Bulletin May 24, 2020- SAMPLE

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
MAY 24, 2020
What does faith and religion
do for us? Ultimately, they
remind us of some truths we
conveniently forget: we are
created by a loving God, we
have imperfections, we sin, we need to be forgiven,
we have a mission and a purpose, it’s not just about
us, and we hunger for the joy of salvation. These are
human truths that are not dependent upon whether
we like them. Ignoring them places us on the paths
of comfort and satisfaction as we blindly pursue the
busyness and superficiality of our empty lives.
Instead of pursuing supernatural and lasting
pleasure, we choose things that are easier and
quicker to obtain: sex, drugs, travel, houses, cars,
fame, popularity, self-achievement and satisfaction,
physical enjoyment, and the like.
We may also find ourselves falling victim to
more negative responses to what life brings us:
anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, greed, and apathy.
Human hearts can become so hardened to the truth
that violence becomes the response of first choice.
Being a Christian is hard! Yet, as Pope Francis
reminds us, the Church needs to be a field hospital
that has to be prepared to provide people with the
remedy they need. What we need is Jesus Christ.
The Church, with all of the glory of the sacraments,
exists to help make Christ present and real for us.
Once we find Christ, we find joy. Joy is a matter of
the heart that is beyond pleasure and happiness. It
is not found in some earthly satisfaction, only in
Christ.
Once we accept that we are destined to be
in Christ, then we will discover eternal life. Namely,
“that they should know you, the only true God, and
the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” It is easy to
conveniently forget truth and pursue illusions
immediately within our grasp, but at what price? A
man celebrating 60 years of marriage remarked that
it took so much effort and so many attempts to
convince his wife that they were meant to be
together. Even his friends told him he was foolish.
He easily could have given up and pursued other
interests. He chose to persevere and is so grateful
that he made that choice because he now has a pearl
of great price. Do we see a value in persevering in
our faith regardless of the cost? If we don’t take
the risk, we could lose more than we know.
PRAY FOR THE SICK
Please Pray For: Marie Stovall Broussard, Claudia Brown,
Reese Buggs, Tina Butler, Patsy R. Coleman, Reginald
Douglas, Sonya Douglas, Sophia Eaglin, John Estorge III,
Mary Floyd, Jane Fontenette, Phoenix Fontenot, Rosalind
Gardner, Herman Gary, Janet Gary, Mary Gilliard, Wiliby
Goode, Austin Gordon, Mable Guidry, Elizabeth Harris,
Tobin Hawkins, Kandace Hebert, Florence Johnson, Jeanette
Jones, Charles Julian, Mary Jane Julian, Hazel McClinton,
Verbal Martin, Bobby Matthews, Michael Mitchell, Krista
Moore, Montreal Moore, Emma Morton, Levi Moss,
Margaret Nichols, Ani Josephine Pendleton, Rose Marie
Reed, Hazel Rem, Theresa Rideau, Johnnie Mae Roy,
Leonard Roy, Paul Simmons, Carolyn Softly, Imogene
Stafford, Mary Ann Thibodeaux, Arthur Thomas, Urabell
Thomas, Leroy Thornton, Jacob Viser, Melina Volair, Robert
Wesley, Larry White, Mary Ann Willis, Rose Wilson, and
Kyle Wright.
LIVING FAITH:
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE DAY
Monday: Acts 19:1-8 * Ps 68:2-7 * Jn 16:29-33
Do you believe now?
Tuesday: Acts 20:17-27 * Ps 68:10-11, 20-21 * Jn 17:1-
11
Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the
only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
Wednesday: Acts 20:28-38 * Ps 68:29-30, 33-36 * Jn
17:11-19
And from your own group, men will come forward
perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after
them.
Thursday: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 * Ps 16:1-2, 5, 7-11 * Jn
17:20-26
You will show me the path to life…
Friday: Acts 25:13-21 * Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 * Jn
21:15-19
He said this signifying by what kind of death he would
glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him,
“Follow me.”
Saturday: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 * Ps 11:4, 5, 7 * Jn
21:20-25
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He
received all who came to him, and with complete
assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the
Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday: Acts 2:1-11 * Ps 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34 * 1 Cor
12:3-7, 12-13 * Jn 20:19-23
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And…he
breathed on them…

Offering for May 16 th & 17 th , 2020
Mail-In Offerings $ 5,027.00
Online Giving $ 9,275.72
Total Offerings $ 14,302.72
Capital Improvement $ 117.00
(Please use the ‘online Giving’ @ faith.direct/TX1078
Or Text ‘$ amount’ or ‘enroll’ @ 832-841-4777 for
your offertory- your online & Text Giving offering is
entered in our system. You may also mail your
offering)
Thank you so much for your generosity!
ONLINE GIVING
FAITH.DIRECT/TX1078
TEXT GIVING
2020 DIOCESAN SERVICES FUND (DSF)
As of 05-21-2020
Parish Goal $ 64,000.00
Total Pledged $ 23,482.00
Total Paid $ 15,214.50
Pledged Over (under) Goal $ (40,518.00)
Paid Over (Under) Goal $ (48,785.50)
Total Number of Participants 103
Total Number of Households 1080
“Bring your Greatest Gift to the Lord for the
Common Good”
Christ calls us to serve one another. Serving and
sharing our gifts with others is a way of praising God.
Your kind gift to DSF enables us to reach out to people,
especially the Elderly, sick, incarcerated & poor,
throughout the archdiocese through 60 plus important
ministries.
Pray about you DSF 2019 commitment. Your generosity
will allow our Catholic community to continue many
vital programs and services. Our parish goal is
$64,000.00. With every parish family’s full
participation, we can surely exceed this amount. If you
have not offered your pledge yet, please do so today.
You may use the pledge card in the pews or do it online
at www.archgh.org /dsf to make your donation.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat. 5:00PM For our Parishioners
Sun. 8:30AM For our Graduates
Sun. 11:00AM For our Parishioners
Graduation, 2020
2020-2021 SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for students in PreK-3
through the 8 th grade. That's right, St. Mary's is
extending its program to a full middle school including
an athletic program among other advance programs.
Now is the time to register for the 2020-2021 School
Year at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School.
Please contact Ms. Cookie Taylor at
rtaylor@stmaryshoustonschool.org or 409-599-
1290. Our School always aims at providing a wellrounded
education academically, spiritually,
culturally and socially.
We, St. Mary’s Family, take immense pleasure in
Congratulating you for your great achievement. It’s
our pleasure to join you and your Family in celebrating
your accomplishment. It is extremely gratifying to
know that you survived the storm of these challenging
months as you satisfy your requirements for
graduation. And, indeed it will be unusual with no
prom or formal commencement exercise!
However, We are very delighted to celebrate your
achievements with you and pray for your future
endeavors at Mass on this Sunday, May 24 th at 8:30
A.M.
Our Guest speaker for this occasion is our own
parishioner, Dr. Kayce D. Solari Williams (“Dr. Kayce”).

OUR GRADUATES
Josephine Bergeron, is graduating from Gateway
Academy. Josephine plans to attend the Art
Institute of Houston in the Fall pursuing an
Associate Degree in Culinary/Pastry. Her
parents are Alan and Valerie Bergeron.
Heath A. Butler Jr., is graduating from Bellaire
High School. He plans to attend Louisiana State
University this Fall. Heath is the son of Tina and
Heath Butler.
Bralond Roque Conant, is graduating from Jack
Yates High School. He plans on pursuing a career
in Electrical Engineering and Music
Production. His parents are Louis and April
Conant.
Warrington (Quint) Goudeau, V, is graduating
from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, with a
Bachelor of Arts in History. His mother is Marla
Kline.
Sharidan Guidry, is graduating from Xavier
University in New Orleans, La. She is the
daughter of Shari and Darryl Guidry.
Alana Humes, is graduating from Waltrip High
School. Her parents are Gregory and Talitha
Humes.
Brandon Jefferson, is graduating from Heights
High School. He plans to attend Grambling State
University to major in Nursing. Brandon is the
son of Shameika and Brandon Jefferson.
Janiece Jefferson, is graduating from Michael E.
Debakey High School for Health Professionals.
She plans to attend Baylor University to major in
Environmental Science. Janiece is be daughter of
Shameika and Brandon Jefferson.
Victoria Jensenia Rose Lopez, is graduating from
Ross Shaw Sterling High School and Houston
Community College with an Associate Degree.
Her mother is Kimbra Baynes.
Sahara Maruska, is graduating from St. Agnes
Academy High School. Sahara plans to attend
Rice University in the Fall. Her parents are Nikki
Brock-Maruska and Jay Maruska.
Kristan McKenzie Prier, is graduating from
Lamar University. Her parents are Gregory and
Yolanda M. Prier.
Aaron Reed, is graduating from St. Thomas
University, with a degree in Psychology. His
parents are Cyron and Shawn Reed. Aaron plans
to work in the NFL or NBA as a Sports
Psychologist.
Baron Reed, is graduating from Shadow Creek
High School. Baron plans to attend HCC in the
Fall. His parents are Cyron And Shawn Reed
Donovan Anthony Selexman, is graduating from
James Madison High School. Donovan wants to
pursue a degree in nursing. His parents are Dawn
and Reginald Hunter.
Kirk Selexman Jr., is graduating from Louisiana
State University (LSU), with a Bachelor of Science
in Industrial Engineering Degree. His parents are
Dawn and Reginald Hunter.
Christopher Joseph Thomas, is graduating from
Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor of
Science in Architecture. He plans to attend Prairie
View A&M University in the Fall to achieve his
Master’s in Architecture. His parents are Rosalind
& Melvin Thomas.
Rachel Marie Thomas, is graduating from
Lawrence Elkins High School. She plans to attend
Prairie View A&M University in the Fall. Her
parents are Rosalind & Melvin Thomas.
Derrick A. Verdun, is graduating from South Texas
School of Law. He is the son of David and Debra
Verdun.
Nikole Marks, is graduating from Wunsche
Senior High. Nikole, plans to attend to Xavier
University of Louisiana in Fall. Her parents are
Ken and LaTundia Marks.

Dr. Kayce D. Solari Williams
Dr. Kayce D. Solari Williams (“Dr. Kayce”) is a Native Texan with degrees from Texas A&M University
in Kinesiology (B.S. and M.S.) and Health Education with a specialization in Prevention Science (Ph.D.)
and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health (MPH in Health
Promotion and Behavioral Sciences). She completed her teacher certification coursework and training at
Texas Southern University and is certified in the state of Texas to teach all-level physical education and
secondary dance.
Over the past 22 years, Dr. Kayce has taught at the K-12 and higher education levels. Her education and
work experiences in academia have centered on the human body. She promotes movement; movement that
is natural, but challenging and rewarding. She strives to be a constant and consistent reminder to people
about the joys of physical activity not just with words, but with proven, sound, and replicable actions. Her
job as an educator is to create a safe atmosphere which fosters learning and the use of critical thinking skills
while engaging students. Dr. Kayce is dedicated to teaching and training future health professionals using
innovative and inspiring in-class and virtual or electronic techniques as well as providing students with
service learning opportunities locally and abroad. Her primary research mission is to prevent new cases of
obesity and associated chronic diseases through physical activity and active lifestyle promotion. Other areas
of interest include the promotion of a positive body image and reduction of health risk behaviors in youth
(e.g., alcohol and other drug use; sexual health; unhealthy diet; violence).
Currently, Dr. Kayce works in the College of Education’s Department of Psychological, Health, and
Learning Sciences at the University of Houston. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Health Internship
Coordinator responsible for instruction, training, and leadership of over 1,000 students in Allied Health,
Health Promotion, and Public Health degree tracks. In addition to her primary roles, she is the UH Education
Program Director for U-HAND, a collaborative partnership between the University of Houston and MD
Anderson Cancer Center devoted to the elimination of cancer inequities through the reduction of social and
physical risk factors among disproportionately affected groups. U-HAND is funded by the National
Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Kayce is the President of the American School Health Association and an executive board member of
the Houston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and. She is married (Dexter), has one
daughter (Kamryn), a bonus son (Trey), and a dog named Tyger.