St Thomas More Catholic Community
Stewardship Committee

Parish Ministries and Organizations
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Purpose: We are one of the five Works of the Cross acknowledged by the Church and enlivened by the spirit of Christ Priest and Victim. Moved by the Holy Spirit we:

• Discover in our lives the salvific value of suffering accepted out of love
• Offer to the Father, through the hands of Mary, Christ Priest and Victim
• Offer ourselves with Him in our daily cross
• Work to spread to others this priestly spirituality through our apostolic action

As members of the Apostleship of the Cross we are called to live according to the teachings of the Spirituality of the Cross revealed to the Servant of God Concepción Cabrera de Armida ("Conchita").

Meeting times: Each week with an Evening of Reflection once a month. We have both Spanish and English groups.

Contacts:
Frank García, STM Coordinador, e-mail:  fjgarcia@swbell.net
Ana Quirós, Houston Center Coordinator, e-mail:  aquiros@aol.com
 
Visit the Apostleship of the Cross Home Page
http://www.stmhouston.org/+/apc.html

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Purpose:A bible study program based on the Sunday readings (Lectionary-based) for greater understanding of the Bible, an increased awareness of God's living presence in Sacred Scripture, and appreciation of how the Bible can be applied to daily life; sharing of one's faith journey with others and growing spiritually in prayer.

Meeting Times:Wednesday mornings 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Contact:Josefa Elayda 713-723-2779, e-mail jfelayda@hotmail.com

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Purpose:To encourage the parish to spread the "good news" of Christ by example, activities, prayer, and charity.

Meeting Times:As needed.

Contact:We need a leader. Is it you? Click Here if you are interested, give your e-mail address and Phone #, Subject: E-Team. Someone will get back to you.

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Purpose:To teach mothers of young children the Catholic faith so they may pass the faith on to their children. Women learn how to apply the teachings of the Church on marriage and family to their daily lives and develop a closer relationship with Christ in the gospel.

(Babysitting available)

Contact: Erin Robleto 281-437-0072

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Purpose:Focolare, literally, "family around the fireside", is a group of Christians who emphasize living the Gospel through love and unity. Focolare is a "collective" spirituality that focuses on going to God through love of neighbor. A spirituality for adults and children, married persons, singles and religious.

Contact:Joan and Dennis Clifford, 713-729-1552

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Purpose:One weekend out of the year, (typically in March), the men of STM gather at the beautiful 20 acre Holy Name Retreat Center, (Bunker Hill near Memorial) and through various combinations of prayer, teaching, counseling, reconciliation and fellowship, renew themselves and their commitment to Jesus, family and community. The retreat is a place where miracles happen.

Annual Spring Retreat held one weekend in March

Contact: Rusty Landry, 713-271-7951, e-mail rusland@wt.net

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Click here for more information!

Contact:

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Purpose: Our Mother of Perpetual Help Prayer Group is a charismatic intercessory prayer group open to praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Our purpose is best captured by the acronym FIRE:

• F - FAITH We come together to deepen our faith through prayer, praise, quiet adoration and witnessing to the presence of God's love in our lives.
• I - INTERCESSION We are our brother's keeper. With expectant faith, we come before the Lord to pray for individual needs and the needs of the community.
• R - REPARATION Recognizing our sinfulness we ask for the grace to change our hearts and amend our lives.
• E - EVANGELIZATION Just as our Blessed Mother said her YES that brought our Lord to the world, we ask Mary's intercession to help us say our fiat and bring Jesus to others.

Meet in the Adoration Chapel Wednesday evenings 7:00-9:00 p.m.

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An opportunity for private prayer, meditation and worship in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Our Adoration Chapel is kept open day and night through the generosity of the parishioners of STM. Each adorer picks a certain hour, comes to the chapel and spends that hour with Jesus each week.

There is also an opportunity for group prayer with the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Prayer Group on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Meeting times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on Sundays, there is no adoration from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. , as the chapel is open to the Church.

We celebrate the 25th anniversary of Perpetual Adoration on Feb. 25,2006. Watch the Bulletin to find out how to participate!

Contact: Suzie Hamilton, 713-726-0289 (home), 713-729-0221(work), e-mail careysue@swbell.net or Hugo Sindelar, 713-723-0845.

Visit the Perpetual Adoration Page

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Purpose:Consists of prayer teams, each with six people who are committed to praying for particular needs made known to me by parishioners, for themselves, relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. When requests are received for prayer, contact is made to the leader of one or more teams who in turn call the people on their team asking them to pray for the needs described until the time when they receive a call with a new list of needs.

Meeting Times:We call each other whenever there is a need or something to discuss.

Contact:Mary Marshall, 713-723-8230

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Purpose: The Vocation Ministry works to insure that the people of our parish remain aware of the need to pray for, learn about, support and encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Our task is to make the parish community acknowledge that we are all called to a particular style of loving as in marriage, religious life, single life or priesthood.

Meeting times: Usually, the 3rd Wednesday of the Month (7:00 PM, in the Rectory)

Contact: Ed Sharp, 713-729-0149
E-mail STMVocation@Yahoo.com

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Purpose:Annual event in which women of STM Parish gather at Cenacle Retreat House for a weekend of prayer. Normally this is a silent retreat.

Meeting Times:Annual 

Retreat One Weekend during Lent. 

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LITURGY AND THE SACRAMENTS

Purpose:Altar serving is a ministry for the youth of STM Parish from Grades 6 and up. This ministry provides youths with the opportunity to serve our Lord at Liturgical Celebrations.

Meeting Times:Classes for the training of new alter servers are held each Spring

Contact:
Pat Vennix 713-721-2118  mvennix@houston.rr.com

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Purpose:The Altar Society consist of volunteers who clean and dress the altar. This work takes one to two hours. Also eight women volunteer to wash and iron the Altar linens. Each volunteer is scheduled for this every six weeks. Volunteers are needed for both.

Meeting Times:Every Friday for one hour. Workers choose two months out of the year.

Contact: Helen Manlove, 713-723-0422

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Purpose:Assist the Priest in the distribution of the Eucharist to the congregation at Mass and home bound parishioners.

Contact: Ellen and John Pelletier, 713-981-5159 E-Mail JPelletier@Houston.rr.com

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Purpose:Proclaim the Word of God through the readings of scripture from the Holy Bible at all Masses, especially on Sundays and Holy Days.

Meeting Times: As needed.

Contact: Peter Bock 713-773-9643 E-Mail peter_bock@ici.com

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Purpose: The fundamental purpose of the liturgy committee is to foster good worship in the parish on an ongoing basis under the guidance of the pastor. The parish liturgy committee shares the responsibility for promoting good worship whenever members of the parish gather to pray and celebrate. The work of the liturgy committee can be described as composed of four main tasks: recruiting and training liturgical ministers; preparing liturgical celebrations; determining parish policy on liturgical matters; and liturgical education of the parish.

There is Currently NO Liturgy Committee! If you are interested in this ministry, please call the Parish Office and talk to Suzy Hamilton.

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Purpose:The Liturgy Writers' Group is a subcommittee of the Liturgy Committee. Those in the group read the Sunday liturgy assigned to them from the Lectionary and the Sacramentary and, based on the theme of the day, write the introductions to prayers read by the celebrant and the introductory words read by the cantor before Mass begins. Writing the prayers of the faithful is also the responsibility of this group. This is a good way to learn about liturgy.

Contact: Joe Flaherty 713-723-8421

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Purpose:The Art and Environment Group is a subcommittee of the Liturgy Committee. Plants, flowers, seasonal liturgical decorations, especially Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, are our area of interest. We make things, move things and sometimes grow things for the benefit of the worship in the parish. We support the prayer of this community by having the Church ready for its liturgical celebrations.

Contact: Annavictoria Trinh Zambra 281-499-1591

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Purpose: Marriage Encounter is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share together. It also provides support and encouragement to priests and religious. The emphasis of Marriage Encounter is on communication between husband and wife, who spend a weekend together away from the distractions and the tension of everyday life.

For more info see http://www.MEHouston.com

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Purpose: To provide children from grades 4th through 8th the opportunity to sing at Mass and enhance the liturgy.

Meeting Times: Practice is on Wednesday 5:45-7:00 p.m. in the Adult Ed. Bldg, St. Mary Choir Room.

Contact: Mary Endres 713-980-3111, Lisa Strout 666-9091

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Purpose: The Sounds of Faith is a contemporary choir of twenty-five or more voices and instrumentalists. The Sounds of Faith sing at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays.

Meeting Times:Practice is on Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Mary Endres 713-980-3111 E-Mail MEndres@STMoreNews.Com

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Purpose: Combined choir of fifty or more voices. This choir consists of men's choir and the women's choir who sing Sunday mornings at the 9:00 or 11:00 a.m. Mass. Sometimes during the year the men's choir or the women's choir sing individually. Most of the time the choirs sing together. This choir sings mostly traditional sacred choral music.

Contact: Mary Endres 713-980-3111 E-Mail MEndres@STMoreNews.Com

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Purpose: Consist of high school members who sing and play at the Life Teen Masses every other Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The ensemble is part of the Youth Group.

Contact:

   Will Griffin 713-729-2111,  E-mail wgriffin@stmorenews.com

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Purpose: The nursery provides bible study time and child care for children who are infants to 4 years old while parents attend Mass.

Meeting Times: This is a free service offered during the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses.

Contact: Nina Coltharp, 713-729-9062 E-Mail NColtharp@STMorenews.Com

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Purpose: Ushers are more than door keepers, we are doors giving open access to the warmth of holy fellowship in the spirit of Jesus. Ushers are called to render special services to the group and also engage with it in divine worship.

Meeting Times: As needed.

Contact: Pat Puyper, 713-774-5442 E-Mail: Puyper@Juno.com

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EDUCATION

Early Childhood Development		Crown Financial Bible Study
	CCE Catechists	RCIA Hospitality	RCIA Sponsors	RCIA Team

Purpose: Share our Catholic faith with the young people in our parish.

Meeting Times: Sunday Morning: English: 9:00-10:30 a.m., Espanol: 11:00 a.m- 12:30 p.m

Contact: Barbara Mackie, 713-729-3435 E-mail BMackie@STMorenews.Com

Purpose: The STM Early Childhood Development program believes that a Christian foundation provides the basis for all learning. We offer programs for children that are eighteen months through 4 years old.

Contact: Nina Coltharp, 713-729-9062 E-mail NColtharp@STMorenews.com

Purpose: We are stewards of the STM facilities which enhance our worship. We are a committee, advisory to the Pastor, working to maintain sound and beautiful buildings and grounds. Our major effort is to generate and screen proposals for parish maintenance and construction.

Meeting Times: Every 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Meeting Place: Rectory Meeting Room

Contact: Will Hanson, 713-988-0223 E-Mail WillHanson@sbcglobal.net

Purpose:The Financial Advisory Group serves at both the selection and the discretion of the Pastor and advises him on fiscal matters, including the preparation of the budget for the Church and Parish, as necessary and as needed.

Meeting Times: As needed

Contact: Charley Raimond, 713-981-1822, e-mail craimond@hal-pc.org

Purpose: Parish Council serves as the Pastor's advisory body, assisting in developing and implementing pastoral and parish programs and services. Council members are drawn from areas of ministry and from the parish as a whole to act as representative of the entire parish community in carrying out the work of our STM community.

Meeting Times: 2nd Saturday of the month 7:00 a.m. in the rectory

Contact: Peter Bock 713-773-9643 mail:  peter_bock@ici.com

Purpose: To promote the mission of St. Thomas More Parish and all our ministries on the internet using all available technology. To promote online communication among parishioners, clergy, and ministries at STM. To facilitate communication between ministries at STM and similar ministries at other parishes. To participate in Diocese-wide discussion about the internet presence of the Church in our Diocese and to provide support and information to all parishes that have or need assistance with their presence on the internet.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: To help monitor our very large site by browsing it and sending corrections and broken links to STMWEB@STMHouston.org.

Meeting Times: In person at parties as agreed upon - AT ALL TIMES using e-mail!

TO SIGN UP FOR THE MAILLIST: Contact:
   Mike McKelvy, 713.729.2509, 713-306-0484 e-mail STMWeb@STMHouston.org

Purpose: Stewardship's goal is to encourage and assist each member of our parish family to become fully active in a parish or community ministry as a way of life. We work to strengthen present ministries and to establish new ones where there is interest.

Purpose: This fun group meets at the Scout House and everyone is welcome. Players bring a sack lunch plus $1.00. Desserts and drinks are provided. We start at 9:45 a.m. and quit at 2:00 p.m. Bring a friend and join us.

Meeting Times: First Tuesday of every month. 9:45 a.m.

Contact:
Marjorie Hurd 713-723-1538, 

Rose Katherine Mulvaney 713-723-3795

Purpose: To foster fellowship with parishioners.

Meeting Times: Coffee and donuts on the first Sunday of the month after all morning Masses in the gym.

Contact: K of C see: Knights of Columbus

Membership is open to ANYONE over 50 (and spouse). Even if you're not a member of our Parish (or even Catholic), Please Come! Meetings are informative and fun! A different guest speaker or activity every time! Trips and Outside Activities! Every Month!
See STM's Online Bulletin for current info.

Meeting Times: 2nd Saturday of every month after the 9:00 a.m. mass.

Contact: Francis Landry 713-723-2035

E-mail for more info.
 

Purpose: A group of seniors meet for some discussions and play Bingo. We have coffee and other refreshments.

Meeting Times: Second and fourth Tuesdays.

Contact: Gabrielle Hablinski 713-726-0849

Purpose: Yearly Social activity for school and parish to generate funds and stimulate camaraderie.

Meeting Times: As needed.

Contact:
Send e-mail to Kathy Prado,STM School
Or call 713-729-3434 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m.

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ACTIVITY BY AND FOR YOUTH

Boy Scouts of America	Life Teen Programs (Senior High)	Junior High Ministry
BSA Boy Scout Troop 99	Core Team	Vacation Bible School Helpers
	Parents For Life	Youth Soccer
BSA Cub Scout Pack 99	Youth Basketball
Girl Scouts of America

Purpose: Since 1910 it has been the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to serve others by helping to instill values in young people, to prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime, and to achieve their full potential. Boy Scouting works toward three aims: 1) grow in moral strength and character, 2) participating citizenship and, 3) development of physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Troop 99 currently has 71 scouts supported by many active scouters.

WEBSITE: http://www.troop99.us/

Meeting Times: Mondays, 7:00 p.m.Contact: Jim Brown, 713-721-3033 E-mail to: JDBrown@Shell.com
Rich Keogh 713-777-7987

Purpose:The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America is to provide for boys and young adults an effective, educational program designed to build desirable qualities of moral strength and character, and to develop physical, mental and emotional fitness.

Meeting Times:Pack Meeting, once a month, usually on Friday

Cubmaster: Rich Keogh 713-218-7978
Visit Pack 99 Home Page

Purpose: The Girls scout program is an informal education program designed to help girls put into practice the fundamental principles of the Girls Scout Movement. It is carried out in small groups with adult leadership and provides a wide range of activities developed around the interests and needs of girls. Meeting times: The individual troops meet at different times.

Contact: Laurie Dawson, 713-772-5843  Mail: DawsonMA@SBCGlobal.net
Visit the Girl Scout Home Page

Purpose: To provide an opportunity for the youth of the parish and their friends of the same age to join together in a wholesome and Christ-like environment. The program provides social, spiritual, and service events for the 7th and 8th graders (primarily social), with adequate adult supervision. 

Contact: Paul Latino 713-729-2111 

mail: platino@stmorenews.com

Purpose: A group of adults who volunteer as leaders of the Life Teen Program.

Contact: Contact: Cameron Maeder 713-729-2111 

mail: cmaeder@stmorenews.com

Purpose: Eucharist-centered teen program that reaches teens on four levels: spiritual, educational, emotional, and social. Life Teen liturgy is geared specifically to them. The goal of the program is to teach teens the truths of the Catholic Church through Jesus and the Sacraments, and to help them to feel loved and accepted by building community.

Meeting Times: "Life Night" is held after every Life Teen Mass (5:00 p.m. Sunday)

Contact: Contact: Cameron Maeder 713-729-2111 

mail: cmaeder@stmorenews.com

Visit Life Teen Home Page

Purpose: To assist the Youth Minister and Core Team in preparation and clean-up of Life Night meals.

Contact: Cameron Maeder 713-729-2111 

Purpose: Eight basketball leagues for Grades 1st through 8th, boys and girls separately. Stresses fun and confidence.

Meeting Times: There is one practice per week, and all games are on the weekend at the STM gym. Tryouts are in December. The league plays the months of January and February.

Contact: Bob Brill, 713-726-1785

Purpose: The STM Soccer Club gives the youth of our community an opportunity to play one of the fastest growing team sports in America. Soccer channels a child's natural energy into an environment where they can build a strong body while learning the value of individial initiative and team work. It is a sport where everyone participates, a great family sport for those interested in fun, fitness and friendship.We have teams starting with our kinder program for 4 and 5 years olds through the age of 12. STM Soccer Club is a member of the Houston Youth Soccer Association (HYSA).

Meeting Times: Games are played on Saturdays in the Fall and Spring seasons. An average season consists of 10 games and 1 or 2 tournaments.

Contact: Tracy Conner, 713-721-1496

Purpose: The purpose of the ministry is to provide practical support to ill parishioners and their caregivers. Specific service: meals.

Contact: Monique Close, 713-664-5451

Purpose: Life Plan II, STM's Blood Plan through Gulf Coast Blood Center, gives each parishioner an insurance plan for their blood needs, monetary and replacement value.

Meeting Times: There are four drives a year - February, May, August and November.

Contact:  Dina Gasper 713-881-0942 (days) or 713-772-7947 (evenings)

Purpose: This is a ministry of the heart to help families cope with a death in the family. We will be with you to give comfort, understanding and support during this stressful time, as well as help plan the wake service and funeral, if desired.

Meeting Times: Once or twice a year or as often as needed.

Contact: Rose Katherine Mulvaney, 713-723-3795

Purpose: To provide support to grieving families by arranging for a house sitter hostess and prepared food for the family and friends on the day of the funeral. Supplying prepared meals when needed during an illness. Occasionally driving some one to a doctor's appointment or physical therapy.

Contact: Dorothy Flaherty 713-723-8421

Purpose: The Hospitality Committee's purpose is to build the Catholic community in our parish and through our parish by providing occasions and places for old and new parishoners to meet, to get to know each other, and to discover ways in which all parishoners are needed to help the parish and each other.

Contact: Pat Scoggins, 713-729-9203

Purpose: This organization is for Catholic men who share and believe in four principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Knights are practical Catholics who live up the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church.

Meeting times:2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.

Contact:
   Ed LeSage 713-774-0402, e-mail lesage@nextfinancial.com
   Irvin Schueler (713)666-1311, e-mail schueler@bigplanet.com
   Tom Mack (713)666-8740

Visit Knights of Columbus Home Page

Visit the Respect Life Committee Webpage!

Purpose: The Respect Life committee is affiliated with the diocesan Respect Life program. We keep parishioners informed of current and upcoming pro life activities and legislation. We occasionally have fund raisers to directly aid women with "problem pregnancies". This is done through our Gabriel Project.

Meeting Times: Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Rectory.

Contact: Pat Churchman 713-723-1198 E-Mail: Patpmc02@ev1.net

Purpose: By integrating prayer and service we bring the good news to our needy neighbors: the poor, sick, homeless and despairing people. Our primary ministry is the Food Pantry.

Meeting Times: The third Monday of the month,  at 7:00 a.m. in Room F, Prinster Hall.

Contact: Tim Batsche 713-721-1826

Albert Onofre

Formación espiritual y confivencia fraternal con vista a futuras vocaciones, especialmente vocación sacerdotal or religiosa.

Patricia Onofre

Este grupo representa con sus bailes la tradición y cultura rica en folklor y colorido de las diferentes regiones de México.

Sr. Bob Wager

Cursos de Inglés como segundo idioma que permitan un mejor desenvolvimiento social de nuestra comunidad y encontrar mejores niveles de vida.

Dr. Frank Garcia

Asistir al sacerdote en la distribución de la Eucaristía durante las Misas en español. Levar la Sagrada Eucaristía a los enfermos y a los que no pueden salir de su casa.

Dr. Frank Garcia

El lector proclama la Palabra de Dios en español durante la celebración Eucarística.

El Apostolado de la Cruz, es en la Iglesia, una agrupación de cristianos que, siguiendo a Cristo, Sacerdote y Víctima y movidos por el Espíritu Santo:

• Descubren en su vida diaria el valor salvífico del dolor aceptado por amor.
• Ofrecen al Padre, por manos de María, a Cristo, Sacerdote y Víctima.
• Se ofrecen con El en la cruz de cada día, y
• Trabajan por comunicar a otros esta espiritualidad sacerdotal a través de su acción apostólica.

Los miembros del Apostolado de la Cruz estamos llamados a vivir según la Espiritualidad de la Cruz, Obra inspirada por Dios a Concepción Cabrera de Armida ("Conchita").

Reuniones semanales con una noche de reflexión al mes. Tenemos grupos en español e inglés.

Nuestro Director Espiritual es Monseñor Bill Young, e-mail: FrBill@STMHouston.org

Contactos:
Frank García, Coordinador de STM, e-mail:  fjgarcia@swbell.net
Ana Quirós, Coordinadora del Centro de Houston, e-mail:  Aquiros@aol.com
 
Visita nuestra página en Internet:  http://www.stmhouston.org/+/apcsp.html

Sra. Celina Wager

Instrucción religiosa para recibir los Sacramentos de Comunión y confirmación.