Order of Christian Initiation adapted for Children. Children who are at least 7 years old and in 1st through 12th grades and have not been baptized (or were baptized in a faith other than the Catholic Church) will be placed in our wonderful program, OCIA for Children.  Baptism - Youth Order of Christian Initiation adapted for Children. Children who are at least 7 years old and in 1st through 12th grades and have not been baptized (or were baptized in a faith other than the Catholic Church) will be placed in our wonderful program, OCIA for Children. 7-18 years old If you are interested in learning more about your child Becoming Catholic , please read through the information below. Children who are at least 7 years old and in grades 1st - 12th grade and have not been baptized or were baptized in another faith are elligible to become Catholic in this program. In accordance with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, St. Anthony's prepares children over two years. The first year, the child must regularly attend a Faith Formation class corresponding to their grade level. Children should also attend Mass weekly with their families. If your child has not received any formation up to this point, begin by enrolling them in a year of Faith Formation during open registration in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Visit ap.church/registration . The second year, the child must regularly attend the "Becoming Catholic" program. Children should also attend Mass weekly with their families. Enrolled children and teens who haven’t been baptized in any faith will receive Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the Easter Vigil Mass. Children and teens who were baptized in a faith other than Catholic will make a Profession of Faith, and receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation during the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Child and parent(s) will meet with program administrators before beginning the second year to ensure readiness for this program. 7 Years to 8th Grade OCIA for Children participants attend faith formation as they did in the first year of preparation, and then meet once a month for sacrament-specific formation. YEAR 1 : Child will attend weekly Faith Formation classes. Open registration is in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Elementary sessions are offered on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays for 2nd-5th grades. Intermediate/Junior High session time is Sunday afternoon for 6th-8th grades. Visit ap.church/registration for more information and to sign up. YEAR 2 : For children who are determined ready to continue, the second year consists of the following components for the family to attend. OCIA participants and their families will sit together at the 9:00AM Mass on Sundays. During Mass, children are dismissed after the homily (around 9:30AM) for Breaking Open the Word (BOW). After Mass/Breaking Open the Word, children attend a weekly session until 11:15AM. Parents join the children at once-a-month sessions after attending the 9AM Mass. Parents and children attend once-a-month Sacrament Preparation sessions on a selected Tuesday or Wednesday evening. 9th to 12th Grade High school-aged children will participate in Youth Ministry programs for 2 years. The second year of formation will take place on Wednesday nights as a part of the Teen Confirmation Program, which meets on Wednesday Nights, instead of the Sunday morning classes. YEAR 1: Teen will attend weekly Faith Formation classes. Open registration is in the fall from August 1st to August 31st. Life Teen sessions are offered on Sunday evenings only from 7:30 to 9:00PM only. Visit stanthonyym.org/confirmationyear1 for more information. YEAR 2: High school aged children will participate in Youth Ministry programs for 2 years. The second year of formation will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30PM as a part of the Teen Confirmation Program. Visit stanthonyym.org/confirmationyear2 for more information. Program Contact Diane Czerniak Elementary Faith Formation Manager dczerniak@ap.church 832-482-4037 Angie Muckenthaler Confirmation Coordinator amuckenthaler@ap.church 832-482-4038 Next Item Previous 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. Leonard of Port Maurice was a Franciscan proponent of the Blessed Sacrament, the devotion of the Sacred Heart, the Stations of the Cross, and the Immaculate Conception. He was born in Port Maurice, Italy in 1676. In 1697 he joined the Franciscans of Strict Observance. He was then ordained a priest in 1703 and began preaching all over Italy. By 1736 he was attracting huge crowds in Rome and elsewhere and he established six hundred Stations of the Cross and promoted various devotions. Leonard died at his friary in 1751 and is named the patron saint of parish missions. St. Leonard of Port Maurice Time Period: 1676-1751 Feast Day: November 26 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Franciscan Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Piece of Habit (Clothing) St. Leonard of Port Maurice was a Franciscan proponent of the Blessed Sacrament, the devotion of the Sacred Heart, the Stations of the Cross, and the Immaculate Conception. He was born Leonard Casanova in Port Maurice, Italy in 1676. In 1697 he joined the Franciscans of Strict Observance. He was then ordained a priest in 1703 and began preaching all over Italy. By 1736 he was attracting huge crowds in Rome and elsewhere and he established almost six hundred Stations of the Cross. In 1744 he was sent by Pope Benedict XIV to preach on Corsica, and then returned in 1751. Leonard died at his friary in 1751 and is named the patron saint of parish missions. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, Korea's first priest and a martyr, exemplified unwavering faith and apostolic zeal. Born into a time of severe Christian persecution, he risked his life to evangelize in secret, identifying fellow believers through discreet signs and whispered confirmations. As a seminarian, he endured extreme hardships, including near-fatal journeys to welcome foreign missionaries. Executed in 1846 for his faith, he was canonized in 1984 as the leader of the Martyrs of Korea. His perseverance and courage continue to inspire, calling all Christians to evangelize with joy and unwavering commitment, even in the face of adversity. St. Andrew Kim Taegon Time Period: 1821-1846 Feast Day: September 20 Title/Attributes: Martyr Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, was a martyr and Korea's first priest. His life was and remains an eloquent testimony of zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel. About 200 years ago, the Korean land was the scene of a very severe persecution: Christians were persecuted and annihilated. At that time, believing in Jesus Christ in Korea meant being ready to bear witness unto death. Specifically from the example of Saint Andrew Kim, we can draw out two concrete aspects of his life. The first is the way in which he had to meet with the faithful. Given the highly intimidating context, the saint was forced to approach Christians in a discreet manner, and always in the presence of other people, as if they had been talking to each other for a while. Then, in order to confirm his interlocutor's Christian identity, Saint Andrew would implement these devices: first, there was a previously agreed upon sign of recognition: you will meet with this Christian and he will have this sign on his outfit or in his hand, after which he would surreptitiously ask the question but under his breath "Are you a disciple of Jesus?" Since other people were watching the conversation, the saint had to speak in a low voice, saying only a few words, the most essential ones. Thus, for Andrew Kim, the expression that summed up the whole identity of the Christian was "disciple of Christ." "Are you a disciple of Christ?" but in a soft voice because it was dangerous. It was forbidden to be a Christian. Indeed, being a disciple of the Lord means following him, following his path. And the Christian is by nature one who preaches and bears witness to Jesus. Every Christian community receives this identity from the Holy Spirit, and so does the whole Church, since the day of Pentecost (cf. Vatican Council ii, Decree Ad Gentes, 2). And it is from this Spirit that we receive passion, passion for evangelization, this great apostolic zeal. It is a gift of the Spirit. And even if the surrounding context is not favorable like the Korean context of Andrew Kim the passion does not change. On the contrary, it becomes even more valuable. Saint Andrew Kim and other Korean believers have demonstrated that witnessing to the Gospel in times of persecution can bear much fruit for the faith. Now let us look at a second concrete example. When he was still a seminarian, Saint Andrew had to find a way to secretly welcome missionaries from abroad. This was not an easy task, as the regime of the time strictly forbade all foreigners from entering the territory. This is why it had been so difficult to find a priest that would come to do missionary work, before this: the laity undertook the mission. One time, he walked in the snow, without eating, for so long that he fell to the ground exhausted, risking unconsciousness and freezing. At that point, he suddenly heard a voice, "Get up and keep walking!" Hearing that voice, Andrew reawakened, and caught a glimpse of something like the shadow of someone who was guiding him. This experience of the great Korean witness makes us understand a very important aspect of apostolic zeal; namely, the courage to get back up when one falls. But do saints fall? Yes! Indeed, from the earliest times. Think of Saint Peter: he committed a great sin, but he found strength in God's mercy and got up again. And in Saint Andrew, we see this strength. He had fallen physically but he had the strength to go, go, go to carry the message forward. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023/documents/20230524-udienza-generale.html Next Item Previous Item

St. Margaret of Antioch, an early virgin martyr and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, was the daughter of a pagan priest. Raised by a Christian woman, she embraced the faith and consecrated her virginity to God, prompting her father to disown her. When Governor Olybrius proposed marriage and demanded she renounce Christianity, she refused and was tortured. Miracles reportedly occurred during her suffering, including defeating Satan in the form of a dragon. She was eventually beheaded. Margaret later appeared to St. Joan of Arc and is invoked for protection against dangers and diseases as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. St. Margaret of Antioch Time Period: 289-304 Feast Day: July 20 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Martyr, Holy Helper Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Margaret of Antioch is one of the early virgin martyrs of the church and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Margaret was the daughter of a pagan priest and her mother died during childbirth. Margaret was raised and nursed by a Christian woman. She soon embraced Christianity and consecrated her virginity to God. Her father disowned her for her faith. Olybrius, a Governor in the Roman Empire asked to marry her and demanded that she renounce her faith. She refused and was tortured. During her torture, various miracles occurred, including defeating a Satan in the form of a dragon. Margaret was eventually beheaded. Margaret is one of the saints that spoke to St. Joan of Arc. She is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who are a group of saints venerated together in Catholic tradition because their intercession is believed to be particularly effective against specific diseases and dangers. Each saint is invoked for aid regarding particular ailments or needs. The Fourteen Holy Helpers are: Acacius, Barbara, Blaise, Catherine of Alexandria, Christopher, Cyriacus, Denis, Erasmus of Formia, Eustace, George, Giles, Margaret of Antioch, Pantaleon, and Vitus. 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. Louis de Montfort (1673–1716) was a French priest, missionary, and founder of the Daughters of Divine Wisdom. Known as one of the Church’s greatest Mariologists, he promoted deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ordained in 1700, he later became an Apostolic Missionary by appointment of Pope Clement XI. His most influential work, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, teaches total consecration to Jesus through Mary. He famously wrote, “Mary is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.” His Marian spirituality influenced generations, including Pope John Paul II, whose motto was “Totus Tuus Maria.” St. Louis de Montefort Time Period: 1673-1716 Feast Day: April 28 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Marian Saint Location of Relic: Back Left Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Body St. Louis de Montfort was a confessor, founder of the Sisters of Divine Mercy, and one of the Church’s most prominent Mariologists (The study of the Blessed Virgin Mary). He was born in Montfort, France in 1673. Educated at Rennes, he was ordained a priest in 1700, becoming a chaplain in a hospital in Poitiers. His congregation, the Daughters of Divine Wisdom, started there. Louis went to Rome and Pope Clement XI appointed him as an Apostolic Missionary. At the young age of forty-three, Louis de Montfort fell ill and passed away. But his teachings and legacy changed the Church forever. Louis de Montfort is most famously remembered for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. He wrote The True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and encouraged people to consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary. According to Louis de Montfort, “Mary is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus.” The devotion to Mary spread throughout the church and for years to come. Over 300 years later, Pope John Paul II’s personal motto was “Totus Tuus Maria” which means “I’m totally yours, Mary”. Next Item Previous Item

St. Athanasius was a Bishop of Alexandria and a staunch opponent of Arianism. He attended the Council of Nicaea in 325 and became bishop in 328. Persecuted by Arian leaders and emperors, he endured multiple exiles but remained steadfast in defending Orthodox Christianity. He wrote extensively, including the biography of St. Anthony of the Desert and theological works like Contra Gentes and De Incarnatione Verbi Dei. Despite enduring persecution, Athanasius' efforts helped solidify Christian doctrine, leading to Arianism's eventual defeat. He is honored as the "Father of Orthodoxy" and a Doctor of the Church. St. Athanasius Time Period: 296-373 Feast Day: May 2 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Doctor of the Church Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Athanasius is a Doctor of the Church, Bishop and one of the most dedicated opponents to the heresy of Arianism. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt around 296 to a prominent family. He was raised as a Christian and was influenced by Bishop Alexander of Alexandria, later becoming his secretary in 318 after receiving ordination as a deacon. He accompanied Alexander to the Council of Nicaea in 325 and, upon his return to Alexandria in 328, was named bishop of the see. He also became spiritual leader of the desert hermits of the region. St. Athanasius was a friend of St. Anthony of the Desert (250-356) and is credited with writing his biography. The heresy of Arianism was the chief crisis for Athanasius in the early years of his episcopacy. In 330, Emperor Constantine I, also known as Constatine the Great, was persuaded to command Athanasius to allow Arians to communion, an order that Athanasius refused. He was then accused of crimes by the heretical Arians. He was tried and proven innocent, but new charges were made; this time he was accused of killing a bishop who was actually very much alive and merely in hiding. The Arians held a synod to discuss these charges, but Athanasius refused to attend it. He did go to the Council of Tyre, Lebanon, in 335, summoned by the emperor. The Arians assembled at Tyre and managed to have Athanasius exiled to Trier, Germany. There Athanasius was welcomed by Bishop Maximinus and Constantine II, the eldest son of the emperor. This exile lasted two-and-a-half years. He returned to Alexandria in 338. By this time, the heresiarch Arius was dead, and Constantine’s empire had been divided among his sons. The Arian leader Eusebius of Nicomedia, a major participant in the previous trials of Athanasius, managed to have him deposed again. Another man tried to take Athanasius’ place in Alexandria, but the people of Alexandria rioted and refused to accept him as their bishop. Athanasius went to Rome to plead his cause before Pope St. Julius I. As the usurper died in 345, Athanasius was restored to Alexandria, although in the councils of 353 at Arles, France, and 255 in Milan, Italy, Athanasius was again condemned by the Arians. The persecution raged, culminating in a violent attack on Athanasius’ church, wounding many in the congregation. Athanasius hid in Alexandria, but after a few days, fearing more assaults on his flock, he went into the Egyptian desert. He spent six years there as a hermit, writing his Apology to Constantius, the Apology for His Flight, the Letter to the Monks, and the History of the Arians. On February 22, 362, Athanasius reentered Alexandria amid jubilant crowds, but he was exiled again by Emperor Julian the Apostate and returned to the desert. He stayed there until Julian died in 363 and Emperor Jovian reinstalled him. Only eight months later, Athanasius was again ousted by Jovian’s successor, Valens. Four months later, after hiding in his father’s tomb, Athanasius was restored to his see permanently. He spent his last years consolidating the doctrines of the Council of Nicaea. He died in Alexandria on May 2, 373. Athanasius is called “the Father of Orthodoxy,” “the Pillar of the Church,” and “Champion of Christ’s Divinity.” His efforts at defeating Arianism helped lay the groundwork for the triumph of Orthodox Christianity at the Council of Constantinople in 381, years after Athanasius’ death. He did not compose the Athanasian Creed, but it was drawn from his writings. He is a Doctor of the Church, and his most important theological writings include: Contra Gentes and De Incarnatione Verbi Dei. St. Athanasius is declared a Doctor of the Church which are certain men and women who are revered by the Church for the special value of their writings and preaching and the sanctity of their lives. They each made important and lasting contributions to the faith and are to be recognized for their great merits. To be declared a Doctor of the Church, you have to meet three basic requirements. First, you must have lived a life of exemplary holiness, or insignis vitae sanctitas (outstanding sanctity). In short, you have to be a saint. Second, to be a Doctor of the Church you must have deepened the whole Church’s understanding of the Catholic Faith with emins doctrina (eminent teaching). Which is to say, sanctity isn’t enough. There are thousands of saints, but only 37 Doctors of the Church. To be a Doctor one must do more than just live the Faith. Rather, one must significantly and profoundly contribute to our understanding of Divine Revelation, helping us to know more deeply some truth about God and His actions in the World. And third, a pope must officially declare you a Doctor. That being said, as the Church understands it, when a pope declares someone a Doctor of the Church, he’s not so much making someone a Doctor as he is recognizing what the Holy Spirit has already done - that He has conferred the charism of Doctor upon them. Next Item Previous Item

Current Employment Opportunities Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant Date Posted: September 17, 2025 The Youth Ministry Administrative Assistant is a part-time (20–25 hours/week) position reporting to the Manager of Youth Ministry, responsible for providing administrative support and coordination for Youth Confirmation, Life Teen, EDGE, and parish youth events. The role includes maintaining accurate records, handling communication with families, managing registrations, ordering supplies, assisting with retreats and events, coordinating travel logistics for summer trips, and supporting the Evangelization Department. The assistant is expected to foster a welcoming environment, embody the parish mission, and serve as a visible, faithful parishioner. Candidates must be Safe Environment certified, proficient in Microsoft Office and Canva, detail-oriented, and skilled in communication. Please send all applications to employment@ap.church Employment Opportunities

St. Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican preacher born in Valencia in 1350. He joined the Dominicans in 1367 and gained fame for predicting grain shipments during a famine. Serving Cardinal Pedro de Luna, who later became antipope Benedict XIII, Vincent declined high offices. After recovering from a near-fatal illness following a vision, he began a successful preaching tour across Western Europe. A key figure in attempting to end the Great Western Schism, he advocated for Benedict XIII to resign. Vincent died in Vannes, Brittany, and was canonized by Pope Callistus III. St. Vincent Ferrer Time Period: 1350-1419 Feast Day: April 5 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Dominican Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican preacher. A native of Valencia, he joined the Dominicans in 1367 and was sent to Barcelona to complete his studies. After teaching at Lerida, he returned to Barcelona, where he earned fame for predicting accurately the timely arrival of grain ships during a famine. During the coming years, he became a member of the retinue of Cardinal Pedro de Luna, then a papal legate to the court of Aragon and the future antipope Benedict XIII. Vincent subsequently taught at the cathedral of Valencia. Summoned to Avignon, France, he took the position of confessor and apostolic penitentiary to antipope Benedict XIII, following de Luna’s irregular election as papal claimant in 1394. Vincent declined all offices and honors bestowed upon him by his patron, including the cardinalate. Vincent fell gravely ill and nearly died during a French siege of Avignon, recovering miraculously after beholding a vision of Christ, St. Dominic, and St. Francis of Assisi. In this vision, Vincent was told to go forth and preach, but he met resistance from antipope Benedict, who was reluctant to have him leave Avignon. In 1389, Benedict finally gave his permission, and Vincent launched upon a preaching tour across Western Europe. Eloquent and passionate, he attracted huge crowds of believers and was soon esteemed across Christendom. In Spain, he was named one of the nine judges to decide the succession to the crown of Aragon. King Ferdinand I, also known as Ferdinand the Just, was subsequently chosen. One of Vincent’s finest achievements was his effort to end the Great Western Schism, which had divided the Church since 1378. While he believed that Benedict XIII was the legitimate pontiff, Vincent nevertheless called publicly for him to step down for the good of the Church. He also spent much time preaching for an end to the schism in 1418. In his last years, he preached in northern France, including a sermon before the royal court at Caen in 1418. He died in Vannes, Brittany, and was canonized by Pope Callistus III. Next Item Previous Item