St. Ignatius Martyr Parish

The Knights of Columbus will be awarding scholarships for college in Fall 2008. All graduating high school seniors whose families are members of the parish are eligible. Pick up an application at the Church office. Deadline for filing an application is Sunday June 1st.

The Knights of Columbus are currently selling scholarship raffle tickets. The grand raffle prize is $1,000. Only 200 tickets will be sold at $20 each. This is much better odds than the Texas Lottery, and it is a much better cause as all net proceeds will go towards scholarships for graduating high school seniors from the Parish or for scholarships at St. Ignatius School. Tickets may be purchased from any Knight or by contacting George Rosales.

LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICE: Wednesday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.

Have you attended one of the Knights of Columbus Lenten fish dinners yet? You only have one opportunity left----this Friday, March 14th, from 5:30-7:00p.m. Both fried and baked fish are available. Dinners are only $7.00 each ($6.00 for seniors and children). Why not attend the Stations of the Cross at 5:30 and then come over to the Family Center for a delicious dinner?

FLOWER MEMORIALS: If you would like to remember a friend or loved one at Easter with a memorial gift of flowers, there are envelopes located in our display racks. "Print" the name of the person to be remembered on the envelope and return it, along with a donation, to the Church office or drop it in the regular donation basket. The names of those to be remembered will be published Easter Sunday. Memorials must be received no later than Monday, March 17th.

LENTEN RECONCILIATION SERVICE: Wednesday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church.

FLOWER MEMORIALS: If you would like to remember a friend or loved one at Easter with a memorial gift of flowers, there are envelopes located in our display racks. "Print" the name of the person to be remembered on the envelope and return it, along with a donation, to the Church office or drop it in the regular donation basket. The names of those to be remembered will be published Easter Sunday. Memorials must be received no later than Monday, March 17th.

Have you attended one of the Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Dinners yet? There are only two of them left. Remember that both fried fish and baked fish is available. Also, the $7.00 cost of a regular dinner ($6.00 for seniors and children) includes both a drink, and a dessert prepared by our own Catholic Daughters or Ladies' Club. The remaining dinners are from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Family Center on March 7th and March 14th. Bring a friend!!!

ASH WEDNESDAY: Ashes are an ancient symbol of penance predating Christianity. They remind us of our mortality. We come from dust and unto dust we shall return.They are made from the burned palms of last year. Placing ashes on the head was an ancient penitential custom, as is evident in the Bible (e.g. Jonas 3:5-9). From about the fifth century, sinners, confessed their sins on Ash Wednesday. They did not receive absolution but were enrolled in the "order of penitents," signified by placing ashes in the form of a cross on their foreheads. They were then assigned public penance to be performed throughout Lent and on Holy Thursday morning they received absolution.

RECOMMENDED READING FOR LENT: Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment by Margaret D. McGee (Skylight paths, 2007); Reconciliation by Bishop Robert Morneau (Orbis, 2007); The Tradition of Catholic Prayer by the Monks of St. Meinrad (Liturgical Press, 2007); A Time for Leaving by Mary Fahy (Paulist Press); Sacred Space: The Prayer Book 2008 by Jesuit Communications Centre (Ave Maria Press, 2007).  Read More »

PARISH MISSION IS COMING SOON: From Sunday, February 10th to Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the church. Topics: Death, the Big Lie presented on Sunday, February 10th; Making Sense out of Suffering presented on Monday, February 11th; Healing of Painful Memories presented on Tuesday, February 12th; and Releasing your Burdens; presented on Wednesday, February 13th. Plan now to attend.

KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS CASINO NITE: Make plans to attend the annual Knights of Columbus Casino Nite on Saturday, February 2nd, in our Family Center. Tickets are $15 each, and may be purchased from any Knight, or after Mass on 1/19 and 1/27. The advance purchase of a ticket entitles the purchaser to $15,000 of chips, plus a chance to win the door prize of a trip for 2 to Las Vegas. Games available to play will be blackjack, craps, roulette, and poker. There will also be food and drinks available for purchase throughout the evening. Babysitting will be available. Doors will open at 6:00p.m. and the games will begin at 7:00p.m. This is always one of the most fun social events in the parish each year, so plan to attend now.

Catholic Daughters will have a Pre-Super Bowl Bake Sale on January 26-27. Come by after all the Masses to get some delicious homemade goodies.

MEN'S CLUB OF ST. IGNATIUS are taking orders for "SUPER BOWL" BRISKETS. Please contact Steve Palmer #565-0361, Charlie Darilek #442-7940 or Eddie Cantu #442-4094. Pre-orders are $35.00 and late comers will be $40.00, while the supply lasts.  Read More »

This Saturday, January 12, the local Knights of Columbus will hold a free throw contest. It will take place in the family center starting at 9:00 a.m. Girls and boys, ages 10 to 14 are eligible to enter. The top three shooters will advance to a diocesan wide competition. There is no need to register prior to Saturday, interested students just show up ready to shoot.

The Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Blood Drive for the Parish account on February 16, 2008 in the Family Center from 8:00AM until Noon. The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas will once again send a team to screen and draw blood. The life you may be saving is worth the short time and effort it takes to give. Lets show the other Parishes who are conducting Blood Drives that St. Ignatius is a GIVING Parish! If you would like to Donate or have questions you can contact Roger Ibarra, Jr. at 301-4979. or ogerjr@sbcglobal.net and I will get you started.

FLOWER MEMORIAL envelopes are available at the display racks by the doors of the Church. If you want to remember a loved one this Christmas, PRINT the name of the person to be remembered on the envelope, enclose a donation and drop the envelope in the collection basket or drop it off at the Church Office. To be included, all memorials must be received by, Monday, December 17th.

LOOKING FOR A DEEPER MEANING IN YOUR LIFE? The season of Advent is a time of hopeful expectation. We are preparing ourselves for a deeper meaning. On behalf of Fr. Joe, the Community Building Team invites you to come join some of your fellow parishioners for prayer, conversation, and the sharing of some of our dreams and hopes for this Advent season, and beyond. These conversations will take no more than an hour of your time, but could be quite powerful in building relationships with our fellow parishioners. After all the Masses on December 8th and 9th, we will meet in small groups in the Family Center. (Note: the meetings after the Sunday evening Mass on December 9th will be in the Church.)

ATTENTION EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS, LECTORS, AND ALTAR SERVERS: If you will not be available any weekend during February, March, April, and May please notify Ann Thornton at 294-6024 or athorn@io.com. No Later than Monday, December 24th, 2007. Also, please notify me if your contact information has changed such as your phone number, where you can be reached, e-mail address, or address.  Read More »