Parish Councils We, the people of St. Anthony of Padua, are a joyful Roman Catholic Community. We believe Our Lord calls us beyond membership to become His true disciples and live as One Body in Christ. Therefore, we choose to use our unique gifts to build a welcoming, interconnected gathering of the faithful that will be a beacon, a light to the world. - Parish Mission Statement, Adopted September 8, 1997. Pastoral Council The Pastoral Council is a chief consultative body to the pastor. Consultation is a sharing of wisdom through discernment, prayer, planning and collaboration that enables the parish to carry out its mission. The pastoral council discerns issues that impact the lives of parishioners: prays, studies, and discusses those issues; and recommends practical ways of addressing them. If you have questions about the Pastoral Council, contact pastoralcouncil@ap.church . Development Council The Development Council is a collaborative group that works with the pastor to nurture a culture of stewardship and advance the parish’s long-term goals. It promotes the sharing of time, talent, and treasure; advises the pastor on growth initiatives; and helps secure resources to support the Church’s mission. If you have questions about the Development Council, contact our Staff Liaison, Joe Corona at jcorona@ap.church . Finance Council The primary purpose of the Finance Council is consultative. The Council is responsible for assisting the Pastor with parish financial administration, with the specific mandate to assist the pastor in the administration of parish goods. If you have questions about the Finance Council, contact our Staff Liaison, Barbara Beale at kmims@ap.church Pro-Life Council The Pro-Life Ministry at St Anthony of Padua is dedicated to promoting a Culture of Life throughout our community through pastoral ministry, education, advocacy and prayer. We are committed to recognizing and protecting of the dignity of every human life, from natural conception to natural death. If you have questions about the Pro-Life Council, visit ap.church/prolife . Previous Item Next Item

St. Martin de Porres was a Dominican lay brother and mystic born in Lima, Peru, the son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed Panamanian slave. Despite facing discrimination, he devoted his life to caring for the sick, poor, and enslaved. He joined the Dominicans in 1594 and performed humble tasks while also founding an orphanage and hospital. Known for his humility and charity, he was gifted with miracles such as bilocation and levitation. A close friend of St. Rose of Lima, he died in 1639. St. Martin is the patron saint of interracial justice. St. Martin de Porres Time Period: 1579-1639 Feast Day: November 3 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Dominican Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Martin de Porres was a Dominican mystic and friend of St. Rose of Lima. He was born in Lima, Peru, the illegitimate son of a Spanish Knight, John de Porres, and a freed Panamanian slave named Anna. In 1594, Martin became a Dominican lay brother in Lima and served in various menial offices. Outside of the monastery he became known for his care of the poor and the sick. Martin founded an orphanage and ministered to African slaves brought to Lima. He was aided by St. Rose of Lima, who respected his penances and labors. Martin experienced many mystical gifts, including bilocation and aerial flights. When he was dying in Rosary Convent on November 3, the viceroy, the count of Cichon, knelt by his bed, seeking Martin’s blessing. Martin de Porres is the patron of interracial justice. Next Item Previous Item

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a Hungarian princess, was betrothed in childhood and married at 14 to Louis IV of Thuringia. A deeply devout woman, she was known for her extraordinary acts of charity, including feeding the poor and tending to the sick—deeds once symbolized in the miracle of roses turning into bread to feed the poor. After Louis’s death during a crusade, Elizabeth was exiled by her in-laws but found refuge with her uncle and joined the Third Order of St. Francis. Despite personal hardship and illness, she devoted her remaining years to caring for the destitute in Marburg, founding a hospital, and serving the poor until her death at age 24. She is venerated as a model of Christian charity and humility. St. Elizabeth of Hungary Time Period: 1207-1231 Feast Day: November 17 Title/Attributes: Widow, Mother, Princess Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Piece of tunic St. Elizabeth of Hungary was a Hungarian princess and renowned for her charity and deep spirituality. She was the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary and at the age of four she was betrothed to the nobleman, Louis IV of Thuringia. She married him in 1221 after his succession as ruler of Thuringia. Elizabeth toiled constantly to ease the suffering and hunger of the poor and infirm, although the expense incurred by her charity angered her husband. Once, when he complained bitterly about her activities, a basket of roses was changed miraculously into a basket of bread. Thereafter, he supported all of her charities, held her hand while they kept vigils, and prayed with her. Louis died in 1227, and Elizabeth came under the control of her brother-in-law, Henry Raspe. Declaring himself unable and unwilling to pay for her many charities, he exiled her. She fled to her uncle, the bishop of Eckbert, and became of member of the Third Order of St. Francis. Settling at Marburg, she fell under the harsh influence of Conrad of Marburg, whose demands upon her were so severe that she was finally removed from his spiritual direction. After recovering her health, she returned to the care of the poor in the area around Marburg and founded a hospital there. She died at the age of 24 from illness. Next Item Previous Item

St. Philip was one of the twelve Apostles, originally from Bethsaida. He was a disciple of John the Baptist before being called by Jesus to follow Him. Philip is mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and the Gospel of John provides deeper insights, highlighting his role in the feeding of the multitudes and his conversation with Jesus about seeing the Father. After the Ascension, details of his life are unclear, though tradition suggests he preached in Phrygia and was martyred by crucifixion upside down. He is also known for his two revered daughters, as mentioned by Polycrates. St. Philip the Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: May 3 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Philip was one of the twelve Apostles. According to John (1:43-51), Philip came from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, and belonged to the group of disciples who surrounded John the Baptist. Philip was apparently present when John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Christ called him to be a disciple only one day after choosing Peter and Andrew. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke give reference to Philip in their lists, usually placing him fifth, behind Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Luke 6:13-16; Mark 3:14-19; Matthew 10:2-4). The Gospel of John offers much more insightful information about the disciple, mentioning Philip in the episode of the feeding of the multitudes (6:5-7); the desire of several Greeks to meet Jesus (12:21-23); and the memorable exchange with the Lord when Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us,” to which Jesus replied, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (14:9). Philip thus appears as a realist, a pleasant personality, and a disciple hesitant to force his views upon others. Few details are known of his Activities after the Ascension. Some confusion in accounts has occurred between Philip the Apostle and Philip the Evangelist mentioned in chapter 8 of the Acts of the Apostles. Eusebius and other writers preserved assorted traditions about Philip’s later life. He supposedly preached in Phrygia, in Asia Minor; Clement of Alexandria reported that Philip died a martyr during the reign of Domitian by being crucified upside down; perhaps he died at Hierapolis, in Asia Minor. His two daughters were mentioned by Polycrates, bishop of Ephesus. Both Philips had daughters who were much revered in the early church. Next Item Previous Item

Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. Click below for information.  Marriage Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. Click below for information. 18+ years old Marriage Preparation Congratulations on your decision to enter Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church. We at St. Anthony of Padua welcome you and rejoice with you! The celebration you are planning and the lifelong commitment you are choosing to make are signs of God’s great love for us all. We are here to support you and guide you through your preparation. The first step for preparing for your wedding is to read through the Marriage FAQs (below). Then, fill out a Request for Marriage. We cannot discuss available ceremony dates or marriage preparation until this request is complete. Marriage Request Form/Solicitud de Matrimonio Marriage FAQ'S When should I contact the Church? What days can I get married in the Church? You should contact us 1 year in advance of your desired wedding date. Please secure your wedding date with us before securing your reception venue and vendors. Weddings are held in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (seats 350) on: Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm Very small weddings may be held in the Adoration Chapel (seats 40) on: Saturdays at 11:30 am Very large weddings may be held in the Main Church (seats1,200) on: Saturdays at 2:00 pm Other things to consider when choosing a wedding date and location: Weddings are held on Saturdays. We are unable to accommodate weddings on other weekdays. No weddings can be scheduled on Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, Parish holidays or Archdiocesan holidays. Weddings held during the liturgical seasons of Advent (the month preceding Christmas) and Lent (the 40 days preceding Easter) will reflect the nature of these more subdued seasons. Practically speaking, your floral and church decoration will be less elaborate, your music selections may be limited, and your choice of readings may be limited. The Adoration Chapel does not have an organ or piano, so please plan accordingly. What are the costs involved for a wedding and/or marriage preparation? Church Reservation Fees A $100 deposit is required to reserve your wedding date Wedding in the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel (holds 350 guests): $1000 Wedding in the Adoration Chapel (holds 40 guests): $500 Wedding in the Main Church (holds 1,200 guests): $1500 Marriage Preparation Fees Separate Prepare/Enrich Online Assessment Fee (required for all couples preparing at St. Anthony’s): $35.00 Marriage Preparation Only Fee (Domestic): $200.00 (for couples preparing at St. Anthony’s, but marrying elsewhere within the United States Marriage Preparation Only Fee (International): $300.00 (for couples preparing at St. Anthony’s, but marrying elsewhere outside the United States) Other Costs Presider: $ TBD by the couple. This is a gift of appreciation to the priest or deacon presiding at your wedding Music & A/V Technician Fees: Varies. These depend on the type and number of musicians you will have at your wedding and the complexity of the A/V set up needed. Altar Server: $25 (for Marriage within Mass) Natural Family Planning class (optional, but highly recommended): prices vary by provider. Other costs may be incurred if you choose to complete marriage preparation at another parish, through a retreat, or through an online provider. How long does it take to prepare for marriage? Marriage preparation takes at least 8 months to complete if you prepare for marriage and have your wedding ceremony at St. Anthony’s. If you plan to marry elsewhere, you must add 1-3 months to the timeline, depending on the location of your wedding. (Weddings held in another diocese, another state, or another country add to the time needed to process documents.) There are several steps involved in marriage preparation. We will guide you through each step, so you do not feel overwhelmed. Unless otherwise noted, all of the elements of marriage preparation are conducted on-site at St. Anthony’s. This will total 8-12 in-person meetings on the St. Anthony’s campus. If you do not live near St. Anthony’s, we recommend that you complete your preparation at the Catholic parish near your residence. The key parts of preparation are as follows (not in any particular order): Attend a Wedding Day Orientation (if wedding is at St. Anthony’s). Take an online Prepare/Enrich assessment and meet with a facilitator to discuss your strength and growth areas as a couple. Meet with a deacon to discuss what is expected in Catholic marriages and complete some documentation establishing your freedom to marry. Attend a 3-part series of life skills sessions, led by mentor couples, to help you build a strong and holy marriage. (Held on Sunday afternoons, 4 series per year) Attend a 1-day retreat and Mass to understand the sacramental and covenantal nature of Catholic marriage. (Held on Saturdays, 4 times per year)\ Take a Natural Family Planning Class (offered by third party providers – online or at alternate locations). Gather and submit any necessary documents. Plan your wedding liturgy and meet with the presider of your ceremony. There is no “expedited” timeline for marriage preparation. The process relies on a group of clergy, staff, and volunteers who are dedicated to giving you every tool necessary to build a holy, lasting marriage. Give yourself the gift of time to properly prepare for the rest of your life. Can we have a priest come and marry us at our reception venue? No. Catholic marriage is a sacrament and so it is celebrated within the context of a sanctuary. In exceptional cases, with grave reason, you could be granted special dispensation from the bishop to have your wedding in a church or oratory that is approved by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Approval for this request takes time and is rarely granted. I am Catholic but my fiance is not. Can we still get married in the Catholic Church? Yes. This is called a “ mixed marriage .” The Catholic will be asked to make the following declaration and promise: “I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ and with God’s help I intend to continue living that faith in the Catholic Church.” “I promise to do all in my power to share the faith I have received with our children by having them baptized and reared as Catholics.” The non-Catholic must be informed of this declaration and promise. During your marriage preparation, we will help you complete the necessary documentation and obtain the dispensation required by the Archdiocese. Can a Catholic Priest, not from this parish, come and marry us? Yes! You will need to confirm that the priest or deacon is available for your wedding date and assist with any travel or accommodations for him. Please have the priest or deacon contact the Marriage Preparation Coordinator so we can secure the proper delegation for him to preside at your marriage ceremony. The priest or deacon will also need to secure a Letter of Suitability from his Diocese or Superior. Can I provide my own musician(s) at my wedding ceremony? Can I choose whatever music I like best? With the approval of the Music Department, an outside musician will be able to participate. While we are open to relatives/friends serving as guest cantors/song leaders, we do have a few guidelines that accompany that privilege. A St. Anthony of Padua staff accompanist and cantor must be present. They will be responsible for singing the Proper & Ordinary parts of the liturgy (Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Eucharistic Acclamations, etc.) and the Responsorial Psalm. This is done first and foremost to ensure liturgical soundness and to alleviate potential stress for guest musicians/singers. Guest singers are permitted to sing processional/recessional hymns, offertory hymns, communion hymns, or a Marian hymn (for presentation of flowers to Our Lady). For your ceremony, we hope that you choose music that you like, while keeping in mind that your marriage ceremony is a sacred liturgy. As such, all music in the marriage ceremony is a prayer offered to God and must therefore be appropriate to the celebration and express the faith of the Church. We will provide you with guidelines to help you choose music that you love and that gives honor and glory to God. I am married civilly OR I am divorced and re-married civilly and I am now looking for the Catholic church to "Bless our Marriage". Where do I start? Since Convalidation marks the beginning of your sacramental marriage, the preparation for it will be very similar to the preparation that we have for couples who are not already civilly married. Your preparation will focus especially on the sacramentality of marriage, and how we are called to love each other with the sacrificial love of Christ. Many couples who are seeking Convalidation do not want a wedding ceremony, but that is exactly what a Convalidation is. A Convalidation is like any Catholic wedding that you may have attended. The prayers and vows are exactly the same as a couple who is not already civilly married. You will be making new, sacramental vows to each other, and these vows must be professed publicly, in the presence of at least two witnesses. By giving your consent to the marriage, you take on the responsibilities of a Catholic married couple. This is why preparation is such an important part of the process – so that you understand what you are asking of the Church and what is being asked of you in return. To get started in the Convalidation process, please fill out the “Request for Marriage.” The information you provide in the request will help us to know your specific needs and get you on the best path forward for preparation and marriage in the Catholic Church. Please note: if you were married previously to someone else, and that former spouse is still living, you will need to seek an annulment for that marriage, so you will be free to marry in the Catholic Church. Please visit our Annulments page for more information. Matrimonio FAQ'S ¿Cuándo debo contactar a la Iglesia? ¿Qué días puedo casarme por la Iglesia? Debe comunicarse con nosotros 1 año antes de la fecha deseada de su boda. Asegure la fecha de su boda con nosotros antes de asegurar el lugar de la recepción y los proveedores. Las bodas se llevan a cabo en la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (350 asientos) en: Sábados a la 1:00 pm y 4:00 pm Se pueden celebrar bodas muy pequeñas en la Capilla de la Adoración (40 asientos) en: Sábados a las 11:30 am Las bodas muy grandes pueden celebrarse en la Iglesia Principal (con capacidad para 1200 personas) los: Sábados a las 2:00 pm Otras cosas para tener en cuenta al elegir la fecha y el lugar de la boda: Las bodas suelen celebrarse los sábados. Las bodas también pueden programarse los viernes, dependiendo de la disponibilidad. No podemos organizar bodas en otros días de la semana. No se pueden programar bodas los domingos, días festivos de precepto, días festivos de la parroquia o días festivos de la arquidiócesis. Bodas celebradas durante los tiempos litúrgicos de Adviento (el mes que precede a la Navidad) y Cuaresma (los 40 días que preceden a la Pascua) reflejarán la naturaleza de estas temporadas más tenues. Hablando en términos prácticos, su decoración floral y de la iglesia será menos elaborada, sus selecciones de música y elección de lecturas pueden ser limitadas. La Capilla de la Adoración no dispone de órgano ni de piano, por lo que le recomendamos que mantenga esto en cuenta. ¿Cuáles son los costos involucrados para una boda y/o preparación matrimonial? Se requiere un depósito de $100 para reservar la fecha de su boda. Boda en la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (tiene capacidad para 350 invitados): $1000 Boda en la Capilla de la Adoración (tiene capacidad para 40 invitados): $500 Boda en la Iglesia Principal (tiene capacidad para 1,200 invitados): $1500 Honorarios de Preparación Matrimonial Cuota separada de evaluación en línea Prepare/Enrich (requerida para todas las parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua): $35.00 Cuota de Preparación Matrimonial Solamente (Doméstica): $200.00 (para parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua, pero se casan en otra Iglesia dentro de los Estados Unidos) Cuota de Preparación Matrimonial (Internacional): $300.00 (para parejas que se preparan en San Antonio de Padua, pero se casan en otra Iglesia fuera de los Estados Unidos) Otros Costos Celebrante: $ TBD por la pareja. Este es un regalo de agradecimiento al sacerdote o diácono que preside su boda. Honorarios de la música y del técnico de A/V: Varía. Estos dependen del tipo y número de músicos que tendrán en su boda y la complejidad de la instalación A/V necesaria. Acólito: $25 (para el Matrimonio dentro de la Misa) Clase de Planificación Familiar Natural (opcional, pero muy recomendable): los precios varían según el proveedor. Otros costos pueden ser incurridos si usted elige completar la preparación matrimonial en otra parroquia, a través de un retiro, o a través de un proveedor en línea. ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva prepararse para el matrimonio? La preparación para el matrimonio tarda al menos 8 meses en completarse si se prepara para el matrimonio y tiene su ceremonia de boda en San Antonio de Padua. Si planea casarse en otro lugar, debe agregar de 1 a 3 meses a su preparación, según el lugar de su boda. (Las bodas celebradas en otra Diócesis, otro estado u otro país aumentan el tiempo necesario para procesar los documentos). No hay un programa “acelerado” para la preparación matrimonial. El proceso se basa en un grupo de clérigos, personal y voluntarios que se dedican a brindarle todas las herramientas necesarias para construir un matrimonio santo y duradero. Date el regalo del tiempo para prepararte adecuadamente para el resto de su vida. ¿Podemos hacer que un sacerdote venga y nos case en nuestro lugar de recepción? No. El matrimonio Católico es un sacramento y por eso se celebra en el contexto de un santuario. En casos excepcionales, con motivo grave, se le podría otorgar una dispensación especial del Obispo para celebrar su boda en una iglesia u oratorio aprobado por la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston. La aprobación de esta solicitud lleva tiempo y rara vez se concede. Soy católico pero mi prometido no lo es. ¿Todavía podemos casarnos en la Iglesia Católica? Sí. Esto se llama un “ matrimonio mixto ”. Se le pedirá al católico que haga la siguiente declaración y promesa: “Reafirmo mi fe en Jesucristo y con la ayuda de Dios me propongo seguir viviendo esa fe en la Iglesia Católica”. “Prometo hacer todo lo que esté a mi alcance para compartir la fe que he recibido con nuestros hijos bautizándolos y criándolos como católicos”. El no católico debe ser informado de esta declaración y promesa. Durante su preparación matrimonial, lo ayudaremos a completar la documentación necesaria y obtener la dispensa requerida por la Arquidiócesis. ¿Puede un sacerdote católico, que no sea de esta parroquia, venir a casarnos? ¡Sí! Deberá confirmar que el sacerdote o diácono está disponible para la fecha de su boda y ayudarlo con cualquier viaje o alojamiento para él. Pídale al sacerdote o diácono que se comunique con el Coordinador de Preparación Matrimonial para que podamos asegurar la delegación adecuada para que él presida su ceremonia de matrimonio. El sacerdote o diácono también deberá obtener una carta de su Diócesis o Superior. ¿Puedo proporcionar mi(s) propio(s) músico(s) en la ceremonia de mi boda? ¿Puedo elegir la música que más me guste? Con la aprobación del Departamento de Música, un músico externo podrá participar. Si bien estamos abiertos a familiares/amigos que sirvan como cantores invitados/líderes de canciones, tenemos algunas pautas que acompañan ese privilegio. Debe estar presente un acompañante y un cantor del personal de San Antonio de Padua. Serán responsables de cantar las partes Propias y Ordinarias de la liturgia (Gloria, Aclamación al Evangelio, Aclamaciones Eucarísticas, etc.) y el Salmo Responsorial. Esto se hace ante todo para garantizar la solidez litúrgica y para aliviar el estrés potencial de los músicos/cantantes invitados. Los cantantes invitados pueden cantar himnos de procesión/recesión, himnos de ofertorio, himnos de comunión o un himno mariano (para la presentación de flores a Nuestra Señora). Para su ceremonia, esperamos que elija la música que más le guste, sin olvidar que su ceremonia matrimonial es una liturgia sagrada. Como tal, toda la música de la ceremonia matrimonial es una oración ofrecida a Dios y, por lo tanto, debe ser apropiada para la celebración y expresar la fe de la Iglesia. Le proporcionaremos guías para ayudarle a elegir la música que más le guste y que dé honor y gloria a Dios. Estoy divorciado, me he vuelto a casar civilmente y ahora busco la iglesia católica para ``Bendecir nuestro matrimonio``. ¿Dónde empiezo? En primer lugar, debemos hablar de su matrimonio anterior. Si su ex-cónyuge aún vive, tendrá que iniciar el proceso de anulación. Incluso si se trataba de un matrimonio civil con un no-católico / católico, este matrimonio todavía necesita una anulación. Por favor visite nuestra página de Anulaciones para más información. Si su ex cónyuge ya no vive, o si ya recibió un decreto de nulidad, puede solicitar una Convalidación para su matrimonio civil actual. Una convalidación es más que tener su matrimonio “bendecido”. Visite nuestra página de Convalidación para obtener más información. Program Contact Tamara Barry Marriage Coordinator tbarry@ap.church 832-482-4123 Katie Krall Adult Faith & Sacraments Manager kkrall@ap.church 832-482-4147 Next Item Previous Item

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. 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. Whether you are planning your required minimum distribution (RMD) or not, consider making a gift from your traditional IRA to make the most of your charitable giving. You receive a tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction! It’s important to consider your tax situation before deciding whether to make a charitable contribution from your IRA. Be sure to share this gift plan with your advisor. TO QUALIFY You must be a minimum of 70 ½ or older (varies based on birth date) to transfer up to $100,000 directly from IRA plans to a qualified 501c3 charity on an annual basis. Distributions must be made directly from traditional IRA and Roth IRA plans by your IRA administrator. Gifts must be outright, meaning they go directly to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Our EIN is 76-0545136. Distributions to donor-advised funds or life-income arrangements such as charitable remainder trusts and charitable gift annuities do not qualify. Gifts from 401(k), 403(b), SEP and other plans do not qualify. Ask your financial advisor if it would make sense for you to create a traditional IRA account so you can benefit from an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution. TAX BENEFITS IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions are excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes on your IRS Form 1040. In 2024 the maximum is set at $100,000. For those who are at least 72, QCD’s can satisfy all or part of your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). You could avoid a higher tax bracket that might otherwise result from adding an RMD to your income. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Provide instructions on the St Anthony Fund you would like your donation applied to: General Fund Parish Endowment Food Pantry Other DOWNLOAD IRA INFORMATION FORM Have your IRA Administrator direct your donation to: St. Anthony of Padua Attn: Development 7801 Bay Branch Drive The Woodlands, TX 77382 If you would like more information about planned and tax-advantaged giving, please contact Joe Corona @ jcorona@ap.church St. Anthony of Padua encourages donors to consult their retirement plan administrator, or their tax or financial advisor to determine whether this option would be advantageous based on your individual financial and tax circumstances. Next Item Previous Item

St. James the Greater, son of Zebedee and Salome, was one of Jesus’ twelve Apostles and the brother of John. A fisherman by trade, he was called by Christ and, along with Peter and John, witnessed key events like the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. Nicknamed a “son of thunder,” James became the first Apostle to be martyred, beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2). Tradition holds he preached in Spain before his death. He is honored through El Camino de Santiago, the pilgrimage to his shrine in Santiago de Compostela. St. James the Greater Apostle Time Period: d. 44 Feast Day: July 25 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. James the Greater is one of the twelve Apostles. He is the son of Zebedee and Salome, he fished for a living with his brother John in Galilee. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke attest to his calling by Christ. Jesus nicknamed James and John “Boanerges” meaning “the sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). James was with Peter and John at the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37 and Luke 8:51). These three Apostles were also at the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2) and at the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-33; Matthew 26:37). James is the protomartyr (first martyr) of the Apostles, slain by King Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem (Acts 12:2). He was beheaded, and his martyrdom is the only one recorded from the Apostles in the New Testament. According to tradition, he preached in Spain before his death and thus became one of the most venerated of the Spanish saints. El Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James, is a famous pilgrimage route that leads to the shrine of the Apostle St. James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Pilgrims have traveled it for over a thousand years. Next Item Previous Item

Jude was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and is one of the most widely venerated saints ever, despite being mentioned only a handful of times in the New Testament and having just one line of dialogue in the gospels. The details regarding St. Jude’s life are incomplete, but he is believed to have been related to Jesus, evangelized in Mesopotamia, and martyred in Armenia. He was an ardent follower of Christ, who implored fellow Christians to stand firm in the face of difficulty, and to hold fast to the truth of their Christian faith. He shares a feast day with St. Simon on October 28th. St. Jude Thaddeus the Apostle Time Period: 1st Century Feast Day: October 28 Title/Attributes: Apostle, Martyr Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Jude, also known as Jude of James, Judas Thaddeus or Thaddeus, was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and today, is one of the most widely-venerated saints ever. Jude the apostle is mentioned only a handful of times in the New Testament, and has just one line of dialogue in the gospels, speaking during the Last Supper in John 14:22. The variety of names attributed to Jude is partly due to early translators of the Bible attempting to differentiate Judas Thaddeus from Judas Iscariot. Even in his one line in John’s gospel, he is mentioned as “Judas, but not Iscariot” to avoid the identification of Jesus’ betrayer. Of his most popular titles, “Thaddeus” means generous and kind, while “Jude” can translate to “giver of joy”. The details regarding St. Jude’s life are incomplete, with some information varying based on different translations and writings. The New Testament mentions Jude or Judas (again, not counting mentions of Judas Iscariot) six times, in four different contexts. This has led to some uncertainty whether Judas Thaddeus is indeed the same person as St. Jude, author of the Epistle of Jude, but most biblical scholars believe them to be one and the same. St. Jude is also believed to have been related to Jesus – his mother, Mary of Cleophas, was commonly referred to as a cousin of Mary, Jesus’ mother. Jude’s father, Cleophas, was noted as a brother of St. Joseph. Jude also had many brothers, one of them being St. James the Lesser, who was another one of the original apostles. Most writings describe St. Jude as being married and having at least one child, with references to his grandchildren living as late as 95 A.D. Being one of the main disciples of Jesus Christ, writings place Jude in Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) to evangelize all in the area. The Epistle of Jude was written around the time of his evangelizing, a brief book with only a single chapter, containing 25 verses. In it, Jude wrote to recent Christian converts who were under persecution, warning them against the lurings of false teachers and ideas, and instead, encouraging them to keep their faith and persevere amidst the harsh circumstances that they faced. Many believe it was this inspirational writing that earned St. Jude the patronage of lost causes and desperate situations. Following his time in Mesopotamia, Jude traveled to Armenia around 65 A.D., to join St. Simon the Zealot to spread Christ’s word. It is believed that Jude was one of the first to bring Christianity to Armenia, which is why he is also the patron saint of Armenia. It was in Armenia, alongside Simon, that St. Jude would be martyred, with most writings depicting the saint being beat to death by an axe or club. It is for this reason that an axe or club is often pictured in St. Jude’s icons. Other popular depictions traditionally include St. Jude carrying an image of Jesus in his hand or close to his chest. This depiction stems from a story in which King Abgar of Edessa (located in what is now Turkey) sent a letter to Jesus asking Him to cure him of leprosy. Along with the letter, he sent an artist to bring him a drawing of Jesus. When the message reached Jesus, He was impressed by Abgar’s faith. Pressing his face against a cloth, he instructed St. Jude to deliver the cloth to Abgar. Jude traveled to Edessa to hand over the cloth, now known as the Image of Edessa, and upon seeing Jesus’ image, King Abgar was healed. The king converted to Christianity, along with most of the people in his kingdom. Many people have found St. Jude’s patronage of lost causes to be a relatable, and much-needed source of prayers. Devotion to St. Jude began in earnest around the 1800’s in Italy and Spain, before spreading to South America and finally to the United States in the early 1920’s. Many immigrants, dealing with pressures from the Great Depression, found solace in novenas to St. Jude. St. Jude is the patron saint of the Chicago Police Department, there are shrines named after him in more than 12 countries, and TV superstar Danny Thomas credited Jude for showing him his way in life, leading Thomas to found the world-renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Despite the uncertainty regarding certain aspects of Jude’s life and lineage, this much is certain: he was an ardent follower of Christ, who implored fellow Christians to stand firm in the face of difficulty, and to hold fast to the truth of their Christian faith. He is a powerful name to call upon in the face of helplessness, and in today’s tumultuous times, we need his intercession more than ever. Next Item Previous Item

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. Gifting Stock to the Church Donating appreciated stock is a smart and impactful way to support the mission of the Church. Benefits to You: Tax Efficiency: You may avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated value of the stock. Charitable Deduction: You can typically claim a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock (if held for more than one year). Larger Impact: Because of the tax savings, giving stock may allow you to make a more generous gift than if you donated cash. How It Works: To transfer a gift of securities, submit a completed LETTER OF INTENT form to your broker Contact your broker to initiate a stock transfer. Provide the church’s brokerage information (available from the parish office). Notify the church of the gift so it can be properly acknowledged and directed to the intended purpose (i.e. General Offertory, Food Pantry, Parish Endowment, etc.) The Parish will provide an acknowledgement of the specific stock and number of shares donated. Important Note: Always consult your tax advisor to ensure the gift is structured in the most beneficial way for your situation. Next Item Previous Item

Please call the Parish Office at 281-419-8700 if you have an EMERGENCY need for anointing and leave a message on our Priest Emergency line. We highly encourage anyone who is struggling with a serious illness of mind, body, or spirit, or who is anticipating surgery, to plan on attending one of our Anointing of the Sick masses. Anointing of the Sick Please call the Parish Office at 281-419-8700 if you have an EMERGENCY need for anointing and leave a message on our Priest Emergency line. We highly encourage anyone who is struggling with a serious illness of mind, body, or spirit, or who is anticipating surgery, to plan on attending one of our Anointing of the Sick masses. All Ages The Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is intended for baptized Catholics suffering from serious physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual illness, especially when facing death. It is not restricted to terminal illness and can be administered multiple times if a person’s health worsens or they relapse. Here are some situations when the sacrament may be appropriate: Serious illness: Cancer, heart disease, chronic illnesses like Parkinson’s, or illnesses that could become life-threatening Advanced age: Elderly people who are weakened, even if not seriously ill Upcoming Surgery: When surgery is due to a serious illness. [Note that if the upcoming surgery is for body enhancements, procedures such as in-vitro fertilization, tubal ligation, a vasectomy, sex reassignment surgery, and so on, do not sign up for this sacrament and instead make an appointment with a priest by emailing sdewlen@ap.church ] Mental illness: Acute depression, anxiety that causes panic attacks or other debilitations, bipolar disorders, or psychoses (such as schizophrenia) Addiction: Drug or alcohol abuse, when it creates a dangerous situation to the person Unconscious or incapacitated: If the person would likely have requested the sacrament Children: If they have sufficient reason (usually 7 years old or older) and would be comforted by this sacrament [if you are not sure, make an appointment or a phone call with a priest by emailing sdewlen@ap.church to schedule it]. If a child is under the age of 7, and has never been baptized, and it has been determined that the child is terminal by a physician, that child can be baptized and confirmed immediately. The sacrament is meant to provide spiritual and physical strength, unite the sick with Christ, and offer courage and peace to endure suffering. While the sacrament forgives venial sins, it does not forgive mortal sins, so if the person is healthy enough, he or she should ask the priest to hear his or her confession and receive absolution before receiving this sacrament of the anointing of the sick. We will have Intercessory Prayer Teams available on the third Saturday of the month immediately following the 10:00 am daily Mass. There is no registration required for those who have a prayer request. Upcoming Anointing of the Sick Masses The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: In the Church's Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, through the ministry of the priest, it is Jesus who touches the sick to heal them from sin – and sometimes even from physical ailment. His cures were signs of the arrival of the Kingdom of God. The core message of His healing tells us of His plan to conquer sin and death by His dying and rising. The Rite of Anointing tells us there is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament. A careful judgment, by the priest, about the serious nature of the illness is sufficient. When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God's will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit's gift of peace and courage to deal with the sufferings that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. Program Contact Susan Dewlen Executive Clergy Assistant sdewlen@ap.church 832-482-4121 Next Item Previous Item