Missioning Process Workshop

All missionaries are invited to participate in a special workshop to help enhance and deepen the mission experience for all of us!

Father Gerry Kelly is starting a monthly series about the missioning process to learn more about how to maximize our missionary experiences from the past and in the future. The series will use training modules prepared by Third Wave of Mission & is voluntary.  

The first session is on November 4th from 7:00 to 8:30 CT.  In preparation for the discussion on November 4th take the following steps: 

1. View the video in this link about What is Mission

2. Review Segment 2 (pages 5 and 6) in this Missioning Process Module Booklet. Note following four invitations

   1. Openness

   2. Presence

   3. Transformation

   4. Solidarity 

The following questions in Segment 2 will be discussed as a group on November 4th: 

1. Which of these challenges do you find most challenging? Most energizing? Why?

2. How do you feel about the focus of " being with" vs. "doing for"?

The Zoom Meeting information for November 4th at 7:00 p.m. is: 

https://zoom.us/j/5870690505?pwd=RHBQZmdmOUxGdXNhS3dDSjVKVE42UT09 

Meeting ID: 587 069 0505

Passcode: 061067

Here is a link with additional information about the Third Wave of Mission 

Father Gerry and your fellow missionaries from the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston are looking forward to a good discussion with you on November 4th and each month. 

Mission Thanksgiving Project

St. Anthony of Padua’s Bread Food Pantry

The past 6-months have been extremely challenging for those in need of food in the USA & Honduras. Since COVID-19 we have seen a 30% increase of folks coming in for help to our Food Pantry here at our Parish. In September, we served 1,526 families which translates to approx. 7,000 individuals! The need is great, but the generosity of our Parishioners is greater, and with God’s help, we somehow manage to accommodate all in need.

The same scenario, if not on a greater scale, is happening in Honduras. With an average household income of $100 per month in the villages we serve, life has become extremely challenging. Fortunately, there have been a few organizations that have helped to mitigate the current nutritional needs.

We want to express our gratitude to all of you, Honduras Missionaries and sponsors, because of your tireless fundraising support we have been able to distribute a nice food basket to all the villagers in all the communities we serve.  As of today, and with the help of Father Gildo, we have been able to deliver food baskets on three occasions.  Our Core Team is exploring additional initiatives on how we can continue to help our villages.  Stay tuned for future developments!

Let’s pray that we can continue to help those most in need, here and in Honduras, just as St Francis of Assisi said:  “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

Mission Thanksgiving Project

Each year St. Anthony of Padua’s Bread Food Pantry distributes a Thanksgiving Box to families in need. For 2020 our mission team has the unique opportunity to work together just like we do in Honduras to serve closer to home. Please wear your blue mission shirt and join us on Thursday 11/19/20. Please feel free to reach out to Franklin Marsan for more information: fmarsan@ap.church

If you would like to register for 11/19 or if you are available to volunteer on another day please go to: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0548aead22a7fa7-thanksgiving

Or why not consider purchasing a box filled with food instead? Go to the HEB located at Kuykendahl & 1488, ask for a STAOP Food Pantry filled box, check-out then drop off your donation at the St. Teresa Center by 11/15/20.

Thanks so much for your generosity & support!

Education Update from Honduras by Franklin Marsan.

Hola & Greetings Fellow Missionaries!

With the school system closed in Honduras since the month of March due to COVID-19, the villages we serve have been greatly affected because of the lack of resources (transportation issues, internet, etc.) to teach the students. However, with the leadership of Father Gildo, Father Vicente & our Honduras Core Team, some of these hurdles have been cleared.

For example: one of the local teachers, Efrain, has obtained a permit that allows him to use his motorcycle to visit the villages, once or twice a week, to support the middle school students with basic skills. Additionally, 6 of our high school students went back to the EVS High School where they are studying & working hard to catch-up with the other students.

EVS designed a biosafety protocol that includes in-person classes only for our 6-students while the rest of the students attend classes online, plus return 1-day a week with proper social-distancing.

Like the proverb says: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Let us continue praying that our Honduras Mission team, Father Gildo & Father Vicente’s team keep finding the ways & means to help our students navigate through these difficult times. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time for more information: fmarsan@ap.church

Bendiciones,

Franklin

School is in Session

As schools reopen in both the USA & Honduras amid the COVID-19 pandemic, students are facing challenges they have never imagined. The end of summer brings back-to-school jitters, but this year there is an extra layer of concern. Of course, social distancing measures & wearing masks are a given, but there remain confusing protocols, technological glitches & a lack of access to resources that cross all borders.

With many children home-schooling at the start of 2020, there is a sense of independence as well as autonomy. We must help our students adjust going back to the rigidity of learning.

Whether online or in-person, our students can at least find hope!

Reconnecting with classmates brings back a sense of normalcy plus eliminates a smidgeon of loneliness. Dreams of returning to school for graduation & other milestones are fulfilled even though things are not quite “normal” they are still special.

Honduras Mission Directors

We are extremely blessed to have both Deacon Mike Mims & Franklin Marsan as caring & experienced leaders of our mission team. They have carried forth the same passion that initially fueled Deacon Mike Mims. One of the Mission’s main goal has always been to support the disadvantaged children in the communities that we serve by providing them with the opportunity to receive a quality education in a safe & loving environment.

Words of Wisdom from Dr. Marco.....POLO!

FROM OUR FAVORITE DOC….Marco Giannotti: 

Hola & Greetings fellow missionaries! 

Although we could not travel to Honduras this year, I am still excited about  2021 and am working on many new ideas to help do more with the medical  team on our next mission! 

Although COVID-19 remains a critical threat to all of us, masking and  maintaining social distancing has helped in this battle and we are winning!  

A vaccine will certainly be the turning point but let us not forget something that is just as important… flu season is now upon us.  And during this  pandemic, the addition of influenza makes the 2020 flu season even more  challenging.   

So, continue to mask up & social distance.  Now more than ever, it is so  particularly important to get your flu shot & get it early!  Just like wearing a mask protects those around you so does getting the vaccine protect those  around you against the flu.  

Together, we will win the battle against COVID-19 & influenza! 

If any missionaries have any questions I am always available.  My email is Franticmd@me.com 

Until we can see each other soon!  Barb and I send our hugs and prayers. 

Benidiciones!  -Marco (Polo!) 

HONDURAS MISSION MEDICAL TEAM

We are ever so proud of our Mission Medical Team, made up of Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists & Spanish-speaking missionaries for intake & translation.

On mission, our doctors will identify and treat illnesses plus prescribe medications in all four communities. Health & Hygiene seminars are conducted as well. Access is limited, but with the support of our logistics crew & donations, we make medical miracles happen!

"Here I Am, Send Me!"

WORLD MISSION DAY

World Mission Sunday joins all Catholics of the world into one community of faith. Celebrate with us on October 18th, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua’s 11AM Mass as we recommit ourselves to our common vocation, through Baptism, to be missionaries, through prayer & participation in the Eucharist.

This year’s theme is: “Here I Am, Send Me.” We are joined together as every parish in the world will participate, united in this special Eucharist celebration. Everyone is a missionary on this day, sharing our love for Christ’s Gospel with one another, supporting all outreach programs.

In a world where so much divides us, this day rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our Baptism, as it offers each of us an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor.

Through prayer & giving, we stand in solidarity.

STAYING CONNECTED!

STAYING CONNECTED!

On Sunday September 27, 2020 at 6PM join us at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church as we celebrate what would normally be our Mission Kick-Off Mass. This special mass is dedicated to our outreach program allowing our church family to send us off on mission with prayer.

But you may ask: Send Us Off To Where This Year? Wear your blue shirts and get an opportunity after mass to take a photo or even record a special video message.

We are taking our mission this year on a “virtual” road trip! We will combine all individual messages & photos to create a wonderful presentation that we will send to Honduras. This will be shared with all villagers letting them know how much we care plus how much we miss spending time with them.

Contact Eddie Tanuz to arrange your video message session at edward.tanuz@tpwd.texas.gov. If 09/27 is not a good day for you, we can certainly work around your schedule.

Tips for staying “Connected” during these difficult times

1. Video Chat

Feeling stressed, anxious, upset, and fearful can be normal reactions to a crisis, but human connection can alleviate some of those moments. There is a plethora of software meeting apps that help bridge the gap between you & your loved ones. This is also the perfect way to reconnect with folks you’ve lost touch with.

2. Host a Virtual Game Night

Board games are not just fun, they are a way to connect with people. Although you may not be able to host a game night in person, you can still practice safe social distancing & find an online equivalent. The children of Honduras absolutely love playing UNO on our mission trips….and you can to: https://www.letsplayuno.com/