordained a priest at the age of 19, he was satisfied with a prestigious office in the Church and nothing more. What he didn’t expect was to be captured by pirates, sold into slavery, escape years later, found a religious order and become known as “The Apostle of Charity.” While his life didn’t play out the way he anticipated, Vincent de Paul served God faithfully, and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in his heart, change his aspirations, and direct his efforts to those that were most in need. His feast day is September 27th. St. Vincent de Paul Time Period: 1581-1660 Feast Day: September 27 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Founder Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Body Saint Vincent de Paul had a clear-cut plan for how his life would play out – becoming a priest at the age of just 19, he was perfectly content with attaining a prestigious office in the Church, earning copious amounts of money in order to retire early, and then return to his family in their home village in the south of France. What he probably didn’t expect though, was to be captured at sea by pirates, sold into slavery, escape a few years later, found a religious order and charity organizations, and become known as “The Apostle of Charity” from his dedication to caring for the poor. While his life didn’t play out the way he anticipated, Vincent de Paul served God faithfully, and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in his heart, change his aspirations, and direct his efforts to those that were most in need. Born on April 24, 1581, Vincent was the third child born to peasant farmers living in the French village of Pouy. His first formal education was by a group of Franciscan priests, and he displayed a profound talent for literacy early in his life, and at the age of 15, his father paid for him to enter a seminary by selling the family’s oxen. He attended a seminary in Dax, France and was ordained a priest on September 23, 1600. This was cause for some controversy though, due to the Council of Trent regulations that required men be at least 24 years old prior to ordination. Vincent was appointed a parish priest, but when his age came into question of violating the regulations, he decided to resign from the position, rather than fight the issue. He would go on to continue his studies at the University of Toulouse, where he received a Bachelor of Theology degree. Early biographies of Vincent de Paul tell of him receiving a piece of property in an inheritance from a wealthy patron he had met in Toulouse. In 1605, he was sailing to sell the property, when his ship was captured by Turkish pirates. Vincent was taken to Tunis and sold into slavery. Vincent spent two years in slavery, during which he was sold multiple times, eventually ending up with a former priest who had converted to Islam in order to gain his own freedom from slavery, and had Vincent attending to him and his three wives. One of his wives though would visit Vincent while he was in the fields and ask questions about his faith. Vincent was so genuine and passionate about his Catholic faith, the wife in turn began admonishing her husband for renouncing his Christianity. Vincent’s master was so filled with remorse, that he decided to not only set Vincent free, but to escape back to France with him. They crossed the Mediterranean in June of 1607, and Vincent de Paul was a free man. After returning to France, Vincent traveled to Rome for a year to briefly continue his studies, before moving to Paris, where he remained permanently. Not long after arriving in Paris, he made two acquaintances that would drastically alter his initial plans for wealth and early retirement. Pierre de Bérulle was a well-known French priest who would go on to become a cardinal and become Vincent’s spiritual director. Father André Duval was a French priest and a professor of the Sorbonne, one of the first established universities in the world. Both would have heavy influences on Vincent, with Cardinal Pierre appointing Vincent as the pastor of Saint-Medard in the town of Clichy, and Fr. Duval introducing Vincent to the “Rule of Perfection” by Benet Canfield, a book focused on mysticism and the spiritual life that he would quote regularly later in life. Vincent continued to grow in his faith while serving in Clichy, and his commitment to prayer and the priesthood helped deter him from continuing to pursue wealth and leisure. The most significant conversion of heart happened in 1617, when Vincent was recalled back to Paris less than a year after leaving, having been appointed chaplain to the Gondi family by Cardinal Pierre. The Gondi family were a prominent Florentine banking family who had an estate in Picardy. It was there, in January of 1617, that Vincent heard the confession of a dying servant, which would open his eyes to the drastic spiritual and financial needs of the poor in France. Later that year, Vincent left the Gondi family and was made the pastor of a parish in Châtillon-les-Dombes, a town in the southeast of France. Stories tell of Vincent preparing for a Sunday Mass when a parishioner arrived with news of the illness and financial struggles of a family in the parish. Vincent preached on their need that afternoon, and his parishioners responded with an overwhelming wave of support, bringing the family much-needed food, supplies, and generosity. He would go on to organize a group of affluent women in the area who helped collect funds for missionary projects, relief for victims of war, the foundation of hospitals, and even the ransom of 1,200 slaves to safety from North Africa. This group would become the first Confraternity of Charity, the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Madame Gondi, having seen firsthand Vincent’s faith in action (the dying servant Vincent attended to had told her his soul “would have been damned without Vincent’s ministry”), noticed Vincent’s local missions to the people, and began setting aside money to preach about missions on a greater scale. She, along with Fr. Duval, encouraged him to find a community that was willing and able to help Vincent spread the word about missions and serving the poor, but none were willing to take on this specific apostolate. So, with the mentorship of Fr. Duval, in April of 1625 he founded the Congregation of the Mission, a group of priests also known as “Vincentians” who were committed to lives of chastity, poverty, obedience, and devotion to the poor. This religious order sparked another passionate purpose for Vincent – the training and formation of priests. At the time, there were not many priests in France, and those that were present were not particularly faithful to their way of life. Vincent began conducting numerous retreats to help instruct and prepare men for the priesthood, which would serve as a precursor for the model of modern-day seminaries. Vincent was a pioneer in clerical training and at one point, the Vincentians were directing more than 50 different seminaries around the world. As the Congregation of the Mission continued to grow, so did the Confraternities of Charity. More and more laywomen were visiting, feeding, and caring for the sick and poor. With Louise de Marillac, who Vincent served as her spiritual advisor, they formed the Daughters of Charity in 1633, the first non-cloistered religious institute of women devoted to charitable works. They cared for prisoners, taught catechism to rural children, and took to the city streets to serve God through the poor. Vincent continued to oversee these various organizations for many years, while also serving as the spiritual director at the Convent of St. Mary of the Angels for 28 years. He served on the Queen’s Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs, combatted the rise of the Jansenism heresy, and served faithfully all the way up until his death on September 27, 1660. He was 79 years old. Two miracles were attributed to the work of Vincent de Paul, a nun cured of ulcers, and a laywoman who was healed of paralysis. Subsequently, Pope Benedict XIII beatified Vincent on August 13, 1729. Less than a decade later, Pope Clement XIII officially canonized him on June 16, 1737. He is the patron saint of charities, hospitals, volunteers, prisoners, and horses. Vincent’s legacy lives on throughout the world from his passionate charity. There are more than 4,000 Vincentians still serving in 86 countries, and more than 18,000 Daughters of Charity spread out across 94 countries. In 1833, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by Blessed Antoine Frédéric Ozanam, a French historian, scholar and lawyer, to serve the poor. Saint Vincent de Paul’s compassion, humility and generosity changed the world. He didn’t necessarily have grandiose plans to cover the globe with his image, teachings or writings; instead, he served those in need who were right in front of him. Once he did that, God did the rest, and the “Father of the Poor” changed the world through the training of priests in the French church, the service of the faithful Vincentians and Daughters of Charity, and the actions of every person who reads about the life of this great saint and commits themselves to doing their part to serve the poor too. Next Item Previous Item

St. Ignatius of Loyola, born Íñigo López de Loyola in 1491, was a Spanish nobleman and soldier whose life changed after a battle injury led him to deep spiritual reflection. Inspired by the lives of Christ and the saints, he underwent a powerful conversion and dedicated himself to God's service. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1534, an order devoted to education, missionary work, and obedience to the pope. He is best known for his Spiritual Exercises, a guide to deepening one’s relationship with God. Ignatius died in 1556 and is the patron of spiritual retreats and discernment. St. Ignatius Loyola Time Period: 1491-1556 Feast Day: July 31 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Founder Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: From the bone and cassock Íñigo (Ignatius) López de Loyola was born in the family castle of Loyola in Azpeitia, in the Basque province, Spain, to a noble family in 1491. In keeping with family tradition, Ignatius became a soldier. He was a great warrior and was looking to make a career out of it, until he was wounded in the leg by a cannonball during a siege of Pampeluna. Ignatius was devasted and had a long road of recovery ahead of him. During his recovery, Ignatius was distraught and didn’t know what he was going to do with his life, if he couldn’t be a solider. Ignatius picked up a few books while recovering and read the Life of Christ and the lives of the saints. He underwent a remarkable conversion and new found zeal and purpose for life. By 1522, he was absolutely determined to become a saint, leaving the family castle and embarking on a pilgrimage to the Benedictine monastery of Montserrat. There he confessed his sins, and dressed in sackcloth, and placed his sword on the altar of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he dedicated himself as a knight. Living for a time in a cave, he developed rapidly in the spiritual life and began work on his masterpiece, the famed Spiritual Exercises. He left Manresa in 1523 and went to Rome and then Jerusalem, where he lived entirely on alms and worked to covert local Muslims. At the urging of the Franciscans, who were quite concerned for Ignatius’ life, he retuned to Barcelona. Deciding that he needed to be better educated in order to aid others properly. Ignatius spent the next eleven years in the study, at Alcala, Salamanca, and Paris. On March 14, 1534, he received a master of arts degree. During this time, Ignatius gathered around him a group of followers who sought to join him in his spiritual quest. On August 15, 1534, in the chapel of the Benedictine monastery of Paris, they each took vows of poverty and chastity, with the special hope of missionary pilgrimages to the Holy Land, with particular obedience to the Holy See. This moment witnessed the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. They went to Italy and were ordained in 1537, but it was soon clear that a pilgrimage was impossible. They thus presented themselves to the Holy Father and offered their services. Pope Paul III immediately saw their potential and gave oral approval for the order in 1539. Formal approbation came in 1540 through the formula instituted in the bull Regimini Militantis Ecclesiae. Ignatius was elected the first general of the order, receiving the first solemn procession on April 22, 1541. The rest of his live was devoted to advancing the cause of the society. He drew up the constitution of the order from 1547-1550, founded the Roman College and started the German College in Rome to prepare preists for the effort of recovering German regions that had been lost to Protestantism. Ignatius was responsible for creating one of the most unique and significant religious orders in the history of the Church. The Jesuits proved a bold, innovative community, which stressed its devotion to the Holy See, brilliantly educated and spiritually developed priests, and showed concern for the missionary endeavors of the faith. Ignatius was also responsible for the Spiritual Exercises, a profound set of meditations and rules intended to foster spiritual development. Ignatius died in Rome on July 31, 1556 and is declared the patron of all spiritual exercises. Next Item Previous Item