“My Lord and my God.” Those five words together form one of the clearest declarations in scripture of the divinity of Jesus Christ, resurrected and standing in front of Saint Thomas. Thomas was one of the closest followers of Jesus and is most famous for being “doubting Thomas” – the result of an untimely absence on the first Easter Sunday that caused him to be skeptical upon hearing of the resurrection of Jesus. But while he may have a rough reputation for requesting physical proof of Jesus returning, he should be equally known for his courage as a follower of Christ. St. Thomas the Apostle 1st Century Feast Day: July 3 Location: Jerusalem Identifiers: Apostle, Martyr Relic located in the: Center Reliquary Type of Relic: A piece of bone “My Lord and my God.” Those five words together form one of the clearest declarations in scripture of the divinity of Jesus Christ, resurrected and standing in front of one incredulous apostle – Saint Thomas. Thomas was one of the closest followers of Jesus during His time on Earth and is most famous for being “doubting Thomas” – the result of an untimely absence on the first Easter Sunday that caused him to be skeptical upon hearing of the supposed resurrection of Jesus. But while he may have a rough reputation for requesting physical proof of Jesus returning, he should be equally known for his courage as a follower of Christ. Little is known about Saint Thomas. He is mentioned in every gospel, as well as Acts of the Apostles, but he only speaks in the Gospel of John. His exact birthday and date of death are unknown, but most historians agree he was most likely born to a Jewish family in Galilee. There’s no indication he was a fisherman, although he is among the apostles fishing in John 21 when Jesus appears on the shore prior to a miraculous catch. We don’t know how Thomas became a follower of Jesus, but from the very first time in the Gospel of John that he speaks, it’s clear that he is a dedicated, passionate follower of Christ. In John 11, Jesus announces His intention of returning to the town of Judea to visit his friend Lazarus, who He and the apostles had recently been told was sick. The majority of the apostles were less then enthused at the prospect of this trip (“…the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”) but Jesus was undeterred. “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up,” Jesus said. Displaying their trademark lack of understanding that the apostles often had when Jesus spoke with a deeper meaning, they replied, ““Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” These moments occur frequently throughout the gospels and while Jesus was fully divine, he was also fully man, and quite capable of growing frustrated at their moments of dragging their feet. “Lazarus is dead,” Jesus spoke plainly in John 11:14, “and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Placing yourself in the shoes of the apostles, it is not hard to understand their hesitancy. Jesus had ruffled feathers in Jerusalem when he had been pressed to tell plainly of His divinity, but instead chose to respond, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.” Narrowly escaping a stoning, the apostles were likely still trying to grasp the words of Jesus about The Good Shepherd and His Sheep (John 10) and “the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:38). But ringing clear through any grumbling or dissent was Thomas, showing a rare glimpse of courage not often displayed by the apostles prior to Pentecost. “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” The second instance of Thomas speaking in the Bible shows him to be an inquisitive follower of Christ, sharing his desire to know the way to following Him more ardently. Through his question, we ultimately hear one of the most profound truths of the ministry of Jesus in response. As Jesus is seated with His disciples around the table of the Last Supper, he speaks to them in hopes of comforting them. He had just predicted His betrayal, as well as Peter’s denial of Him, and tensions were likely running high. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas, taking the concept of the travel and direction of Jesus to remain earthbound, replied, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” The answer by Jesus is one we have heard countless times and likely was imprinted onto Thomas’ heart: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Lastly, we reach the upper room, where behind locked doors, the disciples, unsure of what to do next, remained in fear of the Jewish leaders. Mary Magdalene had recently told them the heart-stopping news that she had seen Jesus, raised from the dead, but they were still in awe when he suddenly appeared among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to the overjoyed apostles – but Thomas was not with them. The cause of Thomas’ absence is unknown, but when he returned and heard that the Lord had just been standing in that very room, back from death itself, he insisted on physical proof. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” It can be argued that the actions of Thomas in this moment weren’t even those of true “doubt.” Jesus – the man whom he fervently wished to follow, even unto the point of death – had died on the cross. Thomas had given Jesus his heart and his hope, so when Jesus entered the grave, Thomas didn’t doubt in the sense of simply wavering or hesitating: he did not believe at all. He refused to acknowledge the possibility of the risen Lord, refused to offer his heart to be crushed again, until he was close enough to put his fingers in Jesus’ wounds. What did Jesus do? He didn’t reappear with a thunderous rumble to rebuke Thomas for his disbelief. He didn’t leave him hanging and return back to His heavenly kingdom. Instead, one week later, he returned again to the apostles with the same greeting – “Peace be with you!” Then, speaking directly to Thomas, Jesus said, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Incredulously, Thomas felt the fatal wounds that had taken the Lord away from him, only to see Him now mere inches away. Falling at the feet of Jesus he exclaimed, “My Lord, and my God!” This profound realization of truth ultimately led Thomas to be the first person to explicitly acknowledge the divinity of Jesus. Following his encounter with the resurrected Lord, we lose track of a clear path of Thomas. We know he embarked on a missionary journey somewhere in the world, but most accounts are unreliable. According to many Christian traditions, Thomas traveled over to India, where he established numerous churches and preached the gospel all along the Malabar coast. Thomas is recognized as the founder of the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians (also known as Christians of St. Thomas), of which there are more than 3,000 parishes around the world. According to Syrian Christian tradition, Thomas was martyred at Madras, a city in India now known as Chennai. Exact details are scarce, but most historians tell of Thomas coming into conflict with the king of Mylapore or the Hindu priests of Kali and Thomas eventually being killed by a spear. The spear wounds of Jesus were the evidence Thomas needed to truly believe, but it was his own spear wounds that would become the ultimate evidence of his own faith. Today, Saint Thomas is known as the patron of architects, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and theologians. The name “Thomas” remains popular among the Syrian Christians of India, and there are roughly 5 million Catholics belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church. Saint Thomas stands out among the apostles for his prominent questioning of what we all were taught to believe without question – that Jesus Christ died and rose again. But amidst what must have truly been a terrifying time for the apostles, having just seen their leader brutally murdered upon a cross, it’s perfectly understandable for Thomas to desire proof. Ultimately, he represents what we all desire; to have our love and faith of Jesus surpass all doubts and skepticism that can be heaped upon our Catholic beliefs. Jesus did not pick worthless men to be His disciples. Their hesitancy to follow Him to Judea, their lack of understanding in His deeper meanings and their abandonment upon Golgotha doesn’t point towards foolish followers – it proves that their human weakness did not disqualify them from holiness or sainthood, and neither does ours. Next Item Previous Item

Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program for high schoolers is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the teen. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration.  First Reconciliation - Teen Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program for high schoolers is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the teen. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration. 9th-12th Grade Next Item Previous Item Program Contact Angie Muckenthaler Confirmation Coord amuckenthaler@ap.church 832-482-4038 9th-12th Graders seeking First Communion and Reconciliation will be prepared over two years. Year One of Preparation is through our Life Teen Program (9th-12th Grade) and will discuss Church Teachings and integrate Sacramental Preparation. Year Two is through our Teen Confirmation Program (10th-12th Grade) and will cover the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Participants will receive their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation during Year Two. 9th Grade Candidates for First Communion and Reconciliation can begin preparation in their Freshman year of high school. Each Candidate will complete their first year of preparation by attending Sunday evening Life Teen Sessions or enrolling in an accredited Catholic High School. The second year of preparation is the year in which the Candidate will receive First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. 10th - 12th Grade After completing Year One of Preparation through Life Teen or through Catholic High School, the Candidate will attend our Confirmation Year Two Program on Wednesday Evenings. At the end of the program, the Candidate will receive their First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Youth Ministry Website

Aurelia was likely martyred during the reign of Diocletian. Aurelia and Neomisia were virgins captured by the Saracens. They were born in Asia and made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Rome. At Capua, they fell into the hands of the Sacracens, who had invaded that area but escaped suring a severe rainstorm. Aurelia and Neomisia took shelter at Macerata, near Anagni, Italy. They died there. Her feast day is September 25. St. Aurelia ~300 Feast Day: September 25 Location: Asia & Rome Identifiers: Virgin, Martyr Relic located in the: TBD Type of Relic: A piece of bone Aurelia was likely martyred during the reign of Diocletian. Aurelia and Neomisia were virgins captured by the Saracens. They were born in Asia and made a pilgrimage to Palestine and Rome. At Capua, they fell into the hands of the Sacracens, who had invaded that area but escaped suring a severe rainstorm. Aurelia and Neomisia took shelter at Macerata, near Anagni, Italy. They died there. Her feast day is September 25. Next Item Previous Item

The luminary, tireless servant of God known as Saint John Neumann was born in 1811 in Prachatice, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). Embracing a life of religious vocation, he joined the Redemptorist order and journeyed to the United States in 1836. John’s unwavering dedication to education led him to establish the first diocesan Catholic school system in America. In 1852, he became the Bishop of Philadelphia, where he fervently worked to support immigrants and foster spiritual growth. John’s humility, simplicity, and deep spirituality earned him sainthood, inspiring countless souls to seek God’s love in their lives. St. John Neumann 1811 - 1860 Feast Day: January 5 Location: Philadelphia, PA Identifiers: Bishop, Confessor Relic located in the: Right Reliquary Type of Relic: A piece of bone Saint John Neumann, the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia and the first male citizen of the United States to be canonized as a saint, is revered as a spiritual luminary and a tireless servant of God. His life, marked by deep faith, unwavering dedication, and remarkable accomplishments, continues to inspire countless individuals even today. John Nepomucene Neumann was born on March 28, 1811, in Prachatitz, Bohemia. He was the third of six children in a devout Catholic family. From an early age, John displayed an exceptional intellect, intense piety, and a profound love for the Church. He pursued his studies at the Budweis Seminary, where his exceptional academic performance earned him a scholarship to the University of Prague. However, a greater calling beckoned him. Inspired by the tales of American missionaries and his own deep desire to serve God, John made the life-changing decision to embark on a missionary journey to the United States. In 1836, he arrived in New York City and was ordained as a priest the following year. Upon his ordination, Father John Neumann joined the Redemptorist order, a religious community committed to serving the most abandoned. He began his ministry in Buffalo, New York, where he served the German-speaking community, offering spiritual guidance, administering the sacraments, and tirelessly advocating for the poor and marginalized. Father Neumann’s reputation as an exemplary priest soon spread throughout the Catholic community. In 1852, at the age of 41, he was appointed as the Bishop of Philadelphia, a post he would hold until his death. As Bishop, John Neumann worked diligently to address the needs of the rapidly growing Catholic population in the United States. One of Saint John Neumann’s most significant contributions was his focus on education. Recognizing the importance of a strong Catholic education system, he established the first diocesan school system in the United States. Under his guidance, he founded over 100 Catholic schools, staffed by religious sisters, and encouraged the establishment of parochial schools throughout his diocese. He also established a seminary for the formation of priests, ensuring a solid foundation for the future of the Church. Saint John Neumann’s pastoral care extended beyond educational initiatives. He personally visited the sick, provided comfort to the imprisoned, and ministered to the spiritual needs of all he encountered. His humility, compassion, and dedication to his flock earned him the title of the “Apostle of the Emigrants.” After a life devoted to serving God and his people, Bishop Neumann passed away on January 5, 1860. His funeral drew an estimated 30,000 mourners, a testament to the profound impact he had on the Catholic community. In 1977, over a century after his death, Pope Paul VI canonized John Neumann as a saint, recognizing his remarkable sanctity and contributions to the Church. Today, Saint John Neumann’s legacy endures. His dedication to education, care for the poor, and unwavering faith continue to inspire Catholics and individuals of all backgrounds. His establishment of Catholic schools laid the groundwork for a thriving Catholic educational system that remains vital in the United States. His deep commitment to the physical and spiritual well-being of every person he met resonated in a way that should motivate us to desire to do the same. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Benedict the Moor lived a life of the Beatitudes. Born to two African slaves and illiterate, he later possessed a knowledge of Sacred Scripture and theology that astonished priests and scholars. Facing persecution throughout his life from being “il Moro,” or dark skinned, he is remembered for his racial tolerance. Joining a society of hermits at the age of 21, he eventually worked as a cook at a Franciscan friary before becoming the Guardian of the community. He endured the taunts of racial prejudice, refused to be hindered by illiteracy, and humbly served the Lord wherever he could. St. Benedict the Moor 1526 - 1589 Feast Day: April 4 Location: Italy Identifiers: Confessor, Franciscan Relic located in the: Left Reliquary Type of Relic: A piece of bone Saint Benedict the Moor lived a life of the Beatitudes. Born to two African slaves and illiterate, he would later possess a knowledge of Sacred Scripture and complex theological questions that astonished priests and scholars alike. Growing in fame for his miracles and teachings, he was meek, and chose to travel at night to avoid recognition. Facing persecution throughout his life due to being “il Moro,” or dark skinned, he chose to be a peacemaker, and is remembered for his racial tolerance. Benedict was born in 1526 in Italy, most likely near San Fratello. His parents, Cristoforo and Diana Manasseri were Africans who were captured and taken as slaves to San Fratello, located near Sicily. After they arrived in Italy, they both converted to Catholicism, prior to the birth of Benedict. Thanks to his parents “loyal service” as slaves, Benedict was born free from slavery. Just because he wasn’t a slave didn’t mean his life was easy though. Like most peasants, he didn’t attend school, and instead worked as a shepherd through his youth. Even at a young age, he had a heart for the poor, and gave most of what he earned to those in need. Benedict was often subject to persecution and ridicule due to his race and his parents’ servitude. Despite being the object of frequent humiliation, he bore these insults with dignity, patience and even cheerfulness. By the age of 10, he had become known as “The Holy Black” in Italy. It was Benedict’s gentleness and peaceful nature that one day attracted the attention of Jerome Lanzi, a member of a group of hermits from nearby Monte Pellegrino. The twenty-one-year-old Benedict was encouraged to join the independent society of hermits, who lived under the Rule of Saint Francis of Assisi. Lanzi, a former nobleman who had left his former life to join the hermits, succeeded in convincing Benedict to join and he soon sold the few possessions he had and joined their monastic group. Benedict found a welcome home among the small group of hermits, who would relocate to a new location outside Palermo not long after he joined. For many years, he happily worked in the kitchen as a lay brother, serving as an exceptional cook. When he was 28, Jerome Lanzi, who had been serving as the superior of the order, passed away. Reluctantly, it was Benedict himself who agreed to become the new superior, and the community prospered under his leadership. Following the third Council of Trent in 1564, Pope Pius IV announced a decree for all independent hermit societies to disband. Considering that the Benedict-led hermits were adhering to the Rule of St. Francis, they followed the Pope’s encouragement to join Franciscan orders. Benedict would become a member of the Order of the Friars Minor, and travel to Palermo to the Franciscan Friary of St. Mary of Jesus. He initially returned to the kitchen to continue his work as a cook, and he quickly became known not just for his tasty food, but for his resourcefulness. Stories tell of his miraculous ability to “multiply the food” and feed more and more people despite a limited amount of food available. Over the years, Benedict would rise in ranks at the friary, advancing to Master of Novices before becoming the Guardian of the community, a significant leadership role, in 1578. This was especially notable due to the fact that Benedict was still illiterate – and thus he was unable to become a priest due to the requirement of priests and religious figures being able to read and write. Nonetheless, he soon displayed a vast and deep understanding of theology and scripture, and word of his knowledge and sanctity began to spread outside Palermo. Benedict became known for his many gifts and miracles, one of them including the apparent ability to read the minds of others. This created large groups of lay people, clergy, and curious Italians far and wide flocking to his side, seeking his counsel. Benedict disliked the attention though, and always tried to travel at night when he could. When daytime trips were unavoidable, he would cover his face with a hood. Benedict also encouraged and developed a stricter Franciscan rule of life as the Guardian of the friary. He fully embraced the austerities of the hermit life, sleeping only a few hours each night, eating sparingly, and keeping seven 40-day fasts through the year. Benedict continued to serve the friary faithfully as a lay person, drawing people every day to hear his teachings of the scripture, experience his healing abilities, and just be in the presence of a man of divine wisdom and compassion. Towards the end of his life, Benedict asked to be relieved of his offices, and return to his favorite work: cooking in the kitchen. He resumed his duties as cook but had nearly every day interrupted by crowds who continued to seek alms, advice, prayers and cures for their illnesses. Around the age of 63, it was Benedict himself who fell ill and on the exact date and time that he had predicted, he passed away in Palermo. He was initially buried in a large tomb inside the friary church, but would have his body exhumed twice, with King Phillip III of Spain creating a shrine for Benedict in Palermo, Italy, and his body was placed in the shrine in 1611. His remains were discovered to be without any noticeable signs of decay, and his relics are still considered incorrupt to this day. Benedict was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1743 and canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807. He is the patron saint of African missions, African Americans, Palermo, and Sicily. He became known as Saint Benedict the Moor, after the Italian phrase “Il Moro” meaning “The Black”. There are several historically black Roman Catholic churches bearing his namesake across the country, including parishes in Georgia, New York, Florida, Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin and more. Saint Benedict the Moor showed others that God doesn’t always call the qualified, but he qualifies the called. He endured the taunts of racial prejudice, refused to be hindered by his illiteracy, and humbly served the Lord whether he was leading in the front or cooking in the back. He had every opportunity to become prideful, arrogant, angry or impatient – instead, he handed what he had to the Lord, and then leaned into the gifts the Lord provided in return. Next Item Previous Item

Saint Paul of the Cross, a mystic and founder of the Passionists, was born in 1694 in Italy. From a young age, he felt a burning desire to devote his life to God. Paul endured spiritual trials and temptations, but through fervent prayer and austere penance, he found solace in the Passion of Christ. In 1720, he founded the Passionist Congregation, dedicated to preaching the love and mercy of Jesus Crucified. Paul’s deep contemplation of the Cross inspired profound conversions and miraculous healings. His unwavering faith and zeal for souls led to his canonization, leaving an enduring legacy of devotion to the suffering Christ. St. Paul of the Cross 1694 - 1775 Feast Day: October 20 Location: Italy Identifiers: Confessor, Founder of Passionists Relic located in the: Right Reliquary Type of Relic: A piece of bone Saint Paul of the Cross, known as the “Apostle of the Passion of Christ,” lived a life of profound devotion, unwavering faith, and intense spirituality. The founder of The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, commonly referred to as the Passionists, Saint Paul of the Cross led a mission-filled life to promote the love of Christ’s Passion to the world. Paul Danei was born on January 3, 1694, in the town of Ovada, Italy. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he experienced a deep longing for God from a young age. His mother, Maria Anna, nurtured his faith and encouraged his spiritual growth, instilling in him a love for prayer and contemplation. At the age of 19, Paul experienced a profound spiritual encounter that would shape the course of his life. During a vision, he saw the Crucified Christ, who imparted to him a profound understanding of the suffering and love embodied in the Passion. This transformative experience ignited a fervent desire within Paul to dedicate his life to the contemplation and promotion of the Passion of Christ. In response to his vision and calling, Paul of the Cross founded the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ in 1720. The Passionists, as they came to be known, sought to follow the footsteps of Christ in His Passion, dedicating their lives to prayer, penance, and preaching the love and mercy found in the sufferings of Jesus. Despite initial challenges and opposition, Paul’s charisma and unwavering faith drew followers to his cause. He emphasized the importance of humility, simplicity, and the pursuit of holiness in imitating Christ’s sacrifice. The Congregation grew, spreading throughout Italy and eventually reaching other parts of the world. Saint Paul of the Cross was renowned for his deep prayer life and his intense focus on the Passion of Christ. He spent long hours in solitary prayer and meditation, seeking union with God and immersing himself in the sufferings of Jesus. Recognizing the transformative power of contemplating Christ’s Passion, Paul sought to awaken in others a fervent love for the suffering Savior. Through his writings, sermons, and personal encounters, he shared his profound spiritual insights, inviting others to embrace the Cross and find solace and redemption in Christ’s sacrificial love. Saint Paul of the Cross had a strong missionary zeal and a burning desire to bring the message of Christ’s Passion to all people. He preached extensively, using his words to ignite hearts with the love of God and to inspire profound conversion and spiritual renewal. Paul also had a remarkable gift for spiritual direction, offering guidance and support to individuals seeking a deeper relationship with God. He encouraged others to embrace the Cross, to surrender their lives to God’s will, and to find hope and peace in the midst of trials. Paul of the Cross exemplified holiness through his life of profound prayer, penance, and contemplation of the Passion. His humility, simplicity, and unwavering devotion to God drew many to seek his guidance and companionship. His commitment to the Passion of Christ became a powerful witness to the transformative love and mercy found in the sufferings of Jesus. He lived an inspiring life, motivating countless Christians to grow in their faith, before passing away on October 18, 1775. He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867. His feast day is October 19. Saint Paul of the Cross was a man of deep faith and compassion. He dedicated his life to spreading the message of Christ’s Passion, and his work has had a profound impact on the Church and the world. Paul was a gifted preacher and writer, and his words continue to inspire people today. He was also a humble man who always put the needs of others before his own. Paul of the Cross was a true saint, and his legacy continues to live on. Next Item Previous Item

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first United States citizen to become a saint, was born on July 15th, 1850 in a village near Milan, Italy. Inspired with missionary zeal at a young age, she attempted to join a religious order at 18, but was denied due to her poor health. Undeterred, her missionary heart led her to restore an orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which began an incredible journey of founding a religious order, becoming Mother Cabrini, and opening schools, hospitals and orphanages around the world. She became a U.S. citizen in 1909, and is the patron saint of immigrants. Her feast day is November 13th. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini 1850 - 1917 Feast Day: November 13 Location: Italy & Chicago, IL Identifiers: Virgin Relic located in the: Right Reliquary Type of Relic: A piece of bone Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first United States citizen to be canonized a saint, was a fearless, resourceful and caring missionary soul who followed the will of God to the streets of New York City. Sent on a mission from Pope Leo XIII, she would meet hardship and difficulties at nearly every turn, but undeterred, she changed the world with her zeal for souls. The youngest of thirteen children, Frances Cabrini was born on July 15, 1850 in S’ant Angelo Lodigiano, a small village near the city of Milan, Italy. She was born two months premature, and she would live the majority of her life in fragile health because of it. Her parents, Agostino Cabrini and Stella Oldini, were farmers and Frances’ older sister Rosa assumed charge of the new arrival to the family, carrying her on errands around their village, teaching her to sew, and teaching her a few prayers. Their father Agostino enjoyed reading aloud to his children, often gathering them to read from a book of missionary stories, which intrigued young Frances. Her dolls became nuns and when visiting her uncle, a priest who lived nearby, she would make small boats out of paper, drop violet petals into them, and send them down the swift canal running alongside his house, calling them “missionaries” headed to India or China. Once while preparing to send these “missionaries” off, she fell into the water, nearly drowning, which would spur a deep fear of water that she would carry with her into adulthood. Inspired with a missionary zeal and intrigued with the future of religious life, she studied arduously at her school, run by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart. She graduated with high honors and a teaching certificate. At 18, she applied for admission to the religious congregation of her teachers, but was turned down from joining the Daughters of the Sacred Heart due to her poor health. Disappointed but not discouraged, she devoted herself to a life of lay service. Frances would experience the grief of losing both her parents in 1870, and not long after, was offered and accepted a substitute teaching position in a village school about a mile away from home. Her spirit of service grew greatly from this teaching position, and Father Antonio Serrati, the rector of the parish run by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart, had observed her desire to join the order and took notice of her missionary heart. When Frances attempted to join the religious order again, Fr. Antonio instead tasked her with a different mission: to travel to Cadagono, Italy in order to help restore a disorganized and poorly-run orphanage called the House of Providence. At 24 years old, she journeyed to Cadogno, for what would become a six-year period of training, teaching, and building a community of women who were devoted to a life of charitable work. In September of 1877, she became Mother Cabrini, making her vows at the House of Providence, and putting on her religious habit for the first time. She also added “Xavier” to her name, in honor of St. Francis Xavier. Frances was also named Mother Superior of the House of Providence, helping train seven young nuns, before the orphanage was abruptly closed in 1880. Now homeless, Frances would soon receive a suggestion from the Bishop of Lodi that would set her on a new, exciting course. The Bishop of Lodi wished for Frances and her nuns to found a missionary order of women to serve in his diocese. She accepted the opportunity, moving with the nuns into an abandoned Franciscan friary in Cadogno. Almost immediately, they became a hub of activity, receiving orphans, opening a day school, teaching classes in needlework, and doing everything they could with few resources to serve those in their area. At the same time, Mother Cabrini was beginning to draw together a simple rule of life for the institute, choosing St. Francis de Sales and St. Francis Xavier as their patrons. She composed the rule and constitution of their religious institute, designing a simple habit (absent of elaborate linens or headdresses) and they became the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. In its first five years, the institute would open seven homes, a free school, and a nursery, with many postulants flocking to Cadogno to join. Mother Cabrini was starting to become well-known in her locality, and her good works caught the attention of the Pope Leo XIII. In September of 1877, Mother Cabrini traveled to Rome seeking papal approval for her order, which up to this point had just existed on a diocesan level. Frances had her eyes on a global mission, wanting to open a house in Rome, and travel to China. Within two weeks of arriving in Rome, she had made contacts in high places, holding meetings with various Cardinals and supporters. She would be granted the opportunity to establish a free school and kindergarten in Rome, but when speaking with Pope Leo XIII, he encouraged her to take her missionary zeal “not to the East, but to the West.” At that time, millions of Italians had emigrated to the United States and to South America due to increasing hardships in Italy. They dreamed of bettering themselves and sought new opportunities for their families, but many found only hardships and cruelty. Immigration into the United States hadn’t reached its peak yet, but a steady stream of arrivals, lured by the enticements of a fresh start, poured into the ports with little to no provisions made ready for them. Many Italians were immediately exploited and pulled into exceedingly dangerous jobs of digging, draining and toiling in sweatshops. Clusters of overcrowded, disease-filled slums cropped up in cities, becoming known as “Little Italies.” The majority of Italians found their dreams unmet, lonely and homesick in a new, vast, and dire country. Enter Mother Cabrini, inspired by the Pope’s redirection, who wrote to Archbishop Corrigan in New York that she and her nuns were coming to aid him. On March 31, 1889, Mother Cabrini and six other sisters arrived in New York, ready to serve the Lord. The challenges of the city were immediately apparent, when a misunderstanding at the time of their arrival revealed that the building originally intended to be their orphanage was no longer available. The Archbishop suggested that the nuns should return back to Italy, but Mother Cabrini refused. Homeless yet again, the sisters couldn’t afford to stay in a hotel, and were taken to an inexpensive lodging house with beds so dismal and dirty, that they instead spent the night praying together, preparing themselves for the work ahead. Young and courageous, the nuns emerged the next morning to attend Mass and outline a plan of action with the Archbishop. Almost immediately, a wealthy Italian woman lent her support to the group, contributing money to purchase their first house, and an orphanage was soon taking root in West Park, New York, which is now known as the Saint Cabrini Home. What followed next was the work of a valiant woman, filled with the love and trust of God, determined to serve him ardently. Mother Cabrini would overcome her childhood fear of water to travel across the Atlantic Ocean time after time, traveling back to Rome to secure more support, embarking for Nicaragua to open a school for girls, stopping in New Orleans to lend support to the plight of Italians in similarly dire situations, and much more. In 1892, Mother Cabrini opened her first hospital. With a starting capital of $250, the Columbus Hospital opened its doors on Twelfth Street in New York. Doctors worked free-of-charge, and what the nuns lacked in equipment or experience, they made up with their zeal for souls. The hospital grew in reputation, soon securing further financial support, and moving to a larger building on Twentieth Street, where it is still open to this day. Every year that passed brought more schools, hospitals and orphanages opening around the world. When the Nicaraguan school was forced to close due to a revolutionary overthrow of the government, the sisters moved to Panama and continued to work. Once when invited by an archbishop to travel to Buenos Aires and support the area with her work, she arrived to find that he had died in the time it took her to get there, and the Missionary Sisters were unsure of their welcome. Nonetheless, Mother Cabrini had soon garnered enough support to open a school in the area. While schools were founded in Paris, England, Spain, Rio de Janeiro and beyond, she also founded the Sacred Heart Villa in New York in 1899, as a training center for novices to her order. This place was as close to a home in the United States as Mother Cabrini would ever have, and there is an avenue not far from it that bears her name today. She traveled the world vigorously, leaving a wake of care and support to those in need behind her. Even where she didn’t have an established institution, her presence alone led many groups and governments to take constructive steps to remedy any suffering or shortages in their area. In 1909, at the age of fifty-nine years old, Mother Cabrini took the oath of allegiance to the United States in Seattle. She would reduce her traveling, as her age and health were beginning to draw on her energy, but her prayer, passion and purpose never relented. Eight years after becoming a U.S. citizen, she was in Chicago when she suffered a recurrence of illnesses related to a previous bout with malaria. She died on December 22, 1917, in one of her own hospitals in Chicago. She was 67. Frances’ body was initially placed at the Saint Cabrini Home in New York, before being exhumed in 1931 as part of her canonization process. Her head is preserved in Rome, one of her arms is located in Chicago at the national shrine, and the rest of her body rests in New York. Frances Cabrini had a speedy canonization process, getting beatified by Pope Pius XI on November 13, 1938, and canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 7, 1946. She has two miracles attributed to her – restoring the sight of a day-old baby who had been blinded by receiving a 50% silver nitrate solution instead of the normal 1% solution, and healing a terminally ill member of her congregation. The baby whose sight she restored was present at her beatification, and would later become a priest. A celebration Mass for her canonization filled Soldier Field in Chicago, with tens of thousands of Americans coming together to pray for the intercession of the first American citizen to attain sainthood. In 1950, she was named the patron saint of immigrants. In 35 years, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini founded 67 institutions dedicated to the care of the poor, the sick, the uneducated, and the abandoned. Seeing the desolation among countless Italian immigrants, she swooped in, restoring their faith and exceeding their needs. The compassion of St. Frances made an indelible impact on countless lives, and she is an incredible witness of a citizen-servant who was unafraid to serve God and neighbor alike. Next Item Previous Item

Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program for high schoolers is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the teen. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration.  First Communion - Teen Our Sacrament Preparation (First Reconciliation and First Communion) program for high schoolers is a collaboration between our Parish, the Family and the teen. Click below to find out more about the program, requirements, and registration. 9th-12th Grade Next Item Previous Item Program Contact Angie Muckenthaler Confirmation Coord amuckenthaler@ap.church 832-482-4038 9th-12th Graders seeking First Communion and Reconciliation will be prepared over two years. Year One of Preparation is through our Life Teen Program (9th-12th Grade) and will discuss Church Teachings and integrate Sacramental Preparation. Year Two is through our Teen Confirmation Program (10th-12th Grade) and will cover the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Participants will receive their First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation during Year Two. 9th Grade Candidates for First Communion and Reconciliation can begin preparation in their Freshman year of high school. Each Candidate will complete their first year of preparation by attending Sunday evening Life Teen Sessions or enrolling in an accredited Catholic High School. The second year of preparation is the year in which the Candidate will receive First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. 10th - 12th Grade After completing Year One of Preparation through Life Teen or through Catholic High School, the Candidate will attend our Confirmation Year Two Program on Wednesday Evenings. At the end of the program, the Candidate will receive their First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Youth Ministry Website

There is little known about St. Verecundus, whose feast day is October 22, except that he was the Bishop of Verona, Italy, and died in the year 522. He would have had to manage the declining state of affairs in his city after the fall of the Roman Empire and the rule of the Visigoths. His Episcopal Crest is pictured to the left, featuring his Episcopal Motto: "Velle et expectare tet vult semper idem" ("To want and to expect that God always wills the same"). St. Verecundus d.c. 522 Feast Day: October 22 Location: Italy Identifiers: Bishop, Martyr Relic located in the: TBD Type of Relic: A piece of bone There is little known about St. Verecundus, whose feast day is October 22, except that he was the Bishop of Verona, Italy, and died in the year 522. He would have had to manage the declining state of affairs in his city after the fall of the Roman Empire and the rule of the Visigoths. His Episcopal Crest is pictured to the left, featuring his Episcopal Motto: "Velle et expectare tet vult semper idem" ("To want and to expect that God always wills the same"). Next Item Previous Item

ACTS is a Parish Weekend Retreat that brings people closer to God and helps them build a relationship with Jesus. It’s based on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service which is patterned after the description of the early Church by the Acts of the Apostles. Retreat Grow in your Faith Are you looking to deepen your faith? There are plenty of opportunities for adults to get involved at our parish. We have Bible Studies, Community Groups, Prayer and Devotions, Classes, Retreats, Organizations, and Groups in Spanish. I Want to Volunteer Contact Us ACTS Retreats Various Times English & Spanish Retreat ACTS is a Parish Weekend Retreat that brings people closer to God and helps them build a relationship with Jesus. It’s based on Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service which is patterned after the description of the early Church by the Acts of the Apostles. Upcoming Retreats Holy Name Retreats Various Times English & Spanish Retreat Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center supports and encourages the great human and spiritual adventure: the discovery of God and God’s loving compassion through Christ Crucified. Holy Name exists to provide hospitality, healing, compassion, and opportunities for spiritual growth for all people. Retreats are offered on many different weekends throughout the year. Upcoming Retreats Retiro Mensuales Martes por la mañana Spanish Only Retreat El Retiro Mensual es una mañana de oración personal frente a Cristo Eucaristía ofrecido por el Movimiento Regnum Christi. Es una invitación abierta a todas las mujeres que quieran crecer en su relación personal con Jesús a través de meditaciones basadas en la Sagrada Escritura, oportunidad de confesión y de participar en la Santa Misa. Más Información Retreats Various Times English & Spanish Retreat Throughout the year we offer various retreats at St. Anthony's and around the Archdiocese. Visit our webiste for more information. Upcoming Retreats