St. Basil the Great, a Doctor of the Church and Bishop of Caesarea, was a key defender of orthodoxy against Arianism. Along with his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Gregory Nazianzus, he was one of the Three Cappadocians. Raised in a devout family, he studied in Caesarea and Constantinople before embracing monastic life, earning the title Father of Eastern Monasticism. As bishop, he cared for the poor, defended Church rights, and opposed heresy. His writings, including On the Holy Spirit and the Liturgy of St. Basil, remain influential. He died in 379, beloved by many. St. Basil the Great Time Period: 330-379 Feast Day: January 2 Title/Attributes: Bishop, Doctor of the Church Location of Relic: Main Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Basil the Great is a Doctor of the Church, Bishop of Caesarea and who was noted, with St. Athanasius, as a great defender of Christian orthodoxy against Arianism. With his brother St. Gregory of Nyssa, and St. Gregory Nazianzus, Basil is one of “the Three Cappadocians” who distinguished themselves in Church history. Basil was the son of St. Basil the Elder and Emmelia, the daughter of a martyr, and was one of ten children, three of whom – Basil, Gregory, and Macrina – became saints. Largely raised by his grandmother, he studied at Caesarea, his native town, and at Constantinople, where he developed his long friendship with St. Gregory Nazianzus. Having obtained a superb education, he returned to Caesarea as a teacher. He soon also underwent a profound spiritual transformation, embarking on a journey in 357 to the monasteries of Egypt, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. Returning, he founded a monastic community near Annesi, where his sister Macrina had already established a religious house. Basil’s innovations within the monastic community, especially his rule, earned him the title Father of Eastern Monasticism. The rule of St. Basil is still followed by the members of the religious life in the lands of the Orthodox Churches. In 360, he was finally convinced to depart his hermitage and take part in a council at Constantinople. Subsequently ordained with great reluctance, he played a major role in the administration of the diocese of Caesarea under Bishop Eusebius, so much so that the two entered into a dispute. Basil withdrew to his monastic community but was recalled in 365 at the insistence of Gregory Nazianzus. In 370, he was chosen to succeed to the see of Caesarea that had by now acquired the status of metropolitan. His appointment was a great pleasure to St. Athanasius but was greeted with suspicion by the ardent Arian Emperor Valens. Over the next nine years he was noted for his care of the poor, his efforts at the defense of ecclesiastical rights, and most of all, for his steadfast opposition to heresy, especially Arianism. When defending himself before Valens, Basil was so fiery that a courtier questioned his boldness, to which the saint gave his famous reply: “Perhaps you are not familiar with a proper bishop.” Owing to the controversy over Melitius, bishop of Antioch, and the efforts of Valens to reduce Basil’s power, his friendship with Gregory was severely strained. He died on January 1, 379, at a time of terrible upheaval in the Roman Empire both politically (because of the Goths) and religiously (because of the Arians). Because he was so beloved, his funeral was attended by a large weeping crowd, including Christians, Jews, and pagans. Basil was revered for his spiritual achievements and his vast contributions to Christian culture in the fourth century. His letters reveal a remarkably holy and eloquent person, who, while never strong physically, was utterly fearless in defense of orthodoxy or in the face of imperial threats and pressures to conform to the doctrinal trends of the day. Some three hundred sixty-six letters are extant, most from the time after his elevation to the episcopacy. His other writings included: a treatise, On the Holy Spirit; three books against Enomius, an outspoken Arian bishop of Cyzicus; a compilation with Gregory of Nazianzus from the works of Origen in the Philocalia. He is also the ascribed formulator of the Liturgy of St. Basil, still used on certain days in the liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church. St. Basil the Great 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

St. Angela Merici, born in 1470 in Lombardy, Italy, founded the Ursulines and was a mystic. Orphaned young, she became a Franciscan tertiary and devoted herself to prayer. After a vision, she began educating girls in her hometown and later opened a school in Brescia. In 1524, while on a pilgrimage, she was temporarily blinded but regained her sight through prayer. In 1535, she founded the Ursulines, dedicated to the religious education of young women. Angela served as their superior until her death in 1540. Her order received papal approval in 1544, and she is venerated in Ursuline communities. Her feast day is January 27. St. Angela Merici Time Period: 1474-1540 Feast Day: January 27 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Founder of Ursuline Order, Incorrupt Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Angela Merici is the foundress of the Ursulines and a mystic. Born on March 21, 1470, at Disenzano, Lombardy, Italy, she was orphaned at age 10. She and her sister went to nearby Salo, where they were raised by her uncle's family with loving care. Her sister died suddenly without the last sacraments, an event that distressed Angela. She then became a Franciscan tertiary (Third Order) and prayed for the repose of her sister's soul. When Angela was 20, her uncle died, and she returned to her home in Disenzano. There she converted her house into a school for teaching local girls the catechism. In a vision, she learned that she was to found a congregation dedicated to the religious training of young women. She started this work by opening a second school in Brescia, Italy. In 1524, Angela made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was stricken blind while on the island of Crete. She finished her pilgrimage and returned to Crete, where she regained her sight while in prayer. The following year she went to Rome and was received by Pope Clement VII. The Holy Father asked her to remain in Rome, but she felt compelled to return to Brescia to continue her work. On November 25, 1535, Angela laid the foundation of the Ursulines, then called "The Cooperative of St. Ursula." They lived in a small house near St. Afra's Church in Brescia. She served as superior for five years, dying on January 27, 1540. Her body lies in the church of St. Afra, and she is sometime Ursulines received papal approval in 1544. St. Angela is especially venerated in Brescia and in Ursuline communities. She is depicted in liturgical art in her Ursuline habit. Bunson, Matthew E. Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints. 2nd ed., Our Sunday Visitor Inc.,u.s., 2014. Next Item Previous Item

St. Germaine Cousin was born in Pibrac, France, into harsh circumstances and physical frailty. She lost her mother as a baby and her father remarried. She was abused by her stepmother and neglected by her father, forced to sleep in a stable and survive on scraps. Despite harsh treatment, she lived a life of deep faith, attending daily Mass and tending sheep, which miraculously remained safe and obedient. Villagers witnessed many wonders, including the parting of a flooding stream and flowers falling from her apron when accused of stealing bread. She died alone and unnoticed, but her incorrupt body was discovered 43 years later. St. Germain Cousin Time Period: 1579-1601 Feast Day: June 15 Title/Attributes: Virgin, Incorrupt Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Center Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Germaine Cousin was born into poor circumstances in Pibrac, near Toulouse, France. Shortly after her birth, she unfortunately lost her devoted mother. Her weak constitution, her withered right hand, and her scrofulous neck with its discharging sores made her an object of revulsion to her stepmother, who constantly persecuted her. It is recorded that her father also had little affection for her and he permitted her to be ejected from the house when the other children were born. Germaine was forced to sleep in the stable upon a heap of twigs beneath a stair, was begrudgingly fed on scraps, was denied the companionship of other children, and was required to shepherd the flocks at a young age. The little shepherdess’s virtues and sanctity did not go unnoticed by the villagers, for many of them witnessed unusual occurrences, which they considered to be miraculous. We are told that it was necessary for her to cross a stream that was often swollen by rain to reach the village church for her daily attendance at Mass. On one occasion, when the current was particularly strong, the villagers were astonished to see the rushing water separate to provide a dry passageway for her. The sheep, which she often took with her to church, never strayed from her staff that she stuck in the ground, and it is known that not once were they threatened by the wolves that inhabited the neighboring forest. The most celebrated incident involving Germaine, occurred one winter day when her stepmother was pursuing her with a stick, loudly accusing her of stealing bread to give to the poor. Upon being told to open her folded apron, there fell out only fragrant flowers of a variety unknown to the region. The witnesses of this even, Pierre Pailles and Jeanne Salaires, gave sworn testimony concerning this miracle, which is reminiscent of a similar marvel recorded of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. One night, Germaine died unattended on her pallet of straw, where her father found her sickly body the next morning. We are told that during the night two monks traveling from Toulouse were sleeping in the ruins of a nearby castle when they were awakened by angelic melodies. They saw a great beam of light rising from a distant building and extending into the sky. Heavenly figures were seen descending into the building and later ascending with another figure. Upon reaching Pibrac the next morning, they inquired if anyone had died during the night and were told of the death of the little shepherdess. 43 years after her death, Germaine’s body was discovered to be perfectly conserved and incorruptible. She is among the few saints who can be declared “incorruptible.” This little saint, so abused, neglected, and mistreated during her lifetime, has been greatly loved and venerated throughout the world, but especially in Pibrac where on her feast day, June 15, huge pilgrimages wend their way to the basilica where special ceremonies are observed in her honor. Next Item Previous Item

St. Lawrence of Brindisi, born in 1559 in Italy, joined the Capuchin Franciscans at 16 and was a gifted preacher and scholar. Fluent in several languages, he preached across Europe and helped found friaries in Germany and Austria. In 1601, he led Christian forces against the Turks in Hungary, carrying only a crucifix. He served as vicar-general of the order, papal emissary, and peacemaker in political conflicts. Lawrence authored sermons and theological works that earned him the title Doctor of the Church for his sanctity and deep insights into the faith. He died in Lisbon in 1619 and was canonized in 1881. St. Lawrence of Brindisi Time Period: 1559-1619 Feast Day: July 21 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Doctor of the Church, Franciscan Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Right Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Lawrence of Brindisi was a Capuchin Franciscan, a noted preacher, and is declared a Doctor of the Church. He was born in Brindisi, in the kingdom of Naples, Italy on July 22, 1559. He was named Caesare de Rossi, he later took the name Lawrence when he became a Franciscan at the age of sixteen. Well-educated at the University of Padua, he began preaching soon after ordination. In 1596, he became a high-ranking superior in the Capuchin order, and five years later was sent to Germany with Blessed Benedict of Urbino. They founded priories in Prague, Vienna, Austria, and Gorizia, in Italy. Lawrence also helped to raise an army to combat the Turks in Hungary and is credited with winning a battle in Hungary against them in 1601 by leading the troops into battle with only a crucifix to protect himself. Elected vicar-general of the order in 1602, he refused reelection in 1605, going instead of Madrid, Spain, to persuade King Philip III of Spain to join the Catholic League. He served as papal nuncio to the royal court of Bavaria, Germany, until 1618, when he retired to a monastery at Caserta, Italy. He was soon recalled to settle a problem with the duke of Osuna, Spain. The journey to Lisbon to meet with the king brought about his death on July 22. Among his writings were sermons, commentaries on Genesis and Ezekiel, and three volumes of religious polemics. His nine volumes of sermons display his holiness and brilliance. He was canonized in 1881 and declared a Doctor of the Church. A Doctor of the Church 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

Ministry Expenses Ministry Expenses Fundraising: To ensure all fundraisers at St. Anthony adhere to Archdiocesan guidelines and fulfill the overall mission of the parish/school community, all fundraisers must have prior approval of the parish Leadership Team. Fundraising applications are submitted during annual scheduling and must be approved. Approved fundraisers must strictly adhere to the approved scope and comply with all accounting guidelines. Collection of Funds: When cash or checks are turned in at the front desk to the receptionist, please request a copy of a Money Receipt. Outside of office hours, checks and cash should be deposited according to protocol. See your ministry-assigned staff member for directions. Money that is collected may not leave campus. Ministry Expenses: Keep in mind, ministries do not have a budget provided by the parish. The only way they can submit expenses for reimbursement is if they have collected money from their attendees and have money to spend. Check requests, expense reimbursements, and invoices must be submitted to the ministry-assigned staff member who oversees the ministry for review and approval. Check requests are when a person is not being paid back for something. The “Check Request Form” is required to be completed to process the money. (Example speakers and fees). Expense reimbursements are when a person is being paid back for something. The “Expense Reimbursement Form” is required to be completed to process the money. Detailed receipts/proof of purchase must accompany any requested reimbursements. All check requests, expense reimbursements, and invoices incurred/dated during a month must be submitted to the ministry-assigned staff member no later than 7 calendar days in the subsequent month, or they risk not being paid. Bills are paid within 2 weeks unless there’s a holiday, then the schedule is adjusted as seen fit. An IRS Form W9 is required for all vendors, checks will not be written without one. Sales Tax Sales tax cannot be reimbursed because the parish (and its ministries) is a tax-exempt organization. The purchase of a non-taxable item requires the vendor to be provided with an exemption certificate in the form prescribed by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Contact your ministry-assigned staff member for this certificate. Contracts Only the pastor has the authority to sign contracts. No ministry representative or parish staff member is legally authorized to sign any contract. If one does, the contract is null and void. All contracts must be submitted to the ministry-assigned staff member. All contracts will then be forwarded to the Archdiocese Legal Department for review. Please note that the contract approval may take weeks or months. Ministry Financials We have over 100 ministries in our parish, and over 80% have financial transactions involving the parish. We manage over $6M each year. We are fortunate to have a CPA on staff and a bookkeeper. If we all follow procedures, then all will function smoothly for your ministries. We recommend the following for your ministry. One person per ministry manages all financial transactions, both income & expenses. They review, code, and submit all cash, checks, check requests, expense reimbursements, and invoices to the ministry-assigned staff member for processing. These transactions should also be tracked by this person to ensure the ministry does not overspend more than the funds that are received. A tracking template should be used. To reconcile with the parish financials for the ministry, email your ministry-assigned staff member for a ministry financial report no more than once a month. He/she will then forward it to the appropriate accounting staff member to respond. The Ministry-assigned staff member is the staff member who oversees the department that your ministry falls under. i.e. Adult Faith Formation; Outreach; Devotions; etc. Please direct all questions to them. Check Request 7.24.2025 .xlsx Download XLSX • 19KB Expense Reimbursement Form-Parishioner .xlsx Download XLSX • 19KB Previous Item Next Item

Parish Endowment Investing in the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Endowment is a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy—one that nurtures our parish and sustains the faith for generations to come. Building A Legacy of Faith MAKE AN ENDOWMENT GIFT Why Give to the Endowment? A contribution to the endowment is an investment in a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding for St. Anthony of Padua. The fund is professionally managed by an institutional advisory team to ensure long-term growth and financial stability . Each year, a portion of the fund’s income may be distributed to support the parish. Any additional earnings are reinvested to build the fund’s value over time. This helps provide critical support for ongoing needs, including building maintenance, campus expansion, and ministry development . Peace of Mind for the Future Endowment giving provides more than financial support—it brings peace of mind , knowing your contribution will secure the future of St. Anthony of Padua and its mission. Ways to Give Build Your Legacy, One Gift at a Time Recurring gifts are a simple way to grow your contribution to the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Endowment over time. Consider giving on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis to align with your earnings and personal giving strategy. Leave a Lasting Legacy By naming the Parish Endowment as a beneficiary in your estate plan , you ensure your faith and generosity live on. Your planned gift will support the parish mission for generations to come.. We are now accepting endowment gifts through your PushPay account. For more information about the St. Anthony of Padua Parish Endowment and other planned giving opportunities, please contact: Joe Corona Email: jcorona@ap.church PLANNED AND LEGACY GIFT GUIDE Next Item Previous Item

Privacy Policy St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Online Privacy Policy This Privacy Policy was last updated on September 1, 2019. Our Policy Information We Collect Our Use of Your Personal Data and Other Information Our Disclosure of Your Personal Data and Other Information Your Choices Exclusions Children Links To Other Web Sites Security Other Terms and Conditions Changes to Archdiocese’s Privacy Policy Accessing Information; Contacting Archdiocese Our Policy: Welcome to the web site (the “Site”) of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (herein collectively referred to as the “St Anthony,” “we”, “us” and/or “our”). The Site, ap.church , stanthonyym.org , littlesaintspreschool.org and ap.churchcenter.com , is operated by St Anthony and has been created to provide information about our parish and to provide access to the information, resources, products and services available through the Site (“Parish Services”) to our Site visitors (“you”, “your”). This Privacy Policy sets forth St Anthony’s policy with respect to information including personally identifiable data (“Personal Data”) and other information that is collected from Site visitors. Information We Collect: When you interact with us through the Site, we may collect Personal Data and other information from you, as further described below: Personal Data That You Provide Through the Site: We collect Personal Data from you when you voluntarily provide such information, such as when you contact us with inquiries, respond to one of our surveys, register for access to Parish Services or use certain Parish Services. Wherever St Anthony collects Personal Data we make an effort to provide a link to this Privacy Policy. By voluntarily providing us with Personal Data, you are consenting to our use of it in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you provide Personal Data to this Site, you acknowledge and agree that such Personal Data may be transferred from your current location to the offices and servers of St Anthony and the authorized third parties referred to herein located in the United States. Other Information: Non-Identifiable Data : When you interact with St Anthony through the Site, we receive and store certain personally non-identifiable information. Such information, which is collected passively using various technologies, cannot presently be used to specifically identify you. St Anthony may store such information itself or such information may be included in databases owned and maintained by St Anthony affiliates, agents or service providers. This Site may use such information and pool it with other information to track, for example, the total number of visitors to our Site, the number of visitors to each page of our Site, and the domain names of our visitors' Internet service providers. It is important to note that no Personal Data is available or used in this process. In operating this Site, we may use a technology called "cookies." A cookie is a piece of information that the computer that hosts our Site gives to your browser when you access the Site. Our cookies help provide additional functionality to the Site and help us analyze Site usage more accurately. For instance, our Site may set a cookie on your browser that allows you to access the Site without needing to remember and then enter a password more than once during a visit to the Site. In all cases in which we use cookies, we will not collect Personal Data except with your permission. On most web browsers, you will find a “help” section on the toolbar. Please refer to this section for information on how to receive notification when you are receiving a new cookie and how to turn cookies off. We recommend that you leave cookies turned on because they allow you to take advantage of some of the Site’s features. Aggregated Personal Data : In an ongoing effort to better understand and serve the users of Parish Services, St Anthony often conducts research on its customer demographics, interests and behavior based on the Personal Data and other information provided to us. This research may be compiled and analyzed on an aggregate basis, and St Anthony may share this aggregate data with its affiliates, agents and business partners. This aggregate information does not identify you personally. St Anthony may also disclose aggregated user statistics in order to describe our services to current and prospective business partners, and to other third parties for other lawful purposes. Our Use of Your Personal Data and Other Information: St Anthony uses the Personal Data you provide in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy. If you provide Personal Data for a certain reason, we may use the Personal Data in connection with the reason for which it was provided. For instance, if you contact us by e-mail, we will use the Personal Data you provide to answer your question or resolve your problem. Also, if you provide Personal Data in order to obtain access to Parish Services, we will use your Personal Data to provide you with access to such services and to monitor your use of such services. St Anthony and its subsidiaries and affiliates (the “St Anthony Related Companies”) may also use your Personal Data and other personally non-identifiable information collected through the Site to help us improve the content and functionality of the Site, to better understand our users and to improve Parish Services. St Anthony and its affiliates may use this information to contact you in the future to tell you about services we believe will be of interest to you. If we do so, each communication we send you will contain instructions permitting you to "opt-out" of receiving future communications. In addition, if at any time you wish not to receive any future communications or you wish to have your name deleted from our mailing lists, please contact us as indicated below. If St Anthony intends on using any Personal Data in any manner that is not consistent with this Privacy Policy, you will be informed of such anticipated use prior to or at the time at which the Personal Data is collected. Our Disclosure of Your Personal Data and Other Information: St Anthony is not in the business of selling your information. We consider this information to be a vital part of our relationship with you. There are, however, certain circumstances in which we may share your Personal Data with certain third parties without further notice to you, as set forth below: Related Companies : We may also share your Personal Data with our Related Companies for purposes consistent with this Privacy Policy. Agents, Consultants and Related Third Parties : St Anthony, like many organizations, sometimes hires other companies to perform certain business-related functions. Examples of such functions include mailing information, maintaining databases and processing payments. When we employ another organization to perform a function of this nature, we only provide them with the information that they need to perform their specific function. Legal Requirements : St Anthony may disclose your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to (i) comply with a legal obligation, (ii) protect and defend the rights or property of Archdiocese, (iii) act in urgent circumstances to protect the personal safety of users of the Site or the public, or (iv) protect against legal liability. Your Choices : You can use the Site without providing any Personal Data. If you choose not to provide any Personal Data, you may not be able to use certain Parish Services. Exclusions : This Privacy Policy does not apply to any Personal Data collected by St Anthony other than Personal Data collected through the Site. This Privacy Policy shall not apply to any unsolicited information you provide to St Anthony through this Site or through any other means. This includes, but is not limited to, information posted to any public areas of the Site, such as bulletin boards (collectively, “Public Areas”), any ideas for new information, resources, products or services or modifications to existing information, resources, products or services, and other unsolicited submissions (collectively, “Unsolicited Information”). All Unsolicited Information shall be deemed to be non-confidential and St Anthony shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose, and distribute such Unsolicited Information to others without limitation or attribution. Children : St Anthony does not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under the age of 13. If you are under the age of 13, please do not submit any Personal Data through the Site. We encourage parents and legal guardians to monitor their children’s Internet usage and to help enforce our Privacy Policy by instructing their children never to provide Personal Data on this Site without their permission. If you have reason to believe that a child under the age of 13 has provided Personal Data to St Anthony through this Site, please contact us, and we will endeavor to delete that information from our databases. Links to Other Web Sites : This Privacy Policy applies only to the Site. This Site may contain links to other web sites not operated or controlled by St Anthony (the “Third Party Sites”). The policies and procedures we described here do not apply to the Third Party Sites. The links from this Site do not imply that St Anthony endorses or has reviewed the Third Party Sites. We suggest contacting those sites directly for information on their privacy policies. Security : St Anthony takes reasonable steps to protect the Personal Data provided via the Site from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no Internet or e-mail transmission is ever fully secure or error free. In particular, e-mail sent to or from this Site may not be secure. Therefore, you should take special care in deciding what information you send to us via e-mail. Please keep this in mind when disclosing any Personal Data to St Anthony via the Internet. Other Terms and Conditions : Your access to and use of this Site is subject to the Terms of Use . By accessing, browsing or using this Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Agreement. If you do not accept the terms and conditions of this Agreement, do not use the Site. Changes to St Anthony’s Privacy Policy : The Site and our business may change from time to time. As a result, at times it may be necessary for St Anthony to make changes to this Privacy Policy. St Anthony reserves the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time and from time to time without prior notice. Please review this policy periodically, and especially before you provide any Personal Data. This Privacy Policy was last updated on the date indicated above. Your continued use of the Site after any changes or revisions to this Privacy Policy shall indicate your agreement with the terms of such revised Privacy Policy. Access to Information; Contacting St Anthony : To keep your Personal Data accurate, current, and complete, please contact us as specified below. We will take reasonable steps to update or correct Personal Data in our possession that you have previously submitted via this Site. Please also feel free to contact us if you have any questions about St Anthony’s Privacy Policy or the information practices of this Site. You may contact us as follows: By mail: St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church 7801 Bay Branch Dr The Woodlands, TX 77382 By phone: (281) 419-8700 By email: support@ap.church Previous Item Next Item

Support St. Anthony of Padua in The Woodlands, TX by contributing to our parish wishlist: candles, missals, altar linens, scholarships, and more. Parish Wishlist As we continue to grow together, there are certain aspects of our beloved church that would benefit from rejuvenation and upkeep. These include various yearly expenses where your generous support would make a significant difference. While your name won't be publicly listed as a donor for these items, it will be gratefully acknowledged on your annual giving statement. Your contribution, no matter the size, is deeply valued and helps sustain the vibrant spirit of our parish. Contact Us Giving Homepage Easter Candle $3,000 Candle for the Church Give Now Easter Candle $3,000 Candle for the Chapel Give Now Altar Linens $3,000 200 linens per year Give Now Missals $10,000 1,000 missals for Church and Chapel Give Now Bread & Wine $12,000 $1,000 per month Give Now Liturgy Candles $2,500 250 candles per year Give Now Baptismal Rosaries $1,750 350 baptisms per year Give Now Youth Ministry Scholarships $5,000 $150 per teen Give Now Children's Scholarships $5,000 $80 per child Give Now Distribution Bags $2,000 6,500 bags per month Give Now Narthex Table Flowers $325 $325 per week Give Now Church Altar Flowers $625 $625 per week Give Now BACK TO TOP

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

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, born in Italy in 1568, was a nobleman who renounced his title to join the Jesuits. He served as a page in the courts of Philip II of Spain and Francesco de Medici, where he was spiritually guided by St. Charles Borromeo. Despite his aristocratic upbringing, he chose a religious life, excelling in philosophy and mathematics. In 1590, he had a vision foretelling his death. During a famine-induced plague, he cared for the sick, contracted the illness, and died in 1591 after receiving last rites from St. Robert Bellarmine. He is honored as the patron of youth. St. Aloysius Gonzaga Time Period: 1568-1591 Feast Day: June 21 Title/Attributes: Confessor, Jesuit Location of Relic: Back Right Reliquary - Left Section Type of Relic: Bones St. Aloysius Gonzaga was a scholar and patron of youth. He was born in Castiglione Castle in Italy on March 9, 1568. He was the eldest son of Ferdinand Gonzaga, the marquis of Mantua-Castiglione, and was sent to serve as a page in the court of King Philip II of Spain in 1581. He also served as a page in the court of Francesco de Medici and came under the spiritual guidance of St. Charles Borromeo. While in the court of Philip II, Aloysius decided to embrace the religious life, choosing the Discalced Carmelites at first and then the Jesuits. In 1584, he returned to Italy, where he won his father's approval to renounce his title and inheritance. He then presented himself to Claudius Acquaviva, the father general of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, on November 25, 1585. A brilliant man and both trained philosopher and mathematician, Aloysius earned honors at the University of Alcala. During his Jesuit novitiate, or early period of training, he was singled out for his intellect and for his piety. In 1590, he received a vision that declared he would die within a year. In the vision, the Archangel Gabriel led Aloysius and St. Anthony of Padua to heaven. When a famine developed in Italy, a form of plague swept across the land. Aloysius cared for the victims, contracted the plague, and died on June 21, 1591, after receiving the last rites from St. Robert Bellarmine. Next Item Previous Item