Bulletin for March 17

Dear friends in Christ,

I trust the Spring Break that many of you enjoyed this past week was a good one. It is important to take those periodic breaks to recharge and refresh our bodies and minds. In a way, Lent is kind of a “spring break” for our spiritual souls as well. We “break” from sin (hopefully for good!) and refresh ourselves in God’s mercy and grace. It’s a time to slow down and recognize that there is something bigger going on here than just our own wants and desires. The dying to self and sin results in new life within us. These 40 days will be over before you know it, just like Spring Break. Let’s resolve to use the time wisely so that we might better come to know the Lord in our life.

In this second week of Lent we are invited up the mountain with Peter, James and John as we hear the stirring account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Moses and Elijah. This is always one of my favorite biblical passages, and you can see it depicted in one of the stained-glass windows in the church. It shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), yet fear strikes the disciples and they don’t quite grasp what is happening. What fear is keeping us from recognizing the Lord in our own lives? Do we hear God’s voice? What might we need to let go of in this Lenten season to be able to recognize Jesus at work in our lives?

Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, is one of the pillars of Lent, and a great way to practice that is through CRS Rice Bowls that were distributed last week on the first Sunday of Lent. (If you need one, we have extras in the narthex and in the office.) We invite you to save your extra change, perhaps contributing the money you would have spent on that which you “gave up” for Lent. We’ll collect those once Lent is over and all the proceeds will go to support Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the U.S. CRS works to alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in nearly 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

Another great way to give alms is through your pledge to the annual Diocesan Services Fund. If you haven’t yet done so, please remember to return your pledge card to the office or in the collection basket, or better yet, make your pledge online. Additional pledge envelopes are available in the pews or in the office, but making your pledge online at www.archgh.org/dsf is the easiest option. Your DSF pledge goes to support the more than 60 ministries of the Archdiocese bringing God’s mercy to those most in need. Thanks in advance for your support of this yearly initiative that does so much good for so many in our Archdiocese.

You can actually practice two of the three pillars of Lent at the same time when you pledge online. By registering with our automated electronic giving program, Faith Direct, you can fast from envelopes not only for Lent, but forever. We’re inviting parishioners to “give up” offertory envelopes during this season and make your weekly tithe online. It saves the parish money (less envelopes to print and mail) and makes it easier for you (no more checks to write or envelopes to remember to bring). Go to www.faithdirect.net and enter our parish code of TX150. It’s easy, fast, and secure.

Please keep our catechumens and candidates in your prayers as they journey to Easter and full reception into the Catholic faith. Over the next three Sundays of Lent, beginning next week, the catechumens (i.e., the elect) will undergo what is known as the “scrutinies” at the 9 a.m. Mass. These are small liturgical “check points” to prepare them for baptism at the Easter Vigil. It’s a powerful reminder for them and for us of the need of conversion throughout our lives. We join with the elect in scrutinizing our lives and pray for the grace to overcome the power of sin that infects our hearts.

Thank you to all who helped last week with the Rite of Election for our catechumens and candidates. We had a great turnout of folks from CtR to serve as hospitality ministers to our more than 1,400 visitors. So many people stopped me after the ceremony to comment on the warmth, generosity and helpfulness of our people, and of course they loved the beauty of our church, too. What a great testament to the spirit of Christ alive in our parish. Thank you all who gave up a few hours of your Sunday evening to assist us.

Remember you are invited each Friday in Lent to join us for the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry from 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, followed by Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. in the church. The Knights got off to a great start on Week 1 with more than 1,500 dinners sold. Thanks to all who helped make it a special event for the parish and community. And Stations were well attended, too. It’s a great way to wrap up the week by walking with Jesus on the way to Calvary.

We’re six weeks away from our 34th annual Spring Festival, set for April 27-28. Mark your calendars and plan to join us, but I encourage you to begin planning now on how to lend a hand. It’s no secret that what makes the Spring Festival such an awesome event for our parish and community is the great number of people who volunteer their time and talent during the weekend. Your help is especially needed to staff a shift or two (usually in a block of two hours each) in one of our many booths. The help and support of everyone in the parish, both young and old, is most needed. It’s a great way to give back to the community.

We are also in need of booth chairpersons, including several for our games and our flea market. This is a great way for families to get involved, or better yet, a family of families. You can partner with friends and family to oversee a booth and that way the work is spread out among several people and everyone gets time to enjoy the Festival. I highly encourage our ministries and R.E. classes to consider taking over a booth or game. It’s a perfect way to get the kids involved in service to the community, and the older teens can earn service hours, too. But we do it not for what we “get,” but for what we can “give” – namely our time and talents to serve God and neighbor.

Visit our website for all the details. In a few weeks we’ll have advance tickets on sale after all Masses, along with T-shirts, raffle tickets, and all the other Festival goodies. For now, round up your crew and get involved so we might all do our part to make it a great Spring Festival at CtR.

Peace,
Fr. Sean