Faith formation, Scouts, VBS, and inclusive programs for children K–5 at St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, TX. Learn, pray, and grow in Christ. Children's Ministry Children's Formation A program for children, Kindergarten through Grade 5, our Faith Formation classes focus on the baptismal call to become followers of Jesus Christ. With an emphasis on Scripture and the traditions of the Catholic faith, students participate in the community's worship, prayer and service to others. Parents, the first and best teachers in the faith, are supported by catechists working in partnership with them in the religious education of their children. Love of Christ and the Church, frequent reception of the Sacraments, prayer, and service are encouraged as parents fulfill the obligation to their children in the promises made at baptism. Adult volunteers are needed as catechists (teachers and co-teachers), substitute catechists and assistants to help with planning, publicizing or arranging activities. Classroom Sessions K to 5th grades Our curriculum is the Faith & Life series by Ignatius Press. This program provides a basic foundation of faith and the love of Jesus Christ, through which students respond to God’s call in prayer, mercy, and justice. Students are taught by trained volunteers that include teachers, parents, grandparents and Confirmed teens. We ask that all parents are involved in some way, whether it is as a teacher, teacher assistant, substitute, parent helper, or hall monitor. Classes are offered on the following days and times, and our calendar generally follows the Conroe ISD school calendar. Sunday 2:30 -3:45 PM Sunday 4:15 – 5:30 PM Monday 5:30 – 6:45 PM Wednesday 4:45 – 6:00 PM Classroom Sign Up Homeschool Formation 1st to 8th grades Homeschool is parent-led formation. This program is an online version of the Faith & Life series by Ignatius Press, offering unique and engaging content. It provides a basic foundation of faith and the love of Jesus Christ, through which students respond to God’s call in prayer, mercy, and justice. The online version is available to view on any device and includes a Parent Guide to assist you in leading discussions with your child, furthering their understanding of the material. Our program includes a required in-person Parent Meeting in September to pick up course information. Home Study Sign Up Amazing Grace 1st to 12th grades Amazing Grace is a faith formation ministry to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to children with Adaptive Needs in 1st through 12th grade. "Our belief is that no one, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities, should be kept from opportunities of inclusion in faith formation, sacramental preparation, and fellowship with others." This program is designed for the specific needs of each child. We look forward to meeting with you to learn how we can include your son or daughter in a class. Session times are Sundays at 2:30pm or Mondays at 5:30pm. Parents are required to shadow their child during each session. AG on Facebook Circle of Grace The Catholic Church teaches that God has created each of us as unique and special. Genesis 1:27 tells us that we are created “male and female in God’s image” and that God saw this as “very good.” In that goodness, we are meant to respect ourselves and everyone else as persons created and loved by God. Adults assist children to recognize God’s love by helping them to understand that each of us lives and moves in a Circle of Grace. You can imagine your own Circle of Grace by putting your arms above your head then circle down in front of your body including side to side. This circle, front to back, holds who you are in your body and through your senses. It holds your very essence in mind, heart, soul, and sexuality. The goal of the Circle of Grace curriculum is to educate and empower children and young people to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others. COG Kindergarten COG Grade 1 COG Grade 2 COG Grade 3 COG Grade 4 COG Grade 5 COG Grade 6 COG Grade 7 COG Grade 8 Program Contacts Mary Jo Vogel Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator mvogel@ap.church 832-482-4132 Katy Nardone Sacramental Preparation Coordinator knardone@ap.church 832-482-4062 Diane Czerniak Elementary Faith Formation Manager dczerniak@ap.church 832-482-4037 Activities for Children Boy Scouts of America 5th to 12th grades Boy Scout Troop 1180. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law. A program for boys 11 to 17 designed to achieve the aims of Scouting through a vigorous outdoor program and peer group leadership with counsel of an adult Scoutmaster. If new to scouting, boys can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; or are age 11 but have not reached age 18. BSA Troop 1180 Cub Scouts of America K to 5th grades Cub Scout Pack 1180 is for boys ages 5-10 (Grades K-5). Scouting is “fun with a purpose” – developing character, citizenship, leadership, fitness, and faith through activities and adventures. Annual pack events include Fall and Spring campouts and a Pinewood Derby Race. We’d love to answer your questions about starting your Cub Scout Adventure with Pack 1180! CSA Pack 1180 Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas 1st to 12th grades Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas® is our charter for young girls. “Jetts” ages 6 to 10 and “Junioretts” ages 11 to 18 develop a deeper relationship with God and the Church while living out the motto of Message, Service and Community. JCDA Website Bread of Life Homeschool K to 12th grades Bread of Life – a community of local Catholic homeschool families – provides support to parents through mutual cooperation and friendship. We provide a platform for homeschooling families to connect with other families; a way to discuss relevant topics, gather wisdom, find encouragement and crowd-source information. This makes it possible for members to enrich one another through a broad array of educational, spiritual, and social activities in The Woodlands and surrounding areas. BOL Website Vacation Bible School K to 5th grades Vacation Bible School is offered each summer generally during the second week of June, Monday through Thursday for elementary students who will be attending kindergarten through 6th grade in the following fall school year. Space is limited. Registration for VBS generally opens during the month of March and fills to capacity within a few days. We offer early registration to our committed four-day adult volunteers. Questions can be directed to vbs@ap.church . Church Center BACK TO TOP

The Holy Spirit April 2027 Monthly Meeting View Session Session Transcript Monthly Meeting View Session Session Transcript Isaiah 30:21: "No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, and your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or the left" John 14:26:"The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name - he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." This month we will focus on Renewal and Charisms. The Holy Spirit, the love between the Father and the Son personified, introduces us into this trinitarian unity. He uses modern charisms to make God less ‘unknown’ to people today, helping the Church to fulfill its role as a sign and instrument of unity for the entire human race. The Holy Spirit: The Spirit draws us into the communion of the Trinity and makes communion possible among us. The Holy Spirit is not merely a divine power that helps us accomplish God’s work. He is Love personified, the eternal Love between the Father and the Son. The Spirit therefore introduces us into the very life of God. The Christian vocation is ultimately a vocation to Trinitarian communion: to live in the relationship of love that is the very life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And the Spirit continues to act in history through the charisms he gives to the Church. Modern charisms are not competing spiritualities or private gifts added onto Christianity. They are ways in which the Holy Spirit makes some dimension of the Gospel particularly visible and accessible in a particular age. Through the charisms, what can seem abstract or distant becomes concrete. God becomes less unknown. His love acquires a face, a language, a way of life. This is why charisms are always ordered toward communion and mission. The Spirit gives them not simply for our personal sanctification but for the building up of the Body of Christ. The Church, animated by the Spirit and enriched by her charisms, can increasingly become what she is called to be: a sign and instrument of communion with God and of unity among all humanity. MONTHLY GATHERING: Sunday, April 11, 2027 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Located in the Main Church The speaker will be Fr. Don Nesti ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Rev. Donald S. Nesti, C.S.Sp. Rev. Donald S. Nesti, C.S.Sp., is a Catholic priest, theologian, professor, and member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Ordained to the priesthood in 1963, he has devoted more than six decades to priestly ministry, theological education, formation, and helping people encounter the Gospel in the midst of contemporary culture. Fr. Nesti earned his Licentiate and Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and has taught theology at institutions including Duquesne University, the Pontifical College Josephinum, and the University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also served as the tenth president of Duquesne University and as Provincial Superior of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. In 1994, Fr. Nesti founded the Center for Faith and Culture at the University of St. Thomas, where he has served as its director. The Center seeks to explore the relationship between the Gospel and contemporary American culture, reflecting Fr. Nesti’s longstanding commitment to helping the Christian faith engage the world with wisdom, conviction, and love. A gifted teacher and retreat master, Fr. Nesti has lectured extensively and written on theology, faith, culture, and Christian engagement with people of different religious traditions. His work and ministry have given him a rich perspective on how the Gospel is not simply something we believe, but a life that must be lived through the power of the Holy Spirit. For the Embers Evangelization Program, Fr. Nesti will lead us in reflecting on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who gives life, transforms us from within, and enables us to bring the presence of Christ into the world.

Sts. Perpetua and Felicity were young Christian women martyred in Carthage around 203 AD. Perpetua, a noblewoman with a newborn son, and Felicity, her pregnant slave, were arrested for their faith after they were baptized. Despite pleas from Perpetua’s pagan father to renounce Christianity, she remained steadfast, declaring, “I am a Christian.” In prison, the women suffered hardship—Felicity even gave birth in jail. Perpetua received heavenly visions foreshadowing their martyrdom. During a brutal public execution, they faced wild beasts and the sword with unwavering faith. Their heroic witness inspired many, and Perpetua’s written account became a treasured text in the early Church. St. Felicity Time Period: d. 203 Feast Day: March 7 Title/Attributes: Mother, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones Saints Perpetua and Felicity were young women in Carthage around 181-203 AD. Perpetua was a rich young wife in Carthage, who had just given birth to a son. Felicity was Perpetua’s slave, and was about to have a baby of her own. Perpetua’s mother and brothers were Christian, but her father was a pagan. So when Perpetua told her father she wanted to be baptized, he flew into a rage. “Why can’t you just keep your faith secret?” he asked her. “Don’t you know you can be killed for becoming a Christian?” “Do you see this jar of water on the table?” Perpetua asked him. “Can you call it anything but a jar of water? Can you call it a hurricane? Or an elephant?” “No,” her father said. “I’m a Christian,” Perpetua told him. “I can’t call myself anything else.” Her father was so angry he didn’t talk with her for days. While he still wasn’t speaking to her, Perpetua was baptized, along with Felicity and several other slaves. And just as Perpetua’s father feared, when the Roman rulers heard about it, Perpetua and her friends were all arrested, along with her teacher, Saturus. The prison they were thrown in was hot and dark. The guards pushed and shoved the prisoners, even Felicity, who was about to give birth. Worst of all, they took Perpetua’s baby son away from her. She wasn’t allowed to see him until her mother and brother brought the child to her so she could nurse him. Nobody knew what was going to happen next. Would they be set free? Would they be killed? “You should ask God for a vision,” Perpetua’s brother told her. So Perpetua prayed, and that night God gave her a dream. In the dream, she saw a huge bronze ladder. All along it were swords, spears, hooks, and knives. The only possible way to climb it was to always look up, never down. If someone looked away for even a moment, they’d be torn apart. At the bottom of the ladder was a giant serpent, ready to bite anyone who tried to climb. Saturus, Perpetua and Felicity’s teacher, was in the dream too. He started to climb up the ladder. “Don’t let the snake bit you,” he called back to Perpetua. “It will not hurt me,” Perpetua said. “In the name of Jesus Christ.” When the snake heard that name, it bowed its head, afraid. So instead of stepping on the first rung of the ladder, Perpetua stepped on the snake’s head. Then she climbed all the way up the ladder, to a beautiful garden. It was full of thousands of people dressed in white. “Welcome, child,” a man said, and handed her a bowl of sweet milk. Perpetua could still taste the sweetness when she woke up. But when she told her brother the vision, they both knew what it meant: she wouldn’t be set free. She would be killed for her faith. Perpetua’s father came to visit her in jail, weeping. “Have pity on my gray hairs,” he said kissing her hands. “You’ve always been my favorite. Why don’t you just give up your faith?” “We don’t live in our own power,” Perpetua told him, “but in the power of God.” When Perpetua and Felicity and their friends were put on trial, her father came, holding her baby. “Just give a sacrifice for the emperor,” he said. “And this can all be over. Come home and raise your son.” The judge didn’t want to sentence Perpetua to death, either. “Why don’t you just do as your father says?” he asked. But Perpetua and Felicity and their friends refused to deny their faith, so all of them were sentenced to death. In the prison, it came time for Felicity to deliver her child. While the jailers made fun of her, in that hot, dark cell, she went into labor and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. Because Felicity couldn’t care for her little girl, she gave her to a free Christian woman, who promised to adopt her. The judge decreed that Felicity, Perpetua, and their friends should all be killed just two days later, during a feast in the amphitheater, in front of thousands of people who thought that seeing them die was nothing more than watching a game. Waiting in prison, Perpetua had another dream. She dreamed that when she was taken into the amphitheater, she turned into a man. Another man was there to fight her. He tried to trip her, but she kicked him in the face. As she rained blows down on his head, she realized she wasn’t even touching the ground anymore: she was flying. And when she won the fight, she was given a branch as a reward. Saturus had a dream in the prison as well. He dreamed that they were transported by four angels to a beautiful garden, where there were rose trees as big as cypresses, with leaves that sang. In the garden were other people who had been killed for their faith, and a building with walls made of light, where they met a man with a white head, surrounded by four elders. The day of the feast, Perpetua went to the amphitheater with her friends, singing. “You judge us,” they told the people who had come to watch them die. “But God judges you.” First, the men were led into the ring with wild beasts. Perpetua and Felicity watched as their friends were torn apart by leopards, bears, and a wild boar. They crowd loved it. But when Perpetua and Felicity were brought out, the crowd fell silent. They were shocked to see the young mothers stripped and in danger of being trampled by a wild cow. So before the cow could kill them, Perpetua and Felicity were taken out of the ring. Perpetua was in an ecstasy, a trance of faith so deep that she didn’t realize anything had happened to her. “When are we to be thrown to the beasts?” she asked. Her friends and her brother, who had been watching, showed her wounds to her to prove that she had already been sent into the ring. Before they dragged Perpetua and Felicity back out, she said her last words to her brother: “Stand fast in faith,” she told him. “And love one another.” Then Felicity and Perpetua were sent back into the ring. In the ring, a solider had been ordered to kill them by the sword. But the soldier was young. He didn’t know what he was doing, so when he stabbed Perpetua, she cried out in pain, but she wasn’t killed. Finally, Perpetua placed the blade on the neck herself. The young soldier sliced her throat, and she died. But her story wasn’t over, because she had written it down while she was in prison. After her death, it spread around the Roman Empire like wildfire. Some churches even read it during their services. And many of the people who saw how Perpetua and Felicity died became Christians – even the jailer who had held them once in prison. Saint names in Eucharistic Prayer I The first list begins with Mary and Joseph and then the “blessed Apostles and Martyrs,” including Peter, Paul, Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (“the Greater”: the brother of John), John, Thomas, James (“the Lesser”: the son of Alpheus), Matthew, Bartholomew, Simon (“the Zealot”), and Jude (also called Thaddeus). The First List of Saint Names Continuing this first list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, as Charles Belmonte notes, “Five popes head the list: St. Peter’s first three successors, Linus, Cletus, Clement; then two popes of the third century, Sixtus II and Cornelius; Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, the intrepid defender of Catholic unity; the deacon Lawrence, who when his persecutor demanded from him the ‘treasures’ of the Church, showed him hundreds of poor people; Chrysogonus, a Roman priest who carried out the holy work of comforting the Christians who were in prison; two brothers, John and Paul, both officers of the [Roman] imperial palace, who were put to death under [the emperor] Julian the Apostate; and lastly, Cosmas and Damian, two Oriental physicians who gave their aid freely, and at whose graves there occurred ‘yet more cures than they had effected in their lives’” (Understanding the Mass, p. 158). The Second List of Saint Names As for the second list of saints in Eucharistic Prayer I, we ask for “some share in the fellowship” of several saints who were martyrs. Belmonte continues, “It mentions, in the first place, John (here obviously St. John the Baptist), and then seven men, followed by seven women, all martyrs. Stephen is the first deacon, whose glorious martyrdom is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-7:60). Two apostles come next: Matthias, elected to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:15-16) and probably left out of the first list so as not to exceed the number of twelve, and Barnabas, St. Paul’s companion in his first missionary journey. Ignatius is the famous bishop of Antioch, sentenced to be fed to the wild beasts in Rome under [emperor] Trajano. Besides their names and the place of their martyrdom, little else is known of Alexander, the priest Marcellinus, and the exorcist Peter, who were all put to death in the great persecution of [emperor] Diocletian. The list continues with the names of the two young girls, Felicity and Perpetua (their names form the expression ‘everlasting happiness’), who confessed their faith at Carthage [in North Africa]; and of Agatha and Lucy in Sicily. It concludes with the names of two young martyrs beloved by the Romans, Agnes and Cecelia; and of Anastasia, martyred at Sirmium and later honored in Rome” (Understanding the Mass, pp. 159–160). All these saints are important because they were among the many early witnesses to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. These are our spiritual fathers, our older brothers and sisters in Christ, who showed us that our faith was worth living and dying for. They showed us that, strengthened by the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, they could overcome any persecutions and sufferings, even to the point of being killed. These saints give us great hope, and their prayers for us give us confidence that we, too, can live out the faith as they did, that we can live our life in Christ every day and look forward to the glory of heaven! https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/post/do-this-in-remembrance-of-me-part-55-saint-names-epi Next Item Previous Item

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

John the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles and a close companion of Jesus Christ. He embarked on a journey with Jesus, both physically and spiritually, learning faith in Him. John’s writings, including the Gospel and Letters attributed to him, emphasize the theme of love. His words, “God is love,” highlight the unique aspect of Christian love. John’s teachings on love are not abstract or theoretical but concrete and applicable to real persons. As an Apostle and friend of Jesus, John provides insight into the phases of Christian love. His writings are considered sacred and canonical by the Catholic Church. St. John the Beloved Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: December 27 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Evangelist Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint John the Divine as the son of Zebedee, and his mother's name was Salome [Matthew 4:21, 27:56; Mark 15:40, 16:1]. They lived on the shores of the sea of Galilee. The brother of Saint John, probably considerably older, was Saint James. The mention of the "hired men" [Mark 1:20], and of Saint John's "home" [John 19:27], implies that the condition of Salome and her children was not one of great poverty. SS. John and James followed the Baptist when he preached repentance in the wilderness of Jordan. There can be little doubt that the two disciples, whom Saint John does not name (John 1:35), who looked on Jesus "as he walked," when the Baptist exclaimed with prophetic perception, "Behold the Lamb of God!" were Andrew and John. They followed and asked the Lord where he dwelt. He bade them come and see, and they stayed with him all day. Of the subject of conversation that took place in this interview no record has come to us, but it was probably the starting-point of the entire devotion of heart and soul which lasted through the life of the Beloved Apostle. John apparently followed his new Master to Galilee, and was with him at the marriage feast of Cana, journeyed with him to Capernaum, and thenceforth never left him, save when sent on the missionary expedition with another, invested with the power of healing. He, James, and Peter, came within the innermost circle of their Lord's friends, and these three were suffered to remain with Christ when all the rest of the apostles were kept at a distance [Mark 5:37, Matthew 17:1, 26:37]. Peter, James, and John were with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The mother of James and John, knowing our Lord's love for the brethren, made special request for them, that they might sit, one on his right hand, the other on his left, in his kingdom [Matthew 20:21]. There must have been much impetuosity in the character of the brothers, for they obtained the nickname of Boanerges, Sons of Thunder [Mark 3:17, see also Luke 9:54]. It is not necessary to dwell on the familiar history of the Last Supper and the Passion. To John was committed by our Lord the highest of privileges, the care of his mother [John 19:27]. John [the "disciple whom Jesus loved"] and Peter were the first to receive the news from the Magdalene of the Resurrection [John 20:2], and they hastened at once to the sepulchre, and there when Peter was restrained by awe, John impetuously "reached the tomb first." In the interval between the Resurrection and the Ascension, John and Peter were together on the Sea of Galilee [John 21:1], having returned to their old calling, and old familiar haunts. When Christ appeared on the shore in the dusk of morning, John was the first to recognize him. The last words of the Gospel reveal the attachment which existed between the two apostles. It was not enough for Peter to know his own fate, he must learn also something of the future that awaited his friend. The Acts show us them still united, entering together as worshippers into the Temple [Acts 3:1], and protesting together against the threats of the Sanhedrin [Acts 4:13]. They were fellow-workers together in the first step of Church expansion. The apostle whose wrath had been kindled at the unbelief of the Samaritans, was the first to receive these Samaritans as brethren [Luke 9:54, Acts 8:14]. He probably remained at Jerusalem until the assumption of the Virgin, though tradition of no great antiquity or weight asserts that he took her to Ephesus. When he went to Ephesus is uncertain. He was at Jerusalem fifteen years after Saint Paul's first visit there [Acts 15:6]. There is no trace of his presence there when Saint Paul was at Jerusalem for the last time. Tradition, more or less trustworthy, completes the history. Irenaeus says that Saint John did not settle at Ephesus until after the death SS. Peter and Paul, and this is probable. He certainly as not there when Saint Timothy was appointed bishop of that place. Saint Jerome says that he supervised and governed all the Churches of Asia. He probably took up his abode finally in Ephesus in 97. In the persecution of Domitian he was taken to Rome, and was placed in a cauldron of boiling oil, outside the Latin gate, without the boiling fluid doing him any injury. [Eusebius makes no mention of this. The legend of the boiling oil occurs in Tertullian and in Saint Jerome]. He was sent to labor at the mines in Patmos. At the accession of Nerva he was set free, and returned to Ephesus, and there it is thought that he wrote his gospel. Of his zeal and love combined we have examples in Eusebius, who tells, on the authority of Irenaeus, that Saint John once fled out of a bath on hearing that Cerinthus was in it, lest, as he asserted, the roof should fall in, and crush the heretic. On the other hand, he showed the love that was in him. He commended a young man in whom he was interested to a bishop, and bade him keep his trust well. Some years after he learned that the young man had become a robber. Saint John, though very old, pursued him among the mountain fastnesses, and by his tenderness recovered him. In his old age, when unable to do more, he was carried into the assembly of the Church at Ephesus, and his sole exhortation was, "Little children, love one another." The date of his death cannot be fixed with anything like precision, but it is certain that he lived to a very advanced age. He is represented holding a chalice from which issues a dragon, as he is supposed to have been given poison, which was, however, innocuous. Also his symbol is an eagle. From The Lives of the Saints by the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., published in 1914 in Edinburgh. Next Item Previous Item

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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. 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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. 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St. Joan of Arc, known as the Maid of Orleans, was a young French peasant girl who led her nation to a decisive victory during the Hundred Years’ War. Born in Domremy, France, in 1412, she began receiving visions from saints at age fifteen, urging her to save France. After gaining the trust of the future King Charles VII, she led the French army to victory at Orleans in 1429, paving the way for his coronation. Captured in 1430, she was condemned for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. Declared innocent in 1456, Joan was canonized in 1920 and named patroness of France. St. Joan of Arc Time Period: 1412-1431 Feast Day: May 30 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Earth where St. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake St. Joan of Arc is known as the Maid of Orleans, or La Pucelle. She is the patron saint of France and she emerged from absolute obscurity to lead the armies of France to victory against the English at Orleans. Joan of Arc was born at Domremy, France, she was the daughter of Jacques d’Arc and was the youngest of five children. At fifteen she had her first vision, identified later as one of many in which she saw a light and heard the voices of Sts. Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, Margaret of Antioch, and others who commanded her to save France. In 1428, she was initially unsuccessful in convincing the commanding offer of Vaucouleurs that she was sincere and genuine, she foretold the defeat of France in a battle in February 1429. She was able to use the fulfilled prophecies to gain an audience at the royal court of the uncrowned King Charles VII of France. In the famous episode, she stupefied the disguised dauphin by picking him out of a crowd where he had hidden himself and soon after won the approval of theologians at Poitiers. In return, she was given command of an army with the mission to free the besieged city of Orleans. Donning white armor, she led the French to shattering victory, and her relief of the city permitted Charles to be crowned king at Reims on July 17, 1429. The victory was also a major turning point in the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453), which was eventually won by France. Joan continued other military operations, but, as she predicted, she was captured by the Burgundians near Compiegne and sold to the English. Tried before a tribunal at Rouen under Bishop Pierre Cauchon, she was condemned for heresy and witchcraft on May 30, 1431, and burned at the stake. In 1456, Pope Callistus III ordered her trial to be reopened, and she was declared innocent of all charges. Popularly venerated throughout France for centuries, she was finally canonized in 1920; two years later she was declared the patron saint of France. Next Item Previous Item

When Constantine the Great seized control of Rome in 312, he soon converted to Christianity. His mother, Helena, also converted, and on her son’s authority, she traveled to Palestine to search for the sacred site of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Details regarding her discovery of the True Cross are lacking and often contradictory among many ancient writers, but the wood that was deemed to be the Cross of Jesus became coveted for centuries. Today only a few fragments of wood remain but are venerated as the ultimate symbol of love through the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Wood of the True Cross Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: September 14 Title/Attributes: Wood of the True Cross Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: A piece of Wood from the True Cross According to ancient historians, mass crucifixions occurred multiple times around the world, but by far the most famous crucifixion in the history of mankind took place in 1st century Judea, when Jesus Christ, a Nazarene, carried the heavy pinewood up to Golgotha, was nailed upon the cross, and then lifted, to lift humanity out of eternal damnation. As Catholics, we know what happens next. What you may not know, is what happened to that empty, bloodstained cross. The Roman Emperor Hadrian, who reigned A.D. 117-138, abolished the name Judea and renamed the area “Syria Palaestina” after a Jewish insurrection around the year 132. Hadrian forbade Jews from entering the area, and demolished any remaining temples, deciding instead to erect temples to pagan gods and goddesses on the top of Mount Calvary. It was this destruction and ensuing construction of new buildings on the landscape that ensured the preservation of the holy and sacred sites of Jesus’ crucifixion, deep below the ground. More than 40 Roman Emperors later, Constantine the Great seized control of Rome in 312. It was not a smooth transition of power though, and one of the emperors, Maxentius, declared war and marched into battle with an army twice the size of Constantine’s. When Maxentius and his forces arrived on the battlefield, they were greeted by an unfamiliar symbol facing them: a cross. Most historians tell of Constantine reportedly praying before the battle that the true God might “reveal to him who he is and stretch forth his right hand to save him.” Then, marching at midday, he suddenly looked up at the noonday sky to see a bright cross of light flash among the heavens, with an inscription upon it: “In Hoc Signo Vinces” or “In this Sign Conquer.” Constantine, bolstered with the assurance that the True God had indeed heard him, inscribed the cross on their shields before advancing on Maxentius, who held a much better position for the battle near the Milvian Bridge in Rome. Maxentius’ troops were broken before the first charge had completed and he was among those who were pushed into the Tiber River and drowned. After the battle, Constantine didn’t forget who helped earn him the victory. In 313, the Edict of Milan was created as an agreement among the Roman Empire to treat Christians benevolently. This was a monumental shift, since for almost 250 years, the persecution of Christians was the norm for Roman emperors. All that changed by Constantine issuing an order that not only should the Christian Church be tolerated just as other religions are, but he went so far as to build places of worship for Christians and be baptized himself. Around the same time of Constantine’s conversion, his mother Helena also became a Christian, and she traveled to Palestine in the year 324 to search for sacred sites and relics to be reverenced. Details regarding the discovery the True Cross are lacking and often contradictory among many ancient writers, but the basis of the story is generally accepted as this: Around 326, Helena was traveling the area when an aged Jewish man who had inherited traditional knowledge of the location of the True Cross heard of Helena’s searching. He guided her to a cistern that the Cross had purportedly been thrown into. But oddly enough, after a brief excavation, laying before Helena were three crosses. But which one had held Christ? Theodoret, a biblical commentator and Christian Bishop of Cyrrhus in the 400’s, wrote a detailed account of how it was determined which was the True Cross: A woman who was either close to death or who had long been suffering an affliction of sorts was brought from the city. She touched each cross in earnest prayer, attempting to “discern the virtue residing in that of the Savior.” Nothing happened upon touching the first and second cross, but as she touched the third and final cross, she was immediately healed. It was determined that this was the True Cross of Jesus Christ, upon which His precious Blood had spilled. According to tradition, this discovery took place on May 3, 326 A.D. The Wood of the True Cross would change hands multiple times over the centuries, with the last officially recorded mention of its location in 1219, when the True Cross was offered to the Knights Templar by the Sultan of Egypt, in exchange for a siege on the city of Damietta being lifted. However, the True Cross was never delivered; the Sultan did not actually have it. Last seen in the city of Damascus, the wood upon which Jesus had hung disappeared from historical records. Luckily, many relics of the True Cross remain in the world today. In those early years following the discovery of the True Cross, fragments had been divided and distributed widely among churches. “The whole earth is full of the relics of the Cross of Christ,” wrote Cyril of Jerusalem. By the Middle Ages, there were so many churches that claimed to possess a piece of the True Cross, that John Calvin famously quipped “if all the pieces that could be found were collected together, they would make a big ship-load.” While indeed forged relics were a common occurrence around the 11th century, a study conducted by Charles Rohault de Fleury, a French architect, compared the supposed weight of the cross carried by Jesus compared to the combined volume of all known relics. He concluded that the remaining fragments together again wouldn’t reach even one-third of the size of the original Cross. His calculations placed the original volume of the True Cross at 178 million cubic millimeters. However, the combined volume of all known relics of the True Cross amount to just about 4 million cubic millimeters, meaning that almost 98% of the True Cross is lost, destroyed, or otherwise unaccounted for. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on September 14, the anniversary of when the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated by Constantine. On Good Friday, Catholics around the world venerate the cross, the symbol of their salvation. Next Item Previous Item

St. Rocco, patron saint of plague victims, was born in Montpellier, France, and bore a red cross on his chest from birth. Devoting his life to caring for plague sufferers, he healed many in Italian towns like Aquapendente, Modena, and Mantua. After falling ill in Piacenza, he returned home but was unrecognized and imprisoned as a spy. He died in captivity, and his identity was revealed by his red cross. Revered for protection against plagues, his relics were moved to Venice. He is often depicted with a dog and dressed as a pilgrim. St. Rocco (Roch) Time Period: 1295-1378 Feast Day: August 16 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Franciscan Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Rocco, is the patron saint of plague victims and is also called Roch, Rock, Rollock, Seemie-Rookie, and Roque. Perhaps born in Montpellier, France, he was a source of amazement to his family because of the red cross found on his chest at birth. He subsequently devoted his life to the care of victims of pestilence. According to custom, he was journeying through Italy when, in the town of Aquapendente, he found the community ravaged by the plague. He healed the afflicted and then moved on to Modena, Parma, and Mantua, where he repeated the miraculous event. After falling ill at Piacenza, he returned home to Montpellier but was not recognized by his own family. Hurled into prison for being a spy, he died in captivity, whereupon his identity was discovered when the distinctive red cross was seen by the townspeople. In 1414, Roch’s intercession was invoked during the Council of Constance when plague threatened the city. His relics were subsequently translated to Venice. Revered as a protection against plagues and diseases, especially in France and parts of Italy, he is depicted in art in the company of a dog and dressed as a pilgrim, wearing a hat, cloak and boots and baring a staff. Next Item Previous Item

St. Timothy was a disciple of St. Paul and the first Bishop of Ephesus. Born in Lystra to a Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father, he was converted by Paul, who valued him as a close companion. Timothy assisted Paul in journeys to cities like Corinth and Thessalonica and is mentioned in the greetings of several of Paul’s epistles. He was also the recipient of two pastoral letters. Tradition holds that Timothy was martyred in 97 A.D. by a pagan mob in Ephesus for opposing the festival honoring the Roman goddess Diana. His feast day is January 22. St. Timothy Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: January 26 Title/Attributes: Companion of St. Paul Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Timothy was the first Bishop of Ephesus (Modern Turkey), and a companion of St. Paul. He was a native of Lystra and was the son of. Jewish woman named Eunice and a Greek Gentile. Timothy was converted to the faith by St. Paul. Paul found Timothy to be a very valuable companion, taking him on several missions, such as those to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:17) and the Thessalonians (1 Thes 3:2-3). According to tradition, he was the first bishop of Ephesus, the basis for this being his journey to the city at the command of Paul to act as his representative (1 Timothy 1:3). e is mentioned with St. paul in the salutations of seven epistles in the New Testament and was the addressee of two of the three pastoral letters - 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. He was martyred on January 22, 97 by a mob of angry pagans because of Timothy's opposition to the celebrations of the feast of Diana (Roman goddess). Next Item Previous Item