PA Pilgrimage
Join fellow Catholics in Southeast Texas visiting Shrines of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the 11th annual Lenten Pilgrimage in Port Arthur on Saturday, March 4. As traditional, the event comes on the heels of Mardi Gras revelry and includes the Traditional Latin Mass, the Most Holy Rosary, the Way of the Cross, spiritual talks, and Catholic history.
“Each year’s pilgrimage keeps growing and growing,” notes Marilyn Morrell, Pilgrimage Co-Chair, “and I think that is a reflection of the need to turn to God amidst today’s turmoil in the world. So, rain or shine, we walk, pray and immerse ourselves in centuries’ of traditions of the faithful during the Holy Season of Lent.”
Mass kicks off at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 3648 S/Sgt. Lucian
Adams Boulevard, aka 61st Street, at Ninth Avenue, in Port Arthur, with time for confessions starting at 8:15 a.m.
Pilgrims journey after mass to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Calvary Catholic Cemetery, St. James Catholic Church and end about 3:15 p.m. at the Queen of Peace Shrine, 800 Ninth Avenue, in Port Arthur.
“Pilgrims should wear walking shoes and modest attire; no shorts, tank tops or sleeveless tops,” Morrell advises. “Don’t forget your rosary and a flower for Mary.
Entire families, baby strollers, religious banners welcomed!”
Bread, water, police escort and fried fish snacks will be provided by the Bridge City Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council from St. Henry Catholic Church.
For more information, call (409) 724-1456.
Jasper Co. tops BBQ at Houston rodeo
The Jasper County Area Go Texan cook-off team was voted best BBQ at the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Feb. 25, the verdict was handed down when the group was selected as Grand Champion Overall in the BBQ Contest. There were more than 250 teams from across the state entered in the competition.
For 40 or more years, the Jasper County Area Go Texan group has been helping raise money for a scholarship fund for students in Jasper and Newton counties.
Lumberton Trade Days return on March 4-5
Lumberton Trade Days return Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, at the City Park, 1300 FM 421. Hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vendors can email sandra@lumbertoncoc.com for a participant application and more information.
SOARing with MWH
Throughout March, the McFaddin-Ward House is hosting its inaugural “SOAR” butterfly-themed community outreach celebration, beginning on Sunday, March 5, with a Family Day on house grounds, 1906 Calder Ave. in Beaumont, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event, free and open to the public, will feature “Butterfly Bikes,” live music, picnicking on the grounds, booths from the Sabine-Neches Master Naturalists and Houston Museum of Natural Science Bug Cart, a butterfly garden created by local artists, crafts, family activities, and much more.
Future SOAR events in the Month of March include Backporch Friends on Mar. 10, and the Night and Day Orchestra on Mar. 30. Call (409) 832-2134 or visit mcfaddin-ward.org for more information.
Civil War site reopens in Sabine Pass
A Civil War battleground and memorial commemorating an attempted Union assault on Sabine Pass has reopened after repairs from Hurricane Harvey, according to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site in Port Arthur is back open to the public seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site closed in fall 2022 for seawall repairs and other construction projects.
Admission to the Texas historical site is charged at $5 per car, and RV spaces are available to rent for $40. A self-guided tour of the site is available for all to enjoy. The site has restrooms, picnic tables, grills, fishing access and wheelchair accessibility.
Sabine Pass Battleground tells the story of Confederate Lt. Richard “Dick” Dowling and his 46 men, “who thwarted a Union assault on Sabine Pass, the primary port for Confederate shipments of vital supplies during the war effort,” the THC shared with notice of the site’s opening.
“While the battle lasted less than an hour, Dowling and his men destroyed two gunboats, resulting in significant casualties and the capture of nearly 350 prisoners,” THC data further details. “This battle saved area ports from capture and prevented Union forces from infiltrating the Texas interior in the Civil War.”
For more information, visit visitsabinepassbattleground.com.
Clays For Cardio next weekend
The seventh annual Clays For Cardio Shoot-Out, presented by the Cardiovascular Foundation of Southeast Texas, is set for Saturday, March 11, at the 1-In-100 Gun Club, 1228 FM 421 in Lumberton.
Individuals can register online at sextcardiofound.com.
Registration and a light breakfast begins at 8 a.m., followed by a mandatory safety briefing. The flight begins at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., activities for children and live music get underway. At noon, lunch will be provided by Courville’s.
Non-shooter admission is $20, and children under age 12 are free. Admission fees and all funds raised will benefit the CFST’s cause.
For more information, contact GiGi Mazzola at (409) 363-3288 or gmazzola@setxcardiology.com. Also, visit https://www.loc8nearme.com/texas/lumberton/one-in-one-hundred-gun-club-members-only/5726649/
Orange native serves aboard Navy warship
Spotlighting those serving the country in the Armed Forces, Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Hanchar details the life of Orange native Petty Officer 3rd Class Jordon Crespo, as assists in manning the USS Boxer Navy warship, homeported in San Diego, California.
Crespo, a 2014 Little Cypress Mauriceville graduate, joined the Navy six years ago.
“I joined the Navy to see the world,” Crespo told Hanchar. “I was looking for new experiences and wanted to meet new people.”
Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Orange, Crespo reports.
“I learned the importance of perseverance and doing the right thing at all times,” said Crespo. “It’s important to stay true to yourself and your core values.”
Boxer’s crew is made up of approximately 1,200 crewmembers and can accommodate up to 1,800 Marines. Amphibious assault ships transfer Marines, equipment and supplies and can support helicopters or other aircraft, Hanchar advised.
“Our mission remains timeless – to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”
Negating a need for war is Crespo’s favorite part of fruitful missions.
“We’re the world’s peacekeepers,” Crespo said. “Most of the world is water, so if there are problems in the world, we can get there to respond.”
PAISD educator earns female diversity award
Shalequa Landry, Computer Science instructor at Memorial High School’s Career and Technical Education campus, earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Teachers and schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP computer science courses, according to PAISD correspondence.
“We’re thrilled to congratulate our minority and female AP computer science students and their dynamic teacher for taking this giant step toward gender parity in computer science education,” said Adrienne Lott, PAISD’s Media and Communications Specialist. “We’re honored that our school earned this distinction and look forward to seeing these young women and others pursue and achieve success in computer science education and careers. What makes this even more special is that Ms. Landry is a proud product of PAISD, having graduated from the historic Abraham Lincoln High School in 1992. This is a full circle moment as an educator who is giving back to her hometown community.”
College Board Head of the AP Program Trevor Packer offered support of the local program providing female students with access to computer science courses critical to ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to driving innovation, creativity, and representation.
The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $97,430 in May 2021. However, women represent just 24% of the five million people in computing occupations.
According to the data encouraging the AP Board, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than five times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to female students of similar background and academic preparation who did not take CSP.
The study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that, for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.
Information provided by PAISD shows that schools nationwide have yet to achieve gender parity in AP computer science classrooms.
Overall, female students account for just 33% of AP Computer Science Principles participants and 25% of AP Computer Science participants.
Currently, 51% of the nation’s high schools teach foundational computer science.
Neches FCU offers free funds for college
Neches Federal Credit Union will be giving scholarships to graduating seniors preparing to attend college. Applications are available online and at all Neches FCU locations.
Completed applications must be turned in no later than Friday, March 10. The scholarship applicant must be a member of Neches Federal Credit Union in order to be eligible for the scholarship.
Visit a local branch or Nechesfcu.org for more information.