CASA Representatives to speak at Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi

The Monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church is set for Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View.

The event is open to all men of the community and persons are asked to call and confirm their attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

The speakers for the program are representatives of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Kids of South Central Texas, namely, Mr. Walter Smith, member of the Board of Directors, Ms. Deanna Warmke, Executive Director and Ms. Tracy Sebesta, Advocate Supervisor. They will share information on the organization and how the men of the community may be involved.

CASA continues to provide valuable volunteer advocacy for every abused child in this area. CASA volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are frequently the only stable presence in these children’s lives as they navigate the foster care system.

Walter Smith has resided in Prairie View on FM 1488 since 2012. He is a 1975 graduate of Rice University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is the founder and owner of ArborLeaf Engineering & Surveying, a professional engineering firm in Tomball, and has practiced civil engineering and land surveying both public and private sectors, for 42 years.  Walter is the father of 7 children and grandfather of 15, with number 16 due in September.

Since November of 2016, he has served on the Board of Directors of CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, and feels strongly that there needs to be a voice for those children who cannot speak for themselves.

Deanna Warmke was born and raised in Bellville.  She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1996.  Deanna serves as the Executive Director of CASA for Kids, beginning that position in April 2016.  Helping others has always been in her nature, but being a mom makes this role a real passion – helping make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children who need a voice.  She says, “A great joy is the people that you meet along the way.  You get to see the true spirit of some amazing people that give their time, money, resources, and most of all, their heart to help these children!”  

Deanna now resides in Bleiblerville with her husband and their two children.  Her daughter is entering high school and her son is going into 8th grade.  They keep her running with sports and show pigs.  They own a collision repair facility which they operate next to their home.

For information on CASA, call 979-277-0088 or visit, www.wespeak4kids.org.

Patrons are also invited to participate in our Christian Education and Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.  Our worship service is at 11:00 a.m. Come learn the word and share in the fellowship.

Other upcoming events at St. Francis of Assisi is the Houston FoodBank Kraft Mobile unit distribution of Food, Fresh Fruits and Produce on September 21, 2017 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm with persons who may want to stretch their food budget.  Attendees can also apply/renew for essential services: i.e. SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF.  There are no requirements to receive the free product.  Please bring your own bags, boxes, etc.  Please share this information with members of the community. For information call the Foodbank at 832-369-9390. Additionally, the Pearl's Kitchen Bar-B-Que Dinner is on September 14  for $10. Dine-in or take–out is welcome.

St. Francis of Assisi to open Pearl's Pantry

The Members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church is launching and opening of Pearl's Pantry.  The Pantry will feature a monthly dinner beginning August 10, 2017 with a Fish Fry from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the church's Parish Hall, 204 Dooley Street. The dinner is priced at $10.00.

Pearl's Pantry is so named after Mrs. Pearl Solomon, longtime member of the church who provided many meals and desserts for the church and the community at large.  Mrs. Solomon was an ardent Home Economist and chef.

Tickets for the dinners may be secured from the members and or requested at stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.  Phone number is 936-857-3272 .

Chief Anthony Solomon is the Men's Prayer Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Chief Anthony Solomon is the speaker for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on July 15, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of the Church on 204 Dooley Street.

The breakfast is open to all of men of the community and those who plan to attend are asked to call 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net to confirm.

Chief Solomon joined the Prairie View Police Department in November of 2016. He began his law enforcement career while serving as a Correctional Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice before attending Alvin College of Law Enforcement Academy.

Following graduation, Solomon began service with the Tomball Police Department as a Reserve Officer in 1993 and worked his way through the ranks and in 2009 was promoted to Captain over Special Services Division and also served as Commander of the Departments’ Hostage Negotiation Team.

Solomon retired from the Tomball Police Department in December of 2014 after 22 years of service and joined the Bellmead Police Department as Operations Lieutenant in July of 2015. After one year of service Solomon was promoted to Assistant Chief serving as the departments Patrol commander, FTO coordinator and CID Supervisor which investigates all homicides, crimes against persons, and narcotics.

Solomon received the Bachelor of Science degree from the University Phoenix in Business Management and holds membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators. He is also a graduate of the Command Staff Leadership School at the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) and holds a Master Peace Officer Proficiency Certification.

Solomon loves his career as a law enforcement officer and believes that nothing is impossible with hard work. He is inspired by his favorite quote from Muhammad Ali, “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.”

Members of the community are also encouraged to come out and support the Houston FoodBank Mobile Unit which will be at the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on July 20, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church on 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. There are no qualifications necessary, and persons may sign up for SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF programs. Patrons must be present and signed to receive the food.